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Education
Society & Culture
Davies Owens
BaseCamp LIVE will equip you, the parent, educator, or mentor to climb the biggest mountains as you seek to shape young people to become exceptionally prepared, compassionate, and thoughtful human beings. Our guests are thought leaders, culture watchers, and educational experts who are seeing the benefits of a classical Christian education to form students into adults who can think critically, believe with courage, and serve compassionately.
Realities & Opportunities of Protecting Children
Today we tackle a challenging topic - one not easy but one that has reached an epidemic level among all communities around the world, and even more so since Covid. Greg Love, founder of Ministry Safe, an organization that has partnered with many of our schools and churches already, joins us today. He walks us through the sobering reality of child sexual abuse. And just when we may be thinking: I don’t think I can handle any more bad news, he offers us encouragement for practical ways to approach this topic wisely. What is the balance between becoming overly fearful and falling into the ditch of casual indifference, assuming our children are immune? If you are leading a family or a school, really any organization with children, please join us for this important episode of BasecampLive. Resource Links:Ministry SafeArticle 11 - False Alligations (3.27.21)Article 11 - False Alligations (April 2021)
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
50:2804/05/2022
God, Tech, and the Next Generation
Is it godly to be anti-tech? Recent studies indicate the average American teen is spending 7-9 hours a day in front of a screen. Even if our students are not consumed by media 7-9 hours a day, technology for us as adults and our children is an inevitable part of life. Too often our way of mitigating this influence is simply to implement an ever-increasing number and kind of filters and controls. While that is important, my guest today, Tony Reinke, provides a thoughtful and thorough examination of our relationship with technology and the underlying theology we should use to choose how to live the Christian life well in our digital age. Tony’s observations are both realistic and hopeful as he makes practical recommendations for how we live in the world of technology but keep from being of it! Join Davies Owens for the latest episode of BaseCamp Live.---Tony Reinke is a journalist, teacher, and host of the Ask Pastor John podcast for Desiring God. He is the author of Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books and Competing Spectacles and 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
42:5022/04/2022
Renewing Our Imaginations
Classical Christian folks celebrate high-level thinking, and rightly so, but as humans, we are ultimately driven by our hearts and imaginations. Reading great literature isn’t just for mental push-ups, it is to engage living stories with powerful influential narratives that shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. If we are ever going to compete with the world of screens, it is through great literature. And it is ultimately through the renewal of our stories and our imaginations that we gain the perspectives and encouragement we need to be more like Christ. Join Davies Owens for an engaging conversation with Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson as she shares from her new book, The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints. Whether you are a classroom teacher, a parent, a person striving to reignite your faith and spiritual disciplines, or all of the above, you don’t want to miss this episode.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
44:1512/04/2022
Modern Science Meets Ancient Practice
There is no doubt that a Classical Christian Education is transformative in the life of a young person. But what makes this form of education really work? Yes, it comes from reading Great Books containing some of the most significant thought leaders in western civilization, and yes, following the Trivium is important. Most certainly, having students in a daily environment where moral and virtue formation take place is essential, but besides all of that, what are the actual teaching methods our schools can and should use, which by the way, completely differ from what is done in a typical modern school? In this episode, Jason Barney, illuminates teachers and parents on an ancient method called narration, which has been used for centuries in classrooms as well as around kitchen tables to build habits of awareness and prepare the next generation to think deeply. This ancient method of learning can even be helpful to us modern, on-the-go busy adults.Key Links and Resources:A Classical Guide to NarrationThe Joy of LearningEducational Renaissance
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
43:0505/04/2022
Seeking and Living in Cultural Harmony
Today's news headlines are more troublesome than ever. Stress levels are higher, people are more contentious than ever, yet our hope and confidence in Christ gives us the grace to love ourselves and our neighbors well. Russ Gregg has served faithfully for two decades at Hope Academy in the heart of the inner city of Minneapolis. He believes our classical Christian schools have a unique opportunity to display the grace and mercy of God, as evidenced by the beauty of living cultural harmony despite our surroundings. In this episode, Russ Gregg shares ten guiding principles he developed to lead his teachers and parents through the recent challenging days that had a transformative impact on his school community and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
47:4515/03/2022
The Telos of Education
Too many people today assume the primary goal of education is to get enough knowledge and training to get to a good college and get a job. Yet classical Christian educators and parents know those goals are too low; college and careers are a given. We are aiming for far more. But what exactly is our ultimate goal? Plato said knowledge without virtue is useless. So yes to wisdom and virtue, but can we err in the other direction with lofty philosophical skills but weak in real-world practical knowledge? David Diener helps us understand the real end game of CCE, its ultimate telos!
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
50:2024/02/2022
200th Episode w/ Keith McCurdy
Four years ago I launched this podcast out of what began several years before as a Tuesday night parent education night at our school. And now this is episode 200!What have we learned through the 8,000-plus minutes of discussions? Stay tuned as Keith McCurdy and I take a look back to celebrate God’s faithfulness through our many topics, discoveries, and amazing conversations. We will recap highlights and observations from those many episodes on how to raise up the next generation through the critical work being done in classical Christian schools in partnership with families and churches… and survey changes over the last four years in our schools and in our culture.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
44:2001/02/2022
Life Without Fear
We live in a therapeutic age where feelings and emotions dominate reason and confidence in truth. Almost anywhere you turn these days, researchers are telling us how folks are more anxious and consumed in fear than at any other point in recent history. Fears inhibit our students’ ability to learn and impact their physical, social, and spiritual health. And parents and teachers, well all of us, are vulnerable to fear and anxiety these days. But there is good news! On this episode, we welcome back Ben Bost to share practical wisdom on overcoming fear in both our personal lives and school communities.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
41:5025/01/2022
The Lost Art of Discipling Children
For centuries young parents raised their children in the same community as their extended family. Best practices for raising and disciplining children were both modeled and supported by the entire community. But today, the vast majority of young parents don’t live near their family and even when they do, they may not care to discipline their children the way they were disciplined growing up. Consequently, too many parents are using the “figure-it out-as-we-go method” as they YouTube and Google-Search their way to direction for the parenting years. And as parents partner with schools, the lack of consistency in discipline can make raising the next generation even more challenging. My guest today shares, as a grandparent, a Biblical view of discipline for younger children that he shared with his own children as they were seeking advice.RESOURCESHow to Properly Discipline ChildrenGod's Word on Loving by Spanking
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
51:1003/01/2022
Habits of the Household
Looking for a way out of the frazzle and rush of life? Whether you are an administrator, teacher, or parent, the practical wisdom from my guest today is just for you. Justin Whitmel Earley endured his own season of crisis and discovered the power of habits in a transformational way that fundamentally changed his family life by finding meaning and order in what can feel like the daily chaos of raising children. These same principles of habit are at work in every classical Christian school as we intentionally work to form what our children love with similarly impressive results. EPISODE LINKSAbout Justin Whitmel EarleyHabits of the Household BookThe Common Rule BookWinter Symposium with Justin
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
49:3016/12/2021
Seeing the Long View
“The days are long and the years are short,” as the saying goes. On any given day, the long scramble from the morning routine of getting our children off to school (finding uniforms, breakfasts, and sprints to the carpool line to a full afternoon of after-school activities, extensive homework) can leave one wondering is the effort worth it? Where is the fruit, especially during seasons of struggle? Kevin Clark joins us to share many of the insights from his book, The Liberal Arts Tradition, along to help remind us of the long lasting fruits of the K-12 classical Christian education journey. It is especially good to hear in these modern times where our form of education and raising up the next generation is increasingly counter-cultural. IMPORTANT LINKSlivesturdy.com/special-eventssocietyforclassicallearning.org/equipping-workshops/whatwilltheylearn.comesischools.orgbasecamplive.com
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
44:3926/11/2021
Only For Smart Kids?
