We Know When We Have Sufficiently Atoned

In this podcast, we discuss Canto 27 of Dante's "Purgatorio." What are its key themes, and various meanings? We emphasize the purgative and redemptive fire, the contrast between the active and contemplative life, free will, and Virgil's poignant and profound words of farewell to Dante.

In this podcast, we discuss Canto XVII of Dante's "Purgatorio." We examine the three types of wrath, and the legends Dante has used to illustrate this sin. We also briefly point out the sin of sloth, also known as "acedia" or "acedy," and explain why it is a particularly insidious vice.

Dante's opening canto of the "Purgatorio" describes his and Virgil's emergence from Hell. They find themselves in the southern hemisphere, confronted by Purgatory, which is presented as an immense mountain. Dante's conception of Purgatory is different from his depiction of Hell, and we discuss one such difference.

There are some fantastic low-budget movies out there. Some of them are so good that they approach the level of "comfort movies": that is, films you enjoy returning to again and again, and that can improve your mood. This podcast is about some of my favorite B-movies. Some you may already have seen, but many you may have overlooked.

In this podcast we explore two movies. The first is "A Patch of Fog," a British psychological thriller from 2015, and the newly-released film "The Dog Stars" (2026), a post-apocalypse drama starring Josh Brolin. Both are satisfying movies, and invite useful contemplation. We discuss.

I just finished watching the 2021 documentary film "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain." It chronicles the life and tragic end of the celebrity chef and traveler Anthony Bourdain. I see his tragedy as a cautionary tale. What was the source of his despair? And what lessons, if any, can be learned from his story?

A recent trip to Manaus, Brazil prompted some thoughts about the limited time we have on this earth, and what we can do to make the most of our efforts. What things are within our control? What things are not? And how can we know when we are deceiving ourselves?

In this podcast we discuss a short moral essay of Samuel Johnson. In the essay, a narrator, who was once poor but now is rich, desires to return to his hometown and treat with condescension those who once viewed him with disdain. His scheme of petty revenge, however, does not play out as he wishes. We discuss why, and what the implications are.

A reader is experiencing some difficulties in his job search. He just graduated from a respected degree program, but job opportunities are hard to come by. His morale is sagging, and he's not sure if he should stay in his desired location, or look elsewhere. We discuss.

There are times when we try to share fond memories of the past with friends, family, or former lovers. Yet, we often find that these nostalgic recollections are not acknowledged or reciprocated as much as we would like. We may feel emotionally spurned, or shut out. Why is this? We discuss