The Modern Republic

Today I talk with Dr. Sadler about defining philosophy, his work in online education, and concrete ways to bring philosophical practice into secondary schools—not as theory but as a tool for clearer thinking, moral formation, and civic responsibility.This episode of The Modern Republic digs into education, culture, and politics, and the practical steps we can take.Read essays on Substack: The Modern Republic Follow me on Instagram for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstrykerSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes when they drop.Dr. Sadler's Links:https://gregorybsadler.substack.comhttps://www.patreon.com/sadlerhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Gregory-B.-Sadler/author/B00C4DK7CW?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=50142408-94ce-4c6d-8d08-31c09b7edf94https://medium.com/@Gregory_Sadlerhttps://miad.academia.edu/GregorySadler

In this conversation, J.B. Lloyd and I explore the concept of gentlemanliness, discussing its historical roots, the resurgence of gentlemanly ideals in modern society, and the importance of manners and etiquette. J.B. emphasizes that being a gentleman is not merely about appearance but about how one treats others and conducts oneself in various situations. He also highlights the significance of self-awareness, being well-read, and the steps one can take to embody the qualities of a true gentleman.This episode of The Modern Republic digs into education, culture, and politics — and what practical steps we can take.Read essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-episode context.Follow me on Instagram for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstrykerSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes when they drop.J.B.’s Social Links https://substack.com/@waysofagentlemanhttps://x.com/Gentleman_Ways?s=20Buy J.B's Book - https://a.co/d/i9wyafo 

In this conversation, Josh Johnson discusses his journey as a content creator in the book community, the rise of his social media presence, and the importance of reading both fiction and non-fiction. He shares insights on audience engagement, the appeal of BookTok, and the impact of reading on personal growth. Josh emphasizes the value of diverse reading habits, active reading techniques, and the significance of classics in literature. He also provides recommendations for must-read books and insights into his podcast, which explores historical narratives.This episode of The Modern Republic digs into education and culture, and what practical steps we can take.Read essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-scenes context.Follow me on Instagram for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstryker Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes when they drop.Josh's Social Links https://substack.com/@joshcjohnsonhttps://www.instagram.com/_joshreadsbooks/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@joshreadsbooks

In this conversation, I sat down with Dr. Jonathan Gregg to discuss his journey in education and why he believes classical education and a commitment to truth are essential in the classroom. We touch on the Archimedes Standards as a potential alternative to Common Core, and we explore teaching approaches that spark student engagement and a genuine sense of wonder. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Gregg emphasizes the importance of a teacher’s passion for their subject and the value of fostering meaningful relationships with students.This episode of The Modern Republic delves into education, culture, and politics — and explores the practical steps we can take.Read essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-episode context.Follow me on Instagram for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstryker and @the.modern.republic Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred app to receive new episodes as they become available.

In my conversation with Dr. J. Kenneth Young, we explored his journey from Christian ministry to educational leadership. He shared insights into the challenges and transformations within public education, as well as his personal experiences navigating the dissertation process. We also discussed the role of AI in education, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and the ethical use of emerging technologies. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Young reflected on the systemic issues facing education today and the complex ways in which educational policies impact both teaching and learning.This episode of The Modern Republic digs into education, culture, and politics — and what practical steps we can take.Read weekly essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-scenes context.Follow me on Instagram and X for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstryker & @nathanielstrykeSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes each week.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of instilling virtues and values in students, emphasizing the roles of family, schools, and community. I argue that shared values are essential for a cohesive society and that educators have a responsibility to teach both intellect and morality. I propose that schools, particularly public ones, should adopt clear values to guide their educational approach, and I suggest that churches could play a significant role in providing low-cost education to instill these virtues.This episode of The Modern Republic delves into education, culture, and politics — and explores the practical steps we can take.Read weekly essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-scenes context.Follow me on Instagram and X for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstryker & @nathanielstrykeSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes each week.

Wes Kanawyer, Head of Valor Preparatory Academy, explains the core goals of classical education: wisdom, virtue, and the formation of the whole person, and contrasts them with progressive models. Wes traces his own move from public education to classical schooling, emphasizes the role of family and faith, and argues that an education rooted in Christ and character prepares students for life and Godliness.This episode of The Modern Republic delves into education, culture, and politics — and explores the practical steps we can take.Read weekly essays on Substack: The Modern Republic — subscribe for extended thoughts and behind-the-scenes context.Follow me on Instagram and X for episode clips and quick thoughts: @nathanielstryker & @nathanielstrykeSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite app to get new episodes each week.

In this conversation with my friend and colleague, Jack Dumas, we delve into the complexities of knowledge, education, and the impact of modern society on young people. We discuss the challenges of feeling inadequate in a world overflowing with information, the flaws within our education system, and the role of literature in shaping young minds. Our conversation also explores the impact of social media, the significance of empathy, and the necessity of a supportive framework for students. Together, we reflect on the value of teaching, the pursuit of success, and the legacy of education in a rapidly changing world.Jack is a writer. Give his work a look here: https://substack.com/@sophronios?I am also an aspiring writer. You can check out my work here: https://substack.com/@nathanielstrykerFollow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!

