The Feast Life

• #84: Make Your Homeschool Feel Like a Feast Julie's Interview With Cathy Heller

  In this deeply insightful conversation, Cathy Heller welcomes Julie Ross, education expert and founder of A Gentle Feast, to explore homeschooling as a path toward real education. Julie passionately shares her personal journey from public school teacher to homeschooling advocate, illuminating how traditional education often stifles creativity, joy, and true learning. This episode is a profound call to action for parents to rethink education and embrace an approach that values real books, real life, and genuine connections. Key Thoughts: Education should be a nourishing feast, not just filling a bucket. Traditional education emphasizes memorization, compliance, and short-term goals. Real education ignites curiosity, joy, creativity, and deep understanding. Children thrive when they're given space to explore and create. Homeschooling provides a way to reconnect children to their innate creativity, curiosity, and individuality—qualities often suppressed in conventional schooling. Narration is a powerful tool for deeper learning. Allowing children to express what they’ve learned in their own words reinforces understanding and fosters independent thought. Socialization in homeschooling is intentional and meaningful. Homeschool communities offer diverse age interactions that promote empathy, leadership, and genuine friendships. Real-life skills matter more than rote information. Preparing children for success involves teaching them to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach problems creatively. Homeschooling requires parents to first "deschool" themselves. Parents must unlearn traditional schooling methods, embrace flexibility, and release pressure to conform to outdated educational models. Less structured, focused learning can be more effective than long school days. Homeschooling can effectively happen in 2–4 focused hours, freeing up time for exploration, rest, and family connection. Connect with Cathy Heller: Cathy Heller Podcast Website Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/84 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

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• #83: Real Families, Real Stories: How A Gentle Feast Transforms Homeschooling Part 2

  What’s the best way to truly understand the heart of A Gentle Feast? Hearing from the families who use it every day. In today’s episode of The Feast Life, I’m doing something a little different — I’m handing over the mic to several wonderful AGF families who share, in their own words, what it’s really like to homeschool with A Gentle Feast. You’ll hear their honest experiences — the highs, the challenges, and the surprising wins they didn’t expect when they made the switch to a Charlotte Mason-inspired, real-books education. Episode Highlights: How switching to A Gentle Feast made homeschooling feel simpler and more meaningful What family-style learning actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s a lot less complicated than you might think!) How moms found freedom from check-the-box schooling and discovered a love of learning right alongside their kids Why community, flexibility, and beauty matter so much in creating a life-giving homeschool If you’ve ever wondered... Can I really teach all my kids together? Will this curriculum support my child’s unique needs? What if I’m new to Charlotte Mason? Is it really as doable as it sounds? ...this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with a fresh vision for what your homeschool can be — and maybe even a few new friends cheering you on. And if you’re ready to experience it for yourself, you can explore everything A Gentle Feast has to offer www.agentlefeast.com . Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/83 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

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• #82: Helping Your Kids Find a Career They’ll Love with Melissa Palmer

  In today’s episode, I’m talking with career development expert Melissa Palmer from the Career Planning Studio. With over 25 years of experience in higher ed, talent development, and executive coaching, Melissa brings deep wisdom and practical tools for homeschool parents who want to equip their children for a meaningful future. We talk about moving beyond outdated advice like “get good grades, go to college, and land a stable job,” and instead, focus on how to guide our kids (and ourselves!) toward purposeful work rooted in their unique superpowers, passions, and values. Whether your teen has no idea what they want to do—or too many ideas—this conversation is packed with insights to help your family prepare for an ever-changing career landscape. 5 Key Takeaways: Start with Self-Awareness: True career fit begins with identifying your child’s “superpowers”—activities that energize them and make them feel strong, not just things they perform well at. Explore Before You Invest: Don’t wait until college to discover what your child likes (or doesn’t). Use high school to explore interests, research paths, and even prototype options through shadowing or volunteering. The Career Path Isn’t Linear: Most young adults today will have 12–18 jobs and multiple career shifts. The goal isn’t picking one thing forever—it’s developing lifelong tools to navigate change with confidence. Relationships Matter: Experience and education matter, but connections often unlock opportunity. Help your kids build their network early through informational interviews, mentors, and community ties. Use Your Homeschool to Your Advantage: Homeschooling gives the gift of time and flexibility. Leverage it to integrate career conversations into everyday learning, whether through research, writing, or real-world exploration. Connect with Melissa Palmer: Website: CareerPlanningStudio.com LinkedIn: Melissa Palmer Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/82 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com. Ready to help your kids craft a life they love—not just a job that pays the bills? This episode will give you the tools, questions, and encouragement to start the conversation today. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode helped you!

