Women Behind the Words

Episode 78 - Rich, Refreshing, and Restful: A Look at a Creo Classical Academy with Katelyn Adams

Date: June 28, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Katelyn Adams

 

Story Highlight:
In this episode of The Women Behind the Words, we’re diving into the world of homeschooling with a very special guest—Katelyn Adams, Head of School and co-founder of Creo Classical Academy.

Following our recent conversation with my granddaughter, Shayna Morehouse—a dedicated homeschooling mama—I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our focus on homeschooling during these summer months, a prime season for planning and inspiration. As a homeschooling veteran myself, I’m especially excited to introduce Katie and the incredible work she’s doing to serve homeschooling families through a Christ-centered classical model.

Katelyn shares the heart and vision behind Creo Classical Academy, a nonprofit hybrid program she helped establish in New York’s Capital District. Born out of a desire to support homeschool families with structured, high-quality academic support—especially for upper grades—Creo has become a vital resource for students and parents navigating the challenges of classical education.

Katie walks us through the academy’s founding, sharing how her passion for classical learning began and what sets this model apart. She defines classical education and explains how students can transition from a standard curriculum into this rich, time-tested approach that fosters creativity, wisdom, and a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.

We also explore the hybrid model Creo offers—a two-day drop-off structure that blends the strengths of home education with the benefits of a classroom setting. Katie explains how this unique rhythm supports both students and parents, making upper-level learning accessible and effective while meeting all New York State academic requirements. From lab-based sciences and Latin to Socratic discussions and college credit opportunities, Creo is equipping students not only with academic excellence but also with spiritual grounding, leadership skills, and strong character formation.

Katie introduces us to Creo’s mission and vision—rooted in pointing students toward their Creator and helping them fulfill their God-given purpose. She shares how the program’s qualified, mission-driven faculty walk alongside families to provide support, mentorship, and structure. Whether it’s preparing students for college and careers or helping them grow in wisdom and virtue, Creo is truly building a community where students can thrive intellectually and spiritually.

We also get a peek into Katie’s own homeschooling life—what her home days look like and how Creo partners with parents to ensure continuity between classroom and at-home learning. She addresses common questions about curriculum, parent preparation, and how families can get started with the program. Katie highlights the relational and personalized approach Creo takes, beginning with an online application, a thoughtful family interview, and continued support throughout the school year.

This conversation is packed with practical insight, heartfelt encouragement, and a beautiful testimony of what can happen when education is centered on Christ and built in community. If you’re a homeschooling mom, grandma, educator, or simply curious about classical education, you won’t want to miss this episode. Be sure to share it with other homeschoolers you know and reach out to Katie directly for more information—her contact details and social media links are in the show notes below.

 

About Our Guest:
Katelyn Adams brings a wealth of mentoring, leadership, and educational experience to her role as Head of School at Creo Classical Academy, where she has been instrumental in developing and leading the high school program.

She co-founded Creo Classical Academy alongside a dedicated team, establishing it as a nonprofit hybrid program that serves homeschooling families throughout the Capital District.

After successfully completing the academy’s launch year, she is now eagerly preparing for Creo’s second year of growth and impact.

Her leadership is grounded in a passion for classical education, a commitment to Christ-centered growth, and a deep desire to cultivate an environment where both families and students can flourish.

A dedicated homeschooling parent and educator for more than ten years, Katelyn has directed and taught entire grade levels (7th–9th) in a local homeschool group—managing admissions, student and parent relations, curriculum planning, and instruction across all subjects.

Her work has included writing community policies, overseeing classroom structure, managing conflict, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in her care.

With a heart for service, Katelyn spent over a decade leading youth ministry alongside her husband and also served her community as a registered nurse for 14 years. During that time, she taught childbirth classes, attended births, and worked for three years as a SANE RN at St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Katelyn has been joyfully married for 19 years and is the mother of five children. She and her family live on a farm, where she enjoys watching things grow—both in the soil and in the hearts and minds of students.

 

Connect with Katelyn:
https://www.facebook.com/CreoClassicalAcademy/
https://www.instagram.com/creoclassicalacademy/
https://creoacademy.org/
Email: katie.adams@creoacademy.org
General inquiries – Holly Hines: Contact@creoacademy.org

 

Creo Classical Academy
206 Greenfield Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Episode 77 - Finding Joy in Spinning Plates with Shayna Morehouse

Date: June 13, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Shayna Morehouse

 

Episode Highlights:
In this heartfelt and joyful episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek welcomes a very special guest—her granddaughter by marriage, Shayna Morehouse. As a homeschooling mom, wife to a busy coach and teacher, entrepreneur, and passionate follower of Jesus, Shayna sits down with Debbie for her very first podcast interview. The conversation is filled with wisdom, laughter, and real-life encouragement for moms who are trying to “spin all the plates.”

