Shows / Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Welcome to Making Everyday Magic, the podcast where we explore the ins and outs of homeschooling, family life, and finding joy in the everyday moments. Join Shanna as she shares real-life experiences, tips, and insights on navigating homeschool with a secular perspective, making family memories, and balancing the highs and lows of home education. From practical advice to mindset shifts, each episode is designed to inspire and empower you to create a fulfilling and magical life that's uniquely…
Episodes
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastTime Management For Homeschool Moms | Simple Tips That Actually Work
Feeling overwhelmed trying to balance homeschool, housework, and everything else on your plate? You are so not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing realistic…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastIs MCT Level 5 the Best Language Arts Curriculum for 8th Grade? Honest Review and Insights
Finding the right homeschool language arts curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially for middle school. In this episode, I'm sharing my honest, in-depth…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSave Money Fast With These Homeschool Tips | Real Budget Hacks That Actually Work
Homeschooling does not have to be expensive to be effective. In this episode, I am sharing practical homeschool budget hacks that help us save money fast while…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastIs Denison Really Worth It for Homeschoolers? An Honest Geometry Curriculum Review
Choosing a homeschool math curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to balance rigor, confidence, and real understanding. In this…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastThe Proven Math U See Strategy That Actually Works for 4th Grade
If you've been wondering whether Math U See is the right fit for your homeschool, this episode dives into the honest, real-life breakdown you've been looking…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWhy I Started Making Everyday Magic: Our Homeschool Story
If you've ever wondered how Making Everyday Magic began, this episode is the heart of it all. Today, I'm opening up about who I am, why I started this journey…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSurprising Lessons From Week One of Homeschool
Week one of our homeschool year is officially in the books — and wow, did it come with some surprises. In this episode, I'm sharing our honest first…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWhy I Stopped Chasing Goals And Started Actually Living
If you've been chasing achievements, checking boxes, or waiting for the perfect moment to finally feel "ready," this episode is your reminder that real life is…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastAre You Overcommitting Your Kids? Simplifying Extracurriculars for Sanity + Balance
Ever feel like your family calendar is running you instead of the other way around? 🙋♀️ In this episode, I'm getting real about how easy it is to overcommit…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSurviving Homeschool Mornings Is Easier Than You Think: Simple Routines That Work
If your homeschool mornings feel more like chaos than calm, you are not alone. But here's the good news — it doesn't have to be that way! In this episode, I'm…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWhy I Stopped Seeking Validation from Other Parents (and Found Real Confidence Instead)
Let's be honest — it's easy to get caught up in what other parents are doing, saying, and posting. But at some point, you have to ask yourself: who am I really…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastPlan With Me: Simple + Flexible 4th Grade Homeschool Setup That Actually Works
Ready to plan your homeschool year without the stress? In this episode, I'm walking you through how I set up our 4th grade homeschool plan — the simple…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHigh School Transcript Tips You NEED To Know | 15 Mistakes To Avoid
Homeschool high school transcripts can feel intimidating—but they don't have to be! As we head into 8th grade, I'm already looking ahead to the world of high…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHow To Start Your Homeschool Week Without Stress | Mom And Me Monday
Starting the homeschool week doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Say hello to my favorite secret weapon—✨ Mom And Me Monday! ✨ In this episode, I'm sharing how…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSimple Homeschool Year Planning Made EASY | Stress-Free Homeschool Tips
Homeschool year planning doesn't have to feel overwhelming—I promise! In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I plan our entire homeschool year without the…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastEasy Homeschool Portfolio & Record Keeping | Save TIME & Stay Organized
Homeschool record keeping doesn't have to be stressful—or take up all your time. In this episode, I'm sharing my easy homeschool portfolio and record keeping…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastPlan With Me: Stress-Free 8th Grade Homeschool
Ready to peek behind the curtain of how I'm planning our 8th grade homeschool year—without the stress? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how we're ditching…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast50th Episode Special! 🎉 Confessions Every Homeschool Parent Needs to Hear | Letting Go of Guilt & Finding Joy
Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Can you believe this is the 50th episode of Making Everyday Magic? 🎉 To celebrate, I'm getting extra real with you about something…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWhat I Wish I Knew Before Secular Homeschooling | 5 Realities No One Talks About
Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Thinking about starting secular homeschooling? Before you dive in, let's talk about the 5 realities I wish someone had told me when…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWhy I Homeschool: A Dad's Perspective
Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Today's episode is extra special—I'm joined by our resident dad to share his honest take on why we homeschool. You've heard my side…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🔥 Hot Takes: Secular Homeschool History That Actually Works | Homeschool History Resources I Recommend
Alright friends—let's talk history. If you've ever felt like homeschool history is either boring, overwhelming, or impossible to find without the fluff—this…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastIs It A Privilege? | Honest Talk on Privilege in Homeschooling & Real Life (Not for Kids)
Alright friends, let's get real—is it a privilege? Today, I'm digging into a tough but necessary conversation about privilege: how it shows up in…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastMy First Time Organizing a Homeschool Science Class (And What I Learned!)
