MICROCOLLEGE: The Thoreau College Podcast

by Thoreau College

MICROCOLLEGE is an exploration of the crisis in higher education and the innovative projects and thinkers working to address it, with a special focus on the human-scaled, place-based, meaning-oriented learning communities we call "microcolleges." The podcast is hosted by Jacob Hundt, Founder of Thoreau College, a microcollege initiative rooted in the Driftless Region of rural southwestern Wisconsin, and inspired by the model o ...   ...  Read more

Podcast episodes

  • Episode #49: Jill Nephew - Inquiry, Education, Artificial Vs. Natural Intelligence

    Episode #49: Jill Nephew - Inquiry, Education, Artificial Vs. Natural Intelligence

    Jill Nephew, technologist and founder of Inqwire, joins the podcast for a thorough discussion on different forms of intelligence, questions of meta-crisis in the modern world, and solutions.Inqwire: https://www.inqwire.io/Some books mentioned in this episode:The Art of Memory by Frances YatesThe Book of Why by Judea PearlWestern Estoericism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Wouter J. HanegraafWhat is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics by Adam BeckerSomnium by Johannes KeplerThe Nordic Secret: A European Story of Beauty and Freedom by Lene Rachel Andersen and Tomas BjorkmanLearn more about Thoreau College and the microcollege movement: https://www.thoreaucollege.orgDriftless Folk School: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org

  • Episode #48: Liz Rog, Amy Arnold - Community Singing

    Episode #48: Liz Rog, Amy Arnold - Community Singing

    Liz Rog believes in singing together as an ancient technology for belonging, a simple and powerful tool for restoring our connection in community. She sings with all ages, teaching simple songs that can be woven into the seasons of the year and the changes and challenges of our lives in play, at bedsides, at rallies and in rituals. Liz delights in helping folks rediscover their ancestral birthright of group singing to nurture collective joy, courage and healing and supports songleading leadership practices to nurture our collective unfolding. In 2021, with friends and family Liz helped to create the Center for Belonging Folk School where people of all ages are welcomed to share stories, songs, food, handcraft, laughter and tears, all nested in a beautiful gazebo in a pristine wooded hollow near Decorah, Iowa.Amy Arnold grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and studied ceramics at the University of Minnesota. She enjoys growing and raising food for her family, community organizing, and singing with family and friends.Center for Belonging Folk School: https://www.centerforbelonging.earth/Ubuntu Choir Network: https://www.ubuntuchoirs.net/Highlander Folk School: https://highlandercenter.org/The Bird Sings: https://thebirdsings.com/Learn more about Thoreau College and the microcollege movement: https://www.thoreaucollege.orgDriftless Folk School: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org

  • Episode #47: Philippe Mesly, Julia Henderson - Great Lakes Institute, Canada

    Episode #47: Philippe Mesly, Julia Henderson - Great Lakes Institute, Canada

    Philippe Mesly is a writer and translator whose work examines intersections of political economy, religion, and environmental issues. He is also a trained horticulturalist and craftsperson.Julia Henderson is a writer whose work examines the intersections of religion and philosophy, with particular emphasis on Christian mysticism. She currently lives in Toronto with her cat, Duck.Explore the Organic Metaphor in Politics course here: https://thoreaucollege.org/winter-program/Learn more about the Great Lakes Institute here:https://www.greatlakesinstitute.netLearn more about Thoreau College and the microcollege movement here: https://thoreaucollege.org/Driftless Folk School: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org

  • Episode #46: Chris Barlow - High Mountain Institute, Leadville, Colorado

    Episode #46: Chris Barlow - High Mountain Institute, Leadville, Colorado

    Chris Barlow joins the podcast to talk about the High Mountain Institute in Leadville, Colorado and wax poetic on the importance of gap year experiences and alternative educational opportunities for young people in our time.Chris hails from Tennessee and has held myriad roles at HMI dating back to 2005 when he worked as a Spanish apprentice and English teacher. After a number of years working in traditional classrooms and a range of outdoor programs, Chris returned to co-found the HMI Gap in 2014 with his partner Becca. In addition to his work overseeing Gap, Summer Term, and other short programs, Chris enjoys spending his free time in the great outdoors, climbing, running, and camping with Becca, and his daughter, Aven.Explore Gap Year experiences all throughout the month of October during Gap Year Exploration Month! https://www.gapyearassociation.org/gap-year-exploration-month/ The High Mountain Institute engages students with the natural world, boldly uniting rigorous intellectual inquiry, experiential learning, wilderness expeditions, and shared responsibility in a strong community. HMI students realize their potential—as leaders, independent thinkers, and thoughtful citizens.High Mountain Institute: https://hminet.org/Gap Year Association: https://www.gapyearassociation.org/Learn more about Thoreau College and the microcollege movement at https://www.thoreaucollege.orgDriftless Folk School: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org

  • Episode #45: Keri McWilliams - Gap Year Association

    Episode #45: Keri McWilliams - Gap Year Association

    Keri McWilliams joins the podcast for Gap Year Exploration Month, October 2023, to talk about the breadth and variety of Gap Year experiences a young person can find!Keri McWilliams joined the Gap Year Association as the organization’s Executive Director in January 2022. Born and raised in Montana, Keri currently resides in Missoula, MT where she also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana. Keri has been introducing University of Montana students to the importance, role and purpose of the nonprofit sector since 2014.With nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, program management, board governance and nonprofit finance, Keri has worked for, and consulted with, a variety of nonprofit organizations over her professional career. It was through her own gap year experience with AmeriCorps that Keri developed her interest in and passion for the nonprofit sector. During her gap year, she lived in community with 16 other young adults while volunteering at a large homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul, MN.Keri holds a B.S. in Health Promotion from the University of Montana and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a Certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Oregon. When not in the office or classroom, she can be found on adventure of some sort involving hiking, backpacking, cycling, or kayaking with her canine companion, Kona.Gap Year Association: https://www.gapyearassociation.org/Learn more about Thoreau College and the microcollege movement at https://www.thoreaucollege.orgDriftless Folk School: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org