Muse and Hearth Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:19:22 -0400 https://museandhearth.com en © 2026 Muse and Hearth yes 24fdc994-310f-5891-96a1-8e0da2de2aa9 Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham https://storage.buzzsprout.com/4py4kplqqp4lenfd2t5xjzlm3sy9?.jpg Muse and Hearth https://museandhearth.com Episode 21: Homesteading, with Jordyn Lafon Episode 21: Homesteading, with Jordyn Lafon Join us today as we talk about all things homesteading and small farming with Jordyn LaFon!

Jordyn shared with us her family’s story as they got started with farming, as well as some of the highs and lows of learning on the job when it comes to homesteading.

Shownote links and books


]]> Join us today as we talk about all things homesteading and small farming with Jordyn LaFon!

Jordyn shared with us her family’s story as they got started with farming, as well as some of the highs and lows of learning on the job when it comes to homesteading.

Shownote links and books


]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham, with Jordyn Lafon Buzzsprout-13712888 Tue, 03 Oct 2023 21:00:00 -0700 4668 homesteading, books, farming, Idaho 2 21 full false Episode 20: Mystie Winckler and Simply Convivial Episode 20: Mystie Winckler and Simply Convivial Join us as we discuss homemaking, productivity, and motherhood with Mystie Winckler of Simply Convivial. 

It’s tempting to look for a “fix it quick scheme” or to get out of sorts with our home-making when it is a challenge. But with the right attitude we can look for ways to model a grateful and convivial life with and for our children. We talk about some first steps to getting organized as well as the importance of having an ideal but not making attaining that ideal an immediate expectation or a prerequisite for happiness. 

Links: 



]]> Join us as we discuss homemaking, productivity, and motherhood with Mystie Winckler of Simply Convivial. 

It’s tempting to look for a “fix it quick scheme” or to get out of sorts with our home-making when it is a challenge. But with the right attitude we can look for ways to model a grateful and convivial life with and for our children. We talk about some first steps to getting organized as well as the importance of having an ideal but not making attaining that ideal an immediate expectation or a prerequisite for happiness. 

Links: 



]]> Lydia Foucachon, Valerie Abraham, and Mystie Winckler Buzzsprout-12481241 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:00:00 -0700 1813 Mystie Winckler, convivial homeschool, homeschool, homeschooling, classical education, 2 20 full false Episode 19: Eve in Exile with Rebekah Merkle Episode 19: Eve in Exile with Rebekah Merkle On today’s episode I had the privilege of interviewing Rebekah Merkle, author of Eve in Exile and the documentary of the same name. Her work challenges cultural feminism as we know it and is an encouragement to Christian women to let the Bible define what femininity is. Check out the documentary on the Canon Plus app, and you can find the book at canonpress.com and Amazon. To enjoy more podcasts from Bekah, check out the What Have You podcast.

]]> On today’s episode I had the privilege of interviewing Rebekah Merkle, author of Eve in Exile and the documentary of the same name. Her work challenges cultural feminism as we know it and is an encouragement to Christian women to let the Bible define what femininity is. Check out the documentary on the Canon Plus app, and you can find the book at canonpress.com and Amazon. To enjoy more podcasts from Bekah, check out the What Have You podcast.

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Rebekah Merkle Buzzsprout-11827234 Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:00:00 -0800 1719 Eve in Exile, Lydia Foucachon, Rebekah Merkle, Eve in Exile, New Saint Andrews College, NSA 2 19 full false Episode 18: How to be a reader (when life is “too full” for reading) Episode 18: How to be a reader (when life is “too full” for reading) In episode 18 I’m joined by Courtney Handermann and Anna van den Broek as we discuss strategies for making reading a priority when life is busy. Our discussion includes tips for starting a book group as a way to help us keep up reading momentum. Podcasts like The Literary Life, Close Reads Podcast, and Stories are Soul Food provide inspiration for new titles and encouragement to continue with old favorites. We name drop some favorite book titles, and if you want inspiration for others you can check out Muse and Hearth episode 6 “Reading Lists”.

