The Old School

Your two favorite podcast hosts tackle the notion of resiliency and the ability to stay focus in the face of leisure and relaxation. The allure, the benefits and the drawbacks of dedication and commitment becomes the focus on the episode. The hosts evaluate their own behavior during their working years and compare it with others and other examples of dedication. They look at the words of wisdom fr...

Your two favorite hosts dive into a product of their times - albums. They discuss the nature of albums, how they were used and what we've lost or not from their disappearance. They have reemerged but has technology changed the way we consume music and is that a negative, neutral or a positive? 

Weathering a series of technological issues, your two tech-savvy hosts managed to encapsulate some of the brilliance that is Dr. Alex Fingers. It is a shorter episode than most but in the short time available, the hosts and Dr. Fingers take a look at a principal's job in setting the tone of a new school year and the three also speak on the nature of mentoring - one administrator to another.

The great Dr. Matt Post rejoins the Old School podcast to discuss the research that he and Dr. Bourgeois are conducting on the notion of character and virtue among undergraduates. This study seeks to identify what these students do or don't do that can be identified as virtuous but also why. Mr. Miller seeks to tease out what these two learned scholars have done over the last five years and what t...

After an unexpected break, brought on the thousands of miles and week-long ailments, your two intrepid heroes seek to come to a better understanding of the North - the stereotypes of the North and the promise that people have held about the North. Additionally, the hosts seek to draw comparisons with characteristics of the South - all of this not necessarily specific to the U.S. but with a more gl...

In the next installment of our state series, the Old School hosts take a look at Oregon - the home state of Dr. Bourgeois. The hosts take a look at the history, topography and the many cultural factors that make up this wonderful state. The hosts then end while waxing philosophically about what draws Dr. Bourgeois home often and won Mr. Miller's heart on his only trip to the Beaver State - Oregon....

Your two amicable hosts look into a topic that has plagued parents for centuries - what to do with the kids during the summer break. Since the hosts do not have the great minds of history to lean on, the listener will have to make do with The Old School as they consider and reflect on the various activities kids can partake in - where they are not checking their brain at the door. Not only do they...

Your two favorite hosts peal back the curtain to unveil the happenings in a school prior to and after the school day - as well as a few things during the day. From custodians, to early birds, administrators and secretaries, the hosts take you through the aspects of a typical day in American education that most people may be unaware of. In doing so, it is hoped that some light is shined on the hard...

Your two estimable hosts address the events of this week - the birthday of the United States of America. While plenty of people are commenting on the problems the country faces, and rightly so, Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller decide to focus on the positive. During the episode, both hosts present the five reasons why they love this country so much. In doing so, they take the opportunity to highlight...

In the aftermath of Mr. Miller's surgery, your two friendly hosts discuss the operation as well as the notion of growing old. The two discuss limitations, changes in latitudes and attitudes (thank you Mr. Buffett) and what they see as the purpose and direction older people take and take on. Of course, though perhaps on the face, a dour topic, the two address it with their typical thoughtfulness an...

Your two gregarious hosts take a look at Mr. Miller's return to retirement - for the umpteenth time. There is also a discussion about the possibility of working in a lighthouse as part of a larger project - one that combines the loves, interests and abilities of our hosts. In the meantime, the two hosts tackle notions of work and loneliness as they work through the opportunities that lie ahead.  ...

Your two loveable hosts tackle a couple of stories coming out regarding schools, technology and the hijinks that follow. From AI teachers to the cumulative effect of technology on a student's ability to learn, the hosts look at recent developments in the U.S. The hosts also dive somewhat into a major (probably minor) programming note on a possible hiatus. The two stories the hosts refer to can be...

Your two favorite amicable hosts tackle the thorny and omnipresent problem of procrastination. Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller explore the notion of procrastination, what causes it, ways in which it can be good or bad and how to address fixing the problem. In the process, experience, history, philosophy and problem-solving are used to address this and to examine the forces that make it seemingly wors...

Your two favorite hosts welcome Dr. David Baillargeon from the University of Texas at Arlington to discuss the importance and impact of the British Empire. Dr. Baillargeon focuses on what can be seen and studied with regards to British action in Myanmar (or Burma) and Malaysia. The three do a deep dive in what made the Burmese and Malay experience unique but also, the esteemed professor also highl...

The Old School welcomes the great Dr. Peter Worthing of TCU to discuss the Boxer Rebellion. The three gentlemen discuss the origins of the movement, what it was and how it influenced China going into the 20th century and beyond. It is a great conversation that highlights not just the philosophical ideals that modern historians attribute to the Boxers but the real world circumstances that motivated...

Your two favorite hosts tackle the growing crisis surrounding boys and men and how education could potentially turn those indices around. The podcast takes a look at an article on the re-emergence and saving qualities of an all-boys education and how truly effective something like that could be. The hosts also try to tip toe around various political issues and paradigms this type of action could e...

Your two favorite hosts discuss the idea of traveling the world and selecting the six spots they would choose to stop and visit. Mr. Miller is planning something for her daughter in a few years so this conversation is a part theoretical and a part practical discussion on the wonderful places we would love to check out. In the comments below, please leave a list of six places where you would visit....

Your two favorite hosts welcome Boston College retired professor, Patrick McQuillan, to speak on his research as well as his new book that looks to shape how school leadership is to be taught and carried out. It is a methodology designed to build greater trust through all parties involved in our education system and in doing so, offer opportunities for all of our students to achieve their goals. A...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back Ksenia Filatov, as the three discuss new trends in education that are highlighted by a new superintendent in Houston, Texas and his controversial methods to increase test scores and efficiency. The trio look at the philosophy behind such techniques, the degree to which they are new at all and what needs to be considered when assessing such strategies. Duri...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller dive into the merits of the latter's home state of Maryland. Mr. Miller goes through the history of his state, touching on its qualities, characteristics and what sets it apart from other states. Meanwhile, Dr. Bourgeois takes shots across the bow, aiming at such low hanging fruit like the HBO show, The Wire . Mr. Miller sets the record straight and in the process, eve...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome the multi-talented Michelle Mayfield to the podcast. During the episode, the three will discuss the life of a musician, the songwriting process and the experience of being on stage. The three also spend time discussing influences and inspirations that can motivate a musician and help direct one's path.  You can follow Michelle Mayfield on the following platform...

The hosts tap into their love of music to first, characterize the art of drumming. This includes the stereotypes of drummers and the hosts tease out to the extent the stereotypes are true and why that might be. Second, each host will present their favorite drummers and what those artists brought to the instrument and the other musicians who played with them. Of course, this entire discussion is do...

The hosts looks at digitalization efforts in Germany and the impact of the same in the United States. The hosts also connect the writings of social critic Neil Postman and his clarion calls for attention and caution to be used when technology are allowed unfettered access into our children's classes - our sacred spaces - to the developing situation both in the U.S. and Germany...and beyond. This e...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back the great Dr. Alex Fingers to discuss the way teachers are evaluating and measured. Over the course of episode, the three discuss the way a principal assesses teachers - from the first interview to daily interactions - but also the way teachers are trained and educated. The hosts and Dr. Fingers also consider the degree to which the education system must b...

The hosts welcome Mr. Richard Marquez to the podcast. The famed educator has been known for his work in solving truancy issues as well as developing strategies for teaching students to read and use their ability towards their other studies as well as their life. An easy going conversation that is filled with wisdom and helpful ideas that can aide teachers and parents working to help students. The...