Archive for the ‘Podcasts’ Category

[Podcast # 283] Exploring the Relationship between Kids and Tech with Ash Brandin

Brave Writer Podcast

Do you feel overwhelmed navigating screens, gaming, and tech in your home? You’re not alone.

In this Braver Writer podcast episode, we explore how to shift from blame to curiosity when it comes to your child’s digital life. Ash Brandin, a middle school teacher and the voice behind The Gamer Educator, joins us to talk about the real reasons kids love screens—and how we can use those insights to build stronger connections and more balanced relationships with technology.

Ash Brandin
Ash Brandin

We discuss:

  • the root causes behind tech reliance,
  • how to help kids develop digital literacy,
  • and why empathy and structure matter more than screen limits alone.

Tune in for a refreshing, realistic take on managing tech in a way that benefits the whole family.

Show Notes

There’s no denying it—technology is embedded in our lives and in our homes. From smartphones to video games, the digital world is not just something our kids use; it’s something they live in. Yet many parents still carry anxiety about how screen time affects childhood, learning, and relationships.

We believe it’s time to shift the conversation.

Rather than defaulting to fear, what if we asked more curious questions about the role of tech in our families? We’re not talking about blindly embracing every app and device, but rather acknowledging that screens are often used to meet real needs—by both kids and adults.

A child watching TV while a parent cooks dinner is not a failure of parenting; it’s a reflection of the lack of community support many families experience today. In past generations, neighbors helped one another, kids played outside in groups, and caregiving was more shared. Today, screens often serve as the stopgap where community used to be. Recognizing that can reduce guilt and open up more thoughtful decision-making around screen use.

It’s also helpful to consider what kids are actually getting out of their digital experiences. Games like Minecraft or Fortnite can offer more than entertainment—they can foster:

  • creativity,
  • problem-solving,
  • social interaction,
  • and perseverance.

These games represent risk, autonomy, and challenge—the very qualities we often admire in real-life activities like sports, crafts, or science experiments.

Instead of asking only, “How do I get my child off the screen?” we might start asking, “What is it about this experience that’s engaging them so deeply? And how can I offer something similarly fulfilling in the real world?” When we understand that screens can represent freedom, control, and accomplishment, we’re better equipped to offer off-screen experiences that provide those same feelings.

We also benefit when we stop seeing ourselves in opposition to technology and start seeing ourselves as guides. If we treat a child’s love of tech as something shameful or shallow, they will stop sharing those interests with us. But if we take the time to ask about the game they’re playing, or the video they’re watching, we get a window into their thinking—and a chance to connect.

That connection is vital when big feelings surface. A child melting down after losing a game isn’t just being “dramatic”—they’re processing disappointment and frustration. These are moments to help kids name their emotions, step back, and develop strategies for self-regulation—skills they’ll use far beyond the screen.

Technology is not going away. Our role is to prepare our kids to meet it with wisdom, resilience, and a sense of agency. We do that by building trust, staying curious, and treating their digital world with the same care we treat every other part of their development.

Screens are not the enemy. Disconnection is.

Resources

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Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #282] Help! What if you hate teaching writing?

Brave Writer

Do your kids hate writing? You’re not alone.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore why so many children (and adults!) feel blocked when it comes to writing—and why it’s more important than ever to teach kids to write from scratch, even in an age of AI.

We look at:

  • the emotional power of writing,
  • the damage done by performance-based instruction,
  • and how we can shift our approach to help kids see themselves as thinkers and communicators.

Listen to hear an excerpt from Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing, and learn how to turn struggling students into brave writers.

Show Notes

We’ve all had moments when writing felt like a public trial—every word scrutinized, every typo judged. In a world where artificial intelligence can compose an entire essay faster than we can pour a cup of tea, it’s fair to ask: why even bother teaching kids to write at all?

Here’s why.

Writing is self-expression, not just self-presentation.

It’s tempting to see writing as a performance for others. But at its core, writing is about externalizing our internal world. When kids are given the freedom to write what they truly think—even if it starts with “I hate this”—they start to connect with their own voice. That’s when transformation happens. Writing isn’t just for grades; it’s for healing, discovery, and clarity.

Yes, AI exists. No, it doesn’t replace your child.

Sure, technology has made it easier to bypass the hard parts of writing. But it hasn’t replaced the most valuable part: the human part. No machine can replicate your child’s one-of-a-kind perspective. We write because no one else can think exactly what we think. We write to preserve our voice in a way no algorithm can duplicate.

