St. Thomas More Academy Podcast: Recent Episodes
St. Thomas More Academy
Welcome to the Podcast of St. Thomas More Academy in Raleigh, NC. We’re here to talk about the formation of the whole person, especially young men and women in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, all to the greater glory of God.
For this third special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Ellie Noland and Dorothy Gravino from the Class of 2023. It was yet another wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame.
For this second special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Isaac Watkins and Peter Watkins from the Class of 2021. It was another wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, North Carolina State University/College of Design and Boston College. Isaac will be returning in the fall to teach a computer 3D modeling/rendering elective, and Peter will be joining us (and his sister, Adriana) as a full time faculty member.
For this special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Agustin Briceño and JT Hedgepeth from the Class of 2025. It was a wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.
Deacon Brad, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss the year and bring our 5th season of the podcast to a close. God willing, we'll be back again in the fall for season 6.
In this episode we continue discussing the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms.
In this episode we discuss the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world, where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms.
In this episode we answer listener questions, for which we are grateful. If listeners have questions or topic suggestions, please send them to us!
Continuing our series of conversations on things related to college admissions. In this episode we focus on essays and reference letters, as well as the common app platform.
Follow up on last weeks podcast. Apologies for the delay in upload. A short and busy week after mid-winter break.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mrs. Kelly Jackson, and Mr. Charles McCants begin a multi-part episode on all things college.
In this episode we discuss the deployment of technology in schools around the country and the significant downturn in student performance.
https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/A19DF2E8-3C69-4193-A676-430CF0C83DC2
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/books-screens-out-some-finnish-pupils-go-back-paper-after-tech-push-2024-09-10/
On this episode, we discuss the importance and value of developing the habit of reading as a necessary life skill.
Last week at STMA, while the priests were at their annual priests assembly, the Upper School heard a talk from Mr. Kirkendall on how the lives of holy men and women can help us discern our own vocations. In this episode, you'll hear Mr. Kirkendall's thoughts about St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), a philosopher, teacher, Jewish-born convert, Discalced Carmelite nun, and martyr under the Nazis. You'll also hear about Venerable Aloysious Schwartz, an American-born servant of the poor in South Korea and other countries. His global network of schools for children of the poor, World Villages for Children, is still thriving today. You can watch this short video about Fr. Al. Or this longer documentary, "Oh, My Papa!"
In January of each year, Dr. Noland sends our most recent graduates a survey to see how their first semester in college went. We've talked about doing this sort of episode for years, and this year we finally did it. Thanks for the download and taking the time to listen!
First, we apologize that episode 58 had some sort of technical glitch that wasn't discovered until we tried to upload this episode. Which is why we also thought THIS episode was #58, when in reality it is #59.
In this episode, Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss why it can be a challenge to achieve the best outcomes of the school for a student if there is not mission alignement. As we often say, if a student really isn't about what we are about, the placement likely will not go well. Are there unique exceptions to that rule? Yes, but that falls under selection bias. In most cases, a student who is not interested in the faith, learning, or preparing for college, will, at best, not fully profit from our formation, and at worst, will become a negative presence in the school body. Imagine a coworker or teamate who is constantly negative, grumbling, and complaining. It can create a toxic environment. It's no different in a school.
This is why we try our best to admit students who fit with our community and are at least mostly aligned with our mission. It makes their experience better, and generally makes the school a happier place.
Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss a series of topics related to the human formation of students in this conversation. We will be on a two week break, but look forward to new episodes in the New Year. Merry Christmas to all!
Deacon Brad, Jake Noland, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants sit down for part 2 on being a student athlete, but this time some of the negatives and challenges that can come with participating in sports.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Charles McCants, and Rob Kirkendall were joined on this special episode by alumni brothers Fr. Leo Dornan, CO and Seminarian Ben Dornan, as well as Seminarian Jorge Sotelo for a conversation following their visit for morning Mass.
In this episode we discuss the ideal classroom and challenges to the learning environment as well as brief conversation about what it really means to get a low grade on a test or quiz.
This week Deacon Brad, Dr. Noland, and Mr. McCants have a conversation about why believe in the importance of doing hard things - especially children being allowed and encouraged to do hard things, even if it sometimes means they fail or fall short of the goal.
