How the Founding Fathers' Classical Education Shaped America
Who were the Founding Fathers — and what is the education that shaped them? In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ , we explore the rigorous classical education that influenced America’s founders and the birth of a nation. From learning Latin and Greek to studying history and literature, the Founders gained the wisdom and discipline to lead with courage and conviction. We discuss what their colonial education looked like, why it mattered, and how modern schools and families can recover the same focus and depth. Join the conversation and discover what classical learning can offer today’s America!
*What We're Reading* from This Episode:
_The Hobbit_—J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul)
_The Human Factor_—Graham Greene (Paul)
_The Father's Tale_—Michael D. O'Brien (Tanya)
_The Iliad_—Homer (Martin)
_The Idiot_—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)
Vulgate Set - https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/latin/selections-from-the-vulgate-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=184
Martin's article - https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/classical-education-founding-fathers/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=184
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August vs September: When Should You Start School?
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)
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Learning Latin as an Adult: A Beginner’s Guide from Classical Educators
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)
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What Are the Liberal Arts? Not What College Told You!
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)
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Life-Changing Books That Inspired Our Classical Education
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)
Brasil