In this episode of the Anchored Podcast by Classic Learning Test, Jeremy Wayne Tate sits down with 98‑year‑old Blouke Carus to share an unforgettable story of childhood under Nazi Germany, escape to the United States, and a life shaped by liberal arts education. Carus reflects on what it was like to grow up under totalitarianism, the moment his family fled, and how coming back to America formed his understanding of freedom, responsibility, and the human person.​

Drawing on decades as a leader in publishing and education, Carus explains why studying the great books, history, and philosophy gave him resilience, moral clarity, and a sense of purpose that ideology could never supply. This conversation is ideal for students, parents, teachers, and school leaders seeking an alternative to purely technocratic education and looking to recover a deeply human vision of learning.​

Listeners will hear about:

• Life as a child in Nazi Germany and the dangers of propaganda and dehumanization
• His escape back to the United States and the gratitude that shaped his vocation
• How a liberal arts education informed his career, leadership, and family life
• Why reading the great books is essential for forming free and virtuous citizens today

If you care about classical education, the future of American schools, or how to form the next generation against totalitarian thinking, this episode is for you.

Today Jeremy is joined by Susan Morrow, PhD, who obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.  Susan describes her unique childhood growing up in a funeral parlor, her educational journey as well as moral conflicts she experienced as a professional scientist, and her ultimate decision to devote herself full time to raising her family.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Shannon Johnston, Assistant Professor of Art and Director of the Pathmaker program at Newman University. They discuss how Pathmaker is reimagining higher education by offering students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in just three years through an innovative, project-based learning model that emphasizes mentorship and individualized learning experiences. They also reflect on the growing influence of AI in both art and education, while emphasizing that human creativity remains irreplaceable.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Chad Pecknold, Associate Professor of Theology at the Catholic University and author of Fire on the Altar: Setting Our Souls Ablaze through Augustine’s Confessions. They discuss St. Augustine as offering the structural blueprint for Western civilization and Christianity as the religious DNA embedded within it. They also dive into the term Christian nationalism and the strong, cultural desire to return to public Christianity. 

stpaulcenter.co/fireonthealtar

Instagram: @stpaulcenter and @emmausroadpublishing

X: @ccpecknold

On this episode of the Anchored Podcast, Soren is joined by Semi Park, founding Headmaster of Orange County Classical Academy. She discusses her experiences serving underserved schools, her transition to classical education, and the founding of OCCA amidst significant challenges and opposition. They emphasize the importance of mission-driven education, the role of parents, and the need for diversity in thought over mere representation. She also addresses the current challenges facing classical education in California.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Michael Bileca, founder of True North, a network of classical charter schools in Florida. They discuss his time working for the Florida state legislature, including some of the education reform policies he enacted. They explore how his work in state politics convinced him to go beyond policy and start a school. They conclude by diving into the story of introducing the CLT to Florida and sharing statistics on its growth over the past few years.

In this episode of the Anchored Podcast, Jeremy is joined by Tim Feist, founder of Feist Stone. They discuss his experience at the Naval Academy as a midshipman and professor, his passion for history, and the moment that led him to begin stone carving. They explore the significance of stone carving as both an art form and a spiritual discipline, and the importance of stone carving in the ancient world. They also reflect on the role of education in fostering creativity and craftsmanship, and the impact of art on education.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Joseph Magaña, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at EdChoice and Leslie Hiner, Vice President of Legal Policy at EdChoice, leading their Legal Policy and Education Center. They unpack educational savings accounts, and the importance of parental accountability in the school choice movement. They talk about the Friedman Index as a resource that allows families to assess where and how school choice is best accommodated across the United States. They also explore homeschool families’ perspectives and concerns regarding school choice. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Kent Lasnoski, President of San Damiano College for the Trades, a new Catholic trades college in Illinois. Dr. Lasnoski shares his journey from professor and dean at Wyoming Catholic College to founding a Catholic Trade School. They discuss the importance of integrating intellectual and practical skills in education, the impact of AI on the trades, and the significance of fostering a community and entrepreneurial mindset among students. Dr. Lasnoski also describes the unique educational model at San Damiano, which prepares students for a fulfilling life in both mind and the trades.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by John DeJak, Director of Education for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. John talks about working alongside Dale Ahlquist during the founding of the first Chesterton Academy, as well as his transition to Saint Agnes, where he worked in collaboration with Michael Adkins. Together, John and Jeremy explore what Catholic schools can learn from their Protestant classical counterparts. They also discuss the hopeful future of Catholic education and the merits of a deviceless school.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Deacon Harrison Garlick, Chancellor and Legal Counsel for the Diocese of Tulsa, and Host of Ascend: The Great Books Podcast. They discuss his journey from a Protestant upbringing to embracing classical education and its significance in today's society. They explore the challenges of advocating for religious liberty in education, including recently with St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School, for which he testified before the Supreme Court. Finally, Deacon Garlick details his two Great Books-focused podcasts, the role of love in teaching, and the intersection of paganism and Christian education.

