Best Ditch That Textbook Podcasts (2025)

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CI Stories - The Easy Way David Rice Turned Spanish Class Into Real Proficiency 1:07:27

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5d ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Discover how Spanish teacher David Rice transformed his classroom with Comprehensible Input (CI) and made proficiency feel achievable for every student. 👉 Want ready-to-use strategies, lesson plans, and tools for YOUR classroom? Grab the CI Survival Kit here: https://imim.us/survival The CI Story Series highlights everyday language teachers who hav…

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One Small Habit That Transforms Your Homeschool 24:05

7d ago24:05

24:05

Are you drowning in interruptions, curveballs, or the chaos of real-life homeschooling—and wondering if you’ll ever get back to consistent days? You’re not alone, friend! This week on the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, I’m joined by DaLynn DeWitt—a South Texas homeschool mom of three, rodeo wife, and self-confessed “all or nothing” personality…

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Episode 7: “Assessment Without the Headache” 1:14:21

19d ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Tired of grading overload? Discover how to make assessment in the world language classroom stress-free, proficiency-based, and actually useful for students with guests Andy Dykema and Pat Rolfes. 🎒 Want more sanity-saving tools? Grab the CI Survival Kit here: https://imim.us/survival In this episode of Comprehend THIS!, we dive into “Assessment Wit…

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Homeschool Off Track? Time for a Reboot 12:36

21d ago12:36

12:36

Raise your hand if your homeschool year already feels like it’s veering off course. (Don’t worry, mine’s up too.) Let’s be real: there’s no such thing as one smooth, perfectly consistent homeschool year. Enter…the homeschool reboot. This episode is your practical pep talk for starting over, with zero guilt. I break down why a homeschool reboot isn’…

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Episode 6: “When Your Department Side-Eyes Your CI” 1:05:08

26d ago1:05:08

1:05:08

When your department side-eyes your comprehensible input teaching, it can feel isolating—this episode shares real strategies, survival tips, and encouragement for CI teachers. 🎁 Grab your free CI Survival Kit here: https://imim.us/survival — your go-to resource for staying confident and effective with comprehensible input in the classroom. In this …

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Bonus: "What If They Just. Won’t. Talk?" 23:46

1M ago23:46

23:46

Ever wonder what to do when your students just won’t talk in your world language classroom? 👉 Take our free CI Proficiency Quiz and assess your CI Proficiency Level here: https://imim.us/ciquiz In this episode of Comprehend THIS!, we dive into the universal teacher struggle: student silence. You’ll learn why forcing output usually backfires, how to…

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High School Foreign Language Credit, No Textbook Required 39:43

1M ago39:43

39:43

Ready to actually use a foreign language in your homeschool—and give your high schooler credit for it? This episode is a breath of fresh air for every parent who’s ever tried to check the “foreign language” box…and wondered if anything was actually sticking. Today, I’m joined again by Adelaide Olguin, founder of Talkbox Mom, whose innovative progra…

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CI Stories: From Textbooks to Total Engagement—Vicki Schrader’s CI Story 1:27:18

1M ago1:27:18

1:27:18

Discover how veteran ELL teacher Vicki Schrader transformed her classroom from grammar-heavy to fully Comprehensible Input (CI) and published four CI novels along the way. Get your monthly lifeline of ready-to-use CI lessons, activities, and assessments with the CI Survival Kit: https://imim.us/survival In this inspiring CI Story episode, Vicki Sch…

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Episode 5: “Reading Is My Secret Weapon” 1:19:12

2M ago1:19:12

1:19:12

Discover why reading is the secret weapon for language teachers using Comprehensible Input, with insights from A.C. Quintero and Pat Rolfes. 📦 Want ready-to-use CI lesson plans, activities, and strategies? Grab the CI Survival Kit here: https://imim.us/survival In this episode of Comprehend THIS!, we’re joined by A.C. Quintero (teacher & author) an…

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Rabbit Trails and Real Life: One Mom’s Journey 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

Are you homeschooling a neurodivergent child, or just feeling like the “typical” homeschool advice doesn’t fit your real life? This episode is for all the mamas who secretly (or not-so-secretly) wish for a blueprint, but end up building a rollercoaster every single day. Today, I’m joined by Amie, a veteran mom of one, homeschooling her neurodiverge…

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Episode 4: “My Favorite CI Moves (When I Have Zero Prep Time)” 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

Master zero-prep CI activities and emergency teaching strategies to save your language lessons when you have absolutely no time to plan. 🎯 Take our CI Proficiency Quiz and assess your CI Proficiency Level: https://imim.us/ciquiz In this episode, we share our favorite no-prep CI activities, quick fixes, and teacher survival moves for those inevitabl…

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Episode 3: “No Grammar Drills, No Cry” 1:16:40

2M ago1:16:40

1:16:40

Discover how to teach grammar in a CI classroom without boring drills or endless worksheets in this episode of Comprehend THIS! featuring Spanish teacher Chelsea Woodruff and French teacher Tara Ellsley. 🎯 Take our CI Proficiency Quiz and find out your CI Proficiency Level now: https://imim.us/ciquiz In Episode 3, No Grammar Drills, No Cry, we tack…

