If you've never been part of a church that uses catechisms regularly in their worship liturgy, you might not be familiar with this historical tradition and biblical teaching tool. You may even have a foggy view of catechisms as a dry and monotone concept. This podcast will help bring the notion of catechisms to life for your family, and help you see how you can use this valuable tool - which has been around for centuries (millenia, even) in the church - to pass down your faith to your children.

Veritas teachers employ catechisms in lower Grammar school, during devotions, handwriting and grammar practice, and more. They have seen how it helps to implant the foundational truths of God's word deep in kids' hearts and minds (and parents of Veritas students can probably attest to this fact, too!).

In this episode, Veritas Head of School Ty Fischer talks with two local pastors - Rev. Christopher Seifferlein of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and Rev. Kasey Horvath of All Saints Church - about catechisms, including:

• What the purpose of catechisms has historically been in the church
• How catechisms help parents, pastors, and all believers grow and stay firm in faith
• How they have used catechisms to help pass on the faith to their children
• And more!

We hope you enjoy this insightful and encouraging episode and take away some ideas and inspiration for ensuring that these foundational truths are "written on the hearts" of your family, too.

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

Dr. Ben Merkle, President of New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, ID, spoke with Veritas juniors and seniors last year about the value of a college education...or, perhaps more accurately, the (often) lack of real value in today's typical college education.

His talk will give parents and students a new perspective on college, helping you rethink your reasons for investing in higher education and pulling back the curtain on what truly makes for a worthwhile college investment (according to employers).

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, leading people to make better financial decisions, and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

It's one of the most essential, basic skills imparted in education - that is, the skill of reading. And when that skill is unlocked in a child, their world opens up, and their education expands with greater joy and success.

Kindergarten is where that happens for most kids, and while it is such a basic and crucial part of education, different methods for teaching kids to read have been championed over the years, often with mixed results.

The one method that has been tried and true for centuries – and, as you will learn in this podcast is scientifically proven to be effective for learning our language – is phonics.

In this episode, you'll hear from one of our kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Laurie Conrad, who has not only taught kindergarten for decades, but also earned her master's in education degree in reading and holds a PA Reading Specialist certificate.

If you have young children in preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary school, Mrs. Conrad's stories from the classroom and experience of how phonics works so well in growing kids' ability and confidence in reading will be enlightening and inspiring!

This season of Cultivate has been sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decision and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

In our last episode on Logic, you may remember our guests defining Logic as "the art and science of reasoning well." In this episode, we're continuing that trend and talking about, well, art and science!

At Veritas, one of our science teachers has a unique background and set of skills that, at first glance, may seem like it doesn't all match up. Amanda Crooks teaches biology, anatomy and physiology, and earth science...and also served as an art teacher for many years.

Science and art - two disciplines that aren't too often discussed together - merge beautifully in Amanda's classrooms. In this episode, Mr. Fischer talks with her about how her perspective on both of these fields helps her students see God's glory and enjoy learning in a whole new way.

Hear about:

• The shared elements of beauty, observation, and creativity in both fields art and science.
• Unique classroom activities that naturally bridge artistic flair and scientific discovery together.
• The joys of integrating faith with art and science education, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking among students while grounding them in Biblical truth.
• The importance of preparing students for the world beyond school by instilling virtue and fostering a holistic appreciation of God's creation through.

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, leading people to make better financial decisions, and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

Middle schoolers can be argumentative. And it can drive parents crazy. But they are blossoming into young adults who will need to communicate and sometimes argue ideas in the real world soon enough. How do we equip them with the tools to not only think through their own beliefs, but to critically process new ideas, and sift through arguments to find and promote TRUTH above all?

Enter the LOGIC phase of classical Christian education - the middle segment of our three-pronged Trivium. Right in the center of their education, students train their minds to know how to spot and construct sound, valid arguments and reason well, so that they can apply the facts they've learned and live as someone who listens and speaks well.

In this episode, we'll hear from our two Logic teachers at Veritas Academy - Stephen Darrenkamp (who also teaches Latin) and Adam Timmins (who also teaches Omnibus and Apologetics).

You'll listen in on a discussion covering:

• The role of logic in a student's education
• The integration with faith and reason
• How logic prepares students for rhetoric and effective communication
• Practical advice for parents of argumentative middle schoolers
• The broader implications of logic on students’ understanding of faith, culture, and morality.

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd in Lancaster, PA,  leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

One thing that many alumni and students will say upon reflecting on the merits of their Veritas education is: "I learned how to carry on a good conversation."

The art of conversing seems to be dwindling in our culture. Being able to relate to others well in a variety of situations - and engage thoughtfully on a breadth of topics - is a skill that is deeply appreciated by others, and beneficial for ourselves, too.

Especially now during the holidays – when we find ourselves in an array of social settings with family, friends, and even strangers – being equipped with the mindset and skills for good conversation will make Christmas gatherings all the more pleasant for everyone.

Our host, Head of School Ty Fischer, is joined in this episode by Veritas alumni Jesse Brooks and Dean of Students and Omnibus/Rhetoric teacher Graham Dennis to talk about what makes for a good conversation, and how we can help cultivate in ourselves and our children the desire and skill to carry on good conversation.

After all, that's a big part of what we're doing at Veritas – fostering students who can listen well and speak thoughtfully on topics that truly matter, and who excel at relating with one another in Christ because they've been trained regularly in talking around the table.

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located at North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

As the holidays approach, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on feasting. Many of our families will soon gather around tables filled with long-cherished traditions—rituals that bind us together in joy and gratitude.

In Classical Christian education, tradition isn’t just appreciated; it’s essential. Feasting is woven into the fabric of our school culture, shaping why families love Veritas and why students feel so deeply connected here.

In this lively conversation, Veritas teachers Rhonda Forbes and Caleb Ploutz, Director of Events Rona' Martin, and our Head of School Ty Fischer explore the heart behind our many feasts: what they look like, why we host them, and how beauty, celebration, and intentional effort mark a child’s education in profound ways. They unpack how these joyful, carefully crafted events help form students’ souls in virtue, truth, beauty, and goodness. Enjoy!

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Boulevard in Lancaster, leading people to  make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

Does it give you pause when you see a photo, video, or story and you wonder "Is this real, or was it created by AI?"

Does it even matter anymore whether the art and information we're interacting with was created by human or machine?

And, how is classical Christian education - so deeply focused on cultivating well-read, well-written, and well-spoken students - still relevant in a world that is increasingly obsessed with the efficiency that artificial intelligence tools promise?

Our host, Veritas Head of School Ty Fischer is joined in this by two guests who are employed in various STEM fields and are in the thick of some of this AI usage - Jack DeWeese, a software developer and Veritas alumnus Zach Spykstra, a mechantronics engineer.

They will dive into:

• How most AI programs actually work (they're not actually intelligent).
• Thoughts on how (or even if) parents and Christians can use these tools rightly and with discernment.
• What kind of education will serve the next generation growing up in an AI-fueled world...and how kids can set themselves apart by maintaining their God-given abilities to reason, think, and create freely.
• Warnings on the use of too much AI.
• Why (or whether) it matters if humans or a machine created content that we use.

This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.