In this heartwarming episode, I’m joined by author and sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly to talk about her beautiful middle grade novel, A Song for a Whale. We dive into the inspiration behind the story, the real-life whale that sparked Iris’s journey, and how the book brings visibility to the deaf community in a way that’s both powerful and accessible for kids.

Lynne shares what it was like to write from the perspective of a deaf protagonist, why sign language matters, and how stories can be a bridge between communities and experiences. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or book lover, this conversation will inspire you to listen more deeply and help the kids in your life find their own voices.

🗝️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What inspired A Song for a Whale
• How Lynne’s work as an interpreter influenced the story
• The importance of deaf representation in children’s literature
• Ways to introduce sign language and deaf culture to your kids
• How stories build empathy and connection

📚 Resources & Links:

• Lynne Kelly's Website
• Lynne Kelly's Instagram
• Join the Soulcial Studies Waitlist

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Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Does your child groan at the thought of writing? Do you struggle to help them put their thoughts onto paper without frustration? In this episode of Raising Kind Humans, I sit down with Julie Bogart, author of Help! My Kids Hate Writing, to explore how parents can become their child’s writing coach rather than their referee.

Julie shares practical strategies for nurturing a love of writing, encouraging self-expression, and creating a supportive environment where kids feel confident putting their ideas into words. We discuss:

📝 Why so many kids resist writing—and how to shift their mindset
🎭 The power of playful, low-pressure writing exercises
💡 Ways to help kids find their unique writing voice
📚 How reading, storytelling, and conversation fuel strong writing skills
🤝 The role of parents as cheerleaders and guides—not grammar police

If you've ever felt stuck when trying to help your child with writing, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to make the process more joyful for both of you!

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Get Julie’s book: Help! My Kids Hate Writing
🌐 Connect with Julie: Website | Instagram

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✨ Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

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Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Does digital clutter drive you bananas? Nicole's company, Mae, has you covered! If curating your photos and keeping them organized is a pain point for you, you're going to want to hear this episode and start cleaning up your digital legacy for your kids. Let's dive in!

Learn more about Mae HERE.

Follow along on Instagram @maememorymanager

Key Takeaways for Families:

• Digital clutter is overwhelming: Many families struggle with managing the sheer volume of digital photos, leading to stress and difficulty accessing cherished memories.
• Centralization is key: Gathering all family photos from various sources (phones, computers, etc.) into one central location is the first step to effective organization.
• Organization ensures accessibility, protection, and preservation: Organized photos are easier to find, share, and protect from loss, allowing families to connect through shared experiences.
• Curating photos creates a lasting digital legacy: Intentionally selecting the best photos helps preserve family stories and values for future generations.
• Physical and digital formats complement each other: Combining curated digital collections with physical products like photo books creates a more meaningful and tangible experience.
• Mae simplifies photo management: Mae uses AI to analyze photos, identify the best ones based on criteria like faces, clarity, and composition, and help users curate collections effortlessly.
• Quality over quantity: Focusing on curating the best photos rather than keeping every single one reduces overwhelm and creates a more impactful collection.
• Start small and take it in chunks: Don't feel pressured to organize everything at once. Start with a specific year or event and gradually work through your collection.

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Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

I wouldn't let my daughter bring her phone to the Taylor Swift concert. Am I the meanest mom who ever lived? You'll never believe what happened!

Listen in as I share about my journey to the Taylor Swift concert with my 11-year-old daughter. The lessons I learned from this one night will stick with me forever.

Watch the magic moment on my Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Send Katie a message!

Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

The holidays are in full swing and my most favorite thing is pulling my kids on my lap for a good story. Terri Lilga is here to share her holiday story, Santa's Simon, and the meaning behind it. We dive into using children's books as a means for educating kids on kindness, compassion, and empathy. You won't want to miss it!

Check out everything Terri has to offer and purchase her book HERE!

FREEBIE: 12 Days of Kindness

Spend time connecting with your kids as you help others with these 12 simple kindness activities. A 12 Days of Kindness journal is also included so you can document your memories!

Send Katie a message!

Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Do you let your kids play video games? There are pros and cons to video gaming and a lot of times the negatives have a louder voice. This conversation shines a light on the positives of video gaming and kids, as well as ways to use them to your advantage.

Join my coffee chat with Eric Barone, developer of the ever-popular video game, Stardew Valley. You may also know him by his online handle, ConcernedApe! Eric is the perfect example of using your passions to create something meaningful and turn it into your life's work. You will fall in love with him as you hear his journey and the heart behind his cozy game.

Bonus! My dear friend and fellow homeschool mama, Brittany Yen, joins me as my cohost for this epic gaming conversation. Her wisdom and insight are both refreshing and beneficial to other parents navigating the world of video games.

Eric has graciously donated a SIGNED copy of his new Stardew Valley cookbook! To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a review for the podcast. If you really want to make sure I see it, screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @teamkindhumans or through email katie@teamkindhumans.com. Good luck!

You can purchase your own copy of the cookbook here or on his website stardewvalley.net.


Grab your coffee or tea and let's dive in!

Send Katie a message!

Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Connecting kids to the people, places, and stories of the past will help anchor their knowledge of historical events. Ann Suk Wang has written a gorgeous picture book about a family living through the Korean War.

This poetic story gives a beautiful description of showing kindness during a difficult time. It's a must for your bookshelf!

Listen in as we pull back the curtain of this story and learn about the family that lived in the House Before Falling Into The Sea.

Follow Ann on Instagram @annsukwang

Have you listened to the SuperKind Kids podcast yet? It's a podcast just for those young kindness superheroes that are ready to make a difference! With cool guests and fun topics, your kid will be begging to do community service. Really! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Send Katie a message!

Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!

Gardening is not my superpower. I try year after year, but am always open for help! This episode is packed with tips and tricks for gardening with kids.

We dive into the benefits of nature play and how to get kids loving the outdoors and eating their vegetables!

You're going to want to take a look at all of the Sprout and Blossom offerings after this episode, so head over to the website here: sprout-and-blossom.com

Follow along on Instagram @sproutandblossombox.

And don't forget to follow along with @thedaybrighteningcommittee and the #thankyouchallenge!

Send Katie a message!

Start your KindSchooling journey today. Head to www.teamkindhumans.com or follow me on Instagram @teamkindhumans!