Podcasts about Life skills

It's the return of Curious Convos, and Nikki & Brie are bringing the big questions and even bigger laughs to kick off 2026! From jaywalking origin stories (who was Jay, anyway?) to life skills no one taught us (cough changing a tire cough), the twins are diving into the little mysteries, big thoughts, and hilarious contradictions of life.They also explore parenting, personal growth, and social overstimulation in the digital age. From debates on plastic surgery rumors and health insurance scams to outer space, Big Bangs, and bedtime talks with Buddy, this episode is full of charm and “wait... huh?” moments. And of course, it all wraps up with a warm reminder: a smile might just change someone's day.So pour a glass of something, power down your screen (or don't), and press play—because Curious Convos are back, and they're as curious as ever. Call Nikki & Brie at 833-GARCIA2 and leave a voicemail! Follow Nikki & Brie on Instagram, follow the show on Instagram and TikTok and send Nikki & Brie a message on Threads! Follow Bonita Bonita on Instagram Book a reservation at the Bonita Bonita Speakeasy To watch exclusive videos of this week's episode, follow The Nikki & Brie Show on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok! You can also catch The Nikki & Brie Show on SiriusXM Stars 109! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well the truth is these are 10 life skills we should be teaching every child and many adults who never learned. them.  I have done shows like this before but I want to come at it from a slightly different angle today.  More along the lines of the process behind the skills.  In other words you can teach someone to cook but showing them how a stove and a knife works and giving them recipes.  That is basic technique teaching. Of you can teach the process and theory behind cooking and a person can then create meals on the fly … Continue reading →

A lively deep‑dive into the real lessons we missed in school—from personal finance to changing a tire—plus the surprisingly heated debate over cursive, communication, and how people learn today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

