Podcast appearances and mentions of Leo Tolstoy

Welcome to "Literature and Us"! In our foundational episode, host Danny tackles a huge question: with AI that can write, summarize, and create, do we still need literature? We argue that the answer is a resounding YES. While algorithms process data, literature provides something irreplaceable: human experience. Join us as we explore how stories serve as the ultimate technology for understanding ourselves and others in a way that data streams simply can't. This isn't a battle against technology, but a celebration of what makes us uniquely human. In this episode, you'll discover: The crucial difference between an AI's summaryand a reader's experience. How literature acts as an "empathy engine,"allowing us to live a thousand lives and understand different perspectives through books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Never Let Me Go. Why reading is a powerful workout for your brain, serving as a "critical thinking gymnasium"that helps you spot misinformation and navigate a complex world. How timeless stories from Shakespeare to Tolstoy connect us to the unfiltered human condition—love, loss, grief, and joy—in all its messy glory. Why the "inefficiency" of reading is actually its greatest strength in our fast-paced, optimized world. To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don't forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series and courses now available in our Patreon Shop!

In this reading from Tolstoy's Search for the Kingdom of God: Gender and Queer Anarchism (2025), Javier Sethness Castro reflects on Leo Tolstoy and the Russo-Ukrainian War. While praising the relevance of Tolstoy's anti-militarist principles in light of this ongoing conflict, the author also considers not only Tolstoy's contradictions as a Russian chauvinist, but also the Putin regime's utilization of his fame to legitimize its genocidal war. Javier Sethness Castro is a primary-care provider, libertarian socialist, and author or editor of six books, including Queer Tolstoy: A Psychobiography (2023). Anarchist Essays is brought to you by Loughborough University's Anarchism Research Group and the journal Anarchist Studies. Follow us on Bluesky @anarchismresgroup.bsky.social Our music comes from Them'uns (featuring Yous'uns). Artwork by Sam G.

Romanzo storico: genere narrativo che intreccia storia e finzione. Scopri le sue caratteristiche, i protagonisti e le opere più importanti della letteratura.

The Great Disarmament: Powder & Principles – When Conscience First Spoke As gunpowder redefined the global balance of power, another force quietly emerged—conscience. This episode explores the 1600s to 1800s, when the rise of modern empires was met by the first organized refusals to fight. From the Quaker Peace Testimony and early abolitionist resistance to Enlightenment philosophers imagining peace as policy, we follow the voices who rejected war, empire, and extraction as the price of civilization. We trace the moral origins of nonviolence through: The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and their refusal to bear arms The philosophical foundations of Utopia and early social contract theory William Penn's peaceful treaties and anti-militarist governance The link between war, slavery, and the moral awakening that would influence Tolstoy, Gandhi, and King Through these stories, we ask: When did peace stop being passive? And how did disobedience become a sacred act? This episode is part of The Great Disarmament – The Great Disfarmament, a 14-part podcast series on the deep history of war, agriculture, and the movements to end them.

In a world increasingly dominated by visual and electronic noise, Robert Waxler and David Beckman's You Say, I Say: Staying Alive with Literature, Language, and Friendship (Rivertown Books, 2025) captures the enduring power of literature-not to resolve the great questions of human existence, but to help us explore those questions in ways that are eye-opening, life-changing, and profound. In September, 1962, two 18-year-old freshmen at Brown University named Bob Waxler and David Beckman first crossed paths. They quickly discovered they had a lot in common, especially an abiding fascination with language, literature, and the life of art. Four years later, as college seniors, they collaborated on a small book of poems, which brought them a flurry of attention, then faded into memory as the two friends began separate life journeys-Bob becoming a professor of literature at a Massachusetts college, David working as an advertising and promotion writer in New York with sidelines as a poet, playwright, and actor. In 2014, an article in the Brown alumni journal rekindled their connection. It sparked an exchange of emails that gradually blossomed into this book-an extended dialogue between two old friends on poetry, life, the passage of time, and the power of the written word. In You Say, I Say, Waxler and Beckman trade observations, opinions, questions, and arguments about the ways in which literature transforms, challenges, disturbs, and inspires us. Spurred by lifetimes largely dedicated to "deep reading," they debate the meaning and value of works ranging from Dante's Inferno and Shakespeare's King Lear to Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilych; the poems of Wordsworth, Blake, Coleridge, and Keats; and the works of T.S. Eliot, Kafka, Beckett and Joyce. They often uncover new and surprising facets of classic works in the glare of post-modern experience. And they even exchange a couple of new poems-their own work-triggering reflections on the creative process and its many unexpected twists. Along the way, Waxler and Beckman delve into questions that have haunted generations of readers and critics. And they reveal, directly and indirectly, how encounters with literature have shaped their intellects and their lives.  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 a world increasingly dominated by visual and electronic noise, Robert Waxler and David Beckman's You Say, I Say: Staying Alive with Literature, Language, and Friendship (Rivertown Books, 2025) captures the enduring power of literature-not to resolve the great questions of human existence, but to help us explore those questions in ways that are eye-opening, life-changing, and profound. In September, 1962, two 18-year-old freshmen at Brown University named Bob Waxler and David Beckman first crossed paths. They quickly discovered they had a lot in common, especially an abiding fascination with language, literature, and the life of art. Four years later, as college seniors, they collaborated on a small book of poems, which brought them a flurry of attention, then faded into memory as the two friends began separate life journeys-Bob becoming a professor of literature at a Massachusetts college, David working as an advertising and promotion writer in New York with sidelines as a poet, playwright, and actor. In 2014, an article in the Brown alumni journal rekindled their connection. It sparked an exchange of emails that gradually blossomed into this book-an extended dialogue between two old friends on poetry, life, the passage of time, and the power of the written word. In You Say, I Say, Waxler and Beckman trade observations, opinions, questions, and arguments about the ways in which literature transforms, challenges, disturbs, and inspires us. Spurred by lifetimes largely dedicated to "deep reading," they debate the meaning and value of works ranging from Dante's Inferno and Shakespeare's King Lear to Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilych; the poems of Wordsworth, Blake, Coleridge, and Keats; and the works of T.S. Eliot, Kafka, Beckett and Joyce. They often uncover new and surprising facets of classic works in the glare of post-modern experience. And they even exchange a couple of new poems-their own work-triggering reflections on the creative process and its many unexpected twists. Along the way, Waxler and Beckman delve into questions that have haunted generations of readers and critics. And they reveal, directly and indirectly, how encounters with literature have shaped their intellects and their lives.  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 a world increasingly dominated by visual and electronic noise, Robert Waxler and David Beckman's You Say, I Say: Staying Alive with Literature, Language, and Friendship (Rivertown Books, 2025) captures the enduring power of literature-not to resolve the great questions of human existence, but to help us explore those questions in ways that are eye-opening, life-changing, and profound. In September, 1962, two 18-year-old freshmen at Brown University named Bob Waxler and David Beckman first crossed paths. They quickly discovered they had a lot in common, especially an abiding fascination with language, literature, and the life of art. Four years later, as college seniors, they collaborated on a small book of poems, which brought them a flurry of attention, then faded into memory as the two friends began separate life journeys-Bob becoming a professor of literature at a Massachusetts college, David working as an advertising and promotion writer in New York with sidelines as a poet, playwright, and actor. In 2014, an article in the Brown alumni journal rekindled their connection. It sparked an exchange of emails that gradually blossomed into this book-an extended dialogue between two old friends on poetry, life, the passage of time, and the power of the written word. In You Say, I Say, Waxler and Beckman trade observations, opinions, questions, and arguments about the ways in which literature transforms, challenges, disturbs, and inspires us. Spurred by lifetimes largely dedicated to "deep reading," they debate the meaning and value of works ranging from Dante's Inferno and Shakespeare's King Lear to Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilych; the poems of Wordsworth, Blake, Coleridge, and Keats; and the works of T.S. Eliot, Kafka, Beckett and Joyce. They often uncover new and surprising facets of classic works in the glare of post-modern experience. And they even exchange a couple of new poems-their own work-triggering reflections on the creative process and its many unexpected twists. Along the way, Waxler and Beckman delve into questions that have haunted generations of readers and critics. And they reveal, directly and indirectly, how encounters with literature have shaped their intellects and their lives.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

