The Story of Civilization: The Hit Homeschool Curriculum Celebrates 10 Years | Phillip Campbell

Jul 9, 2025

Phillip Campbell, a former mayor turned history author and educator, dives into his bestselling homeschool curriculum, The Story of Civilization. He shares his journey from local politics to crafting this unique narrative approach to history, emphasizing storytelling's role in education. Campbell discusses the evolution of Church history, the significance of figures like St. Francis and Bernard of Clairvaux, and the delicate balance between tradition and modernity within the Church. He also hints at future projects, aiming to inspire students through biographies of saints.

02:30:39

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INSIGHT

History Shapes Identity

Phillip Campbell argues history is identity: losing memory erases who we are.
He frames his curriculum as telling the story of the human and Catholic family to form identity.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Mayor Turned Historian

Phillip recounts resigning as mayor to write the Story of Civilization series.
He used the official reason of focusing on writing to escape toxic local politics.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Teach History Through Story

When teaching kids, tell stories instead of just listing facts to make history stick.
Write for the oldest target reader but include contextual cues so younger listeners can follow.

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Origins and Purpose of Story of Civilization

01:27 • 4min

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Phillip’s Transition from Mayor to Author

05:36 • 6min

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Why Storytelling Matters in Teaching History

11:52 • 6min

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Defining Himself: Teacher vs. Historian

18:05 • 2min

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Conversion and the Role of Church History

20:02 • 9min

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Visiting St. Francis’s Tomb and Its Impact

28:50 • 3min

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Bernard of Clairvaux: Misunderstood Saint

31:26 • 7min

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Creating the Audio Dramas

38:21 • 2min

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The Song of the Scaffold: Compiègne Martyrs

40:10 • 7min

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Expanding Story of Civilization into Schools

47:24 • 2min

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The Schoolhouse Model and Audience Levels

49:43 • 4min

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The Cadaver Synod Story

54:13 • 10min

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Traditionis Custodes vs. Summorum Pontificum

01:04:37 • 5min

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Desire for Stability in the Papacy

01:10:06 • 10min

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Iconoclasm and the Role of Images

01:20:29 • 11min

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Modern Minimalism in Church Artistry

01:31:40 • 5min

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Writing Story of the Church and Story of Mary

01:36:57 • 4min

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Early Church Structure and Penitential Practices

01:40:45 • 9min

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Origins of Clerical Celibacy

01:49:23 • 6min

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Was 1054 the Church’s Worst Crisis?

01:55:30 • 4min

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The Ark of the Covenant and Medieval Beliefs

01:59:05 • 4min

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Ancient Civilizations and Atlantis Theories

02:02:50 • 4min

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Favourite Historical Periods and Future Projects

02:06:31 • 7min

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Genghis Khan and Non-Western Histories

02:13:40 • 3min

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Self-Publishing and The Saga of Ireland

02:16:13 • 2min

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Hebrew Origins and Proto-Writing Theories

02:18:11 • 9min

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Future Focus: Saints and Spiritual Biographies

The Story of the Church

From Pentecost to Modern Times (Complete Set)

Phillip Campbell

The Story of the Church, written by Phillip Campbell, presents the history of the Catholic Church.

Apostolic origins of priestly celibacy

Christian Cochini

Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy explores the historical roots and development of the tradition of celibacy in the Catholic priesthood.

Wounds of Love

Phillip Campbell

Wounds of Love tells the story of St. Padre Pio, focusing on his life, stigmata, and spiritual gifts.

The Story of Civilization Volume 3: The Making of the Modern World

None

Phillip Campbell

The Making of the Modern World volume 3 of the Story of Civilization written by Phillip Campbell.

Matron of Paris

Phillip Campbell

Matron of Paris tells the story of St. Genevieve by Phillip Campbell, using her life to illustrate spiritual truths.

The saga of ireland

Phillip Campbell

The Saga of Ireland by Phillip Campbell explores the regional specific narratives, culture and literature of Ireland.

History of the Philippines, God's Rampart in Asia

Phillip Campbell

History of the Philippines, God's Rampart in Asia is a book by Phillip Campbell exploring the history and culture of the Philippines.

The Story of Civilization Volume 2: The Medieval World (Complete Set)

None

Phillip Campbell

The Medieval World volume 2 of the Story of Civilization written by Phillip Campbell.

Tale Maneth

Phillip Campbell

Tale Maneth is an epic novel written by Phillip Campbell, showcasing his creativity as a storyteller.

Egypt

Graham Hancock

Egypt, a book written by Graham Hancock a reporter with questionable authority.

