HeightsCast: Forming Men Fully Alive

The Heights School
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  • Education
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Welcome to HeightsCast, the podcast of The Heights School. With over 200 episodes, HeightsCast discusses the education of young men fully alive in the liberal arts tradition. The program engages teachers and thought-leaders in the educational/cultural space to support our community of listeners: parents, teachers, and school leaders seeking to educate the young men in their care. Instead of downloads, HeightsCast's most important metric for success is the unknown number of thoughtful discussions it prompts in homes, faculty lunchrooms, and communities around the country and the world. Thank you for listening; thank you for continuing the conversation.

  1. 4d ago

    Kyle Blackmer on Heights Clans and the Need for Festival

    This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Heights Clans. These competitive bodies engage in festivity six days a year, including two full Clan Days every All Saints Day and Feast of the Annunciation. This participates in the rich liturgical and intellectual traditions of authentic feasting, using the building blocks of worship, arts, food, and games. Today on HeightsCast, middle school teacher and clans gamemaster/meister Kyle Blackmer explores why a school—or any community—should consider a commitment to these rituals of festival. Chapters: 4:28 Pieper's definition of festival 7:33 Each festival unique to its place 9:01 Heights Clan Days 15:03 Why feasting is important 20:43 Connecting a student body 22:19 A liturgical basis 24:28 Preparation: the fast before the feast 28:21 Practical challenges to festival Links: The Heights Student Life: Clans, containing more information about our four clans and clan festival days In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity by Josef Pieper "The Immortal Power of Astonishment and Laughter" by G. K. Chesterton Around the Year with the von Trapp Family by Maria von Trapp The Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen Also on the Forum: In Defense of Victory by Kyle Blackmer Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    Kyle Blackmer on Heights Clans and the Need for Festival

  2. Sep 24

    Alvaro de Vicente on the Scope of Mentoring

    At The Heights, every teacher functions as a mentor for students. This is more than a figure of speech; it's the character of certain student-teacher relationships with routine check-ins oriented toward holistic personal growth. This week on HeightsCast, Headmaster Alvaro de Vicente considers the scope of different kinds of advisory, and outlines his vision for what makes real, effective mentorship. Chapters: 4:36 Whether all teachers are mentors 9:07 All advisory: goals, agency, and disposition 12:40 Spiritual direction and coaching 16:29 The scope of our mentoring program 20:20 Primary relationships for growth 23:17 Secondary supports for growth 26:49 A holistic mentor 28:23 Mentees of another faith 31:06 Handling big questions Links: The Heights School Mentoring Program, including links to the mentoring handbook and topics by age Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta by St. Teresa of Calcutta Also on the Forum: The Mentoring Playlist on The Heights Forum, containing essays and podcasts on the topic Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (November 7, 2026) Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    Alvaro de Vicente on the Scope of Mentoring

  3. Sep 17

    David Maxham on Struggling in Math: Where Digital Tools Can Assist in Academic Virtue

    There's a sea of online math supplements, from drills to games to whole courses, all promising advancement for your struggling student (or your stellar student who has outpaced his cohort). What kind of program, if any, is right for your student? Under what conditions are digital tools most effective? Heights math teacher David Maxham gives us an extremely practical guide to the best digital resources out there and how to use them effectively. He also shares the failure modes you may not see coming when "hiring" a digital tutor for your child. Chapters: 2:19 Digital tools at a liberal arts school 3:47 For students at both ends of the spectrum 11:41 Online drills: assisting academic virtue 14:12 Parent guidance still needed 18:56 Benefits of in-person lessons 23:32 How digital data can help teachers 27:08 Getting student buy-in, gaining confidence 32:22 Whole online courses: Math Academy over Khan 41:44 Remediation without embarrassment 46:46 Common pitfalls to outside help Links: Math Facts Lab drills, broadly recommended by Mr. Maxham Rocket Math drills, also mentioned Math Academy courses, recommended by Mr. Maxham Khan Academy courses, Mr. Maxham says best as a supplement, not as a class Matific, gamified math practice Beast Academy The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning—and How to Help Them Thrive Again by Jared Cooney Horvath Also on the Forum: Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham How to Help Your Son When He Struggles Academically: Part I by Michael Moynihan How to Help Your Son When He Struggles Academically: Part II by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    David Maxham on Struggling in Math: Where Digital Tools Can Assist in Academic Virtue

