In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme – hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast – for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world.
What do old works like Plato’s Republic, Lewis’s Abolition of Man, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have to do with raising wise, virtuous kids in 2025? More than you think. AJ and Graeme argue that these works don’t just fill students with facts – they shape souls, build moral reasoning, and connect readers with timeless questions of virtue, mortality, and purpose.
- Along the way, you’ll hear about:
- The danger of reducing education to “skills” alone
- How reading trains sentiments and cultivates character
- Why kids actually love Plato (yes, really!)
- And what a classical education offers that modern schooling can’t
Whether you’re a parent wondering why your school insists on Dante and Homer, or an educator seeking fresh ways to inspire students, this conversation is a must-listen.
🎧 Tune in and rediscover the delight, relevance, and real-world impact of the Great Books – and why they’re more urgent than ever for the next generation.
Classical Stuff You Should Know is a podcast about the classical world. We discuss literature, philosophy, history, art, the soul of man, and education, all within the framework of a classical, Christian worldview. Our aim is to aid both educators and laymen alike as they delve into the classical world. Need help with Dante? We’ve got you. Confused by Homer? We’re here. Been thinking about architecture lately? So have we.
Graeme Donaldson has been sneaking literature into the minds of students since 2011. He watches Project Runway with his wife Amanda, who wears kimonos (she insists they are yukatas, or “summer kimonos”) at home. Still Canadian at heart, Graeme watches hockey when he isn’t reading.
A.J. Hanenburg has been an educator since 2009 at Veritas Academy Austin. He’s taught a little of everything: from the foundations of literature to rock climbing to improv. He’s also suspicious of beds, desks, and other self-important furniture. In the summer, he builds furniture with his dad.
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