Get Mentored in Freedom
A Founding-Level Education for Those Who Refuse to Leave the Future to Chance
We are intent on becoming the founding fathers and mothers of freedom in the 21st century—
not in name or nostalgia, but in preparation, principle, and action.
Black Belt in Freedom is a mentoring program guided by Oliver DeMille,
designed for thoughtful men and women who sense that something essential is slipping—
and are willing to do the work required to preserve it.
No grades. No credentials. No shortcuts.
Just deep study, real mentorship, and serious preparation.
Something Is Shifting
And It’s Not Just Political
Something fundamental is changing in our culture.
Institutions that once formed character now produce confusion.
Language that once clarified truth now obscures it.
Freedom is still spoken of—but less often understood.
And perhaps most unsettling of all:
many people seem strangely comfortable with the change.
The Unease You Feel Is Rational
For generations, Americans inherited a culture shaped by liberty, responsibility, and self-government. That inheritance did not come easily—and it was never guaranteed.
Today, the rules appear to be changing faster than the principles that once governed them. Long-standing norms are questioned, rewritten, or quietly abandoned. And yet public conversation rarely addresses the deeper issue beneath it all:
Do we still understand what freedom is—and what it requires?
If you feel unsettled, it is not because you are reactionary or fearful.
It is because you are paying attention.
Concern Is Not the Same as Panic
This is not a call to outrage.
It is not a demand for activism.
And it is certainly not an invitation to despair.
History shows that societies do not lose freedom all at once. They lose it gradually—when responsibility erodes, when knowledge fades, and when citizens stop seeing themselves as stewards of the culture they inherited.
The question is not whether change is happening.
The question is whether it will be guided—or drift.
Most thoughtful citizens eventually arrive at the same question:
“What is my responsibility in a time like this?”
Not as a politician.
Not as a pundit.
But as a person who understands that freedom only survives when enough people are prepared to live it, defend it, and pass it on—intentionally.
This is where preparation begins.
The Quiet Question Beneath It All
Most thoughtful citizens eventually arrive at the same question:
“What is my responsibility in a time like this?”
Not as a politician.
Not as a pundit.
But as a person who understands that freedom only survives when enough people are prepared to live it, defend it, and pass it on—intentionally.
This is where preparation begins.
The Problem Beneath the Headlines
We Did Not Lose Freedom Overnight
Freedom is rarely taken by force.
More often, it is surrendered—quietly—when a people no longer understand what sustains it.
Over time, the stories fade.
The principles become abstract.
The forms that once protected liberty are treated as technicalities rather than living safeguards.
What was once taught deliberately is now assumed.
What was once understood deeply is now referenced casually.
And eventually, what is merely assumed is forgotten.
Passion Without Understanding Has Limits
Many people care deeply about freedom.
They vote. They follow the news. They argue. They advocate.
But caring, by itself, is not enough.
Without a working understanding of:
first principles,
historical context,
natural law,
and the structures that preserve liberty,
even well-intentioned efforts tend to fragment, exhaust, or misfire.
History is clear on this point:
freedom is maintained by knowledge before it is defended by action.
What the Founders Knew That We Forgot
The American Founding generation did not stumble into freedom by instinct or outrage.
They prepared.
They read deeply.
They argued rigorously.
They studied history, law, philosophy, theology, and human nature.
They submitted themselves to mentors—and to disciplines of thought that refined their judgment.
They understood that self-government requires self-governed people.
And they knew that without deliberate formation, even the best political systems decay.
The Cost of Forgetting
When a society loses this kind of formation, predictable things follow:
Language becomes imprecise
Principles are replaced by preferences
Rights are demanded without duties
Power centralizes as responsibility diffuses
This is not a partisan diagnosis.
It is a historical one.
And it explains why so many sincere people feel active—but ineffective.
The Gap Is Educational, Not Merely Political
The central challenge of our time is not a lack of information.
It is a lack of education suited to freedom.
An education that forms judgment.
An education that disciplines thinking.
An education that prepares individuals to act wisely—not react emotionally.
Until that gap is addressed, efforts to “fix the system” will continue to disappoint.
So What Is Required of Us?
The Question Serious People Eventually Ask
At some point, thoughtful citizens stop asking,
“What’s going wrong?”
And begin asking something far more important:
“What is my responsibility in a time like this?”
Not as a politician.
Not as a commentator.
But as someone who understands that freedom does not maintain itself—and never has.
Waiting Has Never Been the Solution
It would be convenient if responsibility could be postponed.
Until retirement.
Until life slows down.
Until the next election cycle.
Until someone else figures it out.
But history offers no examples of freedom being preserved by waiting.
The individuals who made the greatest difference did not act because conditions were ideal.
They acted because the moment required it.
Leadership Begins Before Action
One of the most persistent misconceptions of our time is that leadership starts with visibility.
In reality, leadership begins with preparation.
Before speeches came study.
Before influence came formation.
Before action came clarity.
Those who shaped history did so not because they were louder—
but because they were ready.
The Quiet Work That Changes Everything
The work that precedes meaningful leadership is rarely dramatic.
It looks like:
disciplined study,
honest discussion,
wrestling with difficult ideas,
refining judgment,
and submitting oneself to mentorship.
This is the work that forms people capable of acting wisely when action is required.
And it is precisely this work that modern culture tends to neglect.
This Is Where the Path Divides
Every generation reaches a point where individuals must decide:
Will I remain concerned—but unprepared?
Or will I take responsibility for becoming capable?
This decision is not made publicly.
It is made privately—long before results are visible.
And it is here that preparation begins to matter more than opinion.
Statesmen & Women Are Not Born.
They Are Prepared.
Leadership Is Not a Title
Modern culture tends to equate leadership with visibility.
If someone is elected, followed, or amplified, we assume they are prepared to lead.
History tells a different story.
The individuals who have most effectively preserved freedom were not defined by office or popularity. They were defined by their depth of understanding, clarity of thought, and strength of character.
They were statesmen—long before they were known.
What a Statesman Actually Is
In A Thomas Jefferson Education, a statesman or stateswoman is defined as:
A person of virtue, wisdom, integrity, and courage—who inspires greatness in others and advances the cause of liberty.
A statesman sees the world as it is.
Sees what it could be.
And deliberately works to bridge the gap.
This role is not reserved for elites.
It has always belonged to prepared citizens.
The Forgotten Path to Statesmanship
The Founders did not rely on charisma or instinct.
They submitted themselves to:
rigorous study,
disciplined thinking,
serious debate,
and sustained mentorship.
They understood that leadership without formation becomes reckless—and that freedom entrusted to the unprepared eventually collapses under its own weight.
Their preparation did not make them perfect.
It made them capable.
Why Mentorship Is the Accelerator
There are no true shortcuts to statesmanship.
But there is an accelerator.
Throughout history, those who rose to meet their moment did so under the guidance of mentors—men and women who had already wrestled with the ideas, faced the questions, and refined their judgment.
Mentorship compresses decades of trial and error into years of intentional formation.
It does not replace effort.
It directs it.
This Is Not Abstract Theory
The challenges we face today are not new.
They echo debates, struggles, and failures that have occurred before—often in strikingly similar forms.
Those who know this history recognize patterns where others see chaos.
They respond with wisdom where others react emotionally.
This is the difference between opinion and judgment.
Between noise and leadership.
Introducing
A Mentored Path to Statesmanship in the Modern Age
Black Belt in Freedom exists for one reason:
To prepare thoughtful men and women to understand, preserve, and advance freedom with wisdom, clarity, and confidence.
This is not a course designed to inform you.
It is a mentoring program designed to form you.
What Black Belt in Freedom Is
Black Belt in Freedom is a mentoring experience guided by Oliver DeMille, built on the same mentor–classics model that shaped the American Founders.
Through disciplined study, guided discussion, and progressive formation, participants develop:
a deep understanding of freedom’s principles
the ability to recognize patterns across history and current events
the judgment required to act wisely rather than react emotionally
This is education suited to responsibility.
What It Is Not
Black Belt in Freedom is not:
a political program
a certification or credential
a debate club
a content library to skim
a motivational experience
There are no grades.
There are no shortcuts.
There is no performance theater.
There is only serious preparation for those willing to do the work.
Why the “Black Belt” Metaphor Matters
In martial arts, a black belt does not signify perfection.
It signifies mastery of fundamentals, disciplined reflexes, and the ability to respond effectively under pressure.
So it is with freedom.
Black Belt in Freedom is about mastering the forms, principles, and patterns that allow individuals to recognize threats to liberty—and respond with judgment rather than impulse.
This level of preparation changes how you think, how you speak, and how you lead.
What Participation Actually Looks Like
A Guided Monthly Rhythm—Not an Overwhelming Course
Black Belt in Freedom is designed to fit into real life.
Rather than assigning endless content or rigid deadlines, the program follows a steady monthly rhythm that prioritizes depth, reflection, and discussion over speed or completion.
Each month builds naturally on the last, allowing understanding to compound over time.
Each Month Includes Three Core Elements
1. Introductory Mentoring Audio
At the beginning of each month, you’ll receive a mentoring audio from Oliver DeMille (and occasionally the TJEd mentoring team) that prepares you for the reading.
These audios:
frame the historical and philosophical context
highlight key ideas to watch for
offer mentor prompts to guide your thinking
2. Reading the Assigned Classic
You then read the selected text for the month—at your own pace, with a pen in hand.
This is not speed-reading or skimming.
It is deliberate engagement with ideas that have shaped history.
3. Debriefing & Discussion
After completing the reading, you return for a longer debriefing audio that explores:
key arguments
tensions and debates
modern parallels
practical implications
Participants are encouraged to discuss insights with family, study groups, or within the moderated online forum.
Progressive by Design, Flexible in Practice
The Black Belt in Freedom sequence is progressive—each month builds on prior understanding.
But it is also flexible.
If a particular month is busy, the materials are yours to keep
Audios can be replayed as often as needed
Many participants revisit books and discussions multiple times
This is not about “keeping up.”
It is about steadily becoming more capable.
Community, Discussion, and Mentorship Support
Participants gain access to a dedicated online forum moderated by Leadership Education mentors.
This space exists to:
ask thoughtful questions
refine understanding through dialogue
learn from others at different stages of the journey
avoid intellectual isolation
Freedom is not preserved in isolation—and neither is the education that sustains it.
A Progressive Path of Serious Formation
Depth Is Built in Stages—Not All at Once
Black Belt in Freedom is structured as a progressive journey.
Just as no one begins with mastery, this program is designed to build understanding in deliberate stages—each one laying the foundation for the next.
You are not expected to know everything at the beginning.
You are expected to grow.
The Belt Progression Reflects Increasing Mastery
The program unfolds through a series of “belt” levels, each representing a deeper level of engagement with the principles, texts, and responsibilities of freedom.
Early stages focus on:
foundational ideas
habits of disciplined reading
clarity of language and principle
Later stages move into:
constitutional structures
moral philosophy
political economy
historical pattern recognition
advanced statesmanship texts
The progression is intentional.
It mirrors how serious learning has always occurred.
This Is a Long View Education
Black Belt in Freedom is not designed to be rushed.
Participants are encouraged to:
reread texts
replay audios
revisit discussions
allow understanding to mature over time
This is education that compounds—quietly but powerfully.
Those who stay with the process often find that their thinking, discernment, and confidence change in ways that are difficult to measure quickly—but impossible to miss over time.
Advanced Study Awaits Those Who Continue
For participants who complete the Black Belt in Freedom sequence, the journey does not have to end there.
Those who feel called to continue may progress into the Ambassador of Freedom levels—advanced study programs that go even deeper into the Great Conversation surrounding liberty, leadership, and civilization.
There is no pressure to advance.
Only an open path for those who choose to keep going.
Meet Your Mentor
Guided by a Lifetime of Study, Mentorship, and Practice
Black Belt in Freedom is mentored by Oliver DeMille—a lifelong student and teacher of freedom, leadership, and classical education.
Oliver was personally mentored by some of the most influential freedom scholars of the 20th century and has spent decades deepening his understanding of the principles that shaped free societies.
His work is grounded not in theory alone, but in sustained engagement with the great texts, ideas, and conversations that have formed statesmen throughout history.
A Mentor in the Classical Sense
A Mentor in the Classical Sense
Oliver does not approach education as a lecturer delivering information.
He mentors in the classical tradition—guiding students through:
disciplined reading
rigorous thinking
thoughtful discussion
and practical application
His role is not to tell participants what to think, but to help them learn how to think—clearly, responsibly, and independently.
This is mentorship designed to produce judgment, not dependence.
Proven Scholarship, Consistent Leadership
Oliver DeMille is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author, and a co-founder of Thomas Jefferson Education.
He has taught and mentored thousands of students, parents, educators, and leaders over the past several decades—many of whom have gone on to influence families, institutions, and communities across the world.
His work reflects a rare combination of intellectual depth, moral clarity, and long-term consistency.
A Mentor Who Understands Responsibility and Legacy
Oliver’s commitment to freedom education is not abstract.
He and his wife Rachel are parents and grandparents, deeply invested in the question every serious leader eventually faces:
What kind of future are we preparing the next generation to inherit?
Black Belt in Freedom exists because this question cannot be answered casually.
What Participants Are Saying
Clarity. Confidence. Direction.
“I can’t say enough about how much I have learned from Oliver DeMille.
Now really is the time to know how to move forward through this crisis.”
“This course is changing my life. I wake up every day and know what to do to help maintain our freedoms.
The mentoring has shown me how to think about what I’m reading and how to actually use it.
Thank you for creating and maintaining this course. It has changed my life and the lives of so many others for the better.”
“I am starting to see natural law in everything around me.
I’m connecting the principles to the books I’ve read and am reading—and I’m amazed.”
Hope, Without Illusion
“It is amazing how one can feel so much despair and so much hope at the same time.
