Archive for the ‘Podcasts’ Category

[Podcast #209] The Emotional Impact of Divorce – Part Two

Brave Writer Podcast

Today on the Brave Writer podcast, we dive deeper into a topic that holds immense significance in many of our lives: divorce. It’s an extension of our previous discussions (here is Part One if you missed it), and I genuinely believe it’s a conversation we need to have.

Many of us know someone, a dear friend or a family member, who has experienced divorce. The question then arises: how can we show up for them? How can we support not just them, but also their kids, in the best possible way?

This podcast episode aims to explore these questions and shed light on the intricacies of supporting loved ones during such transformative times.

Show Notes

The Complex Web of Decision Making

Every choice we make, from the deeply personal to the seemingly trivial, is often a result of myriad factors and experiences. It’s easy to observe someone’s decision from the outside and offer well-meaning advice. But we must remember: there’s always more beneath the surface.

The Power of Empathy in Judgment

When I opened up about my separation, I encountered a range of reactions. Some showed understanding, while others immediately questioned if I had considered all options, like marriage counseling. These moments highlighted a universal truth: everyone craves understanding. We all want to be perceived as rational, logical, and thoughtful. The challenge is extending the same courtesy to others.

Post-Divorce Relationships: A Delicate Balance

Navigating relationships after a divorce presents unique challenges. Mutual friendships can become complex, and the age-old dilemma of “choosing sides” emerges. But we’ve seen that with understanding, patience, and time, it’s possible to maintain rich and fulfilling relationships with both partners.

The Journey Ahead

Making life-altering decisions can be daunting, and the aftermath, even more so. But with each choice, there’s an opportunity for growth, learning, and understanding. It may take time, and the path might be riddled with challenges, but it’s a journey we’re ready to embark upon, hand in hand with those who support and understand us.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #209] The Emotional Impact of Divorce – Part Two

[Podcast #208] The Emotional Impact of Divorce – Part One

Brave Writer Podcast

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we dive into the emotional aspect of divorce, especially its impact on children.

From my personal experience as a child of divorce and later, as a divorced woman, I hope to shed light on finding stability post-divorce. A friend once encouraged me during my tough times saying, “Julie, keep going. We have cookies on the other side.” This simple phrase became a beacon of hope, suggesting a promising life post-divorce.

In this episode (part one of two), we’ll discuss the emotional layers of divorce to better understand and support those going through it, whether you’re directly affected or know someone who is.

Show Notes

Considering the Emotional Toll on Children

Divorce can be hard, especially for children caught in the middle. My own journey through divorce, filled with concern for my children, led me to Elizabeth Marquardt’s book, “Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce”. It helped during those challenging times. Today, we’ll discuss the emotional dilemmas surrounding divorce decisions and its impact on family dynamics, with a focus on the emotional burden on children.

Impacts of Divorce

Divorce changes the lives of everyone involved in a number of ways. Let’s look at some aspects of life that take a toll, for better or worse:

  • Concept of Home: The idea of ‘home’ changes post-divorce. My experience of setting up a new home with my mother post-divorce was a mix of challenges and discoveries. Judith Wallerstein’s study highlights the disrupted sense of home for children, a theme echoed in “Between Two Worlds”. The change in the concept of ‘home’ post-divorce can be unsettling but also opens doors for self-discovery and empowerment.
  • Loss of Family Narratives: Divorce often leads to a rewriting of family stories. This change extends to economic aspects too, sometimes requiring lifestyle adjustments. Despite the financial changes, maintaining some financial consistency can help cushion the emotional impact for children.
  • Homeschooling Challenges in the Context of Divorce: Divorce also affects homeschooling dynamics, sometimes turning it into a point of conflict in family discussions. However, changes in schooling can also lead to enriching experiences, as seen in my family’s transition from homeschooling to public schooling post-divorce.
  • Religious Values and Divorce: Divorce may also affect religious values, especially in devout families, raising questions in young minds. Today’s discussion, enriched by insights from the book “Raising Critical Thinkers”, explores how nurturing curiosity and understanding can help navigate these complex issues.
  • Positive Aspects of Change: Change, although stemming from challenging circumstances, can lead to growth and new experiences. Today’s episode explores how embracing these changes can foster understanding and exploration for both adults and children.

Navigating Divorce and its Impacts on Families

Exploring the impacts of divorce requires deep thought, especially on its effects on the most vulnerable family members. Today, we’ll discuss resources and insights to aid in this journey, emphasizing the importance of individual counseling and informed decision-making. Through the tough times, clarity will eventually emerge, guiding the way to firm decisions and, eventually, to new beginnings.

