On this week's Classical Et Cetera, Memoria Press takes on one of our most common questions in classical Christian education: Why should Christians study paganism at all?

We explore how to approach pagan philosophy, literature, and Greek mythology in the classroom, and why these texts still matter for students learning within the tradition of Christianity. From Plato and Aristotle to Paul at the Areopagus, we consider how pagan authors asked the right questions—and how the Bible is where we ultimately get the answers.

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, a teacher, or simply curious about classical education, this conversation will help you see how pagan works can be taught with discernment, why they remain part of a Memoria Press curriculum, and how to read them in light of the truth of Christianity.

Read "Why Should Christians Read the Pagan Classics" from our founder, Cheryl Lowe: https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/why-should-christians-read-pagan-classics/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=185

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion_—Beth Brower (Tanya)

_The Human Factor_—Graham Greene (Paul)

_Around the World in Eighty Days_—Jules Verne (Paul)

_The Idiot_—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)

Who were the Founding Fathers — and what is the education that shaped them? In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ , we explore the rigorous classical education that influenced America’s founders and the birth of a nation. From learning Latin and Greek to studying history and literature, the Founders gained the wisdom and discipline to lead with courage and conviction. We discuss what their colonial education looked like, why it mattered, and how modern schools and families can recover the same focus and depth. Join the conversation and discover what classical learning can offer today’s America!

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Hobbit_—J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul)

_The Human Factor_—Graham Greene (Paul)

_The Father's Tale_—Michael D. O'Brien (Tanya)

_The Iliad_—Homer (Martin)

_The Idiot_—Fyodor Dostoevsky (Martin)

Vulgate Set - https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/latin/selections-from-the-vulgate-set/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=184

Martin's article - https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/classical-education-founding-fathers/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=184

This week's Classical Et Cetera is our official back-to-school episode! Join us as we consider not just dates on a calendar but the seasonality of school itself. Where does the fall start come from? Is it better to start early or wait for the first cool mornings of autumn? Let's talk about practical guidance for starting the school year, everything that you should consider, and how to begin with purpose.

https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/classical-studies/timeline-program/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=183

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Hobbit_—J.R.R. Tolkien (Paul)

_The Father's Tale_—Michael D. O'Brien (Tanya)

_From Aristotle to Christ_—Louis Markos (Martin)

_Smiling Through the Cultural Catastrophe_—Jeffrey Hart (Martin)

Where should adults start with classical education? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we share our top book recommendations for anyone looking to begin their journey into the world of classical learning. Whether you're new to the classics or returning with fresh eyes, these books will help you understand what classical education is, why it matters, and how to dive in. From timeless works to essential guides, we explore where to start, what to read, and how to keep going. Join the conversation in this podcast episode—and check out our Latin programs right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/latin?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=182

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_Captains Courageous_—Rudyard Kipling (Paul)

_The Master and Margarita_—Mikhail Bulgakov (Ian)

_The Gormenghast Trilogy_—Mervyn Peake (Ian)

_The Covenant of Water_—Abraham Verghese (Ian)

_Mythology_—Edith Hamilton (Martin)

_The Story of Themistocles_—Plutarch (Martin)

_Dominion_—Tom Holland (Martin)

_The Greeks and the Irrational_—E.R. Dodds (Martin)

Curious what a liberal arts education really is? What trivium and quadrivium mean? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we unpack the historic meaning of the liberal arts and explain how they shaped true classical education for centuries. Forget the modern idea of a liberal arts degree—we go back to the medieval roots where grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy were used to form free minds, not just earn diplomas. From misunderstood terminology to how the liberal arts were originally practiced, this episode is a deep dive into the foundations of Western learning. Whether you’ve always wanted it explained, or you’re trying to understand the difference between today’s “classical schools” and original liberal arts, this conversation will help you rediscover an education that’s truly more than a degree.

https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/what-are-the-liberal-arts/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=181

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Father's Tale_—Michael O'Brien (Tanya)

_Why Choose the Liberal Arts_—Mark William Roche (Paul)

_The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling_—Henry Fielding (Martin)

What books lit the spark for your love of classical education? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, our team shares the life-changing books that first inspired them—and the ones they keep coming back to. These aren’t just recommendations; they’re the stories behind the stories: the books that challenged, shaped, and sustained our passion for classical learning.

We explore early influences, perennial reads, and the moments when a single book opened up an entirely new way of seeing education, virtue, and the human experience. Whether you're deep into classical education or just beginning your journey, this conversation will introduce you to powerful titles that have stood the test of time.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_Murder Must Advertise_—Dorothy L. Sayers (Tanya)

_The Fortunes of Captain Blood_—Rafael Sabatini (Paul)

_The Crisis of Western Education_—Christopher Henry Dawson (Brian)

_How to Think like Shakespeare_—Scott Newstok (Brian)

How do adults actually find time to read in their daily lives? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we dive into the real-life reading habits of classical educators and reading enthusiasts. From favorite routines and seasonal shifts to juggling multiple books and audiobooks, we share practical tips and honest reflections on making reading a sustainable part of adult life. Whether you’re looking to build a daily habit, figure out how to quit a book guilt-free, or find ways to track your reading progress, this episode has insights to inspire and encourage you.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Thread That Runs So True_—Jesse Stuart (Paul)

_Moby Dick_—Herman Melville (Tanya)

_How to Think like Shakespeare_—Scott L. Newstok (Martin)

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, we take a hard look at the role of technology in education—especially in classrooms committed to classical learning. Should students be using AI to write papers? Does screen time impact a child's ability to read, reason, and remember? And how do schools draw the line between helpful tools and harmful shortcuts?

From calculators to ChatGPT, the conversation covers the real effects of tech in schools, how it shapes student thinking, and why some classical educators are going “back to the books.” Whether you're a parent, teacher, or student, this episode challenges the idea that more technology always means better learning.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

_The Snare_—Rafael Sabatini (Paul)

_Moby Dick_—Herman Melville (Tanya)

_The Greeks and the Irrational_—E.R. Dodds (Martin)

_The Story of Themistocles_—Plutarch (Martin)