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
Jun 2, 2021 • 34min
RLL #121: Finding Homeschool Community (for our children and ourselves)
One of the challenges of homeschooling is finding a community that works for your child's needs and interests. In this episode of The Raising Lifelong Learner Podcast, Colleen and Shawna discuss the reality of finding a homeschool community for our children and for ourselves.
May 26, 2021 • 43min
RLL #120: A Different Kind Of Family Togetherness with Celeste Orr
Do you want more for your family? Do you have bigger dreams and a desire for deeper relationships with your kids? Join Colleen in this encouraging and practical conversation with Celeste Orr, from Togetherness Redefined. They discuss creating meaningful connections with our children and sustaining a deeply satisfying family life.
May 19, 2021 • 58min
RLL #119: The Best Advice I Can Give You Is To Become A Student Of Your Child
One of the best pieces of advice I give a parent is to become a student of their child. To really pay attention and discover what your child is interested in, passionate about, or wants to explore further so you can use that information to design the best homeschool ever. In this episode, we revisit a conversation with Andrew Peterson all about how to practically become students of our children.
May 12, 2021 • 48min
RLL #118: Accepting Our Quirky Kids As They Are (not how we want them to be)
Parenting gifted and twice exceptional children can bring an entire host of fears and guilt, when our children are struggling or not typically developing. In this episode of The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Denaye Barahona, Ph.D. We discuss our shared experience as moms coupled, with our expertise in supporting neurodiverse children. We consider the importance and gift of authentically accepting our kids as they truly are.
May 5, 2021 • 31min
RLL #117: Encouraging Empathy In Our Gifted And Twice Exceptional Kids
Empathy is a word we emphasize a lot when it comes to our children's social and emotional development, but what does it really mean? Even more so, how can we encourage empathy in our gifted and twice exceptional children? In today's episode, Colleen and Shawna tackle the topic of empathy,
Apr 28, 2021 • 48min
RLL #116: A Conversation With Dr. Meg Meeker About The Unique Needs Of Our Children
This encouraging and informative conversation with Dr. Meg Meeker, is all about her expert perspective on meeting the individualized needs of our children. She is bit of a hero of mine, so I am thrilled to share this episode.
Apr 21, 2021 • 24min
RLL#115: Does my gifted child really need a label?
At some point most parents of gifted kids will ask, “Does my gifted child really need a label?” In this audioblog episode, Collen tackles this question and looks at the pros and cons of giving your gifted child the "label."
Apr 14, 2021 • 59min
RLL#114: Supporting The Social and Emotional Needs Of Gifted And Twice-Exceptional Kids
How do we best support the unique social and emotional needs of gifted and twice-exceptional kids? In today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris of The Neurodiversity Podcast joins Colleen to discuss the specific, intense needs of our neurodiverse children and how we can best help.
Apr 7, 2021 • 35min
RLL#113: The Powerful Relationship Between Confidence And Learning In Our Homeschools
Homeschooling a gifted/2E child is often far more about helping our children develop confidence as learners than it is teaching any one subject. In this episode of The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast, we talk about the relationship between confidence and learning, as well as some of the ways we can intentionally help our children in this area.
Mar 31, 2021 • 49min
RLL#112: FAQ "How Do I Work With My Child's Doctor or Therapist?"
In this bonus episode, Colleen and Shawna answer a homeschooling mom's question about doctors, therapists, and homeschooling. What do we do when doctors don't support our decision to homeschool? How can we prepare for therapist visits and doctor appointments? When is it time to switch to a more homeschool friendly doctor?
