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Ascend - The Great Books Podcast

Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan
Achilles
Hector
Homer
Iliad
Patroclus
The Iliad
Zeus
The Odyssey
Divine Intervention
Fate
Troy
Trojan War
Poseidon
Apollo
Aeneas
Eternal Christendom
Ajax
Hera
Agamemnon
Thetis

Welcome to Ascend! We are a weekly Great Books podcast hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan. What are the Great Books? The Great Books are the most impactful texts that have shaped Western civilization. They include ancients like Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas, and also moderns like Machiavelli, Locke, and Nietzsche. We will explore the Great Books with th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes116Founded2 years ago
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Latest Episodes

In this episode of the Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick engages in a profound discussion with Dr. Thomas Ward from Baylor University about Plato's influence on St. Boethius.

The conversation begins with an exploration of Boe... more

How did Plato influence St. Augustine? Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Chad Pecknold of the Catholic University of America discuss Plato's influence on St. Augustine.

Check out our account on X for daily posti... more

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, host Dcn. Harrison Garlick, along with guests Alec Bianco and Sean Berube, explore St. Basil the Great’s letter To Young Men, on the Right Use of Greek Literature, passionately arguing that Christians—especia... more

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast concludes their Christmas reading of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with Fitt 4, exploring Gawain’s restored armor, journey to the eerie Green Chapel, the three axe swings, Bertilak’s revelations, Morgan le ... more

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Recent Guests

Sean Berube
Runs a men's mentoring program that integrates fitness and faith
Episode: Why Christians Should Read the Pagans with Alec Bianco and Sean Berube
Dr. Tiffany Schubert
Associate Professor of Humanities in the Trivium at Wyoming Catholic College
Wyoming Catholic College
Episode: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fitts 2 and 3 with Dr. Tiffany Schubert
Dr. Justin Jackson
Chair of the English department at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fitt 1 with Dr. Justin Jackson
Banished Kent
Runs an account on X focused on esoteric texts and Christmas memes
Episode: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fitt 1 with Dr. Justin Jackson
Dr. Brett Larson
Assistant Professor of Political Science at Tulsa Community College.
Tulsa Community College
Episode: Plato and Education: The Teacher as a Lover of the Soul
Dr. Brian Kemple
Executive Director of the Lyceum Institute
Lyceum Institute
Episode: Grace and the Grotesque: The Lame Shall Enter First by Flannery O'Connor with Dr. Brian Kemple
Dr. Matthew Bianco
Chief Operations Officer for the Circe Institute and author of Letters to My Sons, a Humane Vision for Human Relationships.
Circe Institute
Episode: Tyranny v Philosophy: Part Two of Plato's Gorgias with Dr. Matthew Bianco
Johnathan Bi
Runs a substack with high-quality videos on great authors from The Great Books.
Episode: Rhetoric and Philosophy: Part One of the Gorgias with Athenian Stranger and Johnathan Bi
Dr. Daniel Wagner
Director of Catholic Studies and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Aquinas College
Aquinas College
Episode: Plato's Meno and Education with Dr. Daniel Wagner

Host

Deacon Harrison Garlick
Host with a passion for exploring classic texts and engaging discussions on their impact on contemporary thought.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 172 ratings
  • 10/10 Recommend

    I desired to begin my journey through Homer's Iliad and Odyssey but I didn't know where to go. I stumbled across this podcast and I am so grateful I did. I'm only a few episodes in and I find this podcast so insightful. They make The Iliad approachable while still digging into deep themes and history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Taryn L. Davidson
    United States3 months ago
  • Loving it as a STEM guy

    This podcast made ancient texts unexpectedly addictive. Now I understand why they been read for hundreds of years.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sylvan Odyssey
    United States5 months ago
  • Great Idea - Co-Host (Adam) is Unlistenable

    The only reason this doesn’t go any lower is because i love the idea of this podcast and want to support at all cost

    But Adam is atrocious and hard to suffer through, in order to get Deacon’s insight & discussion points

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    showboat_goodman
    United States6 months ago
  • Awesome podcast

    This is such a fantastic podcast! It has been a please to journey through The Iliad with Harrison and Adam. Both hosts provide a wealth of insight

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pjoordz
    United States8 months ago
  • Great Podcast and Guests

    Decided to mix some of the great books into my reading list last year and knew it would be beneficial to do so with a podcast to guide me. So glad I found this one! The hosts are a great example of the intellectual revival we should be having thanks to the internet and podcasting. I was pleasantly surprised that they’re involved Catholics as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mtdilln
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The discussions are praised for their depth and willingness to tackle difficult philosophical questions, resonating with both new and seasoned readers of classical literature.
Listeners find the podcast to be insightful and motivational in exploring the Great Books, making complex ideas accessible to first-time readers.
Some feedback suggests varying enjoyment of the hosts, indicating a mix of strong appreciation for the content and preference for different presenting styles.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#98
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#231
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#82
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#233
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#45
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#108
South Africa/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fitt 4 with Chivalry Guild and Banished Kent
Q: What were the major themes discussed in this final fit?
The themes included chivalry, moral dilemmas, self-preservation, the contrasting influences of feminine figures, and the overarching critical inquiry into grace and redemption.
Plato's Phaedo Explained with Dr. Christopher Frey Part I
Q: How do you set up the Phaedo for your students? Why is this a text worth reading?
The Phaedo addresses the immortality of the soul which is an intrinsically interesting problem for many as death is a fundamental aspect of human life.
Plato's Phaedo Explained with Dr. Christopher Frey Part I
Q: Why should we be reading Plato and not just read Aristotle?
Plato's vibrant dialogue format makes philosophy a communal enterprise, which enhances the learning process.
The Euthyphro by Plato Part II with Dr. Joey Spencer and Friends
Q: How do we interpret Euthyphro leaving?
He leaves abruptly, possibly signifying a realization or dread about turning towards a deeper understanding of piety that aligns him closer to Socrates.
Teaching Plato's First Alcibiades with Dr. Daniel Shields
Q: How do you aim for your students to understand their own ignorance?
I want them to recognize their ignorance and appreciate the need for self-knowledge as a fundamental aspect of philosophy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ascend

What is Ascend about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations focus on navigating the timeless wisdom found within the Great Books that have profoundly impacted Western civilization, ranging from ancient texts like Homer's epics and Plato's dialogues to modern philosophical treatises. Emphasizing the connection to the Catholic intellectual tradition, discussions explore the significance of these texts in understanding contemporary thought and moral frameworks. Unique to this series is its aim to make classic literature accessible to first-time readers by examining texts in a patient, chronological manner while providing additional resources, such as discussion guides, to enhance understanding and engagement. Listeners are invited into a broad intellectual community where critical themes ... more

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How many subscribers and views does Ascend have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Ascend?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ascend:

1. The Thomistic Institute
2. First Things Podcast
3. Godsplaining
4. Pints With Aquinas
5. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

How many episodes of Ascend are there?

Ascend launched 2 years ago and published 116 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ascend?

Recent guests on Ascend include:

1. Sean Berube
2. Dr. Tiffany Schubert
3. Dr. Justin Jackson
4. Banished Kent
5. Dr. Brett Larson
6. Dr. Brian Kemple
7. Dr. Matthew Bianco
8. Johnathan Bi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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