Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Erika J. Ahern, associate editor for CatholicVote’s The LOOP. The two discuss Ahern’s switch from years pursuing higher education in philosophy to a career in media and journalism. They discuss the trajectory of journalism toward big politics and what really lies behind this seemingly recent trend. Ahern also advocates for the importance of smaller, independent news outlets and predicts the future of legacy media. They conclude the episode with tips on how to approach the college admissions process.Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Aaron Howard, an ethics professor at Lipscomb University and the founder and CEO of As One Diversity. Together, they delve into Howard's personal journey of preserving his orthodox Christian beliefs while attending secular institutions and fighting against progressive ideology. The duo dissects the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, providing insights on both the concurring and dissenting opinions. Additionally, they discuss the redefinition of racism, the cultural obligations of various ethnic groups in striving for success, and the significance of open dialogues on race and diversity, free from the fear of being labeled "racist" or "woke."Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by John Lepine, founding principal of Crossover Preparatory Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two discuss Lepine’s journey working with Teach for America as a public high school teacher in Tulsa before beginning his work with Crossover. They talk about the value of single-sex education, Crossover’s commitment to making Christ-centered education accessible to people of all financial positions, and the different ways classical education has influenced the school, despite not following a strictly classical model. They also dive into the controversy behind school choice and the difficulty of navigating the COVID-19 and George Floyd debates of 2020 as a school primarily made up of minority students. Today's episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America's Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Phillip Donnelly, professor at the Baylor University Honors College and author of The Lost Seeds of Learning: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric as Life-Giving Arts. The two discuss the relationship between words and reality, and the implications of a culture that rapidly disregards grammar as an important art. They also defend the teaching of Latin in schools as a necessary way to reflect on one’s own language and dive deep into disciplines with Latin roots. Donnelly also explains why he views language as a seed, not a tool, and the unique work of the Baylor University Honors College. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is again joined by Clark Durant and welcomes Anika Prather, author of The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature and founder of The Living Water School and Center. The three discuss the influence of canon philosophers and thought on Civil Rights Movement leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. Durant and Prather also talk about their unlikely partnership and shared passion for the great conversation of common humanity, serviced best by classical education. Durant explains the thought process and steps behind transitioning Cornerstone schools to a classical education model and gives a message to aspiring classical school teachers and leaders. Prather talks about her new role as Director of High-Quality Curriculum Instruction at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and its role in improving schools' curricula through research. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Clark Durant, cofounder and former CEO of the Cornerstone Schools in Detroit. The two discuss how Durant’s work as a lawyer led to his founding of the Cornerstone Schools, and the transition of those schools to a classical educational model. Durant expands on the school’s mission to build a broad and beloved community of friends to deliver an excellent charter school education that is rooted in the gospel. Durant also explains the meaning behind the names of the schools and discusses the inspirational power of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s urging to “save Western civilization in her darkest hour.” 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Father Jordan Zajac, Dominican priest and assistant professor at Providence College (PC). The two discuss the role of Dominican priests in establishing PC in 1917 and maintaining its enduring Catholic identity. They defend the universal nature of Shakespeare’s works to show what is real and the nuanced discussion surrounding his religious affiliation. They also discuss the importance of college students observing the joy and sustaining power of a life fully surrendered to Christ.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Daniel Buck, teacher, senior visiting fellow at the Fordham Institute, and author of What Is Wrong With Our Schools? The two discuss the importance of maintaining certain traditional practices despite changing technology. They explore the impact of John Dewey and other educational theorists’ varied views of human nature on the philosophy of the current public school system, advocating for a student’s education to focus on content rather than acquiring skills. The two also talk about the necessary balance between student-directed techniques and models as well as boundaries that are crucial for student growth and accountability. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Chuck Fuller, associate professor of Christian Studies and director of the Honors Program at Anderson University. The two discuss the AU Honors Program, modeled after the Ph.D. seminar-style classroom environment and in pursuit of answering Tertullian’s famous question: “what has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” They also theorize the possible reasons for why Christian universities are thriving amid population and COVID-related problems – particularly the increasing difficulty of navigating secularism. In addition to enrollment benefits, the two expand on the merits of a curriculum that acknowledges hard questions about faith, death, and transcendence at the heart of learning rather than pushing those central human questions to the periphery. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Margarita Mooney Clayton, speaker, author, and associate professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. Clayton talks about her educational journey as a bilingual, achievement-oriented, Ivy League graduate. The two also discuss her books, The Love of Learning and The Wounds of Beauty. They explore the unifying nature of Great Books to reach people of all racial and socioeconomic experiences and address the inherent questions of all human beings. She also explains the dangers of unmasking the powers of oppression without presenting the good, the true, and the beautiful as powerful, unifying forces in themselves.