Best Julie Bogart | Brave Writer Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 52 – Becoming Brave Writers with Julie Bogart 56:05

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4d ago56:05

56:05

Ever wonder why it’s hard to express yourself in writing? Join Julie Bogart, myself, and the DITL community for a down-to-earth conversation about helping the resistant writer in all of us become brave writers. In this episode, Julie shares her own journey from homeschool parent to national voice for authentic education, unpacking what writing real…

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310. High Tide Homeschooling with a Teen 49:38

1d ago49:38

49:38

Melissa Wiley takes the mic solo this week for a heartwarming look inside her current homeschool life with her youngest, sixteen-year-old Huck. Drawing from her decades of experience as both author and homeschooling mother of six, Melissa walks listeners through a day in the life of their family’s “tidal homeschooling” rhythm—where structured “high…

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309. Redefining Homeschool with Alisha Brignall from Canada 47:14

8d ago47:14

47:14

Welcome back to the Brave Writer Podcast! This week, Julie sits down with Alisha Brignall, a Canadian homeschooling veteran and educational leader with over 15 years of experience guiding families through their unique learning journeys. With a Master’s in Education and her work as a Home Education Manager at an independent school, Alisha brings a w…

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308. Julie’s Brief History of Homeschooling 30:52

17d ago30:52

30:52

Julie takes us on a sweeping journey through the history of homeschooling, weaving together her own story with the larger movement that reshaped education in America. From the experimental classrooms of 1970s California to the early legal battles of the 1980s and the faith-driven conventions of the 1990s, Julie shows how homeschooling evolved from …

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Ep. 51 - What If Math Wasn't The Problem? with Sue Patterson 47:59

18d ago47:59

47:59

What if math wasn’t actually the problem—just the way we’ve been taught to see it? In this episode, we welcome longtime unschooling advocate Sue Patterson, founder of Unschooling Mom2Mom, to explore one of the biggest sources of stress for homeschooling parents: math. Together, we unpack how our own school experiences and fears around math can shap…

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307. Italy, Literature, and Learning Connections 48:35

22d ago48:35

48:35

Julie is back from her two-week trip to Italy (with a quick stop in Copenhagen!) and brings stories that weave together travel, literature, and layered learning. From visiting her aunt on the Mediterranean coast to finally stepping inside Florence’s Santa Croce—20 years after promising herself she would—Julie shares how books like A Room with a Vie…

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306. Challenge Accepted: An Interview With Chris Balme 53:35

29d ago53:35

53:35

One of the major perks of homeschooling is that the middle-school years can be about adventure instead of awkwardness. In this episode, Melissa chats with author Chris Balme about his book Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome. Balme’s book invites young readers to discover how trust, agency, and meaningful challenges tran…

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Ep. 50 - Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins 1:01:07

1M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Before academics, worksheets, or curriculum—there’s one foundational question: Is my child ready to learn? Learning starts with the body. In this conversation, we are joined by Sarah Collins, homeschool mom and occupational therapist behind Homeschool OT. Sarah helps us step into an OT’s perspective on learning readiness by unpacking retained primi…

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305. Can Screens Benefit the Whole Family? with Ash Brandin 1:10:11

1M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

Do you ever catch yourself treating screens like contraband—tolerated in tiny doses, never to be openly celebrated? Ash Brandin, author of Power On: Managing Screen Time for the Benefit of the Whole Family, urges us to view screens as morally neutral and to focus on how they can serve the whole family’s needs. In this episode, Ash shares their “Scr…

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304. Teens and Books: A Deep Dive With Dawn Smith 58:47

2M ago58:47

58:47

Do you ever wonder how to keep teens reading—joyfully, deeply, and on their own terms? In this conversation with Brave Writer Director of Publishing Dawn Smith, we explore practical ways to sustain a teen’s love of books: continuing read-alouds, using buddy-reading systems with sticky-note annotations, deciding when a movie should come before (or a…

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Ep. 49 - Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino 1:02:34

2M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

The pressure to “do more” in homeschooling is constant—cover more subjects, check more boxes, keep up with the pace of everyone else. But what if all that rushing is the very thing keeping kids (and parents) from real learning? In this episode, Leslie Martino, author of The Joy of Slow, pushes back on the myths of falling behind and faster is bette…

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303. Introducing Monday Morning Meetings: a Brave Writer Podcast for Kids 20:30

2M ago20:30

20:30

Do you ever wish your homeschool week started with momentum instead of Monday drag? We’ve found that small, doable invitations right at the start of the week prime kids for curiosity, competence, and follow-through. Think five minutes of inspiration that launches hours of self-directed learning—no elaborate prep required. In our work with families,…

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302. A Former Teacher’s Take on Homeschooling with Meredith Reyes 51:53