In a world increasingly dominated by visual and electronic noise, Robert Waxler and David Beckman's You Say, I Say: Staying Alive with Literature, Language, and Friendship (Rivertown Books, 2025) captures the enduring power of literature-not to resolve the great questions of human existence, but to help us explore those questions in ways that are eye-opening, life-changing, and profound. In September, 1962, two 18-year-old freshmen at Brown University named Bob Waxler and David Beckman first crossed paths. They quickly discovered they had a lot in common, especially an abiding fascination with language, literature, and the life of art. Four years later, as college seniors, they collaborated on a small book of poems, which brought them a flurry of attention, then faded into memory as the two friends began separate life journeys-Bob becoming a professor of literature at a Massachusetts college, David working as an advertising and promotion writer in New York with sidelines as a poet, playwright, and actor. In 2014, an article in the Brown alumni journal rekindled their connection. It sparked an exchange of emails that gradually blossomed into this book-an extended dialogue between two old friends on poetry, life, the passage of time, and the power of the written word. In You Say, I Say, Waxler and Beckman trade observations, opinions, questions, and arguments about the ways in which literature transforms, challenges, disturbs, and inspires us. Spurred by lifetimes largely dedicated to "deep reading," they debate the meaning and value of works ranging from Dante's Inferno and Shakespeare's King Lear to Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilych; the poems of Wordsworth, Blake, Coleridge, and Keats; and the works of T.S. Eliot, Kafka, Beckett and Joyce. They often uncover new and surprising facets of classic works in the glare of post-modern experience. And they even exchange a couple of new poems-their own work-triggering reflections on the creative process and its many unexpected twists. Along the way, Waxler and Beckman delve into questions that have haunted generations of readers and critics. And they reveal, directly and indirectly, how encounters with literature have shaped their intellects and their lives.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Send us a textThere's a big difference between doing "just enough" and learning "just enough." When you "do just enough," you're cheating yourself and your potential, but when you learn "just enough," you're bold, courageous, and not afraid of looking foolish, embarrassed, or ignorant. Today's episode comes from the inspiration of Tolstoy,“It's better to know less than we are able to know than to know more than we need to know. Don't be afraid of ignorance, but beware of anything superfluous or anything that can overburden you just so that you can boast about how much you know.”Support the show

Send us a textLeo Tolstoy is Russia's other literary giant — a master of epic storytelling, moral inquiry, and psychological insight. His genius lies in observing the human soul with relentless curiosity, asking the questions every creative mind wrestles with: How do we live well? How do we understand ourselves and others? In Tolstoy, as in Dostoyevsky, we see that the tension between human desire, conscience, and society fuels some of the most enduring art ever written.""Imagine a man who could stage a battlefield in words… then lecture his kids on morality like a drill sergeant. That's Leo Tolstoy — genius, eccentric, and totally obsessed with the human soul. Come meet the Russian titan who made storytelling feel like an epic adventure and a moral debate at the same time.”"He wrote battles you can feel and love affairs you can't forget. Leo Tolstoy was a genius storyteller, a relentless moral thinker, and a man whose life was as epic as his novels. Join me as we dive into the world of Russia's literary titan — his triumphs, his crises, and the creativity that made him unforgettable."Leo Tolstoy was a genius storyteller who lived through enormous personal and societal change. “Imagine a man who could write war scenes so vivid they feel like battle — and domestic life so intimate you feel you're eavesdropping. That's Leo Tolstoy.”Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

