In this episode of Artes Mechanicae, we explore the work of furniture maker and writer David Pye, author of The Nature and Art of Workmanship. Pye distinguished between two kinds of workmanship: the workmanship of certainty, where outcomes are predetermined and repeatable, and the workmanship of risk, where success depends upon the judgment, dexterity, care, and wisdom of the maker.

What does this have to do with education?

Modern educators are often tempted by systems, analytics, scripted curricula, assessments, and technologies that promise predictable results. Yet teaching remains a profoundly human endeavor. Like a craftsman at the workbench, the teacher must observe, adapt, discern, and respond to the unique students before him.

Drawing connections between craftsmanship, wisdom, Proverbs, and classical Christian education, this episode argues that teaching is not a workmanship of certainty but a workmanship of risk—one that requires virtue, prudence, and the daily practice of loving God and neighbor well.

Drawing connections between rhetoric, poetry, and modern public discourse, Devin, Heather, and Kajsa are joined by Joe Carlson to discuss how words are not simply containers for ideas — they help to form the ideas themselves. If this is true, what happens when a culture loses its sensitivity to language?

Four questions covered in this episode:

1. Is it more important to teach students philosophy or poetry?

2. How important is the invention step of rhetoric to be free from the tools of AI?

3. Was Hitler a good rhetorician?

4. Did Christianity adopt and modify classical rhetoric or did classical rhetoric distort “Christian rhetoric” (as Cassiodorus claims)?

Let us know your thoughts!

In this episode, David, Heather, Andrew, and Devin answer questions about Socratic discussion, dual-enrollment, prep schools, and the tutorial Model.

Share your thoughts in the comments!

In this episode of Artes Mechanicae, Austin Hoffman examines the modern culture of consumption through the lens of the mechanical arts. From planned obsolescence and disposable products to endless scrolling and media saturation, he explores how modern life often encourages us to consume rather than create.

Drawing on the work of William Cavanaugh, Albert Borgmann, Joseph Pieper, Hugh of St. Victor, and Marshall McLuhan, Austin argues that the mechanical arts offer an alternative vision—one oriented toward craftsmanship, service, meaningful production, and love of neighbor.

What happens when we stop asking what we can consume and begin asking what we can make? What kind of life emerges when production is guided by service rather than profit and by stewardship rather than disposability?

Join us as we explore how the mechanical arts orient us away from endless consumption and toward the self-giving love that lies at the heart of the Christian life.

Devin O’Donnell is back with another word — Goodbye. It’s one of the most common words in the English language, but what does it actually mean?

In this episode of Isidore’s Pub, Devin traces the surprising history of the word goodbye, revealing how it began as a blessing: “God be with you.” Along the way, he explores the Christian roots hidden within our everyday speech, the connection between language and culture, and why words preserve the story of who we are.

What happens when we uncover the forgotten meanings buried in familiar words? And what does a simple farewell reveal about the Christian heritage of the West?

Join us for another journey into the history of words and the history of man.

What happens when students can outsource their thinking to AI? How should Christian educators respond? And what do Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Dante, and the classical tradition have to say about it?

In this episode, Austin Freeman (Chair of Apologetics at Houston Christian University) joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, education, virtue, imagination, and the purpose of learning. Drawing from his essay “AI in the Path of Temptation,” Austin argues that the real challenge isn’t simply catching cheaters—it’s helping students understand what education is actually for.

We discuss:

• Why educators have become modern-day “Blade Runners.”

• How to recognize AI-generated writing

• Why the goal of education is formation, not graduation

• The role of imagination and reason in learning

• What Tolkien and C.S. Lewis teach us about technology

• AI, virtue, cheating, and the cultivation of the soul

• Dante’s Purgatorio and the temptation of shortcuts

• Why Austin believes educators should make AI the harder choice

• The growing cultural shift back toward the analog and tangible world

Austin also shares insights from his work on Tolkien, Lewis, imaginative apologetics, and his upcoming books on Narnia and classical literature.

Devin O’Donnell is back with another word — Coward. Where does the word come from, and why did the medieval imagination connect cowardice with a dog’s tail tucked between its legs?

In this episode of Isidore’s Pub, Devin traces the word through the Norman Conquest, Middle French, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Shakespeare’s Falstaff, and the classical understanding of courage as the mean between cowardice and recklessness.

