Life Skills 101

By Lisa Nehring

Welcome to Life Skills 101: Life Skills for a Digital Age, sponsored by the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network and True North Homeschool Academy! It’s a well-known adage in the business world that you ... more

5

66 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Life Skills 101:

How many episodes does Life Skills 101 have?

The podcast currently has 185 episodes available.

Life Skills 101 episodes:

November 14, 2019Introducing the Soft Skill of Time & Distraction Management
This episode of Soft Skills 101 is going to introduce the Soft Skill of Time and Distraction Management. This is such an important Soft Skill to learn well and to teach our kids! Each of us is entrusted with a specific amount of time on this earth and learning to steward it well allows us to fulfill the good work the Lord has for us to do!
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Podcast Sponsor
True North Homeschool Academy; education that takes you in the right direction! As homeschoolers we often feel like we have to DIY everything. Outsourcing and making use of the resources at hand is one of the best way to maximize your limited time and provide exceptional academics as you homeschool and manage your many responsibilities! Check out our live on-line and self-paced classes and clubs, taught by exceptional teachers who love their subject matter!
Please share this episode with a friend and like Soft Skills 101:Life Skills for a Digital Age podcast on iTunes.
Time & Distraction Management
This episode is going to be a quick over view of two great time management systems: Stephen Covey and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and David Allen and Getting Things Done. Covey starts with the big picture of vision, which he then breaks down into Mission and Goals, Allen starts with the details, inventorying all of the pieces and builds from there. Both offer value as we learn to manage our time and resources effectively!
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Be Proactive.
Begin With the End in Mind
Put First Things First.
Think Win-Win.
Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood.
Synergy
Sharpen the Saw
A vision statement focuses on tomorrow and what an organization or family or person wants to ultimately become.
A mission statement focuses on today and what an organization does to achieve it the BIG picture
Goals-are the small, incremental steps to achieve the mission and should be SMART
5 Key Aspects of Getting things done
Capture – what has your attention. Your brain is for having ideas, not storing them. You must “capture” what has your attention and store it somewhere besides your mind.
Clarify – process what it means.
Organize – identify what everything is, and put it in the appropriate container.
Trash
The 2 Minute Rule
File it
Reflect – Review and asses regularly
Engage – IF you’ve set up your system correctly pull up your list and execute the plan.
“Anxiety,” claims David Allen in Getting Things Done, “is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation, and action.”
On the next show we’ll talk about how to manage distractions!
Click here to visit the Soft Skills 101 Podcast page for more episodes.
Thank you to our Sponsor – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie!
Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor.
Click here to watch the trailer and find a theatre near you!
The post Introducing the Soft Skill of Time & Distraction Management appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
21min
November 07, 2019Nurturing Creativity
This week I am excited to introduce you to Katie Hornor. Katie lives with her husband and 5 children in Mexico, developing curriculum, encouraging business owners, running a local coffee shop, and homeschooling.
In addition, they started the first on-line Summit for homeschooling Spanish speakers in 2018 which reached over 5000 people in 2019!
Listen in as Katie shares how to nurture and teach creativity!
“What do you have in your hand?” Exodus 4:2
“24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thesselonians 5:24
“The Lord always provides for what He calls you to do!” Katie Hornor
How to Nurture Creativity:
Schedule time to do creative endeavors- schedule a creativity date on your calendar
Find a place for you that is peaceful and restful where you can contemplate God’s creativity
Be a consumer of good information
Take time to process information. Take time to just “Be.”
Use positive words with your kids and each other. Re-frame situations to encourage your kids to be creative and utilize their own imaginations for good.

