In this honest, insightful, and at times humorous episode, Alaine and Victoria sit down with Isaiah, Hannah, and Jeremiah (Jay) to dive deep into what it was really like growing up in a homeschool co-op.

This episode delves beyond the curriculum and explores community dynamics, what it was like to navigate homeschool co-ops as kids, what worked and what didn’t, and what they'd tell parents considering co-op education for their own children.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
•What homeschool co-op life was like from a kid’s point of view
•Whether they felt a sense of belonging or struggled to fit in
•What friendships looked like (or didn’t)
•How being in a co-op shaped their identity, creativity, or confidence
•The hardest parts of co-op life (and what made it worth it)
•Tips for parents considering co-op education, mstraight from grown homeschool kids
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🧠 Why This Episode Matters:
Co-ops are a huge part of the modern homeschool experience — but we rarely hear what the kids actually think. This episode unpacks:
•The emotional and social dynamics of being in structured co-ops
•Why belonging matters just as much as academics
•How co-ops shape identity, values, and memories, for better or worse
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1.About 41% of homeschool families in the U.S. are non-white and non-Hispanic. So this is not just a white, affluent movement; we are here and growing.
2.In the 2021–2022 school year, over 3.1 million students were homeschooled nationwide. Homeschooling growth did not simply return to pre‑pandemic levels when schools reopened; many families continued homeschooling, contributing to the sustained higher numbers. Freedom In Education+1
3.In essence, COVID‑19 functioned as a catalyst for many families: lockdowns, virtual schooling, health concerns, and dissatisfaction with remote‑public schooling made homeschooling a viable alternative faster than many anticipated.
4.Many of those families, especially Black and Brown ones, choose homeschool to protect their kids from racism, lowered expectations, and unsafe learning environments.
5.And get this — homeschooled students do well academically regardless of their parents’ income or education level.
Homeschooling is not one-size-fits-all. It now includes families of every income, faith background, and ethnicity.

🎧 Listen + Share:
Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream.
Tag us with your takeaways using #UnmuteTheStory and #CoopChronicles

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This unfiltered, heartwarming, and sometimes hilarious episode, Alaine sits down with her three adult children — Isaiah, Hannah, and Jeremiah (Jay) — to reflect on what it was really like growing up homeschooled.

They are honest about the highs and lows of their educational journey, what it was like having their mom as both their teacher and parent, and how being part of a homeschool co-op shaped their identity, relationships, and perspective.

📊 Homeschooling Fast Facts:

•Over 3.1 million students were homeschooled during the 2021–2022 school year — a number that dramatically increased after the COVID-19 pandemic.

•In 2020, African-American students made up 8.2% of the U.S. homeschool population, up from just 1% in 1999.

•Studies show homeschoolers often perform above average academically, socially, and emotionally — regardless of race or family income.

(Source: National Home Education Research Institute – nheri.org)

🧠 Why This Conversation Matters:

As homeschooling grows — especially in communities of color — it’s critical to hear the voices of those who lived it. Their experiences help normalize alternative education, challenge stereotypes, and invite new families to ask, “What if this is what my child needs?”

📢 Unmuting our stories is how we reclaim legacy, reimagine education, and remember: we were called to this.

📱Follow today’s guests:
• Isaiah Strozier: @isaiahstrozier
• Hannah Johnson: @hannahmarie.jo
• Jeremiah “Jay” Strozier: @jay.strozier

🎧 Listen + Share:

Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Tag a homeschool mom or parent considering something new, and tell us your favorite takeaway from this episode using #UnmuteTheStory and #StrozierKidsSpeak.

• Follow the Self Discovery Podcast on
• Follow Alaine on Facebook
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• Read Alaine’s Book
• To Explore Coaching with Alaine visit
• Have a story to share? Email Alaine at alaine@alainecoaches.com

In today’s episode, we sit down with Brittany Murray, a former public school teacher who made a bold decision to pull her children from the school system and educate them at home. This is not just a homeschooling conversation; it’s a story about obedience, courage, identity, and listening to God over culture. Brittany unmuted her voice, challenged the narrative, and chose a path that aligned with her convictions, her children’s needs, and her legacy.

Whether you're homeschooling, in public school, private school, or somewhere in between, this episode will empower you to ask deeper questions, trust your discernment, and build according to your family needs.

🎯 What We Talk About

🔹 Brittany’s path from classroom teacher to mother-educator

1. The calling that pulled her away from traditional schooling
2. The fears & pressures she faced in leaving the school system
3. The financial miracle

🔹 Her “unmuting moment”

1. What made her say, “I can’t stay silent about this anymore”
2. Scriptures, prayers, and an inner voice that carried her

🔹 Raising children with intention

1. The difference between teaching a class & discipling your own children
2. Parenting shifts & emotional growth during homeschool transition
3. Discovering learning styles, callings, and strengths outside the system

🔹 Reclaiming vision & identity

1. Breaking cultural narratives and societal expectations
2. Myths about homeschooling, especially in the Black community
3. Why faith, identity, and culture matter in how we educate

🔹 Practical wisdom for parents

1. Three things she wishes she had known sooner
2. Balancing structure & spirit-led flexibility
3. Encouragement for parents feeling the “stir” to do something different

🔹 Legacy & future vision

1. Emotional, academic, and spiritual hopes for her children
2. What she hopes they'll say about her obedience 20 years from now

📖 Guiding Scripture Themes

1. Train up a child (Proverbs 22:6)
2. Teach them diligently (Deut. 6:6–7)
3. Courage to resist systems & remain rooted (Daniel 1)

🧠 Key Takeaway

School is not just a place, it’s formation

Your voice, your discernment, and your obedience matter. Before society forms your children, you have the right and responsibility to hear God for them first.

💬 Powerful Quote

📌 Call to Action

If this episode inspired you, bless another mama:

✅ Share this episode

✅ Leave a review & rating

✅ Email admin@alainecoaches.com to connect with Brittany

And if you’re feeling God tugging you to build differently, sit with it. Pray on it. Ask for a strategy. You don’t need to rush, just listen.

• Follow the Self Discovery Podcast on
• Follow Alaine on Facebook
  Follow Alaine on Instagram
• Follow Alaine on TikTok
• Read Alaine’s Book
• To Explore Coaching with Alaine visit
• Have a story to share? Email Alaine at alaine@alainecoaches.com