The Liberal Aren'ts

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A podcast about post-graduate life and the things we would study if someone were paying us.


    • Jan 6, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Liberal Aren'ts

    Episode 41: I’m the Pants Lawyer (Thurídur Einarsdóttir ft. Sebastían)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 69:17


    It's a very special post-Christmas Christmas episode of The Liberal Aren'ts, where we learn about a piece of Icelandic history with our Icelandic friend Sebastían!

    And They Were Both Walruses (Norse Mythology I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 65:23


    Do you love a mythological cow? You're about to! Join us as Rissa regales us with Norse mythology, but first: cursed science facts with Clio!

    Episode 39: All About the Hubris, Baby! (Analyzing Jurassic Park II)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 70:20


    It's all about the hubris here at Jurassic Park, baby!

    Episode 38: Pro-Vax Chicken Nuggets (Analyzing Jurassic Park I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 45:52


    Have you ever been stalked by a velociraptor? Does cloning mammoths appeal to you? Are you in love with Dr. Alan Grant? Do you want to learn more about the narrative structure of the Jurassic Park movies? Then this episode is for you!

    Episode 37: Ruin the Stone (Birthstones II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2021 50:08


    Are you a hater? Do you google things mid-podcast? Are you genetically predisposed to go fast? Then this is the episode for you! Join us for part two of Clio’s birthstone series. Then we have another round of Science! Or! Nonsense! Clio is going with William the Conqueror on this one. Science is always ready … Continue reading Episode 37: Ruin the Stone (Birthstones II)

    Episode 36: Blame God for Snails (Birthstones I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 52:53


    What happens when Clio does science? Some extremely cursed science facts, of course! Join us as we are regaled with tales from Clio's day job, as she delights and horrifies us on the science, history, and mythos of the gemstones she works with every day. Plus, a rousing game of our new segment, Science Or Nonsense!

    Episode 35: Disney Lied To You (Greek Mythology III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 47:42


    That's right, we're back! And we're talking a lot about ungulates for some reason, including evil horses, poison cows, sexy bulls, and bad, naughty, frat boy centaurs. Join us for the long, long, long (long!!) awaited next installment of Rissa's mythology corner as we learn about Heracles. Plus, a life update in the segment formerly known as Post-Grad Problems.

    Episode 34: We Are Out of Fur (Greek Mythology II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2018 64:26


    Happy Halloween! Welcome to this sPoOkY ePiSo — Yeah, no, we forgot this episode was going up on Halloween. It’s not spooky. It’s another edition of Rissa’s Very Chill Story Corner, where we reiterate: do not trust Zeus. Don’t accept gifts from Zeus! Don’t help Zeus hide philandering, don’t fall in love with him, don’t … Continue reading Episode 34: We Are Out of Fur (Greek Mythology II)

    Episode 33 – Set Up Shop In Zeus’ Head (Greek Mythology I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 68:50


    Were you a mythology nerd as a kid? Prepare to have your child-safe stories dismantled! It's time for Greek mythology!

    Episode 32 – Myth-Understood (The Philosophy of Mythology)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2018 65:14


    IT'S TIME TO MEET THE NOUN CLOWN, CHILDREN!!!!

    Episode 31 – How Dare You Defy God’s Rain! (Publishing Sci-fi and Fantasy ft. Jarod K. Anderson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2018 54:06


    What even is literature? We just don't know. It's probably made up. Author and podcaster Jarod K. Anderson visits the show to tell us about publishing your work, the nature of literature, and writing for yourself.

    Episode 30 – Oceans 2: Ramen Heist (What We’re Into Mega-Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2018 64:36


    We're back! And we're full of recommendations! Come hear EVERYTHING we're into!

    Episode 29 – How To Hack The Radio (Physics and Early History of Radio I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2018 62:23


    What's a tuner? Who was Hertz? What's the difference between sound waves and radio waves? Did video kill the radio star? Listen to find out!

    Episode 28 – Why Is It Always Mustafa? (History of Turkey VII)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2018 65:40


    You know that old Johnny Cash standard? It goes like, "Times're rough for a King named Sue/ When you die on crusade and there's nothin' to do/ When your kid's a nerd and your empire falls and--" No? Is that just me?

    Episode 27 – The IKEA of Insects (Bees and Beekeeping ft. Adam Brandt)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2018 82:49


    Got a hankerin' for a hive? Amazed by apiology? Bewitched by beekeeping? Join us for this special episode featuring guest host Adam Brandt!

    Bonus – Story Time with Clio

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2018 9:40


    While you’re waiting for the next episode, why not let Clio regale you with some awkward workplace anecdotes?

    Mini Episode 3 – Our State Dinosaur Is a Clam (More Fun Facts!)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2018 42:20


    Mini Episode 3 - Our State Dinosaur Is a Clam. Come attack a stack of fun facts!

    Episode 26 – All the Jails at Once (Philosophy of Video Games III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 69:28


    NOW That's What I Call Fanfic! And what Rissa calls a self-involved interactive fiction! And what most people call video games!

    Episode 25 – I Refuse to Elaborate on Yogurt Enemas (History of Cereal)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2018 62:28


    This episode has it all. Religion. Sex. Ancient manners. Jackhammers. Arguments about milk.

    Bonus: Roxelana! (History of Turkey VII.5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2018 10:03


    Join us for this very special BONUS CONTENT, where Clio talks about a famous lady from Ottoman history, and Rissa does her best Borat impression!

    Episode 24 – Hey Pope Urban II, You Missed (History of Turkey VII)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2018 67:38


    Some things in human history never change, like royal fratricide, or teenagers making bad life choices. Come hear some history!

    Episode 23 – Hollywood: The Ancient Curse (History of Silent Film)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2018 63:54


    Do you want to join the New Jersey Cinema mob? Do you want to pay 25 cents to see 5 gifs? Do you want to talk about a visual medium in an audio medium? Then this episode, featuring special guest Kaitlyn Thompson, is for you!

    Episode 22 – It’s Fiction-ception! (Philosophy of Video Games II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 62:53


    Time for more fiction philosophy with Rissa! Plus doggos, dinosaurs, announcements, and a word from our podcast buddy Best Forevers!

    Episode 21 – Release an Albatross At Your Wedding (Philosophy of Video Games I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2018 66:14


    How many times can Rissa sneak Lara Croft and Commander Shepherd into a professional academic thesis? How many fun facts can Clio stuff into this episode? How long can Science stay awake??

    Episode 20 – Guys, I’m a Coffee Plant (History and Science of Coffee)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2018 66:13


    What's the worst way to make coffee? Imagine it now. Got it? You're wrong, this is way worse. Today Science talks the history, culture, and science of coffee.

    Episode 19 – DO Pay Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain! (History of Turkey VI)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2018 68:19


    I’ll tell you, folks, this was a hard episode to name. Other contenders included, “Spell It For Her In Greek,” “My New Favorite Science Man,” and “My Weight In Gold? Very Good.” Science falls in love. Clio talks…science? Rissa has never been in a public school in her life. Here’s the article that spurred Clio … Continue reading Episode 19 – DO Pay Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain! (History of Turkey VI)

    Mini Episode: I Thought Everyone Knew About the Emu Wars (Fun Facts Mega Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2018 60:00


    Oops! All fun facts!

    Episode 18 – The Most Normal Thing Out of the Cold War (Parasocial Relationships)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2017 65:16


    It's the most wonderful time of the year! You know, Star Wars season! Clio tells a classic story of a famous Christmas ungulate. Rissa gives relationship advice. Science is in it for a lunch of money.

    Episode 17 – Tell Me More About the Boodle Gang (Tourist’s Guide To Prohibition III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2017 58:13


    Today’s episode features the final installment in Science’s Tourist’s Guide to Prohibition, featuring the good, the bad, and the…Star Trek. Clio needs to fill out her classical education. Science encourages some complex thinking. Rissa is simultaneously over and underqualified. Science will be at Podcon this weekend! Hit us up at theliberalarents@gmail.com if you will be … Continue reading Episode 17 – Tell Me More About the Boodle Gang (Tourist’s Guide To Prohibition III)

    Mini Episode – Run Away and Start Over (Thanksgiving Special)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2017 25:53


    It's all Turkey's fault.

    Episode 16 – Get a Better Mailman (History of Turkey V)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2017 65:10


    This week, Clio takes us back to Turkey. Sort of. The long way.

