Podcasts
Want to raise your kids to love learning? To become lifelong learners — children who know that they can find the answers to anything they’re curious about? This is the podcast about all of that and more! Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and listen to how others help inspire kids to view their world with play and passion and fascination…
RLL 38: Happy New Year
It's a new year and I don't know about you, but I'm ready to tackle it head on and enjoy my kiddos and our new puppy, all while making this podcast and site the place where you can find all you need to help you parent and homeschool those differently wired...
RLL 37 Connie Albers: Finishing Strong
Ever worry that you're not going to be able to do this homeschool thing all the way through high school? Me too. Colleen is talking today with Connie Albers -- homeschool mom of five adult children. All of those kiddos have homeschooled, gone through college at...
RLL 35: What This Homeschool Mom Doesn’t Do
People ask often how I do it all. I try to tell them that I simply don't -- that there are balls I drop regularly, but I'm not sure they completely believe me. In today's episode, I tell you all the things I don't do. The home and homeschool balls that get dropped....
RLL 34 Ginny Kochis: Cultivating Critical Thinkers
We really want to encourage critical and creative thinking in our kids -- especially with so many things going on in the world that require us to think clearly and make informed decisions. Ginny Kochis has some great tips for developing these skills without...
RLL 33: The Holidays and Your Differently-Wired Child
The holidays are coming and I know -- if you're like me -- that you're gearing up and trying to figure out how to make it happy, fun, and successful for all your kids, you, and the rest of your extended family. In this chat, I'll share some of my thoughts about...
RLL 32 Anne Guarnera: Raising Globally-Minded Kids
Raising globally minded kids in today's world is important as the world grows closer and more connected. Today Colleen talks with Anne Guarnera about bringing language and cultural learning into the home and homeschool effortlessly, and what it's like living...
RLL 31: Should I Test My Child for Giftedness?
The testing question... it comes up often in conversation and consults, but as a listener asked again recently, Colleen thought it worth revisiting in a podcast episode. Testing your child for giftedness is a personal choice and everyone has different reasons...
RLL 30 Andrew Peterson: Being Students of Our Children
Amazing things can happen when we trust our children, become students of them and their interests, and encourage them to follow those passions. In this episode, Colleen talks to Andrew Peterson -- Christian music artist, author, speaker, and Founder of The...
RLL 29: Giving Your Kids the Attention They Each Need
Sometimes it's a challenge to give each of your kiddos the attention they need individually when you're raising more than one. When one or more of those kids has special needs or demands more attention than others, though, it can feel impossible to give each of your...
RLL 28 Sarita Holzmann: Using Books to Make Learning Come to Life
Books can be a great way to get kids excited about learning. GREAT literature can go even further and make learning come alive for the whole family. Today, Colleen talks to Sarita Holzman, founder of the Sonlight Curriculum all about using books to ignite a love of...
RLL 27: Challenging Gifted Kids vs. Pushing Them
Parents of gifted kiddos often worry whether they're challenging their kids enough or pushing them too hard. In this episode we examine the difference between pushing and appropriately challenging our kids, while acknowledging that those who aren't raising gifted kids...
RLL 26 Tiffany Dahle: Cooking with Your Kids
There are so many wonderful benefits to getting kids in the kitchen early on, but have you ever thought about cooking as a way to build confidence and combat perfectionism? Really! Today, Colleen talks to Tiffany Dahle, author of The Ultimate Kids' Cookbook,...
RLL 25: Fall Plans for Eclectic Homeschooling
It's back to school time, and all over the internet -- in your Instagram feeds, on your favorite bloggers' sites, and on Facebook -- you're faced with a peek into what everyone's doing to get ready for back to school. And, while I always hesitate to share what...
RLL 24: Asynchrony, Intensity, and Motivation | A Listener Question
Today, Tiffany asks about asynchronous development in gifted kiddos, how to help manage intensity, and tips for motivating gifted kids. It's a jam-packed half hour and there are loads of resources to sift through in the show notes. You're going to need time to digest...
RLL 23 Mahayla West: Trusting Your Kids
It's so easy for homeschool moms to doubt. We're in the thick of things, right? Doing it all... worrying about it all... and not able to see what will happen on the other side. There are no guarantees in parenting, nor are there in homeschooling. BUT, there are...
RLL 22: Finding a Homeschool Co-op and Creating Killer Classes | A Listener Question
As homeschooling parents of outliers, we sometimes feel isolated, and co-ops can fill a need for both our children and ourselves. In this episode, Colleen tackles a question about creating an amazing co-op class from listener, Wendy, but also dives into the different...
RLL 21 Kaylene George: Embracing Autism
"Autism is NOT the Big Bad Wolf... Your child is going to have joy. Your child is going to have a life..." This inspiring episode challenges all of us to rethink autism and how we interact with autistic friends and family members. Kaylene George is an autism...
RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question
Gifted and creative kiddos can often struggle with their executive function skills, and we parents are left scratching our heads, and trying to figure out how to get them to be functioning adults who can manage their own lives. In this episode we'll talk about what...
RLL 19 Luke Gilkerson: Using Astronomy to Foster an Integrative Approach to Learning
Science -- particularly the study of astronomy -- can be a great way to integrate your kiddos' subjects so that they're incorporating many different areas like literature, writing, and the content areas in one fell swoop... A deep dive into an area for an extended...
RLL 18: How to Lure the Kids Away From Screens | A Listener Question
Cristy asks how lure her kiddo away from the screens -- her sweet daughter just wants to play video games. This is a challenging question that comes up in homeschool circles often. Colleen tackles it from a few different perspectives. What about you? Do you limit...
RLL 17 Shawna Wingert: Building on Your Child’s Strengths
Homeschooling special needs children can be really tough. When your child has several special needs and is very asynchronous, too, things get even more challenging. One of our absolute favorite moms of special needs kids is Shawna Wingert from Not the Former Things....
RLL 16: Homeschooling Gifted Kids on a Budget | A Listener Question
Maleeha is concerned. Following a student-led, self-directed model of homeschooling can definitely add up, cost-wise, and when you're homeschooling insatiable gifted learners, it can be even more costly. These kids seem to eat programs and materials for...
RLL 15 Dayna Abraham: Calming Chaos and Raising Superkids
Whether you homeschool your quirky kiddo, send him or her to school, or change it up depending on the year and the situation, you're doing exactly what you need to do for your child when he or she needs it most. In today's episode, Colleen talks to Dayna...
RLL 14: What if I Fall Behind | A Listener Question
Connie worries that her kids will fall behind if they follow an unconventional homeschooling schedule. Her family finds themselves out of the house several days a week, and they're all exhausted by the time they get home. Is it possible to make a three-day homeschool...
Have a Question?
Got a question for Colleen that you hope she answers on an episode of the podcast, a post, or a live video? Maybe you’ve got a story about how you encourage a love of learning in your kids. Or maybe your kiddos want to share what THEY love to learn about and the cool things they’re doing right now. Now is your chance to share!