This age of AI puts a spotlight on the differentiated power of "thinking well." But the best way to teach students to think well is counterintuitive: we have to be willing to make mistakes. Students and teachers alike will have to get comfortable with the idea of mistakes as part of the journey toward critical engagement. In this week's episode, music teacher Pat Love and middle school teacher Shane O'Neill liken education to good jazz. Students absorb the traditions, imitate the masters, try to make it their own, and learn by trial and error under a trusted guide. Chapters: 2:37 The jazz and education analogy 7:50 Making space in the classroom to try—and fail 9:46 Teacher habits for student agency 15:21 Tests, assignments, seminars 18:54 The educative power of imitation 22:42 Grades, and when a kid is "playing scared" 27:43 Turning correction into learning 31:07 Fewer one-right-answers 37:06 Drawing out participation 41:48 Transmitting a culture, not just a subject 43:58 Addressing philosophical mistakes Links: <a href="https://amzn.to/4zocPIu">The Risk of Education: Discovering Our Ultimate Destiny</a> by Luigi Giussani Also on the Forum: <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/podcast/the-art-and-act-of-knowing-and-what-it-means-for-teaching/"> The Art and Act of Knowing—and What It Means for Teaching</a> featuring Dr. Jonathan Buttaci <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/essays/educating-boys-nature-risk-and-the-making-of-men/"> Educating Boys: Nature, Risk, and the Making of Men</a> by Dr. Joseph Lanzilotti <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/playlists/teaching-sovereign-knowers/">Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series</a> by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) <a href= "https://heights.edu/event/2026-fathers-conference/">Fatherhood Conference</a> at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

This age of AI puts a spotlight on the differentiated power of "thinking well." But the best way to teach students to think well is counterintuitive: we have to be willing to make mistakes. Students and teachers alike will have to get comfortable with the idea of mistakes as part of the journey toward critical engagement. In this week's episode, music teacher Pat Love and middle school teacher Shane O'Neill liken education to good jazz. Students absorb the traditions, imitate the masters, try to make it their own, and learn by trial and error under a trusted guide. Chapters: 2:37 The jazz and education analogy 7:50 Making space in the classroom to try—and fail 9:46 Teacher habits for student agency 15:21 Tests, assignments, seminars 18:54 The educative power of imitation 22:42 Grades, and when a kid is "playing scared" 27:43 Turning correction into learning 31:07 Fewer one-right-answers 37:06 Drawing out participation 41:48 Transmitting a culture, not just a subject 43:58 Addressing philosophical mistakes Links: The Risk of Education: Discovering Our Ultimate Destiny by Luigi Giussani Also on the Forum: The Art and Act of Knowing—and What It Means for Teaching featuring Dr. Jonathan Buttaci Educating Boys: Nature, Risk, and the Making of Men by Dr. Joseph Lanzilotti Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

This age of AI puts a spotlight on the differentiated power of "thinking well." But the best way to teach students to think well is counterintuitive: we have to be willing to make mistakes. Students and teachers alike will have to get comfortable with the idea of mistakes as part of the journey toward critical engagement. In this week's episode, music teacher Pat Love and middle school teacher Shane O'Neill liken education to good jazz. Students absorb the traditions, imitate the masters, try to make it their own, and learn by trial and error under a trusted guide. Chapters: 2:37 The jazz and education analogy 7:50 Making space in the classroom to try—and fail 9:46 Teacher habits for student agency 15:21 Tests, assignments, seminars 18:54 The educative power of imitation 22:42 Grades, and when a kid is "playing scared" 27:43 Turning correction into learning 31:07 Fewer one-right-answers 37:06 Drawing out participation 41:48 Transmitting a culture, not just a subject 43:58 Addressing philosophical mistakes Links: <a href="https://amzn.to/4zocPIu" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Risk of Education: Discovering Our Ultimate Destiny</a> by Luigi Giussani Also on the Forum: <a href="https://heightsforum.org/podcast/the-art-and-act-of-knowing-and-what-it-means-for-teaching/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Art and Act of Knowing—and What It Means for Teaching</a> featuring Dr. Jonathan Buttaci <a href="https://heightsforum.org/essays/educating-boys-nature-risk-and-the-making-of-men/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Educating Boys: Nature, Risk, and the Making of Men</a> by Dr. Joseph Lanzilotti <a href="https://heightsforum.org/playlists/teaching-sovereign-knowers/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series</a> by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) <a href="https://heights.edu/event/2026-fathers-conference/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fatherhood Conference</a> at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

Pat Love & Shane O'Neill on Making Room for Mistakes: Education as Imitation, Mistakes, and Improv

