The Classical Conversations Blog - Podcast Library

Can a homeschooler really compete at the Power 5 level? Victoria Roberts just came one tenth of a point from proving it — helping LSU finish runner-up at the 2026 national championship. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins talks...

Ever notice how your own love of learning shows up after you start homeschooling? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Amy Jones talks with Classical Conversations mentor Aimee Smith about the 15-year journey that took her from a...

What happens when the person hired to fix government education discovers it can't be fixed — because it's doing exactly what it was designed to do? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Diane Douglas, Arizona's...

Ever catch your kids — or yourself — speed-reading through a book just to check it off the list? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey talks with Tim Knotts, Director of Challenge Development for Classical...

What made America different from every kingdom that came before it? Bestselling author and American Minute founder Bill Federer joins Refining Rhetoric for our Celebrating 250 Years series to trace the improbable, providential story of the American...

Cate-whaaat? If you've ever heard the word "catechesis" and wondered what it means for your homeschool, this one's for you. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise welcomes back Rachel Thompson and Amy Jones to unpack the...

What does it actually look like to raise faithful, culture-proof kids when the world — and sometimes even the church — is working against you? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Meeke Addison, co-founder of...

How do you plan a whole homeschool year without letting the plan crowd out the reason you started? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with Kelli Wilt to talk about preparing for the new homeschool year...

What would it take to raise a generation that's grateful — not just grievance-driven — about America? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with presidential historian, award-winning screenwriter, and author Jane...

America is turning 250 — and there's never been a better time to bring US history to life in your homeschool. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey sits down with Kelli Wilt and Amy Jones to explore practical, joyful...

What would it take to reclaim education — and America itself — from a system designed to produce dependency instead of thinkers? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Sam Sorbo — actress, homeschool advocate,...

Are you spending more energy on SAT scores than on your child's character — and wondering if you've got your priorities backward? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Amy Jones sits down with 15-year CC veteran Rachel Thompson and...

What does it look like when a classical Christian education meets a national civics competition? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with two Classical Conversations students — Owen Burrill and Elisha Hoey — who...

Ever notice how your own love of learning shows up after you start homeschooling? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Amy Jones talks with Classical Conversations mentor Aimee Smith about the 15-year journey that took her from a...

Ever catch your kids — or yourself — speed-reading through a book just to check it off the list? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey talks with Tim Knotts, Director of Challenge Development for Classical...

Cate-whaaat? If you've ever heard the word "catechesis" and wondered what it means for your homeschool, this one's for you. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise welcomes back Rachel Thompson and Amy Jones to unpack the...

How do you plan a whole homeschool year without letting the plan crowd out the reason you started? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with Kelli Wilt to talk about preparing for the new homeschool year...

America is turning 250 — and there's never been a better time to bring US history to life in your homeschool. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey sits down with Kelli Wilt and Amy Jones to explore practical, joyful...

Are you spending more energy on SAT scores than on your child's character — and wondering if you've got your priorities backward? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Amy Jones sits down with 15-year CC veteran Rachel Thompson and...

What if the gift you've had since childhood was always meant to glorify God — you just didn't know it yet? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise sits down with Mercy Koimburi, a Kenyan Classical Conversations homeschool mom...

What does it take to win the National Memory Master competition? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Kelli Wilt sits down with Nikolai — the 2026 National Memory Master Champion — along with his parents Olga and Jim, to hear the...

Want to start a book club for your homeschool family this summer — but not sure where to begin? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey and her guest Stephanie Meter explore how book clubs for all ages can build community,...

In this episode of Everyday Educator, hosts Amy Jones and Delise Germond sit down with author Abbey Wedgeworth (Help, I'm Ruining My Kids) to talk about what every homeschool mom actually needs heading into summer — a soul that's as prepared as your...

Does traveling with your homeschool family feel overwhelming — or just out of reach? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey sits down with CC veterans Courtney Sanford (Delightful Art Company) and travel agent Julie...

