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Brave Writer

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley

The Brave Writer podcast is a big juicy conversation about how to bring learning to life for your kids! Julie Bogart and guests talk about how parents and children are partners in the learning adventure, especially when approaching the daunting task of writing. Brave Writer appeals to homeschoolers, educators, and parents who want more out of "school" than merely passing tests. Visit us at http://bravewriter.com and follow along at the blog for show notes: http://blog.bravewriter.com

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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 57 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • October 14 · 1 hr 4 min

    361. Growing Wild With Ainsley Arment

    What if the best thing we can give our kids isn’t a perfectly planned education, but a childhood that leaves room for wonder? We’re joined by Wild + Free founder Ainsley Arment to talk about her new picture book, Grow Wild, My Child, and the philosophy behind a childhood rooted in nature, curiosity, story, and play. We explore Ainsley’s unexpected path to homeschooling, the origins of Wild + Free, and why wonder and rigor don’t have to compete. We also dig into screens, AI, child-led learning, family culture, and the joy of following “contagious obsessions” wherever they lead. Join us for a refreshing reminder that learning doesn’t need a worksheet to count. Resources: Connect with Ainsley on Instagram@wildandfree.co and at Wild + Free Find her new picture book, Grow Wild My Child, in the Brave Writer Book Shop Registration is open now for Building Brave Writers: Experience and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • October 7 · 1 hr 15 min

    360. Your Weekly Schedule Designed for You!

    What if the thing standing between us and a satisfying homeschool rhythm isn’t the curriculum, but our resistance to sitting down and making a plan? We’re looking at how attention, boredom, confusion, and even our phones shape the way we approach learning. Then we get practical, building a flexible monthly rhythm around read-alouds, Poetry Teatime, copywork, dictation, freewriting, nature study, and meaningful writing projects. The goal isn’t a rigid schedule or endless workbook pages. It’s enough preparation to help learning feel alive, responsive, and sustainable. Join us and discover how a little scaffolding can create more freedom in your homeschool. Resources: Click here to download a sample monthly plan! Registration is open now for Brave Writer 101: Guided Writing Process and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • September 30 · 1 hr 12 min

    359. The Rights of a Homeschooling Mom

    What rights do we forget we have when homeschooling becomes an all-consuming family project? Staying home to educate our kids can be meaningful, joyful work, but it is still work. We deserve a voice in family finances, time to maintain employable skills, space for lesson preparation, personal interests, exercise, rest, and a say in the educational decisions we spend our days carrying out. We also get to change our minds. Homeschooling does not require signing away the rest of our adulthood. We’re talking about financial agency, shared household labor, professional development, supportive partnerships, and why caring for our own future belongs inside the homeschool plan too. Listen in, then ask yourself: what would change if you treated homeschooling like the real career it is? Resources: Here’s our episode on homeschooling as a working parent Registration is open now for Building Brave Writers: Description and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • September 23 · 1 hr 5 min

    358. Don’t Forget to Watch Movies!

    What if movie day isn’t a break from learning, but one of the ways we build a rich education? Movies give our kids stories, language, history, cultural references, and characters they can return to again and again. We talk about why rewatching counts, how film can make Shakespeare and Jane Austen more accessible, and what happens when favorite lines become family lore. We also explore modern adaptations, film clubs, fandom, and the joy of recognizing an old story in a new form. So dim the lights, grab the popcorn, and give yourself permission to count the movie. Then tell us what your family is watching! Resources: Here’s the Andrew Scott performance of the “To be or not to be” soliloquy that Melissa was raving about! Registration is open now for Essay Prep: Reading the Essay and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find Shakespeare Stories by Leon Garfield (not Garfield the Cat) and our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • September 16 · 56 min

    357. Picture Books and the Public Library

    What if one of the best tools in your homeschool is already free? We’re celebrating the library as a place where curiosity gets to roam and the default answer can be “yes.” We explore how browsing the stacks creates discoveries no search bar can replicate, why learning the Dewey Decimal System can empower kids, and how a regular library rhythm can enrich your homeschool. Then we make the case for picture books at every age. From visual literacy and sophisticated vocabulary to science, art, emotional insight, and family traditions, these books offer far more than beginning reading practice. Grab your library card and come rediscover the stacks with us! Resources: We love the Santa Clarita Public Library’s Dewey Decimal cheat sheet (customized for kid interests!)—a perfect starting point for kids to make a bookmark or bingo card. Find Melissa’s Inch and Roly books, Chris Barton’s The Day-Glo Brothers, Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon, and many other Brave Writer favorites in the Brave Writer Book Shop If you’d like to spend your school year celebrating the riches of picture books, be sure to take a look at Brave Writer’s Quill collections! These theme-based guides offer reading, writing, and math activities for ages 5-7, using picture books as portals for joyful learning. Registration is open now for Middle School Writing: Nonfiction Projects and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • September 9 · 1 hr 3 min

