Jeff Oppenheim (Writer/Director/Producer) is a veteran of theater and film production. His live-theater credits include productions for Lincoln Center, the Film Society, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and he has worked in partnership with The Acting Company, Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theater, Bay Street Theater and others. Jeff also founded t…

Brad Jones is the creator of the The Cinema Snob and The Bruno Mattei shows, which are popular on You Tube. His love for exploitation films led him to produce several exploitation films: "Midnight Heat", "Cheap", "Freak Out" and "Game Boys". The last three can be found on his website and the trailers for the rest of the movies can be also found the…

The last couple of years has been exciting for The Quidditas Factor! Some episodes enriched our lives while others helped us mentally recover from the traumatic pandemic years we’re all still trying to forget. Several episodes gave great advice on how to make it in the entertainment industry while other episodes helped us improve our relationships …

John D. Hancock is an American stage and film director, producer and writer. He is perhaps best known for his work on Bang the Drum Slowly, Weeds and Prancer. Hancock's theatrical work includes direction of both classic and contemporary plays, from Shakespeare to Saul Bellow. He also directed several films with his wife actress and screenwriter Dor…

In this edition of Notes From The Quad, Brandon LeBlanc sits down with Saint Constantine College Provost, Dr. Timothy Bartel to discuss Longfellow. Drawing on Dr. Bartel's scholarly work and Brandon's cultural familiarity they focus on Longfellow's Evangeline in particular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In this episode of Quiddity, we go back to an interview with David Hicks by David Kern. David Hicks answers some listener questions about classical education, books, and his book, Norms and Nobility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christine and Brandon read aloud Affliction (IV) by George Herbert. This beautiful meditation on suffering in this world with the hope of the next is poignant and timely for our hosts. If you need it, we hope it is for you too. FORMA Symposium: https://circeinstitute.org/events/forma-symposium/ Send questions and comments to podcasts@circeinstitute…

In this episode, Brandon sits down with author, translator, and podcaster Deacon Nicholas Kotar. A son of Soviet refugees and a first-generation graduate of the Classical Renewal, Dn. Nicholas is a unique voice in literature and education today. Brandon talks to him about his own educational experience and how it has shaped his work bringing the Sl…

In this Episode our resident composer introduces Brandon to Tone Poems with Richard Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. Sheet Music: http://en.instr.scorser.com/D/19118.html Sheet Music and Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV5r9KG1eyc Center for Western Studies: https://www.centerws.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

Christine and Brandon read aloud The Beautiful Changes by Richard Wildbur. They discuss his interplay between nature and memory. Send questions and comments to podcasts@circeinstitute.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lynda Riess entire career has been a 25 year master class in prep, production, finding rapid solutions to last minute requests and most importantly how to remain calm when the crap hits the fan. As a Property Master she was on set behind the camera for years, working with every department, developing character with actors, back story with directors…

John Mason Hodges joins Brandon for another installment of our music literacy feature. In this episode, John talks us through Igor Stravinsky's Firebird, fairytales, and getting a new musical to the stage. John's show: https://www.goldenthemusical.com/ The Green Room 42: https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo…

Claudia Myers was named one of "10 Filmmakers to Watch in 2015." by Independent Magazine. Most recently Claudia wrote and directed Above the Shadows, a supernatural drama starring Olivia Thirlby, Alan Ritchson, Jim Gaffigan and Megan Fox. The film opened the 2019 Brooklyn Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. Abo…

It may seem like Classical Education is the antithesis to the modern concept of "data-driven education" which has a tendency to reduce everything, including people, to a data point on a spreadsheet. But that doesn't mean data and research don't have a place in the Classical renewal. In this conversation, Brandon LeBlanc is joined by Dr. Albert Chen…

In this episode, Brandon visits with Dr. Ryan Messmore and Trae Bailey of Magdalen College. They discuss The Integrated Humanities Program at The University of Kansas, including Trae's interviews with graduates of the program. Trae and Ryan also share the role poetic knowledge plays in the life and curriculum of Magdalen College. Magdalen College: …

Jim Meskimen is an accomplished actor, improviser and voice artist whose work is well-known to TV and film audiences. He appeared on the British series Whose Line Is It Anyway? several times, and was a recurring character onThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for two seasons. He has worked with director Ron Howard on five of his films, including The Paper,…

