We talk a lot around here about the incredible impact stories have on our kids. They build empathy and connection, letting us walk a mile in another’s shoes. And some stories also help us see what it looks like to be brave and courageous, even in the face of fear or daunting challenges.

Today, Audrey is back to talk with me about how stories inspire courage in our kids and ourselves and can connect us to profound truths, no matter how fantastical the setting.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How stories become companions to us through challenging seasons
• Which stories have shaped Sarah and Audrey’s own lives
• The ways myths can echo profound truths to us that feed our hearts and minds and inspire heroic virtue

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/inspiring-heroic-virtue

Why do we read aloud to our kids? Especially those who can read to themselves?

This is a topic that comes up all the time at Read-Aloud Revival and it’s one I’m super passionate about. It’s foundational to what we do around here and I firmly believe it’s vital to our kids becoming lifelong readers.

In this episode, we’re talking about the impact reading aloud has on our children, regardless of their independent reading level. Research shows that there are many benefits to reading aloud to your kids, and today, we’re going to focus on five of the most important ones.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How books educate the heart as well as the mind, growing perspective and empathy
• The incredible impact of reading aloud on academic performance, language development, information processing, expression (the list goes on!)
• How reading aloud builds community, strengthens family bonds, reduces stress and anxiety, and enriches time spent together

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/why

Today’s episode is a special treat featuring the return of a listener-favorite guest who happens to be one of my favorite people, too. 😉

Back on episode 209, my eldest daughter, Audrey joined me to share her perspective on what it was like growing up in our bustling homeschool family. Ever since that episode aired, listeners have asked for updates on what she’s up to and how she’s doing. Suffice it to say, she’s had a few more adventures since we recorded that episode!

So I’m delighted to welcome Audrey back to the podcast to talk through some of your frequent questions about what has shaped her as a writer, the importance of boredom and wonder, and how simple conversations lay the foundation for imaginative language and writing.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How read-alouds, audiobooks, and poetry shaped Audrey’s love of language
• Why having experiences out in the world (even in your own backyard!) is essential for budding creatives
• Our favorite way to help kids make connections and ask better questions and become better writers

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/catch-up

If I were to ask you if your life ever felt tranquil, you would probably do one of two things: bust out laughing or look at me like I was from another planet.

I get it, I really do.

Which is why I’m so excited to have the author of one of my absolute tippy-top recommended books with me today. Laura Vanderkam is a time management expert, mother of five, and the author of Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters.

Laura suggests that to bring more tranquility to our abundant, unpredictable lives, we don’t need a perfect schedule, what we need is a resilient schedule. In the book, she outlines nine ways that will help us manage the chaos and live joyful, sustainable lives.

It sounds much more accessible, right? Today, we’re going to talk about how we can actually achieve tranquility in our lives, even in the busiest phases of our lives.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to reframe the way you think about how much time you have (hint: it might be more than you think!)
• Why doing something three times a week counts as a habit
• The rule that gets the most resistance, and why sticking to it is so essential

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/laura-vanderkam

What if I told you there’s an Icelandic Christmas tradition where the whole point is to spend an evening sitting around, sipping hot cocoa, and reading books?

Sign me up, right?

Today, we’re talking about Jolabokaflod, which loosely translates to “Yule Book Flood,” how it started, and how you can bring the magic of this bookish tradition into your home this Christmas.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Where the Icelandic Yule Book Flood first began
• How Jolabokaflod is an invitation to slow down and connect with each other during the busy Christmas season
• The only three things you need for your Jolabokaflod, plus tips from RAR members on how they celebrate

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/icelandic-christmas

We all know there is no shortage of Christmas picture books out there.

But for a book to make it onto my kids’ Christmas stack or onto a Read Aloud Revival Christmas Book List, it has to be excellent.

And the books we choose for Christmas School? Those are the ones that go above and beyond excellent and are some of our most treasured, tippy-top favorite Christmas read-alouds.

Today, I have the author-illustrator of one of my all-time favorite Christmas picture books, Red and Lulu, with me.

You might recognize Matt Tavares from his beloved books Zachary's Ball, Becoming Babe Ruth, or Growing Up Pedro or from his delightful Christmas books in the Dasher series. He’s here to tell us all about his writing and illustrating process, why he loves writing Christmas picture books, and how he created the enchanting journey of Red and Lulu.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How he sets the mood for creating snowy, winter scenes even in the middle of summer
• What Matt always keeps in mind about his audience when writing picture books
• The inspiration behind the tale of Red and Lulu and their journey to New York City

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/matt-tavares

Have you ever worried that you’re not meeting all of your child’s needs—academically, emotionally, spiritually, or even socially? Pretty much every day, right?

You’re not alone. Most of us have asked ourselves if we are giving our kids everything they need at one time or another.

In this episode, I’m sharing a replay from one of our Circle with Sarah live sessions where RAR Community Manager Kelsey Murphy and I dug into what education is really for, because if we know what it’s for, we’re better able to answer if we’re meeting our children’s needs.

I hope this conversation helps you reimagine your kids’ education in a way that eases your worries and reminds you that education is about relationships, not checklists, and that is very good news.

Circle with Sarah is my homeschool mentoring program within RAR Premium. Every Monday, members get a quick five to ten minute podcast with just the encouragement they need to be the peace-filled, joyful homeschool mom they’re called to be. Learn more here.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why education is not about meeting all of your child’s potential needs, but about love and relationships
• The three pillars of connection that form the bedrock of our homeschools
• Simple, practical ways to weave those three pillars into your daily life

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/education-is-for-love