The Sower

Josh Bowman continues a series interviewing our first ever cohort of Ciceronian Society Conference fellows, talking with Nisbet Fellow T. Michael Wise of Sunbury, Ohio. Michael is a retired licensed funeral director completing his Ph.D at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the Historical & Theological Studies Department under Dr. John D. Wilsey. His research interests are in the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction eras, particularly in the doctrines of providence and just war theory. Our conversation ranges over these topics, including the idea of Manifest Destiny and its eerie prescience for modern politics. We also discuss the role of scholars in the church. Visit our website to learn more about our conference fellowship program, and come back in Fall 2025 to learn how to apply for our 2026 cohort of conference fellows. https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/conference-fellowships/ To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction6:14 Manifest Destiny10:26 Popular Support16:12 Four Kinds of Manifest Destiny24:17 Role of Intellectuals in the Church27:29 Funeral Director30:53 Ciceronian Society Mission

Chris Anadale interviews Rachel Ferguson about neighborhood stabilization, human scale, building social & racial trust, and causes for hope in the cities. Dr. Ferguson is director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University of Chicago, an Affiliated Scholar at the Acton Institute, and a member of the Ciceronian Society advisory board. Links to People, Books, and Organizations mentioned in this episode: Seth Kaplan, https://sethkaplan.org/ Bob Lupton, https://www.luptoncenter.org/ Toxic Charity, https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Charity-Churches-Charities-Reverse/dp/0062076213 Bob Woodson, https://woodsoncenter.org/about-us/meet-our-founder/ John Perkins, https://johnmperkins.com/ True Charity, https://www.truecharity.us/ Chalmers Center, https://chalmers.org/ The Crisis of Dependency, https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Dependency-Efforts-Poverty-Trapping/dp/162586289X Jane Jacobs, Eyes on the Street, https://www.npr.org/2016/09/28/495615064/eyes-on-the-street-details-jane-jacobs-efforts-to-put-cities-first Love the Lou, https://www.lovethelou.com/ Marvin Olasky, https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-American-Compassion-Marvin-Olasky/dp/089526725X When Helping Hurts, https://www.amazon.com/When-Helping-Hurts-Alleviate-Yourself/dp/0802409989 Becoming Whole, https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Whole-Opposite-Poverty-American/dp/0802401589/ Chris Arnade, https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-Seeking-Respect-Back-America-ebook/dp/B079WNP94J Rachel Ferguson links: https://www.rachelferguson.com/blog https://www.cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/free-enterprise-center/ https://www.acton.org/religion-liberty/volume-33-number-4/saving-st-louis-one-block-time https://www.facebook.com/rachelsferguson https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ferguson-401300124/ https://x.com/LibertyEthics https://www.instagram.com/libertyethics/ To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, and our journal Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to: https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 7:40 Scale 13:40 Place 17:56 Philosophy 24:31 Race 31:1...

Josh Bowman talks with Theodore Madrid, a Ph.D. candidate studying politics at Hillsdale College's Graduate School of Statesmanship. This episode begins a series interviewing our first ever cohort of conference fellows. Theodore is specifically a “Nisbet Fellow,” and our conversation ranges over the work of John Carroll, Montesquieu, Adam Smith, religious liberty, and the role of commercialism and republicanism at the American Founding. We also both mention, and strongly recommend, this related book: Our Dear-Bought Liberty: Catholics and Religious Toleration in Early America, by Michael D. Breidenbach. (https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674247239) Visit our website to learn more about our conference fellowship program, and come back in Fall 2025 to learn how to apply for our 2026 cohort of conference fellows. https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/conference-fellowships/ To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 7:20 Dissertation on John Carroll 11:59 Research 16:36 Conference 19:46 Nisbet Fellowship 21:37 Paper 28:24 1st point Independence 33:57 2nd point Pluralism 38:33 3rd point Luxury 47:10 4th point Dependence 54:30 Fasting

