Kolbecast

AMDG. Do you want to build your own “super habits”? Founding dean of CUA business school and Forbes contributing writer Dr. Andrew Abela promises that “super habits” are the secret to a successful—and happy— life. He reveals the three steps to building “super habits;” highlights the connection between neuroscience and virtue; argues that good ethics are the most effective business practices; and paints an entirely new picture of classic virtues and success. Stay tuned to the end to hear details about Dr. Abela’s upcoming book, Super Habits: The Universal System for a Successful Life. 

Links mentioned & related: 

• Dr. Abela’s book Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life 

• Catholic University of America  

• Dr. Abela references Pope Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Centesimus Annus  

• St. Thomas Aquinas on the virtues 

• A Latin-English Dictionary of St. Thomas Aquinas by Roy J. Deferrari 

• Follow Dr. Abela on Forbes.com, Substack, and Linkedin 

Relevant Kolbecast episodes 

• 188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges as Opportunities and 219 The Upside of Anxiety with Dr. Kevin Majeres 

• 176 The Agenda Is to Grow -- Art & Laraine Bennett and the Temperaments 

• 84 The Essence of Catholic Education and 157 Renewal, Revival, Variety, and Unity with Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society, publisher of the Newman Guide 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG. Join Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan for the next installment in their continuing conversation about the humanities, sprinkled with fascinating tidbits of history and their best advice on reading The Iliad with your children or even on your own! The group discusses their own progress reading The Iliad with their families; the benefit to seeing a time before Christ; why we approach the gods differently than early Christians; the relationship between ancient history and myth; what to look for when reading The Iliad and what to talk about with your children. Whether you’re a student, homeschooling parent, or just a history buff, there is something in this conversation for you.  

Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant  

• 220 Decoding Mythology to Reveal Christianity (the first episode in this series)
  

• 196 Adaptable Asynchronous & Dynamic Digital Homeschool Options 

• 102 A Great Commission, featuring former Kolbe teacher Ellen Finnegan 

Texts referenced 

• Fr. Laux’s Introduction to the Bible 

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

• The Iliad 

• Greek Reader 

Other relevant links: 

• Dr. Mary Mumbach on Reading Big Books 

• The Pillar Post 27 Aug 2024 discussing (among other things) the pronunciation of St. Augustine’s name 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG. Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary, spoke to Kolbe supporters and friends at the Leaders in Catholic Education event the night before 2024 commencement. Listen in to Msgr. Shea’s speech in this episode, where he describes the apostolic work on the forefront of Catholic secondary education as we live in the first post-Christian society, the scheme of self-initiated salvation, and the way we can be converted even more deeply. 

Relevant Kolbecast episodes: 

• 123 A Change of the Ages with Msgr. Shea 

• 213 This Is a Beginning, speeches from Commencement 2024 

Monsignor Shea’s books: 

• From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age 

• The Religion of the Day 

• Other books and works published by U Mary Press 

Related links: 

• Support Kolbe Academy and our families  

• The Synthetic Impulse in Catholic Life by Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores 

• Tolkien quotes:  

• https://aleteia.org/2018/03/25/j-r-r-tolkien-turned-to-this-during-his-darkest-hour  

• https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/jrr-tolkien-three-amazing-quotes  

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 [email protected] 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! 

Jake Weidmann knows the science behind his art. With a background in psychology, Jake is now a professional artist and calligrapher. On today's episode, he shares the history of calligraphy and why it is so important to human beings; explains why you should turn off autocorrect; breaks down the psychological impact of sending hand-written letters; advocates for starting handwriting young; and divulges his best tips and favorite resources for calligraphy beginners. 

More information about Jake & the resources he mentions: 

• Jake’s website 

• The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH) 

• 3.5 minute penmanship video 

• Penmaking video 

• Why write? Ted talk

• Michael Sull 

• Brian Goulet of The Goulet Pen Company 

• John DeCollibus 

• F. B. Courtney and Louis Maderasz 

Kolbe Academy bookstore penmanship offerings  

• Spencerian Handwriting Course  

• Writing Our Catholic Faith instructional series 

Relevant Kolbecast episodes: 

• 216 Searching for Something We’ve Forgotten with Trae Bailey 

• 143 Partners in a Liberal Arts Renewal with CLT’s Soren Schwab 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG. PhD biologist and stem cell researcher Dr. Daniel Kuebler wasn't always a science major. Dr. Kuebler began his academic as an English major at Catholic University of America before transitioning to biology for his master's and doctoral degrees. Now a professor of science at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Kuebler educates a new generation of students on biology and the "big questions," from evolution to the latest developments in cell research to the history of science itself. 

Dr. Kuebler discusses the benefits of a well-rounded education, citing his background as an English major; reveals what inspired him to become a scientist; shares his cure for "boring" science classes; gives insight into the impact of faith on cell research; and drops hints about his forthcoming book, podcast and current scientific research. 

