The Griffin Rundown

In this week’s episode, Mr. Nees and Mr. Bond discuss The Wolf in Their Pockets by Chris Martin, a timely exploration of how social media shapes the way we think, feel, and understand ourselves. Their conversation highlights how entertainment and identity have become increasingly intertwined in the digital age—and how the distortion of human purpose often follows when we give our attention to the wrong things.

Drawing from the book’s core insights, they reflect on the reality that we are deeply formed by whatever we devote our time to. With the average person spending nearly two and a half hours on social media each day, they consider the profound influence these platforms have on our values, habits, and sense of self. As they observe, our values are inevitably shaped by the people and things we spend the most time with.

Join them for a thoughtful and challenging discussion on digital formation, human purpose, and how to pursue wisdom in a world filled with voices competing for our attention.

This week on The Griffin Rundown, Associate Head of School Daniel Bond and Pastor Jason Piland join Mr. Nees for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation on family devotions. Together, they explore Deuteronomy 6 and the father’s role in pointing children to who God is. The discussion highlights practical ways families can cultivate rhythms of discipleship—including prayer, Scripture, and singing—as part of everyday life.

We are excited to welcome author, speaker, and pastor Tim Challies to the podcast! He joins Mr. Nees for a thoughtful conversation about wisely managing and shepherding our lives in a tech‑driven age. He will be speaking at Heritage on February 26 on this topic. Mr. Challies also shares several helpful resources for families navigating the digital world.

Plus, we have got the latest news from around our campuses and, of course, the always‑anticipated Joke of the Week.

Tune in—you won’t want to miss it!

This week on The Griffin Rundown, we are taking a short pause from new interviews and bringing you a Griffin Rundown Rewind! It’s the perfect time to revisit an episode you loved or catch up on one you may have missed. Our archive is full of great conversations, insights, and stories—so dive back in and enjoy a favorite moment or discover something new.

We’ll return next week with a brand‑new interview.

Until then, don’t forget to tune in for this week’s announcements and, of course, the Joke of the Week!

In this episode of The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees sits down with Nolan Grame, Academic Dean and Humanities teacher, for a rich conversation about the purpose and power of a great classics education.

Together, they explore the philosophy and theology that shape our classical approach to education—why the Great Books endure, how they form the imagination, and what makes them so essential in shaping thoughtful, virtuous young people. From the ancient world to modern thinkers, they unpack how timeless texts invite students into the “Great Conversation” and connect them with ideas that have shaped civilization.

Mr. Grame shares how reading widely and deeply trains the mind to seek truth, engages the heart in meaningful questions, and grounds students in a heritage of wisdom. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, this episode offers an inspiring look at what makes classical education not only rigorous but profoundly human.

In this episode, we sit down with Peninsula teacher Beth Smith and continue t to explore a question at the heart of classical education: Why do we read the great works? Drawing from her years of experience at HCA, Beth unpacks how timeless literature shapes students’ imaginations, forms their moral reasoning, and helps them see the world with clarity and compassion.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or lover of good books, this conversation will remind you of the beauty and purpose behind reading the classics.