Melissa and I just discovered an interesting coincidence about us: We both grew up as theater kids! Although we didn't pursue theater professionally, we bonded over our kinesthetic approach to home education. Our products, such as the Quill, Dart, Arrow, Boomerang, and Slingshot (affectionately abbreviated to Q-DABS), are designed to incorporate movement into learning. For example, when writing the Dart program, Melissa focused on creating activities that allow children to embody the concepts th...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 13 min
The way most of us were taught history can be boring — just a list of dates and events with no relevance. But once you start teaching history to your kids, everything changes, and you wish you could show your kids now what you wish you had seen when you were first learning history yourself. Today's guest, Emily Glankler, is the founder of Anti-Social Studies, wildly popular TikTok and Instagram accounts and a website by the same name. Her passion and sense of humor make history come alive for yo...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Today Melissa and Julie nerd out about writing. We're passionate about writing. We're professional writers! Ergo: we LOVE it! The unique aspect of Brave Writer is that our approach to teaching writing is different from what's typically taught in education or seen in other writing resources. It’s a process that is reflective of the stages a writer goes through when writing and publishing a novel. And when we were designing that program, we felt that the missing element in writing education was lo...
Feb 08, 2023•55 min
Today's episode is dedicated to addressing the number one requested topic: screen time and our children. With the rise of technology and the numerous devices available, it's natural for us to feel overwhelmed and concerned about the impact screens are having on our kids. Do you ever feel guilty about letting your children watch television or use their devices, even though you don't feel the same way about listening to a podcast or audiobook? Our guest today, Devorah Heitner, is here to help us a...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 10 min
I can’t wait for you to listen to today’s episode! Today's show marks a new beginning in the Brave Writer podcast. I’m introducing a co-host to the show: Meet Melissa Wiley, a long-time homeschooler, children's book writer, and valued friend and colleague. Melissa has written two highly-regarded novels which we share in the Brave Writer world, "The Prairie Thief" and "The Nerviest Girl in the World," and also works for Brave Writer, writing our Quills (writing program for 5-7) and Darts (writing...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Kids are naturally, wonderfully curious — especially when it comes to their own bodies. It isn't easy to answer curious kids' questions about their bodies with accuracy and to their satisfaction. That’s where the book "Human Body Learning Lab" by Dr. Betty Choi comes in. The author, a Harvard-educated pediatrician, shares her passion for helping children understand their bodies and satisfy their curiosity. Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Choi on how to create opportunities for ki...
Jan 30, 2023•55 min
We’ve often had requests to explore the struggles and strategies of raising neurodivergent children. Our guest, Debbie Reber, is the founder of Tilt Parenting and the author of "Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World." She shares her personal experience of homeschooling her son Asher, who is now an adult, and how she created her own website and podcast to help other parents navigate the journey of raising a neurodivergent child. With more than 20% of children bei...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 2 min
On today’s podcast: Meet Charlotte Mason—who she is and why her method of education was so revolutionary. What constitutes living literature and where do we find it today? Meet Lean Boden—Modern Miss Mason. How has she helped bring Charlotte’s teachings into the 21st century with our iPads, movies, and video games? What’s a short lesson? Why are they important? What does it mean to bring your own “breath” or “spirit” to the home education you give your children? There’s a word for it that Leah s...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Parents often don’t see themselves as educators or coaches to their own children or communities. And yet, that’s exactly what they are — or at least what they aim to be. Coaching is a set of strategies you can use when you want to help someone learn and grow. Our role as parents is to enable our children to make good decisions once they are on their own. Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach, and podcaster. She’s the author of seven highly-acclaimed books, including “The Art of Coach...
Jan 11, 2023•41 min
The speaker is a Christian and this show features her book that teaches families how to celebrate the liturgical calendar. In our attempts to find a philosophy of education that works for our families, we can feel batted around by the strong gusts of the latest curricula, the current trends in home education, the program that solved whatever schooling bugaboo over which we agonized. And whenever we seek out advice, it always comes with a mixture of inspiration and guilt. I’m going to share some ...
Jan 04, 2023•7 min
Bonnie Smith Whitehouse is a Nashville-based professor at Belmont University and writer. She calls herself a pilgrim not only because she loves to walk, wander, and contemplate, but because when she read Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek her life was forever changed. She’s a mother of spirited boys, a lover of bird song, a baker of bread, and an amateur painter and hand-letterer. We discuss her latest book, Seasons of Wonder: Making the Ordinary Sacred Through Projects, Prayers, Reflection...
Dec 28, 2022•44 min
As we’re facing the end of the year — whatever that means to you — I feel like it’s a chance to think about the dynamics of our relationships and the ways that things have changed and yet are also uncomfortably the same. We’re getting through it together, one day at a time. Hug your people, stay present to the moment, and take good care of yourself — because you are the essential ingredient that makes the whole thing work. You can download show notes for the podcast here: https://blog.bravewrite...
Dec 21, 2022•8 min
Whitney Goodman is the author of Toxic Positivity , a book sharing its release date with my own, Raising Critical Thinkers. She’s a psychotherapist with a wonderful Instagram account, @sitwithwhit, where she offers insightful support to young adults seeking to recover from childhood pains and traumas. She was previously on the podcast in May 2022 where she discussed her book and the downsides of positive thinking. Lately, Whitney has zeroed in on the challenge of creating healthy relationships b...
Dec 14, 2022•52 min
Mary Van Geffen is an international coaching expert for parents of “spicy ones.” She helps people who are highly competent in life but overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting to lean into the discipline of staying calm. She helps them cultivate warmth and tenderness, all while trying to wrangle the fiery future of their tiny future CEOs. We discuss what it means to have or be a spicy child, and how parents can best react to these spirited young ones. You can download show notes for the podcas...
Dec 07, 2022•48 min
Did you know that Brave Writer was the first online writing class instruction in the homeschool space? We have been pioneers and innovators in the writing world for over two decades, teaching over ten thousand students since then. Kirsten Merryman is the Director of Online Classes at Brave Writer. She’s responsible for hiring and training each of our 35 writing coaches to ensure that any student that registers with our program gets the same quality instruction no matter who is teaching. She’s go...
Dec 02, 2022•55 min
The holidays are coming, and many homeschooling parents know that there are going to be disruptions to the routine of daily life — so they try to figure out how to maintain that routine instead of allowing that routine to change and adapt to the constraints of this time of year. Some homeschoolers don’t even bother with finding a balance and they take the month off from education, instead dedicating that time to cookies, music, and family. Others try their best to keep up their homeschool routin...
Nov 30, 2022•25 min
Most parents love the idea of allowing their children to be independent, follow their own passions and interests, and be enriched by them. But not all of those interests are equal — at least in our eyes. What happens when our kids’ interests take them in directions that, to us, don’t seem valuable? How do we direct them toward learning without shutting down their hobbies and interests? Let’s discuss! You can download show notes for the podcast here: https://blog.bravewriter.com/category/podcasts...
Nov 23, 2022•13 min
If your year is starting—and it's not going well yet, keep reading. Do you have a nagging sense that you and your child are not on the same page or that your child seems to be struggling and you don't know what to do about it? If so, stay tuned! I’m going to share some practical tips for reestablishing connection with your child, earning their trust, and turning this year around. You can download show notes for the podcast here: https://blog.bravewriter.com/category/podcasts/ Resources: Sign up ...
Nov 16, 2022•10 min
When the staff of Brave Writer gets together, there is always one ingredient present that isn’t planned for but is nevertheless enjoyed: Laughter. In fact, our meetings often run long, to the annoyance of nobody. This is one of those secret ingredients that make the work of Brave Writer shine, though you never get to see it—until now. In my last meeting with Dawn Smith, our head of publishing, I asked out loud “Why aren’t we recording this?” And now, here we are! I want to give you an inside loo...
