Developing Classical Thinkers

To celebrate and explain St. Patrick’s Day, today’s episode features a brief biography of St. Patrick. Roman-British missionary St. Patrick lived from 385 to 461 and is famous for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. Learn the full story and how Patrick’s life shows the value of being classically educated.

The quote from St. Patrick’s Confessio is available from https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_latin#01

The story about Irish monasteries preserving manuscripts from the ancient world is drawn from “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” available here: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/how-the-irish-saved-civilization-the-untold-story-of-irelands-heroic-role-from-the-fall-of-rome-to-the-rise-of-medieval-europe-by-thomas-cahill/247589/?resultid=14dc8acd-4e59-40b8-b2ef-02c8bb1116a9#edition=2381566&idiq=4442804

America has long been described as the land of opportunity. In this webinar, Dr. Richard Vedder examined the characteristics that have contributed to America’s greatness and the opportunities and freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States. Moreover, Dr. Vedder proposed ways students can contribute to the flourishing of the United States and prepare a future of excellence for themselves and their communities.

Dr. Richard Vedder is the Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University. He has written for both scholarly journals and popular publications such as "The Wall Street Journal." Vedder also has administered the "Best College Rankings" for "Forbes" magazine.

This webinar was streamed on February 8, 2022. It is available to stream here: https://youtu.be/w-LQBqx-x1Y

Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resourc...

Coming up on February 14 is Valentine's Day, a holiday that many people celebrate but few people know why we do so. When did we start celebrating Valentine's Day? Who was St. Valentine? Why hearts? Was this holiday cooked up to sell cards and chocolate, or was there something real, true, and meaningful at the heart of Valentine's Day?

In this episode, Will Begley makes some guesses about the origins of St. Valentine’s Day, how Valentine’s Day became a day of card-and-rose-giving, and the backstory behind a number of the different St. Valentine figures.

In this episode, economist Brian Balfour provides a brief check-in about the economy and explains all things concerning inflation, supply chains, and the trends we're seeing in the U.S. economy. Brian also offers his recommendations for students on how they can alleviate such problems in the broader, economic marketplace (hint: consider getting a part-time job).

Brian Balfour is Senior Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, where he oversees the organization’s research and analysis on a variety of issues. He specializes in fiscal policy issues and is also the author of the e-book Economics in Action, which teaches the free-market principles of the ‘Austrian School’ of economics. He has helped Thales develop an economics curriculum and lesson plans.

We referenced the January 13 episode of the podcast, "The World and Everything In It," in today’s show; a link to a transcript of that episode may be found here: https://wng.org/podcasts/thursday-morning-news-january-13-2022-1642056593

Theme music is Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons, Spring (1st Movement)," recorded by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players. The recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc7LVR_Lb_E

This webinar explored the relationship between mathematics and classical education, an approach that begins in wonder, explores a particular problem using mathematical principles, and builds from those solutions a greater intellectual curiosity and wonder about the world in which we live.

Our speaker is Jonathan Gregg, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College. He regularly teaches classes in mathematics, deductive reasoning, and the quadrivium at Hillsdale College. He is also pursuing a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Michigan State University.

This webinar was given on January 6, 2022. Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

How does music fit into a Classical education? How does the study of music foster a love for truth and beauty? What brings more joy--listening to a beautiful piece of music, or just playing an instrument regardless of our skill level? What specific pieces might we listen to help cultivate that love for beautiful things in ourselves and in our students?

In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Thales band directors Richard Dryer and Wendy Cheng about the enriching, transformative nature of music and the joy that great music can bring to a Great Books education.

Special thanks to Wendy and Richard for their time on the episode and their service in building up our music program.

Theme music is Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Spring (1st Movement), recorded by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players. The recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc7LVR_Lb_E

Songs referenced in the Episode include:

Bach, Partita No. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngjEVKxQCWs

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPFH-gz3wE

Mozart, Kegelstatt Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_cfok4QxdU

Beethoven Piano Concerto Number 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTO9ms_eIEY

Gustav Holste, The Planets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isic2Z2e2xs&t=15s

Thales Academy Administrators, Ashley Bahor, Matt Ogle, and Winston Brady, discuss how Thales Academy can help students focus on what is good, true, and beautiful through the value of the fine arts and their integration with practical, real-world skills.

This webinar was streamed on December 9, 2021. Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

Featuring Jonathan Yonan, M.St., D.Phil., "The Makings of a True Teacher", held on November 17th, 2021, discusses the value of a classical education and leadership formation when educating future teachers.

Learn more about Thales College and our unique Classical Education and Leadership degree at https://www.thalescollege.org/.

An interview with Bob Luddy and Amity Shlaes, author of four "New York Times"-bestsellers including "Coolidge" and "The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression." In "Great Society," Amity Shlaes examines the 1960s and the advent of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society as a means of better understanding our contemporary challenges and the lamentable, avoidable consequences of economic planning and social welfare programs.

Amity Shlaes chairs the board of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, a national foundation based in the birthplace of President Coolidge.

Find out more about Amity Shlaes and her work at the Coolidge Foundation at http://www.amityshlaes.com/bio.php

"Bob's Book Reviews" is hosted by Bob Luddy, President of CaptiveAire Systems and the founder of Thales Academy, a network of private schools in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and beyond. In Bob's Book Reviews, Bob provides a short overview of the book, explains why this book answers pressing issues of our time, and facilitates a discussion on topics that challenge and enlighten the human mind.

In today’s episode, Winston Brady takes a special look at the Thales Garden Club, a group of students who meet in the mornings to take care of the community garden at Thales Academy Rolesville JH/HS. Through a series of on-the-spot reporting and interviews with the club's lead teachers and student members, we explore how the Garden Club positively impacts students.

Special thanks to Amanda Gruber, lead teacher for the Garden Club, as well as all of the students who participated in today’s episode. Great work everyone, and thank you for beautifying the grounds and providing such a rich learning opportunity for our Rolesville campus!

For more information on Thales Academy, check out our website at www.thalesacademy.org

Theme music is from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," performed by from Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players, https://youtu.be/Bt_shKqtLDk