Podcasts about Great books

Today I'm reviewing Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar, the second installment in his unique horror-thriller series that blends true crime, psychological suspense, and unsettling horror into something that feels disturbingly real. After thoroughly enjoying Chasing the Boogeyman, I was hopeful this sequel could maintain the same atmosphere and tension. Not only does it succeed, but it expands the story in fascinating ways, raises the stakes, and leaves readers desperately wanting the next installment.In this spoiler-lite review, I'll discuss what makes this sequel work so well, who it's likely to appeal to, a few reasons it might not be for everyone, and whether this series remains worth your time as we head toward the October release of Killing the Boogeyman.Have you read Becoming the Boogeyman? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, book reviews, author discussions, rankings, recommendations, and all things speculative fiction, be sure to subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages!Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#RichardChizmar #BecomingTheBoogeyman #ChasingTheBoogeyman #HorrorBooks #HorrorThriller #BookReview #BookTube #HorrorFiction #ThrillerBooks #MysteryThriller #PsychologicalThriller #FantasyForTheAgesWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Becoming the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/V2tAAChasing the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/YOr9NKilling the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/ySGgyWays to connect with us:Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim's Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening1:44 - Book Details2:42 - Why Jim Read This3:55 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis6:02 - Six Reasons This Might Be a Great Book for You9:15 - Four Reasons This Might Not Be For You10:54 - Jim's Final Thoughts12:42 - Closing & Wrap-Up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

A “Men's Special” aimed at young men, fathers and grandfathers includes a look at a Catholic school in Illinois whose graduates leave with zero college debt and ready to enter the workforce having learned a trade. San Damiano College for the Trades balances craftsmanship with a Great Books curriculum, all amid a faith-based environment. San Damiano President Kent Lasnoski says the school is providing an alternative to “useless [college] degrees” and mountains of student debt. Plus Gates Garcia, host of the “We the People” podcast, explains why he says the American Dream is not dead; Adm. Brian Christine from HHS says his background as a medical doctor, mostly treating men, will impact his work in advancing men's health agendas without compromising those in place for women; and a look at faith-based initiatives for grandfathers.

On The Literary Life today we continue our re-airing of a series from our "Summer of the Short Story" that originally aired way back in Season 1 of the podcast! This week's episode features Angelina Stanford and Cindy Rollins discussing G. K. Chesterton's essay "A Defence of Penny Dreadfuls." Angelina opens with a brief history of the Victorian era and the more prevalent availability of the novel to the masses. She also gives several examples of the "penny dreadful." Cindy and Angelina discuss why they agree with Chesterton that people need these simple, even formulaic stories. They remind us that childhood is a time for good books, not a time to worry about reading all the "Great Books." Another topic that Cindy and Angelina chat about is the importance of developing imagination. They talk about the truth that fiction and story-telling are necessary parts of human culture. Cindy highlights the importance of the heroic adventure stories for boys. Angelina brings out the point that the elite critic is out of touch with the masses who long for stories of good winning over evil. The penny dreadful should not be judged as art, since that was never what it was intended to be. If you want to find replays of the 2019 Back to School online conference referenced in this episode, you can purchase them in Cindy's shop at MorningTimeforMoms.com. You can also find out about all the current classes and summer events happening at HouseofHumaneLetters.com. For the full show notes on this episode, please visit https://theliterary.life/332. 

Finding community can be difficult. But author Luke Burgis thinks the real challenge begins once we've found it and we're subject to social pressures to conform. Listen as Burgis and EconTalk's Russ Roberts trace the tension between individuals and their tribes through the foundational frameworks, such as family and school, that help forge our identities. Burgis argues that the disappearance of traditional rites of passage bodes ill for major life commitments such as marriage, and recounts his personal journey from Wall Street through the Great Books in search of a strong, differentiated self. He also draws lessons for today's communities from Saint Benedict's 1,500-year-old guide for monastic life and describes the moving ritual he practiced with his father before he died.

For years, I thought education was something that happened in classrooms, universities, and formal programs. Then I realized that some of the most meaningful learning in my life happened when I took responsibility for my own education.In this episode, I explore how self-education changed the way I think and live, why I recently enrolled in a free Harvard philosophy course, and what happened when I stopped waiting for someone else to decide what was worth learning.I also recommend Fences by August Wilson—a powerful play about fathers, responsibility, regret, and the complicated relationships that shape our lives.If you've ever felt the urge to learn more, think more deeply, or build a richer intellectual life, this episode is for you.Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions

Order of the Day (1944) by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander.---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SLEERICKETS is a podcast about poetry and other intractable problems. Make a one-time donation (not tax-deductible)For more SLEERICKETS, subscribe to SECRET SHOW!Leave the show a rating here!SLEERICKETS is now on YouTube!For a frank, anonymous critique on SLEERICKETS, subscribe to the SECRET SHOW and send a poem of no more 32 lines to sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comSome of the topics mentioned in this episode:– Order Brian's book The Optimists! It's so good! Now give Brian's book a 5-star review!– My chapbook The Soft Black Stars is out now!– Join the Zoom conversation I'm having with Jimmy Pappas this Monday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m. US Eastern: Poems Against HopeZina Gomez-LissCan Art Teach? by David S. WallaceMichel de MontaigneThe PittSuitsAnthony LaneJ. M. Coetzee A Few Words OnImproving Your Life Through the Great Books by Ethan McGuireSecret show notesEp 246: A Case for Didactic Poetry, ft. Daniel CowperWhy Don't People Like Poetry? What Poetry Do They Like? by Daniel CowperNight by Elie WieselNever Let Me Go by Kazuo IshiguroNarrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassThe Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du BoisPlato's RepublicGiovanni's Room and Notes of aNative Son by James BaldwinGoodnight Moon by Margaret Wise BrownThe Giving Tree by Shel SilversteinFancy Nancy by Jane O'ConnorThe Varieties of Religious Experience by William JamesFrequently mentioned names:– Joshua Mehigan– Shane McCrae– A. E. Stallings– Ryan Wilson– Morri Creech– Austin Allen– Jonathan Farmer– Zara Raab– Amit Majmudar– Ethan McGuire– Coleman Glenn– Chris Childers– Alexis Sears– JP Gritton– Alex Pepple– Ernie Hilbert– Joanna Pearson– MattWall– Steve Knepper – Helena Feder– David Yezzi– Victoria Moul– Katie Dozier & Tim Green– George David Clark– Tristram Fane Saunders– Philip Metres– Helena Feder– Nida SophasarunOther Ratbag Poetry Pods:Poetry Says by Alice AllanI Hate Matt Wall by Matt WallVersecraft by Elijah Perseus BlumovAdvice from an Unknown Poet by Alice Allan & Jonathan FarmerAlice: In Future PostsBrian: brianplatzer [at] gmail [dot] comCameron: Minor TiresiasMatthew: sleerickets [at] gmail [dot] comMusic by ETRNLArt by Daniel Alexander Smith

