BaseCamp Live

What is a good teacher?Most of us can name a teacher who made a lasting impact, not just through information, but through formation, awakening curiosity, shaping understanding, and building confidence. In this BaseCamp Live episode, host Davies Owens sits down with classical educator and mentor Carrie Eben, co-author of The Good Teacher: 10 Pedagogical Principles That Will Transform Your Teaching, to explore the often-overlooked piece of classical Christian education, how we teach, not only what we teach.Carrie has spent more than 25 years serving in classical education across schools and homeschooling. She is a founding board member at Sager Classical Academy in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and a head mentor for the Searcy Institute Master Teacher Apprenticeship in the Ozark Mountain region. Together, Davies and Carrie discuss why classical schools must often “make” teachers through mentorship and apprenticeship, and why pedagogy matters because the teacher is not merely delivering content, the teacher is shaping the classroom culture and the student’s loves.The conversation centers on two foundational principles that set the rhythm for great teaching:Festina Lente, “make haste slowly,” a reminder that learning cannot be rushed. Wonder, contemplation, repetition, and embodied learning take time, and growth happens step by step.Carrie also turns to the importance of assessment, explaining that it should align with the purpose of education and the nature of the student, not simply a score. She highlights relational approaches like narrative assessment, and practical options like narration, oral work, debates, and live demonstrations of understanding, especially in a world navigating new pressures like AI.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why pedagogy is central to classical Christian formationHow “make haste slowly” reshapes classrooms and homesWhy “much, not many” protects depth, wonder, and love of learningHow assessment can become more relational, meaningful, and aligned with virtueEncouragement for teachers who want language and confidence for what they are already doing wellMultum non multa, “much, not many,” a call to prune. Depth matters more than volume, and fewer things done well forms students more effectively than trying to cover everything.Resources Mentioned:The Good Teacher BookBuy the Book Today!Circe ApprenticeshipCheck out Wilson Hill Academy's Free GuideSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupWisephone by TechlessZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching  Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

AI is moving faster than any technology humanity has ever created. For Christian schools and families committed to timeless, unchanging truth, that speed raises urgent questions. How should schools rethink testing, writing, and academic integrity? Where is the line between being informed and becoming dependent?In this episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens welcomes back Emily Harrison, a writer, speaker, and consultant who helps schools and churches think wisely about digital media. Emily works closely with Christian and classical Christian communities and equips families to engage technology through a biblical worldview.Together, they explore why AI can be helpful for experts but often harmful for amateurs, especially students who are still forming knowledge, discernment, and intellectual habits. They address student pressure to outsource thinking, the limits of filters and detection tools, and why true formation cannot be automated.Emily raises a growing concern schools can no longer ignore: student digital privacy. With the rise of AI-generated deepfakes and image misuse, she urges schools to rethink how student photos are shared online and to clearly communicate risk, consent, and protection with families.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why AI can be “good for experts” but “bad for amateurs”How schools and colleges are rethinking writing, testing, and assessmentWhy typing and basic productivity tools still matterHow to talk with students about integrity, plagiarism, and truthWhat schools need to consider about student images and digital privacyThis episode is not a call to fear or retreat. It is a call to wisdom, formation, and clarity. Technology will continue to change, but truth does not. When students are formed to love what is true, good, and beautiful, they are equipped not just to navigate an AI world, but to thrive within it.Resources Mentioned:Check out Wilson Hill Academy's Free GuideSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupWisephone by TechlessZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What truly sets a classical Christian classroom apart?Curriculum matters, but as Mandi Gerth explains, it is not the only or even the primary driver of formation. A child is shaped day after day by the culture of the classroom, the small liturgies, the tone of the teacher, and the habits that govern transitions, conversations, and even how class begins and ends.Host Davies Owens talks with Mandi about her book Thoroughness and Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom and about what it means for a teacher to be a “monarch” in the best sense, an authority who orders the room so that students can rest, attend, and delight in learning. They discuss the difference between entertainment and genuine engagement, how joy differs from “fun,” and why liturgy is such a powerful antidote to chaos in both school and home.Mandi also addresses the “3:01 p.m. problem,” naming how easy it is for phones, entertainment, and scattered schedules to undo the formation that happens during the school day. She shares simple habits any family can start, even in just a few minutes a day, to reinforce attention, conversation, and a shared story centered on Christ.🎧 Tune in to hear:How classical classrooms focus on ideas and values, not just skills and informationWhy “sit and get” and sugary entertainment both fail to form students wellWhat healthy, rightful authority looks like for teachers and why students need itHow liturgies, songs, and repeated practices shape a classroom’s culturePractical ways parents can build small, realistic habits at home that support what is happening in classThis episode is a hopeful invitation for teachers and parents who want more than busy classrooms and busy homes. It points toward an ordered, joyful life of learning where children know who they are, why they are there, and Whom they are made for.Resources Mentioned:Thoroughness & Charm | CiRCE PressCultural Artifacts with Mandi Gerth | PodcastStudy Guide for Thoroughness & CharmLiturgy Graphic Organizer for Teacher PlanningCheck out Wilson Hill Academy's Free GuideSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Smartphones have become the default for families, but what if the default is actually harmful? In this episode, Davies Owens talks with Chris Kaspar, founder and CEO of Techless, about why modern devices were never designed with children in mind and how parents can choose a healthier path.Chris shares the moment that opened his eyes as a foster parent and explains why families today feel trapped between two extremes. Either give kids full access to the digital world or reject technology altogether. He argues that both options miss the mark. The real issue is the design, incentives, and addictive features built into mainstream phones that quietly shape identity, attention, and spiritual formation.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why smartphones were never created for childrenThe hidden harms built into everyday techWhat a healthier, middle path looks likeHow families can transition with confidenceWhy kids actually crave limits and protectionThis conversation offers a compelling third way. Not hyperconnected and not Amish, but a thoughtful, intentional approach that meets basic communication needs without exposing kids to the dark side of digital life. Chris also shares why kids often want more boundaries than parents realize and how families can make sustainable changes together.Resources Mentioned:Wisephone DiscountTechlessCheck out Wilson Hill Academy's Free GuideSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Senior thesis is the capstone of a classical Christian education, and Dr. Tom Vierra believes it may be one of the most countercultural things schools do today. In this episode, Davies Owens talks with Tom, longtime classical educator and Senior Thesis Coordinator at Wilson Hill Academy, about why thesis is far more than “just a big paper.” Tom shares his path from early days at Great Hearts to helping shape Wilson Hill’s senior thesis program, where students research a topic that matters, write a 12–15 page thesis-driven paper, and publicly defend it. Along the way, they learn self-management, deep research, biblical reasoning, and confident communication that carry far beyond college.Together they unpack the six-part classical rhetoric structure, including exordium, narratio, and refutatio, and why Wilson Hill requires students to write an antithesis paper arguing against their own position. This habit trains humility, civil discourse, and the ability to engage real counterarguments rather than living in an echo chamber. Tom also gives examples of standout thesis topics, from classical music and beauty to AI in medicine and political theory, and explains how schools can approve ambitious topics that still reflect a biblical worldview.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why senior thesis is the true capstone of classical Christian educationHow the six-part structure and antithesis train deeper thinking and discourseWays to navigate AI while still forming original thinkers and speakersPractical encouragement for parents and schools walking through the thesis yearDavies and Tom address the challenge of AI, why filters and detection tools are not enough, and how a live oral defense reveals whether students truly own their work. They also touch on Augustine’s “all truth is God’s truth” approach to pre-Christian thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero, and how their insights on persuasion, instruction, and delight can be used faithfully under Scripture. Tom closes with encouragement for parents who feel the weight of senior year and for educators who want to make thesis a core part of their school’s identity rather than an add-on requirement.Resources Mentioned:https://wilsonhillacademy.com/guideSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Jamie Burns, founder of the Fellowship for Classical Learning and British educator, shares insights on reviving classical Christian education in the UK. He contrasts his own conventional schooling with the rich discussions at home that shaped his worldview. Burns highlights significant shifts in education policy, advocating for knowledge-rich curricula amidst a backdrop of child-led models in Wales and Scotland. He emphasizes the urgent need for a character-centered approach in schools and encourages parents to consider classical education as a viable option.