So… I did a thing. I organized my very first homeschool science class—and I lived to tell the tale! 🧬🌍 In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I'm spilling…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎒Would I Recommend This Homeschool Field Trip? The Good, The Wild, and The "Maybe Not Again" Moments
Just wrapped up a whirlwind homeschool road trip through the South—and I'm giving you the full download. From feeding parrots in the Smokies to rafting…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHomeschool Record Keeping: Catching Up + Planning Ahead Without the Stress
Let's talk about record keeping for this school year—or in my case, playing some serious catch-up. 😅 If you're behind on logging hours, organizing your…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastYear End Review Of Our Homeschool | The Flexibility That Saved Us
We made it, friends! 🎓 In this Year End Review Of Our Homeschool, I'm reflecting on what might've been our most unpredictable—and most meaningful—year yet…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastLEGO + Learning? Creative Science Options for Next Year's Homeschool Plan 🧱🔬
Let's talk homeschool science—and yes, we're bringing LEGOs to the lab. 🧪✨ In this episode, I'm sharing the hands-on, curiosity-sparking science options we're…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastBudget With Me for Next Year 💸 Real Homeschool Numbers + Spreadsheet Walkthrough
Let's get real about homeschool budgeting—because it's not just about receipts and rows on a spreadsheet. It's about building the life and learning we actually…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastOrder With Me: 2025–2026 Homeschool Curriculum Picks (4th & 8th Grade Favorites!)
It's that time again—Order With Me for next school year! 🎉 I'm walking you through our 2025–2026 homeschool curriculum picks for 4th and 8th grade: what we're…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastPlan With Me For Next Year | Real-Life Homeschool Planning for 2025–2026 (4th & 8th Grade!)
Hey friends! ✨ It's that time again—Plan With Me For Next Year! I'm diving headfirst into our 2025–2026 homeschool plans for 4th and 8th grade, and you're…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastAre You Confusing School With Learning? The Truth Most People Miss
Hey friends, Shanna here! 💖 Today we're talking about a BIG mindset shift: Are you making the mistake of confusing school with learning? Because let's be…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastNeed to Know, But Rarely Taught | Life Skills Our Kids Actually Need
Let's talk real life—because some of the most important things our kids need to know just aren't being taught. I'm talking life skills: time management, stress…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSmall Dose of Commitment: Homeschooling Without the Overwhelm
Feeling like homeschooling—or just life—is a lot right now? Let's simplify. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I'm talking about how a small dose of…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSimplify or Burn Out: Getting Honest About Our Homeschool Limits
Okay, friend—this one's raw, real, and exactly what I needed to hear myself say. As we look ahead to our ninth year of homeschooling (what?!), I'm getting…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastPlanting Prior Knowledge: The Secret to Real, Lasting Learning in Homeschool
Let's talk about the kind of learning that actually sticks. In today's episode, I'm diving into why planting prior knowledge—exposing our kids to big ideas…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastThinking Homeschool? Start Here! | Your Real-Life, Quick-Start Homeschool Guide
So, you're thinking about homeschooling... but have no clue where to start? I've got you. 💛 In this episode, I'm sharing a real-life, no-fluff quick-start…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastIs Free Chemistry Worth It? 🔥 | Honest Review of ACS Middle School Chemistry Curriculum
Is free chemistry actually worth it? 🤔 Spoiler alert: YES, it is! 🙌 In today's episode, I'm breaking down why the ACS Middle School Chemistry curriculum is one…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastNever Have I Ever: Homeschool Mom Confessions 🤭 | Popular Trends & Curriculum I've Skipped!
