Old School with Shilo Brooks

Admiral James Stavridis, a retired four-star U.S. Navy Admiral and bestselling author, dives deep into the impact of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea on his life. He passionately discusses themes of resilience, ambition, and the mentor-mentee bond illustrated between Santiago and Manolin. Stavridis shares how reading has shaped his leadership style and emphasizes the importance of literature in understanding human experience. He also addresses common civilian misconceptions about the military and reflects on the future challenges he foresees.

Fewer of us than ever are reading books for pleasure. Shilo Brooks is on a mission to change that. Old School is a new podcast from The Free Press about great books and how reading them can make us stronger, better men. The show features intimate conversations with fascinating men—from fitness gurus to philosophers—about the books that shaped their lives. Coming October 9th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices