Anchored by the Classic Learning Test

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Michael Bryant from Charleston Southern University. The two discuss why a biblical worldview and the pursuit of knowledge go so well together. They talk about the effect of educational faith integration on the preservation of the liberal arts, and explain why education is never neutral when it comes to values. They also explore the culture’s current issues with biblical illiteracy, and some of the work being done to remedy that. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Krista Autrey, director of the Center for Career and Calling at Geneva College. The two discuss the role faith played in Krista's life when she discovered the career and calling that married her passions for campus ministry and the international church. They dive into how to improve the conversation surrounding the value of a college degree. They also discuss how Krista uses the idea of deciding what is next, not what is forever, to alleviate pressure when discerning the future. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Mario Vasilescu, co-founder of Readocracy, a technology that allows people to track their knowledge in the form of data and share it with others. He explains the benefits of the technology as a way to discredit the culture of division and noise and award those who are mindful of what they put into their minds. They also discuss the origins of the company and the pitfalls of the current education system that leaves brilliant thinkers behind.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Marshall King, assistant professor of Biblical Studies at Carson-Neuman University in Tennessee. They discuss Marshall’s interest in languages and his view of exercise as a metaphor for language learning. Marshall dives into understanding the university as a microcosm of the universe and archaeology as a similarly omnibus field. They conclude by exploring the roots and definition of digital humanities, and why Christians ought to explore this area of study as a part of their heritage. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Tracy Lee Simmons, journalist and author of books such as Climbing Parnassus and his most recent release On Being Civilized. The two discuss the popularity of and inspiration behind Climbing Parnassus as well as how it would be received had it been released today. They also discuss the importance of intellectual humility in approaching the humanities and the merits of starting with facts, names, and dates as stepping stones to understanding how a mind works. Finally, the two talk about his recent video with Memoria Press in connection to the difficulties of defining classical education. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Tom McFadden, Vice President of Enrollment at Christendom College. The two discuss Tom’s journey in finding Christendom College as an international student. They talk about Christendom’s new president, Dr. George Harne, and the difficulty of adhering to a school’s mission amid a culture of compromise. The two also dive into Tom’s unique situation as a father of eleven homeschooled kids who serves on a public school board and his reason for why public schools shouldn’t be abandoned altogether.  

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Anya Leonard, founder and director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Anya discusses her experience as a well-traveled individual and unpacks her experience in her current home, Buenos Aires, as a culture steeped in culture. She discusses international interest in the classics but highlights differences in the American renewal movement. The two also talk about the founding and purpose of Classical Wisdom and how to cultivate a love of learning in children.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Nicole Dunteman, program director of Hope Forward at Hope College. The two discuss the difficulty of capturing virtue and character development in the form of quantitative data. They unpack the Hope Forward program, a cohort of students whose tuition is fully funded by Hope College alumni, and the importance of cyclical generosity and gratitude. They also talk about the program as a solution to the problem of accessibility in classical education and its applicability to a range of other models and aims. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Travis Dickinson, professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University and author of several books including most recently Wandering Toward God: Finding Faith amid Doubts and Big Questions. They discuss philosophy as not only a useful subject but an unavoidable one in respect to philosophical commitments and the consequences of ideas. They explore the best ways to cultivate curiosity and sharpen a student’s critical thinking skills. Dickinson also presents his apology for the philosophy major.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by two Ashland University faculty members—Keith Ramsdell, the vice president for enrollment and Rich Policz, the associate director of student programs at the Ashbrook Center. They discuss the new Ashbrook Center program for homeschooled students, serving their needs with free tutoring, workshops, and dual enrollment support. They also talk about the homeschooled students from a professor’s point of view as a more conversational, more patriotic kind of student. They conclude by exploring the university’s new classical learning minor and the future of the Ashbrook Center.