Dr Nicholas Morton joins Dave on Signal of Doom to talk about his amazing new book THE CRUSADER STORM, out now and available on Amazon and bookstores! This is a fascinating conversation about The Crusades and the various kingdoms moving in that space from the First Crusade to Saladin’s conquest of Jerusalem, and moves in some UNEXPECTED PLACES as Dave EXPLORES this fascinating topic with Nic! And yes, we DO discuss the ASSASSINS! Nic is a great writer and Signal fans will ENJOY THIS! Check the link below for this GREAT BOOK! The Crusader Storm: https://www.hachette.com.au/nicholas-morton/the-crusader-storm-a-global-history-of-the-wars-for-the-middle-east Please support the show on Patreon! Every dollar helps the show! https://www.patreon.com/SignalofDoom Follow us on Twitter: @signalofdoom Dredd or Dead: @OrDredd Legion Outpost: @legionoutpost

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick discusses Books 11-12 of the Odyssey with Dr. Frank Grabowski and Mr. Luke Heintschel, the Academic Headmaster of Coeur du Christ Academy.Check out Ascend's LIBRARY of written guides and SOCIAL MEDIA. Check out Luke's Substack at CoCrucified and Dr. Grabowski's at Porch & Altar.SummaryListeners are taken on Odysseus' harrowing katabasis into the underworld, where he confronts shades of the dead, including his mother, the tragic Agamemnon, and especially Achilles, whose devastating reflection on glory versus life delivers one of the most “blood on the floor” moments in Western literature. The conversation masterfully unpacks themes of piety, humanization, fate and free will, and the meaning of a well-lived life, while drawing illuminating connections to Plato, Dante, Boethius, and the Christian tradition.The discussion continues into Book 12 with the irresistible Sirens, the terror of Scylla and Charybdis, and the fateful transgression with the Cattle of the Sun. Throughout, the guests offer sharp insight into Odysseus's evolving character, the tensions between cunning and virtue, and why these ancient stories remain essential for forming minds today. Whether you're a longtime lover of Homer or new to the Great Books, this episode delivers rich intellectual conversation, pedagogical wisdom, and profound reflections that will leave you eager to pick up the text—or re-read it with fresh eyes.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast06:01 Exploring the Odyssey: Books 11 and 1212:54 The Theme of Descent into the Underworld16:57 Elpenor's Ignoble Death and Its Significance23:42 Tiresias and the Prophecies for Odysseus31:43 Fate vs. Free Will in the Odyssey38:29 The Role of Women in the Odyssey43:24 The Significance of Penelope in the Odyssey45:48 Odysseus' Emotional Journey and Family Dynamics53:13 Agamemnon's Narrative and the Role of Women58:32 Achilles' Regret and the Nature of Glory01:09:41 Ajax's Silence and the Weight of Honor01:17:53 Exploring the Underworld: Tantalus and Heracles01:20:34 Odysseus's Descent: Fear and Fate in Hades01:21:38 Homer's Philosophical Insights: Preparing for Christ01:22:29 Homer as a Teacher and Philosopher01:24:15 The Sirens: Temptation and Knowledge01:33:46 Scylla and Charybdis: Leadership and Sacrifice01:39:31 The Cattle of the Sun: Fate and Free Will01:46:04 Odysseus's Reflection: Mortality and LeadershipKeywordsHomer Odyssey Books 11 and 12, Odyssey Book 11 summary and analysis, Odyssey Book 12 summary, Odysseus katabasis underworld descent, Achilles in Hades dialogue, Odysseus meets Achilles, Sirens episode Odyssey, Scylla and Charybdis, Cattle of the Sun God, Tiresias prophecy, Elpenor burial, Odysseus piety and character development, fate versus free will in Homer, classical education podcast, Great Books discussion Homer, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick Odyssey, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Luke Heintschel Court of Christ Academy, Homer philosophy and theology, katabasis tradition Plato Dante, Christian reading of the Odyssey, Odysseus hero journey analysis.

Books overcome the challenges of human change.---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

You want to understand the Bible better, but you don't need a huge commentary with hard-to-understand words. Matt Whitman will help us grasp key details about each book of the Bible in just minutes and better understand and appreciate the overarching story of Scripture. Then, Dr. Fazale Rana, of Reasons to Believe ministries, will join us to answer the question: What makes humans will to sacrifice for others? Join us for great conversation designed to help us grow spiritually.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I share the reading list for Season 4, explain why Homer's The Odyssey remains one of the most rewarding books a reader can pick up, and explore an idea from René Descartes that has changed the way I read.If you've ever wanted to become a more thoughtful reader—but felt overwhelmed by philosophy, history, or the classics—this episode is for you.Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions

Why should you still read classic literature? Author and Woman of Letters newsletter writer Naomi Kanakia discusses her new book, What's So Great About the Great Books? Why You Should Read Classic Literature (Even Though It Might Destroy You). Plus, listeners share the works of classic literature they enjoy. PS. Classic literature is a category in the 2026 All Of It Summer Reading Challenge. Click here to learn more and sign up! Cover art courtesy of Princeton University Press Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts Prof. Albert Cheng of the University of Arkansas and Alisha Searcy of the Center for Strong Public Schools speak with Andrew Hadfield, Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Sussex and British Academy Fellow, about the life, works, and legacy of the great poet Edmund Spenser. Prof. Hadfield explains how Edmund Spenser's uncertain family background and humanist education at Merchant Taylors' School and Cambridge, grounded in Virgil, Ovid, Petrarch, and Chaucer, shaped his literary imagination within Elizabethan England. He situates Spenser amid the many political and religious tensions of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, and traces Spenser's rise through The Shepheardes Calender and patronage under the 4th Earl of Leicester, Robert Sidney. Then, Prof. Hadfield turns to The Faerie Queene, its epic allegorical knights, virtues, and the Spenserian stanza, all of which widely influenced British literature and ultimately the English language across the globe. He addresses Spenser's controversial Irish writings and reflects on his enduring reputation as a foundational “poet's poet.” Prof. Hadfield closes the interview with a reading from The Faerie Queene.

