[Podcast #309] Redefining Homeschool with Alisha Brignall from Canada

Brave Writer Podcast

Welcome back to the Brave Writer Podcast! This week, Julie sits down with Alisha Brignall, a Canadian homeschooling veteran and educational leader with over 15 years of experience guiding families through their unique learning journeys.

With a Master’s in Education and her work as a Home Education Manager at an independent school, Alisha brings a wealth of knowledge about both the philosophy and the practical realities of homeschooling. She’s also the founder of INSPIRED, Alberta’s only secular homeschool conference, dedicated to creating inclusive and supportive communities for families.

Alisha Brignall
Alisha Brignall

In this warm and deeply insightful conversation, Alisha and Julie explore how homeschooling has evolved over the past two decades—from early pedagogical pioneers to today’s eclectic mix of families seeking flexibility and connection. They:

  • unpack the differences between Canadian and American approaches to home education,
  • discuss how to cultivate confidence as a parent educator,
  • and highlight the growing landscape of hybrid models and secular learning spaces.

Together, they reflect on what it truly means to measure success in education, nurture a love of learning, and prioritize family relationships as the foundation for meaningful growth.

Show Notes

Homeschooling Then and Now

Alisha began homeschooling when her oldest child—now a thriving young adult—needed something different than what traditional education could offer. What began as a personal experiment grew into a lifelong vocation of understanding and supporting diverse learners. Julie and Alisha discuss how homeschooling’s motivations have transformed since the early 2000s: where once parents were often pedagogically motivated, steeped in John Holt or Charlotte Mason, many families today are driven by necessity, seeking refuge from overstretched systems or wanting a more flexible, inclusive approach.

The conversation delves into how these changing motivations affect the homeschool experience. Alisha observes that modern families often come to homeschooling unsure of their educational philosophy, juggling dual careers and new hybrid models. Yet, even amid the complexity, both she and Julie see the same spark of possibility—parents rediscovering confidence as educators and children finding joy in self-directed learning.

Confidence and Connection in Learning

A recurring theme throughout the episode is trust—trusting children, trusting yourself, and trusting that meaningful education looks different for every family. Alisha shares stories from her work as a mentor and from her own homeschool, where allowing her son with dysgraphia to create his own set of Pokémon-style “Gogemon” cards led him to become a film student with a love of storytelling. These moments, Julie reflects, are the heart of learning: when curiosity is met with freedom and encouragement, growth naturally follows.

Julie and Alisha also explore how the metrics of “success” in homeschooling can differ widely among family members. Alisha recalls a time when her family realized they each defined success differently—mom wanted growth, dad wanted measurable progress, and the kids just wanted peace and joy. Recognizing those different values became the turning point for their homeschool harmony, and Julie encourages listeners to ask their own families what success truly looks like.

The Future of Home Education

Looking forward, Alisha sees both challenge and promise in the future of education. The landscape is expanding: AI tools, hybrid programs, and microschools are changing how families approach learning. But what remains constant, she says, is the relationship at the center of it all. Whether schooling at home or within new systems, children thrive when they feel connected—to their parents, their communities, and their curiosity.

Julie echoes that sentiment, reminding listeners that homeschooling has always been an act of faith in connection: parent to child, learner to subject, family to world. As more families experiment with what education can look like, that foundation of love and trust will continue to guide the way.

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Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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