Brave Writer

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 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 to help kids imagine other points of view—through microscopes and magnifyi...

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley return with a heartwarming episode all about writing stations ---simple, inviting setups that help kids discover the joy of putting pen to paper. Inspired by Melissa's son Steven, who has turned letter-writing into an art form, the hosts explore how authentic writing can become a beloved ritual rather than a chore. From Steven's letters to UPS and Paula's Choice to t...

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, Julie and Melissa trace how atmosphere ex...

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 meets creative “low tide” exploration...

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 wealth of knowledge about both the philosophy and t...

Julie takes us on a sweeping journey through the history of homeschooling, weaving together her own 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 a fringe experiment into a mainstream educational...

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 layered learning. From visiting her aunt on the Mediterranean coast to finally stepping inside Florence’s Santa Croce—20 years after promising herself she would—Julie shares how books like A Room with a View transform sightseeing into soul-deep experiences...

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 with author Chris Balme about his book Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome . Balme’s book invites young readers to discover how trust, agency, and meaningful challenges transform “awkward years” into growth years. Join us...

Do you ever catch yourself treating screens like contraband—tolerated in tiny doses, never to be openly celebrated? Ash Brandin, author of Power On: Managing Screen Time for the Benefit of the Whole Family , urges us to view screens as morally neutral and to focus on how they can serve the whole family’s needs. In this episode, Ash shares their “Screen Time ABCs”: Access that adapts to context rat...

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 Dawn Smith, we explore practical ways to sustain a teen’s love of books: continuing read-alouds, using buddy-reading systems with sticky-note annotations, deciding when a movie should come before (or after) the book, and leveraging picture books, audi...

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 the week prime kids for curiosity, competence, and follow-through. Think five minutes of inspiration that launches hours of self-directed learning—no elaborate prep required. In our work with families, three tiny shifts consistently flip the “on” swit...

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 as @TheStringyMama. In this episode, Meredith shares what she learned teaching in California and Texas, why an unannounced active-shooter drill became the tipping point for her family, and how she’s navigated the shift from rigid classroom structures t...

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 full schedule on day one, you can begin with connection and fun—like a “Not Back to School” outing, a day of games, or a creative project. Personal notes to each child, wish lists of activities, and a few well-chosen dates on the calendar can keep mom...

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to your family’s needs. In this episode, we revisit three core principles that have guided our approach through the years: honoring spontaneous self-expression by jotting down our children’s words, remembering there are no educational emergencies (kids learn at their own pace), and staying flexible by changing the...

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 influencer-driven resources and tech-powered learning tools is reshaping homeschooling—and what we risk losing when we outsource the most human parts of education. We discuss why real learning thrives on meaningful connection, hands-on experiences, and the...

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, clinical psychologist, podcast host, and author of Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most. Diana shares her refreshing, science-based approach to reclaiming our natural strengths and using our “genius energy” wisely, rather than t...

Do you ever find yourself wondering what you’ve truly accomplished in your homeschool? Chronicling—through blogs, scatterbooks, journals, quick notes, or even voice memos—offers families a way to celebrate growth, capture memories, and gain confidence in the learning journey. In this episode, we discuss the many forms of chronicling, how it transforms our outlook from focusing on what’s missing to...

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 this episode, we explore why it’s not only okay but essential to judge and adapt writing assignments for your kids. We talk about how rigid or uninspiring tasks can stifle self-expression, why playful and flexible approaches unlock learning, and how yo...

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 Brave Writer Lifestyle—moving beyond rigid schedules to routines that foster connection, flexibility, and joy in daily learning. We discuss how to anchor your days with simple routines, value real-life learning, adapt to your family’s needs, and pro...

Do you ever wonder why some learning experiences “stick” while others fade away? In this 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 the power of “quick dips” in learning, the magic of using favorite books as a playground for curiosity, and the importance...

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 replace the warmth and connection that come from sharing stories aloud as a family. We talk about the generational bonds formed through storytelling, the irreplaceable value of reading aloud, and how these practices create both readers and resilient hum...

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 episode, we share practical tips for understanding legal requirements, choosing and personalizing curriculum, and setting up a home environment where learning happens naturally—on couches, in backyards, and through everyday routines....

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 turn read-alouds into vibrant conversations, gently teach language through real literature, and empower kids to see themselves as wr...

Do you ever wonder what makes homeschooling truly different from traditional school? In this 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. Instead, it’s about nurturing curiosity, making learning relevan...

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 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, Katie and Julie explore why so many children struggle with writing and...