Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Soren Schwab is joined by Sam Bruce, Director of Philosophy and Education at the Prosperity Institute. Together, they discuss Sam's unique educational journey, the importance of liberal arts education, and the role of philosophy in public life. Sam shares insights on the significance of the Edington Fellowship, which encourages, equips, and connects early-career professionals with a vocational commitment to serving in the public square. They also explore the meaning of prosperity and the relevance of great books in shaping public policy. 

https://www.prosperity.com/

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Adam Roate, Senior Director of Partnerships at CLT, is joined by Kevin Seitz, Dean of Academics at Cary Christian School in Cary, NC. Kevin shares his journey from teaching adapted PE in a public school setting to serving at a classical Christian school. Together, they discuss the importance of partnering with parents in education and how teaching through a biblical worldview helps shape students' sense of purpose and prepares them for life beyond the classroom.

https://carychristianschool.org/

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Lily Abadal, an applied ethicist and Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. They discuss her unique journey as a first-generation college student and her passion for philosophy. They also explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents to students and educators, and how the rise of AI could lead to a resurgence of classical educational traditions.

Follow Lily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lily-abadal/

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Matt Mehan–Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government for the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C. campus–to explore the enduring power of fables, classical education, and the importance of shared stories in rebuilding American civic virtue.

Drawing from history, literature, and the American tradition, Dr. Mehan discusses how heroes, moral imagination, and cultural inheritance cultivate civic virtue, inspire hope, and strengthen love of country.

They also discuss his newly released book, The American Book of Fables, which invites readers to rediscover the beauty of America—her lands, her people, and her principles of liberty, law, and love. Written for readers of all ages, The American Book of Fables invites families to rediscover faith, freedom, self-government, and the stories worth passing on.

Order The American Book of Fables today: https://www.amazon.com/American-Book-Fables-Matthew-Mehan/dp/B0G1XYVC54

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Jeremy is joined by Jack McPherson, Director of Development for the Emerging Leaders Program at the Convention of States (COS) Foundation.

Jack shares his journey from Hillsdale College to serving as a founding member of the Emerging Leaders Program, a nine-month student formation fellowship that trains young men and women in the art of American Statesmanship.

Discover how classical education, statesmanship, and a commitment to the common good are shaping future public servants and restoring the true meaning of leadership.

Website: cosinternship.com

If anybody would like to make a gift to the Emerging Leaders Program, go to cosinternship.com and click ‘Donate Today’ in the top right. If you would like to discuss financial support with Jack in greater depth, he can be reached 24/7 at 346-212-0576, and at [email protected].

On this episode of The Anchored Podcast, Noah Tyler, Chief Strategy Officer at CLT, is joined by Lawrence Reed, President Emeritus, Humphreys Family Senior Fellow, and Ron Manners Global Ambassador for Liberty at the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).

They discuss the parental involvement as the strongest predictor of student success, the significance of civics education in understanding constitutional principles, and the current state of economics education in the United States. They also reflect on historical parallels that can inform our understanding of current political trends.

Dr. Reed's Forthcoming Book: Born of Ideas: How Principles, Faith, and Courage Forged America

What if we’ve been teaching Latin and Greek all wrong?

In this episode of the Anchored Podcast, Soren Schwab sits down with Guillermo Dillon, Senior Consultant in the U.S. for the Polis Institute, to discuss why the future of Latin and Ancient Greek depends on something bigger than textbooks, but on our understanding of why these languages must be kept alive.

Guillermo makes the case that Greek and Latin should not be treated as “dead languages” or mere tools for boosting test scores, but as living gateways into the intellectual tradition of the West—the "Republic of Letters", as the American Founding Fathers referred to it.

From spoken Latin and immersive pedagogy to the growing demand for trained classical language teachers, this conversation explores what it would look like to teach ancient languages as languages once again.

Be sure to check out Guillermo Dillon’s forthcoming book, a practical teacher’s guide designed to help educators teach "Unus, Duo, Tres" using a communicative, immersive Latin method. This resource is built specifically to help schools and teachers bring spoken Latin into the classroom with confidence.

