Best Teaching My Cat To Read Podcasts (2025)

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Carry on Jeeves - Our Favourite Married Couple 1:05:42

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1d ago1:05:42

1:05:42

This week, we’re diving into Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse, a collection of short stories that perfectly captures the hilariously lopsided dynamic between the clueless Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet, Jeeves. If you’ve never read Wodehouse before, this is the perfect entry point-sharp, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny. In this episo…

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54. STOP Making Phonics Difficult! 5 Mistakes You’re Making Teaching Reading at Home 14:48

8h ago14:48

14:48

Feel like you’re lost in beginning phonics lessons? Wishing someone would SHOW you HOW to teach a simple phonics lesson for your beginning reader at home. Well, I have good news. Great news! I'm working on something special that will calm the fear you feel in your stomach. Something that will... Give you the phonics skills [you didn't know you need…

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The Flatmate from Japan Returns🚶‍♂️Travelling Tales & More [950] 1:45:07

10h ago1:45:07

1:45:07

Peter, my old flatmate from Japan, is back on the podcast after his previous appearance 11 years ago! We chat about travelling experiences, teaching English in Malaysia and Japan, dealing with jet lag and culture shock, doing stand-up comedy abroad, and some of the funny, strange, and even weird experiences we’ve had while travelling. A relaxed, wi…

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53. Are you a Homeschool Mom Teaching Kindergarten Reading? Avoid These Alphabet Blunders! 14:42

7d ago14:42

14:42

Do you fear that you’re dropping the ball? Before you’ve even started? Juggling all the responsibilities of being a mom first, let alone homeschooling your child? Teaching them to read, maybe even for the first time? Back to School season is here and you’re wondering if you have what it takes to teach your child to read? Today, we’re busting throug…

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Let’s Take a C1 Grammar Test 📋 and critique it [949] 2:06:15

7d ago2:06:15

2:06:15

In this episode I take a typical multiple choice grammar test that you can find online, explain the answer to each question and give mini grammar lessons along the way. I also discuss what makes a good test of your English, and what good and bad level tests do. Learn more about grammar, and about how to check your language level. 📄 Get the episode …

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52. Child Struggling with 'L' and 'R' Sounds? Here's HOW to Help with Speech Pathologist, Dinalynn Rosenbush 32:57

14d ago32:57

32:57

Homeschool Phonics listeners, you are in for a treat today. Speech and Language Pathologist, Dinalynn Rosenbush, joins us on the podcast. Dinalynn is a Speech and Language Pathologist who helps moms of children who struggle to properly articulate sounds AND to communicate by increasing their access to vocabulary in order to express what they need o…

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Workplace Scenarios 👷 Role Plays for Practical English [948] 1:00:59

14d ago1:00:59

1:00:59

In this fun and practical episode I dive into realistic workplace English through improvised role-play conversations. Designed to help you boost your vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence in professional settings, this episode features six humorous and educational role-play scenarios in workplaces like a factory, office, supermarket, and a s…

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All systems Red - Local SecUnit Can’t Believe It Paused Its Shows For This 1:11:42

15d ago1:11:42

1:11:42

This week, we’re talking about All Systems Red by Martha Wells, the first novella in the Murderbot Diaries series-and it’s safe to say we’re officially obsessed. With a title like Murderbot, you’d expect chaos (and there’s plenty), but what really caught us is the dry humor, the unexpected heart, and one of the most relatable AI narrators we’ve eve…

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51. Starting Homeschool Kindergarten? 5 Alphabet Tips for Moms! 14:53

21d ago14:53

14:53

Is this is your first year homeschooling? Maybe your first or only child is starting Kindergarten programming at home? Perhaps you’re a veteran homeschool mom teaching your 3rd or 4th child how to read, and want more clarity around phonics instruction. If we were chatting, mom to mom, you might ask, "Melanie, do you have any tips for teaching my Ki…

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Technology in Everyday Life [Part 2] 👨‍💻 The Choices We Make / Topic Discussion & Vocabulary [947] 1:27:28

22d ago1:27:28

1:27:28

This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives, and the vocabulary of technology today. This episode focuses on issues such as information quality & fact checking, digital sustainability, AI and automation, security, surveillance and privacy, tech company ethics, & tech and well-being. All important t…

