Classical Et Cetera

Classical Education in a Casual Age: Let’s Be Formal Again

As classrooms grow more casual, is something important being lost? This week’s Classical Et Cetera tackles the question of formality in both schools and homeschools. We explore why order, decorum, and even dress still matter in a classical education. Along the way, a listener brings us a question about balancing extracurriculars with the homeschool day—and how pursuits like music, art, and physical fitness fit within an ordered life. From playing with purpose to pajama days, we trace how formality shapes not just the classroom, but the character of the student and the culture of learning itself.
 
What We're Reading from This Episode: 
The Two Gentlemen of Verona - William Shakespeare (Tanya)
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis (Tanya)
The Killing Stones - Ann Cleeves (Tanya)
Truth Matters - Robert P. George & Cornel West (Tanya)
Kristin Lavransdatter - Sigrid Undset (Carrie)
The Hound of the Baskervilles - Arthur Conan Doyle (Carrie)
From Dawn to Decadence - Jacques Barzun (Martin)
Mythology - Edith Hamilton (Martin)
Joseph Epstein (Martin)
King Lear - William Shakespeare (Jeremy)
Macbeth - William Shakespeare (Jeremy)

A Scenic Route to the Liberal Arts (There's Lots Of Et Cetera)

It takes us a while to get there, but it’s worth the journey! In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, Tanya, Martin, and Paul share what they’re reading, answer a listener question about audiobooks, and (eventually) get around to the main topic of the liberal art
Here, they explore the liberal arts through the lens of Sister Miriam Joseph’s The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric. This classic work provides a clear look at the foundations of classical education. We hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation!
Read the sample from Sister Miriam Joseph's book that we use for this episode: https://www.memoriapress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Trivium-The-Liberal-Arts-of-Logic-Grammar-and-Rhetoric-Chapter-1-Sample.pdf?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=192
Read with Paul & Tanya! The Hound of the Baskervilles Set: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/eighth/hound-baskervilles-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=192
Find us online! https://www.memoriapress.com/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=192
More to A Midsummer Night. A Midsummer Night's Dream Set: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/ninth/a-midsummer-nights-dream-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=192
About Memoria Press: https://www.memoriapress.com/about/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=192
 
What We're Reading from This Episode: 
The Hound of the Baskervilles—Arthur Conan Doyle (Paul)
Sun and Steel—Yukio Mishima  (Paul)
Mythology—Edith Hamilton (Martin)
Plutarch: Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans—Plutarch and Arthur Hugh Clough (Martin)
The Killing Stones—Ann Cleeves (Tanya)
The Two Gentlemen of Verona—William Shakespeare (Tanya)
Truth Matters—Robert P. George & Cornel West (Tanya)00:00 Introduction00:42 What We're Reading12:18 Listener Question: Do You Count Audiobooks as Reading?22:10 Topic: Introduction to "The Trivium"—Sister Miriam Joseph

Why American Democracy Is Breaking—and How Classical Education Can Fix It

What’s behind the decline of American democracy—and can education fix it? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera the team discusses why the health of our republic depends not necessarily on politicians, but on teachers, parents, and the formation of virtuous citizens.
Modern society often treats the decline of democracy as a political problem, but classical educators know it’s an educational one. A free people can only remain free when they know how to govern themselves—and that begins in classrooms, not in Congress.
Join us as we explore how classical education cultivates wisdom, virtue, and self-government, and why rebuilding the soul of the nation starts with the minds of the young.
Read Mitchell Holley's article "A Democratic Education" right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/a-democratic-education?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
You can read Anne of Green Gables too! LEARN MOREhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/sixth/anne-of-green-gables-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
Be ready for Mitchell to finish Third Form Greek! LEARN MOREhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/greek/first-form-greek-complete-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
"It is funny how mortals picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” READ NOWhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/educational-resources/the-screwtape-letters/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
Check out our Classical Core Curriculum! LEARN MOREhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
Famous Men of Rome videos now available! BUY NOWhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/famous-men-rome/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=191
 
What We're Reading from This Episode: 
Various Greek Authors (Mitchell)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion—Beth Brower (Tanya)
The Screwtape Letters—C.S. Lewis (Tanya)
Truth Matters—Robert P. George & Cornel West (Tanya)
A Midsummer Night's Dream—William Shakespeare (Tanya)
The Idiot—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)
Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture: Volume III—Werner Jaeger (Martin)

Why Poetry Belongs in Classical Education Curriculum

What does poetry offer that prose cannot? In this week’s Classical Et Cetera, we explore how verse builds literacy, memory, and a love of language. Discover how rhythm, structure, and beauty shape the mind and soul, and why poetry remains essential for both personal enrichment and classical education.
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
Gerard Manley Hopkins Poetry (Kathy)
_Notes from Underground_—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Kathy)
_Anne of Green Gables_—L.M. Montgomery (Tanya)
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_—William Shakespeare (Tanya)
_Truth Matters_—Robert P. George & Cornel West (Tanya)
_The Idiot_—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)
_The Glass Bead Game_—Hermann Hesse (Martin)

Why Writing Things Down Is IMPORTANT | Note-Taking Tips for a Classical Education

Why does writing things down matter? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we dive into journaling, commonplace books, and note-taking tips within a classical education. From how to properly journal in an academic setting to how to use a journal for personal and self growth, we discuss the benefits of good handwriting, the value of writing by hand vs typing, and why keeping a commonplace book—or "Vade Mecum"—helps students and adults remember and reflect.
 
We share practical advice on academic journal writing, how to mark a book, and how classical educators guide students from simple note-taking in the early grades to more independent habits in high school. Plus, we touch on classical preschool readiness activities and how parents can instill a love of books, build fine motor skills, and nurture reading habits from the very beginning.
 
Join the conversation and discover why journaling and note-taking remain timeless tools for learning and growth!
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
_Anne of Green Gables_—L.M. Montgomery (Tanya)
_The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion_—Beth Brower (Tanya)
_Persuasion_—Jane Austen (Tanya)
_Boone: A Biography_—Robert Morgan (Paul)
_The Big Sleep_—Raymond Chandler (Martin)

Ask Us Anything! Classical Et Cetera Mailbag

In this special mailbag episode of Classical et Cetera, we are answering questions straight from our listeners! From classical education and the history of philosophy to standardized testing and watching movies, nothing is off limits. Join the rapid fire and ask us more questions by emailing us at podcast@memoriapress.com.
Thanks for your question, Patricio! The book Martin mentioned is The Seven Liberal Arts: A Study in Medieval Culture by Paul Abelson.
Other materials we talked about today:
Anne of Green Gableshttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/literature-and-poetry/sixth/anne-of-green-gables-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=188
Famous Men & Classical Studieshttps://www.memoriapress.com/classical-studies/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=188
First Form Greekhttps://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/greek/first-form-greek-complete-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=188
 
00:00 Introduction01:40 What We're Reading06:18 Ask Us Anything! Classical Et Cetera Mailbag
 
What We're Reading from This Episode: 
The Idiot—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)
The Glass Bead Game (Magister Ludi) —Hermann Hesse (Martin)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion —Beth Brower (Tanya)
Anne of Green Gables —L.M. Montgomery (Tanya & Paul)

Horatius at the Bridge & Memory Work in Classical Education

Why do students in classical education memorize all 70 stanzas of Thomas Babington Macaulay’s Horatius at the Bridge? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we explore one of the most demanding—and most rewarding—academic challenges that we give our students: the recitation of Horatius.We trace the story of Horatius and its place in Roman legend, consider why Winston Churchill himself memorized the poem, and explain how this tradition became the "Winston Churchill Award" for our students today. Along the way, we reflect on how memory work builds courage, confidence, and leadership, shaping students to take on challenges far beyond the classroom.This conversation also looks at why classical Christian education prizes memorization as “mental furniture,” especially in an age of Google and smartphones when it is tempting to outsource our minds. From ancient Roman heroism to modern homeschool recitations, Horatius at the Bridge shows why memory work remains central to classical education and why it continues to inspire both students and families.Purchase our Horatius at the Bridge Set today! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/horatius-bridge/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=187
Read the article from former Assistant Secretary of State, Robert B. Charles: https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/horatius-bridge-0/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=187
 
What We're Reading from This Episode: 
The Idiot—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)
Men Against the Sea—Charles Bernard Nordhoff (Martin)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion—Beth Brower (Tanya)
Education of a Wandering Man—Louis L'Amour (Paul)
Around the World in Eighty Days—Marian Leighton (Paul)
The Human Factor—Graham Greene (Paul)

How to Teach the Dark Parts of History: Columbus, Slavery, Holocaust

What does it mean to teach history truthfully? In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ , we tackle how to teach Christopher Columbus facts with honesty, from elementary school to teaching history in middle school and high school. We discuss the hard truths of American slavery, the Holocaust, and more, while still cultivating gratitude for the US. Drawing on models like the Frederick Douglass 4th of July speech, we share practical ways to guide students through the dark parts of history so they see both the good and the bad—growing in wisdom, empathy, and conviction.
 
*What We're Reading* from This Episode: 
_Education of a Wandering Man_—Louis L'Amour (Paul)
_The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion_—Beth Brower (Tanya)
_On the Consolation of Philosophy_—Boethius (Dustin)