Kolbecast

AMDG.  The pursuit of human flourishing in this life and the next takes a clear understanding of what it means to be human.  Today, Dr. George Harne , Executive Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, joins Bonnie and Steven to discuss the distinctive ins and outs of classical education.  Describing a classical curriculum as “more...

AMDG.  Our world tour continues with a conversation featuring several intrepid Kolbe students—Martina, Bea, and Katie—who recently toured Greece and Italy along with classmates, parents, and teachers.  They share some of the logistics that went into coordinating a distance school’s international voyage, their favorite geographic and culinary highlights of the trip, and their reflections on the sim...

AMDG.  The flexibility of homeschooling offers families the opportunity for enrichment and adventure outside the house.  Traveling during the traditional school year is one way to capitalize on this flexibility.  Kolbe moms Nicole Shaffer—author of the blog Army Wife, Homeschool Travel Life —and Vanessa Delgado discuss learning on the road with Bonnie and Steven today, from rolling with the unexpe...

AMDG.  For some homeschooling families, St. Paul’s adage about running the race is mostly allegorical, but for the athletically minded among us, it has a literal side too.  Today's episode features Faye Starvaggi and Anna Havens, moms of a Kolbe-graduate NCAA swimmer and a Kolbe-student competitive gymnast respectively, as well as Kolbe’s academic services director and go-to guy Everett Buyarski. ...

AMDG.  Small business owner, Kolbe homeschooling mother, and etiquette expert Rebecca Czarniecki--known professionally as Mrs. B--joins Bonnie and Steven today to discuss the significance and dividends of manners, social graces, and interpersonal connection.  Mrs. B explains with mirth and elegance how meaningful interactions and nonverbal communication honor human dignity, provide internal develo...

AMDG.  “Catholic” means universal and one of the lesser-known aspects of Kolbe's Catholic identity is its international presence and families.  Today Bonnie and Steven visit with moms from two of those international families, Ria in the Philippines and Amy in Nigeria.  They talk both big picture and day-to-day in homeschooling from another hemisphere:  the combination of studying Catholic classica...

AMDG. Just about anyone who has ordered books from the Kolbe bookstore has encountered the kind and resourceful Nancy Nelson. In this episode, she graces us with stories of Kolbe history, tips for savvy book ordering, and a dose of inspiration based in common sense and experience. Stick around for the entire episode for a special offer! Check out Kolbecast episode 100 with Mrs. Dianne Muth, Nancy’...

AMDG. The culmination of a Kolbe formation is a joyous occasion not only for students, but for their parents, instructors, and administrators who have played parts in the symphony of the scholastic experience. Recently Kolbe families, faculty, and administration from all over gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for a graduation ceremony and celebration of the class of 2022. The ceremony featured speeche...

AMDG. Around our milestone episodes, we like to catch our breath, check in with each other, and share some behind the scenes lingo and lore.  Today Bonnie, Jordan, and Steven do just that. They talk about the ins and outs of podcast production: the nerves leading up to recordings, the ways we strive to make guests welcome, the surprising things that caught them off guard, the emotionally moving mo...

AMDG. Wisdom, humor, perseverance, encouragement…these are just a few of Kolbe co-founder Dianne Muth’s many attributes. On our centennial episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Mrs. Muth as she shares the story of Kolbe’s founding, the big and small ways God provided and fostered Kolbe’s growth, and the formation of adults prepared to interact with and sanctify today’s world as a hallmark of Kol...

AMDG.  When children excel ahead of their grade level, it brings both opportunities and difficulties.  In this episode, current Kolbe parents Veronica Foreman and Joseph Caro join Bonnie, Steven, and Kolbe Academic Services Director Everett Buyarski to talk about the days and years of educating a child who might be referred to as “gifted” if enrolled in a brick-and-mortar school.  The group discus...

AMDG.  Last week, we heard from the deans .  This week, we visit with the metaphorical bosses upstairs: Chief Academic Officer Megan Lengyel and directors Nicole O’Connor and Tony Guzzaldo.  With both reflection on the past and excitement for the future, the group discusses their love for Kolbe’s mission, the roles of various academic officers, how teachers are selected and what formation they par...

AMDG. With growth come both opportunity and challenge. As Kolbe Academy has grown, so too have the needs of the community. Part of the way Kolbe is addressing these needs is through the appointment of deans for the elementary, middle, and high school divisions. In this episode, we visit with familiar voices Ashley Massey, Elizabeth Hoxie, and Kelly Powers to find out what they as deans do for Kolb...

