Homeschooling isn’t just about math lessons and reading charts—it’s about who gets to shape how your kids see the world.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jonathan Newman from the Mises Institute, a homeschooling dad, economist, and libertarian who breaks down why he and his wife chose to keep their kids out of government schools, how they approach reading and “adulting” skills at home, and why there’s really no such thing as a “neutral” education.

We talk about:

• Teaching kids to read with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons—and why it works for some kids and not others
• The big differences between boys and girls when it comes to focus, readiness, and timelines
• Why homeschooling is so much more efficient than public school (and what to do with all that extra time together)
• The “adulting crisis” and how kids actually learn real-life skills like changing a tire, paying bills, and mailing a letter
• What Austrian economics is, why the Mises Institute exists, and how Jonathan teaches multiple perspectives instead of one government-approved narrative
• Capitalism vs. socialism, and why socialist systems struggle to get food, prices, and production right
• Indoctrination, values, and why parents—not the state—should decide which ideas get center stage in their child’s education

If you’re a Christian, liberty-minded, or simply skeptical of the one-size-fits-all system and the stories your kids are being told about history, money, and government, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

Follow Dr. Jonathan Newman on X - @NewmanJ_R

Discover free books, articles, and lectures on economics and liberty at Mises.org

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

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