Podcast
Hoplite Radio
Hosted by Ridgeview Classical Schools · EN
Hoplite Radio explores the importance of a classical education in the modern world through engaging conversations with faculty, staff, parents, and community members at Ridgeview Classical Schools in Fort Collins, CO. Each episode delves into the benefits of a classical education, examining how time-tested teaching methods shape critical thinking, character, and lifelong learning. We also highlight the unique advantages of Ridgeview’s outdoor program, showcasing how experiences in nature foster curiosity, resilience, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Join us as we explore the intersection of rigorous academics, meaningful community, and the transformative power of learning both inside and outside the classroom.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Headmaster's Perspective: Thanksgiving
Nov 2700:07:33Tap to summarizeEat too much, drag out the board games and the cards; throw the football in the yard until your fingers are numb with cold, and the let the young ones play in the piles of leaves. Build a fire, grab an old novel, put up your feet, and rejoice in the material and immaterial abundance by which you are surrounded. Enjoy your turkey, your family, and friends in good cheer and good company. Realize the myth and revel in gratitude, charity, and hope.
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Ep 48: What College Enrollment Looks Like Now — Insights from Mrs. Dixon
Nov 1700:39:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Hoplite Radio, Ridgeview Classical Schools welcomes longtime college advisor Mrs. Dixon, who reflects on her 11 years guiding students through the ever-changing college admissions landscape. Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Dixon discuss how college advising has evolved—from the growing complexity of admissions and rising tuition costs to shifting student priorities and the role of values in higher education. Mrs. Dixon shares insights on helping students find the right college “fit,” balancing academics with self-discovery, and preparing for life after graduation. A must-listen for parents and students navigating today’s college admissions process and seeking practical, classical wisdom for the modern world.
Transcribe →Headmaster's Perspective: Physical Education at a Classical School
Oct 2700:16:14Tap to summarizeIn the early 1930s, R.G. Collingwood, a prominent intellectual at Pembroke College, Oxford was concerned about the rise of Nazism and its implications for Britain and Europe, and borrowing a line from Book V of Livy’s Histories, he compared himself to the sacred geese dedicated to Juno in Rome that had warned of a surprise Gallic attack in 390 BC. He wrote in his autobiography in 1939, “I am a professorial goose, and my job is to honk.”
Transcribe →Ep 47: Ridgeview Classical Schools FAQ | A Conversation with Mrs. Robideaux & Mr. Anderson
Oct 2000:40:42Tap to summarizeCurious about Ridgeview Classical Schools? In this episode, Mrs. Robideaux asks Mr. Anderson some of the most frequently asked questions from prospective parents and students. From Ridgeview’s classical education model to how the lottery works, this conversation offers an inside look at what makes Ridgeview distinct. Whether you’re exploring school options, preparing for enrollment, or simply want to understand how Ridgeview develops the whole student, this episode provides valuable insight straight from the source.Topics covered include:What defines a classical educationHow Ridgeview supports students academically and personallySchool culture, expectations, and family involvementTune in to learn more about the mission, values, and vision behind Ridgeview Classical Schools.
Transcribe →Headmaster's Perspective: What We Do
Sep 2200:15:20Tap to summarizeCharlie Kirk. Born in 1993 outside of Chicago, Illinois. Married in 2021. Two children. Founder of a political and religious advocacy group. Toured college campuses debating political opponents in an open forum. Hosted a podcast. Judging by those now celebrating his death, to include elected officials and political appointees, one would expect his biography to read more like this: “participant at the Wannsee Conference, officer of the Schutzstaffel, architect of the Final Solution on the Question of the Jewish Problem, and facilitator of extermination camps.”
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Ep 45: Building Leaders and Brewing Community: Insights from a Ridgeview Parent
Jun 16, 202500:36:00Tap to summarizeJoin us for a thoughtful conversation with Mr. Johnson, a Ridgeview Classical parent and local Fort Collins small business owner. We explore his family’s journey at Ridgeview and take a deeper look into the field of Organizational Psychology, focusing on how his company, Rev 0, equips technical experts with strong leadership skills. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the role coffee plays in fostering both community and business connections.Learn more about Rev 0: https://rev0.org/Learn more about Isolation Coffee: https://isolation.coffee/
Transcribe →Headmasters Perspective: Commencement Address 2025
Jun 3, 202500:18:22Tap to summarizeMr. Anderson presents the Commencement Address for 2025 graduates. "Why are we alive? Why do we choose to continue going on? Is that not part of Yeats’ question? What really demonstrates knowledge of a compelling answer is not what college you go to, what sports you played, what mountains you climbed, what job you get, or how much money you make, but the principles that guided your actions, the choices you made and your reasons for making them, and the life you’ve lived day by day. Not in the end. Not what you could document on your transcripts or résumé. Not what you paid a university to certify you in. Not what the state says you are. What matters is who you have been day by day."
Transcribe →Ep 44: From Their Perspective - A Conversation with Seniors, Alena & Silas
May 27, 202500:35:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with two graduating seniors, Alena and Silas, to explore the Ridgeview Experience from their perspective. Alena and Silas discuss how the clubs, extracurriculars, and co-curriculars at Ridgeview helped to shape their journey. We discuss the impact of small class size, as well as the books that were read and the conversations they led to.
Transcribe →Ep 43: From Their Perspective - A Conversation with Seniors, Luc & Claire
May 16, 202500:34:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with two graduating seniors, Luc and Claire, to explore the Ridgeview experience from their perspective. As students shaped by a classical education, Luc and Claire reflect on the challenges, growth, and memorable moments that have defined their journey. We discuss the impact of a classical curriculum on their intellectual and personal development, the value of a small class size, and how a focus on the liberal arts, critical thinking, and character has prepared them for life beyond graduation.
Transcribe →Ep 42: A Conversation With The McKnights
Apr 29, 202500:42:09Tap to summarizeDiscover why the McKnight family—Ridgeview Classical parents and Fort Collins small business owners—chose Ridgeview for their children’s education. In this engaging interview, we explore their positive experiences at Ridgeview and highlight their local landscaping company, Turf Tamers, serving the Fort Collins, Colorado community.
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