Grammar shouldn’t feel like a black hole that sucks the joy out of writing, yet that’s exactly how many of us learned it: memorize, label, correct, repeat. We sit down to teach our kids and suddenly realize we can “hear” what sounds right, but we can’t explain why, and worksheets only make everyone frustrated.

We talk with nationally recognized literacy consultant Patty McGee about a different way to teach grammar that actually sticks. We dig into why red-ink, correction-first instruction became the norm, why spoken English and standard written grammar operate by different expectations, and how a mindset shift can turn grammar into a meaning-making tool rather than a shame trigger. Patty shares practical strategies for teaching sentence structure, punctuation, and style through conversation, curiosity, and reflection over time, which is especially helpful for homeschool families and for learners who struggle with handwriting or dysgraphia.

You’ll also hear hands-on, low-cost grammar manipulatives you can try immediately, plus why AI writing tools make grammar knowledge more important, not less. If you want kids to write with clarity and voice, and you want grammar practice that feels like play rather than a test, this one gives you a concrete path forward.

Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a teacher or homeschool friend, and leave a review with the grammar topic you want us to tackle next.

Connect with Patty
Read her new book, Not Your Granny's Grammar, visit her website, or find her on Instagram @pmgmcgee

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Your kid is bright, curious, and full of ideas, yet reading feels like a daily fight. That mismatch can leave families stuck between “maybe they’ll grow out of it” and the heartbreak of watching confidence slip away. We sit down with dyslexia therapist Faye Casell to get clear on what dyslexia looks like, why it’s so often missed, and what parents can do right now to help at home.

We dig into the data on dyslexia prevalence (think 1 in 5) and the reality that many children never get formally identified. Faye explains why dyslexia screening can happen as early as age five because it’s rooted in phonological processing, not effort. We talk practical early signs parents can spot, including trouble with rhyming, difficulty blending and segmenting sounds, slow progress with letter-sound mapping, and why waiting until a child is “failing enough” creates unnecessary social-emotional damage. If you’re a homeschool family, we also cover a key detail many people miss: you can often request testing through the public school even if your child is not enrolled.

Writing comes up too, especially dysgraphia, the handwriting and written-expression struggle that can hide behind a verbally gifted kid. Faye shares why cursive can help some learners and how assistive technology like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and audio tools can let students show what they know without turning every assignment into a stamina test. Throughout the conversation, we keep coming back to a steady message: trust your gut, get a baseline on skills, and use structured literacy and explicit phonics support that is beneficial for all and essential for some.

Connect with Faye: find her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or her website. Find Dyslexia Breakthough home intervention info here, and download the Free Dyslexia Road Map for Families ebook here.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

What if the first word you heard after an autism diagnosis was “Congratulations”? That single reframing sits at the heart of our conversation with Mandy Cook—teacher, autistic adult, and parent of four—who has turned lived experience into an online platform, school leadership role, and a grassroots charity serving autistic kids, teens, adults, and their families.

We dig into the reality behind the spectrum: spiky profiles, shifting needs, and why rigid systems often miss what autistic learners can do. Mandy shares the practices that actually move the needle in classrooms and at home—predictable routines, sensory-aware spaces, visual supports, and collaborative planning that honors each child’s strengths. Communication takes center stage as we explore total communication: speech, typing, AAC devices, Makaton, visuals, and gestures. Mandy explains situational mutism, why pressure shuts kids down, and how to support gestalt language processors by expanding their favorite scripts into meaningful phrases.

You’ll hear practical stories that bring these ideas to life: tailoring requests for a child with demand avoidance, turning a love of Lego into learning, and even a daughter who spoke Spanish before English thanks to Dora the Explorer. We also talk about self-esteem and why a mirror that says “You are amazing” can do more than any worksheet to change a child’s day. For caregivers just starting this journey, Mandy offers a roadmap that begins with acceptance, leans on curiosity, and grows through community—youth groups, girls’ groups, and safe spaces where differences are respected and celebrated.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or ally, you’ll come away with strategies for inclusive communication, insights on supporting autonomy, and a renewed belief in the power of strengths-based education. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more families find these tools.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

A single message can flip a teen’s world. Our guest, South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey, walks us through the 100‑minute window that turned a fake Instagram flirtation into a fatal sextortion—and why he chose to go public to save other families. We move past headlines to the mechanics of the scam, the role of shame and speed, and the sobering reality that one in five teens now report sextortion attempts, with spikes during school breaks when screen time surges.

We get practical fast. Brandon shares the language parents can use before panic hits, why “we protect first, we debrief later” matters, and how to frame grace over perfection so kids believe mistakes are survivable. We talk tools that actually help—like the seven‑minute NoEscapeRoom.org training from NCMEC and safer devices with on‑screen nudity blocking and “rewind” visibility—alongside the hard truth that you can’t just ban the internet. We also cover platform choices that hinder investigations, what end‑to‑end encryption means when evidence disappears, and why app stores should be held to the same age‑gating standards as retailers.

