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Passionate. Uplifting. Relatable. Zan Tyler speaks to the heart of Christian homeschooling moms like no one else. In addition to educating her own children, Zan has spent thirty-plus years joyfully mentoring homeschool parents, publishing curriculum and resources for families, and advocating for home education everywhere from her state’s legislature to our nation’s capital. Now she wants to equip and empower you to answer your God-given calling to teach your kids at home. Join Zan and a spec ...
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Play Skillfully

Kathy Eggers

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Welcome to Play Skillfully, a podcast from the author of the award-winning curriculum A Year of Playing Skillfully and parent favorite, The Homegrown Preschooler. Join Kathy Eggers as she shares the latest research on the role of play and provides practical ideas to assist you in cultivating wonder and connection with your children. Kathy is the author of A Year of Playing Skillfully, A Summer of Playing Skillfully, The Homegrown Preschooler and 101 Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities for Young Ch ...
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How do you raise grounded kids while navigating the digital minefield? Two of Zan's grandsons share what they love most about homeschooling including the flexibility to learn at their own pace, service opportunities, and friendships forged through co-ops and sports leagues. Zan's husband Joe joins the conversation as they discuss social media's gri…
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In this episode of the Play Skillfully podcast, host Kathy Eggers interviews Zan Tyler, a pioneer in the homeschooling movement. Zan shares her personal journey into homeschooling, the challenges she faced in advocating for homeschooling rights, and the evolution of homeschooling laws over the years. She emphasizes the importance of understanding c…
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What if homeschooling your children could land you in jail? In 1984, that wasn't a hypothetical—it was reality. Discover how one mom's brave stand against a state superintendent's threats helped spark a movement that changed education in America forever. Join Robert Bortins for a powerful conversation with homeschooling pioneer Zan Tyler, who began…
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What if the people writing our laws aren't the ones we elected? The shocking truth about who really runs Washington—and how 22-year-olds shape policy that affects millions. Robert Bortins sits down with Ed Corrigan, President and CEO of the Conservative Partnership Institute, to pull back the curtain on how Washington really works. With over 25 yea…
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Bitcoin hit $126,000... then crashed $23,000 in a single day. What happened? And more importantly, is this the top or just the beginning? In this episode, Robert unpacks the most volatile month in crypto history, reveals why gold is crushing every other investment in 2025, and explains what the global shift away from the U.S. dollar means for your …
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What do you do when homeschooling feels like too much and you’re running on empty? Zan Tyler and Nancy Manos return to tackle three more trending homeschool questions—from balancing work and homeschooling, to finding rest when you’re overwhelmed, to navigating transcripts and next steps after high school. With honesty and humor, they share creative…
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This Abnormal Mapping needed an extra week to cook, but it’s finally here for you to enjoy! We talk about a bunch of arcade games, Capcom’s inability to tell a good story (charm point), and Jackson is the one who brings up gacha this time??? Please enjoy the episode! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and…
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After months of chipping away at it Em finally completed Persona 5 Royal, which means she invited two of her most Shin Megami Tensei-brained friends to come on and talk about the game. And oh boy, did they ever talk about the game. Over two nights! This is a big one. Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells in addition…
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What if your biggest homeschool fears have already been faced by countless families before you? Join Zan and homeschool veteran Nancy Manos as they tackle three trending questions: Why choose homeschooling? How do you teach subjects you struggle with? Will homeschooling ruin your child? Drawing from decades of experience, Nancy and Zan share honest…
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Young adults today are 1,600% more likely to identify as transgender than people over 50. Every family may not struggle with this issue—but every family will face it. Are you ready? In this critical episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries and author of the new book Raising Gend…
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In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers and Talk Box founder Adelaide Olguin discuss the joys and challenges of family travel, particularly focusing on language immersion and cultural experiences. They share personal anecdotes about their travels, practical tips for traveling with children, and the importance of exposing kids to different cultu…
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What does it take to raise lifelong learners who thrive? Zan and producer Caleb Price review viral clips sparking conversation about socialization, the wonder of learning, and spending meaningful time with your children. They'll share why homeschooling opens doors to rich experiences—from service projects to internships—and creates space for kids t…
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He had never stepped in front of a camera before. He almost ignored the audition opportunity completely. But when Robert Amaya finally sent in that tape for Courageous, it launched a career that would transform both faith-based filmmaking and his own family forever. In this inspiring episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with …
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Is it too late to start homeschooling—or to reclaim your joy as you get further into the school year? Zan Tyler joins homeschool moms Veronica Whitley and Abbie Knott for honest conversations about October burnout, unmotivated learners, and preparing kids for college success. Discover how BJU Press Homeschool curriculum brings structure, flexibilit…
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What does a memorial watched by 100 million people reveal about America’s spiritual hunger? Zan Tyler and producer Caleb Price explore how the surge in homeschooling—from just 13,000 families in the 1970s to over 5 million today—reflects a larger awakening of faith and freedom. From rediscovering civic responsibility to rethinking college and the t…