RESOURCES
Lemonhass.com
2019 on-line Spanish Homeschool Conference!
Melk the Christmas Monkey
Nurture Your Kids Career Dreams with our Young Professionals Series of e-pamphlets, designed to nurture and inspire!
Survive Homeschooling High School!
Need help planning High School or with Career Counseling? Put our years of experience to work for you with our Academic Advising program!
Art Club– live on-line bi-monthly instruction and inspiration!
Writing Club – live on-line bi-monthly instruction and inspiration!
The post Nurturing Creativity appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
27min
October 31, 2019Ownership & the 10 Commandments
In this episode, I am joined by my husband, Dr. David Nehring as we discuss the importance of ownership – what is God’s responsibility, what is mine, what is not mine. Understanding boundaries is integral to understanding Soft Skills and how we interact and think about ourselves, God and others!
We’ll use the 10 Commandments as a guide so get ready to dig into Exodus 20!
Ten Commandments
You shall have no other Gods but me.
You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
Respect your father and mother.
You must not commit murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not give false evidence against your neighbor.
You must not be envious of your neighbor’s goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Related On-line Classes
Old Testament Survey
World Religions
Related Blog Articles and Podcasts about Ownership
Integrity with a Family Part I with Dr. David Nehring
Integrity Within a Family Part II with Dr. David Nehring
3 Reasons to Homeschool
Screens and Teens Book Review
Planning for the Future by Building Integrity
Related Products
Young Professionals Series
Survive Homeschooling High School
The post Ownership & the 10 Commandments appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
28min
October 29, 2019 Encouraging Creativity in Your Home!
“Creativity takes courage.” ~ Henri Matisse
Welcome to another episode! We are going to continue our discussion on Creativity. Be sure to catch last week’s show where I listed 50 ways to nurture your creativity! And be sure to check out previous podcasts on Critical Thinking, as the two often go hand-in-hand!
This week I am interviewing Bj Pramman, True North Homeschool Academy’s Art Club Teacher. Bj is not only a Homeschool graduate, a homeschooling Mom, an on-line teacher, but she is also a speed painter who works with Life light ministries. Bj shares how to encourage your creative kid even if you’re not creative yourself!
Art in Evangelism by Bj Pramman
Life Light Ministries
True North Homeschool Academy Art Club
True North Homeschool Academy Writing Club
The post Encouraging Creativity in Your Home! appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
24min
October 20, 2019Introducing the Soft Skill of Creativity!
This week on the podcast I’ll introduce the Soft Skill of Creativity. Creativity is going to be more important than ever in the fluid and radically changing job market of the 2020’s. I’ll share some interesting info on what’s coming and then 50 ways to develop your creativity!
Tools
Verse page" data-hasqtip="0" aria-describedby="qtip-0" data-lasso-id="16129">Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.
“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people” – Leo Burnett
Resources for Developing Creativity:
TED Talk Creativity and Play
How to Have Great Ideas
30 Circles Challenge
How to Think Like Leonardo YouTube
How to Be Innovative
Commonplace Journals
Commonplace Books
The 6 Thinking Hats Technique
Check out Make, Instructables and Kickstarter to get inspired by other Creatives!
99% Invisible Podcast for design inspiration
True North Homeschool Academy Resources, Clubs and Classes!
True North Homeschool Academy Academic Advising and Career Counseling
True North Homeschool Academy Self-Paced Career Exploration Courses
Creative Writing Club
The post Introducing the Soft Skill of Creativity! appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
26min
October 11, 2019Active Listening Skills and Critical Thinking
Today I am joined by Dr. David Nehring to talk about Active Listening Skills. This is a simple formula that will build Critical Thinking Skills, as it requires attention to detail, empathy and understanding feelings, as well as empathy and compassion.
As you sit with someone to really listen to them by using Active Listening Skills:
Be aware of yourself
Clarify the goal of the conversation in your own head:
Are you wanting to just hear the person?
Gain mutual understanding?
Negotiate shared action?
Understand how much pain the other person is in?
Given what I am feeling and wanting, can I set that aside long enough to hear the other person?
Gauge what the other person is wanting
Clarify to the other person that what you are doing right now is “just listening”
Say back some of what the person is saying
The words they are saying
The emotions behind what they are saying
If all is going well, ask about the meaning of what they are saying
Offer your understanding of what is being said as a question.
Continue listening stance until either they say they’ve feel heard or you are saturated and need to pause the conversations in order to absorb what they are saying. Ask for a break as needed but commit to re-engage later.
Continue the above until the person feels listened to and understood.
After thinking about what is said, ask to reverse roles when the other person is ready.
Both sides probably need to go back and forth a few times before everyone is sufficiently heard.
The Goal is for the other person to hear you hearing them, see you seeing them, experience you experiencing them.
Recommended Reading:
Crucial Conversations
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Communication Challenges for Struggling Learners
5 Communication Strategies for Struggling Learners
Celebrate Sukkot! ebook
Career Exploration Courses
As always we appreciate your listening, sharing and downloading this podcast!
The post Active Listening Skills and Critical Thinking appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
27min
October 06, 2019 Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through Literature
In this episode of Soft Skills 101, we interview Adam Pruzan, teacher extraordinaire at True North Homeschool Acaedemy, who shares with us how to use literature to teach Critical Thinking Skills.
Proverbs 4:6-7 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
“Literature is the thought of thinking souls.” Thomas Carlyle
Classes taught by Adam Pruzan
World Religions, taught by Adam Pruzan
World History, taught by Adam Pruzan
Links to articles, podcasts, blogposts and places mentioned
Saint John’s College in NM
Founders Academy of Las Vegas
Sophecles
Plato
Clouds by Aristophanes
What is classical Christian Education
Integration: The Benefits are Enormous blog post by Martin Detweiler, founder of Veritas Press.
Humor and Homeschooling
Wholesome Humor and Homeschooling
The post Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through Literature appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
35min
September 27, 2019 Special Needs & Critical Thinking Skills
In this Podcast, we’ll continue our discussion of Critical Thinking Skills as I interview Amy Vickrey, Director of Special Needs Department at True North Homeschool Academy. We’ll be talking about how to help kids develop time and self-management techniques, talk about Meta-Cognition and so much more!
Critical Thinking Skills are important for success, and might be of especial importance to those whose kids struggle with special needs, processing disorders, ADD or ADHD.
We’d love to hear your feed back, and of course, please listen, download, share and subscribe to this Podcast!

