The John Batchelor Show

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The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.

John Batchelor


    • Dec 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 33,281 EPISODES

    4.6 from 2,567 ratings Listeners of The John Batchelor Show that love the show mention: jbs, john batchelor, long war, wabc, top drawer, provides excellent, gordon chang, real discussions, larry kudlow, john s show, archeology, intelligent design, john is the best, smart guests, best current, broadly, author interviews, many subjects, armenian, international affairs.


    Ivy Insights

    The The John Batchelor Show podcast is an exceptional and insightful broadcast that delves deep into geopolitical, military, social, and economic issues. With a wide range of experts providing their keen insights, this show offers a thorough exploration of various topics. One of the standout features of this podcast is the inclusion of different perspectives through point-counterpoint discussions by Gaius and Professor Germanicus. This historical analysis adds a unique layer of understanding to current events. Additionally, the show provides abundant information, news, and links to source materials, often prompting listeners to rewind or set up replays to ensure they don't miss important context. The graphics in the thumbnail images used to be particularly impressive before the show switched to CBS.

    One of the highlights of The John Batchelor Show podcast is the presence of guest expert A.J. McKinder. His insights are highly valued by listeners and he has become a favorite regular on the show. Many eagerly await his weekly appearances and hope that he will continue to be a permanent fixture on the podcast. The variety of topics covered on this podcast is also commendable, ranging from discussions on grass-fed beef and rogue planets to Iran and the real causes of the Revolutionary War. Listeners appreciate the real information and insights provided by John Batchelor and his guests, with some even crediting the show for influencing their academic work.

    On a less positive note, some listeners express their disappointment with certain segments or guests on The John Batchelor Show. For instance, there are comments about one particular guest being too left-leaning or biased in their views, leading some listeners to feel frustrated or compelled to skip those segments entirely. However, it's acknowledged that having diverse perspectives represented is crucial for balanced reporting.

    In conclusion, The John Batchelor Show podcast is highly recommended for its in-depth analysis of current events from around the world. With knowledgeable guests offering intelligent discussions and unbiased news coverage, this podcast stands out as a valuable source of information. John Batchelor's skills as a host and interviewer are evident throughout, making this show a must-listen for anyone seeking to stay informed about global affairs. While there may be occasional segments that don't resonate with all listeners, the overall quality and breadth of topics covered make this podcast a standout in the field.



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    Latest episodes from The John Batchelor Show

    S8 Ep258: SURVIVAL STORY: WOMAN OUTLASTS SNAKE TRAPPED IN HER SHOE Colleague Jeremy Zakis. In Southwest Sydney, a woman survived a bite from a deadly eastern brown snake that became entangled in the loop of her trainer shoe. Displaying remarkable calm, sh

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:26


    .SURVIVAL STORY: WOMAN OUTLASTS SNAKE TRAPPED IN HER SHOE Colleague Jeremy Zakis. In Southwest Sydney, a woman survived a bite from a deadly eastern brown snake that became entangled in the loop of her trainer shoe. Displaying remarkable calm, she remained still to slow the venom's spread while waiting for emergency services. A snake catcher carefully removed the heat-stressed reptile before the woman was treated at a hospital. Zakisnotes that her quick thinking and composure likely saved her life.

    S8 Ep258: ENGLAND SECURES SURPRISE VICTORY AMIDST ASHES CONTROVERSY Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis reports that England unexpectedly won the fourth Ashes test despite playing poorly earlier in the series. The match ended quickly, causing controversy regard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 10:34


    ENGLAND SECURES SURPRISE VICTORY AMIDST ASHES CONTROVERSY Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakisreports that England unexpectedly won the fourth Ashes test despite playing poorly earlier in the series. The match ended quickly, causing controversy regarding the Melbourne pitch and accusations of poor play on both sides. Commentators blame England's aggressive "Bazball" style and lack of technical skill for previous losses. Conversely, Australianbowlers are praised for successfully mixing brute force with technical precision to dismantle English batting throughout the contest. 1862 ASHES AT MELBOURNE

    S8 Ep258: DALLAS THE DOG TEAMS UP WITH MAGPIES TO FIGHT COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis recounts how his dog, Dallas, successfully chased destructive cockatoos off their property. While usually friendly, Dallas identified the birds as enemies, aid

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 7:09


    DALLAS THE DOG TEAMS UP WITH MAGPIES TO FIGHT COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakisrecounts how his dog, Dallas, successfully chased destructive cockatoos off their property. While usually friendly, Dallasidentified the birds as enemies, aided by territorial magpies that swooped in to drive the cockatoos away. Although cockatoos are often considered pests that raid trash bins and damage homes in New South Wales, Dallas's vigilance has protected Zakis's yard, forcing the birds to target the neighbor's roof instead.

    S8 Ep258: SUN, SAND, AND SANTAS IN BOARD SHORTS: AN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Jeremy Zakis describes Christmas in Australia as the polar opposite of the Northern Hemisphere, featuring clear skies and temperatures in the mid-80s ideal fo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 11:06


    SUN, SAND, AND SANTAS IN BOARD SHORTS: AN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Jeremy Zakis describes Christmas in Australia as the polar opposite of the Northern Hemisphere, featuring clear skies and temperatures in the mid-80s ideal for outdoor barbecues. While Queensland faced heavy rain and floods, most of the country enjoyed hot weather perfect for beach visits. Zakis details traditions like the Boxing Day cricket test and notes that while mall Santas wear wool, outdoor Santas often don board shorts and flip-flops. 1933 SYDNEY

    S8 Ep257: THE ATOMIC BOMB AND POST-WAR LEADERSHIP Colleague Craig Symonds. Nimitz and King believed a naval blockade could force Japan's surrender without a costly invasion, which they feared would result in millions of deaths. Nimitz was informed early

