

Anchored by the Classic Learning Test
Classic Learning Test
Anchored is published by the Classic Learning Test. Hosted by CLT leadership, including our CEO Jeremy Tate, Anchored features conversations with leading thinkers on issues at the intersection of education and culture. New discussions are released every Thursday. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2025 • 46min
Reintroducing Classical Higher Education in Europe | Cornelis J. Schilt
On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Dr. Cornelis J. Schilt, Professor of History and Philosophy of Knowledge at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, and Founder and President of Lux Mundi, a new Catholic university in Belgium. Dr. Schilt shares his unique educational journey from a small town in the Netherlands to prestigious institutions like Oxford. He discusses the challenges he has faced in academia in Europe, and his vision for Lux Mundi as a transformative educational institution that emphasizes character development and the pursuit of truth.

Aug 21, 2025 • 30min
Guiding Students Toward Goodness | Jeff Brown
On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Jeff Brown, Headmaster of Hunter Classical Christian School in Richmond, Virginia. They discuss Jeff’s journey to discovering classical education, and Hunter Classical’s commitment to cultivating character before transcripts. They examine the CLT as a valuable standard for what an ideal student should aspire to learn and an exemplary school should aspire to teach. They conclude by talking about the future of Hunter Classical, including their first class of ninth graders starting this fall.

Aug 14, 2025 • 34min
A Revolutionary Return to Education | Jovia Godfrey
On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Jovia Godfrey, Admissions Officer at Saint Constantine College and a seventh-grade writing tutorial teacher at the Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas. They talk about Jovia’s journey to discovering Saint Constantine for her kids, and the school’s resolve to cultivate an environment that is risky but not hazardous. They dive into Saint Constantine’s K-16 educational approach and their revolutionary return to learning well.

Aug 7, 2025 • 28min
Were Christians Wrong About Harry Potter? | Brandon Vogt
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Brandon Vogt, author, Founder of ClaritasU, Senior Publishing Director for Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire, and Founder and Chairman of Chesterton Academy of Orlando. They discuss his journey in founding a Chesterton school in Orlando and what inspired him to choose its curriculum for his children. They explore Brandon’s defense of the Harry Potter series as rich in Christian virtue and having the power to re-enchant reality. Read Brandon Vogt on Catholics and Harry Potter: https://brandonvogt.com/potter/

Jul 31, 2025 • 29min
How Faith Strengthens Academic Freedom | Jim Gash
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Jim Gash, President of Pepperdine University. They unpack his recent viral U.S. News & World Report article titled “Can Belief in God Strengthen Academic Freedom?” They also explore the value of a traditional brick-and-mortar school in the age of unlimited information access, and conclude by discussing why students from the classical renewal movement are well-suited for a Pepperdine education.

Jul 24, 2025 • 24min
Florida’s Path to Educational Excellence | Vince Verges
On this episode of Anchored, CLT’s Chief Strategy Officer Noah Tyler is joined by Vince Verges, who recently retired from the Florida Department of Education after 31 years in Florida public schools. They discuss how Florida emerged as a national leader in classical education. Vince shares his journey from classroom teacher to serving as the head of Accountability and Assessment at the Florida Department of Education, including his choice to steer away from Common Core standardized testing. They explore the role of virtue in education, particularly in connection to the rise of AI.

13 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 36min
Fired for Success: Dr. Jennifer Frey Breaks Her Silence
Dr. Jennifer Frey, a philosopher and former Dean of the University of Tulsa's Honors College, reflects on her surprising dismissal despite her successes. She discusses the clash between students’ desires for a liberal arts education and the priorities of college administrators. Frey emphasizes the urgent need for reforms in higher education, advocating for authentic liberal learning as vital to democracy. Her insights reveal the deep-seated issues in academia, highlighting the importance of fostering independent thought and trust in educational institutions.

Jul 10, 2025 • 28min
The Purpose of Education | Tucker Carlson
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Tucker Carlson, host of Tucker on X and The Tucker Carlson Show. They discuss the ultimate purpose of education as arriving at wisdom, rather than merely accumulating knowledge. They dive into the connection between ugly architecture and the pursuit of evil. Tucker also talks about his regrets surrounding his children’s education.

Jun 19, 2025 • 28min
The Cultural Return to Orthodoxy | Ann Brodeur
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Ann Brodeur, the Chair of Education and Liberal Arts at Catholic International University. They explore the relationship between Ann’s love for medieval history and her background growing up on a ranch in Montana. They dive into how a view of education as formational, rather than mere informational, helps mitigate the threat posed by AI. They discuss Catholic International University’s founding mission to educate the laity along with today’s cultural revival of Catholic education and orthodoxy. They conclude by highlighting key texts that shaped medieval culture for an illiterate audience.

Jun 12, 2025 • 27min
CLT Scores State Policy Victories Nationwide | Michael Torres
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by CLT Director of Legislative Strategy Michael Torres. The two discuss the recent policy victories for CLT and the classical renewal movement in states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. They unpack the surprising and predictable responses from politicians and SAT and ACT lobbyists. Finally, they dive into the characteristics of states that are excited about adopting the CLT into their college admissions processes.