What does it take to win the National Memory Master competition? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Kelli Wilt sits down with Nikolai — the 2026 National Memory Master Champion — along with his parents Olga and Jim, to hear the story behind his win. From six years of Memory Master to competing aboard the CC Family Cruise in the Caribbean, Nikolai’s journey is equal parts inspiring and practical.
Olga and Jim share how their family leaned on community support, creative study methods (including a hand-built 3D-printed timeline!), and the family motto of “we do hard things” to prepare Nikolai for the biggest memory competition in Classical Conversations. Whether your foundation student is thinking about entering next year or you just love a great homeschool win, this episode is packed with encouragement and real prep tips straight from the champion himself.
Nikolai’s advice to future competitors? “Just go for it — and do it for the glory of God, not for the glory of you.” Tune in and get ready to cheer.
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:
Classical Conversations just released “The Habits of a Classical Education”—the long-awaited successor to “The Core.” This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core
Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish.
It’s here! Order your copy of “The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar” at https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/products/the-habits-of-a-classical-education-practicing-the-art-of-grammar