Classical Et Cetera

Afleveringen

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  Macbeth Review - Beyond the Play | Discussions, Questions & Analysis 05.08.2026 49min

  Margin Notes is back! This time, the gang tackles William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The conversation covers ambition and its consequences, the danger of consequentialism, and the age-old question of fate versus free will. Is Macbeth the villain of his own story, or a victim of forces beyond his control? Margin Notes is a book club podcast from the team behind Classical Et Cetera, where host Paul Schaefer sits down with three classically educated undergraduates to discuss one great story per episode. Purchase Macbeth right here! Macbeth - Memoria Press: Classical Education
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  Classical Et Cetera Reacts to Nolan’s Odyssey 29.07.2026 45min

  Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has finally arrived—and the Classical Et Cetera team went to see it together! In this episode, we discuss our reactions to Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem and ask the big questions: Can a modern film capture the spirit of an ancient hero? Was it a faithful adaptation, or a great film that tells a very different story? What do we gain and lose when a classical work is reimagined for a modern audience?   Purchase our _Odyssey_ Complete Set right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/odyssey-set/231   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "The Great Divorce" C.S. Lewis (Paul) "The End of the Affair" Graham Greene (Paul) "The Abolition of Man" C.S. Lewis (Tanya) "A Natural History of Dragons" Marie Brennan (Tanya) "Absent in the Spring" Mary Westmacott (Tanya) "The Hadacol Boogie" James Lee Burke (Tanya) "Will Robie Series" David Baldacci (Martin) "Land" Maggie O'Farrell (Jessica)
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  The Return of the Epic: Malcolm Guite and Arthurian Legends 22.07.2026 1u 7min

  Poet and priest Malcolm Guite joins Classical Et Cetera to talk about his award-winning Arthurian epic, Galahad and the Grail! We explore why the great stories still matter, how he writes poetry meant to be read aloud, and what it means to recover wonder in a modern age. This is a conversation about poetry, legend, and the enduring power of the imagination. We hope you enjoy it!   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "The Sign of the Four" Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Malcom) "The Boundless Deep" Richard Holmes (Maclcom) "Farewell, My Lovely" Raymond Chandler (Martin) "Dominion" Tom Holland (Martin) "Absent in the Spring" Mary Westmacott (Tanya) "Death of a Pig" E.B. White (Tanya)
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  Homer Goes Hollywood: Your Odyssey Guide Before the Movie 15.07.2026 41min

  Everything You Need to Know Before Nolan's Odyssey Read These Translations   Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of _The Odyssey_ is almost here, so the team is sitting down to revisit Homer's epic! They walk through the poem's structure and themes—the long journey home, Penelope and the suitors, Telemachus coming of age, and what a pagan world teaches us. Then they compare the major translations (Butler, Wilson, Fagles, and more) and offer recommendations for young readers and adults alike. Finally: what they hope Nolan gets right, and what to know before seeing the film.   Purchase our _Odyssey_ Complete Set right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/odyssey-set/229
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  Turn Off the TV & Read More Books | Classical Et Cetera Mailbag 08.07.2026 37min

  This week is another Classical Et Cetera Mailbag episode! We're answering your questions on cursive, how teachers and parents both bear responsibility for a child's education, how to build a love of reading in a large family, and whether it's wise to let a child specialize in one talent or sport. We also talk through what it looks like to raise children with classical, Christian values when your surrounding community doesn't share them. Send us more questions at podcast@memoriapress.com!   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:   "Farmer Giles of Ham" J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul)"The Calamity Club" Kathryn Stockett (Tanya)"Northanger Abbey" Jane Austen (Tanya)"The Christmas Companion" Skye McAlpine (Dee)"City of God" St. Augustine (Dee)"Things We Never Say" Elizabeth Strout (Jessica)"To Kill a Mockingbird" Harper Lee (Paul)"Notes from Underground" Fyodor Dostoevsky (Paul)
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  What History Teaches Us About Classical Education 01.07.2026 36min

