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 Oct 11, 2024
139: The Literacy Crisis in America (w/ Heritage Mom, Amber O'Neal Johnston)
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
The literacy crisis in America is a deeply troubling issue in our modern day. For years, public schooled students have been trailing behind where they ought to be in literacy, reading comprehension, and more. Since the pandemic, this problem has skyrocketed. But this is an issue that affects homeschoolers as well. Not only are many people leaving the public schools and coming into homeschooling, but many people your students will meet-- whether in college, the workplace, or their personal lives-- will have been public schooled. Students must learn to read so they can read to learn, and no one is immune to the issues that have caused this literacy gap. Today, we're joined once again by Heritage Mom Amber O'Neal Johnston, as we discuss how this literacy crisis came to be, and what we as homeschoolers can do to push back against it.
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 Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books - The Atlantic
The Literacy Crisis in the U.S. is Deeply Concerning—and Totally Preventable - EdTrust
America’s Literacy Crisis - The Seattle Medium
Addressing The Literacy Crisis: A Call To Action For District Leaders (forbes.com)
Amber's First Guest Spot on Our Show: 115: Choosing Books (w/ Heritage Mom, Amber O’Neal Johnston)Pre-Order Amber's New Book: Soul School by Amber O'Neal Johnston (heritagemom.com)Amber's Website: Home - Heritage Mom
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.
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Friday Sep 27, 2024
138: All About Transcripts
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
If you're a homeschooling parent with a child taking high school classes, you should be thinking about transcripts. In this episode, our hosts share practical tips on creating high school transcripts for homeschoolers, covering how to document coursework, extracurricular activities, and achievements in a way that stands out to colleges and employers. They also discuss what a transcript is and isn’t, providing clarity on essential components and common misconceptions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the transcript process with confidence. Join us and learn All About Transcripts!
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 Sep 13, 2024
137: Music Education for Homeschoolers
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Music education is often a source of apprehension for homeschooling parents. Whether musically trained or not, teaching your children music is like teaching them a whole new language, and the cost alone can make many parents balk. But there's an easier way! Today, we're joined by Shanan Colvin, a professional singer, musician, and music educator. She shares with us all the best ways- large and small- that you can make music a part of your learning lifestyle!
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!
Music Book Subscription Box: www.musiclibrarybox.com
Instagram:www.instagram.com/musiclibrarybox
Facebook:www.facebook.com/musiclibrarybox
TikTok:www.TikTok.com/@musiclibrarybox
Free Music Lesson Plans: www.teachrock.org
Free Online Music Textbook (for high school and up): https://ung.edu/university-press/books/resonances-engaging-music.php
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/music-library
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.

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!