The Arts of Language Podcast

In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker interview Lizabeth Brasells, the managing editor of Magnum Opus Magazine —IEW’s premier showcase of work from students around the world. Listen as they share the history behind the Magnum Opus , the process of selecting pieces for publication, and the ways the magazine can be used by teachers and teaching parents to model the Structure and Style® meth...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue their live session at the NCFCA National Championships. This part of the conversation focused on how using the IEW methodology helps students avoid plagiarism. Andrew also discussed whether there is a place for AI in academics. Listen to hear what students asked Andrew at the end of the session. Go to Part 1 Referenced Materials NCFCA Christian Speech and De...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker recorded this two-part podcast at the NCFCA National Championship in St. Paul, Minnesota, in June 2025. They discuss what plagiarism is, why it is easier for students to plagiarize today, and why it is important to avoid plagiarism. Be sure to listen to Part 2 (posts on 9/3) as they discuss some solutions to this problem.  Go to Part 2 Referenced Materials NCFCA Chri...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how children thrive when parents read aloud to them. Reading aloud builds family bonds and shared memories as well as increases vocabulary and comprehension. Listen to this episode to learn more.   Referenced Materials Summer Help from IEW “Is having a loving family an unfair advantage?” Episode 354: Paper and Pen — What the Research Says Rea...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share their top tips for new homeschool families. They focus on overall lifestyle choices and priorities instead of specific curriculum recommendations. If you are considering homeschooling or know someone who is, this is the perfect episode. Grab a glass of iced tea or lemonade and glean some wisdom from Andrew and Julie.   Referenced Materials Howe...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue diving into this year's theme: How to Think. In this episode, they talk about famous questions and quotations that have to do with thinking and learning, as well as some that spark thinking. Listen to glean some questions and quotations that will spark thoughtful conversations in your home or classroom.   Referenced Materials The Anxious Generation by Jonath...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about how the use of AI for writing impacts the process of training students to be critical thinkers. While it may be tempting for students and parents alike to use AI for writing because it is faster and easier, Andrew encourages parents to realize the dangers, including inaccurate facts, imprecise thinking, and unfounded opinions.   Referenced...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker are joined by IEW’s Customer Support Manager, Catherine Hafer, to discuss the many roles that the customer service team members fill as they serve you and IEW.   Referenced Materials Catherine Hafer Our Team Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Transcript of Podcast Ep...

In this engaging episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the idea of writing across the curriculum with Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Associate Vice President for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College. They discuss the exciting partnership IEW has formed with the Hillsdale K-12 program that provides guidance and partnership for classical schools as well as teacher training events. They also share th...

In this Live Ask Andrew Anything episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker answer questions submitted by listeners. Listen as they discuss how to find the literature suggestions in IEW’s courses, how to decide what courses to use first with younger students, why the levels of some of the theme-based books have changed, what books Andrew is reading now, and more!    Referenced Materials Structure and...

IEW’s instructor accreditation program is back and better than ever! In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down with Denise Kelley, Director of Product Development at IEW. They talk about the history and purpose of the accreditation program before explaining the new tiers of accreditation and the improved process for becoming accredited. If you want to know more about the new accredi...

May is often the month when IEW instructors are reaching Unit 9 in which students write formal critiques and Response to Literature compositions. Many of IEW’s courses include literature suggestions because we recognize the importance of connecting literature and writing. In this podcast, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the impact literature has on thinking and the connections between memor...

In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Sarah Mackenzie about furnishing the mind with words and beauty by reading aloud. Listen as they discuss the importance of not just the words but also the artwork in children’s picture books. Sarah shares her passion for rightly ordered beauty in the words and art in the books they are publishing at Waxwing Books, and she gives a short summa...

May 5–9 is Teacher Appreciation Week. What gifts do teachers appreciate most? Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share some ideas for showing appreciation to all the teachers in your life.   Referenced Materials “Gifts for Teachers: What They REALLY Want” Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Transcript of Podcast Episode 476   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to  podcast@IEW.com Perhaps y...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down with Stacia Lowe, a homeschool teacher who is passionate about providing hope and stressless homeschooling through budgeting. She shares inspiring stories and tips for making budgeting less painful. If you are concerned about the cost of homeschooling, this is an encouraging episode.   Referenced Materials Books by Stacia Rae Lowe & Adam Alva Lowe Knot Y...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker interview Jeff Nease, who provides support to schools using IEW materials in his role as IEW’s Implementation Coach. Jeff shares his passion for training teachers to use IEW in their classrooms. Andrew, Julie, and Jeff also discuss the 4-Step Implementation Plan and the various options for training that IEW provides.   Referenced Materials IEW School...

April is National Poetry Month. In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the history of Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization , one of Andrew’s favorite projects. Listen as they talk about how this course works and share some stories we have received from students and adults who have found joy in memorizing poetry. As Andrew says at the end, “Memorizing poetry enriches...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker open the mailbag (or the email inbox) and read letters IEW has received from students, parents, and teachers. Listen to this episode to find out how IEW has assisted refugee students, how teachers are incorporating IEW into their classrooms, and how IEW assists students long after they have completed high school. Often students send Andrew samples of...

How does furnishing the mind by reading and appreciating poetry help students learn to think? Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss the importance of poetry in providing vocabulary, linguistic patterns, and distillation of thoughts. Poetry lends itself to the contemplation of imagination and the beauty of the words. Students learn to think more deeply as they read, enjoy, and think a...

In this Live Ask Andrew Anything episode, Andrew Pudewa answers questions submitted by listeners. Andrew, along with Julie Walker, discusses how to implement IEW if the parent has learning differences, whether a formal spelling curriculum is needed, how to differentiate the roles of editor and grader, and other questions. Andrew shares anecdotes from the class he is teaching with his grandchildren...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker announce the prompts for the 2025 IEW Writing Contest. Andrew talks about why students should participate in writing contests, and Julie shares a story from her past about the importance of following instructions. Be sure to listen for the special prizes for the tenth annual IEW Writing Contest!   Referenced Materials Writing Contests 2025 IEW Writin...

Continuing the conversation, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker ask Pamela White additional questions about the amount of grammar students should study and the benefits to learning grammar in developing thinking skills and reading comprehension. They finish with a discussion of AI tools and why most do not benefit students. Go to Part 1 Referenced Materials “Writing Maketh an Exact Man” Fix It!® Gramm...

In celebration of National Grammar Day (March 4), Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Pamela White about why grammar is important, how it relates to thinking and reading comprehension, and how she came to write the Fix It! ® Grammar series. They also address sentence diagramming and why it does not necessarily translate into better grammar skills.   Go to Part 2. Referenced Materials   Fix It...

Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker reflect on the wonderful journey from IEW’s humble beginnings to where they are today. They look back at the first newsletter and share anecdotes about people and events that have advanced the company through the years.   Referenced Materials The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Structure and Style for...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down with Kerry Beck, a veteran homeschool mom who has a passion to share with other parents the lessons she learned in her years of homeschooling. They discuss how to intentionally train your children to be leaders, using everyday school subjects and strategies to build critical thinking skills.    Referenced Materials Kerry Beck Raising Leaders...