Senior thesis is the capstone of a classical Christian education, and Dr. Tom Vierra believes it may be one of the most countercultural things schools do today. In this episode, Davies Owens talks with Tom, longtime classical educator and Senior Thesis Coordinator at Wilson Hill Academy, about why thesis is far more than “just a…
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Classical learning has deep roots in the United Kingdom. Yet many schools in England, Scotland, and Wales have drifted toward child-led, utilitarian models that leave students unformed and unmoored. At the same time, a quiet renewal is beginning to take shape. In this episode, British educator Jamie Burns, founder of the Fellowship for Classical Learning, joins host Davies…
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Parents often wonder if pushing through difficult books is worth the tears and late nights. In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Sarah Osborne, author of Reading for the Long Run, as she explains why classics feel hard, how to discern real obstacles from attitude or context, and practical steps to move forward with…
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Technology is changing faster than families can keep up. From social media to smartphones to the latest wave of AI “companions,” new tools are shaping how children think, connect, and even define friendship. In this episode, Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes and a leading voice on digital safety, joins host Davies Owens to unpack what’s really happening and…
The post Family, Transparency, and AI Friends: Responding to the Latest Tech Changes with Chris McKenna appeared first on BaseCamp Live.
Can classical schools really prepare students for STEM careers? Many parents wonder if a humanities-rich education leaves room for science and technology. Our guest, Diane Gray, scientist, musician, contractor, tutor, and mother of seven, says yes. After 12 years in biotech R&D, Diane completed a master’s in Classical Studies to explore how classical Christian education and STEM can thrive…
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Davies Owens welcomes Ken Rhinehart, a commercial real-estate veteran and founder of VPA Classical, to demystify how classical schools can find, fund, and secure facilities that actually serve the mission. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why facilities shape formation. Leases, landlords, and leaking roofs quietly undermine learning and enrollment confidence. Buy vs. lease –…
The post Schools Need Facilities: A Roof Over Our Heads with Ken Rhinehart appeared first on BaseCamp Live.
We live in a culture of soundbites, but Christian parents and educators are called to form young people who listen well, think deeply, and speak with humility and grace. Host Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Justin Smith, Head of School at Little Rock Christian Academy and Herzog Foundation coach, to unpack the Harkness Method (a modern form of Socratic dialogue) and why it may be…
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In this Best of BaseCamp Live flashback, host Davies Owens sits down with pastor, musician, and author Jacob Hess to explore how story, liturgy, and imagination shape the hearts of our children – and why the stories we tell matter now more than ever. In this episode: Life is liturgy: how small, repeatable rituals –…
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What does it mean to be a woman today? Our culture has turned this into a debate, but for many young women—especially in Christian homes and schools—the real struggle comes in sorting through competing voices, conflicting priorities, and a lack of clear role models. In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies sits down with his daughter, Hannah Owens,…
The post Classical Femininity: Rooted Womanhood in a Confusing Culture with Hannah Brusven appeared first on BaseCamp Live.
What role do the arts really play in a classical Christian education? For many of us, “art class” growing up felt like a filler – something fun, but hardly central to learning. Music, theater, and visual art were often seen as side activities, not essential to shaping minds and hearts. But as guest Jarrod Richey reminds us,…
The post Rediscovering the Creative Call of Christians with Jarrod Richey appeared first on BaseCamp Live.