Christine and Brandon read aloud Fisk Jubilee Proclamation, by contemporary poet Tyehimba Jess. This poem comes from Jess's 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry-winning book Olio. They discuss Jess's masterful marriage of form and content and spectacular word choice. Olio: https://bookshop.org/a/1329/9781940696201 Jess discussing Jubilee Singers: https:/…

In this episode, Brandon visits with Alex Petkas, the founder of Ancient Life Coach and host of the Plutarch Podcast, The Cost of Glory. They discuss what led Alex away from academia to approach Plutarch and other classics from a different angle. Listen in on the conversation about Plutarch's relevance today, as well as Plutarch's Life of Sulla. Fi…

Christine Perrin returns for the third installment of Poet's Corner and we return once more to Hopkins for Patience. Join us as we discuss Hopkins's inscape, including Hans Boersma's reflections on the sacramental character of the body of Hopkin's work. More from Christine: https://classicalacademicpress.com/products/the-art-of-poetry-teachers-edit…

In this episode Brandon connects with a panel of friends, old and new, to discuss the development of regional Consortiums of Classical Educators. Apprenticeship graduates Timothy Knotts, Jessie Smith, and Carrie Eben, as well as President of Kepler Education, Scott Postma, discuss the formation and goals of these consortiums and how they seek to se…

Join Brandon as he sits down with Heather Shirley, who has been hosting "Book in a Day" events for a decade. They discuss where the idea came from, the benefits of reading aloud in groups, and the various forms the events can take. Heather shares advice on how to choose the books and plan the events, so you can enjoy all the benefits with your frie…

Keith Coogan was born Keith Eric Mitchell on January 13, 1970 in Palm Springs, California. The grandson of legendary character actor Jackie Coogan, Keith began his acting career doing TV commercials -- his first gig was as a stand-in in a McDonald's TV spot -- as well various TV shows and made-for-TV movies. Coogan did the voice of Young Tod for th…

As we approach the end of he school year, it is a good time to revisit a conversation between Andrew Kern, Brian Phillips, Chuck Hicks, and David Kern about how to get the most out of your summer. Join the Quiddity conversation! https://circe.circle.so/c/quiddity/ Send questions & comments to podcasts@circeinstitute.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.c…

Bennett Yellin is a professional screenwriter, he has honed his skills at crafting a strong story and communicating it with precision and passion. His credits include both the original Dumb and Dumber (1994) as well as its official sequel, Dumb and Dumber To (2014.) Bennett is applying his expertise to the world of themed entertainment. Whether it'…

This week Brandon sits down with Head of School and Head Mentor Moly Rychner. They discuss Molly's journey from Room Mom to Head of School. On that journey, Molly has a lot to share on the importance of peer and mentor relationships for teachers and headmasters and how to cultivate it. CiRCE Apprenticeship: https://circeinstitute.org/apprenticeship…

This week Brandon sits down with homeschool veteran, school founder, and head mentor, Christine Mooradian. They discuss Christine's experience providing classical education for a special needs child and how that influenced her decision to start a hybrid school. They also cover the advantages and challenges of the hybrid model as well as the importa…

Christine Perrin returns for the second installment of Poet's Corner and we return to Hopkins for Peace. Join us as we discuss a form created by Hopkins and how he marries that form to content, to reflect on and yearn for peace. More from Christine: https://classicalacademicpress.com/products/the-art-of-poetry-teachers-edition https://classicalacad…

Jeffrey Gurian is a “Renaissance Man”, because he’s involved in so many things. He’s a comedy writer, performer, director, author, producer, radio personality, motivational speaker and doctor, and not always in that order. As a comedy writer he’s worked with and written for legends like Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, George Wallace, Phil Hartman,…

As we approach the end of Lent, it is a good time to return to a conversation between Brian Phillips and David Kern. Different traditions approach Lent in various ways, but for all it a preparation for the Paschal Season. Brian leads us in a contemplation of how that shared preparation holds leasons for Teachers and Parents in particular. Send ques…

John Hodges joins Brandon for another installment of our music literacy feature. In this episode, John talks us through Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms...after a short rabbit trail through the Louvre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.