Our discussion today aims not just to explore the emotional challenges of divorce, but also to extend understanding and support for those going through it. Whether you are touched by divorce or supporting someone who is, today’s episode aims to provide empathy and insight.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #208] The Emotional Impact of Divorce – Part One

[Podcast #207] Cycles in Learning and Housekeeping

Brave Writer Podcast

What do the laundry cycle and the learning cycle have in common? A lot, actually. Today, we apply KC Davis’s take on laundry to homeschooling.

In her book How to Keep House While Drowning, KC Davis talks about how the goal of the laundry cycle shouldn’t be to have all your family’s clothes clean at once. The goal is for everyone to have clean clothes to wear that day. The goal is to keep the cycle moving.

We think the same concept applies to homeschooling. The goal of educating your child shouldn’t be linear mastery. The goal is for your child to be able to, at any moment, tap into:

  • curiosity, 
  • knowledge,
  • and problem-solving.

The goal is to keep the learning cycle going. 

Lots of “aha!” moments in this Brave Writer podcast episode– join us as we process it all. 

Show Notes

Learning as a Cycle, Not a Linear Process

Here at Brave Writer we have a core concept called Spin and Spiral. Everything in Brave Writer is designed to let kids loop back through a concept, experience it on a deeper level, or experience it again as if for the first time – wherever the spiral meets them. As a kid is reexposed to a concept over time, they reinforce and grow their level of mastery, nuance, and connection to it. 

Letting Go of Perfection

A lot of times we fall into the trap of thinking that everything in our home needs to be neat and tidy before we start our projects. We need to let that kind of thinking go. As Anne Lamott says, mess is a sign of vitality. Having your projects out can help you remember to keep working on them. Having toys out, especially in places where they usually aren’t, helps kids interact with them in new, interesting ways.

We have to let go of perfection when it comes to our kids’ learning too. Remember, getting things wrong is a critical part of learning. Revising, editing, and catching mistakes with fresh eyes– those are important skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. If you make catching errors more like a detective game than a practice in shame, you will help create a resilient, eager learner.

Guess what, you are going to make mistakes as a teacher too. Rather than getting frustrated with yourself or your struggling kid:

  • take a step back,
  • listen to what they are saying,
  • and be creative and nonlinear in how you present the concept.

Stress and pressure usually make both learning and performance much more difficult. 

Creating Space for Curiosity

So much of deep learning is associations, meanings, and connections that don’t occur with explicit teaching. Again, it’s the concept of Spin and Spiral. By organically coming across a concept or experience again and again, kids (and adults) can process it deeper or differently based on where they are at now versus when they encountered it before.

You can also create space for curiosity when you are explicitly teaching. For example, if your kid is struggling with math, we suggest letting them flip through their math textbook and find a lesson that looks interesting to them. Any lesson. We’re trying to catalyze interest. Once they see a page that looks like something they might be interested in, you can ask them:

“Try to solve this page Try to solve these ideas. How would you approach these problems?”

If they’re missing information because it’s before that page, suddenly all those pages just became meaningful and worth exploring and possibly understanding.

Connections are key to curiosity. When we don’t have a grasp or a relationship for why we’re learning what we’re learning, it’s just a stressful performance for perfectionism.

Here’s to the mess, the mistakes, and the connections made because of them!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #207] Cycles in Learning and Housekeeping

[Podcast #206] Put Your Kids in the Driver’s Seat!

Brave Writer Podcast

Have you ever stopped to marvel at the unique skills and knowledge your children possess? Sometimes, they have these fascinating insights about their favorite TV show or a little trick they’ve learned to make the perfect dessert. It’s got me thinking—our children can be our teachers too!

Put your kids in the driver’s seat and watch learning flourish!

Today on the Brave Writer podcast, we’re going to dive deep into the idea of letting our children become our educators and the beautiful transformations this role reversal can bring about for both sides.

Show Notes

Learning As a Family Journey

Traditionally, teaching is seen as a one-way street, with educators or parents imparting wisdom to their young learners. This perspective often loaded me with pressure, making me feel like I had the sole responsibility to mold my child into the ‘ideal student.’ But what if there’s another way?

Imagine letting our kids “take the driver’s seat,” teaching us in subjects they’re passionate about. It not only boosts their confidence but also offers us a fresh lens—seeing the world anew through their eyes.

