Classical Education

About the GuestJason M. Baxter is (PhD) is Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College. He is the author of ten books, including Why Literature Still Matters, a new translation of Dante, A Beginner’s Guide to Dante, and the best-selling Medieval Mind of CS Lewis. In his non-academic writing, he writes about why our technology-obsessed, digital culture desperately still needs the arts. You can order signed copied of his books off of his website (JasonMBaxter.com) and read his articles, like “How to Get Your Kids to Fall in Love with Literature," on his Substack, Beauty Matters.Show NotesIn this episode, Jason Baxter—educator, author, and creator of "Beauty Matters"—shares his journey and offers practical, insightful ways to help educators and parents foster a love of reading.During his conversation with Adrienne, Jason discusses why "Falling in Love with Literature" addresses a vital, often missing element in education. As Jason notes, "Great literature opens the powers of imagination." Together, they explore actionable, creative techniques to bring out the enchantment of reading both stories and poetry with children at every stage—from early childhood through college.BooklistsWe normally add a booklist, but since Jason includes several pages of recommendations in his essay, please refer to that article. How To Get Your Kids to Fall in Love with Literature (Substack article by Jason Baxter). Billy Collins "The Lanyard"Mike Teavee by Roald DahlFranny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger Jason's Favorite Quote: "Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars."- Gustave Flaubert, Madam Bovary  ResourcesLiterary Life PodcastJason teaches from time to time for House of Humane Letters. His website:  https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve

ABOUT THE GUESTBrandy Vencel has been married to her husband, Josiah, for 25 years, and they have four children, an amazing daughter-in-law, and a sweet little grandson. Brandy is currently in her 20th and final year of homeschooling. She serves on the Auxiliary Board of AmblesideOnline (a free Charlotte Mason curriculum) and Board of Directors for Providence Classical Academy in Bakersfield, California. Brandy also runs Afterthoughts Blog (afterthoughtsblog.net) and the Charlotte Mason Think Tank (charlottemason.mn.co). One of her hobbies is being tired, which is to say: staying up extremely late in order to talk to her teenagers. Brandy is hostess of the Scholé Sisters podcast and co-author of the book Scholé Every Day: How to Become a Thinking Mom.HOW TO FIND BRANDYRetreat registration: https://scholesisters.com/prudenceMy almost-weekly, mostly CM newsletter: http://afterthoughtsblog.net/subscribeScholé Sisters Podcast episode: History as a Center Cannot HoldSHOW NOTESAfter introducing Brandy and her credentials as a Charlotte Mason Classical Educator, Adrienne invited Brandy to dive deep into discussing the virtue, Prudence. They both walk through personal journeys and experiences with this particular virtue and offer practical tips on how to dive more deeply into the study of virtues. Books MentionedCharlotte Mason 6 Volume SetPoetic Knowledge by James S. TaylorNorms & Nobility by David V. HicksConsider This : Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen GlassPrudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly by Fr. Gregory Pine, OPThe Four Cardinal Virtues by Josef PieperGuide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef PieperOurselves by Charlotte MasonAristotle: Education for Virtue and Leisure by Gary HartenburgAfter Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyreThe Happy Dinner Table: by Anna MigeonAuthors recommended: considered as the fathers of Classical Education   Aristotle   Plato   Pieper Referenced in this PodcastCyndi RollinsAmbleside OnlineProvidence Classical Academy, CADr. Lou MarkosSchole SistersPodcast and Newsletter by Brandy VencelAfterthoughts Blog by Brandy Vencel____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve

About the GuestJoshua Herring is the Curriculum Program Manager for the Rafiki Foundation, Director of the Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies, and author of Sons of Adam, Daughters of Eve: C.S. Lewis’s Images of Gender. He has taught 6-12th grade humanities, spend three years in high school administration, and built classical education programs at the college level. He loves helping teachers, leaders, and parents own their intellectual inheritance.Logres InstituteVisit https://www.logresinstitute.org/, and apply for their programs after July 1.About Joshua's Conferencehttps://theclassicalconsortium.com/southeastern-consortium/ On August 7-8, the 3rd Annual Southeastern Consortium of Classical Educators conference will gather at Christ the King Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Raleigh, NC to consider "Source of Joy" in teaching. Come hear from keynote speakers Patrick Whalen, Dale Stenberg, Scott Postma, and Josh Herring; experience joyful learning breakout sessions focusing on poetry, civics, science, theology, and more. Join other classical educators for a refreshing reminder of the truth that our God has given us joyful sources to draw from; begin the 26-27 academic year renewing your soul. Teachers and students - email Dr. Herring at [email protected] for a discount code! Show Notes This interview is a candid conversation between Josh and Adrienne. As they get acquainted, they discuss classical education and share their respective contributions to the field.Some musings covered include:An in-depth discussion about their love for Till We Have Faces by LewisTeaching Homer and how students respond to the text. Holding kids accountable to reading for homeworkJosh shares the top three areas of greatest challenges faced in the classical education movement todayHow The Logres Institute aims to help teachers and home educators gain confidence in the classical pedagogyIdeas presented in Adrienne's book, Narration: The Voice of the TriviumResources MentionedC.S Lewis booksHomerQuintilianGeorge MacDonaldKaren Glass booksThoroughness and Charm by GerthThe Good Teacher by Perrin and EbenAn Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason (Centenary Expanded Edition published by Smidgen Press)Charlotte Mason's Essay: "Two Education Ideals" (Contrasting Rousseau's Émile with John Milton's "Of Education")____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve

About the GuestAutumn Kern is the host of The Commonplace, a place to help new homeschooling moms get their bearings in the classical, Charlotte Mason world. She explores the Classical Tradition on her podcast, releases practical philosophy videos on YouTube, offers ongoing education for mother-teachers in Common House, and, more recently, leads directed programmes of study under Mother Academia. She and her husband are raising their four children in an old 1700s Pennsylvania farmhouse, hoping one of these wardrobes will bring them face-to-face with Aslan.  Show NotesThis episode is dedicated to homeschool mothers! Many people have asked me to share my homeschool journey and I wanted to know more about Autumn Kern's journey into the Charlotte Mason Classical homeschool world. Autumn and I share our ups and downs as homeschool moms as means of encouragement to our fellow home educators.Some topics covered include:How we got started in the homeschool movementThe classical connection to Charlotte MasonCommon challenges to homeschool momsHow to recover from burn outHow to handle crisis situationsHow to juggle management of a home while homeschoolingAdrienne's Family Chore Routines and Cleaning Videos on YouTubeResources MentionedThe Lion, The Witch and The WardrobeA Thinking Love by Karen Glass (Vol 1 Charlotte Mason)An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason (Centenary Expanded Edition published by Smidgen Press)Previous Guest EpisodeAutumn joined my former co-host Trae Bailey in 2022. That episode was titled Autumn Kern: The Common Classical Charlotte Mason Mom. Click here for the link: https://classicaleducationpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/autumn-kern-the-common-classical-charlotte-mason-mother____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve

About the GuestMandi Gerth is a teacher and classical education consultant who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three of their five children. She currently serves as the Administrative Director of the Cowan Center at the University of Dallas. She holds a master of humanities degree from that institution with a concentration in classical education. Her first book, Thoroughness & Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom, available exclusively from CiRCE Press, has quickly become one of their best-selling titles. In her definitive guide to classroom liturgy, she offers practical advice to the classical educator seeking a truly classical classroom while reminding the teacher of their high calling. Mandi provides practical and actionable ways to embrace the classical tradition and become a thinker worthy of imitation. Mrs. Gerth attends Church of the Holy Communion (REC), and for over twenty years, she and her husband have labored to build a family culture for their five children that values books, baseball, museums, home-cooked meals, and conversation about ideas. Show NotesMandi joins Adrienne to discuss various themes in Mandi's book, Thoroughness and Charm. Adrienne noticed connections to Charlotte Mason's core principle that Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. All of these aspects merge into what an excellent and alive classroom looks like. Through anecdotes and experience, Mandi shares her passion and her story about the art of teaching. Some topics covered include:Why is it important to understand teaching as an art?-- What difference does it really make?How to create a common language in the classroomWhat are the differences between classroom liturgies and classroom catechismsHow and why integrating subjects/disciplines is importantHow to live a "classical" life and model this for your studentsResources and People MentionedThe Silver Chair by C.S. LewisUnbinding Prometheus by Donald Cowan (Essay, The Three Moments of Learning)Donald and Louise Cowan CenterThe Art of Teaching by Gilbert Highet Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserved