PODCAST

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief

Thoughts from my home to yours

All Episodes

Brave Learning: Micro-schools, Hybrids, Co-ops, and...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/07/04

Recently on Brave Learning… Micro-schools, Hybrids, Co-ops, and Charter schools The shift in home education is outsourcing. Does the vision of homeschool draw and repel you at the same time? You want this idyllic seeming education for your kids, but the thought of being in charge of it is daunting (and frankly, overwhelming). So you put […] The post Brave Learning: Micro-schools, Hybrids, Co-ops, and Charter schools appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #294] Make Grammar, Punctuation, and...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/07/02

Do you ever wonder why some learning experiences “stick” while others fade away? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how grammar, punctuation, and spelling can come alive through brief, meaningful conversations and playful discovery—far from the world of endless worksheets. We discuss: By making room for authentic curiosity and everyday conversations, we can […]The post [Podcast #294] Make Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Stick—with Books! appeared first on A Brave

en-US

It All Fits Together

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/07/01

We always think we know who our kids are. Then they go do something we could never have imagined. One day we turn around and realize that they are who they always were and we see how it all fits together. At least that’s how it appears to me on this side of it. Thought […] The post It All Fits Together appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: Do Students Need to Study Literature?

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/27

Recently on Brave Learning… Do Students Need to Study Literature? And if so, how do we make it as painless as possible? The study and analysis of literature is intended to give students a lens into the ideas and stories that shape society (present and past) as well as to expose them to the complexity of […] The post Brave Learning: Do Students Need to Study Literature? appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #293] Julie Changes Her Mind About AI

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/25

Do we still need human storytellers in an age where technology can generate stories and essays with a click? This Brave Writer podcast episode explores why nothing can replace the warmth and connection that come from sharing stories aloud as a family. We talk about: We also reflect on our evolving feelings about artificial intelligence—how […]The post [Podcast #293] Julie Changes Her Mind About AI appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

An Idyllic Childhood

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/23

I’m thinking a lot about the craving to provide an idyllic childhood—the notion that we can somehow avoid the slings and arrows of this life on behalf of our children. We: To create a childhood that includes nature, the arts, crafts, reading, and an appetite to learn requires an involved parent or adult. Kids can’t shop […] The post An Idyllic Childhood appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: The Brave Process of Teaching Writing...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/20

Recently on Brave Learning… The Brave Process of Teaching Writing through Literature Trust the process. I promise you! It works. What I’ve noticed over the years of home educating five kids myself as well as the thousands of students we’ve now taught through Brave Writer is that the best education for the mechanics of writing is reading […]The post Brave Learning: The Brave Process of Teaching Writing through Literature appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #292] Homeschool Launchpad: Legal...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/18

Starting to homeschool can feel overwhelming, but it’s all about creating a learning environment that sparks curiosity and builds strong family relationships. In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we share practical tips for understanding legal requirements, choosing and personalizing curriculum, and setting up a home environment where learning happens naturally— We also talk about balancing […] The post [Podcast #292] Homeschool Launchpad: Legal Essentials, Curriculum Choices, and Creating a

en-US

Character Comes from Within

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/16

Character is not something you form in your child. It comes from within. It’s having enough sense of self that you make good decisions. It means you are taking responsibility for yourself and the well being of others. If you don’t have access to what it feels like to have well being, you will harm […] The post Character Comes from Within appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: Why Reading Aloud Matters

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/13

Recently on Brave Learning… Why Reading Aloud Matters [Public] It’s the core of education. Reading Together I spent hours of my adult life nestled in the corner of the sectional, feet tucked under me, with a book in my hands. Sometimes a baby sucked on a bulging breast at the same time, and one of those babies […]The post Brave Learning: Why Reading Aloud Matters appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #291] Big Excitement Over Booklists!

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/11

There’s something special about the way a great book can bring families together. At Brave Writer, we spend months curating our Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang book lists—not just for educational value, but for the joy and connection they foster. Our guides are crafted to: This podcast episode dives into the thought and care behind our […] The post [Podcast #291] Big Excitement Over Booklists! appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Get in the Party Spirit!

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/09

We’ve talked about the educational importance of parties. Essential. But what if you’re nervous? Or what if you’re not quite ready to throw a big themed party? Here are ways to dip your pinkie toe into the water. Got it? These will warm you up! Which one will you do first? This post is originally […] The post Get in the Party Spirit! appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: Congratulations to the Class of 2025

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/06

Above image: Noah, after high school graduation, in Cinque Terre, Italy Recently on Brave Learning… Congratulations to the Class of 2025 [Public] If you have a graduating student this year, my heartfelt congratulations! That is no small feat! In your honor, I offer your family this commencement address. Noah, my oldest, said to me once when I […]The post Brave Learning: Congratulations to the Class of 2025 appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #290] Beyond the Classroom: Embracing the...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/04

Do you ever wonder what makes homeschooling truly different from traditional school? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore the real meaning of “home” in home education. We discuss the flexibility, comfort, and connection that only learning at home can offer, and why the heart of homeschooling isn’t about rigid schedules or perfect cooperation. […] The post [Podcast #290] Beyond the Classroom: Embracing the Unique Journey of Homeschooling appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life

en-US

No More Comprehension Questions!

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/06/02

I can’t think of a quicker way to kill a love of reading than to test kids on trick bits of information to prove that the child has read the book. Psst: if you live with your kids, you know if they’re reading the book or not. If you want to find out what they […] The post No More Comprehension Questions! appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: Why Poetry Teatime Works

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/05/30

Recently on Brave Learning… Why Poetry Teatime Works [Public] Life gets better with poetry and tea. We joke that poetry teatimes are the ‘gateway drug’ to Brave Writer. They’re the lure, the enticement of all we’re about. And they’re free—no product purchase necessary. But let’s look at why it works and what it does in your […]The post Brave Learning: Why Poetry Teatime Works appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #289] A Round Table with Katie Doughty about...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/05/28

Do your kids say they hate writing? You’re not alone—and they’re probably not telling the whole story. In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we’re excited to share Katie Doughty’s interview with Julie about Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing! from the Raising Kind Humans podcast. That’s right—this week we’re turning the tables! Together, […] The post [Podcast #289] A Round Table with Katie Doughty about Julie’s New Book appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in

en-US

Reading Aloud Is Not Just for Books

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/05/27

I’m hearing from some of you that your kids don’t like stories read aloud to them. Try reading aloud: You might also invite MOVIES to do the reading aloud! Turning on subtitles (even for an English-language film) has a heap of benefits! And how about this: Read your child’s WRITING aloud back to your child […] The post Reading Aloud Is Not Just for Books appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

Brave Learning: Fantasy Teatime Syndrome

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/05/23

Recently on Brave Learning… Fantasy Teatime Syndrome [Public] The key to Poetry Teatime is simply having one. I got into a conversation with a mom who shared that she never has time for Poetry Teatime. There’s the baby who needs nursing, the toddler who is cranky, the older girls who are working on their math (and […]The post Brave Learning: Fantasy Teatime Syndrome appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

en-US

[Podcast #288] Opening Pandora’s Box: Social Media,...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/05/21

Do you ever wonder why publishing feels harder than ever—even for talented writers? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we unpack: We also share a personal story about losing tens of thousands of Facebook followers overnight and how that loss spotlighted the fragile ecosystem of modern author visibility. As always, we advocate for connection over […] The post [Podcast #288] Opening Pandora’s Box: Social Media, Publishing, and Facebook appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in

en-US

1,095 results