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What if everything you thought you knew about the Bible's structure was making it harder to understand God's story? Pastor, author, and Bible engagement architect Randy Frazee joins host Robert on Refining Rhetoric to discuss why so many Christians—even those in Bible-believing churches—can't articulate the basic narrative of Scripture. The problem…
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In this engaging podcast episode, Kathy Eggers welcomes Meaghan Hampton, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Soul Care for Families. They discuss the intersection of child development, faith, and emotional regulation, emphasizing the importance of modeling faith for children. Meaghan shares her insights on misconceptions in parenting, …
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What if the virtue we've been taught to prize above all others—empathy—has become a weapon that's destroying our families, churches, and society? In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Joe Rigney, author of the controversial new book "The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits." Dr. R…
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Could your stand today ignite change for generations to come? At Unbound’s APEX Conference, Zan Tyler shares how God led her from defending prayer at 16 to facing jail for homeschooling 12 years later in 1984. She recalls God’s faithfulness in those difficult years and how He grew a homeschool movement from small beginnings. Her story reminds us wh…
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Some games are just very okay to the point where you don’t have too much to say about them, but thankfully we have some other gaming to keep us going as we poked through some photos and perspective puzzles this month. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media yo…
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In the aftermath of tragedy, the internet becomes a breeding ground for speculation, conspiracy theories, and misinformation—but how do we navigate these waters wisely? Cold case detective J. Warner Wallace returns to Refining Rhetoric to discuss the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, offering crucial insights on distinguishing between what we can kn…
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In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers and Julie Bogart explore the enchanting world of learning, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, observation, and connection in education. They discuss the challenges parents face, such as concerns about falling behind and the need for socialization, while advocating for a lighthearted approach to pare…
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Do you ever wish you could whisper wisdom to your younger homeschooling self? Zan and longtime friend Todd Wilson share the wisdom that only comes with perspective—the reminder that homeschooling is a gift, not a burden. From family memories in an RV to the joy of everyday moments, Todd encourages parents to slow down, smile more, and treasure the …
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Everyone's talking about AI replacing jobs, but here's what they're missing: the real danger isn't AI taking over—it's our children never learning to think for themselves. Classical education might just be the key to thriving in an AI-dominated world. In this thought-provoking episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins dives deep into artifi…
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How do you respond when tragedy strikes and safety feels uncertain? Following the shocking death of Charlie Kirk and recent school violence, Zan Tyler and filmmaker Caleb Price discuss how these events are prompting more families to consider homeschooling than ever before. They share practical ways to open your home and heart to help nervous parent…
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Charlie Kirk was the kind of person who remembered your name even after meeting you just once at a crowded event. Robert joins Dr. Owen Anderson, professor at Arizona State University and faculty advisor for the Turning Point USA chapter, for a heartfelt discussion following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Dr. Anderson shares personal memories o…
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In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers and Keri Vasek delve into the world of toddlers, discussing the importance of understanding their developmental stages, the need for guidance for parents, and the significance of connection over discipline. They explore creative and sensory play ideas to engage toddlers, the importance of empowering their…
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When Kim Davis spent six days behind bars for refusing to sign same-sex marriage certificates, most people thought the story was over. They were wrong. Nine years later, Davis faces $360,000 in personal damages—and her case is now headed to the Supreme Court with the potential to overturn same-sex marriage entirely. Constitutional attorney Matthew …
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What if you could help your children grasp concepts 10–20 times faster? Zan Tyler sits down with child development specialist Kathy Lee Eggers, who homeschooled eight children—six adopted and two biological—through the power of play. Together they share how play ignites learning, how curiosity fosters natural reading, and how embracing passions tra…
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What if you discovered you have more religious freedom right now than at any point in your lifetime—but nobody told you? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert sits down with Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, to discuss the remarkable string of religious freedom victories at the Supreme Court that most Americans…
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What causes a homeschool curriculum to truly serve your family through every season? Zan Tyler sits down with longtime friend Eujeana Chism, who found her educational “home” with BJU Press after visiting publishers as a young mom. For 21 years, Eujeana discovered how the right curriculum became more than academics—it shaped her children’s education…
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Before government schools, America had 95% literacy. Now it's 35%. What if everything you've been told about "fixing" education is actually designed to make it worse? Robert teams up with award-winning journalist and CEO of Liberty Sentinel, Alex Newman, to announce their explosive new book "Woke and Weaponized" - a deep dive into how Karl Marx's i…