The Gulag Archipelago/One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn---Exploring Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Hasan Sorrells delves into the catastrophic effects of suppressing free speech in totalitarian regimes. This episode examines the necessity of robust free speech for effective leadership, the dangers of totalizing ideologies, and the role of literature in preserving individual liberty and truth. Listeners will gain insights on how intentional leaders can resist cultural and political pressures to protect both speech and societal integrity.Book Titles: The Gulag Archipelago, One Day in the Life of Ivan DenisovichAuthor: Aleksandr SolzhenitsynGuest: Jesan Sorrells ---Time-Stamped Overview---Welcome and Introduction - 1:00The Gulag Archipelago - 2:0005:07 Nighttime arrests and their rituals14:39 Books on freedom of speech20:28 Outlawing political parties and arrests27:37 Jordan Peterson on Solzhenitsyn30:12 Early Soviet class warfare ideals36:22 Importance of Protecting Free Speech41:14 Shukov's survival tactics46:50 Leadership and emotional intelligence55:35 Freedom of speech and censorship59:47 Arrest and accusations of treason01:06:06 The power of social proof01:12:56 The role of truth in society01:17:20 Importance of Cultural Confidence01:21:42 Importance of Diverse Viewpoints01:22:00 Staying on the Leadership Path with The Gulag Archipelago, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Leaders, it's time to start performing the long, hard work of resacralizing the Western world. ---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is such a wildly fun conversion with David Lebovitz. We love his Substack, and his many books, including the recently released The Great Book of Chocolate. We go over so many fun, and a few controversial, topics in this live recording from Rizzoli Bookstore in New York City.   Subscribe to This Is TASTE: ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion  ---Exploring Joan Didion's classic Slouching Towards Bethlehem, hosts delve into the unraveling of American culture, the evolution of masculine-coded communication in leadership, and strategies for grounding meaning and tradition in turbulent times. Special guest Nikki Ballou joins Hasan Sorrells to discuss the importance of personal reflection, myth-making in modern culture, and practical steps for rebuilding trust and community in a fragmented world.Book Title: Slouching Towards BethlehemAuthor: Joan DidionGuest Names: Jesan Sorrells (Host), Nicky Billou (Guest Co-Host)---Time-Stamped Overview---00:00 Introducing: Slouching Towards Bethlehem11:40 Discussing Click Clack Moo 17:06 John Wayne's strong presence18:44 Discussing masculine communication styles28:32 Challenges in modern communication29:59 Analyzing a successful campaign strategy37:25 Comparing Dana White to John Ford44:05 Dana White's narrative strategy49:54 Interviewing in a New York blizzard51:06 Critique of Didion's solipsism57:52 Solzhenitsyn's observations on the Gulag01:03:15 Starting a religious journey01:10:59 Walking your own path01:13:59 Planning next season's book list01:23:22 Discussing the impact of Haight Ashbury01:24:50 Reflecting on 1960s counterculture01:33:12 Critique of progressivism and socialism01:34:56 Discussing Trump's impact on America01:40:27 Staying on the Path with Slouching Towards Bethlehem.---Connect with Nicky Billou everywhere:Books: https://www.amazon.com/Thought-Leaders-Journey-Fable-Life/dp/179219384X/Podcast: https://www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickybillou/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicky.billou/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickybillou/ ---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Books smuggle ideas across time. ---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hugh Hallman, Attorney, Educator, and former Mayor of Tempe, joins Seth in studio for the full hour to talk about the importance of teaching Western civilization and Judeo-Christian values in schools. He discusses how the removal of these values has led to a lack of understanding of the foundation of American society and the consequences of this ignorance. Hugh shares his experiences as headmaster at Tempe Preparatory Academy, where he emphasized the study of the Great Books and the importance of teaching students to think critically about the ideas that shape our society. This conversation highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells---Delving into Joan Didion's A Book of Common Prayer, Jesan Sorrells and guest Tom Libby analyze the intersections of perception, privilege, and empathy within leadership. They discuss the pitfalls of solipsism, the evolving role of journalistic language, and how understanding regional and cultural context is essential for authentic engagement. The conversation expands to address practical empathy in business, the impact of technology on communication, and the necessity of fostering grounded values at home and in organizations.Book Title: A Book of Common PrayerAuthor: Joan DidionGuest: Jesan Sorrells (Host), Tom Libby (Co-Host)---Time-Stamped Overview---00:00 Introducing A Book of Common Prayer07:44 A challenging day so far12:28 Winning a Vogue essay contest19:28 Discussing an underrated author26:48 Discussing editors and literary history30:45 Discussing LLMs and word precision36:26 Charlotte at Boca Grande airport39:28 Joan Didion and Central American conflicts44:03 Objective reporting in conflict zones53:59 WNBA pay and revenue discussion58:28 Nature versus nurture discussion01:01:57 Self-improvement and career inspiration01:05:51 Money's Impact on Boca Grande01:14:35 Discussing sympathy versus empathy01:21:43 Discussion on failed assassination attempt01:25:31 Business lessons from the book01:27:57 Ending the conversation---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Odysseus rejects becoming a god... why?Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Glenn Arbery of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK FIVE of the Odyssey--arguably one of the important passages in the entire Odyssey and in the Western canon.Check out Ascend on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon.Check out our written study guide to the Odyssey!Odysseus is offered everything a man could desire: immortality, endless pleasure, and the love of the goddess Calypso on her enchanted island. Yet he refuses, choosing instead the path of suffering, homecoming, and humanity. The conversation unpacks why Odysseus weeps on the shore despite his Edenic surroundings, the deeper meaning of his refusal, and the timeless question Homer poses to every listener: Would you say no to immortal pleasure?The scholars dive into rich themes—Odysseus's interior dialogue with his own thumos (spirit), the contrast between Calypso's cave and rocky Ithaca, the subtle work of the gods and fate, and striking antecedents to Platonic psychology.With insightful close readings, connections to the Iliad, and reflections on identity, place, and human flourishing, this discussion transforms a single book into a meditation on what truly makes life worth living. Whether you're new to Homer or revisiting the epic, this episode will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great books, philosophy, or wrestling with life's biggest questions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books04:13 Exploring the Odyssey: Book Five09:41 Athena's Plea and Zeus's Response23:53 Odysseus on Calypso's Island: A Study of Contrast34:43 The Choice of Immortality: Odysseus's Dilemma39:32 The Identity of Odysseus: Suffering and Immortality41:02 The Nature of Human Desire and Fulfillment42:56 The Dilemma of Odysseus: Choices and Consequences45:14 The Complexity of Fidelity: Odysseus and the Goddesses48:09 Homer's Moral Landscape: Understanding Odysseus51:14 The Role of Place in Identity and Homecoming54:05 The Symbolism of Clothing: Calypso vs. Nausicaa01:09:40 The Wrath of Poseidon: Odysseus's Struggles at Sea01:13:35 The Inner Dialogue of Odysseus: Heart and Mind01:17:23 The Weight of Time and Suffering01:20:04 The Complexity of Divine Intervention01:22:21 Agency and Internal Dialogue01:25:20 Mortality and Immortality: The Role of Women01:29:10 Navigating Divine Guidance01:31:20 The Human Experience and Divine Learning01:33:56 The Journey to the Shore: A Symbol of Rebirth01:40:05 The Significance of the Olive Tree01:43:41 The Transformation of OdysseusKeywords: Odyssey Book 5, Book Five of the Odyssey, Odysseus Calypso, Odysseus refuses immortality, Homer Odyssey Book 5, Calypso's island, why does Odysseus refuse immortality, Odysseus choice Calypso, Homer Odyssey analysis, Ascend the Great Books, Odysseus thumos, Platonic soul Homer, Odysseus homecoming, fate Zeus Odyssey, Odysseus rebirth, Calypso pleasure island, great books podcast OdysseyBe sure to check out our Odyssey episodes from 2024 too!

