Living Words Press

About Living Words Press

Living Words Press: Faith, Fiction, & the Four Turnings – Equipping families to create resilient legacies in turbulent times. Understand the cultural cycles shaping our world, protect your family, and use stories to build hope and skills that last. Instant Free Gift When You Join: “The Four Turnings Quick-Start Guide for Families” – Your 5-step blueprint to raise resilient, faith-filled kids in a crisis era. https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.com

Publisher

Zachary Larson

Category

fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jun 2022

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review – Surprisingly Great… Until the Ending

   I went into Spider-Man: Brand New Day fully prepared to be disappointed. After years of mediocre superhero movies, I waited until Labor Day to see it—and it was way better than I expected. The action, the villain, Peter’s struggle with the “man-spider” side of himself, the tech, and the emotional core all worked. The movie even makes a solid case that Peter can’t go it alone and that personal-scale stakes can still be exciting. But then the ending happened. (Spoiler warning from here on.) The film’s handling of its main villain, Jean Grey, is where it completely falls apart. She possesses innocent people, causes massive destruction, endangers lives, and leaves chaos in her wake—yet the story treats her as a misunderstood victim who walks away free. This isn’t just a plot issue; it’s a deeper problem with how so much of modern storytelling (and culture) refuses to hold people accountable for their actions, no matter how destructive they are. In this video I break down: What the movie does really well Why the Jean Grey arc is so frustrating The bigger cultural issue of “mental illness” or “distress” being used to excuse serious harm Why accountability still matters I still recommend watching Brand New Day—it’s one of the more enjoyable Spider-Man entries in a while. Just don’t ignore what the ending is actually saying. What did you think of the movie and its ending? Drop your thoughts below. Subscribe for more reviews that look at both the entertainment and the ideas underneath. Join the press at: https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.com/ #SpiderMan #BrandNewDay #SpiderManBrandNewDay #Marvel #MovieReview #SpiderManReview #Accountability #JeanGrey #NobleLit #FilmCritique #SuperheroMovies #TomHolland #MovieThoughts #Culture #Justice #MentalHealth #FilmAnalysis #YouTubeReview #MovieCommentary #EthicsInFilm

2. 

   6 Aug 2026

   The Homeschool Debate is 2,500 Years Old

   Have we been arguing about public school vs. homeschool for thousands of years? In this video, we travel back to 480 BC to compare the educational philosophies of Athens and Sparta. Although separated by only 132 miles, these two Greek city-states had radically different ideas about what children should learn—and why. Athens sought to cultivate thoughtful citizens through philosophy, rhetoric, the arts, and civic participation. Sparta trained disciplined, loyal warriors through state-directed education and physical endurance. Their debate may sound ancient, but it echoes many of the same questions parents are asking today. Should education prepare children for citizenship or for life? Is standardized education better than individualized instruction? What role should parents play in shaping their children's education? Why is homeschooling growing in popularity today? As a public school teacher and father, I'm not interested in declaring one side the winner. Instead, I want to explore what history can teach us about the choices we face today. The stories of the past don't stay in the past—they shape the future we build. If you enjoy thoughtful discussions about education, history, Christian faith, storytelling, and the ideas that shape civilization, you're in the right place. 📚 Visit Living Words Press: https://livingwordspress.com (https://livingwordspress.com) 📬 Join my free newsletter for early articles, exclusive content, book updates, and more: https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.com/ 📖 Explore my clean Christian fantasy and science fiction novels: https://livingwordspress.com (https://livingwordspress.com) If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone passionate about education, homeschooling, or history. Never not read! — Zach Larson #Homeschool #PublicSchool #Education #Athens #Sparta #History #AncientGreece #ClassicalEducation #Parenting #ChristianEducation #FourthTurning #LivingWordsPress

3. 

