Brave Writer

332. Long-term and Working Memory

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why does a child understand something one day and forget it the next? In this episode, we explore what neuroscience reveals about how learning actuall...

331. A Slew of Practical Hacks for Your Homeschool

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ever have one of those homeschool days when your brain feels completely empty?We’ve been there too. In this episode, we share a long list of practic...

330. Board Games: Let Them Do the Teaching!

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the best critical thinking curriculum is already in your closet?This week, we explore why board games and card games do more than pass the tim...

329. Accidental vs. On-Purpose Learning

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are you wondering if you’ve done “enough” this year? What if the real question isn’t about subjects completed—but about the atmosphere you’...

328. A Critical Thinking Bill of Rights

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What do you—and your kids—have the right to think, question, and say?This week, we unpack a “Critical Thinking Bill of Rights” and apply it to...

327. Becoming a Critical Thinker

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really mean to think critically in a world that never stops shouting at us? In this episode, we slow things down and explore how to stay ...

326. Big and Little Families

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Homeschooling looks different depending on how many kids you’re teaching—and that’s exactly the point. In this episode, we explore the real-life...

325. The Myth of Magicmaking

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if enchanting learning didn’t require themed parties, elaborate prep, or constant performance? In this episode, we unpack the myth of magic-mak...

324. The Practice of Active Wondering

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when we slow down long enough to really wonder? In this episode, we explore the difference between rabbit trails and rabbit holes—and w...

323. Silent Reading Parties

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the most powerful way to strengthen focus, creativity, and connection in your home is…quiet? In this episode, we explore the growing trend o...

322. Parenting a Spicy One with Mary Van Geffen

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if your child’s hardest behaviors aren’t a problem to fix, but an invitation to grow? In this episode, we sit down with Mary Van Geffen, auth...

321. No Paper Trail? No Problem!

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If your homeschool doesn’t produce stacks of worksheets, does that mean learning isn’t happening? We explore why meaningful education often leaves...

320. An Important Message from Julie about Brave Writer

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you realize the mission can grow even as your energy changes? This week, we share a heartfelt update about Brave Writer’s next cha...

319. How to Grow Writing Skills as an Adult

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wished you could grow as a writer—not just help your kids write, but find your own voice on the page? In this episode, we explore prac...

318. For the Kids: Meet the Lighthouse Family

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when we slow down and really listen to the language of a story? In this special episode for kids and parents, we cozy up with Cynthia Ryl...

317. Hygge Homeschool for the Holidays

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the leaves turn and the days shorten, there's a distinct shift in the air – it's the cozy season, a time for warmth, reflection, and connection. ...

316. When Your Middlers Lack Interest

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do we do when our tweens and teens don’t seem “into” anything? In this episode, we explore how to revive interest, curiosity, and motivatio...

315. The 8 Stages of Homeschooling

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do we move from “I think I want to homeschool” to “We’ve created an education that fits us”? In this episode, we walk through the eight ...

314. Two Honest Thoughts About Tech in Homeschool

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is tech quietly running your homeschool?In this episode, we explore what happens when we trade the shared adventure of learning at home for one-child-...

313. Perspective in Learning

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the key to helping your kids love learning is simply seeing the world through their eyes?In this episode, we explore perspective as the secret...

312. Writing Stations

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley return with a heartwarming episode all about writing stations---simple, inviting setups that help kids discover the joy...

311. An Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life: Don’t Miss This One!

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley reunite to reflect on one of Charlotte Mason’s most enduring ideas: that *education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a...

310. High Tide Homeschooling with a Teen

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melissa Wiley takes the mic solo this week for a heartwarming look inside her current homeschool life with her youngest, sixteen-year-old Huck. Drawin...

309. Redefining Homeschool with Alisha Brignall from Canada

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the Brave Writer Podcast! This week, Julie sits down with Alisha Brignall, a Canadian homeschooling veteran and educational leader wit...

308. Julie’s Brief History of Homeschooling

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julie takes us on a sweeping journey through the history of homeschooling, weaving together her own story with the larger movement that reshaped educa...

307. Italy, Literature, and Learning Connections

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julie is back from her two-week trip to Italy (with a quick stop in Copenhagen!) and brings stories that weave together travel, literature, and layere...

306. Challenge Accepted: An Interview With Chris Balme

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the major perks of homeschooling is that the middle-school years can be about adventure instead of awkwardness. In this episode, Melissa chats ...

305. Can Screens Benefit the Whole Family? with Ash Brandin

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever catch yourself treating screens like contraband—tolerated in tiny doses, never to be openly celebrated? Ash Brandin, author of Power On:...

304. Teens and Books: A Deep Dive With Dawn Smith

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder how to keep teens reading—joyfully, deeply, and on their own terms? In this conversation with Brave Writer Director of Publishing...

303. Introducing Monday Morning Meetings: a Brave Writer Podcast for Kids

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wish your homeschool week started with momentum instead of Monday drag? We’ve found that small, doable invitations right at the start of...

302. A Former Teacher’s Take on Homeschooling with Meredith Reyes

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why a classroom teacher who loved her job would leave it all behind to homeschool? That’s the story of Meredith Reyes, known ...

301. A Gentle Rollout to Your Homeschool Year

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best parts of homeschooling is the freedom to start the year in a way that works for your family. Instead of overwhelming everyone with a f...

300. The 300th Episode (our best homeschool advice!)

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to your family’s needs. In this episode, we revisit three ...

299. Would You Let a Chatbot Homeschool Your Child?

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder what’s at stake when we hand over our children’s education to automation and AI? In this episode, we explore how the rise of in...

298. Wise Effort with Diana Hill

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt exhausted from giving your all, yet still worried you aren’t doing enough? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Diana Hill, cli...

297. Chronicle Your Homeschool Adventure

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever find yourself wondering what you’ve truly accomplished in your homeschool? Chronicling—through blogs, scatterbooks, journals, quick no...

296. Bad Writing Assignments

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder if the writing assignments your child receives are actually supporting their growth—or just making writing feel like a chore? In ...

295. Brave Writer Lifestyles of the Educationally Rich

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder how to create a homeschool life that feels rich and connected, rather than just checking off boxes? In this episode, we explore the...

294. Make Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Stick—with Books!

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder why some learning experiences “stick” while others fade away? In this episode, we explore how grammar, punctuation, and spellin...

293. Julie Changes Her Mind About AI

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do we still need human storytellers in an age where technology can generate stories and essays with a click? This episode explores why nothing can rep...

292. Homeschool Launchpad: Legal Essentials, Curriculum Choices, and Creating a Learning Space

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Starting to homeschool can feel overwhelming, but it’s all about creating a learning environment that sparks curiosity and builds strong family rela...

291. Big Excitement Over Booklists

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Boo...

290. Beyond the Classroom: Embracing the Unique Journey of Homeschooling

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder what makes homeschooling truly different from traditional school? In this episode, we explore the real meaning of “home” in hom...

289. A Round Table with Katie Doughty about Julie’s New Book

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do your kids say they hate writing? You're not alone—and they're probably not telling the whole story. In this episode, we’re excited to share Kat...

288. Opening Pandora’s Box: Social Media, Publishing, and Facebook

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder why publishing feels harder than ever—even for talented writers? In this episode, we unpack the shifting realities of the publish...

287. Interesting Conversation with Julie and Melissa

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, the most meaningful conversations aren’t planned—they unfold.In this week’s episode, we drop in on an unscripted, delightful catch-up...

286. A Deep Dive With Sharon McMahon

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do we prepare our children to think critically in an age of overwhelming information, bias, and quick judgments? In today’s Brave Writer episode...

285. Poetry All Year Long

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder why poetry feels like a balm for the soul—especially when life gets hard?In this episode, we read aloud a collection of favorite ...

284. Eating in Color with Jennifer Anderson

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeding kids has become a high-stakes game, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we explore responsive feeding, joyful food marketing, and ho...

283. Exploring the Relationship between Kids and Tech

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel overwhelmed navigating screens, gaming, and tech in your home? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore how to shift from blame to ...

