Can Shakespeare come alive in your backyard?

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Kaitlin Zara talks with Mary Ellen Barrett, founder of the Front Lawn Players—a homeschool theater troupe that performed Shakespeare plays on backyards for 14 years.

From handmade costumes and thrifted sets to children memorizing complex scripts and growing in confidence, Mary Ellen shares how homemade theater became a transformative educational and spiritual experience for her family and community. She offers practical advice for homeschool moms who want to incorporate drama into their learning, without needing Broadway budgets or perfect homes.

You’ll be inspired to embrace creativity, community, and even a little chaos for the sake of something beautiful.

Thank you to our sponsor: Franciscan University of Steubenville

Mary Ellen Barrett is a homeschooling mother from Long Island and a founder of the Front Lawn Players, a backyard Shakespeare troupe that performed 14 plays over 14 years. 

Mary Ellen also serves as the Chairman of the Board at Seton Home Study School, editor at Seton Magazine, and podcaster at Stay at Homeschooling Moms

Follow Mary Ellen on Substack:

Explore Homeschool Connections’ online Shakespeare courses.

How six homeschool moms started performing Shakespeare on their front lawns.

Why seeing and hearing Shakespeare first makes it accessible to kids.

The difference between reading Shakespeare and performing it.

How performance builds confidence and lifelong public speaking skills.

The interdisciplinary power of theater (literature, history, math, art, music).

Creating elaborate productions on a homeschool schedule.

Why May became “Shakespeare season” in their homes.

Hosting public backyard performances (and even performing at Westbury Gardens!).

The deep community formed among the moms and families.

The powerful story of Mary Ellen’s son Ryan and the gift of acceptance through theater.

Making space for neurodivergent and differently-abled children in creative work.

Letting go of perfection (yes—even the sticky kitchen floor).

Practical advice for starting your own homeschool theater group.

1. Start Small

Begin with simple costumes, a backyard, and a short play. Grow gradually each year.

2. Performance Makes Shakespeare Click

Watch it. Hear it. Experience it. Once children see it performed, the language becomes accessible.

3. Theater Builds More Than Academic Skills

Drama fosters poise, moral imagination, confidence, friendship, and belonging.

4. Play to Your Strengths

Sew, cook, build, direct, organize—every mom can contribute in her own way.

5. Community Changes Everything

The Front Lawn Players wasn’t just about Shakespeare—it created lifelong friendships for moms and children alike

You don’t need a stage.

You do need creativity, courage, and community.

As Mary Ellen beautifully reminds us, no one will remember the messy kitchen floor—but your children will remember the magic you created together.

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

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

With so many homeschool philosophies to choose from—Charlotte Mason, classical, unschooling, eclectic—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you choose the right approach, especially when you’re raising multiple children with very different personalities?

In this encouraging and practical episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with veteran homeschooling mom of seven, Bonnie Landry. Bonnie homeschooled for 32 years and shares how she built a peaceful, relationship-first home without rigid rewards, pressure-heavy academics, or fear-based decision-making.

From teaching bookish learners and high-energy boys under one roof to prioritizing connection over conflict, Bonnie offers wisdom for homeschooling moms who want confidence, clarity, and joy—especially in large families.

If you’ve ever worried about falling behind, choosing the “wrong” philosophy, or losing your identity as a nurturing mom while becoming the “teacher,” this conversation will renew your courage.

Sponsor: Franciscan University of Steubenville

Bonnie Landry is a Catholic wife and mother of seven, living on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Five of her children are now married, and she is a grandmother to twelve. Bonnie homeschooled for 32 years and now hosts the podcast Make Joy Normal: Cozy Homeschooling, where she shares encouragement on homeschooling, community, babies, and cultivating joy in family life.

Her mission is simple: Make joy normal.

Podcast: https://makejoynormal.buzzsprout.com/

Bonnie’s 32-year homeschooling journey, raising seven children

Teaching multiple personalities under one roof

Multi-sensory learning in a large family

Why relationship comes before academics

A peaceful alternative to rewards and consequences

How removing pressure can increase academic success

Creating independent learners without a rigid curriculum

Balancing bookish children with high-energy kids

Managing one-on-one time when toddlers are underfoot

Why “falling behind” may not be what you think

Being fearless in your homeschool decisions

The importance of real-life community for homeschooling moms

Connection fuels cooperation.