281. Excel in Social Skills and Etiquette and Teach Your Children To Do The Same with Monica Irvine   Proverbs 20:11 NIV “Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?”   Ephesians 4:32a AMP “Be kind and helpful to one another,”   *Transcription Below*   Monica Irvine, President and creator of The Etiquette Factory, LLC, is a master motivator and dedicated instructor who loves to help children and adults see the benefits and rewards of having proper etiquette, mastering professionalism and excelling in social skills. As a Certified Etiquette Instructor and working in the hospitality industry for 24 years, Mrs. Irvine specializes in etiquette and professional instruction to help ensure the success of each individual both personally and professionally.   Mrs. Irvine is the published author of three books on Etiquette and one book on Scheduling including: Etiquette for Beginners, Etiquette Intermediate, Etiquette Masters and A Schedule Makes for a Happy Family, in addition to authoring several monthly columns in national publications such as Everything Knoxville, The Homeschool Handbook and the Homeschool Magazine.   Mrs. Irvine is a national speaker, speaking to thousands of parents, educators and children every year.   Residing in Knoxville, TN with her husband, Mrs. Irvine spends her free time playing tennis, running and enjoying her family of three boys and a granddaughter.   You may contact Mrs. Irvine at monica@TheEtiquetteFactory.com  or via her website at www.TheEtiquetteFactory.com. Rise Up Parenting FUNdamentals 4 Kids Life Skills Essentials   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What are some red flags we can identify in our lives if we are too busy and what wisdom do you recommend instead of our overstuffed schedules? As parents, why must we proactively teach these qualities to our children, rather than just instruct them in a moment of correction? Will you share stories of ways the Holy Spirit has nudged you to use etiquette and it resulted in something miraculous?    Other Savvy Sauce Episode Mentioned: Unexpected Grief and What Helped Me Through It Can Help You Too with Singer and Blogger, Brittany Price Brooker   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:10)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 2:19) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today, over 55 years later, at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. Owned and operated by the Burchie family, Sam Leman in Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at LemanGM.com.   My guest for today is the charming Monica Irvine. She is president and creator of The Etiquette Factory. She's a master motivator and dedicated instructor who just loves helping children and adults to see the benefits and rewards of having proper etiquette. She also loves to help people master professionalism and excel in social skills.   So, she's going to give us insight into all of these ideas and share stories today for ways that we can actually seek the Lord and love others well and value people through the proper use of etiquette.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Monica.   Monica Irvine: (2:19 - 2:20) Thank you. Thanks for having me, Laura.   Laura Dugger: (2:20 - 5:41) Well, I'm so excited to get a chat with you today, but let's just begin here. I'm so fascinated because you were born and raised in the South. Is that right?   Monica Irvine: Well, yes, Tennessee. Absolutely consider myself Southern.   Laura Dugger: I love it. And I grew up in the Midwest and got to live in the South for a few years. And I was very struck by the difference in manners. And I'm just curious if manners and etiquette were intentionally taught to you, both in your family and then just kind of in your Southern culture around you.   Monica Irvine: (2:20 - 5:32) Well, yes. So, when I think about being raised in the South, I think and maybe my mom and my grandmas were a little different. But what I would describe my upbringing is very particular, meaning everything was made special.   And my parents and my grandparents took a lot of pride in making things beautiful and lovely. And so, of course, my mom cooked every night. But like at my home growing up and we did not have a lot of money, just know that my parents struggled.   But my mother would never put a ketchup bottle on the table or a mayonnaise jar. Everything had to be put in little bowls with little spoons. And it's funny because my friends that I have today, I get given little spoons for birthdays and occasions because my friends all know how much I love little dainty things.   But, you know, and some people, you know, might think that's a little ridiculous. But I'll tell you something. I don't know that we need to eat that way every night, seven nights a week.   But it made dinner time feel special. And even the way my mother and my grandmothers kept their house, everything had its place. It was not messy.   We had clean homes. And I think it also just helped me be proud of my home. I mean, once again, we did not have a lot of money, but my friends thought my home was so nice.   Well, the reason it was so nice is because my mother kept such care of it. And so, I was raised with a lot of cousins and live close to both of my grandparents. And so even the outside of their homes, both sets of grandparents, everything was beautiful.   And so there was a lot of pride in who we are, how we presented ourselves. But you're going to laugh at this. So, my mom, my dad tells me this story that right after my mom and dad got married, my dad came home from work one day and my mom was ironing.   You know, she'd spend a whole day ironing every week or half a day. And my mom was ironing my dad's underwear. And my mom's name is Janice.   And he was like, “Janice, honey, what are you doing?” And “I know just ironing, Bob.” And he's like, “Babe, you don't need to iron my underwear.”   But, you know, the thing is, that to my mother and my grandmothers being a good wife and being a good mother meant making sure everyone in the family looked nice, that their clothes were clean, that the home was clean, that there was good food on the table. And that was part of their identity, of this is what it means to be a good wife and mother. And I love that about my upbringing.   Laura Dugger: (5:33 - 5:41) And do you have any reasons why you think that's changed a little bit over the years?   Monica Irvine: (5:42 - 8:34) Yeah, I think we've gotten lazy. Well, no, I just I think there you know, there's balance, right? There's when I look back, I can't really remember my mom playing with me.   But now, listen, I don't feel like I missed out, but I do recognize it. But I guess even as a little girl, sure, I would have loved my mom to play with me. But that's just not in my mind what moms did.   Moms cleaned house and made everything and cooked your meal. And so, I do. I'm grateful that as a society, we have adjusted somewhat.   Sometimes I believe too much but have adjusted in going. What's the most important things? And because I'm a big believer in playing with our children and our grandchildren and creating memories.   But now my family, my parents and we worked a lot together. Like if we were if the yard needed raking, it wasn't kids go rake the yard. Mom, dad, kids were in the yard raking.   If a car needed to be washed, it wasn't go wash the car. We were all out there washing the car. So, I think that's why I don't feel like I missed out because my family did so many things together.   Whereas today we're so separated. No parents give their children and babies phones and iPads so they'll just be quiet so they can get their important work done. Like grocery shopping or cooking.   And I just think that instead of teaching our children how to self-soothe and self-entertain and how to creatively play even by yourself, sometimes we just always believe there has to be a babysitter to distract our children from wanting mom and dad. It's just I you know, this could be a whole other talk, Laura, but I just you know, I see it. It breaks my heart sometimes on the lack of how often families work together, play together and do things together.   But now, you know, dad's watching his game in this room. Mom is in another room, maybe on her computer doing social media. The kids are in their rooms on their games.   And I see a lack of family unity. So once again, even though maybe my mom and dad didn't play with us and I'm glad we've shifted with that thought process. Still, we were a united family.   Laura Dugger: (8:35 - 8:56) I love that. And the Lord has clearly given you a passion for that instilling that in others. And He invited you into a journey that eventually led to The Etiquette Factory, which is the work that you get to do today.   So, can you share the impetus for that and what that journey looked like for you?   Monica Irvine: (8:56 - 13:54) I will. I love my company. I feel like it's just yet another beautiful adventure the Lord has allowed me to be on in my life.   And so, I feel like I'm just outside looking in at this beautiful little business that has allowed me to minister to children and adults in need. So, years ago, I was homeschooling our kids. I was homeschooling our youngest son at the time, and we were studying the life of President George Washington.   And I just kind of stumbled upon this list. It was called George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior. It is a beautiful list of 110 chivalry skills.   And apparently, President Washington was encouraged to focus on some chivalry as was part of a formal education in those days. He found a French book that had these list of chivalry kind of considerations, and he copied them. He hand copied them, of course.   And we have that list of 110 chivalry skills in President Washington's handwriting. But as I started reading over this list, the Lord penetrated my heart. I just I was like, these are so beautiful.   I mean, some of them were kind of funny. Some of them were. It's not polite to remove lice from your companion in public, which I think is good to know.   But most of the beautiful chivalry skills were very applicable to today. And I was like I want my son to memorize these skills. So, we started memorizing one Washington skill a week.   And because they were written in that old English, you know, sometimes we were like, what does this mean? And it just I just decided for my son's sake, who was nine at the time, I wanted to just kind of make my own version. But what was so a light bulb moment for me is as we started making manners part of our daily discussion in school, I noticed a change in my child's behavior and my son would be like, “Mom, let's do another one. What's the next one? Let's do one more.”   And I found that so fascinating because, as you know, most of us parents, when we teach manners, we're teaching it in the moment, usually correcting bad behavior. It's not that that's our goal. It's just that that's when we think about it.   Our child says, or does something that's not the most polite, and all of a sudden we're going, “Oh, honey, no, honey, you can't say that. That's not polite.” And then we make the correction and then we teach the skill.   And what I learned and realized is that so often that's when I was teaching my children manners in the moment of correcting. And what I've learned about that is when we're being corrected, whether you're three years old or 30 years old, we harden our heart typically because it's self-preservation. You know, we stiffen up when someone's like, “Monica, you really shouldn't have.” I'm like, whoa.   And it's just because of our own pride. We don't like being called out and neither do our children, even when we're doing it gently and politely. It's still a correction.   And so, what I found is when our heart is hardened, as the scripture says, it's not the best time to absorb information. It's the opposite of being humble. To be humble means to be teachable.   To be hardened means to not be teachable. So, when we have a hardened heart, it's hard for us to absorb things of the spirit, which all truth comes from God. So, anything that is lovely of good rapport is of God.   So, when we're teaching our children to be kind and to have kind considerations for others, those are God's truths and God's truths cannot seep into the soul of our heart unless our heart is soft. And so that is what happened is I was like, today we're going to learn how to use our napkin properly. Or today we're going to learn how to apologize.   But how do you make it sound sincere and how do you be sincere when you don't really feel it? And so, as we started just working on one skill at a time, the conversations were typically beautiful. Parts were changed and behavior ended up changing.   And so really, that's what then later became The Etiquette Factory.   Laura Dugger: (13:55 - 14:20) I love that because I think it gives our children confidence because then they're equipped and prepared and understand what's expected of them in different situations or what can bless others in the way they act. But then I'm curious, you gave a few examples of those. Can you think of any of George Washington's chivalry lines that would still apply today?   Monica Irvine: (14:21 - 19:07) Yes, well, so I'm not quoting, I'm summarizing. So, for instance, one is it is not polite to hum or sing in the presence of others that would cause distraction. And so basically it's not polite to draw attention to ourselves but also draw attention or interrupt other people's day life when we haven't been invited to do so.   So let me give you this definition we use for etiquette. So, at The Etiquette Factory, etiquette is helping those around us to feel valued and to feel comfortable. Well, if I'm sitting there humming along, but the person beside me really doesn't want to hear my humming, then I might be causing that person to feel uncomfortable.   Same thing, you know, whenever I start off teaching a class, because usually when everyone thinks of manners, they think of table manners. Of course, there's so much more. But I use this example.   I say, well, if I were to come to your home and sit down and I started eating like a pig in the presence of your family, I mean, I'm chewing with my mouth open. I'm making a smacking my lips. I'm taking too big of bites and food is falling in my lap or I'm making a mess on the table.   Or I eat so fast that I am finished eating, getting up to leave. And you're just on your third bite of food. Well, any of those behaviors, I would be sending a message.   And that message is, look, I'm here for one person and that person is myself. I came to fill up my belly because I'm hungry. And beyond that, I really don't care.   I don't care if I'm making you uncomfortable. I don't care if I'm grossing you out. I don't care if you actually wanted to talk to me because I just came here to eat and I'm out of here.   You see, we don't realize it, but a lack of chivalry is called selfishness. A lack of chivalry is inward focused. When we focus outwardly on what message am I sending to those around me?   Am I sending a message of love and care and value? That is etiquette. I get emailed all the time and message like, “OK, Monica, I've got this shower I'm putting on.   And my daughter is not going to invite her work friends to the wedding. But is it OK if we invite all of them to a wedding shower?” And they'll go, so what's the etiquette rule?   Well, there is no etiquette rule about that, except etiquette is about helping those around us to feel valued. And so that's how I answer every question. I'm like, well, let me ask you if you were invited to a wedding shower, where you're asking her friends to shower your daughter with gifts and love to celebrate her wedding.   But yet those friends were not valued enough to invite to the wedding. How do you think it would make them feel? And so that's what the answer is with etiquette.   Now, there's exceptions. In fact, that case, that's a real email I got. And she ended up having the shower because her daughter went and told her co-worker who offered to give her a wedding shower.   “You know what? I thought that is so thoughtful. I'm so grateful that you were willing to do that. But we're having a very small, intimate wedding, you know, for financial reasons and intimacy reasons. And so, I just don't feel comfortable inviting people to bring gifts for me and knowing that we're just we're not going to be able to invite everyone to the wedding.”   And that co-worker said, “We don't care. We knew you were having a small wedding. We want to celebrate you.”   And so, you know, you can there be exceptions, but a lady and a gentleman always try to be very aware of those unspoken messages. And that guides our conversation, our answers, our actions. And that's what we teach children and adults to do at The Etiquette Factory.   Laura Dugger: (19:07 - 21:17) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Burchie family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today, though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple, welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com, or visit them on Facebook  by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them at 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I loved, this was a few months back, but we came to a homeschool convention, and I loved your talk on purposeful parenting. One thing that you said, just I think backing it up and looking at our family in general, you said, “If we're too busy to do the most important things, we're too busy. Stop allowing the adversary to tempt us to remain too busy.”   So, Monica, what wisdom can you share for maybe red flags that can help us identify when we're too busy to focus on the most important things, and what do you recommend instead of overstuffing our schedules and our lives?   Monica Irvine: (21:18 - 26:23) You know, that's a great question. Those are good questions that every family should ask themselves. You know, I think that if we are to strive to focus on the most important things, step number one is, has mom and dad identified the most important things?   Because if you don't know what your goal is, then you're not going to as easily recognize when something is interfering with your goal. So, for instance, maybe mom and dad sits down and says, “Well, our number one goal is to make sure that our children know Jesus Christ. And so, what do we need to do to make sure that we're doing our best to help our children know who He is?”   Well, and so a family might decide, well, we want to have daily scripture study and daily family and individual prayer. We want to make it a priority to be at church so that we can worship on the Sabbath, but also so that we can meet together with other like-minded Christians and minister to one another as we're taught by the Savior. That's important for us to do.   And perhaps we want to learn to do as the Savior does. And that's why we're going to learn of His attributes and try to follow in His footsteps and be a family of service. So, let's just say those are our four of the most important things.   If that's our goal, then hopefully mom and dad could recognize when we're starting to stumble off the path that leads to our goal. For instance, I can't tell you how many parents have come up to me after they hear me speak on this topic and say, “Monica, I wish I had heard you say this 10 years ago. But we got sucked up into the what the world has to offer, and we started allowing our children to play competitive sports on Sunday. And so, we stopped going to church years ago because there was always a championship game on Sunday morning and always another tournament. And we wanted our children to have, you know, college opportunities.”   And there's nothing wrong with college opportunities unless that college opportunity interferes with our most important goal. And so that's why first mom and dad have to decide what is the most important, because then it's easier to recognize when we are being tempted by the adversary to focus on what the world is trying to offer us.   And the world offers us shiny things that tempt our human nature to want to be popular and loved by all and wealthy. And so, we just have to always go back to our goals. You know, I've got families that say, “I wish we had eaten dinner together more often. But we allowed our children to be so scheduled that there was not one night or there was only one night a week that we actually sat down at the table together.”   You know, parents. You will regret that. And you can't take back these precious, very short years that you have your children under your roof in your home.   And you will be someone like me one day where all of my kids are graduating and grandchildren and all you live for is your children to come visit and your children to come have dinner. And so, when you allow the world to creep in and be more important than spending time with your family, time with the Lord, time on good and lovely things, you will regret it. And I just think that probably every year come January, mom and dad should sit down and go, let's look at last year.   What were we missing from our family schedule? What do we need to reevaluate whether that is the most important thing? And so that's something I think all of us have to do on a regular basis.   Laura Dugger: (26:24 - 27:20) I think you're hitting on something profound there, that reflection with the Lord or with our spouse. I think we have no excuse because if there is no spouse in the picture, we always have the Lord. But to be intentional, to take that time, maybe on a Sabbath and go through a few questions and reflect back.   I think that could save us from a lot of regret. So, I really appreciate that response. And going back to etiquette, then you've taught us that it is a learned behavior.   This isn't something that our children will just naturally pick up. It's best to do in times where their hearts are soft, so proactive if possible. But I'd love to know in your own life, when were times that the Holy Spirit nudged you to use etiquette and it resulted in something miraculous?   Monica Irvine: (27:21 - 32:56) Oh, goodness. Okay, well, to me, I think miraculous is seeing the Lord's divine hand in our life. I see the miracle of the Lord every day in my life.   But probably most often is when I kneel down at the end of a day, I repent daily because I need to daily. And it's always a little nervous because I pray and I ask the Lord, as sometimes I know what I need to repent of. I know that I recognized I stumbled that day on something, but sometimes I just I pray and I say, “Lord, you know, just help.”   If something needs to be brought to my mind that I need to repent of and that I need to do better, would you bring it to my mind at this time? And it wasn't that long ago that the Lord brought to my mind something that I had gotten in the habit of doing that I didn't feel like it was wrong, but it was wrong. And so, etiquette, one of the etiquette skills I teach everyone is that it's not polite for us to gossip.   A lady and a gentleman always draw attention to the lovely and wonderful things that other people do. Now, if there's a safety issue, that's different, but I'm just talking about we don't share negative things about other people. And so, it's something I teach every year, all year long.   But I feel like I've done so much better than I did twenty-five years ago when the Lord really chastised me one time for gossiping. But in the last couple of months, I had gotten in the habit of sharing with my husband. So sometimes, you know, when you share with your spouse that you kind of feel like that's a safe place that the same rules don't apply because you and your spouse kind of talk about everything.   And so, I was in the habit of sharing with my spouse something that I was worried about that another person in our family did. But I was constantly going, “Oh, I don't like that. They do this and I don't like that. They do this and I'm worried about it.” And I actually was worried about it. But I just was constantly kind of highlighting these things that I didn't like that someone in our family did.   Well, one night I was praying and asked the Lord to bring to my mind and the Lord brought that to my mind. And it was kind of like he said, “Monica, don't you remember that? If you're worried about someone. Instead of sharing those negative things, even with Charles, my husband, what would be more effective is if you prayed and asked me to bless that person, to help that person, you know, in the ways that they need help and ask me to help, you know, of ways that you could be a better example to that person. But you don't need to constantly draw attention because it's starting to make you be negative towards this person.”   And I just like right when the Lord said that to me, I was embarrassed. I was like, “Monica, that. Yeah. Like, how do you not know that? That you should know better than that.”   Well, so immediately I repented and I apologized to the Lord and I and I started doing what he asked me to do. And within just a couple of days, like I started just noticing all of the wonderful, lovely things that this person is and does. And so, just to me, that is miraculous and it happens all the time.   And if I'm humble enough to repent and to listen to the Lord, because the Lord wants to help us and he wants us to strive to be like him. But we've got to ask where we need to be corrected. And so, I teach etiquette, I teach we don't gossip.   And then lo and behold, I had kind of gotten myself in another trap again. You know, and I just I think it's a miracle what happens when we listen to the Lord. He immediately turns our mind to good, lovely, beautiful things and allows us to be a vessel of light instead of vessel of darkness.   And we can be that vessel of darkness just right inside our own marriage, even though we think that's kind of a safe place to maybe be a little looser with our tongue. So, there's one example.   Laura Dugger: (32:57 - 33:26) I love that. And I remember you also explaining whenever you get a thought in your head that you don't want to do, it's likely 100 percent from God. So, can you share a couple specific stories of times that that was the Holy Spirit telling you something that you didn't maybe want to do, but you obeyed?   I'm remembering something about a grocery store and another time separately about a phone call. Yeah.   Monica Irvine: (33:26 - 40:29) OK, well, I'll tell about the phone call just because it's less sad. So, yeah, one time there was this lady and she was just kind of investigating our church and starting to come to our church and kind of fill it out. So, I had just met her and I found out that her what led her to come looking for God is her husband was an addict and she was just at her wits end and their marriage and family was falling apart.   And so, she came looking for the for help for the Lord. And so, I learned a little bit about her story. I ended up taking her to one of those celebrate recovery places at another church because I knew they had a wonderful program.   And so, I had interacted with her a couple of times. I probably had only known her about a month when one night I was running late to take my kids to youth on Wednesday night and I was cooking some spaghetti and I was just, you know, cooking that spaghetti at the stove. And all of a sudden I had a thought come into my mind, “Call her.”   And, you know, I was like, oh, yeah, I do need to call her. I need to call and check on her. I will, you know, after church tonight.   And so, I, you know, kept cooking that spaghetti. And the second time the Spirit, because that's who it was talking to me, because that's who tells us to do good things. Not us, but God.   The Spirit said, “Monica, call her.” But I was running late and I was trying to get my kids fed and I was like, I will call her as soon as I get the kids fed, you know, drop them off at church and then I'll call her, you know, and so I really meant to call her. But I.   Finally, a third time, and it seems to always take me three times before I realize, OK, he means now. And so, a third time it was like “Monica call.” And so, it was so strong.   And I, I know it's the Lord, but I, I just turned the stove off. I went into my bedroom, got my phone out, dialed her number. And as it was ringing, she picked up the phone and all I heard was just some quiet sobbing.   And she couldn't speak. And I, you know, I said her name. I said, “Hey, so and so it's Monica. I just. I see that you're upset. I just wanted to call and check on you. In fact, the Lord insisted that I call and check on you.”   And then her, you know, her crying just continued. It wasn't until, you know, she had calmed down and she just said, you know, “Monica, I had been praying and just asking the Lord to just show me that, you know, show me that you care that this is happening to me.” Something like that.   And, you know, I, I, in that moment, my stomach kind of did that little knot because I knew how close I had come to just not calling. And sure, I could have called her an hour later. It would have been at least an hour later and maybe, you know, it would have mattered.   But the Lord knew that it mattered right in that moment. She needed an answer. She needed to know that the Lord was listening.   And I've learned that in my life, that whenever we get a thought that comes into our mind and that thought is to do something good, like calling someone, you all is a good thing. Visiting someone, writing a letter to someone. Those are good things.   And all good comes from the Lord. And sometimes I wonder, does the Lord trust me? Does he know I'll respond when the stakes are high?   You know, sometimes I think as we continue to learn how to hear the spirit, we have to practice. Oh, that was the spirit. And probably if you're like me, I've learned a lot about the spirit by not listening.   And then later going, “Oh, yeah, Lord, I did miss that. You tried. You tried to warn me, or you tried to get me to do that. And I dismissed it.”   But so, you all I just think it takes practice and I'm still practicing. But I do believe that especially when it's something that we don't really want to do or we think we don't have time. And I just realize I felt the Lord going, “Monica, do you not think I know you're cooking spaghetti? Do you not think I know you're running late? But right now, there's something more important I need you to do than to get your kids to church on time.”   And so, I think at some point we have to decide, do we trust Him or don't we? And if we trust Him, we have to trust Him completely. And that means when we receive a prompting that we will act quickly because the Lord knows what we're doing.   And He knows that we don't have the best relationship with that person. Yet you're feeling like you should call. He already knows that.   And it doesn't mean that everything's always going to turn out the way we think it will. Sometimes I think the Lord just wants us to know ourselves that we'll do what He asked us to do, regardless of how it will turn out. And sometimes I feel like the Lord has told me to do something and I did it and it didn't go well.   And I'm like, “Lord, like, why? Why?” And I know all of us, you all sit there and go, wait, was that my thought or was it God's thought?   And you know what I have learned is that just stop worrying about it. Just act in faith. And the Lord always backs up His people.   The Lord doesn't, as you and I are praying and striving to understand the Lord's will. And let's say we get an idea and so we act on it because we feel like it was a prompting and then it does not go well. I believe the Lord loves so much that you were trying to listen and be obedient and the blessings will come.   Sometimes we just don't know the timing or how, but we've just got to trust.   Laura Dugger: (40:29 - 43:59) I love that. And we never know what's happening on the other side of our obedience. And I'll link back to Brittany Price Brooker's episode because she was one who had lost her husband and was crying out to the Lord.   I think she was bathing her young children, and they didn't have food in the house and maybe they were sick. And the only thing that sounded good to their child was apples, but it was late at night. She couldn't go get them herself.   And she was just praying like, “Lord, do You see me? Do You know my needs? I need You to meet my needs.”   And right then the doorbell rings and somebody showed up and she said, “The Lord told me to buy you these apples and bring them to you.” And I think that highlights something else. You articulated it well when you say whenever you get that thought in your head that you something that you don't want to do, it's likely 100% from God.   I would say a lot of times too, it's also awkward or inconvenient. We don't know why. And then I think back to the Bible, Abraham was put in a very awkward situation with his son and Noah, that was very awkward to be building the boat when there wasn't rain.   But look at the blessing that comes on the other side of obedience. So, appreciate those stories are really helpful.   By now, I hope you've checked out our updated website, thesavvysauce.com, so that you can have access to all the additional freebies we are offering, including all of our previous articles and all of our previous episodes, which now include transcriptions. You will be equipped to have your own practical chats for intentional living when you read all the recommended questions in the articles or gain insight from expert guests and past episodes as you read through the transcriptions. Because many people have shared with us that they want to take notes on previous episodes, or maybe their spouse prefers to read our conversations rather than listen to them or watch them now that we're offering video rather than just audio. So, we heard all of that and we now have provided transcripts for all our episodes.   Just visit thesavvysauce.com. All of this is conveniently located under the tab show notes on our website. Happy reading.   So, at that same conference, when I heard you speak, you shared something that really stuck with me. This one was about our daughters. So, I want to talk about daughters first and then we'll move to sons.   But you mentioned there was this one study where over 3,000 men were surveyed. And they were asked, what's the number one quality that you desire in your wife? Either current wife or someday in the future when you're married.   And do you remember the response? Yeah, it was kindness. Kindness.   That she is kind. And so, I wondered, was there another side for the boys then too? What do you think women would say for their future or their current spouse?   What attribute do you think they would identify?   Monica Irvine: (44:00 - 47:35) It didn't have that for the other side, but a word that we don't use as much anymore. And I try to use it a lot is, I think most women, even if it wouldn't come to their mind immediately, once they heard it, they'd be like, oh, wait, no, yeah, that. And that is honorable.   They would want their husbands to be honorable. And to be honorable means that we do honorable things. And honorable things always 100 percent of the time require some level of sacrifice.   That's what makes them honorable when we sacrifice and give up our time, ourself in order to better someone else to help our country, our family, others. And so, I think today what we all want is for our spouses, husbands and wives to be kind and to live honorable lives. Those lives, it doesn't mean a perfect life, but to be honorable means we strive to have integrity.   We strive to be godly. We strive to do what we say we're going to do. We strive to live up to our divine nature as God called mothers and fathers and husbands.   And so, I would think to me that is the most important, because if you live an honorable life, then you honor God. You honor your marriage covenant. You honor your children by treating them and speaking to them with honor.   You honor your job. You make sure that you have integrity at work and that you're dependable. And the same goes for us women.   You know, but I think I think we all struggle with selfishness. I mean, that is ultimately what we struggle with every day is what do I want? What do I need?   What's important to me versus trying to live a selfless life for our spouse, for our family? Anyway, it would be interesting to do that survey, but I think what's so kind of funny about the kindness is that whenever I read that survey results that I had read years ago, when I say that to a crowd of women. And men, but when I say that to the crowd, you can always see I just see this rippling of women making this kind of gesture.   Or because they know that they could be more kind, because usually we can be kind to everyone in the world. But in the walls of our home, we struggle more with just kindness.   Laura Dugger: (47:37 - 48:00) And so if we go further upstream than before we're married, if that's what God has for us, what are practical ways that we can teach and instill kindness in our children and honorable character? Or any other practical tips for conduct?   Monica Irvine: (48:00 - 53:03) Yeah, well, I love when I do a workshop at a convention on a family of service, because honestly, when we have our children in our home, it's practice ground. We have once again a few years to help them learn to love the Lord and to love others. You know, the two great commandments, love me and love others.   Well, to me, the best way to teach our children to love God and love others is to get our children out and serving others. Because, as you know, typically, like, for instance, when someone calls us and says, “Oh, hey, Monica, hey, would you mind, you know, the Smith family, they just had their new baby. Do you think you could cook dinner for them one night next week?”   If you're like me, I'm going to say yes. And then I'm going to hang up. And then I'm going to have that anxiety because already my week is so full and I was already stressed out about how I was going to get all the things done I needed to get done.   And now I've just added another thing. And I'm not saying there are not times that we don't need to say no, because we absolutely have to say no sometimes. But my point is, I cook the dinner and I go drop it off.   And as I'm pulling, as we are pulling away from that home, how do we feel? Do we feel better or do we feel worse? Do we feel happy or do we feel sad?   Honestly, almost 100 percent of the time, y'all, we're going to feel happier. We're going to feel grateful. We're going to be grateful that we had the opportunity to cook that dinner for that sweet family.   We're going to be reminded of how sweet the Lord is to give us opportunities to be His hands and His feet and His mouth here on the earth. And so, we want our children to learn to love. To love others, but it takes practice.   It's not until you serve again and again and again that you start to realize that the secret to being happy, the secret to having peace in your life and love abounding in your home is when we lose ourselves in the service of others. It's the secret to fixing siblings arguing with each other. It's the secret to helping husbands and wives draw closer together and have more love for one another.   It's the secret to less contention overall, to more peace, to more joy and happiness is to lose ourselves in the service of others. And so, to me, if you want to raise if we want to raise honorable, kind, generous, compassionate, empathetic human beings, they've got to lose themselves. To find themselves and define God.   And so, yeah, I think that's the secret. And of course, Jesus Christ tried to teach us that over and over and over again. He tried to teach His disciples over and over again that if you love me.   Then love my sheep, feed my sheep, teach my sheep. And what's interesting is that you all. The more we do that, the more we serve and love others.   Do you know what I believe? I believe it's kind of like the Grinch. Remember when the Grinch's heart grew?   That's real. That's really what happens. The God expands our ability to love others.   And in doing that, it actually expands our deep love of God. I think it's so fascinating that that's the fruit of service is a deeper and abiding love of Jesus Christ. It seems like it would be the opposite, right?   Well, I've got to love Jesus more in order to have a greater desire to serve. But it's the opposite. He wants you to go serve when you don't really feel like it.   And he wants you to go serve when it's not convenient. And your kids are crying and no one wants to go rake her yard. And then the fruit of acting in faith and trusting God is the love.   Laura Dugger: (53:05 - 53:34) That's what I would do. That's so good. Such a good medicine or anecdote to selfishness and issues we're having in the home with our children and for ourselves.   Well, Monica, you have shared so much goodness with us throughout this conversation. Can you explain how you can help partner with us as parents to help us teach our children etiquette at neutral times? Like you said, when their hearts are softer?   Monica Irvine: (53:35 - 56:52) Yes. Yeah. So, we've got some awesome resources, parents.   And number one is we do have a parenting course called Rise Up Parenting. And it's just this beautiful 52-week course that you get lifetime access to in case it takes you three years to get through your 52 weeks. But it is a course for mom and dad, or mom, or dad by themselves.   But it's just a beautiful way to help parents focus on one parenting skill a week. I've learned that when we have purposeful parenting, when we focus on one improvement at a time because we can get so overwhelmed, like we want we want to teach our kids to be selfless and that be ambitious and to serve and share. And I mean, it's just, it's endless.   But the Lord is a house of order. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a house of order. And so as long as we're going in the right direction, y'all, we are successful.   And so, this parenting course teaches a biblical principle and then a parenting principle that are related and allows you to just make little increment steps of improvement. Because when mom and dad improve, it blesses your children. So that's the first resource.   And then the other two most popular resources is we just have two programs. We have a program called FUNdamentals4Kids that targets children preschool through about third grade. And it's so fun.   It's just these wonderful, fun board games, flashcards, songs, stories, crafts, where we try to encourage you to twice a week set aside 15 minutes of your school day for an official manners activity and watch what happens. So, we've organized it for you. And for the little kids, we found out that if they can play with it, sing about it, make some food with it, that it helps them to go, “Mom, let's do a manners lesson.”   And then they don't even know that they're being taught these beautiful, wonderful skills. So that is so wonderful. And then for kids about fourth grade through 12th grade, we have a course called Life Skills for You.   And it's just so fun and it's so effective. Basically, it's 142 little three-minute lessons. We once again just try to get you to commit to twice a week sitting down with your family, watching a three-minute lesson where I'm teaching the etiquette skill.   Plus, we show teenagers doing the skill the wrong way and the right way. So, it's kind of funny, but it just creates some really great conversation with the family. And so those are our top three selling product lines.   And you can find all of that on our website, theetiquettefactory.com.   Laura Dugger: (56:53 - 57:15) Thank you for sharing. We will certainly link to all of that in the show notes for today's episode. And Monica, you may be familiar that we are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge.   And so, this is my final question for you today. What is your savvy sauce? Yeah.   Oh, that's a hard one.   Monica Irvine: (57:15 - 59:06) I thought about this and I'm like, it's so hard. You all. Honestly, my savvy sauce is Jesus Christ.   It just is. I know sometimes we want the answer to be something else, but in all practical terms, it's Jesus. Meaning I start my morning out every day with Jesus.   I end every night with Jesus. I pray throughout the day and ask Him to help me make a decision. And I thank Him for all the beautiful things that happened to me throughout the day.   And I just He is this person, this real person that is at my side every day, all day, I hope. And that's how I do anything. That's why I am the mother that I am.   Not that I'm the best mother, but because of Him, I can mother and because of Him, I can be a good wife. And because of Him, I can be a good friend and I can minister to others through The Etiquette Factory. It's just it is Him.   And, you know, sometimes people will ask me, “Monica, I I want to have the knowledge you have or I want to be able to whatever parent the way it sounds like you parent.” And I'm like, you guys know, it's just it's called Jesus Christ. And Jesus will tell us all things that we should do.   And so my sauce is having a relationship with Jesus Christ. It truly is well said.   Laura Dugger: (59:06 - 59:24) And, Monica, you are such a gifted communicator and your heart of compassion is evident in your outward behavior. It's been such a joy to get to spend an hour with you today. So, I just want to say thank you for being my guest.   Monica Irvine: (59:24 - 59:43) Oh, thank you, Laura. And it's been such a joy. You're so kind.   And I appreciate the beautiful ministry that you're doing here on The Savvy Sauce. What a blessing for families to be able to just hear these resources that you've created. So, thank you.   Laura Dugger: (59:44 - 1:03:26) Thank you for being a part of it.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Summary In this episode of Inspired Caring, host Michele Magner engages in a heartfelt conversation with guests Brenda Freed and Alder Allensworth, both experts in music therapy and dementia care. The discussion centers around the challenges faced by families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, particularly how to communicate the complexities of the illness to children. Alder shares her personal experience as a caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer's, highlighting the emotional toll it takes on families. The trio emphasizes the importance of creating resources that help children understand dementia, fostering empathy and compassion in the younger generation. They introduce their innovative program, 'Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's,' which includes educational videos, a picture book, and song designed to make the topic accessible and relatable for children.KeywordsAlzheimer's, dementia, caregiving, music therapy, children education, empathy, family support, Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's, caregiver resources, sandwich generationTakeaways"I found myself as a sandwich generation caregiver.""We wanted to change that scenario.""Children can learn so you can teach and educate the child.""It's important to be honest with it and it's out there as part of the family.""These are universal skills that every family can benefit from."Sound bites"I found myself as a sandwich generation caregiver.""We wanted to meet people where they're at.""The child can learn so you can teach and educate the child."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dementia and Caregiving03:53 Personal Experiences with Alzheimer's06:45 Creating Educational Resources for Children10:09 The Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Program13:00 Understanding Alzheimer's Through Videos15:55 Incorporating Children in Caregiving18:48 The Importance of Communication and Honesty22:07 Social Implications of Educating Children25:06 The Unique Picture Book and Its Benefits28:01 Life Skills and Compassion Through Caregiving30:56 Final Thoughts for Caregivers47:01 Podcast Intro Music Project (MASTER BOUNCE - OUTRO).mp3Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Disease Picture bookSong on YouTubeEmail: Mackenziemeetsalzheimers@gmail.com@Mackenziemeetsalzehimers on FB, Instagram, YouTube,LinkedInAlder Playlist: The Beatles, Motown, AbbaBrenda: Ellis, Jamie Harris, Michael O'Connor, Mary GaucheDying and Death singer songwriters: Tommy Byrd (Byrd and Street), FrankGilliganInspired Caring is THE family support & education program that helps families feel calm and confident to make better decisions faster. Inspired Caring is also offered as an annual membership to businesses to provide for the families they work with.Connect with Michele Magner:⁠Website⁠⁠E-mail⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠YouTube⁠Custom podcast music written and produced by Colin Roberts. He does custom songs for any occasion.

