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 At Franciscan University, students live the truth of the Gospel in a vibrant Catholic community that unites faith and reason in every major. Twenty percent of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background! High school juniors and seniors can also earn college credit online through Franciscan’s dual enrollment program.

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/ Recommended Book: The Three R’s by Ruth Beechick

• 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. Prioritizing relationship over control creates long-term trust and willingness.

• You don’t need pressure to produce strong academics. Bonnie’s children thrived in college and university without a heavy academic hand.

• Homeschool philosophy should serve relationships, not the other way around. The real question isn’t “Which curriculum?” but “How can I foster strong relationships in my home?”

• Large family homeschooling can be peaceful. Short lessons, shared family studies, and intentional breaks make it sustainable.

• Be fearless. God gave you your children and the grace to educate them.

"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:

• What it really means to be a “quirky” or neurodivergent child
• Why being different does not mean being broken
• Ginny’s personal journey raising three twice-exceptional children
• The emotional reality parents face after a diagnosis—and why diagnosis is a tool, not a label
• When (and why) parents should consider evaluations, even if they plan to homeschool
• How homeschooling, public school, and private school can each support neurodivergent kids
• What services (IEPs, 504s, therapies) are available—and how homeschoolers can still access them
• How to navigate homeschool meetups, co-ops, and social situations with confidence
• Practical tips for preventing and managing sensory overload and meltdowns
• Common myths about homeschooling neurodivergent children—and why they’re wrong
• The unexpected blessings, growth, and joy that come with raising neurodivergent kids

Sponsor Fiat Life Coaching 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 well-being. Learn more about her signature program, the Happy, Holy Mama Membership, at https://fiatlifecoaching.ontralink.com/tl/6

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

• Happy Holy Moma Podcast, https://www.youtube.com/@happyholymama
• Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/fiatlifecoaching/
• Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072621575204
• YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@happyholymama

Featured Guest Ginny Kochis is a Catholic wife and mom to three twice-exceptional children. A former high school English teacher and adjunct professor, she holds an MA in Teaching Writing and Literature and has over 20 years of experience educating children of all ability levels. Through Quirky Catholic Kids, Ginny offers practical support and prayerful encouragement to Catholic families raising neurodivergent children. She believes God gives curious, creative, intense children the exact mother they need to thrive.

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: https://homeschoolconnections.com/resources/college-credit/

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:

• 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!

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: Zack Edwards is an educator, game designer, and CEO of Historical Conquest, as well as President of Xogos Gaming—an educational gaming platform offering a safe, standards-aligned alternative to mainstream online games. His mission is to make learning engaging, memorable, and meaningful through play.

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 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. ✨ Did you know? Nearly 20% of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background. 🎓 High school juniors and seniors can also earn college credit online through Franciscan’s Dual Enrollment Program. Learn more at franciscan.edu

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: https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcasts_category/kendra-tierney-catholic-homeschooling/

• 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. ✨ 20% of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background! Plus, high school juniors and seniors can earn college credit online through Franciscan’s Dual Enrollment program. Learn more at Franciscan.edu.

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 ✅ The role “deschooling” played in helping the transition go smoothly ✅ How homeschooling revealed each child’s unique learning style ✅ How to create rigor at home without copying a school model ✅ How her children stayed socially connected without daily classroom interaction ✅ Why intentional friendships are real-world socialization (not a “homeschool weakness”) ✅ The biggest challenges: accountability, motivation, and consistency ✅ The greatest blessing: forming virtue, responsibility, and real family life skills

🌐 Rachel’s website: https://www.rachelbulman.com/ 📚 Rachel’s books: https://amzn.to/4bFNtgD 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbulman 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbulman

📌 Deschooling: https://homeschoolconnections.com/how-to-deschool/ 📌 How to Start Homeschooling Midyear: https://homeschoolconnections.com/how-to-start-homeschooling-midyear/ 📌 Middle School Articles: https://homeschoolconnections.com/category/middle-school/ 📌 Unschooling Articles: https://homeschoolconnections.com/category/unschooling/

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. Learn more about her signature program, the Happy, Holy Mama Membership, at fiatlifecoaching.com.

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/ 🐦 Jeremy Tate on X: https://x.com/JeremyTate41 📸 CLT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cltexam/ 📘 CLT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLTexam/ 🎙 Anchored Podcast (CLT): https://www.cltexam.com/podcasts/

✅ What “classical education” actually means—and why it matters today ✅ How classical learning forms virtue, reasoning, and wisdom ✅ The difference between education for formation vs. education for outcomes ✅ Why more families are moving away from conventional school models ✅ How the CLT compares to the SAT/ACT ✅ Why standardized testing doesn’t have to undermine Christian formation ✅ The rise of AI in education—and why it makes classical learning more relevant ✅ Encouraging Catholic homeschoolers to stay focused on enduring truths

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: 💙 Fiat Life Coaching 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. 👉 Learn more about the Happy, Holy Mama Membership at fiatlifecoaching.com

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

• Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chewslifeshannon/

• Homeschool Connections Prayer Classes: https://caravel.homeschoolconnections.com/catalog/table?tableSearch=pray

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!

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. Did you know that 20% of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background?

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

🔗 Learn more at Franciscan.edu

Additional resources: • Franciscan High School Advantage Program: https://franciscan.edu/franciscan-high-school-advantage-program-partnerships/ • Homeschool Connections Dual Enrollment with Franciscan: https://homeschoolconnections.com/resources/college-credit/

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” • What it was like homeschooling before widespread support and resources • How early homeschoolers built co-ops, field trips, and networks from scratch • Why today’s abundance of options can feel overwhelming

Curriculum Wisdom Across Generations • Why chasing the “next best” curriculum often causes burnout • The value of sticking with what works • Adapting when a child truly needs something different

Community, Perseverance, and Minority Culture • Why homeschoolers are still a cultural minority—even today • The importance of continuing to build and invest in community • How patience and perseverance change hearts over time

Faith at the Center of Homeschooling • Why homeschooling must be rooted in prayer, not pressure • How morning prayer and read-alouds shaped Susie’s family life • Letting go of rigid school models and embracing the human reality of learning

Encouragement for New Homeschool Moms • Why feeling misunderstood is part of the calling • “Wait ten years”—how fruit becomes visible with time • Living the witness instead of arguing for it

• Little House on the Prairie series – Laura Ingalls Wilder https://amzn.to/4qOnHvd • The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis https://amzn.to/3MXjIxB • With God in Russia – Fr. Walter J. Ciszek https://amzn.to/4qxS60A • All Creatures Great and Small – James Herriot https://amzn.to/4baYBSr

• Hillside Education: https://www.hillsideeducation.com/ • Hillside Education Language Arts: https://www.hillsideeducation.com/index.php/language-arts/

You’ll also find the Homeschool Connections Podcast on 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints

📝 Catholic Homeschool Blog: https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/ 🎧 Catholic Homeschool Podcast: https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcast/