Kolbecast

253 Joseph Pearce's Classic Literature Appetizers

AMDG. Author, editor, and professor Joseph Pearce joins the Kolbecast to introduce his new book, Classic Literature Made Simple: 50 Great Works of Literature in a Nutshell. Joseph’s new book is an excellent introduction to classic literature for any Kolbe student, or the perfect all-in-one guide for parents who want to be able to discuss great works of literature with their students, without having to set aside hours from their busy schedule to read the books.   
Joseph discusses his work as a publisher, including advice for Kolbe students who are interested in having their writing published someday; reveals his one “must-read” book, and a book you might be surprised to see on his list of 50 great works; shares his insight on how to read great works of literature, and how to respond if your children push back against the great works. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his writing process and hints at his newest project: Great Books for Good Men.  
Visit his website jpearce.co and check out his podcast The Authority.  
Joseph Pearce’s books mentioned in this conversation:  
Classic Literature Made Simple: Fifty Great Books in a Nutshell 
The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful  
The What Every Catholic Should Know series 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
49 Revealed through Story with Joseph Pearce
144 The Word Made Known with Mark Brumley of Ignatius Press 
226 Cultivating Habits of Excellence with Dr. Andrew Abela 
Kolbecast Humanities series:  
220 Decoding Mythology to Reveal Christianity  
225 On the Same (Greco-Roman) Page  
229 Take a Note from Homer  
234 Adding Color to What Is Black & White  
239 Divine Plot Twist 
245 The Odyssey’s Allegorical Outlook  
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

252 The Timeliness of Fulton Sheen with Dr. Cheryl Hughes

AMDG.  
“When I get to heaven, I’ll ask him.”  
“What if he’s not in heaven?”  
“Then you can ask him.”  
First introduced to Fulton Sheen through her research on his famous converts, historian Cheryl Hughes tells the fascinating story of Fulton Sheen’s life. Dr. Hughes brings history to life with hilarious anecdotes and touching narratives. Listen in to hear facts such as the surprising connection between Fulton Sheen and Frank Sinatra; his Emmy acceptance speech, including the writers he credited for his success; Sheen’s opposition to secularism and communism; his friendship with Pope Saint John Paul II, who learned English through listening to Fulton Sheen; the miracle attributed to Fulton Sheen, and the current status of his beatification process; and details such as Sheen’s real height, Irish Catholic upbringing, and more.  
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Convert Maker by Dr. Cheryl Hughes 
Steven refers to when Archbishop Sheen helped launch Thomas Aquinas College 
Chautauqua character studies  
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey! 
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

251 A Year of the Lord's Favor - Joan Watson on the Jubilee Year of Hope

AMDG. “Go be a pilgrim of hope! There’s somebody in your life who needs the story of hope.”  
Pilgrimage leader, author, and catechist Joan Watson joins the Kolbecast to share everything you need to know about the Jubilee Year of Hope. Joan explains the biblical and historical roots of the Jubilee Year, and how the laity were the impetus behind the first Jubilee. She dissects the imagery behind the special Jubilee doors opened only once every twenty-five years and reveals ways to receive indulgences this year without even leaving your hometown. Joan gives her advice for those traveling to Rome, the must-see pilgrimage sites she visited this year, fasting recommendations for the Jubilee Year, and so much more. 
Links mentioned & relevant Kolbecast episodes: 
Joan’s book Opening the Holy Door 
Opening the Holy Door small group discussion guide 
Kolbecast episode 235 The Disposition of Pilgrimage 
Kolbe 2025 Commencement site named an official pilgrimage church in Georgia 
Kolbe Academy 2025 Commencement registration form 
Kolbecast episode 160 A Legendary Occasion, reflections and observances from those who attended Kolbe Academy’s 2023 Commencement 
Pope Francis’s letter Spes Non Confundit ( “Hope Does Not Disappoint”) 
Pope Benedict’s encyclical Spe Salvi (“On Christian Hope”) 
Katie Bogner’s blog post on the Holy Door on her blog Look to Him and Be Radiant 
Kolbecast episodes 184 and 248 with Katie Bogner & Shari Van Vranken 
John Bergsma’s book Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor 
More about and with Joan: 
website 
Substack 
YouTube channel 
In Via podcast by Verso Ministries 
Other related links: 
US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website feature on Jubilee 2025 
Vatican Jubilee 2025 website: Iubilaeum 2025 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

