Raising Lifelong Learners

RLL #240: Insights on Homeschooling and Entrepreneurship | A Conversation with Samantha Shank

This week, we welcome the inspirational Samantha Shank to the show. From blogging as a teen to becoming a digital nomad, Samantha's journey is a testament to the power of homeschooling and following one's passions. Here's what this can't-miss episode holds in store for you: - Discover Samantha's transition from stifled student to a flourishing creative mind, and how homeschooling played a pivotal role in her personal growth and professional success. - Gain insights into the ways S...

RLL #239: Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling

In this week's episode, Colleen dives into the world of collaborative learning and how it can transform your homeschooling experience. Listen to gain insight into creating a dynamic, engaged, and cooperative learning environment right in your home. Key Takeaways: Collaboration Empowers: Discover ways to implement co-ops, community projects, and family initiatives that develop skills like cooperation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.   Shared Learning, Shared Growth: Learn how...

RLL #238: Building Strong Writers at Home | Insights from Occupational Therapist Sarah Collins

In the latest episode of the podcast, we chat about a skill that often leaves even the most adept homeschooling parents in search of guidance: handwriting. Sarah Collins, our favorite occupational therapist with a homeschooling background and a love for nurturing writing skills in children, unpacks the multifaceted journey of handwriting, from the initial scribbles to fluent cursive. Key Takeaways From This Episode Include: Encouraging fine motor skills in everyday play. Understanding...

RLL#237: A Thriving Homeschool | Strategies for Setting Boundaries

In This Episode: As homeschoolers and parents, we often find ourselves juggling the demands of educating our children, managing our professional lives, and maintaining personal well-being. It's a balancing act that calls for solid boundaries. In the latest RLL episode, Colleen dives into the art of setting and adapting these vital limits. Take a listen to insights stemming from her own recent hiatus and the deeper exploration of boundaries in homeschooling environments:   Key takeawa...

RLL #236: Homeschool Rising | A Conversation with Christy Faith

In this episode: With her new book Homeschool Rising, Christy is here to deconstruct the myths surrounding the conventional educational system and to advocate for a tailored, flexible approach to teaching our kids at home. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a veteran, Christy's story—from her professional background working with affluent families in Los Angeles to her decision to homeschool her own children, including twins, prior to the global pandemic—will resonate with you. From h...

RLL #235: Cultivating Curiosity for a Thriving Homeschool

In This Episode: We discuss the importance of foundational skills while still leaving room for our kids to pursue their passions. We'll talk about balancing the digital with the tangible and how technology can be a powerful tool that complements our children's learning styles. Are you worried about too much screen time? Well, you're not alone. Colleen shares her own struggle with her son's screen habits and how choosing the right tools—like a mini Sphero or coding kits—can transform scre...

RLL #234: Thriving Together | Creating Supportive Environments in Homeschooling

NOTE: This episode as been re-edited due to one of the guest's sound issues. In the previously uploaded episode it seemed like the show cut out, but it was actually a very quiet mic. We've re-engineered it because the content is valuable, but know that in bringing the sound up for the one guest, it caused another's voice to be very loud in a few cases. We are SO sorry for the sound difficulty and will make sure to check guests' audio setups better in the future before recording.  In Thi...

RLL #233: Self-Compassion for a Healthier Mindset | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell

In this episode: This week's episode continues last week's conversation with Michelle Brownell. Join us as we dive deeper into the emotional landscape of parenting and homeschooling. Michelle shares her personal journey of connecting with her children through the highs and lows, her strategies for cultivating a nurturing environment, and the power of self-compassion in the process. Three Key Takeaways: The Eight C's of Connection: Michelle introduces the 'Eight C's' as a robust frame...

RLL #232: Homeschooling with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell

In this episode: Join as special guest Michelle Brownell, a veteran homeschooling parent and advocate for emotionally secure learning environments chats with us about the challenges of homeschooling twice-exceptional children and the universal lessons on setting healthy boundaries for family wellbeing. Check out these takeaways: Understand and exercise your right to say no to protect your family’s emotional well-being and maintain a tranquil household. Create a learning partnership w...

