ClassicalU Podcast

Dr. Christopher Perrin, a scholar in classical Christian education, shares profound insights on leadership grounded in virtue and the liberal arts. He discusses how humility and confidence coexist in true leadership, emphasizing service over dominance. Perrin draws connections between modern leadership literature and classical virtues, exploring the importance of grammar, logic, and rhetoric in cultivating wise leaders. He also highlights educational practices, such as retreats and commonplace books, which sustain intellectual growth and moral character in school leadership.

In this wide-ranging conversation, sociologist, educator  and ClassicalU course presenter Angel Adams Parham joins Jesse Hake to explore the idea of an “American classical education.” Drawing, in part, upon her work on “The Black Intellectual Tradition” and Women in the Liberal Arts Tradition, Angel makes a compelling case for expanding our understanding of classical education to include voices like Olaudah Equiano, Phyllis Wheatley, Benjamin Banneker, and Martin Luther King Jr. She argues that these thinkers not only embraced the ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity but also challenged the American project to live up to them. The episode examines how figures often seen in opposition to the Western canon actually engage deeply with classical texts, bringing them to life in prophetic and transformative ways. Angel also shares success stories from her curriculum work in Nyansa Classical Community and offers hopeful signs of renewal in both K–12 and university contexts. Angel believes a true classical education must be capacious, critical, and living—one that welcomes students of all backgrounds into conversations about ancient truths with contemporary relevance.

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, scholar Louis Markos joins host Jesse Hake to discuss his upcoming ClassicalU course, and forthcoming companion book on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Markos explores Dante’s visionary architecture of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, not merely as allegory, but as a deeply experiential and spiritually transformative journey. Sharing his creative process for writing in Dante’s voice, he reflects on the beauty of the medieval cosmological model and its resonance with Christian truths, classical education, and even contemporary longing for spiritual depth. The episode dives into topics such as hierarchy, theosis, pilgrimage, classical myth, and the enduring influence of Dante on C. S. Lewis and modern Christian imagination. Listeners will also hear practical encouragement for teaching Dante, including translation tips, thematic frameworks, and connections to Lewis’s Great Divorce and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Whether you're new to Dante or a seasoned reader, this episode offers a compelling invitation to walk with the poet through realms of sin, repentance, and divine glory. Other ClassicalU course mentioned is Myth Made Fact.

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, host Jesse Hake interviews John Mays, the founder of the Novare Science curriculum. The discussion centers around Mays' new course, "Cultivating Wonder Throughout the School" as a help to educators integrating a sense of wonder and mystery into their teaching across various subjects. Mays shares his journey from focusing on wonder in the sciences to expanding his approach to encompass the entire school curriculum, including subjects like math, languages, history, and literature. He addresses the challenges posed by lifeless teaching and the modern withdrawal of children from nature, exacerbated by social media and safety concerns. Mays advocates for a teaching approach that highlights the mystery and awe inherent in subjects, using examples like DNA replication and historical anecdotes to engage students deeply. He emphasizes the importance of creating "holy moments" in the classroom, where students are profoundly moved and inspired. The episode concludes with practical examples of how teachers can cultivate wonder, such as integrating music, poetry, and visual imagery into lessons, and encouraging students to engage with nature and art.

Kim Warman, lower school dean and teacher at Coram Deo Academy in Carmel, Indiana, shares insights from her new ClassicalU course, Launching Your Classical Classroom, which provides practical support for new grammar school teachers. She reflects on her own educational journey, having experienced both non-classical and classical education before attending Hillsdale College and teaching at several classical schools. Kim emphasizes the importance of preparing a classroom environment that fosters peaceful, joyful learning and encourages teachers to build strong routines and relationships from the outset. She highlights the value of creative, hands-on projects for student engagement and mentorship and teacher collaboration for professional growth and classroom stability. Of great importance, Kim advocates for read-alouds, narration, and strategic scheduling to balance rigorous content with creativity and movement. She also underscores the critical role of proactive parent partnerships in fostering student success and community support. Above all, Kim encourages teachers to begin simply, focus on essentials, and then gradually add creative flourishes as they gain confidence.

