Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast

Shanna

Welcome to Making Everyday Magic, the podcast where we explore the ins and outs of homeschooling, family life, and finding joy in the everyday moments. Join Shanna as she shares real-life experiences, tips, and insights on navigating homeschool with a secular perspective, making family memories, and balancing the highs and lows of home education. From practical advice to mindset shifts, each episode is designed to inspire and empower you to create a fulfilling and magical life that's uniquely your own. Tune in and let's make everyday magic together!

#HomeschoolLife #FamilyJoy #MakingEverydayMagic #SecularHomeschool #Podcast

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S1 · E121
Monday · 10 min
Homeschool Isn't the Answer. It Isn't the Enemy Either.
After 10 years of homeschooling, I'm increasingly convinced that we need a better way to talk about education. Homeschool can be wonderful. It can also have serious problems. Public school can serve children beautifully. It can also fail them. The same is true of private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools, and pretty much every other educational model we could name. So why do we keep trying to turn these choices into absolutes? In this episode, I'm talking about why I don't believe homeschool is either the answer to every educational problem or the enemy of education. I'm sharing what works for our family, the circumstances that make our homeschool possible, the legitimate criticisms I have of homeschooling, and why I'm never going to tell another family what they should do. This is my homeschool. My experience. My very narrow lens. And I think that's exactly what it should be.
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S1 · E120
October 1 · 16 min
How I Homeschool Multiple Grades: 9th + 5th Grade
How do you homeschool multiple children when they're in completely different grades? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how we make our 9th-grade and 5th-grade homeschool work after 10 years of homeschooling. My kids are four grade levels apart, so they obviously don't do everything together. Math and language arts stay individual, while we combine subjects like history, science, art history, geography, and French whenever it makes sense. I'll talk about our "teach to the older child and pull the younger one up" philosophy, how I adjust assignments and expectations for different developmental levels, why group learning works so well for us, and how we've built independence into our homeschool over the years. This isn't a prescription for every homeschool family. It's simply what works in our house—and hopefully it gives you a few ideas that save you some time, effort, and grief.
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S1 · E119
September 25 · 12 min
What Do Homeschool Parents Actually Do?
What happens when you don't homeschool and your idea of homeschooling comes mostly from the loudest and most extreme examples? I understand the skepticism. After 10 years of homeschooling, I've seen things in the homeschool world that concern me too—including educational neglect and rejection of science. But that's not the whole story. In this episode, I'm talking about what our secular homeschool actually looks like, why I don't think homeschool parents need to be experts in every subject, and why one of the most important parts of my job is knowing what I don't know. My kids learn from scientists, specialized instructors, experts, curricula, museums, and experiences that I couldn't possibly provide by myself. I don't have to know everything. I have to be willing to find the people who do. And ultimately, my homeschool isn't about building taller walls around my children. It's about opening doors. Links: Non-educator Superintendent: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0945.htm Teacher Stats: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/state-teacher-shortages-2026-factsheet
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S1 · E116
September 24 · 11 min
I Don't Love Homeschooling Every Day: The Truth About Hard Homeschool Days
I've been homeschooling for 10 years, and I don't love homeschooling every day. I know that's probably not what you're supposed to say when you have built an entire life around homeschooling—but it's true. In this episode, I'm talking honestly about the hard homeschool days: the pressure, the stress, the lack of sleep, the cost, the mess, the expectations, and those days when you simply do not want to homeschool. But I'm also talking about what we can actually do about it. Sometimes we change the schedule. Sometimes we have a pajama day. Sometimes we go to the beach. Sometimes we do math and call it a day. Sometimes we outsource. And sometimes we need to admit that homeschooling may not be working for our family anymore. Because I don't believe homeschooling is something we should suffer through just to prove that we're committed. You can love homeschooling without loving every day. You can put it down and pick it back up. You can pivot. You can change your mind. And if you're in a hard homeschool season right now, maybe you don't need another productivity system or another curriculum recommendation. Maybe you just need permission to admit that today is hard. The days are long, but the years are short—and that applies to homeschooling, too.
