Shows
Athenaeum Book ClubDan Jones - The War of the RosesIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by historian and bestselling author Dan Jones to discuss his book The Wars of the Roses. Together they explore the brutal dynastic conflict that tore England apart in the fifteenth century, examining the ambitions, betrayals, and shifting loyalties that defined the struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York. Jones brings clarity to a chaotic period, revealing how personal rivalries, weak kingship, and political violence reshaped the English monarchy—and set the stage for the rise of the Tudors. A...
2026-01-2958 minAthenaeum Book ClubMemory Medieval - Dueling Stories of the Sixteenth CenturyIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Memory Medieval (x.com/MemoryMedieval) for a deep dive into Dueling Stories of the Sixteenth Century. Together, they explore how competing narratives, propaganda, and personal rivalries shaped the way the early modern world understood war, religion, and power. The conversation examines how history was written in real time—by chroniclers with agendas, loyalties, and fears—and how those dueling accounts still influence our understanding of the sixteenth century today. A sharp discussion on memory, mythmaking, and the battle over...
2026-01-1547 minAthenaeum Book ClubWill Tanner - RhodesiaIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Will Tanner for a historical examination of Rhodesia and the events that led to the mass emigration of its white population. The conversation explores the political, economic, and social forces surrounding decolonization, the Rhodesian Bush War, and the transition to Zimbabwe. Tanner provides context often missing from mainstream narratives, examining how ideology, power shifts, and violence reshaped the country’s future. This episode is a sober, historically grounded discussion of...
2025-12-1759 minAthenaeum Book ClubWade Stotts - G.K. Chesterton's OrthodoxyIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Wade Stotts for an insightful discussion on G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy—a work that continues to challenge modern skepticism with wit, paradox, and faith. Together, they explore Chesterton’s journey from doubt to belief, his defense of wonder and reason, and his vision of Christianity as the key to understanding the world’s mystery. Wade unpacks the humor and brilliance behind Chesterton’s arguments, showing how Orthodoxy remains a joyful antidote to cynicism and confus...
2025-12-1145 minAthenaeum Book ClubDr. Matthew Knotts - The Confessions of St. AugustineIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Matthew Knotts for a profound exploration of St. Augustine’s Confessions—one of the most influential works in Christian and philosophical history. Together they trace Augustine’s journey from restless seeker to saint, examining his struggles with desire, truth, and divine grace. Dr. Knotts illuminates the timeless relevance of Augustine’s introspection, revealing how his search for meaning still speaks to the modern soul. This conversation delves into faith, philosophy, and the...
2025-12-0354 minAthenaeum Book ClubRaymond Ibrahim - Defenders of the WestIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with historian and author Raymond Ibrahim to discuss his book Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam. Ibrahim explores the lives of legendary figures such as Richard the Lionheart, El Cid, and John Hunyadi—warriors who shaped the clash between civilizations. Together, they examine how these men balanced faith, honor, and duty in the face of overwhelming odds, and what their stories reveal about courage and cultural identity today.
2025-11-0836 minAthenaeum Book ClubDr. Shaun Rieley - St. Thomas More's UtopiaIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Shaun Rieley of Hillsdale College for a thought-provoking discussion on St. Thomas More’s Utopia. Together they explore More’s vision of the ideal society—its paradoxes, political commentary, and enduring questions about human nature and governance. Dr. Rieley unpacks the historical context of Utopia, revealing how More used fiction to challenge both Renaissance realism and modern ideology. This conversation bridges philosophy, politics, and faith, offering listeners timeless insight into the te...
2025-11-031h 02Athenaeum Book ClubDr. Sean E. Lake - The IlliadIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Sean E. Lake for an in-depth exploration of Homer’s Iliad—the timeless epic of honor, wrath, and fate. Together, they unpack the poem’s enduring power: the heroism of Achilles, the tragedy of Hector, and the moral vision that shaped Western thought. Dr. Lake brings fresh insight into Homer’s language, cultural context, and the human questions that still resonate today. This conversation dives deep into the heart of...
2025-10-3059 minAthenaeum Book ClubAlex Petkas - Plutarch's Life of PericlesIn this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Alex Petkas, classical scholar and host of The Cost of Glory podcast, for an engaging discussion on Plutarch’s Life of Pericles. Together they explore how Pericles became the embodiment of Athenian greatness—his vision for democracy, his leadership during the city’s Golden Age, and the moral lessons Plutarch offers for modern readers. This conversation bridges ancient biography and timeless wisdom, revealing how Pericles’ life still challenges our understanding of power, virtue, and civic duty.
2025-10-2948 min