Athenaeum Book Club
The Athenaeum Book Club is a podcast for curious minds who love history, big ideas, and the stories that shaped our world. Hosted by Jeremy Ryan Slate, it features conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers about classic books and pivotal moments, from ancient epics to the rise and fall of civilizations. Each episode connects timeless ideas to the present through storytelling and lively discussion, welcoming lifelong readers and newcomers alike.
Episodes
Alex Petkas - The Odyssey
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Alex Petkas for an exploration of Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the foundational works of Western literature. Together they journey through Odysseus’ epic voyage home, examining the poem’s timeless themes of courage, perseverance, identity, and the longing for home. Dr. Petkas provides insight into Homer’s world, the
Dr. Joshua Phillips - The Old Man and the Sea
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Joshua Phillips for a thoughtful exploration of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Together they examine Hemingway’s timeless story of Santiago, an aging fisherman whose struggle with a great marlin becomes a profound meditation on perseverance, dignity, and the meaning of true success. Dr. Phillips unpack
Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson - The Brothers Karamazov
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson for a deep discussion of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, one of the greatest novels ever written. Together they explore the book’s profound questions about faith, doubt, freedom, suffering, and the search for truth. From the unforgettable parable of the Grand Inquisitor to the comp
Johan Kurtz - Leaving a Legacy
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with author Johann Kurtz to discuss his book, Leaving a Legacy. Together they explore what it means to build a life that matters, examining themes of purpose, responsibility, family, leadership, and the impact we leave on future generations. Kurtz shares the experiences and ideas that inspired the book, offering practical
Liza Libes - Crime and Punishment
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Liza Libes for a deep exploration of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Together they examine the psychological, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions of one of literature’s greatest novels, following the tortured journey of Rodion Raskolnikov as he wrestles with guilt, morality, and redemption. Libes unpacks
Fr. Calvin Robinson - C.S. Lewis' Ransom Trilogy
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Fr. Calvin Robinson for a deep exploration of The Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis. Together they examine the trilogy’s powerful themes of morality, spiritual warfare, technology, and the struggle between the sacred and the modern world. From Out of the Silent Planet to That Hideous Strength, Lewis uses science fiction to
Jeremy Tate - Death Comes for the Archbishop
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Jeremy Tate for a reflective discussion on Willa Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop. Together they explore the novel’s quiet power, following Bishop Latour’s mission in the American Southwest and the deeper themes of faith, friendship, and vocation that shape his journey. Tate offers insight into Cather’s restrain
Dr. Joshua Philips - War and Peace
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Joshua Phillips of Penn State University for a deep exploration of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace—one of the greatest novels ever written. Together they unpack the sweeping story of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, while examining Tolstoy’s deeper questions about history, fate, leadership, and the search for meaning. Dr
Andrew N. Snyder - Lord of the Rings
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with scholar Andrew N. Snyder to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—one of the most beloved works of modern literature. Together they discuss the world Tolkien built in Middle-earth, the themes of courage, friendship, sacrifice, and the corrupting nature of power that run through the story, and why the trilogy
Dan Jones - The War of the Roses
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by historian and bestselling author Dan Jones to discuss his book The Wars of the Roses. Together they explore the brutal dynastic conflict that tore England apart in the fifteenth century, examining the ambitions, betrayals, and shifting loyalties that defined the struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York. Jones
Memory Medieval - Dueling Stories of the Sixteenth Century
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Memory Medieval (x.com/MemoryMedieval) for a deep dive into Dueling Stories of the Sixteenth Century. Together, they explore how competing narratives, propaganda, and personal rivalries shaped the way the early modern world understood war, religion, and power. The conversation examines how history was written in real t
Will Tanner - Rhodesia
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Will Tanner for a historical examination of Rhodesia and the events that led to the mass emigration of its white population. The conversation explores the political, economic, and social forces surrounding decolonization, the Rhodesian Bush War, and the transition to Zimbabwe. Tanner provides context often missing from
Wade Stotts - G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Wade Stotts for an insightful discussion on G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy—a work that continues to challenge modern skepticism with wit, paradox, and faith. Together, they explore Chesterton’s journey from doubt to belief, his defense of wonder and reason, and his vision of Christianity as the key to understanding the wo
Dr. Matthew Knotts - The Confessions of St. Augustine
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Matthew Knotts for a profound exploration of St. Augustine’s Confessions—one of the most influential works in Christian and philosophical history. Together they trace Augustine’s journey from restless seeker to saint, examining his struggles with desire, truth, and divine grace. Dr. Knotts illuminates the timeless rele
Raymond Ibrahim - Defenders of the West
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with historian and author Raymond Ibrahim to discuss his book Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam. Ibrahim explores the lives of legendary figures such as Richard the Lionheart, El Cid, and John Hunyadi—warriors who shaped the clash between civilizations. Together, they examine how these me
Dr. Shaun Rieley - St. Thomas More's Utopia
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Shaun Rieley of Hillsdale College for a thought-provoking discussion on St. Thomas More’s Utopia. Together they explore More’s vision of the ideal society—its paradoxes, political commentary, and enduring questions about human nature and governance. Dr. Rieley unpacks the historical context of Utopia, revealing how Mor
Dr. Sean E. Lake - The Illiad
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Sean E. Lake for an in-depth exploration of Homer’s Iliad—the timeless epic of honor, wrath, and fate. Together, they unpack the poem’s enduring power: the heroism of Achilles, the tragedy of Hector, and the moral vision that shaped Western thought. Dr. Lake brings fresh insight into Homer’s language, cultural cont
Dr. Alex Petkas - Plutarch's Life of Pericles
In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Alex Petkas, classical scholar and host of The Cost of Glory podcast, for an engaging discussion on Plutarch’s Life of Pericles. Together they explore how Pericles became the embodiment of Athenian greatness—his vision for democracy, his leadership during the city’s Golden Age, and the moral lessons Plutarch offers for
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