BaseCamp Live

Latest Episodes:

Shaping Head, Heart, and Hands: A Better Way to Measure Formation with Katherine Schultz Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

How do we know if our students are truly being formed - not just informed? In this powerful episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens is joined by educator and researcher Katherine Schultz to explore one of the most pressing questions in Christian education: how do we assess and support the formation of a child’s beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes?

Katherine introduces her groundbreaking tool, the 3D Worldview Survey, which helps parents and schools evaluate students in all three dimensions - head, heart, and hands - to spark meaningful discipleship and spiritual growth. This isn’t a spiritual report card—it’s a catalyst for real conversation and next steps.

🎧 Tune in to discover:

Why so few students (and even pastors) hold a consistent biblical worldview
What schools and parents can do to bridge the gap between belief and behavior
How the 3DWS can be used to shape school culture and mentor students more effectively

Don’t just hope your students are growing—know how to help them take the next step.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Habits That Last: Building Rhythms for a Lifetime of Learning with Joanna Hensley Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

What if the key to raising thoughtful, balanced, and flourishing kids isn't found in big moments - but in the quiet rhythms of daily life?

In this episode, Davies Owens welcomes back Joanna Hensley, head of lower school at Wilson Hill Academy, pastor’s wife, and homeschool mom of six. With wisdom rooted in classical Christian education and a deep love for Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, Joanna shares practical ways families can cultivate meaningful habits, routines, and wonder even in the unstructured days of summer.

From math games and nature walks to reading “living books” and resisting digital distractions, this conversation is packed with creative ideas for shaping lifelong learners without turning your home into a classroom.

Whether you're parenting preschoolers or teens, this episode offers realistic, life-giving rhythms that bring formation, not just information.

🎧 Tune in to discover:

Why rhythm—not intensity—is the key to lasting impact
How to train the habit of attention in a distracted world
What it looks like to partner with others in community-driven formation

You don’t need more to-do lists - you need better rhythms. Start here.
Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Summer Flashback: How the Great Books Impact Modern Life with A.J. Hanenburg and Graeme Donaldson Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme - hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast - for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world.

What do old works like Plato’s Republic, Lewis’s Abolition of Man, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have to do with raising wise, virtuous kids in 2025? More than you think. AJ and Graeme argue that these works don’t just fill students with facts - they shape souls, build moral reasoning, and connect readers with timeless questions of virtue, mortality, and purpose.

Along the way, you’ll hear about:
The danger of reducing education to "skills" alone
How reading trains sentiments and cultivates character
Why kids actually love Plato (yes, really!)
And what a classical education offers that modern schooling can’t

Whether you’re a parent wondering why your school insists on Dante and Homer, or an educator seeking fresh ways to inspire students, this conversation is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in and rediscover the delight, relevance, and real-world impact of the Great Books - and why they’re more urgent than ever for the next generation.
Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Summer Flashback: Are Classical Schools Elitist? with Megan Atherton Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

In this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens revisits an insightful conversation with Megan Atherton, founder of Common Sense Classical and program director at Golden View Classical Academy.

Megan addresses a common concern: Is classical Christian education elitist? She explores why many prospective families feel intimidated by the uniforms, rigorous curriculum, and emphasis on excellence – and how these schools can communicate their mission with humility, gratitude, and dignity.

Key topics include:

Why classical education is not just for the elite
How schools can cultivate excellence without fostering arrogance
The difference between making judgments and being judgmental
Why classical education is for every child whose family is on board with the mission
Practical ways parents and educators can nurture confidence and humility in students

Megan shares candid insights on how classical schools can better welcome families, build inclusive communities, and form students marked by wisdom, virtue, and grace – not prideful elitism.

🎧 Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent navigating these questions, this episode will encourage and equip you.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Writing and Speaking Well with Andrew Pudewa Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live! In today’s conversation, host Davies Owens revisits a powerful interview with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing.

In an age of shrinking vocabularies, short attention spans, and over-reliance on screens, Andrew shares why writing and speaking well are more critical than ever. He explains that students cannot think complex thoughts without the words to express them, and highlights how classical education – with its focus on grammar, logic, and rhetoric – equips students to become articulate, thoughtful communicators who can engage the world with truth and clarity.

Andrew unpacks the decline he’s witnessed over three decades in students’ vocabulary and attention spans, and why reading aloud, memorizing beautiful language, and teaching students to write and speak persuasively are not just academic exercises but essential skills for life and faithfulness. He challenges parents and educators to see education not merely as preparation for wealth and comfort, but as formation for mission in the world.

