Common Knowledge

This episode explores one of the most pivotal transitions in American history: How the Second Continental Congress moved from hoping for reconciliation with King George III to boldly declaring independence in the summer of 1776. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaching, Dr. Joel Penning joins us to unpack the fierce debates in Philadelphia, the surprising unity bet...

About the Episode: In this episode of Common Knowledge , hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds sit down with computer science instructor Jim McCormick to explore an unexpected but compelling question: Can programming be part of a classical education? Drawing on Jim’s background in engineering, industry, and classical schooling, the conversation examines programming through the lens of the Seven Li...

About the Episode In this episode of Common Knowledge , Dr. David Diener—Hillsdale professor, Plato scholar, and former classical school headmaster—unpacks why classical education still matters in the 21st century. What if the goal of school isn’t just a good job or high test scores, but becoming a fully flourishing human being? Diener contrasts the 2,000-year Western tradition—rooted in virtue, w...

About This Episode This episode explores the classical understanding of physical exercise—from Ancient Greece through later Western thought—and its role in cultivating discipline and human flourishing. Rather than focusing on modern training methods or institutional practices, the conversation examines how classical thinkers understood exercise as a formative habit of the body that supports virtue...

This episode has been updated to clarify that guest Natalie Scarlett’s work with Mango Languages took place in 2021–2022 . About the Episode: With daily headlines on AI's effect on culture I've begun to wonder if we ought to be less concerned about powerful computers passing the Turing test or more worried about weak humans failing it. AI has begun to colonize our hearts, minds, bodies, ex...

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds sit down with Liberty Common School instructors Steve Ronen and Jenny Cardenas to discuss one of the most gripping pursuits in American history—the twelve-day manhunt for John Wilkes Booth , the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. The conversation follows Booth’s desperate flight through the Maryland and Virginia country...

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School math and engineering instructor Kay Lannen, who brings more than two decades of experience in the engineering field and holds ten U.S. patents. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of invention and discovery—tracing the patent process from idea to innovation. Mrs. Lannen shares...

In this episode of Common Knowledge , hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School instructor Jason Mayer to explore the historical significance of the Sepoy Rebellion. Often overlooked in popular history, this pivotal uprising reshaped the trajectory of colonial rule and set the stage for global changes between 1870 and 1914. The discussion highlights how the rebellio...

In this episode of Common Knowledge , hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds welcome Liberty Common School instructor Alysa Balfour for a thought-provoking exploration of two timeless works: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Together, they uncover surprising connections between Lewis’s satirical insights on human temptation and Aurelius’s stoic reflections on v...

In this episode, librarian Paige Gowing and English instructor Lander Hultin join to explore the work of celebrated author Gary D. Schmidt . Best known for his deeply moving young-adult novels, Schmidt’s storytelling addresses universal themes—identity, resilience, empathy, and moral growth—through richly drawn characters and historical settings. He’s received two Newbery Honors ( Lizzie Bright an...

Bees don’t just make honey—they model a universe of order, purpose, and cooperation that has captivated thinkers from Aristotle to modern naturalists. In this episode, we’re joined by third-grade instructor and backyard beekeeper Meghan Duran for a conversation blending classical education, natural science, and philosophical reflection. From the hum of the hive to the habits of virtue, this is a c...

In this episode, we explore the work of contemporary author Kate DiCamillo. Known for beloved novels like Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses, DiCamillo’s writing captures deep truths about the human condition through accessible and engaging stories for young readers. Jenna Allen and Steven Ronen join us to discuss how DiCamillo, despite being a relatively newer...

About the Episode Art can seem elusive, and so many of us feel unequipped to pass judgment on an artwork. One of the most powerful tools in artistic analysis is aesthetic theory. The practice of using aesthetic theories can help us first classify the function of an artwork. After we classify the function, then we can more confidently determine the success. This episode walks listeners through the...

Although Latin is often called a "dead language," its influence is very much alive in modern culture. From film and literature to science and law, Latin continues to shape the way we communicate and think. Latin Instructor Jake Bryan dives deep into the beauty behind the language and why it is still relevant today. About Jake Bryan Jake started at Liberty Common in the fall of 2022. Before that, h...

This episode explores the origins and influence of jazz as America’s truly original art form. Guest Dave Lunn, a saxophonist and music educator, joins hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds to discuss jazz’s deep roots, key figures, and lasting impact on American culture and music. About Dave Lunn Dave Lunn is in his 25th year of teaching at Liberty Common School, where he teaches instrumental musi...

This episode delves into the fascinating role of jewelry in sixteenth-century Anglo-Scottish diplomacy. Our guest, Cassie Auble, explores how Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I used jewelry as tools of political negotiation, self-representation, and material culture. About Cassie Auble Cassie has been a Liberty Common School Latin instructor since 2018. She has an M.A. in history with a certifi...

About the Episode: The episode explores what makes a book a "classic" and how books shape the moral and idyllic imaginations of young readers. Our guest, Paige Gowing, a librarian at Liberty Common School, shares insights on the value of classic literature and dispels common misconceptions, while broadening the definition of what makes a book timeless and enduring. About Paige Gowing: Pa...

In the late Middle Ages, the city-states of Italy witnessed the rebirth of an ancient form of government: the republic.  These Italian republics provide the backdrop for the impressive cultural achievements of the Renaissance, and arguably made them possible.  We will consider the conditions which led Italian cities to adopt republican governments, how their republican experiments managed to overc...

In this episode, we explore the deep classical roots of musical theater, an art form widely recognized for its collaborative nature. While today’s Broadway musicals might seem like a modern invention, they owe much to the traditions of ancient Greece, where music, poetry, dance, and dramatic storytelling first came together in public performances. We’ll delve into the historical origins of musical...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of mathematics as more than just numbers and equations. Our guest, a passionate math instructor, shares his journey of discovering Plato’s Republic and explores how ancient philosophy can transform our understanding of math today. Through rich discussions, he explains why math is essential to human flourishing, offering insights into its power to shape...

LCHS Spanish Instructor Paulina Deitrick dives into the fascinating world of magical realism, a captivating genre that has profoundly influenced Latin American literature. She will explore the works of celebrated authors such as Gabriel García Márquez , author of One Hundred Years of Solitude and how popular films like Disney's Encanto bring elements of magical realism to mainstream audiences. Tun...

Imagination and creativity are popular words (rightly so), but words like remembrance are not so trendy. Jared Dybzinski looks at what C.S. Lewis (specifically his Narnia series) and other authors have to say about the poetic imagination and the relationship between knowledge and participatory remembrance. About Jared Dybzinski Jared Dybzinski is an English Instructor and head of the English depar...

Is great art born of the person or their circumstances? When great art is produced, does it flow primarily out of the genius of the artist or the difficult circumstances of their life? Using Ludwig van Beethoven's life and music as a guide, the Hoyers plumb the depths of the age old question, "Would the artist have produced such beautiful art if he hadn't had such a difficult life?" About Nancy Ho...