What do samurai, the Black Plague, Star Wars, career counseling, and fatherhood have in common?
For Caleb Sanders, they all point back to one idea: the stories we inherit shape how we understand the world—and the people around us.
AJ Morales sits down with his friend Caleb Sanders for a wide-ranging conversation about history, storytelling, books, education, parenting, faith, and finding what genuinely interests you.
Caleb teaches AP World History and video production while helping students navigate college, careers, trade schools, and life after high school. He explains why he teaches history through themes rather than simply memorizing dates—and why history may not repeat itself, but often rhymes.
The conversation dives into Japanese history, the samurai, the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Mongol invasions, the Meiji Restoration, and the historical meaning behind “kamikaze.” They also explore the Black Plague, industrialization, trade, and how the past continues to shape modern culture.
But this episode goes far beyond history.
AJ and Caleb talk about The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, fantasy and world-building, discovering a love for reading, using pop culture to connect with students, and helping young people find meaningful careers without assuming college is the only path.
They also get personal about fatherhood, faith, patience, empathy, communication, apologizing to your kids, and what becoming fathers has taught them about family and grace.
🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:• Teaching history through themes• History behind Game of Thrones and fantasy worlds• Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and storytelling• The Black Plague and the spread of disease• Samurai history and the Tokugawa Shogunate• The Mongol invasions and the “divine wind”• The Meiji Restoration and Japan’s modernization• Using pop culture to help students learn• College vs. trade school and finding the right path• Helping students discover meaningful careers• Teaching kids to love reading• Parenting with humility and apologizing to your children• Fatherhood, faith, empathy, and family• Caleb’s Just Another Reader YouTube channel
⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 History, Samurai & the “Divine Wind”01:42 Meet Caleb Sanders03:39 Lord of the Rings, Books & Fantasy06:03 The Rings of Power & Adapting Stories12:36 Becoming a Lifelong Reader16:20 History Inside Fantasy & Game of Thrones19:41 The Black Plague & Disease23:30 Teaching History Thematically25:49 Samurai & the Meiji Restoration29:38 The Tokugawa Shogunate31:03 Mongol Invasions & “Kamikaze”40:38 What Makes a Great Teacher?43:13 Helping Students Find Their Future46:01 Does Everyone Need College?50:32 Fatherhood & Family57:20 Parenting With Humility1:10:04 How Fatherhood Deepened Their Faith1:12:30 Parenthood & Empathy1:14:05 Books, Star Wars & Just Another Reader1:17:50 AJ’s Trip to Germany & Cold War History1:21:06 Where to Follow Caleb
📚 CALEB SANDERSJust Another Reader: https://youtube.com/@Just_Another_ReaderSimply the Sanders: https://youtube.com/@simplythesanders6528Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calebsanders/
🎙️ SOLAFIDE PODCASTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/solafide.podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Solafide.PodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SOLAFIDE.PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xFzH84I1tZ10ImwWgcrfv
Host: AJ Morales
If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the podcast, like the episode, and share it with someone who loves history, books, teaching, or parenting.
What’s one lesson from history—or from your own childhood—that has changed the way you approach life or parenting today?
1 ora e 22 min
58 min
2 ore e 7 min
Aug 9 202455 min