    356. Parenting Strategies or Teaching Tactics

    What if the missing ingredient in your homeschool isn’t a better curriculum, but a bigger toolkit for teaching? When kids resist a lesson, it’s easy to reach for familiar parenting strategies: consequences, bargaining, reminders, and demands for cooperation. But learning asks something different of us. We need teaching tactics that spark curiosity, invite collaboration, leave room for contemplation, and celebrate real growth. We explore playful, practical ways to make math, history, writing, and other subjects more meaningful, while helping our kids develop genuine ownership of what they learn. Tune in and discover how to trade “Come on, you guys!” for richer learning experiences. Resources: Registration is open now for Middle School Writing: Nonfiction Projects and many other Brave Writer classes! Interested in helping the Library of Congress transcribe old documents? Sign up here! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find Jim Weiss’s Greek Myths CD along with our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • September 2 · 1 hr 13 min

    355. Feed Them Well with Jennifer Anderson

    What if feeding our kids didn’t have to feel like a test we could pass or fail? Registered dietitian and Kids Eat in Color founder Jennifer Anderson joins us to talk about raising capable, curious eaters without getting trapped by nutrition trends, food guilt, or rigid rules. We explore picky eating, growth and weight concerns, food advertising, introducing unfamiliar foods, and why the “best practice” isn’t always the best fit for the child in front of us. Jennifer also shares ideas from her new book, Feed Them Well, for helping kids care for their bodies while enjoying food. Come rethink what it means to feed our children well. Resources: Don’t miss out on the special pre-order bonuses for Jennifer’s new book, FEED THEM WELL! It comes out on Sept 8th, so be sure to order your copy before then. You’ll find all the details on Jennifer’s website: kidseatandcolor.com/landing-pages/feed-them-well-book Registration is open now for Playing with Poetry: Discovery and many other Brave Writer classes! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • August 26 · 54 min

    354. Working Parents and Homeschooling

    Can you really homeschool well while also holding down a job? Yes, but the answer may require us to rethink when, where, and how learning happens. With Brave Writer president Dawn Smith joining us, we explore flexible schedules, morning meetings, night schooling, body doubling, buddy reading, planning from behind, and the art of “triangling in” support. We also look at why homeschool doesn't need to imitate a nine-to-three school day and how ordinary moments, from breakfast to dishwashing, can become rich opportunities for connection and learning. Come discover how work and homeschool can fit into the same family tapestry. Resources: Registration is open now Registration is open now for Playing with Poetry: Discovery and many other Brave Writer classes! Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention If you’ve ever thought of trying out online music lessons, now is the time! Claim your free Maestro Music lessons at Maestromusic Free Music Lessons for Brave Writer Families | Maestro Music . Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World. Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • August 19 · 43 min

    353. Only Connect: The Power of Partnership in Homeschooling

    What changes when we stop treating homeschooling as something we do to our children and begin learning alongside them? Connection is at the heart of meaningful education: connection to ourselves, to the subjects we study, and to one another. We explore how curiosity leads to purpose, why collaboration matters more than perfect independence, and how low-stakes practice can help children build confidence without turning every lesson into an evaluation. From fractions and cookies to grammar, handwriting, games, and writing revision, we look at practical ways to turn abstract academics into learning that feels useful and alive. Join us and discover what can happen when we trade coercion for connection. Resources: Registration is open now for Playing with Poetry: Discovery and many other Brave Writer classes! Visit bravewriter.com/handwriting for our free handwriting and copywork printable! Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention If you’ve ever thought of trying out online music lessons, now is the time! Claim your free Maestro Music lessons at Maestromusic Free Music Lessons for Brave Writer Families | Maestro Music . Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • August 12 · 59 min

    352. Handwriting: Why, When, and How to Teach It

    What if one of the simplest tools for improving reading, memory, attention, and creative thinking is already sitting in your pencil cup? We’re revisiting handwriting and the surprising neuroscience behind why it still matters in a digital age. We explore how forming letters supports early reading, why handwritten notes encourage deeper thinking, and how copywork can build skill without limiting a child’s original ideas. We also share playful ways to practice, from cornmeal and sidewalk chalk to gel pens and tablets. Download the free companion handout at bravewriter.com/handwriting, then join us as we make handwriting a satisfying part of the homeschool day. Resources: Visit bravewriter.com/handwriting for our free handwriting and copywork printable! Registration is open now for Movie Discussion Club: Captivating Stories (Christopher Nolan) and many other Brave Writer classes! Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention If you’ve ever thought of trying out online music lessons, now is the time! Claim your freeMaestro Music lessons at MaestromusicFree Music Lessons for Brave Writer Families | Maestro Music . Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • August 5 · 54 min