Is classical Christian education really for all children, of all abilities? In an age where the number of children with diagnosed needs seems to be spiking, how can schools effectively meet the needs of all children, especially when so many schools work with limited resources? We welcome back Leslie Collins whose last interview a few years ago stirred up a lot of conversation around what is possible for children with special needs. What practical steps can families and schools take to collaborate and ensure that truly no child is left behind? What are the implications for the rest of the classroom and learning objectives for the rest of the class when students of all abilities are included? Join us for this insightful conversation. Plus, learn about Leslie’s newly developed free resource for both schools and parents on this episode of Basecamp LiveSHOW NOTESLeslie is offering listeners access to a free course using the Thinkific platform! Simply download the course from Thinkific, and she will update as needed. Please use the link below to gain access. Only an email address is needed to enroll and it’s completely free. https://covenant-academy-teacher-training.thinkific.com/
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
45:0018/11/2021
No Parent Left Behind…Partnering with Your School
Parents play a vital role in the success of their children in school. Increasingly, classical Christian schools (CCE) go against the grain of many schools who actively encourage parents to disengage and let them outsource their children's education to the institution or even the government. But despite a growing culture expecting parents to drop and go, CCE schools stand in direct partnership with parents. Biblically, the school stands under the authority of the parent. But what does this mean practically? How do the home and school really collaborate? Interestingly, a growing number of parents are now choosing hybrid or collaborative schools which offer a blend of education at home and a traditional school setting. Regardless of whether a child is in a hybrid or a 5-day school, there are important and specific ways parents can and should partner as we stand together to raise the next generation.LINKSTrinity Classical SchoolBaseCamp LiveSociety for Classical Learning
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
38:3529/10/2021
How to Be Unlucky: Reflections on the Pursuit of Virtue
As parents and teachers, we want the next generation to love God and love the good. But for many young people who sit in K-12 classrooms, they wander into the land of the prodigal and question if what they have heard is little more than empty moralisms. But our job is to remain faithful. Are there ways to better guide and mentor the next generation? My guest today Josh Gibbs is a prodigal and has great wisdom to share from his book, appropriately titled How to Be Unlucky.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
41:2021/10/2021
Hope for Today from Voices of Yesterday
There is nothing new under the sun. That is good news..because the deepest questions of life and faith (who am I, why am I here, where am I going) have been asked throughout history, and in many cases asked better and in more articulate and winsome ways by those who came far before us -- those classic thinkers and writers we read and discuss in classical Christian schools. But in our modern, disposable, quick-to-reject-the-past-world, young people, and older as well, often ignore these well-thought-out questions, ultimately to our own demise. It’s hard to get the right answer if you don’t know the questions. No wonder so many people today wander around in various state of despair and uncertainty. Christ answers those critical questions, but do we get the questions right? IMPORTANT LINKSLearn more about David NoeLatin Per Diem (website)Latin Per Diem (YouTube)Ad Navseam PodcastBidvvm Latinvm & Graecvm
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
53:0213/10/2021
Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment
What does the world need now? Discernment! It is far more than just gaining wisdom and doing the right thing. It is the key to living the abundant life Christ promises in a world that buries us each day in disparaging headlines and worrisome news. It is understandable many feel they should just bury their head in the sand, hiding hoping it will all just go away. But what we and the next generation in your home or classroom need now is the courage to move boldly and wisely into the world, offering lasting hope and restoration. Discernment is key to discovering all that is GOOD!BIOGRAPHYHannah Anderson, winner of the 2018 Gospel Coalition Book Award for Christian Living, is the author of several books including Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul and All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment. She lives with her family in the haunting Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she spends her days working beside her husband in rural ministry, caring for their three children, and scratching out odd moments to write. You can find more of her writing at sometimesalight.com, hear her on the weekly podcast Persuasion, or follow her on Twitter. It is our privilege to have her joining us virtually at our upcoming Arete Retreat, Oct. 20-23 in Fort Worth, TX.IMPORTANT LINKSMore about Hannah Anderson and her work.Purchase "All That's Good"Info about the Arete & Alcuin Fall Retreat in Fort Worth, TXBaseCamp Live websiteSCL website
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
51:4206/10/2021
The Current State of Classical Christian Education with Eric Cook
There is a sizable migration underway of new families seeking to educate their children classically. Admissions lines are long in most classical Christian schools. Why is this happening now? What does it say about the broader culture? Needless to say, you are at the right place at the right time. In this episode, Eric Cook, president of the Society for Classical Learning, and I discuss the many changes going on all around us in the world of education and how our schools are uniquely positioned for such a time as this, when the world more than ever needs a generation of students who love the good and are truly real-world ready.BIOGRAPHYPresident of the Society for Classical Learning, Eric is also the Head of School at Covenant Classical in Fort Worth, TX where he has served for 12 years. Prior to Covenant, Eric was the Head of Upper School at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, VA. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from Transylvania University, and a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Northern Kentucky University. He has taught history, political science, psychology, and philosophy in public schools, and served as an assistant principal for several years. In 2006, Eric felt called to join the classical Christian school movement and became the Middle and Upper School Head at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition to his leadership roles, Eric has taught apologetics, theology, philosophy of religion, and served as thesis director. Eric and his wife, Liz, have six children.LINKSSociety for Classical LearningBaseCamp Live
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
48:2721/09/2021
Got Questions? 100 Answers to Classical Christian Education