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50. My Child is Confusing Syllables with Individual Sounds in Words! What Should I Do? 10:31

28d ago10:31

10:31

If my child understands phonemic awareness, do I even need to teach syllables? YES!! Do not skip this! 📩 Join the Phonics Rules for Kids Insider's List! ✔️ Get the FREE 7-Step Homeschool Kindergarten Phonics Checklist! 🙋🏼‍♀️Work with Me! Join me for a 1-Hour Zoom Coaching Call 'Teach Your Child to Read: Simple Phonics Strategies for Homeschool Moms…

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Technology in Everyday Life [Part 1] 👨‍💻 The Choices We Make / Topic Discussion & Vocabulary 1:54:15

29d ago1:54:15

1:54:15

This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives. I'll be discussing contemporary tech-related issues such as privacy vs. convenience, data sharing, digital, detox, online behaviour, digital legacy, tech addiction, tech for children. It includes loads of vocabulary and will give you the chance not only …

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Murder at the Vicarage -No One Expects the Village Inquisition 1:04:42

30d ago1:04:42

1:04:42

This week, we’re stepping into the quiet village of St. Mary Mead—where, naturally, a murder has just taken place. We're talking about Murder at the Vicarage, Agatha Christie’s first full length novel to feature the sharp-eyed, quietly brilliant Miss Marple. In this episode, we dig into what makes this book such a good introductory read to one of C…

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49. HOW Do You Model Phonics Skills at Home? A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words! 10:59

1M ago10:59

10:59

When you know the material, you can teach it like no one else! I have taught core phonics skills in many K-2 classrooms. Phonics works. NO guessing. Just applying core phonics skills, getting a foundation in phonemic awareness so your child can read and spell words with accuracy. Here are 5 phonics skills you MUST model for your child at home! 📩 Jo…

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Funny English Errors, Corrected ✍️ [945] 59:01

1M ago59:01

59:01

Sometimes it is fine to laugh at the mistakes that we make in English (I do it in French) and so in this episode let's look at some English errors that are unintentionally hilarious. I will correct the errors, explain what is funny, and there is a lot of vocabulary to learn in the process. PDF available with vocabulary list and memory questions. 📄 …

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48. Got This in Your Phonics Teacher Toolbox? Homeschool Hack for Moms Teaching Phonemic Awareness! 13:06

1M ago13:06

13:06

Okay, today’s episode is going to be a fun one! I know, I know, you never expected fun and phonics to go together!! How can you increase engagement through FUN in your next phonics lesson? The Bubble Pop It Fidget!! This toy has educational value your child can't resist trying out in his next homeschool phonics lesson. Listen to find out more! 📩 Jo…

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Listen & Learn English with Luke 🎧 This is SOMETHING! [944] 2:30:20

1M ago2:30:20

2:30:20

In this episode I take you on a big rambling journey through all sorts of English-learning goodness (and nonsense). We start by pondering what makes a good podcast title — is it clever, clickbait, or just clear? I reveal a monumental tectonic shift in the way I am titling my episodes. Then it’s into the Grammar Zone, with an in-depth look at Englis…

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Mini Ep - Death on the Nile 17:44

1M ago17:44

17:44

In this mini episode we re-cap the Agatha Christie Novel “Death on the Nile”. Note, we will spoil the plot of this book in this mini episode. The Back of the book: “The tranquility of a cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everyt…

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47. “You Want Me to Name Specific Phonics Skills for My Child?” “Yes, You Should!” 12:35

2M ago12:35

12:35

Thinking that naming phonics skills is too dry for your kiddo? Not at all! Your child will feel like a big kid learning specific terms for phonics skills she learns, so let’s call specific phonics skills by name. It’s actually important to name the phonics skill you're modeling and asking your child to practice, so that you can build an efficient p…

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943. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of SILVER BLAZE 🐎 (Learn English with a Short Story) 2:20:39

2M ago2:20:39

2:20:39

Time for another Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast, because: Why not? I have adapted the text into modern English this time. A champion racehorse 🐎 has gone missing, and its trainer violently murdered. Only Sherlock Holmes can find the solution 🕵️. Listen to the events, follow my summaries and simply enjoy anoth…

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46. Googling Kindergarten Homeschool Language Curriculum? Here’s Why You Can’t Teach Reading Without Phonics! 11:59