Somewhere between “I can do hard things” and “Can you order for me?” is a whole lot of teen growth waiting to happen.Arthur C. Woods has spent decades working with teens, and he brings a refreshingly practical take on leadership that starts way earlier than a title, a team captain badge, or a future resume. We talk about why teens are more capable than we think, why they are not always being challenged to prove it, and how everyday life skills at home connect directly to leadership, resilience, and work readiness.In this episode, we coverWhy many teens are entering adulthood less prepared, even with more resources than everHow to raise “work ready” teens before they ever clock in for a first jobWhy adaptability is both a mindset and a daily practice (especially when things change)A simple definition of leadership that makes every teen a leader right nowArthur's SPARK framework for emerging leaders (and what “singularity” means for teens)How chores and life skills build leadership (not because of the task, but because of the skill of learning skills)We loved Arthur in #LifeSkillsNow Season Two, and I know you'll love hearing from him today!Resources We Mention for Work-Ready TeensCheck out Work-Ready Teens from Arthur C. Woods and use code KCRF for $30 off!Grab Arthur's book SPARK for Emerging Leaders (Amazon/Bookshop.org)Start building life skills with #LifeSkillsNowInterview with Amy Carney on launching your teens and teaching them life skillsTeach teens cooking and cleaning right now! Visit Arthur at his website Arthur C. Woods, or check out his socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedInVisit raisinghealthyfamilies.com/teens to get on the waitlist for Teens Cook Real Food! Get your four free life skills workshops now! Kitchen Stewardship Raising Healthy Families follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at raisinghealthyfamilies.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Otolaryngologist Alan P. Feren and patient advocate Joyce Griggs discuss their article "Why health self-advocacy is an essential life skill." Alan and Joyce share the personal journey of becoming a "chief health executive" and explain why managing medical care should be treated with the same seriousness as financial planning. They outline the eight core pillars of advocacy, ranging from health literacy to financial navigation, and argue for the creation of condition-agnostic tools that help patients regardless of their specific diagnosis. The conversation highlights how preparation and organization not only reduce anxiety for caregivers but also save time for clinicians and improve overall outcomes. Join us to find out how you can build the confidence to navigate a complex system effectively. This episode is presented by Scholar Advising, a fee-only financial advising firm specializing in providing advice for DIY investors. If you want clear, actionable strategies and confidence that your financial decisions are built on objective advice without AUM fees or commissions, Scholar is designed for you. Physicians often navigate complex compensation structures, including W-2 income, 1099 work, production bonuses, and practice ownership. Scholar's highly credentialed advisors guide high-earners through decisions like optimizing investments for long-term tax efficiency and expert strategies for financial independence. Every recommendation is tailored to the financial realities physicians face. VISIT SPONSOR → https://scholaradvising.com/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Join David Stark & Mike Pickles as we share how smart, simple training builds confidence and keeps athletes healthy while cutting through the noise of gimmicks and hype. Mike reflects on lessons from coaching hundreds of kids and why life skills matter more than making the pros.• origins in strength and conditioning and early mentors• confidence as the biggest gain from youth training• injury prevention as the first priority• translating gym work to on-ice performance• in-season maintenance versus off-season progress• mindset, recovery, and screen discipline• rejecting gimmicks and “sport-specific” myths• the power of basics: squat, hinge, push, pull, carrySupport the show Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements

In this final episode of our special series dedicated to AI, I'm delighted to welcome MacKenzie Price, a Stanford-trained psychologist turned education revolutionary and co-founder of Alpha School. We often hear that AI might disrupt education, but MacKenzie is proving that it can actually save it. After her own daughter told her that school was “boring,” MacKenzie didn't just complain—she built a radical new solution from scratch. In our conversation, we dive deep into the Alpha School model, a bold approach that challenges the industrial “factory model” of education we've accepted for a century. Together, we explore a fascinating reality: What happens when you use adaptive AI to handle core academic learning? MacKenzie reveals that her students achieve mastery in just two hours a day. But the real revolution isn't the speed. It is what happens with the rest of the time. We discuss how this efficiency frees up space for what makes us truly human: “Life Skills.” From public speaking and financial literacy to resilience and high-impact collaboration, we explore how to raise children who are not just good test-takers, but changemakers. In this episode, we cover: The Origin Story: How a moment of frustration sparked a movement to rethink K-12 education. The Mechanics: How AI tutors allow teachers to stop being "lecturers" and start being "Guides" and mentors. The "2-Hour" Paradox: How accelerating academic learning actually creates more room for creativity, connection, and depth. Agency & Leadership: How to give children the autonomy to own their learning journey. The Future: What the world looks like when we raise a generation of purpose-driven, self-aware leaders. MacKenzie reminds us that Positive Leadership is about having the courage to rethink systems that no longer serve us. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a leader interested in the future of human potential, this conversation offers a blueprint for a world where technology amplifies our humanity rather than replacing it. I hope you'll enjoy this visionary conversation with MacKenzie Price. 

