325. The Myth of Magicmaking

Brave Writer

Julie Bogart and Melissa Wiley

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

4.8 • 927 Ratings

🗓️ 4 February 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What if enchanting learning didn’t require themed parties, elaborate prep, or constant performance? In this episode, we unpack the myth of magic-making and show why real enchantment is rooted in connection, not production. We share simple, practical ways to revive lessons that feel stuck, from eye contact and movement to snacks, forts, music, and letting kids take the lead. Along the way, we explore how curiosity, comfort, and collaboration create learning that actually sticks. If you’ve been feeling burned out or pressured to “make school magical,” this conversation offers a deep exhale and a fresh way forward. Join us and rediscover how easy magic can be.

Resources:

Listen to our episode with Emily Glankler on “Not Boring History”
Find Julie’s favorite book on improv in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
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
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Looking for a great math program?
0:03.0	CTC Math provides online video tutorials that make learning math easy and effective
0:10.0	by using creative graphics and animation that are sure to grab and keep your child's attention.
0:16.0	Here's a great testimonial from Lori.
0:18.0	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. That very night, I received an email offer for CTC Math.
0:31.6	The following Monday, we reviewed the curriculum together. She was willing to give it a shot, and we have never looked back.
0:40.1	Start your free trial today by visiting ctcmath.com.
0:48.4	Hello, friends of Brave Rider and hello, Melissa.
0:53.8	Hi, Julie.
0:55.1	It's great to see you.
0:56.4	It's great to be here.
0:58.0	Today's topic is one that so many parents have asked me about.
1:01.6	I was recently in San Diego for a conference at the Pacific Coast Academy Charter School.
1:08.3	And one of the most common questions that I got was, help. I don't know how to enchant
1:14.2	my child's education. Every time I try, it feels like such a big production. And I don't know if I'm
1:19.7	doing it right. Help, help, help. I so empathize with parents who feel that way because I think
1:25.7	it's really easy to look at all the wonderful things
1:28.1	that other people are doing and to think you have to do all this high prep active stuff and
1:35.2	fold everything in immediately. And I really think that enchantment is easier than people think.
1:41.3	Yeah, I think it's important for us to address the myth of magic making,
1:46.2	because it's too easy to assume that we have to tap dance to keep our child's attention. But the magic
	...

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.