Join us for another exploration into the history of words and the history of man.

In this episode of Artes Mechanicae, Austin Hoffman explores Ivan Illich’s critique of modern professionalism and the way industrial society slowly strips people of everyday human agency reducing human beings into functions, processes, and machines.

Drawing from thinkers like Ivan Illich, Michael Sacasas, David Epstein, and Hugh of St. Victor, Austin argues that the mechanical arts resist this reduction by requiring attention, creativity, judgment, and love. Whether woodworking, auto repair, teaching, or comforting a grieving friend, these deeply human activities demand prudence rather than mere procedure.

David, Heather, Devin, and Kajsa explore the role of fine arts within classical Christian education. What does it mean to pursue the arts faithfully and with excellence? Join the discussion as they consider what makes a strong fine arts program and why beauty matters in the life of a school.

Four questions discussed in this episode:

1. How can a small school start a competent fine arts program?

2. Does focusing too much on fine arts, especially theatre, contribute to the feminization of boys?

3. How can you create a school culture of singing?

4. Should music be required for every grade level?

Comment with your own thoughts and questions!

Austin introduces the concept of "The Double Watershed." This was discussed by Ivan Illich in his book Tools for Conviviality (1973). He illustrates how industrial innovations like those found in medicine, school, and transportation have an initial phase that is seen as beneficial to society, but it is often followed by a phase that brings more damage than good.

In this special episode, Austin Hoffman gets to share one of his favorite publications: Mortise & Tenon Magazine!

Michael Updegraff joins both Austin and Devin O’Donnell as they discuss the virtues of learning a craft and the blessings of working with your hands.

To get the newest issue visit: Mortise & Tenon.

For more from the Classis Journal, click here.

The Four returns to tackle the topic of athletics in the classical Christian school!

The questions covered in this episode:

1. Are Athletic programs worth it?

2. Does the “athlete scholar” really exist?

3. Would you hire a teacher that has an obvious and severe shortcoming in standards of excellence?

4. How important is it that a head of school is classically educated?

Please comment with questions or feedback!

What is the point of doing difficult things? If we can use technologies around us to complete tasks in a more efficient way, should we not opt to carry on in that manner? This is a topic that requires much more thought than a quick consideration. Join Austin Hoffman as he delves into this very thing in the world of the Mechanical Arts.

Devin and Austin sit down with C.R. Wiley to discuss his article “Apple Pie and Rocket Ships: A Hopeful Vision of Life with Artificial Technology.”

Read the article here.

For more from C.R. Wiley, check out his Substack, where you can learn about his views on AI and his soon to be released book Saint Antony's Field Guide to Surviving the AI Apocalypse.

Daniel Foucachon joins us once more to get into the nitty gritty about what books we should be reading and basing our education around. Definitely check out the episode to catch some spicy takes on both sides of the table!

Daniel founded Roman Roads Press in order to help equip those desiring a Classical Christian Education in a modern world. To see what they have been working on check out romanroadspress.com.

The questions covered in this episode:
1) Is there a stable Western canon? Why or why not?
2) Tips for choosing your school’s reading list?
3) How do you choose the right edition of a work to read in your school?
4) Does curriculum matter more than the

Please comment with questions or feedback!

Devin O’Donnell is back with another word: Sorcery! Where does that word come from, and how is it connected to Dante's great work, Inferno? Join us to find out!

We also get to show off the wonderful edition of Dante's Inferno that was translated by Dr. Joe Carlson (from Roman Roads Press). If you'd like a copy - grab one here!

Join Austin Hoffman as he continues to break down insights from Scripture and Hugh of St. Victor on Mechanical Arts!

We are privileged to have Daniel Foucachon join us in the studio to discuss the finer things that God's world has to offer, as well as the Christian's duty to participate in that world. Daniel founded Roman Roads Press to equip those desiring a Classical Christian Education. Check out more of his work here.

Questions covered in this episode:

1. Is it the role of the classical school to teach how to enjoy “the finer things in life?”

2. Does taking a child out of the home most of the day go against classical Christian paideia?

3. Is there a benefit to intentionally choosing the slow way to do things?

4. Is “Jabberwocky” a good poem?

Let us know your questions and comments!