#1790

• Mentioned in 16 episodes

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

Jack Weatherford

This book, written by Jack Weatherford, challenges the traditional Western view of Genghis Khan as a ruthless destroyer. Instead, it portrays Khan as a secular leader who promoted egalitarianism, religious tolerance, and free trade. The Mongol Empire, under Khan's leadership, subjugated vast lands and people, but also facilitated cultural communication, expanded trade routes, and contributed to the blossoming of civilization. Weatherford argues that the Mongols' rule was less burdensome than that of European nobility, with lighter taxes, tolerance of local customs and religions, and universal education for boys. The book also explores how the Mongols encouraged scientific advances, improved agriculture, and sponsored lucrative international trade, thereby influencing European civilization and the modern world.

Heroes and Heretics

Phillip Campbell

Heroes and Heretics explores the figures and events of the Counter-Reformation, a period of Catholic resurgence.

The Ancient World

Phillip Campbell

The Ancient World volume 1 of the Story of Civilization written by Phillip Campbell.

#48018

These Truths, The History of the United States

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

De Trinitate

null

St. Augustine

Augustine's De Trinitate is a profound exploration of the doctrine of the Trinity, offering insights into the nature of God and the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

#9653

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Story of Work

Jan Lucassen

Jan Lucassen's "The Story of Work" provides a comprehensive overview of the history of work across different cultures and time periods. The book examines the evolution of work practices, technologies, and social structures, highlighting the diverse ways in which humans have organized their labor throughout history. Lucassen explores the impact of industrialization, globalization, and technological change on the nature of work, examining the challenges and opportunities that have arisen. The book is a significant contribution to the field of labor history, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of the history of work and its ongoing evolution. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of work and its impact on society.

#912

• Mentioned in 27 episodes

The story of civilization

Will Durant

Ariel Durant

This series, written over a period of 40 years, is a detailed and engaging narrative of human history from prehistoric times to the late 18th century. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of historical events, cultural developments, and the lives of influential individuals. The Durants' approach is characterized by their attention to art, literature, music, and other aspects of culture, making history more accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Despite some criticisms for being Eurocentric and lacking in primary research, the series is praised for its thorough and personable style, making complex historical topics interesting and transparent.

How do you write a history of the world?

In this compelling episode of The Conor Gallagher Show, author and historian Phillip Campbell explains exactly how he did just that ten years ago when he wrote the homeschool curriculum The Story of Civilization. Campbell shares his journey with Conor and his brother Kevin, from mayor to author, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in education. The discussion also touches on the evolution of Church history and its relevance to contemporary issues, highlighting the need for clarity and stability within the Church. The conversation weaves through various historical themes, underscoring the interconnectedness of faith, culture, and identity.

The Story of Civilization complete sets:

Volume 1: The Ancient World (https://bit.ly/408aPVE)
Volume 2: The Medieval World (https://bit.ly/3GqnMDJ)
Volume 3: The Making of the Modern World (https://bit.ly/4kzYAZn)
Volume 4: The History of the United States (https://bit.ly/4nEyHKx)

The Story of the Church (https://bit.ly/4eFrIwV)

The Story of Mary (https://bit.ly/4kqcrRT)

Be sure to Like, Subscribe, or Follow The Conor Gallagher Show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18ro5zSiFJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://instagram.com/conorgallaghershow

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@conorgallaghershow

CHAPTERS

00:01 The Importance of History in Identity

03:35 The Birth of a Catholic History Curriculum

07:28 Transitioning from Politics to Writing

11:42 The Creative Process Behind the Series

15:12 The Journey of Writing History

18:36 Defining Identity as a Historian

24:26 Discovering Historical Continuity in Christianity

28:47 Experiences at Saint Francis's Tomb

34:10 The Influence of G.K. Chesterton

38:02 Connecting Historical Figures

47:07 Expanding Educational Outreach

50:34 The Schoolhouse Model Explained

53:55 Exploring Historical Narratives

58:19 Challenges in Historical Storytelling

1:03:10 Political Intrigue in Papal History

1:08:06 Future Directions for the Papacy

1:12:33 Perceptions of Chaos in the Papacy

1:15:45 Historical Perspectives on Church Governance

1:18:57 The Church's Resilience Through History

1:22:16 The Iconoclasm Controversy

1:29:22 Modern Minimalism in Church Architecture

1:32:49 Tradition vs. Modernity in Papal Representation

1:36:14 Transitioning from Iconoclasm to Political Discussion

1:40:44 Understanding the Early Church's Formalities

1:47:25 Communal Practices in Early Christianity

1:51:45 Divergence of Eastern and Western Traditions

1:54:58 The Great Schism of 1054

1:59:04 The Ark of the Covenant's Mysteries

2:02:49 Ancient Civilizations and Catastrophes

2:06:23 Historical Interests and Future Projects

2:10:27 The Precision of Ancient Egyptian Artistry

2:15:14 Interest in Eastern Empires and Cultures

2:18:55 The Evolution of Hebrew Language from Hieroglyphics

2:22:35 Proto Hebrew and Its Historical Significance

2:26:37 Future Aspirations in Historical Writing

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