The Building Heroes Podcast: Recent Episodes
Molly Christensen
Living in unprecedented times calls for unprecedented ways for raising our kids. Join me as we navigate the path of the hero journey, as applied to our own lives and our children’s lives! With a mix of interviews with hero-building parents and solo podcasts on a range of topics such as parenting, family life, homeschooling/education and entrepreneurship, you’ll get new tips, learn new tools, and feel inspired!
Together, let's go on our own hero journeys as we help redefine education and how to lead our own children on their paths. I'm here as your friend, ally and mentor on your hero journey! Learn more at https://www.buildingheroesacademy.com.
On this episode of The Building Heroes Podcast, we explore the idea that children are not distractions but actually the whole point of homeschooling. Our guest, Laura Swain, shares her insights on why the factory-style homeschooling approach doesn't work and explains how a mindset shift is needed for parents to connect with their children and cultivate their innate curiosity instead of focusing on efficiency and standardization. We also discuss handling guilt and pressure, finding a supportive community, embracing the hero's journey, and offers practical tools such as a free de-schooling guide and a Type A checklist.
Get your deschooling guide here:
https://learnwithlauraswain.com
Connect with Laura here:
https://instagram.com/learnwithlauraswain
Whether you're a homeschooling parent or just interested in alternative education, this episode will inspire you to rethink your beliefs and actions.
Get hero building resources here:
https://www.buildingheroesathome.com
Connect with Molly here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wearebuildingheroes
[00:01:41] Countryside move requires patience and gardening passion.
[00:04:56] "Parental worry: good and bad tendency"
[00:09:32] Building character through homeschooling challenges.
[00:11:40] Recovering perfectionist homeschools children, changes mindset.
[00:18:05] Leaving the school model for something different.
[00:20:43] Beach vacation, first time kids saw ocean.
[00:27:02] Fear of falling behind due to FOMO.
[00:33:35] Moms struggle with guilt and FOMO.
[00:37:53] "Acceptance and vision lead to growth."
[00:41:58] Help with mindset shift for homeschool moms.
[00:44:02] Freedom journey feels beautiful
On this episode of The Building Heroes Podcast, guest Mo Spell and I discuss the journey of growth and how to navigate hardships and challenges along the way.
Connect with Mo:
https://maureenspell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maureenspell/
Get your bonus journal: "Mom Brain Hacks: Navigating New Seasons" as an opt-in https://maureenspell.com/new-seasons/
[00:01:44] A homeschooling mom with hindsight talks about navigating ups and downs in her journey and trusting her gut with her children's education.
[00:03:54] A mother overcomes overwhelm by changing her perspective and expectations, realizing that her circumstances can't change but her mindset can. She learns to appreciate the present moments in her journey instead of waiting for future milestones.
[00:10:07] Recognize subconscious expectations for self and others, articulate expectations for kids, and adjust expectations for different seasons of life.
[00:12:51] Embrace the struggles and obstacles in life as catalysts for growth, and focus on what you tell yourself about them. Joy and struggles exist in every age and stage of life, and pain can also be a necessary and positive part of growth. Changing your perspective on challenges can lead to new opportunities.
[00:16:48] Our worth is not based on what we do, but our thoughts fuel our actions. We should focus on changing our self-talk and beliefs rather than always trying to fix things through action.
[00:20:51] Changing beliefs takes time, as thoughts are repeated and neural pathways form. The acronym "Learn" is useful for identifying limiting beliefs, unrealistic expectations, and unvoiced expectations. Awareness is important for recognizing and addressing these beliefs.
[00:22:22] The text discusses the importance of awareness, recognizing and changing limiting beliefs and expectations, using feelings as a check engine light, and renewing one's mind to change actions and results. It also provides a personal example of how changing one's thinking can lead to better outcomes.
[00:31:45] Letting go of control and expectations is crucial when homeschooling; embracing flexibility and feedback helps maintain a heart connection with one's children.
[00:36:26] Give yourself grace, let go of guilt and embrace discomfort as part of growth. Each new level and season will have new challenges to face but it's all part of the journey.
[00:41:34] Use cold therapy to interrupt negative thought patterns and take deep breaths to think clearly about the next step.
