Classical Et Cetera

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 s...

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 Count...

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...

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 somewher...

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 yo...

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...

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,...

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 intere...

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 frie...

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 formati...

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 d...

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...

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...

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 under...

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 M...

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 Read...

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we take on a risky topic: the worst books we’ve ever read. From beloved classics to modern favorites, we ask what truly makes a book bad. Is it poor writing, or something deeper? Can a beautifully written book still lead readers astray? Along the way, we discuss children’s literature, modern novels, and the importance of discernment in reading. Not every po...

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we begin a new series on the best books of each era by turning to ancient Greece! From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to the tragedies and philosophers, we explore the foundational works that shaped Western thought. Whether you’re new to the Greeks or looking to revisit them, this conversation offers guidance on what to read and why it matters. Join us as we consi...

How should parents and teachers respond when children learn differently? Should the curriculum change for each child, or should the child be formed by the curriculum?   In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we discuss teaching children with different personalities and temperaments, and why the modern idea of “learning styles” may not be the right place to begin. We explore the difference betwee...

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we turn from fiction to Christian nonfiction books that have shaped our faith. From _Mere Christianity_ and Augustine’s _Confessions_ to biographies, letters, and works on prayer and discernment, we share the books that have strengthened, challenged, and sustained us. This isn’t a canon, but rather an honest conversation about the titles we return to and why...

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we talk about home libraries—what they are, how they grow, and why they matter. From organizing (or not organizing) shelves to collecting meaningful editions, this conversation explores how the books in our homes reflect the life of the mind. We discuss lending versus hoarding, building a collection that is actually used, and why a home library is more than...

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore the idea of "poetic knowledge"—a way of knowing that begins with experience and imagination before moving to analysis. Has modern education become too abstract, too quickly? We discuss the role of wonder in learning, the proper order of education, and why children need to encounter reality as a whole before breaking it into parts. From literature...

What happens when screens replace books and classroom technology replaces thinking? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we examine research showing how screens, scrolling text, and digital note-taking undermine attention, memory, and deep learning. Drawing on neuroscience and classroom experience, we discuss why scrolling isn’t reading, why speed and engagement aren’t the same as understanding,...

In this mailbag episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we respond to listener questions on a range of parenting and homeschooling topics. We talk about limiting video games, responding to boredom in children, and how much attention homeschool parents should give to modern pop culture versus older stories, books, and models. Drawing on principles of classical education, we explore how attention, imaginat...

How should adults think about reading goals for the coming year—and how do you read more books without letting reading become a burden?   In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we talk about reading goals for 2026 and what it takes to build a reading life that lasts. Whether you’re an avid reader, returning after a long break, or feeling overwhelmed by unfinished books, this conversation explore...