286. A Deep Dive With Sharon McMahon

Brave Writer

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley

Books, Arts, Education For Kids, Kids & Family, Education

4.8 • 904 Ratings

🗓️ 7 May 2025

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How do we prepare our children to think critically in an age of overwhelming information, bias, and quick judgments? In today’s Brave Writer episode, we interview Sharon McMahon, an award-winning educator, philanthropist, and the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Small and the Mighty. In our lively discussion with Sharon, aka “America’s Government Teacher,” we explore how true critical thinking requires a tolerance for discomfort and a commitment to understanding perspectives beyond our own. Sharon reflects on lessons from history, including unsung heroes like Harriet Tubman and Anna Thomas Jeanes, and emphasizes the importance of presenting children with varied viewpoints rather than indoctrinating them with a single narrative. We also discuss strategies for fostering resilience, optimism, and humility as we engage thoughtfully with the world around us.

Join us for a conversation full of hope, encouragement, and practical ideas for raising critical thinkers in a complicated world. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive!

Resources:

Sharon’s website: sharonmcmahon.com
Connect with Sharon on Instagram: @sharonsaysso
Read The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon
Sharon’s podcast: Here's Where It Gets Interesting
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing!
Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684

Connect with Julie:

Instagram: @juliebravewriter
Threads: @juliebravewriter
Bluesky: @bravewriter.com

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Looking for a great math program?
0:04.0	CTC Math provides online video tutorials that make learning math easy and effective by using
0:11.0	creative graphics and animation that are sure to grab and keep your child's attention.
0:17.0	Here's a great testimonial from Lori.
0:20.0	She said, one day, my 10-year-old was in tears over math.
0:23.6	I tried my best to help, but I ended up in tears as well.
0:27.6	That very night, I received an email offer for CTC Math.
0:32.6	The following Monday, we reviewed the curriculum together.
0:35.6	She was willing to give it a shot, and we have never
0:39.3	looked back. Start your free trial today by visiting ctcmath.com.
0:51.8	Hello, podcast family.
0:57.1	Melissa, I are so glad you come back every week.
1:01.1	I think today's episode is one you're going to want to share with friends.
1:07.2	And if you've got time, we would welcome a review of this show on your favorite podcasting app.
1:08.2	Today, Sharon McMahon is our guest.
1:13.6	Many of you know her from her wildly popular Instagram account called Sharon Says So. I think she's got like 1.3 million followers now.
1:20.2	She talks about government. She talks about politics. She's an educator. But she's also
1:26.2	a warm, generous, sincere person with a prodigious intellect.
1:32.0	All of that is on display today.
1:34.4	She answers my questions, some of Melissa's, and some of yours, which you shared with me over on my Instagram account.
1:42.0	Sharon is also the number one New York Times bestselling author of
1:46.5	The Small and the Mighty, 12 unsung Americans who changed the course of history from the founding
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.