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The Ralston College Podcast

Ralston College
Philosophy
Education
Play
Creativity
Human Nature
Artificial Intelligence
Ralston College
Imagination
T.S. Eliot
Language
Consciousness
Culture
Literature
Dante Alighieri
Art
Evolution
Four Quartets
Love
Biology
The Waste Land

The Ralston College Podcast delivers a series of conversations and lectures aimed at fostering a deeper, livelier, and freer intellectual culture for us all.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes80Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationArts

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Artwork for The Ralston College Podcast

Latest Episodes

Generously sponsored by the Ben Delo Foundation.

The final lecture of Ralston College's symposium, AI and the Battle for the Soul, asks a question that turns from the future of artificial intelligence to something far older and more enduring: What ... more

YouTube

Generously sponsored by the Ben Delo Foundation.

Ralston College welcomed Iain McGilchrist and Stephen Wolfram in May of 2026 for a public conversation during our symposium, AI and the Battle for the Soul. Beginning with the promises and implicatio... more

Generously sponsored by the Ben Delo Foundation.

In this second lecture from our recent symposium, AI and the Battle for the Soul, theologian and iconographer Jonathan Pageau asks: Who, or what, does AI serve? By drawing on mythology, scripture, sy... more

Generously sponsored by the Ben Delo Foundation.

In this opening lecture from Ralston College's symposium, AI and the Battle for the Soul, Dr Iain McGilchrist traces a line of questions concerning the nature of intelligence, embodiment, wisdom, and... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ian McGilchrist
Chancellor of Ralston College, neuroscientist and philosopher known for work on the divided brain
Ralston College
Episode: AI and the Battle for the Soul with Iain McGilchrist - Lecture 1: Information is Not Understanding
Armand D'Angour
Professor of Classics, University of Oxford
Jesus College, University of Oxford
Episode: Memory, Tradition, and the Unity of the Classical Mind: Dr Armand D'Angour on the Lyrical Poetry of Horace
Rod Dreher
Author and cultural critic
Author; visiting lecturer at Danube Institute
Episode: How Dante Can Save Your Life with Rod Dreher
Connor Livingston
Ralston College fellow and discussion participant
Episode: The Practice of Loving Wisdom | A Conversation with Spencer Klavan and Connor Livingston
Spencer Klavan
Dr. Spencer Klavan, lecturer in Masters in Humanities program
Ralston College
Episode: Blood Guilt and Ballot Boxes: The Oresteia in America | A Lecture by Spencer Klavan
Heather Heying
Evolutionary biologist and lecturer
Ralston College
Episode: The Sophia Lectures With Bret Weinstein - Lecture 4: The Relationship Between Culture and Genes
Bret Weinstein
Evolutionary biologist and educator
Episode: Making Sense of Complex Systems with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
Mari Otsu
Graduate of Ralston College's MA in the Humanities program and former fellow
Ralston College
Episode: Katabasis and Return: A Conversation With Mari Otsu About Her Time at Ralston College
Douglas Murray
Cultural critic and author
Episode: Douglas Murray: Reconstructing our Culture | Renewal and Renaissance: A Ralston Symposium

Host

Stephen Blackwood
Host of the series, focused on cultivating a freer, more thoughtful intellectual culture; affiliated with Ralston College.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 184 ratings
  • Excellent

    I found this podcast because I am currently Boethius’ “The Consolation of Philosophy” and wanted to complement my reading with educational resources. The lecture on Boethius was so engaging and insightful. I am now looking forward to exploring other episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Juliany González Nieves
    United States5 months ago
  • Brings history to life.

    Entertaining , erudite.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Investissuese
    United States6 months ago
  • Superb

    A whirlwind of invigorating thought in a world so ready to cocoon us in inanity and ideological groupthink. Every lecture is worth listening to over and over again. I am just now returning to the delightful spiky wit and poignant insights of Alexander Stoddart.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aleksandra Tintinfan i UK
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Excellent

    The lectures by Iain McGilchrist are especially recommended! Beautiful and very important.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tobar03
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Top notch educational podcast

    This is a podcast for the thinking, self-reflective person. If you enjoy learning deep things, the “ancient truths” as Antigone put it, then this intellectually-stimulating podcast is for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gregorius Maximus Music
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise rigorous, thoughtful discourse and high-caliber guests.
The host's interview style is engaging and insightful, delivering deep dives without sacrificing accessibility.
The show is viewed as a sanity-preserving, intellectually rigorous alternative to trend-driven media.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#86
Netherlands/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Founding an Empire: Lessons from Augustus with Dr Barry Strauss
Q: What evidence did you see in the Aeneid that expressed Virgil's skepticism over the whole Imperial project?
Strauss discusses moments in the Aeneid that suggest skepticism about Augustus's rule, including Aeneas's emotional decisions and the somber tone at the epic's conclusion.
Founding an Empire: Lessons from Augustus with Dr Barry Strauss
Q: How do you think Augustus used the Office of Pontifex to legitimize his rule?
Dr. Strauss indicates that Augustus eventually became Pontifex, and this role helped to legitimize his rule.
Drs Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying in Conversation with Ralston College's Students
Q: At what point does sentience or consciousness enter into the cosmos?
We don't know, and we may never know, but it is likely tied to the combination of selection and some form of heredity.
Drs Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying in Conversation with Ralston College's Students
Q: What does it mean to live within the limits of our biology?
It invites us to explore how we might extend care, imagination, and intelligence for the generations to come.
The Sophia Lectures With Bret Weinstein - Lecture 4: The Relationship Between Culture and Genes
Q: How would you account for the mechanistic ideology in science?
It fails to recognize that certain important questions have immeasurable answers and that we must embrace uncertainty.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ralston College Podcast

What is The Ralston College Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, humanities-forward series that pairs lectures and conversations with leading classical scholars, philosophers, and public intellectuals. Across episodes, the focus is on integrating ancient wisdom with modern life—exploring topics like Greek and Roman thought, ethics, education, and the role of universities in shaping civic life. Guests include classicists, evolutionary biologists, and cultural critics, creating rich discussions on truth, beauty, and the good in contemporary society. The format often blends scholarly analysis with personal storytelling to illuminate how enduring ideas can guide modern living, learning, and public discourse. Expect deep dives into literature, philosophy, and education, with a clear emphasis on ... more

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1. The Symbolic World
2. Young Heretics
3. First Things Podcast
4. Uncommon Knowledge
5. The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

How many episodes of The Ralston College Podcast are there?

The Ralston College Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 80 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 Ralston College Podcast?

Recent guests on The Ralston College Podcast include:

1. Ian McGilchrist
2. Armand D'Angour
3. Rod Dreher
4. Connor Livingston
5. Spencer Klavan
6. Heather Heying
7. Bret Weinstein
8. Mari Otsu

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