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 8:09


    THE ATOMIC BOMB AND POST-WAR LEADERSHIP Colleague Craig Symonds. Nimitz and King believed a naval blockade could force Japan's surrender without a costly invasion, which they feared would result in millions of deaths. Nimitz was informed early about the atomic bomb to ensure it wouldn't interfere with operations. After the war, despite resistance from the aviation community and Secretary Forrestal, Nimitz served a two-year term as Chief of Naval Operations. Spruance, denied a fifth star in favor of Halsey, took the high road by leading the Naval War College, ensuring future officers learned from the Pacific war's lessons. NUMBER 8 1945 OKINAWA TEN YEAR OLD SURRENDERS WITH WHITE FLAG

    S8 Ep257: TYPHOONS, KAMIKAZES, AND UNFORGIVING WARFARE Colleague Craig Symonds. Halsey's aggression led to disaster when he twice steered the fleet into typhoons, causing significant loss of life and ships. Despite inquiries recommending Halsey's remova

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 12:29


    TYPHOONS, KAMIKAZES, AND UNFORGIVING WARFARE Colleague Craig Symonds. Halsey's aggression led to disaster when he twice steered the fleet into typhoons, causing significant loss of life and ships. Despite inquiries recommending Halsey's removal, Nimitz retained him to maintain public morale. The war grew grimmer with the invasion of Iwo Jima, where Marines felt unsupported by naval gunfire, and the emergence of Kamikaze suicide attacks off Okinawa. Nimitz, now based in Guam, observed the terrifying effectiveness of the Kamikazes, which he noted was the only wartime development the Naval War College had failed to anticipate. NUMBER 7 1945 OKINAWA FLAME THROWER DUGOUT

    S8 Ep257: THE TURKEY SHOOT AND THE WORLD WONDERS Colleague Craig Symonds. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Spruance prioritized protecting the Saipan beachhead, resulting in the "Turkey Shoot" that decimated Japanese air power but allowe

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:05


    THE TURKEY SHOOT AND THE WORLD WONDERS Colleague Craig Symonds. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Spruance prioritized protecting the Saipan beachhead, resulting in the "Turkey Shoot" that decimated Japanese air power but allowed enemy ships to escape. Later, at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese lured Halsey's Third Fleetaway with empty carriers, leaving the invasion force vulnerable. Nimitz, breaking his rule against interfering, sent a query asking the location of Task Force 34. Padding in the encrypted text added the phrase "the whole world wonders," which insulted Halsey and caused him to throw a tantrum during a critical hour of the battle. NUMBER 6 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep257: AMPHIBIOUS LESSONS AND INTERNAL RIVALRIES Colleague Craig Symonds. The Central Pacific drive began with the bloody assault on Tarawa, revealing the difficulties of amphibious warfare against coral reefs and the temper of Marine General Holland &

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:44


    AMPHIBIOUS LESSONS AND INTERNAL RIVALRIES Colleague Craig Symonds. The Central Pacific drive began with the bloody assault on Tarawa, revealing the difficulties of amphibious warfare against coral reefs and the temper of Marine General Holland "Howlin' Mad" Smith. Nimitz also managed friction with his deputy, John Towers, an aviator who believed only pilots should command carriers. Applying "calculated risk," Nimitz overruled subordinates to strike directly at Kwajalein in the Marshalls, a decision that proved successful. He also gave Marc Mitscher a second chance, allowing him to eventually become a legendary carrier commander despite Spruance'slingering reservations. NUMBER 5 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep257: HALSEY'S AGGRESSION AND STRATEGIC DEBATES Colleague Craig Symonds. Fearing the loss of Guadalcanal, Nimitz replaced the cautious Ghormley with Bill Halsey, whose aggressive "Kill Japs" attitude boosted morale. While Nimitz valued Hals

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 10:04


    HALSEY'S AGGRESSION AND STRATEGIC DEBATES Colleague Craig Symonds. Fearing the loss of Guadalcanal, Nimitz replaced the cautious Ghormley with Bill Halsey, whose aggressive "Kill Japs" attitude boosted morale. While Nimitz valued Halsey's pugnacity for "cavalry charges," he recognized the risks of his temperament. Halsey surprisingly bonded with General Douglas MacArthur, despite the rivalry between the Navy's Central Pacificstrategy and the Army's push to return to the Philippines. This strategic divide required a summit with President Roosevelt in Hawaii to resolve whether to island-hop toward Formosa or support MacArthur's pledge to liberate the Philippines. NUMBER 4 1945 1ST MARINES.OKINAWA

    S8 Ep257: THE GUADALCANAL SHOESTRING AND COMMAND STRESS Colleague Craig Symonds. To preempt a Japanese airfield, King pushed for an offensive at Guadalcanal despite inadequate resources. Nimitz managed this "shoestring" operation while balancing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 10:34


    THE GUADALCANAL SHOESTRING AND COMMAND STRESS Colleague Craig Symonds. To preempt a Japanese airfield, King pushed for an offensive at Guadalcanal despite inadequate resources. Nimitz managed this "shoestring" operation while balancing the needs of his struggling subordinate, Admiral Ghormley, against King'sdemand for action. Amidst the stress, Nimitz found relief in a disciplined routine, power-walking ten miles daily and visiting the Walker family to escape office pressures. Meanwhile, King's animosity toward Admiral Fletcher grew, largely stemming from the loss of Wake Island and a perception that Fletcher was too concerned with fuel logistics. NUMBER 3 1945 OVER NSHS, OKINAWA

    S8 Ep257: INTELLIGENCE AND CALCULATED RISK Colleague Craig Symonds. Nimitz employed the concept of "calculated risk"—weighing potential benefits against losses—to manage his inferior forces. Although he viewed the Doolittle Raid as a risky s

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 10:10


    INTELLIGENCE AND CALCULATED RISK Colleague Craig Symonds. Nimitz employed the concept of "calculated risk"—weighing potential benefits against losses—to manage his inferior forces. Although he viewed the Doolittle Raid as a risky stunt, he allowed it to proceed. Relying on intelligence from Layton and Rochefort, Nimitzcommitted his remaining carriers to the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway. When Admiral Halsey fell ill with a skin condition before Midway, Nimitz selected the quiet Raymond Spruance to command, a decision validated by victory. Following Midway, Nimitz quietly placed aviator Marc Mitscher in "escrow" after a misleading after-action report. NUMBER 2 1945 OKINAWA (CV-94 LUNGA POINT)