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Ditching the Overwhelm for Family Learning 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

Are you craving more joy, flexibility, and real connection in your homeschool? Today’s episode is a deep-dive with Angela Huber, one of our own Homeschool Better Together community moms. Angela’s homeschool journey began like so many: She swore she’d never do it, then got thrown into elearning during 2020 (which, spoiler, did NOT spark joy). Fast-f…

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Episode 2: “First Wins, Weird Fails, and What I’d Do Again” 1:10:59

2M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Curious about how real teachers survive (and sometimes totally fail at) using Comprehensible Input? This episode delivers hilarious stories, first wins, and must-try strategies for your CI classroom. 🎉 Ready to kick off the year with clarity and confidence? Join our Back-to-School Bootcamp and get practical, CI-friendly tools to start strong: https…

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Special Episode: 5 Signs You’ve Got a Ho Hum Homeschool 10:54

2M ago10:54

10:54

Is your homeschool running on autopilot and losing its spark? You're not alone, and you’re definitely not failing. In this special episode, I’m getting real about a syndrome I call the “Ho Hum Homeschool.” You know, when you’re doing all the things, color-coded planners, checklists, math, and reading, but somehow, none of it feels like actual learn…

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Episode 1: “How I Fell Into CI (and Survived)” 1:18:57

2M ago1:18:57

1:18:57

If you’ve ever wondered how language teachers survive the messy switch to comprehensible input, this episode is your new teacher therapy. Ready to level up your teaching this year? Join our Back-to-School Bootcamp for practical CI strategies, fresh ideas, and real talk: https://imim.us/bootcamp In Episode 1, How I Fell Into CI (and Survived), I’m j…

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How to Anchor Your Homeschool in Changing Times 30:06

3M ago30:06

30:06

Are you facing a move and feeling completely overwhelmed about starting over with your homeschool? Maybe you’re wishing for some sense of rhythm and comfort when everything else around you is shifting. In this episode, I talk with Melaney Smith, a pastor’s wife and homeschool mom of three, about what it’s like to leave everything behind and begin a…

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Comprehend THIS! - Trailer 1:14

3M ago1:14

1:14

Welcome to Comprehend THIS!, the podcast for language teachers who are tired of the same old textbook chatter and want the real talk instead. Every episode is like pulling up a chair in the copy room or leaning on the hallway wall at your favorite conference — except it’s not awkward, the coffee’s better (yours, not mine), and nobody’s grading you.…

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Homeschooling Through The Hardest Year Ever 26:20

3M ago26:20

26:20

Ever feel like “life” is just too much to keep homeschooling going? This one’s for you. I sat down with Karissa Martin, a mom of four, seasoned homeschooler, and expert juggler who, this year alone, faced one family crisis after another: illness, caretaking, and more than a few emotional curveballs. But you know what? Not only did her family make i…

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Juggling Big Life Changes and Homeschool 34:12

4M ago34:12

34:12

Are you in a season where homeschooling just feels… well, impossible? Juggling toddlers, moving houses, job changes—or maybe even facing heart surgery for your baby? Deep breath—friend, this episode is proof you really can keep going, even in the crazy! Today I’m joined by my friend, marketing pro, and veteran homeschool mom Tracey Matney. Tracey’s…

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EP 100 | Listener Q&A: Real Answers to Your Email Marketing and Copywriting Questions 21:06

4M ago21:06

21:06

It's the 100th episode of Copy That Converts and I’m celebrating by answering YOUR most pressing questions about email marketing and copywriting.🥳 Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tactical tips, smart strategy, and honest answers that will help you write copy that actually converts into sales…

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CI Stories: CI Success Unlocked! D’Lisa McBride’s Simple, Powerful Journey 59:31

4M ago59:31

59:31

D’Lisa McBride’s CI journey proves that teaching multiple languages—English, German, Italian, and Spanish—can be simple, effective, and engaging with comprehension-based methods! 🚀 Want to level up your CI teaching this summer? Join us at CI Summer Camp for hands-on training, expert insights, and a supportive community of like-minded teachers! Sign…

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EP 99 | 5 Simple Ways to Add More Personality to Your Emails 9:25

4M ago9:25

9:25

Are your emails feeling a little ‘blah’? What if there was a way to take your emails from 'meh' to memorable? In a world full of AI-written content and crowded inboxes, what makes someone actually want to read your emails? The answer: personality. In this episode, we’re talking about how to bring more of the secret sauce behind your online business…

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Which Homeschool Schedule Actually Works for You? 40:13

4M ago40:13

40:13

Are you ready to break out of “school-at-home” thinking and finally build a homeschool rhythm that fits YOUR real life—not just the one in the curriculum guide? This week, I invited our two resident schedule-geeks—Laney Homan and Dawn Garrett—into the studio for a lively, practical (and very honest) roundtable on all things homeschool schedules. We…

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EP 98 | 4 Lies Online Business Owners Believe About Storytelling in Marketing 14:42