  How old is classical education, and where does it come from? Today, we answer a listener question and dig into the history—Greece, Rome, and beyond—to show that classical education is older than you think. And no matter where you're from, this tradition has room for you. Join the conversation!   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "The Violent Bear It Away" Flannery O'Connor (Paul) "The Country of the Pointed Firs" Sarah Orne Jewett (Tanya)
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  The Greatest Medieval Literature: Dante, Beowulf, and Beyond 24.06.2026 40min

  The Middle Ages aren't just the Dark Ages! It's one of the richest literary eras in Western history. This week's Classical Et Cetera finds Jessica, Tanya, Paul, and Dr. Dan Scheffler building a reading list for the medieval world. From Beowulf and the Arthurian legends to Dante's Divine Comedy, Boethius, and Thomas Aquinas, there's so much to read here. Whether you're new to medieval literature or filling in the gaps, this conversation will show you what to read, where to start, and why these books still matter. Best Books of the Middle Ages (476–1450 AD) Literature picks: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf  Le Morte d'Arthur Canterbury Tales The Song of Roland Troubadour/lyric poetry of the Middle Ages The Decameron Philosophy & Theology picks: Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica Anselm Bede The Divine Comedy C.S. Lewis, The Discarded Image
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  Introducing Margin Notes: A Book Club from Memoria Press 23.06.2026 50min

  Margin Notes is a new book club podcast from the team behind Classical Et Cetera! Join Paul Schaeffer and three undergraduate students—each educated with Memoria Press curriculum—as they tackle great books and why they matter. We're starting with Wendell Berry's "Fidelity," a short story about a farming community in rural Kentucky. At its heart, this story is about what it means to belong somewhere: both to a place and to a people. It's a beautiful and moving piece of writing, and it made for a great first conversation. Purchase the book right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/mcp/fidelity/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=MARGINNOTES&utm_campaign=001 #classicaleducation #highlandslatinschool #notredamecollege #lipscomb #bayloruniversity
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  My Child Refuses to Do Schoolwork. Here's What Actually Helps. 17.06.2026 43min

  Every homeschool parent hits this wall. In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we tackle one of the most common and frustrating challenges in home education: the child who just won't do the work. Is it attitude, or is something else going on? We discuss how to diagnose the real problem, why outside accountability matters more than you think, and what simple changes actually move the needle. If you're in the thick of it, this one's for you.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Farmer Giles of Ham" J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul) "The Marriage Portrait" Maggie O'Farrell (Jessica) "The Calamity Club" Kathryn Stockett (Tanya) "Miss Benson's Beetle" Rachel Joyce (Tanya) "Why Knowledge Matters" E.D. Hirsch (Martin) "The Schools We Need" E.D. Hirsch (Martin) "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion" Beth Brower (Martin)
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  The Best Resources for Classical Education: Journals, Books & More 10.06.2026 35min

  What are the most essential resources for classical education, and where do you even begin? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, Jessica, Paul, Tanya, and Martin share the books, journals, and periodicals that have most shaped their thinking on classical education. From Climbing Parnassus and G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy to the Wall Street Journal's review section, this is the list that we keep coming back to!Resources mentioned in this episode:• Climbing Parnassus - Tracy Lee Simmons• The Schools We Need and Why We Don't Have Them - E.D. Hirsch• Orthodoxy - G.K. Chesterton• In Defense of Classical Education - Livingston• Seven Myths About Education - Daisy Christodoulou• Great Ideas from the Great Books - Mortimer Adler• Student's Guide series - Intercollegiate Studies Institute• Modern Age, The New Criterion, First Things magazines• Simply Classical - Cheryl Swope• The Classical Teacher magazine (free subscription on memoriapress.com)Have a question for the podcast? Email us at podcast@memoriapress.com
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  Do Comprehension Questions Kill the Joy of Reading? | Classical Et Cetera Mailbag 03.06.2026 51min

