Kolbecast

277 The One and Only Shakespeare

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 all levels. Whether you are picking up a play for the first time or re-reading an old favorite for the thousandth time, this conversation will have something to teach you. 
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Medieval Shakespeare Study Guide Set
Shakespeare The Sonnets
Books in Kolbe’s Roman Literature course, including Julius Caesar
Books in Kolbe’s Era of Christendom course, including Richard III,  Macbeth, and The Tempest 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
266 New Voice, Handy Catalog with Gwynith DeMonte
177 Tabletop Theology with Alexi Sargeant
3 Dramatic Arts with Dolores Ann 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! 

276 New Voice, Handy Catalog

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 her experience growing up in a homeschooling household, including the courses that have (unexpectedly!) served her the best in her college and post-college life. Lastly, Gwynith gives some advice to new students, sharing her takeaways from this year’s teacher training and her hopes for the Asynchronous courses this year.  
Enjoy the episode,  
Gwynith 
 
Learn more about Kolbe’s asynchronous courses. 
 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
238 Accompaniment, Hope, Integration, and Resilience with Pat Millea
250 Made for Relationship with Kenna Millea
256 An Education That Reflects God's Beauty and 257 Integrated Catholic, Classical Education in Middle & High School
258 Seeking, Finding, and Building Community
247 Lightbulb Moments for Young Readers
227 Sensory Awareness & Problem Solving with occupational therapist Caitlin Russ
230 A Multi-Pronged Approach to College Prep
244 Summer School Memories and other episodes about college and with our college partners
226 Cultivating Habits of Excellence with Superhabits author Dr. Andrew Abela
123 A Change of the Ages with Msgr. James Shea
235 The Disposition of Pilgrimage with Joan Watson
176 The Agenda Is to Grow and 254 Freedom from Anxiety with Art & Laraine Bennett
255 Family Life as Liturgy with Dr. Greg Popcak
260 Flow & Connection through Learning and 261 Make It about Relationship with Lisa Popcak
236 Next Steps & New Chapters with Belinda Terro Mooney
188 Challenges as Opportunities and 219 The Upside of Anxiety wth 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! 

275 4H with a Kolbe Twist

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 through her home birth journey and what prompted her to opt out of the hospital-birth norm. As a bonus, recent Kolbe graduate Jeremiah discloses the results of his college debate between UMary or Christendom.  
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Kolbe Academy’s college partners 
Dr. John Cuddeback 
National 4-H website 
Catholic Land Movement 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
244 Summer School Memories 
159 Now We See in Part 
213 This Is a Beginning 
166 Dr. John Cuddeback on Dwelling Together Richly 
272 Healthy Mom, Healthy Family with Dr. Chris Stroud 
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! 

274 Hope & Joy in the Truth at Catholic International University

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 can pursue anywhere, anytime. For students who want to work more hours than a traditional college program allows or for parents who want to continue their education, Catholic International University has solutions.  
Catholic International University is a partner of Kolbe Academy, allowing students to earn college credit during high school. For more information, explore the links below.  
Relevant links: 
Learn more about Catholic International University
Ann Brodeur, PhD
Liberal Arts & Education
Emerging Technologies
CIU dual enrollment courses (more info for Kolbe students on this page of the CIU website)
The Newman Guide
Dr. Brodeur on the Classic Learning Test’s podcast Anchored
Catholic International University’s president Dr. Maria Sophia Aguierre on the Cardinal Newman Society’s podcast 
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

273 Inspiration for Every Homeschool Journey - Kolbecast Conference 2025

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 president Msgr. James Shea, Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres, as well as writer and translator Dr. Anthony Esolen. Explore breakout-session sessions with guest speakers including the hosts of the "More2Life" podcast and founder of Catholic Counselors Greg Popcak and Lisa Popcak; authors of "The Temperament God Gave You" Laraine and Art Bennett, L.M.F.T.; Catholic podcaster Bobby Angel and his brother Dan; occupational therapist Caitlin Russ; and many others.  
Listen to the episodes all at once or browse them at your own pace; at this conference, you control the schedule! 
Click here for Day 1 of the 2025 Kolbecast Conference. 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
1 Kolbecast Relaunch
221 A Survey and a Starting Point
249 Stories Crafted with Care featuring Carol, Stasha, and Stephanie from the Kolbe Academy publishing team
32 Reflections of His Light 
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! 

272 Healthy Mom, Healthy Family with Dr. Chris Stroud

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 confronted with contraception on the very first day-- no thanks.’" Potential medical students are afraid that they will be forced to choose between job security and their values, but Chris is here to paint an entirely different picture of a Catholic in the medical field.  
Chris began his career as a music major. After transitioning to medical school -- for an unexpected reason-- Chris also experienced a major transition in his spiritual life. A few years later, Chris's family made the jump from public school to homeschooling and never looked back. "It felt like overnight we were one of those crazy homeschooling families," Chris laughs. Today, Chris runs his own practice in Ft. Wayne, IN, focusing on women's health. Chris’s clinic addresses every issue women experience “from homeschooling to personal training,” in his words. 
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Dr. Stroud and his medical practice Fertility & Midwifery Care Center
All Things Women’s Health podcast
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Nicole Bobay
Brain Death, Abortion, and the Adriana Smith Case
Doctor, Doctor podcast
MyCatholicDoctor.com
Catholic Medical Association 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
117 Figureoutable with Dr. Andrew Mullally
189 Fit Mind, Fit Body 
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! 

271 Building a Literary Foundation

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 Developer Maggie Hayden explains. But the project quickly developed into something more. 
Under the artful guidance of Curriculum Developer Mara Matteoli, the classic texts blossomed into a fully-fledged reading and literature course, integrating comprehension with hands-on activities and a workbook of unique exercises.  
With beautiful pages, engaging and uplifting stories, and an individualized reading pace, this course meets young readers where they are and guides them to the next level. "The children aren't even going to know they are working!" Maggie promises. 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
249 Stories Crafted with Care featuring Carol Gilpin of Kolbe Academy’s publishing department
267 Time Traveling through History
247 Lightbulb Moments for Young Readers 
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Kolbe Academy recommended reading list 
Catholic National Readers and related materials in the Kolbe Academy bookstore 
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! 

270 Dr. Peter Kreeft on Joy, Suffering, Conversion, and Truth

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 philosophy. Dr. Kreeft dives deep into the themes of faith, happiness, and truth as he shares his conversion story, retold in his book From Calvinist to Catholic.  
Relevant links: 
A few of Dr. Kreeft’s books:
From Calvinist to Catholic
The Mystery of Joy
Jesus Shock
Socratic Logic textbook in the Kolbe Academy bookstore
Dr. Kreeft on the Being Human Podcast with Dr. Greg Bottaro 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
144 The Word Made Known with Mark Brumley of Ignatius Press
93 Good Thinking
166 Dr. John Cuddeback on Dwelling Together Richly 
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!