The Happy Homeschooler Podcast
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a digital support group for everyone interested in a learning lifestyle. Join us the second and fourth Friday of each month as our hosts Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones discuss topics like the benefits of homeschooling, finding the right curriculum for you, navigating the line between parent and teacher, and more!
Episodes

Friday Feb 09, 2024
120: Using Contests in Your Homeschool
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Contests and competitions can create much-needed external motivation for students and can foster skills and abilities in our kids that will help them in their future. But for some people, competition is a dirty word, so how can you make sure you're doing it right? Today, we'll be discussing the ins and outs of using contests and competitions in your homeschool.
SHOW NOTES:
Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Friday Jan 26, 2024
119: How to Teach Geography
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Geography is an important subject to teach. Through geography we can better know the world around us, the people that live in it, and how to navigate it. But many homeschoolers wonder just how to teach geography. Far from a series of dull facts and scientific definitions, geography can come alive in your homeschool! Today, we'll be discussing all of our best methods for teaching geography. How we engage our students with hands-on learning, and how to make it fun.
SHOW NOTES:
Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Recommendations from today's episode:
Stack the States in the Apple App Store and the Google Play StoreStack the Countries in the Apple App Store and the Google Play StoreTicket to Ride on AmazonGeoGuessr - Let's explore the world!Globle (globle-game.com)MapMaker (nationalgeographic.org)
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Friday Jan 12, 2024
118: Mentoring New Homeschoolers
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
When you're new to homeschooling, it's invaluable to have people there to help you. Whether recommending curricula, giving advice, or just being there for you, it's a vital resource. So, when you're the experienced hand and you see someone new, it's important to be there to help them, too. Today, we'll be discussing the importance of mentoring new homeschoolers.
SHOW NOTES:
Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.
If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

About Our Hosts
Jennifer Jones (left) is a dedicated homeschool advocate and community leader with over two decades of experience homeschooling her eight children in Marble Falls, Texas. After joining The Happy Homeschooler Podcast as a guest, Jennifer was thrilled to join the podcast as a co-host in 2022. She hopes that by sharing her own experiences on the podcast she is able to make homeschooling more approachable for new families. She believes homeschooling is truly a lifestyle, not just an educational choice, and encourages listeners to embrace it as an adventure for the entire family.
Holly Williams Urbach (center) is a dedicated homeschooling mother of six wonderful people (five of whom are now adults). She began homeschooling in Texas in 1993 when homeschooling was not yet fully legal. She is passionate about the benefits of the homeschooling lifestyle and shares her passion by mentoring new homeschoolers in person, through the local Facebook group she moderates with other seasoned homeschoolers in her community, and by being a co-host of The Happy Homeschooler Podcast.
Melody Gillum (right) and her husband Jon embraced a learning lifestyle back in the early days of the modern home school movement. Teaching and training seven children in all of life, from birth to graduation, was a grand adventure! While the learning lifestyle continues as their family heritage, 34 years of home schooling drew to a close in 2018. Melody seems unable to stop teaching, and currently supports her local community as the elementary director for a wonderful homeschool hybrid program. She is delighted to be a part of The Happy Homeschooler Podcast team!