2M ago11:59

11:59

Maybe you’re type A and you’ve already ordered your Kindergarten, Grade One or Grade Two Homeschool Language Curriculum for the year. Maybe you’re a little less type A and are just getting around to googling homeschool kindergarten reading. Either way, whichever homeschool reading curriculum you choose, phonics must be a core component. In my 10 + …

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942. The ASMR Zen School of English ☁️🧘 Learn English and Relax 1:28:56

2M ago1:28:56

1:28:56

Improve your English and reduce stress with this unique ASMR-style episode ☁️ 🧘. Join me for a relaxing, meditative journey featuring calm background music, softly spoken English, vocabulary for peace and tranquillity, some grammar practice, and gentle humour. Designed to help you learn English naturally while calming your mind, this episode is ide…

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Harrow the Ninth - It’s A Beautiful Day On The Mithraeum And You Are A Horrible Necromancer 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

We’re back for part two of our deep dive into Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir—because let’s be honest, one episode wasn’t nearly enough. In this follow-up discussion, we’re untangling all the parts we didn't get to discuss in the first half - where things get even more mind-bending, the emotional stakes rise, and the mysteries lurking behind the Lo…

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45. Think You Don’t Need Homeschool Reading Assessment Data? 3 Reasons You Do! 10:31

2M ago10:31

10:31

It’s time to shine the light on HOW a simple phonics assessment can help you plan your next phonics lesson at home for your struggling reader! 📩 Join the Phonics Rules for Kids Insider's List! ✔️ Get the FREE 7-Step Homeschool Kindergarten Phonics Checklist! 🙋🏼‍♀️Work with Me! Join me for a 1-Hour Zoom Coaching Call 'Teach Your Child to Read: Simpl…

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941. The Man Who Could Work Miracles ✨ (Learn English with a Short Story) 2:03:04

2M ago2:03:04

2:03:04

Learn English with a short story on LEP. In this episode I am reading "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" by HG Wells (adapted into modern English). First you can listen to the story, then I summarise it again in my own words, discuss my interpretations of its meaning, explain how you can use stories like this to improve your English, and teach some …

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44. Shying Away from These Vowel Teams? 5 TIPS to Confidently Teach Long ‘u’ at Home 11:24

2M ago11:24

11:24

Maybe you’ve been shying away from teaching long u vowel teams. Why are there so many different spellings for long u? When do I teach my child to spell long u this way? When do I teach my child to spell long u that way? You say to yourself, it’s too complicated, so I’ll teach them one way to spell long u, and hope for the best. The thing is, your s…

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Harrow the Ninth - Tragic Find-And-Replace Incident: Multiple Deaths 1:11:38

2M ago1:11:38

1:11:38

We’re back in the world of necromancers and space palaces with *Harrow the Ninth* by Tamsyn Muir—and things are even weirder (and more brilliant) than before. If you caught our episode on *Gideon the Ninth*, you know we’re already obsessed with this series. Now, we’re diving headfirst into Harrow’s fractured mind, impossible timelines, and a story …

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940. Our favourite things to do in London 🇬🇧 (Part 2) 1:49:26

3M ago1:49:26

1:49:26

Here is the second part of this double episode all about great things to see and do while in London 🇬🇧. Listen to my friends and family talking about the city 🏙️, learn some fascinating bits of history 🔥, get inside tips 🗺️ and learn some vocabulary in the process. 📄 Get the episode PDF with transcript, recommendation summaries & vocabulary list 👉 …

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43. Should Your 5 Year-Old Be Able to Read This? A Look at Kindergarten Baseline Reading Assessments 13:17

3M ago13:17

13:17

Have you quietly asked yourself, “Should my 5-year-old son be able to read that?” OR Maybe you're wondering, “Why can’t my 5 year-old read that?” Today, we’re looking at Kindergarten Baseline Reading Assessments. What phonics skills are we measuring? How are we measuring your child’s ability to demonstrate age-appropriate phonics skills? AND Why is…

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939. Our favourite things to do in London 🇬🇧 (Part 1) 1:32:01

3M ago1:32:01

1:32:01

Here is part 1 of a double episode about London 🇬🇧 and great things you can see and do there 🎡. Listen to my friends and family describing their favourite things to do in the city 🍻, get some travel tips 🏙️, get a mini history lesson 🏛️, and learn some vocabulary in the process. 📄 Get the episode PDF with transcript, recommendation summaries & voca…

