Ex-Homeschoolers Club

This week in the clubhouse, we're chatting with 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 bubble, and how homeschooling shaped (and sometimes hindered) their education, self-worth, and social development. It’s a raw and reflective conversation about isolation, religion, and finding your identity outside of the system.

💡 Key Topics & Takeaways:

• What it’s like being homeschooled by your grandma using the ACE curriculum
• How ADHD and rural isolation shaped Marsh’s academic and social experience
• The religious trauma and fundamentalist ideology baked into Christian homeschooling materials
• The importance of creative outlets like art in surviving mental and emotional hardship
• Reclaiming your identity as a queer person after leaving a controlling environment

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• ACE Curriculum (Accelerated Christian Education)⁠
• When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson
• Awana (evangelical youth program)
• Indistractable by Nir Eyal (book on managing focus and technology)

🔗 Connect with Marsh

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marshintobattle
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshin.to.battle/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement

01:16 Meet Marsh: A New Ex-Homie

02:09 Marsh's Homeschooling Journey

04:03 The ACE Curriculum Explained

07:15 Challenges and Dynamics of Homeschooling

41:10 Creativity and Art in Marsh's Life

43:22 Rediscovering Creativity Post-Internet

43:59 The Ebb and Flow of Creative Waves

44:54 Finding Comfort in Creativity

46:21 The Therapeutic Power of Art

47:37 Lego and Problem-Solving Creativity

49:09 Dealing with Creative Blocks

52:19 The Impact of Stress on Creativity

55:12 Religious Upbringing and Homeschooling

56:22 Questioning Religious Teachings

01:09:33 Homeschooling Challenges and Advice

01:14:55 Reflecting on Homeschooling Experiences

01:17:21 The Importance of Tailoring Education

01:20:47 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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