You don’t need pressure to produce strong academics.

Homeschool philosophy should serve relationships, not the other way around.

Large family homeschooling can be peaceful.

Be fearless.

"Different” doesn’t mean broken. It means beautifully designed.

In this heartfelt and deeply affirming episode, Kaitlin is joined by Ginny Kochis, neurodivergent parent coach, author, and founder of Quirky Catholic Kids, for an honest conversation about raising neurodivergent children with confidence, compassion, and faith. Drawing on her experience as a former teacher, homeschool mom, and mother of three twice-exceptional children, Ginny guides listeners through the journey from fear and shame to understanding, acceptance, and peace.

Together, they explore evaluations, homeschooling myths, accessing services, social challenges, and the profound blessings that come with raising “quirky” kids. This episode is a must-listen for any parent navigating neurodiversity—especially Catholic homeschooling families seeking encouragement, clarity, and hope.

In this episode, we discuss:

Sponsor

You can also find Emily and Fiat Life Coaching on social media at:

Featured Guest

Resources & Links:

Ginny’s Website: https://ginnykochis.com/

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

Books by Ginny: https://amzn.to/4s33xPh

Homeschool Connections: https://homeschoolconnections.com/

Dual Enrollment with Franciscan University at Homeschool Connections:

If you’ve ever felt isolated, unsure, or overwhelmed raising a neurodivergent child, this episode will meet you right where you are—and remind you that you are not alone.

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

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

Why do so many students find history boring, and how can we change that?

In this episode, Kaitlin sits down with Zack Edwards, educator, game designer, and CEO of Historical Conquest, to explore how storytelling and gamification can completely transform the way children learn history. Drawing from his own negative experiences with traditional history education, Zack shares how interactive games, emotional connection, and goal-oriented learning dramatically improve engagement and retention.

This conversation is especially encouraging for homeschool parents who want to move beyond textbooks and worksheets and help their children love learning. From understanding learning styles to creating meaningful educational experiences that stick, Zack offers practical insights—and inspiring examples—of what education can look like when it’s fun, personal, and purposeful.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why history is often taught in a way that disconnects students from real people and real stories

How storytelling creates emotional attachment—and why that matters for long-term retention

The difference between true gamification and “educational junk food” apps

How games can boost retention rates far beyond lectures and rote memorization

Why homeschoolers are uniquely positioned to personalize education

The role of competition, goals, and rewards in motivating learners

Understanding and supporting different learning styles at home

How gamified learning can strengthen family connection—not replace it

Why safe, values-aligned alternatives to mainstream gaming platforms matter

Featured Guest:

Resources & Links:

Email Zack: https://www.xogosgaming.com/

Historical Conquest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricalConquest

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, educator, or simply someone who wants kids to love learning again, this episode will leave you inspired—and full of practical ideas you can use right away.

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

Catholic Homeschool Blog

Catholic Homeschool Podcast

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together!

Grief looks different for everyone—but no one is meant to carry it alone.

In this deeply moving episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes back Catholic author, speaker, and homeschooling mother of ten, Kendra Tierney Norton, for a candid and compassionate conversation about walking through grief while homeschooling.

Kendra shares reflections from her family’s 16-year journey through her husband Jim’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, hospice, and passing, all while continuing to homeschool and raise their children. Rather than offering formulas or platitudes, Kendra speaks honestly about what sustained her: faith, community, Catholic tradition, and the quiet strength of daily responsibilities.

Together, Kaitlin and Kendra discuss:

Why grief cannot—and should not—be rushed or standardized

How homeschooling can foster resilience during seasons of hardship

The irreplaceable role of Catholic community in times of loss

Why accepting help is not weakness, but humility

How liturgical living and prayer anchor families during uncertainty

Whether you are navigating grief, caregiving, chronic hardship, or emotional exhaustion, this episode offers reassurance, wisdom, and gentle encouragement to lean into the support God has already placed around you.

