Episode 2: Blazing the Trail for Home Education with Leigh Bortins

Summary

In the second episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins speaks with Leigh Bortins, his mom and founder of Classical Conversations. Leigh has written several books, including The Core, The Question, and The Conversation, and is well known for her ability to demystify the fundamental tools of learning. Since 1984, her efforts have helped launch the “home-centered” education movement. Robert and Leigh discuss classical education, homeschooling, the origins of Classical Conversations, and the upcoming Math Map, a brand-new math program for Classical Conversations members.

Quote

“That’s the main reason we have Classical Conversations and our children in the programs. We’re going to use math and Latin and science and community and parent-child relations to see all of the ways the Lord helps us to know Him and to make Him known.”

Leigh Bortins

Topics

• Intro to Leigh Bortins and Classical Conversations [0:38]
• Leigh’s definition of classical education [1:50]
• The origins of Classical Conversations [4:48]
• The decision to make Classical Conversations a business [9:26]
• The changes in homeschooling since Classical Conversations began [11:38]
• Leigh’s advice to homeschool parents feeling discouraged [13:29]
• What makes Classical Conversations unique [15:52]
• New progress on the development of Math Map [18:05]
• Feedback from pilot programs for Math Map [21:32]
• Farewell to Leigh [24:56]
• Ad: Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution [25:55]
• Classical Tools Recap [26:33]
• Ad: Senators of Rome and Exploring the Heavens with Uncle Paul [28:13]
• Crypto with Will: What is cryptocurrency? [28:37]
• Outro [33:29]

Mentions

• Classical Conversations
• The Foundations Program | Classical Conversations
• The Challenge Program | Classical Conversations
• The Laws Governing Homeschooling | ThoughtCo
• 2022 Catalog | Classical Conversations Books
• Matthew 28:16-20 | Bible Gateway
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 | Bible Gateway
• CC Connected | Classical Conversations
• Challenge A | Classical Conversations
• John 3:16 | Bible Gateway
• Luke 8:10 | Bible Gateway
• Blockchain Definition | Investopedia
• Cryptocurrency Definition | Investopedia
• Distributed Ledger Definition | Investopedia
• 1 Chronicles 12:32 | Bible Gateway
• Understanding China’s Digital Yuan | Investopedia
• Bitcoin
• When FDR Abandoned the Gold Standard | Investopedia
• Fiat Money Definition | Investopedia
• From Sleeping in Closets to CEO | Refining Rhetoric
• Exploring Business as a Ministry with Mike Sharrow | Refining Rhetoric