PODCAST · education
The Old School
by Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller
Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller lead an informal discussion between a current and a former teacher on topics that challenge "best practices" in contemporary education. In keeping with Neil Postman (1979), we support the conserving function of education: “Its aim at all times is to make visible the prevailing biases of a culture and then, by employing whatever philosophies of education are available, to oppose them.”
Episodes
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Episode 168: On Phones
Your two favorite but underrated podcasters take a closer look at phones. Consulting the latest data from the Pew Research and other legitimate surveying companies, the two hosts take a look at some of the data on how people use their phones, at what point people get phones and the prevalence of...
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Episode 167: On Sleep
Your two favorite podcasters take a look at a psychological condition that has been studied for well over a century but without a great deal of clear answers - our sleep. The hosts first tackle the state of our own sleep habits and what scientists believe is the reason for sleep. Afterwards, Mr....
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Episode 166: On the Value of Grumpiness
The boys are back and today, in a rather muted but still fascinating episode, the gurus discuss the merits of grumpiness. What does it mean to be grumpy? What it is not? How and why is differs from the attitude of younger generations or at least, their aspirations? Personal anecdotes, philosophy...
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Episode 165: On Public Discourse
Your two intrepid hosts enter the choppy waters of politics but not directly. Mr. Miller brings up a topic for discussion where he bemoans the inability of people to discuss politics without generalizations and ad hominem attacks. He brings up his experience first in the classroom, where less…
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Episode 164: On American Football
Your two hosts tackle the subject of American football. While the podcast has spent considerable - some would say too much - time discussing baseball and soccer, the hosts have only given marginal attention to the sport that defines much of our childhood and since, shared experiences. The two…
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Episode 163: On the state of Washington with Stanton Cole
The highly rated "State series" has returned and this time, with Mr. Stanton Cole - history teacher extraordinaire and Washingtonian. The hosts and guest discuss the state of Washington, its history, Mr. Cole's experience and memories of growing up there as well as some of the more quirky and fun...
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Episode 162: On Concerts
Your two musically adroit podcasters tackle the notion of live music in the aftermath of Mr. Miller's experience at a concert. The hosts discuss their first concerts, how they experience live music and what they see as the benefit of such experiences. They also discuss some of the downsides and…
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Episode 161: On Books
Your two aging podcasters defy their age and speak about all things books - reading them, carting them around and moving them from one residence to another. Evidence to our stage of life, we discuss the empty nest syndrome, homes will smaller capacities and what to do with all those books? Of...
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Episode 160: On the World Cup
During this episode, your two sports-loving hosts take a look at the cultural and athletic phenomenon that is the FIFA World Cup. The hosts dive into exactly why Dr. Bourgeois is now interested in soccer, what are the qualities that has hooked him and millions of Americans into the tournament and...
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Episode 159: On Ohio (and travel and a bunch of other things)
Your two lovable hosts have returned to talk about the state of Ohio and the two hosts' experiences with the state. Additionally, the hosts will get into the success and meaning behind Dr. Bourgeois' recent conference he attended and presented at in Geneva, Switzerland. There are also some...
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Episode 158: On Memory
Your two wonderful hosts have returned to talk about memory - losing memory as well as preserving it. The hosts start with the worrisome idea of losing memory as two ageing but still charming and handsome individuals. But then, they segue into the notion of memory and forgetting for good reasons...
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Episode 157: On Servant Leadership with Dan Albaum
Yet another hiatus comes to an end, but this time the Old School re-emerges with the dynamic Dan Albaum. Mr. Albaum speaks on his new book, The Giving Edge: Why Putting Others First Creates a Lasting Advantage in Leadership, Business, and Life. The marketing entrepreneur and fellow podcaster...
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Episode 156: On New York City
Your two intrepid hosts explore Dr. Bourgeois' recent trip to the Big Apple - his very first trip there in his life. The hosts first tackle perceptions and Mr. Miller, of course, works in a little history to show how the city became what it is today. Then, Dr. Bourgeois explores the best, most...
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Episode 155: On the German Mindset (and Americans too?)
Your two loveable hosts draw on a topic that is near and dear to their hearts - the wonderful culture of the Germans. Using an episode of the German language podcast Easy German as inspiration, the Old School look at a few characteristics and quirks of the German culture and see to what it extent...
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Episode 154: On Rootedness
Your two favorite podcasters tackle the deep and complicated issue of rootedness. The United States has one of the most dynamic social mobility of any other country in the world - a statistic that is often defined by how far one lives compared to the birthplace of their parents. Additionally…
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Episode 153: On Volcanoes and Mount St. Helens
Your two masters of the message (whatever message that may be) take a look at volcanoes, with a particular attention to the one whose last eruption will soon be observing its 46th anniversary - Mount St. Helens. Despite Dr. Bourgeois' assertion that he knew little about it despite living mere…
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Episode 152: On Plane Travel
Your two jet-setting hosts take a deeper look at plane travel. Dr Bourgeois and Mr. Miller consider the pros and cons of traveling by plane. They recount our favorite and least favorite parts of the experience. For all of the technological wonders that planes represent, the hosts also detail…
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Episode 151: On Fear
In this episode, your two favorite intrepid podcast hosts tackle the spine-tingling topic of fear. As they attempt to define it, the two learned gentlemen speak first of phobias but then, tackle the messier notion of personal fears - things that cannot be defined by some Greek mish-mash word but...
