The Homeschool Connections Podcast

No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. What do you do when your high schooler shuts down at the sight of a difficult assignment? Whether it's an essay, a math lesson, or a project that feels overwhelming, many homeschool parents have watched capable students freeze when the work gets hard. In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara shares practical strategies for helpin...

No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. One of the most common—and most emotional—questions homeschool moms ask is: What if my husband isn't on board with homeschooling? In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara offers practical encouragement for navigating this difficult conversation with grace, patience, and understanding. Drawing on her experience as a homeschool mom...

No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. One of the most common fears homeschool parents face is the worry that their children are somehow "falling behind." Behind whom? Behind what? In this encouraging episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara tackles one of the biggest myths in homeschooling and offers a fresh perspective on what real educational success looks like. Drawing on...

No scripts, no interviews. Just homeschool real talk. In the debut episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara tackles one of the most common questions she hears from homeschool parents: Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool my children? As a former public school teacher and now homeschool mom, Kaitlin offers a reassuring answer: Absolutely not. In this short but encouraging episode, Kait...

What role should fathers play in a homeschooling family? In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Homeschool Connections co-founder Walter Crawford to discuss homeschooling from a dad’s perspective. Drawing on more than fifteen years of homeschooling experience, Walter shares why a father's involvement matters, how dads can support their homeschooling wives, and the lasting impact that intentional...

What role do grandparents play in a homeschool family? In this heartfelt episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Homeschool Connections co-founder and grandmother of eleven, Maureen Wittmann, to discuss the unique and beautiful ways grandparents can support homeschooling families. From reading books and teaching life skills to offering practical help, prayer, encouragement, and simply being present,...

Can your family really afford to homeschool in today’s economy? In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Catholic financial coach and homeschooling mom Amanda Teixeira to talk honestly about the financial realities of homeschooling. From budgeting and grocery savings to navigating a one-income household, Amanda shares practical strategies to help families homeschool without drowning in stress...

Choosing homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming. There are endless options, strong opinions, shiny new programs, and the constant fear of making the “wrong” choice. In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with veteran homeschool mom and consultant Jenny Bales to help parents simplify the curriculum selection process and homeschool with more confidence and peace. Jenny shares practical advice...

Homeschooling gives us more time with our children. But what happens when that time is filled with frustration, conflict, or constant correction? In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Catholic homeschool mom of seven and life coach Emily Brown to explore the powerful role of connection in peaceful parenting. Emily shares practical, faith-centered strategies to help moms navigate difficult behavi...

What is a Charlotte Mason education? And is it really as overwhelming as it seems? In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with veteran homeschool mom and educator Jen Mackintosh Weaver to break down Charlotte Mason homeschooling in simple, practical terms. Jen explains what this philosophy truly is (and what it isn’t), why it’s far more flexible than most parents think, and how it can be adapted to an...

Is Latin really a “dead language” or is it one of the most powerful tools you can give your child? In this episode, host Kaitlin Zara talks with Homeschool Connections instructor Debbie Gaudino about why Latin still matters today. From strengthening vocabulary and grammar to building discipline, perseverance, and even deepening faith, Latin offers far more than most parents realize. Debbie shares...

Thank You to Our Sponsor: John Paul the Great Catholic University offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business in a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free storytelling courses:  https://jpcatholic.edu/landingpages/homeschool-connections/   Description: Thinking about starting a homeschool co-op—but worried about overwhelm? Lindsay Carpe...

Today's sponsor is Franciscan University of Steubenville. What if opening your home could transform an entire community? In this inspiring episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Kathleen Billings—Catholic speaker, author, and homeschool mom—to share the incredible story of how her family began hosting small gatherings that grew into monthly events of 200–300 people. Kathleen shares how a leap of fai...

Should politics be part of your homeschool curriculum? Many parents hesitate to introduce political discussions at home, especially in today’s polarized culture. However, avoiding the topic entirely may leave our children unprepared to understand the world they are inheriting. In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Catholic journalist Erika Ahern, producer and host of The Deep and co-host of...

Feeling overstimulated, exhausted, or like you have nothing left to give by midday? You’re not alone. In this encouraging conversation, Kaitlin sits down with Catholic author, speaker, and homeschooling mom Stephanie Weinert, founder of Mother & Home , to talk about how moms can build a life-giving morning routine that supports their body, mind, and soul. Stephanie shares the lessons she learn...

Episode Description Creative subjects are often the first to get pushed aside in education—but they may be some of the most important. In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with online instructor and professional photographer Victoria Cerise to discuss why creative outlets like photography play a vital role in a student’s development. Victoria explains how creative subjects help students slow do...

How do you homeschool when your family keeps growing? In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Chantal Howard, founder of Catholic Finishing School and mother of seven, to talk about the joys and challenges of homeschooling a large family. Chantal shares practical wisdom from her own homeschooling journey—raising children from newborn to college age while managing family life, work, and faith....

In this energizing episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with online history instructor and newly certified personal trainer Phillip Campbell to talk about the vital role of health and fitness in homeschooling. Phillip shares his personal transformation journey—from struggling with fatigue and poor bloodwork in his late 30s to becoming a certified trainer through the American Council on Exercise. They d...

Can Shakespeare come alive in your backyard? In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Kaitlin Zara talks with Mary Ellen Barrett, founder of the Front Lawn Players—a homeschool theater troupe that performed Shakespeare plays on backyards for 14 years. From handmade costumes and thrifted sets to children memorizing complex scripts and growing in confidence, Mary Ellen shares how homemade theater...

With so many homeschool philosophies to choose from—Charlotte Mason, classical, unschooling, eclectic—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you choose the right approach, especially when you’re raising multiple children with very different personalities? In this encouraging and practical episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with veteran homeschooling mom of seven, Bonnie Landry. Bonnie homeschooled for...

"Different” doesn’t mean broken. It means beautifully designed. In this heartfelt and deeply affirming episode, Kaitlin is joined by Ginny Kochis, neurodivergent parent coach, author, and founder of Quirky Catholic Kids, for an honest conversation about raising neurodivergent children with confidence, compassion, and faith. Drawing on her experience as a former teacher, homeschool mom, and mother...

Why do so many students find history boring, and how can we change that? In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Zack Edwards, educator, game designer, and CEO of Historical Conquest, to explore how storytelling and gamification can completely transform the way children learn history. Drawing from his own negative experiences with traditional history education, Zack shares how interactive games, e...

Grief looks different for everyone—but no one is meant to carry it alone. In this deeply moving episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes back Catholic author, speaker, and homeschooling mother of ten, Kendra Tierney Norton, for a candid and compassionate conversation about walking through grief while homeschooling. Kendra shares reflections from her family’s 16-yea...

What happens when the school that once seemed perfect suddenly isn’t working anymore? In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with author and speaker Rachel Bulman to talk about her family’s decision to begin homeschooling during the middle school years—and why making the switch midstream was one of the best decisions they ever made. Rachel shares the rea...

What is classical education—and why are more Catholic and homeschool families turning to it right now? In today's episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), to explore why classical education is making a major comeback and how it forms students not only academically, but morally and spiritually. J...