In this episode, Mr. Kirkendall shares a talk he delivered to the student body, "Newman's Kindly Light," about the personal story behind St. John Henry Newman's composition of his famous hymn, "Lead Kindly Light." On November 1st, Pope Leo XIV will declare Newman a Doctor of the Church and co-patron of Catholic education. This is an exciting time to celebrate and learn more about Newman's teachings, but Mr. Kirkendall also hopes to show the depth and authenticity of Newman's personal discipleship to Christ, and his humble, life-long process of converting more deeply to the "Kindly Light" of God's truth.
Deacon Brad, Jake Noland, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants sit down to discuss STMA's athletics program and the many positives that can come with participating in sports for student athletes.
Deacon Brad, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants discuss some of the good outcomes we are seeing at STMA, and on an ongoing basis.
Following on last week's episode, this week Deacon Brad, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants talk about aligning with standards, and specifically how "Formation Notices" are a piece of the work we do at the school.
Dating back to ancient Greece, one definition of academy is an institute that holds and maintains standards. This is certainly a core principle of STMA and its founder/chairman, Mr. Robert Luddy. The challenge, as they say, is that your standards are what you allow and tolerate, and far too many schools have significantly lowered standards over recent decades with regard to behavior, dress, and academics. This seems to put STMA in an odd place locally via compare and contrast among student peers and parents, making us the supposedly "strict" school in the area - despite all the evidence to the contrary.
One of the unique and vital skills for successful people in all walks of life is the ability to anticipate. Unfortunately, it is a trait that is less and less common in young people today. Much of this stems from how the majority of schools educate children, but also how parents are raising their children. From math and science, to literature and philosophy, and even into sports, leadership, and business, the ability to anticipate the needs of others, what someone else is likely to do, or how things will change in the future, is vital. This becomes even more important as we prepare for the revolution that is to come with AI and SAI technology that is, to some large extent, computer based anticipatory programming. In terms of student formation, if they are not taught how to do this, if they are not allowed to try it and fail, they will likely find future employment and success more challenging. We believe strongly that STMA's classic liberal arts education model uniquely targets this sort of learning and formation.
Deacon Brad, Kelly Jackson, and Charles McCants discuss the types of families and students who see the best outcomes from the formation that STMA offers, as well as those families/students who may not find the school to be the best fit.
After a year hiatus, the STMA Podcast is back and will (pray God) be much more consistent this year.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mr. Charles McCants, and Mrs. Kelly Jackson, think through how people could objectively discern "the best school" and make the argument that STMA is that school. Perhaps not the best school for every family or student, but still objectively excellent based on outcomes. The conversation also touches on how this matters for students in relation to the coming AI revolution.
Zone-2 Your Life: Integrated Excellence with St. Teresa of the Andes and Servant of God Francisco Garcés
Humanities Instructor Mr. Rob Kirkendall discusses how to pursue virtuous excellence in all domains given our human limitations and high spiritual calling. He looks to profound examples in the lives of a young Chilean Carmelite nun and an early Franciscan explorer and missionary to the American Southwest. More about St. Teresa of the Andes: More about Servant of God Francisco Garcés St. John Henry Newman's meditation, "A Short Road to Perfection:"
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mr. Charles McCants, and Mr. Rob Kirkendall continue discussing the idea of "Classical Education," and our collective reflections on what it is and isn't from years of experience. Part two of a two part conversation.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mr. Charles McCants, and Mr. Rob Kirkendall discuss the idea of "Classical Education," and our collective reflections on what it is and isn't from years of experience. Part one of a two part conversation.
After a four month (unplanned) hiatus, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants dust off the podcast equipment and talk about Purpose and Care.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the virtue of gratitude.
Short video with the voice of Br. David Steindl-Rast on gratefulness.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants try something a little different. Before recording we each listed what we believe are five attributes of outstanding students - those all around 95th percentile students we've had the pleausre of working with over our careers in education and formation. During the episode we share our attributes and why we think they're important.