Links mentioned & related: 

• Purposeful Universe, of which the Purposeful Lab podcast is a part 

• Magis Center 

• Society of Catholic Scientists 

• Kolbe Academy college partnerships  

• Pope Pius XII’s encyclical Humani Generis  

• Pope Benedict XVI’s book In the Beginning 

• Bishop Robert Barron video Is Religion Opposed to Science? at ReasonFaithScience.com 

• Fr. Robert Spitzer of the Magis Center speaking to Kolbe Academy students on the Four Levels of Happiness 

• Fr. Spitzer’s talk to Kolbe Academy students: Eucharistic Miracles 

Relevant Kolbecast episodes: 

• 188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges as Opportunities 

• 89 The Master Blueprint 

• 21 To Live Fully Alive 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG. Looking back on four years and more than 220 episodes of the Kolbecast since its relaunch in August 2020, Jordan, Steven, and Bonnie reminisce on many memorable conversations and guests. Longtime and new Kolbecast listeners alike will find something of interest and inspiration from the array of episodes covered today. 

To sort through the library of Kolbecast episodes, visit this page on the Kolbe website and use the filters to find what you’re looking for. Send your episode suggestions to [email protected] 

Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant: 

• 1 Kolbecast Relaunch 

• 28 A Pessimist with Hope: A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Esolen 

• 198 The Sign of Our Salvation: Dr. Gilbert Lavoie on the Shroud of Jesus 

• 191 A Window into the Ancient World with Mike Aquilina 

• 179 Translation Tug of War  with Dr. Matthew Minerd 

• 188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges as Opportunities and 219 The Upside of Anxiety with Dr. Kevin Majeres of Optimal Work 

• 167 Sanity & Sanctity with Johanna Seagren of Interior Kingdom 

• 204 Habits of Ownership with Jacob Imam of The College of St. Joseph the Worker 

• 175 A Both-And Approach with Dr. Jonathan Sanford of The University fo Dallas 

• 84 The Essence of Catholic Education and 157 Renewal, Revival, Variety, and Unity with Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society 

• 123 A Change of the Ages with Msgr. James Shea of The University of Mary, who is also featured on ep 213 This Is a Beginning 

• 183 Gratuitous Gifts with Sherry Weddell 

• 176 The Agenda Is to Grow with Art & Laraine Bennett 

• Daniel Bielinski on 139 Glorifying God through Film and 217 Spoilers of a Sort 

• 92 Protect, Guide, Prepare, Empower with Cathy & Nicolai Lund 

• Charlie Mihaliak on 18 Homer and the Hunger Games and 208 A Mosaic of Experience as well as ep 213 This Is a Beginning 

• 3 Dramatic Arts with Dolores Ann Mihaliak 

• 8 Great Expectations with Colleen Carroll Campbell 

• Dr. Don Prudlo on ep 39 Reclaiming the Territory, 40 Windshield Time, 78 The Kolbe Man Show, and 111 What Treasures Remain 

• 36 Embrace the Fifth Day with Therese Prudlo, who also appears on several other Kolbecast episodes 

• 74 Special Teams: Kolbe Dads 

• 214 A Long View with Dee-dee & Charlie Mihaliak, parents of five Kolbe grads 

• Dr. John Cuddeback on ep 166 Dwelling Together Richly 

• 199 Do Good Work and Read Good Work with Jason Craig of Sword & Spade 

• 60 Mission: Possible 

• 61 Middle Ground 

• 164 This Is Not a Kolbe Infomercial with Kolbe mom Lindsey 

• 190 The School of Patience with Tricia Kavanagh, another Kolbe mom 

• 209 Kolbe Kids Give Gems of Information with three of Tricia’s sons, one of whom also appears on ep 213 This Is a Beginning 

• 173 A Deeper and Greater Joy with Kolbe alumni transitional Dcn. Charles Ohotnicky and Fr. Ambrose Dobrozsi 

• 215 New School Year Starter Kit with Dean of Admissions Jeanne Anne Ford and Customer Support Supervisor Colleen Pilon 

• 118 Odysseys in Catholicism 

• 45 Grace Perfects Nature with Dr. Peter Malinoski and Jody Garneau 

• Mrs. Elizabeth Hoxie appears on several episodes including 21 To Live Fully Alive, 89 The Master Blueprint, 112 Cura Personalis: The Intro, 136 Cura Personalis: The Sequel, and 213 This Is a Beginning 

• 140 Burnout Happens 

• 100 In the Beginning with Kolbe Academy co-founder Mrs. Dianne Muth 

• 119 The Hope Throughout with Tom & Noelle Crowe 

• 134 For Tinkerers of All Ages with Kolbe dad and HAM radio enthusiast Chris Ranck 

• Kolbe Advising Manager Mrs. Ashley Massey’s Kolbecast debut was episode 66 Bonhomie à la Kolbe 

• 105 Not Just for Special Occasions with small business owner, Kolbe homeschooling mother, and etiquette expert Rebecca Czarniecki--known professionally as Mrs. B 

• 162 Let Latin Conquer You 

• 220 Decoding Mythology to Reveal Christianity 

• 32 Reflections of His Light with two Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa who are Kolbe alumnae; one tells a sweet story of leaving some “Easter eggs” for her younger sibling to find. 

• 207 A Privilege of a Lifetime with Kolbe mom turned advisor Elyse Williams 

• 63 The Saints Speak for Themselves with the Holy Heroes parents (also Kolbe parents) Ken and Kerri Davison 

• 150 A Family Apostolate: Liturgical Living with Kendra Tierney 

• 116 Things I Would Tell My Students with Jordan Almanzar 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG.  Like many Kolbe Academy parents, Jordan will be embarking on a trip through the Kolbe ninth-grade Greek history and literature courses this school year with his daughter. To chronicle that odyssey, he, Steven, and Bonnie are starting a new series of episodes to discuss the various texts and themes encountered along the way. Listen in as the group makes ready to set sail by defining terms, musing on the humanities in general, and drawing upon René Girard and his book The Scapegoat.   

Relevant Kolbecast episodes: 

• 60 Mission: Possible 

• 162 Let Latin Conquer You 

• 102 A Great Commission, featuring former Kolbe teacher Ellen Finnegan  

• 100 In the Beginning with Kolbe Academy co-founder Dianne Muth 

• 191 A Window into the Ancient World with Mike Aquilina 

• 123 A Change of the Ages with Msgr. James Shea 

• 183 Gratuitous Gifts: Charisms with Sherry Weddell 

• 202 A Great Conversation and 210 Firm Grounding with Kolbe mom Deirdre Mundy 

Links mentioned & relevant:  

• The Scapegoat by René Girard 

• René Girard, Theology, and Pop Culture, featuring a chapter by Dr. Jordan Almanzar 

• Jordan’s writings at PrimeMatters.com, including this newest article What ‘Christian’ Really Means 

• Bishop Barron on René Girard 

• Robert Barron – Jesus and the Scapegoat (2002) 

• Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland, discussed in Kolbecast episode 191 with Mike Aquilina  

• I See Satan Fall Like Lightning by René Girard 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG. Catholic psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres rejoins the Kolbecast for a discussion on anxiety: one of the most common, but also most misunderstood, emotions.  Working from the definition that anxiety is an urge to avoid challenge, Dr. Majeres describes how he helps his clients live by ideals that they freely commit to rather than living under the control of their past; explains how you don’t defeat things by forgetting them, but by building new things; and alludes to how mindfulness plus metaphysics equals contemplation.

Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:  

• 188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges as Opportunities 

• 185 Developmentally Appropriate Independence discussing summer camp 

Related links: 

• Optimal Work 
  

• Jonathan Heidt’s The Anxious Generation 

• Dr. Russ Harris’s The Happiness Trap 

• Dr. Eli Lebowitz’s Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD and other resources 

• Dr. Donna Pinkus’s Growing Up Brave 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG.  The high school years are formative as teenagers develop autonomy and independence in the world.  In this episode, theology teachers Dan Angel, Brendan Murphy, and Nick Senz share their experiences of and perspectives on teaching apologetics, morality, and more to high schoolers.  The conversation includes discussions of open question boxes and cultural references in class, connecting on an interpersonal social level with their students, and how they respond to resistance and skepticism from their students about cultural and societal big questions. 

Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant: 

• 195 Greatness Awaits with Dan & Bobby Angel 

• 169 No Made-Up Answers with Brendan Murphy & Wes Stratman 

• 91 Kernels of Truth with Nick Senz & Chrissy Almanzar 

• 151 Joyful Discoveries for Preschoolers discussing Kolbe Academy’s preschool program 

• 179 Translation Tug of War with Dr. Matthew Minerd, which briefly discusses Kolbe Academy’s twelfth grade theology course 

Related links:  

• Catechism of the Catholic Church 

• YOUCAT and YOUCAT for Kids 

• St. Mary’s Press bibles for children and youth 

• Ascension Press 

• Fr. Mike Schmitz 

• Bishop Robert Barron at Word on Fire 

• Jesus of Nazareth trilogy by Joseph Ratzinger 

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 [email protected] 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! 

AMDG.  The art of storytelling involves decisions about perspective, themes, and emphasis, and good storytelling goes on to inspire questions and discussions.  Dan Bielinski rejoins the Kolbecast on this special bonus episode to describe storytelling decisions and discussions related to his feature film, End of the Rope available for Kolbe families to stream as a financial aid fundraiser.  In the context of moviemaking and movie-watching, he, Bonnie, Steven, and Maggie Hayden discuss discerning family viewing choices, questions of justice and community, and the phenomenon of anger begetting anger. 

*contains spoilers* If you’re considering watching the film and *don’t* want to hear spoilers, stop the recording at 23:50 until you’ve seen the film, then come back to hear discussion about some of the plot points.  

To sign up for Kolbe’s special End of the Rope viewing event 9-18 August 2024, complete this form  

Kolbecast episodes mentioned and relevant: 

• 139 Glorifying God through Film with Daniel Bielinski of Canticle Productions discussing his movie Sanctified 

• 162 Let Latin Conquer You with Maggie Hayden, one of a three-episode series on language including 161 Fostering a Linguistic Consciousness with Agostina Cavasotto and 163 Postcards from France 

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 [email protected] 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!