The Old School

The hosts tackle an aspect of education that has always been present - tutorials. The hosts examine the qualities and effectiveness as well as the difference between tutoring in school with one's teacher and hiring it out to be done - a field of endeavor that Mr. Miller is currently engaged in. Not only does tutoring look different in or out of school, but also through various subjects. Are you in...

Once more, the hosts are proud to present the estimable Dr. Alex Fingers to the podcast. This time, Dr. Fingers speaks on the value of sports and extracurricular activities to the student in their academic pursuits. From personal experience, Dr. Fingers speaks on the lessons learned from winning, losing and the tireless preparation for the moment. If you would enjoy a detailed look at the forces a...

In this episode, the hosts follow the advice of Jimmy Buffett and show their age - this time, by complaining about the state of etiquette today and whether it is a real problem or whether they are the problem. After consider the state of the world with the presence or lack of manners, consider doing a deep intellectual dive into our book, The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Edu...

The hosts return to Mr. Miller's trip - the second part through Montana and Glacier National Park. As the story unwinds, the Miller family pass through Missoula, a garden of Buddhas, a mission church, complete with a member of rock n' roll royalty and the majestic peaks and valleys of the park itself. Mr. Miller finishes with a visit to Little Big Horn. After delving into the wonders of nature wit...

As Mr. Miller and his family attempt to shoe horn two more national parks before the start of the next school year, the hosts discuss the first of the two parks - Grand Tetons National Park in western Wyoming. In the course of this discussion, the hosts unpack the park itself as well as the drive there, Jackson Hole, the beauty of southeastern Idaho and the nature of cities in the northern mountai...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back now three-time guest - Dr. Rick Westfall. In their discussion, the hosts and guest get into the dynamics of building school culture, including relationships with students, teachers and parents. The goal of striking a balance between a school's administration and the three "stockholders" is an intricately complicated process and Dr. Westfall brings his expe...

In this episode, Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome Dr. Carrie Currier from TCU to discuss China's geopolitical position - with their neighbors and with the west. In the process, the hosts and guest discuss what lies in store for China in the coming years, from growing tensions surrounding North Korea and Taiwan as well as their attempts to influence developing countries. The three also serve up...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller, in what may be the start of a on-going series of state profiles, take a look at the 34th state to join the Union - Kansas. In particular, the hosts delve into its history - such as its history related to the Civil War and Civil Rights as well as the Wild West; its culture, including its food; the capital of Topeka and the government's efforts to change the reputation...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome Ksenia Filatov, a doctoral candidate at Boston College, to discuss her background that has led to her research on teacher agency and how college teacher training can both help or hinder new teachers entering the classroom. As with many of their guests, there is also the idea that more episodes with Ms. Filatov could be in the future. United World College Robert...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller, using and summarizing Jonathan Haidt's book,  The Anxious Generation , discuss the role technology plays in making many, especially the younger generations, more anxious than past ones and how they have seen the same in their students over the years. To discover the trends that have been seen in education that might have been partially responsible for the topic of the...

The hosts are joined by the Reverends Jason and Estee Valendy as the four discuss the state of the Christian church and the challenges it faces.  Want to be cool like Jason and Estee Valendy? Want the enjoyment of a good book that will change your life? Then check out our tome on the American education system, The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Education , published by Ahart E...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller delve into a topic near and dear to their hearts - the state they call home. Through a series of five questions (six if you push it), the two hosts explore the qualities of the state and the degree to which people outside of Texas understand the 28th state. After enjoying the educational and cultural exploration of Texas, consider the musings of the hosts regarding a s...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller discuss the latter's efforts to buy a house and the issues and complications that often go into such a purchase. After enjoying the wit and witticisms of the two hosts on a lighter subject, consider their musings on a much weightier one - the American education system with their 5-star rated book, The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Education . Avai...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back the esteemed Dr. Rick Westfall to discuss how state and federal governments help or don't in the local government's pursuit of a good education. The trio also discuss if there should be changes in how the three levels of government impact or influence the education process. If you would enjoy a more detailed look at some of the issues mentioned in this epi...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller step away from their typical Algonquinian conversation to look at and discuss profanity. Not only the changes that has taken place on how and where it is used but its utility as well. The two hosts place profanity within the general context of things that are changing the culture, particularly in comparison to what life and societal standards were like when the hosts w...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome theater teacher extraordinaire Brian Ketcham to the podcast to discuss his pathway from history, also known as the backbone of American education, to theater. The hosts also delve into the many joys and challenges Mr. Ketcham's job entails. As with the other guests, the gentlemen also discuss the possibility of future conversations and topics. Does the discussi...

Once more calling in from Germany, Mr. Miller relays to Dr. Bourgeois the excitement as well as the political and economic tension of a soccer game with Borussia Dortmund creates. Correction : In the episode, I characterized the protest as being about a breaking from the 50+1 policy that German clubs are suppose to have and the unwanted presence of corporations at the club level. This is a backdro...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome back Dr. Alex Fingers to talk about the challenges, benefits and the methodology of building a great school culture. If you are interested in the other characteristics that go into a great school, check out our book on the challenges of the American education system as well as our proposed solutions with The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary E...

After a short but less than enthusiastic revisit of sandwiches, Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller welcome former Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall to discuss his new role in advising architectural firms on the building and designing of schools and how educational concerns factor into the buildings in which our students hope to excel. We also touch on what could be discussed on future episodes. After thi...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller dive into the cultural and social origins and impact of work in the United States, occasionally comparing it to other countries. The hosts also delve into the therapeutic qualities of work as experienced over the course of their careers. We have written a book on the characteristics of the American education system as well as the problems, complete with solutions, inso...

Mr. Miller takes advantage of the classically and jazz trained pianist in the room to ask Dr. Bourgeois questions on how the two styles are different, how listening to them are different and the qualities of each.

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller are joined by Dr. Alex Fingers about the motivational and teaching styles that can help teachers in relating to and connecting with their students. After this high brow discussion, we are subjected to an elegy for the PAC 12 and the future of Dr. Bourgeois' childhood heroes in the brave new college football world. If you are facing the end of the college football seaso...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller bemoan recent changes in our favorite sports and the lurking influence and impact of technology on our national pastimes.  If you'd also like to see our thoughts on the technological impact on our education system, as well as other problems we identify as critical, check out our book  The Center Cannot Hold: A Critical Look at Contemporary Education .

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller contemplate the merits and problems with Homeschooling (and other forms of alternative education) in comparison to the public school system by first discussing the situation on the ground in...South Dakota? Once hearing your two favorite Luddites pontificate on a podcast, read the revealing and pointed investigation of the American educaiton system in their five-star r...

Dr. Bourgeois and Mr. Miller address one of the more ancient forms of education as well as a new wave in educational thought - outdoor education. They discuss the traits and merits as well as the challenges in applying it to the current American public school model of outdoor education. Just finished a hike or a week-long camping trip where you taught your children to survive if they were ever aba...