  4. Sep 10

    Dr. Jonathan Buttaci on the Art and Act of Knowing—and What That Means for Teaching

    How do we know whether we know something? How do we know whether our son or student has apprehended a lesson? Sometimes we hear the liberal arts discussed as a "beholding of great things." But Catholic University professor Dr. Jonathan Buttaci reminds us they are liberal arts—implying a craft or adept handling of knowledge. In other words, coming to know something is not passive at all. It's an act. And that act does not primarily belong to the teacher. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Buttaci talks epistemology and what the role of the teacher really is in bringing young people to knowledge. Chapters: 3:59 Knowledge: active, not passive 12:56 Practical ends of knowledge 18:02 Contemplation: Buttaci v. Pieper 24:04 Liberal arts 30:16 Knowing bestows freedom 35:29 Where truth and creativity meet 42:27 The power of the teacher 43:52 How teachers can preserve the joy of discovery 57:59 Teaching rote, grindstone skills 01:05:08 A teacher's job is joyful Links: Education Is Not about Content Transmission by Dr. Andrew Abela, notes on a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Buttaci Magnifica Humanitas, papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIV Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman Also on the Forum: Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham The Teacher's Voice featuring Tom Steenson Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    Dr. Jonathan Buttaci on the Art and Act of Knowing—and What That Means for Teaching

  5. Sep 3

    Dr. Paul Shrimpton on Newman and his Idea of a School

    The most famous work of our newest Doctor of the Church is, of course, The Idea of a University—a collection that explores the essence of a Catholic university education. But fewer people know about St. John Henry Newman's extensive efforts in primary and secondary education: Newman's part was not just as an educational theorist, but a school founder, who played every nitty-gritty role from fundraising to parent relations, from essay grading to student mentoring, even processing repair orders and playing second violin to fill out the little school's orchestra. Dr. Paul Shrimpton has spent decades studying Newman's interest in education, from theory to practice. Today on HeightsCast, he invites us into Newman's vision for younger students, their teachers, and grammar schools as places of "grounding" and "a really liberal education." Chapters: 00:05:18 Co-patron of the Church's educational mission 00:07:50 Timeline of Newman as educator 00:20:25 Different models of student freedom 00:27:39 Methods of study for young people 00:34:11 Newman: a personal, hands-on educator 00:39:26 The role of a teacher 00:48:23 Partnership with parents 00:57:39 Forthcoming book on Newman: education and practice Links: "Drawing New Maps of Hope" apostolic letter by Pope Leo XIV The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman Historical Sketches, especially vol. 3, by John Henry Newman "Personal Influence: The Means of Propagating Truth" by John Henry Newman The Adeodatus Series on Catholic Education & Culture by The Catholic University of America Press (publisher for Dr. Shrimpton's forthcoming book, St. John Henry Newman and his Idea of a School, spring 2027) A Catholic Eton?: Newman's Oratory School by Paul Shrimpton The Making of Men: Idea and Reality of Newman's University in Oxford and Dublin by Paul Shrimpton The Most Dangerous Man in England: Newman and the Laity by Paul Shrimpton Also on the Forum: A Whole Education: Teaching Persons, Not Just Subjects featuring Michael Moynihan The Idea of a Catholic University featuring Dr. Peter Kilpatrick Featured Opportunities: Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    Dr. Paul Shrimpton on Newman and his Idea of a School

  6. Aug 20

    Alvaro de Vicente on Boy-Girl Socializing: Fostering Healthy Peer Groups

    Statistics show that young people today are spending significantly less time socializing in face-to-face mixed company, across genders, than previous generations. This week on HeightsCast, Headmaster Alvaro de Vicente looks at how we might assess and address boy-girl socialization for our sons, helping the modern boy to develop healthy relationships in the right context. Chapters: 2:46 "Normal" is not necessarily the measure 5:53 Healthy group dynamics 7:30 Growth comes in stages 12:12 The role of schools 19:25 The role of families 26:43 Manners and the virtue of charity 32:56 When to make a correction Also on the Forum: On Home as Social Hub: The Importance of Hosting Our Sons and Their Friends featuring Tom Royals Why Boys Need Dating Coaches and How to Be One by Alvaro de Vicente Guidelines for Dating featuring Alvaro de Vicente The Role of Parents in the Conspiracy for the Good featuring Alvaro de Vicente Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)