Ever wondered who's behind the voices on the Everyday Educator podcast? In this special episode, meet the full host panel — Lisa Bailey, Amy Jones, Kelli Wilt, Emma Bortins, and Delise Germond — as they share their personal homeschooling journeys,...

In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with her mother and longtime homeschooling veteran Chelly Barnard to talk about why reading is the single most important skill you can give your child. From raising...

Can a homeschooler really compete at the Power 5 level? Victoria Roberts just came one tenth of a point from proving it — helping LSU finish runner-up at the 2026 national championship. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins talks...

What happens when the person hired to fix government education discovers it can't be fixed — because it's doing exactly what it was designed to do? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Diane Douglas, Arizona's...

What made America different from every kingdom that came before it? Bestselling author and American Minute founder Bill Federer joins Refining Rhetoric for our Celebrating 250 Years series to trace the improbable, providential story of the American...

What does it actually look like to raise faithful, culture-proof kids when the world — and sometimes even the church — is working against you? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Meeke Addison, co-founder of...

What would it take to raise a generation that's grateful — not just grievance-driven — about America? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with presidential historian, award-winning screenwriter, and author Jane...

What would it take to reclaim education — and America itself — from a system designed to produce dependency instead of thinkers? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Sam Sorbo — actress, homeschool advocate,...

What does it look like when a classical Christian education meets a national civics competition? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with two Classical Conversations students — Owen Burrill and Elisha Hoey — who...

What does it actually take to raise boys who become faithful, purposeful men — in a generation that's been told they have no purpose? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Braeden Sorbo — CC alumni, author of...

Is the psychedelic renaissance a spiritual threat — or just medicine? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Gary Stockton, a Classical Conversations Challenge IV graduate, to discuss his senior thesis: Stay Sober,...

What does it actually take to raise children of character in a culture that's lost its moral compass? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Kirk Cameron — actor, filmmaker, and homeschool advocate — to talk about...

What does it really mean to write with conviction in a world where everyone's doing somebody's bidding? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with award-winning author and Union University journalism professor Dr. Ted...

What happens when a libertarian Bitcoin OG, a 14-year homeschooling veteran, and a classical curriculum pioneer walk into the same platform? You get Firefly. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Jordan Page —...

The college cartel is charging $40,000 in average student debt — and Classical Conversations is done letting CC graduates walk into it unprepared. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins and CC Plus director Will McCreery announce...

Ever wondered why your approach to parenting daughters might need to be different than raising sons? Join Delise as she welcomes longtime homeschooling veteran Shelly Stockton who shares her wisdom from raising five daughters. After 25 years of...

Ever wonder how an immigrant from Taiwan with no homeschooling experience became a passionate advocate for classical education? In this heartfelt conversation, Delise speaks with Yating Haller, a book representative for Classical Conversations (CC)...

"Your children need you to love them. They need to know they are worthy of your time—that they are not a distraction from the important work you're doing, but they ARE the important work." Lisa Bailey shares this profound insight and more from her...

Looking for insights on emotional intelligence and parenting? Join Delise for a fascinating conversation with Noble Gibbons, the "EQ Gangster"! From West Point graduate to emotional intelligence coach, Noble shares his personal journey from being...

Can a simple stick in the sand really be all you need to teach your child? In this illuminating episode, Delise welcomes back special guest Jill Philbrick, a veteran homeschooling mom and long-time member of the Classical Conversations community. In...

"Is it possible to over-emphasize Jesus to your kids?" Author Lisa Whittle tackles this provocative question and more in a candid conversation about faith-filled parenting. From launching adult children to teaching truth in love, Lisa shares hard-won...

Looking for ways to nurture your child's creativity without stifling their natural genius? Join host Delise as she interviews Courtney Sanford, founder of The Delightful Art Co. and author of "Marvelous to Behold." A former graphic designer turned...

Big changes are coming to Blessings and Motherhood! Join hosts Delise and Jenny as they reminisce about favorite past episodes - from homeschooling wisdom with Jennifer Courtney to navigating family rhythms with Michelle Oliver - and share important...

