Hey friend,

I know this newsletter is coming out a few days late — thanks for your patience.

I’m going to be vulnerable with you for a minute: I’ve been dealing with a pretty heavy season of burnout. It's been hitting my work and personal life hard, to the point where even getting out of bed some mornings felt like a challenge.

I’m not sharing this to ask for pity, but because I believe there’s real power in being honest about where we’re at.

The good news? I think I’m finally coming out the other side. And if past experience has taught me anything, it’s that some of my best, most creative work happens after a season like this.

Which makes me even more excited to share what’s inside today’s newsletter. I’m sharing some thoughts that have been brewing in the middle of this burnout.

This week on the podcast, I looked back on my own homeschool journey and shared the 3 biggest things I would change about it. From civic education to emotional health, these reflections aren't just critiques—they’re invitations to do things better for the next generation of homeschoolers.

In this episode, I covered:

✔️ Government & politics IRL – Why field trips, local engagement, and town halls would’ve made a difference
✔️ Faith vs. fact – Challenging the dominance of Christian curriculum and embracing worldview diversity
✔️ Emotional boundaries – How a lack of emotional health tools shaped me, and what I wish I’d known earlier
✔️ Practical growth – Reflecting on the past as a way to build a better future

Whether you’re a homeschool veteran, a parent currently navigating curriculum choices, or someone still processing your own educational past—this one’s for you.

If you haven’t enjoyed this week episode, you can find it here:

If you’d rather listen, check it out on Spotify or Apple

What I’m reading

I finally started reading Boundaries and it’s been fascinating to learn about the different boundaries that exist. It’s lead to a lot of journaling and examining my own boundaries (or lack of boundaries). It’s made me excited to continue on my goal of implementing stronger boundaries in 2025 and I look forward to sharing more with you guys in the coming months.

What I’m listening to

The latest find for me has been Within Reason with Alex O’Conner. Specifically his interview with Rhett McLaughlin from Good Mythical Morning.

I think this interview does a good job encapsulating some of the thought process and feelings behind why people leave religion. From discussions around the scientific reasoning behind the origin of the earth to the historical accuracies of the resurrection of Jesus, this episode just hit a chord with me.

In addition, Rhett played a HUGE role in my feeling safe to share my deconstruction more openly. Plus, he’s just an all around entertaining guy.

Until Next Time…

Thanks for the support! And if you’ve got a homeschool story you want to share, shoot me an email at [email protected].

Peace & Love

Jacob G