student formation

Alumni Interview with Ashton Lawrence

Many listeners have been asking for more alumni interviews, and this episode delivers. Davies Owens sits down with Ashton Lawrence, an Ambrose School graduate who joined the classical Christian world in fifth grade and stayed through graduation. Ashton reflects on the early challenges of adjusting to a more rigorous environment, the slow-burning value of logic…

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The Countercultural Rhythm of Great Teaching with Carrie Eben

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…

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How Classical Students Thrive in an AI World with Emily Harrison

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…

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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…

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Uniforms: More than Matching Outfits with Joanna Haralson

Uniforms in schools often stir up debate—are they too rigid, or do they actually cultivate something deeper? In this conversation, host Davies Owens is joined by Joanna Haralson, founder of Uniformee, to explore the real impact of uniforms in classical Christian schools. Uniforms aren’t just about matching outfits. They shape daily habits, reduce distractions, and…

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Shaping Head, Heart, and Hands: A Better Way to Measure Formation with Katherine Schultz

How do we know if our students are truly being formed – not just informed? In this powerful episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens is joined by educator and researcher Katherine Schultz to explore one of the most pressing questions in Christian education: how do we assess and support the formation of a child’s…

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Summer Flashback: Writing and Speaking Well with Andrew Pudewa

Welcome to this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live! In today’s conversation, host Davies Owens revisits a powerful interview with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. In an age of shrinking vocabularies, short attention spans, and over-reliance on screens, Andrew shares why writing and speaking well are more critical than…

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Grades 101: The History of Grades and How They Undermine Students ~ Dr. Brian Williams

Is the current system of grading undermining students today and their long-term formation? Dr. Williams, a college dean at Eastern University, offers a fascinating history lesson about the origin of grades (hint: it’s a late modern invention) and challenges teachers and parents to consider separating true assessment from number and letter grades. Lots of practical…

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