Sara Osborne, Assistant Professor of English and author of 'Reading for the Long Run,' shares her insights on helping children tackle challenging texts. She discusses why classics can be daunting and how this struggle fosters growth. Sara emphasizes honest assessments through journaling and forming supportive networks to identify skill gaps versus emotional hurdles. Her start-small strategy includes using rich, short texts and paired audio to build reading stamina. She also highlights the importance of nurturing a lifelong love of reading and the character-building aspects of persevering through tough materials.

Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes and a digital safety advocate, shares insights on how technology impacts family dynamics. He discusses the allure of AI companions for teens and the potential dangers they pose to real connections. Chris breaks down three family approaches to technology and introduces his HALT framework to help manage tech habits. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement and being intentional in guiding youth through the digital landscape, all while fostering authentic human relationships.

Can classical schools really prepare students for STEM careers? Many parents wonder if a humanities-rich education leaves room for science and technology. Our guest, Diane Gray, scientist, musician, contractor, tutor, and mother of seven, says yes. After 12 years in biotech R&D, Diane completed a master’s in Classical Studies to explore how classical Christian education and STEM can thrive together.In this conversation with host Davies Owens, Diane shares her research comparing STEM and classical models, revealing that the two are not in competition, but complementary.🎧 Tune in to discover:Why the fear that classical schools shortchange STEM is understandable, but misplacedHow classical education forms curious, adaptable thinkers who excel in science and technologyWhy ethics, history, and philosophy are essential companions to innovation, especially in the age of AIHow classical tools of learning (language, logic, rhetoric) strengthen problem-solving, communication, and creativity in STEM fieldsDiane reminds us that the goal isn’t just to make scientists but whole humans who pursue truth and wisdom through their work.🎧 Join us for this encouraging episode and see why classical formation might just be the best preparation for the modern lab.Resources Mentioned:Science Education in the Modern World - Diane’s full dissertationSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Davies Owens welcomes Ken Rhinehart, a commercial real-estate veteran and founder of VPA Classical, to demystify how classical schools can find, fund, and secure facilities that actually serve the mission.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why facilities shape formation. Leases, landlords, and leaking roofs quietly undermine learning—and enrollment confidence.Buy vs. lease—what’s wiser right now. Capital costs, lender track records, conditional-use permits, and the hidden time drain on administrators.Mission-aligned investors. How long-term, praying partners can acquire and rehab properties, then lease back to schools—sometimes with lease-to-own pathways.Church properties: promise & pitfalls. Beautiful sanctuaries can work—if governance, improvements, and expectations are clear.What not to do. Don’t hand this to the office admin or your residential-agent brother-in-law—commercial leasing is a different language.A generous freebie. Ken offers a no-cost lease review so schools actually know what’s in their agreements.If this episode sparks ideas, forward it to your head of school, board chair, or facilities lead. Rate and follow BaseCamp Live so other schools can find it, and tell us the #1 facilities question you want answered next. Resources Mentioned:RSVP Now for ADVANCE RetreatSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:The Herzog FoundationThe Champion GroupZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.