Educating. Community building. Mentoring. Writing books. We cover it all in this conversation with Dr. Laurie Johnson! Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Primary Texts Analysis Program at Kansas State University, a Professor of Political Philosophy at K-State, the founder of a nonprofit alternative education initiative called The Maurin Academy, and the author of several books. Tune in to hear about the different ways Dr. Johnson offers formative educational experiences to her community.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:15) How did you come to your vocation?

(7:04) Difference between Undergraduate and Graduate experience.

(9:45) Skill versus willpower in graduate studies.

(13:06) How did you figure out what you were good at?

(17:32) What is philosophy?

(19:00) Introversion and Extroversion

(21:35) Influential Mentors

(24:08) Promoting Mentorship

(26:23) What was finding a professorship like after your doctoral program?

(30:46) Primary Texts Education

(36:30) What does it take to keep that educational program running?

(39:35) What is the best way to educate college students?

(41:49) Writing Books

(44:07) What is your writing process?

(46:06) Does the stress of impending deadlines ever go away?

(48:05)) How do you relieve stress?

(49:38) Organizing the writing process

(52:50) Dealing with Alternate Viewpoints, Integrating Conversation

(56:15) The Maurin Academy, Catholic Worker’s Movement

(1:00:48)  Platforms of Education, JP2 Farm

(1:05:17) Lessons Learned from Active Citizenship

(1:08:32) Balancing Vision and Volunteer Relationships

(1:11:46) Advice for Figuring Out What to Do for a Living