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Greg Jenner is joined in medieval England by Professor Marion Turner and comedian Mike Wozniak to learn all about Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales. Since the fifteenth century, Chaucer has been referred to as the father of English literature. He was one of the first authors to champion the use of Middle English for poetry instead of Latin, and after the invention of the printing press, his works became the foundation of the English literary canon – long before Shakespeare ever put quill to parchment. But Chaucer's life was as extraordinary as his legacy, living as he did through the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War between England and France, and the Peasants' Revolt. In this episode, Greg and his guests explore Chaucer's dramatic biography: growing up the son of a wine merchant in fourteenth-century London, his work for the royal court and long career as a medieval civil servant, his relationship with John of Gaunt through his mistress Katherine Swynford, and his travels throughout Europe. They also examine the poets that influenced him – including Petrarch, Bocaccio and Dante – and take a deep dive into the famous Canterbury Tales. If you're a fan of medieval literature, historical courtroom dramas, and the tumult of fourteenth-century England, you'll love our episode on Geoffrey Chaucer. If you want more literary history with Mike Wozniak, listen to our episodes on Charles Dickens at Christmas and the Legends of King Arthur. And for more fourteenth-century lives, check out our episode on medieval Muslim traveller Ibn Battuta. You're Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past. Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Rosalyn Sklar Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars
An ambitious general may be plotting a coup d'état…and Special Agent Chet Phillips is singing showtunes.Written and Directed byJohn P. DowginStarringChris Klaniecki as Skip GrangerNazli Sarpkaya as Mackenzie McGrath and Mini-McGrathDave Stanger as Bowden MontcriefPaige Klaniecki as Gloria KovakFaith Dowgin as Section Chief Zelda Anderswith Kirk White as Chet Phillipsand Katerina McGrath as The Mission VoiceAlso StarringAshley Banks as Athena O'BrienJill Ivey as Kiki St. ClaireBob Killion as General Degoutant and Security GuyGuest StarringJohn Dowgin as Dr. Biff StudebakerPete Barry as the App VoiceJ. Michael DeAngelis as LookoutDave Serfass as PierreDavid S. Dear as Terry MillionaireMusic by Pete BarrySound editing and mixing by John DowginA complete transcript is available here.Created and produced byPete Barry, J. Michael DeAngelis, and John DowginAssociate Producer: Paige KlanieckiFor a complete list of credits, visit the episode's webpage.
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was one of the most famous American writers of the twentieth century. His plain, economical prose style--inspired by journalism and the King James Bible, with an assist from the Cezannes he viewed in Gertrude Stein's apartment--became a hallmark of modernism and changed the course of American literature. In this episode, Jacke and Mike take a look at an author and novel, The Sun Also Rises (1927), they've been reading and discussing for decades. Want more Hemingway? We took a new look at an old argument in Episode 47 Hemingway vs Fitzgerald. Love everything about the Lost Generation? Spend some time with the coiner of the phrase in Episode 127 Gertrude Stein. Rather be tramping through Europe? Try Episode 157 Travel Books (with Mike Palindrome). [The bulk of this episode was originally released on October 3, 2018. It has been unavailable for several years.] Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Act now - sign-up closes March 1! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The sets for the film "Hamnet" included a recreation of the Globe theater and period-accurate homes from 16th century England. Production designer Fiona Crombie discusses her work on the film, which earned her an Oscar nomination. This interview is part of our ongoing Oscar series "The Big Picture." Image courtesy of Focus Features
Send a textThis week on the ole pod john: Using AI to learn how to...use AI. Plus inspo from Shakespeare and Ella Fitzgerald. Support the showThanks for listening! Listen, rate, subscribe and other marketing type slogans! Here's my Insta: @dannypalmernyc @thedannypalmershow@blackcatcomedy (NYC stand-up show every Friday at 9 pm. 172 Rivington St.) And subscribe to my Patreon? Maybe? If you know how to? I don't know how it works. Let's just leave this thing be: https://www.patreon.com/thedannypalmershow
In this College Deep Dive, Erin Degner the Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and Head of the BFA Musical Theatre Program chats with MTCA Director Charlie Murphy about: Kindness counts, not as a strategy, but as a reflection of who you are Trust can feel more accessible than calm or confidence and serves as a powerful antidote to anxiety Direct industry connections often prove more effective than a traditional showcase Double majoring at Drake University is both frequent and accessible Integrated classes bring MTs, actors, and non-majors into collaboration If you have any questions about the college audition process, feel free to reach out at mailbag@mappingthecollegeaudition.com. If you're interested in working with MTCA for help with your individualized preparation for your College Audition journey, please check us out at mtca.com, or on Instagram or Facebook. Follow Us! Instagram: @mappingthecollegeaudition YouTube: @MTCA (Musical Theater College Auditions) TikTok: @mtcollegeauditions Charlie Murphy:@charmur7 About MTCA: Musical Theater College Auditions (MTCA) is the leader in coaching acting and musical theater students through the college audition process and beyond with superlative results. MTCA has assembled a roster of expert artist-educators who can guide students artistically, organizationally, strategically, and psychologically through the competitive college audition process. MTCA provides the tools, resources, and expertise along with a vast and strong support system. They train the unique individual, empowering the artist to bring their true, authentic self to their work. MTCA believes that by helping students reveal their potential it allows each school to connect with those who are truly right for their programs, which in turn guides each student toward their best college fit. About Charlie Murphy: Charlie is a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's BFA program. As an Actor he has performed with theaters such as: NY Public Theatre's “Shakespeare in the Park”, The Pearl Theatre Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Kinetic Theatre Company, and the Shakespeare Theatre of DC. With MTCA [Musical Theater College Auditions -- mtca.com], he has been helping prospective theatre students through the college process for over 15 years. As a Teacher and Director, he is able to do a few of his favorite things in life: help students to find their authentic selves as artists, and then help them find their best fit for their collegiate journey. Through this podcast, he hopes to continue that work as well as help demystify this intricate process. This episode was produced by Meghan Cordier, Kelly Prendergast and Socials by Jordan Rice. Episode theme music is created by Will Reynolds with Additional Vocals from Elizabeth Stanley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the Shakespeares were really a bunch of crumb-bums? Topics in this episode include Shakespeare's brothers Gilbert, Richard, and Edmund, which ones Stephen thinks were bad brothers and which were good brothers, whether Shakespeare turned his brothers into villains in his plays, Anne Hathaway's relationship to her brothers-in-law, why Shakespeare's brothers never married, Gilbert and Richard's criminal records, whether Gilbert traveled to London to see As You Like It, Edmund's attempt to become an actor, which one was Shakespeare's favorite brother, wrastlin', brotherly incest and psychoanalysis, Stephen's owned disappeared brother Maurice, and justice for Mr. Best. Support us on Patreon to get episodes early, and to access bonus content and a video version of our podcast. On the Blog: Decoding Dedalus: Saint Thomas' New Viennese School — Blooms & Barnacles Blooms & Barnacles Social Media: Facebook | BlueSky | Instagram Subscribe to Blooms & Barnacles: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
The boays are joined by comedian and star of Chewin' the Fat Karen Dunbar. Karen discusses how her childhood TV ambitions and drive to put herself manifested in being cast in the hit series (if not quite "Global Domination"), recounts her time performing live doing prank calls and karaoke "when it had just came oot", and talks about her most popular characters from the iconic Scottish sketch show. Plus, they chat about Karen's experience doing stand-up, performing Shakespeare in front of Meryl Streep, and the ovation she received at the Hydro when making a cameo in Still Game Live.Karen is touring her stand-up show "Aw Roon the Hooses" throughout Scotland in 2026. Tickets here: linktr.ee/karendunbarofficialTickets for Marc's stand-up show at the King's Theatre in Glasgow on Friday 20th March available here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/marc-jennings-bread-and-circuses/kings-theatre-glasgow/Sign up to our Patreon for extra episodes and bonus content including access to all our live shows here: https://www.patreon.com/somelaughSome Laugh Merch Available Now: https://visualanticsapparel.com/collections/some-laugh-podcastYou can watch the boays' stand-up specials for free here on the Some Laugh YouTube channel : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6lKn8dnMK5bOtlX-3XlCpZSf-B_qweQ&si=JjKknRTZvvza5l55 Stand-Up Tickets:Marc: https://linktr.ee/MarcJenkoStu: https://linktr.ee/StuartMcPSteve: https://linktr.ee/stephenbuchanan
When you visit a new city, one of your first stops might be a museum. It turns out that public art galleries are largely an 18th-century invention. In London in 1789, publisher John Boydell helped shape that new cultural experience with an ambitious project in Pall Mall: a gallery devoted entirely to scenes from Shakespeare. Boydell commissioned leading British artists to paint pivotal moments from the plays, then sold engraved reproductions for museum-goers to take home with them. The gallery quickly became a sensation and was visited by everyone who was anyone, from Jane Austen to the Prince of Wales. It also played a powerful role in transforming William Shakespeare from a popular playwright into a national icon. The venture ultimately failed due to the economic turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, and the many life-size paintings were cut into smaller canvases and all sold at auction. Yet its influence endured, shaping exhibition culture, influencing a British school of art, and inspiring the visual mythology of The Joining us to explore the rise and fall of the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery are Rosie Dias, Professor of Art History at the University of Warwick, and Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham. From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast. Published February 23, 2026. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This episode was produced by Matt Frassica. Garland Scott is the executive producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. We had technical help from Mike Rucinski of Boutique Recording in Great Malvern, and Voice Trax West in Studio City, California. Our web producer is Paola García Acuña. Leonor Fernandez edits our transcripts. Final mixing services were provided by Clean Cuts at Three Seas, Inc.
