Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court & Jess

Some habits have kept us afloat for years, and others are exactly what we need this season! This week on Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re chatting about the big and small habits that help our homes, homeschools, and everyday lives run a little smoother.

We’re sharing what has stuck through the years, what we’re doing now, and how our habits have changed as our families have grown. From familiar routines to small, intentional choices, these little things can make a big difference. Join us for an honest conversation about finding what works for your family with room to adjust when life changes.

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We’re welcoming our very first guest to Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered! Maria Hendershot is a master-certified life coach, mom of six, and homeschooler for 26 years. She joins Court and Jess for an honest conversation about the rewards of homeschooling and the moments when it feels overwhelming.

Maria shares how involving her kids in conversations about their education has shaped their family, what she’s learned by asking them about their homeschool experience, and why moms need grace when burnout creeps in. We also talk about small ways to reset on a hard day, making a personal “joy list,” and finding awe and wonder in everyday life.

Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the homeschooling years, this conversation is a reminder that joy and hard days can exist together.

Connect with Maria at the following:

I’ve Got You Mama podcast

Joyful Invention website

@marihendershot.coaching on Instagram

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In this episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re talking all about how we use AI in our everyday lives, from homeschooling our kids to managing our homes.

We’re sharing the practical ways AI helps us plan lessons, brainstorm ideas, simplify assignments, organize schedules, create meals, manage household tasks, and save time in the middle of busy family life. We also talk honestly about what AI can do well, where it still falls short, and why it works best as a helpful tool rather than a replacement for your own judgment and creativity.

Whether you’re already using AI or you’re still wondering what all the hype is about, this episode offers real-life examples, simple ideas, and encouragement to help you use it in ways that actually make life easier.

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In this episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re talking about one of the biggest questions homeschool families ask: How do families actually make homeschooling work financially? From income and budgeting to sacrifices, priorities, and creative solutions, we’re having an honest conversation about the real-life side of money and homeschooling.

We’re sharing the practical ways families make it work, the trade-offs that often come with this lifestyle, and the different paths people take to create a homeschool life that fits their values and goals. Whether you’re just starting to consider homeschooling or you’re already in it and feeling the financial stretch, this episode is meant to encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that there is no one-size-fits-all formula.

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In this episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re taking the long view of homeschooling. If you’re at the beginning of the school year and needing fresh motivation, or you’re deep in the hard middle years and wondering if it’s all worth it, this conversation is for you.

We’re talking about what it looks like to homeschool all the way through, what our kids are doing now, and why looking back brings so much joy and zero regret. This episode is for the parent who needs encouragement to keep going, stay the course, and remember that the fruit of homeschooling is often seen over time.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder that the hard days are not the whole story, this one will give you hope, perspective, and motivation for the year ahead.

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You don't need a corporate title to be a CEO. Every homeschooling parent is already leading an organization that matters more than any business: a family.

As homeschool parents, we often feel pulled in a hundred different directions: work deadlines, lesson plans, laundry piles, meals, appointments, activities, and the endless needs of the people we love most. It's easy to feel like we're constantly reacting rather than leading.

In this encouraging and practical session, Jessica Breuer, CEO of Venture Upward and homeschooling mom, shares how business leadership principles can transform your homeschool and home life. Learn how to create a family mission, establish priorities, manage your resources, delegate responsibilities, build healthy systems, and lead your home with confidence instead of chaos.

You'll walk away with practical tools, actionable strategies, and renewed encouragement to stop trying to do everything and start focusing on what matters most. Because successful CEOs don't do it all; they focus on what matters most.

Whether you're working from home, working outside the home, or simply managing the beautiful complexity of family life, you'll discover how to become the CEO your home needs.

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We’re back after summer break, and school is officially underway! In this episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re catching up on the start of our homeschool year: what we planned, what actually happened, what’s working well, and what we’re already changing.

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In this special episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we're sharing a recording from a Parent Professional Development session we were invited to present for Venture Upward. During this interactive Ask Us Anything session, we answered questions from parents on a wide range of topics.

We loved the opportunity to connect with families, share our experiences, and have honest conversations about the realities of homeschooling and motherhood. Whether you're looking for practical tips, encouragement, or simply enjoy hearing real-life homeschool stories, this episode is packed with insights from a fun and engaging Q&A.

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In this episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re talking all about summer plans, from summer learning and fun activities to the schedules that help keep everything running smoothly. We’re sharing how we approach the summer months, what we prioritize, and how we balance structure with the freedom that summer brings.

Whether you like to keep learning going, fill your days with activities, or just find a rhythm that works for your family, this episode is full of real-life conversations and honest ideas from our homeschool homes to yours. If you’ve been wondering how to make summer meaningful without making it overwhelming, this one’s for you.

