ClassicalU Podcast

In this episode, Jesse Hake talks with Sarah Kwilinski about her new ClassicalU course, Restoring Wonder for Every Learner: Universal Design in the Classical Tradition , and how classical education can faithfully serve every learner through what she calls "durable hospitality." Drawing on more than twenty-five years in special education and the influence of Dr. Amy Gilbert Richards , Sarah explains why universal design is not merely an accommodation strategy but a return to time-tested classical practices that benefit all students. She challenges prevailing assumptions about homework, standardized testing, inclusion, and early academic pressure while offering practical alternatives rooted in narration, the common arts, Charlotte Mason's philosophy, and the principle of festina lente . Sarah also shares how Sundial Classical School & Farmstead's small-group instruction, multi-age classrooms, collaborative culture, and emphasis on building the student before emphasizing academic performance have produced remarkable outcomes for learners with and without disabilities. The conversation explores why assessment should cultivate student ownership rather than anxiety, how parents become indispensable partners in education, and what schools can learn from current research on early childhood education. Throughout the discussion, Sarah and Jesse point toward resources including Chris Hall's ClassicalU course, Common Arts Education , Dr. Amy Gilbert Richards' ClassicalU course, Disability and Classical Education: Student Formation in Keeping with Our Common Humanity , Christopher Perrin and Carrie Eben's The Good Teacher , NOVARE Science , and the Templeton Master of Arts in Classical Teaching program while highlighting research from Vanderbilt University's Tennessee Pre-K Study . Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, or parent, this conversation offers a hopeful vision for restoring wonder, dignity, and genuine flourishing to every learner. Listeners may also be interested in related ClassicalU courses, including Jason Barney's Charlotte Mason: A Liberal Education for All and Narration: A Classical Guide , which further explore the educational philosophy and teaching practices that complement many of the ideas discussed in this episode.

Recorded on site at True North Classical Academy , Jesse Hake speaks with Patricio Mendez , philosophy teacher and the Director of EdTech & Analytics, about recovering teaching as a vocation of love rather than a transaction of grades. Mendez describes his philosophy course as an effort not merely to teach the history of philosophy, but to help students philosophize, encounter wisdom, and enter into a living relation with texts, teachers, and one another. He explains why he tells students at the beginning of the year that they already have an "A”, a practice meant to unsettle grade-driven habits and open space for love of the true, good, and beautiful. The conversation turns to concrete classroom patterns: beginning with poetry recitation , using catechism to place students before trusted authorities, moving through Socratic circles toward student-led seminars, and treating writing as a spiritual exercise rather than a mere performance of answers. Mendez also reflects on how Classical U , especially a lesson on Flannery O’Connor, has shaped his sense of Christ, scandal, and the true, good, and beautiful as a real encounter rather than a mere academic exercise. The episode closes by considering how data and analytics can serve a school only when they are understood as partial reflections of the student rather than the student himself. Throughout, Mendez presents education as a communal, contemplative act in which students gradually learn to ask genuine questions, participate in truth, and “know the place for the first time”. Listeners may also be interested in other ClassicalU courses such as “ Awakening the Moral Imagination through Fairy Tales and Stories ” and " Teaching the Great Books ".

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast , Jesse Hake speaks with Jessica Hooten-Wilson about her forthcoming book on Christian women whose lives and work have often been neglected because they are “too Christian for the feminists and too feminist for the Christians.” Hooten-Wilson looks to women at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as models for overcoming false divides between home and work, motherhood and the life of the mind, and Christian faith and women’s public voices. Through figures such as Anna Julia Cooper, Dorothy L. Sayers, Edith Stein, Mother Maria of Paris, Kate Bushnell, and Julian of Norwich, she explores how narrative portraits can illuminate deeper questions of Christian anthropology, virtue, vocation, and formation. The conversation highlights the need for classical Christian educators to recover women’s stories within the living tradition, not as additions for novelty’s sake, but as models of human flourishing worthy of imitation. Hooten-Wilson also reflects on silence as contemplative stillness rather than speechlessness, motherhood as both biological and spiritual, and the way women’s voices strengthen homes, schools, churches, and culture. The episode closes with practical suggestions for introducing students to women in the tradition through texts by Julian of Norwich , Perpetua , Christine de Pizan , and others. You can find more of Jessica Hooten-Wilson work through her substack and her podcast . Suggested Reading & Resources: The Black Intellectual Tradition by Dr. Anika Prather, Dr. Angel Adams Parham, et al. The Passion of Perpetua by Mia Donato et al. The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy Sayers The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Complete 6-Book Set by Maryrose Wood Flannery O'Connor's Why Do the Heathen Rage?: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Work in Progress by Jessica Hooten-Wilson Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice by Jessica Hooten-Wilson The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints by Jessica Hooten-Wilson Suggested ClassicalU courses: Women in the Liberal Arts Tradition The Black Intellectual Tradition and the Great Conversation