Beyond policy and tech, this conversation centers on a boy who loved music and Comic‑Cons, who made people laugh and feel seen. Brandon’s message is simple and urgent: most suicides are impulsive; if we can help a teen survive the next twenty minutes, tomorrow is possible. Hear how to start the hard talk tonight, set clear device rules without shame, and spot the early red flags that predators exploit. If you’re a parent, coach, or educator, this is a playbook for guarding kids in a digital world that moves faster than our instincts.

If this moved you, share it with one parent who needs it, subscribe for more candid, solutions-forward conversations, and leave a review with the one takeaway you’ll act on this week. Tomorrow needs you—and so do the kids in your care.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Christiana Garcia is a high school senior who has been homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. Despite six severe learning disabilities, she went from being inarticulate to an advocate for learning differences, a TEDx speaker, and a keynote presenter. She’s also a podcaster, an aspiring lawyer and co-founder of Ambassadors of Tomorrow where they raise money to support student leadership.

Connect with Christiana

Find her on Instagram, watch her TEDx Talk, or book her as a speaker.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Discover a hidden dimension of childhood development we talk with Devyn, the Outschool video game educator who's revolutionizing the way we view digital play. Together, we dismantle the stereotype of gaming as a mindless activity, shining a spotlight on its potential to cultivate communication skills and self-assurance in kids. Parents, prepare to be astonished by the social advancements your children can achieve as we explore the underestimated value video games hold in creating a sense of community and acceptance.

Venture with us into the narrative realm of interactive gaming, where worlds like Zelda and Pokémon aren't just escapades on a screen, but immersive experiences that encourage players to take the reins of their stories.

If you're a parent seeking to blend fun with education, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation that might just redefine the way you think about your child's screen time.

Connect with Devyn
Check out Miss Devyn's Video Game Universe, and get connected with gaming social clubs for children of all ages. Find her on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, Discord, and TikTok.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

A preschooler looks at a rectangle and says “phone.” That moment launched a teacher-mom into a deep investigation of how screens are changing childhood—and what we can do about it. Kimberly Long, a special education teacher and chapter leader with Mothers Against Media Addiction, joins us to break down the brain science, the culture shifts, and the practical steps that put parents back in the driver’s seat.

We get clear on dopamine and why instant digital rewards undercut the slow, effortful wins that build resilience, friendships, and confidence. Kimberly explains how harm goes far beyond stranger danger: explicit content can slip into kid spaces, peers can expose kids at school or sleepovers, and group chats normalize what used to be fringe. We explore how early exposure to sexual content warps expectations of intimacy, avoids real-world risk-taking, and can delay key milestones like dating, driving, and leaving home.

You’ll hear why teen anxiety and depression rose in lockstep with smartphones and social media across countries and demographics, plus the different ways girls and boys are being pushed by algorithms. We talk real solutions: default protections for minors that require opt-in, not opt-out; parent education through school partnerships and community screenings; and home strategies that work in the real world. Think “Wait Until Eighth” for smartphones, 16 for social media, flip phones for logistics, and firm boundaries on bedrooms and bedtime.

It’s never too late to reset. We share scripts to make awkward conversations easier, how to preview and co-watch tough content, and why car rides are perfect for open questions without the pressure of eye contact. If you’re ready to trade doomscrolling for development, and quick hits for real growth, this conversation gives you the science, the tools, and the community to start today.

Connect with Kimberly

Find her on Facebook or Instagram. Find your local chapter of MAMA or learn more about the organization here.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

If a four-year-old can price a canvas, track costs, and ship a painting, what else might kids be capable of when we give them the chance? We sit down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, to explore how children can turn curiosity into real businesses that teach math, money, and leadership—without piling hours onto a parent’s schedule. Leah’s story begins with a pandemic pivot and a bold yes to her daughter Melody’s idea, and unfolds into a practical framework any family can use.

We walk through what a child-run business looks like at different ages: choosing a product or service that solves a real problem, setting prices with simple cost math, testing sales channels from fairs to Etsy, and learning customer service through experience. The conversation gets honest about the hard part—letting kids fail. From a slow sales day on a tenth birthday to a hasty impulse purchase on Black Friday, these moments become powerful lessons in resilience, commitments, and buyer’s remorse. The wins are just as vivid: a neighborhood trash-can service funding big goals, the pride of buying a coveted item with earned money, and the joy of giving to someone in need.

Leah shares time-saving strategies for parents and systems that hand ownership to kids, like using free bookkeeping tools such as Wave to manage invoices, payments, and inventory. We also map out options for families without fairs or dense neighborhoods: host your own children’s business market, ask schools or co-ops for a market day, or launch a simple online shop for makers over 13. Throughout, we focus on the values that keep money healthy—spend, save, and give—so kids see money as a tool for building, not a trophy to hoard. We close with how the Society of Child Entrepreneurs supports families with a 36-week curriculum, children’s books (Sparks to Stars on Amazon), quarterly fairs, and a junior board that helps steer programs.

Ready to raise confident problem-solvers who can speak up, serve others, and build something real? Hit play, then share your child’s business idea with us. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this episode to a parent who needs a nudge to let their young founder fly.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!