Classical Wisdom Speaks

Classical Wisdom

Philosophy

Stoicism

Greek Philosophy

Happiness

Plato

End Of Days

Socrates

Apocalypse

Virtue Ethics

Greek Mythology

Ancient Greece

Julian

Christianity

Thebes

Democracy

Medea

Ancient History

Roman Philosophy

Natural Disasters

Galen

A Podcast dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. This podcast is provided by Classical Wisdom, to learn more check out www.classicalwisdom.com

60 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	141	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	History

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Latest Episodes

The Power of the Bull

Why Did Ancient Civilizations Worship Bulls?

From the Minotaur to Taurus, explore how bull symbolism shaped mythology, religion, power, and identity across the ancient world.

This episode is for anyone fascinated by ancient mythology, symbolism, re... more

28 May 2026 • 47 min • Most popular

Should We Teach Philosophy to Children?

Should philosophy start in childhood?

Discover how philosophy for children can improve critical thinking, empathy, communication, and emotional resilience in the modern world.

This episode is for parents, teachers, students, and anyone interested i... more

21 May 2026 • 25 min

Does Ancient History Have A Future?

What Is the Future of Ancient History?

In this deep, thought-provoking discussion, leading historians and philosophers explore what “ancient history” really means, how it’s taught today, and why it matters more than ever.

If you’re interested in ... more

14 May 2026 • 1 hr 18 min

The Ancients and the Afterlife: Mythology, Mourning, and Mummies

What Did Ancient People Believe About Death and the Afterlife?

Robert Garland explores how Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and other ancient cultures understood death, grief, burial, and the afterlife.

This episode is for anyone fascinated by ancient h... more

7 May 2026 • 1 hr 8 min

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Literature and HistoryDoug Metzger

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Recent Guests

Maria Kasmirli

Honorary Research Fellow at the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, University of Sheffield

University of Sheffield

Episode: Should We Teach Philosophy to Children?

Walter Scheidel

Dickinson Professor in the Humanities, Professor of Classics and History, Stanford University

Stanford University

Episode: Does Ancient History Have A Future?

Amrita Hobbs

Professor at the University of Sheffield; expert on philosophy and ancient thought; frequent media contributor

University of Sheffield

Episode: Does Ancient History Have A Future?

Robert Garland

Roy D and Margaret B. Wooster Professor of Classics at Colgate University

Colgate University

Episode: The Ancients and the Afterlife: Mythology, Mourning, and Mummies

Diane Rayor

Professor Emerita of Classics at Grand Valley State University; translator and scholar of Greek poetry and drama

Grand Valley State University

Episode: The Misunderstood Myth: Persephone, Hades & Demeter

Mary Beard

Professor Emerita of Classics at Cambridge

University of Cambridge

Episode: Mary Beard: Why You Should Argue With the Ancients

Barry Strauss

Corliss Dean Page Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution; Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies, Emeritus at Cornell University

Hoover Institution, Cornell University

Episode: Rebellions Against Rome: The Jewish Revolts

George D. Thomas

Famed translator of Frontinus, also known by the pen name Quintus Curtius; MIT graduate, former US Marine Corps officer, lawyer

Translator of Frontinus; Quintus Curtius

Episode: The Roman Guide to War

Dan Edelstein

William H. Bonsall Professor of French at Stanford University; author of The Revolution to Come

Stanford University

Episode: What Can Ancient History Tell Us About Revolutions?