"Every journey has its challenges, but it's how we rise that defines us." — Gaby Velasquez "Never be ashamed of where you came from."   "This ends with me."   "I always show up, even though I show up late."   In this timely episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Vinnie Friedman, welcome the incredible Gaby Velasquez, a survivor with a remarkable story of resilience and hope. Gaby shares her journey of overcoming adversity, from her traumatic experiences as an undocumented immigrant to her inspiring mission of helping others find their voice. Finding Strength Through Adversity Gaby recounts her harrowing journey to the United States, where she faced domestic violence, human trafficking, and the challenges of navigating life without documentation. Despite these obstacles, she has maintained her humor and optimism, using her experiences to empower others and advocate for change. The Power of Storytelling During their conversation, Gaby reflects on how watching the Jerry Springer Show helped her learn English and connect with her own life experiences. She emphasizes the importance of having a voice and sharing stories that might otherwise remain hidden, shedding light on issues that many are afraid to discuss. Creating a Legacy of Love As a single mother of three, Gaby is dedicated to breaking the cycle of trauma and ensuring her children grow up in a loving and supportive environment. She expresses gratitude for the positive male role models in her life, highlighting the significance of having a father figure who inspires and uplifts. Key Themes - Overcoming trauma and adversity - The importance of storytelling and finding your voice - Empowering the next generation through love and support - Navigating life as an undocumented immigrant - Building community and advocating for change Episode Highlights (00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show (01:20) Meet Gaby Velasquez (10:30) Learning English Through Jerry Springer: Finding Connection (20:00) The Importance of Sharing Stories and Lifting Others (30:15) Breaking the Cycle: Parenting with Love and Support (40:45) Wisdom from Wayne: The Value of Commitment and Kindness   Episode Keywords Daddy Drama, Inspirational Stories, Overcoming Adversity, Immigrant Experience, Learning English, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Empowerment, Family Legacy, Jerry Springer, Personal Growth, Healing Trauma, Women Empowerment, Life Skills, Parenting Advice, Resilience, Community Support, Cultural Identity, Storytelling, Positive Mindset Connect with Gaby Velasquez Instagram: Gaby's Instagram Connect with Reena Friedman Watts Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy—where resilience, love, and community come together!

Forgiveness is more than just saying "I'm sorry"—it's a vital life skill that requires empathy and intentionality. Dr. Roger Smith discusses how parents can move beyond "magic words" to help children truly understand the impact of their actions. This episode provides a roadmap for conflict resolution, teaching children how to observe another's feelings, recognize their own role in a conflict, and pursue genuine restoration. Learn how to turn small squabbles over toys or elevator buttons into powerful training moments for giving, receiving, and asking for forgiveness. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

In this episode, FPEA Chairman Suzanne Nunn speaks with Ed Goyette, life skills expert, entrepreneur, author and co-founder of Major Choice, a company whose mission is to inspire students to dive deep to determine the career and educational path that best aligns with who they are. But getting to Major Choice was a journey for Ed from the time he was a young student. Ed talks about his own educational path, career plans and pivotal moments that shaped his life.

The PPTA says the popularity of school life skills and personal development classes reflects a shift in what students want from school - not just parents. Ministry of Education figures reveal nearly 68 thousand students enrolled in courses in this field in 2025 - up from about 49 thousand in 2021. PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, told Andrew Dickens that parents are more aware of their children's goals. He says students are less likely to take subjects because they're told to - and more likely to choose courses matching their own aspirations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, we go beyond basic behaviors like sit and stay to focus on the life skills that truly shape a well-behaved, confident dog.Many puppy parents work hard on cues, but struggle with everyday challenges like stressful car rides, difficult vet visits, grooming battles, noisy vacuums, or overly excited greetings with guests. Amy walks you through the essential “good citizen puppy” skills every dog needs, including calm car riding, positive crate training, grooming and handling tolerance, confidence around household noises, and polite behavior when visitors arrive. You'll learn why these skills matter so much and how to start teaching them early in a positive, stress-free way.This episode is perfect for new puppy parents or anyone looking to prevent fear, anxiety, and behavior issues before they begin — and to raise a dog who's comfortable navigating real life.

Chores. Just hearing the word can bring up a mix of reactions—from sighs to eye rolls to “we should really work on that in our house.” In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that seems simple on the surface but can be surprisingly challenging to put into practice. We're talking about why chores matter and how everyday responsibilities help prepare our kids for life beyond our homes—while also building important life skills through responsibility and natural consequences.We're joined by Kim Smelley—mom of three, camp mom, and master of what she calls “somewhat organized chaos.” Kim shares how chores have evolved in her family, what's worked (and what hasn't), and practical ways to encourage kids when motivation is low. Whether chores are a strength in your home or a struggle, this conversation will help you see them as an opportunity for growth, teamwork, and meaningful connection with your kids.--Question of the Week: What is your favorite chore to do around the house? What is your least favorite chore?--Hosts: Sara Jones & Amy LoweGuests: Kim SmelleyProducers: Emily Alters & Cody Braun--Learn more about WinShape Camps at WinShapeCamps.org!Instagram: @WinShapeCampsTikTok: @WinShapeCampsFacebook: @WinShapeCamps Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Colorado High School Basketball Podcast, host Matt Langley interviews former high school and college basketball player Caydrick Bloomquist to explore how high school basketball develops mental toughness, resilience, and elite performance skills that transfer to life after sports.Caydrick grew up in Emporia, Kansas in a basketball culture built on the xitZone mentality—a philosophy focused on pushing beyond comfort zones, performing under fatigue, and building discipline through accountability. That mindset helped shape his journey from high school basketball to college athletics, becoming an All-American pole vaulter, and later working in sports performance, mindset training, and human performance consulting with Olympians, tactical athletes, and military populations.This episode discusses:How high school basketball builds mental toughness and resilienceThe XitZone philosophy and its seven core principlesWhy learning to perform while fatigued creates a competitive edgeHow mindset training improves confidence, focus, and consistencyLessons from basketball that apply to school, careers, and life challengesWhy today's athletes must train their mindset as much as their physical skillsPerfect for high school basketball players, coaches, parents, trainers, and educators, this episode explains why basketball is one of the best tools for developing work ethic, leadership, emotional control, and long-term success—both on and off the court.Here is the link to reserve your spot for the 1-hour xitzone workshophttps://forms.gle/h2m7gSx3jd6vyGu46Support the showfor more follow @bball_co on twitter or visit BasketballColorado.com

[ANNOUNCEMENT] Grandpa Bill's New YouTube: Silver Streaker Workouts, Mnemonics & Maine Mentor MomentsYouTube Description:BillHolt @billholt8792Hey everybody! I'm Grandpa Bill, your Host and Moderator, and today marks the exciting launch of my revamped YouTube channel! We're transitioning to short, focused Silver Streaker Workouts and Maine Mentor Moments—daily vlogs that are Good for ALL Kids from 1 to 92! This new format is packed with Holistic Healing insights, Geriatrics Workouts, and valuable Retirement Tips.The New Daily Structure: Join me every day for a dose of motivation, exercise, and memory training!Daily Workouts: Focus on Balance Training, Mobility Drills, and Active Aging tips.Maine Mentor Moments: I'm teaching Life & Business Mnemonics using the PAO Major System and my unique Memory Palace with my granddaughter, Adah! Learn Life Skills and boost your Financial Wellness.

Are you ready to transform your children from helpless dependents into confident, capable individuals? What if teaching life skills could actually reduce your daily parenting stress whilst building your child's self-esteem? How can simple household tasks become powerful tools for developing resilience and independence in your kids?

