Classical Et Cetera

The Worst Books We’ve Ever Read

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we take on a risky topic: the worst books we’ve ever read. From beloved classics to modern favorites, we ask what truly makes a book bad. Is it poor writing, or something deeper? Can a beautifully written book still lead readers astray? Along the way, we discuss children’s literature, modern novels, and the importance of discernment in reading. Not every popular book is worth your time, and some may be worth avoiding altogether.
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"The Black Wolf" Louise Penny (Tanya)
"He Leadeth Me" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)
"Mo Mo" Michael Ende (Martin)
"Remarkably Bright Creatures" Shelby Van Pelt (Jessica)

Why Read Ancient Greek Literature? Essential Books to Start With

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we begin a new series on the best books of each era by turning to ancient Greece! From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to the tragedies and philosophers, we explore the foundational works that shaped Western thought. Whether you’re new to the Greeks or looking to revisit them, this conversation offers guidance on what to read and why it matters. Join us as we consider the essential authors, enduring ideas, and lasting influence of ancient Greek literature—and where to begin your reading
 
 
Reading List for Ancient Greece
Homer — Iliad, OdysseyTragedy — Aeschylus, Sophocles, EuripidesPhilosophy — Plato (Apology), AristotleHistory — Herodotus, Thucydides
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Tanya)
"With God in Russia" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)
"Be Frank With Me" Julia Claiborne Johnson (Jessica)
"The Ministry of Fear" Graham Greene (Paul)
Various Hesiod writings (Alex)
 

Do Learning Styles Actually Exist? Teaching Students with Different Personalities

How should parents and teachers respond when children learn differently? Should the curriculum change for each child, or should the child be formed by the curriculum?
 
In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we discuss teaching children with different personalities and temperaments, and why the modern idea of “learning styles” may not be the right place to begin. We explore the difference between temperament and aptitude, how to maintain consistent academic standards, and practical ways parents can help very different children succeed within the same curriculum. Along the way, we offer encouragement for homeschool families navigating daily challenges while keeping the long view of education in mind.

Christian Nonfiction Books for Classical Readers

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we turn from fiction to Christian nonfiction books that have shaped our faith. From _Mere Christianity_ and Augustine’s _Confessions_ to biographies, letters, and works on prayer and discernment, we share the books that have strengthened, challenged, and sustained us. This isn’t a canon, but rather an honest conversation about the titles we return to and why they matter for classical Christian readers.
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Leigh & Tanya)
"Sense and Sensibility" Jane Austin (Tanya)
"With God in Russia" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)
"A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens (Tanya)
"No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall (Paul)
"A Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul)

Home Library Ideas: Organizing, Collecting, and Actually Using Your Books

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we talk about home libraries—what they are, how they grow, and why they matter. From organizing (or not organizing) shelves to collecting meaningful editions, this conversation explores how the books in our homes reflect the life of the mind. We discuss lending versus hoarding, building a collection that is actually used, and why a home library is more than bookshelves—it’s a culture of reading lived out in the home.
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"Christianity & Culture" T.S. Eliot (Martin)
"Sense and Sensibility" Jane Austin (Tanya)
"The Digital Delusion" Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath (Tanya)
"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Tanya)
"Olav Audunssøn" Sigrid Undset (Kathy)
"Marce Catlett" Wendell Berry (Paul)
"No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall (Paul)
"Climbing Parnassus" Tracy Lee Simmons (Paul)

Why Imagination Matters in Classical Education

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore the idea of "poetic knowledge"—a way of knowing that begins with experience and imagination before moving to analysis. Has modern education become too abstract, too quickly? We discuss the role of wonder in learning, the proper order of education, and why children need to encounter reality as a whole before breaking it into parts. From literature and discussion to classroom practice, this conversation considers what it means to begin learning well.
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"Paradise Lost" John Milton (Ian)
"The Big Sleep" Raymond Chandler (Martin)
"Climbing Parnassus" Tracy Lee Simmons (Paul)
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall Smith (Paul)

Classroom Technology Isn’t Helping Students Learn

What happens when screens replace books and classroom technology replaces thinking? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we examine research showing how screens, scrolling text, and digital note-taking undermine attention, memory, and deep learning. Drawing on neuroscience and classroom experience, we discuss why scrolling isn’t reading, why speed and engagement aren’t the same as understanding, and why technology-heavy classrooms often produce less learning, not more.
 
The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath is the book that inspired this episode's conversation.
 
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
"Marce Catlett" Wendell Berry (Tanya & Paul)
"What Happened to You?" Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey (Paul)
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall Smith (Martin) 

Should Video Games Have a Place in Your Homeschool? | Classical Et Cetera Mailbag

In this mailbag episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we respond to listener questions on a range of parenting and homeschooling topics. We talk about limiting video games, responding to boredom in children, and how much attention homeschool parents should give to modern pop culture versus older stories, books, and models. Drawing on principles of classical education, we explore how attention, imagination, and formation shape a child’s learning. Join the conversation as we think through these questions together!
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
Stoner" John Williams (Paul)
Against the Machine" Paul Kingsnorth (Tanya)
North and South" Elizabeth Gaskell (Tanya)
Marce Catlett" Wendell Berry (Tanya)
Sense and Sensibility" Jane Austen (Tanya)
By Her Own Design" Piper Huguley (Jessica)