    351. Hot Pink and the Art Museum

    What changes when we stop rushing children toward the lesson we planned and start noticing the learning already unfolding? A visit with Julie’s six-year-old granddaughter becomes a fresh look at poetry, reading, art museums, and the remarkable power of one-on-one attention. We explore how treasure hunts turn worksheets into quests, why a child’s “wrong” answer contains useful logic, and how patient observation helps us see familiar subjects differently. Homeschooling does not always provide daily proof of progress. Often, we collect a few luminous moments surrounded by plenty of ordinary space. Join us as we learn to trust that the pearls are enough. Resources: Registration is open now for Movie Discussion Club: Captivating Stories (Christopher Nolan) and many other Brave Writer classes! You can find “Every Face I Look at Seems Beautiful to Me” on Melissa’s blog, Here in the Bonny Glen Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention. If you’ve ever thought of trying out online music lessons, now is the time! Claim your free Maestro Music lessons at Free Music Lessons for Brave Writer Families | Maestro Music . Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • July 29 · 1 hr 1 min

    350. Pro Tips for Fabulous Field Trips

    What if some of the richest learning in your homeschool happened after you walked out the front door? We’re exploring how to plan family outings that turn science, history, art, literature, music, sports, and local culture into hands-on experiences. We share what to pack in a reliable go-bag, how to prepare children for unfamiliar environments, and why a little advance exposure can make an outing more exciting. You’ll also hear dozens of affordable field-trip ideas, from factory tours and art scavenger hunts to author homes, grocery stores, women’s sports, and geocaching. Grab your calendar, choose an adventure, and make room for learning beyond the lesson plan. Resources: Registration is open now for Building Brave Writers: Description, Becoming a Critical Thinker, and other awesome Brave Writer classes! Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Find watercolor pencils (along with our favorite readalouds and nonfiction) in the Brave Writer Book Shop Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • July 22 · 1 hr 2 min

    349. Preparing for the First Week of Homeschool

    What if the best first day of homeschool begins long before the first lesson? As summer stretches toward a new school year, we’re talking about the kind of preparation that actually supports family life: flexible routines, child-centered planning, cozy spaces, printed materials, backup plans, and first-day rituals that invite kids into learning with curiosity instead of pressure. We explore how to protect homeschool mornings, plan from behind, use Poetry Teatime as a reset, build in experiences your kids care about, and let the seasons of the year shape your energy. Pour a cup of tea, grab your calendar, and begin imagining a homeschool year that feels both doable and alive. Resources: Here’s where to find our Intuitive Planning Tool and our Bingo template Our free Brave Writer Summer Camp is happening now—July 22nd and 23rd!! Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Did you know Brave Writer has a partnership with The Homeschool Printing Company? When you print with them, they give you a high-quality printed copy at a low price, and they put you at the front of the line for printing! (USA only) Here’s the special print form for Brave Writer products. LIsten to Julie and Melissa’s interview with Emily Glankler about her US History program for high-school students Find Julie’s beloved long-arm stapler (and a bunch of great reading suggestions!) in the Brave Writer Book Shop Registration begins July 20 for Building Brave Writers: Description, Becoming a Critical Thinker, and other awesome Brave Writer classes! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • July 15 · 1 hr 4 min

    348. Kids Don't Learn the Way You Think They Do

    What if rigor isn’t about children sitting still, pushing through tedium, and finishing every worksheet without complaint? In this episode, we reimagine rigor as a meaningful challenge: the kind children willingly embrace when the goal matters to them. From math games and secret codes to bird lists, comics, Pokémon tea time, and writing that reaches an interested audience, we explore how hard work becomes inviting when it is rooted in play, connection, and curiosity. We share practical ways to build reading, writing, handwriting, spelling, math, and science skills without draining the joy from learning. Join us as we rethink what rigorous learning can look like at home. Resources: Learn a new language with Talkbox! Try it out at talkbox.MOM/brave Join us for our free Brave Writer Summer Camp on July 22nd and 23rd! Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Registration begins July 20 for Gamers Write! Minecraft Edition, Becoming a Critical Thinker, and other awesome Brave Writer classes! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • July 8 · 33 min

