

Raising Lifelong Learners
Colleen Kessler
The Raising Lifelong Learners podcast helps 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 1, 2023 • 22min
RLL #188: Create a Custom Homeschool
In today's episodes of the Raising Lifelong Learners podcast, Colleen talks about what to do if they homeschool opportunities your kiddos need just don't exist - or at least don't exist in your local area. She shares tons of tips for creating what it is that your kids need if it isn't already available, and even a variety of suggestions for what that might look like and how to to find your people locally to make this idea a reality! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Feb 22, 2023 • 29min
RLL #187: Knowing if Your Child is Gifted
In today's podcast episode, Colleen talks about the characteristics of gifted children. Even though they are not all the same, there are lots of common traits that can help you to recognize if your high achievers may actually be gifted. She also discusss some of the less known or understood aspects of giftedness that go deeper than just being bright students, good readers, or math champions! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Feb 15, 2023 • 27min
RLL #186: Should I Accelerate My Profoundly Gifted Child?
Parents of gifted learners - especially profoundly gifted children - often struggle to balance the educational acceleration of their children with their emotional development. What are current best practices for academic acceleration of exceptionally gifted children and how can parents meet both the academic and social needs of these students? Should we allow our kids to finish high school early and proceed to college courses? On today's episode, Colleen will help you think through all the options, and give you the tools to make the best choice for your own unique learner! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Feb 8, 2023 • 31min
RLL #185: My Neurodivergent Kiddo Needs So Much Help...
Do you find yourself spending lots of extra time supporting the social and emotional needs of your gifted, twice-exceptional, or otherwise neurodiverse kiddo and worry that your other kids are being neglected? Has the additional care and attention you've devoted to one child put a strain on sibling relationships? If you're facing this struggle, you're not alone! Colleen talks about some practical strategies for evaluating the needs of the children (all of the children!) in your home and finding creative ways to meet those needs. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Feb 1, 2023 • 33min
RLL #184: What to Do When You Doubt Your Choice to Homeschool
Today on the podcast Colleen is addressing a question that came from one listener, but it could just as well have come from any number of moms she's talked to - in her private consulting as well as in the Learner's Lab community. What if I'm not cut out for this? What if I don't have what it takes? What if I need to do more or be more ... and I just can't? What do we tell ourselves on those self-doubt days? Colleen shares some go-to reminders for those days that all homeschool moms experience! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Jan 25, 2023 • 34min
RLL #183: How to Recover from a Bad Homeschool Day
If you are feeling like a homeschool failure, if you've hit the winter doldrums slump of the school year and wondering if you're ruining your children, Colleen has just the message you need to hear. She shares a cringe-worthy disaster that happened in her kitchen ... and how she used that unexpected event to remind herself (and us) of important strategies for emotional resilliance when we feel like we've hit a wall. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Jan 18, 2023 • 29min
RLL #182: When One Child Has A Diagnosis And Their Siblings Are All Neurotypical
This episode is based on a listerner's questions and concerns about having one child newly diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia and dysgraphia while the rest of her siblings are neurotypical. Colleen responds with real life examples, support and encouragement while providing practical tips to help ease the overwhelm. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Jan 11, 2023 • 34min
RLL #181: Getting Back Into A Routine In The New Year
The transition from the relaxed, anything goes nature of a holiday break to some sort of regular homeschooling routine can be real challenge each year. In today's episode, Colleen shares the reality of helping neurodiverse kids transition back to school after a break, as well as her best tips and tricks for success. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Jan 4, 2023 • 30min
RLL #180: My Biggest Homeschool Regret (and my Greatest Victory)
We are kicking off the new year with two questions I am asked all the time. #1 - What is my biggest homeschool regret? and #2 - What is my greatest homeschool victory? The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.

Dec 14, 2022 • 32min
RLL #179: Gratitude For The Holidays - Why It Is So Helpful For Our Kids
As we continue our discussion of how to navigate the holiday season with intense kiddos, today's focus is on gratitude. Colleen shares ideas for how to help our families practice gratitude during the holidays, and why it matters so much for neurodiverse kids. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL.