In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett announce the upcoming release of The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times, 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition!

• Available everywhere February, 2026!
• The audiobook and/or PDF of the main text are available NOW at welltrainedmind.com
• Learn more about the Story of the World Vol 1: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition HERE

• (00:00) - An announcement!
• (04:14) - What is different?
• (08:27) - More new features!
• (10:25) - The Instructor Guide and Student Book
• (15:29) - We're excited!!!

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett react to listener responses to this season’s interview questions!

Note on Audio: Due to a technical issue, Susanna’s audio in this episode isn’t as clear as usual. Thanks for bearing with us—we think you’ll still enjoy the conversation!

• (00:00) - Intro
• (02:05) - How we're organizing the episode
• (02:39) - Favorite memories being homeschooled
• (02:49) - Cake doughnuts on snow days
• (05:16) - Hands-on projects
• (06:57) - Co-ops can be good!!!!
• (08:10) - One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling
• (08:45) - Hard relationships with parents
• (12:11) - The story of socialization
• (14:43) - Making the transition out of homeschooling
• (19:56) - Being self-motivated in a subject you hate
• (26:29) - Break
• (27:34) - If you could change one thing, what would it be?
• (27:41) - Us vs. Them
• (33:24) - Structure and technology
• (38:14) - Biggest challenges as a homeschool parent
• (38:27) - Career/school balance
• (45:05) - One piece of advice
• (45:15) - It will not look like the picture in your mind
• (46:18) - Try things!!
• (48:10) - Trust your gut
• (49:39) - Outro

In this episode, Susan, Susanna (and Susanna's teething one-year-old), interview Colleen Sharpe who went college for the first time after graduating two students from homeschool.

• Article by Colleen about her experience starting college at 55 years old.
• Research Susan Mentioned: A twenty-year study found that the amount of books available in a home had a bigger impact on a child's level of education than parent income, nationality, or parent level of education.

• (00:00) - Intro with Colleen Sharpe (and another special guest!)
• (00:42) - How Colleen and Susan know each other
• (04:29) - Colleen's homeschooling journey
• (07:19) - Fears and worries
• (09:20) - A Susanna check-in
• (09:51) - Colleen's second act
• (16:45) - How is homeschooling in Canada?
• (19:14) - Break
• (19:39) - Evolutions that stand out
• (24:01) - "Staying steady by staying curious"
• (26:40) - The role of books
• (29:14) - Finding room for curiosities and hobbies
• (31:23) - Instilling wisdom
• (34:30) - Colleen brags
• (38:07) - Outro