Naomi was born and raised in an Amish Mennonite community in central Pennsylvania; in her teens she moved to western Oklahoma with her family. At 21, she left the fold, uncertain where that decision would take her. Today Naomi is a Midwestern mom of two, a tenured English professor, and podcaster who is here to demystify formal education--especially for those who have suffered educational neglect and fear they've missed their chance at living life on their own terms. Although she happily gave up butchering chickens years ago, she still sews, bakes bread, and prefers a thrift store over the mall. 

Rebecca was born in the hollers of VA. Her family then moved to Paraguay and finally landed in PA. There she attended a small Amish Mennonite CLE school. In 7th grade her parents chose to end her formal education. Today she is the proud mom of three above-average kids (Lake Wobegon anyone?) and married to the guy who so innocently sat beside her at a hot dog roast all those years ago. These days Rebecca has more questions than answers, and she doesn’t mind taking a few shots at the status quo, faith, and gender expectations. She is just starting her senior year of college (it’s been a journey) and thanks her past self every day for just getting started. She is learning to laugh a little louder, rest a little longer, and embrace the gray.