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."

It's true that the art of conversing may be dwindling in our culture. Being able to relate to others well in a variety of situations - and engage on a breath of topics - is a skill that is deeply appreciated by others, and beneficial for ourselves, too.

Especially now, coming into 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 of 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 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.