Professor Ronan Hatfull literally wrote the book on the Reduced Shakespeare Company. His new book from Bloomsbury/Arden – Shakespeare in the Theatre: Reduced Shakespeare Company – is the very first full-length study to be published about the RSC. Focusing specifically on our Shakespearean reduction and adaptation, Ronan's book examines the origins and evolution of the company through the creation of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), The Reduced Shakespeare Radio Show, William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged), and The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel). Ronan shares his methodology; how he wanted to make his book accessible to the general reader; how he learned that the RSC carries on the 17th-century tradition of “drolls”; how the RSC injected a bit of danger and the unexpected into Shakespeare and influenced various folks like the Q Brothers and Potted Potter creator Daniel Clarkson; and how for a limited time, Arden Shakespeare is offering to RSC fans a 35% discount on the hardcover edition of the book! (Length 24:54) The post Reduced Shakespeare Book appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.
How can taking on the role of someone else help us to understand ourselves? Does the hermit know himself better than the socialite? And where is the line between our true, authentic selves and the multitude of characters we all play each and every day? Join actress and Creative Director of Shakespeare's Globe, Michelle Terry, as she draws on her experience as a performer to explore how acting can help us to understand the self.Please feel free to email us at podcast@iai.tv with any of your thoughts or questions on the episode!To witness such debates live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Maya Jade Frank joins the podcast to share the fascinating journey of a career that began with a serendipitous audition for her sister's project and led her to the Broadway stages of Evita and Mary Poppins. She opens up about the unique experience of growing up on the road with the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Les Misérables, where she balanced three hours of daily schooling with visits to historical monuments and backstage "Docu-drama" marathons. Maya discusses the transition from being a child actor in New York to a Disney Channel star in Los Angeles, reflecting on how her supportive, non-theatre parents helped her stay grounded while she pursued a "normal" college experience at USC. The conversation dives deep into Maya's impressive ability to merge her creative passions with a sharp business mind. Beyond her current starring role as Zoe Murphy in the South Florida premiere of Dear Evan Hansen, she reveals the inner workings of her digital media company, Mangoes and Bubblegum, and her work as a global Pilates instructor. From her "morning jump around" ritual to early 2000s pop punk to her dreams of performing Shakespeare at the Globe, Maya exemplifies a modern multi-hyphenate artist who prioritizes physical health and analytical data just as much as her vocal warm-ups. Maya Jade Frank is a New York City native whose extensive credits include the Broadway revival of Evita, the final Broadway cast of Mary Poppins, and the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Les Misérables. She received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work on Nickelodeon's History and Heritage and appeared on Disney Channel's Bizaardvark. A graduate of the University of Southern California and the Royal Academy of Music in London, her recent stage work includes Next to Normal and the UK revival of Be More Chill. She is currently appearing in Dear Evan Hansen at the Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables. Connect with Maya: Instagram: @mayajadefrank Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Mickey-Jo is sharing reviews of four plays he's seen in the last couple of weeks in London:• Shadowlands, by William Nicholson at the Aldwych Theatre• Deep Azure, by Chadwick Boseman at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe • Guess How Much I Love You?, by Luke Norris at the Royal Court Theatre• Man and Boy, by Terence Rattigan at the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the writing, creative choices, and performances in each!check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction01:40 | Shadowlands07:52 | Deep Azure15:10 | Guess How Much I Love You?20:31 | Man and Boy28:22 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the episode this month, an interview with Cayley Wreggit, Director of Full Circle Theatre's 'The Taming Of The Shrew'. Known for their interest in Shakespeare adaptations, Cayley takes us through what went into this Romantasy re-telling of the bards' tale.. https://www.fullcircletheatre.ca/the-taming-of-the-shrew Please check out the Black Film Archive: blackfilmarchive.com
Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to start a new series on the politics of Shakespeare's historical plays. Release date: 23 February 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Irishwoman who is widely regarded one of the finest actresses of her generation reflects on her path from 17-year-old BBC talent show contestant to RADA student to star of stage and screen; what she learned from early costars like Judi Dench and early jobs like 'Wild Rose,' 'The Lost Daughter' and 'Women Talking'; and how filming Maggie Gyllenhaal's upcoming 'The Bride!' right before Chloé Zhao's story of the Shakespeares helped to shape her Oscar-tipped turn as Agnes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For thousands of years, writers from ancient China to contemporary meme-makers have demonstrated the power of the short, witty, philosophical phrases known as aphorisms. In this episode, Jacke talks to James Geary (The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism) about his decades-long effort to collect, catalogue, and celebrate the oldest written art form on the planet. PLUS author Paul Chrystal (Miracula: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Ancient Greece and Rome) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Act now - sign-up closes March 1! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to start a new series on the politics of Shakespeare's historical plays. Release date: 20 February 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzy Eddie Izzard is a Tony-nominated actor, stand-up comedian, multi-marathon runner and one-time political candidate. Now, she's performing a solo adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet at the CAA Theatre in Toronto, in which she plays all 23 characters. Suzy joins guest host Garvia Bailey to tell us about the challenges of doing Hamlet solo, why she was especially keen to breathe new life into Shakespeare's female characters, and why conventional beauty is like winning the acting lottery.
The Epstein Files have reopened a question most of us would rather not ask: How do people slide into this kind of evil? Your outrage is sane—but outrage alone won't help us understand how power, access, secrecy, and rationalization can slowly dismantle a human conscience, in individuals and in systems. In this episode, we trace the psychological mechanics of moral collapse—from small compromises to full-blown corruption—using Epstein's rise, the protection of corrupt communities, and Shakespeare's Macbeth as mirrors. This isn't about spectacle. It's about clarity, accountability, and the uncomfortable truth that the line between good and evil runs through the human heart. If you want to understand how this happens—and what integrity, justice, and courage require of us now—this episode is for you.
In this episode, we explore how time was measured in Shakespeare's England — from weight-driven household clocks to elite pocket watches imported from Germany. With Dr. Jane Desborough, we uncover how early modern clocks tracked not only hours but lunar phases, zodiac signs, and seasons, and why "accuracy" meant something very different before minute and second hands became standard.
Welcome back to the 270th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 270th episode we have an episode of “The Cup: Editorial” in which Co-Artistic Producers Ryan Borochovitz and Mackenzie Horner pull together various threads that have been on our mind around the topic of Shakespeare on film prompted in part by the Oscar buzz around Chloé Zhao's Hamnet. What does it mean for a movie to be (or not to be) Hamlet? Is Disney's The Lion King really as Hamlet-ish as your cool English teacher would have you believe? What are some pitches for new Shakespearean film adaptations we'd like to see? Join Ryan Borochovitz and Mackenzie Horner, as they discuss everything from Hamnet to Hamlet, Burton to Branagh, and Pride Rock to pumpkin pants. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner – Instagram: (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: @BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAuRyan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won't mind!]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you'd like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.comCHAPTERS: 0:00 – Intro: no hat upon his head (2.1.89)2:36 – The Topic at Hand9:14 – To be (or not to be) Definitive 19:59 – Hamnet (Non-Spoilers) 24:45 – Weird Hamlets & Classic Hamlets 31:19 – Hakuna Matata 50:17 – To be (or not to be) Hamlet 1:11:42 – The Northman 1:17:22 – End of Act 1 1:21:40 – Let's Do Some Fun Buzzfeed 1:22:30 – M1: Merry Wives of Windsor (dir. Paul Feig) 1:26:38 – R1: Bikebeth (dir. Robert Lepage) 1:32:52 – M2: Bike-us Andronicus 1:38:24 – R2: Denzel's Othello 1:41:05 – M3: Richard II 1:47:04 – R3: Comedy of Error (dir. NOT Joss Whedon) 1:51:30 – M4: A Claymation Night's Dream 1:53:40 – Conclusion: What Can You Do Differently? 1:57:36 – Sign Off
This week Beau chats all about the life and career of William Shakespeare. Who was he, really? How much do we really know about him?