Maybe you've heard the buzz around Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT. What is it? Do you need to know? Check out this episode to learn what it is, how it can help you and what you need to be aware of with your kids!
Join me with guest and homechool mom of 4, Angela Trusty as we chat about how building relationships and connecting with our kids is SO much more important than what curriculum we choose!
Connect with Angela:
https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolparadigm/
https://homeschoolparadigm.com
Do you feel like you always have to be doing things, always busy, always hustling the kids along? While it might sound like a fun dance, it's the fast road to burnout.
Join me with guest, Sarah Collins, a homeschool occupational therapist. You can find her at www.homeschoolot.com.
Homeschool moms want the best for their kids. But do you feel like you're just treading water trying to just stay afloat? What if you had a lifesaver, or better yet, a boat so you could get to where you're going?
We hear a lot about raising life long learners in the homeschool community. But what does that really mean? And is that REALLY want we want for our kids?
Join me as I interview parenting coach, Mary Cook, where she gives us great insights on what we can do when our kids are acting out or misbehaving!
Connect with Mary:
https://joyandconfidence.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyandconfidence
https://www.instagram.com/joyandconfidence
Sometimes ya just feel drained... In this 100th episode, learn about these 5 power habits every homeschool mom should have! And learn more about my celebration giveaway!
Https://www.buildingheroesathome.com/power-habits
Modern neuroscience has discovered much about how our brains learn in the past 30 years. Using these findings, we can help our kids learn much faster and learn some of the most important life skills for success!
What is a parent's role in raising smart, confident, successful children? These basic principles aren't always what we tend to focus on, but really can help our children live up to their potential!
Join me with guest, Kristen Lehman of Hewitt Learning, as we discuss simple, fun and easy ways to build problem solvers and creative thinking in your homeschool!
What is realistic to expect in your homeschool? Can you really do it all? Should you really do it all?
Did you know that there is a pattern for the journey that moms take when you start homeschooling? When you know the pattern and where you are, it makes the journey a lot more predictable!
Homeschool moms have a LOT on their plate. But if you're not incorporating intentional rest & recharge time, you're going to burnout. Join me with guest Danielle Roberts as we discuss how moms CAN fit this in and what it looks like! https://www.daniellemroberts.com (https://www.daniellemroberts.com)
It's a struggle to get the kids to do their morning chores, and if you're like me, you hate nagging them! (And I'm not even good at consistently following up with them!) Family work changed everything for us!
It's a struggle to get the kids to do their morning chores, and if you're like me, you hate nagging them! (And I'm not even good at consistently following up with them!) Family work changed everything for us!
Work with your cycles and seasons of life instead of always trying to be on the go! Join me with guest, Michelle Beckner, a cyclical nutritionist as she gives us some great tips on working with nature in our homeschools. Get your free download here: https://start.mlbfamilywellness.com/heroes (https://start.mlbfamilywellness.com/heroes)
You can learn so much more in the kitchen than just how to cook! Join me with guest, Lisa Jendza, of Freedom Kitchen and hear how she empowers kids to not just learn how to cook and be healthy, but so many good life lessons. And how you can do that in your home too.
You don't have to be an entertainer to capture your kid's attention. In this podcast, I let you in on some secrets that good teachers know.
We all know that family relationships are so important. With some simple changes, you can improve communication quickly! Join me as guests Don and Suzanne Manning of Crazy Cool Family teach us how to stop working hard at the wrong things and focus on building relationships!
How do you let your kids take ownership? How can you raise heroes who make wise decisions? Join me as I interview Kerry Beck who is all about homeschool super heroes!
Being a mom can be overwhelming. Being a kid can be too! How do you handle overwhelm? Join me with my guest, Jamie Knapp as we share some great ideas on parenting and making decisions!
Are you like me and you sometimes wonder if you're spoiling your kids? It sure seems easy to do in this world with instant gratification and so much stuff! This experience I had this week made me really look deeper into this, and you can have a measuring stick to see if you're spoiling your kids!
Maybe you want to reduce the toxic load for your family and feed them better food, that is SO overwhelming! Is it even possible? Join me with guest Sara Rausch to learn her judgment free tips on how to do that!
You do a LOT of important things. What do you think the most important one is? This is what I think EVERY homeschool mom needs to do most!
