Developing Classical Thinkers

Latest Episodes:

Economy Check In with Brian Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, economist Brian Balfour provides a brief check-in about the economy and explains all things concerning inflation, supply chains, and the trends we're seeing in the U.S. economy. Brian also offers his recommendations for students on how they can alleviate such problems in the broader, economic marketplace (hint: consider getting a part-time job).
Brian Balfour is Senior Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, where he oversees the organization’s research and analysis on a variety of issues. He specializes in fiscal policy issues and is also the author of the e-book Economics in Action, which teaches the free-market principles of the ‘Austrian School’ of economics. He has helped Thales develop an economics curriculum and lesson plans.
We referenced the January 13 episode of the podcast, "The World and Everything In It," in today’s show; a link to a transcript of that episode may be found here: https://wng.org/podcasts/thursday-morning-news-january-13-2022-1642056593
Theme music is Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons, Spring (1st Movement)," recorded by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players. The recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc7LVR_Lb_E

Mathematics: A Pedagogy of Wonder Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

This webinar explored the relationship between mathematics and classical education, an approach that begins in wonder, explores a particular problem using mathematical principles, and builds from those solutions a greater intellectual curiosity and wonder about the world in which we live.
Our speaker is Jonathan Gregg, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College. He regularly teaches classes in mathematics, deductive reasoning, and the quadrivium at Hillsdale College. He is also pursuing a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Michigan State University.
This webinar was given on January 6, 2022. Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

Note Perfect: The Sound of Music Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

How does music fit into a Classical education? How does the study of music foster a love for truth and beauty? What brings more joy--listening to a beautiful piece of music, or just playing an instrument regardless of our skill level? What specific pieces might we listen to help cultivate that love for beautiful things in ourselves and in our students?
In this episode, Winston Brady speaks with Thales band directors Richard Dryer and Wendy Cheng about the enriching, transformative nature of music and the joy that great music can bring to a Great Books education.
Special thanks to Wendy and Richard for their time on the episode and their service in building up our music program.
Theme music is Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Spring (1st Movement), recorded by John Harrison and the Wichita State University Chamber Players. The recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc7LVR_Lb_E
Songs referenced in the Episode include:
Bach, Partita No. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngjEVKxQCWs
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPFH-gz3wE
Mozart, Kegelstatt Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_cfok4QxdU
Beethoven Piano Concerto Number 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTO9ms_eIEY
Gustav Holste, The Planets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isic2Z2e2xs&t=15s

A Case for the Arts Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Thales Academy Administrators, Ashley Bahor, Matt Ogle, and Winston Brady, discuss how Thales Academy can help students focus on what is good, true, and beautiful through the value of the fine arts and their integration with practical, real-world skills.
This webinar was streamed on December 9, 2021. Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

The Makings of a True Teacher: Classical Education & Leadership Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Featuring Jonathan Yonan, M.St., D.Phil., "The Makings of a True Teacher", held on November 17th, 2021, discusses the value of a classical education and leadership formation when educating future teachers.
Learn more about Thales College and our unique Classical Education and Leadership degree at https://www.thalescollege.org/.

Bob's Book Reviews - "Great Society: A New History" from Amity Shlaes Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

An interview with Bob Luddy and Amity Shlaes, author of four "New York Times"-bestsellers including "Coolidge" and "The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression." In "Great Society," Amity Shlaes examines the 1960s and the advent of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society as a means of better understanding our contemporary challenges and the lamentable, avoidable consequences of economic planning and social welfare programs.
Amity Shlaes chairs the board of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, a national foundation based in the birthplace of President Coolidge.
Find out more about Amity Shlaes and her work at the Coolidge Foundation at http://www.amityshlaes.com/bio.php
"Bob's Book Reviews" is hosted by Bob Luddy, President of CaptiveAire Systems and the founder of Thales Academy, a network of private schools in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and beyond. In Bob's Book Reviews, Bob provides a short overview of the book, explains why this book answers pressing issues of our time, and facilitates a discussion on topics that challenge and enlighten the human mind.