In this episode, Jesse Hake speaks with ClassicalU presenter Russ Gregg who co-founded Hope Academy and the Spreading Hope Network. Drawing on decades of work bringing classical Christian education to under-resourced urban communities, Gregg reflects on his transition from leading a single school to enabling the launch of over twenty schools across the U.S., supported by both visionary founders and what he calls “gospel patrons.” He emphasizes the importance of viewing each student through the lens of the Imago Dei—offering not a “hot dog education” but a feast worthy of God’s children. The conversation highlights key principles of school success in difficult settings: high expectations, high accountability, and high support, all rooted in authentic relationships. Gregg also explores the spiritual and cultural enrichment that arises from diverse school communities and advocates for humility and forgiveness as the glue of gospel harmony. He closes by pointing to several organizations helping to sustain this growing movement: Society for Classical Learning and Classical Commons.

In this ClassicalU podcast episode, Jesse Hake speaks with Dr. Christopher Perrin and Carrie Eben about their new book The Good Teacher, which expands into ten principles from ClassicalU’s original course titled “Eight Essential Principles of Classical Pedagogy.” The conversation traces the book's origins, how Carrie and Christopher collaborated, and the vision behind their claim that pedagogy is guided by principles and virtue. They share how classical teaching is rooted in universal principles that support freedom and wisdom in the classroom, with virtue as the central guiding thread. Their book is paired with a new ClassicalU course that includes stories from the authors’ diverse teaching backgrounds. The episode emphasizes the practical and philosophical value of this book and course for all educators, whether in classrooms or homeschool settings. Listeners may also be interested in this live online summer course on the book with coauthor Carrie Eben.

In this episode of the ClassicalU Podcast, we welcome back Christine Perrin to talk about the deeply Christian engagement with the epic tradition found in Marilynne Robinson’s novels. Christine has taught these novels over several years with profound blessings in the lives of students. The conversation explores the themes of homecoming (nostos) and glory (kleos) and how these novels illuminate the virtue tradition, drawing connections to Aristotle, Homer, and C.S. Lewis, while also addressing themes of co-suffering, the Beatitudes, and the tension between virtue and grace. Christine Perrin shares pedagogical strategies for guiding students through these texts. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers profound insights into how literature can show us virtue and shape us in it.

The respective directors of Scholé Academy and ClassicalU, Joylynn Blake and Jesse Hake, mix work and pleasure in this unscripted conversation about the essence and inspiration of classical education. Jesse inquires about the personal history and stories that lie behind Joylynn's love for educational opportunity. Along the way, they chat about their work as colleagues at Classical Academic Press and some of the things that have inspired and moved them. In conversation, Joylynn mentioned books including Educating for Shalom by Nicholas Wolterstorff, A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis, A Child's History of the World by V.M. Hillyer, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, The Scholé Way by Christopher Perrin, The Black Intellectual Tradition by Dr. Anika Prather and Dr. Angel Parham, and, most recently, the primary sources curated in the Humanitas series. The two also mention ClassicalU courses that have benefitted them and the teachers and families they support, including Wendell Berry’s Virtues of Renewal with Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, The Black Intellectual Tradition and the Great Conversation with Dr. Anika Prather & Dr. Angel Parham, and Disability and Classical Education with Dr. Amy Gilbert Richards, and the David Bentley Hart commentary course.  With laughs, a moment of tears, and a few beating drums, Joylynn and Jesse enjoy each other's company in the company of ideas.

Get to know ClassicalU's new full time team member Rebecca Richard as she and director Jesse Hake talk about the love of learning, late blooming, Charlotte Mason, scholé, and life at sea. You will also hear about Rebecca's personal top picks among our courses: Common Arts Education by Chris Hall, Charlotte Mason: A Liberal Education for All by Jason Barney, and Disability and Classical Education by Dr. Amy Richards. Some of the many books that Rebecca mentions during the conversation include: Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer, Consider This by Karen Glass, The Scholé Way by Christopher Perrin, and Founding Gardeners by Andrea Wulf.