Claim OwnershipClassicalU Podcast
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This podcast features the Director of ClassicalU.com, Jesse Hake, interviewing ClassicalU presenters and Live Learning Event hosts as well as occasional episodes featuring material directly from one of our ClassicalU presenters or guests.
32 Episodes
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In this wide-ranging conversation, sociologist, educator and ClassicalU course presenter Angel Adams Parham joins Jesse Hake to explore the idea of an “American classical education.” Drawing, in part, upon her work on “The Black Intellectual Tradition” and Women in the Liberal Arts Tradition, Angel makes a compelling case for expanding our understanding of classical education to include voices like Olaudah Equiano, Phyllis Wheatley, Benjamin Banneker, and Martin Luther King Jr. She argues that these thinkers not only embraced the ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity but also challenged the American project to live up to them. The episode examines how figures often seen in opposition to the Western canon actually engage deeply with classical texts, bringing them to life in prophetic and transformative ways. Angel also shares success stories from her curriculum work in Nyansa Classical Community and offers hopeful signs of renewal in both K–12 and university contexts. Angel believes a true classical education must be capacious, critical, and living—one that welcomes students of all backgrounds into conversations about ancient truths with contemporary relevance.
In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, scholar Louis Markos joins host Jesse Hake to discuss his upcoming ClassicalU course, and forthcoming companion book on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Markos explores Dante’s visionary architecture of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, not merely as allegory, but as a deeply experiential and spiritually transformative journey. Sharing his creative process for writing in Dante’s voice, he reflects on the beauty of the medieval cosmological model and its resonance with Christian truths, classical education, and even contemporary longing for spiritual depth. The episode dives into topics such as hierarchy, theosis, pilgrimage, classical myth, and the enduring influence of Dante on C. S. Lewis and modern Christian imagination. Listeners will also hear practical encouragement for teaching Dante, including translation tips, thematic frameworks, and connections to Lewis’s Great Divorce and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Whether you're new to Dante or a seasoned reader, this episode offers a compelling invitation to walk with the poet through realms of sin, repentance, and divine glory. Other ClassicalU course mentioned is Myth Made Fact.
In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, host Jesse Hake interviews John Mays, the founder of the Novare Science curriculum. The discussion centers around Mays' new course, "Cultivating Wonder Throughout the School" as a help to educators integrating a sense of wonder and mystery into their teaching across various subjects. Mays shares his journey from focusing on wonder in the sciences to expanding his approach to encompass the entire school curriculum, including subjects like math, languages, history, and literature. He addresses the challenges posed by lifeless teaching and the modern withdrawal of children from nature, exacerbated by social media and safety concerns. Mays advocates for a teaching approach that highlights the mystery and awe inherent in subjects, using examples like DNA replication and historical anecdotes to engage students deeply. He emphasizes the importance of creating "holy moments" in the classroom, where students are profoundly moved and inspired. The episode concludes with practical examples of how teachers can cultivate wonder, such as integrating music, poetry, and visual imagery into lessons, and encouraging students to engage with nature and art.
Kim Warman, lower school dean and teacher at Coram Deo Academy in Carmel, Indiana, shares insights from her new ClassicalU course, Launching Your Classical Classroom, which provides practical support for new grammar school teachers. She reflects on her own educational journey, having experienced both non-classical and classical education before attending Hillsdale College and teaching at several classical schools. Kim emphasizes the importance of preparing a classroom environment that fosters peaceful, joyful learning and encourages teachers to build strong routines and relationships from the outset. She highlights the value of creative, hands-on projects for student engagement and mentorship and teacher collaboration for professional growth and classroom stability. Of great importance, Kim advocates for read-alouds, narration, and strategic scheduling to balance rigorous content with creativity and movement. She also underscores the critical role of proactive parent partnerships in fostering student success and community support. Above all, Kim encourages teachers to begin simply, focus on essentials, and then gradually add creative flourishes as they gain confidence.
