BaseCamp Live

Curious about ZipCast? In this special bonus episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens sits down with his daughter Hannah to answer the most common questions schools ask about ZipCast—what it is, how it works, and why it’s become a game-changing communication tool for classical Christian communities. Together, they pull back the curtain on ZipCast’s purpose, features, and new 2.0 platform—from w...

Building Lifelong Readers: How Families and Schools Can Instill the Joy of Reading Reading is not a natural ability—it must be intentionally taught, cultivated, and modeled. In this episode, host Davies Owens is joined by educator and reading specialist Dorrie McKoy —who also happens to be his sister—to explore why so many children struggle with reading today and how classical Christian schools an...

What Do Strong Families Actually Do Each Day? Your family's culture is shaped by the little things—how you say goodbye in the morning, whether you pray together, how often you share a meal. In this insightful conversation, Jim Mhoon , counselor and longtime Focus on the Family leader, joins Davies Owens to talk about the daily rhythms and rituals that set thriving families apart . With practical e...

Classical Christian education isn’t just for a privileged few—it’s a banquet meant for everyone. In this inspiring episode, Davies Owens is joined by Russ Gregg, founder of Hope Academy in Minneapolis and the Spreading Hope Network. Russ shares how his journey began 25 years ago with a simple but powerful question: How do we love our neighbors as ourselves, especially when it comes to education? F...

In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that affects more families than you might expect— dyslexia —and how classical Christian schools can not only accommodate but help students thrive . Our guest, Rebecca Dornbusch , is a reading specialist and devoted mom who’s on a mission to help dyslexic students become “victorious readers.” She brings both professional insight and a deep, faith-filled persp...

In this encouraging episode of BaseCamp Live , Davies Owens is joined by Joanna Hensley , Lower School Headmaster at Wilson Hill Academy , mom of six, and passionate classical educator. Together, they explore what it means to be intentional curators of our children’s education —without letting school overwhelm the joy of home life. Through her personal journey—from studying Latin as a college stud...

In this episode, we explore a word that has largely faded from everyday conversation yet holds the key to rebuilding a fractured culture— fidelity . Join Dr. Robert P. George , esteemed professor at Princeton and leading voice in public ethics, as he makes the case for Fidelity Month and shares why faith in God , strong families , and love of country are the three pillars our society must reclaim....

Is your home emotionally safe? In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, families are struggling more than ever with conflict, stress, and disconnection . In this episode, host Davies Owens sits down with Rob Hayes-St. Clair and Michael Cox , the duo behind the Core 4 Framework and Parenting Made Peaceful , to discuss a better way forward. Drawing from biblical truth , restoration therapy , and...

What’s the real purpose of education? Is it just about passing tests—or passing the torch of civilization itself? In this episode, Dr. Louis Markos, professor, prolific author, and champion of classical Christian education, returns to share insights from his new book, Passing the Torch: An Apology for Classical Christian Education . Drawing from Plato to C.S. Lewis, he makes the compelling case th...

As parents, we’re not meant to raise our children alone. Community matters —partnering with schools, churches, and other families helps shape a shared vision and a strong culture for our children. Yet, in a world where busyness and digital distractions dominate, meaningful communication between home and school has never been more challenging. In this episode, Davies Owens and his daughter, Hannah...

Welcome to Classical Essentials, a special Best of Basecamp Live series! Over the years, we've explored the core principles of classical Christian education , and one of the most overlooked yet essential elements is beauty . In this final episode of our Classical Essentials series, we revisit a critical conversation about why beauty is not just decoration—it’s foundational to understanding truth a...

Welcome to Classical Essentials, a special Best of BaseCamp Live series! Over the years, we've had incredible conversations unpacking the foundational ideas of classical Christian education. In this series, we're bringing back some of the most popular and essential episodes to help parents, educators, and school leaders better understand the core principles that make this movement so impactful. In...

Welcome to another Classical Essentials , a special Best of Basecamp Live series! Over the years, we've had incredible conversations unpacking the foundational ideas of classical Christian education. In this series, we're bringing back some of the most popular and essential episodes to help parents, educators, and school leaders better understand the core principles that make this movement so impa...

Welcome to Classical Essentials, a special Best of Basecamp Live series! Over the years, we've had incredible conversations unpacking the foundational ideas of classical Christian education . In this series, we're bringing back some of the most popular and essential episodes to help parents, educators, and school leaders better understand the core principles that make this movement so impactful ....

Classical Christian education is making waves across the world, and Australia is no exception. In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Sarah Flynn, a mother of five and a scholar of human flourishing, shares her eye-opening journey into classical education—first as a skeptic, then as a passionate advocate. From questioning modern education’s limitations to witnessing the transformational power of class...

Are we raising resilient, capable kids—or fragile, anxious ones? In this eye-opening episode, Keith McCurdy joins BaseCamp Live to expose the cultural shifts that have led to skyrocketing anxiety and emotional fragility in children. He explains why modern parenting has drifted from raising kids of character to chasing happiness and success, and how this shift has deeply impacted our families, scho...

In this inspiring episode of BaseCamp Live , Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Susan Crosier, head of school at Grace Preparatory Academy and a doctoral expert in parent engagement. Together, they unpack the vital connection between home and school, offering practical advice to help parents and educators align their efforts for the success of today’s children. From the importance of slowing down in...

How can parents cultivate resilience and lasting joy in their children in today’s challenging world? In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Dr. John Trent, co-author of The Blessing , shares practical, faith-based tools to strengthen family bonds. Dr. Trent dives into the timeless principles of attachment, affirmation, and genuine commitment, offering actionable steps to help parents raise flourishing...

Money—it’s everywhere, yet rarely talked about in depth, especially from a biblical perspective. Did you know that nearly half of Jesus’ parables address money? In this powerful episode, Dr. John Thornton, CPA and author of Jesus’ Terrible Financial Advice , joins Davies Owens to explore how we can guide our children to become wise stewards, intentional contributors, and thoughtful managers of the...

Parenting and educating in a constantly changing world can feel overwhelming. In this insightful episode, Scott Barron, founder of School Growth and Educators Fellowship, shares his wisdom on navigating the challenges of raising and teaching children in what he calls an "uber-dynamic transient state." Scott unpacks how to embrace change with humility, build trust within school communities, and fin...

How can we equip the next generation to cut through the noise and think critically in a world saturated with misinformation? Dr. Eliot Grasso, Vice President of Gutenberg College, joins BaseCamp Live to tackle the challenge of "particles of propaganda" and how they shape our lives. Drawing on Jacques Ellul's timeless insights, Dr. Grasso unpacks practical tools for parents and educators to cultiva...

Parenting in today’s world is harder than ever, with countless voices offering advice that often feels confusing or contradictory. In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Keith McCurdy, a trusted counselor and expert with over 30 years of experience, dives into the challenge of finding trustworthy, biblical parenting wisdom. Keith unpacks why parents feel more overwhelmed than ever, how generational wi...

Balancing the demands of work, family, and faith can leave parents feeling stretched thin and overwhelmed. In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Charity Gibson, author of The Working Homemaker , shares practical wisdom for Christian parents who desire a thriving home life, no matter how busy their days may be. From cultivating deep, lasting relationships with your children to redeeming the little mom...

How can we create spaces where children feel secure, valued, and empowered to thrive? In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Dr. Noah Brink to explore the transformative power of belonging in the lives of children. Together, they unpack three essential pillars—boundaries, bravery, and belovedness—that help foster meaningful connections at home and in schools. From practical family rituals to i...

In this episode of Base Camp Live , Keith McCurdy shares insights on raising resilient and grounded young women in a culture filled with conflicting messages and challenges. Joined by host Davies Owens and his daughter Hannah, they discuss practical strategies for fostering emotional strength, identity, and capability in daughters, emphasizing the role of parents, faith, and intentional community....