How have we allowed such a daring story as the American founding to become so flat? A history lesson so simple, tidy, and inevitable that it can be covered in one day's class?

Dr. Matthew Spalding, dean of Hillsdale's Van Andel Graduate School of Government, wants to revive the living story of the American founding—and the Declaration of Independence, in particular. Calling it our nation's "epic poem," he sees in this document as a layered poetic, philosophical, and practical work of the American Mind. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Spalding invites educators (and everyday citizens) to understand our nation's founding as so much more than just "an Enlightenment experiment."

00:03:04 "The American Mind" in 1776
00:08:36 A better definition of patriotism
00:10:57 Declaration of Independence: our epic poem
00:14:43 How and why we teach history
00:16:36 Founding influences: more than the Enlightenment
00:21:46 The American synthesis
00:26:40 "Pursuit of happiness" in context
00:29:22 Why the founding narrative is mistold
00:38:06 New surprises in old studies
00:41:32 Finding common ground today

Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, Hillsdale College

The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence by Matthew Spalding

We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future by Matthew Spalding

The Founders' Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders, and Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding by Matthew Spalding

On the Importance of History, Part I featuring Dr. Matthew Spalding

Why Arguments Make History by Mark Grannis

Keeping the Story in History by Mark Grannis

Parents' Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026)

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)

Why tell the truth when it doesn't always pay? It's important to let boys encounter this question through example, literature, and enough freedom to wrestle with his own conscience.

In this rebroadcast of a 2017 talk, Head of Lower School Colin Gleason admits that you can't "teach" integrity with drills and facts. But you can create an environment that encourages it to develop. We have to push past consequentialism and avoid the adult instinct to root out the facts at any cost. Because the truth is a good and natural thing; the boy needs only to embrace it.

3:12 Dishonesty: from toddlers to adults

5:51 Examples of integrity

10:04 Defining integrity, and whether we can teach it

13:36 Getting past "consequence" ethics

22:14 Homes and schools where integrity can take root

24:47 Trust: the power of relationship

33:47 Freedom: their own initiative

38:37 Friendship: ready to guide and help

45:03 Dishonesty from fear, honesty from confidence

Jeremy Affeldt repaid the Giants $500,000 after clerical error, CBS Sports, May 15, 2013

"Sportsman" Roddick falls in Rome, The Seattle Times, May 6, 2005

The Truth Shall Set You Free by Alvaro de Vicente

Lying to Dumbledore: On Moral Consequentialism in Children's Literature featuring Joe Breslin and Tom Cox

Parents' Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026)

Could creativity and intellectual freedom actually depend on the rote?

Following up on his recent article for the Forum, math teacher Dave Maxham dives into why fundamentals and drills are integral to creativity—not hindrances. Between the "drill and kill" and the "free inquiry" camps lies the golden mean: an understanding that mastery and even delight in the basics allows for real, nimble handling of creative problems.

3:19 Defining automaticity, creativity

7:09 The automatic enables the creative

15:14 Returning to basics, overcoming boredom

19:14 Struggle and humility bear fruit

24:05 Mastery and the intrinsic payoff

27:24 Model delight in your subject

35:13 With low standards, high expectations

42:25 The goals of homework

47:58 Cover less material, emphasize process

55:45 Letting them work it out

Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham

Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton (see chapter 4, "The Ethics of Elfland")

Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanation and Explicit Teaching by Zach Groshnell

The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning—And How to Help Them Thrive Again by Jared Cooney Horvath

Classroom Habits of Attention in the Age of AI featuring Andrew Cantarutti

Mathematics: The Lost Liberal Art featuring Dave Maxham

The Math Problem: Tackling the "I'm Terrible at Math" Mentality featuring Dave Maxham

Parents' Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026) – link coming soon

The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (May 6-8, 2026) – waitlist

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)

Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 2026)