    S8 Ep257: TAKING COMMAND OF A WRECKED FLEET Colleague Craig Symonds. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on Christmas 1941, Chester Nimitz faced the immediate task of bringing stability to a devastated command while the harbor was still burning. Selected by Presiden

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 8:39


    TAKING COMMAND OF A WRECKED FLEET Colleague Craig Symonds. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on Christmas 1941, Chester Nimitz faced the immediate task of bringing stability to a devastated command while the harbor was still burning. Selected by President Roosevelt, who knew him personally, Nimitz was chosen over the skepticism of Admiral Ernest King, who doubted Nimitz's toughness. While King viewed Nimitz as a "fixer" and manager rather than a warrior, Nimitz focused on rebuilding confidence. He privately expressed uncertainty to his wife but projected calm assurance to his subordinates, navigating early naval rivalries between aviators ("brown shoes") and ship drivers ("black shoes"). NUMBER 1 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep256: COLD WAR RISE AND POLITICAL FALL Colleague James M. Scott. After the war, LeMay rose to lead the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and became Air Force Chief of Staff. However, his blunt, non-political nature caused friction with figures like Robert M

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 4:59


     COLD WAR RISE AND POLITICAL FALL Colleague James M. Scott. After the war, LeMay rose to lead the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and became Air Force Chief of Staff. However, his blunt, non-political nature caused friction with figures like Robert McNamara and JFK during the Cold War. He infamously suggested bombing Vietnam"back to the stone age," echoing his approach to Japan. In his 1965 autobiography, he expressed no regret for the firebombing, viewing it as necessary to end the war. His reputation suffered permanently after he ran as vice president on George Wallace's segregationist ticket in 1968. NUMBER 8 1945 OKINAWA 

    S8 Ep256: AN APOCALYPTIC WASTELAND AND THE PATH TO VICTORY Colleague James M. Scott. LeMay was relieved when reports indicated light opposition, validating his gamble. By dawn, 16 square miles of Tokyo were reduced to ash, and 105,000 people were dead—f

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 15:39


    AN APOCALYPTIC WASTELAND AND THE PATH TO VICTORY Colleague James M. Scott. LeMay was relieved when reports indicated light opposition, validating his gamble. By dawn, 16 square miles of Tokyo were reduced to ash, and 105,000 people were dead—four times the toll of Dresden. The firebombing campaign continued against other major cities like Nagoya and Kobe, eventually running out of major targets and moving to smaller towns. By the time the atomic bomb was ready in July, LeMay had already destroyed much of Japan's industrial capacity. The atomic bomb was viewed by LeMay as merely a "big bang" that overshadowed his conventional success. NUMBER 7 1945 OKINAWA 

    S8 Ep256: THE HORROR ON THE GROUND IN TOKYO Colleague James M. Scott. The raid began just after midnight, catching families asleep. The napalm bombs were designed to puncture roofs and spray fire inside homes, turning the wooden city into kindling. The re

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:02


    THE HORROR ON THE GROUND IN TOKYO Colleague James M. Scott. The raid began just after midnight, catching families asleep. The napalm bombs were designed to puncture roofs and spray fire inside homes, turning the wooden city into kindling. The resulting firestorm created a tidal wave of flame that moved across the city, blocked escape routes, and melted the glass of concrete buildings, killing those sheltering inside. Survivors, including a young girl named Shizuko Nishio, fled through an apocalyptic landscape. Photographer Koyo Ishikawa documented the event, describing the fire as a "surf wave" approaching from the ocean. NUMBER 6 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep256: STRIPPING THE GUNS FOR A SUICIDE MISSION Colleague James M. Scott. For the March 9th raid, LeMay ordered bombers stripped of all guns and ammunition to carry more incendiaries and prevent friendly fire in the dark. Crews viewed this low-level en

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:38


    STRIPPING THE GUNS FOR A SUICIDE MISSION Colleague James M. Scott. For the March 9th raid, LeMayordered bombers stripped of all guns and ammunition to carry more incendiaries and prevent friendly fire in the dark. Crews viewed this low-level entry into a heavily defended city as a suicide mission, with predictions of 70% casualties. LeMay bypassed his superiors, not informing Washington or Brigadier General Norstad until the planes were nearly launching. The target was Asakusa, a dense residential district home to 135,000 people per square mile. The objective was to create a self-sustaining firestorm that would act as its own weather system. NUMBER 5 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep256: A RADICAL SHIFT TO LOW-ALTITUDE NIGHT BOMBING Colleague James M. Scott. LeMay concluded that high-altitude precision bombing would never work over Japan. He devised a secret, perilous plan to switch to low-altitude night bombing, dropping the B-

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 7:04


    A RADICAL SHIFT TO LOW-ALTITUDE NIGHT BOMBING Colleague James M. Scott. LeMay concluded that high-altitude precision bombing would never work over Japan. He devised a secret, perilous plan to switch to low-altitude night bombing, dropping the B-29s from 30,000 feet to just 5,000 feet. To prepare his crews, he forced them to fly training missions at 50 feet, despite their fears. LeMay knew Tokyo was largely composed of dense wooden structures, describing the city as a "Hollywood backdrop" of westernization masking a fragile infrastructure. He also knew Japan'sfire response relied on antiquated equipment and bucket brigades, leaving the city defenseless against mass fire. NUMBER 4 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep256: CURTIS LEMAY TAKES COMMAND AND TESTS INCENDIARIES Colleague James M. Scott. After Hansel was fired for a lack of results, Curtis LeMay, a pragmatic problem-solver from a hardscrabble background, took command in January 1945. LeMay realized the e

