Author and cultural commentator Noelle Mering joins host Kaitlin Zara to unpack the true meaning of femininity, domestic life, and the “trad wife” conversation, beyond aesthetics and online trends.

From the power of stability in the home to the beauty of complementarity in marriage, Noelle offers rich, faith-filled encouragement for Catholic homeschooling moms. This inspiring conversation will uplift your vocation and remind you why your work in the home matters more than ever. 

Fiat Life Coaching – Premium support for Catholic homeschooling moms from Emily Brown. Learn essential skills for time, emotions, and family management in the Happy, Holy Mama Membership.

Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center · Author of Awake, Not Woke and the Theology of Home series · Commentator on culture, politics, and religion · Wife and mother of six.

Instagram: @noellemering

Website: https://www.noellemering.com/

Theology of Home: https://theologyofhome.com/

Books:

Awake, Not Woke: https://amzn.to/4oCWhXG

Theology of Home I: https://amzn.to/3K4AMkj

Theology of Home II: https://amzn.to/43WY5Dh

Theology of Home III: https://amzn.to/3M2S6a1

What the “trad wife” trend gets right—and wrong.

Why domestic life is countercultural and essential to human flourishing.

How secular ideologies undermine the family and why stability threatens revolution. 

Understanding authentic Christian submission vs. cultural misunderstandings.

The difference between luxury and beauty in homemaking. 

Encouragement for working moms and homeschooling moms striving for balance. 

Creating a joyful emotional “ambiance” in the home and why fun matters. 

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/

Catholic Homeschool Blog: https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/

Catholic Homeschool Podcast: https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/

Kaitlin Zara sits down with law professor, award-winning author, and longtime homeschool advocate Tony Kolenc to unpack some of the most important legal questions homeschooling families face.

From record-keeping and testing requirements to special-needs services, extracurricular access, and protecting your family against unwanted inquiries, Tony offers clear, practical, and empowering guidance for homeschool parents in every state.

With 21 years of military service and decades of legal experience, Tony brings both expertise and compassion to the conversation, plus a memorable story about Tim Tebow’s impact on homeschool sports access.

Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or many years in, this episode will help you feel confident, informed, and supported.

SHOW NOTES

Learn More About Our Guest:

HSLDA: https://hslda.org/

Practical Homeschooling: https://www.practicalhomeschooling.com/

What We Cover in This Episode

Today's Sponsor: Homeschool Connections - Live and recorded online courses for Catholic homeschooling families from expert instructors who love their faith.

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/

Catholic Homeschool Blog: https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/

Catholic Homeschool Podcast: https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/

In today's episode, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with interior designer, entrepreneur, and author Whitney English to talk about how to create a beautiful, organized, and faith-filled homeschool space, no matter the size of your home.

Whether your “classroom” is the dining room table or a designated schoolroom, Whitney offers practical, budget-friendly advice for reducing clutter, choosing the right storage solutions, and designing a space that truly works for your family.

But the conversation goes deeper than decor, Whitney and Kaitlin discuss how to cultivate peace, spiritual growth, and strong family relationships within the homeschool environment.

With humor, honesty, and plenty of real-life stories, Whitney reminds parents that organization is a process, imperfection is normal, and the heart of a meaningful homeschool space is love, patience, and connection.

Thank you to our sponsor, Benedictine College, which makes this podcast possible! Benedictine College is located in the small, picturesque town of Atchison, Kansas. The college is Newman Guide recommended and ranked as a top college in both U.S. News and The Wall Street Journal. Benedictine is also homeschool-friendly, offering a family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, and outstanding ministry and student life programs. Visit benedictine.edu to learn more.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

How to design a multifunctional homeschool area—even if you use your dining room table

Why rolling carts, china cabinets, and non-plastic containers can transform your space

The importance of organizing first, decorating second

How clutter affects a child’s focus—and how parents can maintain clarity during busy homeschool days

Creative ideas for involving children in home organization and teaching real-life skills

Why a spiritually nurturing homeschool space is more about relationship and vulnerability than decor

Fun rapid-fire tips on furniture, fabrics, and refreshing kids’ rooms

How to display children’s artwork in stylish, meaningful ways

SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES:

Book: A More Beautiful Life (Whitney English): https://amzn.to/482rfCa

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/ 

Make sure to check out our Catholic Homeschool Blog for more homeschooling tips, support, and practical help!

Visit our Podcast page at Catholic Homeschool Podcast.

Yes, You Can Homeschool for High School | A Teen Entrepreneur’s Success Story with Anthony Gugliucci

Can homeschooling in high school really set your teen up for success? In this inspiring episode, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Anthony Gugliucci, founder of AG Cooks and a business student at Penn State University.

Once a Catholic school student, Anthony made the bold leap to homeschool during high school and found the freedom to discover his passions, launch a thriving meal prep business, and grow in discipline and faith. He shares how homeschooling gave him real-world experience, deep family connections, and the courage to follow his calling.

Whether you’re nervous about homeschooling through high school or looking for encouragement to keep going, Anthony’s story will remind you that success looks different—and brighter—outside the traditional classroom.

Thank You to Our Sponsor!

This episode is sponsored by Fiat Life Coaching. Learn more about the Happy, Holy Mama Membership at https://fiatlifecoaching.com/.

Connect with Anthony:

Website: https://www.agcooksfood.com/

Instagram: @agcooksfood 

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

In this heartfelt episode of Homeschool Connections, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with author and speaker Emily Stimpson Chapman to talk about how hospitality, shared meals, and authentic friendship can transform our homes and communities.

Emily shares from her own experience as a busy mom of three, encouraging listeners to embrace imperfect homes, messy tables, and genuine connection as part of living out the Christian call to love. From the beauty of family meals to the importance of inviting others into our everyday lives, this conversation will leave you inspired to open your heart and your home.

In this episode:

“Hospitality isn’t about perfection — it’s about love.”

Where to find Emily:

Instagram: @emilystimpsonchapman

Substack: emilystimpsonchapman.substack.com 

Books by Emily:

This Episode is sponsored by Christendom College: High school juniors—want to discover college life like nowhere else? Join Christendom College for The Best Week Ever: a unique summer program with classes, adventure, and new friends, all grounded in the Catholic faith. Apply by December 1 and save 25%! Learn more at www.thebestweekever.com  

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

Host Kaitlin Zara sits down with beloved homeschool coach and author Pam Barnhill to talk all things planning—and why it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

If you're feeling the pressure of homeschooling without a clear direction, this episode is your lifeline. Pam shares practical tools, mindset shifts, and small but powerful strategies to help you create a homeschool plan that works for your family without sacrificing peace or relationships.

From designing the school year around real priorities to understanding the rhythm that works best for your family, this episode is filled with down-to-earth wisdom and encouragement for every homeschool parent—new or veteran.

In this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor Cluny Media! Explore timeless Catholic literature with over 400 titles in history, fiction, and spiritual reading. Visit https://clunymedia.com/titles and save 15% off your first order!

About Pam Barnhill: Pam is a homeschool mom, award-winning educator, and the host of the Homeschool Better Together podcast. She’s the author of Better Together and Plan Your Year, and the founder of Your Morning Basket.

Learn more about Pam at:

Website: pambarnhill.com

FREE Homeschool Planning Pages: freehomeschoolplanner.com

FREE Morning Basket Plans: pambarnhill.com/month

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolbettertogether/

Podcast: https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-better-together-podcast/

Blog: https://pambarnhill.com/hsbt-blog/

YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/@PamBarnhill/videos 

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

Catholic Homeschool Blog, https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/

Catholic Homeschool Podcast, https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/

The Catholic Homeschool Conference, https://catholichomeschoolconference.com

Homeschool Connections Community, https://community.homeschoolconnections.com/

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

You Can Have It All: The Heart of the Working Homeschooling Mother

The Homeschool Connections Podcast Episode 255: The Homeschool Mom and Entrepreneur Life.

This week, host Kailin Zara sits down with Therese Desilet, a former attorney turned homeschooling mom and the founder of Lovely Lady Linens. Therese shares her powerful journey of discerning her true vocation, walking away from a successful legal career, and creating a home life rooted in beauty, faith, and purpose.

From the emotional tug-of-war between career and motherhood to the joyful chaos of homeschooling and running a business, Therese invites us into the real, raw, and rewarding moments that led to her family’s transformation. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can homeschool, live your faith boldly, and pursue creative dreams—you won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation.

SHOW NOTES:

Special Offer for Our Listeners: Get 25% off at lovelyladylinens.com with code homeschoolconnections

Follow Therese on Instagram: @lovely_lady_linens

Saints Alive Podcast, https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/ 

Article: Can I Be a WAHM and Homeschool? https://homeschoolconnections.com/can-i-be-a-wahm-and-homeschool/ 

Don’t forget to subscribe for more faith-filled encouragement each week. And, LEAVE a comment to let us know how we're doing!

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

Catholic Homeschool Blog, https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/

Catholic Homeschool Podcast, https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/

The Catholic Homeschool Conference, https://catholichomeschoolconference.com

Homeschool Connections Community, https://community.homeschoolconnections.com/ 

Grab your coffee, and let's homeschool together! 

Grab your coffee, press play, and be inspired!

Homeschool Connections Podcast Episode 254: From Hollywood Insiders: Kid Shows You Can Feel Good About with Nathan and D’Lytha Myers.

Dive into a heartfelt conversation with Kaitlin Zara and the Myers family as they explore the challenges of raising children in a media-saturated world. Learn how they champion faith-based content and homeschooling to nurture a Christo-centric childhood.

Together, they explore:

Plus: movie recommendations, rapid-fire questions, and real encouragement for Catholic parents.

Thank you to today's episode sponsor: Party Like a Saint. Make sure to check out their website at https://www.partylikeasaint.com/

Show Notes:

Clean Streaming:

Formed (Catholic): https://formed.org/ (often free through your parish)

Angel: https://www.angel.com/

Clean Movie Reviews:

Dove Review: https://dove.org/family-friendly-movie-film-reviews/

Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Movie Guide: https://www.movieguide.org/

Shows to Consider:

Aria Appleton Shines is available on Prime Video: https://amzn.to/42v5rxc

Wingfeather Saga free on Angel: https://www.angel.com/watch/wingfeather-saga

Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street: https://amzn.to/4oa7uil

Studio C on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioCtv

Wondla: https://amzn.to/4o5lJoC

Tuck Everlasting: ​​https://amzn.to/4n30yTj

Note: Bluey introduced its first same-sex couple in the season three finale, "The Sign," when the character Pretzel mentions his "mums" when talking about his pet.

Find Nathan and D’Lytha Myers on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlythamyers/ and https://www.instagram.com/nathandmyers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NathanDMyersActor/

Fort Worth Actors Studio: https://fortworthactors.square.site/

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Home School Connections podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes Nathan and D'Lytha Myers, a dynamic husband and wife duo. Nathan, an actor and director, and D'Lytha, a director and producer, share their experiences as homeschool parents navigating the challenges of media consumption in today's digital age. They discuss the importance of curating content for their children, the impact of faith-based media, and their journey in creating the film "Aria Appleton Shines." The conversation offers valuable insights for parents seeking to balance screen time with enriching, family-friendly activities.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more faith-filled encouragement each week. And, LEAVE a comment to let us know how we're doing!

Grab your coffee, press play, and be inspired!

Homeschool Connections Podcast Episode 253: Can My Homeschooled Kid Get Into College with Natalie Williams

In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Natalie Williams, a Catholic homeschool graduate and admissions counselor at the University of Dallas.

You’ll learn:

This conversation is packed with wisdom for Catholic parents navigating the college admissions process!

Show Notes:

Contact Natalie Williams: [email protected]

More about Natalie: https://udallas.edu/admissions-aid/contact/admission-counselor/natalie-williams.php

Read: Why Homeschool Connections is Not an Academy: https://homeschoolconnections.com/catholic-homeschool-academy/ 

Presented by: HomeschoolConnections.com | Catholic Online Courses for Homeschoolers. You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/ 

Don’t forget to subscribe for more faith-filled encouragement each week. And, LEAVE a comment to let us know how we're doing!

To discover more support for your Catholic homeschool adventure, here are some valuable resources for you:

Catholic Homeschool Blog, https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/

Catholic Homeschool Podcast, https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/

The Catholic Homeschool Conference, https://catholichomeschoolconference.com 

Homeschool Connections Community,  https://community.homeschoolconnections.com/ 

Join host Kaitlin Zara and beloved homeschool leader Julie Bogart (author of Help! My Kid Hates Writing) for a fun, deep, and freeing conversation about how to teach writing the right way at home. They dive into:

The dangers of losing kids’ writing voice in the age of AI

How to truly motivate reluctant writers without worksheets

Why spelling and grammar don’t need to be taught the way you were taught

Tips for homeschooling high schoolers without killing creativity

Why creative and academic writing are not opposites—and how to make the essay process feel natural

Whether you're a parent of a budding comic book author, a teen blogger, or a child who flat-out refuses to write, this episode is packed with practical tools, encouraging stories, and a whole lot of homeschool joy.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Benedictine College, located in the small, picturesque town of Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is Newman Guide recommended, as well as a top college according to the US News and the Wall Street Journal. It is Homeschool Friendly, with a very family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, and outstanding ministry & student life programming. Go to https://www.benedictine.edu/ to learn more!

SHOW NOTES:

Purchase Help! My Kid Hates Writing at https://amzn.to/3KiMgjV 

Meet Julie Bogart and learn more about Brave Writer at https://bravewriter.com/about/about-julie 

You can find Julie and Brave Writer on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravewriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebravewriter/ 

Substack: https://juliebogart.substack.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bravewriter

Read Why Learn Creative Writing in High School? at https://homeschoolconnections.com/why-learn-creative-writing-in-high-school/ 

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/ 

Make sure to check out our Catholic Homeschool Blog for more homeschooling tips, support, and practical help!

Visit our Podcast page at Catholic Homeschool Podcast.

For additional help with joyful writing instruction, see Aquinas Writing Advantage (AWA) at https://awa.homeschoolconnections.com/ (AWA is a Homeschool Connections program).