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Episode 150: On Language
Your two forward thinking, future loving hosts celebrate the podcast's 150th episode by looking at changes in language. Inspired by an episode of Words Unraveled with Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris (link below), the hosts take a look at changes in language and whether they are ultimately good, bad…
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Episode 149: On Doctors and Health Care
Your two favorite curmudgeons set their sights on doctors in particular and the health care system in general. While there is much to love and admire about our health system, there are idiosyncrasies that annoy the hosts - from quick primary doctor visits to the tone that some physicians have…
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Episode 148: On the Olympics...and SPAM
The Old School podcasters celebrate the Olympics as the final events conclude in Milan on 22 February. There is a great deal of talk on what makes it special, what makes it annoying and what the hosts would add or subtract to the list of events. Mr. Miller regales in his story of his visit to the...
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Episode 147: On Mysteries and Conspiracies
Your two intrepid podcast hosts tackle the subject of mysteries and conspiracies. Theories are debated regarding John F. Kennedy, fake pigeons and dodgy mattress stores. There is also a look at mysteries such as the cases of Amelia Earhart, D.B. Cooper and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The...
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Episode 146: On the Hiring of Teachers
Returning to the field of education, your two favorite podcasters delve into a subject that has been touched on before but never elaborated upon and that is the hiring of teachers. The Old School first addresses how teachers are trained and whether, despite historical precedence, a nationalized…
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Episode 145: On Winter
As snow and temperatures fall on North Texas and nearly the entire eastern half of the country, your two intrepid hosts battle the conditions within their warm, cozy offices to deliver an episode on winter. The hosts focus on such conditions as seasonal affected disorder on one end of the…
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Episode 144: On Midlife Crises
Your two favorite podcast hosts tackle one of the touchiest subject they've ever discussed - a midlife crisis. In the course of the discussion, there is a great deal of digging into the myths associated with these phases of life, the symptoms and the extent of this condition. Much of what people...
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Episode 143: On Collecting Things with Dr. Alex Fingers
The two loveable hosts welcome back the great Dr. Alex Fingers to discuss the idea of collecting things. From sports cards and comics as kids to music and more refined items as adults. Why do we collect things? How does it help us emotionally, socially and how does that help in other aspects of…
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Episode 142: On Fandom (In a meandering sort of way)
Your two loveable hosts, in the midst of bowl games and the soon-to-begin NFL playoffs, talk about being a sports fan. The two attempt to draw out its positives but also the increasing number (of late) of negatives. What is acceptable? What should not be acceptable? Are fans using their status as...
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Episode 141: On Classroom Management with Dr. Ferrell Yeokum
The Old School Podcast welcomes Mr. Ferrell Yeokum to discuss classroom management and his new book, Mastering Classroom Discipline for New Teachers: A Practical Guide to Create an Orderly Classroom, Prevent Disruptions and Improve Student Performance. The three educators discuss the forces…
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Episode 140: Mr. Miller Goes to Disney
This week on the podcast, Mr. Miller reports live from the most magical place on Earth — and no, he’s not entirely sure how he got there. Join us as we unpack his family’s whirlwind trip to Disney World, including stops at EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and the infamous international pub crawl — all…
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Episode 139: On Fixing and Building Things
Your two favorite hosts are back as we discuss the nature of building and fixing things. With Mr. Miller's recent foyer into woodworking and carpentry, the two gentlemen discuss some of the ideas of famed woodworker Nick Offerman and expound upon that to touch on topics of self-efficacy, the...
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Episode 138: On the Long Road
Your two favorite hosts are back to talk about the advantages of taking the hard road. What are the lessons, what is the value of not seeking the easier path but one filled with potholes and detours. Often, it is these things that define a person and their ability to endure. The Old School...
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Episode 137: The School Turnaround Blueprint with Dr. Ericka Johnson
Your two loveable hosts go back to their bailiwick and speak to the dynamic Dr. Ericka Johnson who details her journey from teacher to education consultant and the traits needed to be a good leader. We cover the full scope of the education experience, as seen by Dr. Johnson throughout her career…
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Episode 136: On the 1970s
Building on the previous episode on dinner parties, Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Ross Miller tackle other bygone ideas, these stemming from the 1970s and whether we are better off without them or should we bring them back. There is a bit of reminiscing as the hosts think back to days gone by and…
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Episode 135: On Dinner Parties
Your two favorite podcasters tackle a dying art - the dinner party. The hosts discuss the qualities of a good dinner party, drawing on the experiences growing up in a socially active household as well as their own efforts. They then segue into dissecting what has happened to the art - what are…
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Episode 134: On Resiliency
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...
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Episode 133: On Albums and Technology
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?
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Episode 132: On Setting a Tone
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...
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Episode 131: On Character with Dr. Matthew Post
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....
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Episode 130: On the North
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...
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Episode 129: On Oregon
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...
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Episode 128: On Summer Plans for Children
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...
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Episode 127: On Behind the Scenes of an American School
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...
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Episode 126: On America
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…
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Episode 125: On Growing Old
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...
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Episode 124: On Retirement (Again) and Lighthouses?
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…
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Episode 123: On Education in the News, Part II
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...
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Episode 122: On Procrastination
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,...
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Episode 121: On the British Empire with Dr. David Baillargeon
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…
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Episode 120: On the Boxer Rebellion with Dr. Peter Worthing
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…
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Episode 119: On Educating Boys
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....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller lead an informal discussion between a current and a former teacher on topics that challenge "best practices" in contemporary education. In keeping with Neil Postman (1979), we support the conserving function of education: “Its aim at all times is to make visible the prevailing biases of a culture and then, by employing whatever philosophies of education are available, to oppose them.”
HOSTED BY
Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Old School have?
The Old School currently has 167 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Old School about?
Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller lead an informal discussion between a current and a former teacher on topics that challenge "best practices" in contemporary education. In keeping with Neil Postman (1979), we support the conserving function of education: “Its aim at all times is to make...
How often does The Old School release new episodes?
The Old School publishes regularly with 167 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Old School?
You can listen to The Old School on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Old School?
The Old School is created and hosted by Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller.
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