Episode 278-Don’t Let Them Memory Hole Us Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS Mass shooting, Canada, gun laws, mental health, firearm license, self-defense, transgender, mandatory buyback, gun control, observational awareness, situational awareness, gun rights, New Jersey, firearm industry, de-banking. SPEAKERS Teddy Nappen, Speaker 2 Teddy Nappen 00:17 I’m Teddy Nappen, and welcome to Gun Lawyer. I wanted to kind of address this to the audience, as this has been kind of brushed over. There’s been multiple mass shootings, but there was one that caught my eye. They are trying to effectively bury in the stories. Like, I don’t even see it that much coming the news. The mass shooting in Canada! Every single one of the Left’s arguments on how to stop a mass shooting, everything that they push for, demonstrated in Canada failed. The Left always argues that stricter gun laws will prevent a mass shooting. If it saves one life. Even though 2.7 million lives are saved with self-defense uses of a firearm. If it saves one life. They always argue the accessibility of firearms – that’s what leads to mass shootings. Teddy Nappen 01:15 So, I want to kind of lean into this story where nine people were shot and killed, 27 were injured in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. (https://www.junonews.com/p/exclusive-family-confirms-identity) It was a man identifying as a woman, which, you know, that’s one of the other reasons why they’re burying the story. It doesn’t fit the narrative of the straight, white, right wing conservative as the shooter. So, obviously we can’t talk about it. You hear from the North District Commander Ken Floyd of the gun person. Yeah, person. Always good to not misgender the school shooter. He murdered his mother, but also shot his step brother as well. Don’t bring up that fact. Also, a troubled house life, and the school that he shot up, of course, he was thrown out of the school. Police had been called to the home multiple times. They had multiple instances with this individual who had reported mental health problems. Huh, interesting. Teddy Nappen 02:21 Oh, and it gets better. So, the suspect had a firearm license, which, by the way, in Canada, you cannot possess a firearm for self-defense – only hunting. Keep that in mind. Supposedly, the guns recovered were a long gun and a “modified handgun”. They don’t go into details as to what was modified. So, the suspect, the shooter, the man identifying as a woman, I’m going to repeat that, the suspect had dropped out of the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School four years ago and was not a student at the time. So, police had attended the suspect’s residence multiple times in the past several years, dealing with mental health occurrences. Hmm, wonder why? When he started identifying as a woman? You know, that usually leads to that 42% suicide rate. The only group that is close to that rate is paranoid schizophrenics. But you know, facts are transphobic and homophobic, apparently. This included one of the attendants where, two years ago, the firearms were seized under criminal code. He was Red Flagged! Oh, he had multiple mental health instances. So, obviously we’ve got to seize his guns. The very argument by the Left to stop mass shootings. But, of course, because the man identified as a woman, then of course, well, we can’t, we don’t want to be transphobic. Let’s give him, oh, sorry, her back his firearms. Teddy Nappen 03:53 And, of course, suspect was born a biological male and then started transitioning six years ago. So, six years ago, he started transitioning and identified as a woman. Two years ago, the firearms are seized, so then he can say, oh, sorry, I think I’m a woman, so give me back my firearms, even though the police have come multiple times for multiple mental health incidents. Other than that, though, let’s give him back his guns. So, right there we have a clear demonstration of the fact that his firearms were seized and then he got, you know, Red Flagged. They actually have it. I pulled the law under their Public Safety website emergency prohibition order. (https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/frrms/rd-flg-lws-en.aspx) A judge issues the order if they believe the individual poses a risk to themselves or others. When the order was issued, firearms, and firearm license and other documents and other weapons may be removed up to 30 days, and you have a hearing date. He goes to the hearing date and says, I want my guns back. And here they are given back and then does the shooting. The level. It’s just so disgusting. The system works every time. He got the guns back, and then boom, goes right into a mass shooting. Teddy Nappen 05:12 By the way, Canada is one of the most strictest places you could find for a firearm. You cannot get firearms for self-defense uses. They ban every form of semi-auto possible. Their laws are extremely, extremely difficult in order to get firearms. Also, Trudeau did a freeze on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns, stopping all handgun purchases. It’s still in effect. So, you can’t get a handgun to defend yourself. You have no means of purchase except for hunting, and every single one of the anti-gun, the gun rights oppressors, the Left’s whole argument about trying to stop mass shootings. We need all of these things. Well, Canada had all these things. A ban on extended mags. All the bans that you could have on every semi-auto possible, and it still wasn’t enough. And still led to a mass shooting. Every protocol failed. Teddy Nappen 06:13 And by the way, this isn’t the first. Quite frankly, Canada is the inventor of the mass shooter. On December 6, 1989, at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique 14 women were killed as a student went through shooting up the place. (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/polytechnique-tragedy) And that was their justification for all their anti-gun agendas. This is what they said, oh, we’ve got to go after firearms. He just walked through the school and just started shooting the people. They had no means of defense. Then in 2006 a gunman killed one woman and injured 19 others at Montreal college being (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/15/topstories3.internationaleducationnews) He was shot dead by the police saying he wanted to die like Romeo and Juliet. Okay. The man must have been an acting major, a fan of Shakespeare. Teddy Nappen 07:00 And then cut to, I love this one. In 2020, Canada’s deadliest mass shooting. The shooter was Gabriel Wortman. His wife, Lisa Banfield, goes into details in her book, “The First Survivor: Life With Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter.” Wortman walks through and kills 22 people in the span of 13 hours, dressed up as a Mountie. He went across a 200 kilometer stretch. Shooting people for 13 hours, 13 hours. Going up and down, shooting and killing people. And no one was there to defend themselves. No one has any guns. This is in 2020. But the Left doesn’t want you to know that. Teddy Nappen 07:44 Just like they don’t want you to know that every time when they hailed Venezuela as the great socialist experiment, when you have Bernie Sanders, who was honeymooning in the Soviet Union and arguing that Cuba has the best healthcare. They always move the goal post or they’ll memory hole it. Trying to make the argument. Oh, this doesn’t fit the narrative. So, we can’t talk about this. That’s how disgusting these people are. And by the way, they even have their mandatory buyback program in Canada. By the way, it’s a complete failure, too. They got like 200 guns. No one’s complying. And that was the thing that The Trace even argued. They said that the hardest part about running a mandatory gun buyback is compliance. Because unless you’re going to go door to door at the barrel of a gun and stealing people’s property, gun buybacks, mandatory gun buyback programs fail every time. So, this ends the debate. This factually ends the debate that every single means of gun control that they argue to stop a mass shooting will not stop a mass shooting. Teddy Nappen 08:52 Not to mention that it is part of our culture where guns are. It’s, yeah, I’m trying to remember the numbers, and it was like 350 million. I can but it’s the we already have a mass number of firearms in the United States. So, the Nirvana fallacy, logical fallacy of trying to argue, if we just get rid of all the guns, there’ll be no mass shootings. No. Because the Left need to understand that there is evil in this world. There is evil. Yeah, they always say. They always try to justify it. Like, oh, I’m poor, I’m impoverished, I’m an illegal who came to this country. They always argue that, trying to justify evil and just accepting the fact. They try to mislabel evil. There is evil in this world, and you have to accept that there will always be terrible people wanting to commit terrible acts. Cut to, you know, taking a car and just running into a crowd of people at a Christmas parade. Cut to the U.K. with random stabbings and their mass pile of rapes that they don’t want to talk about. There will always be evil in this world, and they have to accept it. That is what needs to be brought. So, going on that cheery note, let’s talk about our good friends at WeShoot. Teddy Nappen 10:19 Well, WeShoot is a range in Lakewood. It’s an indoor range where both myself and my father go to shoot. We love to go there. WeShoot is conveniently located right off the Parkway. They have some cool specials that I want to tell you about. The Smith M&P 9M 2.0 Compact is ready to roll. They have that. They’re also offering an M&P 9M 2.0 in metal. So, you can have your choice in metal or polymer. There is the Vortex Triumph, which is in all new optics. Pretty cool. The Vortex makes some good stuff. My father has some Vortex on his guns. They