BaseCamp Live

We send the emails. We share the updates. We tell our children what we expect. So why do our messages still get lost?

Communication is about more than delivering information. It's about building trust, strengthening relationships, and making sure the people who matter most feel heard and valued.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes back longtime friend, educator, and author Scott Barron to discuss his new book, The Book on Communication: Featuring the Laws of the Grapevine.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Scott shares a memorable story about a...

AI can write essays, solve problems, and produce polished work in seconds. But does that mean our children no longer need to learn how to do those things themselves?

Andrew Pudewa, founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, joins Davies Owens to explore a question that goes far beyond classroom technology: What is education actually for?

Together, they discuss how learning shapes our capacity for attention, memory, perseverance, and wisdom. Andrew explains why the process of doing difficult things matters, how music and meaningful responsibility help form character, and why children need opportunities to...

What if some of the things we’ve accepted as normal for childhood aren’t actually healthy?

Children and teenagers now spend hours each day on devices, carry the internet in their pockets, and increasingly experience friendship, entertainment, and even education through technology. But as Emily Harrison explains, there is an important difference between what is common and what is actually good for children. 

Emily returns to BaseCamp Live as a wave of lawsuits against major technology and social media companies begins bringing years of internal research and concerns into the courtroom. She and Davies explo...

When parents hear that they are the primary educators of their children, it can sound like one more responsibility to carry.

But what if it’s actually good news?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Classical Conversations founder Leigh Bortins to rethink what education looks like in the life of a family. Leigh encourages parents to slow down and recognize the formative power of things they may already be doing: reading together, talking around the dinner table, asking questions, telling stories, spending time with good friends, and simply sharing everyday li...

What if some of the things we’ve accepted as normal for childhood aren’t actually healthy?

Children and teenagers now spend hours each day on devices, carry the internet in their pockets, and increasingly experience friendship, entertainment, and even education through technology. But as Emily Harrison explains, there is an important difference between what is common and what is actually good for children. 

Emily returns to BaseCamp Live as a wave of lawsuits against major technology and social media companies begins bringing years of internal research and concerns into the courtroom. She and Davies explo...

What if becoming better educated isn’t always about learning more, but about unlearning some of what we already believe?

Most parents today did not grow up with classical Christian education. We bring our own experiences of school with us, along with assumptions about grades, success, learning, authority, and what education is supposed to accomplish. Often, we don’t even realize those assumptions are there.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens talks with educator, author, and consultant Christine Norvell about the surprising importance of unlearning. Drawing on more than 25 years in classical, homeschool, and...

Four hundred episodes. Nearly ten years. And a world that looks very different from the one in which BaseCamp Live began.

For this milestone episode, Davies Owens steps to the other side of the microphone as his daughter, Hannah Brusven, takes over as host. Together they look back at the unlikely beginnings of BaseCamp Live, from early recordings with a makeshift microphone to hundreds of conversations with educators, authors, parents, and thought leaders.

But this episode is about more than looking backward.

Davies and Hannah explore how parenting and education have changed over...

Music is everywhere. We stream it in our cars, hear it in stores, and carry thousands of songs in our pockets. But in gaining nearly unlimited access to music, have we lost sight of what music is actually for?

Dr. Eliot Grasso, musician, scholar, educator, and one of America's leading performers of the Irish uilleann pipes, returns to BaseCamp Live for a fascinating conversation about music's place in human formation and classical Christian education.

Eliot challenges the modern idea that music is primarily something we consume. For most of human history, music was something people...

Every story is shaping us.

Movies, television, books, music, and digital media do more than entertain. They work on our imaginations, stir our affections, and quietly influence what we love, admire, fear, and desire. So how can Christian parents help their children engage culture thoughtfully without falling into either fearful rejection or uncritical consumption?

Brett McCracken, author and senior editor and director of communications at The Gospel Coalition, joins Davies Owens to explore what wise media consumption looks like for Christian families. Brett shares how his own love of both the church and the arts...

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.

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...

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...

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, an...

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...

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...

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...

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...

What exactly is Classical Christian Education?

Ask ten people, and you might get ten different answers. Is it about Latin? The Great Books? The Trivium? Character formation? Academic excellence?

In this foundational episode of our series, What is Classical Christian Education?, Davies Owens sits down with one of the pioneers of the modern classical movement, Dr. Robert Littlejohn, to answer that very question.

Drawing from more than three decades of experience founding schools, training educators, and shaping the movement itself, Dr. Littlejohn explains why Classical Christian Education is far more than an educational...

Parents often spend so much time navigating the needs of today that it's easy to lose sight of where we're ultimately headed. But what if raising children begins with keeping the end in mind?

In this episode, Davies Owens welcomes Dr. Jennifer Freeman of the Rooted Families Initiative to discuss a framework for family discipleship that helps parents understand the unique opportunities and challenges of every stage of childhood—from infancy through young adulthood. Drawing from decades of mentoring college students and families, Jennifer shares practical wisdom for raising children who grow into wise, discerning adults who lo...

What happens after we realize that education is about far more than information transfer?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with David Goodwin, president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools and co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Battle for the American Mind. David's newest book, Forging the American Mind, serves as a practical guide for parents and educators who want to understand not only why classical Christian education matters, but how it actually works.

Tune in to hear:

How do we faithfully raise children in a culture that constantly fragments their attention?

In this episode of Base Camp Live, Davies Owens welcomes Suzanne Phillips of Beacon Parent for a thoughtful and deeply encouraging conversation about parenting in an age of distraction, anxiety, and cultural confusion. Rather than offering another parenting checklist, Suzanne shares a biblical framework for becoming the kind of parent your children can follow.

Together, they explore what Suzanne calls the seven facets of a “Beacon Parent,” including the supremacy of Christ, expressed honor, intentional legacy, transformative wisdom, humble courage, secure iden...

Friendship does not happen automatically anymore. In a world filled with distraction, busyness, and surface-level interaction, many adults and students are struggling to form meaningful relationships.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Dirk Bellamy to discuss the growing loneliness crisis and why friendship is becoming one of the greatest challenges of modern life. Drawing from his own experience of realizing he had virtually no close friendships, Dirk shares the practical and deeply personal journey that led him to write his book, Why We Ask.

Together, they explore:

What does classical Christian education actually mean? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens continues the ongoing series on classical Christian education with guest Lindsey Ralls, Upper School Head at Summit Christian Academy. Together, they explore a practical framework for understanding the heart behind classical Christian education, not simply as a method or curriculum model, but as a vision for forming flourishing human beings.

Lindsey shares how Summit Christian Academy developed a one-page framework to help parents, teachers, and students better understand the deeper purpose of classical Christian education. The conversation moves beyond the familiar...

How do we move students from simply talking about truth, goodness, and beauty to actually living those ideals out in everyday life?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Sharon Carlson for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to develop an “operational theology” , a faith that shapes not just beliefs, but daily decisions, relationships, failures, and future plans. Sharon draws from decades of experience in classical Christian education, student formation, counseling, and college advising to explore how schools and parents can help students connect theology to real life.

Together, they disc...

Anxiety is everywhere today, but what if it doesn’t always tell us the truth? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes back Keith McCurdy for another conversation in the Live Sturdy series. Together, they unpack why anxiety has become so common in students and parents, how overcommitment and fear-based decision making fuel the problem, and what schools and families can do to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and hope in a fragile age.

Keith shares practical insight from years of counseling families, students, and school leaders. From sports overload to perfectionism to the pressure-filled culture surrounding to...

Gen Z is more connected than any generation in history, yet also more isolated, anxious, and uncertain about their identity and purpose.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, senior fellow at the Barna Group and author of You on Purpose, to explore the findings from Barna’s latest research on Gen Z mental health.

While anxiety and depression are on the rise, this conversation goes deeper. What if the core issue is not just mental health, but a lack of purpose, connection, and grounded identity?

Dr...

In a world where attention is constantly pulled in a thousand directions, how do we help students focus on what truly matters?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Tami Peterson, founder of Life Architects Coaching, to explore the growing challenge of distraction and its impact on formation. From shrinking attention spans to the overwhelming number of inputs competing for our focus, the conversation highlights how what we pay attention to ultimately shapes who we become.

Tami brings deep insight into how attention functions not just cognitively, but spiritually and relationally...

What happens when schools and homes truly align?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Sadie Elliott, Director of the Herzog Foundation Institute, to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of Christian education: the partnership between parents and schools.

Sadie shares what she is seeing from her unique vantage point serving thousands of Christian school leaders across the country. Together, she and Davies explore why education can never be outsourced, why parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, and how healthy Christian schools are working...

What is education actually for?

Is it mainly about helping students get into college and launch a career, or is it about forming the kind of person who can flourish in faith, wisdom, and vocation?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Ali Ghaffari, Executive Director of the St. John Henry Newman Institute and founder of Divine Mercy Academy, for a rich conversation about leadership, renewal, and the true purpose of education.

Ali shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood to flying F-18s in the Navy, teaching...

Many parents today feel that education has been reduced to information transfer and job preparation. But what if education is meant to be much more than that?

