Podcasts and a Mother’s Education: Learning in the Margins of Your Day
When Charlotte Mason spoke of a mother’s education, she reminded us that the work of homeschooling is not only about our children’s growth. It is also about the ongoing education of the mother herself. We are persons who need to be continually fed with ideas, wisdom, and beauty. In the busy years of homeschooling, however, it can feel nearly impossible to carve out the time to sit down with a book, attend a lecture, or pursue long hours of study.
That is where podcasts can become a quiet ally in our pursuit of a mother’s education.
Why Podcasts Work for Mothers
Podcasts fit beautifully into the margins of a homeschool mother’s life. You can listen while folding laundry, driving to co-op, chopping vegetables, or walking in the neighborhood. They meet us in the “in-between” moments that might otherwise be filled with noise or distraction and turn them into opportunities for growth.
Unlike scrolling social media, podcasts ask us to slow down and listen. They invite us into conversations that expand our vision, deepen our understanding of education, and remind us that we are not alone in this calling.
Podcasts and the Spirit of a Mother’s Education
A mother’s education is not simply about consuming information. It is about nourishing the soul with living ideas. The right podcast can do just that:
Philosophy — helping us reflect on the principles of Charlotte Mason and the classical tradition
Practice — offering practical tips for narration, habit training, nature study, or lesson planning
Encouragement — reminding us that small steps, faithfully taken, bear fruit in due season
Beauty — opening the door to poetry, music, and art through thoughtful discussion
Each episode can become a seed of thought that lingers in the mind and, over time, bears fruit in our homes.
Starting a Listening Habit
To use podcasts well for a mother’s education, a little intention goes a long way:
Choose carefully. Not every podcast feeds the mind with living ideas. Look for shows rooted in philosophy, education, and beauty rather than noise or quick fixes.
Start small. You do not need to keep up with every new release. Pick one or two shows that speak to your season.
Listen slowly. Take an episode at a time. Pause to ponder, jot down a thought in your notebook, or share it with a friend.
Let it spill over. The ideas you gather in quiet moments will naturally influence the way you homeschool, mother, and live.
A Few Recommendations
If you are new to podcasts, here are a few places to begin:
The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins — conversations around Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and its application today
A Delectable Education — a treasure trove of wisdom from three veteran Mason moms
Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling — short, practical episodes to guide you in the day-to-day
The Commonplace Podcast — thoughtful discussions at the intersection of classical education and Charlotte Mason
These are just starting points. Explore and find voices that encourage you. If you want some ideas I’ve put together a playlist of some episodes that I have learned a lot from.
The Gift of Listening
In an age of constant distraction, choosing to listen attentively to a podcast that lifts the heart and feeds the mind is a powerful act of a mother’s education. It is a way of slowing down, tending to your own learning, and remembering that the homeschool journey is not only about our children’s growth but about ours as well.
So the next time you find yourself folding laundry or driving across town, press play on an episode that will nourish you. In those ordinary moments, you will be quietly cultivating a mind and soul prepared to walk alongside your children in the great adventure of education.
