The Shepherd's Pie Radio Show and Podcast
The Shepherd's Pie is an uplifting, ecumenical show that airs weekly on radio and podcast channels. With engaging conversations and fun entertainment reviews, we offer positive insights and media resources for families and youth leaders, while we discuss issues that impact young people at home, in school, and in the world today.
The show is hosted by Antony Barone Kolenc, an attorney, law professor, homeschool columnist, and author of the award-winning historical fiction series for youth, The Harwood Mysteries. |
Credits: All original music composed and performed by A.J. Kolenc. Original artwork by Amina Kolenc.
Youth & Vocations (#40)
Tony interviews Benedictine oblate and Catholic author Julie Ash about the importance of presenting religious vocations to youth at a young age, and Jen and Kate Waldyke from Catholic Mom and Daughter review Miraculous!, by Kathryn Swegart.
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Episode Links:
Guest: Julie Ash Guest Reviewers: Jen and Kate Waldyke Reviewed book: Miraculous!, by Kathryn Swegart. |
Guest:
Julie Ash |
Kindness, Empathy, & Youth (#39)
Tony interviews author and acquisitions editor Hope Bolinger about the importance of encouraging kindness and empathy in our youth, and Hope reviews one of her favorite middle grade novels, Legend of the Storm Sneezer, by Kristiana Sfirlea.
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Guest:
Hope Bolinger |
A Christian Book Fair for Kids (#38)
Tony interviews entrepreneur Tiffany Fischer about her non-profit organization and the value of having books with Christian values sold to students at Christian schools, and Tiffany discusses some of her favorite books that she sells at her book fairs.
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Guest:
Tiffany Fischer |
Considering Home Education (#37)
Tony interviews homeschooling mother and librarian Georgiana Daniels about the challenges and opportunities when considering home education as an option for your family, and he reviews Practical Homeschooling Magazine.
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Guest:
Georgiana Daniels |
Youth and the Arts (#36)
Tony interviews actor and screenwriter Joseph Mauck about the importance of youth participation in the Arts, and the risks involved, and Steven McEvoy reviews Corinna Turner's YA anthology, A Saint in the Family.
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Episode Links:
Guest: Joseph Mauck Guest Reviewer: Steven McEvoy Reviewed book: A Saint in the Family, by Corinna Turner |
Guest:
Joseph Mauck |
Reading with Your Kids (#35)
Tony interviews worldwide performer and award-winning podcaster Jed Doherty about the importance for families to read with their kids of all ages, and Jed discusses some of his favorite books for families to read together.
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Guest:
Jed Doherty |
Reaching Out to the Marginalized (#34)
Tony interviews author and podcaster Anne DeSantis about her ministry and her recent book regarding the importance of youth reaching out to the marginalized in their lives, and Jen and Kate Waldyke review the hit religious TV series, The Chosen.
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God's Purpose for Our Kids (#33)
Tony interviews middle-school teacher and author M.H. Elrich about her fantasy series and about how we can help our kids find God's purpose for their lives, and Carrie Schmidt reviews Tara K. Ross's novel, Fade to White.
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Episode Links:
Guest: M.H. Elrich Guest Reviewer: Carrie Schmidt Reviewed book: Fade to White, by Tara K. Ross |
Guest:
M.H. Elrich |
Marian Apparitions and Youth (#32)
Tony interviews author Theoni Bell about her middle-grade novel, The Woman in the Trees, and the story of Our Lady of Good Help, and he reviews the 2020 movie, Fatima.
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Speaking with Teens About Privilege (#31)
Tony interviews award-winning Christian author Matt Mikalatos about his Sunlit Lands YA series and about how to speak with teens regarding the issue of privilege, and Steven McEvoy reviews Susan Peek's novel, Saint Cloud of Gaul.
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Speaking with Kids About Race (#30)
Tony interviews attorney Keisha Russell about racial identity and how to speak with kids about race, and he reviews the race-relations movie, The Best of Enemies.
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Guest:
Keisha Russell |
Christian Fiction Resources for Teens (#29)
Tony interviews award-winning author Leslea Wahl about the website that she co-founded--CatholicTeenBooks.com--as well as the importance of Christian fiction for youth, and Leslea discusses some of her own YA writings.
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Guest:
Leslea Wahl |
Identity, Community, & Teens (#28)
Tony interviews author Sandra Fernandez-Rhoads about her Colliding Lines novels, which explore the role of teen identity and using gifts to strengthen the community, and guest reviewer Carrie Schmidt discusses the YA novel, My Hands Came Away Red, by Lisa McKay.
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Episode Links:
Guest: Sandra Fernandez-Rhoads Guest Reviewer: Carrie Schmidt Reviewed book: My Hands Came Away Red, by Lisa McKay |
Guest: Sandra
Fernandez-Rhoads Guest: Sandra
Fernandez-Rhoads |
The Impact of Technology on Youth (#27)
Tony interviews systems architect and author Thomas Nastek about how technology's promise and pitfalls impact our youth, and he reviews Jacqueline Brown's new adult novel, The Light.
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Guest:
Thomas Nastek |
Parenting Advice from a Counselor (#26)
Tony speaks with Dana Nygaard, a licensed professional counselor and author, about building strong marriages and raising healthy kids, and he reviews Carmela Martino's middle-grade novel, Rosa Sola.
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Guest:
Dana Nygaard |
Youth & Imagination (#25)
Tony speaks with author Corinna Turner about her various fiction series and how to reach youth through imaginative, faith-based stories, and guest reviewer Steven McEvoy discusses Karina Fabian's series of stories, The Rescue Sisters.
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Episode Links:
Guest: Corinna Turner Guest Reviewer: Steven McEvoy Reviewed stories: The Rescue Sisters, by Karina Fabian |
Guest:
Corinna Turner |
Teaching Science to Kids (#24)
Tony interviews Brock Eastman, the creator of the Dr. Fizzlebop character, about fun and faith-based ways to teach science to kids, and he reviews the award-winning Christian audio-drama series, Adventures in Odyssey.
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Guest:
Brock Eastman |
Signs, Symbols, & Kids (#23)
Tony interviews catechist and award-winning author Amy Welborn about how parents and teachers can use religious signs and symbols to connect kids with the faith, and he reviews the middle-grade novel Saving Mount Rushmore, by Andrea Jo Rodgers.
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Guest:
Amy Welborn |
Youth & Self-Worth (#22)
Tony speaks with homeschooling mom and author Candice Pedraza Yamnitz about self-worth in youth as seen through her Christian novel, Unbetrothed, and guest reviewer, Carrie Schmidt, discusses the middle-grade book The League and the Lantern, by Brian Wells.
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Life Coaching & Teens (#21)
Tony speaks with professional life coach and award-winning author Lisa Mladinich about the benefits of life coaching for teens today, and he reviews the movie American Underdog, the life story of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.
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Teens & the Role of Women (#20)
Tony speaks with Christian author Jess Corban about her fiction novel, A Gentle Tyranny, and about how teens should view the role of men and women in society today, and he reviews the movie Redeeming Love.
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Guest:
Jess Corban |
Dealing with Teacher Burnout (#19)
Tony speaks with teacher and author Amy Cattapan about faithful ways that teachers and parents can handle burnout, and he reviews the many authors and books on the Christian website CatholicTeenBooks.Com.
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Guest:
Amy Cattapan |
Youth & the Colors of Life (#18)
Tony speaks with Maurice Prater about using colors, numbers, and letters to educate young children about the faith, and Jen and Kate Waldyke (Catholic Mom and Daughter) review the pro-life novel for teens, For Eden's Sake, by T.M. Gaouette.
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Episode Links:
Guest: Maurice Prater Guest Reviewers: Jen & Kate Waldyke Reviewed book: For Eden's Sake, by T.M. Gaouette |
Guest:
Maurice Prater |
Role-Play Games & Youth (#17)
Tony speaks with award-winning author and game-maker James Hannibal about using epic fantasy role-playing games to reach kids with the faith, and he reviews the Scripture memorization card game for kids: First Watch.
