Shows
Kes PublicaEpisode 29: Roman EducationIn this episode, Mr Feeney and Mr Burns discuss Roman education. Was school so much better in the old days? Did the Romans have much more sensible ideas about discipline and learning? Will Mr Feeney and Mr Burns in fact have children together as they imagine in this podcast? There's only one way to find out!2025-06-2533 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 28: Who Would Win in a Fight?This week Mrs Greenbury, Head of Classics at KES, asks the tough questions. Who would win in a fight between Caesar, Alexander, and Hannibal? Which hero would you want your sister to date? If you want to know the answer to crucial questions like these, then join us in this episode.2025-06-0934 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 27: Roman Religion With Professor Denis FeeneyIn this special episode of KES Publica, we interview Professor Denis Feeney about Roman Religion. Professor Feeney is a renowned Classicist and a global staple of university reading lists. He is also Mr Feeney's father! He is currently Professor Emeritus at Princeton, and has worked in top global institutions throughout his career. We get his thoughts on what was distinctive about Roman religion, starting with the small city state in Latium and ending with the mediterranean empire facing the baffling phenomenon of early Christianity. A must-listen for all our A Level students, and a fascinating insight into the top...2025-05-211h 02
Kes PublicaEpisode 26: Aeneid Book 6 - Part 3Mr Feeney and Mr Burns finally get to the end of their katabasis. The crescendo of Book VI is reached! Not to be missed if you're studying the Aeneid in any subject.2025-04-2941 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 25: This is SpartaMost people think they know about Sparta: shining and brave defenders of Greek liberty against the ranks of despotism; the heroic self-sacrificing defenders of Thermopylae, with noble bearing and massive muscles. In this episode Mr Burns contends that this is all, utterly wrong (apart from possibly the muscles). The Spartans were utterly detestable ethnic supremacists who built a society of brutality, exploitation, and violence. Mr Feeney takes a more nuanced position. Who is right? Have a listen to make up your own minds.2025-03-2044 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 24: Questions from KES Students 2In this episode, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney are joined by two sixth form Classics students who pick their teachers' brains about the most pressing issues of the ancient world. Was Caligula actually mad? What was all the gossip about the women of the imperial palace during the reigns of the Julio-Claudians? What would the best drink order in an ancient bar be? Listen to find out! 2025-03-0737 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 23: Aeneid Book 6 - Part 2This is the second part of our deep dive into book six of the Aeneid. Listen for the shock return of none other than Dido! What does she have to say to the man who abandoned her in the name of destiny? What does the rest of the department have to say to Mr Burns after he defends Aeneas (again)? This is the place to find out.2025-02-1325 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 22: Aeneid Book 6 - Part 1In this episode we start our marathon analysis of Book 6 of Virgil's Aeneid. While the conceptual and ideological heart of the poem, it is also deeply weird. Expect dark magic, Golden Boughs, the dead mixing with the yet to be born, and in the centre of it all the shadow of Augustus. While designed for our A Level students, we hope this episode might appeal to those with a general interest in the poem as well.2025-01-2148 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 21: Why You Should Study Classics!In this episode we explain why you might pick Latin, Greek, or Classical Civilisation. We explain what we personally chose and why as students, and then talk about what these subjects can offer. We explain why they are appealing to admissions tutors and employers, and why they are personally enriching. If you want to hear all this alongside some surprising truths about Mr Burns and Mr Feeney as schoolboys, this is the episode for you. This is very much an episode for parents and families as well as pupils - if you want to get to know the teachers...2025-01-0934 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 20: Saturnalia Christmas BonusMr Burns is joined by Mr Feeney and Mrs Greenbury for a Christmas treat of an episode. Everything is Classical including Christmas, who knew?! We explore the links between the Saturnalia and Christmas (spoiler alert: there are many) and campaign for the reinstatement of the ‘Lord of Misrule’.2024-12-1324 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 19: Aeneid Book 4 - Part 2This is the long anticipated second part of our close reading of book four of the Aeneid. A torrid love affair reaches its tragic denouement, and we are treated to witchcraft, death, and some Virgilian deep cuts. The ultimate question must be answered: whose side are you on? 2024-12-1049 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 18: Imperial Image: The Power of