Let's play Never Have I Ever: Homeschool Mom Edition! 🤭✨ In today's episode, I'm spilling the tea on all the homeschool trends, popular curriculum, and…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWe Are Raising the Resistance: Homeschool, Parenting & the Politics of Raising Good Humans
Let's get real—parenting today is political. Homeschooling? Even more so. In this episode, we're diving headfirst into what it means to raise the next…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastThinking for Next Year | Big Decisions, Big Feels & What Comes Next in Homeschool
It's that time again… thinking for next year. 😅 My brain is doing that homeschool ping-pong thing where I'm asking all the questions and getting... not a lot…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ Deep Dive: 7th Grade Language Arts | Michael Clay Thompson Level 4 in Our Homeschool
🎙️ Deep Dive: 7th Grade Language Arts | Michael Clay Thompson Level 4 in Our Homeschool Let's break down our 7th grade language arts curriculum! This year…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ Podcast Title: Wrapping Up 3rd Quarter: Spring Energy, New Routines & Planning Ahead
Somehow, we're already closing out the 3rd quarter of our homeschool year! 🤯 As we roll into the final stretch, we're finally settling into our new routine…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHomeschool Mom Life: Balancing Productivity, Self-Care & Downtime
Welcome back to Time With A Homeschool Mom! Today, we're tackling the ultimate homeschool mom challenge—balancing productivity with the much-needed downtime we…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ How I Navigate the Guilt | Real Talk on Homeschool & Parenting
Homeschooling and parenting come with a lot of feelings—and let's be real, guilt is a big one. No matter how much we plan, adjust, or pour into our kids, that…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast3rd Grade Language Arts: How We Use Michael Clay Thompson Level 1
Curious about how to make Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Level 1 work in a secular homeschool? This program is unlike anything else, and I'm sharing…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast📢 Social Media Is A Dangerous Scam: Why We Keep Comparing Ourselves to Fake Perfection
📢 Social Media Is A Dangerous Scam: Why We Keep Comparing Ourselves to Fake Perfection We know social media isn't real. We know it's all curated, filtered, and…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastEverything Means Perfection Paralysis: Stop Waiting for Perfect and Start Moving Forward
Are you stuck in the endless loop of waiting for the perfect time, plan, or decision? Let's talk about how everything can turn into perfection…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHomeschool Off Track? How to Reset and Get Back on Course
Feeling like your homeschool has veered off track? You're not alone! In this episode, I'm breaking down the real and practical steps I'm taking to reset…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastSince You Asked, Homeschool Mom: Answering Your Questions in a Q&A
It's time for another Since You Asked, Homeschool Mom episode! In this one, I'm answering all of your questions about homeschooling, routines, life balance…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastHow We Stay Consistent in Parenting & Homeschooling
Consistency in parenting and homeschooling sounds great in theory—but in practice? It can feel impossible! In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I'm…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastStarting the New Year Write: Building a Love for Language in Homeschool
Let's kick off the new year by focusing on what truly matters—fostering a love for language and storytelling in homeschool! 🎉 In this episode, I'm sharing my…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ It Is Time to Refresh Your Why: Reevaluating Your Why for Homeschool 🎙️
✨ Is it time to refresh your why for homeschooling? ✨ Sometimes, we all need to pause, reflect, and realign. In our latest podcast episode, we're diving into…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🌟 Plan and Prep New Homeschool Year: Setting Up for Success 🌟
🎙️ Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you set up for success. Don't miss out! It's time…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ Mid-Year Update: Reflecting on Our Homeschool Journey 🎙️
It's time for an honest Mid-Year Homeschool Update! This year has been nothing short of "other"—a vibe that's hard to define but undeniably different from what…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast🎙️ Homeschool Regulation: Balancing Freedom & Protecting Kids 🎙️
Homeschool regulation is a hot topic in the homeschooling community, and in this episode, I'm diving into my mixed feelings about it. As a homeschooler, I…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastIt Is OK To Quit: Why Choosing a New Path Isn't Failing
Unpopular opinion alert! It's OK to quit homeschooling, and I'm here to tell you why. Not everyone's homeschool journey starts from a place of choice. For…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastResources Above Grade Level: Benefits of Using Advanced Materials in Homeschool
📚✨ Resources Above Grade Level ✨📚 Ever wondered if using advanced materials in your homeschool is worth it? 🤔 In our latest podcast episode, we're diving into…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastGAME CHANGER MOM AND ME MONDAY | Huge Change That Made The Difference In Our Homeschool Routine
Game Changer: Mom And Me Monday In my quest to balance it all—homeschooling, running a small business, and being a productive work-from-home mom—I had a…
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast5 TIPS TO HOMESCHOOL WITH A TODDLER IN THE HOUSE | It Is Not Easy | How To Homeschool Multiple Kids
Homeschooling with a toddler in the house can feel like an impossible task. Whether it's balancing lessons or managing the chaos, I know firsthand how…
Making Everyday Magic: The PodcastWHY PEOPLE ARE AGAINST YOUR DECISION | Your Homeschool Offends Others | Rude Homeschool Opinions
Why do people have such strong reactions to your decision to homeschool? Whether it's family, friends, or even strangers, everyone seems to have an opinion—and…