BaseCamp Live

BaseCamp LIVE will equip you, the parent, educator, or mentor to climb the biggest mountains as you seek to shape young people to become exceptionally prepared, compassionate, and thoughtful human beings. Our guests are thought leaders, culture watchers, and educational experts who are seeing the benefits of a classical Christian education to form students into adults who can think critically, believe with courage, and serve compassionately.

  1. 5 days ago

    Forming Souls - Not Just Minds with Heidi White

    Classical Christian education often talks about forming students to love what is true, good, and beautiful. But how does that formation actually happen? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by author, educator, and podcaster Heidi White to explore the formative power of stories. Heidi shares how literature shaped her own life and explains why great books do far more than communicate ideas or teach moral lessons. They awaken desire, give children models worthy of imitation, and help them wrestle with some of the deepest questions of what it means to be human. Drawing from her book The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life, Heidi explores the tension between what we want and what we know we ought to do, and how that struggle appears again and again in great literature, Scripture, and our own lives. Davies and Heidi also get practical about reading with children. How much should parents explain? Should we protect children from darker moments in stories? And how can we ask questions that invite genuine thought rather than turning every book into another moral lesson? This conversation is an invitation to see education differently: not simply as the transfer of information, but as the formation of loves, desires, imagination, and ultimately, the human soul. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Forming Souls - Not Just Minds with Heidi White
  2. 18 Aug

    Teaching Kids to Think, or Just Find Answers? with Charley Dewberry

    Modern education often trains students to absorb information, reproduce it on a test, and move on. But is that really learning? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens talks with Charley Dewberry, co-founder, Academic Dean, and tutor at Gutenberg College, about what it means to teach students to truly think. Drawing from his unusual journey through science, philosophy, biblical studies, and education, Charley challenges the idea that knowledge is simply a collection of facts. Instead, he argues that education should develop the skills students need to perceive carefully, read deeply, communicate well, and pursue truth with humility. Charley explains why we tend to see what we expect to see, how our assumptions shape our understanding, and why encountering people and ideas that challenge us can be essential to genuine learning. He also discusses authorial intent, Great Books, the developmental stages of education, and why younger students need opportunities for curiosity, discovery, and experience before they are ready to wrestle with increasingly complex ideas. The conversation also turns practical. What can parents and teachers do right now? Charley encourages adults to model a love of learning themselves, create room for discovery, listen seriously to those who think differently, and protect time for the kinds of conversations that technology increasingly pushes aside. In an age when information and instant answers are everywhere, this conversation is a reminder that education is about something much deeper: forming people who know how to think, listen, learn, and seek what is true. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Teaching Kids to Think, or Just Find Answers? with Charley Dewberry
  3. 12 Aug

    Building a Generation on a Firm Foundation with Joshua Weir

    Young people today are surrounded by voices telling them to discover their own truth, define their own identity, and create their own purpose. But what happens when the foundation underneath those ideas keeps shifting? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Joshua Weir, author of In Not Of: Firm Foundations for Life, to explore what it takes to raise a generation grounded in a biblical worldview. Joshua explains why the increasing individualism of our culture can leave young people searching for identity, truth, and belonging, and why Christian formation requires more than simply protecting children from competing ideas. Parents and educators must help students understand the world as it truly is, reason from biblical truth, and recognize the communities and influences that are shaping them. The conversation also gets practical. Joshua discusses why parents need to model the convictions they hope to pass on, why "because I said so" may not prepare older children to navigate competing worldviews, and how intentional conversations around the dinner table can help children develop the reasoning they will need when parents and teachers aren't there. For educators, Joshua emphasizes the extraordinary opportunity of the classroom. Great Christian education isn't merely about transferring information or attaching Bible verses to a lesson. It's about helping students see truth woven throughout history, literature, art, relationships, and the whole of life. In a culture of shifting identities and competing truths, how can we give the next generation something solid enough to stand on? This conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for parents and educators committed to building firm foundations that will last. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Building a Generation on a Firm Foundation with Joshua Weir
  4. 4 Aug

    Curiosity: The Career Skill AI Can't Replace with Tami Peterson

    Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace faster than anyone can predict—but does that mean we should prepare our children by chasing "AI-proof" careers? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes career coach Tami Peterson back to the show to explore a very different approach. Rather than focusing on specific jobs, Tami argues that parents and educators should cultivate uniquely human qualities that technology can never replace - starting with curiosity. Drawing from her work coaching thousands of students through vocational discipleship, Tami explains why curiosity is the foundation of creativity, courage, compassion, and communication. Together they discuss why career paths are becoming less predictable, how AI is changing the questions students are asking, and why raising adaptable, thoughtful problem-solvers matters more than ever. Whether you're a parent wondering how to prepare your child for an uncertain future or an educator seeking timeless principles that outlast technological trends, this conversation offers practical encouragement and hope. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Curiosity: The Career Skill AI Can't Replace with Tami Peterson
  5. 28 Jul

    Summer Flashback: Classical Christian Education for All Students with Heather Lloyd

    Many parents love classical Christian education until one of their children doesn't seem to "fit the mold." Does classical education only work for naturally academic students? Or should an education rooted in truth, wisdom, and Christ be accessible to far more children? In this Summer Flashback, Davies Owens welcomes educator and school consultant Heather Lloyd to explore how classical Christian schools can better serve students with learning differences without compromising academic excellence. Together they discuss what truly defines classical Christian education, challenge misconceptions about rigor, and offer practical ideas for schools seeking to cultivate both truth and love in every classroom. Tune in to hear: Why "rigor" shouldn't define classical Christian education What the "mythical middle" is and why it matters How schools can better serve students with learning differences Practical ideas for creating classrooms where more children can flourish The non-negotiables of authentic classical Christian education Why Charlotte Mason still has much to teach today's educators Whether you're a parent, teacher, administrator, or school founder, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for building classrooms where every child is invited to pursue truth. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Summer Flashback: Classical Christian Education for All Students with Heather Lloyd
  6. 22 Jul

    Why Every Civilization Begins at Home with Laura Kraus

    Strong families don't happen by accident. They are built through ordinary habits, shared life, and intentional choices. In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Laura Kraus, founder and CEO of the Family Digital Foundation, to explore why the family remains the foundation of every healthy society. Drawing from history, modern research, and her own work at the intersection of technology and family life, Laura explains why our homes shape everything from character formation to the future of civilization. Together they discuss how today's distractions, overscheduled lives, and personalized technology can quietly erode family relationships, and how parents can reclaim the simple practices that build lasting bonds. Tune in to hear: Why the family is the "first institution" that shapes every other institution. What decades of research reveal about the connection between close family relationships and lifelong happiness. How technology is changing family life, for better and for worse. Practical ways to strengthen family bonds through everyday rhythms. Why saying "no" to overscheduling may be one of the best gifts you can give your children. How healthy families create healthier communities and cultures. A hopeful vision for using technology to serve families instead of competing with them. Whether you're raising young children, navigating the teen years, or simply wanting to build a stronger home, this conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for cultivating a flourishing family. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Why Every Civilization Begins at Home with Laura Kraus
  7. 15 Jul

    Praying the Scriptures for Your Children with Jodie Berndt

    As parents, it's easy to believe that everything depends on us. If we just choose the right curriculum, set the right boundaries, or say the right words, our children will turn out well. But Scripture reminds us that we were never meant to carry that burden alone. In this episode, bestselling author and Bible teacher Jodie Berndt joins Davies Owens to explore one of the most powerful, and often most neglected, tools God has given parents: prayer. Drawing from decades of experience as a mother, speaker, and author of the Praying the Scriptures series, Jodie shares practical ways to pray God's Word over our children through every season of life. Rather than treating prayer as a last resort or a religious obligation, this conversation invites parents to see it as a daily relationship with God that not only shapes our children, but also transforms our own hearts. Tune in to hear: Why prayer is far more than asking God for outcomes How praying Scripture gives depth and confidence to your prayers Finding peace in seasons of waiting and uncertainty Encouragement for parents carrying guilt, anxiety, or fear Practical ways to begin praying, even if you don't know where to start How prayer changes us while we wait for God to work in our children Why no child is ever beyond God's reach Whether you're raising toddlers, teenagers, or adult children, this episode offers biblical encouragement to entrust your family to the One who loves them even more than you do. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCast 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.

    Praying the Scriptures for Your Children with Jodie Berndt
  8. 8 Jul

    Raising Sturdy Kids: The Book with Keith McCurdy

    After years of encouraging families through counseling, conferences, and conversations on BaseCamp Live, Keith McCurdy's long-awaited book, Raising Sturdy Kids, has finally arrived. In this episode, Davies and Keith celebrate the book's release while exploring the foundational principles behind it. Rather than focusing on quick parenting fixes, Keith explains why healthy struggle, responsibility, and service are essential for helping children grow into capable, resilient adults. Together they discuss why modern parenting often prioritizes comfort over character, how children move from consumers to contributors, and why it's never too late to strengthen the foundations of your family. Tune in to hear: Why healthy struggle is one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children The importance of moving kids from consumers to contributors How responsibility and service build maturity and resilience Why parenting is about raising future adults - not simply happy children Encouragement for parents who feel they've already made mistakes The story behind Keith's new book and why he finally decided to write it Whether you're parenting toddlers, teenagers, or adult children, this conversation offers practical encouragement and timeless wisdom for raising children who are prepared not just for school, but for life. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCastWilson 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.

    Raising Sturdy Kids: The Book with Keith McCurdy

About

BaseCamp LIVE will equip you, the parent, educator, or mentor to climb the biggest mountains as you seek to shape young people to become exceptionally prepared, compassionate, and thoughtful human beings. Our guests are thought leaders, culture watchers, and educational experts who are seeing the benefits of a classical Christian education to form students into adults who can think critically, believe with courage, and serve compassionately.

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