PropagandaWe're back! In this episode Mr Burns and Mrs Greenbury discuss the power of the first Roman emperor's propaganda, and how it won him control of the world. We compare it to modern political propaganda, with an emphasis on the recent US elections. The parallels are uncanny...2024-11-2252 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 17: Aeneid Book 4 - Part 1Welcome to the best book of poetry by the best (literate) poet. Here Mr Burns and Mr Feeney go completely mad for Virgil in everyone's favourite: Aeneid Book 4. This is the book that's made more people love Classics than any other. It's so great that we will have to do it in two parts. Enjoy.2024-10-1443 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 16: Roman Invasion of Britain, a Year 8 SpecialMr Feeney is joined by Mrs Greenbury, in her first ever appearance on the podcast, to talk all things Roman Britain: from Julius Caesar's raid to requests from legionaries serving on Hadrian's Wall for woolly socks, this episode unpacks what arriving in Britannia must have felt like for Roman legionaries, and how their arrival affected the woad-covered Celts with their spiky hair and impressive moustaches.2024-10-0424 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 15: Imperial Image - Part 2In this episode we discuss what the consequences of crossing the Rubicon were for Caesar. We look at what led to possibly one of the most dramatic political events in European history - the Ides of March.2024-10-0327 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 14: Imperial ImageIn this episode Nick and Peter discuss Rome's journey from monarchy to republic to empire. Brutus, Julius Caesar, Hannibal, Pompey, Crassus, Marius and Sulla...the illustrious names from Rome's history are at the forefront of Rome's fascinating, and often brutal, journey to supremacy.2024-09-2550 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 13: Aeneid 2In this episode Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss book 2 of the Aeneid in an episode aimed at A Level students studying the poem. We discuss the subtleties of Virgil's characterisation of Trojans and Greeks, as well as the subtleties of some of Virgil's Latin. Battle lines are drawn over the character of Aeneas himself - is he a hero we can admire? Have a listen to find out. 2024-07-051h 01
Kes PublicaEpisode 12: Films Part 2In this second part of our films epic Mr Bull returns with more opinions! We discuss 300 and its links to the Vietnam War, and the much anticipated Gladiator 2. Which features of classical films make classics teachers dissolve into a pile of rage? Have a listen to find out.2024-06-2133 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 11: Films Part 1In this week's episode we have the inimitable Mr Bull as our special guest! Mr Feeney and Mr Burns quiz him about classically-themed films. We discuss Gladiator, Troy, and even Carry on Cleo (for our older listeners). Mr Burns and Mr Feeney argue about Troy, and Mr Bull reveals how he swore a vow and nearly crashed his car. This is the first part of a pair of episodes - it turns out we all have much more to say than can be fit into one school lunchtime.2024-06-1038 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 10: Aeneid 1In this episode Mr Feeney returns from the underworld! We look closely at book 1 of the Aeneid, exploring the themes and incidents of Virgil's magnificent opening. What does it mean to be a hero? Is Aeneas actually Jesus? Why is not everything as it seems? All these questions and more answered for A Level students and anyone with an interest.2024-05-2753 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 9: CorfuIn this episode Mr Burns interviews Dr Gruzelier about her recent trip to Corfu. If you want to learn a little about the ancient background of this wonderful island, then this is the episode for you! We cover the Sicilian expedition, the inspiration for the landscaping of British estates, and a strange empress Sisi Elisabeth of the Austro-Hungarian empire who built a cake-like building in honour of Achilles.2024-05-2325 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 8: On Virgil - Introduction to the AeneidThis is the first of our series on Virgil, which will run alongside our ongoing series on Homer. It is designed to help A Level students studying Latin or Classical Civilisation, but we hope it is also an accessible and interesting listen for anyone with an interest! In the episode we discuss the essential things to understand about the third great work of western civilisation: Virgil's Aeneid. It is the story of the Trojan survivors on their epic journey to found a new and powerful city: Rome. However, beneath the surface it is also an intensely political story about...2024-05-1027 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 7: Questions from KES StudentsIn this episode, Mr Burns answers two A Level students’ burning questions about the ancient world. Why was rotten fish sauce so popular? Why did empires always want to go to war? Which classical poet would be good to chat to in the pub? All these and more are answered. You can also from time to time hear the authentic sounds of KES students joyously hurrying to lessons in the background – listen out and enjoy!2024-05-031h 01
