Blessings and Motherhood

Ever wondered why your approach to parenting daughters might need to be different than raising sons? Join Delise as she welcomes longtime homeschooling veteran Shelly Stockton who shares her wisdom from raising five daughters. After 25 years of homeschooling and now enjoying her role as a grandmother to six, Shelly offers invaluable insights on nurturing girls into godly women. Discover practical...

Ever wonder how an immigrant from Taiwan with no homeschooling experience became a passionate advocate for classical education? In this heartfelt conversation, Delise speaks with Yating Haller, a book representative for Classical Conversations (CC) in Central Indiana and homeschool mom of seven years. Born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore, Yating shares her remarkable journey from fearful beginne...

"Your children need you to love them. They need to know they are worthy of your time—that they are not a distraction from the important work you're doing, but they ARE the important work." Lisa Bailey shares this profound insight and more from her 21-year homeschooling journey. Discover her ingenious "Hot Chocolate Coffee Break" technique that transformed her parenting, gain perspective on raising...

Looking for insights on emotional intelligence and parenting? Join Delise for a fascinating conversation with Noble Gibbons, the "EQ Gangster"! From West Point graduate to emotional intelligence coach, Noble shares his personal journey from being emotionally unaware to helping others develop emotional literacy. Learn practical tools like the "Gorilla APE" method and discover how to create an emoti...

Can a simple stick in the sand really be all you need to teach your child? In this illuminating episode, Delise welcomes back special guest Jill Philbrick, a veteran homeschooling mom and long-time member of the Classical Conversations community. In this heartwarming episode, Jill shares her wisdom on finding God's presence in everyday moments through what she calls the "treasure hunt" of daily li...

"Is it possible to over-emphasize Jesus to your kids?" Author Lisa Whittle tackles this provocative question and more in a candid conversation about faith-filled parenting. From launching adult children to teaching truth in love, Lisa shares hard-won wisdom from her motherhood journey while offering a sneak peek at her upcoming "Body and Soul" project that challenges cultural messages about our bo...

Looking for ways to nurture your child's creativity without stifling their natural genius? Join host Delise as she interviews Courtney Sanford, founder of The Delightful Art Co. and author of "Marvelous to Behold." A former graphic designer turned homeschool mom, Courtney shares her journey of integrating art education with classical learning, discusses creative approaches to teaching art to diffe...

Big changes are coming to Blessings and Motherhood! Join hosts Delise and Jenny as they reminisce about favorite past episodes - from homeschooling wisdom with Jennifer Courtney to navigating family rhythms with Michelle Oliver - and share important updates about the future of the podcast. Mark your calendar for the 2025 National Commencement, May 16-17, 2025, in sunny Southern Pines, North Caroli...

In this special replay episode, co-hosts Delise and Ginny discuss different approaches to handling Santa Claus in Christian households. Using classical tools of learning, they explore personal experiences, faith perspectives, and how each family navigates the balance between holiday magic and biblical truth. The hosts share updates on how their approaches have evolved since the original episode ai...

How do you find gratitude when you're struggling? Ginny and Delise explore finding thankfulness in difficult seasons. Through meaningful Scripture passages from Nahum to James, they share personal experiences about waiting on God's timing, learning to be quick to listen but slow to speak, and the importance of community during challenging times. A perfect listen for anyone needing a reminder that...

When a routine grocery store trip turned into a mother's worst nightmare, it launched a mission to protect children from trafficking. Join us as Amanda Florczykowski shares her harrowing close call with child traffickers and how it inspired her to found Able Moms International and Vigilant Families. Now pursuing a master's in neuroscience and trauma, Amanda offers practical safety tips for parents...

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Is Halloween bad for Christians? This is a conversation moms have with their families and friends every year. So today, Ginny Tran and Delise Germond are using the 15 Tools of Classical Learning to discuss their views on this area of Christian liberty. Please note that the thoughts expressed here are not intended to represent Classical Conversations as a comp...

Are you equipping your kids to think clearly in a world filled with misinformation? Delise sits down with Kathy Gibbens, host of the Filter It Through a Brain Cell podcast. They dive into the importance of teaching children critical thinking and logical reasoning in today's world, discussing how to cultivate compassionate and empathetic thinkers. Plus, Kathy shares insights on AI and how it might...