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Kendra Tierney Norton is a Catholic author, speaker, and the voice behind Catholic All Year. She is a homeschooling mother of ten and has been a longtime advocate for liturgical living and faith-filled family culture.

🔗 Connect with Kendra:

Previous podcast episodes:

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KendraTierneyCAY/

Website: https://catholicallyear.com/

To discover 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!

What happens when the school that once seemed perfect suddenly isn’t working anymore?

In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with author and speaker Rachel Bulman to talk about her family’s decision to begin homeschooling during the middle school years—and why making the switch midstream was one of the best decisions they ever made.

Rachel shares the real story behind leaving a rigorous charter/IB environment, how “deschooling” helped ease the transition, and what she learned about her children’s learning styles once they were home. She also offers practical encouragement for moms who worry about rigor, socialization, and structure—especially when homeschooling wasn’t part of their original plan.

If you’ve been thinking about homeschooling (even if it’s midyear), this conversation will give you clarity, peace, and confidence to take the next step.

At Franciscan University of Steubenville, students live the truth of the Gospel in a vibrant Catholic community that unites faith and reason in every major.

Rachel Bulman is an author, speaker, and homeschooling mom who began homeschooling her children during the middle school years after discovering that their rigorous school environment wasn’t providing the support, communication, or enrichment her family needed.

In this episode, Rachel shares her family’s honest journey from traditional schooling into homeschooling—and the spiritual, emotional, and practical blessings that followed.

✅ Why Rachel’s family chose to homeschool during middle school

🌐 Rachel’s website: https://www.rachelbulman.com/

📌 Deschooling: https://homeschoolconnections.com/how-to-deschool/

To discover 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!

What is classical education—and why are more Catholic and homeschool families turning to it right now?

In today's episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), to explore why classical education is making a major comeback and how it forms students not only academically, but morally and spiritually.

Jeremy explains what sets classical learning apart from modern schooling, how the CLT serves as a powerful alternative to the SAT/ACT, and why cultivating virtue, critical thinking, and a love for truth matters more than ever in a culture shaped by technology and AI.

Emily Brown from Fiat Life Coaching offers premium support for Catholic homeschooling moms to learn essential skills to manage their time, other people’s behavior, and their own mental and emotional wellbeing.

Jeremy Tate is the founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), a standardized testing alternative rooted in classical education and the Great Books tradition. The CLT is accepted by a growing number of colleges and universities and is increasingly popular among homeschool families and classical schools.

🌐 CLT Website: https://www.cltexam.com/

✅ What “classical education” actually means—and why it matters today

How do we teach our children to pray without turning prayer into just another item on the to-do list?

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Shannon Wendt—founder of Chews Life, author, speaker, and homeschooling mom of eight—to talk about cultivating a prayer life that feels natural, authentic, and sustaining for the whole family.

Shannon shares powerful insights from her own journey through grief, miscarriage, and spiritual desolation, revealing how the Rosary became a lifeline not only for her healing, but for the spiritual culture of her home. Together, Kaitlin and Shannon explore how prayer can become a constant conversation with God throughout the homeschool day, how to persevere when prayer feels dry or messy, and why simply showing up matters more than doing it “perfectly.”

This episode offers encouragement for moms who feel overwhelmed, stuck in a prayer rut, or worried they’re not “doing enough.” If you long to help your children experience prayer as peace rather than pressure, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Why prayer works best when it’s woven into daily life, not scheduled perfectly

How simple, spoken prayer throughout the day forms children spiritually

Letting go of Pinterest-perfect expectations for family prayer

Teaching kids to turn instinctively to prayer during struggles and conflicts

Praying the Rosary in small, realistic ways—especially with busy families

What to do when prayer feels dry, awkward, or emotionally difficult

Shannon’s powerful testimony of healing through the Rosary after miscarriage

How Our Lady gently leads hearts back to Christ during seasons of suffering

Why the “only ineffective prayer is the one you never start.”