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938. Film Club: Monty Python’s Life of Brian (with Antony Rotunno) 1:58:39

3M ago1:58:39

1:58:39

A return to Luke's Film Club with a conversation about one of the funniest and most controversial films of all time, also voted one of the UK's favourite films. Antony and I discuss the film's writing, production, story, famous scenes, deeper meanings and acting by the various members of the Monty Python team. Transcript available. 📄 Get the PDF tr…

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42. Still Believing the Lies? 5 Myths Parents Believe About How Children Learn to Read! 11:16

3M ago11:16

11:16

It’s time to debunk myths about how kids learn to read and replace misconceptions with truths. Myth #1: Learning to read is a natural process that will happen on its own. Myth #2: Your child should begin reading at age 4. Myth #3: Learning to read is like learning to speak. Myth #4: Phonemic awareness doesn’t need to be taught to be understood. Myt…

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Mini Ep - Gideon the Ninth 17:53

3M ago17:53

17:53

Before we read and discuss the second book in “The Locked Tomb” series, we thought we would revisit the first book, “Gideon the Ninth”, and ask questions we hadn’t asked before. Note, this episode features spoilers for the book. The Back of the Book: “The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, som…

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937. A Birthday Ramble / The Spinning Wheel of Random Questions 1:40:56

3M ago1:40:56

1:40:56

It's my birthday 🥳 so join me for a relaxed and light-hearted ramble, first with some comments about recent episodes and other podcast housekeeping, and then a series of talking points with the Spinning Wheel of Random Questions ☸️ including bits about how being an English teacher affects my social interactions 💬, the infamous ice-cream wars of Ice…

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41. Why Double the ‘G’ When Spelling ‘Bugged’? Vowel Suffix SOS for Parents! 11:51

3M ago11:51

11:51

"Mom, why do I have to double to the 'g' in the word bugged? It doesn’t make sense!" If your child has asked you this question, and you honestly weren’t sure how to answer your kiddo at that moment, you’ll want to stick around for this episode of Phonics Rules for Kids. Join the Phonics Rules for Kids Insider's List! Get my FREE Homeschool Kinderga…

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40. Teaching First and Second Grade Consonant Suffixes at Home? PRO TIPS for Mastering Morphemes in Early Readers! 12:10

3M ago12:10

12:10

Quiz time. Can you identify which form of the base or root word ‘hope’ you are hearing in the following sentences. Adjective, noun or adverb? I could feel hope rising. I truly began to feel hopeful. Time was ticking, and I started to feel hopeless. Their father said they were not allowed to have a puppy until they were older, but we saw them sittin…

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936. How AI can Boost your English with Podcasts ✨🎧 (feat. Alastair Budge) 2:04:22

3M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

In this episode, I’m joined by Alastair Budge from Leonardo English to explore how you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to boost your English, especially when combined with podcasts. We go through specific, practical ways to actively engage with podcast content using AI — improving your listening, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and even speaking. Alast…

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The Red Headed League - A Holmes, A Watson and a Redhead Walk Into A Bank Robbery 51:22

3M ago51:22

51:22

In this episode, we’re digging into *The Red-Headed League*, one of the most clever and entertaining short stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection. Join us as we follow Holmes and Watson through a bizarre case involving a mysterious job posting, a suspicious employer, and a scheme that’s far more serious than it first appea…

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39. How Do I Teach Prefixes in Second Grade? 5 HACKS for Homeschoolers! 11:13

4M ago11:13

11:13

You know you should be teaching your second grader prefixes, but how? Which prefixes should you teach first? Join me to discover 5 helpful hacks for teaching common prefixes so that your child can read and spell so many more words! Join the Phonics Rules for Kids Insider's List! Get my FREE Homeschool Kindergarten Phonics Checklist! Join the FREE C…

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935. Terrible Traffic Jams & Self-Driving Cars 🚗 (Topic & Vocabulary) 1:42:22

4M ago1:42:22

1:42:22

This episode is all about the exciting topic of driving, getting stuck in traffic jams, the future of our roads and how self-driving cars might be the solution. What is so annoying about traffic jams? Why do they even happen in the first place? Have you seen your first self-driving car yet? Will they solve our driving problems, or not? The episode …

