Summer Flashback: How the Great Books Impact Modern Life with A.J. Hanenburg and Graeme Donaldson
In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme - hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast - for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world. What do old works like Plato’s Republic, Lewis’s Abolition of Man, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have to do with raising wise, virtuous kids in 2025? More than you think. AJ and Graeme argue that these works don’t just fill students with facts - they shape souls, build moral reasoning, and connect readers with timeless questions of virtue, mortality, and purpose. Along the way, you’ll hear about: The danger of reducing education to "skills" alone How reading trains sentiments and cultivates character Why kids actually love Plato (yes, really!) And what a classical education offers that modern schooling can’t Whether you’re a parent wondering why your school insists on Dante and Homer, or an educator seeking fresh ways to inspire students, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in and rediscover the delight, relevance, and real-world impact of the Great Books - and why they’re more urgent than ever for the next generation.
BaseCamp Live · Davies Owens, Graeme Donaldson, A.J. Hanenburg
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Show Notes
In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme - hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast - for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world.
What do old works like Plato’s Republic, Lewis’s Abolition of Man, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have to do with raising wise, virtuous kids in 2025? More than you think. AJ and Graeme argue that these works don’t just fill students with facts - they shape souls, build moral reasoning, and connect readers with timeless questions of virtue, mortality, and purpose.
- Along the way, you’ll hear about:
- The danger of reducing education to "skills" alone
- How reading trains sentiments and cultivates character
- Why kids actually love Plato (yes, really!)
- And what a classical education offers that modern schooling can’t
Whether you’re a parent wondering why your school insists on Dante and Homer, or an educator seeking fresh ways to inspire students, this conversation is a must-listen.
🎧 Tune in and rediscover the delight, relevance, and real-world impact of the Great Books - and why they’re more urgent than ever for the next generation.
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