Conversations

Education today is full of noise, pressure, and competing philosophies, yet the conversations on BaseCamp Live consistently point listeners back to what matters most: forming whole human beings. Across these episodes, you’ll hear thoughtful voices reflect on how schools and families can cultivate wisdom, character, attention, and a love for what is true, good, and beautiful. Rather than reducing learning to information transfer or performance metrics, these discussions explore how education shapes the heart, habits, and affections of the next generation.
Whether the focus is classroom practices, parent partnerships, or the deeper purpose of schooling, each episode invites listeners to slow down and reconsider what flourishing looks like for students and communities. These conversations offer encouragement, practical insight, and a renewed vision for education that honors the dignity of every child and supports the adults guiding them. This archive brings together a rich collection of ideas to help you navigate the journey of raising and educating human beings who are prepared not just for work, but for life.

The ROI of Classical Christian Education…It Works! ~ Jean Kim

Classical Christian education offers some of the highest ROI, or return on investment, for the amount of tuition, time and effort parents spend. Jean Kim of The Cambridge School tells story after story of how the classical Christian school model uniquely adds value to your child’s educational experience. And the value is priceless. Why so…

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How To Stimulate Curiosity… Inside and Outside The Classroom ~ Harlan Gilliam

According to Harlan Gilliam, the Science and Nature Center coordinator at Regents School in Austin, natural curiosity in our children makes education possible. In fact, it’s up to the child, and not the teacher, to learn. And real learning happens in the heart, not just the mind. So how do parents and teachers build on…

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A Classical Life Hack: Commonplacing ~ Chris Browne

If you are like the average person, you easily forget what you’ve just read. But not if you “commonplace”. Commonplacing is a practice of antiquity that was particularly popular in the Renaissance and the nineteenth century. And many classical schools are reviving the practice and reaping the benefits. Chris Browne, Humanities Instructor at the Ambrose…

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The Drawbacks of Educational Technology ~ Martin Cothran

How do we know when we’ve overstepped technology in the classical educational environment?  Don’t we need to raise “real world” ready kids? Martin Cothran argues that today’s schools – and parents – are actually raising “Windows” ready kids, to the detriment of their ability to focus. Listen in to hear about the latest technological trends in…

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The Two Most Important Scientific Discoveries To Teach Students ~ Dr. Mark Phillips

Dr. Mark Phillips has been on a lifelong journey to the science classroom. From Vanderbilt to Oxford, from comedy clubs with Steve Martin to Classical Christian Education, he has pursued God’s calling. Listen in to hear him describe the two scientific discoveries that he believes should be taught to every student in classical Christian schools….

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Latest Trends of College Entrance Tests: SAT, ACT and CLT ~ Jeremy Tate

Jeremy Tate explains how the Classic Learning Test (CLT) counters the SAT and ACT as a better resource to assess your student for college, and well as new tests for the high school and middle school years. Standardized tests are a necessary hoop to jump through on the way to college but have changed since…

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Surviving and Thriving The Middle School Years ~ Nathan Jordan

Adolescence can be one of the most difficult and challenging seasons of our lives, whether you are a middle schooler, a parent, or teacher of middle schoolers.  And sometimes all three collide.  But with a measure of grace and some practical tips in your pocket, those in-between years can be redeemed, treasured and used for…

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How God Wires The Brain For Stories ~ Aaron Ames

Alexander the Great considered stories his most prized possession and Jesus deemed stories worthy of the secrets of the Kingdom of God.  Storytelling is more than something we do around a campfire… it is what drives how we learn and engage the world. But when the average American spends upwards to 84 hours a week in…

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How Persecuted Schools Inspire and Motivate Us ~ “John Smith” (from China)

The headlines tell stories of persecution of Christians in China. As we pray for them, how do we help our students in the United States and elsewhere meet and overcome the challenges right where they are in the classical Christian classroom and in the world? Our guest today, “John Smith”, speaking under his alias name,…

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Embracing Learning Differences in Classical Christian Schools ~ Leslie Collins

How do children with learning challenges fare in classical Christian schools? And how should CCE schools respond to the special needs of children and families? Leslie Collins has worked within special education for years, both in public and private schools, and her response may surprise you. Learn about the framework and infrastructure that she recommends…

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