The Sower

Lessons in statesmanship from American and international politics. Presentations by Richard Jordan (Baylor University), David Clinton (Baylor University), and Jordan Cash (Michigan State University). Video recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 110 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 0:30 Panel Introduction by Tom...

Cicero's influence on Coriolanus & Liberal Education in The Tempest Presentations by Katherine Bradshaw (Ancient Language Institute) and Ted Richards (University of Mississippi). Video recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 109 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 2:18 Katherine Bradshaw, The Ciceronian Tragedy...

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes Ciceronian Society President James Patterson, and his co-author Thomas Howes, to discuss their recent book, Why Postliberalism Failed, published by the Acton Institute. Why Postliberalism Failed: https://shop.acton.org/collections/featured-products/products/why-postliberalism-failed James M. Patterson is an Associate Professor in the Baker School of Public Affa...

Is artificial intelligence a threat to human(e) culture? In this episode of The Sower, Ethan Alexander-Davey presents his critique of the AI juggernaut and suggests steps to mitigate the damage it is doing. Based on his June 2026 presentation to the Academy of Philosophy and Letters. Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the...

In this episode, Josh Bowman interviews Dr. Sean Keilen, Professor of Literature at UC Santa Cruz and the founder of Shakespeare Workshop. Professor Keilen is the Head of Dramaturgy at Santa Cruz Shakespeare as well, and his most recent book is Shakespeare’s Scholars: Three Lessons from the Liberal Arts, published by Princeton University Press. We focus on that particular work, as well as Shakespe...

On the value of place and the future of localism in American politics. Presentations by Tyler Moore (University of South Dakota), Wayne Braudrick (Frisco Bible Church), George Harrell (The George Buchanan Forum), and Luke Sheahan (Duquesne University). Video recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 105 Introduction...

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Dr. Jared Ortiz, professor of Religion at Hope College and Founder of the Saint Benedict Institute. We discuss the Institute as well as a new project of Jared’s, reflecting on sacramental and liturgical metaphors of baseball. Saint Benedict Institute: https://www.saintbenedictinstitute.org/ More about Jared: https://hope.edu/directory/people/ortiz-jared/index....

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes Dr. Andrew Mitchell of Grove City College, and his student Hannah, to discuss the Lux Mea Intercollegiate Colloquium held in October. This is a great opportunity for faculty and staff from various honors colleges to read and think together, and to experience a taste of the life of the mind. The Ciceronian Society is proud to sponsor this event. Register for the...

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes a selection of the instructors serving in the Ciceronian Society’s new Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies. We talk about our seminar style, the opportunities and challenges of teaching online, and kinds of readings and courses that excite us, and what it means to be a good student. Joining this particular episode we have Josh Herring, Annie Crawford...

The continuing relevance of C.S. Lewis to our own time and place.  Presentations by Rod Miller (Hendrix College) and Clayton Carver (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary). Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 14, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 101 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 0:35 Rod Miller: That Hideous Job 16:21 Clayton Carver: T...

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes a group of fellow Ciceronians to celebrate the 100th episode of the Sower podcast, reflecting on where we’ve been and where we’re going. We specifically hear from Rachel Ferguson, Claire Aguda-Baker, William Batchelder IV, and Chris Anadale. Support the Ciceronian Society: https://ciceroniansociety.org/give/ Links and Images: Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/wCt4d8...

Perspectives on Adam Smith's 1776 Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Presentations by Erik Matson (CUA), Paul Mueller (AEIR), Jordan Ballor (CRCD), and John Robinson (JMU). Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 99 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 1:00 Panel introduction by Erik...

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Ben Peterson, assistant professor in the Department of Government and Criminal Justice at Abilene Christian University. We discuss his new book, Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, published by Bloomsbury Press. We specifically address notions of social poverty, the “social commons,” and how the church might pl...

Theological, philosophical, and humanist reactions to the challenges of A.I. Presentations by John Moore (Walsh College), Thomas Dias (Acton Institute), and Jeff Bristol (independent scholar). Panel chaired by Rachel Ferguson (Concordia University Chicago). Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 97 Introduct...

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Michael Lucchese, member of the Ciceronian Society, to talk about the work of Russell Kirk and his thoughts on the American Founding and political tradition. Michael is Founder and CEO of Pipe Creek Consulting, as well as a contributing editor to Providence Magazine and an associate editor of Law & Liberty. Michael is the editor of a new collection of writ...

Benjamin Rush, John Jay, and the promotion of republican virtue. Presentations by Dennis Durst (Kentucky Christian University), Jonathan Den Hartog (Samford University), and Nick Blanda (Hillsdale College). Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 95 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 0:50 Panel introduction...

Spring 2027 Conference at Regent University In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes back Simon Tarr, who is dean of both The Honors College as well as the School of Communication & the Arts at Regent University. We discuss Regent University’s Honors College and Christian identity while looking forward to the Spring 2027 conference to be held on their Virginia Beach Campus. To learn more about th...

Tracking religious liberty legislation & policy at the state level, the 2025 Religious Liberty in the States Report from the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. Audio recording of a plenary panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 93 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 1:13 Panel Introduction, by Paul Mueller 3:12 A T...

A paradigm for Christian leadership & engagement with the secular world. Josh Bowman interviews Dr. Stephen O. Presley, the Director of Education and Engagement at the Center for Research, Culture, and Democracy (CRCD) as well as a Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life. The CRCD was one of the Tullia Sponsors for the Ciceronian Society’s 2026 conference in Omaha, and a long time partner a...

An Oakeshottian view of the Declaration of Independence. And a historial look at the Declaration's relation to the Articles of Confederation. Presentations by John Grove (Liberty Fund) and Adam Tate (Clayton State University).  Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 91 Introduction by Christopher Anadale 0:5...

Are liberalism and Christianity compatible? Is the American tradition of liberty at odds with Christian teaching? What role might the church have in the civic and economic formation of citizens? Josh Bowman interviews Dylan Pahman and John Pinheiro about a new reader they’ve edited called The Christian Roots of American Liberty. The Christian Roots of American Liberty: A Reader https://shop.acton....

Hillsdale College historian Wilfred McClay discusses: the Sorcerer's Apprentice, allusion, Ariadne, Peter Lawler, Walker Percy, Ted McAllister, Blake, Burke, Chesterton, Emerson, Jaroslav Pelikan, tradition, heritage, Dana Gioia's poem "Planting a Sequoia," Mary Austin, WH Auden, Tocqueville, The Golden Thread, and the nightmarish possibility of an AI Thomas Jefferson. Poem: https://danagioia.com/...

The widely circulated first draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights was a key influence on the Declaration of Independence. Chris Anadale interviews law professor Nathaniel Fouch about the influence of the Declaration of Independence on state constitutions, the authority of America's founding principles, different responses to Jefferson's egalitarian rhetoric, and more. Nathaniel Fouch is Assi...

A content focused certificate program for classical school teachers & other adults. Josh Bowman and Josh Herring discuss the Ciceronian Society’s most ambitious project to date: The Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies, which will be directed by Dr. Herring. The Logres Institute aims to provide the education you wish you had received. Designed with the busy professional in mind, our...

We honor Jane Calvert for her book Penman of the Founding: A Biography of John Dickinson . Plenary panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 12, 2026. Featuring speakers Joshua Bowman, Michael Maibach, James Patterson, and Jane Calvert. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Penman-Founding-Biography-John-Dickinson/dp/0197541690 Joshua Bowman, Introduction Michael Maibach,...