Josh Bowman talks with John D. Wilsey about his new book Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2025) https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802881908/religious-freedom/, which will be released April 24, 2025. John is Professor of Church History and Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. For a lengthier bio, visit: https://www.sbts.edu/faculty/john-d-wilsey/ We discuss Wilsey’s concept of “aspirational conservatism,” along with questions of religion and politics, nationality, the black conservative tradition, Russell Kirk, Peter Viereck and more. To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 2:55 Background for the Book 7:01 Aspirational Conservatism 15:39 Peter Viereck 22:00 Black Conservatism 26:33 Conservatism and Religion 34:00 Conservatism and Nationality

Josh Bowman talks with historian Richard Brookhiser, a senior editor of National Review ( https://www.nationalreview.com/ ) and a senior fellow at the National Review Institute ( https://nrinstitute.org/ ). He is a prolific author of many books, mostly on the American Founders and their ideas, and many other articles and essays besides. We specifically discuss Brookhiser’s new biography of American painter, John Trumbull (1756 - 1843), entitled Glorious Lessons (Yale Univ., 2024) https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300283310/glorious-lessons/ Richard Brookhiser Website: https://richardbrookhiser.com/ Many paintings by John Trumbull are available online at the Yale University Art Gallery: https://artgallery.yale.edu/collection?f%5B0%5D=creator%3AArtist%3A%20John%20Trumbull%20%28American%2C%201756%E2%80%931843%29 Declaration of Independence (painting) https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/69 Battle of Bunker’s Hill https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/41 The Resignation of General Washington https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/124 To learn more about the Herbert J. Storing Book Prize, and to make a nomination, visit: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/storing-award/ To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 2:27 Who John Trumbull Was 5:53 Battle of Bunker's Hill 12:44 Spy Arrest 16:08 Jefferson's Wingman 18:26 Declaration of Independence 26:00 Washington's Resignation 35:23 Historical Painting 41:28 Displaced 45:23 Other Opportunities

Josh Bowman talks with Matthew K. Michels OblSB, who is a professional bookbinder and writer, and the owner of Black Cowl Bindery. He is also an Oblate of the Order of Saint Benedict associated with Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In addition to talking about the craft of bookbinding, we also discuss the idea of human scale, running a small business, common arts education, the trades, vocation, virtue, localism, Westerns, beer, and more! It's also painfully obvious that you're listening to two Midwesterners. Check out Black Cowl Bindery at https://www.blackcowlbindery.com/ We mentioned and highly recommend Matthew Crawford’s book, Shop Class as Soulcraft, though we apologize for getting the name wrong. (We said “shop craft” instead): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301618/shop-class-as-soulcraft-by-matthew-b-crawford/ To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 1:56 What a Bookbinder Does 5:48 How He Got Started 10:00 Common Arts Education 16:15 Why Tradesmen Should Read 19:36 Glorifying God Through the Trades 25:10 Small Business 34:17 Local Connections 39:31 Westerns and Masculine Virtue 46:55 Where to Learn More

Josh Bowman talks with Nick Ellis, Founder and CEO of Christian Halls International, whose mission is to “strengthen local communities by offering Christ-centered tutorial-based education that fosters intellectual, spiritual, and vocational formation.” We discuss the idea of place, place-based education, the classical education movement, the future of universities, and more. To learn more about this exciting example of educational entrepreneurship, visit https://christianhalls.org/ Dr. Nicholas Ellis of Christian Halls International at TPUSA Faith's The Believers Summit - https://youtu.be/e2gHWgX3-jw?si=yFLIvHN_JWjvmY9v To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 2:10 What Christian Halls Is 20:42 Placeless Academics 27:35 Martial Arts Dojo Model 34:27 Define Place 42:20 Obstacles 47:48 Renewed Telos of Education 53:22 Next Steps