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S1 · E118
September 22 · 12 min
What's Next? Life After Homeschooling, Learning New Things, and Making Wigs
We're entering our 10th year of homeschooling, and with a 9th grader and a 5th grader, I'm starting to think about what life looks like when my kids need me less. Not because I'm done being a mom. Because I'm still a person, too. In this episode, I'm talking about learning new things, being a beginner, and figuring out what comes next. And apparently, that currently means learning the art of wig making and wig styling. I have a cosmetology background, a child pursuing theater, and a lot of curiosity. It's creative, flexible, and something I can pick up when I have time. But this conversation is about more than wigs. It's about remembering that you're allowed to have interests, you're allowed to want things, and you're allowed to do things just because they make you happy. I'm also sharing a little about the other things I'm figuring out right now, including planning our hopefully soon Parisian trip, building our own homeschool resources, and my ongoing pursuit of maximizing the value of the dollars we spend. Because apparently, even when I'm trying to relax, I'm still trying to figure out how to get the most out of everything. What are you working on right now? What's your next thing? I'd love to hear what you're learning, what you're excited about, or what you're thinking about for the next season of your life. Let's grow this list. ❤️
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S1 · E114
September 19 · 13 min
What You Tolerate, You Endorse: Boundaries in Homeschooling and Parenting
There is one phrase I come back to over and over again in homeschooling, parenting, relationships, business, and honestly... life: What you tolerate, you endorse. And I know that might feel a little uncomfortable. Because sometimes the things causing chaos in our homeschool, our homes, and our relationships aren't things we actively chose. They're things we let slide. One more late bedtime. One more skipped lesson. One more meltdown that ends with us giving in because we're tired, embarrassed, or simply do not have the energy to deal with it right now. But what happens when "just this once" becomes the pattern? In this episode, I'm talking about consistency, boundaries, parenting, homeschool habits, people pleasing, and why being firm doesn't mean being unkind. From bedtime routines and homeschool expectations to relationships and the comment section, we're looking at the bigger picture. Because sometimes doing the hard thing now is really about doing later you a favor. You don't have to control every person around you. You don't have to be harsh. You don't have to become a jerk. But you do get to decide what you will and will not tolerate. And if you're tolerating something that is creating an outcome you don't actually want, it might be time to address it. Kindly. Firmly. Consistently.
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S1 · E117
September 18 · 9 min
I Don't Want My Kids to Have a Normal Childhood
I don't want my kids to have a normal childhood. After 10 years of homeschooling, I'm realizing that I'm not trying to recreate the childhood I had—or the childhood society tells us our kids are supposed to have. I'm trying to build a family life that gives my girls room to learn, explore, play, ask questions, and become the people they're meant to be. In this episode, I talk about what "normal" means to me, why I'm proud of the ways our homeschool and family life are different, and why I want my girls to grow up knowing they can build a life that fits them. I also talk about the things I want them to have—and the things I want them to learn to live without. Because exceptional doesn't mean spoiled or the center of the universe. It means having opportunities, developing compassion, and knowing you have a safe place to land while you figure out who you are. If you're homeschooling, parenting differently, or simply questioning something that everyone else seems to accept, I hope this gives you a little room to think about what you actually want for your family. What is one thing that's accepted as "normal" that you've decided is just not for you? Find me on Instagram: @makingeverydaymagic #Homeschooling #IntentionalParenting #MakingEverydayMagic
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S1 · E115
September 17 · 22 min
Building a Custom High School: Our Magnet-Style Homeschool
What happens when you stop trying to recreate traditional high school at home and start building an educational experience around the actual learner? In this episode, I'm talking about our first year of homeschooling high school and how we're creating a custom, magnet-style experience for our daughter. She's pursuing performing arts, but we're not choosing between passion and academics. We're building both into her education: advanced academics, Algebra 2 in ninth grade, a future dual-credit path, serious performance opportunities, real-life learning, and the flexibility to bring in experts and resources as needed. I'll also talk about why I think homeschool parents don't have to know exactly where their children are headed before they start building the foundation—and why I think following a child's interests and maintaining high academic expectations can coexist beautifully. This is what customized education looks like for us after ten years of homeschooling. It's not about doing less. It's about intentionally building something that fits the learner.
