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/

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/

Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more homeschool inspiration each week!

Guest: Paul McCusker Sponsor: Homeschool Connections

Award Winning Homeschool Writing Program: https://awa.homeschoolconnections.com/

Award-winning writer and dramatist Paul McCusker joins host Kaitlin Zara for a rich conversation on how storytelling forms the imagination, strengthens family culture, and elevates your homeschool. Drawing from decades of work on Adventures in Odyssey, Augustine Institute Radio Theatre, and his many books, Paul explains why stories matter, how they bypass our defenses, and how parents can intentionally use fiction, audio dramas, oral storytelling, and even family history to educate the heart as well as the mind.

He also addresses the challenges of screens and short attention spans, offering practical ideas for nurturing attention, vocabulary, and critical thinking in an age of distraction.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Paul’s work or new to his storytelling genius, this episode will transform the way you think about the role of story in your homeschool.

Paul McCusker is a writer, director, and producer best known for:

• Adventures in Odyssey

• Augustine Institute & Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

• Into the Catacombs, The Adventures of Nick & Sam, The Virtue Chronicles, and more

Website: https://www.paulmccusker.com/ Books: https://catholic.market/books/hope-springs/ Adventures in Odyssey: https://www.adventuresinodyssey.com/

• Stories bypass defenses and speak to the heart in ways facts cannot.

• Jesus Himself used stories to illuminate truth.

• Kids often perceive the deeper meaning of a story faster than adults.

  riverside paul & kaitlin dec 01…

• Strong characters, a compelling plot, and meaningful themes.

• Stories shouldn’t “talk down” to kids.

• Parents should consider both craft and moral worldview when selecting books.

• A well-told story teaches naturally — without sacrificing good writing.

• Stories reveal worldview, morality, and human nature.

• They help children discuss emotions and experiences they might otherwise hide.

• Read-alouds, audio dramas, dramatizations, and family memories all belong in education.

• Storytelling provides context, connection, and a sense of belonging in history.

• Family stories foster identity and gratitude.

• The hierarchy of imagination: reading → live storytelling → audio drama → screen.

• The more a medium “fills in,” the less the imagination works.

• Parents must balance devices with imaginative disciplines.

• Meals and family time should be sacred spaces without screens.

• Good authors don’t write down to kids.

• Rich storytelling exposes children to higher-level vocabulary organically.

• Stories help kids analyze motives, consequences, virtue, and vice.

  riverside paul & kaitlin dec 01…

Homeschool Connections – Live and recorded online courses taught by experts 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/

Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more homeschool inspiration each week!

What happens when a Catholic mom turns a handful of goats and chickens into a thriving family farm?

Kaitlin Zara sits down with Christina Mula of MooLa Farm to discuss how homesteading, healthy eating, and hands-on learning can beautifully enrich your homeschool life.

From gardening with kids to sourcing real food on a budget to embracing small beginnings, Christina offers practical, joyful wisdom every family can use—no acreage required!

Plus, don’t miss her encouraging reminder at 19:38: “Start small…and you will get there.”

Today's Sponsor is Homeschool Connections: Live and recorded online courses for Catholic homeschooling families, taught by expert instructors who love their faith. Learn more at https://homeschoolconnections.com/

Show Notes

Meet Our Guest:

Christina Mula Christina is a Catholic wife, homeschooling mom, and the founder of Moola Farm, a family-run, organic-only farm created to nourish her home and community. What began with a dream and a few animals has grown into a source of fresh produce, baked goods, and inspiration for families seeking a more intentional way of living.

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

Website: https://moolafarm.org/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moolafarm

Canning Basics: https://www.ballmasonjars.com/canning-and-preserving-101.html

In This Episode We Discuss:

How Moola Farm Began

Starting with goats, chickens, and a simple desire to feed her family well

The unexpected growth into a community-serving farm business

Homesteading as a Homeschool Lifestyle

How gardening becomes a natural, hands-on science curriculum

Easy ways to involve your kids—even little ones—in growing food

Connecting daily chores with responsibility, gratitude, and stewardship

Healthy Eating for Real Families

Simple tips for sourcing better food affordably

Christina’s go-to strategies for meal planning, homemade basics, and reducing processed foods

Teaching kids where food comes from and why it matters

Getting Started—Even If You Don’t Have a Farm

Container gardening

Small-space and suburban options

How to take “the next right step” for your family

Faith, Family, and the Rhythm of the Seasons

How farming life naturally integrates with prayer, liturgical living, and formation

Seeing God’s hand in the slow, beautiful work of growing and tending

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/

Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more homeschool inspiration each week!