What if a school existed for one reason: to make saints? On this episode of Man Up, Joe Stopulos sits down in studio with Bryan Gonzalez — founding family, board member, and tutor at St. Thomas Classical Academy — for an honest conversation about Catholic classical education, homeschooling, and what it takes for fathers to raise children for heaven. In this episode: What St. Thomas Classical Academy actually is. A hybrid model: families homeschool Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then gather together Tuesday and Thursday. Parents stay the primary educators, but the curriculum is already selected — removing what Bryan calls the thorn in the side of homeschooling.The mission statement, and the two pillars that set STCA apart: a deep commitment to the Catholic tradition, and education done the classical way — encountering truth, goodness, and beauty.Six students to 120. The academy launched in 2017 and now serves roughly 50 families, plus another 30–40 children through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It rents space at Sts. John and Paul Parish in Altoona.Zero dollars. Bryan explains why STCA receives no funding from the state or the diocese, why the community declined ESA dollars, and what that independence protects.Why the priests keep showing up. Rotating priests drive from across the diocese to offer Mass — some on their day off — because 120 kids serving, reading, and singing at Mass fills them up.Ephesians 6:4 for fathers: bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord — and what that looks like practically for Catholic dads and male mentors.Bishop James Conley's story. He entered the University of Kansas as a self-described hippie agnostic, encountered John Senior's Integrated Humanities Program in the 1970s, and became Catholic his senior year. Joe explains why Conley was the one speaker he wanted for this event.Visit the school: Mass is at 8:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Sts. John and Paul Parish in Altoona. Come to Mass, and Bryan is happy to give a tour afterward. THE GALA — Tuesday, October 205:30–8:30 p.m. | The Tea Room, downtown Des MoinesKeynote: Bishop James Conley, Diocese of LincolnAlso featuring testimony from Fr. Mark McGeary This is a ticketed event and tickets are selling fast — purchase in advance. Individual tickets and sponsor tables are available. Get tickets, watch the 90-second school video, or request a tour at the contact page: https://www.stthomasclassical.org/ New: Official Man Up whiskey glasses are now available in the Iowa Catholic Radio store, along with other ICR merchandise: https://iowacatholicradio.com/store/ Listen to Man Up and stream Iowa Catholic Radio anytime at https://iowacatholicradio.com/ If this episode helped you, please rate and review Man Up on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more men find the show. #CatholicEducation #ClassicalEducation #CatholicHomeschool #ManUp #CatholicMen #CatholicDads #BishopConley #Homeschooling #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio #DesMoines #CatholicFaith #Fatherhood #TruthGoodnessBeauty #JohnSenior Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio: Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & Devotions The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.