RLL #231: Benefits of Keeping It Playful with Teens

In this episode: Colleen delves into why play isn't just for little ones. Join us as we debunk myths and highlight play's pivotal role in the growth and development of adolescents. Parents -or anyone invested in the wellbeing of teens – this one's for you. Tune in for insights into how shared moments of joy can forge stronger relationships and promote resilience. Here are some takeaways to pique your interest: Skill Building: Play isn't just fun and games; it's key for developing critica...

RLL #230: Delight-Directed Learner Turned Published Author | A Conversation with Millie Florence

In the latest episode, Colleen sits down with the talented Millie Florence, whose literary works are captivating readers of all ages. Prepare to be swept into a world of persistent dreams, sibling dynamics, and the sheer courage of pursuing one's passion – all in the backdrop of historical and high fantasy. In this episode, you'll hear about: The unique process Millie underwent to find a publisher that cherishes the quirky and indefinable genre of her books. The varied paths to getting...

RLL #229: Unleashing Childhood Creativity in the Homeschool Environment

In today's episode, we talk about managing expectations and fostering an environment where your children's uniqueness can thrive. There are incredible benefits to prioritizing and nurturing your child's creative spirit—benefits that extend far beyond the canvas. They have an impact on cognitive, emotional, and social development. Get ready to explore how open-ended play and critical thinking are key to raising problem solvers and innovative thinkers. Fostering artistic talents in various f...

RLL #228: The Learning Game | A Conversation with Ana Lorena Fábrega

Today we are talking with Ana Lorena Fábrega about interest-led, project based learning.  Ana is an author, edupreneur, and Chief Evangelist at Synthesis. Growing up, she attended ten schools in seven different countries. She then earned her BS in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University and taught elementary school in New York, Boston, and Panama. Today, Ana Lorena writes online to over 200,000 readers about the promise of alternative education. If you need s...

RLL #227: Coping with Stress | Supporting Kids and Teens

In today's episode, Colleen tackles the important topic of managing worry in your homeschool. She shares the nature of stress, its impact on children and teens, and how it manifests in their behaviors. From emotional outbursts to academic challenges, she covers the signs of stress that parents should watch for. She also shares practical strategies for parents, such as establishing routines, encouraging reengagement, promoting healthy habits, and practicing deep breathing. By fostering a po...

RLL #226: Gifted and Distractible with Julie Skolnick

In today’s episode, Colleen has the privilege to talk with Julie Skolnick about raising and providing the best environment for gifted and 2e children.  Julie F. Rosenbaum Skolnick, M.A., J.D., Founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, LLC, passionately guides parents of gifted and distractible children, mentors 2e adults, trains educators and advises professionals on how to bring out the best and raise self-confidence in their 2e students and clients. A prolific writer and beloved spea...

RLL #225: Cultivating Commitment and Follow Through

RLL #224: How a Return to Outside Play Will Help Our Kids Thrive with Ginny Yurich

Today we are delighted to have Ginny Yurich share with us how spending time outside will help our kids thrive. Ginny is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside, a global movement, media company and lifestyle brand meant to bring back balance between virtual life and real life. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children, and one of her top priorities is to inspire parents to invest in spending time in God’s c...

RLL #223: Nurturing a Strengths-Based Approach to Learning in Homeschooling

A strengths-based approach to learning is exactly what our asynchronous kids need.  We may be tempted to focus on remediation in areas where they are “behind,” but remember there is no behind; our kids learn every day.    It is so important to teach our children to use their strengths to help them overcome their weaknesses instead of allowing them to feel behind, always trying to catch up. In today’s episode, Colleen talks specifically about why we should implement a strengths-bas...

RLL #222: Building Social-Emotional Skills While Helping Others

Building social-emotional skills, nurturing generosity, and increasing confidence in our kids is important all year long, but can be great to focus on during the holiday season. In this episode of Raising Lifelong Learners, host Colleen Kessler discusses teaching kids to be empathetic and to help others, and emphasizes the benefits of nurturing empathy in children, especially those who are neurodivergent. Listen to learn practical tips for fostering a sense of service in kids, along with und...

