Episode 30: Top Episode of 2022 with Leigh Bortins

Summary

Listen to Robert’s favorite episode from the first season of Refining Rhetoric—a conversation with the one and only Leigh Bortins, Robert’s mom and the 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. In this rerun of the podcast’s second episode, Robert and Leigh discuss classical education, homeschooling, the origins of Classical Conversations, and the upcoming The 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 [1:47]
• Leigh’s definition of classical education [2:51]
• The origins of Classical Conversations [5:47]
• The decision to make Classical Conversations a business [10:27]
• The changes in homeschooling since Classical Conversations began [12:39]
• Leigh’s advice to homeschool parents feeling discouraged [14:30]
• What makes Classical Conversations unique [16:54]
• New progress on the development of The Math Map [19:07]
• Feedback from pilot programs for The Math Map [22:33]
• Farewell to Leigh [25:57]
• Ad: Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution [26:56]
• Outro [27:30]

Mentions

• Classical Conversations
• The Core by Leigh Bortins | Classical Conversations Books
• The Question by Leigh Bortins | Classical Conversations Books
• The Conversation by Leigh Bortins | Classical Conversations Books
• Francis Collins | National Library of Medicine
• 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