Host

Anya Leonard

Founder and Director of Classical Wisdom; Host of Classical Wisdom Speaks and webinar series; prominent public educator of classical wisdom.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings

great podcast
very informative and presented in a very approachable way
Apple Podcasts
5
felix dlc
United States4 years ago
Best of a limited field.
A Case For Trump - that guy. Really?
Apple Podcasts
4
Ageejesse
United States5 years ago
Fantastic Podcast!
Been listening and loving it for a few months. Oddly I listen to it — it seems like —everytime I wash dishes. I suppose I crave classical wisdom at that time 😂. Great show!
Apple Podcasts
5
HPLawrence
United States5 years ago
Fantastic show!
Big ideas, fascinating conversations, and healthy doses of classical wisdom—that’s what this show delivers. If you’re a history geek or a classics freak (or just a curious person in general) you’re going to LOVE this show!
Apple Podcasts
5
Lantern_Jack
United States5 years ago
Great new podcast!
I’m a recent convert to this show. It provides a refreshed approach to classics with interesting discussions for the non academic and the expert alike! The material is very well researched and prepared. Love it.
Apple Podcasts
5
Andrew G Shepherd
Australia6 years ago

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Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the feel of the show as informative and approachable, suitable for both novices and experts.

The discussions are described as thoughtful and well-researched, with engaging guests.

Listeners appreciate accessible entry points to complex topics and the high quality of guests and preparation.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#167	New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts	#245	Chile/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should We Teach Philosophy to Children?

Q: How do you feel about teaching logic or rhetoric or some of the other big sectors of philosophy to children?

Epistemology may be harder to begin with, but using ethics through epistemology can work well because it helps children see that an opinion does not automatically constitute knowledge, which enriches ethical discussions.

The Ancients and the Afterlife: Mythology, Mourning, and Mummies

Q: How did views of the afterlife evolve across cultures in the ancient world?

Across Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East, death was both a communal, ceremonial event and a theological concern; over time, there was a trend toward personalized fates after death, with judgment, rewards, and penalties becoming more defined, and eventually Christian, Islamic, and other beliefs reframing mortality within a monotheistic framework.

The Ancients and the Afterlife: Mythology, Mourning, and Mummies

Q: Can you expound on the Greek concept of the afterlife?

Initial Greek views, based on Homer, suggested an undifferentiated underworld where most dead shared a bleak existence; later, initiation and mystery traditions promised a differentiated afterlife for the initiated, though evidence is uneven and debated.

The Misunderstood Myth: Persephone, Hades & Demeter

Q: Did the hymn describe the mysteries that were already being performed, or were they a later invention—what came first, the poem or the mysteries?

The hymn appears to reflect an earlier, evolving cult practice around Demeter and the Eleusinian rites; the mysteries likely started in parallel with ritual development and were not fully unified in a single moment, suggesting a synergistic emergence between text and ritual.

Rebellions Against Rome: The Jewish Revolts

Q: Why did the revolts have such enduring impact beyond their immediate military outcomes?

Because they showed how a dispersed, deeply rooted religious community could sustain identity through institutions like synagogues and a written tradition even when central symbols like the temple were lost, and because they revealed the fragility of imperial control when faced with persistent, coordinated resistance.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Wisdom Speaks

What is Classical Wisdom Speaks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of ancient history, philosophy, and literature aimed at translating classical wisdom into modern thinking. Episodes regularly feature university professors, translators, and distinguished scholars who unpack topics from Greek democracy and myth to pedagogy and the interpretation of ancient texts. Listeners can expect rigorous, nuance-filled conversations that connect antiquity to current issues in education, culture, and public discourse. The show often blends scholarly analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex ideas approachable for non-specialists while still rewarding experts. A notable strength is assembling a diverse roster of guests—from translators to historians—who provide deep, interdisciplinary... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Classical Wisdom Speaks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Classical Wisdom Speaks:

1. Literature and History
2. In Our Time
3. Emperors of Rome
4. In Our Time: Culture
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of Classical Wisdom Speaks are there?

Classical Wisdom Speaks launched 6 years ago and published 141 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 Classical Wisdom Speaks?

Recent guests on Classical Wisdom Speaks include:

1. Maria Kasmirli
2. Walter Scheidel
3. Amrita Hobbs
4. Robert Garland
5. Diane Rayor
6. Mary Beard
7. Barry Strauss
8. George D. Thomas

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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