Kids love writing—they just don’t love school writing.

Give a child a phone, and they’ll write all night. Texts, captions, comments, scripts—they’re already writing. But it’s writing that feels meaningful to them. What they resist is the sterile, formulaic kind of writing we often assign in school. When we reposition writing as a tool for thinking, creativity, and connection—not just academic performance—it becomes something worth doing.

We teach writers, not just writing.

When we put the writer at the center instead of the assignment, we unlock something powerful. Kids become thinkers, not just students fulfilling a rubric. They clarify their ideas, explore their feelings, and build confidence in their ability to communicate. That’s why writing is still worth teaching—even if your kid hates it right now.

We believe the act of putting words on a page is a deeply human endeavor. It deserves care, respect, and even joy. Our job is to help kids find their way into writing—not by force, but by helping them see the value of their own thoughts.

And here’s the truth: when they realize their ideas matter, writing stops being a chore and starts becoming a tool they can use for the rest of their lives.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #281] Deep Meaning = Depth Learning

Brave Writer Podcast

Do you ever wonder why some lessons stick and others fade away?

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore the concept of deep meaning—the essential ingredient behind lasting, joyful learning. When kids connect personally with what they’re learning, they move beyond memorization into true expertise. We:

  • unpack the difference between mastery and meaning,
  • share real-life examples from homeschooling life (yes, video games and comic books count!), and
  • offer practical questions you can ask to build more meaningful learning moments at home.

Listen now to discover how to help your kids not just think, but care about what they’re learning.

Show Notes

In every learning experience, there’s a pivotal question waiting to be answered: “Why do I need to know this?” It’s a question we’ve all heard from our kids—and maybe even asked ourselves. When children ask this, they’re not simply being resistant. They’re pointing to something deeper. They want to understand the meaning behind what they’re learning.

What if, instead of focusing on mastery through memorization, we shifted our educational focus to meaning? That’s where true learning—the kind that sticks—really begins.

Mastery vs. Expertise

We often conflate “mastery” with success: a child memorizes a grammar rule or completes a worksheet correctly. But real expertise goes beyond that. It involves a felt sense of how knowledge fits into a broader framework. It’s the difference between identifying a hyperbole on a test and joyfully recognizing it in a read-aloud story. One is performance. The other is evidence of integration—of natural knowledge built on passion and relevance.

Meaning Drives Passion

When learning taps into a child’s deep meanings—their interests, relationships, curiosities—it unlocks a sense of purpose. This is true whether they’re exploring the economics of crops in a farming game, testing physics in Angry Birds, or reading about their favorite superheroes. We tend to elevate subjects like violin, poetry, or chess as “prestigious,” while dismissing games or pop culture as frivolous. But children don’t see that hierarchy—they’re driven by what sparks their engagement, not what looks good on a transcript.

Experience Builds Understanding

Real learning requires more than facts—it needs context and experience. Just like a child learns the power of scissors by cutting the fur off a beloved stuffed animal, learning needs to be hands-on. Tracing tanks from a history book, graphing fallen leaves in the front yard, or building a model of Helm’s Deep while listening to Tolkien—all of these create neural interconnections that form lasting knowledge. It’s not about rushing to mastery but slowing down to build meaning.

Learning That Feels Like Play

The best learning often doesn’t look like school. It looks like play. It looks like kids constructing domino patterns, arguing over where to place index cards in a homemade history timeline, or sitting quietly with a nature journal. These are not distractions from learning—they are learning. When kids care about what they’re doing, they:

  • challenge themselves naturally,
  • cope with mistakes, and
  • absorb information more deeply.

Our Role as Parents

As educators and caregivers, our job is not to manufacture meaning, but to create the conditions for it to emerge. That means offering rich, varied experiences, and sometimes stepping back to let our kids make the connections themselves. Especially as they get older, they begin to link content to their lives in new and unexpected ways—and our job is to listen and support.

Deep learning comes from deep meaning. When we prioritize our children’s curiosity and let their passions shape their educational journeys, we invite them into a lifetime of caring, thinking, and discovering. That’s not just good education—it’s good living.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #280] Why We’re FIRED UP About Shannon Watts

Brave Writer Podcast 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!

Shannon Watts
Shannon Watts
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

Connect with Julie

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Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #279] Finally: Not Boring History with Emily Glankler

Brave Writer Podcast

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 Glankler
Emily Glankler

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

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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