Raising Lifelong Learners show

Raising Lifelong Learners

Summary: The Raising Lifelong Learners podcast helps parents -- especially homeschooling parents -- encourage their differently-wired kids to learn, explore passions, cultivate creativity, and become fascinated by the world around them. Join host Colleen Kessler -- educational consultant, gifted specialist, author, and speaker -- for interviews, audioblogs, tips, and encouragement to help your differently-wired kiddos become lifelong learners -- children who know that they can find the answers to anything they want to know if they can just view their world with play, passion, and fascination.

Podcasts:

 RLL #69: [Audioblog] Seven Tools for Peaceful Parenting that You Can Use Today | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 12:55

Parenting is tough. No matter how rock-solid your discipline strategies are, you probably lose your temper and yell from time to time.  Even the most well-meaning of parents may find themselves yelling at their kiddos in a moment of angry frustration. In today’s episode, Colleen shares an audioblog — an article that first appeared on the site — offering some of her favorite tools and tips for peaceful parenting.

 RLL 68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:17:43

Today, Colleen speaks with Peter Gray, PhD and author of “Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.” Peter and Colleen discuss his journey to understanding how self-directed learning is a most successful model of education, empowering kids to take ownership of their learning from young ages.

 RLL 67: Ideas for Nurturing Our Kids' Strengths | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:21

Research shows that when we encourage our learners to pursue their interests and utilize their strengths in their learning, we can also see gains in areas that they aren't as strong in.  Colleen dives a little deeper into understanding what strength based learning is and how there are simple, practical steps we can take to nurture our kids’ strengths.

 RLL #66: Strength Based Learning With Differently-Wired Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:06:12

In today’s podcast, Colleen talks with Shawna Wingert of Different By Design Learning about taking a strength-based approach and using it in our homeschooling in a way that encourages and empowers our differently-wired kiddos in their learning.

 RLL #65: Navigating Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 09:13

Gifted children have characteristics that can often cause them to struggle socially and emotionally. In today’s episode, Colleen shares an audioblog — an article that first appeared on the site — outlining some common challenges facing gifted kids and offering real guidance to help you help your child manage his or her emotions.

 RLL #64 What To Do When School Doesn't Work | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:24

School choice is extremely personal.  It really comes down to what are you most comfortable with, what can you afford and what kinds of sacrifices are you willing to make with regards to this decision for educating your differently-wired kiddos. In today’s solocast, Colleen discusses the different options to best meet your children’s needs when school just doesn’t work.

 RLL #63: Creating a Business with Kids with Sara Tullos | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 41:40

Today, we talk with Sara Tullos about the genesis of her "My Zoo Box" subscription box and how she meets the needs of her inquisitive and quirky five year old by homeschooling.

 RLL#62: Why Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 12:01

The longer I homeschool my gifted children, and the more I see and talk to other parents of gifted and twice-exceptional kids, the more I believe that homeschooling is the best educational option for our nation’s above-average children.  In today's episode, Colleen shares an audioblog -- an article that first appeared on the site.  She makes a strong case for how best to meet our gifted children's needs while spelling out the very real benefits of homeschooling.

 RLL #61: Let's Talk About Anxiety | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:37

While this podcast episode was recorded before all the COVID-19 stuff hit, and things were relatively normal, I felt it important to share it with you. In this episode I talk about five simple things you can do with your anxious kiddos to help them right now. Right now, anxieties are high.  Kids are worrying. Adults are worrying.  We're all kind of in this big ole anxiety boat together. We could really use some solidarity and support right now.

 RLL#60: Raising Differently-Wired Kids with Debbie Reber | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 39:20

Differently-wired kiddos require a major shift in parenting philosophies and practices, and today's guest is no stranger to shaking things up. Debbie Reber, founder of the Tilt Parenting podcast and author of Differently-Wired: Rasing an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, has a lot to say about bringing up neurodiverse kiddos. Join Colleen and Debbie as they talk school choices, parenting shifts, and the news of the brand-new paperback version of Differently-Wired in bookstores everywhere!

 RLL #59: [Audioblog] Gifted Kids Are Gonna Gift | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 13:13

I laugh, I shrug, I shake my head. My kids are gifted, and sometimes they're just gonna gift. It's time that we stop apologizing for it... In today's episode, Colleen shares an audioblog -- an article that first appeared on the site. Written by contributor Jen Vail, this audioblog uses humor to help parents appreciate their quirky kids for exactly who they are. 

 RLL #58: Why You Should Check Out a Homeschooling Convention This Year | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 15:23

Are you planning to come out to a homeschool convention this season? Colleen will be speaking at all seven of the Great Homeschool Conventions and several others as well -- you can find her entire calendar on her speaking page. In this episode, though, she chats about why you should consider attending as a homeschool parent of a differently-wired kiddo. 

 RLL #57: Protecting Our Kids From Porn with Kristen Jenson | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 48:30

Today, Colleen talks to Kristen Jenson, author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids and founder of Protect Young Minds. This conversation dives deeply into what porn does to the brain, how it contributes to addiction, and how we can protect our differently-wired kiddos who often need more than just a "don't do it" to convince them that our advice might be worth following. This is an episode you don't want to miss. 

 RLL #56: [Audioblog] Discipline and Your Intense Child | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 13:08

Do you feel like all you ever do is yell at and correct your intense child? That for every time you praise him, you’ve already berated him 15 times? And, are you completely exhausted before you’ve finished your first cup of coffee? Yeah… me too. This audioblog shares tips for helping you work with your intense child to have them get on board with family rules and structures so you can all have the peace you crave.

 RLL #55: Managing Your Childs Perfectionism | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 34:24

So many gifted and twice-exceptional kiddos struggle with perfectionism, and untreated perfectionism can lead to other problems. Finding ways to talk to your kiddos is important, and keeping the conversation going can help them feel comfortable opening up when they're having a problem. In today's episode, we have tips for talking your kiddo through perfectionism and helping them move past it. There are plenty of additional resources in the show notes.

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