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Articles & Essays

Parental Presence, Part II

Parental presence is not achieved by physical presence alone. Ask: what one thing can I do to become a more truly present parent in my children’s lives?

By Alvaro de Vicente | April 28, 2026

A Simple Tool for Doing Better

A postgame review of every test that's handed back is perhaps the easiest—and most neglected—step towards improvement.

By Robert Greving | April 25, 2026

Parental Presence, Part I

While “quality time” has long been the measure of parental presence, prioritizing and even sacrificing for “quantity time” with one’s children has a deep impact.

By Alvaro de Vicente | April 21, 2026

5 Ways to Make the Faith Attractive to Boys

Handing down the faith is far from automatic. Boys need to understand the Christian life as one of adventure and action.

By Alvaro de Vicente | March 31, 2026

Worthy and Willing: Forming Boys Who Will Want to Marry

As parents and teachers, forming boys who are prepared to seek and freely choose their vocation is not ancillary to our mission but an essential part of it. 

By Dr. Joseph Lanzilotti | March 27, 2026

Sartorial Prudence: Making a Dress Code Fit You

A dress code can meet the occasion or elevate the tone—without squashing personal expression or upholding Draconian standards.

By Elias Naegele | March 23, 2026

Boys Should Learn to Cook

Cooking and baking develop that intangible quality known as experience. It’s judgment, confidence, and humility found by experiments, mistakes, and taking notes.

By Robert Greving | March 16, 2026

What Is a Man?

Though it’s true that a man ought to be good, merely telling a boy to “be a good person” is not good enough. Boys want to know what it means to be a man.

By Alvaro de Vicente | March 10, 2026

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Book & Movie Reviews

Soaring Over the Rainbow

" Wicked: For Good completes the faithful adaptation of a Broadway masterpiece.  The Broadway musical Wicked first hit movie theate..."

- Mark Grannis Read the Review
Movie Review Wicked: For Good starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande

The Power and the Glory – A Review

"Have you ever read a book that inspired in you a soul-crushing desire to eat fried chicken, shed undefinable tears through a mouthful of Spr..."

- Joseph Bissex Read the Review
Book Review The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene

In Search of Sacrifice: The Drama of the Family in Godzilla Minus One

"2023’s Japanese film Godzilla Minus One is more than a monster flick—it’s a true family movie. Not to be confused with CGI-heavy Ameri..."

- Joe Breslin Read the Review
Movie Review Godzilla Minus One starring Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe

Testosterone Tropes: A Review of F1: The Movie

"If the social media “manosphere” became incarnate as a movie, that movie would be F1. Not so much a story as a series of “manly” tro..."

- Joe Breslin Read the Review
Movie Review F1 starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem

Look Up: Why I Believe in Superman (2025)

"Superman (2025) is a fun and wholesome movie that’s best enjoyed on the big screen. Despite some issues with pacing and a few unfortunate ..."

- Tom Cox Read the Review
Movie Review Superman (2025) starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult

Cutting Edge, but Get to the Point

"Fantasy authors have a league of their own. They play for various intramural teams, such as The Snarky Sendups (Terry Pratchett’s Discworl..."

- Joseph Bissex Read the Review
Book Review Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Melancholy, Minnesotan Medicine

"In a post-progress Midwest, beside that omnipotent and mercurial god, Lake Superior, Rainy and his wife Lark have the closest thing to happi..."

- Joe Breslin Read the Review
Book Review I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

Escaping the Void: A Review of Thunderbolts*

"The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t done itself any favors since Endgame (2019). Between emasculating beloved male characters, inserting ..."

- Joe Breslin Read the Review
Movie Review Thunderbolts* starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

A Sublime Comedy: Joe Versus the Volcano at 35

"Friday, March 9, 1990, was a pivotal day in my life, because it’s the day I picked up the phone and called the young woman who would, eigh..."

- Mark Grannis Read the Review
Movie Review Joe Versus the Volcano starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges

Pure Murder: A Review of Gladiator II

"I never want to see this movie again. Granted, this might sound a bit harsh coming from a Classics undergrad who spent most of his Classics ..."

- Conn Mehigan Read the Review
Movie Review Gladiator II starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington

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Podcasts & Videos

HeightsCast

The Walled Garden: Critical Considerations for Classroom AI

AI tech has come knocking at the classroom door. How do we best educate citizens—rather than simply users?

Featuring Andrew Cantarutti | May 07, 2026

Forum Faculty Podcast

Athlete or Academic: What’s the Real Priority in Schools?

We welcome to this conversation coaches and teachers Jeff Thompson, Joel Sellier, and Brian Carroccio. They dive into the historical importance of physical education, the post-COVID surge in youth sports, the impact of club sports on school sports, and the critical development of discipline and teamwork through athletics.

Featuring Jeff Thompson, Joel Sellier, Brian Carroccio | August 01, 2025

A Humane Way of Life: The Research Behind Home Tech Decisions

Increasingly, the vision we as parents have for our children is in direct competition with the vision big tech has for them.

Featuring Clare Morell | April 30, 2026

An Apostolate of Courtesy: Social Graces and Civilization

Saving civilization well may begin with eye contact, a tucked shirt, a sincere apology, or a held door.

Featuring Robert Greving | April 23, 2026

Teaching the American Founding after 250 Years

How have we allowed such a daring story as the American founding to become a history lesson so simple, tidy, and inevitable that it can be covered in one day’s class? Dr. Spalding invites educators (and everyday citizens) to understand our nation’s founding as so much more than just “an Enlightenment experiment.”

Featuring Matthew Spalding | April 16, 2026

“Tell me the truth!” Leading Boys to Integrity

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

Featuring Colin Gleason | April 09, 2026

Automaticity: Where ‘Rote’ Fits into the Liberal Arts

Dave Maxham explains why fundamentals and drills may be integral to creativity—not hindrances.

Featuring Dave Maxham | March 26, 2026

Parenting through the Middle School Doldrums

What do our children need most from us in the unsteady years of middle school? First, says Head of Middle School Andy Reed, they need our availability.

Featuring Andrew Reed | March 19, 2026

Classroom Habits of Attention in the Age of AI

Today, we have an increasing store of research to evaluate the claims of AI and educational tech. Can it be used constructively?

Featuring Andrew Cantarutti | March 12, 2026

The Teacher’s Voice

Volume, pitch, pace, tone, inflection: the human voice is our primary teaching instrument, one that comes with enormous advantages.

Featuring Tom Steenson | March 05, 2026

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