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 13:04


    CURTIS LEMAY TAKES COMMAND AND TESTS INCENDIARIES Colleague James M. Scott. After Hanselwas fired for a lack of results, Curtis LeMay, a pragmatic problem-solver from a hardscrabble background, took command in January 1945. LeMay realized the existing tactics were unsolvable equations and began tinkering with variables like altitude and radar. Concurrently, the US developed napalm and the M69 incendiary bomb, testing them on a mock Japanese village built in the Utah desert to ensure they could burn traditional wood-and-paper Japanesearchitecture. LeMay possessed detailed data on Tokyo's flammable density, preparing to exploit the city's architectural vulnerabilities. NUMBER 3 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep256: JET STREAMS, BAD WEATHER, AND THE FAILURE OF EARLY RAIDS Colleague James M. Scott. Hansel's precision strategy failed due to Japan's adverse weather and violent jet streams, which blew at 230 mph and ruined bomber accuracy. The B-29, which cos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 8:05


    JET STREAMS, BAD WEATHER, AND THE FAILURE OF EARLY RAIDS Colleague James M. Scott. Hansel'sprecision strategy failed due to Japan's adverse weather and violent jet streams, which blew at 230 mph and ruined bomber accuracy. The B-29, which cost $3.7 billion to develop, suffered from mechanical glitches like engine fires during the 3,000-mile flights from the Mariana Islands. Early raids against the Nakajima aircraft factory were ineffective, destroying only 1% of the target. While British commanders pressured Americans to switch to firebombing cities, Hansel refused to abandon precision tactics. Meanwhile, FDR's approval of the atomic bomb suggested leadership was open to city-destroying weapons. NUMBER 2 1945 0KINAWA

    S8 Ep256: THE ARRIVAL OF THE B-29 AND THE PRESSURE ON HAYWOOD HANSEL Colleague James M. Scott. In November 1944, Brigadier General Haywood Hansel arrived in the Pacific with a mission to destroy Japan's ability to wage war using the B-29 bomber. Hansel,

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 10:37


    THE ARRIVAL OF THE B-29 AND THE PRESSURE ON HAYWOOD HANSEL Colleague James M. Scott. In November 1944, Brigadier General Haywood Hansel arrived in the Pacific with a mission to destroy Japan's ability to wage war using the B-29 bomber. Hansel, a pioneer of air strategy, was a staunch believer in high-altitude daylight precision bombing, a tactic designed to collapse an enemy economy by targeting specific industries like oil refineries. However, the B-29 was an expensive and technically "buggy" aircraft that faced immediate challenges. Hansel operated under immense pressure from Air Force commander Hap Arnold, who was suffering from heart attacks while fighting for the Air Force's independence against the Army and Navy. NUMBER 1 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: POST-WAR REFLECTIONS AND REGRETS Colleague Evan Thomas. In the war's aftermath, Henry Stimson retired feeling guilty, fearing that scientific progress, exemplified by the bomb, had outpaced human morality. General Spaatz was similarly haunted

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 7:30


    POST-WAR REFLECTIONS AND REGRETS Colleague Evan Thomas. In the war's aftermath, Henry Stimsonretired feeling guilty, fearing that scientific progress, exemplified by the bomb, had outpaced human morality. General Spaatz was similarly haunted by his role in killing civilians, with his granddaughter recalling him moaning in his sleep. Conversely, Shigenori Togo, despite being sentenced to 20 years in prison, died with a clear conscience knowing he fought for peace. Thomas concludes by noting that Togo remains largely unhonored in modern Japan, a nation that remains ambivalent about its responsibility for the war. NUMBER 8 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: THE COUP ATTEMPT AND SURRENDER Colleague Evan Thomas. As the US prepared a third atomic bomb to drop on Tokyo, a military coup unfolded in the Japanese palace to prevent the surrender. Young officers attempted to seize the recording of the Emper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 12:10


    THE COUP ATTEMPT AND SURRENDER Colleague Evan Thomas. As the US prepared a third atomic bomb to drop on Tokyo, a military coup unfolded in the Japanese palace to prevent the surrender. Young officers attempted to seize the recording of the Emperor's surrender speech, but the coup was suppressed, and War Minister Anami committed suicide by seppuku. When the Emperor's broadcast finally aired, the depth of the Japanese "national psychosis" was revealed; even radiation victims in Hiroshima wept in despair, not because the war was over, but because their nation had surrendered. NUMBER 7 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: THE EMPEROR INTERVENES Colleague Evan Thomas. Following the bombing of Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohito broke with tradition to support Foreign Minister Togo, urging the deadlocked War Council to "bear the unbearable" and surrender. War Min

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 7:55


    THE EMPEROR INTERVENES Colleague Evan Thomas. Following the bombing of Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohitobroke with tradition to support Foreign Minister Togo, urging the deadlocked War Council to "bear the unbearable" and surrender. War Minister Anami, however, continued to romanticize national suicide, suggesting it would be beautiful for the nation to perish like a flower. Negotiations stalled over the status of the Emperor, as the US insisted he remain subject to the Allied commander. Ultimately, the fear of continued atomic destruction and future war crimes trials forced the Japanese leadership to accept the Potsdam Declaration. NUMBER 6 1945 OKINAWA 

    S8 Ep255: POTSDAM, STALIN, AND THE COLD WAR Colleague Evan Thomas. At the Potsdam Conference, President Truman initially excluded Henry Stimson from meetings, favoring Jimmy Byrnes, who wanted to use the bomb to intimidate the Soviet Union. Truman wrote i

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:55


    POTSDAM, STALIN, AND THE COLD WAR Colleague Evan Thomas. At the Potsdam Conference, President Truman initially excluded Henry Stimson from meetings, favoring Jimmy Byrnes, who wanted to use the bomb to intimidate the Soviet Union. Truman wrote in his diary that the bomb would hit a purely military target, a claim Thomassuggests was a form of denial regarding the inevitable civilian deaths. Stimson urged Truman to trust the Soviets and share the weapon to prevent an arms race, but the administration ultimately chose to use the bomb as diplomatic leverage, foreshadowing the onset of the Cold War. NUMBER 5 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: GENERAL SPAATZ AND THE ETHICS OF BOMBING Colleague Evan Thomas. The conversation turns to General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, who commanded the air war in the Pacific and demanded written orders before dropping the atomic bomb. Unlike the pra