For centuries, the Church wasn’t just a home for faith—it was the lighthouse of creativity and culture. But when did we stop leading the way in beauty, innovation, and art? And what happens when the Church loses its bond with the artist? Catherine dives deep into this critical topic with special guests Isaac and Emily Gay, co-founders of the Parallel Society. With over twenty years of ministry experience pioneering creative communities, building prayer rooms, and raising three children of their own, Isaac and Emily have dedicated their lives to restoring creativity within the Church and equipping the next generation of artists. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Great Disconnect: Why did the Church abandon creativity, and how did this create a vacuum that Hollywood and secular culture rushed to fill? Redefining Christian Art: Isaac & Emily challenge the narrow definitions that often limit Christian expression. Drawing from Leo Tolstoy, they ask: What if Christian art isn’t only about displaying explicit symbols, but about work that promotes "an ethic and morality that longs for human flourishing"? Both Sides Matter: Listeners will hear why mending the rift between the Church and artists isn’t just a leadership issue—but requires artists to reexamine the purpose behind their work, moving beyond self-expression to serve a greater, redemptive calling. Restoring Beauty in the Home: Emily shares how families can cultivate creativity over convenience, offering hope-filled encouragement that it starts not on a stage or a gallery wall, but around the dinner table, in moments of Sabbath, and with simple, intentional practices that awaken wonder in children. The Power of Beauty: Catherine passionately reminds us: "We are losing our culture not because we lack truth, but because we’ve lost beauty. In a culture grown deaf to preaching, beauty still whispers. It still sings." Practical Wisdom & Inspiration: Hear how the Gays wrote their own family Sabbath liturgy, and get actionable ideas for fostering beauty, awe, and storytelling within your own home—no matter your artistic skills. Notable Quotes: “Creativity is not optional. It’s our calling.”“Beauty is the language our culture still understands. Are we speaking it?”“There is no formation without repetition. The job of a parent is to create space for the wild things to run.” – Isaac Gay About the Guests:Isaac and Emily Gay are founders of the Parallel Society, a ministry devoted to discipling artists in biblical truth. With two decades of experience engaging some of the most secular areas of the West, they offer invaluable insight on how the Church can once again become a wellspring of culture and innovation. What if the future of your child’s faith—and the influence of the Church—depends on how we restore this forgotten partnership with creativity and beauty? Tune in for encouragement, theological depth, and practical next steps for every parent who wants to raise a generation that doesn’t just reflect the world, but reclaims it for Christ through the power of art. Connect with Isaac & Emily Gay: isaacandemilygay.com Instagram: Isaac & Emily Connect with Catherine: Instagram Facebook Email at catherine@catherinesegars.com Special Resource for Moms:Looking for more encouragement? Don’t miss Catherine’s free groundbreaking ebook, "Beyond the Lies: Uncovering 5 Myths The Culture Spreads to Mothers." In just 20 minutes, you’ll discover the life-giving truth God speaks over every mom.

In this episode of Lit with Charles, I speak with Alexander Starritt, author of the novels We Germans (2020) and Drayton and Mackenzie (2024).We Germans is a devastatingly humane wartime confession: an elderly German writes a long letter to his British grandson about serving on the Eastern Front, with the grandson's present-day interjections sharpening the moral contrasts between war and ordinary life. Drayton and Mackenzie is a rare, gripping business novel that follows two friends from graduation into the high-stakes world of building a clean-energy company, where private choices collide with macro forces - finance cycles, technology, and industrial realities.We talk about structure (letters, interjections, and the occasional omniscient lens), how fiction can engage with the “big stuff” shaping our lives (economics, climate, technology), why industrial solutions - not apps - sit at the core of decarbonisation, and how character is revealed gradually, the way real people change. We also explore Alexander's rural upbringing, German heritage, and the literary influences that inform his work - from Larkin's melancholy clarity to Tolstoy's vast social canvas.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @litwithcharles.Alexander Starritt's four picks were:“Dockery and Son,” by Philip Larkin (1964)The Shipping News, by Annie Proulx (1993)Red Plenty, by Francis Spufford (2010)War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy (1869)

In the early morning hours of December 2nd, 1805, Rostov was patrolling the skirmishing line near Bagration's detachment. Behind him he could see his army's campfires glowing. In front the French were covered by misty darkness. Rostov was exhausted. His eyes would close and his fancy appeared—now the Emperor, then Denísov or whirling Moscow memories. His hussar companion occasionally alerted him to steer his horse out of bushes.   He was disappointed his unit was not advancing and wanted to ask for permission to join the attack. He was dreaming about The Czar, envisioning how they would have a chance encounter and he would receive an assignment. He was confident he would do a superb job and develop a relationship with the sovereign.  How faithfully he would guard Alexander, tell him the truth and unmask any deceivers!   Rostov pictured how he would humiliate and kill an enemy of the state, either a Frenchman or a deceitful German ally, all in the presence of Alexander. Suddenly, a distant shout aroused him. He opened his eyes but only noticed the surrounding hills and white patches of snow. His mind veered toward his sister, who he wished to tell of his acquaintance with the Czar.  Soon enough, there noticeable sounds in the distance. It appeared to be commotion from a group. He noticed fires igniting all along the landscape.  The shouting grew louder.  He was near one of the main French camps. Rostov could hear French spoken but not the words. The voices merged into a roar only an army could produce.  The lights spread and he heard the triumphant shouting of the enemy – the famous, “Vive l'Empereur! Vive l'Empereur!”  He was witnessing inspired men, more genuine than anything in Rostov's camp.  The spectacle was so obvious that it attracted Generals Bagration and Dulgarukov. The latter suggested it was just a decoy.  Dulgarukov felt the main force retreated but Bagration realized his adversary was a force to be reckoned with and directed Rostov and a few others to investigate.  Rostov was frightened but thrilled to propel into danger.  Bagration called out for the group to not go beyond a certain stream. Rostov pretended not to hear the order. The French voices grew closer and soon enough there was shooting.  The Hussars presence may have been noticed but it also could have been excited French firing  into the air.   Rostov's group retreated back to Bagration.  Rostov reported that the French presence was consistent with previous scouting. Bagration thanked Rostov, who leaped at the opportunity to ask to join a squadron that would  advance.  Bagration allows Rostov to join his own unit, sensing he is meeting Ilya Rostov's son.  Rostov thanks the Lord and felt he was a step closer to becoming involved with the Emperor.    Tolstoy, as Narrator, lets us in on what was happening among the French. There was celebration because Napoleon was riding and sometimes walking through the camps while his written orders were being read.  This would cause the fires, as soldiers would light wisps of straw and run after him; and others would fire guns into the air.   Further, the soldiers knew the critical battle would be fought on the anniversary of Napoleon's coronation, just a year prior at Notre Dame. This was considered a good omen. Tolstoy conveys Napoleon's inspirational and historic message. It includes: Soldiers! I direct all your battalions. I will keep out of fire if you -- with your habitual valor carry disorder and confusion into the enemy's ranks -- but should victory be in doubt, even for a moment, you will see your Emperor exposing himself to the first blows of the enemy, for there must be no doubt of victory, especially on this day when the honour of the French infantry is at stake, so necessary to the honour of our nation.