Josh Bowman talks with Joshua Kraut, Associate Professor of French at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Dr. Kraut is currently studying and translating the works of contemporary French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj (b. 1971), who is the topic of this conversation. Click here for two translated books by Hadjadj:https://ignatius.com/authors/fabrice-hadjadj/ Joshua Kraut's talk for the Saint Benedict Institute on Hadhadj: https://youtu.be/tpF9_JDKJ34?si=oj_w8k1xUpkARyvz Hadjadj also directs the Philanthropos Institute: https://www.philanthropos.org/ Joshua Kraut’s profile at Hope College: https://hope.edu/directory/people/kraut-josh/index.html To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Introduction 3:03 The French GK Chesterton 7:25 Catholic Conversion 15:20 Sabbath of the Earth 27:05 Relinquishment 34:20 Stewardship

Josh Bowman talks with Simon Tarr, dean of both The Honors College and the School of Communication and the Arts at Regent University. We discuss Christian higher education, what an “honors college” is - or could be - and the idea of prestige. To learn more about the Honors College, visit: https://www.regent.edu/honors-college/ The Regent University Honors College is Tullia Sponsor for the upcoming Ciceronian Society Conference, March 13-15, 2025 in Harrisonburg, VA. To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ 0:00 Antarctica 4:19 Virtual Reality 7:07 Honors College, What Is It? 13:07 Renewal-Based Model 19:47 Presence of Grace in Education 27:49 Prestige 38:23 Rethinking Higher Education

Josh Bowman shares some end of year reflections on where the Ciceronian Society has been, where we’re headed, and why we believe our resilient and growing band of Christian intellectuals is doing something important. To give to the Ciceronian Society, visit: https://ciceroniansociety.org/donate/ To register for the 2025 Conference, visit: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-registration/ To submit a manuscript to Pietas, go to: https://ciceroniansociety.org/journal/call-for-papers/ “The Watchmen” by Alan Jacobs (Harper’s Magazine, Sept. 2016): https://harpers.org/archive/2016/09/the-watchmen/

Josh Bowman speaks with the headmaster and founder of St. Dunstan’s Academy, Thomas Fickley, and Fr. Mark Perkins, who serves as their chaplain and assistant headmaster. St. Dunstan’s Academy is an all-boys boarding school in Virginia built on four main pillars: Christian formation, classical academics, farming, and the skilled trades. To learn more, visit: https://stdunstansacademy.org/ 0:00 Introduction 1:59 St. Dunstan 6:48 Restoration of Innocence 13:48 Goal of a St. Dunstan's Academy Education 21:29 Common Arts 27:46 Day in a Student's Life 32:39 Skepticism 41:50 Fruit vs Outcomes 47:51 Conclusion If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Josh Bowman chats with Nathan Beacom, Founder and Director of the Lyceum Movement, which “hosts social, festive events that explore the big ideas of art, philosophy, history and more.” To learn more about Nathan’s work, visit https://www.lyceummovement.org/ 0:00 Introduction 1:14 What the Lyceum Movement Is 5:04 Origins 10:56 Response/Success 13:13 Six Habits 18:47 Irreconcilable Differences 25:41 Community & Next Steps 32:17 Religious Differences & New Secularity 40:15 Conference Mentioned in this episode: Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amusing_Ourselves_to_Death Seth Kaplan, Fragile Neighborhoods - https://sethkaplan.org/ Emotionally Healthy Discipleship - https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Alan Cornett and Chris Anadale discuss roots, bourbon tourism, agriculture, and more. Alan is host of the Cultural Debris Podcast, cofounder of Cultural Debris Excursions, and a former assistant to Russell Kirk. His family has lived in Kentucky since the 18th century. 0:00 Roots 5:17 Economics 11:33 Wet and Dry 16:50 Lexington 21:21 Cincinnati 23:24 Soil and Agriculture 29:55 Kirk and Localism One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society or learn more about our UPCOMING CONFERENCE at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 13-15, 2025, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Links: https://x.com/alancornett https://x.com/culturaldebris https://culturaldebrisexcursions.com/

Claire Aguda and Chris Anadale discuss place, church, and her community in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Claire Aguda works at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal. She is currently a PhD student at Faulkner University. She has worked in the conservative intellectual movement for several years. Claire is a longtime friend of the Ciceronian Society, which she describes as the place where "people take their faith seriously, take their work seriously, but they don't take themselves seriously." 0:00 Place, Culture, and Economics 6:25 Inheritance 8:10 Transient Places 11:30 Building Community 14:50 Churches 17:45 West Chester 21:45 Exclusion 27:40 Challenges Facing Localism One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society or learn more about our UPCOMING CONFERENCE at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 13-15, 2025, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Links: https://www.faulkner.edu/graduate/graduate-degrees/doctor-of-philosophy-in-humanities/ https://kirkcenter.org/scs/ https://www.greaterwestchester.com/lightsupchristmasparade.html

Josh Bowman RETURNS to talk about his childhood home of Monroe, on the shore of Lake Erie. Dr. Joshua Bowman is Executive Director of the Ciceronian Society, former host of The Sower, and a father, husband, Michigander and follower of Christ. He is well known to anyone who has attended one of our conferences. 0:00 Monroe 6:10 Not Idealizing Rural Life 11:50 War of 1812 17:30 Present Day Monroe 27:55 Rational Local Pride 34:25 General Custer One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society or learn more about our UPCOMING CONFERENCE at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 13-15, 2025, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-cfp/ Links: https://www.monroemi.gov/ https://www.michigan.org/city/monroe https://www.nps.gov/places/river-raisin.htm

Tyler Syck discusses his hometown and the future of Appalachia. Jeffery Tyler Syck is an Assistant Professor of Politics and the founding Director of the Center for Public Service and Outreach at the University of Pikeville in his hometown. 0:00 Pikeville 2:30 Counties 4:55 Returning Home 11:15 Tourists & Settlers 14:00 University 17:55 Future of Appalachia 23:55 Roots 26:55 Mountains One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society or learn more about our UPCOMING CONFERENCE at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 13-15, 2025, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-cfp/ Links: https://www.upike.edu/ https://www.jtylersyck.com/

In this episode, the Ciceronian Society’s “new” Executive Director, Josh Bowman, discusses the upcoming 2025 conference(s), a new award, and new conference fellowships. Give to the Ciceronian Society: https://ciceroniansociety.org/donate/ Spring 2025 Conference Website: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/ Conference Call for Papers - Due Sept. 2, 2024: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-cfp/ Pietas Journal Call for Papers: https://ciceroniansociety.org/journal/call-for-papers/ Applications and information for Nisbet and Clergy Fellowships mentioned in the episode will be available by early September. Sign up for our newsletter: https://ciceroniansociety.aweb.page/p/612da6d2-0b45-436d-aee1-6463a9e0b42a

Chris Anadale & Josh Herring discuss life in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Dr. Joshua Herring earned his doctorate in Humanities in 2023 from Faulkner University, and also holds an MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He teaches at Thales College and hosts The Optimistic Curmudgeon podcast. 0:00 Wake Forest 2011-2024 4:40 Changes 9:00 Locals vs Newcomers 12:00 Going Away to College 17:55 Local Institutions 22:00 Rootedness 26:40 Becoming a Lifer One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society or learn more about our UPCOMING CONFERENCE at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 13-15, 2025, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-cfp/ Links: The Optimistic Curmudgeon Podcast, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHk_VFjPzMUYu_sAevkid2g Thales College, https://www.thalescollege.org/

Chase & Lori Spears describe their lives in Alaska, and now in Lansing, Kansas. 0:00 Alaska 11:38 Becoming Alaska People 15:23 Kansas 20:54 Importance of Place 25:19 Nomadic vs Stability 30:08 Kids Adapting to Kansas One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society, learn more about our March 13-15, 2025 Conference in Harrisonburg, Virginia, or join our mailing list, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Links: https://x.com/DrChaseSpears https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2025-conference-cfp/

A look at Ennis, a town in southwest Montana, with John Wilsey. Dr. Wilsey teaches church history at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and is a research fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, an initiative of First Liberty Institute. 0:00 Introduction to Ennis 4:20 Nostalgia 9:38 Poverty 17:20 Ways of Life 21:50 Going Back 28:42 Passing Places to Our Children One in an occasional series on place, hosted by Christopher Anadale. To support the Ciceronian Society, learn more about our activities, or join our mailing list, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Links: https://www.sbts.edu/faculty/john-d-wilsey/ https://www.ennischamber.com/4th-of-july-rodeo-parade

