Kolbecast

279 God's Forgotten Friends with Author Susan Peek

AMDG. Catholic author Susan Peek joins the Kolbecast to discuss her mission: bringing the stories of lesser-known saints alive for teens and young adults. Susan found herself frustrated searching for morally-sound but still engaging stories for teenagers: “the plots might be exciting, the writer might be excellent— and yet there’s so few things that we can give to teenagers to read.”Her first novel began as a movie script about Saint Camillus, whose struggle of conversion (and reconversion) has inspired many young readers. Today, Susan’s collection of books for teens includes Saint Cloud of Gaul: The Prince Who Trades Kingdoms, St Dymphna of Ireland: The King’s Prey, and Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades, among many others. If you are already a fan of Susan or are just hearing her name for the first time, this episode is a must-listen for parents of Catholic teens!  
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Susan Peek’s website
Catholic Writers Guild
Catholic Teen Books 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
249 Stories Crafted with Care from Kolbe Academy Press
267 Time Traveling through History: Bringing the Past to Life for Young Learners 
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! 

278 Daniel Kuebler on the Compatibility of Catholicism and Evolution

AMDG. How can evolution be compatible with the Catholic faith? Professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville Daniel Kuebler argues that Catholic students should embrace the theory of evolution. Dr. Kuebler answers several objections to evolutionary theory, grounding his answers in the Catholic doctrine. The professor explains why we shouldn’t be surprised by apparent conflicts (“The truth is bigger than our brains,” he says) and cautions students about two common pitfalls people fall into when discussing faith and evolution. 
Links mentioned & relevant: 
Dr. Kuebler’s new book Darwin and Doctrine
Society of Catholic Scientists and the podcast Dr. Kuebler hosts
Dr. Kuebler on the Thinking Faith podcast part 1 and part 2 
Related Kolbecast episodes: 
222 Something No One Has Ever Understood Before -- Dr. Kuebler's Kolbecast debut
89 The Master Blueprint 
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! 

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!