Leaders, the scourge of our time, is one Joan Didion spotted, because it lay deep within herself. ---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of Codependent Doctor, we unpack the emotional hangover that can show up after setting a boundary, especially when guilt, fear, or second-guessing rush in afterward. We explore why discomfort does not mean you did something wrong, how to stay grounded after protecting your needs, and how to build trust in yourself as you practice healthier patterns.Send me a message

Explore the intersection of classical music, mythology, the Great Books, and progressive metal with Symphony X's bassist Mike LePond. Discover how complex musical structures and timeless stories like the Odyssey and Paradise Lost inspire artistic expression and intellectual curiosity. Listen to how heavy metal music has gotten people to read classic literature and led to spiritual conversions.   Key topics: Storytelling through music: The Odyssey and Paradise Lost The role of mythology and classic literature in inspiring art Music as an educational tool and intellectual journey The influence of classical music on progressive metal   Join the FREE Magnus Fellowship: https://magnusinstitute.org/fellowship/ Support AMI: https://magnusinstitute.org/give/   SUBSCRIBE where Podcasts are available: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magnus-podcast-conversations-from-the-catacombs/id1475793300 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SuJ0ZDVLrh19Vq1rg6nKK? si=d6ffd631e49b46b3 PodBean: https://magnuspodcast.podbean.com/ Fio: https://www.play.fio.fm/show/MagnusPodcast  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV00wegjCFjw49tc0y_AMQA

When I told Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen that I was doing a complete revision of The Great Book of Chocolate, which included adding new recipes, she insisted that I include her Chocolate-Olive Oil Spread. For those who follow Deb know that when she says something is delicious and worth making, you not only listen, but in my case, you spread the word. No pun intended. As luck would have it, Deb was recently in Paris so I invited her into my kitchen to make her Chocolate-Olive Oil Spread. As you can see in the video, not only is the recipe fun to make, but its very easy as well. And unlike store-bought spreads, you know exactly what's in it. The only thing that's a bit tricky is to get it to just the right consistency for spreading. But if I can do it, so can you. Deb finishes the dark chocolate spread by leaving it on the counter at room temperature for a few hours, whereas in The Great Book of Chocolate, I'm a bit more impatient so I place it in the refrigerator until it reaches the right consistency, then transfer it to a jar. Because it has no dairy, it can be stored at room temperature.After you make this spread, if you find that it's too firm, a few seconds in the microwave will soften it just enough to make it spreadable. If you don't have a microwave, you can warm the jar in a small saucepan of warm water. The temperature of your room can be a factor, and I did find that using a high-percentage chocolate — one that's 70% or more cacao solids — will firm up more solidly than one that's 50-55% cacao solids, which is what we used in the video. [Thanks to Irene Wong for shooting the video, Michael Sellers for editing.] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlebovitz.substack.com/subscribe

The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells---Explore how Eudora Welty's The Optimist's Daughter delves into themes of grief, regional identity, and the challenge of preserving cultural memory in a rapidly globalizing world. Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby discuss the impact of community traditions, the evolving role of observation in literature, and the struggle to find objective meaning amid today's digital noise. They highlight the contrast between sincere storytelling and modern content creation, drawing leadership lessons from Welty's keen insight into relationships and local culture.Book Title: The Optimist's DaughterAuthor: Eudora WeltyGuests: Jesan Sorrells (Host), Tom Libby(Co-Host)---Time Stamped Overview---00:00 Exploring existential themes in media10:46 Discussing a lesser-known author14:13 Discussing influential female authors21:13 Discussing African American Identity24:16 Global access to regional language28:08 Taylor Sheridan and rural storytelling36:00 Future writers' digital observations41:56 Funeral and community support46:31 Laurel's perspective and social commentary53:22 Discussing early misconceptions of truth58:02 Muddied information and confusion01:04:35 Boxer confronts online critic01:09:58 Handling past failures in marketing01:11:41 Lessons in leadership and kindness01:15:56 Losing traditional learning methods01:22:08 Star Wars fandom and cultural shifts01:30:00 Generational conflicts and technology gaps01:35:42 Observing before taking action01:38:14 Concluding a discussion without resolution---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ---

Higher education is in upheaval, and a wave of "micro colleges" is reimagining undergraduate formation. Matthew Smith, co-founder and president of Hildegard College in Costa Mesa, California, joins Mark Labberton to talk about a tiny school marrying the Great Books to redemptive entrepreneurship. "We need young adults who are coming out of college who are failure resilient." In this episode, Smith reflects on the demographic cliff, the limits of professionalized majors, and why eighteen-year-olds need formation before a career. Together they discuss higher ed innovation, redemptive entrepreneurship, beauty as a public good, and what employers really want. Episode Highlights "We need young adults who are coming out of college who are failure resilient." "Most of these schools are endeavoring at least to promise a fruitful career … leaving behind what most 18 to 23 year olds actually need." "I would warn people away from universities that cannot clearly answer the question, what will all students learn at your school?" "First you need to seek what's true and good, what's worthy of being loved. Then you need to be formed into the kind of person that loves it. And then finally, the natural outlet of that is creation." "If there's a problem, they figure it out. They're not just asking their computers what the answer is." About Matthew Smith Matthew J. Smith is the founding president of Hildegard College, a Christian liberal arts micro college in Costa Mesa, California. He holds a PhD in Literature from USC, and taught for fifteen years at Azusa Pacific University before founding Hildegard College. His scholarship covers Shakespeare, John Milton, John Donne, and George Herbert; he has authored or edited four books on early modern literature and religion, and is working on a new book on beauty. Helpful Links and Resources Hildegard College https://www.hildegard.college Praxis on Redemptive Entrepreneurship https://www.praxis.co/redemptive-entrepreneurship St. John's College https://www.sjc.edu Literature and Religious Experience, by Matthew J. Smith https://www.amazon.com/Literature-Religious-Experience-Beyond-Unbelief/dp/1350193917 Show Notes Higher ed in flux "It's the economy that's driving disruptive innovation in higher education right now." The demographic cliff and small private colleges Job readiness vs. personal transformation "Leaving behind what 18 to 23 year olds actually need … becoming wise and faithful adults." From English professor to college founder Discovering micro colleges through classical K–12 schooling Trivium, quadrivium, democratic liberal education Visiting startup colleges in 2018; tuition often $10K–$15K "A shared vision of the end of learning" Hildegard's founding: liberal arts plus entrepreneurial arts Hildegard of Bingen, polymath patron Borrowing redemptive entrepreneurship from Praxis Beauty as antidote to weaponized truth and goodness Foundations of Thought + Entrepreneur Lab Real campaigns, real ventures—not test answers Field trips: Portland and El Salvador "We need young adults … who are failure resilient." Limits of pure classicism at St. John's, Thomas Aquinas "I loved my college, but I wish they would've taught us how to do something." Startup speed: idea Thursday, launching next Thursday "What will all students learn at your school?" Why Smith stopped believing in the English major Employers want teachability and adaptability "First you need to seek … then to be formed … then creation." Intellectual confidence and humility together #HigherEducation #ClassicalEducation #LiberalArts #MicroCollege #ChristianHigherEd #RedemptiveEntrepreneurship #GreatBooks #HildegardCollege Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discuss the famous "Telemachy" or the coming of age story of Telemachus, Books 2-4 of the Odyssey.Check us our on X, Instagram, Facebook, and more!Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey.In this rich second episode of our 12-week Odyssey series, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski dive deep into Books 2–4 — the Telemachy — exploring Telemachus's powerful coming-of-age journey from a fatherless, disordered Ithaca to the ordered poleis of Pylos and Sparta.They unpack how Homer paints a vivid picture of political decay: twenty years without an assembly, a missing generation of men, and suitors devouring the household while logos itself loses its force. Yet as Telemachus steps into his father's seat and sets sail under Athena's guidance (disguised as Mentor), we witness not only his maturation but a masterclass in what makes a healthy polis. The conversation shines especially when they examine the suitors' impiety, the beautiful practice of guest-friendship (xenia), and the threefold piety it reveals — toward the gods, the city, and the family.From Nestor's sacrifices and storytelling to Menelaus and Helen's double wedding feast, the episode is packed with insight, humor, and timely wisdom. Whether you're reading the Great Books for the first time or returning to Homer with fresh eyes, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the political, moral, and spiritual layers of the Odyssey.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey Study06:18 Telemachus' Journey and Athena's Role08:01 Political Instability in Ithaca09:38 The Assembly and Telemachus' Leadership15:48 Penelope's Dilemma and Guest Friendship17:47 Xenia: The Importance of Hospitality24:16 The Omen and the Suitors' Fate30:37 Justice and the Role of the Gods32:11 Mentorship and Guidance in Telemachus' Growth39:45 Telemachus' Transformation and Epithet Significance44:15 The Evolution of Characters in Homer45:01 Telemachus' Journey to Maturity47:42 The Role of Divine Guidance48:38 Sacrifices and Natural Religion52:56 Pylos: A Model of a Healthy Society54:44 The Power of Prayer and Rhetoric59:15 The Tragedy of War and Its Heroes01:03:58 The Consequences of Choices in War01:10:57 The Role of the Bard in Society01:14:46 Foreshadowing and Sacrifice in the Odyssey01:19:34 The Double Wedding Feast and Hospitality01:22:08 Piety, Gratitude, and Debt01:25:46 Reflections on War and Loss01:28:12 Helen's Duality and the Nature of Free Will01:29:10 Temptation and the Role of Wisdom01:39:07 Menelaus' Journey and Wrestling with Fate01:45:00 The Return to Ithaca and the Threat to TelemachusHere are more videos from our 2024 study!Book 2 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas LackeyBook 3 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas LackeyBook 4 of the Odyssey with Adam Minihan and Fr. Bonaventure, OP.

