Episodes

  • Prudence: The Mother Virtue with Brandy Vencel

    Prudence: The Mother Virtue with Brandy Vencel
    Sep 28 2026

    ABOUT THE GUEST

    Brandy Vencel has been married to her husband, Josiah, for 25 years, and they have four children, an amazing daughter-in-law, and a sweet little grandson. Brandy is currently in her 20th and final year of homeschooling. She serves on the Auxiliary Board of AmblesideOnline (a free Charlotte Mason curriculum) and Board of Directors for Providence Classical Academy in Bakersfield, California. Brandy also runs Afterthoughts Blog (afterthoughtsblog.net) and the Charlotte Mason Think Tank (charlottemason.mn.co). One of her hobbies is being tired, which is to say: staying up extremely late in order to talk to her teenagers. Brandy is hostess of the Scholé Sisters podcast and co-author of the book Scholé Every Day: How to Become a Thinking Mom.

    HOW TO FIND BRANDY
    Retreat registration: https://scholesisters.com/prudence

    My almost-weekly, mostly CM newsletter: http://afterthoughtsblog.net/subscribe
    Scholé Sisters Podcast episode: History as a Center Cannot Hold


    SHOW NOTES
    After introducing Brandy and her credentials as a Charlotte Mason Classical Educator, Adrienne invited Brandy to dive deep into discussing the virtue, Prudence. They both walk through personal journeys and experiences with this particular virtue and offer practical tips on how to dive more deeply into the study of virtues.

    Books Mentioned

    Charlotte Mason 6 Volume Set

    Poetic Knowledge by James S. Taylor

    Norms & Nobility by David V. Hicks

    Consider This : Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass

    Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly by Fr. Gregory Pine, OP

    The Four Cardinal Virtues by Josef Pieper

    Guide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef Pieper

    Ourselves by Charlotte Mason

    Aristotle: Education for Virtue and Leisure by Gary Hartenburg

    After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre

    The Happy Dinner Table: by Anna Migeon


    Authors recommended: considered as the fathers of Classical Education

    Aristotle

    Plato

    Pieper


    Referenced in this Podcast

    Cyndi Rollins

    Ambleside Online

    Providence Classical Academy, CA

    Dr. Lou Markos

    Schole Sisters

    Podcast and Newsletter by Brandy Vencel

    Afterthoughts Blog by Brandy Vencel

    ____________________________________

    This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
    Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________

    Credits:
    Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
    Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
    Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

    © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve
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    1 hr
  • Musings with Dr. Joshua Herring: A Candid Conversation about Classical Education

    Musings with Dr. Joshua Herring: A Candid Conversation about Classical Education
    May 21 2026

    About the Guest
    Joshua Herring is the Curriculum Program Manager for the Rafiki Foundation, Director of the Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies, and author of Sons of Adam, Daughters of Eve: C.S. Lewis’s Images of Gender. He has taught 6-12th grade humanities, spend three years in high school administration, and built classical education programs at the college level. He loves helping teachers, leaders, and parents own their intellectual inheritance.

    Logres Institute
    Visit https://www.logresinstitute.org/, and apply for their programs after July 1.

    About Joshua's Conference
    https://theclassicalconsortium.com/southeastern-consortium/
    On August 7-8, the 3rd Annual Southeastern Consortium of Classical Educators conference will gather at Christ the King Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Raleigh, NC to consider "Source of Joy" in teaching. Come hear from keynote speakers Patrick Whalen, Dale Stenberg, Scott Postma, and Josh Herring; experience joyful learning breakout sessions focusing on poetry, civics, science, theology, and more. Join other classical educators for a refreshing reminder of the truth that our God has given us joyful sources to draw from; begin the 26-27 academic year renewing your soul. Teachers and students - email Dr. Herring at jherring@logresinstitute.org for a discount code!


    Show Notes
    This interview is a candid conversation between Josh and Adrienne. As they get acquainted, they discuss classical education and share their respective contributions to the field.