In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Dr. Patrick Egan to explore the enduring insights of Charlotte Mason, a visionary educator who emphasized the formation of the whole person. Her approach focuses not only on knowledge, but on shaping habits, cultivating affections, and nurturing a deep love for truth, goodness, and beauty.

Together, they unpack how Mason’s philosophy complements classical Christian education and offers practical ways to...

Modern education often promises clarity, efficiency, and measurable results. But what if those very strengths are quietly reshaping what we believe education is for?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Joshua Pauling to explore the subtle but powerful influence of what he calls the “tyranny of technique.” When systems, metrics, and methods take center stage, students can easily become outputs to manage rather than persons to form.

Josh brings a thoughtful perspective shaped by years in public education, classical education, and his work launching a new hybrid classical school. Together, they...

Where do classical Christian schools find their teachers, and how are they trained?

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Dr. Rob Jackson to explore one of the biggest challenges facing classical education today, building a strong pipeline of teachers.

As more schools launch and grow, many are realizing that traditional certification programs do not prepare teachers for the classical classroom. Instead, schools are looking for educators with a love of their subject, a commitment to wisdom, and a willingness to be formed through mentorship and experience.

Dr. Jackson...

In this next episode in the BaseCamp Live series exploring classical Christian education, Davies Owens welcomes Dr. Michael Adkins for a thoughtful conversation about what classical Christian education really is and why that question matters so much for families, schools, and the future of society.

Dr. Adkins brings both historical depth and practical insight as he explains that classical Christian education is not primarily about training students to do more, but about forming them to become a certain kind of person. In contrast to modern models that often focus on utility, credentials, and workforce preparation, this conversation...

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens continues the alumni series with Neeya Toleman, a graduate of Coram Deo Academy in Texas who now works as an engineer helping develop major power transmission lines across the United States.

Neeya shares how her classical Christian education shaped her ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and tackle complex problems. From memorizing Scripture and presenting senior author projects to navigating small class communities and rigorous coursework, her experience formed habits that still guide her today in the demanding world of engineering and energy infrastructure.

Along the way...

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens sits down with Paul Laywell, founder of Eureka Science Education, to tackle a lingering stereotype - classical Christian schools love great books, but struggle to do science with the same depth and rigor.

Paul shares his journey from public school teaching to becoming a “one man science department” in a classical Christian school, and why he became convinced that science is one of the most integratable disciplines. Not by forcing a Bible verse onto every lesson, and not by stripping science down to formulas and memorization, but by teac...

Good conversations with our children do not just happen. They require intentionality, attention, and the courage to ask questions that may take more than a few seconds to answer.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens welcomes back Mandi Gerth to explore how the questions we ask shape not only daily conversation, but the long-term relationship we hope to have with our children as adults. Drawing on her experience as a teacher and parent, Mandi explains that a good question opens what she calls an “expectant vacancy.” The challenge is that we must be ready for what...

Students today need to be deeply formed to love what is true and beautiful, and they also need practical skills and confidence that comes from real life experiences they can carry into college, career, and beyond.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens sits down with Mitchell Slater, founder and CEO of Slater Strategies, to talk about entrepreneurship, risk, and why many students are not being prepared for real life as well as they could be.

Mitchell shares his story of growing up homeschooled in Alaska, learning hard work through real responsibilities, and starting...

“What is classical Christian education?” sounds like an easy question, until you try to answer it.

In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Dr. David Diener, professor of education at Hillsdale College and executive director of the Alcuin Fellowship, to offer a clear, grounded explanation of what classical Christian education is and what it is not. They explore why this approach begins with the purpose of education, not just the methods, and how it aims to form students into a certain kind of human being, equipped to live well in this life and the next.

Yo...

Healthy habits are one of the greatest gifts we can give our children because habits quietly shape what they love and who they become. In this episode, Davies Owens is joined by Jeff Hendricks, headmaster at Providence Christian School of Texas, for a practical conversation about how formation happens through repeated, everyday actions.

Jeff defines a habit as a repeated action that becomes instinctive. It begins with conscious effort, but over time it becomes automatic, like driving a car. That matters because the virtues we hope to see in adulthood, generosity, courage, hospitality, do not appear overnight...

Augustine argued that many of our biggest problems come not from loving bad things, but from loving good things in the wrong order. In this episode, Davies Owens sits down with counselor and Live Sturdy president Keith McCurdy to talk about the “ordering of loves” and why it impacts everything from marriage health to family culture to kids who flourish.

Keith walks through a common modern pattern: world, kids, family, marriage, God, and why that order quietly drains families. Then he offers a clear, biblical alternative and a few simple practices that can create real change without turn...