Nov 09, 2022•53 min
While educating children is a job of its own, many homeschooling parents also have a full-time job or side gig on top of that. You deserve support in all of those roles. Yael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, an assistant professor at Brown University, and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock, a podcast about the science and practice of living well. She’s also the mother of three. Her academic research explores the interaction between relationship problems and mental health conditions and ...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Our guest today is a Brave Writer mom, Emily Mohajeri Norris. She homeschooled her kids, using our Brave Writer program extensively. She and her children have taken online classes and used our writing manuals to boost their skills. She’s also read my books and applied what she learned there to her teaching and parenting while personalizing it to the needs of her and her family. But that’s not the most amazing thing about her. Both Emily and her son are contestants in the third season of LEGO Mas...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 12 min
As parents and caretakers, we are often torn between the trust we feel for our children and the worry that something will go wrong. These two are intrinsically opposed: Trust is the act of letting go of worry. That’s difficult to do when so much of parenting is wrapped up in worry—it gives us value. Let’s discuss the risks of trusting your child, the dangers of worrying too much, and some tips on how you can let go of a little more worry. You can download show notes for the podcast here: https:/...
Oct 26, 2022•13 min
Content warning: We deal with topics of evangelical Christianity and parenting in the United States. While this conversation may be welcoming for some, it could be triggering for others. Despite any personal views expressed by myself or our guest Bekah McNeel, know that Brave Writer is a non-sectarian company that happily celebrates and includes members who hold a wide variety of worldviews, religious beliefs, non-religious beliefs, backgrounds, and political perspectives. Bekah McNeel is the au...
Oct 20, 2022•51 min
Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist and the founder and CEO of Good Inside, as well as a mom of three, and she’s rethinking the way we raise our kids. Her goal: To empower parents to feel sturdier and more equipped to manage all the challenges every parent faces. As home educators, we know that you’ve compounded the challenge of parenting by spending every waking moment (and those rare times you’re actually getting some sleep) with your precious ones. We tackle all the topics from video...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 7 min
It feels like a natural part of teaching to look at our child’s work and note where it could be improved. Yet oftentimes, giving suggestions can often leave young writers feeling judged, inadequate, or underappreciated. It’s possible to offer your young writer editorial feedback without triggering a meltdown. I’ll share some tips you can use to give your kids helpful feedback that will help retain their confidence and independence. You can download show notes for the podcast here: https://blog.b...
Oct 05, 2022•12 min
What’s clear to me is that parents are confusing two important issues. They care about their students getting the appropriate education and so they are prioritizing what they consider the right subjects taught in the right ways through the right programs. Meanwhile the child is resisting. That resistance is expressed as a global unhappiness with the subject or any effort required to address the subject. To create a desire to learn, the child must find the work personally meaningful and useful in...
Sep 28, 2022•42 min
Note: To kick off the start of the school year, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes. Even, and especially, when a task is easy for us, teaching children a life skill is harder than it seems. As a parent, this can be extremely frustrating. The positives, though, are worth the trouble. Consider this: the sooner our kids know how to help around the house, the sooner they can help us around the house! More importantly, and beyond our own benefit, ensuring they’ve got the most recent softwa...
Sep 21, 2022•46 min
For homeschooling parents, happiness feels like the lowest level of ambition. When other parents would say “I only want my kids to be happy,” we’d scoff. We wanted our kids to be virtuous, to make a difference, to be leaders in their generation. But we parents have very little control—over our own lives, let alone the lives of our kids. The struggle to become an adult means entering a world of complexity and ambiguity, no matter how much we mothers want to protect our kids from it. I’m going to ...
Sep 07, 2022•12 min
Jennifer Pepito and I have had many wonderful conversations on the WILD + FREE podcast, a community of moms seeking to give their children a beautiful childhood—whether that’s through homeschooling or not. She has a new book out now: Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy . As parents, it’s common for us to feel afraid of things both big and small. You can read all of the self-help books out there, but one of the surest ways to overcome our fears is ...
Aug 31, 2022•37 min
Some writing programs don’t address the key condition needed to take risks in writing: emotional safety . Young writers need to learn to discover their own thoughts, externalize their feelings, and process what happens to them. Allow writing to emerge that is not read, not evaluated, but that creates space for it to become the writer’s own possession. This will build a sense of emotional safety that makes your young writers more confident and willing to take risks. You can download show notes fo...
Aug 29, 2022•5 min
