Developing Classical Thinkers

Latest Episodes:

Winston Brady, "What is True" | Conference of Miletus Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

In this presentation at the Conference of Miletus, Winston Brady examines the idea of truth, as far as what a world in which there is no truth would look like, how do we know what's true, and how do classical teachers teach what is true.
Winston Brady serves as the Director of Curriculum & Thales Press, an in-house publishing firm that produces textbooks, readings, and videos for Thales Academy and like-minded classical schools. He lives in Wake Forest with his wife and three boys.
Winston delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 11, 2022. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, TED-talk-style lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education.
The theme music is Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" performed by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players.

Robert Luddy, "Founder's Address" | Conference of Miletus Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

In this conference presentation, Bob Luddy explains the role of the transcendentals, the ideas of truth, goodness, and beauty, and how these ideas influence life in the family, the business world, and the classroom environment.
Bob Luddy is the founder of Thales Academy and the President of CaptiveAire Systems, a leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment.
Bob Luddy delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 11, 2022. The Conference of Miletus was a series of short, TED-talk-style lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education.
Theme music is Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," performed by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players.

Engineering and Classical Education Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

How do more practical subject areas such as architecture and engineering fit within a Classical education? Does an education founded on what is true, good, and beautiful really help students develop the academic rigor and problem-solving skills needed for fields outside of the humanities?
Actually, Classical education is ideally suited to prepare students for careers in engineering, architecture, and other similar career paths.
Listen to this episode to learn how an education founded on the contemplation of beautiful things helps students make this world a more beautiful place.
Check out our Thales Press YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for more information and content like this.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl-5t4R8RSLX9A-CWJC9wDQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thalespress/

How (and When) to Lecture Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

The lecture is a unique pedagogical tool for the classical teacher. A lecture is a well-developed, logical exposition of a subject of great importance that, when delivered with excitement and interspersed with the right kinds of questions, can be a powerful means of disseminating information to a wide audience. But what makes a good lecture? When is the lecture the most appropriate tool to use in the classical classroom? Should you use PowerPoint slides or lecture straight from a manuscript?
Host Josh Herring interviews Matt Ogle and Winston Brady about the use of lecture in the classroom and how a teacher can use this tool in an uplifting, rewarding, and age-appropriate way for students.

Quintilian & the Ideal Orator Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

On our occasional series "Classically Educated," we are looking at the life and work of the Roman educator Quintilian (AD 35 - 100). Born in Spain with the full name Marcus Fabius Quintilianus, Quintilian is one of the few educators from the Roman world who wrote down anything concerning tips for running a classical classroom.
Quintilian's great work, the "Institutio Oratoria" or, in English, "On the Education of an Orator," includes tips that range from teaching phonics to small toddlers to delivering speeches before crowds of senators.
Quintilian's "Institutio Oratoria" is available here from the Loeb Classical Library: https://www.loebclassics.com/view/quintilian-orators_education/2002/pb_LCL124.51.xml?rskey=VPkNHn&result=1
George Kennedy's "Quintilian: A Roman Educator and His Quest for the Perfect Orator," available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Quintilian-Roman-Educator-Perfect-Orator/dp/0989783618/ref=sr_1_1?crid=399HPPBVHXRCL&keywords=george+kennedy+quintilian&qid=1655472354&sprefix=george+kennedy+quintilian%2Caps%2C51&sr=8-1

Silent Cal and the Calvin Coolidge Foundation Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Winston Brady interviews Matt Denhart, President of the Coolidge Foundation, to talk about the legacy of Calvin Coolidge, the importance of America's founding principles, and some of the unique programs that the Coolidge Foundation puts on for students across the country.
Learn more about the Coolidge Foundation and its programs on its website here: https://coolidgefoundation.org/
We referenced an issue of the Coolidge Quarterly on the show on Calvin Coolidge and the Great Depression. Check out the issue here: https://coolidgefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TheCoolidgeQuarterly_Vol4_Issue1.pdf

Technology and Classical Education May 26, 2022

Show notes

Many people think that an education founded on books, ancient languages, and meaningful ideas cannot prepare students to make the latest and greatest technological developments. But in reality, classical education is uniquely suited to help students develop the rigor and curiosity needed to dream up new inventions and technology.
Listen to this episode to find out more!
Check out our Thales Press YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for more information and content like this.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl-5t4R8RSLX9A-CWJC9wDQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thalespress/

A Pilgrim in an Unholy Land: A Free-market Economist Advises the Kremlin May 24, 2022

Show notes

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his army into Ukraine. Since then, the Ukrainian people have been engaged in a struggle to defend their territorial integrity and very status as a nation in the midst of this Russian attack. How should we understand such geopolitical events? What are we to make of the events in Ukraine? How do these events fit in with the longstanding foreign policy goals of the Russian Federation, and how much of these events derive from the personality of Russian President Vladimir Putin?
In today’s episode, host Winston Brady interviews Dr. Richard Vedder to talk about these issues. In 2000, Dr. Vedder was invited as part of a special delegation of free-market economists to provide advice to recently-appointed President Putin on the issues of taxation, private property rights, and other reforms in line with free-market economics.
In the show, Dr. Vedder talks about his personal experiences traveling through Russia, meeting President Vladimir Putin, and providing economic advice to various high-ranking officials of the Russian government.

The Purpose of Higher Education May 19, 2022

Show notes

What is the purpose of higher education? What should students expect out of their college experience, and what should students do to get the most out of the four years they may spend on a college campus? Is college for everyone? And what other alternatives are out there for students who don't want to go the route of the traditional, four-year undergraduate program?
In this webinar, Dr. Jenna Robinson will examine the purpose of higher education, that of character formation through study and fellowship, as well as a survey of the challenges in the higher education landscape awaiting students.
Jenna Robinson is the President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, a Raleigh-based nonprofit institute dedicated to improving higher education in North Carolina and the nation. Dr. Robinson received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has written for numerous academic and popular publications.
This webinar was streamed on May 19, 2022.
Find out more about the James G. Martin Center at their website: https://www.jamesgmartin.center/

Welcome, Thales Pittsboro May 17, 2022

Show notes

Thales Academy Pittsboro recently moved into its new building in Chatham Park, North Carolina. In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with administrator Johanna Murphy about the founding of this new campus and what makes Thales Pittsboro so unique. Go Pumas!

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