PODCAST

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief

Thoughts from my home to yours

All Episodes

When We Find Someone Else’s Viewpoint Irrational

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/21

Let’s talk about how to think critically when we find someone else’s viewpoint irrational. Naturally how we define terms, the way we understand the difference between community values and individual rights is going to shape how we evaluate anyone’s opinion or perspective. I’m not saying that we can’t call out what we see as fundamentally […]The post When We Find Someone Else’s Viewpoint Irrational appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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[Podcast #314] Two Honest Thoughts About Tech in...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/19

Is tech quietly ruining your homeschool? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore what happens when we trade the shared adventure of learning at home for one-child-one-screen schooling. We look at: We also imagine a different path: learning as a lifestyle, full of real conversations, messy projects, and magic moments that don’t fit into […] The post [Podcast #314] Two Honest Thoughts About Tech in Homeschool appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Tech Guidelines in Your Home

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/17

It is important to have good guidelines for tech in your home. I know you will have frank and kind talks with your kids. But if your life is being reduced to endless vigilance and fear of dopamine hits and scary internet searches, that’s harming your relationship with your kids. It shouldn’t be how you […] The post Tech Guidelines in Your Home appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Brave Learning: The Trick to Writing Well

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/14

Recently on Brave Learning… The Trick to Writing Well A missive for your teens to read: Please share it with them! There’s a reason that teachers, employers, or parents ask to see something you’ve written. It’s a way to see what you know! Writing is your chance to compose a response, explain your thinking, or demonstrate […]The post Brave Learning: The Trick to Writing Well appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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[Podcast #313] Perspective in Learning

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/12

What if the key to helping your kids love learning is simply seeing the world through their eyes? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore perspective as the secret sauce of education and connection. We begin with Steven’s unforgettable appreciation letter to UPS (and the jaw-dropping chocolate response!) then move on to practical ways […] The post [Podcast #313] Perspective in Learning appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Enjoy YOUR Holiday

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/10

As you ramp up into holdiay spirit, you might be tempted to put your self esteem in your kids’ hands. If they don’t like the cookies you bake, or seem disappointed in the gift you purchase, or show no interest in a family movie night, you may feel like you’re failing them. Their reaction may […]The post Enjoy YOUR Holiday appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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REPLAY: What About Grades?

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/07

It’s so easy as a home educator to wonder if your kids are keeping pace with their schooled peers. Sometimes we want reassurance that we aren’t ruining their lives! The truth is… We pulled our kids out of school to get out of a system of evaluation that often crushes: In a recent Substack Live, […] The post REPLAY: What About Grades? appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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[Podcast #312] Writing Stations

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/05

What if your child’s next writing breakthrough started with a stamp and an envelope? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how simple handwritten letters can become powerful “writing stations” in your home. We share stories of Melissa’s son, Stephen, whose praise letters to companies have sparked remarkable, human responses—and how that practice turned […] The post [Podcast #312] Writing Stations appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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An Ongoing Odyssey of Discovery

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/11/03

We had a great conversation on Instagram (go here and scroll through the screenshots) about how to inspire your kids to learn when they don’t want to do the work you assign. I’ve written books that are dedicated to this subject! What is the underlying principle that guides my work? Taking children seriously. Believing them […] The post An Ongoing Odyssey of Discovery appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Brave Learning: My Honest Thoughts about Tech in...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/31

Recently on Brave Learning… My Honest Thoughts about Tech in Schooling And what I wish for today’s homeschool parents. EXCERPT: When we put kids on a computer to “learn,” they may associate learning with lessons given to them by a machine, rather than seeing learning as their natural state—that thrives in relationship to other human beings […]The post Brave Learning: My Honest Thoughts about Tech in Schooling appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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[Podcast #311] An Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/29

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley reunite to reflect on one of Charlotte Mason’s most enduring ideas: that education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. What begins as a heartfelt story about a cozy childhood home becomes a rich conversation about the environments we create for learning—spaces that invite participation, curiosity, and joy. Together, […] The post [Podcast #311] An Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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The World Is Your Classroom

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/27

Sometimes it helps to work through a systematic approach to math or phonics. And sometimes, that’s the exact right approach for this season of homeschool. However… I want to remind you that the genius of homeschooling is that the WORLD is your classroom. The conversations you have along the way, the activities you pursue out […] The post The World Is Your Classroom appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Keep YOUR Curiosity Alive!

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/24

Sometimes we blame our kids for not being interested in the lessons. Ask yourself: “When was the last time I was actually interested in what I’m teaching them?” For example, you unleash curiosity in your children when you become curious about: Curiosity drives learning. Anytime the routine becomes too predictable and stale, kids check out. […]The post Keep YOUR Curiosity Alive! appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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[Podcast #310] High Tide Homeschooling with a Teen

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/22

Melissa Wiley takes the mic solo this week for a heartwarming look inside her current homeschool life with her youngest, sixteen-year-old Huck. Drawing from her decades of experience as both author and homeschooling mother of six, Melissa walks listeners through a day in the life of their family’s “tidal homeschooling” rhythm—where structured “high tide” study […] The post [Podcast #310] High Tide Homeschooling with a Teen appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Middle School Writing: History Projects

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/20

You might wonder how your middler is ever going to be a competent essay writer. They procrastinate. They lack organization. They can’t follow steps. They have zero motivation to write. Like, at all! Well, we have a secret to share. Projects are the perfect stepping stone to academic writing for a middle grader. Projects offer: […] The post Middle School Writing: History Projects appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Turn Living Literature into Unit Studies

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/17

Brave Writer’s Literature Singles are more than grammar guides—they are literary treasure boxes filled with ideas to expand a novel into an engaging unit study for the whole family. Read a book, talk about its grammar, punctuation, spelling, and literary devices. Discuss the stories with comprehension questions and then throw a party to celebrate! Want inspiration for […]The post Turn Living Literature into Unit Studies appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in

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[Podcast #309] Redefining Homeschool with Alisha...

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/15

Welcome back to the Brave Writer Podcast! This week, Julie sits down with Alisha Brignall, a Canadian homeschooling veteran and educational leader with over 15 years of experience guiding families through their unique learning journeys. With a Master’s in Education and her work as a Home Education Manager at an independent school, Alisha brings a […] The post [Podcast #309] Redefining Homeschool with Alisha Brignall from Canada appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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Does Writing Instruction Require Suffering?

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/13

One of the reasons that people struggle with writing is that it doesn’t feel easy. But what if it could be? What if your child experienced self-expression as something they enjoy, as something they deserve to have in their toolbox of being human? I noticed when I interviewed adults that the scars of criticism from […] The post Does Writing Instruction Require Suffering? appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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What AI Can’t Write

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/10

AI can write anything! Almost. But you know what AI is terrible at writing? Those moments? They’re real. They’re human. So—how do you help bring them to the page while keeping your child’s authentic voice alive? Need help? Growing Brave Writers is your guide to leveling up your teaching skills—so you can nurture your child’s voice and love of writing. And here’s […]The post What AI Can’t Write appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in

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[Podcast #308] Julie’s Brief History of Homeschooling

A Brave Writer"s Life in Brief ·

2025/10/08

On today’s podcast we go on a sweeping journey through the history of homeschooling, weaving together Julie’s story with the larger movement that reshaped education in America. From the experimental classrooms of 1970s California to the early legal battles of the 1980s and the faith-driven conventions of the 1990s, Julie shows how homeschooling evolved from […] The post [Podcast #308] Julie’s Brief History of Homeschooling appeared first on A Brave Writer's Life in Brief.

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