Dwell

We are sure you will enjoy Renee and Karen's lively discussion with Dr. Joe Carlson, author of a new contemporary English translation of The Divine Comedy as well as Reader's Guides to all three volumes. After giving us a brief summary of Dante's journey, he explains how The Divine Comedy answers questions central to the topic of education: What is education for? What is man for? How does Dante learn to be human? He gives us a beautiful image of Beatrice as a mother when Dante sees the sun reflected in her eyes and desires to look upon the sun himself. If you have never read The Divine Comedy or if you want to read it with your students, get Dr. Carlson's translation and Reader's Guide!

Renee and Karen continue their conversation with Daniel Foucachon. Listen as Daniel explains the vision and work of Roman Roads Press: to guide high school students (and their parents) through the books of "old Western culture," as C.S. Lewis coined the term, with video courses, companion guides, and primary sources. Find out about their new endeavors and how Roman Roads may benefit your children. Visit RomanRoadsPress.com to learn more.

Renee and Karen are joined by Daniel Foucachon, a homeschooling dad of seven and founder of Roman Roads Press, to talk about his experience as a homeschooled student early in the movement, while living in France, Quebec, and the US. We enjoyed this lively conversation and hearing about his role in homeschooling with his wife, Lydia, and how he includes their children in the family business.

In this episode, Renee and Karen dwell on Wendell Berry's recurring themes of home, marriage, place, family, economy, and hospitality. They share their favorite characters, stories, poems, and essays that have been particularly meaningful and inspiring to them over the years.

Meet the author of the new book, Ancient and New: Storied Pathways of the Kingdom Coming, Danielle Mellama. Danielle, wife and mother of four, chats with Renee and Karen about how God meets us in our everyday lives and how there are no ordinary things, but rather windows to see God's grace and beauty if we open our eyes. Her book contains 30 short chapters: stories from her own life with references from Scripture, classic stories, and saints' lives, each followed by suggestions for further meditation from literature and art. Available at Cultivating Oaks Press.

We all want to be hospitable: to welcome friends, new and old, into our homes for delicious meals and conversation. But with the busyness of our lives, hospitality can be neglected, even with the best intentions. Renee and Karen offer ideas for easy make- ahead meals and tips for getting together with other families. It doesn't have to be fancy, and simple is the way to go!

If you are a new homeschooler with a 4 or 5-year-old and maybe a toddler and baby in tow, you may be feeling excited or terrified or both. Renee and Karen offer tips to help you get started regarding expectations, curriculum (maybe none is needed!), daily habits, ideas to invest in your own education, and more. Join us!

In this episode, Renee and Karen talk with Jennifer Degani about homeschooling on the road with their four kids and two pets. For the majority of the school year, they travel for work, living in various states and making each place feel like home while carrying on the routine of homeschool life.

Listen as Renee and Karen recap the summer conference: A Contemplation of Revolution. They chat about what makes this conference so special—the community of old and new friends, the contemplation of ideas together, the culinary delights for body and soul. If you attended and want to listen again, or if you wish you could have come, you can listen to the recordings on the CiRCE website and be refreshed for the start of a new school year.