Podcast Episodes

Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic

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In his own day, the ancient philosopher Diogenes the Cynic had a reputation for eccentricity, heckling his fellow philosophers in the marketplace, living in a clay pot, and relieving hims…

Published on 12 hours ago

Episode 491: The Women's March

Season 1 Episode 491

Bread shortages force the Revolution's hand.

Western Civ Podcast 2.0

Published on 4 days, 12 hours ago

Episode 490: The Fall of the Bastille

Season 1 Episode 490

The French Revolution gets serious as the people of Paris rise up and storm the Bastille. 

Western Civ Podcast 2.0

Published on 1 week, 4 days ago

War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why

Season 1

In this bonus interview, I sit down with Phillips Payson O'Brien and we discuss his latest book: War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why. 

For nearly two centuries, international relations have been prem…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Episode 489: The Estates-General

Season 1 Episode 489

An oath on a tennis court, of all things, sparks the French Revolution.

Western Civ Podcast 2.0

Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Episode 488: The Flood

Season 1 Episode 488

Efforts to reform France under Louis XV and Louis XVI fail, plunging the kingdom into the flood of revolution. 

Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Bloody Crowns: A New History of the Hundred Years War

Today I sit down with historian Michael Livingston and talk about one of my favorite subjects: the Hundred Years War.

Henry V at Agincourt. Edward III at Crécy. The Black Prince at Poitiers. Joan of A…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Episode 487: The Old Regime

Season 1 Episode 487

Also known as the Ancien Regimé, the system of France going into the revolution was maddeningly complex and, seemingly, designed to fail. 

Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

Episode 486: The Young Republic

Season 1 Episode 486

The Americans won their independence, but what would they do with it?

Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial

Published on 1 month ago

The Romans: A 2,000 Year History

Season 1

Today I sit down with historian Edward J. Watts and talk about his latest book: The Romans.

When we think of “ancient Romans” today, many picture the toga-clad figures of Cicero and Caesar, presiding …

Published on 1 month ago