Common Knowledge

About the Episode:In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds sit down with computer science instructor Jim McCormick to explore an unexpected but compelling question: Can programming be part of a classical education? Drawing on Jim’s background in engineering, industry, and classical schooling, the conversation examines programming through the lens of the Seven Liberal Arts, intellectual rigor, and the formation of the mind.Together, they discuss whether programming languages function as a kind of modern Latin, how coding cultivates habits of logic and precision, and why the rigor of programming can be both demanding and deeply joyful. The episode challenges the assumption that classical education and modern technology are at odds—and instead suggests that programming may be one of the most classically formative disciplines available to students today.Jim graduated with a Masters Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. After 24 years of computer chip design at HP and Intel in Fort Collins, he became a computer science instructor at LCHS in the fall of 2022.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool⁠

About the EpisodeIn this episode of Common Knowledge, Dr. David Diener—Hillsdale professor, Plato scholar, and former classical school headmaster—unpacks why classical education still matters in the 21st century.What if the goal of school isn’t just a good job or high test scores, but becoming a fully flourishing human being? Diener contrasts the 2,000-year Western tradition—rooted in virtue, wonder, truth, goodness, and beauty—with the modern shift toward practical training and “relevance” that began with the Industrial Revolution and progressive thinkers like John Dewey.He explains how classical education cultivates excellence in thought, character, and community life, producing graduates who succeed by conventional measures and live deeper, more meaningful lives. A thought-provoking conversation on what education is really for—and why the classical approach might be more relevant today than ever.About Dr. David DienerDr. Diener is the author of Plato: The Great Philosopher‑Educator and has published widely on Plato, Kierkegaard, and the philosophy of education. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Ancient Languages from Wheaton College, an MA in Philosophy, an MS in the History and Philosophy of Education, and a dual PhD in Philosophy and Philosophy of Education from Indiana University. He currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Education at Hillsdale College.More about Dr. Diener: https://www.hillsdale.edu/faculty/david-diener/ Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool⁠

About This EpisodeThis episode explores the classical understanding of physical exercise—from Ancient Greece through later Western thought—and its role in cultivating discipline and human flourishing. Rather than focusing on modern training methods or institutional practices, the conversation examines how classical thinkers understood exercise as a formative habit of the body that supports virtue and self-governance.About the GuestsFrank Russel is the Athletic Director for Liberty Common School and serves as the wrestling coach and strength and conditioning coach at Liberty Common School and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA.  He has worked with University of Nebraska volleyball, soccer, and wrestling and has spent the last two summers with CSU football.Matt Anderson has been involved in athletics for his entire life. A Fort Collins native he grew up participating in soccer, basketball, and dance. After graduating from high school he played college soccer for four years at Adams State University, before moving on to compete professionally for two years in Europe. Matt then transitioned into coaching and teaching. He has coaching experience at the collegiate level, club level, and high school level. He has been teaching for six years now and has taught Government, History, Geography, and Physical Education. Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool⁠

This episode has been updated to clarify that guest Natalie Scarlett’s work with Mango Languages took place in 2021–2022.About the Episode:With daily headlines on AI's effect on culture I've begun to wonder if we ought to be less concerned about powerful computers passing the Turing test or more worried about weak humans failing it. AI has begun to colonize our hearts, minds, bodies, expression/communication, environment, integrity, and the limp response is alarming. Alarmists want to explicitly ban it, compromisers want to cautiously allow it, and cynics want to let it voraciously conquer us.   But I think bolstering and defending those things that make us human is the only way to stop the steady, subtle, and stealthy encroachment of AI's influence in our humanity. I've read a lot about this and have several ongoing conversations within my creative community and English department. I would draw on the work of Matthew Crawford, Paul Kingsnorth, George Zarkadakis, and Gary Marcus in my comments on this.About Natalie ScarlettFormer English instructor at Liberty Common High School, Natalie is a writer and director with a background in the performing and literary arts. She has spent her career exploring how creativity and culture shape the human experience.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool⁠

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds sit down with Liberty Common School instructors Steve Ronen and Jenny Cardenas to discuss one of the most gripping pursuits in American history—the twelve-day manhunt for John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln.The conversation follows Booth’s desperate flight through the Maryland and Virginia countryside, the efforts of Union soldiers and detectives who tracked him, and the cultural aftermath of a nation reeling from tragedy.References:Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James SwansonConnect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School math and engineering instructor Kay Lannen, who brings more than two decades of experience in the engineering field and holds ten U.S. patents. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of invention and discovery—tracing the patent process from idea to innovation. Mrs. Lannen shares insights from her own experience as a patent-holder, offering a rare look at how timeless human ingenuity continues to transform ideas into enduring contributions to the common good.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School instructor Jason Mayer to explore the historical significance of the Sepoy Rebellion. Often overlooked in popular history, this pivotal uprising reshaped the trajectory of colonial rule and set the stage for global changes between 1870 and 1914. The discussion highlights how the rebellion’s legacy continues to shape both European and Indian history today.About Jason MayerJason teaches history at Liberty Common High School and currently serves as the department chair. He has taught for 27 years—15 of those at Liberty Common School. Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds welcome Liberty Common School instructor Alysa Balfour for a thought-provoking exploration of two timeless works: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Together, they uncover surprising connections between Lewis’s satirical insights on human temptation and Aurelius’s stoic reflections on virtue and self-mastery. The discussion situates both works within “The Great Conversation,” tracing how ideas from vastly different eras and traditions still speak to one another—and to us—about the moral struggles and philosophical questions that shape the human experience.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode, librarian Paige Gowing and English instructor Lander Hultin join to explore the work of celebrated author Gary D. Schmidt. Best known for his deeply moving young-adult novels, Schmidt’s storytelling addresses universal themes—identity, resilience, empathy, and moral growth—through richly drawn characters and historical settings.He’s received two Newbery Honors (Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy in 2005; The Wednesday Wars in 2008), a Printz Honor, and a National Book Award finalist nod for Okay for Now. His most recent works include Just Like That (2021), The Labors of Hercules Beal (2023, winner of the Josette Frank Award), and the forthcoming A Day at the Beach (2025).Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

Bees don’t just make honey—they model a universe of order, purpose, and cooperation that has captivated thinkers from Aristotle to modern naturalists. In this episode, we’re joined by third-grade instructor and backyard beekeeper Meghan Duran for a conversation blending classical education, natural science, and philosophical reflection. From the hum of the hive to the habits of virtue, this is a conversation about what it means to live thoughtfully—even at the scale of six legs and two wings.About Meghan DuranMegan teaches third grade at Liberty’s Plato campus. She has an associate’s degree in elementary education, a bachelor's degree in Business, and a master's degree in Teaching and Learning. She loves cornhusker football, honey bees, and USA wrestling.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode, we explore the work of contemporary author Kate DiCamillo. Known for beloved novels like Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses, DiCamillo’s writing captures deep truths about the human condition through accessible and engaging stories for young readers. Jenna Allen and Steven Ronen join us to discuss how DiCamillo, despite being a relatively newer author, contributes meaningfully to the "Great Conversation" of literature — engaging with timeless themes like hope, friendship, loss, and redemption — and why her works have resonated so deeply with readers of all ages.Books Mentioned In This EpisodeThe Hobbit by J.R.R. TolkeinWhere the Red Fern Grows by Wilson RawlsTale of DespereauxThe Miraculous Journey of Edward TulaneBecause of Winn-DixieTiger RisingWatership Down by Richard AdamsConnect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

About the EpisodeArt can seem elusive, and so many of us feel unequipped to pass judgment on an artwork. One of the most powerful tools in artistic analysis is aesthetic theory. The practice of using aesthetic theories can help us first classify the function of an artwork. After we classify the function, then we can more confidently determine the success. This episode walks listeners through the more common aesthetic theories and applies them to some of our favorite artworks.ImitationalismSymbolismEmotionalismFormalismInstrumentalismInstitutionalismArtists/Artworks Referenced:MichelangeloJohn James AudubonYosemite Valley by Ansel AdamsNighthawks by Edward HopperI and the Village by Marc ChagallThe Last Supper by Leonard DaVinciPersistence of Memory by Salvador DaliThe Scream by Edvard MunchAndrew WyethPassing Storm over the Sierra Nevadas by Albert BierstadtEdgar DegasPaul CézannePiet MondrianWassily KandinskyMigrant Mother by Dorothea LangeFountain by Marcel DuchampCampbell's Soup Cans by Andy WarholShibboleth by Doris SalcedoComedian by Maurizio CattelanConnect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

Although Latin is often called a "dead language," its influence is very much alive in modern culture. From film and literature to science and law, Latin continues to shape the way we communicate and think. Latin Instructor Jake Bryan dives deep into the beauty behind the language and why it is still relevant today.About Jake BryanJake started at Liberty Common in the fall of 2022. Before that, he taught Latin at a college preparatory school in Oklahoma City for five years. Originally from Dallas, Texas, he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in Letters with a minor in Latin.Connect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

