Classical Et Cetera
Join the educators, authors, publishers, and visionaries at Memoria Press to unpack and understand the world of classical education.
Join the educators, authors, publishers, and visionaries at Memoria Press to unpack and understand the world of classical education.
Episodes

Jul 31, 2024
Jul 31, 2024
45 min
Today's *Classical Et Cetera* is all about rhetoric! What is rhetoric? What is eloquence? And what was it about *Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address* that made it so brilliant? Both rhetoric and eloquence involve the art of persuasion, which goes back over 2000 years to ancient Greece and the philosopher Aristotle. It's important for students to develop not only these talents, but also the practical ability to speak to an audience and connect with your listeners. Listen to our podcast to learn all this and more. Also, check out our Classical Rhetoric curriculum at *Memoria Press* — https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/logic-and-rhetoric/classical-rhetoric-complete-set-streaming/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=132 — as well as our Writing curriculum that fosters mastery of the classical method — https://www.memoriapress.com/writing-english-grammar/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=132
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)
Bleak House —Charles Dickens (Martin)

Jul 24, 2024
Jul 24, 2024
41 min
On this episode of *Classical Et Cetera,* the gang sits down to discuss the benefits of reading books that you disagree with—and how engaging with diverse perspectives in literature is essential for intellectual and personal growth.
The importance of an education where you read difficult books cannot be understated. Why? Understanding opposing viewpoints prepares individuals to defend their beliefs confidently as they encounter differing positions in the world. The role of literature, including both fairy tales and classical texts, is most important in shaping moral understanding and critical thinking skills from a young age.
So, if you've ever had a list of books that you're afraid to read—listen to our discussion and see where it takes you!
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Persian Boy —Mary Renault (Paul)
Nancy Mitford books (Tanya)
An Introduction to Rembrandt —Kenneth Clark (Kyle)

Jul 17, 2024
Jul 17, 2024
40 min
Today, Andrew Pudewa, from the Institute for Excellence in Writing joins the table to talk about the current state of the world of Classical Christian Education! With advancements in technology, changes in public school curriculum, and classroom evolution happening around us, it's always helpful to return to our grounding points, to the tenants of education that characterize well organized homeschool and private school education. Today we'll talk about excellence in writing, restoring tradition in the classroom, and the benefits of old-school education. We hope you enjoy this podcast and will take us along on your educational journey. Be sure to check out Memoria Press at memoriapress.com for books, catalogues, curriculum and more! memoriapress.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=130#memoriapress #andrewpudewa #classicaleducation
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Hounds of God —Rafael Sabatini (Paul)
Winnie-the-Pooh —A.A. Milne (Martin)
Why We Remember —Charan Ranganath (Andrew)
Jayber Crow —Wendell Berry (Andrew)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory —Roald Dahl (Andrew)

Jul 3, 2024
Jul 3, 2024
46 min
We see you parents and teachers. The struggle for your children's time in a world that capitalizes on their attention is an ever-present reality. So, what do we do about it? On this episode of Classical Et Cetera we dive into how to find the causes and solutions for this global problem and how to improve student's engagement with teaching, reading, and instruction. Some homeschool families love to use our curriculum year-round! Check out our classical Christian curriculum packages! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-core-curriculum/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=129
We hope you enjoy today's episode. Don't forget to check out more episodes of Classical Et Cetera! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC72BhhBtLU0LgQA6s_QTcBA
Visit our forum to connect with other homeschooling families! Get help and advice from the wealth of experience in our community. https://forum.memoriapress.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=129
#memoriapress #classicaleducation #attentionandfocus
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts —Daniel Mclnerny (Martin)
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
Life at the Bottom —Theodore Dalrymple

Jun 26, 2024
Jun 26, 2024
39 min
In today's episode of Classical Et Cetera, the table sits down to talk about memorization in its place in the framework of a classical Christian education. Does memorization actually help? Or are we just wasting our time "forcing kids to memorize everything"? Is it true that drills kill the enchantment and wonder of learning? We don't think so. We believe that training the skills of memorization, repetition, and practice do far more to help develop student understanding, provide a gateway to mastery, and encourage success in the classroom. In today's episode we're going to share memorization success stories, study tools and aid for young learners, and provide a helpful strategy to encourage memorization in school and at home. Memorization works. No tricks here, only proven methodology that legitimizes memorization as part of a robust and rigorous education. How do we do it? Join us on this episode of Classical Et Cetera to find out more.Some homeschool families love to use our curriculum year round! Check out our classical Christian curriculum packages! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-core-curriculum/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Register for this year's Memoria Press Summer Conference! Sodalitas Homeschool Conference: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-sodalitas-homeschool-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Teacher Training Conference: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-teacher-training-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Memoria College Conference: https://memoriacollege.org/summer-conference/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
Check out our writing and composition program! https://www.memoriapress.com/writing-english-grammar/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=128
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Anna Karenina —Leo Tolstoy (Carrie)
A Quiet Place: How Daily Prayer Can Change Your Life —John Bartunek (Carrie)
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What It Means to Be an Educated Human Being —Richard M. Gamble (Tanya)
Man, Cattle, and Veld —Johann Zietsman (Paul)