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast , Jesse Hake—joined by guests Dr. Brian Williams and Jake Tawney —explores the pressing question of AI and human formation in the classroom. Framed by the classical vision of education as the formation of the whole person, the conversation challenges the assumption that efficiency, output, or technological adoption should drive educational practice. Drawing on philosophy, theology, and classroom experience, Tawney and Williams argue that AI risks not only replacing essential learning processes but also reshaping students’ understanding of what it means to be human. Echoing insights from thinkers such as Neil Postman in Amusing Ourselves to Death , George Grant in Technology and Justice and Technology and Empire , and Jacques Ellul in The Technological Society , they examine how modern technologies subtly form habits, attention, and culture. The discussion highlights how AI differs fundamentally from human thought—operating through pattern prediction and persuasion rather than truth-seeking and embodied understanding—while raising concerns about dependence, identity, and the loss of higher-order thinking. At the same time, the conversation points toward a hopeful alternative: classrooms rooted in wonder, dialogue, and embodied learning that cultivate intellect, virtue, and community. These themes resonate deeply with the vision of classical Christian education found in ClassicalU courses such as The Scholé Way and The Monastic Tradition of Education by Dr. Christopher Perrin, as well as John Amos Comenius: A Visionary Reformer of Schools by Dr. David I. Smith, all of which emphasize contemplation, attention, and the formation of student loves. They also align with the broader tradition of technology critique found in George Grant’s essay “The Computer Does Not Dictate How the Computer Should Be Used” and Craig M. Gay’s Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal . In a cultural moment shaped by distraction and technological acceleration, this conversation reinforces the enduring value of slow reading, rich discussion, and embodied community as the surest means of forming students who can think clearly, love rightly, and live wisely. With gratitude to Joelle Hodge for convening this conversation and to Great Hearts Academies for recording it.

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast , Jesse Hake speaks with Dr. Patrick R. Manning about his book Be Still and Know: Contemplative Practice for Christian Schools and Educators . Drawing from the deep wells of the Christian contemplative tradition—from the Desert Fathers and Mothers to Benedictine, Ignatian, and Dominican spirituality—Manning argues that contemplation is not foreign to Christian education but central to it. He explores how reframing time, cultivating attention, and building intentional rhythms of silence and prayer can transform classrooms into “attention sanctuaries” in an age dominated by distraction. The conversation addresses pressing concerns such as student mental health, shrinking attention spans, and the pressures of productivity culture, offering both theological grounding and practical strategies for school leaders and teachers. In dialogue with themes familiar to classical educators—such as those explored in ClassicalU courses The Scholé Way and The Monastic Tradition of Education by Christopher Perrin, and John Amos Comenius: A Visionary Reformer of Schools by Dr. David I. Smith—the episode connects contemplative practice to a broader recovery of attention in Christian schooling. Manning engages contemporary voices such as James Lang in Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It , Matthew Crawford in The World Beyond Your Head , and James Williams in Stand Out of Our Light , while drawing on the spiritual wisdom of Simone Weil in Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God , Wilfrid Stinissen in Eternity in the Midst of Time , and Sofia Cavalletti in The Development of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd . Through practices such as Lectio Divina and the Ignatian Examen , he calls Christian schools to reclaim their heritage—not by retreating from excellence, but by rediscovering how stillness strengthens attention, deepens community, and renews the soul of education.

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, host Jesse Hake—joined by Scholé Academy Director Dr. Joylynn Blake —welcomes the leaders of Scholé Academy’s three Houses of Study: Monika Minehart , Fr. Nathan Dickinson , and Presb. Maria Koulianos . As representatives of three great Christian traditions, Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican, these classical educators engage in a rich conversation on soul craft, or spiritual formation that is both personal and communal. Drawing from spiritual practices found in the Book of Common Prayer and the Student Prayer Book , the Orthodox vision of theosis, and Catholic sacramental life, the guests reflect on how Christian education shapes the whole person. Informed by C. S. Lewis’s image of the Great Hall in Mere Christianity , the discussion explores how shared Christian foundations give way to distinct faith traditions where formation is lived out with depth and integrity. Throughout, the educators describe how The Great Hall and Scholé Academy’s Houses — Aquinas House , Canterbury House , and St. Raphael School —cultivate theological clarity without dilution, honoring real differences while remaining united by the tenets of the Nicene Creed. The episode offers a compelling picture of classical Christian education as soul craft—patient, relational, and rooted in tradition—made tangible even within online classrooms. Explore courses at Scholé Academy where thoughtful attention has been given to the concept, courses, and the atmosphere that foster formative Christian education. ClassicalU courses closely related to this episode are School Culture Symposium: Top Presenters on Community and Virtue Formation and The Scholé Way .

