This week on the podcast, we’re throwing a birthday party! It's the one-year anniversary of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, and to celebrate, I brought back my very first guest and longtime friend Cari Frantz for a fun and nostalgic conversation. We dive deep into the media, books, movies, and music we weren’t allowed to consume growing up as Christian homeschoolers—and the surprising ways we found our way to them as adults. From Harry Potter to Pitbull concerts, purity culture to Plugged-in reviews,...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 46
This week I'm diving into Part 3 of I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris—a section packed with so-called "practical tools" for keeping Christian teens pure. Spoiler: it's just more purity culture with a fresh coat of patriarchal paint. In this episode, I unpack chapters 8 through 11, covering Harris’s infamous four-step plan for building godly relationships. We look at what it means to “start with a clean slate,” why he thinks you need your parents’ permission to date, and the mental gymnast...
Jul 31, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Subscribe to my email newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe This week on the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I had an absolutely joyful conversation with artist, teacher, and former homeschooler Noah Fontana. From the moment we hit record, it felt like two longtime friends reconnecting. We dove deep into Noah's unique homeschool upbringing, how his love of comic books and creativity shaped his early education, and how homeschooling helped him lean into his artistic talents. We also explored ...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 44
This week on The Ex-Homeschoolers Club , I'm diving into Part 2 of I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris, tackling the chapters that aim to define "true Christian love" and promote the gift of singleness. As a former homeschooler who grew up immersed in purity culture, I bring my personal experience and critical reflection to the table. We unpack the book's problematic teachings around sex, self-love, gender roles, and its impact on developing healthy relationships. I also reflect on the emot...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Hey, it’s Jacob Gooden, and this week on the Ex-Homeschoolers Club , I’m joined by the thoughtful and artistic Marsh—the youngest guest to date and a recent escapee from the world of homeschooling. We dive into their story of growing up homeschooled in rural Oklahoma, using the ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) curriculum, and being raised by their grandmother in a deeply religious environment. Marsh opens up about the challenges of being a queer, creative kid in a conservative Christian bub...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 42
I read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris—so you don’t have to. This is Part 1 of a multi-episode series where I unpack the book’s harmful messages, its connection to purity culture, and its deep roots in the Christian homeschooling world. From courtship myths to repressed sexuality and emotional confusion, I explore how this 1997 “dating manual” shaped a generation—and how Harris himself eventually walked it all back. I also share personal experiences growing up in a conservative Christ...
Jun 26, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 41
This week, I sit down with Charlie Monroe, a licensed therapist and former youth pastor, to explore the complexities of growing up homeschooled in a large, religious family. Charlie shares his K-12 rural homeschool experience, the emotional toll of isolation, and the transition into college and career. We discuss the impact of evangelicalism, rigorous religious curricula, and emotional enmeshment in homeschool families. As a therapist, Charlie now works with modern homeschool families, offering ...
Jun 19, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 40
This conversation dives into the highs, lows, and hard truths of RB's journey through homeschooling, patriarchal systems, and his path to healing. We discuss his early education in Pennsylvania, the move to Kansas, and the gendered disparities in educational investment he witnessed as the oldest of five siblings. RB opens up about the unintended privileges he received, his culture shock entering college and the workforce, and how he later found healing through therapy, community, and authentic a...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribeIf you’re an ex-homeschooler with a story to tell—this episode is your invitation to share it. Today I’m breaking down everything you need to know about becoming a guest on the show. Whether your homeschooling experience was amazing, traumatic, or somewhere in between, your voice matters here. In this episode, I walk you through the kind of stories I’m looking for, the interview process (spoiler: it’s ...
May 22, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this powerful follow-up episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club , Alyssa Gaona is back for a raw, insightful conversation about her personal experiences with autism and neurodivergence. While her first appearance focused on the wild realities of growing up homeschooled, this episode takes a deeper dive into how her undiagnosed autism shaped her social development, relationships, and self-worth. Alyssa...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 37
On today's show I'm joined by Mia Brooks, a longtime family friend. We dive into Mia's unique homeschool upbringing as the youngest of several siblings, her early leap into community college at age 14, and her reflective journey as a neurodivergent adult. From a less structured homeschool experience to discovering her ADHD as an adult, Mia shares candidly about burnout, creativity, and finding her voice through music. If you're a former homeschooler navigating adulthood, neurodivergency, or the ...
May 09, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Stream Jeremy's New Album Here: https://www.blondemedicine.com/bm142-almost-a-grown-man In this episode of, I sit down with comedian Jeremy Alder to unpack his wild and winding journey from fundamentalist Christian homeschooling in rural Texas to releasing his debut stand-up comedy album, Almost a Grown Man . Jeremy shares what it was like to be one of the only homeschoolers in South Texas during the 1980s, his early curriculum of Bible studies and Highlights magazines, and how his world expande...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm reflecting on a decade of being homeschooled and dive into three specific areas I would approach differently if I had the chance to go back. While I appreciate much of what my parents did, this episode explores critical reflections on my understanding of government, religious curriculum, and emotional boundaries. I also unpack how these elements have i...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe I can't believe it's been over 7 years... on today's podcast I reconnect with my longtime friend Katrin McGoogan (formerly Frantz). We dive deep into our shared homeschooling past, her experience navigating adulthood and motherhood, and her recent ADHD diagnosis. Katrin opens up about what it was like growing up in a highly creative homeschool family, her time in ministry, and how that shaped her view...
Apr 10, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this solo episode I'm taking a deep dive into the definition of an "ex-homeschooler." Is it someone who has left homeschooling behind with negative feelings, or simply anyone who has experienced it? I'm sharing my personal journey—hiding my homeschool background in college, rediscovering its impact on my identity, and launching this podcast to connect with fellow ex-homeschoolers. I reflect on the ...
Apr 03, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Today I'm sitting down with Korbs to explore his unconventional path from homeschooling to navigating life beyond structured education. We discuss the quirks of homeschool culture, how it shaped his worldview, and the challenges of transitioning into traditional social and professional settings. Korbs shares his experiences adapting to new environments, the lessons he’s learned, and his perspectives on what homeschooling did (and didn’t) prepare him for. Whether you were homeschooled or just enj...
Mar 27, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club , I sit down with Jenève, host of Homeschooled , a podcast exploring alumni experiences. We discuss our eerily similar homeschooling journeys, from big families and unconventional education styles to the chaos of homeschool theater and religious mime performances. Jenève shares her transition from stage management to business, the realities of navigating life post-homeschooling, and the importance of re-evaluating personal beliefs as an adult. If you'...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode I’m sitting down with Dr. Chez Leeby and Stephanie Boye , hosts of 7 on Sundays , a podcast focused on sex, relationships, and mental health for young adults. We dive into the challenges of relationships, loneliness, and navigating connection in today's world. From the impact of homeschooling, social media, pornography, and dopamine addiction , to actionable steps for fostering real, meaningful connections—we cover it all. If you’ve ever struggled with loneliness, relationship sk...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this solo episode of I'm diving into the book When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson. This book explores the psychological effects of high-control religious environments and offers insights into healing from religious trauma. Inspired by my own deconstruction journey, I unpack key concepts from the book, including the nervous system’s response to fear, different types of grief, and the challenge of rebuilding self-trust. I also share personal stories of how religious trauma shaped my ex...
Feb 27, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Real stories. Real conversations. If you want the latest episodes of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club podcast, plus bonus insights and community highlights, sign up for the newsletter. https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club , I sit down with my longtime friend, Aaron MacDonald, to talk about his homeschool experience, the unique quirks of growing up in a religious homeschooling community, and how it shaped his perspective on life, art, and relationships. We ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 27
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 On this weeks Ex-Homeschoolers Club, we welcome Ruth Brooks, a former homeschooler turned homeschool mom of four, to explore her unique educational journey. From hiding from truant officers in the early days of homeschooling to navigating modern resources, Ruth shares how her expe...
Feb 06, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 26
WE ARE LAUNCHING A BOOK CLUB!!! That's right the Ex-Homeschoolers Book Club is going live. Our first book is going to be “When Religion Hurts You” by Dr. Laura E Anderson Link to our Fable Book Club: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145?invite=d05c4720-2e57-471a-ad97-dfe8a5026688 Grab your copy of “When Religion Hurts You”: https://drlauraeanderson.com/book #exhomeschoolersbookclub #exhomeschooler #homeschool #whenreligionhurts #whenreligionhurtsyou #bo...
Jan 31, 2025•2 min
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, host Jacob Gooden welcomes special guest Liz, a homeschool graduate from the 80s and 90s. Together, they delve into the unique experiences of homeschooling across decades, highlighting their differences and surprising commonalities. Liz ...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 25
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 Hey everyone! In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with Whitney Brim-DeForest, a former homeschooler with an incredible journey. Whitney’s story is a mix of unique experiences, from an unconventional homeschool structure to finding her calling as a plant scientis...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 Join me as I sit down with long-time friend and fellow Ojai Valley homeschooler, Alouette Pettit (Kim). From her unique homeschooling journey to her transition into a nursing career and now as a new mother, Alouette shares insightful reflections and hard-won lessons. Listen as they ...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 23
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9This week on The Ex Homeschoolers Club, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my college friend Adam Gaus. Until recently, I had no idea Adam was also homeschooled! In our conversation, he shared his fascinating journey of splitting his education between public school and homeschool. We reminisced about our ...
Jan 09, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 22
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my journey of faith, doubt, and discovery. Reflecting on the intersection of my Christian upbringing and homeschooling experience, I share the struggles I faced reconciling my beliefs with hard questions, and how I eventually found the courage to embrace agnosticism. Thi...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 21
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this heartfelt episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with my dad, Keith Gooden, for an in-depth conversation about homeschooling, fatherhood, and personal growth. We reflect on his evolving role in my education, the pivotal moments that reshaped his involvement, and how challenges like a hip injury and a...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 20
I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this heartfelt episode, Jacob Gooden sits down with his mom, Susan Gooden, to explore her decision to homeschool, the challenges of starting out, and the unexpected joys of building a homeschooling community. Susan shares how she navigated the pressures of tailoring education for two vastly different kids, balancin...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 19
I want to hear from my Ex-Homeschool Friends. Here is my Google Form for you to share your thoughts on the future of the EXHS Club: https://forms.gle/tpJyso45KMcnWjcUA Hey folks, you're getting a solo from me today. I'm gonna walk you through the journey of launching the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, what you can expect for the end of 2024, and some of the changes and goals for 2025 And be sure to hang out to the very end for a special holiday surprise! If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subs...
Nov 27, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 18