    Some musings covered include:

    • An in-depth discussion about their love for Till We Have Faces by Lewis
    • Teaching Homer and how students respond to the text.
    • Holding kids accountable to reading for homework
    • Josh shares the top three areas of greatest challenges faced in the classical education movement today
    • How The Logres Institute aims to help teachers and home educators gain confidence in the classical pedagogy
    • Ideas presented in Adrienne's book, Narration: The Voice of the Trivium

    Resources Mentioned
    C.S Lewis books
    Homer
    Quintilian
    George MacDonald
    Karen Glass books
    Thoroughness and Charm by Gerth
    The Good Teacher by Perrin and Eben
    An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason (Centenary Expanded Edition published by Smidgen Press)
    Charlotte Mason's Essay: "Two Education Ideals" (Contrasting Rousseau's Émile with John Milton's "Of Education")

    ____________________________________

    This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
    Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________

    Credits:
    Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
    Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
    Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

    © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Encouragement for Homeschool Moms with Autumn Kern

    Encouragement for Homeschool Moms with Autumn Kern
    May 7 2026

    About the Guest
    Autumn Kern is the host of The Commonplace, a place to help new homeschooling moms get their bearings in the classical, Charlotte Mason world. She explores the Classical Tradition on her podcast, releases practical philosophy videos on YouTube, offers ongoing education for mother-teachers in Common House, and, more recently, leads directed programmes of study under Mother Academia. She and her husband are raising their four children in an old 1700s Pennsylvania farmhouse, hoping one of these wardrobes will bring them face-to-face with Aslan.


    Show Notes
    This episode is dedicated to homeschool mothers! Many people have asked me to share my homeschool journey and I wanted to know more about Autumn Kern's journey into the Charlotte Mason Classical homeschool world. Autumn and I share our ups and downs as homeschool moms as means of encouragement to our fellow home educators.

    Some topics covered include:

    • How we got started in the homeschool movement
    • The classical connection to Charlotte Mason
    • Common challenges to homeschool moms
    • How to recover from burn out
    • How to handle crisis situations
    • How to juggle management of a home while homeschooling
    • Adrienne's Family Chore Routines and Cleaning Videos on YouTube


    Resources Mentioned
    The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
    A Thinking Love by Karen Glass (Vol 1 Charlotte Mason)
    An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason (Centenary Expanded Edition published by Smidgen Press)

    Previous Guest Episode
    Autumn joined my former co-host Trae Bailey in 2022. That episode was titled Autumn Kern: The Common Classical Charlotte Mason Mom. Click here for the link: https://classicaleducationpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/autumn-kern-the-common-classical-charlotte-mason-mother

    ____________________________________

    This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
    Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________

    Credits:
    Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
    Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
    Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

    © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve
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    56 mins
  • Creating Classroom Culture with Mandi Gerth

    Creating Classroom Culture with Mandi Gerth
    Apr 23 2026

    About the Guest
    Mandi Gerth     is a teacher and classical education consultant who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three of their five children. She currently serves as the Administrative Director of the Cowan Center at the University of Dallas. She holds a master of humanities degree from that institution with a concentration in classical education. Her first book, Thoroughness & Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom, available exclusively from CiRCE Press, has quickly become one of their best-selling titles. In her definitive guide to classroom liturgy, she offers practical advice to the classical educator seeking a truly classical classroom while reminding the teacher of their high calling. Mandi provides practical and actionable ways to embrace the classical tradition and become a thinker worthy of imitation. Mrs. Gerth attends Church of the Holy Communion (REC), and for over twenty years, she and her husband have labored to build a family culture for their five children that values books, baseball, museums, home-cooked meals, and conversation about ideas.

    Show Notes
    Mandi joins Adrienne to discuss various themes in Mandi's book, Thoroughness and Charm. Adrienne noticed connections to Charlotte Mason's core principle that Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. All of these aspects merge into what an excellent and alive classroom looks like. Through anecdotes and experience, Mandi shares her passion and her story about the art of teaching.