282. Help! What if you hate teaching writing?

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do your kids hate writing? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore why so many children (and adults) feel blocked when it comes to writing—and...

281. Deep Meaning = Depth Learning

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder why some lessons stick and others fade away? In this episode, we explore the concept of deep meaning—the essential ingredient beh...

280. Why We’re FIRED UP About Shannon Watts

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-airing our fantastic conversation with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, where we discuss her inspiring new book Fired...

279. Finally: Not Boring History with Emily Glankler

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember history class as a list of dates and names to memorize? What if we told you there’s a better way to approach it—one that sparks cu...

278. Comics Make You Smart!

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many parents think comics and graphic novels are just a fun diversion, but they are actually a powerful tool for learning. In this episode, we explore...

277. Soul School with Amber O'Neal Johnston

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How much do you love a great book list? The kind that introduces you to stories you never knew you needed? That’s exactly what Amber O’Neal Johnst...

276. Freedom from Shame with Parenting Coach Crystal Haitsma

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does shame shape the way we parent?In this episode, we sit down with life coach and homeschooling parent Crystal Haitsma to explore how shame infl...

275. The Delights of Deep Reading

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once upon a time, getting lost in a book was second nature. But in today's fast-paced, screen-filled world, deep reading has become a struggle—not j...

274. The Value of One-on-One Time

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when managing multiple children. One of the most powerful ways to revitalize learning and relationship...

273. Announcing Julie's New Book

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Writing is often framed as an external obligation in schools, but we believe it’s much more than that. Writing is an act of self-expression—a way ...

272. Playing Big with Tara Mohr (Part 2)

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back for Part 2 of our conversation with Tara Mohr, homeschooling mom and expert on women’s leadership. We discuss teaching kids to not...

271. Playing Big with Tara Mohr (Part 1)

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that holds women back when it comes to taking risks or living authentically? How can we raise our daughters so they don’t have to struggl...

270. Celebrating Karen O’Connor

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On New Year's Day, Julie's beloved mother, Karen O'Connor, passed away at the age of 86. Karen was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many wi...

269. 25th Anniversary Celebration, Part 2!

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back for the second half of our walk down Brave Writer memory lane!Julie regales us with never-told-before stories about the ups and downs of ...

268. Brave Writer's 25th Anniversary (Part 1)

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It started with editing church materials and swapping advice on 1990s internet message boards. Today, Brave Writer has served thousands of families, h...

267. Natural Learning and the Brain

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learning is a natural function of the brain. As teachers, our job is to facilitate that natural function. In today’s episode, we dive into the resea...

266. Julie's Back!

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Julie’s back!You may have noticed that Melissa’s been hosting the podcast solo recently. Today we learn why Julie has been absent and what she’s...

265. Celebrating Book Series with Dawn Smith

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anything better than the warm, magical feeling you get from a good book series? In today’s episode, Dawn Smith, Brave Writer’s Director o...

264. Rabbit Trails and Rabbit Holes

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can you go beyond the daily grind of lessons to truly enliven your kids’ learning? In this episode, we go over two methods that you might have a...

263. Appreciating Art with Bianca Bosker

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you feel like an outsider when it comes to art, you aren’t alone. In fact, as Bianca Bosker explains, there’s a whole gatekeeping system built ...

262. Teaching Through Play

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Play isn’t a reward for learning, it is the learning. In this episode, we dig into the puritanical reflex to be suspicious of anything fun, and rebu...

261. How to Care for a Caregiving Friend

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chances are someone you know will have a sick child hospitalized at some point. In this episode, Melissa explains how you can best support that parent...

260. Nature Study: Notebooks and Beyond

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Leaves changing color, evenings getting chillier–autumn is a wonderful time of the year to turn our attention toward the natural world around us. To...

259. The Power of Practice

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We tend to have a pretty clear idea of what practice looks like for musicians and athletes. But what does practice look like for writers? In today’s...

258. Turning Around a Day Gone Wrong

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever have one of those days where the kids won’t stop bickering, everything seems difficult, and overall there’s just bad energy? In today’s epi...