]]> In episode 18 I’m joined by Courtney Handermann and Anna van den Broek as we discuss strategies for making reading a priority when life is busy. Our discussion includes tips for starting a book group as a way to help us keep up reading momentum. Podcasts like The Literary Life, Close Reads Podcast, and Stories are Soul Food provide inspiration for new titles and encouragement to continue with old favorites. We name drop some favorite book titles, and if you want inspiration for others you can check out Muse and Hearth episode 6 “Reading Lists”.

]]> https://museandhearth.com/2022/11/episode-18-how-to-be-a-reader-when-life-is-too-full-for-reading/ Lydia Foucachon, Anna van den Broek, Courtney Handermann Buzzsprout-11650847 Mon, 07 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0800 2712 reading, books, how to be a reader, homeschool, roman roads press, van den broek, Handermann, foucachon, 2 18 full false Episode 17: Interview with Author Christine Cohen Episode 17: Interview with Author Christine Cohen We were excited to welcome author Christine Cohen to the podcast. We discussed topics related to her books The Winter King and Sinking City . We asked her what she looks for in a good heroine, why it’s ok for her characters to suffer hardship in a story, and talked about her own omnivorous tastes in reading. Thank you for joining us Christine!

Links: 


]]> We were excited to welcome author Christine Cohen to the podcast. We discussed topics related to her books The Winter King and Sinking City . We asked her what she looks for in a good heroine, why it’s ok for her characters to suffer hardship in a story, and talked about her own omnivorous tastes in reading. Thank you for joining us Christine!

Links: 


]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham, with Christine Cohen Buzzsprout-10412885 Sun, 10 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0700 1944 Christine Cohen, Winter King, Sinking City, Fiction, Author, Writing 2 17 full false Episode 16: Everyday faithfulness: an interview with Nancy Wilson Episode 16: Everyday faithfulness: an interview with Nancy Wilson Welcome to Muse and Hearth, a podcast for Christian women, cultivating mind, heart, and home. I’m Lydia Foucachon and I’m so pleased to be joined today by my pastor’s lovely wife Nancy Wilson! She is a mother, grandma of a whole passel of grandkids, author, and podcaster, as well as a former literature teacher at Logos School. As she put it, chief cook & bottle washer. Nancy thanks so much for speaking with us today. 

We’ll be discussing “back to school” for the Christian woman’s heart. A chance to collect ourselves from whatever summer season of life we have just been in and reset the bar of daily faithfulness. 

Nancy reminds us that we really want to be making a habit of a reset on things like Bible reading, prayer, keeping short accounts, contentment, control of the tongue on a daily basis.

 Resources and Books:



]]> Welcome to Muse and Hearth, a podcast for Christian women, cultivating mind, heart, and home. I’m Lydia Foucachon and I’m so pleased to be joined today by my pastor’s lovely wife Nancy Wilson! She is a mother, grandma of a whole passel of grandkids, author, and podcaster, as well as a former literature teacher at Logos School. As she put it, chief cook & bottle washer. Nancy thanks so much for speaking with us today. 

We’ll be discussing “back to school” for the Christian woman’s heart. A chance to collect ourselves from whatever summer season of life we have just been in and reset the bar of daily faithfulness. 

Nancy reminds us that we really want to be making a habit of a reset on things like Bible reading, prayer, keeping short accounts, contentment, control of the tongue on a daily basis.

 Resources and Books:



]]> Lydia Foucachon and Nancy Wilson Buzzsprout-9404755 Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:00:00 -0700 2289 Nancy Wilson, Lydia Foucachon, contentment, prayer, back to school 2 16 full false Episode 15: Deeper Heaven with Christiana Hale Episode 15: Deeper Heaven with Christiana Hale In this episode, Lydia Foucachon is joined by Christiana Hale, author of Deeper Heaven: A Reader's Guide to C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy. Listen in as they discuss common preconceived notions about the Ransom Trilogy and how to approach it for the first time, Lewis's primary purpose in writing the trilogy, as well as his approach to the medieval cosmology. 

Links: 

Roman Roads Press
Classical Christian curriculum for home and school. "Inherit the Humanities"

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

]]> In this episode, Lydia Foucachon is joined by Christiana Hale, author of Deeper Heaven: A Reader's Guide to C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy. Listen in as they discuss common preconceived notions about the Ransom Trilogy and how to approach it for the first time, Lewis's primary purpose in writing the trilogy, as well as his approach to the medieval cosmology. 

Links: 

Roman Roads Press
Classical Christian curriculum for home and school. "Inherit the Humanities"

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Christiana Hale Buzzsprout-9061097 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0700 3203 Ransom Trilogy, Space Trilogy, Christiana Hale, Lydia Foucachon, Roman Roads Press, C.S. Lewis, 2 15 full false Episode 14: Cookbooks Episode 14: Cookbooks Welcome to Season 2! Lydia and Valerie took a few weeks off to let Valerie settle in with her newest little one, and are excited for a new round of conversations about cultivating our minds and homes. We’re wrapping up our series on the theology of hospitality and beginning a new series on one of the more practical aspects of hospitality, as well as of daily life: food and drink. Today’s episode is all about cookbooks! A brief history of cookbooks, the changing uses of cookbooks in a digital age, and the cookbooks that helped us learn to cook.

Cookbooks discussed on the show:

]]> Welcome to Season 2! Lydia and Valerie took a few weeks off to let Valerie settle in with her newest little one, and are excited for a new round of conversations about cultivating our minds and homes. We’re wrapping up our series on the theology of hospitality and beginning a new series on one of the more practical aspects of hospitality, as well as of daily life: food and drink. Today’s episode is all about cookbooks! A brief history of cookbooks, the changing uses of cookbooks in a digital age, and the cookbooks that helped us learn to cook.

Cookbooks discussed on the show:

]]> https://museandhearth.com Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham Buzzsprout-8041126 Sat, 27 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800 3061 cookbooks, Foucachon, Abraham, 2 14 full false Episode 13: A Meal with Jesus Episode 13: A Meal with Jesus In this episode, we discuss Tim Chester’s overview of food and feasting in the Bible. A Meal With Jesus emphasizes the importance of our daily ritual of eating (and the weekly eating of the Lord’s Supper as the body of Christ). We discuss the strength of eating together in the context of hospitality and sharing the Gospel as well as the overall encouragement that the tasks surrounding food-gathering, -preparation, -serving, and then the inherent tidying up have a vital importance in God’s economy. 


Links: 

]]> In this episode, we discuss Tim Chester’s overview of food and feasting in the Bible. A Meal With Jesus emphasizes the importance of our daily ritual of eating (and the weekly eating of the Lord’s Supper as the body of Christ). We discuss the strength of eating together in the context of hospitality and sharing the Gospel as well as the overall encouragement that the tasks surrounding food-gathering, -preparation, -serving, and then the inherent tidying up have a vital importance in God’s economy. 


Links: 

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon f44eadb2-4313-4c33-803e-1133239b0d6a Thu, 07 Jan 2021 15:56:52 -0800 3366 capon,femina,timchester 1 13 false Episode 12: Picture Books Episode 12: Picture Books In time for Advent and Christmastide gift giving, we took a brief hiatus from our hospitality topic to talk about children’s books! We got so excited to share about our favorite titles and authors that we ran out of time! We’re planning a part two at some point, but this will be enough to hopefully add a title or two to your lists, and we’d LOVE to hear from you what titles we should add to OUR lists!

Book Links:  

]]> In time for Advent and Christmastide gift giving, we took a brief hiatus from our hospitality topic to talk about children’s books! We got so excited to share about our favorite titles and authors that we ran out of time! We’re planning a part two at some point, but this will be enough to hopefully add a title or two to your lists, and we’d LOVE to hear from you what titles we should add to OUR lists!

Book Links:  

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham 37ae4b40-a4a1-4ac3-95b6-02c3b9f05e03 Thu, 26 Nov 2020 12:11:04 -0800 3144 reading,christmas,picturebooks 1 12 false Episode 11: Hospitality and The Supper of the Lamb, Part 2 Episode 11: Hospitality and The Supper of the Lamb, Part 2 Valerie and Lydia delve deeper into Robert Capon’s thoughts on hospitality (Is formal hospitality the same as “entertaining?” How has the cult of authenticity shaped our approach as hostesses?) and shaping taste in our children.

Links: 

]]> Valerie and Lydia delve deeper into Robert Capon’s thoughts on hospitality (Is formal hospitality the same as “entertaining?” How has the cult of authenticity shaped our approach as hostesses?) and shaping taste in our children.

Links: 

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham 715a1566-06b5-41a9-a830-c3df273a8ba4 Sat, 24 Oct 2020 18:03:30 -0700 2364 food,entertaining,hospitality,capon,supperofthelamb 1 11 false Episode 10: Hospitality and The Supper of the Lamb, Part 1 Episode 10: Hospitality and The Supper of the Lamb, Part 1 Delighting in food and creation is our theme in this episode! Lydia and Valerie explore the classic, mid-century theological culinary reflections of Robert Capon, pastor and amateur of all things delightful in the kitchen. How can we learn what it means to love a thing like God does, to delight in creation not for its "usefulness," but because God called it good? We love Capon so much we decided to spread his book over two episodes, so tune in to the next episode as we go more in-depth on specific passages that may cause a stir!

Links: 

]]> Delighting in food and creation is our theme in this episode! Lydia and Valerie explore the classic, mid-century theological culinary reflections of Robert Capon, pastor and amateur of all things delightful in the kitchen. How can we learn what it means to love a thing like God does, to delight in creation not for its "usefulness," but because God called it good? We love Capon so much we decided to spread his book over two episodes, so tune in to the next episode as we go more in-depth on specific passages that may cause a stir!

Links: 

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham 9d031377-1e8c-4aaa-96b1-578a70be0110 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 07:17:09 -0700 2388 cooking,culinary,feast,hospitality,capon,feasting 1 10 false Episode 9: Hospitality and Babette's Feast Episode 9: Hospitality and Babette's Feast We’re excited to launch a short series of episodes on the topic of hospitality, beginning with a discussion of Babette’s Feast, the moving novella (and its film adaptation) by Isak Dinesen. What can Babette’s Feast teach us about the nature of grace in hospitality, and the giving of oneself? How do we apply this to how we show hospitality to our own families?

Links: 

]]> We’re excited to launch a short series of episodes on the topic of hospitality, beginning with a discussion of Babette’s Feast, the moving novella (and its film adaptation) by Isak Dinesen. What can Babette’s Feast teach us about the nature of grace in hospitality, and the giving of oneself? How do we apply this to how we show hospitality to our own families?

Links: 

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham b7174a88-a86c-49bd-a09a-9ad5da0dc8dd Mon, 14 Sep 2020 19:24:24 -0700 2607 food,abraham,hospitality,feasting,dinesen,foucachon 1 9 false Episode 8: Persuasion: An Un-Modern Love Story Episode 8: Persuasion: An Un-Modern Love Story Persuasion is not the most popular of Austen’s works, but we think it’s a hidden gem. Can a passive heroine be an agent of change? Is there a hint of Dante’s Beatrice in Anne Elliot? And is Persuasion a “follow your heart” story? 

Links and Books: 

]]> Persuasion is not the most popular of Austen’s works, but we think it’s a hidden gem. Can a passive heroine be an agent of change? Is there a hint of Dante’s Beatrice in Anne Elliot? And is Persuasion a “follow your heart” story? 

Links and Books: 

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham 51a54c0f-f4bc-4bfc-9baf-e6fd35744039 Sat, 15 Aug 2020 08:38:42 -0700 2409 movie,book,culture,persuasion,janeausten,valerieabraham,lydiafoucachon,foucachon 1 8 false Episode 7: Jane Austen's Emma Episode 7: Jane Austen's Emma Lydia and Valerie have strong feelings about Austen. Especially modern re-interpretations of Austen. We won’t give too much away, but we had LOTS of thoughts on Autumn DeWilde’s 2020 film adaptation of Emma. Is Austen rolling over in her grave?

Books and Links:

 

]]> Lydia and Valerie have strong feelings about Austen. Especially modern re-interpretations of Austen. We won’t give too much away, but we had LOTS of thoughts on Autumn DeWilde’s 2020 film adaptation of Emma. Is Austen rolling over in her grave?

Books and Links:

 

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon 3b5633b2-8b17-4316-8413-d2be4e88171b Sat, 01 Aug 2020 21:13:13 -0700 3214 emma,janeausten 1 7 false Episode 6: Reading Lists Episode 6: Reading Lists “Words, words, words!” Get ready to add some titles to your reading list, and be sure to let us know what your favorite or current reads are! We need more to add to our lists...which is to say we already have more than we can read, but since when has that stopped us? We also discuss audiobooks vs physical texts, and building reading habits, both in Bible reading and literature reading!

Books and Links: 

]]> “Words, words, words!” Get ready to add some titles to your reading list, and be sure to let us know what your favorite or current reads are! We need more to add to our lists...which is to say we already have more than we can read, but since when has that stopped us? We also discuss audiobooks vs physical texts, and building reading habits, both in Bible reading and literature reading!

Books and Links: 

]]> Lydia Foucachon and Valerie Abraham ba57923c-9a6d-4776-839e-8edcb70a4101 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 21:06:05 -0700 3580 books,bookworm,booklist,readinglist 1 6 false Episode 5: Pantry Staples Episode 5: Pantry Staples Welcome to our eclectic COVD-inspired episode on our favorite cooking tips and recipes, including broth and stock, and of course sourdough.

Books and Links: 

]]> Welcome to our eclectic COVD-inspired episode on our favorite cooking tips and recipes, including broth and stock, and of course sourdough.

Books and Links: 

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon 3db58e56-fc6a-498b-80eb-87039456b3a4 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:27:57 -0700 3068 cooking,food,home,bread,pantries,covid19 1 5 false Episode 4: De Descriptione Temporum Episode 4: De Descriptione Temporum Once upon a time, C. S. Lewis gave one of his best lectures ever. It was called “De Descriptione Temporum,” and everyone—yes, you too—should read it. We were joined in this episode by Daniel Foucachon, Lydia’s husband and the founder of Roman Roads Press and Kepler Education. We talk about watershed moments in history, pre-Christian and post-modern man, why we should keep the “clean sea breeze” of old books flowing through our minds. In the second half, we also discuss the difference between The Great Books and the great books, and the importance of knowing “your” people.

You can read C. S. Lewis’ lecture here.

Learn more about Old Western Culture. 

Roman Roads Press
Classical Christian curriculum for home and school. "Inherit the Humanities"

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

]]> Once upon a time, C. S. Lewis gave one of his best lectures ever. It was called “De Descriptione Temporum,” and everyone—yes, you too—should read it. We were joined in this episode by Daniel Foucachon, Lydia’s husband and the founder of Roman Roads Press and Kepler Education. We talk about watershed moments in history, pre-Christian and post-modern man, why we should keep the “clean sea breeze” of old books flowing through our minds. In the second half, we also discuss the difference between The Great Books and the great books, and the importance of knowing “your” people.

You can read C. S. Lewis’ lecture here.

Learn more about Old Western Culture. 

Roman Roads Press
Classical Christian curriculum for home and school. "Inherit the Humanities"

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

]]> Valerie Abraham, Lydia Foucachoon, Daniel Foucachon 37acda91-2b9f-4b09-a28a-ab6337a2fe82 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:19:06 -0700 2187 lewis,greatbooks,westernculture,oldwesternculture,keplereducation,romanroadspress 1 4 false Episode 3: Hallowed Be This House Episode 3: Hallowed Be This House In today’s episode, Lydia and Valerie discuss Thomas Howard’s book, Hallowed be This House. We chat about seeing the glory in the “everyday” things, the anchoring power of ritual in the home, especially during a pandemic, and how our work reveals the mystery of charity in the daily “my life for yours.” 

