Mar 26 • 45:52
The Connecting Power of Books a conversation with Sarah Mackenzie
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The Connecting Power of Books a conversation with Sarah Mackenzie

March 26, 2024 • 45:52 • Greta Eskridge

In this episode of the Greta Eskridge podcast, I get to talk to the queen of books herself, Sarah Mackenzie. Sarah is a wife and a homeschooling mom to six kids. Three are in college and 3 are still at home. In her spare time (ha!) she is also the creator of the fabulous Read Aloud Revival podcast, the author of two beloved books, Teaching From Rest and The Read Aloud Family, the founder of the boutique publishing house Waxwing Books and author of three childrens books. This is why I say she had a reading empire! Sarah is an amazing lady and just so much fun to talk to. True to form, I get teary eyed in this episode. But talking books and connection will do that to me. Also, in this episode you can hear Sarah and I not able to do math. We talk about books, not math problems, so what do you expect? This episode is chock full of so many great book titles with you. We like to say we sling around book titles like ninjas. Get ready! 

Here's some more of what we talked about: 

Sarah tells us she loves roller coasters. She recently rode one 6 times in a row and read her kindle while in line. 

This quote by Andrew Pudewa launched Sarah deep into the world of reading aloud with her kids: the best way to help kids become better communicators is to read aloud a ton and memorize poetry. 

Sarah noticed that reading aloud didnt just make a positive impact on her kids academically, but there was a relational impact happening too. 

She noticed as her kids were growing up and sometimes she and they were at odds with each other, reading aloud put her and her kids on the same side of the fence. 

Sarah says: reading aloud is a powerful way to connect with our kids in a really noisy world. 

Its simple, free, quick: thats a lot of dividends from a small investment. 

We learn that audio books count every bit as much as reading a book with pages. 

And we learn that data says whether they read early or late, by 8th grade most kids are at about the same reading level if kids are being exposed to good books all along. 

No need to fear if you have a late reader! 

Ive had 3 myself. 

 

And here is the list of all the books we discussed together. 

Each one is linked so you can see the cover and even put it in your cart if you want to! 

For the younger kids: 

Buffalo Fluffalo 

Jonas Hanways Scurrilous, Scandalous, Shockingly, Sensational Umbrella 

Sheep in a Jeep 

Morris the Moose Goes to School 

For the middle grades: 

Umbrella Mouse 

Note: there is some mild language in this book and the ones below. Sarah and I both feel that mild curse words said in a British accent dont feel troubling to us, but handle it as you wish. All Creatures Great and Small (childrens version and beloved by my kids) 

All Creatures Great and Small (book for middle grades and up) 

All Creatures Great and Small (show) 

 

Adventures with Waffles 

Astrid the Unstoppable 

Pipi Longstocking 

Chronicles of Narnia (a must have for every library) 

Tuesdays at the Castle 

Vanderbeekers 

Penderwicks 

For the teens: 

Glitch 

Screwtape Letters 

Surprised by Joy 

Find out more about book clubs for kids and grownups in Gretas book: Adventuring Together 

Sarah tells us she is chasing joy by playing a new board game with her family called : Seven Wonders 

You can find all of Sarahs endeavors in the links at the top of these show notes. Youll want to follow her and glean all the book goodness she has to share! 

 

Dont forget to like and subscribe to this podcast, and Id be so very grateful if you leave a review of the podcast on iTunes.  

Reviews are incredibly helpful to me as a new podcaster. 

Thank you for listening and being part of my team. 

I love you guys! 

Greta 

Podcast:

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With Greta Eskridge
We're living in a time filled with distraction and disconnection from the things that matter most. Things like faith, family, friendship, and childhood innocence feel harder and harder to hold onto. But I believe a joyful, connected life is possible with Jesus's help because he offers us life to the full! It's time to open our eyes to the wonder God has put all around us, so join me each week on The Greta Eskridge Podcast as some of my favorite friends and I explore ways to create connection in our families and chase joy through both the peaks and valleys of parenting and life.
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Mar 24 • 57:40
On Not Doing Grief Right, Believing God is Still Good, and Honest Talk About Death and Widowhood with Leslie Harter-Berg →

Episode 109 

Oh this episode is special! Today I am talking with my new friend who feels like an old friend, Leslie Harter-Berg, author of the brand new book Youre So Strong: on Grief and Letting Go of My Favorite Compliment. Leslie is the daughter in law of a dear friend of mine, so I felt like I knew so much of her story. But reading Leslies book allowed me to know her so much better. Her book is honest, raw, real, funny, tender, helpful and hopeful. And yes, it is a book on grief, widowhood and losing her husband suddenly at age 30.  

Leslies book is the kind of book you need to read whether the story is your own, or to prep you to walk through the story with someone else. We should all read this book! 

But before you do, listen to my conversation with Leslie. We laughed, I cried, I gushed and fangirled, and we got to the heart of things. Leslie is an absolute gem. I know youll love this one! 

