St. Thomas More Academy Podcast

For this special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Agustin Briceño and JT Hedgepeth from the Class of 2025. It was a wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina Sta...

Deacon Brad, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss the year and bring our 5th season of the podcast to a close. God willing, we'll be back again in the fall for season 6. 

In this episode we continue discussing the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms. 

In this episode we discuss the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world, where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms. 

In this episode we answer listener questions, for which we are grateful. If listeners have questions or topic suggestions, please send them to us!

Final episode in our series of discussions related to college/university. 

Continuing our series of conversations on things related to college admissions. In this episode we focus on essays and reference letters, as well as the common app platform. 

Follow up on last weeks podcast. Apologies for the delay in upload. A short and busy week after mid-winter break. 

Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mrs. Kelly Jackson, and Mr. Charles McCants begin a multi-part episode on all things college. 

In this episode we discuss the deployment of technology in schools around the country and the significant downturn in student performance.    https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/A19DF2E8-3C69-4193-A676-430CF0C83DC2 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/books-screens-out-some-finnish-pupils-go-back-paper-after-tech-push-2024-09-10/

On this episode, we discuss the importance and value of developing the habit of reading as a necessary life skill.

Last week at STMA, while the priests were at their annual priests assembly, the Upper School heard a talk from Mr. Kirkendall on how the lives of holy men and women can help us discern our own vocations. In this episode, you'll hear Mr. Kirkendall's thoughts about St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), a philosopher, teacher, Jewish-born convert, Discalced Carmelite nun, and martyr under...

In January of each year, Dr. Noland sends our most recent graduates a survey to see how their first semester in college went. We've talked about doing this sort of episode for years, and this year we finally did it. Thanks for the download and taking the time to listen!

First, we apologize that episode 58 had some sort of technical glitch that wasn't discovered until we tried to upload this episode. Which is why we also thought THIS episode was #58, when in reality it is #59.  In this episode, Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss why it can be a challenge to achieve the best outcomes of the school for a student if there is not mission al...

Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss a series of topics related to the human formation of students in this conversation. We will be on a two week break, but look forward to new episodes in the New Year. Merry Christmas to all!

Deacon Brad, Jake Noland, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants sit down for part 2 on being a student athlete, but this time some of the negatives and challenges that can come with participating in sports. 

Deacon Brad Watkins, Charles McCants, and Rob Kirkendall were joined on this special episode by alumni brothers Fr. Leo Dornan, CO and Seminarian Ben Dornan, as well as Seminarian Jorge Sotelo for a conversation following their visit for morning Mass. 

In this episode we discuss the ideal classroom and challenges to the learning environment as well as brief conversation about what it really means to get a low grade on a test or quiz. 

This week Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, and Mr. McCants have a conversation about why believe in the importance of doing hard things - especially children being allowed and encouraged to do hard things, even if it sometimes means they fail or fall short of the goal. 

In this episode, Mr. Kirkendall shares a talk he delivered to the student body, "Newman's Kindly Light," about the personal story behind St. John Henry Newman's composition of his famous hymn, "Lead Kindly Light."    On November 1st, Pope Leo XIV will declare Newman a Doctor of the Church and co-patron of Catholic education. This is an exciting time to celebrate and learn more about Newman's teach...

Deacon Brad, Jake Noland, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants sit down to discuss STMA's athletics program and the many positives that can come with participating in sports for student athletes. 

Deacon Brad, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants discuss some of the good outcomes we are  seeing at STMA, and on an ongoing basis. 

Following on last week's episode, this week Deacon Brad, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants talk about aligning with standards, and specifically how "Formation Notices" are a piece of the work we do at the school. 

Dating back to ancient Greece, one definition of academy is an institute that holds and maintains standards. This is certainly a core principle of STMA and its founder/chairman, Mr. Robert Luddy. The challenge, as they say, is that your standards are what you allow and tolerate, and far too many schools have significantly lowered standards over recent decades with regard to behavior, dress, and ac...

One of the unique and vital skills for successful people in all walks of life is the ability to anticipate. Unfortunately, it is a trait that is less and less common in young people today. Much of this stems from how the majority of schools educate children, but also how parents are raising their children. From math and science, to literature and philosophy, and even into sports, leadership, and b...