Shayna shares why she titled this episode Finding Joy in Spinning Plates, and how the Lord is teaching her that joy is not found after the chaos settles—it’s a calling to be lived out in the chaos. She speaks candidly about the pressures of motherhood, homeschooling, and running a small business, and how the Holy Spirit meets her in the mess with daily grace and peace.

Together, Debbie and Shayna explore:

• Why joy is a calling, not a circumstance

• What to do when your “plates” crash

• How to find joy in the mundane

• The importance of recognizing God's presence in every task—from lesson plans to laundry

• Shayna’s sweet “Happy New Day” tradition with her boys

• Practical encouragement for homeschooling moms who feel overwhelmed or stuck in comparison

• The sacredness of ordinary moments and small faithfulness

If you're a busy woman, a homeschool mom, or someone trying to hold it all together, this episode will gently remind you: you’re not alone, and joy is yours for the taking—right now.

 

About the Guest:
Shayna Morehouse is a homeschooling mama to two boys, wife to her high school sweetheart Jeremy (a full-time coach and history teacher), and a creative entrepreneur with a heart for Jesus and community. Raised in a Christ-centered home, Shayna has walked with the Lord from a young age and continues to grow in her calling to live faithfully and joyfully in the everyday. Whether she’s curating a vintage collection, chatting with neighbors, or teaching her boys about Jesus, Shayna carries a contagious spirit of joy that blesses everyone around her.

 

The Vintage Life: Curated with Joy at Vessel
When she’s not in homeschool mode or cheering on her husband at a game, Shayna runs Vessel, a thoughtfully curated vintage shop both online and in person. Based in the Capital Region of New York, Vessel is where Shayna’s love for story, beauty, and timeless style come together. Each item in her shop is hand-selected to inspire joy and connection—whether it’s a European antique from her travels or a one-of-a-kind home accent that tells a story. Vessel’s heart beats with Shayna’s passion for honoring the past while adding meaning to the present. Stay tuned for upcoming collections sourced from Switzerland and England!

 

Connect with Shayna:

Shayna Morehouse is the owner of Vessel Vintage, a curated vintage shop that can be found on Instagram @vessel_vintage and part of the global marketplace Vintage Keepers.

She sells locally at Pickers Nation in Ravena, New York, and also runs an eBay store for ReFurnishings, with all proceeds going to Justice for Orphans. 

Shayna is passionate about giving old things new life and connecting with others through the stories vintage pieces tell.

You can find all her links and social media below. 

Instagram is @vessel_vintage and 

Instagram personal @shayna.morehouse 

Email: shayna.morehouse@gmail.com 

Shayna is apart of Vintage Keepers Marketplace, her shop page is, https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/vessel/ 

 

Closing Thought:
There’s no such thing as “just a mom” or “just a plate-spinner.” Every dish washed, every story read, every prayer whispered is seen by the Lord and made sacred in His presence. Joy isn’t waiting at the finish line—it’s woven into the fabric of every ordinary, grace-filled day.

Episode 76 - Embracing Our Seasoned Years with Joy

Date: June 6, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Jarm Del Boccio

 

Episode Highlights:
Welcome back to The Women Behind the Words! In today’s episode, we’re honored to sit down with author Jarm Del Boccio, who at 69 years old is embracing her silver years with joy, passion, and deep purpose. Jarm opens her heart and life story to encourage other women to view aging not as a decline but as an invitation to flourish and make a lasting Kingdom impact.

Jarm shares how the sudden loss of her beloved father at the age of four shaped much of her early life. Raised by a strong-willed, practical mother, she often felt misunderstood—but through her mother’s love of travel and missions, Jarm developed a heart for the world and a curiosity about God’s greater plan for her life.

As a deeply sensitive and shy child, she struggled with criticism until a transformative season during her teenage years, when the warmth of her best friend’s family helped her bloom. That experience gave her the glimpse of unconditional love she had longed for.

Through her young adult years, Jarm wrestled with heartbreak and a longing for connection—especially the kind of love she once had with her father. Those seasons of loss drew her closer to her Heavenly Father, where she found true comfort and security.

