BaseCamp Live

Parents often wonder if pushing through difficult books is worth the tears and late nights. In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Sara Osborne, author of Reading for the Long Run , as she explains why classics feel hard, how to discern real obstacles from attitude or context, and practical steps to move forward with confidence. 🎧 Tune in to hear: Why classics challenge modern readers, and wh...

Technology is changing faster than families can keep up. From social media to smartphones to the latest wave of AI “companions,” new tools are shaping how children think, connect, and even define friendship. In this episode, Chris McKenna , founder of Protect Young Eyes and a leading voice on digital safety, joins host Davies Owens to unpack what’s really happening and how parents and schools can...

Can classical schools really prepare students for STEM careers? Many parents wonder if a humanities-rich education leaves room for science and technology. Our guest, Diane Gray, scientist, musician, contractor, tutor, and mother of seven, says yes . After 12 years in biotech R&D, Diane completed a master’s in Classical Studies to explore how classical Christian education and STEM can thrive togeth...

Davies Owens welcomes Ken Rhinehart, a commercial real-estate veteran and founder of VPA Classical, to demystify how classical schools can find, fund, and secure facilities that actually serve the mission. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why facilities shape formation. Leases, landlords, and leaking roofs quietly undermine learning—and enrollment confidence. Buy vs. lease—what’s wiser right now...

We live in a culture of soundbites, but Christian parents and educators are called to form young people who listen well, think deeply, and speak with humility and grace . Host Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Justin Smith , Head of School at Little Rock Christian Academy and Herzog Foundation coach, to unpack the Harkness Method (a modern form of Socratic dialogue) and why it may be one of the most...

In this Best of BaseCamp Live flashback, host Davies Owens sits down with pastor, musician, and author Jacob Hess to explore how story, liturgy, and imagination shape the hearts of our children - and why the stories we tell matter now more than ever. 🎧 In this episode: Life is liturgy: how small, repeatable rituals - at dinner, in class, or before bed—tell the Gospel story. Formation over informa...

What does it mean to be a woman today? Our culture has turned this into a debate, but for many young women—especially in Christian homes and schools—the real struggle comes in sorting through competing voices, conflicting priorities, and a lack of clear role models. In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Davies sits down with his daughter, Hannah Owens , founder of The Swish Magazine . Drawing from he...

What role do the arts really play in a classical Christian education? For many of us, “art class” growing up felt like a filler - something fun, but hardly central to learning. Music, theater, and visual art were often seen as side activities, not essential to shaping minds and hearts. But as guest Jarrod Richey reminds us, that view couldn’t be further from the historic Christian tradition. Jarro...

One of the biggest decisions parents make is where their children go to school. With classrooms shaping faith, wisdom, and character, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode of BaseCamp Live with Davies Owens, President of the Stanley M. Herzog Foundation Darrell Jones , shares how one man’s vision has grown into a nationwide movement for Christ-centered education . From his years as a past...

What does it take to raise boys into men in today’s culture? Fr. Mark Perkins, chaplain and assistant headmaster at St. Dunstan’s Academy , joins Davies Owens to discuss the urgent challenges facing boys and the bold vision behind launching a farm, trades, and classics boys’ boarding school in the Anglican tradition . Drawing on personal experience as a teacher, minister, and father, Fr. Mark high...

In this episode of BaseCamp Live , host Davies Owens welcomes Chuck Evans - longtime leader in classical Christian education and co-author of Wisdom and Eloquence . Nearly 20 years after the book’s original release, Chuck reflects on why he and Robert Littlejohn rewrote the new parent edition, and why the balance between protecting and preparing children matters more than ever. Chuck challenges th...

Does Latin Still Matter? Why Parents Should Care About This “Dead” Language Latin is often dismissed as outdated or impractical - especially in an age of Google Translate and global languages like Spanish or Mandarin. So why do classical Christian schools keep it at the center of their curriculum? In this episode, host Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Chad Kim - author, pastor, and long-time Latin...

Uniforms in schools often stir up debate—are they too rigid, or do they actually cultivate something deeper? In this conversation, host Davies Owens is joined by Joanna Haralson , founder of Uniformee , to explore the real impact of uniforms in classical Christian schools. Uniforms aren’t just about matching outfits. They shape daily habits, reduce distractions, and help students focus on what mat...

Classical Christian education is a generational journey - and in this BaseCamp Live episode, we get a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of how a love for the true, good, and beautiful is passed from parent to child. Dr. Louis Markos, professor, author, and longtime advocate for the great books, is joined by his son Alex, now a humanities teacher, to share how formative family habits, road-trip liter...

What happens when the tests no longer reflect the education? In this episode, Davies Owens sits down with Sarah Novlan, Chief Academic Officer at Hill Country Christian School and a doctoral candidate studying the Harkness Seminar model, to explore why the once-revered AP program is falling short in today’s classical Christian schools. Together, they unpack the misalignment between AP coursework a...

How do we know if our students are truly being formed - not just informed? In this powerful episode of BaseCamp Live , host Davies Owens is joined by educator and researcher Katherine Schultz to explore one of the most pressing questions in Christian education: how do we assess and support the formation of a child’s beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes ? Katherine introduces her groundbreaking tool,...

What if the key to raising thoughtful, balanced, and flourishing kids isn't found in big moments - but in the quiet rhythms of daily life? In this episode, Davies Owens welcomes back Joanna Hensley , head of lower school at Wilson Hill Academy, pastor’s wife, and homeschool mom of six. With wisdom rooted in classical Christian education and a deep love for Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, Joanna shar...

In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme - hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast - for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world. What do old w...

In this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live , host Davies Owens revisits an insightful conversation with Megan Atherton , founder of Common Sense Classical and program director at Golden View Classical Academy. Megan addresses a common concern: Is classical Christian education elitist? She explores why many prospective families feel intimidated by the uniforms, rigorous curriculum, and empha...

Welcome to this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live! In today’s conversation, host Davies Owens revisits a powerful interview with Andrew Pudewa , founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. In an age of shrinking vocabularies, short attention spans, and over-reliance on screens, Andrew shares why writing and speaking well are more critical than ever. He explains that st...

In a world ruled by FOMO—the fear of missing out—what if the real antidote isn’t more digital connection, but less? In this encouraging episode, Davies Owens sits down with author and digital wellbeing advocate Christina Crook to explore the power of JOMO - t he Joy of Missing Out. Christina shares her story of stepping away from technology, launching a global movement, and helping parents and sch...

What happens when we teach science and math not just as technical subjects—but as opportunities for wonder, worship, and wisdom? In this summer flashback episode, Davies Owens is joined by renowned classical educator Ravi Jain , co-author of The Liberal Arts Tradition and a leading voice in the recovery of classical science education. Too often, classical schools are seen as focused on the humanit...

Summer Flashback: Virtue in Action with Tim Dernlan How do we move virtue from a vague school value to a transformative life habit? In this special Summer Flashback episode, we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with Dr. Tim Dernlan , joined by two of his high school students. Recorded five years ago but more relevant than ever, this episode explores how one classical Christian school...

Do sports build character—or just fill the calendar? In this Live Sturdy conversation, Christian counselor Keith McCurdy joins host Davies Owens to explore the role of athletics in the lives of students and families. From travel teams and over-scheduled lives to the hidden virtue of humility after a tough loss, Keith brings decades of experience as a counselor, coach, and classical school board me...

In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by educator and apologist Elizabeth Urbanowicz , founder of Foundation Worldview, to tackle a challenge every Christian parent and teacher faces: raising kids to think clearly and biblically in a culture driven by feelings, relativism, and confusion. Elizabeth shares her journey from classroom teacher to worldview coach and offers simple, practical ways to t...