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 8:10


    GENERAL SPAATZ AND THE ETHICS OF BOMBING Colleague Evan Thomas. The conversation turns to General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, who commanded the air war in the Pacific and demanded written orders before dropping the atomic bomb. Unlike the pragmatic Curtis LeMay, Spaatz was a proponent of precision bombing and was deeply troubled by the killing of civilians. The segment recounts the execution of the atomic missions, noting that while the Hiroshima drop went smoothly, the Nagasaki mission flown by Charles Sweeney was "snake bit," plagued by fuel issues and cloud cover that nearly caused the mission to fail. NUMBER 4 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: SHIGENORI TOGO AND THE JAPANESE WAR COUNCIL Colleague Evan Thomas. Thomas profiles Shigenori Togo, the Japanese Foreign Minister and the only civilian on the Supreme War Council advocating for surrender. Togo navigated a dangerous political land

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 11:30


    SHIGENORI TOGO AND THE JAPANESE WAR COUNCIL Colleague Evan Thomas. Thomas profiles Shigenori Togo, the Japanese Foreign Minister and the only civilian on the Supreme War Council advocating for surrender. Togonavigated a dangerous political landscape defined by the "stomach game" of indirect communication and the threat of assassination by military extremists. The discussion explores the Japanese military's adherence to the "47 Ronin" code of honor through death and their preparation for a "final battle" involving 28 million civilians. While the military hoped to bleed the Americans to gain better terms, Togo attempted a desperate and ultimately failed diplomatic outreach to the Soviet Union. NUMBER 3 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: TARGETING DECISIONS AND THE ATOMIC BOMB Colleague Evan Thomas. This segment details the "Target Committee" meetings led by General Groves, who initially selected Kyoto as the primary target for the atomic bomb. Henry Stimson intervened

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 9:20


    TARGETING DECISIONS AND THE ATOMIC BOMB Colleague Evan Thomas. This segment details the "Target Committee" meetings led by General Groves, who initially selected Kyoto as the primary target for the atomic bomb. Henry Stimson intervened, overruling the military to save Kyoto because of its cultural significance, fearing its destruction would brand the US as war criminals. The "Interim Committee" subsequently approved using the bomb on a "war plant surrounded by workers' homes," a vague definition attempting to balance military necessity with mass casualties. Thomas notes that a non-lethal demonstration was dismissed because officials feared a dud or Japaneseinterference would render it ineffective. NUMBER 2 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep255: THE MORAL BURDEN OF HENRY STIMSON Colleague Evan Thomas. Evan Thomas introduces Henry Stimson, the US Secretary of War, describing him as a 77-year-old "Christian gentleman" and moralist who is simultaneously a realist about the use of

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 8:30


    THE MORAL BURDEN OF HENRY STIMSON Colleague Evan Thomas. Evan Thomas introduces Henry Stimson, the US Secretary of War, describing him as a 77-year-old "Christian gentleman" and moralist who is simultaneously a realist about the use of power. While Stimson oversaw the devastating firebombing of Tokyo, which killed 100,000 people in a single night, he harbored deep moral qualms about the war's brutality and the atomic bomb, which he viewed as a "Frankenstein monster." The segment also highlights Stimson's failing health and his contrasting relationships with Franklin Roosevelt, a fellow elite, and the newly inaugurated Harry Truman, whom he initially found difficult to engage. NUMBER 1 1945 OKINAWA

    S8 Ep254: Show 12-26-25 The show begins in doubts of the veneration of Cicero. and the derogation of Aggripina Minor. ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 3:44