Navigating the tension between encouraging independence and providing necessary support can be tricky for parents. Delise and Ginny explore the concept of independent learning in parenting. They discuss the balance between self-directed learning and the importance of community support, tackling common misconceptions and sharing practical tips.  Copper Lodge Library offers a collection of stories p...

Have you ever wondered where compulsory schooling originated? In this episode, Jennifer Courtney walks us through her classical, Christian education timeline, explaining how we got where we are today. Delise, Ginny, and Jennifer discuss the history of schooling and how you can be the best educator for your children.   "How Should We Then Live?" – Francis Schaeffer  The Great Brain series – John D....

How should a Christian view food? Delise sits down with Brandice from Grace Filled Plate to discuss the powerful connection between faith and our relationship with food. Brandice shares her personal journey from struggling with disordered eating to finding true food freedom through her faith in God. Whether you're a mom overwhelmed by meal prep or someone looking to deepen your spiritual life thro...

We're going back to school! Delise and Ginny dive into the back-to-school season, discussing how moms can embrace the changing seasons of life. They explore the challenges and joys of new beginnings, from transitioning between school stages to managing unexpected life changes, all while keeping faith at the center.   New to the Copper Lodge Library this year is  English Epic Poetry , a collection...

Join Delise and Ginny as they chat with Emily Philip, a veteran CC homeschooling mom. Emily shares her homeschooling journey with Classical Conversations, balancing life with four kids, and the joys of a supportive family. Gain practical tips, inspiration, and fun anecdotes from her story!   Emily's YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6a5Kz67acRFlSnTzKVH_g https://www.amazon.com/shop/emil...

Join Delise and Ginny as they reflect on the year so far. They chat about the ups and downs of parenting, the goals they've set and achieved, and the surprises along the way. Grab a coffee, and let's dive into heartfelt conversations that will encourage you and provide thoughtful questions to ponder with friends or family.   New to the Copper Lodge Library this year is English Epic Poetry , a coll...

Get your tissues and confetti ready for this heartfelt episode that celebrates the highs and lows of parenting! Delise and Ginny chat with Jill Philbrick, a seasoned homeschooling mom with over 15 years of experience. Jill shares her inspiring journey, the challenges she faced, and how her faith and community helped her persevere.   New to the Copper Lodge Library this year is  English Epic Poetry...

Wondering how to make the most of your summer with your kids? Join Delise and Ginny for a treasure trove of ideas! They explore fun summer activities, from gardening and fort-building to creative indoor play and educational projects. Tune in for tips on maintaining structure while embracing spontaneity and creating magical moments with your children.   CC International Video: https://vimeo.com/936...

Curious about how to navigate tough conversations with your kids? Join hosts Delise and Ginny as they chat with Lindsey Mendenwalt from Mama Bear Apologetics. Discover how to tackle challenging topics with your children through practical tips and insights on apologetics.   At Classical Conversations®, we believe that parents can provide quality education for their children. Grow as the Lead Learne...

Discover practical tips for organizing your home, embracing community, and understanding it's okay to ask for help.   Join us on "Blessings and Motherhood" as we chat with Laura Hernandez, founder of "Mama Systems." Laura, a mom of ten, shares her journey of creating peace and intentionality in her busy household.   https://www.mamasystems.net/   More information about Great Wolf Lodge and Exclusi...

How do you create a healthy relationship with your child? Delise and Ginny sit down with homeschooling mentor Connie Albers to discuss building strong connections with our children. Connie provides practical insights into navigating the challenges of parenting, especially when dealing with resistant children. Tune in for valuable advice on fostering healthy relationships and effective communicatio...

Get to know Classical Conversations' CEO Robert Bortins! Delise, Ginny, and Robert dive into his personal life and what it was like being raised by the founder of Classical Conversations. They also answer questions that were sent in by listeners.     https://refiningrhetoric.com/   Make April 26 a Family Day at theater! #UnsungHeroMovie opens everywhere beginning April 26. From the creators of  Je...