In this episode, Jesse Hake speaks with ClassicalU presenter Russ Gregg who co-founded Hope Academy and the Spreading Hope Network. Drawing on decades of work bringing classical Christian education to under-resourced urban communities, Gregg reflects on his transition from leading a single school to enabling the launch of over twenty schools across the U.S., supported by both visionary founders and what he calls “gospel patrons.” He emphasizes the importance of viewing each student through the lens of the Imago Dei—offering not a “hot dog education” but a feast worthy of God’s children. The conversation highlights key principles of school success in difficult settings: high expectations, high accountability, and high support, all rooted in authentic relationships. Gregg also explores the spiritual and cultural enrichment that arises from diverse school communities and advocates for humility and forgiveness as the glue of gospel harmony. He closes by pointing to several organizations helping to sustain this growing movement: Society for Classical Learning and Classical Commons.
In this ClassicalU podcast episode, Jesse Hake speaks with Dr. Christopher Perrin and Carrie Eben about their new book The Good Teacher, which expands into ten principles from ClassicalU’s original course titled “Eight Essential Principles of Classical Pedagogy.” The conversation traces the book's origins, how Carrie and Christopher collaborated, and the vision behind their claim that pedagogy is guided by principles and virtue. They share how classical teaching is rooted in universal principles that support freedom and wisdom in the classroom, with virtue as the central guiding thread. Their book is paired with a new ClassicalU course that includes stories from the authors’ diverse teaching backgrounds. The episode emphasizes the practical and philosophical value of this book and course for all educators, whether in classrooms or homeschool settings. Listeners may also be interested in this live online summer course on the book with coauthor Carrie Eben.
In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, we welcome back Christine Perrin to talk about the deeply Christian engagement with the epic tradition found in Marilynne Robinson’s novels. Christine has taught these novels over several years with profound blessings in the lives of students. The conversation explores the themes of homecoming (nostos) and glory (kleos) and how these novels illuminate the virtue tradition, drawing connections to Aristotle, Homer, and C.S. Lewis, while also addressing themes of co-suffering, the Beatitudes, and the tension between virtue and grace. Christine Perrin shares pedagogical strategies for guiding students through these texts. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers profound insights into how literature can show us virtue and shape us in it.
The respective directors of Scholé Academy and ClassicalU, Joylynn Blake and Jesse Hake, mix work and pleasure in this unscripted conversation about the essence and inspiration of classical education. Jesse inquires about the personal history and stories that lie behind Joylynn's love for educational opportunity. Along the way, they chat about their work as colleagues at Classical Academic Press and some of the things that have inspired and moved them. In conversation, Joylynn mentioned books including Educating for Shalom by Nicholas Wolterstorff, A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis, A Child's History of the World by V.M. Hillyer, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, The Scholé Way by Christopher Perrin, The Black Intellectual Tradition by Dr. Anika Prather and Dr. Angel Parham, and, most recently, the primary sources curated in the Humanitas series. The two also mention ClassicalU courses that have benefitted them and the teachers and families they support, including Wendell Berry’s Virtues of Renewal with Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, The Black Intellectual Tradition and the Great Conversation with Dr. Anika Prather & Dr. Angel Parham, and Disability and Classical Education with Dr. Amy Gilbert Richards, and the David Bentley Hart commentary course. With laughs, a moment of tears, and a few beating drums, Joylynn and Jesse enjoy each other's company in the company of ideas.
Get to know ClassicalU's new full time team member Rebecca Richard as she and director Jesse Hake talk about the love of learning, late blooming, Charlotte Mason, scholé, and life at sea. You will also hear about Rebecca's personal top picks among our courses: Common Arts Education by Chris Hall, Charlotte Mason: A Liberal Education for All by Jason Barney, and Disability and Classical Education by Dr. Amy Richards. Some of the many books that Rebecca mentions during the conversation include: Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer, Consider This by Karen Glass, The Scholé Way by Christopher Perrin, and Founding Gardeners by Andrea Wulf.