  It's another Mailbag episode of Classical Et Cetera! This week the Core Four tackles your questions on several topics, including whether comprehension questions steal the joy of reading, how to school multiple children together as a family, and whether your kids even need to know why they're learning Latin. We also dig into the difference between the classical virtues and the fruits of the Spirit, and what to do with the Lord's name in vain when it shows up in literature. Send us your questions at podcast@memoriapress.com.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "After Midnight" Daphne Du Maurier (Paul) "Brideshead Revisited" Evelyn Waugh (Tanya) "Ironwood" Michael Connelly (Martin) "The Marriage Portrait" Maggie O'Farrell (Jessica) "Cloud Cuckoo Land" Anthony Doerr (Jessica)
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  How to Approach Nudity in Classical Art with Students 27.05.2026 43min

  In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ the team discusses how classical educators and parents should approach nudity in classical art with students. What is the difference between beauty and sensuality? Why did classical artists portray the human form the way they did? And how can teachers guide students toward wisdom, dignity, and discernment when studying great works of art?   For those interested, here is Kyle Janke’s extended preface on nudity in classical art from _A Classical History of Art_ . In it, he explains the distinction between classical and modern views of the human body, beauty, and the purpose of art: https://www.memoriapress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/A-Classical-History-of-Art-Preface.pdf/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=222   Learn more about Kyle Janke’s _A Classical History of Art_ course here:https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/art-and-music/a-classical-history-of-art-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=222   What We're Reading from This Episode: The Burnout Generation —Anne Helen Petersen (Paul) Galahad and the Grail —Malcolm Guite (Kyle) Lila —Marilynne Robinson (Kyle) This Is Happiness —Niall Williams (Tanya) The Fountains of Silence —Ruta Sepetys (Jessica) The Odyssey —Homer (Jessica)
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  Are Homeschoolers Socialized Enough? 20.05.2026 43min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we tackle one of the most common objections to homeschooling: socialization. Are homeschoolers actually missing out socially? Do children really need classrooms and constant peer interaction to grow into mature, capable adults? We discuss the fears many parents face, the assumptions behind modern schooling, and what truly forms children. From co-ops and friendships to peer culture and family life, we explore how homeschooling shapes social development and why “socialization” may not mean what most people think it does. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on homeschooling, community, and raising well-formed children.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Time of the Child" Niall Williams (Kathy) "The Dean's Watch" Elizabeth Goudge (Kathy) "This is Happiness" Niall Williams (Tanya) "The Labours of Hercules" Agatha Christie (Tanya) "The Violent Bear It Away" Flannery O'Connor (Paul)
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  Is Classical Education Too Hard? Too Rigid? Too Old-Fashioned? 13.05.2026 41min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we discuss the “how” behind classical education. Why do we emphasize memorization, repetition, teacher-led classrooms, and rigorous books? Are these methods outdated, or are they essential to meaningful learning? We explore the purpose behind what we do, respond to common criticisms, and discuss how structure, discussion, discipline, and intellectual formation work together to shape not just knowledgeable students, but thoughtful and virtuous human beings.  
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  What Actually Makes an Education “Classical”? 06.05.2026 45min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we ask a foundational question: What actually makes an education “classical”? Is classical education simply a collection of methods and old books, or are there essential pillars that cannot be removed? The Core Four discuss Latin, literature, moral formation, the Western tradition, and why classical education is more than a modern curriculum with classical decorations added on. Join us as we explore what belongs at the center of a truly classical education. *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Martin) "The Last of the Mohicans" James Fenimore Cooper (Martin) "Smiling Through the Cultural Catastrophe" Jeffery Hart (Martin) "The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Paul) "Mary Poppins" Pamela Lyndon Travers (Paul) "The Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul) "A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens (Tanya) "Fountains of Silence" Ruta Sepetys (Jessica)
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  Why Read Roman Literature? Essential Works from Empire to Augustine 29.04.2026 43min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we continue our series on the best books of each era by turning from ancient Greece to ancient Rome. From Virgil’s Aeneid and Cicero’s orations to Roman historians, poets, philosophers, and early Christian writers, we consider the works that reveal Rome’s ideals of order, duty, virtue, and piety—and the world-changing arrival of Christianity.   Whether you’re new to Roman literature or looking to revisit the classics, this conversation offers guidance on what to read, why it matters, and how these books help us understand the foundations of Western civilization. Join us as we explore the essential works of ancient Rome, from empire to Augustine, and consider where to begin your reading. *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Mary Poppins" Pamela Lyndon Travers (Paul) "The Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul) "84, Charing Cross Road" Helene Hanff (Jessica) "The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Tanya) "The Little Colonel Stories" Annie Fellows Johnston (Tanya) "Educational Wastelands" Arthur E. Bestor (Martin)     *Reading List for Ancient Rome* Virgil- Aeneid- Other poetry   Cicero- Catilinarian Orations- The Republic- The Laws- On Duties / On Obligations- Pro Archia Poeta_ / _For Archias the Poet   Lucretius- De rerum natura_ / _On the Nature of Things   Marcus Aurelius- Meditations   Julius Caesar- Gallic Wars   Roman Historians- Works by Livy- Works by Tacitus- Works by Suetonius- Plutarch - _Parallel Lives   Roman Poetry- Works by Ovid- Works by Horace- Other poetry by Virgil   Early Christian Writings of the Roman Era- Didache- Writings by Clement of Rome- Writings by Ignatius of Antioch- Writings by Polycarp- Writings by Justin Martyr- Writings by Irenaeus- Writings by Tertullian- Writings by Origen- Writings by Eusebius   Augustine- Confessions- On Catechizing the Uninstructed- City of God
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  Classical Et Cetera LIVE from the Great Homeschool Convention! 22.04.2026 49min