257. The Right to Play: An Interview with Eloise Rickman

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be adultist? Do children have a right to not brush their teeth… or the right not to have cavities? Eloise Rickman joins the sho...

256. Welcome Back Julie! Plus Lessons from Spain

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The sound of Moroccan Arabic, the smell of dried buffalo chips, the taste of sugary mint tea, the view of an open prairie–in today’s episode Julie...

255. Brave Writers Thriving in College

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As homeschooling parents, one of our biggest concerns is ensuring our children are ready for college when the time comes (if they choose that path). T...

254. Book Parties

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Structure” might be one of the most anxiety-provoking words for a homeschooling parent. If you feel like you’re always struggling to achieve st...

253. Literary Analysis & Writer's Craft

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Literary analysis shouldn’t be a cold dissection that increases the distance between the reader and the text, but rather a way for the reader to mor...

252. The GPS of Writing: Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Julie’s webinar, “The GPS of Writing: Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling.” Since Julie is taking a short break from the podcast to fo...

251. The Joy of Slow with Leslie Martino

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once you view time as a gift to be savored, you can start to naturally exchange agendas for rhythms and arbitrary expectations for deep learning. This...

250. Reading Aloud: Why Teach Writing Mechanics with Living Literature?

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What’s living literature? What does it have to do with teaching your kids grammar and spelling? Today’s episode is a recording of Julie’s webina...

249. Escaping Fundamentalism with Tia Levings

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tia Levings was trapped in a high-control religion, experiencing church-sanctioned domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. Her only relief was the...

248. How to Find Homeschooling Community

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homeschooling can be isolating, but it shouldn’t be and it doesn’t have to be. In fact, as a homeschooling family, you have unique opportunities t...

247. 2024 Summer Games Fever with Julie Bogart

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you aren’t already excited about the Summer Olympics, the episode is going to get you there. Julie’s passion for The Games is contagious. She s...

246. Living Through Books with Lindsay Smith

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Smith caught our eye on Instagram with all the cool book projects she does with her homeschool kids. We are thrilled she accepted our invitati...

245. High School Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #4

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our fourth episode in our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! Today we cover the High School Writers stage, broken up into two part...

244. Middle School Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #3

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our third episode in our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! Today we cover the Middle School Writers stage, which typically occurs...

243. Emerging Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #2

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our second episode in our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! Today we cover the Emerging Writers stage, which typically occurs aro...

242. Beginning Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #1

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re re-recording our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! If you’re a longtime listener, you may remember our first series on the topic. ...

241. The Parenting Map with Dr. Shefali

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Parenting is not just about managing behaviors but about building meaningful relationships that help both parents and children grow. Dr. Shefali, New ...

240. Struggling With Math? An Interview With Pat Murray of CTC Math

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are two major pain points in homeschooling: writing and math. Our guest today helps us with the math part. Pat Murray is the founder of CTC Math...

239. Tools to Buy Instead of Curriculum

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When parents map out the annual homeschooling budget, there’s a tendency to only focus on curriculum. In this episode, we encourage you to prioritiz...

238. Thinking Differently About Learning with Maren and Angela

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we reunite with fellow podcasters and homeschool moms, Maren Goerss and Angela Sizer. We dive into their new book, Think Differently About Lear...

237. 2024-25 Book Reveal Talk! With Dawn Smith

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s almost time for our annual book list release! Every year we curate a new list of books to be part of our Dart (ages 8-10 ), Arrow (10-12), and ...

236. Happy Book Birthday: Becoming a Critical Thinker by Julie Bogart!

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hooray! Today’s the publication day of my (Julie’s) new workbook, “Becoming a Critical Thinker.” If you’re a longtime listener of this ...

235. Why Moms Make the Best Advocates: Shannon Watts

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a six-million member organization she describes as “maybe the world's largest real life field ex...

234. Unfrazzling the Frazzled Homeschooling Mom

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we answer a listener’s letter. An excerpt::My kids craft. All. The. Time. They wake and craft. Hot glue and paper scraps everywhere. Markers a...

233. Endgame Tips to Finish the Year Strong

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Springtime often pulls homeschoolers in what can feel like two different directions. The first is the concern of what needs to be done before the end ...