The Thales Garden Club Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

In today’s episode, Winston Brady takes a special look at the Thales Garden Club, a group of students who meet in the mornings to take care of the community garden at Thales Academy Rolesville JH/HS. Through a series of on-the-spot reporting and interviews with the club's lead teachers and student members, we explore how the Garden Club positively impacts students.
Special thanks to Amanda Gruber, lead teacher for the Garden Club, as well as all of the students who participated in today’s episode. Great work everyone, and thank you for beautifying the grounds and providing such a rich learning opportunity for our Rolesville campus!
For more information on Thales Academy, check out our website at www.thalesacademy.org
Theme music is from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," performed by from Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players, https://youtu.be/Bt_shKqtLDk

Loving and Learning Latin Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Will Begley, Latin and Senior Seminar instructor at Thales Academy Rolesville, speaks about the value of learning and loving Latin.
Dr. Begley received a B.A. in Classics from Davidson College, an M.A. in Latin and a Ph.D. in Classical and Medieval Latin from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Begley teaches Latin and Senior Seminar at Thales Academy.
This webinar was streamed on October 21, 2021. Learn more about Thales Press and register for upcoming events and webinars at https://www.thalesacademy.org/resources/thales-press

The Founding of LIT Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Just as Hewlett-Packard, Apple, and CaptiveAire Systems started in a garage, so the Luddy Institute of Technology started in a converted storage closet at the Thales Apex campus.
Today, the Luddy Institute of Technology (or "LIT" for short) is one of the most popular electives at Thales. The Luddy Institute of Technology (LIT) is an optional elective sequence of pre-engineering and STEM coursework for the upper grades.
In this episode, host Winston Brady speaks with one of the original “architects” of the LIT program, Kent Misegades, about the early days of the LIT program, the relationship between engineering and Classical education, and how Classically-trained engineers focus on beautiful things to make the world a more beautiful place.
The LIT curriculum covers a wide range of engineering-related content, beginning with the fundamentals and culminating in an independent engineering project for students to demonstrate their skills and creativity. Past projects have included restoring old cars and motorcycles and building items like a two-stroke engine, a footbridge for a local park, and an automated pancake pouring machine.
To find out more about the LIT Program, check out our website at https://www.thalesacademy.org/academics/Luddy-Institute-of-Technology-LIT
Kent worked closely with Bob Luddy to help design the LIT program, poured decades of his engineering experience into its curriculum, and even taught the first group of LIT students. Today, Kent owns AeroSouth, a business focused on products for light aircraft and sailboats as well as writing publications and curriculum on the topics of aeronautics and education.
Find out more about AeroSouth here: https://aerosouth.net/
And be sure to check out their engineering curriculum for great ideas and fun projects here: https://aerosouth.net/shop-and-engineering

Dystopia Myopia Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

What’s a dystopia, and why have dystopian novels become so popular in recent years?
The word “dystopian” in “dystopian novels” comes from two Greek words: “topos,” meaning “place” and “dys,” meaning “bad.” Thus, a dystopian novel is a novel set in a bad place--specifically, a bad future where a large, oppressive, and omnicompetent state controls all aspects of human life and stamps out all instances of human freedom.
The word "dystopia" was coined as a response to the word "utopia,” a place so “good” it cannot exist. In both cases, the word refers to a fictional world that's designed to reflect on the real world by emphasizing the differences and the similarities between our world and that of the novel.
Oddly enough, there has been a lot of interest in reading dystopian literature in prior years at Thales Academy. In this episode, Winston Brady, Josh Herring, Will Begley, Jessie Gillooly, and Sydney Harper discuss dystopian literature and how these works fit into the literature curriculum at Thales Academy.
Great examples of dystopian literature include Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” George Orwell’s “1984,” Walter M. Miller Jr.’s “A Canticle for Leibowitz,” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.”
The works referenced on today’s episode include:
George Orwell’s “1984”: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/nineteen-eighty-four_george-orwell/247716/?resultid=2183b4b4-d411-4767-992f-92481c254c08#edition=2400521&idiq=4326807
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/brave-new-world_aldous-huxley_david-rogers/245736/?resultid=662b919e-f38b-4405-b0c5-28cdef45d290#edition=4283982&idiq=444123
Walter M. Miller Jr.’s “A Canticle for Leibowitz”: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/a-canticle-for-leibowitz-by-walter-m-miller-jr/252725/?resultid=010cc772-bf1e-4c6c-a22e-bb132fdc0493#edition=2226066&idiq=3464580
Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fahrenheit-451_ray-bradbury/248594/?resultid=cb723a21-f16f-477d-84b0-2a3e180c75c2#edition=6426608&idiq=3872736

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