Marriage came later in life, bringing unexpected trials—most notably, infertility. After multiple attempts to conceive, Jarm faced the painful realization that God had closed her womb. But once again, she leaned into Him, found purpose in ministering to others, and ultimately embraced adoption and homeschooling. Though naturally drawn to solitude as an only child, the homeschooling years taught her the beauty of self-sacrifice and the joy found in unexpected places.

Jarm also speaks about her lifelong love for travel, ignited in childhood and carried with her even now, despite living with osteoarthritis. Though her mobility is limited, her desire to explore and her trust in God’s unfolding plan remain as strong as ever.

In the final portion of our conversation, Jarm introduces her upcoming book, Fragrant and Flourishing: Living Abundantly in Our Seasoned Years—a heartfelt guide for women navigating the fears and questions that come with aging. She beautifully reminds us that women like Sarah, Elizabeth, and Anna in Scripture did some of their most impactful work later in life—and that we, too, are called to continue growing, giving, and glorifying God, no matter our age.

Jarm’s story is a testament to God’s faithfulness through every trial—from childhood grief to infertility, from physical limitations to letting go of deeply held dreams. Her life overflows with wisdom, grace, and the sweet reminder that we never age out of God's purpose.

Thank you, Jarm, for your openness and encouragement. You are a radiant example of what it looks like to age with joy, trust, and unshakable faith.

 

About the Guest:
At 71, I feel like a 20-something when someone compliments my stunning silver hair—and I always tell them it’s God’s gift to me (along with my faithful hairdresser of 30 years!).

But on a deeper level, I’ve observed a hesitancy among women to leave behind the familiar comforts of the past and step into the unknowns of a new season—one that might actually bring more joy, clarity, and spiritual vibrancy than we ever imagined. The very things we fear could be the catalysts that help us age with boldness, purpose, and grace.

As a former educator and passionate advocate for women, I feel deeply called to help older women use their seasoned years for God’s glory—living joyfully and fully, right where He has them.

 

Book Spotlight:
The Heart Changer
By Jarm Del Boccio

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?

Miriam is asked to do the unthinkable: serve the wife of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and the roots of her faith, she enters captivity filled with worry and bitterness. But God—the true Heart Changer—is already at work, preparing her for something greater than she could ever imagine.

This powerful middle-grade historical novel offers a tender and truthful portrayal of a young refugee navigating loss, identity, and the redemptive hand of God in a foreign land.

 

Connect with Jarm Del Boccio:
Website: www.jarmdelboccio.com
Instagram: @jarmdelboccio
Facebook: facebook.com/JarmDelBoccio

Episode 75 - Embracing Grace in the New Normal: Bob and Deb Dufek's Journey of Faith and Healing

Date: May 24, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Bob and Deb Dufek

 

Episode Highlights:
Welcome to another heartfelt episode of The Women Behind the Words! We’re so glad you’ve joined us for this deeply personal conversation with Bob and Deb Dufek. If you haven’t yet listened to last week’s episode (Podcast #74), we encourage you to go back and hear it first, as it provides valuable context for this follow-up discussion.

In this episode, Bob and Deb share how the Lord recently opened up a portion of Scripture to them—Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)—that has been monumental in their journey through incredibly challenging storms, especially those related to Bob’s traumatic brain injury.

With raw honesty and deep spiritual insight, they unpack what God is doing in their lives—individually and as a couple. Since Bob’s traumatic brain injury in November 2014, compounded by multiple rounds of Lyme disease (including one that impacted his heart), they’ve walked a long, difficult road together. And yet, through every valley, Jesus has shown up—right on time and with exactly what they needed.

Now, more than a decade later, Bob and Deb are beginning to see light breaking through the darkness. They speak with grateful hearts about a new season of refreshment, grace, and deeper intimacy with the Lord. They’re learning to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace and embrace a fresh wind of love and renewal, both personally and within their marriage.

 

About the Guests:
Debbie Dufek is an author, conference and retreat speaker, inspirational storyteller, and the host of the popular podcast The Women Behind the Words. Her passion is encouraging others to live deliberately for what matters most to Jesus. She believes every story is significant and inspires others to share their journeys for the glory of God. Married to her best friend Bob for nearly 50 years, she is a grateful mother of seven, grandmother of twenty-two, and great-grandmother of eleven. She continues to marvel at the faithfulness of God and lives in joyful anticipation of reaching heaven’s shore.