also have the Ross Martin RM1C, which is a striker fire, compact pistol that is really taking the gun world by storm. You should check out the Ross Martin. It’s a really good gun. And, of course, you want to check out the WeShoot girls. They’re featuring a number of folk, including Kristen Fernicola. Go to their website, www.weshootusa.com. You can see all these wonderful guns and models posing with wonderful guns. You will be glad you went to look at all that, I’m sure. And make sure you check out the range at WeShoot. Go to the range. You can go some fantastic training, too. Great pro shop right there in Lakewood, New Jersey. weshootusa.com. Teddy Nappen 11:44 I also want to mention our good friends at The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. (ANJRPC.org) They’re quite busy fighting in the courts and with the legislation in Trenton. Murphy’s gone, but we did get some new laws. Of course, it’s a very tough environment, but we all get some changes that are critical. I’m glad to see modifications, although completely stopping when the folk have all the power is tough. The Association has made a big difference. We’re thankful, too. Because without The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, we would have no unified voice of an umbrella organizations, of our clubs and organizations. You need to be a member of The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. Go to anjrpc.org and join today. You’ll get a newsletter. The best newsletter in the state on guns. You’ll see email alerts, and you’ll know that what’s going on when it comes to our gun rights in New Jersey. That’s anjrpc.org. Teddy Nappen 12:39 I would also like to shamelessly plug my father’s book, which is New Jersey Gun Law. The Bible in New Jersey gun law. It’s over 500 pages with 120 topics, all questions and answers. It’s your guidebook to not becoming a GOFU in New Jersey. And man, let me tell you some of the times people call up and ask, and it’s after the fact. I’m like, did you read the book? Did you read the book? We’ll still fight and defend you, but it would have been a lot easier if you never had the problem in the first place. And most of the clients would agree with that, I’m afraid. So, get your copy of the book today. Go to EvanNappen.com, EvanNappen.com. Get your copy of New Jersey Gun Law. Teddy Nappen 13:23 So, let’s get to Press Checks. As you know, Press Checks are always free. This is something I find very important, because I think people are forgetting, when the Left had their unfettered power. That’s why you’re seeing a lot of the Left moving to the trying to pivot to the center. Saying, like, oh yeah, we know, mass migration is bad. Yeah, yeah. And trying to, like, epically fail when asked how many genders there are. They can’t define what a woman is. But we have to remember that it’s not just the Left, but it’s the insidious institutions that they abuse. The fact that this is a term that I’m pushing for because it’s a fact. It’s gun deserts. The Left realize now that they can’t win in the public square of debate. Because with gun control, we can easily, we can easily defend and fight against it. And we can push back on every one of their points, because every one of their points are nonsensical. They’ve lost the media where we have alternative tech. There’s Rumble, and you have all the voices. X has become slightly more free. And because a lot of the big tech companies want to use AI, they’re allowing, okay, yeah, we’ll let the conservatives have their points and speak. Teddy Nappen 14:57 So, this is the one bid. It’s the financial institutions. If you all remember the heavy issue of de-banking. I caught this article, and I was like, oh yeah, I remember that issue. (https://www.nraila.org/articles/20260209/jp-morgan-in-growing-trend-backtracks-on-anti-gun-policies) I love how JP Morgan says they’re going to roll back the de-banking that they were committing against gun shops and firearm companies. So, to give a little history lesson, this comes right from the NRA-ILA’s article of JP Morgan’s backtracking. I mean, this goes back to Obama Biden, like the 2010s, where firearm-related businesses were having trouble with Bank of America. Even though they said they didn’t have any corporate policy, we know they’re lying, of course. And then the allegations were getting worse, and Bank of America said, no, no, we don’t have any policy. Then finally, in 2014 they admitted under Operation Choke Point where they threatened to throttle any institution that exercises Second Amendment rights by pressuring banks to drop business, to drop businesses in the firearm industry. So, thankfully, President. Trump got in and stopped that operation. But it proved the point. We were right. The banks were weaponized against the firearm industry. They were trying to go after any form of gun shops or any firearm industries. You know, they can’t get a loan. Then my favorite one was when they were trying to do the credit card scheme. They were trying to track firearm purchases on credit cards. Teddy Nappen 16:34 Also, I love this one where they would pressure firearm industry groups to not sell certain semi-automatic firearms, and also cutting back on standard capacity mags. They like to say high capacity, but it’s just standard capacity. Prohibiting the sale of magazines. Then, of course, the Left would tote saying, look at the firearm industry. They support our anti-gun movement. Well, you’re trying to de-bank me and lose my business. So, I have to agree with you. You know, if you point a gun at someone and demand them to say things, they’ll say things. It’s so disingenuous. At the point where there was a 2019 hearing where the institutions were hauled in. Coming to answer questions that they delved in when it came to banks working with firearm industry and forcing them to push the anti-gun policies. It’s the level of disgusting nature that comes into play. We need to remember that. We need to remember these institutions. Because when the pendulum swings, which it will, at some point, they will get back to business as usual. Attacking our rights. And even President Trump, right back in office, 2024. He comes back in and says to Davos. He gives a huge speech and points to the CEO. JP Morgan and everybody else, I hope you start opening your banks to conservatives. What you’re doing is wrong. Pointing it right out. Not saying, oh, the firearm industry. No, conservatives. Because that’s what it is. It’s conservatives that they are de-banking. It’s conservatives they are attacking and weaponizing. Teddy Nappen 18:21 And even going back to the, I think it was the National Shooting Sports Foundation that even addressed this exact issue. In 2021, they testified in a Congress hearing stating that JP Morgan’s Chase would not lend to manufacturers of modern sporting rifles. There’s your proof, right there. So, remember this. Do not trust the big tech companies. Do not trust the banks. Because right now, the culture has shifted, but they are fully willing to get back. If you look at the donors to Kamala Harris, they all donated to Kamala. They all donated. They all heavily donate to Democrats. Only now, because we’re in power, they’re like, oh yeah, we’re for you guys. Yeah, okay. Enjoy chasing that AI trend while you guys won’t de platform us. But we need to remember that. So, we need to embrace and look to other means, because this is the games they play. We need to find ways around that. Teddy Nappen 19:25 It’s time to finish off with the GOFU, everyone’s favorite. We need to. Also, this is a kind of a lesson in observational awareness. Jeff Cooper preached that idea of observational awareness. He even made a little game of X’s and O’s. Where, if you go into any room or place, you make sure you see everyone and make an O. And as you’re walking through, if you miss somebody who saw you first, give that one an X. Play that game in your head as a scoring method. Yeah, because observational awareness is key. I’m going to highlight that with an actual article from USACarry.com. (https://www.usacarry.com/man-fatally-shoots-attacker-while-playing-pokemon-go-in-anderson-indiana/) A man was attacked while playing Pokémon Go in the woods. He was walking through the woods and was playing Pokémon Go. A 51-year old businessman was playing Pokémon Go, a scavenger hunt, on his phone, and he was ambushed by a homeless man who punched him in the back of the head and stole his phone. At which time, he, you know, drew his firearm and fatally shot the man. It was ruled fully justified, because, first of all, you’re getting punched in the back of the head. People have died from that. And look, there may be more to the story of why it was justified, but the police and the prosecutor found that it presented and seemed like a strong case of self-defense. The fact that he was ranting and raving. But this is the point. This is a clear demonstration. He could have avoided that whole encounter, and it could have gone very bad very quickly. Because all it took is one Left wing prosecutor to say he shot an unarmed man, and his life would have been ruined. Observational awareness, situational awareness. Keep your head on a swivel. That is the GOFU. Don’t be a GOFU. Teddy Nappen 21:19 This is Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws do not protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 2 21:30 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S5 E278_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America. Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL. Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits. Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";
The Hamlet Podcast - a weekly exploration of Shakespeare's King Lear. Act IV Scene vii - Lear wakes, and a poignant recognition scene ensues. Written and presented by Conor Hanratty
