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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
Aeneas
Apollo
Eternal Christendom
Ajax
Hera
Agamemnon
Greek Mythology

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

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Latest Episodes

"In war and battle, this is the way to do your part."

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by the Athenian Stranger and Johnathan Bi to introduce the Gorgias and discuss the first part: the dialogue of Gorgias an... more

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Daniel Wagner dive into Plato’s Meno as a masterclass in education, contrasting Meno’s stagnant, power-seeking sophistry with his slave boy’s humble, rapid learning during the fa... more

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! In this episode, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Joseph Boyne explore G.K. Chesterton's short story 'The Chief Mourner of Marne,' discussing its themes, characters, and moral implications.

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our r... more

The Phaedo is a beautiful dialogue! Join Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Christopher Frey, McFarland Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa, as they conclude their exploration of Plato’s Phaedo, a profound dialogue capturing Socrates’ fin... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Joseph Boyne
Associate Professor of English at Tulsa Community College, Ph.D. focused on romanticism and Southern Renaissance literature
Tulsa Community College
Episode: Halloween Short Story: The Chief Mourner of Marne by GK Chesterton
Dr. Christopher Frey
McFarland Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa, specializing in ancient Greek philosophy.
University of Tulsa
Episode: Plato's Phaedo Explained with Dr. Christopher Frey Part I
Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos
Assistant Professor of Humanities at Wyoming Catholic College
Wyoming Catholic College
Episode: The Crito by Plato with Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos
Father Justin Brophy
A Dominican and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Providence College
Providence College
Episode: Plato's Apology Part I with Fr. Justin Brophy, OP
Dr. Donald Prudlo
The Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Tulsa, Professor of Catholic Studies, author.
University of Tulsa
Episode: Aquinas and the Euthyphro Dilemma with Dr. Donald Prudlo
Dr. Joey Spencer
Archivist and tutor of theology for the Diocese of Tulsa, expert in the theology of angels and demons.
Diocese of Tulsa
Episode: The Euthyphro by Plato Part II with Dr. Joey Spencer and Friends
Dr. Daniel Shields
Associate Professor at Wyoming Catholic College specializing in Philosophy and Science, with a focus on the work of St. Thomas Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy.
Wyoming Catholic College
Episode: Teaching Plato's First Alcibiades with Dr. Daniel Shields
Alec Bianco
Director of Curriculum at the Circe Institute
Circe Institute
Episode: First Alcibiades by Plato Part One with Alec Bianco and Athenian Stranger
Athenian Stranger
Runs an account on X exploring wisdom of the great books
Athens Corner
Episode: First Alcibiades by Plato Part One with Alec Bianco and Athenian Stranger

Host

Deacon Harrison Garlick
Host of the discussions centered on the Great Books, enriching conversations with philosophical insights and guiding listeners through key texts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 157 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States3 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 States6 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critics mention some challenges with the co-host's delivery, suggesting room for improvement in presentation style.
Overall, it is viewed as a valuable resource for both seasoned readers and newcomers alike, with an emphasis on motivating listeners to engage with the Great Books.
Listeners appreciate the depth of discussion and the accessibility of classic texts, particularly praising the hosts for their engaging insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#166
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#34
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#87
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#110
Ireland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#138
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Teaching Plato's First Alcibiades with Dr. Daniel Shields
Q: Why do your freshmen need to read First Alcibiades?
Alcibiades is easier to follow than many other Platonic dialogues and helps students learn foundational skills for engaging in philosophical dialogue.

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 the exploration of the Great Books that have significantly influenced Western civilization, including works by classical philosophers and modern thinkers. The discussions emphasize understanding key themes and ideas presented in texts from figures such as Homer, Plato, and St. Augustine while highlighting their relevance today. Noteworthy aspects include a commitment to a deeper understanding of these texts through a sequential and thoughtful approach, making content accessible even to first-time readers. The podcast encourages engagement with foundational works and aims to foster a shared intellectual journey, underscoring the impact of these literary masterpieces on contemporary thought and societal values.

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How many listeners does Ascend get?

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What are the audience demographics for Ascend?

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How many subscribers and views does Ascend have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ascend has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Ascend?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ascend:

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

How many episodes of Ascend are there?

Ascend launched 2 years ago and published 106 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ascend?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Ascend?

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What guests have appeared on Ascend?

Recent guests on Ascend include:

1. Dr. Joseph Boyne
2. Dr. Christopher Frey
3. Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos
4. Father Justin Brophy
5. Dr. Donald Prudlo
6. Dr. Joey Spencer
7. Dr. Daniel Shields
8. Alec Bianco

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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