This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Heights Clans. These competitive bodies engage in festivity six days a year, including two full Clan Days every All Saints Day and Feast of the Annunciation. This participates in the rich liturgical and intellectual traditions of authentic feasting, using the building blocks of worship, arts, food, and games. Today on HeightsCast, middle school teacher and clans gamemaster/meister Kyle Blackmer explores why a school—or any community—should consider a commitment to these rituals of festival. Chapters: 4:28 Pieper's definition of festival 7:33 Each festival unique to its place 9:01 Heights Clan Days 15:03 Why feasting is important 20:43 Connecting a student body 22:19 A liturgical basis 24:28 Preparation: the fast before the feast 28:21 Practical challenges to festival Links: <a href="https://heights.edu/student-life/clans/">The Heights Student Life: Clans</a>, containing more information about our four clans and clan festival days <a href="https://amzn.to/3TuQhXo">In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity</a> by Josef Pieper <a href= "https://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/the-immortal-power-of-astonishment-and-laughter/"> "The Immortal Power of Astonishment and Laughter"</a> by G. K. Chesterton <a href="https://amzn.to/4rBEItW">Around the Year with the von Trapp Family</a> by Maria von Trapp <a href="https://amzn.to/3VY46yc">The Life of Christ</a> by Fulton Sheen Also on the Forum: <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/article/in-defense-of-victory/">In Defense of Victory</a> by Kyle Blackmer Featured Opportunities: <a href= "https://heights.edu/event/men-for-the-world/">Headmaster's Lecture</a> at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) <a href= "https://heights.edu/event/2026-fathers-conference/">Fatherhood Conference</a> at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Heights Clans. These competitive bodies engage in festivity six days a year, including two full Clan Days every All Saints Day and Feast of the Annunciation. This participates in the rich liturgical and intellectual traditions of authentic feasting, using the building blocks of worship, arts, food, and games. Today on HeightsCast, middle school teacher and clans gamemaster/meister Kyle Blackmer explores why a school—or any community—should consider a commitment to these rituals of festival. Chapters: 4:28 Pieper's definition of festival 7:33 Each festival unique to its place 9:01 Heights Clan Days 15:03 Why feasting is important 20:43 Connecting a student body 22:19 A liturgical basis 24:28 Preparation: the fast before the feast 28:21 Practical challenges to festival Links: The Heights Student Life: Clans, containing more information about our four clans and clan festival days In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity by Josef Pieper "The Immortal Power of Astonishment and Laughter" by G. K. Chesterton Around the Year with the von Trapp Family by Maria von Trapp The Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen Also on the Forum: In Defense of Victory by Kyle Blackmer Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Heights Clans. These competitive bodies engage in festivity six days a year, including two full Clan Days every All Saints Day and Feast of the Annunciation. This participates in the rich liturgical and intellectual traditions of authentic feasting, using the building blocks of worship, arts, food, and games. Today on HeightsCast, middle school teacher and clans gamemaster/meister Kyle Blackmer explores why a school—or any community—should consider a commitment to these rituals of festival. Chapters: 4:28 Pieper's definition of festival 7:33 Each festival unique to its place 9:01 Heights Clan Days 15:03 Why feasting is important 20:43 Connecting a student body 22:19 A liturgical basis 24:28 Preparation: the fast before the feast 28:21 Practical challenges to festival Links: <a href="https://heights.edu/student-life/clans/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Heights Student Life: Clans</a>, containing more information about our four clans and clan festival days <a href="https://amzn.to/3TuQhXo" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity</a> by Josef Pieper <a href="https://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/the-immortal-power-of-astonishment-and-laughter/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> "The Immortal Power of Astonishment and Laughter"</a> by G. K. Chesterton <a href="https://amzn.to/4rBEItW" rel="noopener noreferrer">Around the Year with the von Trapp Family</a> by Maria von Trapp <a href="https://amzn.to/3VY46yc" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Life of Christ</a> by Fulton Sheen Also on the Forum: <a href="https://heightsforum.org/article/in-defense-of-victory/" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Defense of Victory</a> by Kyle Blackmer Featured Opportunities: <a href="https://heights.edu/event/men-for-the-world/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Headmaster's Lecture</a> at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) <a href="https://heights.edu/event/2026-fathers-conference/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fatherhood Conference</a> at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