250 Made for Relationship featuring Kenna Millea

AMDG. Clinical Director and Co-Founder of the Martin Center for Integration and host of This Whole Life podcast Kenna Millea joins the Kolbecast to discuss the ins and outs of relationships under a Catholic lens. “If you don’t like relationships here,” Kenna comments. “I think heaven’s going to be a big bummer— because that’s what it’s going to be.”  
Kenna offers her expert insight into common challenges in family dynamics, from the relationship between the spouses to how parents interact with children.  She unpacks how our relationships with others can impact our relationship to God and how the sacraments can impact our social life. Kenna shares her advice for those interested in pursuing a career in Catholic therapy and explains the differences among the types of mental health fields. Finally, Kenna suggests a selection of mental health books for families looking to strengthen their relationships with one another and build a happy, holy home. 
Links mentioned & relevant: 
The Martin Center for Integration 
Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson 
The Whole Brain Child and other books by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel 
The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
238 Accompaniment, Hope, Integration, and Resilience with Pat Millea 
227 Sensory Awareness & Problem Solving with occupational therapist Caitlin Russ 
176 The Agenda Is to Grow with Art & Laraine Bennett 
188 Challenges as Opportunities and 219 The Upside of Anxiety with Dr. Kevin Majeres 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

249 Stories Crafted with Care from Kolbe Academy Press

AMDG. “When a child opens a book, I don’t want him to be overwhelmed by what’s on the page. I want him to open the book and be excited.”  
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Kolbe’s publishing branch? Kolbe team members Stasha Becher, Carol Gilpin, and Stephanie Foley bring you an insider perspective on Kolbe’s publishing program, from development to product review. The group discusses why Kolbe launched their publishing branch; how they integrate classical principles into their books, even at a Pre-K level; the science behind their font size and word count choices; advice for people who want to become copy editors or graphic designers; and a glimpse into their upcoming and past projects.  
Relevant links: 
Kolbe Academy bookstore 
When the Earth Was Flat: One Boy’s Life at the Edge of the Millennium by Dr. Jordan Almanzar 
Kolbe Preschool Program 
Preschool and Kindergarten Look & Learn books 
Kolbe’s Art History text 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
103 Above & Beyond with Nancy Nelson of the Kolbe Academy Bookstore 
83 This Is Only a Test, 137 Remember Your Whys, 162 Let Latin Conquer You, 248 Intentionality & Purpose for Lent & Holy Week with Maggie Hayden 
59 The Secret Whiteboard, 70 First Draft: A Parent In-Service, 124 In This Together, 156 Mission Intent: Formed to Serve, and 230 A Multi-Pronged Approach to College Prep with Erica Treat 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

248 Intentionality & Purpose for Lent & Holy Week with Katie Bogner & Shari Van Vranken

AMDG. “Advent is all cozy and sparkling lights… but Lent on the other hand, kids do not look forward to as much.”  
Looking for a new way to engage your children during this Lent? All About Advent and Christmas author Katie Bogner and illustrator Shari Van Vranken join the Kolbecast to announce their new book, All About Lent & Holy Week: Sharing the Seasons of Repentance & Salvation with Children. Their new Lenten guide is suitable for students of all age levels, with multiple layers of content for students to engage with. “That is something I very rarely see in a book,” Curriculum Director Maggie Hayden comments, “I feel like it just met the whole group at a level where they are interested.”  
The group’s conversation ranges over a wide variety of liturgical topics, including Lenten practices, such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; each member shares their family’s Lenten practices, providing a wide variety of inspiration to draw from. The group also discusses the feast days in Lent, both how we should celebrate them and why. Finally, the group discusses all things Holy Week, and strategies to engage children of every age level in the holiest week of the year.
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Get your copy of All about Lent & Holy Week here!  
Katie & Shari’s first book: All about Advent & Christmas: Sharing the Seasons of Hope & Wonder with Children 
Katie’s blog Look to Him and Be Radiant, which has a wealth of resources suitable for home, parish, or school use for Lent/Easter and many other aspects of liturgical living and catechesis  
Shari’s website Catholic Paper Goods 
Catholic Paper Goods on Etsy 
Follow @stpaulcenter, @emmausroadpublishing, @katherine.bogner, and @catholicpapergoods on Instagram. 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
184 Hope & Wonder with Katie Bogner & Shari Van Vranken 
192 Kitchen Doings 
194 Visual Literacy with Amanda Shepard 
198 The Sign of Our Salvation with Dr. Gilbert Lavoie 
150 A Family Apostolate: Liturgical Living with Kendra Tierney 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