In the wide realm of Shakespeare worship, the house in Stratford-upon-Avon where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 – known colloquially as the 'Birthplace' – remains the chief shrine. It's not as romantic as Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage, it's not where he wrote any of his plays, and there's nothing inside the house that once belonged to Shakespeare himself. So why, for centuries, have people kept turning up on the doorstep? In Shakespeare's House: A Window onto his Life and Legacy (Bloomsbury, 2023) Dr. Richard Schoch answers that question by examining the history of the Birthplace and by exploring how its changing fortunes over four centuries perfectly mirror the changing attitudes toward Shakespeare himself. Based on original research in the archives of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and featuring two black and white illustrated plate sections which draw on the wide array of material available at the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum, this book traces the history of Shakespeare's birthplace over four centuries. Beginning in the 1560s, when Shakespeare was born there, it ends in the 1890s, when the house was rescued from private purchase and turned into the Shakespeare monument that it remains today. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose forthcoming book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In the wide realm of Shakespeare worship, the house in Stratford-upon-Avon where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 – known colloquially as the 'Birthplace' – remains the chief shrine. It's not as romantic as Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage, it's not where he wrote any of his plays, and there's nothing inside the house that once belonged to Shakespeare himself. So why, for centuries, have people kept turning up on the doorstep? In Shakespeare's House: A Window onto his Life and Legacy (Bloomsbury, 2023) Dr. Richard Schoch answers that question by examining the history of the Birthplace and by exploring how its changing fortunes over four centuries perfectly mirror the changing attitudes toward Shakespeare himself. Based on original research in the archives of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and featuring two black and white illustrated plate sections which draw on the wide array of material available at the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum, this book traces the history of Shakespeare's birthplace over four centuries. Beginning in the 1560s, when Shakespeare was born there, it ends in the 1890s, when the house was rescued from private purchase and turned into the Shakespeare monument that it remains today. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose forthcoming book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies
In the wide realm of Shakespeare worship, the house in Stratford-upon-Avon where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 – known colloquially as the 'Birthplace' – remains the chief shrine. It's not as romantic as Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage, it's not where he wrote any of his plays, and there's nothing inside the house that once belonged to Shakespeare himself. So why, for centuries, have people kept turning up on the doorstep? In Shakespeare's House: A Window onto his Life and Legacy (Bloomsbury, 2023) Dr. Richard Schoch answers that question by examining the history of the Birthplace and by exploring how its changing fortunes over four centuries perfectly mirror the changing attitudes toward Shakespeare himself. Based on original research in the archives of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and featuring two black and white illustrated plate sections which draw on the wide array of material available at the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum, this book traces the history of Shakespeare's birthplace over four centuries. Beginning in the 1560s, when Shakespeare was born there, it ends in the 1890s, when the house was rescued from private purchase and turned into the Shakespeare monument that it remains today. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose forthcoming book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hot off the presses and straight to you, it's a brand new Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper! And on our show today we welcomed on the actors Bradley Nowacek, Charlotte Blacklock, Matt Tiemstra and Joscelyne Wilmouth, to talk about Atlas Shakespeare Company's upcoming presentation of Richard III. This was such a fun conversation about tone of Shakespeare's histories. So be sure you tune in and turn out to support these wonderful artists!Atlas Shakespeare PresentsRichard IIINow- March 1st@ The Wild Project Tickets and more information are available at thewildproject.org And be sure to follow our guests to stay up to date on all their upcmoing projects and productions: atlasshakespearecompany.com josswilmouth.comcharlotteblacklock.commattiemstra.combnradleynowacek.com
Let us know what you think of the showVoice over artist and producer Helen Quigley and comedian and cartoonist Paul Savage bring in panels from a couple of British adult humour icons.See the images from the episode here (they're also in the podcast artwork).Every episode, the guests reveal a panel from a comic, we try and guess where it's from, then we chat about it. Half an hour later hopefully we've learned something, or just shown off and had fun along the way.If you've enjoyed this, why not buy us a virtual coffee at Kev F's Ko-Fi page.Your host, and series creator, is Kev F Sutherland, writer and artist for Beano, Marvel, Oink, The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, and most recently author and artist of graphic novels based on Shakespeare. kevfcomicartist.comJoin the Official Comic Cuts Facebook Page, aka Youtoobling, and comment on the show there too, why not?Join the Official Comic Cuts Facebook Page, aka Youtoobling, and comment on the show there too, why not?
With unpredictable timeliness, we have a quasi-emergency episode on the 170-page tariffs decision, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. Come for the in-the-weeds legal analysis, stay for the deep dive into the origins of the phrase "no, no, a thousand times no."
Everyone has heard of Shakespeare, but what was going on in the world of drama a century before the height of the Elizabethan Stage? What could the subjects of Henry VII go and see? Why might Ali from the Rex Factor podcast have another reason to dislike St Dunstan? How did community theatre traumatise at least two kings? Who were the most dramatic monks? And which demon should you watch out for if you start to nod off in church? The show is about to start, so grab your anachronistic popcorn and get ready... Join our Patreon family for yet more episodes and to join our Discord - Tudoriferous | creating a Podcast discussing the great, good and mad Tudor Era | Patreon
This week our series covering the Oscars' Best Picture nomines for 2026 continues with Chloe Zhao's Hamnet Then Scott and Matt continue their chat about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with episode 4 and 5! Discussion question: What is your favorite Shakespeare adjacent piece of media? Next week: Oscars catch-up continues with Hamnet Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/doofmedia Follow us on Twitter: @doofmedia See all of our podcasts and more at doofmedia.com! Show Notes: 1:50 - Hamnet 52:04 - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Ep 4 & 5 1:18:59 - Discussion Questions
Don't Quill the Messenger : Revealing the Truth of Shakespeare Authorship
Steven welcomes former US Army officer and co-founder of De-Cruit.org, Stephan Wolfert, to this episode to discuss how he uses Shakespeare as an award-winning licensed counselor to help those suffering from post traumatic stress. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming a Patron at http://www.patreon.com/dontquillthemessenger Made possible by Patrons: Clare Jaget, Courtney L, David Neufer, Deduce, Earl Showerman, Edward Henke, Ellen Swanson, Frank Lawler, Garrett Jackson, Heidi, James Warren, Jen Swan, John Creider, John Eddings, Jon Foss, Kara Elizabeth Martin, Michael Hannigan, Neal Riesterer, Patricia Carrelli, quizzi, Richard Wood, Sandi Boney, Sheila Kethley, Stephen Hopkins, Teacher Mallory, Tim Norman, Tim Price, Vanessa Lops, Yvonne Don't Quill the Messenger is a part of the Dragon Wagon Radio independent podcast network. For more great podcasts visit www.dragonwagonradio.com
Sent us a text, you dicks!!The weather outside is STILL frightful, but getting better. Nonetheless, dealing with it has made us grouchy. And cranky. And fussy. So we thought...Who are the grouchiest characters in the Shakespeare canon? And what are the degrees of grouchiness? In this episode, we (crankily) discuss this topic.Who can you think of that we missed? Write us and we'll send you COOOOOOOL swag!!!!!To send us an email - please do, we truly want to hear from you!!! - write us at: thebardcastyoudick@gmail.com To support us (by giving us money - we're a 501C3 Non-Profit - helllloooooo, tax deductible donation!!!) - per episode if you like! On Patreon, go here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=35662364&fan_landing=trueOr on Paypal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8KTK7CATJSRYJWe also take cash! ;DTo visit our website, go here:https://www.thebardcastyoudick.comTo donate to an awesome charity, go here:https://actorsfund.org/help-our-entertainment-communiity-covid-19-emergency-reliefLike us? Don't have any extra moolah? We get it! Still love us and want to support us?? Then leave us a five-star rating AND a review wherever you get your podcasts!!Support the show
The book is part of a series that explores how contemporary movements shed new light on Shakespeare's work.