This episode explores the origins and influence of jazz as America’s truly original art form. Guest Dave Lunn, a saxophonist and music educator, joins hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds to discuss jazz’s deep roots, key figures, and lasting impact on American culture and music.About Dave LunnDave Lunn is in his 25th year of teaching at Liberty Common School, where he teaches instrumental music, music theory and music history. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Colorado State University, and in 2018, he was a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year. In addition to his work at Liberty, he is involved in many other musical endeavors, including leading the Fort Collins Youth Jazz Project, working as a clinician, and performing with many ensembles around the area. He and his wife, Lori, live in Fort Collins and have 3 children and when not teaching or making music, he is an avid mountain biker and rock climber.Mentioned In This Episode:Spyro GyraCharlie ParkerJohn ColtraneTijuana BrassThelonious MonkLouis ArmstrongBenny GoodmanDuke EllingtonDizzy Gillespie Miles Davis - Kind of BlueCannonball AdderleyBill Evans - Sunday Night at the Village VanguardElla FitzgeraldBing CrosbyFrank SinatraNat King ColeBilly Holiday Robert GlasperSnarky PuppyDave Brubeck - Time OutEsperanza SpaldingConnect with Liberty Common School:Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

This episode delves into the fascinating role of jewelry in sixteenth-century Anglo-Scottish diplomacy. Our guest, Cassie Auble, explores how Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I used jewelry as tools of political negotiation, self-representation, and material culture. About Cassie Auble Cassie has been a Liberty Common School Latin instructor since 2018. She has an M.A. in history with a certification in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Connect with Liberty Common School: Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

About the Episode: The episode explores what makes a book a "classic" and how books shape the moral and idyllic imaginations of young readers. Our guest, Paige Gowing, a librarian at Liberty Common School, shares insights on the value of classic literature and dispels common misconceptions, while broadening the definition of what makes a book timeless and enduring. About Paige Gowing: Paige is a Librarian at Liberty Common School’s Plato Campus.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Concentration in Creative Writing from Colorado State University and has been working at Liberty since graduation. Before becoming an employee of Liberty Common School, Paige was once a student here. She began attending Liberty in 1997, the same year the school opened.  Referenced Books: Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Invisible Man by Ralph Elison A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Because of Win Dixie by Kate DiCamillo The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Climbing Parnassus: A New Apologia for Greek and Latin by Tracy Lee Simmons The Republic by Plato Stick Man by Julia Donaldson The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Square by Mac Barnett The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis Why Johnny Can't Tell Right from Wrong by William Kilpatrick To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Connect with Liberty Common School: Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In the late Middle Ages, the city-states of Italy witnessed the rebirth of an ancient form of government: the republic.  These Italian republics provide the backdrop for the impressive cultural achievements of the Renaissance, and arguably made them possible.  We will consider the conditions which led Italian cities to adopt republican governments, how their republican experiments managed to overcome the threat of warfare and social division, and why they ultimately fell.  We will also consider the legacy of Italy’s Renaissance republics and how they might help us understand our own republic better. About Joel Penning Dr. Penning started teaching history at Liberty in 2018. He received his B.A. in history at Clemson University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University. In addition to Colorado, he has spent time living in Kansas, South Dakota, Illinois, South Carolina, Australia, and Italy. When not in the classroom, he can usually be found with his nose in a book. Connect with Liberty Common School Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode, we explore the deep classical roots of musical theater, an art form widely recognized for its collaborative nature. While today’s Broadway musicals might seem like a modern invention, they owe much to the traditions of ancient Greece, where music, poetry, dance, and dramatic storytelling first came together in public performances. We’ll delve into the historical origins of musical theater, beginning with the grand theatrical festivals of Athens, where playwrights competed to create the best combination of music, drama, and spectacle. We’ll also discuss how many theatrical conventions—like the chorus, special effects, and the orchestra—find their roots in Greek theater and how these ancient practices continue to influence the musicals we know and love today. About Becky Pollyea  Becky is a music and theater instructor at Liberty Common School where she directs the junior-high and high-school theatrical productions.  Her career in theater education spans three decades, and her focus has been on facilitating transformational learning experiences for young people through the performing arts. Connect with Liberty Common School Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of mathematics as more than just numbers and equations. Our guest, a passionate math instructor, shares his journey of discovering Plato’s Republic and explores how ancient philosophy can transform our understanding of math today. Through rich discussions, he explains why math is essential to human flourishing, offering insights into its power to shape minds and nourish the soul. From the concept of zero and its unique historical roots to the role of calculus in the church and beyond, he reveals how math has always intertwined with humanity’s deepest questions. Join us as we explore why studying math can be a path to personal growth and fulfillment, and why, as Plato believed, mathematics is truly a pursuit for the human spirit. About Torgun Lovely Torgun Lovely has been with Liberty Common School for 16 years, working in various teaching and leadership capacities. He started as the school’s mathematics specialist, teaching classes while overseeing the school’s k-9 mathematics program. In 2010, as the school was expanding to offer grades 10-12, he helped orchestrate what was to become the State of Colorado’s top-performing high-school mathematics program. In 2013 he was promoted to serve as the school’s first assistant principal, and then was promoted into the high-school principal position in January of 2018. More recently he has resumed his role as a mathematics instructor and as the chair of the mathematics department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics as well as a master's degree in business administration, both from Colorado State University. He and his lovely wife of 23 years, Kathy, have raised two lovely children, Hannah (21), and Mathias (19) – both of whom are proud graduates of LCHS. Additional Resources Math for English Majors by Ben Orlin Math with Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin Here's Looking at Euclid by Alex Bellos Mathematical Mysteries by Calvin C Clawson The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su A Most Elegant Equation by Stipp Euclid in the Rainforest by Joseph Mazur Zero by Charles Seife The Republic by Plato Connect with Liberty Common School Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

LCHS Spanish Instructor Paulina Deitrick dives into the fascinating world of magical realism, a captivating genre that has profoundly influenced Latin American literature. She will explore the works of celebrated authors such as Gabriel García Márquez, author of One Hundred Years of Solitude and how popular films like Disney's Encanto bring elements of magical realism to mainstream audiences. Tune in to discover how magical realism transcends mere storytelling, offering a window into the soul of Latin America’s people and their complex relationship with reality, imagination, and history. Additional Resources: Authors: Gabriel García Márquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Love in the Times of Cholera, No One Writes to the Colonel) Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits, Eva Luna, Tales from Eva Luna, The Sum of our Days, The Infinite Plan, The Wind Knows my Name) Jorge Luis Borges (especially Fictions, The Library of Babel, Borges and I) Julio Cortázar (Hopscotch, Letter to a Young Lady in Paris, Cronopios, Famas) Laura Esquivel (The Law of Love, Like Water for Chocolate, Malinche) Movies: Encanto Big Fish Pan's Labyrinth Inception Edward Scissorhands Midnight in Paris Amelie Chocolat Art: Gonzalo Endara Crow Connect with Liberty Common School Liberty Common School Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

Imagination and creativity are popular words (rightly so), but words like remembrance are not so trendy. Jared Dybzinski looks at what C.S. Lewis (specifically his Narnia series) and other authors have to say about the poetic imagination and the relationship between knowledge and participatory remembrance. About Jared Dybzinski Jared Dybzinski is an English Instructor and head of the English department at Liberty Common High School. He studied applied linguistics as an undergraduate at Moody Bible Institute and is currently in a graduate program at the University of Dallas, working on his masters degree in humanities, with a concentration in classical education. Mr. Dybzinski has been married to his wonderful wife Natalie for eighteen years. They love raising their four daughters and one son. Mr. Dybzinski enjoys most anything outdoors, but especially fly fishing and golf. He enjoys worshiping the Holy Trinity and coming under great works as a means to that great End. Helpful Links Liberty Common School Website: ⁠www.libertycommon.org⁠ Festival of Ideas 2024: ⁠www.libertycommon.org/about/news-and-events/festival-of-ideas/speakers⁠ Connect with Liberty Common School Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool

Is great art born of the person or their circumstances? When great art is produced, does it flow primarily out of the genius of the artist or the difficult circumstances of their life? Using Ludwig van Beethoven's life and music as a guide, the Hoyers plumb the depths of the age old question, "Would the artist have produced such beautiful art if he hadn't had such a difficult life?" About Nancy Hoyer Mrs. Hoyer grew up in Massachusetts and has been singing and playing the flute for over 40 years. She has lived all over the country, including Florida, Connecticut, New York, California, and Colorado, where she has lived for the past 11 years. She and her husband Gustav have five children - all of whom were homeschooled until attending Liberty Common High School. A lover of educational philosophy, and especially Classical Education, Mrs. Hoyer enjoys reading, quilting, taking long walks, volunteering at church, and making music with her family. She is blessed to work at such an incredible school with such wonderful people. About Gustav Hoyer Gustav Hoyer was born in Denver CO in 1972. His musical pursuits began in high school following a life-changing encounter with the music of Beethoven and Mozart. He subsequently studied music theory, piano, and violin and pursued collegiate degrees in composition. He has written music for a wide variety of ensembles, media, and settings. His recorded music has been heard in film, on radio, and in performance around the world. He continues to create new orchestral music that draws on the tools of classical vocabulary while fully modern in their contemplations.  Rich in musical narrative, his works have been described as evocative, accessible, and powerfully emotional. He was the Artistic Director for Los Angeles-based Orchestra Unleashed, Artistic Director of contemporary classical ensemble NoCo Artists, and now serves as the Associate Director of the Loveland Opera Theatre. As a conductor he has performed over 20 new compositions by composers from around the world. He continues to record and release new works with recent album releases Witness (2018), The Gilded Age (2020), The Mental Cartographer (2021), A Winter Journal (2023), and Conversations (2023). Helpful Links Liberty Common School Website: www.libertycommon.org Festival of Ideas 2024: www.libertycommon.org/about/news-and-events/festival-of-ideas/speakers Gustav Hoyer: https://gustavhoyer.com/ Connect with Liberty Common School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertyCommonSchool/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertycommonschool/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/libertycommonschool