Dr. Roger Smith | Ep. 198

May 20, 2026

A Doctor’s Take on Homeschooling

Enjoy the Video

About this Episode

How much influence do parents really have in their children’s lives? Zan Tyler and Dr. Roger Smith, pediatrician and internist, talk about the kind of relationships that shape children for the long haul. From choosing doctors you can trust to building a home filled with laughter, Roger shares why he and his wife became fully committed to homeschooling and never looked back. Zan and Roger also discuss the growing pressure many homeschool families feel today and why parents should not underestimate the power of being present, engaged, and deeply connected to their children.

Meet My Guest

Dr. Roger Smith, the Louisiana Rural Health Practitioner of the Year in 2021, was the first to homeschool in his rural community in 1989. He and his wife, Jan, have been involved in many community, state, and national organizations where they have influenced policymakers, leaders, and service providers.
Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, he continues to practice medicine full-time, while he speaks and writes about family matters. Although he includes his scientific knowledge of the subject, as host of the Parenting Matters Now Podcast, he communicates with a relaxed, conversational style that reminds many of Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
 
Dr. Smith authored Parenting with Influence, as well as numerous articles on home, family relationships, and homeschooling. “Helping Families Thrive” is the mission of his writing, speaking, and coaching. He believes parenting is leadership, which is a learnable skill that everyone can improve. So, he brings his years of study and experience to help other parents lead well.

rogersmithmd.com
FACEBOOK – Parenting Matters Now
INSTAGRAM – Parenting Matters Now Podcast
YOUTUBE – Roger Smith

Mentioned in this Episode

Podcast Sponsor

At BJU Press Homeschool, we’re committed to providing children an education from a biblical worldview that is academically sound and challenges them to advance, think critically, and live like Christ. This type of education is not often possible in public schools because of the number of children taught in a classroom, a difference in worldview, and peer and societal pressure to conform. Homeschooling allows parents to instruct and disciple their children without daily fighting messages from an opposing worldview taught in the classroom. And with tuition costs and fees for private schooling or tutoring, homeschooling may be the only option for parents who are concerned for their children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
BJUPRESSHOMESCHOOL.COM/ZAN

Connect with Zan

Ask Zan a question or provide comments on podcast episodes. We'd love to hear from you!

Connect with Zan
Check all that apply.
Subscribe to the Podcast

Subscribe and listen to the Zan Tyler Podcast sponsored by BJU Press Homeschool. Join Zan and a special guest each week for real encouragement, engaging stories, and practical wisdom for surviving and thriving on the homeschool journey. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Subscribe to the Podcast
Explore the Podcast

Dive deep into episodes. Learn more about Zan's guests. Access show notes and helpful links. Prefer to do more than listen? Enjoy video recordings of podcast episodes. Looking for help and encouragement in a specific area? Easily filter episodes by topic to find the resources you need!

Explore the Podcast