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934. Sign Language is Fascinating 👋 with Siobhan Dodd 1:24:47

4M ago1:24:47

1:24:47

Have you ever wondered about sign language, how it works and if it is similar to other languages like English? In this conversation I speak to Siobhan Dodd who is a sign language interpreter between English and BSL (British Sign Language). Siobhan is an enthusiastic and entertaining guest and we have a great chat about the nature of sign language, …

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38. Should You Hire a Homeschool Reading Tutor? But It's So Expensive! 11:46

4M ago11:46

11:46

Maybe we should hire a tutor? I’m wondering if you’ve ever asked yourself this question. You’ve started your homeschool journey with your little reader feeling nervous excitement. But, now, you’re seriously beginning to doubt you have what it takes to teach your child to read. You’ve even googled Reading Tutors Near Me and almost pressed the button…

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The Hunger Games - Bread and circuses and child murder 1:02:36

4M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

In this episode, we’re talking all things The Hunger Games—the book that took the world by storm and redefined YA dystopian fiction. We’ll dive into what makes this story so gripping, from the intense survival stakes to the sharp social commentary woven into Panem’s brutal world. We’ll break down Katniss Everdeen as a protagonist, the tension of th…

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933. The Best Expressions in English are from Shakespeare ✍️ Learn English Vocabulary 1:29:48

4M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Hello! In this episode I focus on English expressions and idioms that originated in the works of William Shakespeare and are still used in modern everyday language. Notice the expressions in various contexts, fully understand their meanings and use, explore their origins in Shakespeare's work, and gain valuable lessons about how to learn new vocabu…

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37. But I Didn't Learn Phonics That Way! Help for Homeschool Moms Teaching Kindergarten Reading 13:02

4M ago13:02

13:02

But I didn’t learn phonics that way! I’ve never been trained as a teacher! Homeschool Mom, are you looking to teach phonics like the pros? Then, it’s ‘out with the old’ and ‘in with the new’! Even if you didn’t learn to read using a phonics-based approach, you CAN teach your child to read using a phonics curriculum as your foundation. Let’s compare…

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36. From Cat to Confident Reader: Next-Level CVC Words for Homeschool Kindergarten and Grade One! 10:32

4M ago10:32

10:32

Are you tired of hearing your child read the same words over and over? You know he's ready to up-level his reading, but you're not sure how? Don't miss this ONE phonics skill to multiply the number of words your child can read! Your child won't even need to know digraphs, long vowel spellings or r-controlled vowels! Homeschool Mom, you want this ph…

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932. What is so great about Shakespeare? 🎭 (with Mum & Dad) 1:30:06

4M ago1:30:06

1:30:06

In this episode I talk to my parents about the topic of William Shakespeare. We discuss the enduring appeal and significance of William Shakespeare's work, biographical details of his life, the key themes in Shakespeare’s plays, and the impact of his language on modern English. We try to explain the qualities that make Shakespeare great, using exam…

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Jane Eyre - Even The Weather Thinks This Is A Bad Idea 1:13:36

4M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

Join us for an in-depth conversation as we explore Charlotte Brontë’s classic, Jane Eyre. In this episode, we chat about the unforgettable journey of Jane—from her early struggles as an orphan to her quest for independence and love. We dive into the many layers of social commentary, Gothic atmosphere, and the fierce resilience that makes this novel…

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35. Does Your Child Have ADHD? Why Teaching Reading Feels Like a Battle! 11:10

4M ago11:10

11:10

Are you wondering if your child has ADHD? Does teaching your child phonics feel like a battleground? Do you find yourself frustrated as a homeschool mom thinking, "Why can't he child just read the words? I don't have time for this!" If this sounds like your homeschool Kindergarten, Grade One or Grade Two reading lesson, you won't want to miss this …

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931. Overcoming Fears 😰 with Zdenek 1:40:23

4M ago1:40:23

1:40:23

This episode features a conversation with Zdenek about fears and anxieties experienced in everyday life. We explore common fears such as driving, flying, culture shock, language learning and public speaking, plus vocabulary we use to talk about the subject. Listen for stories of Luke's fear of Paris cafes, airport anxiety, Luke's dramatic scooter r…