The Optimistic Curmudgeon

An interview show advancing the conversation of intellectual conservatism in Education, Politics, Economy, Business, Leadership, Philosophy, and Great Books.

The Optimistic Curmudgeon is a education podcast hosted by OptimisticCurmudgeon2021, with 117 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

OptimisticCurmudgeon2021 hosts The Optimistic Curmudgeon, a education show with 117 episodes published.

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  Episode #119

  Against the Machine with C.R. Wiley, Annie Crawford, and Josh Herring

  Sep 3, 20261h 53m

  Annie Crawford, cultural apologist and Director of the C.S. Lewis Studies certificate for the @LogresInstitute , and C.R. Wiley of @TheTheologyPugcast join Josh for a discussion of @PKingsnorth 's Against the Machine. How should Christians, conservatives, and those determined to preserve their humanity interact with technology, modernity, and a world that seeks to suborn them to itself? Enjoy! This conversation was recorded on All Hallow's Eve 2025, and reflects the initial reading of that book from each panelist. Enjoy! The thumbnail for this episode was generated by Grok, the AI tool on X. https://www.logresinstitute.org/ https://canonpress.com/products/manmade-saint-anthonys-guide-to-surviving-the-a-i-apocalypse

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  Episode #118

  He Man and the Masters of the Universe, with Sharkbait and Pla-Doh

  Aug 24, 202657 min

  Josh Herring and Jarrod Scott discuss the 2026 He-Man adaptation, Masters of the Universe. As @F3NEWake friends, they explore masculinity, nostalgia, and the mocking of HR within this movie. Sharkbait is a pastor, and he takes the discussion into typology; Pla-Doh wrote a book about C.S. Lewis and gender, so he asks lots of questions about what this movie's vision of masculinity it. With lot of discussion of Man-At-Arms, Teela, and the fat crying slob roommate, this is a conversation to enjoy. In the last 15 minutes, they explain what F3 is, and why they both find helpful. Sharkbait's church - https://greenpines.org/ Pla-Doh's book - https://davenantinstitute.org/davenant-press/sons-of-adam-daughters-of-eve/ F3 NE Wake Website - https://f3newake.com/

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  Episode #117

  Classical Educators Responds to AI (The Alpha School)

  Aug 10, 20261h 57m

  Josh Gibbs, Annie Crawford, Sean Hadley, Mark Perkins, and Josh Herring discuss the existence of the Alpha School and the challenges it presents to classical education. Is AI a tool to integrate into the classical classroom? Is AI a new, unique problem? Does the Alpha School exacerbate the many problems already existing in modern education? Across this wide-ranging conversation, the panelists develop a nuanced approach to the questions AI and education raise. This episode was sponsored by Dr. Joshua Trevino. Joshua has a PhD in Political Theory from the University of Dallas, has taught in classical schools, and has nearly a decade of experience as a financial advisor. He especially enjoys working with professors, liberal artists and classical educators, helping them develop healthy financial habits that create the conditions for long-term wealth building. If you are curious about “financial advising and planning with the Aristotelian End in mind”, shoot him a text at 423-385-1480 or email at joshua.trevino AT nm.com…he would very much enjoy the new acquittance and conversation! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-trevino-phd-4aaa441b9/ Northwestern Mutual - https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/joshua-trevino/ This episode responds to this article from @thefreepress 's Maya Sulkin on 5/14/26 entitled "The School Trying to Rebuild Education for an AI World" - https://www.thefp.com/p/the-school-trying-to-rebuild-education Panelist's Organizations: Josh Gibbs - The Classical Teaching Institute: https://www.theclassicalteachinginstitute.org/ and Gibbs Classical: https://www.gibbsclassical.com/ Sean Hadley - Florida State University's Institute for Governance and Civics - https://igc.fsu.edu/about/our-team and The Logres Institute's Certificate in Great Books - https://www.logresinstitute.org/great-books Mark Perkins - St. Dunstan's Academy - https://stdunstansacademy.org/ Annie Crawford - The Logres Institute's Certificate in C.S. Lewis Studies - https://www.logresinstitute.org/cs-lewis-studies Josh Herring - The Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies - https://www.logresinstitute.org/

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  Episode #116

  Book Launch: The American Book of Fables, by Dr. Matthew Mehan

  May 19, 20261h 4m

  Dr. Matthew Mehan calls his new book, The American Book of Fables, as a "250th birthday present" for America. Releasing today (5/19/26), this volume is filled with rhymes and songs "for Littles," fables "for Middles," and a treasure trove of witty-wise sayings and primary sources "for Bigs." Dr. Mehan has written not just a book for children or adults, but a volume for the whole family to return to year over year. We also discuss the moral imagination, Cicero, Dr. Mehan's upcoming Smith Lecture on Virtue at ⁨@thalescollege⁩ , teaching in DC, and the value of writing poetry as "Father Goose." It's a great conversation - enjoy! Direct from the publisher (Sophia Institute Press): https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-american-book-of-fables/ Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/American-Book-Fables-Matthew-Mehan/dp/B0G1XYVC54/ If you're in the Raleigh, NC area - RSVP here to attend Dr. Mehan's Smith Lecture at Thales College: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIPSgAYX_6A4eMDVefWkJCW4vFgVzDBJLpXQK9j0UcPT6X4w/viewform

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  Episode #115

  Eulogy for Charlie Kirk, Assessment Design, and Phonics: Dr. Tracy Gardner (10x9)

  May 11, 20261h 4m

  Josh interview Dr. Tracy Gardner about her work in psychometrics, its application to national testing design, and the science of reading. Dr. Gardner has worked for the @ClassicLearningTest , @Pearson , and is now the Vice-President for Workforce Assessment Solutions for the ACT. She is a proud @hillsdalecollege parent, and has been heavily influenced by the life and work of Charlie Kirk. We recorded this episode the day after Charlie's assassination, and Tracey shares some of the impact @turningpointusa has had on her. It's a great conversation! Enjoy!

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