Daniel Pollack-Pelzner wrote one of the finest pieces of non-fiction with Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist. It is a book for "the ages" and is a finalist for non-fiction book of the decade at Truly Significant.com. This book is pure gold blending joy, history, social justice, accessibility, and more. We recommend this book for every student of art, music, film, television, dancing, and even anthropology. It clarifies purpose and intention. In this conversation, learn about "perfection paralysis," the rhythm and process of "page-system-measure," the value of the smartest form of collaboration, and a fresh definition of innovation. And as of bonus, get the inside story on the genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda and his many mentors that created a musical mosaic. Visit www.danielpollackpelzner.com to learn more about this brilliant author. Here's more: NPR picked Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster) as Books We Loved for 2025. Daniel teaches English and theater at Portland State University. He received the Graves Award from the American Council of Learned Societies for outstanding teaching in the humanities. As a cultural historian and theater critic, his articles about playwrights from Shakespeare to Quiara Alegría Hudes have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. His pandemic spoof, "What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague," was adapted into a short film for PBS, and his New Yorker profile of Cherokee playwright and lawyer Mary Kathryn Nagle is being adapted into a feature documentary. He is the scholar-in-residence at the Portland Shakespeare Project and a frequent guest lecturer at theaters around the country. Born and raised in Portland, he received his B.A. in History from Yale and his Ph.D. in English from Harvard. He met his wife in their elementary-school production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"; they now live in Portland with their two children.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.
We kicked off today's comedy podcast by tackling the most controversial debate of 2026: are you showering wrong… and have you been doing it wrong your whole life? Shampoo first? Conditioner last? Face in the middle? Teeth in the shower like some kind of chaos goblin? We learned that Moon brushes his teeth in the shower (yes, really), Riz might not understand how museums work, and apparently conditioner can clog your pores and betray you.Then the washcloth debate broke out — and things got weird. Hotels? Loofahs? Southern Illinois traditions? Bleach? Nobody felt clean by the end of it. Especially not emotionally.From there, it's time for Match Up With Moon, and let's just say Riz's self-esteem went on a rollercoaster that OSHA would not approve. We covered everything from The Truman Show to Olympic sports, Montana geography, Ninja Turtles (culture!), Shakespeare pronunciation beef, and whether Riz knows literally anything about the St. Louis Art Museum. (Spoiler: he guessed 317 total works of art. The actual number is 37,000. We are not exaggerating.)Round two? Golf legends, wiener schnitzel drama (veal, apparently — who knew?), and an absolutely brutal Robert Duvall tiebreaker that had the studio sweating like Moon during leg-shaving season. There were pronunciation controversies. There were technicality debates. There were accusations. There was redemption. There was shouting. There was fragile male ego on full display.Basically: peak daily chaos.If you love weird news, pop culture trivia, competitive meltdowns, and a group of grown adults arguing about conditioner residue, this comedy podcast delivered exactly what your morning needed.And yes, we're still not over the shower thing.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean dialogue right in character's mouths, so the audience will say, "hey, I remember that line!" Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk through the Chloe Zhao Oscar-bait historical drama, Hamnet, and its source, the 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell. Is the film great, or just "grief porn"? Plus, Shakespeare in Love and other biopics. Get more at prettymuchpop.com. Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for nearly every episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus material for three of Mark's podcasts together on the Mark Lintertainment Podcasts Channel. Sponsors: Get started with Claude AI at claude.ai/pmp. Visit squarespace.com/PRETTY (code PRETTY) for a free trial and 10% off your first website or domain.
Jacke kicks off the episode with an analysis of T.S. Eliot's underappreciated poem of urban alienation, "Preludes." Then scholar and translator Kate Deimling (The Story of the Marquis de Cressy by Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni) tells Jacke about an eighteenth-century Frenchwoman who was a bestseller in her day, but whose best novels have been unavailable in English for more than 200 years (until now!). Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Act now - sign-up closes March 1! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recorded live in the bookshop, this conversation dives into the inventive world of Perspectives, Laurent Binet's historical novel that transforms Renaissance Florence into the scene of a gripping whodunnit. The discussion explores how a real painter's death becomes the catalyst for a dazzling literary experiment: a murder investigation told entirely through letters, gossip, and competing testimonies.The author reveals how the book blends meticulous archival research with narrative play—treating history not as a fixed record but as a puzzle assembled from partial truths. From the politics of ducal courts to the working lives of artists and artisans, the episode uncovers a city in creative and ideological upheaval, grappling with what comes after artistic perfection.At once detective story, art-history meditation, and sly reflection on storytelling itself, this is a lively exploration of how the past can feel startlingly contemporary—and how every account depends on who's holding the pen.Buy Perspectives: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/perspectives-4*Laurent Binet lives and works in France. His first novel, HHhH, was an international bestseller which won the prestigious Prix Goncourt du premier roman, among other prizes. The 7th Function of Language won the Prix de la FNAC and Prix Interallié. Civilisations is a bestseller that has won the Grand Prix de l'Académie française.Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company.Listen to Alex Freiman's latest EP, In The Beginning: https://open.spotify.com/album/5iZYPMCUnG7xiCtsFCBlVa?si=h5x3FK1URq6SwH9Kb_SO3w Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eyeglasses have become so commonplace we hardly think about them—unless we can't find them. Yet glasses have been controversial throughout history. Roger Bacon pioneered using lenses to see and then spent a decade in a medieval prison for advocating that he could fix" God's creations by improving our eyesight. Even today, people take off their glasses before having their picture taken, despite how necessary they are. A Four-Eyed World: How Glasses Changed the Way We See (Bloomsbury, 2026) is the first book to investigate the experience of wearing glasses and contacts and their role in culture. Dr. David King Dunaway encourages readers to take a look at how they literally see the world through what they wear. He explores everything from the history of deficient eyesight and how glasses are made to portrayals of those who wear glasses in media, the stigma surrounding them, and the future of augmented and virtual reality glasses, highlighting how glasses have shaped, and continue to shape, who we are. Interwoven is Dr. Dunaway's own experience of spending a week without his glasses, which he has used since childhood, to see the world around him and his newfound appreciation for his visual aids. This is the story of how we see the world and how our ability to see things has evolved, ultimately asking: How have two cloudy, quarter-sized discs of crystal or glass originally riveted together become so essential to human existence? Shakespeare famously said eyes are windows to the soul, but what about people who see only by covering theirs with glasses? Readers will find out together through this fascinating and insightful cultural history of one of humanity's greatest inventions. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Eyeglasses have become so commonplace we hardly think about them—unless we can't find them. Yet glasses have been controversial throughout history. Roger Bacon pioneered using lenses to see and then spent a decade in a medieval prison for advocating that he could fix" God's creations by improving our eyesight. Even today, people take off their glasses before having their picture taken, despite how necessary they are. A Four-Eyed World: How Glasses Changed the Way We See (Bloomsbury, 2026) is the first book to investigate the experience of wearing glasses and contacts and their role in culture. Dr. David King Dunaway encourages readers to take a look at how they literally see the world through what they wear. He explores everything from the history of deficient eyesight and how glasses are made to portrayals of those who wear glasses in media, the stigma surrounding them, and the future of augmented and virtual reality glasses, highlighting how glasses have shaped, and continue to shape, who we are. Interwoven is Dr. Dunaway's own experience of spending a week without his glasses, which he has used since childhood, to see the world around him and his newfound appreciation for his visual aids. This is the story of how we see the world and how our ability to see things has evolved, ultimately asking: How have two cloudy, quarter-sized discs of crystal or glass originally riveted together become so essential to human existence? Shakespeare famously said eyes are windows to the soul, but what about people who see only by covering theirs with glasses? Readers will find out together through this fascinating and insightful cultural history of one of humanity's greatest inventions. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
This SEPTIC ISLE! The arrest of PRINCE ANDREW Your views live #KingCharles #Abdication #PrinceAndrew #Epstein #PeterMandelson #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV Jon Gaunt wants your reaction to the arrest of Prince Andrew. Is he just the tip of the iceberg of corruption and privilege that is wrecking the UK. How has Britain gone from a Sceptered Isle to the state it is today? Shakespeare predicted this over 500 years ago and Jon Gaunt explains why in this podcast. We have sold out Britain and our values and created this mess. Join in and tell me your views. King Charles, abdication, Prince Andrew, Epstein, Peter Mandelson, Keir Starmer, British Monarchy, royal crisis, Prince William, royal scandal, Epstein links, UK politics, monarchy under pressure, Jon Gaunt, royal cover up #KingCharles #Abdication #PrinceAndrew #Epstein #PeterMandelson #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Say hello to the newest UK incarnation of the Reduced Shakespeare Company! Efé Agwele, Woogie Jung, Kiran Raywilliams, and Tom Pavey join director and RSC founder Adam Long to discuss our brand-new tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) that's hitting at least 29 cities across the UK in this first half of 2026. The gang talks about how they were cast; their origins both humble and impressive; incorporating micro Shakespeare moments; experience with something called the Jesus College Shakespeare Project; our first live conversation from the back of the bus to Oxford University; and the key importance for touring actors to be "pre-loved-up"! (Length 27:44) (PICTURED, above l-r: Kiran Raywilliams, Efé Agwele, Tom Pavey (seated), and Woogie Jung. Photo by Michael Wharley.) The post New RSCUK Actors appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.
