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Artwork for The Classical Mind
James Baldwin
The Lady Of the Lake
Confessions
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Troilus and Criseyde
Sir Walter Scott
Christianity
Religion
Julius Caesar
Doctor Faustus
Political Intrigue
Scottish Clans
Honor
Black Identity
Race Relations
Geoffrey Chaucer
Nicomachean Ethics
William Shakespeare
Faustian Bargain
English Reformation

Conversations on the Great Books. New episodes on the first Tuesday of every month. www.theclassicalmind.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes50Founded4 years ago
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ArtsSociety & CultureBooksPhilosophy

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Artwork for The Classical Mind

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Classical Mind, Dr. Junius Johnson sits down with Buck Holler from the CiRCE Institute to discuss "Tapestry," a new writing and grammar curriculum designed to bridge the gap between early elementary studies and the advanced per... more

Round 1: Voting will be open from Monday (3/16) until Monday (3/23) ***Vote Now!***

Round 2: Voting will be open from Monday (3/23) until Saturday (3/30)

Round 3: The first semi-final round will be Monday (3/30) until Wednesday (4/1); the second se... more

In this episode, Father Wesley Walker and Dr. Junius Johnson are joined by Dante scholar Catherine Illingworth to navigate the harrowing depths of Dante’s Inferno. The conversation centers on the profound medieval understanding of sin not merely as a... more

This bonus episode of The Classical Mind serves as “front matter” to prepare listeners for a three-month reading marathon of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Join Wesley and Junius as they explain that the work is a “comedy” not because of humor, but... more

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Recent Guests

Catherine Illingworth
Dante scholar; PhD in Medieval Literature (Dante) from UCLA; founder of a foundation assisting rare-disease families
PhD UCLA; Bradstreet Foundation; GeneForgeorge.org
Episode: Inferno
Jesse Hake
Director of classicalu.com and educator with a background in History
Classical Academic Press
Episode: Love in the Ruins by Walker Percy with Jesse Hake
Dr. John Mark Reynolds
President of St. Constantine School and faculty at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary
St. Constantine School
Episode: Phaedo with Dr. John Mark Reynolds
Dr. Anika Prather
Assistant Professor in education at Catholic University of America and Coordinator for Elementary education.
Catholic University of America
Episode: Go Tell It on the Mountain with Dr. Anika Prather
Kristen Rudd
Writer and literature teacher, founder of the Triangle Classical Forum
Searcy Institute, Thales College, Triangle Classical Forum
Episode: Monsters in Literature with Kristen Rudd
Heidi White
A teacher, editor, podcaster, and author; co-host of the Close Reads Podcast and author of the forthcoming book, The Divided Soul.
Close Reads Podcast
Episode: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Hosts

Father Wesley Walker
Host of The Classical Mind; affiliated with The Classical Mind.
Dr. Junius Johnson
Co-host of The Classical Mind; academic in philosophy/theology.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • So inspiring and educational

    I find these podcasts extremely enjoyable. I like the book ones and have read books such as Frankenstein after listening to the two hosts discussed them. The most recent one on Medieval Exegesis was very educational, and will help me in my own Christian journey. I am always so impressed by Dr Johnson’s learning, and father Wesley Walker‘s spiritual reflections and Anglican touch points (I am a member of the church of England, and Episcopal Church). Thank you to these two gentlemen from this c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Geoffrey Nicholson
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • A Gem

    Fabulous podcast with humble but knowledgeable hosts. Intellectually enriching and God-glorifying discussions of worthy literature.

    Please keep going (and please improve the sound quality?).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jessica Jokela
    United States4 months ago
  • So good!

    The hosts, guests, books, and works of literature discussed are all fabulous!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    littlegale
    United Statesa year ago
  • Philosophy through a christian lens

    The title and description should clarify the predominantly christian pov - not a bad thing per se but it colors and narrows the appeal of the philosophical discussion for non-christians.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    NowDispleased
    United States2 years ago
  • PS

    I am a communist, but an anti-censorship one, and I do wish to study the canon to learn and grow

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dingobros
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the rigorous yet approachable exploration of classics.
High-quality literary criticism paired with accessible teaching moments.
Some listeners note sound quality could be improved for longer episodes.
Thoughtful, bookish discussions with a warm Anglican/Christian perspective.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#131
Italy/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#236
Italy/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#111
Netherlands/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#146
Japan/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Belgium/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Taming of the Shrew
Q: What do you think it's about?
It's about women's desires in relationships, exploring themes of authority and societal norms, particularly through the lens of Chaucer's 'Wife of Bath's Tale'.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Q: Do creatures have a demand on their creator?
Yes, but that demand can only be a request for understanding and purpose, as the nature of the creature and the creator's responsibilities differ significantly based on the context of the creation.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Q: Why is it that Frankenstein recoils from the creature?
It seems to be a combination of physical revulsion and the horror of manufactured life, reflecting Victor's inability to face the enormity of his creation.
The Aeneid by Virgil
Q: How do the themes of piety play into Aeneas' character?
Piety is portrayed through Aeneas' duty to his father and the Trojan gods, symbolizing a reciprocal relationship crucial in Roman culture.
The Communist Manifesto
Q: Why did Marx consider Christianity to be the opium of the masses?
Marx critiqued religion as a coping mechanism that soothed the pain of oppression but did not address its root causes, implying it kept people from seeking real happiness and change.

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 The Classical Mind

What is The Classical Mind about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show explores classic literature and philosophical theology through accessible, conversational discussions that mix detailed analysis with personal anecdotes. Episodes span Dante, Mary Shelley, Shakespeare, and medieval exegesis, often pairing close readings with teaching insights and contemporary culture references. A distinctive angle is the seamless pairing of rigorous literary critique with faith-informed reflection, making it appealing to listeners who enjoy deep dives into the great books framed by a Christian perspective. The format combines scholarly context, teaching anecdotes, and listener participation (in future poll-driven formats), which can feel both educational and devotional for engaged readers and seekers of thoughtfu... more

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1. Close Reads Podcast
2. The Literary Life Podcast
3. Worklife with Adam Grant
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

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The Classical Mind launched 4 years ago and published 50 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 The Classical Mind?

Recent guests on The Classical Mind include:

1. Catherine Illingworth
2. Jesse Hake
3. Dr. John Mark Reynolds
4. Dr. Anika Prather
5. Kristen Rudd
6. Heidi White

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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