Celebrate Episode 500 of the Arts of Language podcast with Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker. There is so much to celebrate that it took three parts to talk about it all!
In part one Andrew and Julie reflect on the history and growth of the Arts of Language podcast. They share lighthearted stories about their podcast listening habits and discuss how far the podcast has come since its early days. The conversation turns to memorable episodes, such as interviews with Chris Pudewa, Andrew’s son, about the hidden strengths of dyslexia, guest appearances from Dr. Leonard Sax and Dr. Carol Swain, and discussions of books like How to Think like Shakespeare. These conversations have given encouragement and hope to families facing challenges in education, highlighting the mission of IEW to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and authentic communication.
Julie also highlights favorite books and authors featured on the podcast, such as Sarah Mackenzie (The Read-Aloud Family), Heidi St. John, and Monica Swanson while Andrew recalls favorite books, including The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse. They share feedback from IEW’s customer service team about popular episodes that often help explain IEW’s philosophy, such as “The Benefits of Mastery Education,” “Process versus Product,” and “The Mighty Pen.” They close this first part by reviewing listener ratings, balancing humorous criticism with encouraging notes from families who have benefited from IEW’s method of teaching writing. Throughout the episode their reflections mix humor with seriousness, underscoring their gratitude for listeners and their commitment to equipping parents and teachers to raise confident, thoughtful communicators.
In part two Andrew and Julie continue their lighthearted yet thoughtful conversation. They discuss how IEW’s accreditation process now works using IEW Gradebook, which helps applicants check their work before submitting and ensures mastery of each unit step by step. They emphasize that growth comes through persistence and even repeated attempts, noting that teaching itself deepens understanding. To celebrate the milestone podcast episode, they announce a giveaway of 500 Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students and share how Andrew first developed this resource. They also highlight the importance of IEW’s social media presence, introducing team members like Phoebe Tyler, who oversees digital content, and acknowledging behind-the-scenes contributors who edit podcasts and prepare transcripts.
The conversation then shifts toward larger questions about education, especially the role of artificial intelligence in teaching writing. Andrew draws an analogy between calculators in math and AI in language, stressing that students who first wrestle with grammar, syntax, and authentic expression will ultimately use such tools more effectively. He warns against allowing children to rely on AI too early, encouraging parents to keep writing as a personal, technology-free process during formative years. In an era where truth and authenticity are often blurred by digital manipulation, Andrew argues that genuine human communication will become “the currency of the AI age.” Julie echoes this, reminding listeners that IEW’s mission remains focused on cultivating strong thinkers and writers who can navigate the future with confidence. They conclude by reaffirming the value of process over product and encouraging families to invest in authentic learning experiences that will prepare students to thrive even in a technology-saturated world.
In the third part, they reflect on the deeper purpose of IEW and its impact on students and educators. They highlight that IEW is more than a business; it is a mission to equip teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. The conversation touches on personal anecdotes, including Andrew’s daily pushup routine, the 500th episode giveaway, and the practical use of resources like the Checklist Generator™ and Portable Walls. They emphasize the accessibility of IEW’s materials, noting that programs like Fix It!® Grammar, the partnership with Hillsdale College K-12 Education, and Structure and Style for Students offer structured, engaging, and developmentally flexible approaches to teaching writing and grammar.
Andrew and Julie address common questions and misconceptions about IEW’s writing method, particularly the notion of formulaic instruction. Andrew explains that structure and constraints in writing do not stifle creativity; rather, they enhance students’ ability to master writing and expand their creative expression. They share stories from parents and students illustrating the transformative effects of IEW programs and discuss how IEW supports both homeschoolers and traditional 5-day-a-week schools.
Throughout the episode they introduce and highlight the importance of IEW’s podcast team members, such as Mikael Walker, who oversees video and audio production, Phoebe Tyler, who oversees digital content and is an artist herself, and other behind-the-scenes contributors who edit podcasts and prepare transcripts.
Wrapping up, they reflect on podcast themes, such as learning differences, grammar, and vocabulary as a tool for thinking, reinforcing the central idea that IEW is ultimately about teaching students to read, write, speak, and think well—prompting the ongoing question: What are we really doing here?
IEW Blog Team
