Ross Garner, Andrey Sushch, Mark Bixler and Victoria Smith discuss C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet. Victoria begins by providing a summary of the book and Mark poses a question about the nature of fallen and unfallen man. The group discusses how the protagonist, Dr. Ransom, becomes a better man in traveling to Mars or Malacandra by learning to live proportionally to others and nature.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Michael Conklin, Landon O'Neil, Hannah Jensen, and Tania Medina discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Ross begins by providing context to the chapter, The Grand Inquisitor, and the group discusses its central theme of free will.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Benjamin Asvitt, Faith Sawyer, and Mark Bixler discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Benjamin begins by providing a short synopsis of the next 100 pages of the book after which Mark shares a passage from the book related to human nature. They discuss Dimitri Karamazov's view of man and his buggish nature as well as whether it is morally permissible to wish for someone's death. Though somewhat depressing themes, the conversation ends hopeful and optimistic.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Sabrina Dailey, and Victoria Smith discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Sabrina begins by providing a short synopsis of the first 100 pages of the book after which Victoria begins the conversation by quoting a passage from Elder Zosima's teachings on active love. They discuss the power of active love and how it changes their ideals from being selfish to selfless.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Aaron Navarro, Nathan Cubano and John Benson discuss John Steinbeck's "Junius Maltby" from The Pastures of Heaven. John begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Nathan begins the conversation by quoting a passage near the end of the story when Robbie Maltby discovers his poverty and is ashamed. They discuss the duties of parents to their children to provide for their physical and spiritual needs and the need to achieve a balanced vision of life.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Allison Dickman, Jessica Liaghat, and Jessika Rubick discuss Robert Hutchin's The Great Conversation. Jessica L. begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Jessika R. begins the conversation by quoting a passage about the America's strength lying in the character and intelligence of its people. They discuss what it means to be an American and why its important for all Americans to pursue a liberal education as part of their civic responsibility.

As Americans we are very diverse, but the common denominator we share is that we are all human and we should pursue an education that helps us understand what that means and how we can be good humans.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

Ross Garner, Michael Conklin, Michael Bacon, Cruz Martinez, Pedro Tafoya, and Shalya Phillips discuss what great books, discussions, and mentors had the greatest impact on them while they were scholars at John Adams Academy, and why they chose to come back to the after graduation to teach. They talk about the learning environment at the Academy as one where the mentors are as engaged in the learning process as the scholars and are all working to improve themselves and increase their knowledge and abilities.

Ross Garner, Karin Anderson, Mark Bixler and Victoria and Constance Smith discuss Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Mark begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Constances poses a question regarding the hypocrtical religious views of Marie St. Claire in the book. They discuss the nature of religion and the way it can ironically be twisted to justify immorality. They also discuss the effect of slavery on the human soul and how Uncle Tom attained a freedom of his soul in spite of his bonds.

Ross Garner and Josh Christensen discuss William Wordsworth's sonnet "The World Is Too Much With Us." They begin by reading the peom aloud and then consider its meaning. They discuss why we as humans waste our powers in merely getting and spending money, and how we can live more in tune with Nature and harmonize our lives with others.

The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Ross Garner, Cali Wassom, Ruth Boatwright, Marco Lordge, and Lillian Braatz discuss Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Ruth begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Lillian poses a question regarding Elizabeth Bennet's ability to fairly judge the character of others. They discuss the nature of pride and prejudice as vices and why we as humans like to dislike others.

The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)