In Our Time

Guests discuss Vincent van Gogh's famous works and his battle with mental health. Topics include his early life and family background, fascination with sunflowers, difficult collaborators, time in the asylum, self portraits, compelling biography, changing colors, and upcoming exhibition at the National Gallery.

Matthew Nicholls, a Senior Tutor at Oxford specializing in Roman history, along with Shushma Malik from Cambridge and Professor Catherine Steel from Glasgow, delve into the complexities of Emperor Tiberius. They explore his unexpected rise to power amidst the chaos of the Roman Republic's transition to empire. Tiberius's strategic manipulation of the Praetorian Guard, the treacherous political landscape marked by paranoia, and his controversial retreat to Capri are discussed. The guests also reflect on Tiberius's legacy and how historical narratives have evolved over time.

In this enlightening discussion, Stephen Plant, Dean at Trinity Hall, and Christiane Tietz, Professor of Systematic Theology, explore Karl Barth, a towering figure in 20th-century theology. They delve into Barth's radical shift from liberal theology, emphasizing divine revelation over human understanding. The conversation highlights Barth’s fierce resistance against Nazism, including the creation of the Barman Declaration. They also examine his complex relationships and the implications of his views on grace, showcasing his lasting impact on modern Christian thought.

Bridget Bennett, Erin Forbes, and Tom Wright dive into the life and legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, the master of Gothic literature and detective fiction. They discuss Poe's tumultuous early life, which deeply influenced his dark narratives. The conversation highlights his innovative contributions to the detective genre through characters like C. Auguste Dupin. They also explore the unsettling themes in works like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and examine the complexities of Poe's legacy, including race and personal relationships, weaving a rich tapestry of his enduring cultural impact.

Marguerite, Queen of Navarre, was a key figure of the French Renaissance and a prolific writer known for her influential work, the Heptaméron. Emma Herdman, a French lecturer, dives into Marguerite's bold critiques of the Catholic Church and her pivotal role in the Reformation. They explore the complex narratives of the Heptaméron that challenge gender dynamics, as well as Marguerite's strategic political maneuvers within her royal family during a time of religious turmoil. Her legacy as a literary and reformative force endures.

Matthew Watson, a Political Economy professor, Bill Waller, an Economics professor, and Mary Wrenn, a Senior Lecturer in Economics, delve into Thorstein Veblen's pivotal work. They discuss the Gilded Age's emergence of a leisure class, highlighting conspicuous consumption and waste. The conversation covers how Veblen's critiques predated modern economic thought, influenced the New Deal, and introduced the concept of Veblen goods. They also explore the interplay between economic theories and societal change, revealing the enduring relevance of Veblen's insights.

Join Joanna Nolan, a Research Associate at SOAS, Claire Norton, a former Associate Professor of History, and Michael Talbot, an Associate Professor in Ottoman History, as they delve into the fascinating world of Barbary Corsairs. Discover how these North African privateers challenged European perceptions, operating under a veneer of legitimacy. Explore the complex realities of enslavement and the coexistence between captives and captors. They also tackle the myths surrounding these figures, urging a reevaluation of historical narratives and their modern implications.

This podcast delves into Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, exploring topics such as happiness, living a good life, weakness of will, pleasure, friendship, and the mean. They discuss Aristotle's background, his focus on the rational part of the human psyche, and the importance of practical wisdom. The role of friendship in Aristotle's philosophy and his analysis of weakness of will are also explored. The podcast takes an interesting turn towards supernatural encounters and an advertisement for Nordstrom at the end.

Susan Harrow, an expert on Emile Zola, Kate Griffiths, a professor specializing in 19th-century French literature, and Edmund Birch, a lecturer at Cambridge, delve into Zola's powerful novel, Germinal. They discuss the bleak realities faced by miners, exploring themes of poverty, exploitation, and the struggle for humanity amidst industrialization. The conversation highlights Zola's immersive research, his sociological narrative style, and the novel's lasting legacy in literature and art. The guests reveal how Zola's work resonates with modern labor issues, making it ever relevant.

Philip Sheldrake, a Professor of Christian Spirituality, discusses the remarkable life of Julian of Norwich, a medieval mystic and likely the first named woman writer in English. He delves into her vivid visions of Christ and her revolutionary concepts of love and sin. The conversation explores Julian's unique portrayal of God's maternal qualities, as well as her challenges as a female authority figure in a skeptical society. Her reassuring message that 'all shall be well' resonates throughout the discussion, emphasizing her lasting influence on spirituality.