By Warren Steury

This past Saturday we had the honor of hosting Dr. Jason Pedicone of The Paideia Institute for our How to Build a Movement Symposium here in Nashville, TN. We had 34 gentlemen join us from three different states (TN/AL/NC) for the event. It was inspiring to hear so many different stories from our attendees regarding what they are working on, what cultural issues are important to them, and ultimately why they decided to show up at Meriwether in the first place. Jason’s insights and experience provided the foundation for a fantastic conversation around the dinner table.

I was introduced Jason by one of our members and frequent attendees, Nick Gallo, who saw that what Jason had built with Paideia over the last 15 years might be a source of inspiration for the next 15 years with Meriwether. Jason has built an international organization that offers classes in Greek & Latin, as well as culturally immersive experiences all over Europe. It is impressive to say the least, and Jason’s dedication to sustaining and propagating western culture and western values is honorable and worth emulating.

We spent some time chatting before the event and he advised me on a number of things as we look to the growth of our endeavor here with the Academy. He shared some of the mistakes he made in the beginning, things he’s glad he did do, and ways that Meriwether might be able to avoid some of the setbacks that so many non-profits face in their early days. His mentorship is very much appreciated and I look forward to having him in our corner as we expand our operations and go for some big things here in the ensuing months and years.

Jason is also a fantastic speaker. He delivered an enlightening talk about his experiencing building an international movement, the triumphs and downfalls he navigated along the way, why he ultimately decided to go all-in on Western culture, and what the future looks like for Paideia. A discussion ensued regarding entrepreneurship in the cultural space and the duty of ambitious men to pour into their people and not hoard their wealth and talents for themselves.

“Thank God for the Iron in the blood of our fathers”, as Theodore Roosevelt said. We owe so much to our ancestors and predecessors who, solving the problems of their day, worked and sacrificed to give us the opportunities we have now. Had Washington, Jefferson, and Roosevelt lived selfish lives where and who would we be?

It is the true glory of a man to share in the toils of his own people.

I want you to find that glory somewhere in your life, no matter how small and benign it may seem, and stoke that flame until it is a raging fire in your heart. Start a local study club where you help spread education and knowledge, show up at your local school board meeting and speak out against injustices down to our children, be vocal and passionate about what you beleive and don’t be afraid to let people know what you think.

With 34 men around the table on Saturday night we heard from all walks of life, coming together to wrestle with the great questions of culture and education that we face today. This used to be common practice, men gathering to talk about more than what’s on TV and who’s winning the game, and when passionate men are unified behind a mission that is when true social and cultural change occurs.

Respectfully,

Warren Steury
President, Meriwether Academy