What happens when schools and homes truly align?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Sadie Elliott, Director of the Herzog Foundation Institute, to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of Christian education: the partnership between parents and schools.

Sadie shares what she is seeing from her unique vantage point serving thousands of Christian school leaders across the country. Together, she and Davies explore why education can never be outsourced, why parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, and how healthy Christian schools are working to build stronger connections between school life and home life.

They also discuss the continued growth of Christian education, the dangers of drifting into a “me too” model of schooling, the impact of technology on family life, and simple ways parents can become more intentional without feeling overwhelmed.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Christian education is about much more than academics
• What Sadie is seeing in the growth of Christian schools nationwide
• Why parent engagement matters so much for spiritual formation
• How schools and families can either reinforce each other or work against each other
• Why the dinner table still matters
• How technology can erode attention, formation, and family rhythms
• What the Herzog Foundation Institute is doing to equip Christian school leaders

This conversation is a timely encouragement for parents, teachers, and school leaders who want to see the next generation formed with wisdom, faith, and conviction.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
The Champion Group
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What is education actually for?

Is it mainly about helping students get into college and launch a career, or is it about forming the kind of person who can flourish in faith, wisdom, and vocation?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Ali Ghaffari, Executive Director of the St. John Henry Newman Institute and founder of Divine Mercy Academy, for a rich conversation about leadership, renewal, and the true purpose of education.

Ali shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood to flying F-18s in the Navy, teaching leadership at the Naval Academy, embracing the Catholic faith, and helping lead renewal in Catholic education. Along the way, he reflects on how mentors, failure, and God’s providence shaped his life and calling.

Together, Davies and Ali explore the growing renewal movement in Catholic schools, the leadership challenges many schools face, and why education must aim higher than test scores and college admissions. They discuss the need for schools to form students in wisdom, virtue, and vocation, while also encouraging parents to raise their expectations and stay actively engaged in their children’s education.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Ali’s powerful personal story
• Why leadership in schools is so difficult and so important
• What is fueling renewal in Catholic and classical education
• Why education must be about formation, not just information
• How parents can partner more intentionally in their children’s schooling

This is an encouraging episode for school leaders, parents, and anyone asking the deeper question of what education is really for.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
The Champion Group
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Many parents today feel that education has been reduced to information transfer and job preparation. But what if education is meant to be much more than that?

In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Dr. Patrick Egan to explore the enduring insights of Charlotte Mason, a visionary educator who emphasized the formation of the whole person. Her approach focuses not only on knowledge, but on shaping habits, cultivating affections, and nurturing a deep love for truth, goodness, and beauty.

Together, they unpack how Mason’s philosophy complements classical Christian education and offers practical ways to bring learning to life in both classrooms and homes. From narration and habit training to the importance of student ownership and joyful discovery, this conversation highlights what it truly means to educate a child as a person.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why education must go beyond information and focus on formation
• How Charlotte Mason’s ideas align with classical Christian education
• What it means to train habits that shape lifelong character
• How to cultivate deeper attention and meaningful learning
• Practical ways parents and teachers can foster ownership and joy in learning

This episode offers a compelling vision for education that forms not just knowledgeable students, but wise and flourishing human beings.

🎧 Join us for this must-hear episode and rediscover what it means to truly educate the whole child.

Show Notes:

Hear Davies being interviewed by Patrick as well on the Educational Renaissance podcast… https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dGgITjCsYnSGSzC8CuhqQ?si=69deaacd06c34721

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
The Champion Group
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.