   8 Jul 2026

   One Thing You Can Do Today to Write Better

   Want to take your writing to the next level? The secret might surprise you: poetry.In this video, I share why practicing poetry is one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) ways to become a better writer. From learning to be more concise and emotionally impactful to mastering figurative language and meaning modification, poetry trains skills that will dramatically improve your prose.I also tell the personal story of how a sixth-grade poetry unit changed my life—from a kid who only read stories to someone whose poems ended up in anthologies and whose techniques still shape my novels today.Watch until the end to see the opening of my book *God Save the Children* and spot the poetic influences in the writing.If you want to write better, this might be the advice you didn’t know you needed.👉 Grab a pen and try writing your first poem today!For more writing help, book recommendations, and to find out about my books, follow the link to my website: https://livingwordspress.weebly.com/ And while you're there, don’t forget to sign up for the Living Words Press Newsletter!#WritingTips #ImproveYourWriting #PoetryForWriters #WritingAdvice #BecomeABetterWriter

4. 

   23 Jun 2026

   You can grade without a rubric?

   Rubrics don't make grading easier and they don't help students revise.I spent the first five years of my teaching career writing, revising, and adapting rubrics for all types of assignments and projects. What all that experience taught me was that rubrics actually make grading harder. Rubrics have their place in the classroom but leave them out of the grading process. In the video, I talk about what homeschool parents and teachers should do instead when grading essays and projects. Need more help or resources for teaching writing? Sign up for the Living Words Press Newsletter here: https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.comYou can also find out more at www.livingwordspress.com.#homeschool #teacherlife #indieauthor

5. 

   25 Apr 2026

   7 Ways to Turn a Reluctant Writer into a Confident One

   Does writing time with your teen turn into eye rolls, heavy sighs, shutdowns, or full-on frustration? You’re not alone. Even strong writers are getting harder to motivate these days.In this video, I’m sharing 7 practical, battle-tested strategies to turn that resistance into real confidence and make writing time something your teen can actually enjoy. I’m Zach Larson, writing teacher and author, helping parents supplement writing and reading instruction at home. My mission is to build something better — combining the best of traditional education with what works for today’s world.Here are the 7 tips you’ll learn:Start with Their Interests (instead of boring academic topics)Micro-writing — short, consistent sessions beat long essaysVoice-to-Text — remove the physical barrier when neededModel It Together — write side-by-side with your teenSeparate Mechanics from Creativity — save editing for laterGive Their Writing a Real Audience — letters, reviews, scripts & moreFocus on Progress, Not Perfection — celebrate growth with a “wins journal”These simple shifts help teens overcome the blank-page fear, perfectionism, and overwhelm that usually kill motivation.If you’re a homeschool parent or just want to support your teen’s writing at home, these strategies can create steady progress instead of daily battles. Join my FREE newsletter for more tips, resources, and encouragement for teaching writing and reading at home:https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.com Like if this gave you hope! Subscribe and hit the bell for more practical writing help Share this video with another parent who needs it.Drop a comment: Which of these 7 tips are you going to try first?#HomeschoolWriting #ReluctantWriters #TeenWriting #TeachingWriting #HomeschoolTips #WritingStrategies #ParentingTeens #Homeschooling #MotivateWriters #WritingConfidence

6. 

   17 Apr 2026

   Your Teen Can’t Write a Paragraph? The Skill Gap Most Homeschool Curricula Ignore

   Does your teen stare blankly at a writing assignment or turn in one-sentence “paragraphs” that go nowhere? You’re not alone — and it’s not your fault.Many bright homeschool teens (and public school students) reach high school without the ability to write a strong, well-organized paragraph. The frustration, resistance, and daily battles are exhausting for everyone.In this video, seasoned writing teacher and author Zach Larson reveals the exact skill gap that most writing curricula — including popular homeschool programs — completely skip.We jump too quickly from basic sentences straight to five-paragraph essays, missing the critical “middle step” of paragraph building. Without it, teens freeze, ramble, or produce vague, disjointed writing.Zach breaks down:The hidden components of a strong paragraph (topic sentence, focused details, logical flow, and conclusion) Common signs your teen has this gap Why this step gets skipped so often A simple, low-pressure “Paragraph Building Blocks” method that actually works — including modeling on high-interest topics, color-coding, scaffolds, and separating mechanics from contentWatch as he walks through a real before-and-after example based on the movie Project Hail Mary, plus a quick diagnostic you can try with your teen this week.Once paragraph writing clicks, essays become dramatically easier, confidence grows, and writing battles decrease.Timestamps:00:00 – Why So Many Teens Struggle with Paragraphs01:30 – The Hidden Skill Gap Most Curricula Ignore03:30 – Common Signs Your Teen Has This Gap05:00 – The Fix: Paragraph Building Blocks Method07:30 – Before & After Example (Project Hail Mary Prompt)09:30 – Quick Diagnostic + Checklist You Can Use Today If you’re tired of the writing struggles and want practical, step-by-step help teaching your teen to write well, this video is for you.Ready for more support?Join my free newsletter for homeschool and concerned parents. You’ll receive: A recap of my first year teaching and what I learnedMonthly tips, resources, and high-interest prompts Guidance to supplement writing instruction at homehttps://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.comDrop a comment below: What’s the biggest struggle when your teen tries to write a paragraph? If this video gave you hope and practical next steps, hit LIKE, subscribe for more writing help for reluctant teens, and share it with another homeschool parent who needs it.Thanks for watching — I’ll see you in the next video!#HomeschoolWriting #TeenWriting #ReluctantWriters #ParagraphWriting #HomeschoolHighSchool #TeachingWriting