First in an occasional series on place: the specific places that structure our lives, and what it means to have (or to lack) a place. Hosted by Christopher Anadale. This episode, our place is Auburn, Alabama, and our guide is Dr. Allen Mendenhall, Associate Dean and Grady Rosier Professor in the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University. To support the Ciceronian Society, learn more about our activities, or join our mailing list, please visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Links: https://twitter.com/allenmendenhall https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenmendenhall/ https://allenmendenhall.com/

In this Episode, Josh Bowman chats with Trey Dimsdale, Executive Director of the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy (CRCD) and Jordan Ballor, the CRCD’s Director of Research. The CRCD has been a major supporter of the Ciceronian Society for several years, and we're thrilled to be partnering with them for our 2024 Conference in Plano, TX. The Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy envisions democratic societies which affirm the essential role of religious convictions, peoples, and institutions in cultivating free communities where all people can flourish. Visit https://crcd.net/ to check out their new "Reading Wheel Review," their Journal of Religion, Culture, and Democracy, as well as their Fellowship Programs. The CRCD also hosts the Religious Liberty in the States project ( https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/ ). Trey and Jordan’s article on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://lawliberty.org/christian-contributions-to-the-universal-declaration-of-human-rights/ If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

In this Episode, Josh Bowman and Bill Batchelder discuss the life and legacy of former Ohio House Speaker, William G. Batchelder III, and the Award for the Study of Place named in his memory. Click here to learn more about this award: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/batchelder-award/ Visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/donate/ to learn about the different ways you can give to the Ciceronian Society. If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. Early Bird Registration ends January 1 and we only have space for 125 attendees! Sign up today! https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Merry Christmas!

In this Episode, Josh Bowman and James Patterson announce the Peter Augustine Lawler Award for Excellence in the Study of ‘Things Divine’ on GivingTuesday 2023. Click here to learn more about this award: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/lawler Visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/donate/ to learn about the different ways you can give to the Ciceronian Society. If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. Early Bird Registration ends January 1 and we only have space for 125 attendees! Sign up today! https://ciceroniansociety.org/ CORRECTION: In this episode, James mistakenly referred to UVA's Jim Ceaser as Peter Lawler's dissertation adviser, but that was incorrect. Ceaser was, however, a friend and mentor to Peter.

This is Part 2 of a two-part Podcast where VP Josh Bowman interviews Nate Roberts, founder of the Michigan Academy of Folk Music (MAFM). In this episode, we’ll talk about the role of music in discipleship and moral and spiritual formation generally. https://www.mifolkmusic.com/ In Part 2, we discussed Nate and MAFM’s approach to music education and its overlap with classical education, homeschooling, and more. Listeners may be interested to hear some of Nate’s recordings. Search for the following albums where you listen to music Unadorned and Commonplace by Hayes Griffin & Nate Roberts Structures by Nate Roberts and Doug Scheuerell Dendrophilia by Nate Roberts Trio The Meaning of a Tree by the Field Hymnal If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

This is Part 1 of a two-part Podcast where VP Josh Bowman interviews Nate Roberts, founder of the Michigan Academy of Folk Music (MAFM). In this episode, we talk through Nate and MAFM’s approach to music education and its overlap with classical education, homeschooling, and more. https://www.mifolkmusic.com/ In Part 2, we’ll talk about the role of music in discipleship and moral and spiritual formation generally. Listeners may be interested to hear some of Nate’s recordings. Search for the following albums where you listen to music Unadorned and Commonplace by Hayes Griffin & Nate Roberts Structures by Nate Roberts and Doug Scheuerell Dendrophilia by Nate Roberts Trio The Meaning of a Tree by the Field Hymnal If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