Book mentioned in the podcast- The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants are joined today by Mr. Bob Luddy, Founder and Chairman of STMA, for a conversation about culture, standards, and integrity among other points of discussion. We remain ever grateful for Mr. Luddy's vision, leadership, and tremendous generosity in support of our mission at STMA, as well as his ongoing efforts aimed at the restoration of culture and the education/formation of young people to the greater glory of God.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the topic of self-discipline as it relates to student outcomes.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the topic of Holy Obedience as it relates to our faith and lives, especially in connection to the young people we are working to form to the greater glory of God.
This episode features the story of Joseph Dutton, an American veteran who spent the last half of his life working with leprosy patients in Molokai, Hawaii. This lecture by Ms. Adriana Watkins was given to students at STMA in April 2023. Dutton’s life is a beautiful example of the way God’s Providence follows us through strange turns of fate, and even through our own mistakes. Some very helpful resources made this lecture possible, including: The Joseph Dutton Guild’s reissuing of an old Dutton biography: https://www.josephdutton.org/product-page/dutton-prayer-card-1 “The Soul of Kalaupapa,” a documentary about the colony: https://vimeo.com/113259515 A collection of the only few of Dutton’s letters available online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44209102?seq=3"
This episode features Mr. Rob Kirkendall, Instructor in the Humanities, delivering a lecture to the student body titled “Becoming Prayer: Adoration and the Life of St. Titus Brandsma.”
St. Titus, canonized a year ago by Pope Francis, was a Dutch journalist, educator, Carmelite priest, and mystic who was martyred in Dachau by the Nazis for coordinating resistance Nazi policies in the Netherlands. Mr. Kirkendall showcases how much we can learn from St. Titus about the life of prayer: beneath his vigorous apostolic work was a life nourished by intense prayer, especially adoration of Christ in the Eucharist.
It is our special ambition at St. Thomas More Academy to form students in academic, spiritual, and moral excellence, above all nourished by an integrated relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, to the greater glory of God. May St. Titus’ example inspire us to pursue authentic prayer and work, true adoration and real virtue, fervent action and deep contemplation.
Below are sources Mr. Kirkendall consulted for research, including three books and a web-page.
Encountering God in the Abyss: Titus Brandsma’s Spiritual Journey by Constant Dolle, trans. John Vriend
Truth in Love: The Life of Carmelite St. Titus Brandsma by Fernando Millan
Carmelite Spirituality: The Way of Carmelite Prayer and Contemplation by Cardinal Anders Arborelius OCDF
Web-page devoted to St. Titus Brandsma
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants shift the discussion from Boys Adrift to the topic of girls and young women as related to Dr. Leonard Sax's book, Girls on the Edge: Why So Many Girls Are Anxious, Wired, and Obsessed - and What Parents Can Do.
A main point of emphasis for this conversation is the high levels of "anxiety" we see every year in a small number of female students over the years. The students themselves were usually at a loss for the precise cause for their anxiety. Parents and therapists were also unable to offer clues.
Or hope is that this conversation might offer some helpful insights we have gleened from years of working with students.
We also mentioned another helpful podcast episode:
Art of Manliness: Generations - The Surprising Truths and Persistent Myths
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants continue discussing the topic of boys and young men that struggle (or more appropriately, don't) with positive engagement in life and arrested development.
Over the years we've had more than a few conversations with parents about sons that seem to lack any and all motivation to work hard and apply themselves to tasks at hand. It's a difficult topic, because there are no quick and easy solutions. After years of reading, watching, and listening to countless resources on the subject, we are really no closer to "solving" the problem than we were over a decade ago. As we often say, it's more an issue of a death by a thousand little cuts than it is one huge "cut" that would be easier to correct.
So while we don't have a simple solution, we have become a little better at assessing the problem and have a few insights ordered to better outcomes. We share our thoughts in this episode which is part 1 of a longer conversation.
Boys Adrift is the title of a book by Dr. Leonard Sax.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the topic of boys and young men that struggle (or more appropriately, don't) with positive engagement in life and arrested development.
Over the years we've had more than a few conversations with parents about sons that seem to lack any and all motivation to work hard and apply themselves to tasks at hand. It's a difficult topic, because there are no quick and easy solutions. After years of reading, watching, and listening to countless resources on the subject, we are really no closer to "solving" the problem than we were over a decade ago. As we often say, it's more an issue of a death by a thousand little cuts than it is one huge "cut" that would be easier to correct.