Learn more about Guillermo and the Polis Institute here:

https://www.polisjerusalem.org/

https://www.polisjerusalem.org/resource/unus-duo-tres-latine-loquamur-per-scaenas-et-imagines/

Timestamps
00:40 – Introduction & Guest Background
02:54 – Guillermo’s Educational Journey
05:16 – Growing Up Bilingual & Learning Languages
07:12 – Discovering Spoken Latin
10:50 – Why Learn Latin and Greek?
16:56 – Why Speaking Latin Matters
17:01 – The POLIS Institute & Its Mission
19:56 – The Classical Education Teacher Shortage
25:51 – Training Teachers, Not Just Buying Curriculum
30:25 – Advice for Schools Starting Latin Programs
34:30 – Guillermo’s New Book & *Unus, Duo, Tres*
38:35 – Teacher Success Stories
40:47 – A Book That Changed Guillermo’s Life: *Antigone*
43:38 – Final Thoughts & Closing

#AnchoredPodcast #ClassicLearningTest #Latin #AncientGreek #ClassicalEducation #Humanities #GreatBooks #POLISInstitute #LiberalArts #TeacherTraining

Most people accept death as the ultimate loss—Ben Sasse embraces it with humor, hope, and a profound faith that changes how we see life, death, and education. In this deeply personal yet inspiring episode, one of America's most eloquent voices shares how a terminal diagnosis sharpened his moral clarity and deepened his understanding of what truly matters.

Ben Sasse, a former senator, university president, and thoughtful advocate for classical Christian education, opens up about confronting mortality with a rare combination of honesty, humor, and faith. He recounts the moments that have shaped his view on life’s purpose, from reading old books at Oxford to serving in the U.S. Senate. You’ll discover how his fight with cancer has transformed his approach to education—focusing on cultivating virtue, love, and friendship rather than mere career success.

Also joining Ben Sasse and Jeremy Tate in the conversation is Keith Nix, who has served as the Head of School at Veritas School in Richmond, VA, since 2010.

We break down:

The importance of reading the Great Books to gain perspective beyond our moment

How classical Christian education aims to reorder our affections and nurture true friendship

The vital role of intergenerational engagement in building resilient communities

The radical significance of the Sabbath in cultivating gratitude and humility
Ben shares moving stories about friendship, faith, and the hope that sustains him through suffering. 

His candid reflections on mortality challenge us to make what time we have count—by loving our neighbor, pursuing truth, and living with eternal hope.

This episode is perfect for educators, parents, and anyone wrestling with life’s biggest questions—especially in a culture fixated on outcomes and success. If you believe education is about forming humans who love goodness and beauty, you won’t want to miss this powerful conversation.

00:00 Intro 
01:08 A Vision for Education  
03:11 Oxford & the Power of Small Seminars  
06:37 Friendship and the Good Life  
08:57 Family, Education, and Moving for Values  
13:15 From Public School to Classical Christian Education  
16:19 The Art of Rhetoric & Great Speakers  
20:12 Influences of Great Orators  
23:14 A Father’s Discipline & Coaching  
24:42 Challenges in Classical Christian Education  
25:57 Core Values & Future of the Tradition  
28:39 The Telos Debate (How Do You Say It?)  
34:37 Education Beyond Job Training  
35:30 Rethinking the Factory Model of Schooling  
37:45 Family & Intergenerational Life  
38:21 Friendship, Community, and Education  
40:00 Social Media & Peer Segregation  
42:10 Hands-On & Artistic Learning  
45:10 Maturation, Responsibility, and Service  
46:18 Over-Consumption & the Search for Purpose  
47:18 Music, Math, and the Language of Heaven  
48:48 Seminar-Based Learning  
49:25 Facing Death & Living Well  
49:54 Suffering, Resurrection, and Hope  
50:39 Faith in the Face of Illness  
53:45 Shared Loves & Deep Friendship  
55:29 Community Across Generations  
56:10 Humor, Death, and the Christian Life  
57:09 The Hope of Final Victory  
58:10 Beauty, Identity, and Creation  
59:41 Gratitude, Legacy, and a Life Well Lived  
01:00:11 Final Reflections & Memorable Friendship

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Gary Welton, a dedicated professor and administrator at Grove City College, about his personal journey, the unique environment at Grove City, and the role of standardized assessments like the CLT in higher education. Discover how faith influences academic pathways and the importance of preserving classical liberal arts traditions in today's educational landscape.

CLT Study: https://www.gcc.edu/Home/Staff-Directory/Staff-Detail/gcc-study-finds-predictive-value-in-classic-learning-test

Key topics include:

Dr. Welton’s upbringing in Grove City and his faith-based education journey
The advantages of Grove City College’s emphasis on classical and 
Christian education

Insights into the College Learning Test (CLT) and its predictive validity for college success

Trends in standardized testing following the shift toward test-optional policies

How classical literacy and familiarity with tradition benefit modern students

Favorite books that have shaped Dr. Welton’s worldview, including Les Misérables and The Possessed

Timestamps:
(0:05) - Welcome and introduction to Dr. Welton’s background
(1:20) - The impact of Grove City College on student development
(4:44) - Dr. Welton’s faith background and experience in secular universities
(8:27) - The origin and findings of the pioneering CLT outcome study
(10:53) - Trends in college admissions and test requirement policies
(13:08) - Validation of the CLT as a predictor of first-year GPA
(14:56) - Connection between classical texts and assessment literacy
(16:17) - The importance of cultural and literary literacy in education
(18:24) - Unexpected results and insights from the CLT study
(20:28) - Homeschooling and school background impacts on scores
(24:45) - Lessons for other institutions from the CLT validation study
(26:22) - The importance of focused reading for developing mature intellectual skills
(28:23) - Dr. Welton’s top books and their influence on his life and work
(32:14) - Closing remarks and future hopes for college assessment

Many believe that school growth requires sacrificing uniqueness, but Dr. Eric DeVries shows how Hill Country Christian School is expanding while maintaining its core identity. By fostering a vibrant, Christ-centered culture, the school thrives even as enrollment surpasses 700 students.

With over 17 years of experience in leading classical Christian schools, Dr. DeVries shares insights into how strategic clarity and a commitment to moral and spiritual formation drive growth in North Austin. He explores balancing rigorous academics like STEM with the timeless virtues of classical education, all while staying true to the school's faith-driven mission.

Discover:
How to maintain a church-integrated culture in a growing secular-style school
Strategies to prevent mission drift while pursuing enrollment goals
Balancing classical humanities with pioneering STEM programs
The role of clear messaging in reinforcing school identity
Real student stories showcasing the transformative power of classical education
In an era where many schools chase numbers at the risk of losing their soul, Dr. DeVries argues that sustainable growth relies on clarity, conviction, and a deep commitment to core principles. This episode is essential for school leaders, parents, and educators passionate about preserving educational integrity amid expansion.

Dr. Eric DeVries, head of Hill Country Christian School of Austin, leads a thriving community that prioritizes faith, excellence, and joy in learning. His leadership offers.

1:01 - Introduction by Soren Schwab, welcoming Dr. Eric DeVries.
3:19 - Dr. DeVries discusses his educational background and journey into school leadership.
5:39 - Discovery of classical education and transition to becoming a classical educator.
8:44 - Overview of Hill Country Christian School and its unique aspects.
11:38 - Dr. DeVries shares what drew him to Hill Country Christian School.
15:21 - Balancing classical education with tech and STEM programs.
21:44 - Strategies to prevent mission drift while growing enrollment.
24:44 - Impact of classical Christian education on families and students.
28:35 - Discussion on the benefits of CLT testing and data analysis.
35:45 - Dr. DeVries shares influential books in his life.

#ClassicalEducation, #SchoolLeadership, #FaithInLearning, #MissionDriven, #EducationalGrowth, #ChristianSchools, #STEMEducation, #CulturalIdentity