Classical Christian Education is a new experience for many people, and whether you are new or have been around a classical school for years, there are many questions about why we do what we do. And since few parents or teachers today grew up in CCE schools, combined with the fact that there are more families than ever joining our schools, you are likely not alone if you have a question. My guest, Dr. Tim Dernlan, is back to share answers to 10 questions from the 100 he has identified and written about in his new book, "A Guide to Understanding Classical Christian Education: 100 Common Questions."BIOGRAPHYDr. Timothy Dernlan earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Education and Communication at Purdue University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies at Ashland University. He has experience teaching theater, math, rhetoric, physical education, personal finance, communication, leadership, and systematic theology in public, charter, private, Christian, and classical Christian schools and at the college level. His areas of focus are spiritual formation, classroom management, the effectiveness of classical Christian education, fundraising, the works of C.S. Lewis, physical education and the trivium, and leadership.He served as Principal and then Headmaster at Tall Oaks Classical School before serving as Superintendent of Reach Christian Schools, a three-campus, Christian school district that educated over 1200 students at five different PK-12 schools. He then moved to southern Alabama to serve as Head of School at Bayshore Christian School in Fairhope, AL. Dernlan is a visionary leader and is passionate about advancing Christian community and culture through education. Also, Dr. Dernlan serves on the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) Board of Directors. and consults with schools specializing in strategic planning and financial stability. IMPORTANT LINKSPurchase - A Guide to Understanding Classical Christian Education: 100 Common Questions
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
40:0017/09/2021
Engaging the Gen Z Mind
On this episode of BCL, It’s time to check in again with Brooke Hempell, senior VP at the Barna Group. As a research firm, Barna is tracking the latest trends and changes with Gen Z, the generational name for young people between 6-22 years old - essentially anyone from Kindergarten to college. While in some ways the world is growing smaller as people share mindsets from universal media and technology - generational differences are quite real, and we need to pay attention to them. Questions of identity, belonging, and purpose are big questions all people have wrestled with through time. Of course, the answer to these questions are answered ultimately in Christ, so we need to engage people where they are on this journey. How do we as parents, educators and influencers best support, guide and encourage this generation? Stay tuned….LINKSBarna GroupGen Z ResourcesBaseCamp LiveEmail us at [email protected]
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
46:5310/09/2021
Don't Freak Out!
What is going on in the world today? Just when we think we have seen it or heard it all, we are hit with another crazy curveball. A quick glance at the news often leaves us to say, "can you believe this?" Leaving our fears inflamed, yet we are called as Christ-followers to be faithful, confident, and to model well to our children and students how to live boldly, without fear or anxiety. Easier said than done. It seems much easier to just "freak out." Marriage and family counselor Keith McCurdy, a BaseCamp Live regular, is back to offer some wise and calming words, some fascinating new statistics, and some practical strategies for navigating whatever life throws at us. Keith McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents, and individuals for over 30 years in the field of mental health, working with more than 15,000 individuals and families. He received his Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from James Madison University. He is currently the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, Inc., and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.More Info: livesturdy.com
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
41:3231/08/2021
Captain Shapes Inexperienced Students for Meaningful Life
Imagine being the captain of a billion-dollar US Navy ship with some 400 young sailors under your command. Lots of habits to form, discipline to instill, and curiosity and courage to awaken…talk about raising the next generation. My guest, Ralph Janikowsky, today shares many engaging stories of how to effectively shape character and form Biblical ethics on board his ship. Many of these same principles used in the Navy, he now follows in leading a K-12 classical Christian school. Whether you are commanding a warship at sea, a classroom at school, or a family at home, you won’t want to miss Ralph’s stories and insight.BIOGRAPHYRalph is a graduate of distinction of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Masters of Arts in Strategic Studies from the National War College, graduating as the top naval officer in his class. Ralph has commanded a Spruance class destroyer and an Aegis cruiser, having been chosen as one of only twelve from a pool of over a thousand candidates. In that role, Ralph was responsible for over 400 sailors and a $1 billion ship. Ralph retired from sea life as a decorated captain, after serving as:Chief Engineer of USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38)Commanding Officer, USS HEWITT (DD 966) in Yokosuka, Japan. Earned Battle E, Golden Anchor, 7th Fleet ASW and ASUW awardsCommanding Officer, USS PRINCETON (CG 59) Earned Battle E, Golden Anchor, AW for Iraqi Freedom, and awarded PACFLEET Spokane TrophyDirector of Navy Program Analysis and Budgeting in the PentagonSurface Nuclear Officer Community Manager in both PERS 41 and 42. (Good title for an upper school dean…)Transitioning from naval captain to classical Christian school administrator, Ralph served 10 years as the Upper School Principal of Rockbridge Academy in Maryland and is now in his seventh year as Headmaster of Westminster Academy in Memphis.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
46:1724/08/2021
700 Years of Encouragement with Doug Henry
Seven hundred years ago, Dante wrote what has been called the most significant single poem ever written. He lived in a world not unlike our own. Fraught with both difficulty of brutal politics, climate changes, crop failure, famine, and disease and filled with beauty, wisdom, hope, and a sacred path forward. Dr. Doug Henry, head of Baylor University’s Honors College, is part of a team from key Christian Universities who have partnered together to bring Dante’s works alive in a unique project called 100 Days of Dante. What can Dante communicate to us in this day and age? Does he still have anything to say to us or offer us? Is his message relevant or valuable to us? Can it still challenge us? Absolutely yes, and it is just what we need for ourselves, our families, and our schools today!Learn more at 100 DAYS OF DANTEBIOGRAPHYDoug Henry is Dean of the Honors College. He holds a BA in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and an MA and PhD in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. Dean Henry has taught students in all four of the Honors College programs in courses covering everything from Homer's Iliad to twenty-first-century great books such as Marilynne Robinson's Gilead and Cormac McCarthy's Road.Co-editor of three books and author of over thirty refereed and invited articles, book chapters, and reviews, Dean Henry’s scholarly work addresses such varied writers as Plato, Boethius, John Bunyan, Iris Murdoch, Walker Percy, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI and diverse topics including allegory, divine hiddenness, doubt, ecumenism, freedom, hope, and love. His interest and understanding of American higher education, and especially church-related colleges and universities, is reflected in Faithful Learning and the Christian Scholarly Vocation (Eerdmans, 2003), Christianity and the Soul of the University: Faith as a Foundation for Intellectual Community (Baker Academic, 2005), and The Schooled Heart: Moral Formation in American Higher Education (Baylor University Press, 2007).The former director of Baylor’s Institute for Faith and Learning (2001-08), he also served six years as the live-in master of Brooks Residential College at Baylor (2007-13) and co-director of a summer abroad program, Baylor in Turkey and Greece (2011-19), in which his students walked the dusty plains of Troy, sailed the wine-dark seas of the Aegean, stood atop the Areopagus, and marveled at Hagia Sophia. With Gretchen Van Dyke (University of Scranton), Dean Henry is a mentor for the Lilly Graduate Fellows Program, a national initiative supporting Ph.D. students interested in teaching in church-related higher-education.At present, he is working on three book projects: Plato’s Euthyphro and the Character of Piety; Three Rival Versions of Education; and an as-yet untitled academic mystery novel.Married to Michele L. Henry, professor of choral music education and director of the music education division at Baylor, he is the father of a fifteen-year-old son, Zachary. Dean Henry enjoys cycling, running, college football and basketball, reading, and traveling. He is deeply engaged in the local community, showing the usefulness of philosophy for life by developing a small pocket neighborhood, The Cloister at Cameron Park, and by backing Waco's new, community-based bookshop, the highly anticipated Fabled Bookshop & Cafe.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
37:1117/08/2021
Is Education Valuable? with Steve Turley
In this episode, Davies was back on the road at the summer ACCS conference with friend and thought leader Dr. Steve Turley. We explore how so much of what we are experiencing in modern culture is directly correlated to influences from K-12 education. Want to understand a culture, reverse engineer back to education and one will find a lot of the answers. But the reverse effect is also true - create the right education and change the culture.BIOGRAPHYDr. Steve Turley is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and author. He has served on the faculty of several schools in the classical Christian world teaching theology, greek, and rhetoric and is a former professor of fine arts at Eastern University. Turley is the author of over 20 books, including Classical vs. Modern Education: A Vision from C.S. Lewis. His research and writings have appeared in such journals as Christianity and Literature, First Things, Touchstone, and The Chesterton Review.Turley's popular YouTube channel daily showcases his expertise in the rise of nationalism, populism, and traditionalism throughout the world. His videos, podcasts, and writings on civilization, society, culture, education, and the arts are widely renowned and are a part of his now full-time role at TurleyTalks.com!He and his wife, Akiko, have four children and live in Newark, DE, where they together enjoy fishing, gardening, and watching Duck Dynasty marathons.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
35:3510/08/2021
A Third Way Forward with Katharine Savage
In this episode, I was back on the road again. Live in Dallas at the ACCS conference with head of school Katharine Savage. Serving in urban Philadelphia, Katharine shares practical wisdom on how to navigate an increasingly divided and emotionally frazzled community. Her discoveries of what she calls a “third way” forward are effective in leading a school, a family, and most definitely in raising up the next generation. BIOGRAPHYKatharine Savage is the founder and head of school at Philadelphia Classical School in Pennsylvania. She is also a representative member on the board for the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS).
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
34:3203/08/2021
Wisdom from the Ancients for Flourishing Today with Louis Markos
If there is nothing new under the sun, then it makes sense to look to those who have gone before us for the answers to living boldly and confidently in a world that continues to unravel around us with so many young and old struggling to make wise choices. Dr. Louis Markos, a scholar at Houston Baptist University, brings to the wisdom of the ancient Greek and Roman teachers in an engaging way for us today. These thought leaders from centuries ago have a lot to say about living well and flourishing as we lead and guide the next generation to love God and love neighbors.BIOGRAPHYDr. Louis Markos Professor of English and Scholar in Residence at Houston Baptist University. He speaks widely on ancient Greece and Rome, Lewis and Tolkien, and apologetics and classical education. His 22 books include From Achilles to Christ, On the Shoulders of Hobbits, Apologetics for the 21st Century, Worldview Guides to the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid, and two children’s novels, The Dreaming Stone and In the Shadow of Troy, in which his kids become part of Greek mythology and the epics of Homer. Dr. Markos has a new book out, Myth Made Fact! From Plato to Christ: How Platonic Thought Shaped Christian Faith.LINKS
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
36:0027/07/2021
Classical Christian Education Is More Than We Realize with Clifford Humphrey
Classical Christian Education is a fantastic form of education, yet it is often challenging for parents and educators to define well. In an effort to both explain it and live it out, we often latch onto narrow definitions and understandings, risking missing out on the big picture. Clifford Humphrey has thought deeply about these various definitions of classical Christian education. He has some helpful ways to avoid the ditches we can fall into, while also showing the power of classical Christian education to raise the next generation effectively. You will discover even more reasons to love and appreciate this form of education, taking the world by storm at this very moment in history.BIOGRAPHYClifford Humphrey grew up in Gainesville, Georgia. His mother homeschooled him and his two brothers through middle school, at which point he attended a university model high school that his parents helped establish. He attended Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida and obtained a B.S. in psychology. He then spent three years in New York City, learning classical languages and the trade of woodworking. After New York, he taught at a classical Christian school in Pensacola, Florida for two years before moving to Hunan, China to teach English for a year. He then entered graduate school in politics, first at the University of Dallas and later at Hillsdale College where he recently completed his Ph.D.LINKSThales CollegeClassical U
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34:4522/07/2021
Hope for the Next Generation in an Age of Uncertainty, with John Stonestreet
Today, it is easy to find the bad news. It blasts across our screens with a steady message of doom and gloom. As we raise the next generation, what hope do we have? Well, are you ready for some good news? John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and the daily voice of BreakPoint, reminds us of what to hope in today. He keeps his finger on the pulse of the culture, helping us understand the times we live and seeing the opportunities for us to be truly hopeful. John is a true fan of classical Christian education, seeing the many benefits lived out well in our ever-changing modern world.BIOGRAPHYJohn Stonestreet serves as President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education, and apologetics. John is the daily voice of BreakPoint, the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson. He is also the voice of the Point, a daily one-minute feature on worldview, apologetics, and cultural issues. Before coming to the Colson Center in 2010, John served in various leadership capacities with Summit Ministries and was on the biblical studies faculty at Bryan College (TN). John has co-authored four books: A Practical Guide to Culture, Restoring All Things, Same-Sex Marriage, and Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN). He and his wife, Sarah, have four children and live in Colorado Springs, CO. Connect with John at BreakPoint.org, or follow him on Twitter (@jbstonestreet).
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27:3413/07/2021
Classical Christian Education for All Students, with Heather Lloyd
Classical Christian education is the fastest-growing segment among all types of Christian private schools. But are classical Christian schools for everyone? One in five students today are diagnosed with a special learning need. So, can classical Christian schools adapt and serve these students? We discuss this topic and more with Heather Lloyd on this episode of Basecamp Live.BIOGRAPHYHeather Lloyd brings over 20 years of teaching experience, including teaching her own five children. She has consulted with and started multiple schools and programs, including classical schools, colleges, and performing arts programs. She has also helped develop special needs programs that can be adapted to fit existing school models.Discover more of Heather's work at Concordis Education Partners.