On this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore sits down for a candid conversation with Nicole Warren Renard, also known as Nicole the Nomad. Nicole’s journey has taken her through pageants, the Miss America stage, social media influence, and even to competing on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. But beneath the highlight reel, Nicole opens up about the ever-present challenge of comparison—whether it's sizing herself up against others, herself from different seasons of life, or the high-pressure environments of televised competitions and motherhood. What’s Inside: Facing Comparison in High-Pressure Environments: Nicole reflects on feeling like the "least experienced, least qualified" contestant on Next Level Chef, and how self-doubt and comparison can trip us up—even in the most exciting opportunities. Identity and Confidence: Discover how grounding her worth in Christ empowered Nicole to compete in both pageants and cooking shows without letting failure or criticism define her. Comparison in Motherhood: Nicole shares honestly about the struggles of comparing herself to other moms on social media, and even to her pre-mom self. She offers practical ways to keep your heart and mind anchored in truth during big life transitions. Practical Tips for Freedom from Comparison: Breath prayers and staying in constant conversation with God Practicing gratitude to shift focus away from “not enough” Setting healthy boundaries with social media Keeping an eternal perspective during mundane or behind-the-scenes seasons Life Skills and Pageant Myths: Nicole debunks stereotypes about the pageant world, explains how it developed her confidence and skills, and how she focused on the positive outcomes rather than just winning. Holistic Health & Rhythms: Nicole shares the value of consistency and structure in daily routines for mind, body, and soul health. Faith in the Everyday: Learn how Nicole incorporates prayer and scripture into her daily life, even as a busy new mom, modeling an abiding relationship with God for her daughter. Favorite Quotes: “At the end of the day, if all of that was stripped away, nothing I do or don't do changes the fact that I'm a human created with purpose and that I have value that is given to me through Christ.” “I'm quick to give up on myself and say, well, I don’t know what else it could be… And I compare myself to that.” We Talk About: The mental game of competition and why comparison can knock out even the most talented contestants How gratitude can’t coexist with complaining, and practical ways to cultivate a grateful heart Why embracing every season—including the “unseen” work of motherhood—is building an eternal legacy Sponsored by:WeShare Christian Medical Health Sharing — health care designed with your peace of mind. Get a free, no-obligation quote and waive the $149 application fee by going to: www.weshare.org/heather Connect:Find Nicole on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more as Nicole the Nomad. Get recipes, travel guides, and more at Nicole the Nomad’s website. Next Steps: Sign up for Compared to Who?'s 40 Day Journey or grab the 40 Day Body Image Workbook on Amazon. Leave a 5-star review and share this episode if it encouraged you! Remember:You can stop comparing—and start living! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every BCBA and teacher has lived the moment: you pour months into an intervention… only to open an assessment and think, “Wait. Where did all that progress go?”In this episode, Caitlin sits down with Casey Barron and Dr. Anika Hoybjerg—creators of the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale (MOTAS)—to talk about why so many traditional tools miss the skills that matter most, and how the MOTAS fills those gaps with flexible, functional, and family-aligned assessment practices.

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Send us a textToday's youth—especially in India—are drowning in competition. IIT, NEET, UPSC, job interviews, foreign applications, internships… everything needs one thing more than academic knowledge: Life Skills.Connect With Kapeel Guptaor Click on the link: http://bit.ly/4jlql8s

Join us as we welcome Kristen Manomat, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida. Kristen shares her inspiring journey from a 16-year career in elementary education to leading this vital non-profit that is tackling the youth mental health crisis head-on.Learn about the Girls on the Run (GOTR) program, which is much more than just a running club. Kristen explains how their research-based curriculum uses physical activity as a vessel to deliver critical life skills, teaching girls how to navigate intentional friendships, practice whole listening, and set healthy boundaries.December 6th 5k: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/FtMyers/GOTRSWFLFall5k

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Part two of Larry and Rachel's double recording. After some Upside Down Talk, Rachel wants to see which of us has more basic life skills. Enjoy!! -          Please send your emails to heresjohnnypodcast@gmail.com -          To join our community, feel free to join our discord! (https://discord.gg/htr6kRB) -          Check out our past reviews and lists on our show website at https://www.heresjohnnypodcast.com/ -          If you are able, you can support us on Patreon (patreon.com/heresjohnnypodcast) You can find Rachel on the Zombie Grrlz Horror Podcast, where they review horror films from the feminist perspective. For Stream Queens, we talk about horror movies you can stream on the internet. The More Deadly cast is dedicated to reviewing and signal-boosting horror movies directed by women-identified artists. The Cast of Ka tackles Stephen King's definitive work, The Dark Tower, one book at a time. Also, check out Rachel's Star Wars content over at Outpost Unknown (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8oumJZs4V_bTeL5cm7MAFg)!

On Wednesday, November 19, Oregon's Legislative Revenue Office released the state's December Economic and Revenue Forecast. The good news is that Net General Fund and Lottery resources are up $318.8 million from the September Forecast. The bad news is that they are still down $635.9 million since the Close of Session Forecast in June of this year. While the news is about as good as K-12 advocates could have hoped for, it is still important to be vigilant and make a clear and convincing case to center the growing needs of students and protect all K-12 programs from cuts or reductions in the 2025-27 budget. There will be many other programs facing cuts, particularly in the Human Services sector, due to the passage of federal legislation - most notably Medicaid and SNAP - that the state will have to consider when weighing how to balance budgets, if and when to tap into reserve funds, etc.  It is also worth noting that the Legislature is forecasting other potential costs that have not been budgeted for like wildfire mitigation costs, HR 1 state implementation costs, keeping an ending balance for the state general fund, etc. And while there is one more Forecast that will be released on February 4, 2026, to inform Legislators during their short session, K-12 schools need to be prepared for the possibility of mid-year and/or mid-biennium reductions. Our featured students are from Orenco Elementary School's Life Skills program. They were able to participate in Outdoor School this fall, thanks to the extra efforts of NW Regional Education Service District and Orenco staff. Each Outdoor School location typically has one all-terrain wheelchair, but more were necessary to allow all students who needed them to have access. So, ESD staff borrowed wheelchairs from other locations to make it possible. Many thanks to everyone who worked hard to make this beloved rite-of-passage tradition accessible to students experiencing disability!Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what's happening in our district and schools.

November's Golden Apple Award winner is Miss Catherine Duda. She's a family and consumer science teacher in Westfield Washington Schools. At Westfield High School Miss Duda brings the bedrock of life skills to life. She teaches interpersonal relationships, nutrition and wellness, and principles of childhood education to high school students. She's also an example of what being a successful adult looks like.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Secret Life Podcast, host Brianne Davis-Gantt tackles the pressing issue of "adulting up." What does it mean to truly embrace adulthood, and why are so many people hesitating to take that leap? Brianne dives deep into the psychological, environmental, and biological factors that contribute to the phenomenon of arrested development, exploring how unresolved childhood trauma and societal pressures can prevent individuals from fully stepping into their adult roles.Joined by her co-host Mark Gantt, Brianne shares her personal insights and observations about the challenges many face when it comes to taking responsibility for their lives. From the importance of having good role models to the impact of financial stress, this episode sheds light on the various reasons why some adults struggle to evolve. Brianne also presents her top 15 actionable steps to help listeners "adult up," offering practical advice that encourages self-awareness, responsibility, and personal growth.Whether you're grappling with feelings of inadequacy or simply looking for ways to enhance your adulting skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights and relatable anecdotes. Join Brianne and Mark as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and empower you to take charge of your life.

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we're joined by MacKenzie Price (founder of Alpha School) to talk about the future of education — and what parents can do at home right now to help their kids love learning. MacKenzie is a mom who noticed her daughters going from curious and excited to totally bored in a top-rated traditional school. Instead of accepting “that's just how school is,” she set out to understand why—and ended up building a new model that puts passion, curiosity, and real-life skills back at the center. We talk about the practical things parents can try at home: simple ways to make learning feel engaging, how AI can support reading and math by making it more personalized, what “good” vs. “bad” screen time looks like, and why paying attention to your child's natural interests can make such a difference. Then we zoom out and talk about what school in the U.S. could look like over the next decade as AI becomes part of the classroom — more personalized, more flexible, and potentially giving kids valuable time back for the skills they use in real life. MacKenzie shares great examples of what happens when kids have a little more space to explore, from public-speaking projects to creative deep dives that turn into something bigger. Timestamps:  00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast 00:00:36 Meet MacKenzie Price (Founder, Alpha School) 00:06:05 How is Alpha School doing learning differently? 00:10:32 Why does AI belong in the classroom? 00:15:28 Will this style of learning be the norm in 5–10 years? 00:17:02 What can traditional schools borrow from this model? 00:22:30 What are easy ways to make learning more engaging at home? 00:37:27 What are MacKenzie's long-term hopes for U.S. education? 00:40:48 Rethinking screen time vs “good” screen time 00:43:45 How can parents help their kids discover their passions? 00:52:58 Why doing things differently matters 00:56:51 Could this learning model work without AI? 00:58:45 Parent resources, apps & where to start 01:00:18 Thanks for listening! #twoparentsandapod --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Neuro: Clean, focused energy without the crash. Get 20% off your first order at https://www.neurogum.com with code TWOPARENTS. *Nurture Life: Nutritious, ready-to-serve meals and snacks for kids ages 10 months to 10 years. Get 55% off your first order plus free shipping at https://www.nurturelife.com/TWOPARENTS with code TWOPARENTS. *Manukora: Ethically produced, creamy Manuka honey packed with antioxidants and prebiotics. Get $150 off your first Starter Kit at https://www.manukora.com/TWOPARENTS. *Aura Frames: Give the gift of unlimited photos and videos. Get $45 off the best-selling Carver Mat frame at https://on.auraframes.com/TWOPARENTS with code TWOPARENTS. --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386 --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Two Parents & A Podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod Follow Alex Bennett: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett Follow Harrison Fugman: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman Find our guest: Website | https://www.draribrown.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/futureof_education/  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@aribrownmd --------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a leader stops chasing income and starts creating impact? Tune in for The Executive Wisdom Series with Tisha Marie Cain, JD, CHt, as she reveals how shifting focus from profit to purpose unlocks clarity, fulfillment, and lasting success in both business and life.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comTisha Marie Cain, JD, CHt, is an executive counsel, c-suite breakthrough mindset coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and multiple #1 bestselling international author and artist who helps people rewire their subconscious, release emotional weight, and transform their relationship with money, power, and self-worth. She works with a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 executives and visionary leaders, guiding them through deep mindset work, subconscious healing, and unapologetic self-liberation. Tisha Marie Cain is highly sought after for her work in elevating executive mindsets with clarity, confidence, and strategic vision to convert opportunities into measurable advantages. To schedule your private appointment visit: https://tishamariecain.com.https://www.cainslegalsupport.com/For more show information visit: https://www.mariannepestana.com/

“Four essential elements of Biblical manhood are joy, community, accountability, and identity,” says Alan Hahn, the founder and CEO of Iron Academy, a private, all-male Christian school for boys ages 6-12. Alan's school focuses on forging these boys into the men God created them to be by teaching them essential life skills, such as leadership, and by providing rites of passage that strengthen their sense of healthy masculinity. He discusses the use of thriving spiritual formation, helpful correction, and joyful discipleship in a loving and trusted environment - elements that cultivate a young man's identity and challenge him to work harder and achieve more. In a society that is starving for the truth, Christian men can be a countercultural light in the darkness by becoming all that God created them to be. TAKEAWAYSMen and fathers of all ages can learn from Alan's book, The Iron Academy: Forging Young Men Who Fight For The KingSpiritual formation does not happen without healthy shame or positive correctionA rite of passage requires separation from ‘normal' life and the administration of some kind of testLeadership training is a key element of forging young boys into men

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Karin Athanas, Executive Director of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Karin shares her strategic vision for the organization, focusing on how FCS professionals are uniquely positioned to empower individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. We dive deep into AAFCS's crucial advocacy efforts to ensure Family and Consumer Sciences is formally recognized as a core Career Cluster in education, equipping students with essential skills from personal finance and nutrition to human development. Learn about the value of AAFCS professional certifications, the new Collaborative Network fostering community, and the surprising, modern relevance of this foundational field. If you're passionate about life skills education, career pathways, and community well-being, you won't want to miss this conversation!On today's podcast, we are talking to Karin Athanas who is with AAFCS. Karin is the Executive Director of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), the premier professional association for the FCS field. She is a recognized nonprofit leader and an expert in standards and conformity assessment, bringing a scientific mind and strategic vision to the association. Since joining in 2023, Karin has focused on advancing the FCS mission to empower individuals, families, and communities through research, leadership, and service, and she is a strong advocate for establishing Family and Consumer Sciences as a key Career Cluster in national education frameworks.

Ukrainian children, who have temporary protection status in Cyprus, are in need of comfortable Ukrainian-speaking surroundings, psychological support, joining the educational process, and learning English to a sufficient level of communication. That's why the NeoStudy's mission is an important one and one that Katerina Shuliak is on the podcast talking to us about. She doesn't just share the school's vision of leadership, communication and confidence and how they achieve this vision, she also shares what it's like working with displaced and traumatised children and families. Find more about the Kateryna Biloruska Foundation here. Follow the Foundation on Instagram. Find out more about the NeoStudy school here. Please consider supporting the podcast by subscribing to Patreon for as little as 2, 5 or 10 euros a month. Find Eleni aka Georgie's Mummy on Instagram and Facebook to follow her daily stories and posts. Email: eleni@georgiesmummy.comThe Mamma Mu podcast is supported by the Limassol Therapy Center, a space where therapists offer a range of treatment options including therapy, family therapy and parenting support. www.limassoltherapycenter.com The Mamma Mu podcast is supported by We Are Mammas by Wiggle. A special discount code for listeners applies at checkout. Code: MAMMAMU http://www.wigglecy.com/we-are-mammasSupport the show

In this episode, illustrator and storyteller Elijah Stanfield — known for The Tuttle Twins series — joins host Miriam Conner on the latest episode of aParently Speaking to talk about a new survey that reveals what parents really want schools to teach their kids. The post Podcast #110: From Life Skills to Adulting: What Parents Say Schools Miss appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

Jenese, Matti, Hans and more share the life skills they think every adult should have!

Send us a textKyla Szemplinski, county extension agent for Shelby County and the University of Tennessee and her all star 4-H member, Serenity Green, join us to discuss the many benefits of 4-H on shaping young people's lives. 

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Joel Lavin, an equity and inclusion administrator in Eugene, Oregon, with 25 years of experience in public education. Joel shares insights into his work supporting high school students with disabilities, focusing on transition services that help students move from school to adulthood. The conversation covers the importance of inclusive practices, unifying specialized programs, and providing real-life experiences through initiatives like CTE (Career Technical Education) and the Future Build program. Joel and Jethro discuss the challenges and successes of integrating students with disabilities into broader educational and extracurricular opportunities, including unified sports and robotics. The episode features personal stories that highlight the impact of these programs on student confidence, independence, and community involvement, emphasizing the value of collaboration among educators to create inclusive environments. LinkedLeaders: You need support. Get just-in-time mentoring at LinkedLeaders.comWe're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In today's episode, ScreenStrong Ambassador Liaison and host Mandee Hamann welcomes Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food and two-time TEDx speaker, for an inspiring conversation about helping kids build real life skills in a world obsessed with screens.As a mom of four, teacher, and creator of the #LifeSkillsNow summer camps, Katie has helped thousands of families empower their kids to cook, clean, and take responsibility for their daily lives—all while bringing families closer together around healthy food and meaningful work.Mandee and Katie dive into:Why life skills are essential for kids' confidence and independenceHow screens are replacing valuable opportunities for hands-on learningWhy risk-taking (yes, even with sharp knives and climbing trees!) is necessary for growthHow busy families can find time to teach practical skills in everyday momentsWays to foster critical thinking and problem-solving—even before the “age of logic”Whether you're navigating the ScreenStrong 30-Day Detox or simply looking for ways to replace screen time with real-life learning, this episode will encourage and equip you to raise capable, confident kids who know how to thrive—no device required.

Students engage when they see a connection between what they are learning and their future objectives. In this episode, Angela Bauer joins us to discuss the benefits of integrating life skills into a liberal arts curriculum. Angela is a biologist and the Provost and Executive Vice President at Texas Women's University. Prior to this, she served in several  leadership positions at High Point University. Angela is also the author of Teaching Life Skills in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Preparing Students for Success Beyond the Classroom which has recently been released by Taylor and Francis. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

I'm diving deep into teaching life skills to teens—from driving and money management to cooking and getting their first job. If you're stressed about whether your teen is "ready" to launch, this episode is for you. I share how I navigated the messy middle of raising two very different kids, why mistakes are actually gifts, and how to stop micromanaging and start believing in your teen's ability to figure things out. Learn when to step in, when to let go, and how shifting from "this is who my kid is" to "this is where they are" changes everything. Perfect for parents of teens aged 13-18. For full transcript and show notes: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-619-life-skills-for-launching-teens/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weltec is closing the only two courses for students with intellectual disabilities in the Wellington region. 

Welcome to Hot Topics! Host Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Jordan Sutlick about her journey in starting a microschool in Missouri, set to open in August 2027. This episode focuses on microschools, which are small, independent schools that serve a limited number of students, emphasizing personalized learning and community involvement.Jordan shares her reasons for starting a microschool, especially her experiences as a mother of a neurodivergent child. As the founder of Luminaire Academy, she wants to help children who often don't get the support they need in traditional schools. The school will welcome students starting from age 5 and is already a private school that uses an accredited curriculum.We discuss how microschools allow for tailored learning experiences and the 50/50 model that includes both neurodivergent and neurotypical learners, promoting inclusivity. Luminaire Academy will have students in groups of 10, with a total of 7 groups, ensuring a supportive environment for everyone.Jordan highlights her focus on life skills, entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning. We explore how Luminaire Academy will work with local resources and involve parents in their children's education.Additionally, we talk about a learning approach that lets students progress at their own pace and a focus on overall development that includes nutrition and physical activity. Join us for an interesting conversation about new educational ideas and the impact of microschools in Missouri!Who is Jordan Sutlick?Jordan is the founder of Luminaire Academy. Luminaire Academy was born from the belief that our children aren't struggling, they're underserved. Too often, they're labeled with behavioral issues when in reality, they lack proper nutrition, movement, a nurturing environment, and a curriculum that prepares them to be future leaders. As a mother of a neurodivergent child, I saw how traditional schools overlook the needs of kids who learn differently. We're building the school we couldn't find. A place where nature, creativity, resourcefulness, faith, and personalized learning come together. Here, therapy is welcomed, not argued over. Your child's therapist is contracted during school hours. With a 50/50 classroom model for neurodivergent and neurotypical learners, we're creating a truly inclusive community where your child's learning strategy is tailored to their passions and strengths.You can find Jordan Sutlick:On the web: https://www.luminaire-academy.comBy Email: luminaire.outdooracademy@gmail.comBy Phone: (913) 620-2098Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/yNl2Kz7yFwQRate this episode on IMDB: TBA********************************************Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services:On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn X: https://www.x.com/ASATS2013On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tutoring-services/On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@astepaheadtutoringservicesOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asats2013On Eventbrite: https://astepaheadtutoringservices.eventbrite.comVisit us on the web: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.comSign up for our email list: https://squareup.com/outreach/a41DaE/subscribeSign up for our text list: https://tapit.us/cipPJOCheck out our entire "Hot Topics!" podcast: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com/hottopicspodcastSupport us:Cash App: https://cash.app/$ASATS2013PayPal: https://paypal.me/ASATS2013Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ASATS2013Zelle: success@astepaheadtutoringservices.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hot-topics--5600971/support Original date of episode: July 23, 2025

Is high-stakes stress undermining your leadership decisions and how you lead? Leadership today can feel like steering a ship in constant storm. Tune in for The Executive Wisdom Series with Tisha Marie Cain, JD, CHt, as she reveals how her innovative Bliss Protocol teaches high-achievers to rewire their stress response, think with clarity, and lead with confidence, even when the pressure is on! Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comTisha Marie Cain, JD, CHt, is an executive counsel, c-suite breakthrough mindset coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and multiple #1 bestselling international author and artist who helps people rewire their subconscious, release emotional weight, and transform their relationship with money, power, and self-worth. She works with a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 executives and visionary leaders, guiding them through deep mindset work, subconscious healing, and unapologetic self-liberation. Tisha Marie Cain is highly sought after for her work in elevating executive mindsets with clarity, confidence, and strategic vision to convert opportunities into measurable advantages. To schedule your private appointment visit: https://tishamariecain.com. https://www.cainslegalsupport.com/For more show information visit: https://www.mariannepestana.com/

