Beyond The Schoolhouse Podcast
Part of the Indie Education Network
Welcome to Beyond the Schoolhouse—discovering the best of public, private, homeschool, and alternative learning. Join your host Sarah McCubbin as she explores the many ways kids learn—inside classrooms, at the kitchen table, online, and beyond. Each week you’ll hear conversations with parents, educators, authors, entrepreneurs, and education leaders who are reimagining what learning can look like. Our goal is to inspire and equip you with stories, strategies, and resources so you can make the best education choices for your family right now.
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Latest Episodes
Raising Children for Greatness: The Blue Manor Academy Approach
July 7, 2026
In this episode, Britton LaTulippe shares his innovative approach to education through Blue Manor Academy, emphasizing character, leadership, and the subjects of greatness. Discover how his model integrates traditional elite prep school principles into an online platform to cultivate future leaders.Learn More About…
Homeschooled for 13 Years: My Son’s Take On His Education
June 30, 2026
In this episode, Sarah sits down with her oldest son, Ian, who completed all 13 years of K–12 as a homeschooler. As a recent college graduate and now a software developer, Ian brings an honest perspective on the strengths, challenges, and surprises of homeschooling.Timestamps & HighlightsWelcome and…
How a Tragedy Led a Teacher to Start Homeschooling Her Children
June 9, 2026
In this episode, Join Sarah McCubbin as she talks with Christy Serra-Gandara, a former teacher turned homeschool parent, about the realities, challenges, and rewards of homeschooling after leaving classroom teaching. In this candid discussion, they dive into what really changes when a teacher chooses to educate her…
Building Learning Pods and Alternative Education Communities with Jean Lee
May 7, 2026
In this episode, Sarah McCubbin sits down with Jean Lee, a leading voice in alternative education, to discuss the rise of learning pods, their structure, and how to start your own learning community. With over 100 students engaged in her Indianapolis-based pod, Jean Lee shares practical advice, her accidental journey…
AI in Education: The Pros and Cons of Technology | Shiv Sharma of AstralTutor.com
April 27, 2026
Curious about AI for homeschoolers? In this episode, Sarah McCubbin and Shiv Sharma of AstralTutor.com discuss the realities, benefits, and common concerns around AI-powered education.Initially, like many, I was skeptical about how artificial intelligence could genuinely help my children with math specifically. But…
Challenges and Conflicts in Homeschool Co-ops with Doreen Browning
April 15, 2026
This conversation with Doreen Browning delves into the importance of policies for homeschool groups and the role of consultants in guiding and supporting these groups. It covers key policies, challenges, misconceptions, enforcement, development, facility policies, and the process of consulting with homeschool…
Raising Kids In An Age of Institutional Failure
April 9, 2026
The conversation explores the challenges of raising children in an era of institutional failure and the importance of finding and defining one’s tribe. It delves into the impact of institutional trust and failure, the credibility and influence of institutions, critical thinking, empowering independent thinking in…
Why Music Education Matters: Boosting Confidence & Brain Power for Homeschoolers: Music Duo Academy
November 7, 2025
In this episode, Sarah McCubbin sits down with Linda McCarty from Music Duo Academy to discuss the transformative power of music education for homeschoolers. Together, they unpack why music shouldn’t be an afterthought, how it strengthens the brain, builds confidence and independence, and the reasons it’s never too…
The Homeschool Co-op Handbook: What to Include, How to Start, and Why It Matters
October 23, 2025
Sarah and Simit unpack the handbook—the backbone of a healthy homeschool co-op. You’ll learn why making expectations clear (mission, schedule, volunteer roles, finances, dress code, discipline, attendance, registration, and more) actually reduces friction and preserves relationships. Sarah explains how to start small…
How Farm School Offers Hands-On Learning and Deep Connections for Homeschoolers in Ohio
October 15, 2025
Discover the world of farm schools with Sarah McCubbin and guest Laura Fry, who runs a unique two-day-a-week drop-off program called Roots and Shoots Farm School on her family’s homestead in Ohio. Learn how alternative education models like farm schools can offer hands-on, mixed-age learning experiences.What sets farm…
Start Your Homeschool Co-op
October 6, 2025
In this episode, Sarah and Simit unpack the SchoolMaking.com Starting Point form that helps families launch a homeschool co-op (or support group, social group, park day, micro-school—whatever fits your community). Sarah shares her journey from an elective, interest-based co-op to directing an academic co-op, and the…
Raising Digitally Safe Kids—Cybersecurity Basics with Michelle Mosey (Hackers Jack)
October 6, 2025
In this episode, Sarah talks with Michelle Mosey—Australian Navy veteran, longtime intelligence/cybersecurity professional, and leader at Hackers Jack—about how to keep kids safe online without fear or shame. We cover practical steps for preschool through high school, why education beats just “locking things down,”…
Why We Chose Private School
October 6, 2025
Episode 2: Why We Chose Private School—A Conversation with Co-Host Simit PatelIn this episode of Beyond the Schoolhouse, I sit down with my co-host and business partner Simit Patel to share his story and perspective on education. Simit is a software engineer, a dad of three, and a deep thinker about how technology and…
Nine Kids, Seven School Models, One Mission: Episode 1
October 5, 2025
Episode 1: Meet Sarah McCubbin—Nine Kids, Seven School Models, One MissionWelcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Schoolhouse! To kick things off, my co-host Simit Patel takes the interviewer’s chair so you can hear my story.I’m a mom of nine who has experienced almost every type of education—homeschooling,…