4M ago14:42

14:42

Think your business doesn’t need to use storytelling in your marketing? Think again. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down four of the biggest lies online business owners believe about using storytelling in their marketing—and why avoiding stories might be the very thing holding you back from more clicks, more connection, and more conversions. Fr…

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EP 97 | Ditch Boring PDFs! Try These 2 High-Value Lead Magnets Instead 11:50

4M ago11:50

11:50

If you’re tired of creating lead magnets that just sit unopened in inboxes, this episode is for you. We’re ditching the dusty PDF and diving into two opt-in ideas that actually get consumed. These high-value lead magnets are designed to help you grow your email list and rapidly improve trust with ideal clients—without adding more to your plate. You…

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How to Keep Homeschool Consistent When Life Isn’t 34:40

4M ago34:40

34:40

What happens when your homeschool plan goes on the road—literally? Today, I’m joined by second-generation homeschooler and seasoned moving pro, Adrienne Denison, to talk about schooling through cross-country moves, starting over in a new place, and making sure your curriculum doesn’t get lost between boxes of Legos and winter coats. Adrienne unpack…

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EP 96 | Frustrated with Email Marketing? 8 Signs That Something Is Off 7:49

5M ago7:49

7:49

Ever feel like you’re trying your best but not seeing the results you’d like with your email marketing? In this episode, I’m breaking down eight signs that your email marketing isn’t working the way it should—and what you can do about it. You’ll learn: Why low open rates could mean more than just a boring subject line The messaging mistake behind d…

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EP 95 | Email Revival Project [3]: First Attempts at Resurrecting a Dead List 12:22

5M ago12:22

12:22

Have you ever ghosted your email list… for months (or years)? 🙋‍♀️ You’re not alone—and in this behind-the-scenes update, I’m walking you through exactly what happened when I decided to re-engage an old, ice-cold email list from a neglected Teachers Pay Teachers side business . This episode is part two in the Email Revival Project series. I break d…

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Six Smart Questions to Ask Before You Buy Curriculum 23:02

5M ago23:02

23:02

It’s curriculum season, and you know what that means: a flood of shiny programs, glowing reviews, and unboxing videos that make everything look like the answer to your homeschool stress. But here’s my honest take—it only counts if it actually works for your own real-life family, not just the influencer on YouTube. Today, I’m flying solo to give you…

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CI Stories: Tracey’s Secret to CI Teaching Success 1:08:05

5M ago1:08:05

1:08:05

Meet Tracey Collazos, a dedicated French and Spanish teacher, and discover how she transformed her classroom with Comprehensible Input (CI)—making language learning easier, more engaging, and truly effective! 🔥 Want to level up your CI teaching this summer? Join CI Summer Camp for practical strategies, expert guidance, and a supportive community! S…

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EP 94 | Your Plan for Tackling Email Marketing Burnout 11:34

5M ago11:34

11:34

We've all had those days — the ones where you're drained, uninspired, and the last thing you want to do is send an email. In today's episode, I'm sharing practical ways to stay consistent with your email marketing when you’re feeling low ideas or are on the verge of business burnout. You'll walk away with simple low-energy email ideas, strategies t…

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Gregory’s CI Story: Achieving Results Faster Than You Think! 1:04:16

5M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Experience how Gregory Schwab, a passionate Spanish teacher, transformed his classroom using comprehension-based methods and see how you can too! 👉 Ready to revolutionize your teaching? Join us at COMPREHENDED! 2025, the ultimate CI-based conference designed for world language teachers. Explore sessions from top educators and gain tools to elevate …

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EP 93 | Why Your Email Metrics Might Be Wrong (& How to Use Them Anyway) 10:42

5M ago10:42

10:42

Are you drowning in data but not sure what to do with it? Monitoring your email metrics is an important part of developing a strategic email plan that helps improve conversion rates. But email dashboards, reports, and numbers can leave you feeling overwhelmed (and maybe second-guessing everything). Even worse–some metrics have become increasingly m…

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What Makes a Good Curriculum? 43:40

5M ago43:40

43:40

Let’s get brutally honest: no single curriculum is ever going to save your homeschool, fix your child’s attitude, or turn your kitchen into one of those magical, Instagram-perfect learning havens. If you’re looking for the “unicorn curriculum,” keep dreaming (or better yet, listen up—because we’re about to set you free). In this episode of Homescho…

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EP 92 | One Email Prompt to Help You Show Up, Share, and Sell (Without Feeling Salesy) 7:39

6M ago7:39

7:39

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know what to write,” or “I don’t want to sound cringey or salesy,” this episode is for you! We’ll walk you through an email prompt that ANY online business owner can use to craft a story-driven email that connects, builds trust, and leads to sales—without the awkward salesy ick factor. You’ll learn how to: Use a sim…

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EP 91 | 4 Sneaky Places You're Losing Leads Without Knowing It 8:18

6M ago8:18

8:18

Not growing your email list like you hoped? What if I told you there may be a way to grow your email list without running ads or offering a new lead magnet. You might be missing leads without even realizing it! In today’s episode I’m sharing four often-overlooked places where online business owners lose potential subscribers. We’re talking about mi…