Kolbecast

AMDG. Steven and Bonnie are joined by Kolbe’s Megan Lengyel and Leslie Spencer to discuss physics. Physics can be a course that many find intimidating in the high school years, yet it provides an amazing look into the modern natural sciences while exploring the theories behind everything from motion to electricity and light. In this episode, we discuss the place of physics in a classical curriculu...

AMDG. Today, following this Jubilee Year of Hope, we welcome Joan Watson back to the Kolbecast. We’ve talked about pilgrimages in the past, but with the release of her new book Making a Pilgrimage, a Companion for Catholics, we’re able to focus a bit more on approaching life as a pilgrim. We also take the opportunity to live vicariously through Joan’s experiences on pilgrimages throughout the year...

Many people know Dale Ahlquist through his television show, his many writings, or through his work as the president of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Today Steven, Bonnie, and Kolbe Academy marketing director Josh Beckman get to hear more about G.K. Chesterton, both as a man and about his writings. So whether you’re a longtime Chesterton fan or new to his work, you’re sure to enjoy this...

AMDG. Any time is a good time to meditate on the life of St. Joseph.  Fr. Lanzetta gives us many insights into the life of this extremely important saint and how, through a devotion to St. Joseph, this wonderful saint will lead us to the Blessed Mother and Our Lord.   Links mentioned & relevant:  The Silent Witness of Nazareth by Serafino Lanzetta  Radio Immaculata   Marian Franciscans   Kolbe...

AMDG. Theologian, podcaster, and author Dr. Brett Salkeld wants to make every class Catholic. Brett contends that faith and science are complementary. Though the two fields answer two fundamentally different questions, their conclusions are inseparably intertwined.   In this lively episode, Brett discusses his experience as a homeschooling parent, his background as a diocesan theologian, and how h...

AMDG. Homeschooling parents often feel the pressure to do it all. But sometimes what they need most is a lighter load. In this continuation of our conversation with Curriculum Project Manager Erica Treat, we explore the range of additional support available to parents. Whether you want access to supplemental lectures from our skilled teaching staff or want to have a teacher on call for grading sup...

AMDG. Curriculum Project Manager Erica Treat joins the Kolbecast to walk parents through the many resources available in Kolbe's course plans and how to implement them for a successful homeschooling year. Not only has Erica helped Kolbe create and refine these course plans, but she has also used them in her own home with her children. Erica discusses how the course plans are modified to meet your...

AMDG. Best-selling Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman returns to the Kolbecast to discuss the launch of her three newest books: Around the Catholic Table: 100+ Simple Recipes for Family and Friends, The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics, and Sacred Wine: The Holy History and Heritage of Catholic Vintners.   Around the Catholic Table began as an e-book fundraiser to raise...

AMDG. Iconographer Joseph Bremer invites you to discover the “real presence” of the saints in icons. Joseph discusses the rich history of iconography— from its roots in Egyptian art to the separation of eastern and western traditions— and the profound religious significance of iconography. For Joseph, iconography is not just art; it is devotion.   Links mentioned & relevant:  Romanesque Icons...

AMDG. Do you struggle to pray the rosary deeply or even to pray it at all? Chews Life founder and author of The Way of The Rosary Shannon Wendt discusses how she went from not praying at all to praying the rosary every day. After a series of tragic pregnancy losses, Shannon found herself in a crisis of faith. Out of her crisis came reconversion, and Shannon was inspired to create a product to help...

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...