We truly are at a turning point. A firmer understanding of these natural laws is helping me see my path more clearly.”
“I love Oliver’s passion for freedom education—not just the content, but the way it inspires you to pick up a pen and start planning.
I now have hope and a plan for the future, come what may.”
“If you are feeling uncertain in these times and fear freedom may be taken away, look at what Oliver teaches.
He helps you understand principles, mentorship, and where responsibility truly lies.”
Clarity. Confidence. Direction.
“Leadership education has changed my family’s life and given me the tools to understand freedom, history, and responsibility.
These principles are not taught in school—and they matter.”
“I was listening to one of the talks while doing the dishes, and my 11-year-old walked by and said, ‘I love it when this guy talks.’”
Who This Is For
This Program Is for Thoughtful Adults
Who Take Responsibility Seriously
Black Belt in Freedom is designed for men and women who:
feel a genuine responsibility for the future of freedom
are willing to read, think, and wrestle with serious ideas
value depth over convenience
want clarity more than confirmation
believe preparation matters more than performance
are willing to learn steadily over time
You do not need to be an expert.
You do need to be willing to engage.
This Program Is Not for Everyone
And That’s Intentional
Black Belt in Freedom may not be the right fit if you are:
looking for quick answers or shortcuts
uninterested in reading or sustained thought
seeking credentials, grades, or formal recognition
hoping to outsource responsibility to experts
primarily motivated by activism, argument, or outrage
unwilling to be challenged by difficult ideas
This program is designed to form judgment—not entertain or agitate.
This Program Is Especially Well-Suited If You…
sense that something essential is being lost—but want understanding, not outrage
care deeply about family, culture, and legacy
want to speak thoughtfully rather than react emotionally
are tired of surface-level conversations
believe freedom requires informed, capable citizens
want education that strengthens judgment—not ideology
Many participants come from backgrounds in education, leadership, entrepreneurship, parenting, or community service—but titles are not required.
Only a willingness.
A Note on Readiness
Some participants arrive after spending time in Mentoring in the Classics or other foundational Leadership Education programs. Others arrive through personal study and life experience.
If you already have a habit of reading, discussing, and thinking deeply, you may be ready now.
If not, beginning with foundational classical mentoring can be a wise first step.
Either way, the goal is not speed.
It is readiness.
Investment and Access
Simple, Accessible, and Designed for Real Life
Black Belt in Freedom is offered as a monthly subscription, allowing participants to engage steadily without a large upfront barrier.
This model exists for one reason:
to make serious freedom education accessible to individuals and families who are willing to invest consistently over time.
Participation includes:
full access to all monthly mentoring audios
guided reading progression
access to the moderated online forum
continued access to previously released materials while subscribed
This is an investment in formation—not a one-time purchase.
Your Pace Is Respected
There are no deadlines to meet and no penalties for slowing down.
The materials are designed to:
be revisited multiple times
compound in value over months and years
support seasons of deeper or lighter engagement
If life becomes full—as it often does—the education does not expire.
Progress is measured by understanding, not completion.
Optional Examination for Those Who Desire It
For participants who wish to formally demonstrate mastery, an optional final examination is available upon completion of the Black Belt in Freedom sequence.
This examination is:
entirely optional
rigorous and comprehensive
designed for those who desire formal confirmation of their preparation
Participation in the program does not require taking the exam.
The value of the education stands on its own.
A Long-Term Investment in Capability
Many participants think of Black Belt in Freedom not as a course—but as the gradual building of a personal library and framework they will return to for years.
The cost reflects:
decades of scholarship
sustained mentorship
a structured path of formation
and a community committed to serious learning
For those who value clarity, judgment, and responsibility, the return on investment extends far beyond the monthly fee.
An Education to Match the Moment
There are moments in history when preparation matters more than comfort.
Moments when thoughtful people quietly decide whether they will remain observers—or become capable stewards of what they’ve inherited.
This is one of those moments.
Black Belt in Freedom exists for individuals who recognize that freedom is not self-sustaining—and who are willing to prepare themselves accordingly.
This Is an Invitation, Not a Pitch
No one can make this decision for you.
Not a mentor.
Not a movement.
Not a moment of emotion.
But if you feel a steady conviction—not panic, not outrage, but responsibility—then this program was built for you.
You do not need to be perfect.
You do not need to be certain.
You need only be willing to begin.
Begin the Work of Preparation
If you are ready to deepen your understanding, sharpen your judgment, and prepare yourself to live and lead with clarity—you are invited to join Black Belt in Freedom.
Not to perform.
Not to posture.
But to prepare.
Join monthly. Proceed at your pace. Cancel anytime.
Serious education—without pressure or pretense.