Mentor: The Podcast of American Classical Leadership Education

By John Adams Academy with Ross Garner

As an affiliated podcast of John Adams Academy, our purpose is to “restore America’s heritage by developing servant leaders .” Our desire is to lead a revolution in education by modeling classical education for our staff, scholars, and their families, especially the dialectic approach of reading and discussing great books. We want to extend classical education to as many people as we can because of its ability to form great souls and great citizens.

  1. 06/06/2025

    Out of the Silent Planet: Becoming a Man by Going to Mars | EP 13

    Ross Garner, Andrey Sushch, Mark Bixler and Victoria Smith discuss C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet. Victoria begins by providing a summary of the book and Mark poses a question about the nature of fallen and unfallen man. The group discusses how the protagonist, Dr. Ransom, becomes a better man in traveling to Mars or Malacandra by learning to live proportionally to others and nature. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  2. 01/16/2025

    Brothers Karamazov: The Grand Inquistor and The Nature of Freedom | EP 12

    Ross Garner, Michael Conklin, Landon O'Neil, Hannah Jensen, and Tania Medina discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Ross begins by providing context to the chapter, The Grand Inquisitor, and the group discusses its central theme of free will. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  3. 11/13/2024

    The Brothers Karamazov: Being A Pest | EP 11

    Ross Garner, Benjamin Asvitt, Faith Sawyer, and Mark Bixler discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Benjamin begins by providing a short synopsis of the next 100 pages of the book after which Mark shares a passage from the book related to human nature. They discuss Dimitri Karamazov's view of man and his buggish nature as well as whether it is morally permissible to wish for someone's death. Though somewhat depressing themes, the conversation ends hopeful and optimistic. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  4. 11/05/2024

    The Brothers Karamazov: The Healing Power of Selfless Love | EP 10

    Ross Garner, Sabrina Dailey, and Victoria Smith discuss Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Sabrina begins by providing a short synopsis of the first 100 pages of the book after which Victoria begins the conversation by quoting a passage from Elder Zosima's teachings on active love. They discuss the power of active love and how it changes their ideals from being selfish to selfless. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  5. 08/23/2024

    Junius Maltby: Achieving a Balanced Vision of Life | EP 9

    Ross Garner, Aaron Navarro, Nathan Cubano and John Benson discuss John Steinbeck's "Junius Maltby" from The Pastures of Heaven. John begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Nathan begins the conversation by quoting a passage near the end of the story when Robbie Maltby discovers his poverty and is ashamed. They discuss the duties of parents to their children to provide for their physical and spiritual needs and the need to achieve a balanced vision of life. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  6. 08/23/2024

    The Great Conversation: Becoming Human Through A Liberal Arts Education | EP 8

    Ross Garner, Allison Dickman, Jessica Liaghat, and Jessika Rubick discuss Robert Hutchin's The Great Conversation. Jessica L. begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Jessika R. begins the conversation by quoting a passage about the America's strength lying in the character and intelligence of its people. They discuss what it means to be an American and why its important for all Americans to pursue a liberal education as part of their civic responsibility. As Americans we are very diverse, but the common denominator we share is that we are all human and we should pursue an education that helps us understand what that means and how we can be good humans. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  7. 06/06/2024

    From Scholar to Mentor: How Great Books, Socratic Discussions, and Mentors Shape Us | EP 7

    Ross Garner, Michael Conklin, Michael Bacon, Cruz Martinez, Pedro Tafoya, and Shalya Phillips discuss what great books, discussions, and mentors had the greatest impact on them while they were scholars at John Adams Academy, and why they chose to come back to the after graduation to teach. They talk about the learning environment at the Academy as one where the mentors are as engaged in the learning process as the scholars and are all working to improve themselves and increase their knowledge and abilities. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

  8. 06/05/2024

    Uncle Tom's Cabin: Hypocrisy, Religion, and Freedom of the Soul | EP 6

    Ross Garner, Karin Anderson, Mark Bixler and Victoria and Constance Smith discuss Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Mark begins by providing a short synopsis of the book after which Constances poses a question regarding the hypocrtical religious views of Marie St. Claire in the book. They discuss the nature of religion and the way it can ironically be twisted to justify immorality. They also discuss the effect of slavery on the human soul and how Uncle Tom attained a freedom of his soul in spite of his bonds. The views expressed by individuals in this podcast are their own and do not represent John Adams Academy. The music used in this episode is adapted and used with proper permission and licensing (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

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About

As an affiliated podcast of John Adams Academy, our purpose is to “restore America’s heritage by developing servant leaders .” Our desire is to lead a revolution in education by modeling classical education for our staff, scholars, and their families, especially the dialectic approach of reading and discussing great books. We want to extend classical education to as many people as we can because of its ability to form great souls and great citizens.

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