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Artwork for Old School

Old School with Shilo Brooks

The Free Press
Philosophy
Education
Plato's Republic
The Moviegoer
Vladimir Nabokov
Socrates
Middlemarch
Wolf
Justice
Cornel West
The Adventures Of Pinocchio
Collodi
Walker Percy
Lolita
Pedophilia
Grief
Lindbergh Kidnapping
Kierkegaard
Censorship
Democracy

Fewer of us than ever are reading books for pleasure. Shilo Brooks is on a mission to change that. Old School is a new podcast from The Free Press about great books and how reading them can make us stronger, better men. The show features intimate conversations with fascinating men—from fitness gurus to philosophers—about the books that shaped their lives. New episodes out every Thursday. Read with... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes33Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsEducationSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Old School

Latest Episodes

If America has a mission statement, it is this:

 “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of ... more

In this special episode, Shilo Brooks is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jon Meacham at the Jack Miller Center’s annual summit on civic education.

They took the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the perfect settin... more

In this episode, Shilo sits down with veteran journalist Joe Nocera for a deep dive into the world’s best-selling novelist, Agatha Christie.

Nocera’s new investigative podcast is all about the Charles Lindbergh, Jr., kidnapping, one of history’s mos... more

In this special episode, taped live at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Shilo sits down with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett for a wide-ranging interview on the law.

They discuss Barrett’s lifelong love of reading, her tumultuous conf... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joe Nocera
Journalist; podcaster; author
The Free Press
Episode: Agatha Christie and the Kidnapping That Inspired Her Greatest Mystery
Amy Coney Barrett
Supreme Court Justice
United States Supreme Court
Episode: Inside the Supreme Court with Amy Coney Barrett
Nick Gillespie
Editor-at-large at Reason Magazine; conspiracy aficionado
Reason Magazine
Episode: A New Series From The Free Press | The Lindbergh Conspiracies
Sarah Rose Siskind
Science writer; conspiracy skeptic
Independent writer
Episode: A New Series From The Free Press | The Lindbergh Conspiracies
Candace Fleming
Author of Lindbergh-related works
Author
Episode: A New Series From The Free Press | The Lindbergh Conspiracies
Greg Allgren
Former detective; Lindbergh kidnapping sleuth
Independent investigator
Episode: A New Series From The Free Press | The Lindbergh Conspiracies
Eli Lake
Host of Breaking History, avid reader and guide for the inquiry
Breaking History, The Free Press
Episode: Roald Dahl: Genius and Bigot
Wright Thompson
Foremost sports writer (guest)
ESPN
Episode: How Sports Became Our Civic Religion
Daniel Lubetzky
Founder of Kind, Shark Tank participant
Kind
Episode: The Ancient Jewish Wisdom Behind a $5 Billion Company

Host

Shilo Brooks
Host of Old School; engages in intimate conversations about books that shaped lives; often invites diverse thinkers and writers.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 207 ratings
  • Great to see Shilo got his own podcast!

    As a former student of Shilo’s from over a decade ago, I was very excited to hear about this podcast and have been listening from near the start. I love this podcast. It’s so much fun every week. Some of the books (and guests) are truly surprising, and a lot of the interviews go in directions I never expected. Many of the themes and the books/authors are near to my heart.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ben Connelly
    United States2 months ago
  • Full of Depth

    This is the kind of podcast all can get value from. Full of insight and depth on a variety of issues.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CMac2834
    United States2 months ago
  • Outstanding

    My favorite podcast! Love the equanimity, the gentle pressing of guests on their more outlandish opinions, the mutual exploration of topics that matter to the guests and listeners. It continually affects my own reading list. I particularly enjoy the expression of mind relatively unadorned with political garbage from either pole.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Machiavelli51
    United States4 months ago
  • You hit the nail on the head

    Regarding the episode about Lolita—you are invoking the concept of Disordered Love when you refer to novel of awful human behavior.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eamon Parker
    United States4 months ago
  • DNC-only Liberal Woke

    Shilo is TX outside, CA inside. Conservatives here are not wanted. Yet another podcast where Liberal politics and pro-Democrat Party worldviews are pushed—in this case through books. BIAS is awful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    chubby baker
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's depth and respectful probing of guests.
Some episodes spark debate or critique around perceived biases in topics or guests.
Audience appreciates non-polemical, thoughtful discussions that connect books to modern life.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#19
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#59
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#165
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#246
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#37
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Agatha Christie and the Kidnapping That Inspired Her Greatest Mystery
Q: Why are readers so drawn to Agatha Christie's work?
Her puzzles, pace, and the way she makes readers deduce connections from carefully drawn clues and red herrings keeps readers engaged without relying on violence, offering a clean, intellectual thrill.
Roald Dahl: Genius and Bigot
Q: What makes a genius, and how should we treat artists with controversial or odious views today?
Genius can be recognized in the power and originality of their work, but we must confront their flaws openly. The point is to learn from the work while not endorsing the artist's misdeeds, using a nuanced, historically informed approach.
The Ancient Jewish Wisdom Behind a $5 Billion Company
Q: What is the core value you take from Pirkei Avot when making big decisions?
The emphasis on balance, humility, and community responsibility guides his long-term thinking, avoiding short-term greed and encouraging inclusive leadership.
The Ancient Jewish Wisdom Behind a $5 Billion Company
Q: Why do you think Pirkei Avot was transformative for you during a period of loss and transition?
He explains how the maxims grounded him, provided moral clarity, and shaped his approach to leadership, risk, and social impact during a pivotal time for both his family and his business.
The Ancient Jewish Wisdom Behind a $5 Billion Company
Q: Tell me the story of founding your company, Kind.
Lubetzky describes turning grief into purpose after his father's passing, the early failure of previous ventures, and how a culture of transparency and equality helped Kind grow into a high-performing, socially-minded company.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Old School

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

Long-form conversations that pair classic books with modern leadership, culture, and technology. Episodes thread literature, philosophy, and history into contemporary issues—ranging from ethics in technology and governance to spirituality and personal transformation—via intimate interviews with authors, thinkers, and practitioners. The format tends to foreground how great works shape beliefs, decisions, and worldviews, with a careful, thoughtful host who invites deep reflection without partisan sensationalism. A notable strength is the seamless mix of literary analysis, personal storytelling, and real-world applications, often featuring guests with diverse intellectual pedigrees and practical expertise. This approach makes it appealing to l... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Old School?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Old School:

1. Conversations with Coleman
2. Breaking History
3. The Commentary Magazine Podcast
4. The Lindbergh Conspiracies
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of Old School are there?

Old School launched 9 months ago and published 33 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 Old School?

Recent guests on Old School include:

1. Joe Nocera
2. Amy Coney Barrett
3. Nick Gillespie
4. Sarah Rose Siskind
5. Candace Fleming
6. Greg Allgren
7. Eli Lake
8. Wright Thompson

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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