Best Mostly Lit Pod Podcasts (2025)

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COJ #160 - A Purple Christmas Gift To Mica Francis + Confronting Power, The Cost Of Truth, and Other Discovery Abuses 58:23

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4d ago58:23

58:23

In this holiday edition, investigative journalists ⁠Mandy Matney⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Liz Farrell⁠⁠ talk with attorney⁠ Eric Bland about their Festivus grievances and the ongoing legal harassment they face in the Beach v. Parker civil conspiracy case. Eric explains how unlimited budgets enable clients to weaponize discovery processes, while Mandy and Liz discus…

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Ep 400: The Rebirth of a Dream: How ReDream Education and Microschool Masterminds Begin a New Era 27:37

4d ago27:37

27:37

Today is Episode 400… a milestone I never imagined when I sat at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, simply trying to create safety and stability for kids who needed a place to learn. But 400 episodes later, I have grown. You have grown. The entire movement has grown. And in this episode, I’m sharing a full-circle moment: th…

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COJ #159 - Inside South Carolina's Supreme Court Power Grab and AG Alan Wilson's THC Witch Hunt 57:17

11d ago57:17

57:17

Investigative journalists⁠ ⁠Mandy Matney⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Liz Farrell⁠⁠ talk with attorney⁠ Eric Bland about South Carolina's deeply flawed judicial selection process as former House Speaker Jay Lucas—at 69 years old with no judicial experience—positions himself for John Kittredge's Supreme Court chief justice seat against experienced appellate judge John F…

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Ep 399: Kayse Morris - TPT and Online Teacher Business Discussing Fear, Mindset, Teacher Burnout & Rebuilding Your Life + Business 51:54

11d ago51:54

51:54

(An exclusive interview on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast) After a two-year pause from podcast interviews, Kayse Morris — former classroom teacher turned CEO, bestselling podcaster, and one of the most influential online business coaches for teachers is on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast for her first interview in almost two year…

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COJ #158 - When Lawyers Face Zero Consequences And Journalists Fight For Our Right To Publish 58:52

18d ago58:52

58:52

Investigative journalists⁠ ⁠Mandy Matney⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Liz Farrell⁠⁠ talk with attorney⁠ Eric Bland about the coordinated harassment they're facing in the the Beach v. Parker litigation—and why it represents everything broken about South Carolina's legal accountability system. Briefly touching on former Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill pleading guilty wi…

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Ep 398: When the Dream Isn’t Big Enough Anymore? What It Really Means to ReDream Education and How it Impacts YOU as a Teacher 29:10

18d ago29:10

29:10

When I started my microschool at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, I thought that was the dream. I thought my purpose was simply to create a safe space for a handful of kids while the world felt uncertain. What I didn’t realize then—what I can see so clearly now—is that the school I started wasn’t the dream. It was the see…

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COJ #157 - Greg Parker, Parker’s Kitchen and The Abuse of Legal Processes to Harass Journalists, Critics and Everyone in Between 1:04:09

25d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Investigative journalists⁠ ⁠Mandy Matney⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Liz Farrell⁠⁠ open up to attorney⁠ Eric Bland about being targeted in the ongoing Beach v. Parker civil conspiracy litigation, where Greg Parker's legal team has made them collateral damage through aggressive subpoenas and invasive depositions. Liz describes enduring eight hours of what she calls "ha…

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Ep 397: Why Teacher, Let Your Light Shine is ReDreaming Education! My Origin Story, the Rise of Microschools, Future of Learning, & How Teachers, Parents, & Founders Can Build a Better System Together 32:22

25d ago32:22

32:22

In today’s deeply personal and powerful episode, I’m sharing the full story behind why I am officially rebranding Teacher Let Your Light Shine to ReDream Education—and why this evolution matters for teachers, parents, founders, and families who know deep down that the traditional system is no longer working. I take you back to the beginning—my livi…

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COJ #156 - From Victim to Justice Warrior: Jonny McCoy on Surviving Police Misconduct and His Fight Against Corruption 1:03:14

1M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

In 2009, attorney ⁠Jonny McCoy asked a simple question: "Why are you arresting him?" That question led to his own arrest, fabricated charges, a suicide witnessed in jail, four years of malicious prosecution, and a complete mental breakdown that nearly cost him his life. Now, after years of intensive trauma treatment and a move to Denver to rebuild …

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Ep 396: Building a Microschool Through Life’s Biggest Transitions: Maddie Baird’s Story of Faith, Family, and Fearless Leadership 56:07

1M ago56:07

56:07

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a microschool while managing major life transitions—or if fear of stepping away has kept you from taking the leap—this episode will encourage and empower you to move forward with faith and clarity. In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Madeline Baird, founder of Peak Learning Microschool i…

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Ep 395: From Overwhelmed to Organized: How Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365 Helped Me Transform My Home, School, and Business Systems 1:11:44

1M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

If you’ve ever felt buried under to-do lists, school planning, paperwork, and the constant pressure to do it all — today’s episode is your breath of fresh air. 🌿 In this deeply personal and transformative conversation, I sit down with Lisa Woodruff, the brilliant founder and CEO of Organize 365, and the woman who completely changed the way I struct…

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COJ #155 - First Amendment Under Fire + Subpoenas, Scandals, and Sexual Harassment + When Power Corrupts the Process 52:49

1M ago52:49

52:49

Investigative journalists ⁠Mandy Matney⁠ and ⁠Liz Farrell⁠ and attorney ⁠Eric Bland⁠ dive into three major developments shaking the South Carolina legal landscape… First, we're breaking down renewed public scrutiny of attorney Dick Harpootlian, reacting to his recent media comments, his portrayal in Murdaugh: Death in the Family, and long-standing …

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COJ #154 - Weldon Boyd (Stupidly) Sues Mark Tinsley, Liz Gets Deposed by Mark “Yo-Money” Moore + Dick Harpootlian Calls Girl ‘Skank’ on CourtTV 1:01:59

2M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland talk about how Liz’s deposition went in the Mallory Beach civil conspiracy case where she faced down attorney Mark “Yo-Money” Moore. Moore is gas station owner Greg Parker’s attorney and also the criminal defense attorney for Alex Murdaugh’s co-conspirator bankster frien…

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Ep 394: The Future of Joyful Learning: A Conversation with Kerry McDonald, Host of The Liberated Podcast and Author of Joyful Learning 56:52

2M ago56:52

56:52

This isn’t just an interview! Today’s podcast is an inspiring dialogue between two passionate women who are transforming education from the ground up in numerous ways. 🌟 In this episode, Makenzie Oliver, founder of Lighthouse Learning Microschool and host of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, sits down with Kerry McDonald — Senior Fellow at the Foundati…

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COJ #153 - Huluween in the Lowcountry, Squires Gets The Gentlemen’s Treatments, And Moore Hideous Threats To Justice 57:25

2M ago57:25

57:25

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland dress up for Huluween on this jam-packed episode - and you can see the video version of COJ Cinema on your LUNASHARK Premium dashboard later this week. We unpack a wild week of contradictions in South Carolina’s justice system — from the Murdaugh: Death in the Family ser…

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Ep 393: Grit, Grace, and Growth: The Power of Consistency and Community for Teachers, Founders, and Dreamers Leaving the System 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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COJ #152 - Attorney General Candidate David Pascoe On Saving South Carolina’s Justice System From Secrets, Corruption, and the Politics of Protectionism 1:06:12

2M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell have a long list of questions for South Carolina’s 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe and they aren’t afraid to ask them. Pascoe, who is running to replace state attorney general Alan Wilson in next year’s election has a well-known history of being the only top law enforcement officer in the st…

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Ep 392: Why Every Microschool Founder Needs an Autumn Audit Before the New Year: How to Reflect, Refresh, and Realign Your Vision, Team, and Space for 2025 20:54

2M ago20:54

20:54

This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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COJ #151 - ‘Murdaugh Fatigue’ Blamed For Bankster's Soft Sentence + Why Is Dick So Bothered By The Hulu’s #1 Hit Series? 55:51

