Dwell

In this episode, Renee and Karen interview Tonya Rozelle about the CiRCE community for moms called The Hearth. They discuss the life-giving benefits of reading books and discussing ideas around classical education in community and how exploring truth, goodness, and beauty together is nurturing for moms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandi's book, Thoroughness and Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom, offers readers beautifully written principles of classical education and practical ideas and tips for creating a culture that nurtures our children and embodies the tradition. Listen for inspiration to encourage you as you make plans for the fall and for ideas to incorporate into your morning time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer is nearly here and Renee and Karen offer suggestions for making the most of your summer schedule while leaving room to discard the schedule and go to the pool! These days and years are fleeting; read books in the hammock, eat the ice cream, learn a new skill, make lasting memories! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen as they talk about the importance of assessing not only the end of the academic year, as in the skills, ideas, and facts learned, but also the growth and maturity that has taken place in your children and in yourself. They also chat about how assessment is a tool for planning the next year, and that to not finish a curriculum is not a sign of failure, for we are not slaves to the curriculum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen for Chapters 11 and 12 and the Epilogue of Norms and Nobility. They discuss Hicks' compelling answer to the question, "Why read the classics?", his statement that the heart of the curriculum is humane letters, and his last two beautiful paragraphs in which he describes true learning. We hope you were encouraged to read along with us, and if you haven't yet read Norms and Nobility, now is the time to get the new edition and dig in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen as they talk to Heidi about her soon-to-be-published book called The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life. She describes how she came to view every story as the expression of the conflict between duty and desire—the same conflict that each one of us fights too. We hope that you enjoy this fun conversation and will run to pre-order her book! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Joyce McPherson, author of fiction and non-fiction for children ages 8-12, English teacher at Covenant College, and mother of nine children! We discuss the importance of developing the imagination and the genre of fantasy, her passion for making the stories of historical Christian figures accessible to children, and her love for George MacDonald and his stories. You will hear her advice for the homeschool mother who also has a passion for writing and how she found time to write while homeschooling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Matthew Bianco joins us for a discussion on the three faculties of the soul: the belly (the appetites), the chest (which desires honor and despises shame), and the mind (which desires wisdom and hates ignorance). We explore how being aware of these faculties can help us to train our children's affections and lead them toward virtue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen discuss Ch 10 in Norms and Nobility. In this chapter, David Hicks offers a list of questions worth considering for teachers and administrators, and since homeschool moms are both, we think you will find this list helpful. He also lists the assumptions that "undergird the practice of classical education." Each of these questions and assumptions is like a nugget of wisdom that will inspire and encourage you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen offer encouragement and practical ways to avoid and combat homeschool mom burnout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Woodham, homeschool mom and author of a soon-to-be-published book on play, joins Renee and Karen to discuss the importance of free and voluntary play in the lives of children (and their parents). They explore the relationships between play and virtue, order, beauty, and imagination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the concept of Christian paideia: how Ephesians 6:4 "Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord..." is the meaning of the word paideia in the Christian context. They talk about how homeschoolers can provide a rich culture in the home where children (and parents) can train their affections and grow in wisdom and virtue, the promise of classical education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee King, author of the new book Ubi Est Mater?, joins Karen and Renee to talk about teaching Latin to her children and how she came to write this beautiful picture book in memory of her son. If you are just beginning the Latin journey with your family or are afraid to start, be encouraged as you listen to Renee tell her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why not start off 2025 with a new book club?! In this episode Renee and Karen talk about their book clubs: how reading together fosters community and friendship, the different formats book clubs can take, and how they choose what to read and how often they meet. Be inspired to start one of your own with a couple of friends and a good book! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the claim that classical education is elitist and explore the objectives of a universal classical education in a democracy. Be encouraged to continue this noble task of nourishing your children's souls on the true, the good, and the beautiful and to "turn their attention away from worldly gain and onto the soul's salvation." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen offer some ideas for getting together with other families to celebrate the season and traditions to incorporate in your home. Christmas is a joyous and busy season, and can even be hectic and messy, but you can adopt simple traditions that your children will love and grow up to cherish and want to continue in their own homes—that's the best! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Renee and Karen talk with Amber Vanderpol, homeschooling mom of 7 children ages 1-22, about homeschooling in difficult seasons. She recounts how a brain injury caused her to re-evaluate the education she was providing for her children asking the question: Does Charlotte Mason education and classical education mean doing "all the things" or is the goal to cultivate wisdom and virtue and what does that look like? Whether you too are in a challenging season or are just tired of having to do "all the things", you will be encouraged by listening to Amber's story and the advice she offers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this fun episode with Renee, Karen, and two friends, sisters Rebekah and Rachel, as they talk about the ceremony and traditions surrounding the enjoyment of tea and the blessing of a pot of tea with friends. They offer suggestions on how to bring tea time into your homeschool and where to find the best brands of tea online. You will want to boil some water and enjoy your favorite tea in a pretty cup! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen chat with Katerina Hamilton, Karen's daughter, about a new book called Let Heaven and Nature Sing: Advent Art and Poetry Lesson Plans for All Ages. This is a lovely resource for Advent with poems, color prints, and discussion questions to celebrate the season with your children or to enjoy by yourself! Listen as Katerina answers the question as to why so many Renaissance painters depicted Mary and Jesus as blond with blue eyes and as she discusses the power of the comparison question in your homeschool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss chapter 6 of Norms and Nobility, "On the Necessity of Dogma". This chapter explores dialectic-the art of thinking, of wrestling with a dogma or an idea and coming to the truth. They discuss HIcks' statement of how "dialectic awakens the quarrelsome inner life" and that this is not to be feared, how the "should" question is a powerful tool, and how following a recipe is an analogy of classical education: freedom in form! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we chat with Andrew Kern about his new book, Unless the Lord Builds the House, a treatise on how the temple is the pattern for learning. We discuss how the temple and its parts: the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, the Courtyard and the Camp are patterns of us as humans and of the world around us and how that makes a difference in how we see our children and the glory to be found in every lesson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen are joined by our friend and previous co-host, Emily Hill, to talk about her schools: Haven Forest School for K-6th grade and Haven for middle and upper school. Be encouraged with ideas and resources for your co-op or hybrid school, and if you are dreaming of starting something, jump in, and as Emily says, "Start small and do what matters to you." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the meaning of the phrase, "saving the appearances", how the ancients viewed science compared to the moderns, and the role of science in the classical curriculum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Mason said, "If we fail to ease life by laying down habits of right thinking and right acting, habits of wrong thinking and wrong acting fix themselves of their own accord." Listen as Renee and Karen discuss a few habits for kids that will serve them for the long run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Mason wrote that habits are the rails on which the good life runs. In this episode Renee and Karen each offer three habits for moms to help launch a new school year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Karen talks with Missy Andrews, author of My Divine Comedy and mother of 6 grown children, about her homeschool journey, a journey of coming to terms with her own weaknesses and perfectionism and discovering the gift of grace. You will be encouraged by Missy's honest and hopeful telling of her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss Ch. 4 of Norms and Nobility, "The Tyrannizing Image". They explore the place and significance of the Ideal Type—that which embodies virtue and excellence—in education historically, why it is central to classical education, and what accounts for the fate of the Ideal Type in the modern era. If you have not read N and N, or if you find it intimidating, this is a good chapter to jump into as it offers a key to understanding how Cl. Ed cultivates wisdom and virtue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Patty Bianco about how to help your children thrive in their online classes. Patty offers eight specific hints, from creating a designated work space to communication etiquette, and gives advice on how involved mom should be and what to do if a student isn't getting their work done. Patty also describes the various CiRCE online class options and how you can find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen talk with guest, Amber Vanderpol, mother of seven children ages 7 months to 22 years, about how adopting Charlotte Mason's principles of education can simplify and bring joy to your homeschool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen discuss Norms and Nobility, Chapter 3, starting with Wordsworth's poem, "My Heart Leaps Up" which expresses the idea that the child is father of the man. Homeschooling moms have the privilege of keeping the long view in sight: that they are preparing their children for adulthood, and that ultimately, nurturing wisdom and virtue in their children is both their goal and their hope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss poetry: they share their favorite poets, offer tips for enjoying poetry by yourself or in a group, share ideas on how to get started writing your own poems, and each read one of their favorites. Whether you are new to the world of poetry or you have long enjoyed it, we hope you will be encouraged to open a volume in a moment of quiet (or to still the chaos!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Dwell, Renee talks with Katherine (Katie) Briggs, a middle-school teacher, author, and one of her former students. They talk about encouraging young writers as well as what it is like to have your first book published.See more about Katherine:www.katherinebriggs.comInstagram at katherinebriggs_author Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen explore Chapter 2, "The Word is Truth", discussing Hicks' statement that "Mythos represents man's spiritual effort to make this world intelligible."; that there is power in mythos (stories) to help us understand the world and our place in it; that mythos is the skeleton of civilization as men are inspired to good, heroic acts. Listen, and be inspired to enjoy the best stories with your children! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen chat about chapter 1 of Norms and Nobility by David Hicks. The title of the chapter is Virtue is the Fruit of Learning, and they discuss how classical education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue and therefore virtue can be taught; how virtue is taught over time and in the community of a family; and how a mom can avoid the temptation of being a perfectionist while desiring the good life —the life of virtue for herself and her children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen chat with Tim McIntosh, actor, teacher, and podcaster, about his infectious love for Shakespeare. He share his favorite plays and movie adaptions and offers advice and resources for enjoying Shakespeare's plays with your family. You will be inspired to choose a play, assign characters, and jump right in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen as they chat with Lily Wilmoth, owner of the Hearth and Homestead Store, about her growing family business: the products they offer and how she manages a business and a busy homeschool/family life of four children and a fifth due soon! Check out her beautiful website at hearthandhomesteadstore.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Renee and Karen interview Sara Osborne about her new book called Reading for the Long Run: Leading Struggling Students into the Reading Life. Sara tells her story of teaching her son to read using the metaphor of training for a marathon to apply principles, habits, and strategies which over a period of years, did indeed enable him to cross the finish line and enjoy the reading life. This delightful memoir is not just for the mother of the struggling reader but for every mother and teacher who needs encouragement to press on in any area of difficulty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen initiate a once a month discussion on Norms and Nobility, beginning with the good news that it is being re-published with a new edition at a lower price! In this episode they discuss the highlights of the preface and prologue and why Norms and Nobility is a helpful book for the homeschool mom navigating classical education. If you have already read it and want to re-visit it, or if you have been thinking of reading it and want to do it with friends, join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where there are two or more children, there is the inevitable and normal issue of sibling rivalry! Renee and Karen, having each raised 5 children, are sympathetic and while they don't have all the answers, they offer a few tips for handling conflict in your home and the hope that one day your children will grow up to be fast friends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Buck Holler, Circe Apprenticeship head mentor and Latin scholar, tells the story of his journey from riding and competing in rodeos to learning and teaching Latin as a teacher in classical schools. He describes how training horses prepared him for teaching in the classroom, and reminds us that being outdoors in nature is formative to the souls of our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility, Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.They discuss how civility, the respect for the personhood of others, can bridge our political and cultural divide; they explore the difference between politeness and civility; they explain how we can create cultures of civility at home. You will be inspired to seek the good life in community with others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen are joined by Karen's daughter, Katerina Hamilton, to talk about why, what, and how to memorize all the things: poems, psalms, lists, facts... that we want our children and ourselves to learn. Katerina draws on the ideas from the medieval world to explain the benefits of memorization and techniques to help us train our memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Renee and Karen offer five suggestions for getting through the January slump. The excitement of Christmas is past and the days can be long and grey, but with a little planning and intention you can make memories with your children and other families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen chat with Karen's son, David Kern, podcaster and owner of Goldberry Books, the best little bookstore around, about favorite Christmas books. They discuss the old favorites as well as recently published books for Advent and Christmas, titles you will want to explore! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Renee and Karen and guest, Greg Wilbur, as he explains the difference between carols of Advent and carols of Nativity and offers resources and particular carols to learn about and enjoy with your family during this season of waiting and anticipation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Greg Wilbur, founder of New College Franklin, author, and composer, about how music fits in the classical curriculum, the importance of filling your home with music, and how it nurtures the affections. Don't be intimidated, it starts with singing and listening to music together, and it is never too late to start! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen offer tips from their experience: for navigating all the busyness associated with Christmas, for trying to do school and have all the fun, and for participating in your church traditions in order to help your family focus on the most important things. In short, get things on the calendar now and hold everything loosely! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as Renee and Karen interview Jonathon Rogers, author of the Wilderking Trilogy, The Terrible Speed of Mercy, The World According to Narnia, and other books your family will enjoy. Jonathon explains how he came to be an author and how his podcast and workshops inspire and encourage writers from junior high students to adults. Find out how you and your family can benefit from all he has to offer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you enjoyed our last episode with Valerie, you will want to listen in to a further conversation about homesteading and her micro-business of cheese importing! She talks about the grace of hospitality and offers resources to encourage you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen have fun chatting with the most delightful Valerie Abraham about the blessings and challenges of moving from Concord, NC to rural Idaho where she and her husband and their 3 boys (and soon to come daughter!) are homesteading and living in an RV while remodeling their house. Even if you aren't about to join her in raising goats and sheep, you will be inspired by her spirit of joy and gratitude. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Renee and Karen discuss ways to bring beauty into our homes. Renee offers advice from her experience of recently building their home and how she designed and decorated it. They also talk about the need to start with an uncluttered, clean space, a challenge indeed! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.