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41:0406/07/2021
Wisdom Needed for the Good Life with Jonathan T. Pennington
What does it mean to flourish as a human? It occurs through living intentionally and thoughtfully in particular ways. Neither virtue nor its eventual fruit, happiness, comes to us accidentally... Flourishing requires that we can confidently answer the big questions in life....why am I here? What does it mean to be human? What does Jesus on Sunday have to do with daily life during the weekday? Getting the big questions right ensures we have the wisdom and resilience to stand against the false narratives pervasive in our culture today. And classical Christian education is a vital part of that process as we form the next generation to have the wisdom needed to live the good life. BIOGRAPHYJonathan T. Pennington is currently Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation and at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (USA). He has also regularly served as a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando), Southeastern Seminary, The Village Church Institute (Dallas), and The Institute of Biblical Studies in Orlando, FL, as well as Morling College (Melbourne, Australia). Spiritual formation pastor at his church.... 6 kids (25-16)He is also on the preaching staff at Sojourn East and regularly speaks and teaches in churches all over the country.He earned a B.A. in History as well as a Teaching Certificate from Northern Illinois University. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago), where he also taught Greek for two years as an NT Fellow. During his time at TEDS he also served for five years as the Associate Pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris in northern Illinois.He holds a PhD in New Testament Studies from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (in St. Mary’s College), where he wrote a thesis entitled “Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew” under the supervision of Professors Richard Bauckham and Philip Esler. He attended St. Andrews as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, and while there, he also served as a lecturer in Greek. Dr. Pennington is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Tyndale Fellowship (Cambridge), the Institute for Biblical Research, and the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies. He has published a wide variety of books, articles, and Greek and Hebrew language tools. (For fuller information, see the Publications pages.) He is also the host and co-producer of the YouTube show Cars, Coffee, Theology.
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37:3308/06/2021
Entitled or Grateful? Choices Before the Next Generation, with Keith McCurdy
Selfish or selfless? Entitled or blessed? Increasingly, children are raised in a world revolving around them, creating attitudes of "I-deserve-it-because-I-exist." The world celebrates entitlement through everyday messages from social media and endless advertisements. Indulging children can seem the easiest path in the moment, but long-term, excessive indulgences lead to adults who are disillusioned, angry, quick to play the victim card, and dismissive of authority, both human and divine. Keith McCurdy is back to share practical and wise guidance on raising the next generation at home and in the classroom to live with gratitude and wisdom.BIOGRAPHYKeith McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents, and individuals for over 30 years in the field of mental health, working with more than 15,000 individuals and families. He received his Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from James Madison University. He is currently the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, Inc., and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.More Info: livesturdy.com
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35:1701/06/2021
Stuck in the Present, with David Moore
Are you stuck in the present? Our culture is quick to dismiss anything perceived as old, even last year's cell phone model, much less the wisdom learned from history. And those of us raising the next generation with Classical Christian education are more often looking to the past for wisdom in a world that insists the present is all that matters. David Moore will inspire you to gain a new appreciation of history and learn practical ways to better navigate the daily bombardment of information from modern-day, forward-only thinkers.BIOGRAPHYDavid Moore graduated from both Dallas Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has written three other books, including one of Preaching Magazine's best books of the year, and has interviewed 200 authors in both print and on the radio. A regular contributor to Christianity Today/Jesus Creed, Moore has also written for the Gospel Coalition, Huffington Post, Bibliotheca Sacra, Austin American-Statesman, Touchstone, Mere Orthodoxy, C. S. Lewis Institute's Heart & Mind, and Front Porch Republic. He lives in Austin with his wife, Doreen. Purchase: Stuck in the Present by David Moore
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44:5925/05/2021
Stanton Lanier on Music to Light the World
Ready for some encouragement? Music moves us, awakens our souls, and brings light to the world. My guest today, Stanton Lanier, is a pianist, composer, orchestrator, and faithful believer. He was inspired at an early age by the great composers. Today, his music is loved and listened to by people worldwide - young and old alike. His scripture-inspired music is just what we need in this frazzling moment. Enjoy this conversation with Stanton Lanier and a sampling of his remarkable music. Be ready to be encouraged!BIOGRAPHYStanton Lanier is a pianist, composer, orchestrator, and believer with a vision. He has released 150 plus tracks from 12 albums and singles, which are enjoyed by millions of listeners worldwide as “life soundtracks” for moments of God’s peace and inspiration. He recently earned his Professional Certificate in Composing and Orchestrating for Film and TV from the Berklee School of Music to expand his composing for media. Stanton is the founder of the non-profit Music to Light the World, which uses his music to offer hope and healing to cancer patients, orphans in Zambia, and others in need. He has performed in 27 U.S. states, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and his music touches five million lives annually across 140 countries through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube, Sirius XM. To learn more, visit www.stantonlanier.com.
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34:1118/05/2021
Maryellen St. Cyr on How to Teach Well
Classical Christian schools are on the rise, and most have impressive reading lists and ambitious goals of graduates, but how are teachers trained to teach? Most of us teach how we were taught, which can be a challenge when we didn't grow up in a classical Christian school environment. Today, my guest, Maryellen St Cyr, is back on BaseCamp Live to bring practical wisdom from her years of founding and leading the Ambleside Schools based on Charlotte Mason's approach to raising and educating children of all ages.BIOGRAPHYMaryellen St. Cyr, Director of Curriculum at Ambleside Schools InternationalA professional educator for more than 30 years, Maryellen St. Cyr has spent thousands of hours in the classroom and hundreds of hours observing other teachers. Possessing a passion for a congruent, life-giving method of education, she has become one of the foremost experts on the “common sense” education philosophy of 19th-century British educator, Charlotte Mason. Maryellen is a primary author of When Children Love to Learn and shares insights into education here.
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42:4111/05/2021
Chris McKenna on Why Parental Controls Don't Work
No parental control software can completely protect your child from online harm. And parental controls never replace the need for parents or teachers, for that matter. After over 1,100 presentations, testifying in front of Congress, and countless conversations, we welcome back Chris McKenna, who has discovered five traits common in families with kids who learn to use technology well. He calls it the Digital Trust Framework.BIOGRAPHYChris McKenna, Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes, is a man with never-ending energy when it comes to fighting for the safety and protection of children. Chris practices his internet safety tips on his four exceptional children and is regularly featured on news, radio, podcasts, and most recently on Capitol Hill for his research. His 2019 US Senate Judiciary Committee testimony was the catalyst for draft legislation that could radically change online child protection laws and earned PYE the NCOSE Dignity Defense Alert Award in 2020. The PYE team has performed over 1,000 presentations at schools, churches, and nonprofits and was featured in the Childhood 2.0 movie. When not leading PYE, Chris is the Digital Marketing Manager for Covenant Eyes. Other loves include running, spreadsheets, and candy. Instagram: instagram.com/protectyoungeyes Facebook: facebook.com/protectyoungeyes Website: protectyoungeyes.com
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39:0830/04/2021
Jacob Hess on Arts, Stories and Liturgy That Awaken Us
We are raising our families in an increasingly challenging cultural moment. And yet we know God calls us to worship and give thanks continually rather than fall into the patterns and thinking of the secular culture around us. How do we ensure our homes and classrooms have habits that form what God loves? How do we compete with the storytellers of our age who often become the loudest voices in the next generation’s heads and hearts? My guest today is a gifted artist whose new book demonstrates the power of story and the habits of daily living that awaken us to God’s power and presence during difficult times. Stay tuned for this episode...BIOGRAPHYJacob grew up in Oregon and became a Christian at a young age. God has continued to display His faithfulness to Jacob throughout his life; a journey deeper and deeper into grace. Jacob received a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and moved to Seattle, Washington where he works as a minister in the local church. Jacob’s years in school grew his passion for writing and reading, but he has always had a love for stories, whether they're told with pen and page or the rhyth,ms and rhymes of song. He agrees with J. R. R. Tolkien when he writes, “the Pot of Soup, the Cauldron of Story, has always been boiling, and to it have continually been added new bits, dainty and undainty," (On-Fairy-Stories, p. 45). As humans we simply cannot seem to escape a need to tell stories, a desire to reach beyond ourselves and connect to the deeper truths of who we are and what it means to live a life of meaning.,BUY THE BRIGHT ABYSSVISIT JACOB'S WEBSITE
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31:4415/04/2021
The Buffalo Creek Boys School on Raising Boys: A Fresh Approach to Classical Christian Ed
Modern education produces weak men. The truth is, boys mature at different ages, need different learning environments, and are wired by God uniquely in their distinct bodies and minds. The task before us is to raise up a generation of young men who are confident in their identity, disciplined and skilled in their thinking, and faithful in their commitment to Christ. Classical Christian education is a critical ingredient to reach this goal, but our schools have got to consider one size education doesn't fit all. Join me for this conversation with founders of the Buffalo Creek Boys School, Lee and Rebecca Taylor, and learn what they discovered in their unique school that can be applied to anyone raising the next generation of young men. The good news is a lot of what they have discovered applies to girls too!BIOGRAPHYLee Taylor grew up all over the Southeast, as his father was transferred as a store manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. He received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He has been the principal of law firms in both Ellijay, Georgia, and Lexington, Virginia, enjoying a career of “teaching clients, judges, and juries about the law.” He discovered his passion for ceramic arts in college and has been a wood-fire potter ever since. He is a self-taught mandolin, harmonica and guitar player, and loves nothing better than a good cup of coffee while listening to some bluegrass music. Lee is a leather craftsman, horseman, and outdoorsman, and particularly loves camping and cooking over an open fire. He has great enthusiasm for science, grammar, the stars, and critters of all kinds, including snakes and raptors. Lee became a Christian at the age of 12 through the influence of his youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. He believes that the most effective way to have an eternal impact on individuals, our community, and our nation is to raise a generation with the spiritual and academic mettle to set themselves apart as men of character.Rebecca Taylor grew up in a family of eight in Nashville, Tennessee, McLean, Virginia, and Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and her middle school teaching certification from the University of Georgia.She taught in public school for four years and ended up with her own “one room schoolhouse” when God called her to homeschool her four children for six years. In 2001, her family sold everything and spent a year on the road, homeschooling with America as their classroom. In Rockbridge County, Rebecca taught Weekday Religious Education (WRE) in the public schools and helped create and lead a homeschool co-op. In 2014, she also took her first of many mission trips to Africa to teach in classical Christian schools in Rafiki villages. Her passion is to teach sports, games, music, dancing, fiber arts, gardening, and core subjects from a Biblical worldview in an engaging way.The opportunity to nurture the hearts of young boys as they learn and mature is a challenge and calling Rebecca is excited to heed.Check out the Buffalo Creek Boys School
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35:3006/04/2021
Cair Paravel Latin School on C.S. Lewis Bringing Their School Alive
Perhaps no writer or thinker is more often quoted around classical Christian schools than famed Oxford and Cambridge professor C.S. Lewis. Most of our schools engage Lewis' writings through the K-12 journey, inevitably reading his Chronicles of Narnia series, but the Cair Paravel Latin School takes Lewis to an even higher level of engagement, and the fruit both enriches the educational experience and inspires the students. Join me for this intriguing conversation with two members of the their teaching staff. You will find even more to love about Lewis to not only apply in your school but also your home.BIOGRAPHIESCraig Congdon:Born and raised in Topeka KS, I attended Cair Paravel Latin School from 1st-12th grade. Afterward, I attended John Brown University, majoring in Bible and Spanish, and then headed to Dallas Theological Seminary where I earned my Masters in Theology. After graduating, I returned to Topeka where I pastored a small church for 5 years while teaching part-time at CPLS. I now teach full-time as a rhetoric school teacher. While at CPLS I have taught, Bible, hermeneutics and theology, rhetoric, philosophy, Greek, Spanish, and even a dance elective. I also direct the HS dramas and coach the boy's volleyball team.Christine Ewing:Lover of Narnia and a Kansas girl through and through, I was raised in a small north central Kansas town. I attended Kansas State University where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. My husband and I moved to Topeka upon college graduation and have sent our children to Cair Paravel Latin School. We now have a daughter in her sophomore year in college, a daughter in her sophomore year in high school at CPLS, and a sixth grade daughter at CPLS. I teach grammar school art, an occasional high school independent study, and do visual arts marketing within the school.