Bob Dufek is a retired New York State Corrections Officer with 25 years of dedicated service. Known for his strength, faith, and compassion, Bob is a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather and great-grandfather. Living in the family homestead in beautiful upstate New York, Bob finds his greatest joy in Jesus and in time spent with his beloved family. His life is marked by resilience, warmth, and an unwavering love for people.

 

Book Spotlight:
Holy Interruptions
By Debbie Dufek

Debbie Dufek weaves together her personal journey with the timeless stories of women in the Bible—women whose lives, like ours, were marked by unexpected turns, deep wounds, and divine encounters.

With raw honesty and tender grace, Holy Interruptions is more than storytelling—it’s an invitation to healing and hope. Through powerful writing, thoughtful reflection, and Scripture-rich encouragement, readers will discover that what God has done for one, He can do again.

Your Story Matters.
We have the power to change the course of history—one heart at a time—through our stories.

God specializes in using the unlikely. Over and over, Scripture proves this truth through stories of women whose lives were gloriously interrupted by His love and calling.

God used their stories to change lives then. He can use yours to do the same today.

• Are you listening for His whisper?

• Are you willing to welcome Him into your story?

• Will you say yes—even to sharing the raw, real parts of your journey so that others may find healing?

Holy Interruptions invites you to surrender your story to the One who’s writing something eternal through it. He has miraculously changed lives before. He can do it again—with yours.

 

Connect with Deb:
Website: www.debbiedufek.com
Email: deb@debbiedufek.com
Facebook: DebbieConeDufek
Instagram: @deb.dufek

Episode 74 - The Unforced Rhythms of Grace: Trading Striving for Soul Rest with Debbie Dufek

Date: May 9, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Debbie Dufek

 

Episode Highlights:
In this peaceful and uplifting episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek takes a reflective journey into the comforting invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message). This passage calls us to release the weight of exhaustion, burnout, and pressure and instead discover the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Debbie invites listeners to step away from the constant striving for perfection and lean into the gentle, sustaining grace that Jesus offers. She shares personal insights, practical steps, and spiritual reflections to help you find rest and refreshment, even in the busiest seasons of life. With heartfelt encouragement, Debbie explores the power of slowing down, being present, and living in a place of deep spiritual peace.

Key Takeaways:

• The beauty of walking in step with Jesus, not rushing ahead or lagging behind

• How to release the burdens we were never meant to carry

• Practical rhythms for soul rest, including morning stillness, midday prayer, and evening gratitude

• How to find the gentle, steady pace of grace in a world that pushes us to perform

Reflection Questions:

• What burdens am I carrying that Jesus never asked me to bear?

• Where in my life do I feel “forced” instead of flowing with grace?

• What would it look like to walk hand-in-hand in step with Jesus today?

• When was the last time I felt truly rested in my soul?

Prayer & Journaling Prompts:

• Jesus, today I feel weary because...

• Show me where I’ve been striving instead of trusting.

• What “unforced rhythm” are You inviting me into this week?

• Thank You for carrying the weight I was never meant to hold. Help me release...

Take a deep breath, let the noise fade, and embrace the unforced rhythms of grace. Remember, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to stay close to Jesus. There’s rest for your soul right here.

 

About the Host:
Debbie Dufek is an author, conference and retreat speaker, inspirational storyteller, and the creator and host of The Women Behind the Words podcast. She has a deep passion for encouraging others to live deliberately for what matters to Jesus. Currently, she’s writing a new book on her concept of a Weekly Business Meeting with God, with plans for a March 2026 release.

Debbie’s first book, Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder, was released in 2022 by Bold Vision Books. This heartfelt collection of stories reflects Debbie’s belief that God often speaks to us in the ordinary, seemingly unremarkable moments of our lives. She encourages readers to slow down, listen closely, and recognize God’s divine interruptions as sacred opportunities to live with purpose, compassion, and faith. With each story, Debbie reminds us that God’s whispers often come when we least expect them—but always when we need them most.

If you long to see God’s fingerprints in the everyday moments of your life, this book is a beautiful reminder to keep your heart open and your spirit attentive.