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We played a classic of the greatest console ever made, the Nintendo 64, this month! How did Em find returning to a game she 100%ed long ago? How did Ace Combat superfan Jackson find Nintendo’s take on the genre? All this and more in this episode! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friend…
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What keeps you going when homeschooling feels like a never-ending marathon? Leigh Nguyen, veteran homeschool mom and host of the Little by Little Homeschool Podcast, shares honestly about the hardest seasons including the 24/7 responsibility, character training struggles, and the temptation to quit. Zan reflects on a powerful moment when her own ch…
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In this conversation, Kathy Eggers discusses the significance of gentleness in parenting and its impact on children's emotional development. She shares personal stories about her own children and the lessons learned from loss, emphasizing the importance of modeling gentleness and providing opportunities for children to practice it. The discussion a…
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What if the biggest threat to Christian values in America isn't hostile politicians—but Christians who refuse to vote? Bunni Pounds drops a bombshell statistic that will shake you: Christians are registering and voting at exactly the same rates as the general population. That means roughly half of Bible-believing Americans are voluntarily sitting o…
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Leigh Nguyen is the host of Little by Little Homeschool podcast and conference. She never meant to homeschool but, she now finds herself 14 years into it with 2 homeschool graduates and 1 more to go! She spends her days in the northeast, learning how to live a more simplified and intentional life with her husband, James, and their 3 children. In he…
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Think homeschoolers are antisocial? Think again. In this special in-studio episode, Robert sits down with his sister-in-law Emma Bortins, a Classical Conversations graduate who went from small-town homeschooling to thriving in the heart of New York City at The King's College. Emma breaks down the myths about homeschool socialization while sharing h…
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How much is your child's education really worth? In this episode, Zan and producer Caleb review clips that tackle everything from Florida's 46% homeschool growth surge to one family's quarter-million-dollar annual investment in their children's learning. Zan and Caleb explore why traditional classrooms haven't evolved in 150 years while discussing …
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What if the biggest threat to Christian education isn't coming from the left—but from Christians themselves? In this eye-opening episode of Refining Rhetoric, attorney and author Kevin R. Novak drops a bombshell that will make you rethink everything about school choice, vouchers, and education reform. While most Christians celebrate getting "their …
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In this heartfelt conversation, Danielle shares her journey of loss after the passing of her daughter Lydia at just 21 months old. She discusses the emotional impact of losing a child and how it led her to create Love from Lydia, an organization dedicated to supporting bereaved parents. Through various programs, including the COPE program, Danielle…
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Can a curriculum grounded in Scripture really transform your child's heart—and yours too? Zan Tyler sits down with Jennifer Lont—former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom and HomeWorks Consultant—to talk about how BJU Press Homeschool has reshaped her family's faith, thinking, and future. Together, Zan and Jennifer explore teaching with purpos…
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What if everything the "experts" told us about globalization, economics, and the future was wrong? Dr. Steve Turley, the "Patriot Professor" and author of over 20 books, joins Robert Bortins to discuss his latest work "America Awakened: The Collapse of Globalism and the Return to Faith, Family, and Freedom." They explore why globalism is collapsing…
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What transforms a classroom teacher into a passionate homeschool advocate? Join Zan and Jennifer Long as they explore the power of true engagement over simply putting in hours, why karate pushups became the perfect metaphor for academic growth, and how Jennifer's boys earned black belts while mastering viola and cello. This conversation reveals pra…
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A small and fascinating puzzle game gets us through a rough month this week as we talk about score chasing, the tone of indie games in aesthetics vs mechanics vs story, our feelings about short games, and more. This was a pretty solid little game! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your frien…
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Is your Christian teen prepared for the intellectual assault waiting at university? Dr. Owen Anderson, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Arizona State University, pulls back the curtain on what's really happening on college campuses. With 70% of Christian students walking away from their faith in university, Dr. Anderson—a rare conservative C…
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In this enlightening episode, we delve into the intricate workings of the brain to uncover its pivotal role in impulse control and emotional regulation. Join us as we explore the neural pathways that influence our decisions and emotions, and learn how understanding these processes can lead to better self-awareness and mental well-being. Whether you…
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Can one mom’s decision to stay close to her children really shape the course of their lives? Meet Ginger Wayde, a veteran homeschooling mom of six, who learned that meaningful connection is at the heart of lasting impact—connection to faith, to family, and to a lifelong love of learning. She and Zan talk about the beautiful messiness of homeschooli…
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What happens when artificial intelligence can write better essays than your students—and they don't even know the difference? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Bill Davis from Covenant College explores the ethical implications of AI in education and beyond. From the classroom challenges of detecting AI-generated work to the broader questions o…
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What's it like to homeschool when you're completely blind? Zan welcomes Faye Abbas—musician, mom, and pioneer—who homeschooled her two sons for 15 years without sight. Zan and Faye share stories from their decades-long friendship and God's faithfulness through every challenge. From boarding school memories to late-night lesson planning, Faye's jour…
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