Ascend: The Great Books Podcast - https://www.thegreatbookspodcast.com/

The Ascent: https://www.theascent.io/about

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Sir Nick Gibb, the former UK Minister of State for Schools. They explore the educational reforms he led in Britain, examining how these changes delivered real, measurable change. They also talk about the key role that foundational tools, such as phonics and multiplication tables, played in driving educational transformation

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Laura Berquist, founder of Mother of Divine Grace. Laura shares her journey from receiving a non-orthodox Catholic education to attending Thomas Aquinas College and establishing a Catholic classical homeschooling program. She discusses the importance of a strong Catholic education, the philosophy behind classical education, and the impact that MODG has had on families. She also addresses the challenges of navigating college decisions for homeschoolers and the growing movement of classical education as an alternative to secular schooling. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Sarah Novlan, Chief Academic Officer at Hill Country Christian School. They announce CLT Enduring Courses as a new alternative to AP curriculum, launching in the 2026–27 academic year. The two examine how the AP classes often contradict a classical curriculum in both rigor and content. They also explore why classical schools are eager for changes in the college prep–course landscape, and the telos that sets CLT apart. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Andrew Smalley, head of Veritas Classical School in St. Augustine, FL and board member of the advisory council for the Institute for Classical Education at Flagler College. They explore the power of making discipleship the primary goal of Christian education and the deep impact that it leaves on students. They discuss Veritas Classical School and the process of building up a school that aims to finish the trivium. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Todd Bates, the founding President and Professor of Humanities at Christ College, a new classical Christian college located in Satellite Beach, Florida. They discuss the vision behind establishing Christ College, which unites the classical humanities with a focus on entrepreneurship. Dr. Bates also highlights how the Christian intellectual tradition offers guidance in today’s changing educational landscape.

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Jennifer Berkshire, journalist and host of the education policy podcast Have You Heard? She discusses her experience bringing liberal arts education into prisons with the Boston College Prison Education Program. They explore how reading the Great Books allows inmates to grapple with sincere questions about guilt, innocence, and responsibility, and how serving a life sentence can shape a student’s educational telos. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Mandi Gerth, Administrative Director of the Cowan Center at the University of Dallas and author of Thoroughness and Charm. They discuss her book, the meaning behind its title, and her vision for teachers as guardians and keepers. She shares her advice for teachers who are simultaneously excited and daunted by the richness of the tradition they get to teach. They explore how teachers embody the classical tradition by cultivating a love for the material and transmitting it to their students, even when the content isn’t their personal favorite.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Dr. Cornelis J. Schilt, Professor of History and Philosophy of Knowledge at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, and Founder and President of Lux Mundi, a new Catholic university in Belgium. Dr. Schilt shares his unique educational journey from a small town in the Netherlands to prestigious institutions like Oxford. He discusses the challenges he has faced in academia in Europe, and his vision for Lux Mundi as a transformative educational institution that emphasizes character development and the pursuit of truth.

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Jeff Brown, Headmaster of Hunter Classical Christian School in Richmond, Virginia. They discuss Jeff’s journey to discovering classical education, and Hunter Classical’s commitment to cultivating character before transcripts. They examine the CLT as a valuable standard for what an ideal student should aspire to learn and an exemplary school should aspire to teach. They conclude by talking about the future of Hunter Classical, including their first class of ninth graders starting this fall. 

On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Jovia Godfrey, Admissions Officer at Saint Constantine College and a seventh-grade writing tutorial teacher at the Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas. They talk about Jovia’s journey to discovering Saint Constantine for her kids, and the school’s resolve to cultivate an environment that is risky but not hazardous. They dive into Saint Constantine’s K-16 educational approach and their revolutionary return to learning well. 

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Brandon Vogt, author, Founder of ClaritasU, Senior Publishing Director for Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire, and Founder and Chairman of Chesterton Academy of Orlando. They discuss his journey in founding a Chesterton school in Orlando and what inspired him to choose its curriculum for his children. They explore Brandon’s defense of the Harry Potter series as rich in Christian virtue and having the power to re-enchant reality. 

Read Brandon Vogt on Catholics and Harry Potter: https://brandonvogt.com/potter/

On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Jim Gash, President of Pepperdine University. They unpack his recent viral U.S. News & World Report article titled “Can Belief in God Strengthen Academic Freedom?” They also explore the value of a traditional brick-and-mortar school in the age of unlimited information access, and conclude by discussing why students from the classical renewal movement are well-suited for a Pepperdine education.

On this episode of Anchored, CLT’s Chief Strategy Officer Noah Tyler is joined by Vince Verges, who recently retired from the Florida Department of Education after 31 years in Florida public schools. They discuss how Florida emerged as a national leader in classical education. Vince shares his journey from classroom teacher to serving as the head of Accountability and Assessment at the Florida Department of Education, including his choice to steer away from Common Core standardized testing. They explore the role of virtue in education, particularly in connection to the rise of AI. 

On this episode of Anchored, Dr. Jennifer Frey shares the story behind her recently published New York Times op-ed, "This is Who's Really Driving the Decline in Interest in Liberal Arts Education." Frey reflects on her abrupt dismissal as Dean of the Honors College at the University of Tulsa—despite building a demonstrably successful program. She reflects on the tension between student's intellectual needs and college administrators' own view of "success." Dr. Frey emphasizes the need for reform in higher education and the importance of authentic liberal education for a thriving democracy.