RLL #221: Managing the Holidays with Sensory Kids with Sarah Collins

There are so many changes this time of year that affect our intense kiddos.  Our routines are off, there are new or uncomfortable places to visit, we’re managing family members who do not understand our kids, plus all the excitement and anticipation.  Sarah Collins joins Colleen again, this time to talk about ways to meet the sensory needs of our kids and anticipate some of the challenges they may face. Let’s jump in and ready ourselves for the holiday season!   Our sponsors for today’s ...

RLL #220: Parenting Gifted Kids with Gail Post, Ph.D.

Colleen has a delightful conversation with clinical psychologist, Gail Post, Ph.D. in today’s episode.  Gail has years of personal and professional experience with the gifted community and shares so much regarding the emotional and social needs.  Grab your earbuds and get ready for some practical parenting ideas and lived-in advice on raising our intelligent and intense kiddos.   Gail Post, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, parenting coach/consultant, workshop leader, writer, parent...

RLL 219: Finding Your Community with a Neurodivergent Family

We are raising kids who are learning and developing in ways that do not fit in with the typical milestones.  They may be reading at three, yet at ten are still struggling to find meaningful friendships. We, as parents can, often feel isolation when raising neurodivergent children.  They notice that they are outliers, and we feel it, too.  That doesn’t mean making connections is impossible, though! There are steps we can take, to help our family find their tribe and build a community.  In...

RLL #218 - Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins

We have Sarah Collins from Homeschool OT on the podcast again, this time to talk about self-regulation for our kiddos.  Colleen and Sarah will deep dive into the different sensory systems and look for each day.  This episode is full of information on why sensory integration is important, along with practical tips and activities to include in your day to teach your kids to regulate and help them most.   Connect with Sarah Sarah Collins |The Homeschool OT Instagram Our sponsors for t...

RLL #217: Find a Place of Belonging for Your Neurodiverse Kids

Our neurodivergent kids may require extra help finding a peer group where they feel comfortable being themselves and sharing their thoughts and interests.  It’s essential for us to be in tune with our children so that we can find places for them to connect with others.  That may be connecting them with people of all ages who share hobbies, sports, or academic interests.    Today Colleen will discusses ways you can help your gifted, 2e, and neurodivergent kids find belonging in ways ...

RLL #216: Homeschooling Kids with Profound Special Needs with Katie Keene

Katie Keene is the host of the top 1% globally rated podcast Her Home and Heart, and host to a membership community of beautiful Christian homeschooling families on the journey to peace at home and generational family success despite the challenges of raising a special needs child.   Her mission is simple: to ensure that no family breaks apart simply due to lack of tools to create a SOLID, peaceful, and joyful family foundation at home.   Katie is most passionate about helpin...

RLL #215: Helping Our Kids Set Healthy Boundaries

Today Colleen is talking about helping our children draw healthy boundaries, with the example of family members wanting a hug when our child is not comfortable giving one.  This question was submitted during one of the group coaching events in The Learners Lab, a Raising Lifelong Learners online community for neurodiverse homeschooling families.  Each month in the Lab Colleen hosts a group coaching night.  Parents can submit their questions ahead of time and Colleen will take the time to a...

RLL #214: Calm the Chaos with Dayna Abraham

Welcome to Raising Lifelong Learners, the podcast that delves into the challenges and triumphs of parenting exceptional children while fostering a lifelong love for learning.  Today's guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book, Calm the Chaos.  Dayna is the founder of Calm the Chaos Parenting and the popular parenting blog, Lemon Lime Adventures. She’s worked with hundreds of thousands of parents around the world struggling with some of the most challenging behaviors to go f...

RLL #213: Nurturing Authenticity | Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Discovering Their True Selves

Today, we dive into the topic of helping our children embrace their authenticity and discover who they truly are. This discussion is prompted by the upcoming focus on this subject in the Learners Lab community. We emphasize the importance of nurturing an environment where our kids feel comfortable being themselves and exploring their interests and passions. By fostering open communication, acceptance, and understanding, we can empower our children to develop a strong sense of self-esteem,...

