Cultivate: A Veritas Academy Podcast

Veritas Academy
  • 4.8 (13)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Cultivate is the podcast of Veritas Academy, a preschool though 12th grade classical Christian school in Lancaster County, PA. Our mission at Veritas Academy is to cultivate loving, serving, thinking students, and this podcast features discussions that help you and your family be intentional about cultivating good and godly things in your and your child's heart, mind, and life.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Real Value (Or Not) of College: Reframing Students' and Parents' Mindset on Higher Education

    Dr. Ben Merkle, President of New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, ID, spoke with Veritas juniors and seniors last year about the value of a college education...or, perhaps more accurately, the (often) lack of real value in today's typical college education. His talk will give parents and students a new perspective on college, helping you rethink your reasons for investing in higher education and pulling back the curtain on what truly makes for a worthwhile college investment (according to employers). This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, leading people to make better financial decisions, and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    35 min

  2. FEB 4

    Unlocking Literacy: How Kindergarteners Learn to Read with Phonics

    It's one of the most essential, basic skills imparted in education - that is, the skill of reading. And when that skill is unlocked in a child, their world opens up, and their education expands with greater joy and success. Kindergarten is where that happens for most kids, and while it is such a basic and crucial part of education, different methods for teaching kids to read have been championed over the years, often with mixed results. The one method that has been tried and true for centuries – and, as you will learn in this podcast is scientifically proven to be effective for learning our language – is phonics. In this episode, you'll hear from one of our kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Laurie Conrad, who has not only taught kindergarten for decades, but also earned her master's in education degree in reading and holds a PA Reading Specialist certificate. If you have young children in preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary school, Mrs. Conrad's stories from the classroom and experience of how phonics works so well in growing kids' ability and confidence in reading will be enlightening and inspiring! This season of Cultivate has been sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decision and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    41 min

  3. JAN 24

    Created to Create: Reflecting God's Image through Art and Science

    In our last episode on Logic, you may remember our guests defining Logic as "the art and science of reasoning well." In this episode, we're continuing that trend and talking about, well, art and science! At Veritas, one of our science teachers has a unique background and set of skills that, at first glance, may seem like it doesn't all match up. Amanda Crooks teaches biology, anatomy and physiology, and earth science...and also served as an art teacher for many years. Science and art - two disciplines that aren't too often discussed together - merge beautifully in Amanda's classrooms. In this episode, Mr. Fischer talks with her about how her perspective on both of these fields helps her students see God's glory and enjoy learning in a whole new way. Hear about: The shared elements of beauty, observation, and creativity in both fields art and science. Unique classroom activities that naturally bridge artistic flair and scientific discovery together. The joys of integrating faith with art and science education, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking among students while grounding them in Biblical truth. The importance of preparing students for the world beyond school by instilling virtue and fostering a holistic appreciation of God's creation through. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, leading people to make better financial decisions, and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    44 min

  4. JAN 6

    Teaching Kids How to Think Critically: The Logic Phase & Why It's Important

    Middle schoolers can be argumentative. And it can drive parents crazy. But they are blossoming into young adults who will need to communicate and sometimes argue ideas in the real world soon enough. How do we equip them with the tools to not only think through their own beliefs, but to critically process new ideas, and sift through arguments to find and promote TRUTH above all? Enter the LOGIC phase of classical Christian education - the middle segment of our three-pronged Trivium. Right in the center of their education, students train their minds to know how to spot and construct sound, valid arguments and reason well, so that they can apply the facts they've learned and live as someone who listens and speaks well. In this episode, we'll hear from our two Logic teachers at Veritas Academy - Stephen Darrenkamp (who also teaches Latin) and Adam Timmins (who also teaches Omnibus and Apologetics). You'll listen in on a discussion covering: The role of logic in a student's educationThe integration with faith and reasonHow logic prepares students for rhetoric and effective communicationPractical advice for parents of argumentative middle schoolersThe broader implications of logic on students’ understanding of faith, culture, and morality. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, PA,  leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    47 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    The Art of Good Conversation: Cultivating and Appreciating Face-to-Face Relating