    347. ADHD and Homeschooling Part 2

    Have you ever wondered whether your scattered systems, duplicate scissors, or frozen to-do list are actually character flaws, or clues to how your brain works? In this second conversation about ADHD in the homeschooling parent, we look at the inattentive traits that can hide behind daydreaming, over-planning, lost objects, and task paralysis. We talk about accommodations, body doubling, medication, the ADHD tax, and why evaluations can miss neurodivergent homeschooled kids whose lives are already beautifully adapted to their needs. Most of all, we name the relief that comes when shame gives way to information. Listen in and let’s make room for every brain in the homeschool. Resources: DIVA questionnaire for ADHD: Advancedassessments.co.uk Sign up for our free Brave Writer Summer Camp! Registration for our Semester of Classes opens July 13-17 Check out the special offer at Talkbox.MOM/brave and start speaking a new language with your kids from day one! Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • July 1 · 46 min

    346. ADHD and Homeschooling Part 1

    What if the neurodivergence in your homeschool is not only in your child, but in you? In this honest and eye-opening conversation, we explore what happens when the home educator begins to recognize ADHD traits in themselves. From task initiation and time blindness to hyperfocus, novelty, shame, doom boxes, and the relief of a diagnosis, we talk about how our wiring shapes the homeschool experience. We also name the gifts: enthusiasm, curiosity, side quests, deep dives, and the ability to turn education itself into a living adventure. Tune in for Part One of a conversation many of us didn’t know we needed. Resources: DIVA questionnaire for ADHD: advancedassessments.co.uk Sign up for our free Brave Writer Summer Camp! Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • June 24 · 48 min

    345. DIY Writing Retreats for Kids

    What if a writing retreat didn’t require a plane ticket to Ireland? This week, we explore what makes writing feel spacious, playful, and alive. From Julie’s memoir retreat on the Irish Sea to Melissa’s fiction experiments with point of view, we talk about how atmosphere, community, sensory detail, and low-stakes exploration can help writers of every age drop beneath the noise of daily life. We also share practical ways to create a mini writing retreat at home for your kids, complete with snacks, freedom, feedback, and delight. Join us as we reimagine writing as nourishment for the intellect and the spirit. Resources: Catch the replays of our free Brave Writer training webinars Shop our June sale! Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • June 17 · 1 hr

    344. Courageous Divorce: An Interview with Alisha Roth

    What happens when faith, prayer, endurance, and every “right” effort still do not make a marriage safe? In this brave and deeply honest conversation, we talk with Alisha Roth, author of Courageous Divorce, about young marriage, religious expectations, abuse, motherhood, homeschooling, community loss, and the difficult clarity that can come when a woman finally listens to her own body and life. Together, we explore divorce not as failure, but as a serious boundary, sometimes the one that makes healing, safety, forgiveness, and a more honest future possible. Listen in for a tender conversation about faith, courage, and choosing to truly live. Resources: Visit Alisha Roth’s website at Alisharoth.com Alisha’s Instagram: @littlewomenfarmhouse Find Courageous Divorce in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • June 10 · 1 hr 5 min

    343. Partnership Writing with Dawn Smith

    Why teach writing when AI can generate paragraphs in seconds? In this episode, Melissa Wiley talks with Brave Writer president Dawn Smith about why writing still matters, maybe more than ever. Together, they explore writing as a tool for thinking, voice, discovery, and connection. We look at how kids develop their own style, why pre-writing conversations are part of the writing process, and how partnership writing helps children bridge the gap between ideas and words on the page. Plus, Dawn shares what’s new with Partnership Writing and how families can pair projects with Darts for a rich month of learning. Tune in and reconnect with the deeply human work of writing. Resources: Catch the replays of our free Brave Writer training webinars Shop our June sale! Explore the Brave Writer high school program Learn more about our mentor-led training program for Brave Writer parents Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

  • June 3 · 58 min

    342. Brave Learning and Academics

    What if academic standards didn’t have to threaten your homeschool rhythm? In this episode, we explore how to translate grade-level expectations into the rich, lived learning already happening in your home. From Poetry Teatime to bird watching, baking, narration, read-alouds, and everyday conversations, we look at how whole experiences often contain the very skills listed in scope-and-sequence documents. Rather than turning homeschool into school-at-home, we can use standards as information, not intimidation. Join us as we make peace with checklists, protect our children’s investment in learning, and celebrate the evidence already unfolding in daily life. Resources: Catch the replays of our free Brave Writer training webinars Shop our June sale! Visit the Brave Learner website at thebravelearner.com Order your copy of The Brave Learner from the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA

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