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S1 · E113
September 12 · 13 min
Homeschool Guilt Lives Between Idealism and Reality
What did you think homeschooling would look like before you actually started? Because I can tell you... mine did not look like this. In this episode, I'm talking about the space between our ideal homeschool and our real homeschool—and why I think that space is where so much homeschool guilt lives. We see the curriculum, the classes, the field trips, the beautiful homeschool rooms, the art projects, the co-ops, and all the things our kids could do. And before we know it, we've planned approximately 14 years of homeschooling into three days. Meanwhile, reality is over here asking for snacks. And bathroom breaks. And free time. And flexibility. And reminding us that we are trying to be humans, mothers, and homeschoolers all at the same time. After nearly 10 years of homeschooling, I'm still learning this: we do not need to drag our real lives toward some impossible ideal. We need to bring our ideals closer to reality. Your homeschool doesn't have to do everything to be enough. If you have happy people, making progress, with some consistency? You might already be doing better than you think. So before you add another curriculum, activity, class, field trip, or beautifully ambitious plan to your homeschool year, maybe take one thing off instead. Let's talk about homeschool idealism, realism, overwhelm, guilt, and figuring out what actually works for your family.
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S1 · E112
September 10 · 17 min
Homeschool Haters, Internet Trolls, and Why I Don't Need to Defend My Life
I recently got a hateful comment about my homeschooling, my parenting, my personality, and apparently my nose ring. And honestly? I thought it was hilarious. In this episode, I'm talking about how I handle internet trolls, homeschool criticism, and the people who become strangely confident experts on your entire life after seeing a tiny piece of it online. But this conversation is about more than one nasty comment. We're talking about boundaries, knowing who you are, sharing your life without feeling obligated to share all of it, and why you do not have to accept every invitation to defend yourself. I also share the unexpected story behind my nose ring and how one decision I made at eighteen eventually connected me to a thirteen-year-old boy who needed a bone marrow transplant. Because people don't know your full story. And they don't necessarily need to.
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S1 · E111
September 3 · 20 min
The Systems That Keep Our Homeschool Running After 10 Years
After a decade of homeschooling, I have learned that sustainability doesn't come from doing more. It comes from building systems. In this episode, I'm sharing the practical systems that help our family manage homeschooling, chores, meals, laundry, planning, and everyday life. We talk about why systems work better than rigid schedules, how we divide responsibilities as a family, and the small routines that make a huge difference in reducing mental load. This isn't about creating a picture-perfect home. It's about creating a home where everyone knows their role, everyone contributes, and there is room for connection and learning.
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S1 · E110
August 27 · 13 min
10 Years of Homeschooling: What Actually Matters
After ten years homeschooling two children, I'm sharing the lessons that have actually lasted. From learning styles and curriculum to consistency, socialization, college, freedom, and protecting your relationship with your children, these are the ideas I wish someone had told me when we first started homeschooling. Whether you're brand new or years into your homeschool journey, I hope this conversation helps you build a homeschool that works for your unique family.
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S1 · E109
August 13 · 18 min
Things I'm Seeing That Make Me Think the Economy Is Changing
I'm not an economist, financial advisor, or market expert. I'm just a mom who's paying attention. In this episode, I share the real-world changes I've been noticing that make me wonder whether we're entering a different economic season. From empty tourist destinations and lower theme park crowds to unsold summer camps, changing travel deals, car inventories, rising prices, and shifts in family spending, these are the everyday patterns that have caught my attention. This isn't about politics or predicting the future—it's about observing what's happening in our communities and having an honest conversation about how families are adapting. I also share what I think these changes could mean for homeschooling, travel, family budgets, extracurricular activities, and everyday life in the months ahead. Whether you've been noticing similar patterns or you're simply curious about how other families are navigating today's economy, I'd love for you to join the conversation. In this episode we discuss: The everyday signs that made me stop and pay attention Why I'm seeing changes in travel, entertainment, and family spending How rising costs may affect homeschooling and extracurricular activities What I think could become more affordable again Why sharing our observations can help families prepare for whatever comes next I'd love to hear what you're seeing in your own community. What changes have you noticed that no one seems to be talking about?
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S1 · E108
August 6 · 10 min
Why Doing Less Makes Your Homeschool More Successful
As we head into our 10th year of homeschooling—and our very first year of high school—I'm reminding myself of something I seem to forget every single year: I always try to plan a homeschool that doesn't actually fit real life. In this episode, I'm sharing why "less is more" has become one of the most important principles in our homeschool. We'll talk about curriculum overload, homeschool guilt, delaying the start of elective subjects, building consistency, planning a realistic four-day homeschool week, and why creating a sustainable routine is far more valuable than creating the "perfect" plan. If you've ever felt pressure to do more, buy more curriculum, or pack your homeschool schedule with everything you could do, this conversation is for you. We'll also discuss: Why consistency beats intensity every time How we simplify high school planning Delay-starting electives and interest-led learning Combining subjects to make homeschooling more manageable Creating a homeschool that actually works in real life—not just on paper Sometimes the best homeschool isn't the one with the most curriculum—it's the one that gets done.