    Show 12-26-25 The show begins in doubts of the veneration of Cicero. and the derogation of Aggripina Minor. 1880 SULLA SACKING ROME ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They examine Cicero's debut defense of Roscius, accused of patricide, a crime punished by being sewn into a sack with animals. Cicero proved Roscius was framed by relatives seeking to seize his inheritance, establishing his reputation for storytelling and detective work. NUMBER 1 THE PROSECUTION OF VERRES Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero takes on the corruption trial of Gaius Verres, the governor of Sicily who looted art and money from the province. Although Cicero usually defended clients to earn favors, he prosecuted Verres to align with political shifts demanding reform. Verres was backed by the Senateestablishment and Sulla's followers, making Cicero's move a bold attack by an outsider against a "crooked establishment" to cleanse the government. NUMBER 2 CICERO VS. CATILINE: THE CONSPIRACY BEGINS Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero captivated the jury against Verres by describing the governor partying while pirates raided Syracuse, causing Verres to flee into exile. Later, Cicero achieved the consulship by defeating Catiline, an aristocrat who became his bitter rival. Desperate after losing the election again, Catiline conspired with a fashionable group of young men to overthrow the government, leading to a showdown with Cicero in the Senate. NUMBER 3 THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Romancitizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Caesar's suggestion of life imprisonment, became a major political error. Cicero's gloating and refusal to grant due process alienated the public and powerful figures, turning him into a target for the populist movement and threatening his future career. NUMBER 4 THE BONA DEA SCANDAL Colleague Josiah Osgood. A scandal erupts when Publius Clodius infiltrates the women-only Bona Dea ceremony at Caesar's house disguised as a female musician, allegedly to pursue Caesar's wife. Although Cicero initially hesitated, he testified against Clodius, destroying his alibi that he was out of town. This testimony created a dangerous enemy in Clodius, who, despite the sacrilege charge, managed to secure an acquittal through bribery. NUMBER 5 EXILE AND THE TEMPLE OF LIBERTY Colleague Josiah Osgood. Seeking revenge, Clodius transitions to plebeian status to become a tribune and passes a law punishing anyone who executed citizens without trial, specifically targeting Cicero. Forced into exile, Cicero flees Rome while Clodius destroys his mansion on Palatine Hill. Clodiusdedicates the site to the goddess Liberty as a political coup and a humiliation to Cicero, while also harassing Cicero'swife, Terentia, who remained in Rome. NUMBER 6 THE IDES OF MARCH Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero returns to a Rome on the brink of civil war, eventually being pardoned by the victor, Caesar. Resenting Caesar's tyranny, Cicero seemingly encouraged Brutus but was not part of the assassination plot. On the Ides of March, Cicero witnessed the murder in the Senate; Brutus shouted Cicero's name while holding the bloody dagger, linking the orator to the restoration of the Republic in the public eye. NUMBER 7 THE DEATH OF CICERO Colleague Josiah Osgood. Following Caesar's death, Cicero returns to politics to oppose Mark Antony, delivering the "Philippics" and allying with young Octavian. This strategy backfires when Octavianreconciles with Antony, leading to a kill order against Cicero for his anti-Caesar rhetoric. Cicero is assassinated, possibly meeting his death with theatrical heroism by extending his neck to the soldiers, a scene likely popularized by his loyal secretary Tiro. NUMBER 8 THE SABINE WOMEN AND AUGUSTAN HISTORY Colleague Emma Southon. Emma Southon discusses A Rome of One's Own, examining history through women's perspectives. They analyze the myth of the Sabine women, abducted by Romulus to populate Rome. This story, recorded by Livy to flatter Augustus, culminates in Hersilia and the women intervening in battle to unite the warring fathers and husbands. It establishes women as the "glue" holding Romanfamilies and society together. NUMBER 9 LUCRETIA: VIRTUE AND SUICIDE Colleague Emma Southon. The discussion moves to Lucretia, the model of Roman female virtue. During a contest among husbands, Lucretia is found virtuously weaving wool while others party. This leads to her rape by Sextus Tarquinius, who threatens her reputation. To protect her honor, Lucretia confesses to her family and commits suicide, an act Augustus later used to define female virtue and which sparked the end of the monarchy. NUMBER 10 TULLIA AND THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC Colleague Emma Southon. Contrasting Lucretia is Tullia, a figure of female ambition and wickedness. Tullia conspires with her brother-in-law to murder their spouses and her own father, the king, even driving over his body. Her crimes and the subsequent assault on Lucretia by her son, Sextus, justify the overthrow of the monarchy. Brutus uses Lucretia's body to incite the revolution that establishes the Roman Republic. NUMBER 11 CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro Caelio, Cicero characterizes her as a "Palatine Medea" and a seductress to discredit her claims of attempted poisoning. Unable to speak in court, Clodia is silenced by Cicero's rhetorical assassination of her character. NUMBER 12 JULIA: THE EMPEROR'S REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER Colleague Emma Southon. Augustus uses his daughter Julia as a political tool, marrying her to Marcellus, Agrippa, and finally the reluctant Tiberius to secure an heir. While she had five children with Agrippa, her forced marriage to Tiberius leads to rebellion. Julia engages in public adulterous affairs to humiliate her father, resulting in her permanent exile and eventual starvation by Tiberius after Augustus'sdeath. NUMBER 13 QUEENS OF BRITAIN: CARTIMANDUA AND BOUDICCA Colleague Emma Southon. This segment contrasts two British queens: Cartimandua and Boudicca. Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, collaborates successfully with Rome, understanding they are "not to be defeated, they're to be pleased." Conversely, Boudicca represents resistance; provoked by Roman mistreatment, she leads a rebellion but is defeated. While Tacitus claims Boudicca committed suicide to preserve honor, English schools celebrate her as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. NUMBER 14 WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND THE FRONTIER Colleague Emma Southon. We meet Julia Felix, a Pompeianentrepreneur who ran a luxury bath and dining complex, offering "bougie" experiences to the middle class before dying in the Vesuvius eruption. The discussion shifts to Vindolanda in Britain, where letters between Sulpicia Lepidina and Claudia Severa reveal a vibrant social life for women in military forts, including birthday parties and domestic luxuries like wild swan and imported wine. NUMBER 15 PERPETUA AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY Colleague Emma Southon. The final segment discusses Perpetua, a young nursing mother and Christian convert in Carthage. Defying the Roman mandate to sacrifice to the emperor, she views suffering as redemptive rather than a punishment. Unlike Romans who viewed suicide by poison as honorable, Perpetua and her slave Felicity choose martyrdom in the arena, having their throats cut to demonstrate their faith, signaling the rise of Christianity. NUMBER 16

    253: PERPETUA AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY Colleague Emma Southon. The final segment discusses Perpetua, a young nursing mother and Christian convert in Carthage. Defying the Roman mandate to sacrifice to the emperor, she views suffering as redemptive r

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 6:55


    PERPETUA AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY Colleague Emma Southon. The final segment discusses Perpetua, a young nursing mother and Christian convert in Carthage. Defying the Roman mandate to sacrifice to the emperor, she views suffering as redemptive rather than a punishment. Unlike Romans who viewed suicide by poison as honorable, Perpetua and her slave Felicity choose martyrdom in the arena, having their throats cut to demonstrate their faith, signaling the rise of Christianity. NUMBER 16

    S8 Ep253: WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND THE FRONTIER Colleague Emma Southon. We meet Julia Felix, a Pompeian entrepreneur who ran a luxury bath and dining complex, offering "bougie" experiences to the middle class before dying in the Vesuvius eruption.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 12:45


    WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND THE FRONTIER Colleague Emma Southon. We meet Julia Felix, a Pompeianentrepreneur who ran a luxury bath and dining complex, offering "bougie" experiences to the middle class before dying in the Vesuvius eruption. The discussion shifts to Vindolanda in Britain, where letters between Sulpicia Lepidina and Claudia Severa reveal a vibrant social life for women in military forts, including birthday parties and domestic luxuries like wild swan and imported wine. NUMBER 15

    S8 Ep253: QUEENS OF BRITAIN: CARTIMANDUA AND BOUDICCA Colleague Emma Southon. This segment contrasts two British queens: Cartimandua and Boudicca. Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, collaborates successfully with Rome, understanding they are "not t

