This week on the pod, I sit down with long-time friend Hannah to unpack her deeply personal journey through homeschooling, neurodivergence, and self-discovery. Growing up in a chaotic Christian homeschool environment with six siblings, Hannah reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and how a lack of structure and support shaped her sense of self-worth. She opens up about entering adulthood feeling unprepared, navigating community college with massive anxiety, and later discovering she’s neurodivergent, a revelation that reframed her entire childhood. Now working in education and pursuing behavioral-tech certification, Hannah shares how therapy, understanding, and self-compassion have helped her rebuild confidence and reclaim her love of learning. This conversation is raw, insightful, and incredibly validating for anyone who felt “behind” growing up homeschooled.
Key Points
- Big family life, AWANA memories, and mime team culture
- How chaos, parental conflict, and lack of structure shaped her education
- Feeling “behind” and “dumb” the long-term effects of educational neglect
- Navigating college without foundational skills
- Discovering she’s neurodivergent at 30 & how therapy reframed everything
- Sensory issues, coping strategies, overstimulation, and emotional regulation
- Homeschooling today vs. “the bubble” we grew up in
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Ex Homeschoolers Club
00:32 Childhood Memories and AWANA Days
07:39 Homeschooling and Family Dynamics
12:10 Struggles with Education and Self-Worth
16:23 College Challenges and Career Choices
20:39 Discovering Neurodivergence and Therapy
29:42 Managing Overstimulation
30:30 Dealing with Everyday Frustrations
33:10 Understanding Neurodivergence
37:06 Homeschooling Reflections
43:29 Big Family Dynamics
46:39 Advice for Future Homeschoolers
49:48 Pursuing New Learning Opportunities
53:20 Homeschool Memories
55:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.com
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