You're probably familiar with the mythological tale of Hercules (or "Heracles" as the hero was originally called) from books, comics, and movies. But while Hercules is often rendered as a kind of one-dimensional superhero in popular culture, my guest today argues that he's actually quite a complex character, and that the story of how he completed twelve epic ... Show More
Aug 25
The Lost Virtue of Thumos (And Why Men Need It)
The ancient Greeks believed the human soul had three parts: reason, appetite, and something called thumos. Thumos is difficult to translate into English. It encompasses anger, noble spiritedness, pride, ambition, a sense of honor, and the drive to act. The Greeks thought it was e ... Show More
53m 5s
Jan 2019
Hercules Pt. 1: Strength in Suffering
Of all the mythological figures of Ancient Greece, none has maintained as much prominence as Hercules, the demigod gifted with super strength. While many of us know of Hercules's feats, his childhood and early life were defined by drastic mistakes and their gruesome consequences. ... Show More
44m 15s
Nov 2017
Heracles (Hercules) the Gospel Truth (Heracles Part Two)
Heracles and his first six labours. He sure was a hero, but there's a lot more work and a lot less fun than the Disney version. CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be w ... Show More
26m 6s
Sep 2015
10A-Hercules: Going into Labor
The story of Hercules is one part gritty, serious tragedy and two parts over-the-top monster fights. This week, in the origin story of one of the greatest mythological heroes of the western world, we get to see the human side of the demigod before the story goes completely off-th ... Show More
35m 40s
Nov 2017
Heracles (Hercules) Can He Go the Distance? (Heracles Part Three)
More of Heracles' labours, more comparisons to Disney, and a nifty use of a very large cup. Heracles has truly got it going on. CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be w ... Show More
26m 30s
Nov 2017
Heracles (Hercules), Zero to Hero, Just Like That (Heracles Part One)
Think you know the story of Hercules? You may well be mistaken. His true origins are exposed... and compared to the Disney movie. CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be ... Show More
27m 44s
Sep 2015
10B-Hercules: Labor Intensive
Finishing up the twelve labors, Hercules fights way, way too many things: a giant boar, a giant bull, vicious birds, man-eating horses, the three-headed hell hound Cerberus, and more, all as penance for his crime.The creature of the week are invisible weasel brothers that might g ... Show More
38m 9s