7. 

   11 Apr 2026

   The Hidden Damage of 1:1 Technology in Public Schools – What Every Parent Needs to Know

   Are 1:1 devices (laptops and tablets for every student) actually hurting learning in public schools? After more than a decade of widespread adoption, many parents and teachers are seeing the downsides: constant distractions, shallower thinking, weaker focus, and even stalled academic progress. In this video, I break down the real effects of one-to-one technology in classrooms: How devices fuel multitasking and task-switching that kills retentionWhy typing notes leads to less processing and memory than handwritingThe surprising lack of consistent academic gains (and sometimes declines) despite huge investmentsHidden costs: reduced face-to-face interaction, teacher burnout, and impacts on writing skillsAs a seasoned writing teacher working with homeschool families, I see the downstream effects clearly. Teens coming from heavy device environments often struggle more with organizing thoughts, building strong paragraphs, and sustaining deep focus—skills that matter for college, careers, and life.If you're a concerned public school parent or homeschooling to avoid these issues, this video gives you the evidence-based perspective and practical takeaways you need.Research and real classroom reports show that constant screen time trains brains for quick dopamine hits instead of sustained attention. Handwriting, by contrast, engages more brain regions for better memory and comprehension. Ready for stronger writing skills without the device overload?Join my free newsletter for homeschool and concerned parents.https://living-words-press-newsletter.kit.comIf this post gave you clarity, hit LIKE, subscribe for more practical help with reluctant writers and homeschool teaching, and share it with a parent who needs to hear this. Thanks for watching!#1to1Technology #PublicSchoolTech #HomeschoolWriting #ScreenTimeInSchools #TeenWriting

8. 

   5 Apr 2025

   The Biggest Myth about the Translation of the Book of Mormon

   Zach Larson of Living Words Press dismantles the popular seer stone translation theory of the Book of Mormon, presenting evidence from scripture and historical accounts in this interview.

9. 

   4 Apr 2025

   No Surprises, Just Great Stories: Five Clean Books for Adults

   Living Words Press shares five clean, gripping books for adult readers, including classics and modern fantasy, offering engaging stories without relying on shock value.

10. 

    29 Mar 2025

    Brandon Sanderson: A Fallen Icon?

    Living Words Press analyzes Brandon Sanderson's recent support for LGBTQ+ activism and its impact on his legacy, faith-based readership, and the landscape of storytelling.

11. 

    21 Mar 2025

    A Conversation with ChatGPT about the Nature of the Universe

    ChatGPT discusses the origins of the universe, questioning if chaos alone can create order, or if a greater intelligence is responsible in this interview with Zach Larson.

12. 

    22 Jun 2022

    Pages Chapter 2

    The episode explores the second chapter of "Pages" from Living Words Press, though specific content details are not provided.

13. 

    22 Jun 2022

    Pages Chapter 1

    The podcast episode shares the first chapter of the book "Pages" by an unnamed author.

14. 

    22 Jun 2022

    Let's Talk About My New Book

    The author discusses their new book, *Pages*, and directs listeners to where they can purchase it.

15. 

    1 Jun 2022

    Let's Talk about Bruno

    The host discusses the character Bruno and proposes a single change to the movie Encanto, offering a fresh perspective on the film's narrative.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 2 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

5

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0