I have an uncle who used to sing the craziest (and often off-color songs). He was a WWII vet and looked like the Canadian actor Lorne Greene. He would rip out the kinds of songs that sailors sang and I would rush to write down the lyrics so I could learn them. And learn them I did. The hard way. It was irritating and frustrating. Even though they say the hand builds the mind and it wasn’t the end of the world that I spent so much time writing them down and rewriting them, I was still relying on rote learning. If only I knew then what I know today about memory techniques! You see, I now memorize and regularly demonstrate poems I’ve committed to memory almost every month during my live memory training bootcamps. I’ve memorized everything from ancient Sanskrit poems to some of the most inventive contemporary poetry. And today I’m going to share a few case studies and key tips I know you’re going to love. How to Memorize Poetry Fast The fastest way I know to memorize poetry involves a combination of ancient memory techniques. These are: The Memory Palace Technique Alphabetical association Numerical association (where relevant) Spaced repetition based on solid active recall principles Now, I know that weaving together so many memory techniques to memorize poetry or even song lyrics, sounds like a lot. But if you want to memorize poems fast, stick with me. Bringing all of these strategies together is much easier than it might seem at first glance. But first, let me demonstrate that I can actually memorize poetry. I believe proof is important because there are a lot of people out there who talk about skills they cannot do. In the case of mnemonics, there are even entire forums filled with people giving advice about memory techniques when they clearly haven’t lifted a finger to memorize a poem. That, or they’ve used rote memorization and are only pretending they used mnemonics. So with those issues in mind, here are a few examples. Please be sure to watch each example because I will refer back to these recitations to help you rapidly memorize poems of your own. Example One: A Univocalic Poem In this video, you’ll see me at the Memory Palace Bookshop I’m developing practicing the recitation of a univocalic poem by Christian Bök: https://youtube.com/shorts/b6oFIOnAwng?feature=share That’s from a fantastic book of poetry called Eunoia. Example Two: Shakespeare This video not only shows me reciting lines from Titus Andronicus. It includes a very important teaching point. That’s because I also demonstrate reciting the lines forward and backward to help teach you how to more easily commit even the most difficult poem to memory using a process I call Recall Rehearsal: https://youtu.be/nhjIkGu32CA?si=s6gIJz6Poq9Zpo6C&t=1380 Now, I regularly memorize Shakespeare. But in the case of the example shared in the video above, I had a special purpose in mind. I was doing it to reproduce the memory technique Anthony Hopkins describes in his autobiography. Here’s the full case study. Example Three: Song Lyrics In this video, you’ll see and hear me singing a famous song called The Moon Represents My Heart in Chinese: https://youtu.be/dCyPV6qfKkI The entire song took just over forty minutes to commit to long-term memory. Even though it’s been a few years since I sang the whole song, I still remember most of the lyrics to this day. Every once and awhile, I whip it out and it always brings a smile to my wife’s face. The reason this Chinese poem set to music took a bit longer to memorize other poems I’ve memorized is because it’s in a foreign language that I was only just beginning to study at the time. Example Four: Poetry Quoted in a Speech When I wrote my TEDx Talk, I incorporated lines from a Sanskrit piece called the Ribhu Gita. This was an interesting challenge because it called me to recall the speech and the poetry that had already been memorized. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM This particular performance was a lot of fun, but also challenging due to the combination of a live audience, cameras and the fact that the world was starting to go into lockdown at the beginning of Covid. I had a lot on my mind, but thanks to the memory techniques you’re about to discover, I still think the talk came off fairly well. It’s been seen over four million times now, so I must have done something right. Example Five: Real-Time Poetry Memorization If you want to see me memorize in real time, check out this discussion with Guru Viking. Steve, the host, throws Shakespeare at me and I memorize a few lines and discuss how I did it in real time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J62IN_ngYH0 Now let’s get into the steps, many of which come directly from my premium course on memorizing poetry. Step one: Use the Memory Palace Technique A Memory Palace is essential for memorizing poetry, or anything verbatim. What is this technique? A Memory Palace is a mental recreation of a familiar location. For example, in the first video example above from the poem Eunoia, I used my mom’s home from where she lived years ago. I moved from the master bedroom to the kitchen and living room, to a few other bedrooms and finally out the door and down the driveway in front of the house. How to Memorize a Poem in an Hour (or Less) Using This Technique Using the method of loci, you place mnemonic images along a mental journey. As I just mentioned, I started in one room, then moved to the kitchen, the living room, and so forth. On each corner and wall, I placed an association. For example, for the line, “Awkward grammar appals a craftsman,” I placed an image of Apollinaire in a state of awe changing into being appalled. Now, what exactly it means to “place” an association along a journey in an imaginary version of a building can feel a bit abstract in the beginning. But basically, you’re taking a corner, a wall or a piece of furniture and elaborating it with strange, exaggerated ideas and feelings that remind you of each word of the poem or song lyric. You can do it in any language and if you look at the Guru Viking video above, you’ll see me demonstrate exactly how and why it works in any language. In that particular example, I use the wall behind me for Shakespeare in the same way I memorize Sanskrit phrases when memorizing ancient mantras. To Speed Up The Process When You’re Just Starting Out, Do This Learning to use the Memory Palace technique can feel challenging in the beginning. To reduce the cognitive load, I suggest making a quick sketch of a familiar location that you will turn into a Memory Palace. You don’t have to be artistic. I don’t try to make fine art of it at all. To wit, here’s a quick sketch of a bookstore in the Zamalek area of Cairo I have used many times to memorize poetry and other types of information: A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo. The reason for drawing out the journey is to get it clear in your mind. That way, you can spend more time on the next step. But failing to simply draw a Memory Palace in advance can lead to a lot of unnecessary frustration. That’s because you will ultimately wind up trying to encode the poem while developing the Memory Palace at the same time. To memorize any poem as quickly as possible, you need to separate the two activities. Step Two: Lay Down Your Associations One Word At A Time (Most Of The Time) Shakespeare opens King Henry the Fifth like this: O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold our swelling scene! When I memorized these lines, I started at station one with an image of the constellation Orion over the Statue of Liberty. Using the pegword method, I associated Orion with O. Then, using the general concept of a woman that inspires people, I placed the Statue of Liberty in the Memory Palace. In this case, the Memory Palace was a workplace where I was writing curriculum in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. You might choose a completely different image for the words “muse of fire.” But the technical point is that you want to find a direct sound and spelling correspondence that is: Based on ideas and images already in your memory Makes sense to you Making sure that the associations you choose are personal is part of what scientists call active recall. For me personally, Lady Liberty is an especially apt choice not only because she represents inspiration, as the muses. She’s also holding a torch, which helps me encode the word “fire.” But I also lived in both Manhattan and Brooklyn for awhile and often crossed the Manhattan Bridge. This makes the memory of the Statue of Liberty even stronger for me, and another reason why you need to think about the images that make most sense for you. How to Associate “Little Words” for Rapid Memorization What about a word like “that”? Tricky and abstract, right? Not really. You just need to pick an association that makes sense to you while sounding or seeming as close as possible to the target information as you can get it. In the case of the Henry the Fifth line, I just took “th” and linked it with Thor and then used rhyming to have him put on a hat in a dramatic way. Thor + hat = that. When it comes to the Bök poem, there’s a part of the sequence (full poem here) where I used Thor with his hat again: Awkward grammar appals a craftsman. A Dada bard as daft as Tzara damns stagnant art and scrawls an alpha (a slapdash arc and a backward zag) that mars all stanzas and jams all ballads (what a scandal). For a small word like “all,” I used the Punk Rock band All, but only in part. Drawing upon the mnemonic teaching of people like Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius and Giordano Bruno, I used the principle of reduction. Rather than imagine the entire band, or even an entire mascot, I just imagined the eyes of the mascot. To memorize at speed, I suggest you practice this principle of reduction. Also develop what I call the Magnetic SRS in my full poetry course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. By taking an hour or so to assign association to all the pronouns and other “operator” words like “that,” you won’t have to stop and come up with associations ever again. The Magnetic SRS training in my full program goes into further detail. It will help you develop dozens of images for words that seem like they’ll be tricky or repetitive. Done well, they can be used repeatedly, but never cause confusion. Step Three: Memorize Multiple Words When You