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 Duran

Megan 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.

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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 Episode

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Tale of Despereaux

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Because of Winn-Dixie

Tiger Rising

Watership Down by Richard Adams

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About the Episode

Art 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.

Imitationalism
Symbolism
Emotionalism
Formalism
Instrumentalism
Institutionalism
Artists/Artworks Referenced:
Michelangelo
John James Audubon
Yosemite Valley by Ansel Adams
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
I and the Village by Marc Chagall
The Last Supper by Leonard DaVinci
Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
The Scream by Edvard Munch
Andrew Wyeth
Passing Storm over the Sierra Nevadas by Albert Bierstadt
Edgar Degas
Paul Cézanne
Piet Mondrian
Wassily Kandinsky
Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange
Fountain by Marcel Duchamp
Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
Shibboleth by Doris Salcedo
Comedian by Maurizio Cattelan

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