Dwell

Listen as Renee and Karen discuss Anthony Esolen's book Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child, which aims to show how our culture constricts the imaginations of the young. Written in the style of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, it is witty and clever. If you haven't read this book, you should get a copy wherever you buy your books! Amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

This episode is a further conversation with Dr. Jeanne Schindler. She offers us wisdom for navigating the digital age within our families and some practical advice on how to limit online exposure and encourage social engagement. Here is Jeanne's interview with Front Porch Republic , with the Postman Pledge at the bottom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this lively conversation with Dr. Jeanne Schindler as she explains how the digital world has mediated our experience and awareness of the real world and has impacted our ability and desire to commune with God and with each other.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Letter writing might be a lost art, but our guest, Reagan Dregge, will encourage you to grab some paper and a favorite pen and surprise a friend with a card or a note in the mail. Reagan explains how letter writing has become a creative hobby, encouraged her as a writer, and established dear and lasting friendships.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen talk with their guest, Megan Saben, about her new book Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child's Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story, which she co-authored with three friends. She explains how the best books contain Truth with a capital T and tell stories that contain the form and themes of the best Story. She also relates how her five boys have become...

We are back with an episode about the Beehive Book Club, a new resource by Hayley Croft and Haley Bouffard. Listen as we chat about how their book club for kids turned into two volumes (so far) called Family Favorites and Read the World. Be encouraged with ideas on how to enjoy books with your own kids and how to start a club with friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Listen as Renee and Karen talk about the Supra, a tradition of hospitality from the country of Georgia in which guests gather around the table with good food and offer a series of toasts on a wide range of topics. The structure of the Supra ensures that each guest feels welcome and comfortable and builds community as guests linger long into the evening. You might be inspired to host one! Hosted on...

In this episode, Renee and Karen interview Tonya Rozelle about the CiRCE community for moms called The Hearth. They discuss the life-giving benefits of reading books and discussing ideas around classical education in community and how exploring truth, goodness, and beauty together is nurturing for moms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandi's book, Thoroughness and Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom, offers readers beautifully written principles of classical education and practical ideas and tips for creating a culture that nurtures our children and embodies the tradition. Listen for inspiration to encourage you as you make plans for the fall and for ideas to incorporate into your morning time. Hosted o...

The summer is nearly here and Renee and Karen offer suggestions for making the most of your summer schedule while leaving room to discard the schedule and go to the pool! These days and years are fleeting; read books in the hammock, eat the ice cream, learn a new skill, make lasting memories! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen as they talk about the importance of assessing not only the end of the academic year, as in the skills, ideas, and facts learned, but also the growth and maturity that has taken place in your children and in yourself. They also chat about how assessment is a tool for planning the next year, and that to not finish a curriculum is not a sign of failure, for we are not slaves to...

Join Renee and Karen for Chapters 11 and 12 and the Epilogue of Norms and Nobility. They discuss Hicks' compelling answer to the question, "Why read the classics?", his statement that the heart of the curriculum is humane letters, and his last two beautiful paragraphs in which he describes true learning. We hope you were encouraged to read along with us, and if you haven't yet read Norms and Nobil...

Join Renee and Karen as they talk to Heidi about her soon-to-be-published book called The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life. She describes how she came to view every story as the expression of the conflict between duty and desire—the same conflict that each one of us fights too. We hope that you enjoy this fun conversation and will run to pre-order her book! Hosted on Acast. See...

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Joyce McPherson, author of fiction and non-fiction for children ages 8-12, English teacher at Covenant College, and mother of nine children! We discuss the importance of developing the imagination and the genre of fantasy, her passion for making the stories of historical Christian figures accessible to children, and her love for George MacDonald and his s...

Dr. Matthew Bianco joins us for a discussion on the three faculties of the soul: the belly (the appetites), the chest (which desires honor and despises shame), and the mind (which desires wisdom and hates ignorance). We explore how being aware of these faculties can help us to train our children's affections and lead them toward virtue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen discuss Ch 10 in Norms and Nobility. In this chapter, David Hicks offers a list of questions worth considering for teachers and administrators, and since homeschool moms are both, we think you will find this list helpful. He also lists the assumptions that "undergird the practice of classical education." Each of these questions and assumptions is like a nugget of wisdom t...

In this episode, Renee and Karen offer encouragement and practical ways to avoid and combat homeschool mom burnout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Woodham, homeschool mom and author of a soon-to-be-published book on play, joins Renee and Karen to discuss the importance of free and voluntary play in the lives of children (and their parents). They explore the relationships between play and virtue, order, beauty, and imagination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the concept of Christian paideia: how Ephesians 6:4 "Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord..." is the meaning of the word paideia in the Christian context. They talk about how homeschoolers can provide a rich culture in the home where children (and parents) can train their affections and grow in wisdom and virtue, the promise of classical education. H...

Renee King, author of the new book Ubi Est Mater?, joins Karen and Renee to talk about teaching Latin to her children and how she came to write this beautiful picture book in memory of her son. If you are just beginning the Latin journey with your family or are afraid to start, be encouraged as you listen to Renee tell her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why not start off 2025 with a new book club?! In this episode Renee and Karen talk about their book clubs: how reading together fosters community and friendship, the different formats book clubs can take, and how they choose what to read and how often they meet. Be inspired to start one of your own with a couple of friends and a good book! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the claim that classical education is elitist and explore the objectives of a universal classical education in a democracy. Be encouraged to continue this noble task of nourishing your children's souls on the true, the good, and the beautiful and to "turn their attention away from worldly gain and onto the soul's salvation." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Listen as Renee and Karen offer some ideas for getting together with other families to celebrate the season and traditions to incorporate in your home. Christmas is a joyous and busy season, and can even be hectic and messy, but you can adopt simple traditions that your children will love and grow up to cherish and want to continue in their own homes—that's the best! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

In this episode Renee and Karen talk with Amber Vanderpol, homeschooling mom of 7 children ages 1-22, about homeschooling in difficult seasons. She recounts how a brain injury caused her to re-evaluate the education she was providing for her children asking the question: Does Charlotte Mason education and classical education mean doing "all the things" or is the goal to cultivate wisdom and virtue...

Listen to this fun episode with Renee, Karen, and two friends, sisters Rebekah and Rachel, as they talk about the ceremony and traditions surrounding the enjoyment of tea and the blessing of a pot of tea with friends. They offer suggestions on how to bring tea time into your homeschool and where to find the best brands of tea online. You will want to boil some water and enjoy your favorite tea in...