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 with her kindness, warmth, and wisdom. As a prolific author of 70 books and a gifted writing teacher, Karen's legacy is one of inspiration and creativity. She was deeply cherished by her three children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

In this special episode, we honor Karen's life and contributions by sharing an interview recorded in 2018, when Karen was one of Brave Writer's most beloved writing coaches. Through this conversation, we celebrate her incredible journey, her passion for writing, and her lasting impact on the Brave Writer community.

You can read Karen O’Connor’s obituary here. Donations can be made to the Sierra Club in her name. Visit Karen’s website and learn more about her books at www.karenoconnor.com.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Sign up for our new Substack: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart  
• Take a look at the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 the Brave Writer business. She tells us about the one and only time she took out a loan for Brave Writer. We also hear about a stressful lawsuit that ended up with a scammer getting arrested!

Most of all, we hear story after story about how the love of writing, and the commitment to developing kids’ self-expression, has rippled out across thousands of lives.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Sign up for our new Substack: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart  
• Take a look at the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

It started with editing church materials and swapping advice on 1990s internet message boards. Today, Brave Writer has served thousands of families, helping them transform their relationship to writing and each other. 

In this episode, we walk you through the history of Brave Writer.

Take a listen as Julie explains why she started the business and how she grew it. Her story is unique, but similar to many homeschool moms’– discovering knowledge and skills that you didn’t even know you had.

The conversation is full of so many good stories, we decided to do a Part 2 next week!

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Sign up for our new Substack: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart  
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Find Julie's books in the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 research around how brains perform learning and the ideal conditions for optimal learning.

We dig into Renata and Geoffrey Caine’s research on the topic, focusing on three key areas: orchestrated immersion, relaxed alertness, and active processing. We explain how each one works and how to leverage them as homeschooling parents.

This episode is packed with information and ‘lipstick drops’ (you’ll understand after you listen). It will give you tools to create more ‘aha moments’ for you and your learners.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Find the book ‘Making Connections’ in the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 learned while she’s been away.

We talk about Julie’s experience with her mother’s illness, leading Julie to reflect on how her mother created a homeschooling culture for her kids even though they were enrolled in traditional school.

We also review how the Brave Writer’s Day Off Conference went and discuss our favorite parts.

Join us as we celebrate Julie’s return!

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• Explore the Brave Writer Book Shop
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 of Publishing, joins us to discuss the power of children’s book series.

We talk about the unique delight of reading a book series, getting immersed in the characters and the world they live in. We also dig into how series help build kids’ confidence through repeat exposure to an author’s writing patterns. 

Tune in to hear some of our favorite book series and the memories they helped us make with our kids.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• Visit the Brave Writer Book Shop to learn more about the book series we mention in this episode
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 already observed pop up naturally in your kids’ lives: rabbit trials and rabbit holes.

Is your kid super obsessed with something at the moment? That’s great! Feed their “rabbit hole” deep-dive with as much material and curiosity as you can.

Does your kid jump from one related topic to another? That’s great too! They are making connections between how things work via “rabbit trails.”

Your child’s natural curiosity is something to be fed, not fought. Join them in the hole or trail!

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• Explore the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Listen to Episode 263: Appreciating Art with Bianca Bosker
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA

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 up around art: who you know, how you dress, what words you use, etc. 

Lucky for us, Bianca Bosker spent five years finding a way past the gatekeeping. In her book and in today’s episode, Bianca brings back her findings to the rest of us, teaching us how to better seek out and appreciate art.

If you want to find more beauty and meaning in the visual world around you, this episode will help. Bianca’s frank insightfulness is life-giving.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Find Bianca’s book, “Get the Picture,” in the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
• Read all Brave Writer class descriptions 
• Check out the Class Schedule for Fall 
• Sign up for Brave Writer 101 
• Read Bianca’s other book “Cork Dork”
• Read “Sister Wendy’s Story of Paintings”
• Read “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA Media

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 rebuke it with developmental science and lived experience. We give ideas on how to create playful conditions for deep, sustainable learning for your kids and even yourself.

We also break down how to evaluate homeschool learning you’re already doing: How does it look like play? How are you capitalizing on tools, clothing, kinesthetic energy, excitement, and engagement? Does the skill being honed lead to something the kids actually want to do? 

If you’re feeling stuck and bored with your homeschooling, or if your kids are feeling that way, this is the episode for you.  

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages 
• Peruse the Brave Writer Book Shop
• Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs 
• Read all the Brave Writer class descriptions
• Check out the Class Schedule for Fall 
• Sign up for Brave Writer 101
• Explore Tools for the Art of Writing
• Read Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness
• Read How Children Learn
• Read Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA Media

This episode is being published the day after the U.S. presidential election. Tension, stress, and fears are running high. No matter which candidate wins, nearly half the voting population will be very upset. How do we navigate our relationships during this time? How do we move through the world in a thoughtful way? That’s the basis of our conversation today.

We focus on the role of consensus in maintaining rights. While aggressive action might be needed to achieve rights–like the Civil War and Suffragettes protests– we argue that consensus is what’s needed to maintain them. We discuss how consensus is slowly developed over time through countless conversations and interactions.

We give you specific questions you can use to start difficult conversations, including conversations with yourself about your own beliefs. We also discuss how you can get involved in issues you care about and make a difference that way.

We hope this episode provides empowerment, hope, and community to our listeners during this stressful, often overwhelming, time.

Resources:

• Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention.
• Check out Julie’s Instagram post about thinking around the election 
• Listen to our episode with Shannon Watts: #235 Why Moms Make the Best Advocates 
• Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages 
• Explore the Brave Writer Book Shop
• 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

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @juliebravewriter
• Threads: @juliebravewriter
• Twitter: @bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissawiley.com
• Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
• Instagram: @melissawileybooks
• Twitter: @melissawiley

Produced by NOVA Media