One concept I’ve been mulling over is “learning in public.” It’s about letting our kids see us try, stumble, and then rise again. By showing them our vulnerable moments, they learn that mistakes and setbacks are stepping stones to success.

When I took this approach to reading, I discovered the essence of “elaboration”—integrating new knowledge into what we already know. It’s a powerful way to enrich understanding and memory, echoing Charlotte Mason’s “science of relations.”

Unpacking the Power of Teaching

When our kids wear the educator’s hat, they aren’t just sharing knowledge. They’re honing diverse skills from analytical thinking to emotional intelligence. My son, Noah, is a great example. His love for board games laid the foundation for his journey in programming.

I’ve also learned the importance of being an engaged listener. It builds an environment where children feel cherished and heard. A method I love is the “pretend podcast interview.” By prompting them with open-ended questions, their enthusiasm lights up, making them delve deeper into their passions.

One of my cherished memories is exploring astronomy with my son Jacob. His passion turned my indifference into awe. Just like a mother who, after attending a conference, developed a newfound respect for her son’s bug collection. We need to make room for our kids to have interests that intimidate us. These shared learning moments are pure gold.

Fostering a Playful Learning Environment

Melissa and I often discuss the need for a vibrant, light-hearted approach to learning. By instilling joy into the process, we pave the way for our kids to embrace risks and cherish every step of their educational journey.

To capture the magic of mutual learning, it’s crucial to build an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding, and encouragement. This environment not only uplifts our kids but rejuvenates us as parents, turning the entire learning experience into a cherished adventure.

So, dear readers, let’s occasionally switch roles and let our children guide the way!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #206] Put Your Kids in the Driver’s Seat!

[Podcast] Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber O’Neal Johnston – Part Three

Brave Writer Podcast

Representation and diversity in media play a crucial role in shaping the self-worth and perception of children. We’re continuing our in-depth discussion (Part One/Part Two) with Amber O’Neal Johnston about her book, A Place to Belong.

Amber O'Neal Johnston
Amber O’Neal Johnston

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we’re delving into the:

  • importance of representation,
  • impact of media algorithms,
  • benefits of innovative education methods,
  • significance of discussing hard history,
  • concept of slow travel and world schooling,
  • and importance of affinity spaces.

Show Notes

Nostalgia vs. Inclusion

Let’s be clear: Visual storytelling, across diverse media platforms, has an outsized influence on children’s self-worth and perceptions. Drawing on the wisdom of the late author Belle Hooks, Amber reflects on the ability of screen images to shape our identities and worldviews. Historically, representation for families of color has been insufficient, underscoring the urgency for quality, diverse, and positively affirming programming.

The casting of a black actress as Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” brought issues of representation and nostalgia to the forefront. Johnston advocates for an increased diversity in characters and stories, highlighting that a broader spectrum of representation benefits all children, fostering appreciation and celebration of diversity.

How Algorithms Shape Our Media Exposure

Media algorithms try to cater to our tastes by pushing content based on our previous interactions. That might not sound so bad in principle, but it can lead to unintended consequences, such as accidental exposure to inappropriate or shocking material. It’s not just limited to sexual content but also extends to racial, ethnic, and cultural themes. With the rise of AI and media platforms, it’s increasingly difficult to shield our children from everything. Therefore, it’s crucial to teach them how to navigate this digital landscape and handle accidental exposure. The goal is to have open discussions about these issues and ensure that our children are prepared to critically engage with media and make choices that align with their values.

Discussing Hard History

Hard history refers to traumatic and tragic events like slavery and the Holocaust. It’s important to explore these difficult topics, even though it can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Inclusivity should be integrated into our learning year-round, not just during specific months or holidays.

World Schooling and Slow Travel

World schooling is a unique approach to homeschooling where you are doing at least part of your education in another place in the world besides where you’re from. It varies from people who travel often for vacations to people who are full-time nomads and everywhere in between. If possible, slow travel is a great way to approach this. Given a few months in an unfamiliar place, you begin to really get an understanding of what it’s like to live there, to know people and to recognize the unique dynamics there. However you do it, the ultimate goal is to learn from the world around you.

After three hours of discussing A Place to Belong, there is still so much to learn and explore. These conversations around culture and inclusion are relevant and important to any and all homeschoolers, and we hope you’ll continue to learn about it and integrate it into your education.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast] Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber O’Neal Johnston – Part Three