Books and Links: 

]]> In today’s episode, Lydia and Valerie discuss Thomas Howard’s book, Hallowed be This House. We chat about seeing the glory in the “everyday” things, the anchoring power of ritual in the home, especially during a pandemic, and how our work reveals the mystery of charity in the daily “my life for yours.” 

Books and Links: 

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon 65be60a7-263f-401d-938e-3077340491f2 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:27:28 -0700 2687 home,ritual 1 3 false Episode 2: Interior Decorating Episode 2: Interior Decorating We recorded this episode during the Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns in March/April. Lots of time at home got us to thinking about home decor, making inviting spaces, and interior design. We discuss two of Myquillyn Smith’s books The Nesting Place and The Cozy Minimalist Home. Smith’s books encourage jumping in and not waiting for the perfect time or materials to make your home more inviting. She helps point us toward gratitude for “the space I’m in now.”

Books and Links: 

"The Nesting Place" by Myquillyn Smith

"The Cozy Minimalist Home" by Myquillyn Smith

The Nester Blog

]]> We recorded this episode during the Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns in March/April. Lots of time at home got us to thinking about home decor, making inviting spaces, and interior design. We discuss two of Myquillyn Smith’s books The Nesting Place and The Cozy Minimalist Home. Smith’s books encourage jumping in and not waiting for the perfect time or materials to make your home more inviting. She helps point us toward gratitude for “the space I’m in now.”

Books and Links: 

"The Nesting Place" by Myquillyn Smith

"The Cozy Minimalist Home" by Myquillyn Smith

The Nester Blog

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon 142a30c2-a557-498f-b98b-ac78ef91fadc Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:57:36 -0700 2089 home,interiordecorating,nestingplace 1 2 false Episode 1: Greece vs Rome Episode 1: Greece vs Rome Valerie and Lydia discuss the famous debate between Boris Johnson (yes, we were surprised to find out he studied classics!) and Mary Beard, the Cambridge classicist. Find the link to the debate below, then join Lydia and Valerie to chat about classical civilization! Greece vs Rome: which civilization was greater? Were the Romans indeed more “human” than the Greeks? Did Greece invent everything and Rome merely copy it all? Does “copying” make their contributions less authentic? And will Valerie or Lydia change their mind after listening to the debate? Find us on Facebook and let us know if the debate—or Valerie and Lydia’s commentary—changed your mind!

Links and Books: 

Boris Johnson vs. Mary Beard Debate

Johnson vs. Beard YouTube version

"The Roots of American Order" by Russell Kirk

"The Dream of Rome" by Boris Johnson

]]> Valerie and Lydia discuss the famous debate between Boris Johnson (yes, we were surprised to find out he studied classics!) and Mary Beard, the Cambridge classicist. Find the link to the debate below, then join Lydia and Valerie to chat about classical civilization! Greece vs Rome: which civilization was greater? Were the Romans indeed more “human” than the Greeks? Did Greece invent everything and Rome merely copy it all? Does “copying” make their contributions less authentic? And will Valerie or Lydia change their mind after listening to the debate? Find us on Facebook and let us know if the debate—or Valerie and Lydia’s commentary—changed your mind!

Links and Books: 

Boris Johnson vs. Mary Beard Debate

Johnson vs. Beard YouTube version

"The Roots of American Order" by Russell Kirk

"The Dream of Rome" by Boris Johnson

]]> Valerie Abraham and Lydia Foucachon cd4d2ce5-cfba-4b86-a817-91b774d7e7ad Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:44:49 -0700 1951 empire,culture,greece,rome,classicaleducation,marybeard,borisjohnson,russelkirk 1 1 false