2M ago51:53

51:53

Have you ever wondered why a classroom teacher who loved her job would leave it all behind to homeschool? That’s the story of Meredith Reyes, known as @TheStringyMama. In this episode, Meredith shares what she learned teaching in California and Texas, why an unannounced active-shooter drill became the tipping point for her family, and how she’s nav…

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Ep. 48 - What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder 58:37

2M ago58:37

58:37

This episode is the first in a brand new 5-part series on the podcast: Start Where You Are. This series is designed to meet you wherever you are in your homeschooling journey, offering the resourcing you need to move forward with meaning and acceptance. And to begin, we’re going straight to the foundation—by naming the elephant in the room: grief. …

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301. A Gentle Rollout to Your Homeschool Year 50:27

2M ago50:27

50:27

One of the best parts of homeschooling is the freedom to start the year in a way that works for your family. Instead of overwhelming everyone with a full schedule on day one, you can begin with connection and fun—like a “Not Back to School” outing, a day of games, or a creative project. Personal notes to each child, wish lists of activities, and a …

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300. The 300th Episode (our best homeschool advice!) 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to your family’s needs. In this episode, we revisit three core principles that have guided our approach through the years: honoring spontaneous self-expression by jotting down our children’s words, remembering there are no educational emergencies (kids learn at thei…

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Ep. 47 - AI, Kids, and Learning: Navigating the New Frontier with Andrew Dugan 1:02:17

3M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

In this final episode of our four-part series on technology and learning, we're tackling a topic that feels like the "Wild West": artificial intelligence + kids. Is this a threat, a tool, or something else entirely? Join us for a grounded and thoughtful conversation with Andrew Dugan, a former teacher and software engineer who created Aris.chat, a …

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79. Making History Come Alive - Homeschooling History 36:46

3M ago36:46

36:46

Today Emma and Beth discuss fun ways they have made history come alive in their homeschool! Send us a text Find Your Homeschool Vibe Find Your Homeschool Vibe, How to Homeschool Without Losing Your Mind a book by co-host Beth Lee Support the show This Week's Sponsor is actually Beth! Find her book on Amazon -Find Your Homeschool Vibe Thank you for …

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299. Would You Let a Chatbot Homeschool Your Child? 56:37

3M ago56:37

56:37

Do you ever wonder what’s at stake when we hand over our children’s education to automation and AI? In this episode, we explore how the rise of influencer-driven resources and tech-powered learning tools is reshaping homeschooling—and what we risk losing when we outsource the most human parts of education. We discuss why real learning thrives on me…

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298. Wise Effort with Diana Hill 52:24

3M ago52:24

52:24

Have you ever felt exhausted from giving your all, yet still worried you aren’t doing enough? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Diana Hill, clinical psychologist, podcast host, and author of Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most. Diana shares her refreshing, science-based approach to reclaiming our natural strengths a…

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Ep. 46 - Who is Socializing You? 15:51

3M ago15:51

15:51

We hear it all the time: “But what about socialization?” Socialization for homeschooled kids isn’t just same-aged peer associations and blindly following rules. It’s about nervous system safety, real relationships, and being known and accepted for who you are. Especially for neurodivergent kids, socialization must be safe enough to be meaningful. B…

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297. Chronicle Your Homeschool Adventure 39:01

3M ago39:01

39:01

Do you ever find yourself wondering what you’ve truly accomplished in your homeschool? Chronicling—through blogs, scatterbooks, journals, quick notes, or even voice memos—offers families a way to celebrate growth, capture memories, and gain confidence in the learning journey. In this episode, we discuss the many forms of chronicling, how it transfo…

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Ep. 45 – More School Is Not The Answer! (Promise) 13:40

3M ago13:40

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Friend, is your homeschool driven by the fear that your child is falling behind? Do you find yourself itching to double down on academics—despite your neurodivergent child’s resistance—because that’s what society says learning looks like? In today’s myth-busting episode, we unpack one of the most pervasive homeschooling fears: that more academic wo…

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Ep. 44 – The Myth of the Perfect Homeschool Schedule 11:37

3M ago11:37

11:37

Trying to stick to the plan? Maybe that’s the problem. In part 3 of our mini-series answering the most common homeschooling questions, you’ll hear a no-nonsense episode at what’s really underneath the question of “What should our homeschool schedule look like?” If you’ve ever built a beautiful schedule only to abandon it two weeks later, you’ll wan…

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Ep. 43 – Your Answer Is Not In Curriculum 18:18

3M ago18:18

18:18

You don’t need a better curriculum. You need a better question. If you’ve been wondering which curriculum is best for your child—this episode is for you. Homeschooling parents often carry the weight of making the “right” choice when it comes to planning, materials, and structure. But what if that whole line of thinking is leading you away from what…

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296. Bad Writing Assignments 1:05:33

3M ago1:05:33

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Do you ever wonder if the writing assignments your child receives are actually supporting their growth—or just making writing feel like a chore? In this episode, we explore why it’s not only okay but essential to judge and adapt writing assignments for your kids. We talk about how rigid or uninspiring tasks can stifle self-expression, why playful a…

