What Did You Do Yesterday? with Max Rushden & David O'Doherty

S3 EP10: Dame Mary Beard

Aug 24, 2025
Dame Mary Beard, a renowned classicist and author from Cambridge, joins the discussion. She shares her insights into how ancient stories connect with modern life, showcasing her new podcast, 'Instant Classics.' The duo explores the amusing challenges of celebrity children's books and personal anecdotes about academics and early experiences with history. Their witty banter about podcasting and cultural narratives captivates, blending lightheartedness with intellectual depth, making ancient history feel relevant and engaging.
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ANECDOTE

Car To London Because Trains Fail

  • Mary Beard described being sent a car from Cambridge to London because of train delays and organisers' concern for her.
  • She framed it humorously as what happens when you're 70 and people fret you'll struggle with disrupted trains.
ADVICE

Choose Reliable Coffee Tech

  • Use a bean-to-cup coffee machine for reliable morning cappuccinos with minimal fuss.
  • Mary Beard values a DeLonghi machine because it consistently 'does what it says on the tin.'
ANECDOTE

A Morning Of Press For New Podcast

  • Mary Beard spent a morning doing interview after interview promoting her new podcast, Instant Classics.
  • She found the interviews pleasant and affirming but also exhausting from repetitive conversations.
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