    Some topics covered include:

    • Why is it important to understand teaching as an art?-- What difference does it really make?
    • How to create a common language in the classroom
    • What are the differences between classroom liturgies and classroom catechisms
    • How and why integrating subjects/disciplines is important
    • How to live a "classical" life and model this for your students

    Resources and People Mentioned
    The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
    Unbinding Prometheus by Donald Cowan (Essay, The Three Moments of Learning)
    Donald and Louise Cowan Center
    The Art of Teaching by Gilbert Highet
    Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov
    Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb

    ____________________________________

    This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
    Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________

    Credits:
    Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
    Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
    Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

    © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserved
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    43 mins
  • Education as a Lifetime Pursuit of Virtue with Dr. Keith Buhler

    Education as a Lifetime Pursuit of Virtue with Dr. Keith Buhler
    Feb 12 2026

    About the Guest
    Dr. Keith Buhler     is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and teacher. He co-founded the Saint Andrew Academy in Riverside CA, where he serves at Director of Advancement. When he is not teaching Great Books at Azusa Pacific University Honors College, he coaches other start-ups and serves in the west coast Alcuin Fellowship. His writings include Into the Light (a chapter on education); Virtue and Wisdom as Natural Ends (philosophy); and Sola Scriptura: A Dialogue (theology). He attends St Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, with his wife Elizabeth and their four children.

    Show Notes
    Orthodox Christian educator, Dr. Keith Buhler joins Adrienne to discuss his chapter in the new anthology compiled by David V. Hicks (author of Norms & Nobility).

    Some topics covered include:

    • Education is a life, not just a pursuit of academics
    • The role of the teacher as a role model and mentor in virtue
    • Orthodox traditions
    • Growing children in good habits in the classroom
    • Education is a lifelong pursuit that does not end upon graduation


    Resources and People Mentioned
    Into The Light: Classical Education and Orthodox Christianity, compiled by David V. Hicks and Anthony Gilbert
    The Republic by Plato
    A Dish of Orts, Essays by George MacDonald (The Fantastic Imagination Essay)
    Sir Gibbie, George MacDonald
    G.K. Chesterton
    poems by C.S. Lewis
    The Awakening of Miss Prim
    Norms and Nobility by David Hicks

    Ten Traits of a Good Teacher by Chris Perrin

    C. S. Lewis Poetry

    Kevin Clark and Ravi Jain The Liberal Arts Tradition
    Peter Kreeft
    Poem on Oxford by C. S. Lewis

    After Prayer by Malcom Guite (A Kind of Tune Poem)
    George Herbert

    Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald

    Aristotle


    Podcast Episode on Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
    Podcast Episode on Norms & Nobility with David V. Hicks

    _____________________________________

    This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.
    Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________

    Credits:
    Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
    Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
    Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

    © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserved
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Advice for Opening a New Classical School with Chad and Melody Fowler

    Advice for Opening a New Classical School with Chad and Melody Fowler
    Jan 29 2026
    About the GuestsMELODY FOWLER: Roots Farm Education Founder, Director, Form III Instructor Ages 10-12Melody is a happy wife of 28 years, a proud mother of three and now an over-the-moon grandma of four grandchildren. She was born in El Paso, Texas, and moved to Redding when she was five years old. She loved learning as a child and her favorite pastime was to play school in her garage with younger siblings and neighborhood friends on vintage desks her father bought at local yard sales.After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and teaching credential from Simpson University, Melody taught a self-contained fifth grade classroom for 11 years before moving on to the 8th grade teaching English and U.S. History for four years. She finds it essential to teach the next generation to revere and protect the rich inheritance of liberty they have been gifted. She also completed her administrative credential in Educational Leadership and wrote her Master's paper on Charlotte Mason.She participated in the Northern California Arts Project, the Shasta County Math Grant, and a three-year ELL grammar program teaching English as a second language. Melody was involved in her site’s leadership team, acted as a site council member, and successfully advocated for funding creative problem-solving programs like Odyssey of the Mind for the gifted and talented. She also volunteered to coach other activities like student government, softball, and cheer. In her free time, she enjoys learning about education, philosophy, economics, history, gardening, and spending time with her family and six dogs.CHAD FOWLER: Roots Farm Education Founder, Director, and Form II Instructor Ages 8-9Chad was born and raised in Shasta County. He and his wife Melody have three children with the youngest almost 16. From an early age, Chad had an interest in gardening and animals and participated in Shasta County 4-H. Chad worked his family business as well as other working retail management for many years. After helping in his son's kindergarten class and coming from a family of teachers, Chad decided his place needed to be in the classroom and he went back to school. He received his BA in Liberal Studies and teaching credential through Simpson University. He later completed his administrative credential and Masters degree in Educational Leadership through National University. He has been a public school educator since 2008 and served as a Master Teacher, Teacher in Charge, Activities Director and Lead Teacher. He has participated in the Shasta County Math Grant, the Northern California Arts Project for teachers, Gates Literacy Grant and other teacher development trainings since 2008. Chad enjoys time in the garden growing vegetables, fruits and flowers, camping with his family and spending time with his Nigerian Dwarf Goats and chickens. Roots Farm Education In the year 2020 they started with 57 students and now have nearly 100 students. They are building slow with in-depth training for their teachers and mission alignment with the incoming families. Their mission states: Roots Farm Education provides home-educated families with a learning environment that integrates agriculture and academics. Stemming from a Christ-centered, Charlotte Mason education, the curriculum embodies western thought with the instruction that pursues truth, promotes wisdom and beauty, creates a pathway to responsibility, and fosters individual initiative and ingenuity. With the land as the laboratory and assistance from experts within the community, factual knowledge in math and science will be hands-on along with essential life skills such as: producing, processing, and marketing food, animal husbandry, sewing, and basic construction. Roots aim is to cultivate a generation of children ready to succeed in higher education, career, and life, while positively impacting the world around them and preserving the lost art of self-reliance. Show NotesTwo seasoned teachers from the public school system decided to break away and start a school that would focus on agriculture and a Christian classical pedagogy. This inspiring episode of challenges, faith, and vision tells their story. Some topics covered include:Practical advise on how to start a new school: how to create a clear vision, realistic expectations, and acceptance of trialsHow to hire the right teachersHow did the first year go and where are you now?What struggles did you face during the planning process?How Temple Grandin helped them develop a purpose for agriculture studiesHow Charlotte Mason's philosophy influenced their approach and purposeVisit Ambleside EnglandJoys of learning and Focus on education in faithForms for classes and their flexibilityWhat a generous curriculum according to Charlotte Mason really looks like in practiceAdvice to Classical Education and Faith based SchoolsClassroom teachers and how they adaptedBible StudyNot using Chromebooks and studies that prove why notHerzog Foundation...
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Narration in The Classroom with Classical Educator, Charlene Thompson

    Narration in The Classroom with Classical Educator, Charlene Thompson
    Oct 23 2025

    About the Guest
    Charlene Thompson is a first grade teacher in her fourth year at Founders Classical Academy in Rogers, Arkansas. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Harding University and is a passionate learner of classical education. She believes in cultivating wisdom and virtue through rich literature, narration, and the development of lifelong habits of attention and expression. Her goal is to help young students grow into thoughtful, articulate, and joyful learners.

    Show Notes
    I met Charlene when I led a full-day workshop on narration at Founders Classical Academy in Rogers, Arkansas a few years ago. During a recent classical education conference, Charlene approached me to share how narration was working with her students. The stories she shared were so beautiful that I had to get her on the show to help encourage other teachers and parents about how narration works in the classroom.

    Some questions that were covered include:

    • What was the process you took to get started in narration--or did you just jump right in?
    • Tell us what happened from the teacher's perspective.
    • What did you notice happening with students' art of attending?
    • How many times a day do you ask the students to narrate?
    • Is it your experience that narration covers critical thinking skills, analysis, and all the standards?
    • Let's talk about the art of narration in math, and some questions to ask.
    • Tell our listeners how you play with narration and some fun things you've done.
    • Would you say something encouraging to other teachers?
    • Do you see a difference in new inexperienced students? How do you help them feel comfortable?


    Resources, Books, and People Mentioned

    • Jason Barney
    • Karen Glass
    • Charlotte Mason
    • The Thanksgiving Day by Alice Dalgliesh
    • The Ugly Duckling
    • Hansel and Gretel
    • Cinderella
    • Narration: The Voice of the Trivium by Adrienne Freas
    • Mathematician, Paul Lockhart math books
    • The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf, scripted drama
    • Aesop's Fables

    Favorite quotation: " Read the best books first"--Henry David Thoreau

    Book she wishes she had read sooner: The Bible

    _____________________________________

    Beautiful Teaching NARRATION CONFERENCE:


    2025 Online Conference with the Beautiful Teaching Team- Narration: The Art of Learning with Keynote Guest, Jason Barney, October 24-25, 2025 https://beautifulteaching.coursestorm.com/


    ★ Support this podcast ★
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    48 mins
  • The Role of Memory Through Commonplace Notebooking with Dr. John Ahern from The Wilberforce School

    The Role of Memory Through Commonplace Notebooking with Dr. John Ahern from The Wilberforce School
    Aug 15 2025

    About the Guest
    Dr. John Ahern holds a PhD from Princeton University in historical musicology. He currently teaches at The Wilberforce School as an Upper School Humanities and Latin instructor. He is also faculty at the Theopolis Institute and directs their Te Deum Fellows Program in Liturgical Music. His writings on a variety of topics have appeared in First Things, Ad Fontes, The Lamp, Mere Orthodoxy, Eidolon, the Theopolis Institute blog, and the CiRCE Institute blog. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.

    Show Notes
    John Ahern has successfully implemented the practice of keeping a commonplace book with his students. In this episode he explains why it is an important practice, how to create time to do it, and how to establish best practices in a school setting.

    If you have wondered how to succeed at keeping a commonplace book, this episode is incredibly practical and will help you confidently get started in this beautiful practice.

    Resources Mentioned

    Link to the Circe Institute article: https://circeinstitute.org/blog/how-to-make-a-commonplace-book/

    Notebooks the school uses: https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/classic-notebooks-1.html

    Also: https://www.amazon.com/Leuchturm1917-Journal-Hardcover-Notebook-Numbered/dp/B09T75BG8L?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1


    The Book of Memory by Mary Carruthers
    Leisure the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper
    Bleak House by Charles Dickens
    To Kill a Mockingbird
    Isaac Newton's Common Place Notebook

    19C Common Place Notebooks

    Bleak House by Charles Dickens
    A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt

    Authors Mentioned

    Charlotte Mason

    Plato

    Aristotle

    St Augustine

    Homer

    Quintillion

    Cicero

    Romans

    Dostoevsky

    Dante

    Aquinas

    John Winthrop


    _____________________________________
    Beautiful Teaching online courses & narration conference:

    • BT online webinars, interactive courses, and book studies registration: https://beautifulteaching.coursestorm.com/
    • 2025 Online Conference with the Beautiful Teaching Team- Narration: The Art of Learning with Keynote Guest, Jason Barney, October 24-25, 2025
    • Reading Josef Pieper with Dr. Fred Putnam will take place on Thursday evenings Sept-Dec. Space is very limited. This is a seminar experience. Interaction with Dr. Putnam is essential for this online course. If you are interested in having this immersive experience with him, you can enroll here: https://beautifulteaching.coursestorm.com/course/reading-josef-pieper-with-fred-putnam
    ★ Support this podcast ★
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    42 mins