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Classical Stuff You Should Know

Classical Stuff You Should Know

A.J. Hanenburg

Books, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Arts, Education

4.7857 Ratings

Overview

A.J., Graeme, and Thomas discuss everything having to do with the classical world. Our aim is to help both educators and laypeople enjoy the classical world as much as they enjoy fine ales and good tales.

306 Episodes

302: Of Mice and Men

In this episode, A.J. talks about George and Lennie and their unfortunate run-in with wannabe boxer.

Transcribed - Published: 18 May 2026

301: Crime and Punishment Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

In this episode, Graeme finishes what he began in episode 299: a full retelling of Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." Honestly, I would listen to more audiobooks if they were just Graeme telling me stories.

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2026

300: 300

COME BACK WITH YOUR SHIELD OR ON IT

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2026

299: Crime and Punishment: Raskolnikov the Edgelord

In this episode, we dive into Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." We've never really done the whole book in an episode before, so this is (part 1) of a great little introduction for those thinking about reading the book or teaching it to a few edgelords of your own.

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2026

298: Federalist Papers #10

In this episode, Graeme walks us through the complicated world of factions. How do we make sure that everybody . . . and nobody . . . gets what they want?

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2026

297: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Fall of the House of Usher"

In this episode we cover a little of Poe's life, then two of his famous stories.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2026

296: Coleridge's "Kubla Khan"

In this episode, we discuss how Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" relates to the victory of Romanticism. That, and we giggle sometimes.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2026

295: Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

In this episode, we discuss ol' Robinson Crusoe, how he lived on the island, and escaped twenty-eight years later. It's . . . kinda good?

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2026

294: The Servile State, by Hilaire Belloc

In this episode, Graeme introduces us to "The Servile State," by Hilaire Belloc. All I know is that living in the woods has always been attractive to me, and now Graeme introduces fishing? Hot diggity, look for me near the trees, boys!

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2026

293: Cinderella

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2026

292: Nominalism and William of Ockham

In this episode, we learn about William of Ockham's ridiculous notion that our words don't mean anything. Then why am I even writing this, WILLIAM. WHY DO WE EVEN TALK. You can tell that I (A.J.) am a big fan of this theory.

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2025

291: J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas"

Apparently Tolkien is a fabulous illustrator. Who knew? I've seriously looked up prints, and they are weirdly hard to find . . . but enchanting. Oh, this episode is about Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2025

290: Civil Disobedience by David Henry Thoreau

In this episode, we learn how to---as Graeme would say---RIP THE SYSTEM. Well, at least until an aunt bails us out.

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

289: John Bunyan and Babe le bœuf bleu

In this episode, we talk about allegory and cattle. Oh, and Pilgrim's Progress

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

288: Macbeth Inverted

In this episode, Graeme talks us through a framework in which we can experience Macbeth (you know, that Scottish play). Turns out that when you kill a Scottish king, everything goes topsy turvy.

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

287: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving

Ever heard of the headless horseman? Did you know he was a Hessian Soldier? Do you know where the Jack-o-lantern comes from? FIND OUT IN THIS SPOOOOOOOKY EPISODE.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

286: Prince Darling

Faeries. Stay away from them or you'll have your finger pricked all to heck.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025

285: The Democratic Man: Plato's Republic Revisited

In this episode, Graeme discusses the degradation of man as a reflection of the degradation of the state suggested in Plato's Republic, Book VIII. Apparently true freedom is bloodshed.

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

284: Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"

In this (far too long) episode, we play a quiz show with a cake as a prize. Because really, that's what every war is about: cake.

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

283: Beauty and the Beast

Thomas continues his series on children's books with the (an?) original Beauty and the Beast tale. It's pretty lovely. Is it bad if I want to be Thomas's kid?

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025

282: Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

In this episode, we discuss Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility," along with a bunch of doofy males. I mean we discuss them, we don't podcast with them.

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

281: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Evil deeds? Never. I would never do that. I mean, somebody else might. But I never would. Trample a child? Nah. Nope. Not me.

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025

280: Raskolnikov and Narcissism

In this episode, Graeme tells us of the Narcissism of Raskolnikov. I mean, Graeme tells you, but A.J. had all the ideas (please give him validation).