In questo episodio di "La mia vita spaziale", esploriamo un confronto affascinante tra Lev Tolstoj e Federico Faggin, due giganti del pensiero separati da più di un secolo. Scopriamo come entrambi, pur provenendo da mondi apparentemente opposti, giungano alla straordinaria conclusione che la coscienza è l'unica vera realtà. Cosa hanno in comune un conte russo dell'800 e l'inventore del microprocessore?Affronteremo tematiche come:• La crisi esistenziale di Tolstoj e Faggin e come entrambi abbiano cercato il senso della vita.• L'idea che "la vita è un'illusione della coscienza" e come questa si manifesti in modi diversi nei loro scritti.• La morte come illusione e la scoperta di una coscienza eterna.• L'importanza dell'amore e della comprensione della nostra vera natura come chiave per una vita significativa.Personalmente, credo che questo dialogo tra filosofia e scienza possa cambiare il nostro approccio alla vita. Ti invito ad ascoltare e riflettere su queste idee.

“Each person's task in life is to become an increasingly better person.” - Leo Tolstoy

What truly makes Anna Karenina so significant—as an epitome of world literature—is that it is far more than a tale of love and tragedy. Tolstoy offers us a mirror of the common human condition and suffering—his characters are as alive today, with all their emotional turmoil, just as they were in the 19th century. Today, we're truly honored to welcome back Professor. Julia Titus from Yale University, to guide us into Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece Anna Karenina. Prof. Titus is the author of Dostoevsky as a Translator of Balzac (2022).  Recommended Reading:Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (1878)Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams (1899)This podcast is sponsored by Riverside, a professional conference platform for podcasting.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Comment and interact with our hostsSupport the showOfficial website Tiktok Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Tolstoj ha rivoluzionato la letteratura con romanzi epici e profondi. Analizziamo la sua biografia e le opere più significative della sua produzione.

In this episode of Book Club, Sidney Bloch and Jeremy Holmes unpack The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Leo Tolstoy's exploration of mortality, self-deception, and the search for meaning. They reflect on Ivan's experiences with illness, the reactions of those around him, and his final insights into love, humility, and human connection. The conversation explores the relevance of literature in mental health practice, how it can offer insights into human behaviour, and the ways it can help reflect on life, death, and relationships. Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of Book Club by following MHPN Presents. Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form. Share your comments, questions and feedback about Book Club or any of MHPN's podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

Una visión detallada de eventos y personajes del Imperio Romano, centrándose en el ascenso de Julia Domna y Septimio Severo. A través de extractos de capítulos, agradecimientos y definiciones, se narran intriga política, guerras civiles, la vida cotidiana en Roma y en las fronteras, y la ambición de poder que marcó el periodo posterior a la muerte del emperador Cómodo. La narrativa también destaca la influencia de figuras como Galeno, el médico de los emperadores, y la resistencia de Julia Domna en un mundo dominado por hombres y conflictos. El autor se inspira en la técnica de Tolstoi para entretejer las historias de diversas familias y personajes, brindando una mirada íntima a las complejidades del Imperio Romano y la tenacidad de Julia.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/audio-libros-master/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tune in to hear:What did psychiatrist Dr. Derek Summerfield learn about the importance of treating social circumstances, as opposed to just brain chemistry, during his research in Cambodia on the psychological effects of unexploded landmines?What did St. Francis of Assisi, Leo Tolstoy, Winston Churchill and other luminaries have to say about the importance of giving and charitable service?What do longitudinal studies show about the mental and physical health benefits gained by those who volunteer on behalf of others?Does volunteering make us happier, or are happy people just more likely to volunteer in the first place?Why does our will power often diminish when we feel threatened and swell when we focus on contributing to the greater good? How does this play out in psychological research?What does Adam Grant's book, Give and Take, illustrate about the power of focusing on others in the context of telemarketing? How can this lesson be applied more generally to our lives and our careers?LinksThe Soul of WealthOrion's Market Volatility PortalConnect with UsMeet Dr. Daniel CrosbyCheck Out All of Orion's PodcastsPower Your Growth with OrionCompliance Code: 2361-U-25246

IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was recorded before the fire at El Nopalito. We plan to cover it in our next episode. We are so saddened by this and are hoping to help support the restaurant's rebuild. Leah, Elmer, and Gray are back to talk about what they're contemplating. This episode features an update from Gray's quitting the NYTimes, discussions on homeschooling, the Billboard Hot 100, ventriloquists, and communism. WOW!THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Why So Many Parents are Opting Out of Public Schools — NYTimes The DailyThe Bowl of Soup That Change Me Forever — NYTimesWhat Makes sense in ‘90s nostalgia by Matthew YglesiasNina Conti's Swearing Monkey Puppet | Ventriloquist Stand-Up ComedyNina Conti & Her Clairvoyant Granny Puppet | Ventriloquist Stand-Up Comedy Cunk on Life on NetflixSunlight trailerWhat Then Must We Do? by Leo Tolstoy

Join us for the new episode of The Profitable Podcast as Professor Gary Saul Morson shares his thought-provoking definition of an intellectual—someone who seeks truth independently, values ideas for their own sake, and stands apart from identity-driven thinking. Whether discussing classic Russian Literature or analyzing modern society, Professor Morson is one of the most insightful and consequential scholars of our time. Discover how this interview, and its exploration of timeless topics, can inspire bold, principled leadership and innovation within today's business environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Kozlowski continues testing the limits of algorithmic censorship with a discussion of Communism and Anarchism. No references to the Cookbook here, but we are going to look deeply at some widely varied ideas underlying Anarchist thought, and their justifications for fighting against the state, as well as the underpinning ideas of many 20th century activist movements (which we will discuss in the next lecture).Today's readings are:Lenin's What is to be Done? and The State and RevolutionKropotkin's "Law and Authority"Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within YouGoldman's "Anarchism"Additional Readings include:Thoreau, "On Civil Disobedience"Mills, The Sociological ImaginationFoucault, Discipline and PunishThe Chomsky ReaderOrwell, Homage to CataloniaHemingway, For Whom the Bell TollsHemingway, To Have and Have NotHuxley, IslandSholokhov, And Quiet Flows the DonLeGuin, The DispossessedAnd, of course, the preeminent masterpiece of video games about politics: Disco Elysium

