What Homeschooling Taught a Future Education Researcher

<p><strong>Check out CRHE&#39;s Research:</strong> https://crhe.org/research/research-resources/<br>Growing up homeschooled across multiple countries, experiencing homelessness, transitioning into public school, and eventually earning a PhD, Dr. Jonah Stewart has a story unlike most. In this episode, I sit down with Jonah to talk about their unconventional homeschool experience, the challenges of adapting to traditional education, and how those experiences ultimately shaped a career researching education and advocating for homeschool reform through the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). We also discuss ADHD, social development, college, and why every homeschool story is unique.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li>Dr. Jonah Stewart shares what it was like being homeschooled across the U.S. and Australia.</li><li>How Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum shaped—and limited—their learning experience.</li><li>The difficult transition from homeschooling to public school during a period of family instability.</li><li>Living with ADHD and discovering learning strategies that actually worked.</li><li>Why social development is just as important as academic success.</li><li>The mission of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education and why responsible oversight matters.</li><li>Lessons learned from college, graduate school, and building an independent adult life.</li></ul><p><strong>Resources Mentioned</strong></p><ul><li>Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE)</li><li>Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)</li><li>Duke University</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Listener Question</strong></p><p>Have you ever transitioned from homeschooling into public or private school? What was the biggest surprise for you? Share your story in the comments!</p><p>If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps more homeschool alumni discover these conversations and join the community.</p><p><strong>Connect with me</strong></p><ul><li>BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub</li><li>Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com</li><li>Listen on Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/exhsclub/</li><li>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/</li><li>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub</li><li>Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/</li><li>Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com</li></ul><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club</p><p>01:21 Jonah Homeschool Background</p><p>03:22 Curriculum and Daily Routine</p><p>08:22 How Our Parents Built Structure with ADHD Students</p><p>11:29 Did You Find Homeschool Community or was it Isolating</p><p>16:15 Why did you Switch to Public School</p><p>19:20 Adjusting to Public School</p><p>25:53 Finding Stability and Good Teachers</p><p>32:04 The Different Forms of Intelligence and Social Skills</p><p>35:57 Launching into Independence and College </p><p>39:25 Leaving Home Reality Check</p><p>43:31 Hiding Homeschool Roots</p><p>44:24 Stereotypes and Self Proof</p><p>49:40 Reinvention in Grad School</p><p>50:28 Coming Out and Finding Belonging</p><p>55:42 Turning 30 Confidence Shift</p><p>01:00:49 Finding CRHE and Purpose</p><p>01:05:54 Research Gaps and Regulation</p><p>01:12:58 Key Studies to Read</p><p>01:19:39 Future Research Questions</p><p>01:26:05 Why Lived Experience Matters</p><p>01:28:35 Wrap Up and Resources</p>