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 6:09


    QUEENS OF BRITAIN: CARTIMANDUA AND BOUDICCA Colleague Emma Southon. This segment contrasts two British queens: Cartimandua and Boudicca. Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, collaborates successfully with Rome, understanding they are "not to be defeated, they're to be pleased." Conversely, Boudicca represents resistance; provoked by Roman mistreatment, she leads a rebellion but is defeated. While Tacitus claims Boudicca committed suicide to preserve honor, English schools celebrate her as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. NUMBER 14

    S8 Ep253: JULIA: THE EMPEROR'S REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER Colleague Emma Southon. Augustus uses his daughter Julia as a political tool, marrying her to Marcellus, Agrippa, and finally the reluctant Tiberius to secure an heir. While she had five children with Ag

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 11:40


    JULIA: THE EMPEROR'S REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER Colleague Emma Southon. Augustus uses his daughter Julia as a political tool, marrying her to Marcellus, Agrippa, and finally the reluctant Tiberius to secure an heir. While she had five children with Agrippa, her forced marriage to Tiberius leads to rebellion. Julia engages in public adulterous affairs to humiliate her father, resulting in her permanent exile and eventual starvation by Tiberius after Augustus'sdeath. NUMBER 13

    S8 Ep253: CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro C

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 6:50


    CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro Caelio, Cicero characterizes her as a "Palatine Medea" and a seductress to discredit her claims of attempted poisoning. Unable to speak in court, Clodia is silenced by Cicero's rhetorical assassination of her character. NUMBER 12

    S8 Ep253: TULLIA AND THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC Colleague Emma Southon. Contrasting Lucretia is Tullia, a figure of female ambition and wickedness. Tullia conspires with her brother-in-law to murder their spouses and her own father, the king, even driving

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 12:50


    TULLIA AND THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC Colleague Emma Southon. Contrasting Lucretia is Tullia, a figure of female ambition and wickedness. Tullia conspires with her brother-in-law to murder their spouses and her own father, the king, even driving over his body. Her crimes and the subsequent assault on Lucretia by her son, Sextus, justify the overthrow of the monarchy. Brutus uses Lucretia's body to incite the revolution that establishes the Roman Republic. NUMBER 11

    S8 Ep253: LUCRETIA: VIRTUE AND SUICIDE Colleague Emma Southon. The discussion moves to Lucretia, the model of Roman female virtue. During a contest among husbands, Lucretia is found virtuously weaving wool while others party. This leads to her rape by Sex

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 6:05


    LUCRETIA: VIRTUE AND SUICIDE Colleague Emma Southon. The discussion moves to Lucretia, the model of Roman female virtue. During a contest among husbands, Lucretia is found virtuously weaving wool while others party. This leads to her rape by Sextus Tarquinius, who threatens her reputation. To protect her honor, Lucretia confesses to her family and commits suicide, an act Augustus later used to define female virtue and which sparked the end of the monarchy. NUMBER 10

    S8 Ep253: THE SABINE WOMEN AND AUGUSTAN HISTORY Colleague Emma Southon. Emma Southon discusses A Rome of One's Own, examining history through women's perspectives. They analyze the myth of the Sabine women, abducted by Romulus to populate Rome. This sto

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 11:44


    THE SABINE WOMEN AND AUGUSTAN HISTORY Colleague Emma Southon. Emma Southon discusses A Rome of One's Own, examining history through women's perspectives. They analyze the myth of the Sabine women, abducted by Romulus to populate Rome. This story, recorded by Livy to flatter Augustus, culminates in Hersilia and the women intervening in battle to unite the warring fathers and husbands. It establishes women as the "glue" holding Romanfamilies and society together. NUMBER 9

    S8 Ep253: THE DEATH OF CICERO Colleague Josiah Osgood. Following Caesar's death, Cicero returns to politics to oppose Mark Antony, delivering the "Philippics" and allying with young Octavian. This strategy backfires when Octavian reconciles wit

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 8:40


    THE DEATH OF CICERO Colleague Josiah Osgood. Following Caesar's death, Cicero returns to politics to oppose Mark Antony, delivering the "Philippics" and allying with young Octavian. This strategy backfires when Octavianreconciles with Antony, leading to a kill order against Cicero for his anti-Caesar rhetoric. Cicero is assassinated, possibly meeting his death with theatrical heroism by extending his neck to the soldiers, a scene likely popularized by his loyal secretary Tiro. NUMBER 8 1880 ASSASSINATION

    S8 Ep253: THE IDES OF MARCH Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero returns to a Rome on the brink of civil war, eventually being pardoned by the victor, Caesar. Resenting Caesar's tyranny, Cicero seemingly encouraged Brutus but was not part of the assassination

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 11:00


    THE IDES OF MARCH Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero returns to a Rome on the brink of civil war, eventually being pardoned by the victor, Caesar. Resenting Caesar's tyranny, Cicero seemingly encouraged Brutus but was not part of the assassination plot. On the Ides of March, Cicero witnessed the murder in the Senate; Brutus shouted Cicero's name while holding the bloody dagger, linking the orator to the restoration of the Republic in the public eye. NUMBER 7 1819 ASSASSINATION

    S8 Ep253: EXILE AND THE TEMPLE OF LIBERTY Colleague Josiah Osgood. Seeking revenge, Clodius transitions to plebeian status to become a tribune and passes a law punishing anyone who executed citizens without trial, specifically targeting Cicero. Forced int

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 8:55


    EXILE AND THE TEMPLE OF LIBERTY Colleague Josiah Osgood. Seeking revenge, Clodius transitions to plebeian status to become a tribune and passes a law punishing anyone who executed citizens without trial, specifically targeting Cicero. Forced into exile, Cicero flees Rome while Clodius destroys his mansion on Palatine Hill. Clodiusdedicates the site to the goddess Liberty as a political coup and a humiliation to Cicero, while also harassing Cicero'swife, Terentia, who remained in Rome. NUMBER 6 1550 MARK ANTONY ORDERS CICERO'S ASSASSINATION

    S8 Ep253: THE BONA DEA SCANDAL Colleague Josiah Osgood. A scandal erupts when Publius Clodius infiltrates the women-only Bona Dea ceremony at Caesar's house disguised as a female musician, allegedly to pursue Caesar's wife. Although Cicero initially hes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 8:54