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

279: Aesop's Fables

In this episode, we talk about ants, grasshoppers, scorpions, and a fish named Chris.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

278: Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations"

Ever feel like reading the diary of a Roman emperor? Boy have I got the book for you.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

277: "Emma," by Jane Austen

In this episode, Graeme tells us the story of Emma, a meddler, someone who doesn't know as much as she thinks she does. Join us, listener, as we take a journey with a socialite.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

276: Dyskolos (my favorite DJ)

In this episode, A.J. is a grouch and falls in a well, Graeme is lovestruck, and Thomas talks us through Menander's play "Dyskolos."

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

275: Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener"

I would love to give you a summary of the episode, but I prefer not to.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

274: The Lord of the Flies

So I MAY have missed that Satan is sometimes called the Lord of the Flies. I see that now. I admit I make mistakes. But hey, at least I caught on to the rest of the biblical imagery.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

273: Against Christian Civilization

In this episode, we discuss Paul Kingsnorth's lecture about Christian civilization. Some are for it. Some against it. Settle it with a boxing match? Yes please.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

272: Sir Thomas More

"Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?"

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

271: The Socratic Method

In this episode, you get a semi-faithful reproduction of the talk AJ did on the Socratic Method. TLDR: just ask questions and try not to be obnoxious.

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

270: Phaedo

Ever wonder what Socrates discussed with his buds before he drank the poison? Well, it was the soul. Now you know. You can skip the episode I guess.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

269: Plato v. Aristotle

Aristotle and Plato have very different approaches to epistemology. In this episode, we discuss the implications of each.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

268: Hamlet and Socrates and Death

In this episode, we discuss the views of two famous dudes on Death. One is old and makes everyone else overthink everything. The other is young and overthinks everything himself.

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024

267: Plato's Dialogues: Meno

In this episode, you'll recall (not learn) how Socrates and Meno try to figure out if Virtue can be taught. You'll remember that it can't.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2024

266: A Parley with Youth

In this episode, Thomas talks us through the new book by Josh Gibbs: A Parley with Youth. If I remember anything from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, "Parley" means something about booty.

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2024

265: The Great Gatsby

In this episode, we talk about how the American dream will leave you dead in your swimming pool.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

264: An interview with Davies Owens and Keith McCurdy

Thomas interviews Davies Owens and Keith McCurdy. Davies is the current host of Basecamp Live, and Keith is the founder of Live Sturdy, LLC. Both have various other credentials. Oh heck, just listen to the episode already.

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2024

263: The Ballad of the White Horse and Some Dudes Who Sing

We revisit a book we've done an episode on already. But here's the thing, folks: the book is so dang good, and Graeme walks us through the intricacies of a specific scene in this one. And it's good. Soooooo good. In my humble opinion.

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2024

262: The Wrath of Khan

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2024

261: Montessori

In this episode we play the game of Life, explore notions on education, and interact with each other. But we do these things in a carefully cultivated environment designed to guide our inclinations toward growth and improvement.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

260: The Plantagenets 13: A Fairytale

Uh, yeah, we're obviously big fans of good ol' Tudor. Just come this way. No cops.

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2024

259: Genghis Khan 4: Anda Undone!

In this episode, the Khan sees his most cherished relationships deteriorate. Anda? Nah. More like dead.

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2024

258: Plantagenets 12: Three Kings in Three Months

This is the penultimate episode of Graeme's series on the war of the roses. There's only one more. It's the end of an era. I, for one, grieve.

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2024

257: Plantagenets 11: Bleeding to Death from a Broken Heart

Turns out that a king who is good at war sometimes wins wars. Sometimes that means kids beg for their lives. Sometimes that mean someone gets bludgeoned. BUT WE JUST HAVE TO LET THE KING LIVE HIS LIFE OKAY

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2024

256: Genghis Khan 3: Loki and the Frat Battle

In this episode, we see the slow degradation of brotherhood, the lamentable breakdown of relationship. Also in this episode: spine cracking wrestling; young love; beating people up with sticks; and knucklebones, the game!

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2024

255: Winnie the Pooh

Where does the Pooh part come from? A swan. That's all the explanation you'll get.

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2024

254: Kristin Lavransdatter 2: "I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL"

In this episode, I admit that while I, Graeme, have some good points, A.J. is ultimately right. He's convinced me with the gravity of his intellect couched in both wit and charm. What a great guy, that A.J..

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2024

253: Beatrix Potter

In this episode, Thomas walks us through the storied life of Beatrix Potter. We also discuss a bully rabbit.

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2024

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from A.J. Hanenburg, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

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