Basecamp Live

Classical Classroom Distinctives with Mandi Gerth

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,…

Read More

Why Smartphones Aren’t the Only Option with Chris Kaspar

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…

Read More

Rhetoric in Action: The Senior Thesis with Dr. Tom Vierra

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…

Read More

Helping Children Read the Hard Books Well with Sara Osborne

Parents often wonder if pushing through difficult books is worth the tears and late nights. In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Sara Osborne, author of Reading for the Long Run, as she explains why classics feel hard, how to discern real obstacles from attitude or context, and practical steps to move forward with…

Read More

Truth & Test Tubes: Soul-Building in STEM with Diane Gray

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…

Read More

Schools Need Facilities: A Roof Over Our Heads with Ken Rhinehart

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 –…

Read More

Classical Femininity: Rooted Womanhood in a Confusing Culture with Hannah Brusven

What does it mean to be a woman today? Our culture has turned this into a debate, but for many young women—especially in Christian homes and schools—the real struggle comes in sorting through competing voices, conflicting priorities, and a lack of clear role models. In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies sits down with his daughter, Hannah Owens,…

Read More

Christian Education is on the Rise: Why it Matters Now More than Ever with Darrell Jones

One of the biggest decisions parents make is where their children go to school. With classrooms shaping faith, wisdom, and character, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode of BaseCamp Live with Davies Owens, President of the Stanley M. Herzog Foundation Darrell Jones, shares how one man’s vision has grown into a nationwide movement for Christ-centered education….

Read More

Are We Protecting – or Preparing – Our Kids? with Chuck Evans

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens welcomes Chuck Evans – longtime leader in classical Christian education and co-author of Wisdom and Eloquence. Nearly 20 years after the book’s original release, Chuck reflects on why he and Robert Littlejohn rewrote the new parent edition, and why the balance between protecting and preparing children matters more than ever….

Read More

Why Latin in a Google Translate World with Chad Kim

Does Latin Still Matter? Why Parents Should Care About This “Dead” Language Latin is often dismissed as outdated or impractical – especially in an age of Google Translate and global languages like Spanish or Mandarin. So why do classical Christian schools keep it at the center of their curriculum? In this episode, host Davies Owens…

Read More