Do you want your kids to be leaders or followers? Most of us would say leaders. But maybe there is more to it than that.
Do you enjoy meal planning? Many of us don't, and there is a good reason for that. But when you learn the skill of meal planning, it can bring so much more energy into your life!
When you seek for answers, sometimes that leads you to unconventional paths. As a homeschool mom, you've definitely stepped on that path, and you've probably found others,such as health and wellness. In this podcast, LaRayne Miller and I discuss how the journey isn't easy, but it's so, so worth doing!
Just like a cell phone dies when you don't charge it, you need some recharging power in your life too!
Everyone does have stress in their lives, but you can control what it does to you. Join guest Julie Drake as she shares lots of tools to help you manage the stress in your life.
Often we really just don't want to do chores, and our kids especially don't wanna. Join Freedom Mom, Ashley Buffa as she talks about how to create more freedom in your life as you train the kids to help you!
It's great to have experts show us how to do things, but sometimes that creates more anxiety than necessary!
Your kids are born naturally curious. What happens to that curiosity? Can your kids learn naturally without rewards?
How do we teach our kids (and ourselves!) to manage technology in our lives. Learn some things you may not have considered in this interview with Sarah Maynard.
With all the things we feel like we have to do, sometimes it's hard to know what is best for family.
Why you need some boundaries and how to create ones that work! Join me with my Guest, Kerstin Kerchsteiger as she explains how they do it their home.
You have so much to do, but not enough time or energy to do it all! In this podcast, I share two EASY tips that don't take any extra time that can change your life!
You could give tests, but truthfully, homeschool moms are doing assessments a lot more than you think! Learn what clues you're looking for and how to get that spark back into their eyes when you say it's time for school. Join me with my guest, Rachel Figg of The Hands On Homeschool.
When you try something and it doesn't work, don't give up! The hero journey still applies. And when success comes, it's not only ok to celebrate, but it's actually helps you on your journey!
I know you want the best for your kids, but truly, you don't have to be doing everything yourself!
As a homeschool teacher, one of the most fun (and most frustrating) things is figuring out how our kids learn!
Do you look forward and back at this time of year? Here's how to do it so it's actually helpful!
The science of light and how we can use the idea of light applies to us and our homeschool
Homeschoolers are notorious DIYers, but it's the power of community that can make all the difference.
Are family read alouds a part of your homeschool? Hear some of my best tips for read alouds!
Are you incorporating these 4 essentials in your homeschool? Even before reading, writing and 'rithmetic?
You hear a lot about being thankful. But this is how gratitude can really change your life!
When you focus on loving your kids and helping them love learning, homeschool is the best experience!
Dear Homeschool Mama, You Don't Have To Teach Them Everything. Your kids are natural learners. They are going to keep on learning and it is SO freeing when you figure out that you don't have to teach it all to them!
Feel like you're wandering all around? Get clear by learning where to spend your energy and focus.
Not enough time for anything else? House falling apart? Homeschool doesn't have to take all day long!
Do you feel like you're falling behind? That's normal this time of the year! And here's what you can do!
Who else has a lot of problems? What do you do with them? How do you REALLY teaching problem solving? Does math teach problem solving?
How can you fit exercise into your busy day? What if you're too tired? Learn some fun ideas in this podcast!
Dear Homeschool Mama, You got this. It seems overwhelming, but just take it one step at a time!
How is your homeschool going so far this fall? Have you started yet? Have you hit the quit day yet?
You're tired, I know. Did you know there is a cause of fatigue in your life you can choose to get rid of? And it doesn't involve giving away any kids?
The plan you made in your head seemed perfect -- until you try it! Learn how you can use rhythms in your homeschool life to find a flow!
Dear Homeschool Mama, It's really NOT about the curriculum. Curriculum is nice, but it's so much more than that!
How you help your kids find their "thing" that also provides value to the whole family? This mom of 9 and entrepreneur shares how they do it their family!
Kids love hands on learning, but sometimes as a mom it seems like a hard thing to fit in. Rachel has lots of great ideas of how to make learning fun!
Testing can strike fear into any child (and mother's) heart! But is there a time and a place for testing?
You may have a list of benefits to homeschooling, but have you gotten down to the core of WHY you are homeschooling?
Where do you even start if you want to declutter your home? How organized does it need to be?