National box wine day. Entertainment from 1985. Calfironia became 31st state, 9 month old named queen of Scotland, 1st cmputer bug fixed. Todays birthdays - Leo Tolstoy, Colonel Sanders, Cliff Robertson, Otis Redding, Doug Ingle, Hugh Grant, Adam Sandler, Eric Stonestreet, Henry Thomas, Michael Buble, Michelle Williams, Hunter Hayes. Burgess Merrideth died.Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran     https://www.diannacorcoran.com/Wine in a box - Zane LampreySt. Elmo's Fire  Man in motion - John ParrModern day romance - The nitty gritty dirt bandHappry Birthday - The BeatlesBirthdays - In da club - 50 Cent     http://50cent.com/Sitting on the dock of the bay - Otis ReddingIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron ButterflySloppy Joe (lunch lady song) - Adam SandlerHaven't met you yet - Michael BubleWanted - Hunter HayesExit - Rolling on - Jason Sturgeon    https://www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com/countryundergroundradio.comHistory & Factoids webpage

The weakness of our current version of AI is that it extracts its knowledge only from what we have taught it.Things that are rarely done are difficult for AI to imitate.AI has confidence in things that are repeated online ad infinitum.*Predictable ads follow the orthodox guidelines taught in every college in America. AI can find countless examples of these ads online. This is why AI can write predictable ads that look, feel, sound and smell like all those other predictable ads.Predictability is a thief that robs you in broad daylight.If you want your ads to remarkably outperform the predictable ads written by AI; if you want your ads to be noticed and remembered; you must do what is rarely done.Enter your subject from a new angle, a surprising angle, a different angle.Write an opening line that makes no sense.Cause that opening line to make perfect sense in less than 30 seconds.This technique is known as Random Entry and almost no one ever uses it.“I'm John Hayes and I'm talking today with GoGo Gecko.”“I was a 10-year-old boy holding a flashlight for my father.”“Mr. Jenkins?”“Yes, Bobby.”“How much should a hamster weigh?”“There's Elmer Fudd, Elmer's Glue, and me, Elmer Zubiate.”Random Entry is not orthodox. Random Entry is not predictable.“What makes our company, our product, our service different from our competitors?”If you ask yourself that question, you will come up with the same 3 or 4 opening lines that each of your competitors will come up with when they ask those same questions. Your ads, and their ads, will look, feel, sound and smell like ads.When you begin in a predictable way, it is hard to be unpredictable.AI ads feel like ads because AI cannot (1.) identify, (2.) justify, or (3.) rectify Random Entry.Identify.AI cannot find examples of what does not exist. But you can create it.Justify.AI cannot bridge a random opening line into an unrelated subject. But you can build that bridge.Rectify.AI cannot reconcile a random opening line so that it makes perfect sense. But you can create a metaphor out of thin air.When a novel becomes a bestselling book that gets made into a movie, you can be certain that it was built upon a weird and unexpected – but highly engaging – opening line.“Call me Ishmael.”– Herman Melville, Moby-Dick“Where's Papa going with that axe?”– E.B. White, Charlotte's Web“Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”– Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”– George Orwell, 1984“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”– Leo Tolstoy, Anna KareninaChoose any one of those opening lines and tell your favorite AI to write an ad for your business using EXACTLY that line as the opening line. If your AI is successful, it will be due to the fact that you gave it a series of extremely insightful prompts. (Probably based on some of the things you learned in this Monday Morning Memo.)Srinivas Rao recently wrote, “Confessions of a Master Bullshit Artist, aka ChatGPT.”You think I'm a genius. I'm not. I'm an overconfident parrot in a lab coat.I don't know anything, check anything...

Circles, glorious circles, no beginning and no end, round as the day is long, perfect as a polished samovar at dawn.But what happens if you take the humble circle and then slightly overlap it with another circle? What then? What might happen? What could you call it? What would it do?Join us this week as we vennture into not one, but two War and Peace circles that risk overlapping at any moment.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️Support the show, say Hello, and find the thoroughly diplomat extras at:patreon.com/wapin7Including... (Free!) bonus content, Tolstoy's Hall of Fame, and special episodes.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Pierre Bezukhov's captivity in War and Peace leads him to a discovery straight out of yogic wisdom: happiness is within, suffering can transform into blessing, and the company of a saintly soul changes everything. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack Tolstoy's descriptions of Pierre's awakening through Platon Karataev and connect them with the bhakti truths of the Bhagavad-Gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. From Pierre's realization that “Life is everything. Life is God” to baby Krishna's playful liberation of two fallen demigods, the timeless message shines through—what looks like misery may be the doorway to divine joy. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.20-31 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t ********************************************************************* To donate or get a set of Srimad Bhagavatam during this Bhadra Purnima, contact Malini here: +1 (669) 289-5563

Pierre Bezukhov's captivity in War and Peace leads him to a discovery straight out of yogic wisdom: happiness is within, suffering can transform into blessing, and the company of a saintly soul changes everything. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack Tolstoy's descriptions of Pierre's awakening through Platon Karataev and connect them with the bhakti truths of the Bhagavad-Gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. From Pierre's realization that “Life is everything. Life is God” to baby Krishna's playful liberation of two fallen demigods, the timeless message shines through—what looks like misery may be the doorway to divine joy. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.20-31 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t ********************************************************************* To donate or get a set of Srimad Bhagavatam during this Bhadra Purnima, contact Malini here: +1 (669) 289-5563

Emmy and Natalia process their big feelings around the school shooting in Minneapolis this last week, and how we're trying to hold more than despair.  Links talked about it today's episode: Tolstoy and Trump Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-171917579  Glennon and Abby chat: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNit0TKtDgY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTNoajNtN2pudDVybA==  Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/  Everytown: https://www.everytown.org/ 