Sponsor:

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Chews Life: https://chewslife.com/

Rosary Bracelets: https://chewslife.com/collections/rosaries-rosary-bracelets

The Way of the Rosary (Book & Journals): https://chewslife.com/collections/the-way-of-the-rosary

Homeschool Connections Prayer Classes:

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

Grab your coffee, and let’s homeschool together! 

What does homeschooling look like after 30 years—and what has really changed?

In this encouraging and honest conversation, Kaitlin Zara sits down with veteran homeschool mom, author, and mentor Susie Lloyd, who homeschooled seven children over three decades. Together, they reflect on how homeschooling has evolved, what challenges remain timeless, and why perseverance, patience, and prayer matter more than ever.

From building community from scratch to resisting curriculum overload, from navigating skepticism to trusting God’s long game, Susie offers wisdom and reassurance for today’s homeschool parents—especially those feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. This episode is a reminder that homeschooling is not about perfection, but about faithfulness.

Franciscan University of Steubenville

At Franciscan University of Steubenville, students live the truth of the Gospel in a vibrant Catholic community that unites faith and reason in every major.

High school juniors and seniors can also earn college credit online through Franciscan’s Dual Enrollment Program.

🔗 Learn more at Franciscan.edu

Additional resources:

Susie Lloyd homeschooled seven children over 30 years and is a longtime mentor, speaker, author, and consultant in the Catholic homeschooling world. Her books, articles, and conference talks emphasize that you don’t have to homeschool perfectly to homeschool successfully. Susie has a special heart for mentoring new and struggling homeschoolers.

🌐 Website: https://susielloyd.com/

Homeschooling “Then and Now”

Curriculum Wisdom Across Generations

Community, Perseverance, and Minority Culture

Faith at the Center of Homeschooling

Encouragement for New Homeschool Moms

• Little House on the Prairie series – Laura Ingalls Wilder

• Hillside Education: https://www.hillsideeducation.com/

You’ll also find the Homeschool Connections Podcast on

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

Sponsor: Homeschool Connections

How do we teach our children to serve—especially when the needs around us feel overwhelming?

In this powerful and practical episode, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Clara Davison, Brand Manager at Holy Heroes, to discuss faith-filled service, local responsibility, and raising children who are ready to “raise their hand” when help is needed. Drawing from Clara’s firsthand experience organizing Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina, the conversation explores what meaningful volunteerism really looks like—and how Catholic homeschooling families can live it out daily.

From disaster response to meal trains, Clara shares wisdom on responding with intention, guarding against compassion fatigue, and forming children in authentic charity rooted in faith, family, and community. This episode will inspire you to look right where you are and ask: Who needs me today?

riverside clara & kaitlin — tak…

Clara Davison is the Brand Manager at Holy Heroes, a Catholic apostolate dedicated to helping families grow in faith through prayer, service, and joyful devotion. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Clara helped mobilize large-scale relief efforts across North Carolina—coordinating supplies, fundraising, and community action while pregnant and caring for her family.

Holy Heroes: https://www.holyheroes.com/

Hurricane Helene & Immediate Response

What made this disaster uniquely devastating for Western North Carolina

How power outages and lost infrastructure delayed relief efforts

The importance of local knowledge during emergencies

Faith in Action During Crisis

Seeing service as a response to God’s call

Balancing action with prayer—especially for the dead and missing

Lessons learned about presence, limits, and trust in God

Local Responsibility vs. Global Tragedy

Why we feel overwhelmed by constant exposure to worldwide suffering

Clara’s insight: our first responsibility is to the people in front of us

Avoiding paralysis by focusing on actionable, local needs

Teaching Children to Serve

Simple, family-friendly ways to practice service

Meal trains as a powerful, practical ministry for homeschool families

How everyday acts of charity shape children’s understanding of community

Raising Kids Who “Raise Their Hand”

Modeling generosity through ordinary sacrifices

Helping children see service as a normal part of Catholic life

Building a culture where no one expects to be forgotten

This episode is brought to you by Homeschool Connections—offering live and recorded online classes for Catholic homeschooling families, taught by expert instructors who love their faith.

🔗 Learn more at: https://homeschoolconnections.com/

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/

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