RLL #212: The Power of Connecting with Your Kids in Homeschooling

Today we're diving into a favorite topic - connecting with your kids. We talk about the vital role that building a strong relationship with your child plays in creating a successful homeschooling experience. Remember that academics can always be remediated, but damaged relationships and self-esteem can have long-lasting effects on our children's learning. We explore why many of us chose to homeschool in the first place - the desire to provide a safe and supportive environment for our child...

RLL #211: Self-Care and Co-Regulation | Balancing Parenting and Sensory Needs

Today, we're chatting with Sarah Collins of HomeschoolOT.com, delving into the topic of parenting with sensory needs and challenges while homeschooling, and discussing how the challenges we face as parents can trigger similar challenges in our children, creating a cycle that we need to proactively address.  Sarah shares valuable tips on how to take care of ourselves as parents and effectively homeschool our children. Stay tuned to discover how to effectively communicate with our children, ...

RLL #210: Activities to Strengthen Your Family Team

Our family unit is the backbone of our homeschool.  There are many habits and activities that can nurture a team mentality.  It is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your kids to be successful in anything you do and build a strong, resilient, emotionally intelligent family. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.  

RLL #209: Prioritizing Self-Care is Important for You and Your Kids

One of the most beautiful things about homeschooling is how we can adjust kid-to-kid, and year-to-year. It's also one of the things that messes with us as parents. It’s inevitable when everything is functioning well, there’s another change: developmentally, emotionally, physically and we find ourselves reevaluating again.  It can be hard, tiring, and wear us out. That is why self-care is essential for those of us homeschooling differently-wired kids. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast ...

RLL #208: Helping Your Differently Wired Kids Fall in Love with Reading

Today we're doing something different -- we're sharing a talk that Colleen gave at the Great Homeschool Convention with Sarah Mackenzie of Read Aloud Revival. They address both sides of the reading spectrum, with Sarah discussing struggling readers and then Colleen shifting the conversation to advanced readers. You will leave with ideas and strategies that will help your kids wherever they are. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://w...

RLL #207: Create the Best Homeschool For Your Family

You have neurodiverse children. They are gifted, they are twice exceptional, they have anxiety, perfectionism, sensory struggles, or perhaps they're on the autism spectrum. They have any number of neurodiversities. I am right there with you. I believe with my whole heart that homeschooling is the best possible educational choice for kids like ours. And I'm here to help you with that. So today we're going to talk about opening your mind to new possibilities. It's a different kind of educati...

RLL #206: Guide Your Kids on the path to Self-Discovery

Self-discovery is a powerful tool we can use and harness to help our kids feel good about themselves and be successful and to help all of us in the family thrive in our atypical, differently-wired homeschool. Colleen will be sharing ways we can guide our kids in ways that help them discover who they are and how their brains are wired. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #205: Create a Multimodal Learning Environment

The concept of multimodal learning has so many potential benefits for our neurodivergent kiddos that it's empowering, really. Multimodal learning means using a variety of different styles, a variety of different senses, and a variety of different strategies in what you do. In today’s episode Colleen will explore what that looks like in your homeschool. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #204 - Giving Your Child Life Skills | Metacognition

Metacognition is the ability to think about our own thinking, and that is exactly what Colleen will be talking about in today’s episode.  Metacognition impacts many areas of our child’s development.  Colleen will be discussing how we can implement different strategies into the homeschool day to develop this ability in our kids, which will help them in all areas of life including family relationships, school, work, and socially with peers. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to...

RLL #203 - Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins

In today's episode, Colleen and Sarah Collins of HomeschoolOT discuss how executive function skills are essential when homeschooling neurodivergent children. They chat about ways to support our children, such as equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge and building their metacognitive and self-awareness skills. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #202 - Strengthen Executive Function Skills

On today's podcast episode, Colleen talks about the eight main executive function skills. She'll help you to identify the ways deficits in these areas impact your child's day-to-day life and show up in their struggles. She's also got some ideas for building each of these skills with your kiddos. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #201 - Helping Your Impulsive Child

Today on the podcast Colleen discusses how to identify the signs of impulsive behavior in children and how to distinguish impulsivity from other common behavioral factors. She also shares some of her favorite tips for supporting your impulsive kiddos and teaching them strategies they can use to handle the common challenges that come with impulsivity and other co-occurring neurodivergencey like attention deficit disorder and autism. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by...