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find Leslies brand new book here 

Find Leslie on Instagram here 

Find Leslies videos and help for widow and widowers here 

Find Leslies website here 

Find Leslies Substack here 

Find info about Gretas Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds here 

Find info about joining Gretas family in Italy here 

And pick up your copy of Gretas newest book, Its Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn right here 

Sign up for Morning Minute

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Mar 17 • 46:01
Simple and Balanced Home-Based Learning with Carrie De Francisco →

Episode 108 

I loved having my friend Carrie De Fransico back on the podcast today! Carrie is my real-life friend and has been a home school mentor to me in navigating home schooling teens, and especially in navigating home schooling kids with dyslexia. You can listen to her first interview with me right here. We talked about homeschooling kids with dyslexia. Carrie is a voice of peace and joy and overflows with practical wisdom about home schooling. I am grateful I know her and so glad to help you know her too! 

In todays episode we started (and maybe spent a bit too much time talking about ) with talking about Carries shoe choices, but we did finally get back on track to talk about her brand new book, A Home Education Handbook: Nine Questions to Ask for Simple & Balanced Home Based Learning. This book is such a fantastic resource for anyone home schooling because it really narrows in on what matters most. I told Carrie this book is really instructions for more than home schooling kids. It is a guide for a beautiful, intentional life. I hope youll listen and enjoy it as much as I did. 

*Dont forget you can get more info about my upcoming Womens Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds right here. This retreat is perfect for any women who is looking for an opportunity to rest, celebrate, reflect, heal, or simply spend a week chasing beauty, adventure, and friendship. Spots are filling up so make sure you get info and reach out soon if you are interested. 

*And if a family trip is what youre looking for right now, then consider joining me and my family in Italy this Christmas! Well be hosting a trip to Rome and surrounding areas the week after Christmas with Select Tours International. The trip will be all planned out for you so you can absolutely rest and focus on time with your family! But we have also built in plenty of time to explore and adventure on your own. Its the best of both worlds and we cant wait to spend a week with you learning history, appreciating art, eating the most delicious food and creating lasting connection through adventure! Find out all the details here! 

 

Resources from this episode: 

Find Carries book here 

Find Carries website here 

Find Carries podcast here 

Find Carrie on Instagram here 

Find Gretas newest book here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Mar 10 • 53:14
Decluttering you Home and your Heart without the Overwhelm with Katy Joy Wells →

I loved this episode! I didnt expect it to be a therapy session but it kind of was. Todays guest is Katy Joy Wells, author, podcaster and decluttering expert. We had such a great time talking all about decluttering and, far more than that, what drives us to hold onto the stuff that clutters our homes. We talked about letting go of things that were emotionally attached to but dont need to be anymore. We talked about the 4 types of clutter as explained in Katys book and how to deal with them. This episode is full of practical tips as well as meaningful truths that I personally needed to hear. 

I know youll love this just like I did! 

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find Katys new book here 

Find Katys website here 

Find Katys podcast here 

Find Katy on Instagram here 

Register for my master class/book club here 

Get a copy of my book Its Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn here 

Info about the family trip to Italy here 

Info about the Womens Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Mar 3 • 33:09
All the News! Bring your family to Italy with us! Join my upcoming master class/book club! And more! with Greta Eskridge →

Episode 106 

Well this is a very newsy kind of episode! I have so many fun and wonderful things to share with you that I had to just jump on and talk them out with you today. 

First up, I did some reflecting on my book, Its Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn, being out in the world for a whole year and shared the ways we have seen God work. Its been so hard at times and yet, so worth it. 

In honor of the book being a year old, I am doing my first ever master class/book club (its a little of both!) with all of you! The links to sign up are below so you can jump in before the class fills up. 

I also got to share our super fun family news: were taking another family trip to Italy, and we want you to come! That is right, a trip to Italy for the whole family, organized and led by Select Tours International and hosted by Aaron and myself.  All the info at the link below. We cant wait for you to join us! 

Lastly, if you need a trip just for you and not the whole family, consider joining me on my walking retreat in the Cotswolds this fall! It will be the most wonderful, restful, beautiful, soul filling and soul healing time. Link below for all the info! 

I cant wait to see how many of you Ill get to hang out with you this year!  

With joy, 

Greta 

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Register for my master class/book club here 

Get a copy of my book Its Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn here 

Info about the family trip to Italy here 

Info about the Womens Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Feb 24 • 55:00
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Episode 105 

Todays guest is Alyson Pryor, my real life friend and real life wise woman. Alyson is a wife and mom to 5 kids. She is also a spiritual director, a marriage and family therapist, a professor, speaker and now author of her first book! And she is more amazing in real life than she is on paper. 

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If youre looking for a restful retreat combined with lots of beauty and some adventure, consider joining me, Greta, on my upcoming Womens Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds this September. It will be a time for deep thought, soul care, celebration, healing or just experiencing the joy of being in a new and beautiful place with like minded companions. Find out more info right here. 

 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find Alysons book here 

Find Alysons website here 

Find Alyson on Instagram here 

Find info on Gretas walking retreat here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

About the Host

Greta Eskridge

Greta Eskridge is a second-generation homeschooler, an author, a speaker, and a podcast host. Greta’s faith in God is the lens through which she sees the world.

Greta loves encouraging parents to pursue joyful, connected parenting. And she is passionate about helping families create connection in a disconnected world through things like purposeful adventures, online safety, and keeping their eyes wide open to wonder. Greta firmly believes that “joy is the serious business of heaven” and is on mission to chase joy through both the peaks and valleys of parenting and life.

Greta lives in sunny southern California with her artist husband, Aaron, and their four kids–1 young adult and 3 teens. Greta loves nature, books and coffee and her favorite place to be is on a hiking trail. 

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