2M ago55:51

55:51

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland tackle one of the most absurd phrases creeping into South Carolina’s justice system — ‘Murdaugh fatigue.’ After years of uncovering corruption, financial crimes, and systemic failures, many in power and some running for office want to move on… leaving victims behind… AGA…

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Ep 391: Building a Microschool in a Yurt: Kami Melton’s Journey from Homeschool Mom to Educational Trailblazer 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kami Melton, founder of Arkwright Microschool, to hear how her journey from homeschooling mom to microschool builder unfolded—inside a yurt! Kami began her homeschooling journey in Virginia, later moved with her family to Poland, and returned to rural southwest Georgia during the pandemic. In a county of f…

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COJ #150 - Justice in the Spotlight: Attorney Mark Tinsley on the Murdaugh Cases, Hulu’s Adaptation, and the Pursuit of Truth 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are joined by the distinguished attorney Mark Tinsley, a central figure in the pursuit of justice for the Beach family and a pivotal voice in the Murdaugh saga. Join us as we dive deep with Mark into his journey taking on one of the South’s most powerful families, his reflections on seeking tru…

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Ep 390: Weaving the Tapestry of Calling: How Microschool Mastermind Lauren Talbot Built a Thriving Microschool in Just 4 Months with her Mother 1:06:20

2M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

How do you go from hearing a quiet tug on your heart to building a thriving microschool in only four months? In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Talbot—former accountant, middle school math teacher, and now the founder of The Anchor Learning Center in Louisiana. From her one-stoplight town, Lauren followed God’s unmistakable call to leave publi…

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COJ #149 - Pressure Breaks Politicians: Sheriff Fires Off-Duty Deputy Who Held Kids at Gunpoint + A Mysterious SC Fire Draws Arson Investigation 1:02:14

3M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

By Luna Shark

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Ep 389: What Microschool Leaders Need Most in October! Building Strong School Culture, Engaging Parents and Community, and Planning for Growth with Clarity and Confidence 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

By Makenzie Oliver| Micro-School Mentor| Homeschooling Business Coach| Homeschool Teacher Consultant | Micro-school Mom #micro-school #homeschool #teacherletyourlightshine

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COJ #148 - UNHINGED Off-Duty Cop Points Gun at Teens + RJ May Pleads GUILTY To Sharing Child Sex Abuse Videos 58:45

3M ago58:45

58:45

By Luna Shark

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Ep 388: Reconnecting to Your Roots as a Microschool Leader: Preventing Burnout, Building Parent & Community Advisory Boards, and Using Personality Frameworks to Grow a Thriving Microschool Culture 22:25

3M ago22:25

22:25

As a microschool founder or homeschool hybrid leader, it’s easy to get caught up in curriculum, enrollment, finances, and the daily logistics of running a school—but one of the most powerful growth multipliers you have is reconnecting to your roots and knowing your people. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver…

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COJ #147 - SC Judge Bragged About Raping Babies, Feds Say. Why wasn’t he caught earlier? 57:40

3M ago57:40

57:40

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland thought they would never read anything quite as horrible as the descriptions of Child Sexual Assault Material contained in former South Carolina Rep. RJ May’s court records. But they were wrong. On Monday, the United States Government filed a brief arguing that Charlesto…

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Ep 387: From Library Meetings to Leading Logos Homeschool Academy: How Jennifer Pinto Built a Homeschool Hybrid in Iowa with Faith and Microschool Masterminds 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

What does it look like to step out of traditional education and wait on God’s timing to build something completely new? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jennifer Pinto, co-founder of Logos Homeschool Academy in Iowa. After leaving traditional schooling in 2023, Jennifer connected with a like-minded friend—whom she met in the library—and t…

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COJ #146 - Alex Murdaugh Trapped by His Own Guilt in Latest Filing + Alicia Kelley As Liz Farrell in Hulu’s ‘Murdaugh: Death In the Family’ 56:46

3M ago56:46

56:46

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are joined by Luna Shark Producer (and Mandy’s husband) the extraordinary David Moses — who is filling in for Eric Bland this week. First up on the show, Mandy, Liz and David talk about what it was like for them watching the trailer for “Murdaugh: Death In the Family” for the first time and the…

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Ep 386: How Microschool Founders Can Overcome Parent Pressure. Setting Boundaries, Building Confidence, and Communicating Expectations to Create Thriving Schools Without Burnout 24:05

3M ago24:05

24:05

Starting a microschool comes with incredible joy—but it also comes with the pressure of making everyone happy: parents, students, even your staff. If you’ve ever felt the weight of parent expectations on your shoulders, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m pulling back the curtain on how new founders can manage parent pressure with…

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COJ #145 - 'Everything They Missed' With True Crime Podcaster Stephanie Tinsley: Retracing a Case Buried by Silence 1:02:45

4M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with Stephanie Tinsley to turn up the mic—and the spotlight—on Stephanie’s ‘Everything They Missed’, a new, true-crime podcast series that reopens a murder case that should’ve never been closed. Everything They Missed is a new series retracing the cold case of Danny Harris—a father, ve…

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Ep 385: A Mother’s Heart, a Founder’s Struggle: Navigating the Heartbreak and Hope of School Choices 41:57

4M ago41:57

41:57

For six years, I’ve poured my heart into building a microschool—creating a place of freedom, belonging, and personalized learning. My daughters were the reason I started this journey. And yet, today, neither of them are with us at our microschool. In this episode, I open up about: My daughter’s transition from a small, nurturing microschool environ…

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COJ #144 - Cardi B, Crooked Bankers & Courtroom Clowns: How Truth, Delay, and Denial Betrays Victims 57:54

4M ago57:54

57:54

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland are examining how Cardi B. has been schooling the courtroom on authenticity, Russell Laffitte stalls his way through justice. Cardi B’s testimony in California shows how authenticity and honesty can make a witness credible, even when the stakes are high. Contrast that wi…

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Ep 384: What’s Saving My Sanity (and What’s Not) as a Microschool Founder. Behind the Scenes: All the Fun Things, The Routines and Systems Keeping Me Sane as a Microschool Leader 30:06

4M ago30:06

30:06

Behind every thriving microschool is a leader who is juggling 1,000 spinning plates — curriculum, enrollment, parent communication, staff management, and personal life. In this candid behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the honest truth about what’s actually saving my sanity right now as a microschool founder…and what’s not. You’ll hear the dail…

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COJ #143 - Collateral Damage: When Lawyers Are Losers, Guns Are Umbrellas & Politicians Are Liars 57:52

4M ago57:52

57:52

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland are back again … and the filters (as usual) are OFF. Mandy shares the tea about what went on last week in a Columbia, South Carolina, courtroom where her attorney Meredith Bannon argued against Mandy sitting for a deposition in a case she isn’t a part of (David Voros and…

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Ep 383: Reset Your Microschool Systems Before Burnout Hits The 4 Week System and Routine to Finally Get Organized and Free 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

Running a microschool requires relentless focus, clarity, and strong systems. If you’re spinning your wheels every September—re-creating lesson plans, re-building operations, and re-learning the same organizational habits—you’re headed straight for overwhelm. In this episode, I walk you through a 4-Week Reset System that will help you: Audit what’s…

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COJ #142 - Cookies Confidential: JAMS CEO Kimberly Taylor Chats Contracts & Compromise From The World of Mediation and Arbitration 1:02:02

4M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

If you find yourself involved in the civil justice system, you don’t have to go to trial. Alternatives like mediation or arbitration can offer faster, less adversarial paths to resolution without airing out all your business to the public. But, they’re not the best option for every case — like everything with our justice system, there’s a lot of nu…

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Throwback-To-School: What to Do When You Ask Yourself: Do I Have The Time, Energy and Resources to Start or Grow Your Dream School or Teaching Business! 24:26

4M ago24:26

24:26

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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COJ #141 - State Files Savage Clapback To Murderer Alex Murdaugh’s Appeal + Nancy Mace Enters The Chat 57:15

5M ago57:15

57:15

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell and attorney Eric Bland have read the 182-page response filed Friday evening by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in Alex Murdaugh’s appellate case and it is BEYOND fiery. Prosecutors pulled no punches when deconstructing every single one of Team Murdaugh’s intellectually dishonest a…

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Throwback-To-School: Career Change! What Teachers Can Experience After Leaving Public School Teaching and What They Realized They Desperately Needed! 28:30

5M ago28:30

28:30

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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COJ #140 - A Cup of Resilience With Author Kate Moore: Unearthing The Unstoppable Voice & Inspiring Life of Elizabeth Packard 58:07

5M ago58:07

58:07

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell welcome author Kate Moore to discuss her book "The Woman They Could Not Silence," which chronicles Elizabeth Packard's journey being held captive within an insane asylum in the 1860’s. Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Moore aimed to explore the historical silencing of women labeled as "mad." Sh…

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Throwback-To-School: Does a Homeschooling Business Have to be IN MY HOME? Pros/Cons and 8 Alternative Places for Success! 24:27

5M ago24:27

24:27

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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COJ #139 - The Impact of Victims’ Voices in Bryan Kohberger Case + SC Cops Threaten Journalist In Quest for Information on Miscarriage Arrest 56:32

5M ago56:32

56:32

Investigative journalists⁠ ⁠Mandy Matney⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Liz Farrell⁠⁠ — and attorney⁠ ⁠Eric Bland⁠⁠ — discuss the power of victim impact statements in the Bryan Kohberger case. Kohberger was charged in 2022 shortly after the horrific killings of four Idaho college students, whom he stabbed to death while they slept. His victims’ loved ones used the power …

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Throwback-To-School: From Traditional Teacher to Teacher Entrepreneur: Why I Left The Public School System and Started a Homeschooling Business 32:17

5M ago32:17

32:17

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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COJ #138 - Claims of Citizen’s Arrest And Other Absurd Developments… + Who Is Fishing for a New Murdaugh Trial? 1:05:05

5M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Investigative journalists and True Sunlight Podcast co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — (reluctantly) discuss the latest (and perhaps most pathetic and reaching) strategy from Dick Harpootlian in his quest to get Alex Murdaugh’s murder charge overturned. Cousin Eddie’s text messages to Alex! Messages that literally don…

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Ep 378: You're Pouring Into Everyone - Who Is Pouring Into You? What's NOT Optional for Microschool Leaders 30:33

5M ago30:33

30:33

Are you a microschool leader running on empty, juggling all the roles, and wondering how to keep going? In this powerful episode, we're diving deep into why professional development isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline. Whether you're starting out or deep in the trenches, this episode will show you how PD can radically transform your confidence, your sys…

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Ep 377: Mid-Year, Major Impact: How Adjusting Your Open House Plan Can Skyrocket Enrollment 19:13

5M ago19:13

19:13

Are you underestimating the power of your school’s open house? This episode breaks down why open houses are so much more than enrollment events—they're your most effective and affordable in-person marketing strategy to build community, increase visibility, and strengthen your brand. Whether you're running a microschool, homeschool hybrid, private s…

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COJ #137 - Celebrating Stephen Smith’s Legacy + Stand Your Ground, Citizens’ Arrest and Should Weldon Boyd Be Worried? 1:00:12

6M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Investigative journalists and True Sunlight Podcast co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell — and attorney Eric Bland — are back at it, discussing the latest in crime, corruption and the courts. In today’s episode Mandy and Eric share an update in the Stephen Smith case, plus their stories from the very successful walk held over the weekend in Hampto…

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Ep 376: Scaling Back to Show Up: From Burnout to Breakthrough in Microschool Leadership — Why Subtracting Is the Key to Thriving This School Year 34:54

6M ago34:54

34:54

Are you feeling the weight of trying to do everything as a microschool founder, homeschooling parent, or educational entrepreneur? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and practical episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to lead a microschool into a new school year — without burning out in the process. I’m sharing how I’m…

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Who Killed Stephen Smith? Ten Years With Hope But Without Answers... 1:28:42

6M ago1:28:42

1:28:42

We’re taking a break from Cup of Justice to bring you a special Premium episode of Soundbites, typically reserved for LUNASHARK Premium Members. Today’s episode is dedicated to the tragic and perplexing case of Stephen Smith. This episode, from journalist Beth Braden, librarian Kate Thomas, and producer Sam Berlin, aims to review "what we knew and …