So while we don't have a simple solution, we have become a little better at assessing the problem and have a few insights ordered to better outcomes. We share our thoughts in this episode which is part 1 of a longer conversation.
Boys Adrift is the title of a book by Dr. Leonard Sax.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the topic of boys and young men that struggle (or more appropriately, don't) with positive engagement in life and arrested development.
Over the years we've had more than a few conversations with parents about sons that seem to lack any and all motivation to work hard and apply themselves to tasks at hand. It's a difficult topic, because there are no quick and easy solutions. After years of reading, watching, and listening to countless resources on the subject, we are really no closer to "solving" the problem than we were over a decade ago. As we often say, it's more an issue of a death by a thousand little cuts than it is one huge "cut" that would be easier to correct.
So while we don't have a simple solution, we have become a little better at assessing the problem and have a few insights ordered to better outcomes. We share our thoughts in this episode which is part 1 of a longer conversation.
Boys Adrift is the title of a book by Dr. Leonard Sax.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants discuss the topic of paying attention.
The ability to pay attention is a critical life skill, but not unlike prayer it is one of those things we tell people (especially students) to do, without really explaining how they go about doing it. We share some thoughts on the subject and suggests listeners also download these podcasts on the subject as well:
The Heights Forum podcast with Kevin Majeres:
The Freedom to Form Bonds: Kevin Majeres on Mindfulness and Attention
The Art of Manliness podcast on focus and paying attention:
Podcast #832 The Power of Unwavering Focus
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants sit down for a conversation with STMA Alumnus Deacon John De Guzman ('14) about his time at the Academy, his studies at St. Charles Borromeo College Seminary, and Theological College Seminary at Catholic University of America. Deacon John also discussed his discernment and vocation to the priesthood, offering words of wisdom for others discerning a call to the Priesthood or Religious Life. Please pray for Deacon John and Deacon Erik Reyes as they prepare for their ordination to the Priesthood on Saturday, June 4th at 10:00am at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants express gratitude for the wonderful students we get to build relationships with at STMA.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss the parent suggested topic of nihilism.
We ended up discussing both nihilism and apathy as they are closely related and often overlap.
They are both topics worthy of much longer conversations, but we hope this relatively brief episode might provide some insights to the topic as we see it. Hopefully, this is helpful in thinking about our contemporary culture and the modern world our young people are growing up in. We also hope it might be of some small help for those who struggle with either issue personally or in someone they love.
Links below are to the video and article mentioned in the episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8IVA_iVofo
https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481314954/shows-about-nothing/
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Charles McCants and Adriana Watkins discuss the discernment of gifts and talents.
We have all been given unique gifts and talents by Our Lord and are expected to multiply them throughout our lives in who we are called to BE and what we are called to DO.
But when we express this to young people it can sometimes be difficult for them to figure out on their own exactly what their talents (or attributes) are in order tomultiply them.
We hope this conversation might be of use to everyone as we look for the unique gifts/talents/attributes in our lives that we can use to God's greater glory.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Mr. Charles McCants sit down for a conversation with STMA Alumnus Andrew Mistele ('18) about his time at the Academy, his studies in Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University ('22), and where he's headed after graduation.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss accreditation and the fact that is neither necessary nor a guarantor of excellence in schools.
It is commonly held that "Schools must be accredited." But who says, and what is accreditation? What does it do? What are its limitations? We've heard people say, "You can't get into to college if you go to a school that isn't accredited." And yet, STMA, which has never even sought accreditation, has a 100% college placement record over 20 years. Every graduate has successfully placed into four year colleges, including some of the most selective in the country. Add to this the number of homeschool students that go to schools like Harvard and Princeton every year, and it's easy to see that a statement like that is false on its face. More to the point, there are thousands of schools in the United States that are accredited, but truly terrible schools. So in today's episode we take a deeper dive into the myth of accreditation.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Charles McCants and Kelly Jackson discuss work ethic as it relates to being a student with good academic outcomes.
As teachers and administrators an ongoing challenge is trying to understand why some otherwise very good students don't seem to get the grade outcomes the (or their parents) hope for at the end of term. But when we look closely at those students that earn top outcomes, we see a consistent attribute: a strong work ethic.