With practical encouragement, humorous reflections, and deep conviction, Andrew calls us back to raising students who can read, think, write, and speak well for God’s glory and the good of others.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

Why reading aloud and memorizing are vital for language development
How writing well prepares students for any vocation
The role of rhetoric in equipping students to stand firm in today’s culture
Encouragement for parents and teachers to stay the course in cultivating eloquence

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

JOMO > FOMO: Raising Kids Who Aren’t Ruled by Screens with Christina Crook Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In a world ruled by FOMO—the fear of missing out—what if the real antidote isn’t more digital connection, but less? In this encouraging episode, Davies Owens sits down with author and digital wellbeing advocate Christina Crook to explore the power of JOMO - the Joy of Missing Out.

Christina shares her story of stepping away from technology, launching a global movement, and helping parents and schools reclaim space for what matters most: real connection, creativity, and Christ-centered joy. From setting tech boundaries to building intentional family habits, this episode is packed with practical advice for parents, educators, and school leaders navigating the challenges of raising kids in a hyperconnected world.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

Why “shame-based” digital parenting doesn’t work
How schools and parents can build healthy tech boundaries together
How to create joyful alternatives to screen time
What JOMO really means—and how to live it out

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Summer Flashback: Looking Over Galileo’s Shoulder with Ravi Jain Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

What happens when we teach science and math not just as technical subjects—but as opportunities for wonder, worship, and wisdom?

In this summer flashback episode, Davies Owens is joined by renowned classical educator Ravi Jain, co-author of The Liberal Arts Tradition and a leading voice in the recovery of classical science education. Too often, classical schools are seen as focused on the humanities, while math and science remain untouched by the classical tradition. But Ravi makes a compelling case for why recovering natural philosophy—the pursuit of truth in the created world—is vital to forming whole human beings.

From sketchbooks and pendulums to Pascal, Newton, and Galileo, this conversation explores how students can rediscover the beauty and order of God’s creation—and how science class can become a place of discovery, not just memorization.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

Why observation and wonder must be central to classical science

How integrated courses reveal the unity of knowledge

What it means to raise students who seek wisdom over utility

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, this episode will reshape how you think about math, science, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Life Architects Coaching

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Summer Flashback: Building Virtue at Home and School with Dr. Timothy Dernlan Jun 08, 2025

Show notes

Summer Flashback: Virtue in Action with Tim Dernlan

How do we move virtue from a vague school value to a transformative life habit? In this special Summer Flashback episode, we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with Dr. Tim Dernlan, joined by two of his high school students. Recorded five years ago but more relevant than ever, this episode explores how one classical Christian school brought virtue to life through intentional student formation—and yes, even lunchtime conversations at Five Guys.

From Aristotle’s golden mean to Biblical foundations, this isn’t just a theoretical discussion. You’ll hear how weekly student groups, guided reflections, and peer accountability made virtue tangible, relational, and long-lasting. If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between what students know and how they live, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen in and discover:

Why character education isn’t enough without virtue formation
How to define virtues—and their corresponding vices—with clarity
Real stories from students on how these lessons shaped their friendships and faith

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Classic Learning Test
Classical Academic Press
Life Architects Coaching
Light Phone

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

The Good, the Bad, and the Overbooked: Rethinking Youth Sports with Keith McCurdy May 27, 2025

Show notes

Do sports build character—or just fill the calendar? In this Live Sturdy conversation, Christian counselor Keith McCurdy joins host Davies Owens to explore the role of athletics in the lives of students and families. From travel teams and over-scheduled lives to the hidden virtue of humility after a tough loss, Keith brings decades of experience as a counselor, coach, and classical school board member to help us navigate the tension between healthy competition and unhealthy obsession.

What are the true benefits of team sports? How do you know when your child (or family!) is overcommitted? And what should classical Christian schools consider when expanding their athletic programs? Whether you’re raising a future Olympian or a kid who prefers chess to cross country, this episode will help you keep perspective—and put sports in their proper place.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

Why the generalist often beats the early specialist
How sports can help train emotional regulation and resilience
What wise athletic involvement looks like at home and at school

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Classic Learning Test
Classical Academic Press
Life Architects Coaching
Light Phone

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Truth, Lies, and Logic with Elizabeth Urbanowicz May 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by educator and apologist Elizabeth Urbanowicz, founder of Foundation Worldview, to tackle a challenge every Christian parent and teacher faces: raising kids to think clearly and biblically in a culture driven by feelings, relativism, and confusion.

Elizabeth shares her journey from classroom teacher to worldview coach and offers simple, practical ways to train even young children to recognize truth, evaluate cultural messages, and respond with both discernment and grace. From defining truth in kid-friendly language to handling conversations about identity and judgment, this episode is full of timely tools you can use at home or in school—starting today.

🎧 Tune in to explore:

Why “follow your heart” is a dangerous message—and what to say instead
How to help kids distinguish facts from feelings
What judging rightly really means (and doesn’t mean)
A practical game to teach kids the difference between truth and opinion

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy
Classic Learning Test
Classical Academic Press
Life Architects Coaching
Light Phone

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

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