Kolbecast

AMDG. The Humanities Series is back! Join Bonnie, Jordan, and Steven for the grand finale of The Iliad. This episode covers everything you need to know about The Iliad, from the significance of burying the dead to the role of women in the Ancient World. The team breaks down the answers to complex questions, like what the afterlife meant to the Greeks and the deeper meaning behind Achilles’ shield....

AMDG. Trying to find the right college for you? Join Wyoming Catholic College President Kyle Washut and alumna Catherine Mershon for a virtual tour of campus life. President Washut reveals a connection between Wyoming Catholic and the Marian apparition site in Green Bay, Wisconsin; discusses the divine call to educate the youth in the wilderness; shares his personal journey from working in coal mi...

AMDG. What exactly is a Kolbe advisor? Advisors Rylan Buchanan and Krysten Pizzurro join the Kolbecast to share an insider-look at how the academic advisor team collaborates with parents and students to meet their academic goals, from course selection to college planning. Rylan and Krysten talk about their backgrounds in homeschooling and their journeys to becoming Kolbe advisors; how the advisor...

Amb. Eduard Habsburg, archduke of Austria and ambassador of Hungary to the Holy See, joins the Kolbecast to discuss his brand-new book, Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World. Amb. Habsburg expresses the difference between American and European attitudes towards homeschooling, faith, and family life; gives a glimpse into his life as a Catholic, homeschooling father and ambassador; lays out...

AMDG. Applying to college is no easy feat. From PSATs to transcripts, college visits, and gap years, it can feel like the decisions are endless. In this episode of the Kolbecast, we break down every stage of the college application process, from building a strong transcript to choosing the right college for you. Returning guest Erica Treat and academic adviser Cecilia Byers join the Kolbecast to s...

AMDG. Wishing you could engage with your kids on their Greek literature course? Or trying to read the Iliad for the first time yourself? Bonnie, Jordan, and Steven are here to help. In this installment of the humanities series, the group unpacks the first six books of the Iliad and breaks down the essential takeaways, including the role of the gods; how fate acts in the story; the view of women in...

AMDG. When COVID-19 broke out, Kathleen decided to enroll her daughter in Kolbe Academy until the pandemic ended. Four years later, Kathleen’s daughter is still a Kolbe student and almost two years ahead of her peers in school— and she’s not slowing down any time soon. Kathleen discusses how she navigates being a homeschooling parent while maintaining her full-time job; adjusting the course plan t...

AMDG. Why do my kids always fidget during school? Why am I always overstimulated by loud noises? Why does my house feel tense right now? Occupational therapist and mom of five Caitlin Russ has the answers to these questions and more. Caitlin breaks down occupational therapy and emotional regulation; easy steps to optimize your homeschool environment for learning; how to emotionally regulate yourse...

AMDG. Do you want to build your own “super habits”? Founding dean of CUA business school and Forbes contributing writer Dr. Andrew Abela promises that “super habits” are the secret to a successful—and happy— life. He reveals the three steps to building “super habits;” highlights the connection between neuroscience and virtue; argues that good ethics are the most effective business practices; and p...

AMDG. Join Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan for the next installment in their continuing conversation about the humanities, sprinkled with fascinating tidbits of history and their best advice on reading The Iliad with your children or even on your own! The group discusses their own progress reading The Iliad with their families; the benefit to seeing a time before Christ; why we approach the gods differ...

AMDG. Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary, spoke to Kolbe supporters and friends at the Leaders in Catholic Education event the night before 2024 commencement. Listen in to Msgr. Shea’s speech in this episode, where he describes the apostolic work on the forefront of Catholic secondary education as we live in the first post-Christian society, the scheme of self-initiated salv...

Jake Weidmann knows the science behind his art. With a background in psychology, Jake is now a professional artist and calligrapher. On today's episode, he shares the history of calligraphy and why it is so important to human beings; explains why you should turn off autocorrect; breaks down the psychological impact of sending hand-written letters; advocates for starting handwriting young; and divu...

AMDG. PhD biologist and stem cell researcher Dr. Daniel Kuebler wasn't always a science major. Dr. Kuebler began his academic as an English major at Catholic University of America before transitioning to biology for his master's and doctoral degrees. Now a professor of science at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Kuebler educates a new generation of students on biology and the "big questi...