Tamilaudiobooks # tamilsiru kathaigal# audiokathaigal # Tolstoy #

In a few chapters, you will read one of the triumphs in literature, borrowed from the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament.Tolstoy will have the fictional Andrei recognize the Vanity of our world. On the battlefield, Andrei is placed in a posture that makes him attuned to absorbing the nature of war & peace; and much more.In preparation for this moment, I ask you to take a tiny step toward developing the ability to see behind the vanity & vexation of our existence. If inclined, read the beginning of Ecclesiastes – as Andrei will paraphrase this material while speaking to the meaningless and futility of not seeing beyond the issues of the day.Conceding most will never going to do that… the critical and initial part of Ecclesiastes 1 reads: Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher (often identified as Solomon); All is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour, which he taketh under the sun?Then Scripture references then unrelenting cycles of nature --One generation passeth away, and another cometh: but the earth abideth;The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteneth to his place where it arose.The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north;it whirleth about continually, and returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place from where the rivers come, thither they return again.War & Peace is an everlasting work, in part, by reason of Tolstoy's influence from Scripture. Within this vein, Tolstoy has been able to capture the artist's ability to see beyond and touch the Transcendent! Tolstoy was able to skillfully -- not to just look to the baseness of what is in front, or below us, in creating something entertaining -- but he is able to enter the sacred space of fulfilling the spiritual need of appreciating the infiniteness above. So, this chapter is a reminder open yourself to this dynamic. For you ALL have Your own wars and periods of peace.Therefore, take a moment, to recognize what is here and now is not as significant as it seems, whether it is the Battle at Austerlitz or the so-call grand historical events of Your life. All of that is microscopic compared to what is above.If you are not interested in wrestling with the Bible,  you can at least, take a look up to the sky and concentrate for a few seconds. This simple exercise gives us a sense of our size and the ineffability of what we are taking in.   Consider our quarrels and even the wars men are so-often thrown into and what really mean in the grand sense.The exercise will build and appreciation for a pivotal moment in the book and more importantly,  life in general.  You will catch this moment soon, if you don't know it already, on the fields of Austerlitz.Moreover, most readers fail realize something rather obvious, that the title and phrase War & Peace appears in the famous poetry of Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, where the Scripture notes that there is a Time for every purpose under Heaven, including a time for War; and a Time of Peace.

The night before the Battle, General Weyrother, who coordinated the advance, traveled to Kutuzov's quarters in a castle near Austerlitz for a council of war. Kutuzov was a reluctant and relegated host.   Weyrother is presented as full of vigor while Kutuzov was morose, with his uniform unbuttoned and nearly asleep in a chair. Weyrother was familiar with the terrain but was unable to competently explain the nature of this Moravian land. He spoke in front of an enormous map and went through the battle-plan. It involved a flanking maneuver and pursuit over a forest as well as descriptions of how the columns would march. He was exhausted and lost all sense of deference to the other attendees. Kutuzov's response was to snore – at one point waking up startled and giving a condescending “YES! YES!,” and nodding off again.   Tolstoy then symbolizes how some high-level officers are said to have reacted at the historic encounter.   Friedrich Wilhelm Graf von Buxhöwden, hardly paid attention. Like many of the Russian  officer class, his name had German roots.  Mikhail Miloradovich  “with wide-open eyes and a mustache twisted upwards,” sat in a military posture remaining silent.  Unimpressed, he complained to himself but loud enough to be heard, “A geography lesson!?”  Dimitry Dohktúrov, a small and modest man.  was studying the unfamiliar localities on the map and found the plan confusing.  There was also Count Louis Langeron, a French émigré, who gazed at his delicate fingers twirling a gold snuffbox. He tried to contribute his own ideas but was rebuffed.  A prominent Polish official, Ignacy Przebyszéwski,  was  described as carrying a dignified politeness. Thus, the command was an eclectic mix of ethnic Germans, aristocratic Russians, a Frenchman and even a Pole. Late in the council, Langeron finally got a chance to convey how difficult it would be to carry out such a strategy since the enemy's position was only assumed and Bonaparte might attack and render the plan worthless.  Tolstoy expresses that those spoken down to could have advised Weyrother about military matters. It is a hindsight presentation of a doomed mission. Historically, Weyrother would not have been spearheading the effort if Gen. Johann Schmit had not been killed. Weyrother met all objections with contempt, finding it ridiculous to debate a disposition approved by the Emperors. He felt the only thing to fear was the French retreating. He noted: “If Napolean could attack us, he would have done so today.” When Weyrother is nearly finished, Tolstoy brings in the fictional Andrei to get into the mindset of the noble officer who faces such an affair. Andrei asks for a clarification but Weyrother cuts him off with  “Gentlemen, the dispositions for tomorrow—or rather for today, for it is past midnight—cannot be altered. You have heard them and we shall all do our duty. Before a battle, there is nothing more important than to have a good sleep.”  Andrei could sense that nobody was inspired by the talk.  He wondered how Alexander was not influenced by Kutuzov's reticence.  He realized all their lives were placed at needless risk.  He considers, “It is very likely that I shall be killed tomorrow” and  a series of memories arose.  Andrei remembered parting from his father and dwelled on his wife and her pregnancy. In a softened mood he went out into the early December night. “Tomorrow everything may be over for me and these memories will be no more.”  He became certain he would be called to account as a soldier and man.  He pictured the battle in light of the sober analysis from Kutuzov. He imagined having the opportunity to firmly express his opinion of the futility of the present course to Kutuzov, Weyrother and the Emperors. While they would be impressed, no one would listen to him. He visualizes the forthcoming hesitation. He senses that his Toulon (the famous battle that catapulted Napoleon's career)  will present itself and envisions taking a regiment and leading it victory. He even pictures Kutuzov being removed appointed in the Commander's place! However, another voice suggesting he would be wounded or killed.  He considered, “I don't know what will happen, but admits he desires Glory -- to be known to men and loved by them.”  He finds no Fault that earthly glory is all that he lives for! In pursuit of such esteem, he fears nothing, neither his own death nor the loss of his family.  Though his family is precious, he has psyched himself up to point that he would trade them all for just a moment of that glory.

Recorded by staff of the Academy of American Poets for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. Published on August 23, 2025. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.poets.org

In this 200th episode of the Deeper Podcast, we dive into Jesus's most perplexing parable, the shrewd manager (Luke 16), and unlock its surprising wisdom about generosity. This episode explores what it truly means to be a good steward of our resources for eternal impact. We'll also tackle the philosophical question of whether we own our possessions or our possessions own us, drawing from the insights of Leo Tolstoy. The conversation is grounded in practical wisdom from the book When Helping Hurts, helping us understand how our approach to generosity can lead to genuine, lasting change.