In this bonus Nativity episode, Jesse Hake chats with Wheaton College Professor of Art History, Matthew Milliner about Mary and his book Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon. Among several connections made to the classical liberal arts, this conversation overlaps with much in Jesse's "Lecture 12: Mythic Cosmos" in ClassicalU's course on Women in the Liberal Arts Tradition. Start your journey with ClassicalU today and unlock insights that last a lifetime. Use code ClassicalChristmas2024 at checkout by 12/31 to enjoy 50% off your first two months!
Jesse Hake interviews Fr. Wesley Walker on a wide range of topics related to classical Christian education, including the work and influence of Hugh of St. Victor, the importance of incorporating American literature and history into the classical curriculum, the connections between teaching and priestly vocations, and contemporary resources relevant to the classical Christian renewal. Topics covered include the "Common Arts Education" course with Chris Hall, Fr. Wesley's podcast and newsletter at The Classical Mind, and Nate Marshall's essay "Craft and Theology: The Renaissance" inspired, in part, by Hugh of St. Victor.
Jesse Hake chats with Sarah Flynn, a classical Christian education pioneer in Australia and founder of Logos Australis. Sarah is an educator with a background in ecology, environmental studies, and Aboriginal studies in addition to being instrumental in promoting classical education in Australia. Among other topics, Sarah and Jesse consider relationships between integrating indigenous approaches to knowledge and the principles of classical education. ClassicalU courses mentioned include The Liberal Arts Tradition and The Art of Poetry.
In this episode, Christopher Perrin engages with both Junius Johnson and Christine Perrin on the topics of contemplative, embodied, sacramental, and liturgical learning. Together they consider how these truths should inform our classroom practices in light of a sacramental sense of time, the church calendar, and the fact that humans are embodied creatures. Among others, this conversation relates to content in "Scholé (Restful) Learning" with Christopher Perrin, "Theology of Beauty and the Imagination: A Guide to Wonder" course with Junius Johnson and "The Art of Poetry" with Christine Perrin.
Jesse Hake talks with author and Grove City College professor Jeffrey Bilbro about his forthcoming course on ClassicalU about how teachers can cultivate Wendell Berry's virtues of renewal within their classrooms. Bilbro's course is based on his book Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry’s Sustainable Forms and relates to material in existing ClassicalU courses including The Art of Poetry and Scholé (Restful) Learning. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to watch for our new course with Jeffrey Bilbro on ClassicalU in coming months.
In this episode, Jesse Hake talks with author, professor, and executive leader Dr. Kelisha B. Graves about her book on educator and civil rights activist Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879 to 1961) as well as about what is broken and how we should respond to today's predominant "factory model" of education. Our conversation also considered the educational legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and several other figures from "The Black Intellectual Tradition and the Great Conversation" course on ClassicalU.
While recording for his new ClassicalU course on teaching, school leadership, and the history of education, David Hicks sat down for a conversation. In this second of two parts, he answers a question about hiring Ron DeSantis as a school teacher and shares more on our American identity crisis, on the importance of gratitude, and on Marcus Aurelius and the goal of perfection. David ends by considering the key points in his 1981 book Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education which calls for educators to once again focus on developing conscience and style.
While recording for his new ClassicalU course on teaching, school leadership, and the history of education, David Hicks sat down for a conversation. In this first of two parts, he shares about the Christian life, classical architecture, monasticism, and his forthcoming book The Stones Cry Out (releasing fall of 2024 from Classical Academic Press). The first question in this episode references David's review of the book How to Be a Sinner by Peter Bouteneff.
Jesse speaks with Dr. Junius Johnson about a forthcoming new course on ClassicalU about music education. Dr. Johnson's love and knowledge regarding classical music (including his professional experience playing the French horn) are inspiring.
Jesse speaks with Dr. Amy Richards about her all-new course entitled Disability and Classical Education: Student Formation in Keeping with Our Common Humanity and her forthcoming book with us on this topic.
As Junius Johnson was recording three forthcoming new courses for ClassicalU.com about Augustine, medieval history, and music, Jesse Hake recorded this conversation with him about God and time in theology and philosophy. (For more, see our course on Essential Philosophy with David Schenk as well as Junius Johnson's courses on Theology of Beauty and the Imagination and On Teaching Fairy Stories.)
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