Are We Educating or Experimenting? With Tom Stoner

Is modern education feeding students intellectual junk food — or cultivating a taste for what lasts? Dr. Tom Stoner joins the conversation to unpack what classical education actually is, why it's growing rapidly across the country, and what shifted in American schooling over the past 75–100 years. From the influence of the Enlightenment to the rise of progressive education, Tom explains how the model changed — and why many families are reconsidering what education is really for. The discussion explores the difference between shallow coverage and deep engagement, why classic literature has endured for centuries, and how students develop intellectual appetite by wrestling with meaningful ideas. Together, they examine what it means to "read widely, think deeply, and write well," and why cultivating discernment and truth matters more than simply delivering information. This episode challenges parents and grandparents to consider a deeper question: What kind of formation will actually help a child flourish — not just academically, but intellectually, morally, and spiritually? What We Learned Why classical education dominated for centuries before the progressive shift How Enlightenment thinking reshaped American schooling The difference between going deep on fewer ideas vs. covering many topics superficially Why classic literature stands the test of time How intellectual appetite is cultivated — not assumed The importance of grammar, spelling, and clear writing in a digital age Why asking better questions develops deeper thinkers The role of wrestling with ideas in authentic learning How Christian education integrates worldview, morality, and meaning Why transferable skills matter more than training for rapidly changing careers Resources Mentioned Repairing the Ruins Plato's Republic C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity The Idea of a Christian School  00:00 The Appetite for Quality Literature 01:47 Understanding Classical Education 07:58 The Shift from Traditional to Progressive Education 12:42 The Importance of Classic Literature 17:13 Deep Learning in Classical Education 21:29 Integrating Faith and Learning 27:24 Flourishing Through Education