Leaders, we are in the midst of a cultural transition as we head into a generational Spring.---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A big issue hangs over university students and professors, and that's artificial intelligence. There are some rules and guidelines, but professors are largely left on their own to determine how much they want to adopt AI or not – and that's created a wide range of opinions. Today, we hear from five Canadian university professors about how they're thinking about education and students in the world of AI. We speak with Amanda Perry, professor of literature at Champlain College-Saint Lambert and Concordia University; Matt Dinan, associate professor and director of the Great Books program at St Thomas University in New Brunswick; Sarah Elaine Eaton, professor in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary; Adegboyega Ojo, professor and Canada Research Chair in AI Governance at Carleton University; and Mike Welland, professor of Engineering Physics at McMaster University. A previous version of the show notes incorrectly identified the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Den enda engelska romanen för vuxna"

Are you a homeschool parent feeling unsure about teaching history because you don't know as much about it as you would like? In this episode, Rachel Winchester shares how she began re-learning American history on her own by reading great books. She discusses the importance of approaching history through engaging stories and biographies, and that learning history can be enjoyable and deeply enriching. She reviews a variety of books she's read on American history—from foundational texts like "Land of Hope" and biographies of key figures, to novels and family read-alouds that bring historical periods to life. Join us!RESOURCES+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!+Build Your Family's Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestEPISODE LINKSHMS Essentials BundleMentioned in this episode:Pick up the book, How Should We Then Live, wherever books are sold, or visit this link to learn how to get 30 percent off with a free Crossway Plus account. How Should We Then Live?Discover what makes high school the golden years of homeschooling! Join us for a live virtual webinar!Begin With The End

Summer's right around the corner, so for those of you who are already compiling your summer reading list for those beach or mountain vacations, we've got some great recommendations for you!In case you haven't noticed, we read a lot here at Veritas. And we don't read just any old drivel. Our students and teachers dive headfirst into the Great Books of the Western world. So, this group of seniors has an eclectic, thought-provoking (maybe even life-changing? Is that too much?) list of favorite books, presented in a fun discussion around the table with our host and Head of School Mr. Fischer. Listen in for some titles that will challenge and inspire you - mostly from our collection of Omnibus books these students have read in their Veritas 7th-12th grade journey.The Great Books curriculum is part of what makes a classical Christian education so special. By developing a student's taste and appreciation for deeper words and works - and by training the muscles of their minds to read and interpret difficult texts - we're in a way preparing them for a richer, fuller life - just the type of abundant life that Christ has called them to.This season of Cultivate is sponsored by Hershey Financial Advisers, a wealth management firm located on North Pointe Blvd. in Lancaster, PA, leading people to make better financial decisions and empowering them to fulfill a vision beyond themselves.

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky---Exploring Fyodor Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, hosts unpack the dangers of self-deception and the challenge of living with integrity as a leader. They analyze how self-awareness without mastery leads to alienation, the importance of matching words with actions, and the societal consequences of habitual lying. The episode weaves Dostoevsky's legacy with real-world leadership, discussing how courage and honest self-examination are vital in modern organizations.Book Title: Notes from UndergroundAuthor: Fyodor DostoevskyGuests: Jesan Sorrells (Host), Dr. Hana Kabele Gala (Guest)---Time Stamped Overview---00:00 The enduring power of truth06:38 Introducing Co-Host Dr. Hana Kabele Gala12:52 Discussing Dostoyevsky's challenging books20:55 Living and writing in Arkansas22:52 Dostoevsky's productivity and inspirations30:58 Dr. Hana Kabele Gala's Internship with Vaclav Havel33:44 Christianity and modern evangelicalism40:04 Dealing with societal challenges48:26 Navigating choices as a leader52:46 Discussing moral courage and context56:37 Struggling with self-identity01:03:10 Discussion on storytelling and conflict01:09:16 Meaningless corporate mission statements01:12:17 AI's impact on middle management01:20:07 Mentoring and coaching team members01:22:51 Putting aside self-righteousness01:29:04 Seeking constructive feedback01:36:46 Money and social status in Russia01:42:45 American perception of wealth and class01:45:33 Comparing serfdom and chattel slavery01:53:27 American Christianity's future challenges01:57:30 Lessons from Dostoevsky's characters---Dr. Hana Kabele Gala Substack, Tough Cookies - https://hanakabelegala.substack.com/ Dr. Hana Kabele Gala LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanakabelegala/Dr. Hana Kabele Gala Website - https://www.rtncwithhana.com/The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck - https://www.amazon.com/Way-Integrity-Finding-Path-Your/dp/1984881507/On Bullshit by Harry Frankfurt - https://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

