Round Table Talks

If you would like to submit a Round Table Talk please submit it here

http://liveandlearnshop.com/2007LnLconference/funshops/chatSubmit.htm

They will be posted as they are accepted.

The Daily Groove - Scott Noelle
An informal discussion exploring the ideas expressed in The Daily Groove (both the email version and the book). Here's your chance to ask Scott, "What did you really mean when you wrote _____," or "How does _____ apply in my situation," or "What is the matter with you anyway?!"

Excavating Authenticity - Ren Allen
Many of us were traditionally schooled and parented. We learned to squash many dreams and passions from an early age, resulting in choices that weren't necessarily born of our inner guidance. We learned to not trust ourselves. Trust is paramount to successful unschooling, so how do we go about reclaiming our own authenticity? How do we as parents create a life worth living and BE the example of a curious, interested adult? Healing begins with awareness and is encouraged by others who have traveled the same challenges. Let's talk about how to facilitate our own interests and create the self we want to be.

Funding the Unschooling Lifestyle  - Barbara Splett
Unless you've won the lottery, funding the unschooling lifestyle can be a challenge. How can we be at home together, provide enriching resources, take exciting trips, and see our family centered dreams come to life?  Let's talk about how we make the finances work. I have suggestions, you have ideas. Let's bring it all together, so we can find some balance between the expenses of our lives and the priorities of our lives... family, friends, learning free, etc...

Having "The Talk": Explaining the Unschooling Lifestyle to Others - Jeff Sabo
When you and your family commit to an unschooling lifestyle, you may find yourselves and your parenting abilities being judged by other people (relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, partners) who just don't "get it" - or don't want to. In this chat, we'll talk about how to talk about unschooling, how to work toward win-win relationships, and how to set boundaries for yourselves and others if the discussion crosses over into negative judgment and defensiveness. Bring your stories, your lessons learned, and a willingness to share!

How to Travel the World Cheaply and Authentically - Eli Gerzon
In this workshop we'll discuss how to travel around the world on a very low budget and have profound, exciting cultural experiences. Eli will suggest cool, inexpensive organizations, websites, and programs but will also talk about the mentality and simple tricks that help to really experience a country.

Photos and Stories from Around the World - Eli Gerzon
Get a taste of at least half a dozen countries: Japan, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Mexico and Guatemala. See photos of people, temples, mountains, pretty flowers, cute kids, and food (you wouldn't believe what some people will eat!). Just a couple dozen beautiful and interesting photos per country along with stories and cultural observations. You can tell a lot about a country from its money and I'll also share currency I've collected. This is a presentation people of all ages can enjoy!

Tea with Ren - Ren Allen
The unschooling journey is filled with new discoveries, joys and challenges. Grab a cuppa and join me as we share our stories and explore together the philosophy of natural learning and how it has changed our lives and given our children a chance to grow up in an entirely new reality. This is a discussion geared to provide support and encouragement for all, no matter where you are in the journey.

When Can I Call Myself an Adult? - Eli Gerzon
What makes someone an adult? Are you an adult at 13, 18, 21, or 30 years old? Does having a diploma, an apartment, or a job make you an adult? What does it mean to be responsible? We'll discuss all these important questions that probably everyone asks themselves but we rarely talk about and Eli will share his experience with what has felt like a genuine passage into adulthood.

Yes, You Can: A Parent in Pain Navigates the Unschooling Adventure - Ginger Sabo
Explore ways to cope with the limitations of pain, examine the emotional toll it takes on all of those who are touched by it, and find ideas on how to break through the limitations and accentuate the wonderful unschooling moments. This chat focuses on ways to handle the unpredictability of an unschooling lifestyle while having unpredictable energy and/or ability to meet the needs of your children, your partner, and yourself. It will be hosted by Ginger Sabo (soul-mate of Jeff and Mama to Kai and Kade.) Ginger is currently on a healing journey and wants to share the coping/facilitating ways she has learned along the way, as well as get some ideas from others. This is geared to those with physical limitations that are the main provider for their unschooling children.

UnGraduating: Next-Stage Planning for Unschooling Youth and Parents - Katherine Baptista
Unschooling is a philosophy and a way of life, so you’re never really “done.” But as unschooling youth and parents, how do you know when you’re ready to move onto the next stages of life? College? Job? More exploration and discovery? Share insights, ask questions, learn how to celebrate your accomplishments, and make decisions about your next steps, whether you’re a youth or a parent. Discover skills in preparing unschooling transcripts and portfolios and discuss parenting a young adult. And, especially for
parents: talk about what you do for yourself as an unschooler and how your grown kids can support you, too!

Unschooling IS Living an Awakened Life ~ Further Thoughts on Living in the Present Moment - Anne Ohman
After I wrote my conference talk *Get Out of Your Head and Into the Moment*, I read and listened to the podcasts of Eckart Tolle's book *A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose*. I was absolutely STUNNED each step of the way because ;much of what I read/heard was exactly what I had just written for my talk about UNSCHOOLING, or they were already parts of my previous conference talks, articles, and almost-daily posts on the *Shine with Unschooling* list! While there is so much for us to learn and to live from these enlightening and *awakening* philosophies, I believe that those who teach them don't take them far enough. They do not discuss the fact that school is totally contradictory to these philosophies, and if we are TRULY going to have a collective awakened consciousness on our earth, it needs to start with the children. With unschooling, our children are allowed to live an *awakened* and authentic life every single moment, every single day. I would love it if you would stick around after hearing my talk *Get Out of Your Head and Into the Moment* to participate in a conversation about these philosophies. If you have read *A New Earth*, please feel free to bring the book so that we can discuss your favorite passages that not only speak to your own path of awakening, but are also in perfect alignment with radical unschooling.