Kolbecast

AMDG. What does homeschooling look like in First Grade? Kindergarten? Pre-K? Advisor Pam Castor and resource teacher Emmanuelle Wilhelm share practical tips that you can implement today to set your youngest students up for success in the home.   Related Kolbecast episodes:  90 Vocations Here, Now, and Eventually with Adam & Pam Castor  269 Resources and Roadmaps    197 Tools in a Toolbox – Kol...

AMDG. We all want to grow in virtue, but how do we get there? Dr. Ryan Hanning breaks down how to create a personalized approach to growing in virtue in his new co-authored book, The Willpower Advantage. Dr. Ryan explores what it means to be happy, how different temperaments interact with the virtues, and the universal appeal of virtue.  A professor of historical philosophy and theology, Dr. Hanni...

AMDG. Bonnie and Steven are joined by professor and author, Dr. Michael Pakaluk. They discuss Dr. Pakaluk’s family's homeschooling experience his new book, The Shock of Holiness; and his thoughts about St. Maximilian Kolbe.  Links mentioned & relevant:  Dr. Pakaluk’s new book The Shock of Holiness   The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God by Ruth V.K. Pakaluk & Michael Pakaluk  Recen...

AMDG. Poetry is a cornerstone of many homeschooling parents’ education plans— but why? Curriculum Director Maggie Hayden, Curriculum Project Manager Erica Treat and her son, Eben, join the Kolbecast to break down the reasons that poetry should be an integral part of any well-rounded education. “The children who had done poetry when they were young liked to read when they were older,” Maggie commen...

AMDG. Catholic evangelist and podcaster Dave VanVickle is “obsessed” with St. Maximilian Kolbe and Marian consecration, and you should be too. In his background aiding exorcists, Dave discovered that “Mary is the lynch pin in almost every case.” Since then, Dave dove deeply into Marian consecration, inviting everyone to “give your life to Our Lady.” He discusses what Marian consecration really is...

AMDG. Catholic author Susan Peek joins the Kolbecast to discuss her mission: bringing the stories of lesser-known saints alive for teens and young adults. Susan found herself frustrated searching for morally-sound but still engaging stories for teenagers: “the plots might be exciting, the writer might be excellent— and yet there’s so few things that we can give to teenagers to read.”Her first nove...

AMDG. How can evolution be compatible with the Catholic faith? Professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville Daniel Kuebler argues that Catholic students should embrace the theory of evolution. Dr. Kuebler answers several objections to evolutionary theory, grounding his answers in the Catholic doctrine. The professor explains why we shouldn’t be surprised by apparent conflicts (“Th...

AMDG. Literature teachers John Turrentine and James Endres want you to love Shakespeare as much as they do. The duo dives deeply into the classic works you’ve heard of before, giving a fresh perspective on well-known plays, and introduces some of Shakespeare’s plays that you may never have heard of before. With their combined 25 years of experience, John and James address Shakespeare readers of al...

AMDG. Kolbe podcast team member and teacher Gwynith DeMonte knows exactly what episodes you should be listening to during the back-to-school season. Whether you’re simply curious about homeschooling or are a homeschool student yourself, Gwynith has the perfect catalog of episodes to give you all the information you need.   In addition to offering her Kolbecast recommendations, Gwynith discusses he...

AMDG. The McMahon family lives by 4 H’s: Homeschooling, Homesteading, 4H itself, and Home births. The McMahon parents Ted and Cindi discuss how they have utilized Kolbe’s offerings for their children; every child needs something different and Kolbe has been there to help. The family reveals their homesteading and 4H operations, and how they’ve balanced running a small farm with their homeschool ed...

AMDG. You don’t want to go to a state university, but you don’t want to spend private university money. Where do you go?  Catholic International University’s Chair of Education and Liberal Arts Ann Brodeur, PhD, has an innovative solution for students who want to opt out of the traditional university approach. Catholic International University is an entirely online program, designed for students w...

AMDG. What if you could listen to incredible keynote speakers at a conference, without even leaving your home? With the Kolbecast Conference, now you can!   The Kolbecast Conference is a three-day program of curated episodes covering a range of topics from classical education, homeschooling, faith, mental health, childhood emotional regulation, and so much more. Enjoy lectures from keynote speaker...