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Ep. 42 - Are You Overthinking Homeschool Laws? 13:46

3M ago13:46

13:46

“What do I legally have to do to homeschool my child?” In this clarity-packed mini-episode, Kelly answers one of the most common (and anxiety-inducing) questions from homeschooling parents: Whether you're just getting started or deep into deschooling, this episode delivers no-nonsense insight into what most laws really require—and why the language …

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295. Brave Writer Lifestyles of the Educationally Rich 56:57

4M ago56:57

56:57

Do you ever wonder how to create a homeschool life that feels rich and connected, rather than just checking off boxes? In this episode, we explore the Brave Writer Lifestyle—moving beyond rigid schedules to routines that foster connection, flexibility, and joy in daily learning. We discuss how to anchor your days with simple routines, value real-li…

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Ep. 41 - Documenting Homeschool Learning with AI and Emily Biolsi 44:00

4M ago44:00

44:00

This is part 3 of our 4-part series on screens, technology, and learning. In today’s episode, I’m joined by my client-turned-friend and founding Day in the Life (DITL) member, Emily Biolsi. Emily is a former public school teacher with a master's in curriculum design and instruction who now homeschools her two young children with an unschooling, int…

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294. Make Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Stick—with Books! 55:58

4M ago55:58

55:58

Do you ever wonder why some learning experiences “stick” while others fade away? In this episode, we explore how grammar, punctuation, and spelling can come alive through brief, meaningful conversations and playful discovery—far from the world of endless worksheets. We discuss the power of “quick dips” in learning, the magic of using favorite books…

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293. Julie Changes Her Mind About AI 45:49

4M ago45:49

45:49

Do we still need human storytellers in an age where technology can generate stories and essays with a click? This episode explores why nothing can replace the warmth and connection that come from sharing stories aloud as a family. We talk about the generational bonds formed through storytelling, the irreplaceable value of reading aloud, and how the…

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Ep. 40 - Drop the Shame: The Other Side of Screens with Amanda Diekman 1:02:26

4M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

“I did everything they tell you, and I did it perfectly—and it failed me and almost destroyed my child.” — Amanda Diekman, author of Low Demand Parenting Amanda re-joins the podcast (Ep. 13) for a conversation that challenges everything you’ve been taught to fear about screentime. This episode was recorded live inside 90-Minute School Day In The Li…

Julie Bogart | Brave Writer Podcasts

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Brave Writer

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley

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90-Minute School Day

Kelly

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Peaceful Homeschool Podcast

Emma & Beth

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Ep. 52 – Becoming Brave Writers with Julie Bogart 56:05

1
310. High Tide Homeschooling with a Teen 49:38

1
309. Redefining Homeschool with Alisha Brignall from Canada 47:14

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308. Julie’s Brief History of Homeschooling 30:52

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Ep. 51 - What If Math Wasn't The Problem? with Sue Patterson 47:59

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307. Italy, Literature, and Learning Connections 48:35

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306. Challenge Accepted: An Interview With Chris Balme 53:35

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Ep. 50 - Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins 1:01:07

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305. Can Screens Benefit the Whole Family? with Ash Brandin 1:10:11

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304. Teens and Books: A Deep Dive With Dawn Smith 58:47

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Ep. 49 - Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino 1:02:34

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303. Introducing Monday Morning Meetings: a Brave Writer Podcast for Kids 20:30

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302. A Former Teacher’s Take on Homeschooling with Meredith Reyes 51:53

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Ep. 48 - What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder 58:37

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301. A Gentle Rollout to Your Homeschool Year 50:27

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300. The 300th Episode (our best homeschool advice!) 52:20

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Ep. 47 - AI, Kids, and Learning: Navigating the New Frontier with Andrew Dugan 1:02:17

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79. Making History Come Alive - Homeschooling History 36:46

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299. Would You Let a Chatbot Homeschool Your Child? 56:37

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298. Wise Effort with Diana Hill 52:24

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Ep. 46 - Who is Socializing You? 15:51

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297. Chronicle Your Homeschool Adventure 39:01

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Ep. 45 – More School Is Not The Answer! (Promise) 13:40

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Ep. 44 – The Myth of the Perfect Homeschool Schedule 11:37

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Ep. 43 – Your Answer Is Not In Curriculum 18:18

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296. Bad Writing Assignments 1:05:33

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Ep. 42 - Are You Overthinking Homeschool Laws? 13:46

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295. Brave Writer Lifestyles of the Educationally Rich 56:57

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Ep. 41 - Documenting Homeschool Learning with AI and Emily Biolsi 44:00

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294. Make Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Stick—with Books! 55:58

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293. Julie Changes Her Mind About AI 45:49

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Ep. 40 - Drop the Shame: The Other Side of Screens with Amanda Diekman 1:02:26