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[Podcast #280] Why We’re FIRED UP About Shannon Watts
This week on the podcast, we’re re-airing our fantastic conversation with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, where we discuss her inspiring new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Tune in for a powerful discussion on activism, passion, and the power of stepping into your purpose!
Chris Langford Photography
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 experiment for what happens when you show women how their abilities and their burning desires and their values align, and how they come alive and can achieve things they never imagined possible.” We are thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her upcoming book, Fired Up.
Our conversation with Shannon about the intersection of motherhood, feminism, and activism is one that will keep us fueled for a long time. We hope you enjoy it.
Go here for the complete Show Notes.
Resources
- Pre-order a copy of Fired Up and sign up for Shannon’s free Firestarter University course
- Check out Shannon’s book and other books we’ve recommended on the podcast in the Brave Writer Bookshop.
- Get involved at MomsDemandAction.org.
- Sign up for Shannon’s Substack
- Follow Shannon’s on Instagram: @shannonrwatts
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com!
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- 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 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
- 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
Roll with It
Sometimes our expectations are unreasonable.
We imagine that there’s an actual set of practices and plans we can execute and our kids will never:
- fight,
- cry,
- resist
- or be bored.
At that point, we might felt insulted—“Can’t you see how much energy I am putting into homeschool for you?!”
I’m here to tell you…
That’s utterly NORMAL. Don’t judge your homeschool by each day’s experience. Kids are sometimes as moody and tired of the routine as you are. It’s not you. It’s not even them. It’s just life.
Roll with it. New energy will return. It’s okay to be disappointed. Shake it off.
Rooting for you!
This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.
Brave Learning: Your Child’s Voice, Secret Trick of Homeschooling, and more!
Recently on Brave Learning…
Value your child’s voice [Public]
Children turn off their “real voice” around you if they develop the habit of shutting down their genuine ideas, thoughts, preferences, wishes, and dreams. [More]
The Secret Trick of Homeschooling
We begin for our kids, we keep going for ourselves. (This is the second in my series of journal entries from back when I was homeschooling.) [More]
Friday Freewrite: Stuck in the Mud [Public]
Tell the story of how a lone boot became stuck in the mud. [More]
Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 5 are free)!
[Podcast #279] Finally: Not Boring History with Emily Glankler
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 curiosity and connection?
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we chat with historian and educator Emily Glankler about how to make history come alive for both kids and adults. We explore how history is more than just facts—it’s a story that helps us understand the world.
Emily shares tips on:
- critical thinking,
- thematic learning,
- and why questioning the past is essential to making sense of the present.
Join us for a fascinating discussion on how to approach history in a way that’s engaging, meaningful, and fun.
Show Notes
History often gets a bad reputation. Many of us remember our own history classes as dull recitations of dates and events, memorized just long enough to pass a test. But history is so much more than that. It’s the story of people, decisions, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the world we live in today. The key to making history engaging—both for kids and for ourselves—is to approach it with curiosity and a sense of connection.
History as a Story
One of the most effective ways to teach history is through narrative. A timeline of battles and treaties may not spark excitement, but the personal stories behind those events can bring history to life. Consider using historical fiction, biographies, and documentaries that center on real people’s experiences. These resources help frame history as an unfolding story rather than a collection of isolated facts.
Emily Glankler, a historian and educator, encourages us to think about history beyond just dates and famous figures. She suggests structuring history studies around themes, such as women’s history, technological advancements, or social movements, so we can see the bigger picture of change and continuity over time. This approach allows us to make connections across eras and better understand how the past informs the present.
Curiosity and Critical Thinking
History isn’t just about learning what happened—it’s about asking why it happened. When we encourage kids to ask questions about historical events, we teach them to think critically.
- Why did a society build aqueducts?
- How did an empire rise and fall?
- What motivated people to fight for certain rights?
These questions lead to richer discussions and a deeper understanding of the forces that shape our world.
It’s also crucial to recognize that history is never just “one version” of events. The stories we tell are shaped by the perspectives we include. A well-rounded history education should explore different viewpoints, question biases, and invite discussion. Rather than focusing on debates that pit one side against another, we can encourage conversations that allow for nuance and complexity.
Bringing History Into Everyday Life
History isn’t confined to textbooks. It’s in the places we visit, the books we read, and even the objects around us. Traveling to historic sites, visiting museums, or simply exploring local history can make the past feel tangible. As parents, engaging with history ourselves—through reading, traveling, or exploring our own family stories—sets an example for our kids. When we’re excited about learning, they are too.
The past is always relevant to the present, and studying it should feel dynamic and personal. Whether it’s through examining historical events that shaped modern politics, understanding ancient innovations, or exploring family ancestry, history offers endless opportunities to connect with our world.
Instead of treating history as a subject to get through, let’s make it an adventure—one where we and our kids are active participants in uncovering the stories that have shaped humanity.
Resources
- Emily Glankler is found at: antisocialstudies.org
- Instagram: @antisocstudies
- TikTok: @antisocialstudies
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com!
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Find our kids’ graphic novel & nonfiction recommendations in the Brave Writer Book Shop: https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/list/podcast-recommendations
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- 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 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
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA
Educational Gaps
Will your kids have education gaps if you homeschool them?
Let me rephrase the question: Do you?
There’s no finish line for learning.
Your kids don’t need to learn every subject to mastery by 18.
Our biggest task is to fuel the desire to learn so that your kids keep wanting to learn for the rest of their lives.
Let me add a caveat—because I can already picture some of the negative reactions. There’s a difference between a gap and a child who hasn’t mastered the fundamentals, like reading, writing, and basic math.
We do want to pay attention to whether or not our child is displaying a learning disability, or if the model of instruction is failing. I do wish I had learned math in a more effective manner. I believe I have the aptitude to learn it. The instruction method failed me. Even so, I have launched a successful business without math acumen.
It’s important to remember the scale of what education is and can be. A quality education isn’t simply the result of pushing your children to follow a curriculum so that you don’t leave anything out. Learning has to be effective (meaningful) if it’s going to last a child’s lifetime.
Gaps are inevitable. The key is to embrace a lifelong learning journey.
This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.
