In last week’s episode (232 TSP What Did You Expect?), I talked about how Dr. Suuki encourages self-reflection to create expectation and intention. In this episode, I talk about a mid-month review journaling strategy to celebrate achievements,

232 TSP What Did You Expect?

Jul 11th, 2022 16m 34s

In last week’s episode (231 TSP Tweaking Your One Percent) I discussed how to tweak your one percent to make progress into a habit and different way of thinking. This episode 232 is an example of how to use Dr. Suzuki’s recommendation about jou

231 TSP Tweaking Your One Percent

Jul 3rd, 2022

In a previous episode (230), we discussed the tool of strategy journaling to solve problems quickly to provide to continue making progress. In today’s episode, which was recorded sometime in the summer/fall of 2021, I discuss how to tweak your

230 TSP Strategy Journaling (Deep Conversations)

Sep 21st, 2021 48m 29s

In a previous episode, we discussed the power of journaling as a tool for reflection about our life, relationships, and learning journey. Today we discussed the tool of strategy journaling to solve problems quickly to provide a path to continue

229 TSP Deep Conversations — The Magic Listening Button

Sep 13th, 2021 54m 3s

Have you pushed the Magic Listening Button and turned on your super ability to learn thoroughly and quickly? Recently Ian and I discussed at length about how we have experimented with listening techniques and strategies. We also shared some of

228 TSP Deep Conversations (1)

Sep 6th, 2021 45m 38s

Today I share one of many conversations that I have had with a wonderful young man, who performs and teaches and has recently formally joined the Suzuki teaching community. Ian Lee studied violin with me for almost a decade and currently perfor

227 TSP The Power of Magic Questions

Jun 30th, 2021 37m 31s

How we think about something can yield an experience that is productive or inefficient. Let me introduce you to the art of magic questions. When we ask ourselves a magic question, we find amazing guidance in how we can practice effectively or l

226 TSP Tough Going

Apr 29th, 2021 33m 45s

The new year hit me a little harder than I expected, and I have found it to be a little tough going forward. This episode will explain. I recorded it a few weeks ago but have not been ready to publish it until now. With this episode, I intend t

225 TSP Let’s Prepare for Our Best Year Yet (part 2)

Jan 28th, 2021 26m 26s

Welcome 2021! Set goals by reflecting on the past year using the protocol set out in Jinny Ditzler’s book, Your Best Year Yet! Today’s part 2 episode looks at the remaining six questions. Join me and uncover the lessons you can take away from y

224 TSP Let’s Prepare for Our Best Year Yet! (part 1)

Jan 14th, 2021 22m 18s

Goodbye, 2020! At the start of a new year, I find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on my past year using the protocol set out in Jinny Ditzler’s book, Your Best Year Yet! Today’s episode is part 1 of 2 and visits the first four question

223 TSP Coming to the End

Nov 22nd, 2020 26m 7s

We are nearing the end of a trying and surprising year. In this episode, I begin to prepare for the coming new year. I invite you to join me the next few weeks as I explore useful tools for reflection and planning that will help us to come to g

222 TSP Let’s Get Going Again!

Nov 13th, 2020 34m 12s

Today I discuss a difficult teacher-parent conversation. How can we get going again when we struggle with a difficult schedule and practice period? What we need to do is simple enough, but it is also easy NOT to do. Here are some things we can

221 TSP 7 Quick Tips for Practicing Fun

Oct 30th, 2020 33m 40s

Today’s episode offers 7 quick tips to bring fun to a practice slump, from using costumes and theme days to choosing which side of the student to sit. Practice tools might include dice, hats, practice charts, and glass jars and be as simple as

220 TSP Release Tension (Shu-Yi Scott Interview)

Oct 14th, 2020 48m 29s

At the end of the summer, I interviewed Dr. Shu-Yi Scott about her Release Tension Workshop for teachers. During our discussion, Shu-Yi also shared some of her many ideas about teaching lessons and group classes online, as well as workshops and

219 TSP Boundaries with Brecklyn Ferrin (Plucky Violin Teacher)

Sep 7th, 2020 41m 37s

I interviewed Brecklyn Ferrin (Plucky Violin Teacher blog & Suzuki Planet Podcast) about Boundaries. I was surprised by the depth of our conversation as we shared our boundary experiences in the teaching studio. This conversation will be especi

218 TSP Super Nova Project | David Cutler Interview

Aug 30th, 2020 40m 27s

Join me for an interview with David Cutler about his Super Nova project, an exciting addition to Suzuki repertoire accompaniments. Our conversation sparked all sorts of ideas about designing the future and creative performance practices. How to

217 TSP Look to the Future

Aug 23rd, 2020 35m 44s

Join me as I explain a powerful exercise in reflection. I recently completed this exercise, and I gained clarity, hope, and peace for the future. Additional Resources Here are links to the resources mentioned in the episode. Note that some link

216 TSP Being Intentional

Aug 9th, 2020 18m 52s

What does being intentional have to do with teaching or performing? Today’s episode looks at what being intentional means, why it is important, and how to create more of it. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me

215 TSP The Colors of Time

Aug 2nd, 2020 37m 28s

Many pr0blems may result from glitches in our time management system. Today’s episode discusses a few ideas that may be helpful to steer us onto a more productive course. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a

214 TSP Homeschool | Matthew Stephens Interview

Jul 26th, 2020 34m 2s

Parents face tough decisions about school this fall 2020. In today’s episode, I interview Matthew Stephens about his company Essentials in Writing and for advice regarding homeschooling. Matthew also provided links and suggestions to find out f

213 TSP The Daily Card

Jul 19th, 2020 27m 17s

Small daily actions can be crucial for building successful habits and routines but may seem too inconsequential for keeping track of them in a larger sense In today’s episode I discuss the value of a simple daily card to remind us of important

212 TSP Insects and Birds and Critters, Oh My!

Jul 12th, 2020 26m 42s

We can find ways to relate our teaching points to things that are familiar to our students. We use four things a lot in my studio: insects, birds, critters, and the four corner dance. Today’s episode may help spark more creativity and add more

211 TSP Why Cut Off the Ends of the Roast? | Creating a New Vision

Jul 3rd, 2020 23m 1s

Are we asking ourselves the right questions and relying on correct and valid assumptions about the future right now? Today I discuss how we can question ourselves and create an even better vision and course of action for the future as teachers,

210 TSP One Tiny Thing

Jun 21st, 2020 27m 55s

Can one tiny thing really make a difference? Perhaps not in the moment, but if done consistently over a period of time, it can cause valuable change. How to Encourage the Teach Suzuki Blog and Podcast How about buying me a cup of coffee? If you

209 TSP What Am I Doing Differently?

Jun 15th, 2020 29m

I am doing many things in a different way during this distance learning and online teaching situation. What works? What do I want to keep doing? This episode talks about the top three things that I am doing, whether I want to continue to do the