In this episode, I dive into the importance of giving teachers real autonomy when it comes to curriculum development. I talk about why scripted teaching methods can be so limiting and how a one-size-fits-all approach hurts both teachers and students. I make the case for trusting teachers to shape their own classrooms and explain why raising standards in the teaching profession is essential if we want better outcomes for students.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a newsletter covering topics similar to those discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!

In this episode, I discuss the intersection of education, culture, and politics, emphasizing the importance of forming informed opinions and recognizing the role of education in society. I reflect on my own experience with political quizzes, the necessity of understanding different topics before developing strong opinions, and the contrasts between classical and contemporary education methods. I also highlight the critical role of family support in a child’s educational success.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!

In this episode, I discuss the critical role education plays in society, the challenges teachers face during professional development, and the importance of educators having more control over curriculum development. I argue that empowering teachers with both knowledge and responsibility can lead to better outcomes for students.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a weekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!

In this episode, I talk about the critical role education plays in our society and why I believe we need to restructure the school calendar to better support student learning. I propose a year-round school model with a four-day week, focusing on the importance of making our teaching hours more effective. I also dive into the complexities of teacher pay, arguing that we need to raise salaries—but with that, we should also raise standards to attract and keep high-quality educators. I conclude by emphasizing the importance of elevating the teaching profession if we are to achieve a better future for education.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings and the podcast.

In this episode, I discuss the critical role education plays in our society and emphasize the importance of helping students make wise choices. I share my thoughts on the traditional summer break and argue for a year-round school calendar to prevent learning loss. I also critique modern curricula, suggesting that they often lower expectations and discourage critical thinking. Instead, I advocate for bringing back classical education methods to better prepare students for the future.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter that covers topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post my previous writings and a reading list, which has helped shape my current perspective on the world. 

In this episode, I talk about the intersection of education, perseverance, and the challenges we face as a society. I emphasize why it’s so important to teach perseverance to young people, and I critique how our current education system often enables students to give up too easily when faced with challenges. I also reflect on the value of higher education today—are we pursuing degrees for true learning, or just for status? I conclude with a brief personal update on my own educational journey.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode, I discuss the critical role education plays in our society and why we need to make wise choices when it comes to how we educate our children. I explore the impact of federal funding on local education systems and share my concerns about the current state of professional development for teachers. I also discuss the challenges surrounding after-school programs and emphasize the importance of grammar in helping students develop into independent thinkers and effective communicators. Ultimately, I advocate for a shift toward more local control in education and a renewed focus on teaching students how to think, not just what to think.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode, I discuss the importance of lifelong learning and self-improvement, extending beyond formal education. I emphasize how writing helps solidify the knowledge we gain from reading, and I share some of the techniques I use for active reading. I also delve into what I believe should be the primary goals of education: moral formation and service to the community, as a means to help develop responsible citizens. Ultimately, I critique the current approach to accountability and standards in our education system, arguing that a return to rigorous expectations is necessary to foster character and resilience in students.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode, I explore the intersections of education, culture, and politics, focusing on the importance of equitable education, school choice, and the role of technology in the learning process. I discuss the need for high standards in education, the significance of character development, and how technology can enhance access to knowledge. I emphasize that true education should benefit students and prepare them for real‑world challenges, and I advocate for a more personalized, community‑driven approach to learning.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode, I discuss the crucial role of subject matter expertise in education and why teachers need to be lifelong learners. I emphasize that professional development should go beyond just teaching strategies—it should focus on helping educators deepen their understanding of the subjects they teach. I then shift the conversation to civic education, arguing that students need to be taught how to engage with their local communities and take responsibility for their civic duties. I advocate for practical community service initiatives as a way to instill a real sense of civic responsibility in young people. I conclude the episode with a call to action for educators to implement these ideas in their own schools.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode of The Modern Republic, I talk about why it’s time to re-evaluate the traditional summer break. I emphasize the importance of outdoor socialization, low-stakes academic assignments, and summer jobs as integral components of a student’s development. From there, I dig into the role of technology in education, raising questions about its actual effectiveness and the dependence it can create. I conclude by sharing a more holistic view of curriculum, one that balances physical education, academic rigor, and the arts, with the goal of shaping students who are strong in body, mind, and spirit.Shoot me an email: podcast@nathanielstryker.comInterested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a biweekly newsletter where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world. 

In this episode, I discuss Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. While I support Christian education, I raise concerns about how effective this bill will actually be in a public school setting. I also dive into the role of technology in education, especially the potential downsides of AI-driven learning. I emphasize the importance of maintaining high educational standards and encourage independence in learning rather than creating a dependency on technology.Interested in more of my thoughts and opinions? I send out a weekly column where I cover topics similar to the ones discussed on the show. Click here to subscribe!Follow me on Instagram for regular posts and updates on the shows, the state of Texas, and American education!I also have a website where I post previous writings, the podcast, and a reading list, which has helped shape my current view of the world.