I started homeschooling my oldest son when he was in first grade. Now he's in the MBA program at university, something I never imagined! He shares his thoughts on what it was like to be homeschooled in this podcast.
A neuroscientist shares the best things you can do for you kids and how to optimize their brains.
Learn about a new simple personality test that can really change your perspective on teaching your children!
You would think that because I encourage you to go on your own path, I want you to be authentic, and I do. But I also think that there is a LOT of confusion surrounding the whole Be You movement. Are you or your kids falling into this trap?
Our kids are amazing and are here for a reason, how do we create a home where they receive an education for greatness?
You might think that you can't travel because it's expensive. But travel can be an amazing part of your homeschool, even if you think it's impossible! It's not!
When the kids are home making messes all day, is it even possible to have a clean house? Could it be that it's part of the learning experience?
Emotional commotion at your house? Why play can make learning about emotions safe AND fun!
Redefining Education With Jeneen GacekJaneen Gacek is a serial entrepreneur ever since she was young and has started many businesses. Jeneen is the founder of Remindful Life, where she offers a step-by-step guide to awareness and clarity. She believes children can teach us more than we often teach them.In today’s episode of The Building Heroes Podcast, Jeneen shares ways to step outside chaos and develop self-awareness and trust. We also chat about homeschooling and designing our own life by learning what works best for us.Topics Discussed In This Episode:[00:49] Jeneen’s background[03:45] The self-design program and how it improved their lives[13:15] Unlearning with kids[17:31] What do we want for our children?[25:50] The benefits of learning together with kids[30:50] Other changes experienced from the self-design program[35:25] The school system[37:36] Trusting ourselvesWhile running their business with her husband and another business partner in Bali, Jeneen says everything wasn’t doing great, and they weren’t sure how to move forward. At this point, she felt like something had to change. They decided to close down the business, sell their house and figure out what to do next. They also decided to look for different schooling options that were more flexible for their kids.Jeneen and her husband find a program in Canada, the Self Design Program, which “offered a lot of freedom, autonomy, and a great way to self-design.”“It was everything I had ever thought education should look like.”They enrolled the kids in the program, marking the beginning of a new family journey.Self Designing ProcessAs part of the unlearning and unprograming process, the facilitator started by scheduling the day for the kids to allow them to know that life can look different and what works for someone might not work for another person.Jeneen and her kids later went through the unlearning process as they experienced new things. She says not knowing what the next step would be created mutual respect between them and helped create conversations and discussions.While societal expectation has created a template of how life should look like, Jeneen insists on the importance of knowing what we want for our kids and then thinking about how to offer it.“When you decide what you want for your kids, you can learn along with them.”She says there’s joy in learning with the kids, and it allows them to teach back. This way, they develop interest and know much better.The program also made her feel alive and engaged, something she says set a good example for the kids.It also made her realize that everyone in the family and their values are different. This allowed them to work with the dynamics of each person.With the initial instinct towards significant life changes being fear, Jeneen says homeschooled children have an advantage and are much more welcoming to change than kids who have been through the school system. She says the school system provides no flexibility and provides just a pattern that should be followed.However, with homeschooling, kids are taught about trusting themselves as it helps them realize what they value. This creates confidence “because our journey is our own, and no one can tell us how to navigate. They can only advise.”As much as we can offer our kids the things we have learned in our lives, they also need to experience life in their way. Although parents don’t want to mess up or see their children struggle, they should let their children trust and listen to their intuition.Connect with JeneenRemindful Life Websitehttps://remindfullife.com/
As a homeschool mom, it seems like there is never enough time to get it all done, let alone find time for mom! This is how I got out of the no time for mom cycle.