Thomas Kemple‘s new book is an extraordinarily thoughtful invitation to approach Max Weber (1864-1920) as a performer, and to experience Weber's work by attending to his spoken and written voice. Intellectual Work and the Spirit of Capitalism: Weber's Calling (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) looks carefully at the literary structure and aesthetic elements of Weber's arguments, considering how the texts offer an “allegorical resource for thinking sociologically.” Kemple argues that the formal structure of Weber's ideas is inseparable from the content, and that understanding one is crucial for understanding the other. As a way into that formal structure, in each chapter Kemple offers an ingenious visual diagram that acts as a kind of “talking picture,” simultaneously evoking the cinematic elements of Weber's own work and giving readers another tool for engaging the performative aspects of it. Kemple's book is particularly attentive to the ways that Weber's performance is shaped by a close engagement with the work of other writers, musicians, and thinkers, from Goethe and Tolstoy to Machiavelli and Martin Luther, and from the Bhagavadgita to The Valkyries. In addition, Marianne Weber – Max's “wife, intellectual partner, and posthumous editor” – is an important presence throughout the book in helping us understand and read Weber's work anew. Kemple's thoughtful and beautifully written analysis helps us understand not just Weber's own work, but also the value of that work for attending to issues of our own present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Russian knows him purely by his patronym. He was the general who triumphed over Napoleon's Grande Armée during the Patriotic War of 1812, not merely restoring national pride but securing national identity. Many Russians consider Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Golenischev-Kutuzov the greatest figure of the 19th century, ahead of Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, even Tolstoy himself. Immediately after his death in 1813, Kutuzov's remains were hurried into the pantheon of heroes. Statues of him rose up across the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union. Over the course of decades and centuries he hardened into legend. As award-winning author Alexander Mikaberidze shows in Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace (Oxford UP, 2022), Kutuzov's story is far more compelling and complex than the myths that have encased him. An unabashed imperialist who rose in the ranks through his victories over the Turks and the Poles, Kutuzov was also a realist and a skeptic about military power. When the Russians and their allies were routed by the French at Austerlitz he was openly appalled by the incompetence of leadership and the sheer waste of life. Over his long career--marked equally by victory and defeat, embrace and ostracism--he grew to despise those whose concept of war had devolved to mindless attack. Here, at last, is Kutuzov as he really was--a master and survivor of intrigue, moving in and out of royal favor, committed to the welfare of those under his command, and an innovative strategist. When, reluctantly and at the 11th hour, Czar Alexander I called upon him to lead the fight against Napoleon's invading army, Kutuzov accomplished what needed to be done not by a heroic charge but by a strategic retreat. Across the generations, portraits of Kutuzov have ranged from hagiography to dismissal, with Tolstoy's portrait of him in War and Peace perhaps the most indelible of all. This immersive biography returns a touchstone figure in Russian history to human scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

Today's story is based on The Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy, adapted and written for you by Daniel Hinds. The king seeks answers to these three questions: When is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people? What is the most important thing to do? Check out Stories RPG our new show where we play games like Starsworn with all your Max Goodname friends, and Gigacity Guardians featuring the brilliant firefly! https://link.chtbl.com/gigacity Draw us a picture of what you think any of the characters in this story look like, and then tag us in it on instagram @storiespodcast! We'd love to see your artwork and share it on our feed!! If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can subscribe and give us a five star review on iTunes, check out our merch at storiespodcast.com/shop, follow us on Instagram @storiespodcast, or just tell your friends about us! Check out our new YouTube channel at youtube.com/storiespodcast. If you've ever wanted to read along with our stories, now you can! These read-along versions of our stories are great for early readers trying to improve their skills or even adults learning English for the first time. Check it out.

Have you ever felt that conflict deep in your soul? The world screams for justice, but the words of Jesus echo in your spirit, telling you to turn the other cheek. This isn't a contradiction; it's a battle plan—a spiritual technology so powerful it changed the world. In this episode of "Coffee with Conrad," we trace the revolutionary path of nonviolence not as passive pacifism, but as an offensive spiritual declaration of war against the enemy. We'll uncover how the torch of truth, lit by Jesus, was passed to Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and finally to Martin Luther King Jr., igniting transformative change in their wake Key Takeaways:The Battlefield and the Weapon: The true meaning of "turning the other cheek" is an active confrontation with spiritual weapons of love and truth, not passive resignation. Our battle is not against "flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness" (Ephesians 6).A Chain of Torchbearers: Learn how the radical idea of non-resistance to evil was passed from Jesus to Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, who wrote The Kingdom of God Is Within You. This book then influenced a young Indian lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi, who forged the concept into a weapon he calledIgniting America: Discover how Martin Luther King Jr. found in Gandhi's satyagraha the method he needed to put the Christian doctrine of love into social action. King's nonviolent approach, rooted in agape love, led to monumental change like the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Your Calling and Your Hill: Each of us has a specific calling—a "divine assignment" where our passion aligns with kingdom purposes. The key is to find your "hill to die on" and confront the spiritual forces behind that specific injustice with Jesus's revolutionary love.Study the Word and the Torchbearers: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15). The chain of truth shows that one idea from Jesus can change the world, and we can be warriors for this cause by studying these principles"The Demon Slayer: John Wesley's Hidden Spiritual Battles" https://youtu.be/LK5npfA0YWA?si=zHcjynJx0uTaLweT The Kingdom of God Is Within You by Leo Tolstoy https://amzn.to/3H8klSu Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr https://amzn.to/45kqkM8 My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi https://amzn.to/3JiOS0k Connect With Me:Blog: conradrocks.nethttps://www.conradrocks.net/Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok https://www.facebook.com/conrad.carrikerhttps://www.instagram.com/conradcarrikerhttps://twitter.com/MostRadicalManhttps://www.tiktok.com/@supernaturalchristianityFree Resources:Try Audible Free Trial https://amzn.to/2MT9aQWGet Readwise Free Trial https://readwise.io/i/conrad8Get Remnote Free Trial https://www.remnote.com/invite/sRJnqJujEgsGoLuc2Start Amazon Prime Free Trial https://amzn.to/2JtymteFor Creators: Get $10 off StreamYard https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5663052624035840My Work:Books: Open Your Eyes | Night Terror https://amzn.to/3RJx7byhttps://amzn.to/3XRFohlShop: Team Jesus T-Shirts https://teespring.com/stores/team-jesus-4Support:PayPal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ConradRocksThings we need on our Ministry WishList https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GSBT99APHFQR?ref_=wl_share

