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

Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
072: Homeschooling Preschoolers
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
We often see questions about homeschooling preschoolers. From what curriculum, if any, to use to what homeschooling groups are right, it can be a stressful experience before you even begin. That’s why in today’s episode, we’re helping you navigate your way through homeschooling preschoolers. We’ll discuss challenges you’ll face, mistakes to avoid, and even share what we did our own preschool students. And be sure to stay to the end, where we will discuss an important homeschooling news story.
If you have any homeschooling questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com.
SHOW NOTES:
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Alabama Daily News – Marsh bringing amendment to school choice bill, not willing to ‘gut’ it
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!

Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
071: What Are Unit Studies?
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
What are unit studies? They may just be the most versatile educational method out there. By tying all your subjects into a common theme, you can streamline your schooldays and reinforce the lesson all day long. Today, Jennifer, Holly, and Melody discuss everything you need to know to start incorporating unit studies into your learning lifestyle.
Discussion topics include: Why to choose unit studies, our favorite unit study resources, and how to design your own unit studies. And be sure to stay to the end when our hosts discuss some timely news…
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com
SHOW NOTES:
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Konos – Learning Made Fun
Progeny Press
UnitStudy.com – Taking Curiosity to New Heights
How to Homeschool by Gayle Graham
How to Create Your Own Unit Study by Valerie Bendt
Confessions of a Homeschooler
Good and Beautiful
Gather ‘Round Homeschool
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!

Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
070: Non-Academic College Readiness
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
When we think about college readiness, we tend to think about studying, extracurriculars, and exams, but there’s another side that’s crucial to preparing your kids not just for college, but for adulthood!
Many college students find themselves needing to learn these skills on the fly, leading to distraction from their studies and unneeded stress. Making sure your children have the best footing possible as they leave the home is crucial. Ranging from small skills like household chores, to more complex skills like budgeting and saving, non-academic college readiness is crucial to not only for college students, but for everyone.
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com
SHOW NOTES:
Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial!
Like our page and join our group on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
National Endowment for Financial Education
LibriVox – Free Public Domain Audiobook
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!