247 Lightbulb Moments for Young Readers

AMDG. Reading is a daunting topic for many homeschooling parents. Luckily, Kolbe teachers and Master’s Level Education Specialists Kristi Cramer and Jenny Todesco are here to help. 
Kristi and Jenny answer the most-asked questions about reading, providing easy-to-digest answers and actionable steps that you can begin today. Tune in to learn how to assess your child’s reading ability at home; when your child should begin reading; common difficulties to watch out for and when to reach out for help; and the resources available in Kolbe Academy for struggling readers. “In education, there’s a rule of thumb,” Jenny comments, “if by third grade, a student is struggling in reading… [that] is when you would start looking at some interventions.”  
This episode is the all-in-one guide for homeschooling parents embarking on the journey to literacy, filled with a wealth of knowledge and practical tips you can implement today.  
Related Kolbecast episodes & relevant links: 
197 Tools in a Toolbox: Kolbe Academy’s Student Support Services 
124 In This Together 
125 Call the Advisor 
147 Building Blocks for Reading Success 
Kolbe Academy’s Student Support Services 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast! 

246 Orientation toward the Eternal

AMDG. Alumnus and CVS health general management program developer Charlie Mihaliak steps on stage to share an inspiring message about the importance of education in the current cultural moment. "What we're facing right now," Charlie declares, "is an idolatry of this farce of limitless freedom as the key to happiness." Charlie reminisces on his own journey to happiness, from his own Kolbe graduation to becoming a business major-- a major he quickly switched, choosing theater as his focus instead. Charlie reflects on the lessons he learned during this chapter of his life; why he considers theatre as "three-dimensional metaphysics"; the challenges facing students today; and why more choices equates to less happiness.  
Kolbe Chief Operations Officer and grandson of the founders Chris Rowles then takes the spotlight next to share an inspiring reflection on the development and growth of Kolbe Academy from its earliest days in the 1980s. "They didn't have the internet to find each other, but somehow they still did," Chris remarks. Chris advocates for Kolbe families and discusses Kolbe's fundraising initiatives aimed at providing accessible education to all. "With your help," Chris adds, "we can ensure that our students are prepared not just academically, but spiritually and morally for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”  
To learn more about or contribute to Kolbe Academy’s financial assistance program, click here.  
 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
213 This Is a Beginning, speeches from 2024 Commencement in Atlanta 
224 Forming Apostolic Hearts, a speech given by Msgr. James Shea to those in attendance at the dinner where Charlie’s and Chris’s remarks were recorded 
18 Homer and the Hunger Games and 208 A Mosaic of Experience featuring Charlie Mihaliak 
Have questions or suggestions for future episodes or a story of your own experience that you’d like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to podcast@kolbe.org and be a part of the Kolbecast odyssey.  
We’d be grateful for your feedback! Please share your thoughts with us via this Kolbecast survey!  
The Kolbecast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast apps. By leaving a rating and review in your podcast app of choice, you can help the Kolbecast reach more listeners. The Kolbecast is also on Kolbe's YouTube channel (audio only with subtitles).  Using the filters on our website, you can sort through the episodes to find just what you're looking for. However you listen, spread the word about the Kolbecast!