    THE BONA DEA SCANDAL Colleague Josiah Osgood. A scandal erupts when Publius Clodius infiltrates the women-only Bona Dea ceremony at Caesar's house disguised as a female musician, allegedly to pursue Caesar's wife. Although Cicero initially hesitated, he testified against Clodius, destroying his alibi that he was out of town. This testimony created a dangerous enemy in Clodius, who, despite the sacrilege charge, managed to secure an acquittal through bribery. NUMBER 5 1475

    S8 Ep253: THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Roman citizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Cae

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 7:40


    THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Romancitizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Caesar's suggestion of life imprisonment, became a major political error. Cicero's gloating and refusal to grant due process alienated the public and powerful figures, turning him into a target for the populist movement and threatening his future career. NUMBER 4 1889 CICERO, CATILINE

    S8 Ep253: CICERO VS. CATILINE: THE CONSPIRACY BEGINS Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero captivated the jury against Verres by describing the governor partying while pirates raided Syracuse, causing Verres to flee into exile. Later, Cicero achieved the consul

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 12:05


    CICERO VS. CATILINE: THE CONSPIRACY BEGINS Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero captivated the jury against Verres by describing the governor partying while pirates raided Syracuse, causing Verres to flee into exile. Later, Cicero achieved the consulship by defeating Catiline, an aristocrat who became his bitter rival. Desperate after losing the election again, Catiline conspired with a fashionable group of young men to overthrow the government, leading to a showdown with Cicero in the Senate. NUMBER 3 1819 CATIILINE

    S8 Ep253: THE PROSECUTION OF VERRES Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero takes on the corruption trial of Gaius Verres, the governor of Sicily who looted art and money from the province. Although Cicero usually defended clients to earn favors, he prosecuted Ve

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 5:00


    THE PROSECUTION OF VERRES Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero takes on the corruption trial of Gaius Verres, the governor of Sicily who looted art and money from the province. Although Cicero usually defended clients to earn favors, he prosecuted Verres to align with political shifts demanding reform. Verres was backed by the Senateestablishment and Sulla's followers, making Cicero's move a bold attack by an outsider against a "crooked establishment" to cleanse the government. NUMBER 2 1464 YOUNG CICERO

    S8 Ep252: ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They e

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 12:49


    ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They examine Cicero's debut defense of Roscius, accused of patricide, a crime punished by being sewn into a sack with animals. Cicero proved Roscius was framed by relatives seeking to seize his inheritance, establishing his reputation for storytelling and detective work. NUMBER 1 1450

    S8 Ep251: Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. To counter China's conventional superiority, the authors recommend "war fighting proliferation," supporting nuclear capabilities for allies like Japan and South Korea. They

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 8:15


    Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. To counter China's conventional superiority, the authors recommend "war fighting proliferation," supporting nuclear capabilities for allies like Japan and South Korea. They advocate for "political warfare" rather than armed conflict, aiming to isolate the CCP economically and diplomatically. By cutting off investment and exploiting Xi Jinping's current economic weaknesses, they propose a strategy to delegitimize the regime and trigger internal change similar to the Soviet Union's collapse.

    S8 Ep251: Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell argues the U.S. must "admit failure" regarding China, likening the situation to a patient acknowledging cancer to begin treatment. To combat "threat deflation"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 11:25


    Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell argues the U.S. must "admit failure" regarding China, likening the situation to a patient acknowledging cancer to begin treatment. To combat "threat deflation" and institutional bias in intelligence, they propose a "Team B" of independent analysts to objectively assess PRC capabilities. Thayer advocates moving oversight of foreign investment (CFIUS) to the Department of Defense and ultimately cutting off all trade to deny the CCP resources and protect intellectual property.

    S8 Ep251: Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. The authors draw parallels between current U.S. policy and the British Empire's 1919 "10-year rule," which underfunded defense and ignored rising threats. They criticize the

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 8:15


    Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. The authors draw parallels between current U.S.policy and the British Empire's 1919 "10-year rule," which underfunded defense and ignored rising threats. They criticize the U.S. response to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, noting that the Bush administration rushed to re-engage rather than isolate the CCP. Fanell recalls that intelligence agencies remained focused on Russia, failing to perceive the Chinese military buildup as a credible threat until it was too late.

    S8 Ep251: Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell and Thayer discuss the PLA's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" designed to suffocate Taiwan following President L

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 9:35


    Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell and Thayer discuss the PLA's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" designed to suffocate Taiwan following President Lai's inauguration. They argue that despite these overt threats, Washington remains trapped in a failed "engagement school" mindset, believing the PRC could be democratized through trade. Instead, they assert China has transformed U.S. institutions through elite capture, necessitating a shift to a confrontational strategy.

    S8 Ep250: PREVIEW Guest: Emma Southon. Southon profiles Julia Felix, a Pompeian business owner who defied Roman gender norms by independently running a sophisticated entertainment complex. Featuring "bougie" baths, bars, and apartments, her esta

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 2:17


    PREVIEW Guest: Emma Southon. Southon profiles Julia Felix, a Pompeian business owner who defied Romangender norms by independently running a sophisticated entertainment complex. Featuring "bougie" baths, bars, and apartments, her establishment catered to those seeking luxury near the amphitheater, illustrating how archaeological evidence contradicts written claims about women's lack of financial autonomy. 1850 POMPEII

    S8 Ep249: PREVIEW Guest: Emma Southon. Southon details the execution of Opia, a Vestal Virgin sacrificed in 483 BCE to appease the gods after disastrous omens. To avoid the stigma of direct human sacrifice, Romans conducted a funeral procession before wal

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 2:20


    PREVIEW Guest: Emma Southon. Southon details the execution of Opia, a Vestal Virgin sacrificed in 483 BCE to appease the gods after disastrous omens. To avoid the stigma of direct human sacrifice, Romans conducted a funeral procession before walling her alive in a cave, leaving her to starve or suffocate. 2803 WOMEN OF ROME

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