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S1 · E107
July 17 · 14 min
How We're Building a High School French Plan Without Being Fluent
When we started homeschooling, I knew there would be moments where I had to learn alongside my kids. High school French is one of those moments. In this episode, I'm sharing how we're creating a complete foreign language plan for our homeschool—even though I am not fluent in French. We'll talk about: letting kids have ownership over educational choices building homeschool high school credits combining resources instead of searching for one perfect curriculum why family learning has become such an important part of our homeschool Homeschooling isn't about knowing everything. It's about being willing to keep learning. Rosetta Stone Evan-Moor
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S1 · E106
July 14 · 14 min
The Homeschool Problem Nobody Talks About: How We Show Up Matters
Homeschool parents spend a lot of time looking for solutions. A new curriculum. A better schedule. A different planner. Another resource. And sometimes those things are exactly what we need. But after nearly 10 years of secular homeschooling, I have started to recognize another important piece of the puzzle: the environment where learning happens. In this episode, I share an honest reflection about the role parents play in creating homeschool culture. We talk about stress, routines, expectations, emotional regulation, and the way our children experience education beyond the lessons themselves. This is not a conversation about perfection. It is about awareness. Because homeschooling is not only about what our children learn. It is also about how we learn together. Welcome to Making Everyday Magic — conversations about secular homeschooling, intentional parenting, education, and creating a meaningful family life.
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S1 · E105
July 10 · 16 min
Planning Homeschool High School History: Making Curriculum Fit Real Life
Choosing homeschool curriculum is often the exciting part. But what happens after you buy it? In this episode, I share how I'm planning world history for my upcoming ninth grader and fifth grader, why I almost always adapt curriculum, and how I approach creating a homeschool plan that works in our actual everyday life. After almost ten years of homeschooling, I have learned that the best curriculum is not necessarily the one with the most features. It's the one that fits your family. We talk about: planning homeschool high school history combining multiple ages secular homeschool choices modifying curriculum without guilt balancing academic goals with sustainable family rhythms Because homeschooling isn't about creating the perfect plan. It's about paying attention, making thoughtful decisions, and building an education that works for the humans in your home. Nomadic Professor World History
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S1 · E104
July 6 · 24 min
The Homeschool Conversation Nobody Wants To Have: Accountability, Progress, and Educational Neglect
Homeschooling gives families incredible freedom — but that freedom comes with responsibility. In this episode, I'm having an uncomfortable conversation about educational neglect, homeschool accountability, and the importance of honestly evaluating whether our choices are serving our children. After nearly 10 years of homeschooling, I believe deeply in this path. I also believe our children deserve us being willing to question ourselves. This episode explores homeschool blind spots, progress, child-centered education, and why changing course is sometimes the most loving choice a parent can make. This is not about perfection. It is about intentional parenting and making sure our learners are truly being served.
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S1 · E103
July 3 · 13 min
The Homeschool Curriculum Question I Stopped Asking After 10 Years
After 10 years of homeschooling, I make homeschool decisions very differently than I did in the beginning. When I first started, I was searching for the right curriculum. I wanted to know I was doing enough, choosing enough, and providing enough. Over time, I realized that the better question wasn't: "Is this the right curriculum?" It was: "What is my goal?" In this episode, I share how that shift has changed the way I plan our homeschool, modify curriculum, prepare for high school, and decide what actually serves my children. Homeschooling isn't about recreating school at home or collecting the most resources. It's about intentionally choosing what matters.
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S1 · E102
July 2 · 15 min
Family-Centered vs Kid-Centered: A Parenting Perspective
What happens when children aren't the center of everything? In this episode, I'm sharing why our homeschool family intentionally built a family-centered home instead of a kid-centered one. We talk about parenting culture, maternal burnout, teamwork, family relationships, homeschooling, and why I believe children benefit from belonging to something bigger than themselves. This isn't about neglect or strict parenting. It's about connection, contribution, and creating a family culture where everyone matters.
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