    Alvaro de Vicente on Boy-Girl Socializing: Fostering Healthy Peer Groups

  7. Aug 6

    Austin Hatch and Tom Steenson on True Convivium: Friendship with Fellow Teachers

    "Friendship is one of the most indispensable requirements of life," says Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics. But, adds Alasdair MacInytre, it's also "difficult and often enough impossible—especially under the conditions characteristic of contemporary modernity." Today on HeightsCast, long-time colleagues (and friends!) Austin Hatch and Tom Steenson reflect on the nature of friendship, and why it was chosen as the theme for the 2026 Convivium Conference for Teaching Men, hosted by The Heights Forum this November. What is the value of friendships among fellow faculty? What are the ingredients of that friendship? How should individual teachers seek it? How can school leaders foster it? And how might the students benefit? Mr. Hatch and Mr. Steenson begin to scratch the surface of these questions in preparation for the deep-dive at this year's Convivium. If you'd like to join us, registrations, essays for the conference companion, and proposals for breakout sessions are now being accepted. Chapters: 7:42 Aristotle and Cicero on friendship 12:46 Teaching: a shared life 16:09 Friendship: shared work, shared mission 20:31 Time constraints to friendship 24:50 Faculty friendship's effect on students 32:41 Maintaining culture as the school grows 38:34 Education: a raising of friends 44:24 Best practices for school leaders, individual teachers Links: De Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture Keynote: Is Friendship Possible? featuring Alasdair MacInytre "Economy and Pleasure" in The Art of the Commonplace by Wendell Berry Also on the Forum: Faculty of Friends: Making Schools into Communities featuring Tom Cox Friendship for Fathers: John Cuddeback on Living and Teaching the Art featuring Dr. John Cuddeback On Hiring Teachers: Drafting a Faculty of Friends featuring Alvaro de Vicente

    Austin Hatch and Tom Steenson on True Convivium: Friendship with Fellow Teachers

  8. Jul 23

    Michael Moynihan on Reducing Anxiety through the Meaning of Work

    In the charged "Achievement Culture" we live in today, both parent and student anxiety have skyrocketed. There are the usual culprits, from a changing economic landscape to social media and comparison culture. But ultimately, Michael Moynihan believes our professional and academic anxieties come from a crisis of meaning for the term 'work.' Drawing on his experience as a math teacher, head of the upper school at The Heights, and father of a large family, Mr. Moynihan suggests that we can reduce anxiety by understanding 'work' not as a means of self-optimization or self-advancement, but primarily self-gift. Sanctifying our work tempers both extremes of anxiety and avoidance. Chapters: 5:43 A results-based system meets parental pressure 8:16 Modern crisis of meaning for work 12:03 Helping young people see beyond the immediate, material 14:46 Sanctifying work for anxious students 20:57 Sanctifying work for avoidant students 25:12 Meaningful chores: an antidote to disordered work 28:02 Mastery over grades Links: Answering Anxiety by Michael Moynihan The Father and His Family: A Guidebook for Aspiring, New, and Experienced Fathers by Michael Moynihan Decisive Parenting: Forming Authentic Freedom in Your Children by Michael Moynihan The Talk and Beyond: Raising Children in a Confused Culture by Michael Moynihan The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Children Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt Also on the Forum: How to Not Be Anxious as a Parent by Alvaro de Vicente Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham Hopeful Parents, Hopeful Sons by Alvaro de Vicente His Anxiety and Ours: Confessions of an Anxious Parent who Happens to Be a Therapist featuring Alex Berthé Featured Opportunities: Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026) Leaders Initiative, a year-long mentoring partnership for school leaders

    Michael Moynihan on Reducing Anxiety through the Meaning of Work
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Welcome to HeightsCast, the podcast of The Heights School. With over 200 episodes, HeightsCast discusses the education of young men fully alive in the liberal arts tradition. The program engages teachers and thought-leaders in the educational/cultural space to support our community of listeners: parents, teachers, and school leaders seeking to educate the young men in their care. Instead of downloads, HeightsCast's most important metric for success is the unknown number of thoughtful discussions it prompts in homes, faculty lunchrooms, and communities around the country and the world. Thank you for listening; thank you for continuing the conversation.

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