    Episode 15 – Beware the Ides of Podcasting (Religion in Dragon Age)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2017 64:28


    Soothsayer report: this Ide contains a 0% chance of stabbing, unless you are a mage in the game Dragon Age, apparently. Science talks about more things you should not lick. Rissa scrutinizes a fictional religion. Clio wants to art.

    Episode 14 – That’ll Burn Out Your Nose Hairs (Tourist’s Guide to Prohibition II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2017 60:06


    Here at The Liberal Aren'ts, we answer the really really tough questions. Like which one of us would win in a fight. Clio disturbs us all mightily with biology. Science will fight you about jazz music. Rissa just wants to hear about gangsters.

    Episode 13 – The Entire Internet is a Creative Writing Project (Solar Eclipse Fun Facts)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2017 63:25


    Sometimes The Liberal Aren'ts brings you dense, inscrutable academic jargon and in-depth historical analysis. And sometimes we bring you this. Enjoy!

    Episode 12 – A Song of Fire and Ice Cream Trucks (Joan of Arc in Art)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2017 66:07


    This week, Rissa gets all meta on us by talking about how you can totally misrepresent a religion you don't practice, even if you mean well, George. Science gives a public service announcement. Rissa still believes her. Clio is just...so tired. For info on how to contribute to disaster relief, head over to theliberalarents.com/blog

    Episode 11 – All Songs Are Breakup Songs (Tourist’s Guide to Prohibition I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2017 62:56


    This week, Science takes a stand: podcasts that touch liquor shall never touch...hers. Mine. Ours. And then she talks about liquor for forty minutes. It's a tourist's guide to Prohibition! Rissa begs for a job. Science has weird music taste, but at least she doesn't blindly make playlists based on keywords, Clio.

    Episode 10 – Santa Claus Was In Jail?? (History of Turkey IV)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2017 62:52


    This week, Clio takes us through some Christian church history in--you guessed it--Turkey! Observe, as people argue for about 300 years. Rissa pronounces another word. Clio shows us one surefire way to get on the naughty list. Science is intimidating.

    Episode 8 – Rap Neutral (Joan of Arc III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 69:04


    This week, Rissa finishes up her series on the life of Joan of Arc. Wow, I hope this story has a happy ending. Science is #WastingHisTime1601. Rissa can't pronounce a single French word correctly. Clio does some internet scrounging. We all donate souls to our local food bank. Not our souls, mind you.

    Episode 8 – Caesar Oleogustus (Chemistry of Taste)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2017 63:41


    Do you want more words? Sure, we all do! This episode is just chock full of 'em. Clio recommends tactics for the robot uprising. Science talks more about licking stuff. Rissa is..........done???

    Episode 7 – Beans Are People Too (History of Turkey III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2017 59:55


    This week Clio takes us on a wild ride through more than 350 years of ancient history. It's a good thing ancient historians never ever exaggerate or spread misinformation. Ahem. Rissa is in love. Clio introduces a dozen of her very best friends. Science gets a problem solved for once.

    Episode 6 – A Shocking Number of PB&J’s (Joan of Arc II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2017 67:36


    This episode is appearing a day early because Science will be driving to Montana all day on Wednesday, and because if the timing is right there may still be time for YOU to support Podcon (where Science will be going in December) at podcon.com! Rissa talks tactics. Clio goes on a diet. Science is psyched … Continue reading Episode 6 – A Shocking Number of PB&J’s (Joan of Arc II)

    Episode 4 – My Son, Apatosaurus (History of Turkey II)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2017 63:28


    Clio knows all about history, and in all of her studies, she has never found a worse internet connection than the one that delayed this episode. Also Science's screen broke. But it's finally arrived! Rissa mispronounces 'scimitar.' Clio tells kids to just say no to infamy. Science considers marriage.

    Episode 3 – But I Believe Her (Joan of Arc I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2017 66:29


    We’re back, and nerdier than ever! Science is the French Dolphin. Rissa talks about faith. Clio does paperwork. ENORMOUS THANKS to Tristan at Vintage Lab Tech for creating our theme music! We love it, and we’re so grateful.

    News Update!!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2017 1:28


    Where did The Liberal Aren’ts go? Science gives you the scoop!

    Episode 1: One Seriously Old Superpower (History of Turkey I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2017 46:13


    Despite technical difficulties, plague, famine, war, and lost headphones, The Liberal Aren'ts presents our first episode. Rissa talks about magic. Clio introduces some new friends. Science needs a hug.

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