AMDG. Looking back on four years and more than 220 episodes of the Kolbecast since its relaunch in August 2020, Jordan, Steven, and Bonnie reminisce on many memorable conversations and guests. Longtime and new Kolbecast listeners alike will find something of interest and inspiration from the array of episodes covered today.  To sort through the library of Kolbecast episodes, visit this page on the...

AMDG.  Like many Kolbe Academy parents, Jordan will be embarking on a trip through the Kolbe ninth-grade Greek history and literature courses this school year with his daughter. To chronicle that odyssey, he, Steven, and Bonnie are starting a new series of episodes to discuss the various texts and themes encountered along the way. Listen in as the group makes ready to set sail by defining terms, m...

AMDG. Catholic psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres rejoins the Kolbecast for a discussion on anxiety: one of the most common, but also most misunderstood, emotions.  Working from the definition that anxiety is an urge to avoid challenge, Dr. Majeres describes how he helps his clients live by ideals that they freely commit to rather than living under the control of their past; explains how you don’t def...

AMDG.  The high school years are formative as teenagers develop autonomy and independence in the world.  In this episode, theology teachers Dan Angel, Brendan Murphy, and Nick Senz share their experiences of and perspectives on teaching apologetics, morality, and more to high schoolers.  The conversation includes discussions of open question boxes and cultural references in class, connecting on an...

AMDG.  The art of storytelling involves decisions about perspective, themes, and emphasis, and good storytelling goes on to inspire questions and discussions.  Dan Bielinski rejoins the Kolbecast on this special bonus episode to describe storytelling decisions and discussions related to his feature film, End of the Rope available for Kolbe families to stream as a financial aid fundraiser.  In the...

AMDG.  We’re all searching for something we’ve forgotten.  Today’s guest describes his search for reintroduction to reality through both foundational texts and sense experiences.  Trae Bailey, currently Director of Residence Life at Belmont Abbey College and formerly Dean of Student Life at Magdalen College, highlights familial and societal dynamics that are important conduits for the fullness of...

AMDG.  Just enrolled?  Considering enrolling?  Returning but feeling overwhelmed?  Today’s episode is for you.  Dean of Admissions Jeanne Anne Ford and customer support supervisor Colleen Pilon share their go-to guidance on organization and inspiration for a new school year, from answering the top questions they get on repeat to tips and tricks they recommend on the regular.  Together with Bonnie...

AMDG. As parents of five Kolbe alumni, Charlie and Dee-Dee Mihaliak have a wealth of experience with Kolbe and home education. They visit with Bonnie and Steven in this episode about how homeschooling grew from a project to a lifestyle for their family. The Mihaliaks describe their delight at the dinner table conversations their grown children now have, give an unvarnished account of challenges th...

AMDG. Our 2024 commencement ceremony featured voices of experience ranging from new graduates and experienced teachers to ancient philosophers and modern novelists. Listen in on this episode to those speeches, including student speakers Aiden Jagrowski and Jacob Kavanagh, faculty speaker Elizabeth Hoxie, and keynote speaker Msgr. James Shea.  Timestamps for the speeches:  01:05 Msgr. Shea’s invoca...

AMDG.  We live in unprecedented times—or do we?  Can a classics degree set you back in the job hunt? What do you do when primary sources seem daunting?  Longtime friend of Kolbe Academy Abigail Palmer joins Bonnie and Steven to talk about these big questions and more.  She describes how lack of familiarity with history leads to fear and how being fearful leads to being malleable, she explains how...

AMDG.  Families who homeschool in various states or countries during military service have all the complexities of “regular” families and then some. Kolbe moms and advisors Krysten Pizzurro and Jennifer Thomas share the wisdom they’ve gained from their lived experience of homeschooling on base. They highlight what questions to ask your advisors and when, the benefits and unique needs of military f...

AMDG.  Experienced Kolbe mom Deirdre Mundy joins Bonnie and Steven in this second half of a two-part conversation on the lessons and insights she’s gained from homeschooling her eight children.  She explains the ways her family has taken advantage of Kolbe’s flexibility, talks about developmental milestones and the changes in dynamics that come as kids grow into greater independence, and puts thin...