Every Russian knows him purely by his patronym. He was the general who triumphed over Napoleon's Grande Armée during the Patriotic War of 1812, not merely restoring national pride but securing national identity. Many Russians consider Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Golenischev-Kutuzov the greatest figure of the 19th century, ahead of Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, even Tolstoy himself. Immediately after his death in 1813, Kutuzov's remains were hurried into the pantheon of heroes. Statues of him rose up across the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union. Over the course of decades and centuries he hardened into legend. As award-winning author Alexander Mikaberidze shows in Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace (Oxford UP, 2022), Kutuzov's story is far more compelling and complex than the myths that have encased him. An unabashed imperialist who rose in the ranks through his victories over the Turks and the Poles, Kutuzov was also a realist and a skeptic about military power. When the Russians and their allies were routed by the French at Austerlitz he was openly appalled by the incompetence of leadership and the sheer waste of life. Over his long career--marked equally by victory and defeat, embrace and ostracism--he grew to despise those whose concept of war had devolved to mindless attack. Here, at last, is Kutuzov as he really was--a master and survivor of intrigue, moving in and out of royal favor, committed to the welfare of those under his command, and an innovative strategist. When, reluctantly and at the 11th hour, Czar Alexander I called upon him to lead the fight against Napoleon's invading army, Kutuzov accomplished what needed to be done not by a heroic charge but by a strategic retreat. Across the generations, portraits of Kutuzov have ranged from hagiography to dismissal, with Tolstoy's portrait of him in War and Peace perhaps the most indelible of all. This immersive biography returns a touchstone figure in Russian history to human scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Every Russian knows him purely by his patronym. He was the general who triumphed over Napoleon's Grande Armée during the Patriotic War of 1812, not merely restoring national pride but securing national identity. Many Russians consider Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Golenischev-Kutuzov the greatest figure of the 19th century, ahead of Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, even Tolstoy himself. Immediately after his death in 1813, Kutuzov's remains were hurried into the pantheon of heroes. Statues of him rose up across the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union. Over the course of decades and centuries he hardened into legend. As award-winning author Alexander Mikaberidze shows in Kutuzov: A Life in War and Peace (Oxford UP, 2022), Kutuzov's story is far more compelling and complex than the myths that have encased him. An unabashed imperialist who rose in the ranks through his victories over the Turks and the Poles, Kutuzov was also a realist and a skeptic about military power. When the Russians and their allies were routed by the French at Austerlitz he was openly appalled by the incompetence of leadership and the sheer waste of life. Over his long career--marked equally by victory and defeat, embrace and ostracism--he grew to despise those whose concept of war had devolved to mindless attack. Here, at last, is Kutuzov as he really was--a master and survivor of intrigue, moving in and out of royal favor, committed to the welfare of those under his command, and an innovative strategist. When, reluctantly and at the 11th hour, Czar Alexander I called upon him to lead the fight against Napoleon's invading army, Kutuzov accomplished what needed to be done not by a heroic charge but by a strategic retreat. Across the generations, portraits of Kutuzov have ranged from hagiography to dismissal, with Tolstoy's portrait of him in War and Peace perhaps the most indelible of all. This immersive biography returns a touchstone figure in Russian history to human scale. 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

Cooper and Tanner scratch the surface in their discussion of Tolstoy's legendary novel, Anna Karenina. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:@bookinitpodCHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE:https://412podcasting.comSUPPORT US HERE:https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

How and when did Russia become a country of smokers? Why did makhorka and papirosy become ubiquitous products of tobacco consumption? Tricia Starks explores these themes as well as the connections between tobacco, gender, and empire in her latest monograph, Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia (Cornell University Press, 2018). Starks illustrates how tobacco influenced facets of life, politics, morality, and culture in the 19th century from the perspectives of tobacco users, producers, and objectors. The book includes full-color ads for tobacco and papirosy cigarettes that add to the book's rich prose. From Tolstoy's anti-tobacco screed to the “Tobacco Queens” of St. Petersburg, Starks uses primary sources to craft an edifying narrative of the history of tobacco and tobacco consumption in the imperial period. Tricia Starks is Professor of History at the University of Arkansas. Her research interests include Russian and Soviet history, public health and the history of medicine, as well as culture and gender. Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon is a History Instructor at Lee College. 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

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ.Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few.These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, John Givens, and Dana Dragunoiu.Michael Marder is Ikerbasque Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Emrah Atasoy is a professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick. John Givens is a professor of Russian at the University of Rochester and the author of 'The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak'. Dana Dragunoiu the author of 'Vladimir Nabokov and the Art of Moral Acts' and 'Simply Nabokov'. And don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with 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.

There is a special category when it comes to Beethoven; a catalogue that doesn't include complete symphonies, sonatas, concerti, string quartets, etc., but just single movements. This is the catalogue of great Beethoven slow movements. Beethoven's slow movements are like a great Tolstoy novel. They span the gamut of human experience and also reach beyond it, into something we cannot understand but all somehow perceive. Simply put, Beethoven often seems to know us better than we know ourselves. This brings me to the slow movement of Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata. Unlike those late quartet slow movements, the slow movement of the Hammerklavier is not about ecstatic contemplation. Instead, it is a movement of pure and profound despair. It has been described as “a mausoleum of the collective suffering of the world,” and “the apotheosis of pain, of that deep sorrow for which there is no remedy, and which finds expression not in passionate outpourings, but in the immeasurable stillness of utter woe.” This is not a movement I would necessarily enter into lightly as you go about your day—it requires you to take a moment and enter a world unlike any other. Today, in Part 2 of this Patreon-sponsored exploration of this great, in all senses of the word, Sonata, we'll go through this slow movement in detail. Then we'll tackle the life-affirming and maddeningly complex last movement, which is not quite the antidote to the slow movement, but perhaps it is the only possible answer to the questions the third movement so profoundly asks. Join us! 

Margaret reads you a story about mental health, panic disorders, and anticapitalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this live lecture from Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson weaves through biblical narratives and cultural critique—from Tolstoy's suicidal despair to Moses' encounter with the burning bush, from Cain's failed sacrifice to James Bond as the symbol of romantic adventure. What do these stories have in common? What happens when we replace transcendent pursuit with technological pride or ideological dogma? This is a warning—and a call—to speak the truth, take up your cross, and climb.  This “We Who Wrestle With God” tour stop was filmed in Omaha, NE, on October 21st, 2024.