It’s just me today, and yes… we’re talking about homework again. But this time, I’m not just venting, I’m actually getting to the root of why it bothers me so much.

Because I don’t think this is about worksheets or math pages. I think it’s about how we’re trying to force every kid into the same mold, and what happens when they don’t fit it.

In this episode, I break down the difference between kids who thrive in structured, detail-oriented environments and the ones who are wired completely differently… the ones who need to move, build, explore, and learn in a way that doesn’t involve sitting still for eight hours a day.

I talk about:

• Why homework feels like it’s cutting into the only real family time we have
• The “beaver vs. bower bird” personality types and why that matters more than we think
• How traditional school systems reward one type of kid and frustrate the other
• My own experience with homeschooling, procrastination, and how I actually work best
• Why I think making homework optional could change everything (for kids and teachers)
• And what it looks like to actually lean into how your kid is wired instead of fighting it

This is me trying to put words to something a lot of kids feel but don’t know how to say. They’re not “problems.” They’re just different.

And if we don’t start paying attention to that, we’re going to keep crushing the very traits that might matter most later in life.

If you agree, disagree, or think I’m completely off here… I want to hear it.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

It’s just me today, and I’m saying something I know not everyone is going to agree with… kindergarteners should NOT have homework.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how much structure, pressure, and constant direction kids are under now, starting earlier and earlier, and how little space is left for them to just be kids. To play, to be outside, to figure things out on their own without someone telling them what to do every second of the day.

This isn’t about being anti-school or anti-teacher. It’s about asking whether we’ve pushed things too far, especially for five and six year olds.

I also get into the idea that not all kids are wired the same. Some thrive in structured, sit-down environments while others don’t. And when we force all of them into the same box, especially after they’ve already been at school all day, it’s no surprise things start to break down at home.

So this is me laying out my thoughts childhood, family time, and what we’re prioritizing… whether we realize it or not.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify

Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

Chris Woodruff is back, and this is where the conversation gets deeper.

In Part 2, we pick up after his comeback from injury and get into what actually made him walk away from pro tennis, what it feels like when your identity is no longer tied to performance, and why the hardest part isn’t always the grind… it’s what comes after.

We talk about burnout, regret, and the question a lot of high performers quietly wrestle with: what could have been if I stayed a little longer? Chris shares how his perspective has shifted over time, and why he’s now so focused on helping his players get everything out of themselves while they still can.

We also get into parenting, screens, and raising kids in a world that looks nothing like the one he grew up in. From handwritten thank you notes to limiting phone use (for both kids and college athletes), Chris explains what he believes actually builds confident, grounded humans — not just successful ones.

And then we go even bigger: faith, identity, and what it means to live a life that’s actually your own.

This episode is about more than tennis. It’s about discipline, purpose, and having the courage to choose your own path, even when it’s harder.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify

Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production