Ready to review the top takeaways from March’s Classical Conversations® podcast episodes?
March Podcast Recap: Highlights and Takeaways
Fret not if you missed some of our latest episodes—in this monthly recap of our podcasts, we’ll cover the best practical tips, advice, and encouragement from Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins to Everyday Educator in March 2023.
Ken Sande on Developing Relational Wisdom
On the third episode of Refining Rhetoric this March, Robert was joined by Ken Sande, the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360), to discuss how we can build the skills of what Ken calls “relational wisdom.”
All of life is basically about loving God with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul, and loving others—engaging others as we love and engage ourselves. So, those two great commandments Jesus summarized are basically the essence of relational wisdom: loving God and loving others as ourselves.”
– Ken Sande
In other words, relational wisdom is essentially a form of emotional intelligence informed by Scripture. It’s how well we discern not only our own emotions, thoughts, and abilities, but also those of others. Plus, relational wisdom involves using this knowledge to seek and maintain better relationships with God and others.
In his value-packed conversation with Robert, Ken breaks down several simple ways to improve our relational wisdom so we can pursue healthier relationships. Ultimately, growing in our relational wisdom comes down to being self-aware, others-aware, and God-aware.
Listen: Episode 37: Relational Intelligence God’s Way with Ken Sande | Refining Rhetoric
Crystal Storey on Becoming a Prayer Warrior Mom
On Blessings and Motherhood’s episode this month, Delise and Ginny welcomed Classical Conversations employee, Challenge Director, and homeschool mom Crystal Storey to the show. Crystal lives up to her name, telling Delise and Ginny the amazing stories of God’s faithfulness during her time as a mom.
A common thread throughout Crystal’s life is prayer. From her daughter being healed from a life-threatening disease to Crystal becoming a “neighborhood mom” and being a light to the children in her local area, she can speak from firsthand experience to the real, miraculous power that dedicated prayer can have on people’s lives.
If you’re looking for a series of real-life examples of how God works and responds to prayer, this episode is for you!
Listen: Being a Prayer Warrior Mom with Crystal Storey | Blessings and Motherhood
Chelly Bernard on Making Memories While Homeschooling
Chelly Bernard, a longtime homeschool parent and employee at Classical Conversations, joined Lisa Bailey on Everyday Educator in March to talk about making memories while homeschooling. Amidst recalling her favorite homeschooling memories and exploring ways to be more intentional as a family about making long-lasting memories together, Chelly drops a powerful bit of advice for homeschool families of young children.
Chelly’s advice is this: “Trash the house in the mornings; clean it up in the afternoon.”
Incorporating this super simple rhythm into your homeschool routine will unlock a positive mindset shift for both you and your child. On your part, by accepting this rhythm into your daily schedule, you’ll be less likely to worry about trying to clean the mess up as it happens (and it will happen) during your child’s learning in the morning. Instead, just let your child do what children do sometimes—make a mess. So, whether books, coloring pencils, and other homeschool supplies get scattered around the house, just let it happen knowing you will clean up in the afternoon.
Likewise, your child won’t be worried about upsetting you with the mess in the morning. This will free him or her to just learn how they learn best. Then, he or she will learn from routine that the afternoon means clean-up time and will help you re-organize the mess.
Listen: Making Memories | Everyday Educator | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Leigh-Ann Reid on the Master’s Program from Classical Conversations Plus
March’s episode of Global Homeschool Minute featured Leigh-Ann Reid, a Challenge Director, homeschool mom, and student in the Master’s Program from Classical Conversations Plus. In her conversation with host Jennifer Martin, Leigh-Ann talks about the many reasons she is loving the courses she is taking to earn her Master of Arts in Classical Studies, all alongside homeschooling her children through the Challenge program.
Being a student as an adult—I’m no longer in this to get a job or get a degree or to please my parents or to just do what was assumed that I would do. I’m doing this for me, to know God better, to know Him more intimately, to understand my vocation as a homeschool mom better.”
– Leigh-Ann Reid
In other words, Leigh-Ann recognizes that parents are students too, just like our children! Just because we’ve graduated high school or college doesn’t mean we are done learning. Indeed, through the program, Leigh-Ann is taking her lifelong learning to the next level by not only redeeming her own education but also gaining classical skills and knowledge to apply in her homeschooling, helping her teach her children with more confidence.
Listen: Redeeming Your Own Education | Global Homeschool Minute
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