Kyle Blackmer on Heights Clans and the Need for Festival

How do we know whether we know something? How do we know whether our son or student has apprehended a lesson? Sometimes we hear the liberal arts discussed as a "beholding of great things." But Catholic University professor Dr. Jonathan Buttaci reminds us they are liberal arts—implying a craft or adept handling of knowledge. In other words, coming to know something is not passive at all. It's an act. And that act does not primarily belong to the teacher. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Buttaci talks epistemology and what the role of the teacher really is in bringing young people to knowledge. Chapters: 3:59 Knowledge: active, not passive 12:56 Practical ends of knowledge 18:02 Contemplation: Buttaci v. Pieper 24:04 Liberal arts 30:16 Knowing bestows freedom 35:29 Where truth and creativity meet 42:27 The power of the teacher 43:52 How teachers can preserve the joy of discovery 57:59 Teaching rote, grindstone skills 01:05:08 A teacher's job is joyful Links: <a href= "https://superhabit.substack.com/p/education-is-not-about-content-transmission"> Education Is Not about Content Transmission</a> by Dr. Andrew Abela, notes on a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Buttaci<a href= "https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html">Magnifica Humanitas</a>, papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://amzn.to/4ywFlrb">Leisure: The Basis of Culture</a> by Josef Pieper <a href="https://amzn.to/4yh2L3l">The Idea of a University</a> by John Henry Newman Also on the Forum: <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/article/automaticity-and-creativity/">Automaticity and Creativity</a> by David Maxham <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/podcast/automaticity-where-rote-fits-into-the-liberal-arts/"> Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts</a> featuring David Maxham <a href="https://heightsforum.org/podcast/the-teachers-voice/">The Teacher's Voice</a> featuring Tom Steenson <a href= "https://heightsforum.org/playlists/teaching-sovereign-knowers/">Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series</a> by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

How do we know whether we know something? How do we know whether our son or student has apprehended a lesson? Sometimes we hear the liberal arts discussed as a "beholding of great things." But Catholic University professor Dr. Jonathan Buttaci reminds us they are liberal arts—implying a craft or adept handling of knowledge. In other words, coming to know something is not passive at all. It's an act. And that act does not primarily belong to the teacher. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Buttaci talks epistemology and what the role of the teacher really is in bringing young people to knowledge. Chapters: 3:59 Knowledge: active, not passive 12:56 Practical ends of knowledge 18:02 Contemplation: Buttaci v. Pieper 24:04 Liberal arts 30:16 Knowing bestows freedom 35:29 Where truth and creativity meet 42:27 The power of the teacher 43:52 How teachers can preserve the joy of discovery 57:59 Teaching rote, grindstone skills 01:05:08 A teacher's job is joyful Links: Education Is Not about Content Transmission by Dr. Andrew Abela, notes on a presentation by Dr. Jonathan ButtaciMagnifica Humanitas, papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIV Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman Also on the Forum: Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham The Teacher's Voice featuring Tom Steenson Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

How do we know whether we know something? How do we know whether our son or student has apprehended a lesson? Sometimes we hear the liberal arts discussed as a "beholding of great things." But Catholic University professor Dr. Jonathan Buttaci reminds us they are liberal arts—implying a craft or adept handling of knowledge. In other words, coming to know something is not passive at all. It's an act. And that act does not primarily belong to the teacher. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Buttaci talks epistemology and what the role of the teacher really is in bringing young people to knowledge. Chapters: 3:59 Knowledge: active, not passive 12:56 Practical ends of knowledge 18:02 Contemplation: Buttaci v. Pieper 24:04 Liberal arts 30:16 Knowing bestows freedom 35:29 Where truth and creativity meet 42:27 The power of the teacher 43:52 How teachers can preserve the joy of discovery 57:59 Teaching rote, grindstone skills 01:05:08 A teacher's job is joyful Links: <a href="https://superhabit.substack.com/p/education-is-not-about-content-transmission" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Education Is Not about Content Transmission</a> by Dr. Andrew Abela, notes on a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Buttaci<a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magnifica Humanitas</a>, papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://amzn.to/4ywFlrb" rel="noopener noreferrer">Leisure: The Basis of Culture</a> by Josef Pieper <a href="https://amzn.to/4yh2L3l" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Idea of a University</a> by John Henry Newman Also on the Forum: <a href="https://heightsforum.org/article/automaticity-and-creativity/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Automaticity and Creativity</a> by David Maxham <a href="https://heightsforum.org/podcast/automaticity-where-rote-fits-into-the-liberal-arts/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts</a> featuring David Maxham <a href="https://heightsforum.org/podcast/the-teachers-voice/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Teacher's Voice</a> featuring Tom Steenson <a href="https://heightsforum.org/playlists/teaching-sovereign-knowers/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series</a> by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon <a href="https://heights.edu/admissions/open-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fall Open House</a> at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon <a href="https://heightsforum.org/events/convivium/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Convivium Conference for Teaching Men</a> at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

Dr. Jonathan Buttaci on the Art and Act of Knowing—and What That Means for Teaching

Goals for the Year with Alvaro de Vicente

Welcome to HeightsCast, the official podcast of The Heights School.

Welcome to HeightsCast, the official podcast of The Heights School.

Introducing HeightsCast

Welcome to HeightsCast, the podcast of The Heights School. With over 200 episodes, HeightsCast discusses the education of young men fully alive in the liberal arts tradition. The program engages teachers and thought-leaders in the educational/cultural space to support our community of listeners: parents, teachers, and school leaders seeking to educate the young men in their care. Instead of downloads, HeightsCast's most important metric for success is the unknown number of thoughtful discussions it prompts in homes, faculty lunchrooms, and communities around the country and the world. Thank you for listening; thank you for continuing the conversation.

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