After completing a classics reading project, today's guest really wants to keep her reading momentum while also bringing more non-classics back into her reading life. Today we're trying something new and inviting a team member alongside Anne to help tackle one reader-specific reading dilemma. As you'll hear today, Anne couldn't help but notice that guest Cheryl Drury's tastes and recent reading project shares a lot in common with team member Ginger Horton's reading life. Ginger is our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community manager, and she has recently been immersed in the classics due to her current enrollment in a Great Books graduate study program. That's why Ginger seems like exactly the right reader to bring along for this conversation with Cheryl. Cheryl hails from Charleston, South Carolina. While she's always been a reader, she'd never really dabbled much in classics or Great Books until 18 months ago, when she embarked on a challenge to read through a year-long list of more than 100 influential books. The project energized Cheryl's reading life, but now she's not quite sure where to go next. Anne, Ginger, and Cheryl talk about how Cheryl may retain some of the structure from her classics project as well as where she can have more flexibility to follow where her reading whimsy takes her. Plus, they'll offer title ideas that may feel like just the right bridge between what Cheryl's been reading lately and what she'd love more of in the months ahead. Find the list of titles discussed today and share your ideas for Cheryl on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/523. This year marks our 10th anniversary of Book Club. It has been so much fun along the way, and we've got great events queued up to celebrate this year. Plus, this is a wonderful time to join because it's Summer Reading Guide season. For more from Ginger and more Book Club fun, join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Chapters: 07:43 Meet Cheryl 12:10 Cheryl's decision to read the classics 21:08 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes 23:38 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 26:15 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 30:05 Dead Wake by Erik Larson 46:34 1000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich 51:42 Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff 54:15 Hagseed by Margaret Atwood 55:52 What will Cheryl read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people accept death as the ultimate loss—Ben Sasse embraces it with humor, hope, and a profound faith that changes how we see life, death, and education. In this deeply personal yet inspiring episode, one of America's most eloquent voices shares how a terminal diagnosis sharpened his moral clarity and deepened his understanding of what truly matters.Ben Sasse, a former senator, university president, and thoughtful advocate for classical Christian education, opens up about confronting mortality with a rare combination of honesty, humor, and faith. He recounts the moments that have shaped his view on life's purpose, from reading old books at Oxford to serving in the U.S. Senate. You'll discover how his fight with cancer has transformed his approach to education—focusing on cultivating virtue, love, and friendship rather than mere career success.Also joining Ben Sasse and Jeremy Tate in the conversation is Keith Nix, who has served as the Head of School at Veritas School in Richmond, VA, since 2010.We break down:The importance of reading the Great Books to gain perspective beyond our momentHow classical Christian education aims to reorder our affections and nurture true friendshipThe vital role of intergenerational engagement in building resilient communitiesThe radical significance of the Sabbath in cultivating gratitude and humilityBen shares moving stories about friendship, faith, and the hope that sustains him through suffering. His candid reflections on mortality challenge us to make what time we have count—by loving our neighbor, pursuing truth, and living with eternal hope.This episode is perfect for educators, parents, and anyone wrestling with life's biggest questions—especially in a culture fixated on outcomes and success. If you believe education is about forming humans who love goodness and beauty, you won't want to miss this powerful conversation.00:00 Intro 01:08 A Vision for Education  03:11 Oxford & the Power of Small Seminars  06:37 Friendship and the Good Life  08:57 Family, Education, and Moving for Values  13:15 From Public School to Classical Christian Education  16:19 The Art of Rhetoric & Great Speakers  20:12 Influences of Great Orators  23:14 A Father's Discipline & Coaching  24:42 Challenges in Classical Christian Education  25:57 Core Values & Future of the Tradition  28:39 The Telos Debate (How Do You Say It?)  34:37 Education Beyond Job Training  35:30 Rethinking the Factory Model of Schooling  37:45 Family & Intergenerational Life  38:21 Friendship, Community, and Education  40:00 Social Media & Peer Segregation  42:10 Hands-On & Artistic Learning  45:10 Maturation, Responsibility, and Service  46:18 Over-Consumption & the Search for Purpose  47:18 Music, Math, and the Language of Heaven  48:48 Seminar-Based Learning  49:25 Facing Death & Living Well  49:54 Suffering, Resurrection, and Hope  50:39 Faith in the Face of Illness  53:45 Shared Loves & Deep Friendship  55:29 Community Across Generations  56:10 Humor, Death, and the Christian Life  57:09 The Hope of Final Victory  58:10 Beauty, Identity, and Creation  59:41 Gratitude, Legacy, and a Life Well Lived  01:00:11 Final Reflections & Memorable Friendship

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK ONE of the Odyssey--one of the greatest texts in the Western canon.Check out our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY OF THE ODYSSEY.Follow Ascend on X, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and more!Be sure to use our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey!They explore why the epic opens with “man” (not rage, not a god), the meaning of polytropos (“man of twists and turns”), Telemachus's urgent coming-of-age amid an absent father and predatory suitors, Athena's masterful mentoring, and Zeus' striking defense of human responsibility. Along the way they illuminate Homer's sophisticated anthropology, the poetic dialectic of Homer the philosopher, the haunting parallels with the House of Atreus, and why this ancient poem still speaks so powerfully to questions of masculinity, homecoming, virtue, and human greatness today. Witty, learned, and full of “blood on the floor” interpretive energy, this conversation will leave you hungry for the next eleven weeks—and convinced that Homer is one of the greatest teachers you'll ever encounter.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast03:39 The NEW Odyssey: A 12-Week Study09:29 The Importance of Reading Homer17:01 Exploring the Opening Lines of the Odyssey30:14 The Man of Twists and Turns: Understanding Odysseus35:28 Exploring Odysseus: The Complexity of a Hero39:26 Justice and Fate: The Role of Aegisthus42:28 Divine Intervention: Zeus and Human Responsibility55:30 The Journey Home: Odysseus and Telemachus01:03:12 Coming of Age: Telemachus's Transformation01:05:37 Exploring Penelope's Role01:11:44 Telemachus' Journey to Manhood01:24:56 Reflections on the OdysseyMore ResourcesIntro to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (2024)The Odyssey Book 1 with Dr. Frank Grabowski and Thomas Lackey (2024)Do Christians Owe a Debt to Homer? The Ascent.Understanding Homer as a Philosopher & Theologian. The Ascent.KeywordsOdyssey, Homer, Greek Literature, Great Books, Philosophy, Mythology, Education, Homer's Teachings, Classical Studies, Odyssey Analysis Odyssey, Homer, fate, divine justice, Odysseus, Telemachus, Greek mythology, divine intervention, hero's journey, philosophy

Hutch Hunter is an NIAAA Hall of Famer who also hosts the UIAAA Connection Podcast! He shares how he started the pod along with an update on his successful turn as a Best Selling Author of 3 GREAT Books that should be in your library! THIS is Tech Tuesday on The Educational AD Podcast!

Leaders, can I get a witness?---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of the Digressio Podcast, Daniel Foucachon and Dr. Joe Carlson explore John Milton's Paradise Lost and Regained as the crowning epic of the English language, and why they deserve renewed attention today. They discuss how to read epic poetry well, the challenges and rewards of Milton's elevated style, and the importance of approaching his work on its own terms rather than through modern distortions. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about Milton's theology, defending his orthodoxy from later accusations, and contrasts faithful Christian readings with the skepticism often found in mainstream editions. Ultimately, this episode is a call to recover our literary inheritance, equipping families, teachers, and pastors to engage these great works deeply and to build homes rich with books, ideas, and lasting cultural memory.

Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov ---Exploring the surreal world of Vladimir Nabokov's Invitation to a Beheading, Jesan Sorrells and Claire Chandler analyze the novel's absurdist critique of totalitarianism and the societal pressures for conformity. They examine Nabokov's literary style, the challenge of translating Russian nuance into English, and how the narrative's exploration of meaning, individuality, and truth remains relevant for modern leaders. The episode draws powerful connections between the search for meaning in the 20th and 21st centuries, the impact of technological noise, and the leader's responsibility to pursue authenticity in an increasingly absurd world.Book Title: Invitation to a Beheading Author: Vladimir NabokovGuest Names: Jesan Sorrells (Host), Claire Chandler (Guest)---Time-Stamped Overview---00:00 Discussing influential dystopian literature11:20 Discussing Nabokov's complex themes13:03 Nabokov and totalitarian regimes22:52 Discussing the book's translation challenges24:25 Discussing multilingual communication challenges29:04 Discussion on Cincinnatus's imprisonment37:35 Bringing Jungian myth to academia43:36 Russian writers and dystopian themes49:18 Moving furniture and family tensions51:06 Cincinnatus C. helps move furniture01:01:30 Choosing truth over conformity01:06:42 Local debate over data centers01:12:31 Finding clarity amidst distractions01:16:12 Deconstruction and authority confusion01:20:41 Addressing lack of accountability01:28:53 The impact of AI on society01:34:00 Surviving social media surveillance01:40:11 Discussing societal complacency and noise01:47:02 Discussing Cincinnatus' writings01:48:37 Legacy and leadership importance01:53:28 End of the conversation---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

For the first time since 2023, Ascend is reposting an episode--our introduction to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (6.25.2024) in anticipation of our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY of the Odyssey starting next week!We start BOOK ONE OF THE ODYSSEY next week!Check us out on X, Facebook, Instagram, and more!In this special introduction to Homer's Odyssey, Deacon Harrison Garlick is joined by three distinguished guests: Dr. Patrick Deneen (Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed), Dr. Chad Pecknold (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America), and Dr. Richard Meloche (then President of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture).The conversation explores why the Great Books matter, why Homer's Odyssey remains foundational to Western thought and theological formation, and key introductory themes in the epic (with a few light spoilers). Topics include the dynamic nature of the canon, Odysseus's journey home as a meditation on human nature (neither beast nor god), the tension between fate and choice, temptations of forgetfulness or false immortality, and how a Catholic lens reveals anticipations of Christian truths like restlessness for our true home. The guests share personal stories of how they encountered the Great Books and reflect on the role of narrative in education and spiritual formation.It's a rich, accessible discussion that sets the stage for deeper dives into the Odyssey while connecting ancient pagan wisdom to Christian theology.In this episode the panel discusses: • The importance of the Great Books canon and why it remains vital • Personal journeys into the classics (and how providence often leads us there) • Key themes in the Odyssey: homecoming, beast-like forgetfulness vs. god-like immortality, fate and free choice, father-son relationships, and Odysseus's very human flaws • Reading pagan texts through a Catholic lens—seeing anticipations of Christian truth (restlessness for the City of God, the need for virtue and community) • The role of great stories in theological and liberal educationTimestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and guest introductions 08:15 – How each guest discovered the Great Books 22:40 – Why read Homer? The foundational role of the Odyssey 40:00 – Major themes and introductory overview of the Odyssey (light spoilers) 1:05:00 – Odysseus as neither beast nor god – the need for the city 1:25:30 – Theological reading of pagan literature 1:45:00 – The dynamic canon and reading with Christian eyes 2:05:00 – Final thoughts and what's next for AscendJoin us as we read the Odyssey over the next 12 weeks!

Leaders, Dostoyevsky had some ideas about how to navigate the prison known as the Land of Nod.---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

East of Eden by John Steinbeck ---Exploring John Steinbeck's magnum opus, East of Eden, Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby break down how the novel's multi-generational narrative reveals timeless truths of human nature, leadership, and morality. They discuss Steinbeck's powerful depiction of rural California and the tension between rural and urban values, dissect the novel's deep biblical allusions and the theme of free will, and examine how leaders can leverage the diversity of personalities within teams for collective success. The episode emphasizes the novel's ongoing relevance and what modern leaders can learn from Steinbeck's nuanced insights about character, motivation, and human dignity.Book Title: East of EdenAuthor: John SteinbeckGuest Names: Tom Libby, Jesan Sorrells---Time Stamped Overview---00:00 Interesting place names and history05:22 Analyzing a timeless 1940s novel10:45 Recording mishap and frustrations16:23 Steinbeck's portrayal of characters24:06 Post-war literary influences in Europe26:33 Steinbeck's Nobel Prize and Retirement31:45 Discussing the Northeast landscape41:38 Samuel's intellectual pursuits42:26 Samuel's early years in Salinas48:11 Skepticism about AI's future impact56:57 Understanding sin in the Hebrew context01:01:19 Discussing unconventional views on the Bible01:08:36 Urbanization trends and population growth01:11:58 Commentary on author intentions01:17:17 Finding Value in Team Members01:20:43 Exploring physical and mental anomalies01:28:16 Analyzing Kathy as a tragic figure01:34:22 Confronting dishonesty in a team01:36:24 Dealing with consequences and accountability01:46:16 Misunderstanding narcissism and self-preservation01:50:50 Discussing the appeal of rural stories01:53:50 Discussing the timelessness of classic literature---Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.---Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!---Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribeCheck out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In an age of constant change and uncertainty, how can we remain calm, centered, and able to respond wisely? Maisel shares how we can cultivate serenity not just in meditation, but in the thick of daily life. Serene readiness, Maisel explains, means being mentally and emotionally prepared for life's surprises while staying grounded in one's values and creative intentions. This dialogue offers a powerful reminder: Serenity is not withdrawal—it's readiness in motion.Eric Maisel is a retired, licensed psychotherapist and an internationally respected coach specializing in creativity, existential wellness, and relationship coaching. He trains coaches and offers workshops and webinars nationally and internationally. The author of more than fifty books, he also writes the long-running “Rethinking Mental Health” blog for Psychology Today and contributes to outlets such as The Good Men Project and Fine Art America. His books include:Night Brilliance: The Sleep Thinker's Guide to Powerful Problem-Solving (BTSL – Jim Dandy Publishing 2026)Brave New Mind: The Art of Serene Readiness (BTSL- Jim Dandy Publishing 2025)Choose Your Life Purposes: A Step by Step Guide to Self Awareness, Empowerment, and Success (TMA Press 2024)The Coach's Guide to Completing Creative Work: Top Tips for Working with Procrastination, Perfectionism and More (Lynda Monk) (Routledge 2023)The Coach's Way: The Art and Practice of Powerful Coaching in Any Field (New World Library 2023)Why Smart, Creative and Highly Sensitive People Hurt: A Toolkit for Thriving in a Chaotic World (TMA 2023)The Great Book of Journaling: How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning and Purpose (Conari Press 2022The Power of Daily Practice: How Creative and Performing Artists (and Everyone Else) Can Finally Meet Their Goals (New World Library 2020)Interview Date: 1/30/2026 Tags: MP3, Eric Maisel, serene readiness, visualization, deep breathing, self-criticism, life purpose, personal philosophy, procrastination, addiction to perfection, Personal Transformation, Psychology