    One thing that many alumni and students will say upon reflecting on the merits of their Veritas education is: "I learned how to carry on a good conversation." The art of conversing seems to be dwindling in our culture. Being able to relate to others well in a variety of situations - and engage thoughtfully on a breadth of topics - is a skill that is deeply appreciated by others, and beneficial for ourselves, too. Especially now during the holidays – when we find ourselves in an array of social settings with family, friends, and even strangers – being equipped with the mindset and skills for good conversation will make Christmas gatherings all the more pleasant for everyone. Our host, Head of School Ty Fischer, is joined in this episode by Veritas alumni Jesse Brooks and Dean of Students and Omnibus/Rhetoric teacher Graham Dennis to talk about what makes for a good conversation, and how we can help cultivate in ourselves and our children the desire and skill to carry on good conversation. After all, that's a big part of what we're doing at Veritas – fostering students who can listen well and speak thoughtfully on topics that truly matter, and who excel at relating with one another in Christ because they've been trained regularly in talking around the table. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    59 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Feasts, Fellowship, and Faith: Soul-Forming Traditions That Make Education Impactful

    As the holidays approach, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on feasting. Many of our families will soon gather around tables filled with long-cherished traditions—rituals that bind us together in joy and gratitude. In Classical Christian education, tradition isn’t just appreciated; it’s essential. Feasting is woven into the fabric of our school culture, shaping why families love Veritas and why students feel so deeply connected here. In this lively conversation, Veritas teachers Rhonda Forbes and Caleb Ploutz, Director of Events Rona' Martin, and our Head of School Ty Fischer explore the heart behind our many feasts: what they look like, why we host them, and how beauty, celebration, and intentional effort mark a child’s education in profound ways. They unpack how these joyful, carefully crafted events help form students’ souls in virtue, truth, beauty, and goodness. Enjoy! This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Boulevard in Lancaster, leading people to  make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    1h 1m

  7. 11/05/2025

    Artificial Intelligence: A Valuable Tool for Efficiency or a Source of Cultural and Mental Atrophy (...or Both)?

    Does it give you pause when you see a photo, video, or story and you wonder "Is this real, or was it created by AI?" Does it even matter anymore whether the art and information we're interacting with was created by human or machine? And, how is classical Christian education - so deeply focused on cultivating well-read, well-written, and well-spoken students - still relevant in a world that is increasingly obsessed with the efficiency that artificial intelligence tools promise? Our host, Veritas Head of School Ty Fischer is joined in this by two guests who are employed in various STEM fields and are in the thick of some of this AI usage - Jack DeWeese, a software developer and Veritas alumnus Zach Spykstra, a mechantronics engineer. They will dive into: How most AI programs actually work (they're not actually intelligent).Thoughts on how (or even if) parents and Christians can use these tools rightly and with discernment.What kind of education will serve the next generation growing up in an AI-fueled world...and how kids can set themselves apart by maintaining their God-given abilities to reason, think, and create freely.Warnings on the use of too much AI.Why (or whether) it matters if humans or a machine created content that we use. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

    42 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Cultivating Godly Relationships in Your Children's Lives

    Graham Dennis, Dean of Students, and Adam Timmons, Director of Houses and secondary teacher at Veritas Academy, talk with Ty Fischer about the significance of relationships among students, and what parents can do to help their child foster relationships that honor God and honor each other. This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster,  leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves. Key takeaways include the importance of shared experiences, commitment, mutual challenge, and bearing each other’s burdens in relationships. The conversation delves into the struggles faced by students in forming and maintaining relationships, the role of parents, the impact of technology, and how to navigate romantic interests responsibly. The discussion highlights how Veritas encourages intentional, godly friendships and handles romantic relationships among students, and emphasizes a balance of guidance, grace, and community involvement in fostering healthy friendships and relationships.

    1 hr
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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Cultivate is the podcast of Veritas Academy, a preschool though 12th grade classical Christian school in Lancaster County, PA. Our mission at Veritas Academy is to cultivate loving, serving, thinking students, and this podcast features discussions that help you and your family be intentional about cultivating good and godly things in your and your child's heart, mind, and life.

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