Episode 71: Dana Gioia on the Tragic Thought of Seneca

In this episode, I speak with Rachel Wiseman and Anastasia Berg, both of whom are editors at The Point magazine, about Sally Rooney's "Beautiful World Where Are You?" I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this season finale, I speak with Donald Kochan, who is a Professor of Law at George Washington University's Antonin Scalia Law School. We discuss George Orwell's essay, "Politics and the English Language". I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this episode, I speak with Carlos Eire, renowned historian of the late medieval and early modern era and winner of the National Book Award for Nonfiction for "Waiting for Snow in Havana." In this episode, we discuss St. Bonaventure and desire. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this episode, I speak with National Book Award winner Phil Klay, author of "Redeployment" and "Missionaries". We discuss a novel you've probably never heard of, but very fun: "Beer in the Snooker Club" by Egyptian writer Waguih Ghali. I hope you enjoy our conversation. 

In this episode, Professor Michael Foley and I discuss the differences between the titular concepts of this podcast, namely, the 'sacred' and the 'profane'. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this episode, I speak with Merve Emre, renowned author and literary critic, on Henry James's "The Portrait of a Lady". I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this episode, I speak with John Marenbon, Cambridge Professor of medieval philosophy and world expert on Boethius, about Boethius's masterwork "Consolation of Philosophy". I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this season finale, internationally acclaimed poet Dana Gioia and I discuss Seneca's thought in general, and his tragic work The Madness of Hercules in particular. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

In this episode, I speak with my colleague, Lars Engle, on the poetry and person of John Donne. There is no poet more attuned to the connections between the sacred and the profane than Donne, and it was a pleasure to hear Donne's poetic voice through Engle's readings. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

In this episode, I discuss Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian with Aaron Gwyn.  I hope you enjoy our conversation!