Jim talks with Jeff Giesea, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of the Boyd Institute, about his essay "Dionysian Futurism" and the broader question of what's missing from our visions of the future. They discuss Nietzsche's Apollo/Dionysus framework from The Birth of Tragedy, the critique that techno-optimist futures are lifeless and sterile, Jim's extension of that critique to Game B and adjacent social change spaces, the distinction between positive Dionysian energy and mere degeneracy, Jim's concept of decadence as wire-heading on dopamine traps and gambling apps, generational decline in conviviality, Gen Z statistics on less sex and fewer dates, the structural economic pressures of student debt and housing unaffordability, the shift in college freshman values away from meaningful philosophy of life toward financial success, the dinner party versus restaurant ratio and what's been lost, the vanished culture of Georgetown dinner salons and political hostesses like Pamela Harriman, the trade-off between women entering the workforce and the loss of socially maintained conviviality infrastructure, the call to bring back the host or hostess curating eight to twelve people around a topic, Jeff's "The Humanities Revolution Has Already Begun" essay and the Kairos Project's decentralized open-source great-books discussion groups, Hannah Arendt's The Human Condition and its relevance to AI and what it means to be human, the tent-revival quality of the new bottom-up humanities movement, Homer and the bards as evidence that great books were never meant only for scholars, Substack as Renaissance Florence, self-gatekeeping around the humanities and the call to read great books at any phase of life, Jim's return to the Iliad and Odyssey and current reading of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, audiobooks and the opportunity to produce better audio versions of copyright-free great works, Foucault as a poisoner of two generations of scholars, the woke turn in university humanities departments and Jacob Savage's essay "The Lost Generation," three drivers of the humanities revolution in pushback against woke academia, digital technology, and AI, AI as a tool for reading difficult books versus the risk of delegating critical thinking, Pirsig's concept of quality as a North Star for deciding when to use AI, taste as the Silicon Valley word for quality, Jeff's "goddamn Boomers" trilogy on the Boomer reckoning and the long Boomer farewell, the Boomer paradox of holding society together while holding it back, the gerontocracy problem of spending six dollars on old people for every one dollar on young people, entitlement spending flowing to the wealthiest demographic, Social Security couples at the top receiving over a hundred thousand dollars a year, California's real estate tax caps and their effect on schools, the political power of older voters and the absence of an AARP for young people, Gen X's failure to produce a presidential contender, Don Draper in Mad Men as a hinge figure between Greatest Generation and Boomer values, Boomer narcissism versus Gen X grandiosity, Jim's reframe of the core Boomer failing as hyper-individualism rather than narcissism, and much more. Episode Transcript "Dionysian Futurism," by Jeff Giesea The Boyd Institute Jeff Giesea (Twitter) "The Lost Generation," by Jacob Savage "The Boomer Reckoning No One's Ready For," by Jeff Giesea "Boomer Caregiving Will Wreck Our Politics," by Jeff Giesea "The Long Boomer Farewell," by Jeff Giesea "The Broligarchy Will Either Save the World or Destroy It," by Jeff Giesea Jeff Giesea is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer. A Stanford graduate, he has built several successful businesses and recently founded the Boyd Institute, a policy lab for America's future. You can read his essays on his Substack.

First, a distraction involving an old saying. Next, Joe brings us an outstanding book recommendation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sign up for the live Conversations with Tyler recording with Craig Newmark at 92NY! Few living scholars can claim to have shaped how we read Machiavelli as decisively as Harvey Mansfield. His new book, The Rise and Fall of Rational Control, argues that Machiavelli didn't just write about politics—he invented the intellectual machinery of the modern world, starting with the concept of "effectual truth," which Mansfield credits as the seed of modern empiricism. At 93, after 61 years of teaching at Harvard, Mansfield remains cheerfully unimpressed by most of contemporary philosophy, convinced that the great books are self-sustaining, and that irony is what separates serious philosophy from the rest. Tyler and Harvey discuss how Machiavelli's concept of fact was brand new, why his longest chapter is a how-to guide for conspiracy, whether America's 20th-century wars refute the conspiratorial worldview, Trump as a Shakespearean vulgarian who is in some ways more democratic than the rest of us, why Bronze Age Pervert should not be taken as a model for Straussianism, the time he tried to introduce Nietzsche to Quine, why Rawls needed more Locke, what it was like to hear Churchill speak at Margate in 1953, whether great books are still being written, how his students have and haven't changed over 61 years of teaching, the eclipse rather than decline of manliness, and what Aristotle got right about old age and much more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video on the new dedicated Conversations with Tyler channel. Recorded January 22nd, 2026. This episode was made possible through the support of the John Templeton Foundation. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Bumper 00:00:36 - Intro 00:01:20 - Machiavelli's "Effectual Truth" 00:05:56 - Conspiracy Theories 00:12:39 - The Vulgarity of Democracy 00:16:35 - The Future of Straussianism 00:34:30 - Why the Supply of Great Books has Dried Up 00:37:56 - Rational Control vs. Spontaneous Order 00:40:25 - Winston Churchill 00:43:30 - Students at Harvard 00:46:05 - Manliness 00:47:34 - Death and Politics 00:48:56 - Outro  Image Credit: Erin Clark via Getty Images

Refusing Despair Amidst Cultural Darkness   What does it look like to cheerfully refuse a collapsing culture without giving in to cynicism, fear, or despair? Host Curtis Chang and Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson—Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University— dive into Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse, exploring why great novels still matter, how Christians can resist ideations of apocalypse with joy, and what faith-filled fiction reveals about beauty, truth, and survival in dark times. This conversation is for listeners hungry for cultural commentary,hopeful resistance, and deeper ways of reading the world through faith.   01:28 - Challenges of Reading Contemporary Novels 06:03 - The Meaning Behind the Title "I Cheerfully Refuse" 07:47 - Lessons for Dark Times 10:02 - The Enduring Power of Books vs. New Media 12:16 - Cultivating Fruitful Practices in Dark Times 14:36 - Living as a Cheerful Refuser Today 15:02 - Is the Christian Worldview True Reality Or A Bubble? 17:04 - What Is Enger's Idea of True humanity? 18:19 - Recommendations for Similar Books and Authors   Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List Get tickets: Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference and our recording with Matt Maher     Mentioned In This Episode: Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse Leif Enger's Peace Like a River Leif Enger's Virgil Wander Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 Claude Acho's Reading Black Books Eugene Vodolazkin's Laurus Rumor Godden's In This House of Brede Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night More About Christopher Beha Jessica Hooton Wilson's The Scandal of Holiness   More From Jessica Hooten Wilson: Jessica Hooten Wilson's website Explore Jessica's books HERE Read articles and Essay by Jessica HERE   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.