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• #81: Homeschooling Just Got SO Much Easier

  What if planning your Charlotte Mason homeschool felt less like juggling a dozen PDFs and more like sitting down to a beautifully prepared feast? In this episode, Julie Ross unveils the brand-new Feast Table Membership — an all-in-one online experience that brings the beauty, rhythm, and structure of A Gentle Feast into a streamlined, accessible platform for today’s homeschool families. Whether you’re a longtime customer or brand new to the Charlotte Mason method, this is a game-changer. Julie shares the heart behind the transformation, walks you through the powerful features, and answers frequently asked questions about planning, screen use, and what makes this membership different from the classic A Gentle Feast format. You’ll Learn: How The Feast Table works — and why it’s more than just digital lesson plans. It’s a full four-course Charlotte Mason meal with Morning Time, Language Arts, Core Subjects, and Dessert (arts and enrichment), all housed in one easy-to-use online portal. Why flexibility is built in — Members get access to all forms and all cycles, so you can adapt lessons to your children’s needs and your family rhythm without guessing or overspending. What’s included (and what’s not) — From narration prompts to embedded public domain books, from printable planning pages to monthly student show-and-tells — Julie outlines the value-packed offerings inside the membership. How screen time is thoughtfully used — Julie breaks down how tech enhances your experience without taking over your homeschool. Think: clickable music links, optional audio stories, and interactive planning — never passive screen time. The community and coaching advantage — With table moms, planning help, student challenges, and teacher training included, The Feast Table is more than curriculum — it's a connected, thriving support system. Ready to join the table? Membership is just $29/month during this founding year — but doors close on Labor Day! Take the tour, explore the demo site, and get a feel for how simple and life-giving your homeschool can become. Visit www.thefeastlife.me/table to learn more or join now. Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/81 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

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• #80: Reclaiming Sex Education: Equipping Parents for Honest, Faithful Conversations with Kristen Miele

  "When it comes to sex education, silence isn’t golden—it’s dangerous. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Kristen Miele of SexEd Reclaimed about how parents can confidently tackle one of the most challenging topics in parenting. Learn how to ditch the shame, equip your kids with truth, and reclaim God’s beautiful design for sex and relationships. This is the conversation you didn’t know you needed, but won’t want to miss!" In this episode of The Feast Life, Julie Ross interviews Kristen Miele, founder of SexEd Reclaimed. They explore the gaps in traditional and faith-based sex education and how Kristen's curriculum helps parents confidently address this crucial topic with their children. Kristen shares her personal journey of overcoming fear and shame around discussing sex, the importance of reclaiming sex education as a God-given gift, and practical advice for parents navigating these conversations. Key Takeaways: Why Reclaim Sex Education Kristen emphasizes the need to reclaim sex education from the world by teaching it as a beautiful, God-created gift. Ignoring the topic or relying solely on purity culture leaves children unprepared for the realities of life and relationships. Breaking the Cycle of Silence Many parents avoid conversations about sex because of their own past traumas or upbringing. Kristen encourages parents to confront their fears and start small, ongoing conversations with their children, rather than relying on a one-time “talk.” Addressing Pornography and Digital Safety Pornography is the leading educator on sex for many children. Kristen advises starting conversations about "bad pictures" as early as age 3 and gradually introducing more detailed discussions as kids grow older. She also highlights the importance of equipping children with tools to navigate an increasingly sexualized digital world. Healthy Relationships and Consent The curriculum provides age-appropriate lessons on boundaries, healthy relationships, and consent, helping teens develop a balanced view of their bodies and relationships without shame or fear. The Role of Parents in Discipleship Parents are encouraged to view these conversations as an essential part of discipling their children, equipping them not only with biblical values but also with practical tools to face cultural challenges. Joyful Conversations Over Time Kristen advocates for integrating discussions about sex and relationships into daily life, making it a natural, ongoing dialogue that builds trust and openness between parents and children. Resources for Parents Kristen offers a robust curriculum for ages 3–18, journal prompts, and practical tools to guide parents. She also provides free resources on her Instagram to help parents begin these conversations. Final Words of Encouragement: Kristen reminds parents that it’s never too late to start. By taking small steps, praying, and leaning into God’s grace, parents can reclaim this topic for their families and equip their children to live confidently and joyfully in God’s design. About Our Guest: Instagram Website Use Code "IMREADY" for 20% off Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/80 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

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