In this episode, we have invited Jen Myers, the CEO and Life Business Coach at Homeschool CEO. She specializes in running a company and a family with a CEO's attitude, and she is now on a quest to assist other mom entrepreneurs in doing the same. Today, Jen shares her experiences about her and how she got into homeschooling and entrepreneurship.How it all started[1:15]Jen started as a reluctant homeschooler and did not plan about it; it was not until her kids' teachers suggested it since one of her kids has a learning disability, she also found out that she is pregnant with their fourth child. With that, they decided to try out homeschooling which they only planned for a year but fell in love with it and decided to go on.Getting into entrepreneurship [3:21]His husband initially has an automotive business with his uncle, but they decided to sell it and start an ATV business where they homeschool children under eight.[4:11]Jen did not have that identity of an entrepreneur nor a mom, so they ended up selling the business after seven years.[4:55]Jen and her husband had some struggles, and she needs to find a way to make her own money. The next day she started her virtual assistant business after picking herself up, became niche with Facebook ads, and made six figures in her first year, then she founded Home-school CEO.Figuring out who you are[11:27]She started looking through Groupon and asked herself what things she will never do but wanted to try. Jen then took up pole fitness. With that, she began to understand that she could be more than just a mom, more than just a business owner, that she could have her likes, passion, and hobbies that are not related to her family and still be a good and loving mom.Giving yourself permission [13:40]Jen stated that not every mom has to start a business to find what their outside hobbies are. Just permit yourself to do those things so you can outgrow them. It is maturing out to go on the path of self-discovering and figuring out what you are and what you like.Catapult to the business [17:54]Jen and her husband argued about a motorcycle and stated that that is the best fight they ever had since it helped her catapult the business, which was the start of her coming into her own.[21:20]She encourages people to look for the opportunity in the worst situations because there is always something there.Learn to prioritize[22:53]Whenever Jen starts her week with an empty calendar, she starts to schedule things that matter the most for her, including her family. She does not feel guilty filling the rest of her schedule with work-related stuff because she knows that she makes her priorities her priority.Go to https://www.jenmyers.com/ to know more about utilizing tools to scale your business and multiplying your impact to maximize your profits.You can also follow Jen on her socials:LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
The #2 killer of young adults is suicide. Learn warning signs, what to do to help and love.
In this episode, we have Molly Christensen, a life coach and mentor for parents. She is a mother of 7 children, a 20-year-old homeschool veteran, and an entrepreneur. Her life goal is to help parents lead their children through their journeys as the Building Heroes Academy founder. Today, Molly guides parents on how to deal with bored kids.Boredom[0:50]Our definition of boredom is life is tedious, dull, and not engaging. However, Molly explains that boring could have a different meaning to kids. It could describe a whole range of feelings, or they have had much passive entertainment. It could also mean that they are uncomfortable with their thoughts or feelings, having a hard time focusing, or do not have various activities in life.Overcoming boredom[2:55]To overcome boredom, most people do passive activities to take the feeling of boredom away. However, Molly insists that this method is not effective as this is only a temporary measure unless the source of the emotion is identified.[3:25]When kids are bored, this may become a source of unknown energy, and they must direct it elsewhere.[3:46]A podcast called “The Way of the Warrior Kid” tackles the questions that kids had turned in. One question that Molly liked was what a kid should do when they are feeling bored. The host’s answered that boredom means that you are too much in your comfort zone, and you need to find another activity to pour your energy into.[6:31]Molly explains just like it is good to have emotions; it is not harmful to be bored. However, we must recognize what emotion is. It is much better if parents could teach their children the concept that boredom is a signal and that it is time to choose where they should direct their energy.Parents’ responsibility[8:45]Molly believes that it is not the parents’ responsibility to keep their children entertained. However, parents must instill that happiness that does not come from outside sources, and their children must be the ones who shall generate their joy.[13:32]From the story that Molly read, she learned the ways of how to get rid of boredom. First, one must change their environment. Second, get out into nature as nature is surprisingly healing, and nature knows what to do with our energy. Lastly, choose a goal or a journey to go on to. Little things you could do today may help keep you progressing on that path.Go to https://www.buildingheroesacademy.com/ to teach your kids leadership and success principles now and do what it takes to raise exceptional children as we change the world together.
When your kids make choices you don't agree with, how do you deal with that? How do you help them make good choices?
When we get too caught up with checklists, it gets stressful. How do you find more of a flow?
It's tough to take a path less traveled, but there is a framework to help you determine the culture you want in your home!
It's totally possible to run your own business and homeschool too, but the road isn't always easy!
After the unexpected suicide of her teenage son, Lark shares what all parents need to know.
Bullying is so much more prevalent and totally different than when we were kids, let's empower our kids to stand up to it!
Finding out your kids have been viewing porn can feel so shameful, and what to do about it.