  This week’s Classical Et Cetera is a special one. We recorded this episode live at the 2026 Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio! You’ll find all the familiar elements—what we’re reading and listener questions—along with something new: questions taken directly from the convention floor. From classical education to art, math, and more, this is a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation with listeners just like you.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Mary Poppins" Pamela Lyndon Travers (Paul) "The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Tanya & Paul) "The Collected Bowdrie Dramatizations" Louis L'Amour (Martin) "Coal Camp Girl" Lois Lenski (Martin) "The Women" Kristin Hannah (Jessica)
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  The Case for Reading Widely | Balance Your Book Diet 15.04.2026 38min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we consider what it means to read well. Is it enough to simply read what we enjoy, or should we aim for something more? We discuss the idea of a “reading diet” and the importance of variety—balancing fiction, philosophy, theology, and more. Along the way, we reflect on how different kinds of books shape us, and why a broader reading life can deepen both understanding and enjoyment. Reading widely isn’t a rule, but it may be the key to a richer intellectual life.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "The Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul) "Why Literature Still Matters" Jason Baxter (Martin) "Christian Paideia" Brian Welter (Martin) "The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading" Doug Lemov (Martin) "Theo of Golden" Allen Levi (Tanya) "Mouse House" Rumer Godden (Tanya) "Boxcar Children" Gertrude Chandler Warner (Tanya) "The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Tanya) "The Correspondent" Virginia Evans (Jessica)
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  How to Introduce Books to Toddlers and Build Lifelong Readers 08.04.2026 34min

  In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore how reading with your child should grow over time, from first books to the great classics. What should you read at each stage? When do things begin to change? We discuss the role of read-alouds, building habits, and why reading together remains essential long after a child learns to read. *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "The Shadows of Men" Abir Mukherjee (Martin) "The Other Bennet Sister" Janice Hadlow (Tanya) "Remarkably Bright Creatures" Shelby Van Pelt (Jessica) "The Fountains of Silence" Ruta Sepetys (Jessica) "The Correspondent" Virginia Evans (Jessica) "The Old Man in the Corner" Emmuska Orczy (Paul)
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  They Abridged THAT Classic Book? 01.04.2026 42min

  In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we tackle a common question: should students read abridged classics? Are they helpful, or do they take away from the original work? From children’s retellings to difficult texts, we explore when abridged books can serve a purpose and when they should be set aside. The answer isn’t simple, but one principle remains: the original always matters. What We're Reading from This Episode:"Momo" Michael Ende (Martin)"The Black Wolf" Louise Penny (Tanya)"He Leadeth Me" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)"The Christian Idea, Volume 1" W. Brian Welter (Paul)