Jun 19, 2024
Jun 19, 2024
34 min
In this insightful episode, Jessica, Paul, Tanya, and special guest Jeremy Breland explore how to intentionally shape students' character within and beyond the classroom walls:
• How morning meditations and formation talks set the tone for the day.
• The surprising impact of subjects like math and literature on character development.
• Real-life stories of students' transformative moments.
• Practical tips for implementing character education in schools and homeschools.
Transform children's manners and respect with our 14-week program designed for all learners including those with special needs: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/educational-resources/myself-others/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Check out the Manner of the Week Wall Charts for engaging and practical behavior visual aids: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/phonics-and-early-reading/manner-of-the-week-wall-charts/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Learn more about the Horatius at the Bridge Set for an immersive journey into ancient Roman history through Thomas Babington Macaulay's celebrated ballad: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/horatius-bridge/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
Dive into the timeless tale of love, betrayal, and society with the comprehensive Anna Karenina Set, your essential companion to explore Tolstoy's masterpiece in depth: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/twelfth/pre-order-anna-karenina-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
There are three works that are at the source of Western culture: the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid. After you have completed your study of Homer’s two works, Virgil’s epic story of the founding of Rome, the Aeneid, is your next logical Great Book to study: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/aeneid/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=127
What We're Reading from This Episode:
Great Expectations —Charles Dickens (Tanya)
All Creatures Great and Small —James Herriot (Tanya)
The Man Who Was Thursday —G.K. Chesterton (Jeremy)
Shop Class as Soulcraft —Matthew B. Crawford (Paul)

Jun 12, 2024
12 Great Christian Books You Should Read
Jun 12, 2024
Jun 12, 2024
49 min
In the Spring 2024 issue of The Classical Teacher, Martin wrote about 12 great Christian novels. In this episode, we dive deeper into these 12 novels, why Martin picked them, and why you should read them. You'll hear about themes of redemption, morality, and the providential world. And, you'll discover the diverse ways these themes are explored by various authors.
From Tolstoy's epic tales to Tolkien's mythic adventures, the list includes a wide range of styles and settings. Watch now to hear lively debates and differing opinions from our regular crew, as they share their thoughts on what makes a novel truly Christian.
Twelve Great Christian Novels by Martin Cothran"To say that a book is a great Christian novel obviously and necessarily implies two things: first, that it is great and, second, that it is Christian. A Christian book in the sense I am using the term is one that articulates distinctly Christian principles or ideas, whether it intends to or not. Many of the books here are widely considered to be great, but there seems to be little consciousness that they are also explicitly Christian..." Read More: https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/twelve-great-christian-novels/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=126
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy#1 on Martin's listhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/twelfth/pre-order-anna-karenina-set/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=126
A CLASSICAL CONFERENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHERWe invite you to join us in Louisville, Kentucky, this summer.
Learn which conference is right for you!https://www.memoriapress.com/#conf?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=126
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Comfort of Ghosts —Jacqueline Winspear (Tanya)
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower —C.S. Forester (Tanya)
North and South —Elizabeth Gaskell (Martin)

Jun 5, 2024
Jun 5, 2024
44 min
Summer is here which means Memoria Press Conference week is right around the corner! In this episode of the Classical Et Cetera podcast we are breaking down the entire week and giving you the top reasons why mom and dad should attend! The Sodalitas, Teacher Training, and Memoria College Conferences are great opportunities for homeschooling parents, classical school teachers, and students of higher learning to gather together in one place to celebrate our shared dedication to classical Christian education. The Sodalitas Homeschool Conference is a time we dedicate every year to offer homeschool families, beginners and experts alike, the opportunity to travel from all over the world to share and glean tips, advice, and motivation for the school year. It's also a great opportunity for the Memoria Press faithful and curious to get their hands on the curriculum and take advantage of great sales only available during conference week! The Memoria Press Teacher Training Conference is the perfect opportunity to enrich your classical classroom. The 2024 conference will feature plenary sessions led by Dr. Jan Bentz, Leigh Lowe, and Martin Cothran. The two days will be filled with workshops detailing our Classical Core Curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom discipline. The Memoria College Summer Conference invites classical enthusiasts, instructors, and students to join us for an opportunity to discuss the Great Books, learn from great teachers, and meet other great students. So what are you waiting for? Registration is open now! Find information, travel details, and registration particulars at the links below! Sodalitas: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-sodalitas-homeschool-conference/ Teacher Training: https://www.memoriapress.com/2024-teacher-training-conference/ Memoria College: https://memoriacollege.org/summer-conference/#memoriapress #summerconference #classicaleducation
What We're Reading from This Episode:
The Man Who Would Be King —Rudyard Kipling (Paul)
The Jungle Book —Rudyard Kipling (Paul)
The Covenant of Water —Abraham Verghese (Tanya)
Anna Karenina —Leo Tolstoy (Carrie)
That Hideous Strength —C.S. Lewis (Carrie)

Welcome to Classical Et Cetera
Welcome to The Great Conversation. CETC brings together leading voices from the world of classical education to understand and engage with the good, the true, and the beautiful.
Join Shane Saxon as he sits down with experts, educators, and prominent voices in the world of Classical Education as they seek to discover a better education for a modern context by uncovering the philosophical foundations of the ancient world.
New episodes every Thursday on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts!







