The Agent or Object Podcast
Waldorf homeschooling, raising a family and being an awesome partner aren't things that just happen, they are things we have to work at. Melisa helps you wade through the muck and enjoy the journey. Sometimes her amazing husband, Erik, joins her. Melisa and Erik own Waldorf Essentials, a company dedicated to homeschooling with the Waldorf method and raising children with a peaceful foundation.
Episodes
January 30, 2023 • 1 min
Have you noticed that we moved to a new podcast? We would love to have you join us there with all new episodes released twice a month. You can also check out our Patreon for longer, deeper episodes.
https://www.patreon.com/aurielslight
You can always find us at WaldorfEssentials.com
https://www.patreon.com/aurielslight
You can always find us at WaldorfEssentials.com
Mark as Played
May 18, 2021 • 102 mins
We decided to go back in time to the early days of Waldorf and dig up some podcasts from yesteryear. In 2010, we did a live streaming podcast called Gnome's Home Radio. It was streamed live back in the day when the word streaming wasn't used nearly as much. The audio is kind of tinny as it was recorded while it was streamed.
Mark as Played
March 11, 2021 • 7 mins
Welcome! Homeschooling can be such a rewarding experience but there are often many questions when first starting. In this week’s video, Melisa explains the most important aspects of homeschooling. She also provides resources for families with more questions or specific concerns.
In this podcast, we cover:
- The value of understanding your temperament
- The importance of having easily accessible support from your curriculum
- Resource...
In this podcast, we cover:
- The value of understanding your temperament
- The importance of having easily accessible support from your curriculum
- Resource...
Mark as Played
March 11, 2021 • 12 mins
Diving into homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re joining later in your child’s education. Join Melisa as she shares her journey through Waldorf education and provides reassurance and advice for families coming to Waldorf later. She further explains the foundation of Waldorf education and the value of looking inward when starting on this homeschooling journey.
In this podcast we’ll discuss:
-What it can look l...
In this podcast we’ll discuss:
-What it can look l...
Mark as Played
February 16, 2021 • 10 mins
Join as Melisa shares her experiences as a homeschooling parent of an autistic child. She provides tips for pushing through stubbornness and how planning ahead can make all the difference.
In this podcast we'll cover:
- The importance of understanding yourself first and showing up with confidence
- How to help your child slow down and understand how they are feeling
- Understanding your parenting style might have to look different...
In this podcast we'll cover:
- The importance of understanding yourself first and showing up with confidence
- How to help your child slow down and understand how they are feeling
- Understanding your parenting style might have to look different...
Mark as Played
February 8, 2021 • 10 mins
Join Melisa as she discusses how to teach your children greater self-reliance. She explains what self-reliance should look like at varying ages and how to evaluate where your child is. She also provides advice for creating an environment and family culture which fosters resilience and self-reliance in your children.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
- What your children should be capable of doing according to age
- How to evaluate wher...
In this podcast you’ll learn:
- What your children should be capable of doing according to age
- How to evaluate wher...
Mark as Played
February 8, 2021 • 13 mins
Join Melisa as she discusses three questions she frequently gets. (1) How do I hold the space when I’m having a bad day? (2) What can I do when my child has a meltdown over movement (walks/hikes)? And (3) What if things are hard? During the video, she shares her own parenting stories and provides advice for all parents.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
-What to do when everyone is seemingly in a bad mood
-Advice for days you cannot do m...
In this podcast you’ll learn:
-What to do when everyone is seemingly in a bad mood
-Advice for days you cannot do m...
Mark as Played
January 27, 2021 • 11 mins
When you’re a homeschooling parent, everything becomes about efficiency. How can we get the most done in the least amount of time? A lot of times this can mean combining lessons for children in different grades. Join Melisa as she elaborates on the foundations of the Waldorf curriculum. She provides insight into what can be taught to multiple ages and the importance of bringing age-appropriate material to your children.
In this pod...
In this pod...
Mark as Played
January 19, 2021 • 11 mins
It can be easy to treat the Temperaments like a one-and-done quiz but there is so much more to it. Gaining a deeper understanding of your temperament and the temperament of those around can allow you to ease frustration and overwhelm. In this video, Melisa discusses the importance of digging deep into yourself and seeking to understand more about your temperament. She offers a reminder that doing this work in yourself creates a dom...
Mark as Played
January 19, 2021 • 6 mins
Refine. Focus. Unstoppable. Melisa reveals her word of the year and how to make sure you're utilizing the words you choose for the year. She reminds everyone of the importance of revisiting your word regularly and choosing to live consciously.
Other helpful videos by Melisa:
-New Year’s Eve Intentions: https://youtu.be/f_eCqT_K43s
-Deep loss and Recovery: https://youtu.be/oBP-7zw04zk
-Being Conscious About Your Choices: https://y...
Other helpful videos by Melisa:
-New Year’s Eve Intentions: https://youtu.be/f_eCqT_K43s
-Deep loss and Recovery: https://youtu.be/oBP-7zw04zk
-Being Conscious About Your Choices: https://y...
Mark as Played
January 19, 2021 • 77 mins
This was such an amazing panel. We are hoping to have many more!