RLL #200 - Sneaking In Summer Learning

Will you continue "school" during the summer? Or will you learn in other, less formal ways? In today's podcast episode, Colleen shares what summer looks like for her family and how they use it in ways even homeschoolers might find surprising! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #199 - Managing Perfectionism | Strategies for Parents

Children who struggle with perfectionism have unrealistic standards for themselves or others. They believe that they must be perfect to be valuable and worthy of love. This can result in negative self-talk, fear of failure, relationship challenges, and even mental health issues. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia are often related to struggles with perfectionist thoughts. Even parents with good intentions and high expectations can inadvertently promote perfectionistic th...

RLL #198 - Finding Homeschool Balance

Whether you're new to this homeschool journey or you're a long-time homeschooling parent, finding balance among all the different and competing responsibilities on your plate is a difficult and often overwhelming challenge. Today, Colleen shares the secret she's learned about what healthy balance actually looks like and how you can tell if you're hitting that mark in your family, life, and homeschool! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at http...

RLL #197: Igniting Your Kids' Passions

You can tell from the title of Colleen's podcast that she's all about lifelong learning. But today she dive deeper into that topic. How exactly do you develop your kids as lifelong learners? How to you figure out what their unique abilities and true passion are (especially when it seems like it might just be video games!)? And what does it look like to support and even stoke the flames of those interests and pursuits? Colleen shares some of her best tips for doing just that and hopefully hel...

RLL #196: Building Self-Esteem in Kids

Why is self-esteem important and how does it impact your child's learning and personal growth? On today's podcast episode Colleen talks about seven important steps you can take to build your kids' self-esteem and what role family members and peer groups can play in this essential area of your child's development and emotional resilience. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #195 - Test Your Homeschooled Child

Parents often ask whether they should have their child tested for giftedness, learning disabilities, anxiety, or other unique characteristics that seem to impact their child's emotional resilience, learning, and educational achievement. Are tests a good way to understand and meet those needs? Colleen answers that questions specifically with reference to families who are homeschooling as this unique context has an important impact on the answer! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brou...

RLL #194 - Motivating Your Struggling Learner

In today's podcast episode, Colleen walks you through several factors that might contribute to your child's lack of motivation (or apparent lack of motivation) what you can do to identify the obstacles, and how you can build a supportive environment that utilizes your student's strengths and interests to build internal motivation! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

RLL #193 - Should I Homeschool My Twice-Exceptional Student?

In today's podcast episode, Colleen answers a mom's questions about considering homeschooling as an option for her twice-exceptional student. It can be overwhelming to consider taking this step, wondering where you'll find the resources you'll need and how to help your kids get connected with peers. Colleen shares some of her best advice and the things that have really worked for her family over the years in today's episode! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMat...

RLL #192 - Comparison: A Toxic Parenting Trap

It's easy to slip into the temptation to compare our kids to others because it's the easy, even lazy, way to quickly build our kids up and help them to feel better about themselves. What we might not consider are the unintended consequences and the emotional fallout that can result when we compare our kids to each other or other kids and especially when we do that out loud in front of them. In today's episode, Colleen helps you to see the impact of comparison and how you can change course an...

RLL #191 - Celebrating Your Child's Neurodiversity

On last week's podcast, Colleen talked about some of the unique challenges and also unique strengths of homeschooling neurodiverse and twice exceptional kids. This week, Colleen explores specifically why it's so important that we as parents embrace, lean into and celebrate our children's neurodiversity and teach them to view it as a gift and not a defect. Colleen has some specific strategies to share, plus a bunch of encouragement about the positive outcomes you can expect when we truly cele...