In this episode, we discuss what that looks like with a fundamental understanding that learning is not about mindless passive consumption, but proactive, positive engagement and hardworking in class and outside of class when studying. Put more simply, students with the best outcomes are almost always mindful proactive producers. But a real challenge in our modern world is that countless media corporations are doing everything in their power to make passive consumption as effortless as possible, and a lot of their energy is directed at our young people.
In response to a parent request, Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss leadership formation for children.
Upon reflection, it seems that leadership really comes down to some very fundamental ideas: Authority, trust, and responsibility. Looking to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, as the ultimate leader, we understand that his authority was not his own, it was given to him by his Father in Heaven, who loves and trusts him with the responsibility of the salvation of the world - and leading souls to it perpetually. From this we can understand that parents, and by extension teachers, are given authority and responsibility over and for their children. In love, we then grant age appropriate authority and responsibility to our children over tasks that start small and grow over time. Chores, academic work, even free play time can be ways in which we form the attributes necessary in children to be good leaders as adults. We hope this conversation is as thought provoking for listeners as it was for us in thinking through what it means to form faithful and virtuous leaders.
The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss how STMA handles academic and behavioral formation conversations.
Understanding that we should properly model relationships on the Holy Trinity, and by extension the family as a foundational human relationship, at STMA, academic and behavioral formation is not a bureaucratic or institutional process. We look to the faithful and functional family as the model for how we might address any challenges that arise during a student's time at STMA. This approach may be unique for some parents based on experiences at other schools, or their own experience in school. Our belief is that our human and spiritual formation should not be a matter of demerits, strikes, and detentions, but rather relational conversations ordered to best outcomes. We hope this episode will help to explain our approach to this aspect of student engagement.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Lief Babin.
Going chapter by chapter we discuss how the leadership principles learned by officers leading the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War can apply to our roles as parents, students, and teachers as we work together for best outcomes.
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants continue discussing what it means to trust the process at STMA.
Pastores Dabo Vobis - Pope St. John Paul II
Art of Manliness Podcast: The Power of Team Captains
Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, and Charles McCants discuss what it means to trust the process at STMA.
Deacon Brad and Dr. Noland discuss Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder
Welcome to the St. Thomas More Academy podcast. Deacon Brad Watkins, Headmaster of the Academy, is joined by Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty, to talk about the formation of the whole person, especially young men and women in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, all to the greater glory of God. Thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope it is helpful.
In this episode we try to figure out how to podcast again and have a conversation about the state of the school since our last episode at the time of the 2020 shelter at home orders due to the Covid pandemic.
Links to videos discussed in the podcast:
Education at the Crossroads Episode number 1 with Mr. Robert Luddy
Education at the Crossroads Episode number 3 with Deacon Brad Watkins and Dr. Jake Noland
Dr. Cal Newport says, Do fewer things. Do them better. Know why you’re doing them.
Welcome to the St. Thomas More Academy podcast. Deacon Brad Watkins, Headmaster of the Academy, is joined by Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, to talk about the formation of the whole person, especially young men and women in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, all to the greater glory of God. Thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope it is helpful.
In this episode we pick up a conversation from Episode 13 on Dr. Cal Newport's book, Deep Work. Recently, Dr. Newport posted a series of discussions on his blog, Study Hacks, that he summed up as “Do less, do better, know why.” We thought this was a great topic for conversation, and something we can all reflect on in our own lives, but might be especially helpful for students.
Cal Newport: Study Hacks Blog
Cal Newport: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Jessica Lahey: The Gift of Failure:How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed
Jocko Willink and Lief Babin: Extreme Ownership
Simon Sinek: Start With Why (book)
Simon Sinek: Start With Why Ted Talk (video)
BBC Article: What Leader Are You? It Depends On Your Parents
Welcome to episode fourteen of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation with STMA Alumna Julia French ('18) about her time so far at the University of Notre Dame and her time at the Academy.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul says, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
And from the Book of Proverbs, "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." (Proverbs 14:23)
Welcome to the St. Thomas More Academy podcast. We’re here to talk about the formation of the whole person, especially young men and women in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, all to the greater glory of God. Thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. If you find these conversations helpful, we would be grateful to those willing to rate, review, and share with others who might find them useful.