Live on-line courses, Academic Advising and Testing for Struggling Learners and Special Needs
TNHA Special Needs/ Struggling Learners Program
Informal Logic

Websites
SPED Homeschool
Diane Craft
Articles, Book Reviews & Ted Talk
ADHA as a Difference in Cognition, Not a Disorder: Stephen Tonit a TED Talk
Meta Cognition article explaining what it is
Career Readiness article and the importance of Critical Thinking Skills
Employability Skills article and the importance of Critical Thinking Skills
The Jr. High Brain article on developing brains and Critical Thinking Skills
Smart But Scattered Book Review
Dyslexia Outside the Box Book Review
Special Needs or Struggling Learner- What’s the Difference ? article explaining the difference between the Struggling Learner and the Special Needs Student
Tips for Creating Routines and Teaching Independence help your kids learn to help themselves!
Creative Methods to Helping Special Needs Children Achieve their Goals Special Needs Kids can meet their goals!
Find more episodes from Soft Skills 101 Podcast here!
The post Special Needs & Critical Thinking Skills appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
33min
September 19, 2019Critical Thinking with Lisa Nehring
Critical Thinking skills are “An ability to use reason to move beyond the acquisition of facts to uncover deep meaning,” according to Robert Weissberg.

In this episode we’ll define Critical Thinking skills, examine why they are necessary and begin to talk about how to teach them.

Word Study: Critical Thinking Skills come from the Greek word “Kriticos” (meaning discerning judgement) and “criterion” (meaning standards). Critical Thinking Skills mean the word implies the development of “discerning judgment based on standards.”

A critical thinker can deduce as well as infer- they are both an information gathering and a problem solver.
Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following:
Solve problems systematically and sequentially with the ability to communicate them clearly
Understand and identify important ideas and to whom they are relevant
Make logical connections between ideas, across subject matter and time
Create, organize, deliver and evaluate arguments
Identify inconsistencies, errors and fallacies in reasoning
Reflect on, identify and offer an apologetic for one’s own core beliefs and values
Critical thinkers are constantly building upon their knowledge and experience. They are able to integrate how data and information can be used to develop, recognize and predict patterns of knowledge and behavior.
How do we teach Critical Thinking?
Training students to question
Problem-based learning
Thinking aloud
Active listening.
Cooperative conflict resolution
Concept mapping
Create assessments beyond quizzes and tests
Classroom spaces created to accommodates human interaction.
Gestalt learning
Teach kids and train ourselves to ask Meta Questions

“Critical thinking skills are far more predictive of making positive life decisions than raw intelligence.” ~ Heather Butler
Resources for Teaching Critical Thinking
Fall Freebie- Bucket List!
Perpeloxors (deductive reasoning puzzles)
Tropes –figures of speech, such as simile, metaphor, alliteration, etc.
Logic- formal and informal
Scientific Method
Brainchallenges
https://www.facebook.com/LegendaryShots/videos/377986663112031/
Using Propoganda to teach critical thinking skills
Laughter and Critical Thinking

http://www.jamesbowman.me/post/socratic-questions-infographic.pdf
http://www.rotmanithink.ca/

The post Critical Thinking with Lisa Nehring appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
23min
September 12, 2019Work Ethic Interview with Val Harrison of Practically Speaking Mom
Val Harrison of Practically Speaking Mom and I continue the discussion about teaching our kids the Soft Skill of Work Ethic and Val has some Godly, practical advice.
Work Ethic teaches our kids
Purpose, self-worth and a Godly self-perception
Humility and service- they are the center of the universe!
Empathy- the ability and desire to help others!
Increase confidence- they know they can do thing, be successful and contribute well!
Ephesians 2:10
If Mom’s try to do everything, instead of delegating.
Moms can’t accomplish all that they are called to do
Others can’t accomplish all that they are called to do
Trying to do everything keeps Mom’s worn out and at their worst- they can’t do thing with excellence.
Trying to do everything, instead of delegating, keeps your family week.
Kids need to have obstacle, to learn to over-come, to not “settle, and to learn to not cut corners.
Val share about the 100% rule
We want to lead out kids to abundant living so that they can become all that they were designed to be!
“Leaders do not rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attributes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.” John Maxwell
Books by Val Harrison
When Littles Are Loud: Maximizing the Moments without Drowning in Chaos
Wearing All Your Hats without Wearing Out: Finding Focus for Your Family to be the Masterpiece God Intended it to Be,
Clash in Your Home: A Game Plan for Cleaning Up the Conflict,
Gaining Momentum: Preparing Your Student for a Career with or without College.
Website: www.PracticallySpeakingMOM.com , her podcast, “Practically Speaking MOM — Intentional MOM, Strong FAMILY,” or in her online community @PracticallySpeakingMOM, Val wants you to remember that even with all of its unique personalities, imperfections, and scars – your family is God’s masterpiece in the making!
Homeschool Info:
If you are interested in having Val speak at your convention, please contact her at [email protected]
Find more of our podcast episodes here!
The post Work Ethic Interview with Val Harrison of Practically Speaking Mom appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
...more
28min

FAQs about Life Skills 101:

How many episodes does Life Skills 101 have?

The podcast currently has 185 episodes available.