This week's Classical Et Cetera is our official back-to-school episode! Join us as we consider not just dates on a calendar but the seasonality of school itself. Where does the fall start come from? Is it better to start early or wait for the first cool mornings of autumn? Let's talk about practical guidance for starting the school year, everything that you should consider, and how to begin with purpose.

https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/timeline-program/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=183

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_The Hobbit_—J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul)

_The Father's Tale_—Michael D. O'Brien (Tanya)

_From Aristotle to Christ_—Louis Markos (Martin)

_Smiling Through the Cultural Catastrophe_—Jeffrey Hart (Martin)

Where should adults start with classical education? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we share our top book recommendations for anyone looking to begin their journey into the world of classical learning. Whether you're new to the classics or returning with fresh eyes, these books will help you understand what classical education is, why it matters, and how to dive in. From timeless works to essential guides, we explore where to start, what to read, and how to keep going. Join the conversation in this podcast episode—and check out our Latin programs right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/latin?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=182

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_Captains Courageous_—Rudyard Kipling (Paul)  

_The Master and Margarita_—Mikhail Bulgakov (Ian)

_The Gormenghast Trilogy_—Mervyn Peake (Ian)

_The Covenant of Water_—Abraham Verghese (Ian)

_Mythology_—Edith Hamilton (Martin)

_The Story of Themistocles_—Plutarch (Martin)

_Dominion_—Tom Holland (Martin)

_The Greeks and the Irrational_—E.R. Dodds (Martin)

Curious what a liberal arts education really is? What trivium and quadrivium mean? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we unpack the historic meaning of the liberal arts and explain how they shaped true classical education for centuries. Forget the modern idea of a liberal arts degree—we go back to the medieval roots where grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy were used to form free minds, not just earn diplomas. From misunderstood terminology to how the liberal arts were originally practiced, this episode is a deep dive into the foundations of Western learning. Whether you’ve always wanted it explained, or you’re trying to understand the difference between today’s “classical schools” and original liberal arts, this conversation will help you rediscover an education that’s truly more than a degree.

https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/what-are-the-liberal-arts/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=181

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_The Father's Tale_—Michael O'Brien (Tanya)

_Why Choose the Liberal Arts_—Mark William Roche (Paul)

_The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling_—Henry Fielding (Martin)

What books lit the spark for your love of classical education? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, our team shares the life-changing books that first inspired them—and the ones they keep coming back to. These aren’t just recommendations; they’re the stories behind the stories: the books that challenged, shaped, and sustained our passion for classical learning.

We explore early influences, perennial reads, and the moments when a single book opened up an entirely new way of seeing education, virtue, and the human experience. Whether you're deep into classical education or just beginning your journey, this conversation will introduce you to powerful titles that have stood the test of time.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_Murder Must Advertise_—Dorothy L. Sayers (Tanya)  

_The Fortunes of Captain Blood_—Rafael Sabatini (Paul)

_The Crisis of Western Education_—Christopher Henry Dawson (Brian)

_How to Think like Shakespeare_—Scott Newstok (Brian)

How do adults actually find time to read in their daily lives? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we dive into the real-life reading habits of classical educators and reading enthusiasts. From favorite routines and seasonal shifts to juggling multiple books and audiobooks, we share practical tips and honest reflections on making reading a sustainable part of adult life. Whether you’re looking to build a daily habit, figure out how to quit a book guilt-free, or find ways to track your reading progress, this episode has insights to inspire and encourage you.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_The Thread That Runs So True_—Jesse Stuart (Paul)  

_Moby Dick_—Herman Melville (Tanya)

_How to Think like Shakespeare_—Scott L. Newstok (Martin)

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we take a hard look at the role of technology in education—especially in classrooms committed to classical learning. Should students be using AI to write papers? Does screen time impact a child's ability to read, reason, and remember? And how do schools draw the line between helpful tools and harmful shortcuts?

From calculators to ChatGPT, the conversation covers the real effects of tech in schools, how it shapes student thinking, and why some classical educators are going “back to the books.” Whether you're a parent, teacher, or student, this episode challenges the idea that more technology always means better learning.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_The Snare_—Rafael Sabatini (Paul)  

_Moby Dick_—Herman Melville (Tanya)

_The Greeks and the Irrational_—E.R. Dodds (Martin)

_The Story of Themistocles_—Plutarch (Martin)

What does The Lord of the Rings teach us about self-denial? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, the team explores the virtue of temperance—what it is, why it matters, and how it's portrayed in literature. From Frodo’s resistance to the Ring to Peter Rabbit’s disobedience and Lassie’s heart-wrenching goodbye, we unpack how stories shape our understanding of restraint. Drawing from classical and Christian thought, we examine how temperance forms character and helps us live rightly ordered lives.

Modern education often promises freedom and creativity—but does it deliver? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we take a closer look at why traditional classrooms, rooted in order, routine, and content, may serve students far better. The team unpacks how classical methods form not just minds, but souls—cultivating discipline, genuine learning, and even joy. Along the way, we discuss classroom structure, educational goals, and what students truly need to flourish. If you've ever questioned what education is for, this conversation offers clarity, insight, and a compelling case for going back to basics.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_American Pharoah_—Joe Drape (Paul)  

_The Schools We Need: And Why We Don't Have Them_—E.D. Hirsch Jr. (Martin)

_Die Trying_—Jack Reacher (Martin)

_Slaughterhouse-Five_—Kurt Vonnegut (Jeremy)  

What role should art play in a classical education—and how do we teach it well? In this episode, Kyle Janke, author of _A Classical History of Art_ , joins the team to explore the visual arts—sculpture, architecture, and painting—through the lens of Western art history. From the ancient world to the Renaissance, they trace a broad Western art history timeline and discuss how engaging with great art forms students' hearts as well as minds.

The conversation covers teaching art history, how to evaluate beauty, and why classical art still matters in a modern world. You'll hear reflections on personal encounters with art, the distinction between modern art vs. classical art, and practical tips for teachers and parents alike. Whether you're new to art history or a longtime fan of classical education, this episode will deepen your appreciation for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_Mythology_—Edith Hamilton (Martin)

_Huckleberry Finn_—Mark Twain (Tanya)  

_James_—Percival Everett (Tanya)  

_The River War_—Winston S. Churchill (Kyle)  

_The Samurai_—Shusaku Endo (Kyle)  

What is classical education, really—and who gets to define it? In this special mailbag episode of Classical Et Cetera, we answer questions straight from our listeners. From homeschooling logistics to the purpose of teaching Greek mythology, from philosophy to pedagogy, no topic is off-limits! Whether you're deep in the trenches of classical education or just curious about the movement, join us as we tackle your burning questions.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 

_Passing the Torch_—Louis Marcus (Martin)

_Mythology_—Edith Hamilton (Martin)

_The Believers_—Janice Holt Giles— (Paul)  

_Mr. Midshipman Hornblower_—C.S. Forester— (Paul) 

_My Friends_—Fredrick Backman (Tanya)  

_Huckleberry Finn_—Mark Twain (Tanya)