 

Connect with Debbie:
Instagram: @deb.dufek
Facebook: Debbie Cone Dufek
Website: www.debbiedufek.com
Email: deb@debbiedufek.com

Episode 73 - Teaching Is a Mission Field: How God Uses Educators Every Day with Gretchen Huesmann

Date: April 25, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Gretchen Huesmann

 

Episode Highlights: In this inspiring episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek sits down with Gretchen Huesmann—teacher, speaker, and award-winning author—for a conversation filled with honesty, insight, and hope for today's educators. As the author of It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators, Gretchen brings her heart and firsthand experience to the table, offering support to those navigating the complexities of the classroom post-pandemic.

Gretchen shares how God called her back into the classroom after a season of stepping away, revealing the unique challenges students, teachers, and administrators now face. From children struggling to hold books to overwhelmed parents and burned-out educators, she unpacks the urgent need for spiritual and emotional reinforcement in schools today.

This episode explores how Gretchen’s devotional came to be—not just as another book on a shelf, but as a God-ordained resource rooted in Scripture, prayer, and practical application. With 365 daily reflections divided into four school terms—fall, winter, spring, and summer—her devotions offer tangible tools to strengthen teachers from the inside out.

Debbie and Gretchen also discuss how Christian educators can bring the presence of God into even secular classrooms, the power of prayer over class lists, and the mindset shift needed to see each school day as an opportunity to make an eternal difference.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschool parent, or simply someone who knows and loves a teacher, this episode will stir your heart, offer encouragement, and equip you to face the educational front lines with purpose and peace.

 

About the Guest: Gretchen Huesmann is a seasoned teacher, speaker, blogger, and multi-genre award-winning author with a heart for helping others connect to Jesus—whether they're three or ninety-three. She’s taught in seven different states, served alongside her pastor husband in five congregations, and currently resides in Pensacola, Florida. Gretchen is the author of numerous articles and devotions, an active member and leader in Word Weavers International, and a certified speaker for women’s and educational events. Her first book, It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher, was released in March 2025, and her debut picture book Our Daily Bread is set to release in 2027.

 

Book Spotlight: It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators Today’s educators face unprecedented challenges in and out of the classroom. This book offers more than encouragement—it delivers biblical tools to empower teachers in their calling. Each weekly devotion provides:

• Spiritual insights and inspiration

• Courage to continue the calling

• Practical steps for application

• Additional prompts for deeper study

Teachers will discover the strength and joy to teach from a place of peace and purpose while seeing lives transformed—starting with their own.

 

Connect with Gretchen: Website: www.gretchenhuesmann.com
Email: info@gretchenhuesmann.com
Instagram: @gretchenhuesmann
Facebook: Gretchen Huesmann, Author/Speaker

 

Closing Thought: The classroom is a mission field, and every day is a new opportunity to sow seeds that will outlast the lesson plan. What might change if we started every school day with this truth in mind?

 

Featured Scripture (TPT): "The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wraparound presence will strengthen us." — Psalm 33:20 (TPT)

Episode 72 - Too Blessed to Be Stressed with Debora Coty

Date: April 19, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Debora Coty

 

Episode Highlights:
In this joy-filled and uplifting episode of The Women Behind the Words, Deb welcomes the incredibly inspiring Debora M. Coty—speaker, columnist, certified writing coach, and award-winning author of more than 40 books, including the beloved Too Blessed to be Stressed series.

Debora shares the heart behind her life’s mission: “to be blessed and to be a blessing.” With humor and heartfelt honesty, she opens up about how walking in obedience to God has unlocked a life overflowing with unexpected joys, reminding us that blessing others often brings the richest blessings in return.

You’ll hear Debora reflect on how the renewing of our minds transforms our relationships, our outlook, and the way we navigate everyday life. She explores the beauty of living with awe and wonder and shares how Scripture—particularly 1 Peter 3:9—teaches us the divine principle of “blessing for blessing.” As Debora says, there’s a holy “BOGO” in effect when we live to lift others.

This episode will make you smile, laugh, reflect, and walk away encouraged to live with greater joy and intention.

 

About the Guest:
Debora M. Coty is a seasoned event speaker, faith-filled humorist, columnist, certified writing coach, and the bestselling author of the Too Blessed to be Stressed series, which has sold over 1.3 million copies in multiple languages. Her books offer women relatable encouragement and biblical wisdom for life’s highs, lows, and everything in between.

A self-proclaimed tennis addict (just so she can eat more chocolate), Debora lives in central Florida with her husband of 45 years, their two grown children, and five energetic grandbuddies. Through her writing and speaking ministry, Debora delights in helping women trade their stress for God’s rest.

