Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

In this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Carl Trueman and Lee Wishing from Grove City along with Megan Basham, an entertainment reporter at the Daily Wire. They discuss the recent debate around progressive ideology entering Christian higher education, and specifically on recent incidents surrounding this topic at Grove City College. They discuss the dangers of unchecked racism, anti-racism, and the risks of addressing these issues without alienating individuals on both sides of the debate. They also speak on how universities can prevent leftist ideologies on white guilt from entering classrooms and curriculums while at the same time, speak about racism from a Christian perspective. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and Dr. Tracy Gardner are joined by Matthew Tolbert, the first-ever student to earn a perfect CLT score. They are also joined by Matthew's parents, Phil and Susan Tolbert. Matthew's parents share their story as a homeschooling family, how they made the decision to homeschool, what they love most about it, and how it molded their children. They describe their homeschooling philosophy as "a tool to explore the natural curiosity that God has instilled in children." Matthew also shares what he loved most about being homeschooled, and why he enjoyed taking the CLT exam. He shares the list of colleges he hopes to apply to, and the traits that are important for him when choosing which college to attend. Matthew's parents end the podcast by offering words of advice and encouragement to families who are new to homeschooling, or who would like to homeschool their children. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and Arooba are joined by Dr. Jonathan Moo, Professor at Whitworth University. Dr. Moo discusses his journey to obtaining his unique combination of graduate degrees in theology and wildlife ecology. He explains why humans have become so far removed from God's creation, and how studying theology helped him identify the values required to appreciate the world God has created, and how to act in order to preserve it. He also discusses modern-day technology and its effects on students.  

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Robert L. Luddy, a business and educational entrepreneur. Robert discusses his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, founding a charter school, a network of classical private schools, and a new classical college. He speaks on topics such as the rising cost of college tuition, the importance of being efficient while running a business, and the connection between a liberal arts education and business as a career. 

In this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and special co-host Katie are joined by Dan Koch, the host of the You Have Permission podcast. Dan discusses the reasons behind why it has become increasingly difficult for people to be open-minded, and how Catholicism helped him begin to operate from a viewpoint in which his own thinking could be challenged. The central theme of this episode surrounds having the ability to check our own thinking so that we can engage in open dialogue with people of various backgrounds, and political views. Dan and Jeremy also discuss how Catholicism has shaped their worldview, whether universities are compromised, and the redefinition of  liberalism. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy and Arooba are joined by VP of Sales and Marketing, Soren Schwab. Born and raised in Germany, and then moving to the United States to attend Hillsdale, Soren discusses the radical difference between the education system in both countries. He explains the transactional nature of schooling he received in Germany, and how shocked he was to discover that Hillsdale offered a completely different experience. He discusses the importance of being taught by professors who genuinely enjoy the work they do, and who keep their own politics out of the classroom. He shares his own journey from being a teacher at Vanguard to becoming an employee at CLT, and why he was willing to take that risk. 

In this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by president Tim Gibson of King's College. President Gibson discusses his time in the U.S Air Force, and his journey to becoming the seventh president of King's College. He explains the four commitments of King's College and the Christian worldview that the college has adopted. He also discusses the unique opportunities that King's College provides to students of all backgrounds, and what he hopes to accomplish as president. 

On this episode for Anchored, Jeremy and Arooba are joined by Dr. John Mark Reynolds, the president of The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas, and a fellow of the Center For Science and Culture at The Discovery Institute. Dr. Reynolds discusses his family history, his dad becoming the first in his family to go to high school, and then deciding to take Dr. Reynolds and his brother out of public school to attend the Christian school he founded. Dr. Reynolds explains how his exposure to classical education led him to acknowledge that we needed a more profound revolution in education, prompting him to open a school that connected K-12 education and undergraduate studies. He also discusses his interest in bridging the gap between science and religion, and how science without God becomes simplistic and reductionist. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy Tate and Tracy Gardner are joined by Dr. Robert L. Jackson, the Chief Academic Officer for a growing network of classical charter schools known as Great Hearts Academies. Dr. Jackson the journey of how Great Hearts began and what makes it different from public education. He explains that Great Hearts is picking up a great American tradition of education that has been displaced in the last century, and he explains what makes an education classical. Dr. Tracy Gardner, the Chief Operating Officer of CLT, also shares her story of enrolling her children in the Great Hearts Academies. Dr. Jackson discusses the role apprenticeship plays in a child's education, and the importance of doing alongside learning. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Don Sweeting, president of Colorado Christian University. Dr. Sweeting discusses his journey to finding Christ in late high school, and the radical change in motivation and purpose it instilled in him. He explains the disorientation of confidence, and loss of values that many universities face due to cultural backlash. He states that universities that do not have a center rooted in Christ can't define character, and therefore feel pressured to give it up.