Kes PublicaEpisode 6: On Homer - The GodsIn this second episode of the miniseries on Homer, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss the gods. They are the terrifying, cruel, awe-inspiring, childlike, immensely powerful beings who are always intervening in the mortal drama. The discussion ranges from particular strange incidents to trying to reach an understanding of the poet's own beliefs. This is a useful discussion for any A-Level classicist as always, but you don't need to be a student or even to have read the poems to enjoy this exploration of the not so friendly real figures behind all those childhood stories!2024-03-2744 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 5: The DeadIn this episode, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss death in the ancient world. Mr Feeney deals with the Greeks and their rituals, and then Mr Burns gives an overview of the Romans and their creepy ancestor worship. Did you know that Roman ghosts liked beans? Do you think that there's a link between agriculture, fertility, women, and death? Mr Burns thinks you should. We hope you enjoy this memento mori - carpe diem!2024-03-1852 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 4: On Homer - WomenThis is the first episode of our mini-series on Homer. We believe it’s perfect for those studying A-Level Classical Civilisation, A-Level Greek, and anyone with an interest in the world’s greatest poet. In this first episode, we look at how women are presented in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Was Homer sexist? Does it make sense to even ask the question? Does he care about his female characters? What did he think about the relationships between women and men? Can Mr Burns remember the name of Hector’s mother? All this and more are answered. Mr Feeney...2024-03-131h 00
Kes PublicaEpisode 3 : GladiatorsIn episode III we discuss the disturbing attraction of the gladiatorial games. We look at their dark origins, their evolution, and ways of understanding their function both for individual Romans and Roman society as a whole. Mr Burns goes off-piste about catharsis and vicarious identification while Mr Feeny delivers the goods on some solid facts.2024-03-0141 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 2: TragedyIn this episode, Peter explains the essence of Greek tragedy. We answer the burning questions: is it universal or Athenian? Is something deeply weird going on, with the scary god Dionysus himself present in the theatre and watching each play? What does it have to do with goats? Nick makes his usual unfalsifiable claims about what it all means, and talks far too much about pigs' blood. Peter provides genuine knowledge and facts.2024-02-2951 min
Kes PublicaEpisode 1: The Iliad, ancient pets and the MusesIn this pilot episode of KES Publica, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss who is truly at the centre of the Iliad (the greatest work of literature that humanity possesses). Mr Burns fails to articulate a clear view on the meaning of Achilles' shield (something about life force?). And we discuss two great questions about pets and the Muses.2024-02-2330 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastKelly Hooker - Our Favorite Books of July - September 2023In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through September 2023.Our shared top reads:
The River We Remember by William Kent Kreuger
The Six by Loren Grush
Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter
Kelly’s remaining top reads:
One Summer In Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
An Honest Man by Michael Koryta
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
The Other Year by Rea Frey
...2023-11-031h 14
Between The StacksLittle Saint Vic's Personalized Book RecommendationsListen till the end to hear another side of Little Saint Vic... On this month's episode, host Victoria Horn answers listener requests for personalized book recommendations, shares Odell happenings, highlights the December book order, and reads her original poem, "Portrait of Christmas Eve."
Parody of "Little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys: written, performed, and produced by Victoria Horn
Victoria's poetry Instagram
Odell Public Library website
Odell Kids' Area Amazon Wishlist
Books mentioned:
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
One by One and The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Wa...2022-12-301h 10
Pure Trance Radio Podcast with SolarstonePure Trance Radio Podcast 041Coming up on this week’s show there's new music from Ferry Corsten, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Andy Moor, Orkidea, The Thrillseekers and lots more. #WeLikeItPureFerry Corsten presents Gouryella - Neba [Flashover]Forerunners - Lifecycle (Simon Templar Remix) [Pure Trance]Roman Messer ft. Robin Vane - Someday (Temple One Remix) [Suanda]Andy Moor vs Orkidea - Year Zero (Mike Sanders Remix) [Ava]Pulser - Cloudwalking (Nick Callaghan Bootleg) [White Label]Thrillseekers - By Your Side (Daniel Skyver Remix) [Adjusted]#BigTuneAPD - Inscribe (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix) [White Label]#We...2016-06-161h 00