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In this week's episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we're talking about the subjects that don't always make it into the core curriculum lineup but add so much richness to our homeschool days. From poetry and Shakespeare to logic, nature study, foreign language, and more, we're sharing the "extras" we teach, why we make time for them, and how they help create a well-rounded education. Whether you're looking to add something new to your homeschool or simply curious about what we do, this episode is full of ideas and inspiration.

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In this week’s episode of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re sharing the history and social studies curricula we’ve used, loved, and keep coming back to in our homeschool. From literature-rich programs to hands-on learning and family-style history, we’re talking about what has worked for our different ages and stages, why we chose them, and how we bring history to life in our homes. If you’re searching for a history curriculum or just love hearing what other homeschool families use, this episode is full of ideas and encouragement.

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In the next part of our homeschool curriculum series, Court and Jess are diving into Science, the programs we’ve used, the ones we loved, and the ones that definitely did not work for our families. From hands-on fun to total frustration, we’re sharing our honest experience with science curriculum over the years.

If you’ve been looking for real-life feedback on what made a science program engaging, what felt like too much, and what actually stuck, this episode is for you. We share our tried-and-true opinions, talk through the hits and misses, and help you sort through the options with honest homeschool insight.

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Next week on Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we continue our four-part curriculum series with one of the biggest subjects of all: Math. We’re breaking down the math programs we’ve used over the years, sharing which ones were a great fit, which ones missed the mark, and what we learned through all the trial and error.

If math curriculum has ever left you overwhelmed, second-guessing, or wondering whether it’s your child or the program, you’re not alone. We’re talking honestly about what made certain curricula successful, why some were total flops, and how different learning styles can make all the difference.

This is real feedback, real experience, and real opinions from the homeschool trenches.

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We’re kicking off a special four-part series on Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, all about the curriculum we’ve used, tested, loved, and yes, sometimes totally regretted over the years. In this first episode, we’re diving into Language Arts and giving our honest take on the programs that worked for our families and those that just didn't.

From reading and writing to grammar and spelling, we’re sharing tried-and-true opinions, real homeschool experience, and the kinds of insights we wish we had before investing time and money. If you’ve ever wondered which Language Arts curriculum is worth it, which ones fell flat, and how to tell what might be a good fit for your child, this episode is for you.

No fluff, no sugarcoating, just honest homeschool talk from two moms who have tried a lot.

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In this special edition of Homeschooling and Life Unfiltered with Court and Jess, we’re revisiting a 2023 Venture Upward training led by Court: Home School Year in Review. This class reflects on the homeschool journey with honesty, encouragement, and practical insight for families navigating the real-life highs and lows of learning at home.

Court shares lessons from the year, what worked well, what needed adjusting, and why reflection matters so much in building a homeschool life that fits your family. From celebrating growth to learning from challenges, this episode offers a grounded look at how to close out the school year with intention and step into the next one with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re wrapping up your first year or you’ve been homeschooling for a while, this episode is a reminder that progress does not have to look perfect to be meaningful.

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The school year isn’t even over, and somehow it already feels like planning season. In this episode, we’re talking about how to think ahead without spiraling into stress, comparison, or panic-buying curriculum at midnight. We’re sharing practical thoughts on what to consider before planning next year, how to keep it simple, and why your family’s real needs matter more than what everyone else is doing.

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As the homeschool year starts winding down, this is the perfect time to reflect. In this episode, we’re sharing what worked, what totally flopped, what surprised us, and what we’re learning from this school year. This is an honest conversation about wins, failures, flexibility, and giving ourselves permission to learn as we go. Because not every good homeschool year looks perfect from the outside.

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Spring travel with kids can sound so fun in theory — fresh weather, family memories, a break from the usual routine — but in real life, it can also come with a lot of stress, mess, and unmet expectations. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about what it looks like to travel with kids during the spring season, from road trips and packing to flexible routines and managing the chaos along the way. We’re sharing practical tips, realistic expectations, and encouragement for moms who want to make memories without putting so much pressure on the trip being perfect.

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Spring can get full fast. Field trips, sports, co-ops, church events, vacations, end-of-year activities — suddenly the calendar is packed and the pressure is everywhere. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about overcommitting, the guilt that comes with saying no, and how to protect peace in your homeschool and family life. If spring always feels like too much, this one will hit home.

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What if spring could do some of the teaching for us? In this episode, we’re talking about using the outdoors as part of your homeschool in simple, meaningful ways. From nature walks and gardening to journaling and observation, we’re sharing ideas for learning that feel alive, seasonal, and way less stressful. If you’ve been craving a homeschool rhythm that feels more natural this spring, this episode is for you.

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