In this episode of Your Daily Chocolate, Patty welcomes Mike Sealy, an experienced leader turned author and coach who specializes in helping others overcome imposter syndrome. Mike explains that  imposter syndrome stems from an overprotective unconscious mind. The discussion covers its prevalence in both personal and professional settings, its heightened impact during COVID-19, and differences between men and women.He shares personal anecdotes, including his own struggles and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, generational factors, societal norms, and the importance of support systems. Mike also previews his upcoming book that aims to impart essential life skills to young men. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:09 Defining Imposter Syndrome02:56 Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace04:33 Gender Differences in Imposter Syndrome05:52 Impact of COVID on Imposter Syndrome08:17 Recognizing Imposter Syndrome11:23 Generational and Industry Perspectives14:02 Life Skills for Young Men17:18 Personal Experiences with Imposter Syndrome19:27 Imposter Syndrome at HP21:42 Overcoming Public Speaking Fears22:52 Building Confidence Outside Your Comfort Zone23:57 Imposter Syndrome: No Cure, Just Management25:54 The Impact of Childhood on Confidence28:39 The Dangers of Participation Trophies31:31 Rapid Fire Questions with MikeMike's book Mindset Unlocked can be purchased via Amazon here:  https://a.co/d/7yVxOKx Mike's favorite chocolate is from Hotel Chocolat. Check out their US website here: Hotel Chocolat USA | Reinventing ChocolateMike's website: https://xincglobal.mykajabi.com/home Mike Sealy FRSA | LinkedInBook a Call: https://calendly.com/mike-sealy/book-a-call-1

In today's episode, Gina interviews Anna Runkle, the Crappy Childhood Fairy! Anna reveals much about her often traumatic life history and shares some of her most helpful tools for re-regulating the nervous system to find more peace and calm. Finding stability for our brain and nervous system now can have a substantial effect on our life both now and into the future. Listen in for Anna's interesting story and invaluable advice, find more peace and calm today!Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching linkACPGroupCoaching.comTo learn more, go to:Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership ProgramLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/Here's what's included for $5/month:❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind❤ And more fun surprises along the way!All this in your favorite podcast app!Chapters0:26 Introduction to the Crappy Childhood Fairy2:38 Anna's Journey Through Trauma6:19 The Impact of PTSD13:13 Techniques for Healing19:05 Finding Peace Through Writing22:42 Embracing the Hand We're DealtSummaryAnna Runkle, known as the "crappy childhood fairy," joins the Anxiety Coaches Podcast to discuss her journey of healing from childhood trauma and her innovative approaches to overcoming the adverse effects of such experiences. With a significant online following, Anna has dedicated over three decades to helping those affected by childhood trauma, enabling them to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Her forthcoming book, "Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel, at Last, Like You Belong," focuses on overcoming feelings of disconnection—a common issue both among trauma survivors and those with normal childhoods. Anna highlights that many individuals crave connection and understanding but often feel isolated, leading to loneliness and strained relationships.During the discussion, Anna shares her personal background of growing up in a commune with a mother plagued by addiction, which subjected her and her family to violence, poverty, and neglect. Despite these challenges, she managed to remain a high-functioning student throughout her childhood and early adulthood. However, a series of traumatic events in her 30s, including the death of her mother, a serious heartbreak, and a violent attack, left her with profound psychological effects, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At that time, the concept of PTSD was not well understood outside military contexts, leaving Anna feeling isolated and struggling with her mental health amidst overwhelming shame and fear.In her conversation with Gina Ryan, Anna explains the significant misdiagnosis of childhood trauma symptoms, revealing her struggle with emotional dysregulation and her eventual journey to recovery. After initially finding therapy unhelpful, Anna serendipitously discovered effective techniques for managing her anxiety and depression through support from a friend who had also endured severe life struggles. These techniques, which included writing down her anxious and angry thoughts and feelings—effectively releasing them—and practicing meditation, became transformative tools for her.#CPTSD, #ComplexPTSD, #ChildhoodTrauma, #TraumaHealing, #Dysregulation, #NeurologicalDysregulation, #EmotionalRegulation, #Connectability, #Disconnection, #Isolation, #AnnaRunkle, #CrappyChildhoodFairy, #AnxietyCoachesPodcast, #DailyPractice, #Reregulated, #ReRegulation, #TraumaRecovery, #HealingTechniques, #SelfHelp, #LifeSkills, #SocialSkills, #Meditation, #AnxietyRelief, #MentalHealth, #SelfCare, #PersonalGrowth, #HealingJourney, #InnerPeace, #Belonging, #GinaRyan, #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textEarly Access Podcast: https://arsenioseslpodcast.podia.com/community/topics/195018/posts/676331-podcast-topic-the-three-s-s-of-motivation-expectancy-esteem-and-efficacy

What if your kitchen could be more than a place to cook? In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman speaks with Janet Iri, founder of My Mindful Kitchen and creator of the MMK Method.Janet brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality, education, and sustainability — and she believes the kitchen is where parenting, connection, and mindfulness come alive. Together, we explore how everyday food routines can teach kids gratitude, life skills, and eco-friendly habits, while also reducing food waste at home.This isn't about picture-perfect meals. It's about creating moments of learning, laughter, and connection around the table. Whether you're looking to involve your kids in cooking, reduce your grocery waste, or simply bring more presence to mealtimes, this episode offers practical strategies you can use right away.EPISODE DESCRIPTIONWhy the kitchen is the perfect place to teach kids life skills and valuesPractical ways to reduce food waste and save money at homeHow mindful eating builds gratitude and family connectionCreative ways to involve kids in shopping, cooking, and meal planningWhat the Mindful Kitchen Method is and how it can help your familyTUNE IN TO LEARN ✔ How to transform mealtimes into mindful, meaningful family moments ✔ Easy strategies to reduce food waste in your kitchen ✔ Fun and simple ways to get kids engaged with food ✔ Why gratitude and curiosity matter at the dinner tableFREEBIEhttps://www.mymindfulkitchen.com/ebook-becoming-a-mindful-foodieFIND JANEThttps://www.mymindfulkitchen.com/https://www.facebook.com/mmkmethod/ https://www.instagram.com/mmkmethod/TAKEAWAY MESSAGEYour kitchen can be more than a place to make meals — it can be a space for connection, gratitude, and teaching kids lessons that last a lifetime. Listen in, and remembSend us a textSupport the show120 COPING SKILLShttps://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskillsCULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGEhttps://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge 1:1 PRIVATE COACHING FOR MOMS https://www.amigamoms.com/coaching WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindfulUse this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.STAY CONNECTED:Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcastWebsite: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcastAll Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus DISCLAIMER:Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

In this episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey dive deep into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence and its implications on human relationships. With AI becoming an integral part of our lives, it's crucial to understand its impact, especially on the sanctity and quality of human connections. Father Boniface and Joe explore the nuances of trust within relationships in an age where AI can imitate human behavior with uncanny precision. Can technology ever replicate the profound depth of human relationships? Join the hosts as they discuss the dangers of blurring the lines between genuine human interaction and AI-powered communication.The episode looks into the potential pitfalls of AI-generated content and how it may compromise our ability to discern truth from fiction. Our relationship dynamics, whether personal or professional, rely heavily on the trust and authenticity that AI may challenge. This conversation underscores the importance of maintaining robust in-person relationships and developing skills to ensure what we perceive as real is indeed so. Father Boniface touches on the philosophical and theological aspects of these changes, calling listeners to reconsider the value of human connections that transcend mere transactional interactions.Joe brings to light the effects seen in the business and social landscapes, where AI is often used to automate everything from advertising to customer interactions. The hosts discuss the potential saturation and diminishing quality of AI-generated content, which could cause a decline in meaningful human engagement.As Joe and Father Boniface navigate these complex ideas, they challenge listeners to enhance their "relationship muscles" and prioritize cultivating genuine human connections. Whether it's strengthening existing bonds or repairing broken ones, they highlight the critical need for human interaction in our technology-driven world.Tags: Artificial Intelligence, AI Impact, Human Relationships, Trust, Technology and Humanity, Father and Joe, Podcast, Spiritual Guidance, Relationship Skills, AI Concerns, Authentic Connections, Digital Age, AI Content, Communication, Human Interaction, Father Boniface Hicks, Joe Rockey, Personal Development, Spirituality, Theology, AI Challenges, AI Future, Business Impacts, Social Media, Online Interactions, Human Connection, Life Skills, Technological Growth, AI Ethics, Digital Communication, AI Algorithms, Relationship Dynamics, Trust in Technology, Spiritual Reflection, Real vs Fake, New Technology, Human Creativity, Generative AI, AI in Society, Faith and TechnologyHashtags: #ArtificialIntelligence, #AIImpact, #HumanRelationships, #TrustIssues, #TechAndHumanity, #FatherAndJoe, #PodcastTalk, #SpiritualGuidance, #RelationshipSkills, #AIFears, #DigitalConnections, #AIContent, #TrueCommunication, #HumanInteraction, #FatherBonifaceHicks, #JoeRockey, #PersonalGrowth, #Spirituality, #TheologicalTalk, #AIChallenges, #FutureTech, #BusinessImpact, #SocialMedia, #OnlineInteractions, #RealHumanConnection, #LifeSkills, #TechGrowth, #AIethics, #DigitalCommunication, #AIGeneration, #RelationshipDynamics, #TechTrust, #SpiritualReflection, #RealVsFake, #NewTech, #HumanCreativity, #GenerativeAI, #AISociety, #FaithAndTechThis line is here to correct the site's formatting error.

Money, pens, and a little break… We're hooking teachers up with the essentials for any educator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Middle school is the perfect training ground for life skills — and in part three of the Middle School Series on Joyful Courage, I'm sharing how we can guide our tweens and teens as they practice the tools they'll need for independence, resilience, and healthy relationships. From self-regulation and problem solving to organization, time management, communication, and self-advocacy, I unpack why these skills are still developing, why mistakes matter, and how we can model calm, curiosity, and confidence as they learn. Tune in for encouragement and practical tips to help your kids grow through the ups and downs of adolescence. Find more show notes and info at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-609-middle-school-series-part-3-life-skills-to-nurture/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices