Former Catholic school student turned homeschooler for high school, now a college student and entrepreneur—his journey and the encouragement it gives parents for success in high school and beyond.

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:

• How shared meals foster faith and connection
• Why hospitality is a Christian mandate — not just “entertaining”
• Tips for hosting with simplicity and joy (even when life is messy!)
• How authenticity builds deeper friendships
• Finding grace and community around the table

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

Where to find Emily:

Instagram: @emilystimpsonchapman

Substack: emilystimpsonchapman.substack.com

Books by Emily:

• Around the Catholic Table: 100+ Simple Recipes for Family and Friends: https://amzn.to/4o1ituZ
• The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics, https://amzn.to/4nTojOV
• Mary, Mother of All (co-authored with Scott Hahn), https://amzn.to/43uEFoT
• The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet, https://amzn.to/46ZDSP1

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:

• 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!

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:

• Why homeschool planning isn’t about rigid structure
• How to identify your “non-negotiables”
• The power of one good plan (and how to start)
• Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed
• What Pam wishes she had known earlier in her homeschool journey

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:

• How media habits have shifted for kids over the years
• Why faith-based, family-friendly storytelling is more important than ever
• Creative ways to reduce screen time while still engaging curious minds
• What it's like to homeschool while working in Hollywood

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: nathan@graftedstudios.com

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:

• What college admissions teams look for in homeschool students
• Tips for preparing transcripts and recommendation letters * How Catholic colleges are welcoming homeschool families
• What makes homeschoolers stand out academically and personally

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

Show Notes:

Contact Natalie Williams: nataliew@udallas.edu

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).

Are you feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by homeschooling, and struggling to find peace in your daily vocation?

In this encouraging episode, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes Sterling Jaquith, Catholic speaker, author, and founder of Catholic Mom Calm. Sterling shares her powerful story as a convert to Catholicism, mother of six, and creator of a ministry that helps Catholic moms ditch overwhelm and live with peace, purpose, and joy—right in the middle of their busy vocation.

With warmth, humor, and spiritual insight, Sterling offers practical mindset tools and faith-filled encouragement to help you embrace the beauty (and chaos) of Catholic motherhood with confidence and calm. In this episode:

• What Catholic moms really need to hear about burnout and balance
• How mindset work can transform your homeschool and your family life
• Why peace doesn’t come from controlling your schedule
• Ways to reconnect with your purpose and identity in Christ
• How to begin again—even if you feel like you’re failing

“We are made for greatness, not perfection.” ~Sterling Jaquith

You can learn more about Catholic Mom Calm at https://catholicmomcalm.com/. Make sure to check it out today!

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!

You can also find Sterling online at:

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

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnjLbRM5Bab0wqVsomQvEg

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.