In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds sit down with Liberty Common School instructors Steve Ronen and Jenny Cardenas to discuss one of the most gripping pursuits in American history—the twelve-day manhunt for John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln.

The conversation follows Booth’s desperate flight through the Maryland and Virginia countryside, the efforts of Union soldiers and detectives who tracked him, and the cultural aftermath of a nation reeling from tragedy.

References:

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson

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In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School math and engineering instructor Kay Lannen, who brings more than two decades of experience in the engineering field and holds ten U.S. patents. Together, they delve into the fascinating world of invention and discovery—tracing the patent process from idea to innovation. Mrs. Lannen shares insights from her own experience as a patent-holder, offering a rare look at how timeless human ingenuity continues to transform ideas into enduring contributions to the common good.

In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds are joined by Liberty Common School instructor Jason Mayer to explore the historical significance of the Sepoy Rebellion. Often overlooked in popular history, this pivotal uprising reshaped the trajectory of colonial rule and set the stage for global changes between 1870 and 1914. The discussion highlights how the rebellion’s legacy continues to shape both European and Indian history today.

About Jason Mayer

Jason teaches history at Liberty Common High School and currently serves as the department chair. He has taught for 27 years—15 of those at Liberty Common School.

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In this episode of Common Knowledge, hosts Brett Harkey and Chris Reynolds welcome Liberty Common School instructor Alysa Balfour for a thought-provoking exploration of two timeless works: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Together, they uncover surprising connections between Lewis’s satirical insights on human temptation and Aurelius’s stoic reflections on virtue and self-mastery. The discussion situates both works within “The Great Conversation,” tracing how ideas from vastly different eras and traditions still speak to one another—and to us—about the moral struggles and philosophical questions that shape the human experience.

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In this episode, librarian Paige Gowing and English instructor Lander Hultin join to explore the work of celebrated author Gary D. Schmidt. Best known for his deeply moving young-adult novels, Schmidt’s storytelling addresses universal themes—identity, resilience, empathy, and moral growth—through richly drawn characters and historical settings.

He’s received two Newbery Honors (Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy in 2005; The Wednesday Wars in 2008), a Printz Honor, and a National Book Award finalist nod for Okay for Now. His most recent works include Just Like That (2021), The Labors of Hercules Beal (2023, winner of the Josette Frank Award), and the forthcoming A Day at the Beach (2025).

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Bees don’t just make honey—they model a universe of order, purpose, and cooperation that has captivated thinkers from Aristotle to modern naturalists. In this episode, we’re joined by third-grade instructor and backyard beekeeper Meghan Duran for a conversation blending classical education, natural science, and philosophical reflection. From the hum of the hive to the habits of virtue, this is a conversation about what it means to live thoughtfully—even at the scale of six legs and two wings.About Meghan Duran

Megan teaches third grade at Liberty’s Plato campus. She has an associate’s degree in elementary education, a bachelor's degree in Business, and a master's degree in Teaching and Learning. She loves cornhusker football, honey bees, and USA wrestling.

Connect with Liberty Common School:

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In this episode, we explore the work of contemporary author Kate DiCamillo. Known for beloved novels like Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses, DiCamillo’s writing captures deep truths about the human condition through accessible and engaging stories for young readers. Jenna Allen and Steven Ronen join us to discuss how DiCamillo, despite being a relatively newer author, contributes meaningfully to the "Great Conversation" of literature — engaging with timeless themes like hope, friendship, loss, and redemption — and why her works have resonated so deeply with readers of all ages.

Books Mentioned In This Episode

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Tale of Despereaux

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Because of Winn-Dixie

Tiger Rising

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Connect with Liberty Common School:

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About the Episode

Art can seem elusive, and so many of us feel unequipped to pass judgment on an artwork. One of the most powerful tools in artistic analysis is aesthetic theory. The practice of using aesthetic theories can help us first classify the function of an artwork. After we classify the function, then we can more confidently determine the success. This episode walks listeners through the more common aesthetic theories and applies them to some of our favorite artworks.

Imitationalism
Symbolism
Emotionalism
Formalism
Instrumentalism
Institutionalism
Artists/Artworks Referenced:
Michelangelo
John James Audubon
Yosemite Valley by Ansel Adams
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
I and the Village by Marc Chagall
The Last Supper by Leonard DaVinci
Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
The Scream by Edvard Munch
Andrew Wyeth
Passing Storm over the Sierra Nevadas by Albert Bierstadt
Edgar Degas
Paul Cézanne
Piet Mondrian
Wassily Kandinsky
Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange
Fountain by Marcel Duchamp
Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
Shibboleth by Doris Salcedo
Comedian by Maurizio Cattelan

Connect with Liberty Common School:

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