The Academy Podcast
Episodes
101 episodes
2026-27 | Conversation Starter 05 | Let Us WEAR OUT this Human and Neighborly Mission to Reach Out to Beloved Souls, with Fr. Carr
In this conversation starter, Fr. Carr challenges us to reach out and engage with the people around us in meaningful ways._________We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@theacademyok.org.
2026-27 | Conversation Starter 04 | The Long Tradition of Humanity with Andrew Black
In this starter, Andrew revisits a moment from last week's council episode, attempting to begin a conversation about the various and essential things that make us human. What are they? His answer may surprise you. _________We...
2026-27 | The Council Episode 01 | On Levity, Parenting Wins and Good Meals
Andrew, Nathan, Eric and Josh kick off the new season with the standard five star mediocrity. Andrew reminds us of human and neighborly permanent things, the executive producers confess their calendar sins and Eric looks to keep Nathan and Josh...
2026-27 | Conversation Starter 03 | Table Fellowship or Tabling Fellowship? with Josh Spears
This week’s conversation starter has Josh wondering aloud about guest lists and belonging at the table. Pull up a seat, grab another for a stranger and bon appetite. _________We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@thea...
2026-27 | Conversation Starter 02 | Fr Carr Walking Into Sights & Sounds & Smells with One Another
Once upon a time, Nathan tells listeners a story of xenia and how hospitality is a lens through which we can see the human. Join Headmaster Carr as he invites listeners to walk into sights and sounds and smells with one another._________...
2026-27 | Conversation Starter 01 | Against the Learn'd Astronomer, w/Andrew Black
In this year's inaugural conversation starter, Andrew attempts to normalize the impulse to bemoan the fact that, though it still seems to be summer, we're all back at school things again. It all depends, you see, on what we mean by "school" and...
2025-26 | The Council Episode 08 | That's a Wrap
In this, our final episode of the season, The Council remembers the season with clips, practices the virtue of gratitude with the first ever Number One Listener Prize and baptizes imaginations with accessibly pretentious shenanigans. ...
Conversation Starter 24 | Why End with Ceremony? with Andrew Black
In this conversation starter, Andrew anticipates graduation, asks 17 questions, and offers a final benediction.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok.or...
The Council Episode 07 | Tumultuous Takeover: Women Edition
In this episode of The Council, Jennifer, Catie, and Holly takeover the podcast. They discuss the Foundational Commitments of The Academy along with the usual banter. After all, Eric is still producing._________We want to hear fro...
Conversation Starter 23 | A Special Conversation with C.S. Lewis Scholar Michael Ward
In this special conversation starter, Andrew speaks with this year's Lyceum speaker, Michael Ward, C.S. Lewis scholar.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacade...
Conversation Starter 22 | Talking Capstone with Alumnus(?) Beth Thompson, with Josh Spears
In this conversation starter, Josh talks to Beth Thompson, class of 2022, about her Capstone. ----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok.org.
Conversation Starter 21 | Mission and Capstone Themes with Fr. Carr
In this Conversation Starter, Fr. Carr considers the necessary place of Capstone in answering what are ultimately missional questions.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to ...
Conversation Starter 20 | The End of Rhetoric with Andrew Black
In this Conversation Starter, Andrew anticipates festivity, thinks about Capstone, and argues that the end of education is not the power to control but is instead the freedom to love.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear ...
The Council Episode 06 | Nathan Disappears in a Polyphonic Wormhole
In this episode of The Council, Andy, Eric and Josh puzzle over Nathan’s absence and attempt to hold things together. Along the way they introduce a new sponsor and discuss the foundational commitments of the Academy. We want to hea...
Conversation Starter 19 | Story, Memory, Virtue and Imagination, with Josh Spears
In this conversation starter, Josh considers the connection between story and the Academy’s core commitments. ----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyo...
Conversation Starter 18 | Requiem for a Polyphonic Wormhole, with Fr. Carr
In this conversation starter, Fr. Carr dives deep into Mozart's Requiem and how it drives imagination.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok.org.
Conversation Starter 17 | Attention and Eternity with Andrew Black
In this conversation starter, Andrew invites all listeners to the 10th annual Lyceum Project and suggests a fundamental connection between our three foundational commitments—the eternal significance of shaping affections.----------------...
The Council Episode 05 | I Can Only Imagine; Or,
In this Council episode, Andrew, Nathan, Eric and Josh discuss the nature of the imagination with help from Coleridge, Lee and Berry. Along the way they weigh the merits of nature and community in the creation of imaginative humans.-----...
Conversation Starter 16 | On Becoming What You Face with Josh Spears
In this conversation starter, Josh looks you square in the face and wonders aloud over the imaginative horizons the face of the Other can bring to us.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions ...
Conversation Starter 15 | Finding Peace Outside For The Inside with Fr. Carr
In this conversation starter, Fr. Carr reflects on how being in and observing nature shapes his imagination.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok.org.
Conversation Starter 14 | Imagining the Real
In this conversation starter, Andrew looks ahead (or behind) to the great precipitation, reads some Dante, and argues that imagination is of central importance. ----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us...
The Council Episode 04 | A Very Special Xmas Break Episode
Nathan, Andy, Eric and Josh wish you the merriest, happiest, most blessed Advent and/or Christmas on this very special episode of the Council. There’s a heaping serving of meat and potatoes to keep the executive producers in the holiday spirit ...
Conversation Starter 13 | Courageously and Hopefully Timing Christmas with Josh Spears
In this conversation starter, Josh investigates the courage needed to hope for Christmas at the right time. ----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok....
Conversation Starter Episode 12 | Self-Sacrifice: Virtue in True Action with Fr. Carr
In this conversation starter, Fr. Nathan takes us upstream to our children’s life of virtue.----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@theacademyok.org.
Conversation Starter Episode 11 | Till This Moment I Never Knew Myself with Andrew Black
In this conversation starter, Andrew turns practical, thinks about the virtue of humility, and reads some Jane Austen. ----------------Dear listener, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions and comments to podcast@th...