In this episode, VP Josh Bowman interviews professor Ryan Holston on his new book, Tradition and the Deliberative Turn: A Critique of Contemporary Democratic Theory (SUNY Press, 2023) https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/Tradition-and-the-Deliberative-Turn We address modern notions of democratic theory and deliberation and consider how the work of Hans Georg Gadamer might inspire a revision or even a rejection of key insights by influential democratic theorists. A return to the wisdom of tradition and notions of friendship may offer a more promising ground on which to build a non-ideological and just democracy. If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the topics discussed in this Podcast, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

VP of the Ciceronian Society, Josh Bowman, talks with Landon Loftin of the Gravitas Prep School ( https://gravitas.sbs.org/ ) , regarding his book co-authored with Max Leyf on Owen Barfield: What Barfield Thought: An Introduction to the Work of Owen Barfield (Cascade Books) https://wipfandstock.com/9781666736762/what-barfield-thought/ Owen Barfield (1898–1997) was a close friend of C.S. Lewis and a member of The Inklings, a group which also included J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams among other literary luminaries. He was a prolific author throughout his long life, and was known as a philosopher of the “evolution of consciousness,” a great reader of S.T. Coleridge, and a central figure sharing the movement called “anthroposophy” with the English-speaking world. Visit his literary estate to learn more: https://www.owenbarfield.org/ If you enjoy learning and writing about any of the Inklings, including Barfield, we encourage you to visit our website to sign-up for our newsletter and to register for our upcoming conference, February 29 - March 2, 2024 in Plano, TX. https://ciceroniansociety.org/

VP of the Ciceronian Society, Josh Bowman, talks with David Michael Phelps, president of Harmel Academy. Harmel Academy is a post-secondary, Catholic trade school in Grand Rapids Michigan pioneering an exciting new strategy for the formation and education of men. To learn more, go to https://www.harmelacademy.org/ Select books mentioned: A. G. Sertillanges, The Intellectual Life https://www.cuapress.org/9780813206462/the-intellectual-life/ Matthew Crawford, Shop Class as Soulcraft https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301618/shop-class-as-soulcraft-by-matthew-b-crawford/ Poe Leo, XIII Rerum Novarum https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World https://svspress.com/for-the-life-of-the-world-new-edition/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you’ve enjoyed this conversation we hope you’ll consider joining us for our 2024 conference in Plano, TX, February 29 - March 2. Panel and paper proposals are due by September 1, 2023 and more information can be found on our website: https://ciceroniansociety.org/

VP of the Ciceronian Society, Josh Bowman, talks with David Michael Phelps, president of Harmel Academy. Harmel Academy is a post-secondary, Catholic trade school in Grand Rapids Michigan pioneering an exciting new strategy for the formation and education of men. To learn more, go to https://www.harmelacademy.org/ Select books mentioned: A. G. Sertillanges, The Intellectual Life https://www.cuapress.org/9780813206462/the-intellectual-life/ Matthew Crawford, Shop Class as Soulcraft https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301618/shop-class-as-soulcraft-by-matthew-b-crawford/ Poe Leo, XIII Rerum Novarum https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World https://svspress.com/for-the-life-of-the-world-new-edition/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you’ve enjoyed this conversation we hope you’ll consider joining us for our 2024 conference in Plano, TX, February 29 - March 2. Panel and paper proposals are due by September 1, 2023 and more information can be found on our website: https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Ciceronian Society president James Patterson joins Dr. Glenn Moots for a 2-part conversation on Christianity Nationalism. Glenn Moots is a prolific writer and teacher from Northwood University in Michigan. Learn more about Glenn Moots here: https://www.northwood.edu/directory/faculty/glenn-moots/ Glenn’s adapted talk from the National Conservative conference, which he references, can be found here: https://lawliberty.org/american-separationism/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Join us for our 2024 Conference in Plano, TX, February 24-March 2 Paper and panel proposals due September 1, 2023 https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2024-conference-cfp/