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, Jesse Hake speaks with Dr. Shannon Valenzuela about her new course releasing this spring on medieval literature and the harmonics of story. Beginning with Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy and culminating in Dante’s Divine Comedy , Dr. Valenzuela shows how medieval authors understood stories as reflections of cosmic order, proportion, pattern, and harmony—a “story math” that structures their designs and animates their themes. Her approach integrates literature with the the quadrivium of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The conversation ranges across texts such as Beowulf , Cædmon’s Hymn , The Dream of the Rood , and Judith , revealing how Anglo-Saxon poetry unites heroic culture with Christian theology. Turning to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales , including the General Prologue , Knight’s Tale , Wife of Bath’s Tale , and the comic Tale of Sir Thopas , the episode highlights medieval play, parody, and invention. Dr. Valenzuela also explores medieval drama through The Chester Play of Noah’s Flood and The Second Shepherds’ Play , alongside continental works like Christine de Pizan’s City of Ladies and Chrétien de Troyes’s Knight of the Cart . Throughout, the discussion contrasts harmony with disorder by examining monstrosity, transgression, and imbalance, engaging thinkers from Aristotle’s Poetics to Hildegard of Bingen. The episode invites educators to recover a vision of reading and learning in which literature, theology, mathematics, and music together disclose a world that is meaningful, ordered, and alive. Watch for Dr. Valenzuela’s forthcoming ClassicalU Course “The Harmonics of Medieval Storytelling” in the early spring of 2026. Listeners may also be interested in other ClassicalU courses mentioned such as Junius Johnson’s “Teaching Medieval History: The Age of Light” and “Women in the Liberal Arts Tradition” .

In this Christmas-season episode, Jesse Hake speaks with author, retired parish priest, and former university chaplain Addison Hodges Hart about Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, and the meaning of the Nativity, drawing on stories and poetry ranging from Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas , C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and "The Turn of the Tide", John Masefield’s The Box of Delights , to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol . Their conversation touches on the legends of St. Nicholas—his dowry gifts for the three daughters, the tale of the three murdered boys, and even the stories set beautifully to music in Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas Oratorio . Hart reflects on Mary through the lens of The Protoevangelium of James and the theological symbolism found in iconography, echoing themes explored in his own book Four Gospels: Four Hearts, One Lord: reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in Context . The discussion explores the wisdom of keeping Advent through fasting and restraint, enriched by traditional carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and recordings from the Robert Shaw Chorale . The episode warmly recommends ghost-story traditions associated with Christmas—especially works by M. R. James , E. F. Benson , and Arthur Machen —alongside Hart’s own collection Patapsco Spirits: Eleven Ghost Stories . Hart shares how Norwegian customs, from the Jule Nisse to festive foods like lamb ribs and kohlrabi, shape the season where he lives. Throughout the conversation, the Incarnation emerges as a cosmic event—one that overturns the powers of darkness, fulfills ancient hopes, and invites Christians to keep both Advent and Christmas with depth, joy, and imagination. Listeners may enjoy further writings by Hart at the Pragmatic Mystic: An Orthodox Miscellany . Additionally, listeners may be interested in Bishop Eric Varden’s book Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses and ClassicalU's course “Chastity as the Power to Love: A Discussion as Parents and Teachers on the Reconciliation of the Senses Toward the Fullness of Desire” that will release soon in our last newsletter before Christmas.

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast , philosopher D. C. Schindler joins Jesse Hake for a conversation on the metaphysical and theological foundations of classical education. Interview questions address epistemology, anthropology, the nature of true authority, and the dangers of mixing culture wars and Christian nationalism with classical education. Drawing from thinkers like Balthasar, Pieper, and John Paul II, Dr. Schindler challenges modern assumptions about knowledge and formation, proposing instead that education begins not with analysis but with awe—with a reverent participation in the givenness of being. He argues that classical education must recover a sacramental vision of reality, where truth is not merely grasped but received, contemplated, and lived. The discussion explores the role of beauty, the distortions of technocratic modernity, and the importance of shaping educators who model metaphysical humility. Dr. Schindler also reflects on how wonder, leisure, and liturgy reorient both teaching and learning toward truth as a Person. Far from being abstract, the conversation is filled with practical implications for how we form students and communities, such as in the Postman Pledge , in the classical tradition. Listeners will come away with a renewed vision of education as a deeply human—and deeply divine—act of communion. Listeners may also be interested in these Classical U Courses: Essential Philosophy , Theology of Beauty and the Imagination: A Guide to Wonder , Teaching Modern Political Philosophy , and Boethius the Consolation of Philosophy . Listeners interested in exploring more of Dr. David Schindler’s work may enjoy these titles: Freedom from Reality , The Catholicity of Reason , The Politics of the Real , and God and the City .

In this conversation, Jesse Hake welcomes Dr. Christopher Perrin to explore leadership in the virtue and liberal arts tradition. Drawing from the ClassicalU courses Leadership and the Liberal Arts and Essential School Leadership , Dr. Perrin reflects on how classical and Christian traditions of virtue shape a truly human vision of leadership—one rooted not in dominance but in service, humility, and paradoxical wisdom. He explains how the liberal arts cultivate both the intellectual habits and moral character necessary for wise leadership, especially in classical Christian schools. The discussion also highlights the Educational Leadership for Classical Christian Schools masters program offered through Gordon College, in which Dr. Perrin co-teaches a course on Leadership and the Liberal Arts with Keith Nix. Students engage figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Augustine, Boethius, and Sertillanges, while learning to apply classical insights to the real challenges of school leadership. Listeners will come away with a renewed vision of leadership as a lifelong pursuit of wisdom, virtue, and community.

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. See also this episode with Dr. Kelisha B. Graves about her book on educator and civil rights activist Nannie Helen Burroughs.

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!