In this special replay episode, co-hosts Delise and Ginny discuss different approaches to handling Santa Claus in Christian households. Using classical tools of learning, they explore personal experiences, faith perspectives, and how each family...

How do you find gratitude when you're struggling? Ginny and Delise explore finding thankfulness in difficult seasons. Through meaningful Scripture passages from Nahum to James, they share personal experiences about waiting on God's timing, learning to...

When a routine grocery store trip turned into a mother's worst nightmare, it launched a mission to protect children from trafficking. Join us as Amanda Florczykowski shares her harrowing close call with child traffickers and how it inspired her to...

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Is Halloween bad for Christians? This is a conversation moms have with their families and friends every year. So today, Ginny Tran and Delise Germond are using the 15 Tools of Classical Learning to discuss...

Are you equipping your kids to think clearly in a world filled with misinformation? Delise sits down with Kathy Gibbens, host of the Filter It Through a Brain Cell podcast. They dive into the importance of teaching children critical thinking and...

Join host Shelly Stockton with guests Eugene Huang (Taiwan) and Ingrid Brandt (Brazil) as they share how Christmas is celebrated in their cultures. From Brazil's summer festivities to Taiwan's unique blend of traditions, discover how homeschool...

In this episode, host Shelly Stockton talks with Jill Neiss from Home Life Academy (HLA). They discuss HLA's support for homeschooling families worldwide through services like transcripts, diplomas, and legal advocacy, especially in countries with...

Join host Shelly Stockton, a seasoned homeschooling mom of 25 years, as she explores the world of homeschooling with  Michelle Bertrand, a homeschooling veteran from British Columbia, Canada, with 22 years of experience (10 years in Classical...

"In this episode of the Global Homeschool Minute podcast, host Shelly Stockton interviews Emily and Travis, a homeschooling couple from Nova Scotia, Canada. They share their inspiring journey of homeschooling through significant hardships, including...

How did Classical Conversations homeschooling programs get their start and why? What was the idea behind its programs and community based method? Join us on the Global Homeschool Minute podcast for an inspiring episode featuring Leigh Bortins, the...

Despite the fact that socialism and communism threaten to interfere with the freedom to homeschool, an increasing number of families across South America are choosing a classical Christian education for their children. In some remote regions, families...

This month on the podcast, we hear from Chloe Turner in Canada, and Timothy Bell in the United Kingdom, both Classical Conversations graduates, about their experience in Classical Conversations. Our host, Jennifer Martin, invites them to share what...

In just 5 years, Classical Conversations in Brazil has grown to over 6,000 students. You’ll be inspired as you listen to Jennifer Martin’s conversation with Diane Ellis, the Country Coordinator of CC Brazil. In this episode they dive into...

This month’s episode of the Global Homeschool Minute Podcast covers the topic of testing, promising to be very informative and helpful for homeschooling families. Noah Tyler tells us about the Classic Learning Test (CLT), offering an alternative to...

In this month's episode of the Global Homeschool Minute Podcast, listeners are treated to a fly-over of Hungary with Emese Tolgyez-Busz, a lawyer, homeschooling parent and advocate with GHEX. Emese's work involves engaging in outreach efforts aimed at...

This month on the Global Homeschool Minute Podcast, Keith Denton takes us on a fly-over of Taiwan with our guest, Eugene Huang, Taiwan Country Coordinator. If you have ever lacked confidence in homeschooling or fear stepping out to try it, you’ll be...

In this month’s Global Homeschool Minute Podcast, host Keith Denton engages in a discussion with Kevin Boden from HSLDA, offering a comprehensive update on the status of homeschooling worldwide. Throughout the conversation, Kevin maintains a...

This month on the Global Homeschool Minute podcast, we return to Nairobi, Kenya, to meet Liz Gitonga. A pioneer homeschool parent, Liz is now a leader and advocate for home education, sharing with parents, churches, and government leaders the benefits...