Ciceronian Society president James Patterson joins Dr. Glenn Moots for a 2-part conversation on Christianity Nationalism. Glenn Moots is a prolific writer and teacher from Northwood University in Michigan. Learn more about Glenn Moots here: https://www.northwood.edu/directory/faculty/glenn-moots/ Glenn’s adapted talk from the National Conservative conference, which he references, can be found here: https://lawliberty.org/american-separationism/ Join us for our 2024 Conference in Plano, TX, February 24-March 2 Paper and panel proposals due September 1, 2023 https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2024-conference-cfp/

Happy Independence Day! Josh Bowman, Vice President of the Ciceronian Society, interviews Mark David Hall on his new book, Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land, which looks at how Christianity advanced freedom and equality for all Americans To purchase the book, head over to https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637587236?tag=simonsayscom To learn more about Mark, visit his website at https://www.markdavidhall.org/ To learn about the Ciceronian Society, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/

In this episode, Josh Bowman interviews professor and author James Matthew Wilson. We talk about poetry, creative writing, and the unique MFA in creative writing at the University of St. Thomas. To learn more about James and his writings visit https://www.jamesmatthewwilson.com/ To learn more about the MFA program we discussed, check out: https://www.stthom.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Division-of-Liberal-Studies/Graduate/Master-of-Fine-Arts-in-Creative-Writing If you enjoy this conversation and would like to meet more people like James, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our 2024 conference in Plano, TX, February 29 - March 2. Panel and paper proposals are due by September 1, 2024 and more information can be found on our website, https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Josh Bowman, Vice President of the Ciceronian Society, interviews the great historian, Kevin Gutzman, on his new book, The Jeffersonians, which looks at the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. To learn more about Kevin, visit his website at: http://kevingutzman.com/ To purchase this book, head over to https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250135452/thejeffersonians#:~:text=Kevin%20R.%20C.%20Gutzman's%20The%20Jeffersonians,for%20later%20American%20liberals%20to For more information about the Ciceronian Society: https://ciceroniansociety.org/

In this special episode of THE SOWER, Vice President Josh Bowman speaks with Dr. Joe Wysocki. Joe is Dean of the Honors College and an Associate Professor of Politics at the site of our upcoming 2023 conference: Belmont Abbey College. Josh and Joe talk about Belmont Abbey, the College, and the location of our 2023 conference. To learn more about the conference, to register, or to propose a paper, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/ To learn more about Belmont Abbey and Joe’s work, check out https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/

In this episode, Vice President Josh Bowman talks with Dr. Dennis Durst, Associate Professor of Theology at the Keeran School of Bible and Ministry at Kentucky Christian University. We discuss Dennis’ recent book, The Perils of Human Exceptionalism: Elements of a Nineteenth-Century Theological Anthropology, published by Lexington Books. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666900194/The-Perils-of-Human-Exceptionalism-Elements-of-a-Nineteenth-Century-Theological-Anthropology To learn more about the Ciceronian Society and our upcoming conference, visit us at https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Vice President Josh Bowman chats with Dr. Brent Waters about his new book, COMMON CALLINGS AND ORDINARY VIRTUES (Baker Academic, 2022) Available now: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/common-callings-and-ordinary-virtues/387170 Brent recently retired from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His primary interests are in the areas of theology and technology, bioethics, economics and ethics, and the ethics of everyday life. The paper he presented at the 2022 Ciceronian Society conference included material from this new book. Among Dr. Waters' many previous books, check out: JUST CAPITALISM (WJK, 2016) https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664234305/just-capitalism.aspx THIS MORTAL FLESH (Brazos, 2009) http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/this-mortal-flesh/289601 THE FAMILY IN CHRISTIAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT (Oxford, 2007) https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-family-in-christian-social-and-political-thought-9780199271962?cc=us&lang=en& To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, visit https://ciceroniansociety.org/

James Patterson chats with Rachel Ferguson about her recent book with Marcus Witcher called BLACK LIBERATION THROUGH THE MARKETPLACE https://www.amazon.com/Black-Liberation-Through-Marketplace-Heartbreak/dp/1637583443 https://ciceroniansociety.org/

President James Patterson and Vice-President Josh Bowman chat about the history, purposes, themes, and peculiarities of the Ciceronian Society. https://ciceroniansociety.org/