AMDG.  Have you ever contemplated the idea that you’re not raising children, you’re raising adults?  Katherine O’Brien, a certified college planning specialist and homeschooling mother of six (most now in adulthood), joins Bonnie and Steven today to discuss how to be intentional with opportunities for high schoolers to learn the logistics of life.  Topics in the conversation include practicalities...

AMDG. Imagine yourself in a queue of people awaiting some event. Your eyes land on someone sporting an image of St. Padre Pio with the words “Hakuna Matata” juxtaposed near the saint’s likeness. Or maybe you arrive at your next meeting only to notice a colleague sporting some socks that initially might pass for snazzy but upon closer inspection reveal flowers and images of St. Therese of Lisieux....

AMDG.  The one area of life where gravity doesn’t quite apply is head knowledge and heart knowledge—in formation, even for young children, the heart is the most important piece.  Today Joan Claire FitzPatrick, Jamie Leatherby, and Michelle Kim join Bonnie and Steven to discuss how Catechesis of the Good Shepherd uses beauty and child-led engagement to bring children to God.  The ladies explain how...

AMDG.  What do jazz music, Thomas Aquinas, and Nietzsche have in common?  Listen to this week’s episode and find out as Dr. Carl Hasler and current Kolbe students Hannah, Luke, and Teresa talk with Bonnie and Jordan about Kolbe’s philosophy course and club.  They share their insights on why the philosophy course and club are worthwhile even though philosophy is woven throughout Kolbe’s history, li...

AMDG.  If you’re a hesitant homeschooler or unconvinced parent considering homeschooling, put this episode at the top of your playlist.  Today Cathy and Nicolai Lund—parents of two Kolbe alumnae and one current Kolbe high schooler—join Bonnie and Steven to share their experience with candor, humor, and encouragement.  They share their rough start: how Cathy felt unequipped, how Nicolai undermined...

AMDG.  We’ve talked before about the distinction between learning theology as a school subject and learning to be a faithful Catholic in our current world.  We explore this concept in greater nuance on today’s episode as Chrissy Almanzar and Nicholas Senz discuss Kolbe’s new world religions course, which surveys religions from Hinduism to Shintoism to the Abrahamic faiths and more.  Chrissy and Ni...

AMDG. The longings put there in your heart are meant to lead you to your personal vocation. That can be easier said than lived, though, right? Today Adam and Pamela Castor join Bonnie and Steven to discuss vocations and discernment in an approachable, pragmatic conversation. The Castors share their thoughts and guidance on bringing the faith alive at home, how family life is the church in miniatur...

AMDG.  Science is a body of knowledge that’s constantly in flux, and students and parents alike may approach science—especially in the upper grades—with misconceptions or concerns.  Today, Kolbe science teachers Elizabeth Hoxie, Katie Bradley, and Ann Still join Bonnie and Steven to discuss how science does not need to be watered down or diluted to be palatable to Catholics.  Our guests share thei...

AMDG.  We’ve talked before about the importance of the physical spaces where homeschooling and general life happen.  Today, Jonathan Conrad of The Catholic Woodworker joins Bonnie and Steven to discuss the benefits of surrounding ourselves with physical, beautiful sacramentals to remind us of who we are, who God is, what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it.  Jonathan shares some of his background...

AMDG. As enrollment season arrives, we’re taking a look at the opportunities Kolbe Academy middle and high school students have to take homeroom, a course that’s come a long way since it was first offered and now combines opportunities for academic support, community, and personalized guidance from Kolbe’s devoted, resourceful teachers. This episode features four of those marvelous homeroom instru...

AMDG.  To flourish as a human being is to think well, love well, discern well, work well with others, and so much more.  Today, Magdalen College president Dr. Ryan Messmore joins Bonnie and Steven to discuss how Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in Warner, New Hampshire, provides an atmosphere where every day is designed to shape young people to do just that.  Dr. Messmore describes the blend o...

AMDG. Our Life after Kolbe series continues as Steven and Bonnie hear from Mark Knox, campus minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station, Texas; Monica Conrow, a Kolbe homeschooling mom and youth minister in Oregon; and Elise Athman, another Kolbe mom and former FOCUS missionary, about the vibrant Catholic student ministries on a growing number of state and secular campuses. In the s...