What happens when the father you are born with isn't the one you needed? In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Patton Dodd joins Jae to discuss his memoir and the complex journey of healing from a childhood shaped by addiction and emotional absence. It is a raw look at how our past shapes us and how we can choose a different path for our own children.

🌟Patton shares the honest reality of growing up with an alcoholic father and how he navigated the father figures he created in his imagination to fill the void. We explore the powerful influence of his mother and sister, the heavy weight of trauma, and why breaking generational cycles is the most important work a parent can do. This conversation dives deep into the identity shifts that happen when we become parents ourselves and the importance of attending to our own wounds so we don't pass them down.

🪴Whether you are a homeschool parent or someone looking to reconcile with your own history, this episode offers profound insights into identity, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to become the parent you never had. Learn why presence is the greatest gift you can give your kids and how to find joy even in the midst of a difficult story.

The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become: Dodd, Patton: 9781506486987: Amazon.com: Books

✨Chapters 📺

0:00 Intro and meet Dr. Patton Dodd 3:15 Growing up with a troubled father7:40 The complexity of two parent households11:20 Papa Friend and making father figures15:30 Dealing with the trauma of an absent presence19:45 The role of siblings in dysfunctional families23:15 Pattons transition into fatherhood27:40 The emotional side of becoming a dad32:10 Finding compassion through family history36:50 Confronting the blame of addiction41:05 My mother was the light in the dark45:30 A story of redemption and late love49:15 The importance of therapy and self care52:40 Final advice for parents and choosing joyIf this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe for more stories on parenting and personal growth.

You can find Pattons book, The Father You Get, at your favorite bookstore or on Audible.

Be sure to visit our website for more resources on your homeschooling journey. 👋

#fatherhood #healing #parenting #mentalhealth #homeschooling

Are you ready to empower your children with the skills they actually need for the future? In this episode, Elena Zakharova joins the show to discuss why financial literacy, digital intelligence, and character development are the most important lessons we can teach our kids today. Discover how to transition from being a passive observer to an active leader in your child's educational journey.

Elena shares her fascinating journey from a 15-year tech veteran at companies like IBM and AMD to the founder of Kid Laboratories. She breaks down the essential components of her Future Proof Kids framework, including the money cycle, the science of AI perception, and the importance of creating goal manifestos. We explore the challenges of raising children in a world of frictionless transactions and instant gratification, and how simple 10-minute weekly conversations can create a massive categorical shift in their development.

Key topics covered in this episode:

🚀 The difference between needs and wants in a digital economy

🤖 How to use AI as a tool for cognitive growth rather than a replacement for it

📈 The 3.5 percent rule for driving social change within families

🛡️ Building courage by allowing kids to experience healthy risk and discomfort

🏠 Creating a family crest and mission statement to ground your household values

Elena Zakharova, founder of Kid Laboratories and known nationwide as “America’s STEM Teacher,” is leading a movement to make STEM, AI, and financial literacy fun, accessible, and confidence-building for kids. With 15+ years of experience in tech and education, she’s helping parents and teachers prepare children for the digital future through engaging, hands-on learning.

Her Kid Laboratories Podcast and upcoming book, Future-Proof Kids: Raising Confident, Capable Children in the Digital Age (December 2025), explore how modern education can evolve to meet today’s demands — bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world skills.

Building Confidence in Teens Through STEM EducationKid Laboratories | Podcast on Spotify

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Elena and Kid Laboratories

2:15 From tech industry veteran to homeschooling advocate

5:40 The parking lot moment that sparked a movement

8:55 Navigating frictionless transactions and modern money

12:20 Removing emotional baggage from financial conversations

15:10 Developing character and mindset through GoalGetter

18:35 Teaching kids the science and ethics behind AI

21:45 Introducing the Future Proof Kids book and resources

25:10 How to use QR codes and workbooks for easy teaching

28:30 The 3.5 percent rule for shifting the next generation

31:50 Understanding the money cycle: Earn, Save, Spend, Budget

35:15 Delayed gratification vs instant gratification in the digital age

39:00 Why discomfort is a sign of growth for children

43:10 Creating goal manifestos and dreaming big

47:45 Building family values and the power of a family crest

51:20 Overprotecting outside vs underprotecting online

54:30 Self-care for parents and the importance of movement

56:15 Where to find Kid Laboratories and final thoughts

Make sure to visit kidlaboratories.com to explore Elena's courses and grab your copy of her new book. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and subscribe for more insights on how to lead your child's educational journey.

#homeschooling #financialliteracy #parenting #education #kidlaboratories

Are you looking for ways to empower your children through literature and representation? Join Jae and special guest Valerie J. Lewis Cohen as they discuss the transformative power of diverse children's books and the mission behind the When I See Me Children's Book Fair.

In this episode of the Homeschool Your Kids podcast, Valerie shares her journey from publishing relationship advice to becoming a champion for children's literacy. She highlights the startling reality that less than 27 percent of children's books feature characters of color and explains why it is vital for black and brown children to see themselves as the heroes of their own stories.

Valerie also dives deep into the importance of parental advocacy within the school system, sharing personal stories of fighting for her son's academic success and fair treatment. From discussing the school to prison pipeline to the nuances of self-publishing and the power of positive illustrations, this conversation is a must watch for any parent or educator committed to raising confident, literate, and inspired children.

You will learn about the upcoming book fair in Dayton, Ohio, and how providing free books to children can change their entire trajectory.

https://penofthewriter.com/https://wheniseeme.com/https://queenvpublishing.com/

Valerie J. Lewis Coleman is a best-selling author, award-winning publisher, and publishing expert who transforms stories into legacies. With more than twenty years in the industry, she has published over 180 authors—70% of whom became bestsellers—and guided thousands of writers to avoid costly mistakes, publish with excellence, and profit from their books.

As founder of Pen of the Writer, Valerie equips professional speakers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to magnify their message, grow their platforms, and monetize their expertise through publishing. She also leads the groundbreaking When I See Me™ Children’s Book Fair, an initiative that places diverse, empowering stories into the hands of young readers so every child can see themselves as the hero.

A sought-after speaker and mentor, Valerie blends practical industry knowledge with passion for literacy, representation, and empowerment. Her dynamic presentations make publishing simple, profitable, and impactful—helping authors not only write books, but also change lives.

Learn more at PenOfTheWriter.com, QueenVPublishing.com, and WhenISeeMe.com.

Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, serving professional speakers and experts to magnify and monetize their message by publishing quality books!Click here to launch your writing career!When I See Me™ Children's Book Fair is Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Dayton, OH. Join us for a day of literary fun, giveaways, and more. WhenISeeMe.com Donate to A Book in Every Bag Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me - Samara and Lyric are cousins who love to visit their grandmother, MeMe.

The girls talk about all the wonderful things they want to be. Their self-esteem and confidence grow as they learn about women who have done what they hope to do. Filled with historical pioneers and modern-day trailblazers, this picture book empowers girls of color by providing examples of successful women who look like them. Click here to get your autographed copy of the Feathered Quill Bronze Award winner! Creative Child Kids Picture Book of the Year!

Readers Favorite Honorable Mention for Children's Educational Books!The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box - Relationship advice that your father didn't tell you and your mother didn't know. Click here to get your autographed copy of this Amazon bestseller. For Kindle, click here; for Audible, click here; for Nook and other formats, click here.

Visit the website mentioned in the video to learn more about the When I See Me Children's Book Fair and how you can support this vital mission. Be sure to like this video, subscribe to the channel for more empowering content, and share your thoughts in the comments below.