From exploring the purpose of education to taking a deep dive into ESAs, the seven episodes released across our four Classical Conversations® podcasts in February 2023 covered a range of topics.
February Podcast Recap: Highlights and Takeaways
Didn’t get a chance to listen to all our episodes in February? Not to worry! In this post, we’ll summarize some of the most memorable moments from episodes across our podcasts this month.
Joyce Burges on Homeschooling Among Black Americans
February 2023 saw some enlightening conversations on Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins, including discussions about the government funding of private education with Israel Wayne, a classical approach to entrepreneurship at a college level with Dr. Matthew Smith, and how STEM subjects fit into the classical model with our very own Heather Shirley, Chief Academic Advisor at Classical Conversations.
To conclude the month, Robert sat down with Joyce Burges, co-founder and CEO of the National Black Home Educators (NBHE), an organization that helps make homeschooling more accessible for black families in the United States. On top of discussing the positive impact NBHE is having on so many homeschoolers, Joyce speaks to the upward trend in the number of black families choosing to homeschool.
Encouraged by this trend, Joyce also expects it to continue. One reason for her optimism is that she has noticed black homeschool families can learn more about their own history and culture through choosing their own resources—like those provided by NBHE—than they can in a traditional school setting with a limited curriculum. Just like all families, when black families choose to homeschool, they are taking responsibility of their children’s education and can point it in a direction according to their values.
Listen: Episode 34: Is Black Homeschooling the Same? With Joyce Burges | Refining Rhetoric
Cristina Smith on Pursuing Your Spouse
On February’s episode of Blessings and Motherhood, hosts Delise and Ginny sat down with their friend Cristina Smith to talk about continuing to date your spouse through marriage. In true classical fashion, they take a step back and attempt to define what a “date” actually is.
Cristina points out that while a date really comes down to just pursuing one another, it can have various manifestations throughout different seasons of a relationship. For example, when it’s just you and your spouse in the house, a date might look getting dinner or going to a movie. When you and your spouse have children, a date might look like any moment alone together, no matter how mundane it may seem (e.g., shopping for groceries or watching TV after the children have gone to bed).
Listen: Dating Your Spouse with Cristina Smith | Blessings and Motherhood
The Purpose of Education with Julie Melendez
If the purpose of education is to know God and to make Him known—as we believe at Classical Conversations—what are some practical ways we can implement this into our homeschooling Classical Conversations employee and homeschool mom Julie Melendez joins host Lisa Bailey on Everyday Educator to discuss just this.
Julie recommends parents first list out their reasons for choosing to homeschool. This list of “why’s” should then give parents a foundation from which to order their curriculum, resources, and educational goals.
For example, if your list of “why’s” for homeschooling includes presenting your child with positive socialization opportunities, make sure to seek out extracurricular activities, like through church or sports, where your child can grow. On the flip side, if your list of “why’s” doesn’t include your child scoring a perfect score on the National Latin Exam (NLE), then don’t stress (or stress out your child) about studying day and night for this test.
Listen: The Purpose of Education | Everyday Educator | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
David Araujo on Homeschooling in Venezuela
David Araujo, the Classical Conversations International Team Leader of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, joined February’s episode of Global Homeschool Minute to discuss the challenges and triumphs of homeschooling in Venezuela.
If you’re a Spanish speaker (or trying to learn the language), this is a great episode to tune in to!
Listen: Homeschooling in Venezuela | Global Homeschool Minute
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