AMDG. "I went to medical school because I knew I couldn't get into law school."   Catholic board-certified OB-GYN and host of the podcast Doctor Doctor Chris Stroud, M.D., wants more Catholics in medical school. "Catholic students are running as fast as they can away from pediatrics," Chris explains. Controversial life and gender issues have led many Catholic students to seek other professions. "P...

AMDG. Are you looking for the perfect book to take your child’s reading to the next level? Look no further than Kolbe’s newly updated Literature & Catholic National Reader program for elementary students!   Originally published in 1895, the Catholic National Readers became a staple in many Catholic homes. “We started with the idea of just redoing them, making the font size appropriate and foll...

AMDG. “It’s almost as if I pity God because he has to choose between giving us more sufferings and making us sorrowful but wiser or giving us less sufferings and making us happier but more foolish.”   Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and author of over 100 books Dr. Peter Kreeft shares his reflection on today’s academic culture, emphasizing the importance of the Socratic method and a stur...

AMDG. “Catholic schools should help all students— we should serve you and help you.”   How can Kolbe Academy help a child who has learning disabilities? Student Services Director Karen Allgood and special education teachers Karen Painter and Emmanuelle Wilhelm share their experiences as parents, teachers, and mentors of students with learning differences. The trio provides a step-by-step guide for...

AMDG. Have you ever wanted to see a Marian apparition site? You don't even have to leave the country to do so-- Champion, WI, is home to the only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S.   Fr. Nathan Mudd, chaplain at Our Lady of Champion Shrine, shares the story of Our Lady of Champion and Adele Brise, a woman Fr. Mudd hopes to see canonized soon. Fr. Mudd discusses his life as travelling miss...

AMDG. How do you teach history to elementary school students? Kolbe’s new elementary history program has everything you need and more!   The developers and editors of the elementary history course, Stephanie Foley and Heather Griffin, want the stories of history to come alive in your living room, creating a spark of lasting wonder in every young reader.  An integrative and interactive course, Kolb...

AMDG. What did people know in the Middle Ages that we are only now rediscovering?   Blogger of “Like Mother, Like Daughter” Substack contributor, author, and podcaster Leila Lawler joins the Kolbecast to discuss the new book, “St. Hildegard’s Garden: Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul.” Prompted by pharmaceutical shortages, Leila asked herself: “What did people do before ibuprofen?” Le...

AMDG. The Kolbe Academy Class of 2025 has graduated, and it’s time to celebrate! Kolbe Chaplain Fr. Charlie Archer, Executive Director Mary Rowles, Kolbe teacher Brendan Murphy, President of Walsh University Dr. Tim Collins, and three accomplished Kolbe graduates take the stage to share their reflections on Kolbe’s education and their rousing exhortations for the Class of 2025.   Related Kolbecast...

AMDG. “Sister, is God a person for you, or an idea?”   Diocesan priest, author, and former hermit Fr. Wayne Sattler joins the Kolbecast to share his life-story from high school teacher to almost-married to hermit; his two books, which originated in his notes from years leading spiritual retreats; spiritual direction, or as he prefers to call it, “spiritual friendship”; relating to God as a person,...

AMDG. In Kolbe’s new astronomy program, the sky’s the limit of what students can learn. Astronomy teacher Antonia Castro and course developer Vanessa Delgado are here to discuss the third quadrivium subject and Kolbe’s updated astronomy program. The duo examine why astronomy is the “mother of the scientific field” and explain their efforts to bring students a foundational experience in applied mat...

AMDG. “Don’t feel like it’s too late— you can pick this up and study and learn about it anytime you want.”   Author of the brand-new book We Have a Pope Katie Bogner and Kolbe kindergarten teacher Kimberly Wolf join the Kolbecast to share their experience talking to young students about the new pope and papal election process. Katie explains the inspiration behind her new book, how she simplified...

AMDG. In a continuation of last week’s episode, Lisa Popcak shares her advice for new homeschooling families, including what aspects of education matter most and what worked in her own family. “I had promised her… you will be 100% fine,” Lisa recalled. “And sure enough, she got recruited by her college… and got almost a full ride to be a pre-med student.”   Lisa reflects on her children leaving th...

AMDG. Catholic podcaster and co-founder/vice-president of   CatholicCounselors.com Lisa Popcak shares her wisdom on homeschooling and raising children in the faith. Lisa advocates for “flow” rather than structure in the homeschool day and paints a picture of what a rich— but achievable— prayer life looks like in a busy home. “We have to get away from the idea that our prayer life has to be rigorou...