To further connect with our panelists:
Jack Petrash, longtime Waldorf teacher and founder of the Nova Institute
https://www.novainstitute.org/
Jack's books Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0876592469/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ETF-Fb42N70VY
and Covering Home: Lessons on the Art of Fathering from the Game of Baseball
h...
To further connect with our panelists:
Jack Petrash, longtime Waldorf teacher and founder of the Nova Institute
https://www.novainstitute.org/
Jack's books Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0876592469/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ETF-Fb42N70VY
and Covering Home: Lessons on the Art of Fathering from the Game of Baseball
h...
Mark as Played
January 19, 2021 • 9 mins
Slowing down sounds great, but when you have a mile-long to-do list it can feel like an impossible task. How can slowing down and living consciously provide you the opportunity to get more done? Join Melisa as she shares the secrets of slowing the eff down.
In this video you’ll learn:
- Living consciously provides the opportunity to reduce stress
- When you slow down, you can get more accomplished
- You cannot live consciously if yo...
In this video you’ll learn:
- Living consciously provides the opportunity to reduce stress
- When you slow down, you can get more accomplished
- You cannot live consciously if yo...
Mark as Played
January 19, 2021 • 14 mins
Buckle up... this one is long! We start off with some meditation and then dive into questions from participants.
We talked about a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditations for kids, here are some my kids like:
https://drjoedispenza.com/collections/meditations/products/the-place-where-thoughts-become-things-a-guided-childrens-meditation-by-dr-joe-dispenza-meditation-download?variant=35490173812897
https://drjoedispenza.com/col...
We talked about a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditations for kids, here are some my kids like:
https://drjoedispenza.com/collections/meditations/products/the-place-where-thoughts-become-things-a-guided-childrens-meditation-by-dr-joe-dispenza-meditation-download?variant=35490173812897
https://drjoedispenza.com/col...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2020 • 146 mins
Buckle up... this one is long! We start off with some meditation and then dive into questions from participants.
We talked about a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditations for kids, here are some my kids like:
https://drjoedispenza.com/collections/meditations/products/the-place-where-thoughts-become-things-a-guided-childrens-meditation-by-dr-joe-dispenza-meditation-download?variant=35490173812897
https://drjoedispenza.com/col...
We talked about a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza's meditations for kids, here are some my kids like:
https://drjoedispenza.com/collections/meditations/products/the-place-where-thoughts-become-things-a-guided-childrens-meditation-by-dr-joe-dispenza-meditation-download?variant=35490173812897
https://drjoedispenza.com/col...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2020 • 12 mins
When Waldorf is all about how you show up, what do you do when you simply aren’t “feeling it”? Join Melisa as she discusses some reasons your lessons may feel hollow and what you can do to get back on track.
In this video you’ll learn:
- Questions to ask yourself when you are feeling disconnected from the curriculum.
- Advice on preventing burnout
- Why planning AND preparing for your lessons is vital for bringing living lessons to yo...
In this video you’ll learn:
- Questions to ask yourself when you are feeling disconnected from the curriculum.
- Advice on preventing burnout
- Why planning AND preparing for your lessons is vital for bringing living lessons to yo...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2020 • 5 mins
Women have been wrapping their heads for thousands of years...we do it for different reasons (some men also wrap their heads.) I have gotten some questions about why I do, so here you go!
Mark as Played
December 28, 2020 • 10 mins
Join Melisa as she delves deep into how Waldorf homeschooling can provide wonderful opportunities for diversity. Waldorf education can be viewed as not diverse enough; and for some Waldorf schools, that may be the case. In a homeschooling setting, however, that does not have to be the case. In this video, Melisa discusses how to add more diversity to your curriculum and how diverse representation starts at home.
In this video you ...
In this video you ...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2020 • 11 mins
What is Seasons of Seven? So glad you asked! It is part of Waldorf Essentials. Seasons of Seven is a Waldorf Inspired virtual school. WHAT? That sounds impossible right?! Well we have done it and you know what.... we do a dang good job at it. We have brought the elements of the classroom together with Waldorf teachers that have a love of learning. You can check it out below.
https://melisa-nielsen.mykajabi.com/Seasons-of-Seven-V...
https://melisa-nielsen.mykajabi.com/Seasons-of-Seven-V...
Mark as Played
December 22, 2020 • 9 mins
As you learn about Waldorf, particularly as a homeschooling parent, it can feel as though there are a lot of rules for how and when things should be done. But the more important question to ask yourself is, “Why?”. What is the reason behind the action? In this video, Melisa explores what dogma looks like in Waldorf school/homeschool and provides advice on how to shake it off.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
- The importance of distingu...
In this podcast you’ll learn:
- The importance of distingu...
Mark as Played
December 22, 2020 • 10 mins
Homeschooling can feel like a full-time job at times, but what if you already have another job? Join Melisa as she addresses some of the struggles working parents face while homeschooling. Not only does she provide tips, tricks, and resources for optimizing your time, but she also discusses the importance of self-care and community. If you have found yourself in this balance struggle this video is for you.
In this video you’ll lear...
In this video you’ll lear...
Mark as Played
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