Can Memorizing more than one word in a poem at a time is called mnemonic compression. This term can mean more than one thing. But in this case, I’ve technically just given you a description of how compression works with the Statue of Liberty example. After Orion for O, she represents five words: “for a Muse of fire.” In this case, it works because I’m familiar with the workings of English grammar. But you can’t always get away with this kind of compression, especially when memorizing poetry in another language. It’s just best to keep an eye out for compression opportunities as much you can. When I memorized my TEDx talk using these techniques for speech memorization, thanks to compression, I loaded one station in my Memory Palace with up to 17 words using just 3-5 images (depending on how you count them). Keep in mind that you don’t have to start with poems with long passages like the ones I included in my TEDx Talk. A lot of people like to start with short Bible verses. I’ve put together a list of Bible verses to memorize that address the theme of memory if you’d like to select a few for practice. Step Four: Use Intelligent, Creative Repetition As I mentioned above, rote learning is a real problem. What you want instead is something called spaced repetition. It provides a simple means of reviewing memorized material on a schedule that keeps it in memory. Different poems and lyrics will require different amounts of repetition, and it’s not easy to predict in advance how much content will require how much repetition. However, there’s something called context-dependent memory. Basically, it gives you a boost when you use a lot of content frequently. Or read continually within particular categories of information. So if you read literature and quote it often, you’ll probably need less repetition than someone who doesn’t. And if you memorize the sonnet form more than free verse, you’ll likely develop a stronger and faster reliability because you’ve internalized its rules. Creative Repetition for Long-Term Maintenance For most of us, poems will fade over time no matter what we do. Fortunately, there are creative repetition strategies that can help make sure you maintain them. One is to follow in the footsteps of geniuses. For example, Anthony Hopkins keep common place books where they store and regularly revisit favorite poems. People like Thomas Jefferson used this strategy too. Another strategy is to use reflective thinking to compare various poems you’ve memorized. You can do this from poem to poem or between poems and your favorite philosophy books, historical events, etc. Finally, look for opportunities to recite the poems. Even if you just quote isolated lines, this smaller recitation will help keep the full poem within your mental reach. 3 Alternative Ways To Memorize Poetry You might be wondering if it’s possible to memorize poetry without using the Memory Palace technique. Indeed, there are. Here are some options. Rote Repetition Although I personally don’t like how rote learning feels, it is an option you can explore. It’s a slower option for most of us. But one simple way to get more mileage out of sheer repetition is to choose the time of day and location where you practice it strategically. You’ll need a lot of focus and concentration on top of sheer will power to keep repeating the same lines without the fun of mnemonics, so make sure you aren’t interrupted. I’d also suggest focusing on shorter poems for use with rote. That way you can memorize more poems in their entirety and enjoy substantial accomplishments more often. Cloze Methods A cloze test involves showing yourself parts of a poem. As you read through the poem, you try and fill in the blanks. This activity can trigger some of the positive benefits of active recall. Here’s an example of how you would apply the cloze test methodology to help yourself remember The Tyger by William Blake: Tyger Tyger, burning _____, In the _____ of the night; What immortal ____ or ____, Could _____ thy ______ ______? Visual Flashcards Finally, if you’re willing to make simple drawings, you can draw on flashcards. This approach is kind of like a visual cloze test. Instead of hiding the word “bright” in the phrase “burning bright,” you would sketch an image that helps trigger the phrase. I’ve done this a fair amount with memorizing the books of the Bible. It’s a fast and easy way to help the mind make connections without having to use a Memory Palace. That said, drawing can take a lot of time. I would save this approach for when you feel like an experimental learning experience. How to Practice Reciting Poetry from Memory There are three key ways that I practice reciting poetry, not only to ensure that they’re locked in long-term memory. The point is also to get the lines as fluid as possible and bring out various parts you want to emphasize. After all, it’s not fun to sound robotic. The point of poetry is to convey meaning and beauty, humor or to stimulate some kind of emotion. One: Write the Poetry from Memory Another aspect of proper active recall practice is to call the information to mind by revisiting your associations in your Memory Palace, then write the words down. When writing out what you’ve committed to memory, don’t worry about mistakes. If you catch yourself making a mistake, just scratch it out. Then, once you’ve written as many lines as you can recall, test them against where the verse is written in a book or online. Here’s an example of a test from another part of Eunoia I recently memorized: At this point, I hadn’t memorized the entire poem and had to start a new journal. But the important point is to test in this exact manner so that you don’t fall into rote repetition. Two: Recite Verbally As demonstrated in several of the video examples above, I practice recalling the poetry verses from memory out loud. This step is important because it gets the poetry into the muscle memory of the mouth. And this is the best way to practice adding gravitas to your performance. I suggest that you also recite the poetry out of order as you see in the Anthony Hopkins video above. This will give each line primacy and recency using the serial positioning effect, as was codified by Hermann Ebbinghaus. During the learning process, it can also be helpful to make up a little tune to go with the poetry. Even if you don’t sing it later, there’s something to chanting and singsonging that aids memory. This is something Bruno notes in his memory guide, Cantus Circaeus (Song of Circe), available in this English translation. Three: Recite Mentally It’s also valuable to practice reciting what you’ve memorized purely in your mind. You can do this solely by reciting the lines while moving through your Memory Palaces. Or you can do it without thinking of the Memory Palace journey, which is a point you should practice as soon as possible. If you are going to perform the poem live, it’s also helpful to imagine yourself delivering it live on camera or in front of an audience. I’ve done all of these things and it has really helped make sure my performance is fluid. But it also creates that priceless feeling of preparation. Your audience will appreciate your delivery much more as well. Make Poetry Memorization Part of Your Daily Life Finally, I’d like to discuss how to make poetry memorization a daily activity. We’re all different, but I personally prefer to encode new poems during the morning. This is simply because my energy is highest. Then I practice reciting in the evening. You might find that you prefer the opposite pattern. The key is to experiment, all based on having developed your mnemonic tools. Plus, it only makes sense to have a lot of poetry that you like within reach. Along with having the right memory techniques for this kind of verbatim learning task. That’s ultimately the most important tip of all. To get fast with memorizing poetry, you need to have your mnemonics prepped in advance. If you’d like more help on how the Memory Palace technique and related mnemonic strategies will help you memorize poems of any length, please consider signing up for my FREE Memory Improvement Course: It will take you through developing Memory Palaces for memorizing any poem at speed. Those poems can be as short as a simple song or as long as the Bible (which as I discuss in this tutorial, is possible to memorize). Or you can memorize songs from your weird uncle like I often did… even if I can’t always repeat them in polite company. Frankly, I wish I’d known these techniques back when I was young. Not only because I’d remember more of the words to the songs he sang. I’d remember more about him too. And that’s ultimately the greatest thing about memorizing poetry. We’re memorizing the ideas, feelings and images that impacted others, literally integrating ourselves with the stuff of life through memory.
We're diving into “The Fate of Ophelia,” the powerful opening track from The Life of a Showgirl — and there is so much to unpack. In this episode of 13: A Taylor Swift Fan Podcast, we break down the lyrics, literary references, and hidden layers that make this one of Taylor Swift's strongest album openers yet. This song is layered, intentional, and a twist on a classic story. We discuss: The Shakespeare and Hamlet references woven into the lyrics The music theory detail that mirrors Shakespeare's structure How this track connects to The Tortured Poets Department The double narrative theory: the Travis Kelce love story or masters reclamation? The Ophelia painting vs. the album imagery Records broken by “Fate of Ophelia” on the charts Is this Taylor's most sophisticated pop opener yet? Did she rewrite Ophelia's tragic ending into a modern love story? And what do you think this song is about? We're breaking it all down — line by line! What did we miss? What opening album track is your fav? There are lots of ways to reach us! This is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at http://BetterHelp.com/TAYLORSWIFTFAN. Stay Connected with 13: A Taylor Swift Fan Podcast Join the conversation in our exclusive Lobster Lounge: station.page/13 Contact the Podcast Voicemail: (689) 214-1313 Email: the13podcast@gmail.com Instagram: @the13podcast TikTok: @the13podcast Twitter/X: @the13TSpodcast YouTube: 13: A Taylor Swift Fan Podcast Follow the Hosts Ana – @anaszabo13 Lacey – @laceygee13 Amy – @amysnichols Nick – @heynickadams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices