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About the Guest
Benjamin Lyda has over 20 years of experience in public, private, charter, and homeschool settings as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. He holds a Master of Humanities and Master of Theological Studies. He is the author of Scriptorium Writing, a 3rd-8th grade curriculum and the founder of Living Classical Education, an educational consulting organization.
Through curriculum, speaking, training, and other resources, he seeks to provide teachers with a vision and method for education that is distinctly Christian resulting in formation of the student's heart toward loving the Good, True, and Beautiful, to the end that, when they see it, those students reach out their hands in welcome of the epiphany of God's glory.
St. Nektarios Orthodox Educators Conference: https://www.stnektarioseducators.com/
Show Notes
Long time colleague and teacher, Benjamin Lyda joins Adrienne to share his newest projects and practical tips on classroom management procedures (see scripts below). They open by briefly discussing the upcoming Orthodox Educators Conference which takes place online, November 6-7, 2026.
Benjamin's Resources
Scripts from Benjamin:
Tell me about listening position, [call on a student; do not let them raise their hand.]________________________________________________________
Orthodox Education Resources
Classroom Management Resource
Authority and Docility chapter 4 from Mason's A Philosophy of Education
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
About the Guest
Jason 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 Notes
In 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.
Booklists
We 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 Dahl
Franny 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
Resources
Literary Life Podcast
Jason teaches from time to time for House of Humane Letters.
His website: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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 GUEST
Brandy 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 BRANDY
Retreat registration: https://scholesisters.com/prudence
My almost-weekly, mostly CM newsletter: http://afterthoughtsblog.net/subscribe
Scholé Sisters Podcast episode: History as a Center Cannot Hold
SHOW NOTES
After 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 Mentioned
Charlotte Mason 6 Volume Set
Poetic Knowledge by James S. Taylor
Norms & Nobility by David V. Hicks
Consider This : Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly by Fr. Gregory Pine, OP
The Four Cardinal Virtues by Josef Pieper
Guide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef Pieper
Ourselves by Charlotte Mason
Aristotle: Education for Virtue and Leisure by Gary Hartenburg
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre
The Happy Dinner Table: by Anna Migeon
Authors recommended: considered as the fathers of Classical Education
Aristotle
Plato
Pieper
Referenced in this Podcast
Cyndi Rollins
Ambleside Online
Providence Classical Academy, CA
Dr. Lou Markos
Schole Sisters
Podcast and Newsletter by Brandy Vencel
Afterthoughts Blog by Brandy Vencel
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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 Guest
Joshua 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 Institute
Visit https://www.logresinstitute.org/, and apply for their programs after July 1.
About Joshua's Conference
https://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:
Resources Mentioned
C.S Lewis books
Homer
Quintilian
George MacDonald
Karen Glass books
Thoroughness and Charm by Gerth
The Good Teacher by Perrin and Eben
An 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")
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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 Guest
Autumn 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 Notes
This 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:
Resources Mentioned
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
A 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 Episode
Autumn 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
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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 Guest
Mandi 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 Notes
Mandi 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:
Resources and People Mentioned
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
Unbinding Prometheus by Donald Cowan (Essay, The Three Moments of Learning)
Donald and Louise Cowan Center
The Art of Teaching by Gilbert Highet
Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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
About the Guest
Dr. Keith Buhler is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and teacher. He co-founded the Saint Andrew Academy in Riverside CA, where he serves at Director of Advancement. When he is not teaching Great Books at Azusa Pacific University Honors College, he coaches other start-ups and serves in the west coast Alcuin Fellowship. His writings include Into the Light (a chapter on education); Virtue and Wisdom as Natural Ends (philosophy); and Sola Scriptura: A Dialogue (theology). He attends St Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, with his wife Elizabeth and their four children.
Show Notes
Orthodox Christian educator, Dr. Keith Buhler joins Adrienne to discuss his chapter in the new anthology compiled by David V. Hicks (author of Norms & Nobility).
Some topics covered include:
Resources and People Mentioned
Into The Light: Classical Education and Orthodox Christianity, compiled by David V. Hicks and Anthony Gilbert
The Republic by Plato
A Dish of Orts, Essays by George MacDonald (The Fantastic Imagination Essay)
Sir Gibbie, George MacDonald
G.K. Chesterton
poems by C.S. Lewis
The Awakening of Miss Prim
Norms and Nobility by David Hicks
Ten Traits of a Good Teacher by Chris Perrin
C. S. Lewis Poetry
Kevin Clark and Ravi Jain The Liberal Arts Tradition
Peter Kreeft
Poem on Oxford by C. S. Lewis
After Prayer by Malcom Guite (A Kind of Tune Poem)
George Herbert
Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald
Aristotle
Podcast Episode on Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Podcast Episode on Norms & Nobility with David V. Hicks
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: 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
About the Guests
MELODY FOWLER: Roots Farm Education Founder, Director, Form III Instructor Ages 10-12
Melody is a happy wife of 28 years, a proud mother of three and now an over-the-moon grandma of four grandchildren. She was born in El Paso, Texas, and moved to Redding when she was five years old. She loved learning as a child and her favorite pastime was to play school in her garage with younger siblings and neighborhood friends on vintage desks her father bought at local yard sales.
After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and teaching credential from Simpson University, Melody taught a self-contained fifth grade classroom for 11 years before moving on to the 8th grade teaching English and U.S. History for four years. She finds it essential to teach the next generation to revere and protect the rich inheritance of liberty they have been gifted. She also completed her administrative credential in Educational Leadership and wrote her Master's paper on Charlotte Mason.
She participated in the Northern California Arts Project, the Shasta County Math Grant, and a three-year ELL grammar program teaching English as a second language. Melody was involved in her site’s leadership team, acted as a site council member, and successfully advocated for funding creative problem-solving programs like Odyssey of the Mind for the gifted and talented. She also volunteered to coach other activities like student government, softball, and cheer.
In her free time, she enjoys learning about education, philosophy, economics, history, gardening, and spending time with her family and six dogs.
CHAD FOWLER: Roots Farm Education Founder, Director, and Form II Instructor Ages 8-9
Chad was born and raised in Shasta County. He and his wife Melody have three children with the youngest almost 16. From an early age, Chad had an interest in gardening and animals and participated in Shasta County 4-H. Chad worked his family business as well as other working retail management for many years. After helping in his son's kindergarten class and coming from a family of teachers, Chad decided his place needed to be in the classroom and he went back to school. He received his BA in Liberal Studies and teaching credential through Simpson University. He later completed his administrative credential and Masters degree in Educational Leadership through National University.
He has been a public school educator since 2008 and served as a Master Teacher, Teacher in Charge, Activities Director and Lead Teacher. He has participated in the Shasta County Math Grant, the Northern California Arts Project for teachers, Gates Literacy Grant and other teacher development trainings since 2008. Chad enjoys time in the garden growing vegetables, fruits and flowers, camping with his family and spending time with his Nigerian Dwarf Goats and chickens.
Roots Farm Education
In the year 2020 they started with 57 students and now have nearly 100 students. They are building slow with in-depth training for their teachers and mission alignment with the incoming families. Their mission states: Roots Farm Education provides home-educated families with a learning environment that integrates agriculture and academics. Stemming from a Christ-centered, Charlotte Mason education, the curriculum embodies western thought with the instruction that pursues truth, promotes wisdom and beauty, creates a pathway to responsibility, and fosters individual initiative and ingenuity. With the land as the laboratory and assistance from experts within the community, factual knowledge in math and science will be hands-on along with essential life skills such as: producing, processing, and marketing food, animal husbandry, sewing, and basic construction. Roots aim is to cultivate a generation of children ready to succeed in higher education, career, and life, while positively impacting the world around them and preserving the lost art of self-reliance.
Show Notes
Two seasoned teachers from the public school system decided to break away and start a school that would focus on agriculture and a Christian classical pedagogy. This inspiring episode of challenges, faith, and vision tells their story.
Some topics covered include:
Resources and People Mentioned
Books and Curriculum Mentioned
Schools they visited in Dallas
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This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
Support this podcast:
About the Guest
Charlene Thompson is a first grade teacher in her fourth year at Founders Classical Academy in Rogers, Arkansas. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Harding University and is a passionate learner of classical education. She believes in cultivating wisdom and virtue through rich literature, narration, and the development of lifelong habits of attention and expression. Her goal is to help young students grow into thoughtful, articulate, and joyful learners.
Show Notes
I met Charlene when I led a full-day workshop on narration at Founders Classical Academy in Rogers, Arkansas a few years ago. During a recent classical education conference, Charlene approached me to share how narration was working with her students. The stories she shared were so beautiful that I had to get her on the show to help encourage other teachers and parents about how narration works in the classroom.
Some questions that were covered include:
Resources, Books, and People Mentioned
Favorite quotation: " Read the best books first"--Henry David Thoreau
Book she wishes she had read sooner: The Bible
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Beautiful Teaching NARRATION CONFERENCE:
2025 Online Conference with the Beautiful Teaching Team- Narration: The Art of Learning with Keynote Guest, Jason Barney, October 24-25, 2025 https://beautifulteaching.coursestorm.com/
About the Guest
Dr. John Ahern holds a PhD from Princeton University in historical musicology. He currently teaches at The Wilberforce School as an Upper School Humanities and Latin instructor. He is also faculty at the Theopolis Institute and directs their Te Deum Fellows Program in Liturgical Music. His writings on a variety of topics have appeared in First Things, Ad Fontes, The Lamp, Mere Orthodoxy, Eidolon, the Theopolis Institute blog, and the CiRCE Institute blog. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.
Show Notes
John Ahern has successfully implemented the practice of keeping a commonplace book with his students. In this episode he explains why it is an important practice, how to create time to do it, and how to establish best practices in a school setting.
If you have wondered how to succeed at keeping a commonplace book, this episode is incredibly practical and will help you confidently get started in this beautiful practice.
Resources Mentioned
Link to the Circe Institute article: https://circeinstitute.org/blog/how-to-make-a-commonplace-book/
Notebooks the school uses: https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/classic-notebooks-1.html
Also: https://www.amazon.com/Leuchturm1917-Journal-Hardcover-Notebook-Numbered/dp/B09T75BG8L?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1
The Book of Memory by Mary Carruthers
Leisure the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper
Bleak House by Charles Dickens
To Kill a Mockingbird
Isaac Newton's Common Place Notebook
19C Common Place Notebooks
Bleak House by Charles Dickens
A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt
Authors Mentioned
Charlotte Mason
Plato
Aristotle
St Augustine
Homer
Quintillion
Cicero
Romans
Dostoevsky
Dante
Aquinas
John Winthrop
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Beautiful Teaching online courses & narration conference:
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