Kolbecast

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 education. Lastly, Cindi walks throug...

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 who want a college degree that they ...

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 speakers such as University of Mary presid...

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. "People think, 'I'm going to be confr...

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 following standards,” Senior Curriculum...

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 sturdy foundation in Thomistic philosop...

AMDG. “Catholic schools should help all students— we should serve you and help you.”  

How can Kolbe Academy help a child who has learning disabilities? Student Services Director Karen Allgood and special education teachers Karen Painter and Emmanuelle Wilhelm share their experiences as parents, teachers, and mentors of students with learning differences. The trio provides a step-by-step guide for parents hoping to utilize Kolbe's ...

AMDG. Have you ever wanted to see a Marian apparition site? You don't even have to leave the country to do so-- Champion, WI, is home to the only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S.  

Fr. Nathan Mudd, chaplain at Our Lady of Champion Shrine, shares the story of Our Lady of Champion and Adele Brise, a woman Fr. Mudd hopes to see canonized soon. Fr. Mudd discusses his life as travelling missionary and how his background as a ...

AMDG. How do you teach history to elementary school students? Kolbe’s new elementary history program has everything you need and more!  

The developers and editors of the elementary history course, Stephanie Foley and Heather Griffin, want the stories of history to come alive in your living room, creating a spark of lasting wonder in every young reader. 

An integrative and interactive course, Kolbe’s elementary history helps studen...

AMDG. What did people know in the Middle Ages that we are only now rediscovering?  

Blogger of “Like Mother, Like Daughter” Substack contributor, author, and podcaster Leila Lawler joins the Kolbecast to discuss the new book, “St. Hildegard’s Garden: Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul.” Prompted by pharmaceutical shortages, Leila asked herself: “What did people do before ibuprofen?” Leila began researching and creating ...

AMDG. The Kolbe Academy Class of 2025 has graduated, and it’s time to celebrate! Kolbe Chaplain Fr. Charlie Archer, Executive Director Mary Rowles, Kolbe teacher Brendan Murphy, President of Walsh University Dr. Tim Collins, and three accomplished Kolbe graduates take the stage to share their reflections on Kolbe’s education and their rousing exhortations for the Class of 2025.  

Related Kolbecast episodes: 

• 100 In the Beginni...

AMDG. “Sister, is God a person for you, or an idea?”  

Diocesan priest, author, and former hermit Fr. Wayne Sattler joins the Kolbecast to share his life-story from high school teacher to almost-married to hermit; his two books, which originated in his notes from years leading spiritual retreats; spiritual direction, or as he prefers to call it, “spiritual friendship”; relating to God as a person, not as an idea, which is the theme...

AMDG. In Kolbe’s new astronomy program, the sky’s the limit of what students can learn. Astronomy teacher Antonia Castro and course developer Vanessa Delgado are here to discuss the third quadrivium subject and Kolbe’s updated astronomy program. The duo examine why astronomy is the “mother of the scientific field” and explain their efforts to bring students a foundational experience in applied mathematics and physics, while also sp...

AMDG. “Don’t feel like it’s too late— you can pick this up and study and learn about it anytime you want.”  

Author of the brand-new book We Have a Pope Katie Bogner and Kolbe kindergarten teacher Kimberly Wolf join the Kolbecast to share their experience talking to young students about the new pope and papal election process. Katie explains the inspiration behind her new book, how she simplified her explanation of a papal conclave...

AMDG. In a continuation of last week’s episode, Lisa Popcak shares her advice for new homeschooling families, including what aspects of education matter most and what worked in her own family. “I had promised her… you will be 100% fine,” Lisa recalled. “And sure enough, she got recruited by her college… and got almost a full ride to be a pre-med student.”  

Lisa reflects on her children leaving the home for college, navigating hard...

AMDG. Catholic podcaster and co-founder/vice-president of  CatholicCounselors.comLisa Popcak shares her wisdom on homeschooling and raising children in the faith. Lisa advocates for “flow” rather than structure in the homeschool day and paints a picture of what a rich— but achievable— prayer life looks like in a busy home. “We have to get away from the idea that our prayer life has to be rigorous,” Lisa says. “If our children are c...

AMDG.  “I always knew I liked these things and I knew they were beautiful, but now I know why.”  

In a special sneak peek episode, Kolbe Academy team members Carol Gilpin, Stephanie Foley, and Therese Prudlo join the Kolbecast to discuss the brand new art history and architecture book. The trio discusses the layout of the new art book, revealing the thought process and design work that went into the new text. “It’s like we’re havin...

AMDG. Do you worry about finding a strong community for your children outside the home? Homeschooling moms Dee-dee and Krysten join the Kolbecast to share about their homeschool communities. Filled with practical advice and anecdotes from their years of experience, Dee-dee and Krysten’s conversation makes building a thriving community feel accessible to anyone.  

Dee-dee started her own homeschooling group after moving to an area t...

AMDG. What do parents need to know before their children enter middle school or high school? Curriculum Director Maggie Hayden and Principal Nicole O’Connor are back once again to discuss classical education at the 6-12 grade level.  

Maggie and Nicole share their years of expertise working with students, outlining what parents and students can expect both developmentally and academically as they transition from elementary school t...