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42:1011/03/2021
Joshua R. Farris on The Most Important Questions to Get Right
The big questions in life - who am I? what am I? why am I here? Every human throughout history has grappled with these questions. Get the answers right and you can live a virtuous, flourishing life. Yet today, too many students, and adults for that matter, are fumbling through life trying to find meaning and purpose. Knowing the right questions is a critical first step to finding lasting and sustaining life answers. Classical Christian schools are uniquely positioned to guide students along an educational journey to answer these life questions. Our guest, Dr. Joshua Farris, has written a compelling new book exploring these essential questions and offering a comprehensive vision of how our beliefs inform our understanding of what it means to be human. He points to several specific techniques used in upper school classical Christian classrooms that equip students to answer these questions confidently, helping us all form a comprehensive vision of the human person as an embodied soul.BIOGRAPHY Prior to being named Executive Director of Alpine Christian School in Alpine, TX, Dr. Farris was the Chester and Margaret Paluch Professor at Mundelein Seminary, University of Saint Mary of the Lake; a part-time Lecturer at Auburn University Montgomery; and an Assistant Professor of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. He was at Houston Baptist University from 2014-2019. There, he served in the Theology department, Great Texts department, the Honors College, the Philosophy department, and the Academy, where he developed over 14 courses as part of the Great Texts program. A prolific writer, Dr. Farris' most recent work is An Introduction to Theological Anthropology. He is also the author of The Soul of Theological Anthropology and the coeditor of several volumes, including Being Saved: Explorations in Human Salvation, New England Dogmatics: A Systematic Collection of Questions and Answers in Divinity by Maltby Gelston (1766-1865), Christian Physicalism?, and The Routledge Companion to Theological Anthropology.Buy An Introduction to Theological Anthropology, here.
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42:0702/03/2021
Keith McCurdy on Not Forgetting COVID Learning
We have been living in a COVID world for over a year now, the impact it has made on how we live life, our attitudes, habits, and fears are extensive.Are there specific things we can do in our homes and schools to help us get back to healthy living more quickly and parents and teachers? And, how are Christian and classically educated young people in a better position to not only survive but thrive in a COVID and the post-COVID world? It is good news! Join me for this conversation with Keith McCurdy, who is back for this episode of BCL!BIOGRAPHYKeith McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents, and individuals for over 30 years in the field of mental health, working with more than 15,000 individuals and families. He received his Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from James Madison University. He is currently the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, Inc., and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. For more information, visit livesturdy.com
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34:1819/02/2021
Dick Keyes on Teaching Truth in a Relativistic World
The world is getting crazy. How do we raise a generation that refuses to compromise in matters of faith, especially in a world that rejects, even scorns, anyone who believes in absolute truth? Like walking a roofline, how do we balance being in the world but not of it? On one side, a person can easily compromise and blindly adopt the latest “correct thinking” and fall into the ditch of becoming a chameleon changing with their environment. On the other side of the roof, it is easy for a person to slide into isolation in a holy huddle, overly cautious and afraid of the world. A person is only surrounded by those who think and act like them. Dick Keyes has spent five decades as part of Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri Fellowship, helping people navigate this balance. Ultimately, he urges them to live confidently and boldly as followers of Christ using what Schaeffer called “True Truth,” which he describes as “the mark of the Christian a love lived out, despite the wild world around us." It’s for sure something we should strive for each day as classical Christian educators and parents but for sure not easy… join us for this conversation!BIOGRAPHYDick Keyes is director emeritus of L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts, where he has worked with his wife and family since 1979. He holds a B.A. in History from Harvard University and an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.Dick has worked for L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and England, where he also served as a pastor in the International Presbyterian Church in London for eight years. He has been an adjunct professor at Gordon Conwell Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary.Dick Keyes (B.A. Harvard University, M. Div. Westminster Seminary) is the director of L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough, MA. He is the author of Beyond Identity, True Heroism, and Chameleon Christianity and several book chapters in anthologies such as Finding God at Harvard and The New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics. He has lectured widely on the Christian faith and modern culture in the United States, Europe, and Korea.You can always download the English L'Abri Podcast. Check it out today!
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54:0119/01/2021
R. Keith Loftin on Teaching Students What It Means To Be Human
What does it mean to be human, to be civil, to have a confident purpose in life? Raising up a generation that will genuinely truly is the goal of any loving parent and teacher. How do we do it? Our guest today has written a new book that illuminates the power of a liberal arts education, which for centuries has formed Christ-followers who have gone into the broken world and made significant positive cultural changes. People who know who they are and whose they are, ready to endure whatever challenges unfold before them. Isn't that what the world needs right now? Listen in...BIOGRAPHYR. Keith Loftin is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, as well as the Associate Dean at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Scarborough College in Fort Worth, TX. In addition to the PhD, he holds an M.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in Humanities. He is the editor of God & Morality: Four Views, co-author of Stand Firm: Defending the Beauty and Brilliance of the Gospel, and the author of numerous articles and reviews addressing topics both philosophical and theological.Follow R. Keith Loftin on TwitterContact R. Keith Loftin via EmailADVERTISEMENTSSCL Cohort InfoSCL Winter Symposium Info
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30:4416/12/2020
How Beauty Informs Truth and Goodness For Classical Christian Students ~ Nick Duncan
Most classical Christian educators talk about truth and goodness. But when it comes to beauty it seems as though it’s not as critical or practical. At most, it’s an excuse to put some nice artwork on the wall. Yet, when properly understood, beauty can be an antidote to much of the rising anxiety so prevalent in our culture. Even more, it is the door to understand truth and goodness. If we want to raise a generation to love what God loves then we need to figure out where beauty fits in to everyday life. Nick Duncan, a former professional chef and the 10th Grade Humanities Instructor at the Ambrose School in Meridan, Idaho, shares some of his own discoveries about beauty that will transform your school and home.-----BiographyNick Duncan received a BBA in Entrepreneurship Management from Boise State University in 2012 and an MDiv in Global Studies from Liberty University School of Divinity in 2016. He previously taught at the College of Western Idaho for four years. Most recently, he taught Greek I at The Ambrose School in 2017-2018 and currently is their 10th Grade Humanities. A major focus of study for him in Divinity school was how the New Testament authors, specifically Paul, were partially influenced by Greco-Roman philosophers, literature, and rhetoric. As such, he is able to teach his students about the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and literature from a biblical perspective. This works well for 10th Grade Humanities as the main question they focus on for the year is, “How did God prepare the world for the coming of the Christ?” They answer that question in every Greco-Roman work they cover. He is happily married to his wife Jorie, and they have two children: Grady and Ainsley. -----Sponsors30 Poems To Memorize (Before It's Too Late) from The CiRCE InstituteThe University of Dallas, Classical Education Graduate ProgramMake sure to follow Basecamp Live on Spotify!
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36:1110/11/2020
Beating Hollywood Through Storytelling And Capturing Students’ Hearts ~ Louis Markos
We classical Christian folk frequently talk about forming virtue in young people. But if we’re not careful, we can bury students in our well-intended rules and academic expectations and never ultimately transform their hearts and what they love. In a world of digital screens with movies and stories all around, we’d better be even better story tellers if we want to be persuasive in forming what our children love. But how do we do it? One way is rediscovering the power of ancient myths. Louis Markos, author of the new book, Myth Made Fact, tells us how on today’s episode of BaseCamp Live.-----BiographyLouis Markos holds a BA in English and History from Colgate University and an MA and PhD in English from the University of Michigan. He is a Professor of English and Scholar in Residence at Houston Baptist University, where he teaches courses on British Romantic and Victorian Poetry and Prose, the Classics, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, and Art and Film. Dr. Markos holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities and lectures on Ancient Greece and Rome, the Early Church and Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Romanticism for HBU’s Honors College. He is the author of eighteen books, including From Achilles to Christ, On the Shoulders of Hobbits, Literature: A Student’s Guide, CSL: An Apologist for Education, three Canon Press Worldview Guides to the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid, & two children’s novels, The Dreaming Stone and In the Shadow of Troy, in which his kids become part of Greek Mythology and the Iliad and Odyssey. His son Alex teaches Latin at the Geneva School in Boerne, TX and his daughter Anastasia teaches music at Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville, TX.-----SponsorsFind out more about the CLT Exam30 Poems To Memorize (Before It's Too Late) from The CiRCE InstituteMake sure to follow Basecamp Live on Spotify!
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39:0021/10/2020
Aiming Higher: Education Fit to Save Civilization (More Than Ever Series) ~ Jared Squires
What could be more important than excellent reading, writing, and arithmetic skills? More than ever, we need a generation of students who are cultivated to love what God loves, to think deeply, and to be real world ready. All of that sounds amazing and makes for good open house talks but is there longterm evidence that it actually works? Our guest today, Head of School Jared Squires, has completed a doctoral dissertation that specifically researches the longterm outcomes and impact of classical Christian education on graduates. More than ever, civilization depends on parents and teachers who recognize the power of paideia in our schools. Listen in and get equipped!_____BiographyJared Squires has been blessed to be a part of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement for the past 20 years as a co-founder of Kingdom Prep, trustee, and headmaster. He and his wife, Dana, first learned of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement in the fall of 1999 when his daughter, who is now 27, was in the first grade. At that moment in his life, the Lord began prompting him in a number of areas regarding what His plans were for his children’s education, as well as His plans for a career. After working “part-time” (evenings & weekends) in education for eight years, he left his career as a healthcare executive in August 2008 to pursue his life’s calling full-time as a school administrator. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in finance, a master’s degree in business, and a doctorate degree in education. He has been impacted dramatically by the formation and continued development of Kingdom Prep. He is extremely thankful for the opportunity to serve on a daily basis in the many varied capacities at a classical Christian school. _____SponsorsFind out more about the CLT Exam30 Poems To Memorize (Before It's Too Late) from The CiRCE InstituteMake sure to follow Basecamp Live on Spotify!
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
41:0515/10/2020
How Classical Christian Trains Graduates to Stand Strong ~ Matthew Breazeale
Culture is always downstream of education. We are reaping today the fruits of what has been taught or not taught in schools. At BCL, we’re big fans of classical Christian education precisely because it gives students what they need to be real world ready rather than sheltering them. Our guest today, Matthew Breazeale of Trinity Academy, completed a doctoral dissertation exploring the reasons why CCE graduates can and do stand strong in their faith and in their life decisions that go the distance.__________Biography:Matthew Breazeale has 10+ years of educational experience with with 6+ years of administrative/leadership experience. He has served as a teacher (part of Teach For America) as well as an assistant principal within the public school system. He also has experience serving at an independent school as a division head and interim head of school. As interim, he served 7 months to finish an academic and fiscal year while also preparing for the next; this required managing a ~$4.4 million budget and overseeing enrollment growth from 383 to 405. As Head of Lower School at Trinity Academy in Raleigh, NC, he directly oversees a staff of 25-30 and student enrollment of around 200. __________Sponsors:Find out more about the CLT Exam30 Poems To Memorize (Before It's Too Late) from The CiRCE InstituteMake sure to follow Basecamp Live on Spotify!
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
30:2506/10/2020
Staying Off The Merry Go Round As Society Reopens & Speeds Up ~ Keith McCurdy
What have we learned from living through the pandemic? Sure, there have been challenges, but also some wonderful discoveries of taking time with family, slowing down, and sharing activities that had been lost in the frenetic shuffle of life. Now, as society reopens, hopefully sooner rather than later, are we going to jump back on the treadmill? In this encouraging episode, Keith McCurdy offers us wisdom on how to protect and embrace the positive new habits and traditions that we started in our marriages, with our children, at school, and in our faith.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
33:2125/09/2020
Forming Human Souls In Chaotic Times With Classical Christian Education ~ Chris Schlect
How does reading Homer benefit students in a world gone amok? Shouldn’t we focus less on doing the hard thing and more on the practical needs that stem from living through a pandemic? Chris Schlect, Fellow of History at New Saint Andrews College, reminds us that classical classical Christian education is needed now more than ever. Like the early Christians, parents and teachers must look beyond the practical and press in during these difficult times. According to Schlect, reading Homer is how we build the world and teaching kids to face adversity is how the kingdom of God advances. Turns out that aiming for the “timeless” will get you to the practical every time. Tune in today to hear how!
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
40:0614/09/2020
Teaching Kids To Roll With The Changes… As School Reopens ~ Keith McCurdy
Which age groups are having the toughest time as school reopens this side of the pandemic? Keith McCurdy is back to address what all students are most worried about and how should parents and teachers respond. In this timely episode, Keith suggests strategies to help kids lean in, understand their new environments, and roll with the changes as they return to school. Listen in to help students of all ages navigate this new world.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
41:1304/09/2020
How To Keep Your Classical Christian School From Running Off The Rails ~ Kathleen Kitchin
What anchors a school? This is the million-dollar question author Kathleen Kitchin asks of existing classical Christian Schools. Her new book, First Things First: Keeping Your Classical Christian School On Track, reveals the principles and patterns of success she discovered in her research. In this podcast, teachers, staff, and parents will learn how a school can become the educational "alma mater" - that’s Latin for “nourishing mother” - that our graduates will look back on with gratitude and fondness. Learn how to shore up those practices to help your classical Christian school stay on track...or get your school back on track!
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
34:5003/07/2020
Managing Expectations For Our Children…In Uncertain Times ~ Josh Dyson
Culture often pressures us to believe that results and outcomes matter more than everything else. This attitude can bleed into the classical Christian school realm and affect our parenting. Josh Dyson, Head of the Classical School of Wichita, urges us to consider Augustine who did not receive the gospel during his formative years. Only years later did his conversion come together with his classically trained mind…and the results were explosive! Listen in to hear how can parents can better manage their expectations and wait on God's prefect timing.
Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at [email protected]'t forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.
38:2522/06/2020