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Teaching Kids About Money (#16)
Tony speaks with financial planner Dan Gallagher about innovative ways to teach kids about handling money, and he surveys three books about youth business, including Dave Ramsey's kit for teen entrepreneurs.
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Guest:
Dan Gallagher |
Outreach to College Students (#15)
Tony speaks with youth minister Bill Snyder about his outreach to college students, Patchwork Heart Ministry, and he reviews the hit Biblical series on the life of Jesus, The Chosen.
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Guest:
Bill Snyder |
Tragedy, Grief, & Family (#14)
Tony speaks with teacher and author Kim Erickson about how families can deal with tragedy, as she discusses the grieving process after the loss of her own child, and he reviews Michelle Buckman's award-winning novel about loss, Rachel's Contrition.
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Guest:
Kim Erickson |
Winter & Advent and Youth (#13)
Tony speaks with author eMarie about her winter book that teaches kids that God has a purpose for their lives, and guest reviewers Catholic Mom & Daughter review two kids books that are perfect for Advent.
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Canadian Saints for Kids (#12)
Tony speaks with author and blogger Bonnie Way about creative ways to bring the stories of the North American Martyrs to kids, and he reviews the children's picture book, Mouse's Christmas Gift, by Mindy Baker.
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Guest:
Bonnie Way |
Teaching Kids to Write Fiction (#11)
Tony speaks with author and writing teacher M.L. Tarpley about how teaching kids to write fiction can help them both academically and emotionally, and he reviews the middle-grade novel, Crusader King, by Susan Peek.
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Guest:
M.L. Tarpley |
Teens & Common Ground (#10)
Tony speaks with author Amanda Lauer about how teens can find common ground in conflict with those who are different from them, and he reviews the award-winning teen novel, The Perfect Blindside, by Leslea Wahl.
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Guest: Amanda Lauer
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Faith, Anxiety & Youth (#9)
Tony speaks with author Amanda Cleary Eastep about how anxiety in young people can be addressed through faith and fiction, and his guest reviewer Carrie Schmidt reviews the anxiety-focused teen novel, Escape from the Everglades, by Tim Shoemaker.
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Teens & Pro-Life Issues (#8)
Tony speaks with attorney Clarke Forsythe from Americans United for Life, a pro-life advocacy group, about the importance of the abortion issue to teens, and he reviews the pro-life movie, October Baby.
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Guest: Clarke Forsythe
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Of Arks & Beads (and Teens) (#7)
Tony speaks with author and homeschooler Janeen Zaio about ways to translate history and theology to our youth through outdoor games and fiction, and he reviews the teen novel, A Single Bead, by Stephanie Engelman.
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Faith and Public High School (#6)
Tony speaks with Mike Berry from the First Liberty Institute about legal issues involving teen expression of faith in public school, and he reviews God's Not Dead 2, a movie about a Christian high school teacher put on trial for discussing Jesus in the classroom.
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Cultural Heritage and Youth (#5)
Tony speaks with award-winning author and teacher Carmela Martino about the importance of culture and heritage to our youth, and he reviews the Lin Manuel Miranda cultural hit movie-musical, In the Heights.
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Christian Fiction for Youth (#4)
Tony speaks with Carrie Schmidt, founder of the book-reviewing blog, ReadingIsMySuperpower.Org, about great Christian fiction novels for youth of all ages, and he reviews the C.S. Lewis novel and movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
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St. Joseph and Our Youth (#3)
Tony speaks with Dennis McGeehan, a blogger and long-time catechist, about using the story of St. Joseph and the Holy Family to reach youth, and he speaks with guest reviewer, Steven McEvoy, about two novels about St. Joseph written by British author, Corinna Turner.
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Youth and Drama (The Good Kind) (#2)
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Guest: Catherine Castle
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Putting Youth Back into Ministry (#1)
Tony speaks with mother-daughter "YouTubers," Jennifer and Kate Waldyke, about bringing youth deeper into the faith by making them part of a ministry, and he reviews the middle-school book, 7 Riddles to Nowhere, by A.J. Cattapan.
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