The Optimistic Curmudgeon

OptimisticCurmudgeon2021
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The Optimistic Curmudgeon is an interview podcast where Josh Herring interviews expert guests whose credentials and experience help listeners understand truth in a confusing world. We discuss issues under seven areas: economics, politics, education, philosophy, business, virtue, and leadership! May the best ideas win.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Ciceronian Society - with Josh Bowman (10x5)

    Josh Bowman, Executive Director of the Ciceronian Society, explains the nature of the Ciceronian Society, and reflects on why the church needs Christian academics. He also reflects on why Christian academics need the church and a network of friends within which they conduct their scholarship. The conversation moves from Cicero to modernity, with a lot of points in between. The 2026 Ciceronian Society meeting is March 12-14, at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska - come join us! The Ciceronian Society is the "place where we take ideas seriously, and our selves not at all." We try to model that attitude in this episode - much laughter and joy in this conversation. https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference/2026-conference-registration/ Josh Bowman's essay: "Intellectual Discipleship" - https://circeinstitute.org/blog/intellectual-discipleship/ Ciceronian Society podcast, The Sower - https://open.spotify.com/show/4AD2nBjpEscmBR86xemnPH?si=67d305d54f9f4fc9&nd=1&dlsi=28c8fa474f2543d8

    1h 10m

  2. FEB 17

    Only a Conservative Military Wins: Chase Spears (10x4)

    Chase Spears, host of Finding Your Spine, joins Josh to discuss his essay "Only a Conservative Military can Defend America." They discuss Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the role of the military, what it would take to have a conservative military, and where they both find hope for a brighter future. Woke is not yet done in the US military, because "personnel is policy." We also discuss Harvard, and why the US military is ending its War College fellowship with Harvard. Finding Your Spine - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWhObhyW9BweItep_VZ-TmWcM4P_IW5WN Only a Conservative Military can Defend America." - https://www.realcleardefense.com/2026/02/05/only_a_conservative_military_is_capable_of_defending_the_united_states_1163008.html

    1h 12m

  3. FEB 10

    Culture: Procreative or Decreative (10x3)

    Graham Dennis is a Dean of Academics for Veritas Academy and an elder in the CREC; he also holds a PhD in philosophy. In this wide ranging conversation, he introduces a particular way of reading culture through the lens of "procreative" and "decreative." From there, the conversation turns to C.S. Lewis, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, gender, transgender, Phillip Rieff, Life among the Deathworks, Narnia, literary theory, Augustine's ordo amoris, and a host of other topics. Enjoy!

    58 min

  4. FEB 3

    Death, Sex, and Birth: Nathan Gwinn on Biology Education (10x2)

    Nathan Gwinn of Freedom of Education tells his story as a teacher, a principal, and an author of the Franklin Standards, a new approach to reinvigorating science education. The way we teach science matters. In avoiding biological truth, all kinds of social problems emerge. One primary way to counteract bad ideas is to rediscover the wonder and beauty that lie at the root of good scientific exploration. With discussion of birth, death, and sex, this is a conversation to enjoy. Freedom in Education - https://freedomined.org/ Larissa Phillip's essay "Dreaming about Going Back to the Land? I did it" in  ⁨@thefreepress⁩  - https://www.thefp.com/p/larissa-phillips-going-back-to-farm-from-brooklyn  The Franklin Standards: Model K-12 State Science Standards - https://www.nas.org/storage/app/media/Reports/Franklin%20Standards/Franklin_Standards_9.25.pdf

    53 min

  5. JAN 20

    Classical Education and Christian Banking: Frank Clement of America's Christian Credit Union (10x1)

    Frank Clement of America's Christian Credit Union joins Josh for a discussion of classical education, Christian banking, and the role that financial institutions can play helping new organizations begin. Check out their work here: https://americaschristiancu.com/

    1h 12m

  6. 2025-12-09

    Logic, Classical Education, and Memoria Press - with Martin Cothran (9x10)

    Martin Cothran, co-founder of  @memoriapress , discusses his entry into classical education, the challenges facing classical education today, and the reason he and Cheryl Lowe founded Memoria Press. Cothran is the author of two logic books, many, many articles, and teaches for  @MemoriaCollege . We also discuss Kentucky politics, and reflect on the future of the classical education renewal movement. The liberal arts are essential to forming the next generation, and classical education is the best way for students to learn the timeless truths that form human potential into actuality. Memoria Press: https://www.memoriapress.com/ Memoria College: https://memoriacollege.org/ Martin Cothran Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Martin-Cothran/author/B00J249LUA

    48 min

  7. 2025-11-17

    The Faerie Queene: A Conversation with Junius Johnson (9x9)

    Junius Johnson discusses Edmund Spenser's great poem, The Faerie Queene. With a great focus on allegory, symbolism, pageantry, and characters, this conversation is a great place to start if you want to get into Spenser. And if you've made the journey to Faerie, this conversation will be a great refresher on the best poem in 16th century England! Redcrosse Knight, Una, Duessa, Archimago, Britomart, Venus, Cupid, Athegall, Arthur, the Garden of Adonis, the Cantos of Mutabilities, and more! When is the right age to read The Faerie Queene? How should one approach it? We discuss these questions, and a lot more. Definitely check out Junius Johnson Academics - https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/ Here is Josh's preferred edition of The Faerie Queene - https://www.amazon.com/Spenser-Faerie-Queene-2nd-Edmund/dp/1405832819/

    1h 7m

  8. 2025-11-05

    Remember Remember the 5th of November (Bonus)

    Josh interviews his students in Modern Communications as part of a bonus episode commemorating the Fifth of November. Guy Fawkes, traditions, integralism, constitutional order, "Jeeniors," and more. What happens when you have a good conversation with alert, well read students? Listen, and find out!  And if you enjoy this one, be sure to check out Anya and Matthew's show, Broke but Balanced here: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokeButBalanced

    19 min
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About

The Optimistic Curmudgeon is an interview podcast where Josh Herring interviews expert guests whose credentials and experience help listeners understand truth in a confusing world. We discuss issues under seven areas: economics, politics, education, philosophy, business, virtue, and leadership! May the best ideas win.

Information

  • Creator
    OptimisticCurmudgeon2021
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Optimistic Curmudgeon

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