 

Book Spotlight:
Bless Your Heart: Daily Devotions to Warm Your Heart & Feed Your Soul
To be released Fall 2025

Ever feel like you're living under a storm cloud? If chocolate isn’t doing the trick, it might be time for some soul care, sister.

In Bless Your Heart, Debora Coty offers 365 days of Scripture, reflection, and prayer to help lift your spirit and refocus your heart. With her signature humor and warmth, Debora encourages women to love difficult people, lean into God’s truth, and laugh even when life feels heavy.

This devotional is perfect for early mornings, lunch breaks, or bedtime wind-downs—helping you see God’s hand in both the ordinary and the unexpected.

✨ Why You’ll Love It:
• Bite-sized devotions for busy women
• Encouragement rooted in Scripture and grace
• The perfect gift for a bestie—or yourself

 

Connect with Debora:
Email: debora@deboracoty.com
Website: www.DeboraCoty.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DeboraCotyAuthor
Instagram: @deboracoty
Twitter: @DeboraCoty

 

Final Word
When we bless others with intention, we open the floodgates for joy to return. What could change in your life if you stepped into today to be a blessing?

Episode 71 - Mom is Not Your Only Name with Kate Batistelli

Date: April 11, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Kate Battistelli

 

Episode Highlights:
In this powerful episode of The Women Behind the Words, we’re joined by the inspiring Kate Battistelli, who brings a heartfelt and hope-filled message to women navigating the tender transition of the empty nest. Whether you're currently walking through this season or preparing for it, Kate's words are sure to bring comfort, clarity, and vision for what's ahead.

With wisdom grounded in faith and experience, Kate shares the raw realities of the “after party” of parenting—how it can feel both beautiful and deeply challenging. She speaks to mothers whose children are walking away from the Lord and reminds us that our prayers still hold eternal weight. She encourages listeners to dream again, pursue purpose beyond parenting, and reclaim the identity that may have been placed on hold during the child-raising years.

From prioritizing your marriage in this new chapter to finding mentorship and becoming a mentor to embracing God’s unexpected callings, Kate offers practical encouragement and deeply spiritual insight. Her gentle reminders echo throughout this episode: God is not done with you, your story still matters, and your name is not only “Mom.”

Before closing in a beautiful prayer, Kate encourages each listener to lean into God’s faithfulness and not to settle for the sidelines. There is still work to do—and great joy to be found.

 

About the Guest:
Kate Battistelli is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name, The God Dare, and Growing Great Kids. A national voice of encouragement to women in all stages of life, Kate is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and one-third of the popular Mom to Mom Podcast alongside her co-hosts September McCarthy and Jamie Erickson.

Once a Broadway actress, Kate starred as Anna in The King and I opposite Yul Brynner, performing over 1,000 shows on tour. She and her husband laid down their careers in the theater to follow God's call to homeschool their daughter, Grammy-winning artist Francesca Battistelli, and build a life of ministry and home business. Today, Kate resides in Franklin, Tennessee, where she enjoys life alongside her family—including seven beloved grandchildren.

A frequent contributor to publications such as Guideposts, The Joyful Life, The Better Mom, and Mici Magazine, she has also written for the Incourage Bible for Women and The Spirit-Led Woman’s Bible. Kate was recently honored by She Leads Tennessee for her leadership and influence in ministry.

Through her books, blog, and social platforms, Kate continues to inspire women to step out of their comfort zones and into God's bigger plans.

 

Book Spotlight:
The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name
The empty nest isn’t the end—it’s the start of something new. In this beautifully written and deeply encouraging book, Kate invites readers to explore the sacred, sometimes bittersweet space that follows the parenting years. With reflection prompts and practical wisdom, she guides women to rediscover who they are, what they’re called to do, and how to thrive in a season filled with possibility.

If you've ever asked, “Who am I now that my children are gone?”—this book is for you.
If you feel torn between grief and freedom—you’re not alone.
If you’re ready to embrace your second act—God is already writing it.

You are cordially invited to the After Party… because Mom is not your only name.

 

Connect with Kate Battistelli:
Instagram: @katebattistelli
Facebook: Kate Battistelli
X (Twitter): @katebattistelli
LinkedIn: Kate Battistelli
Website: www.katebattistelli.com

 

Closing Thought:
The chapter of motherhood may change, but your purpose never ends. Let this season be a divine invitation—not to retreat—but to rise. The second act might just be the most meaningful one yet.