The Arts of Language Podcast

Andrew Pudewa insists, “If you're ever feeling a little low on hope for the future, get yourself to a speech and debate tournament and just see young people flourishing in every way.” In this episode, learn why he believes this as he and Julie Walker interview three of the NCFCA 2025 Champions: Abbagail Fagot, Pierce Stanton, and Jonathan Paul. These students share how they started with speech and debate, how it prepares them academically, and how it benefitted them in some intangible ways as well.



Referenced Materials

NCFCA

Episode 487: Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism, Part 1

Episode 459: Speech and Debate with Christy Shipe

Episode 427: NCFCA with Kim Cromer✟

Introduction to Public Speaking

Introduction to Public Speaking free lessons

NCFCA 2025–26 Tournaments

Transcript of Podcast Episode 514



If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected]
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

As we begin a new year, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down to talk about a question that is on every educator’s mind: how and when to use AI? With the swiftly changing technology, Andrew notes that our conclusions today may change in a month. With that in mind, he provides some suggestions for how to think about the use of AI and how to best prepare students to use AI well.

Referenced Materials

Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

Podcast 481: Writing Across the Curriculum with Dr. O’Toole

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Transcript of Podcast Episode 513



If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected]
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Julie Walker interviews Heidi Thomas, the “wizard behind the curtain” who has helped develop IEW® Gradebook as well as many of the Writing Across the Curriculum courses. Heidi shares how IEW Gradebook helps teachers efficiently and effectively grade papers and get their weekends back.

Referenced Materials

IEW Gradebook

“It Keeps Getting Better!”

“Simplify Grading with IEW Gradebook”

“Teacher Spotlight: Laura McMahon, Ivywood Classical Academy”

“Teacher Spotlight: Heidi Plocher, Michigan Lutheran High School”

Heidi Thomas

Transcript for Podcast Episode 512

If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected]
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker introduce IEW’s theme for 2026: Laying the Foundation. They answer the questions: What are the basics? How does IEW help students get back to the basics of learning? They talk about the simple, timeless, and elegant ways that IEW helps students cultivate attentiveness, memory, and ideas. Listen to the end to hear Julie make a special announcement.



Referenced Materials

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®

IEW Homeschool Magalog

IEW Schools Magalog

Transcript of Podcast Episode 511



If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected]
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker address questions from our listeners as well as questions that have been sent to our customer service team. The questions include whether IEW helps with specific mnemonics for writing, whether IEW methods provide scaffolding, and what to do when you take the month of December off. Andrew also reads some of the mail that he has received from students. Julie ends with a question about what kinds of books to read, and Andrew’s answer may surprise you.



Referenced Materials

Structure and Style® for Students

Fix It!® Grammar

Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization

University-Ready Writing

Introduction to Public Speaking

Transcript of Podcast Episode 510

If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected]
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]