In this episode, Deacon Brad Watkins, Headmaster of the Academy, is joined by Dr. Jake Noland, Dean of Faculty, and Mr. Charles McCants, Classics Teacher and Student Life Coordinator, for a conversation about Deep Work, based on the book of the same title by Dr. Cal Newport. This is a timely topic, especially as the COVID-19 Coronavirus has forced the closure of our school and we take student formation to a distance learning/online format.
Deep Work defined: “Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.” (from Deep Work, by Cal Newport)
Shallow Work defined: “Noncognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend to not create new value in the world and are easy to replicate.” (from Deep Work, by Cal Newport)
Deep Work by Dr. Cal Newport
Digital Minimalism by Dr. Cal Newport
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
iGen by Jean Twenge
Technopoly by Neil Postman
Irresistible by Adam Alter
Mind Change by Susan Greenfield
World Without Mind by Franklin Foer
Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace (video)
We are grateful for your support and humbly ask that you pray for our mission to form young men and women, the whole person, to the greater glory of God. Until next time, take care and God bless. St. Thomas More, pray for us
Welcome to episode twelve of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation with STMA Alumna Aubrey Leaser ('19) about her time so far at the University of Virginia and her time at the Academy.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
In the fifth chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Our Lord says, Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
In this episode of the STMA Podcast, Ms. Christina Geradts and Mr. Charles McCants, STMA Student Life Coordinators, join our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins and Dr. Jake Noland, STMA Dean of Faculty, for a conversation about commitment. What does it mean to be men and women of our word, people who follow through on our commitments - especially in what is now frequently referred to as the “age of bail.”
The Golden Age of Bailing by David Brooks
Make a Schedule (Video) by Jordan Peterson
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
Welcome to episode ten of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation with STMA Alums Alex Winger ('18) and Connor Mulligan ('19) about college and their time at the Academy.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
Dr. Leonard Sax, in his book, The Collapse of Parenting, wrote: “We now live in a culture in which kids value the opinion of same aged peers more than they value the opinion of their parents, a culture in which the authority of the parents has declined not only in the eyes of the children, but also in the eyes of the parents themselves.”
In the 15th Chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Our Lord says, “If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.”
Welcome to episode nine of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation about peer orientation.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
The Collapse of Parenting by Dr. Leonard Sax
Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gordon Neufeld, PhD. and Gabor Mate, MD
In his first letter to the Corintians, St. Paul said, “When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.”
Welcome to episode eight of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation specifically about the formation of boys and young men, and what some are calling, "The Boy Crisis." They discuss thoughts about how we got here, the challenges boys and young men face, and the critical role positively enriching father's play in their son's (and daughter's) lives.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. We only ask in return that you pray for our entire school community and our mission.
The Boy Crisis by Warren Farrell, Ph.D. and John Gray, Ph.D.
Faith of the Fatherless, Paul Vitz, Ph.D.
Successful Father by James Stenson
The Collapse of Parenting by Dr. Leonard Sax
Boys Adrift by Dr. Leonard Sax
Why Honor Matters by Tamler Sommers, PhD.
Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D. and Dr. Gabor Mate
Welcome to episode six of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, as they continue discussing FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) from our website. These are questions we often receive from prospective families, current families, and people outside of the Academy trying to gain insights into our excellent outcomes.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful.
Welcome to episode six of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, as they discuss FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) from our website. These are questions we often receive from prospective families, current families, and people outside of the Academy trying to gain insights into our excellent outcomes.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful.
Welcome to episode five of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, as they discuss our mission to form the whole person, and what that means, especially here at St. Thomas More Academy.
As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful.
Pastores Dabo Vobis - Pope Saint John Paul II
Program for Priestly Formation
Episode 4 - Exercise
“Remember that bodily exercise, when well ordered...is also a prayer by means of which, you can please God our Lord.” St. Ignatius of Loyola
“There is a moral imperative to take care of what you’ve been given.” Fr. Mike Schmitz
Welcome to episode 4 of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast. This is Deacon Brad Watkins, Headmaster of the Academy, with you from our campus in Raleigh, NC. We’re here to talk about the formation of the whole person, especially young men and women in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, all to the greater glory of God. Thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope it is helpful.
Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins me again as we continue a mini-series discussing ways that students can improve their ability to positively engage their faith, relationships, and school life.
In this episode we discuss exercise, what we consider to be one of the three foundational aspects of being a positively engaged learner, along with sleep and diet, and how critical exercise is to the development and healthy maintenance of our bodies and minds.
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John Ratey
The Soft American by John F. Kennedy
The Motivation Factor Trailer - La Sierra High School/JFK Challenge (VIDEO)
The (Political) Science of Salt by Gary Taubes
The Hyponatremia of Exercise, Part 1 by Dr. Tim Noakes
Is Sitting the New Smoking by Selene Yeager
Death of the Calorie by Peter Wilson
Wanna Stay Healthy? You Better Be Moving All Day Long by Christopher Keyes
Sit, Stand, Sit: The new science about how to best use your standing desk by Sandee LaMotte
Dr. Jake Noland joins Deacon Brad Watkins as we continue a mini-series discussing ways that students can improve their ability to positively engage their faith, relationships, and school life.
In this episode we discuss diet, what we consider to be one of the three foundational aspects of being a positively engaged learner, along with sleep and exercise, and how critical a balanced and well ordered diet is to the development and healthy maintenance of our bodies and minds.
It is important to note that we are not registered dietitians or trained nutritionists, but have spent a fair amount of time studying information related to health, diet, and nutrition - especially as they relate to the formation of the young people we work with everyday.
Below we have provided links to a number of sources of information that listeners may find interesting or helpful.
- Michael Pollan’s, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (Book)
- Michael Pollan’s, In Defense of Food (Seven Words short YouTube video)
- Dr. Terence Kealey on the Myth of Scientific Objectivity (VIDEO)
- Dr. Norman Kaplan, The Deadly Quartet
Time: The Hidden Dangers of Skinny Fat
Why people become overweight.
Insulin, blood sugar, diabetes.
Whey protein and stress/cognitive performance.
Sugar addiction/not feeling full/over eating.
Sugar and inflammation.
Sugar and weight gain.
Soft Drinks - Latest Study
The number of under-25s with Type 2 diabetes doubles in five years amid obesity epidemic
Importance of O3/O6 fat ratio.
Fish oil and inflammation.
Here’s what actually happens in your body when you eat fat.
Dr. Jake Noland joins Deacon Brad Watkins as we begin a mini-series discussing ways that students can improve their ability to positively engage their faith, relationships, and school life.
In this episode we discuss sleep, what we consider to be one of the three foundational elements, along with diet and exercise, and how it can improve almost every aspect of our lives. Conversely, we discuss how the lack of sleep can negatively impact our lives.
All of the scientific information referenced in this podcast about sleep is from Dr. Matthew Walker’s 2017 book entitled, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. If you would like to learn more about sleep and the latest science related to it, we highly recommend Dr. Walker’s book.
- In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2
- When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
References for this podcast:
- Dr. Matthew Walker Google Talks "Why We Sleep"
- Good to Go by Christie Aschwanden (sleep as the best sports recovery method) - Strength Running Podcast.
- Laird Hamilton Morning routine of a professional big wave surfer “Take Sleep Seriously”
- Jocko Willink A Navy SEAL explains why you should get up at 4:30 am every day
- Next Big Thing: Sleep Science Is Becoming the NFL's Secret Weapon
- Eat, drink and sleep like a footballer
- Nick Littlehales: the man who showed Cristiano Ronaldo how to sleep
- R. R. Reno, Fighting the Noonday Devil
- Dusty Gates, Why Leisure is a Remedy for Sloth
Dr. Jake Noland joins our Headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, for a conversation about positively engaged learners. Dr. Noland serves as the Dean of Faculty at STMA, but also teaches logic, bioethics, philosophy, economics, and a number of electives, and currently serves as our Athletic Director and head coach for men’s soccer team, and our women’s basketball and soccer teams.
In this episode we will discuss some of our thoughts around positive engagement, not just in school, but also in our faith and life. Conversely, we talk about challenges when we are not intentionally predisposed to learning, especially with regard to sleep, diet, and exercise. Finally, we’ll discuss ways we can become more positively engaged and the outcomes we might see.
Books Referenced:
iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us by Dr. Jean Twenge
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John Ratey, MD
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Dr. Matthew Walker
