

Ascend - The Great Books Podcast
Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan
Welcome to Ascend!
We are a weekly Great Books podcast hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan.
What are the Great Books?
The Great Books are the most impactful texts that have shaped Western civilization. They include ancients like Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas, and also moderns like Machiavelli, Locke, and Nietzsche. We will explore the Great Books with the light of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Why should we read the Great Books?
Everyone is a disciple of someone. A person may have never read Locke or Nietzsche, but he or she thinks like them. Reading the Great Books allows us to reclaim our intellect and understand the origin of the ideas that shape our world. We enter a "great conversation" amongst the most learned, intelligent humans in history and benefit from their insights.
Is this for first-time readers?
YES. Our goal is to host meaningful conversations on the Great Books by working through the texts in chronological order in a slow, attentive manner. Our host Adam Minihan is a first-time reader of Homer. We will start shallow and go deep. All are invited to join.
Will any resources be available?
YES. We are providing a free 115 Question & Answer Guide to the Iliad written by Deacon Harrison Garlick in addition to our weekly conversations. It will be available on the website (launching next week).
Go pick up a copy of the Iliad!
We look forward to reading Homer with you in 2024.
We are a weekly Great Books podcast hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan.
What are the Great Books?
The Great Books are the most impactful texts that have shaped Western civilization. They include ancients like Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas, and also moderns like Machiavelli, Locke, and Nietzsche. We will explore the Great Books with the light of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Why should we read the Great Books?
Everyone is a disciple of someone. A person may have never read Locke or Nietzsche, but he or she thinks like them. Reading the Great Books allows us to reclaim our intellect and understand the origin of the ideas that shape our world. We enter a "great conversation" amongst the most learned, intelligent humans in history and benefit from their insights.
Is this for first-time readers?
YES. Our goal is to host meaningful conversations on the Great Books by working through the texts in chronological order in a slow, attentive manner. Our host Adam Minihan is a first-time reader of Homer. We will start shallow and go deep. All are invited to join.
Will any resources be available?
YES. We are providing a free 115 Question & Answer Guide to the Iliad written by Deacon Harrison Garlick in addition to our weekly conversations. It will be available on the website (launching next week).
Go pick up a copy of the Iliad!
We look forward to reading Homer with you in 2024.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 58min
First Alcibiades by Plato Part One with Alec Bianco and Athenian Stranger
PLATO IS PHILOSOPHY - and there is no better place to start with Plato than First Alcibiades. Today, we are discussing First Alcibiades with Alec Bianco of the Circe Institute and with the Athenian Stranger. Go check out their X accounts. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule.Check out our PATREON for written guides on the great books!We also have a NEW COMMUNITY CHAT on Plato to discuss with other people reading along.First Alcibiades is both the beginning and a summation of Platonic philosophy. The dialogue “held pride of place in later antiquity as the ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy.”[1] Its traditional subtitle was "on the nature of man,” and it was said First Alcibiades “contains the whole philosophy of Plato, as in a seed.”[2] The Islamic commentator, Al-Farabi, said that in First Alcibiades “all the Platonic questions are raised as if for the first time.”At the heart of the dialogue is the maxim “know thyself,” which is in turn at the heart of the philosophic life. Plato uses a dialogue between a young Alcibiades, age twenty, and an older Socrates, age forty, to explore the Delphic maxim within the context of a teacher and student.[3] The relationship of the teacher as a lover of the soul of the student gave rise to the term "Platonic love," an intense, but non-sexual love in pursuit of excellence.[4]The dramatic date of the dialogue is approximately 433 BC.[5] The composition date is a complicated question. First Alcibiades is considered by many to be a spurious dialogue or rather a dialogue written later by Platonists and not Plato. The dialogue sometimes has an earlier date around 390s BC and a later date in the 350s BC.[6] Some also hold the dialogue is a composite text with some being written by Plato and some being written by a later Platonist.It should be noted, however, that antiquity held that the dialogue was written by Plato, and the idea that it was not originated recently in nineteenth century German scholarship.[7] For our purposes, we will side with antiquity and default to Plato as the authentic author.CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO FIRST ALCIBIADES.CHECK OUT OUR COMMUNITY CHAT ON PLATO.Keywords: Plato, First Alcibiades, Socratic Method, Philosophy, Education, Rhetoric, Classical Education, Moral Formation, Athenian Politics, Self-Knowledge, Socrates, Alcibiades, virtue, self-knowledge, teaching, community, philosophy, myths, education.#plato #philosophy #christian #catholic #greatbooks[1] Plato, Complete Works, ed. John M. Cooper and D. S. Hutchinson (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1997), 557.[2] Plato, The Roots of Political Philosophy: Ten Forgotten Socratic Dialogues, ed. Thomas L. Pangle Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1987), 222.[3] Pangle, 222, fn.2.[4] Id.[5] Id.[6] Cooper, 558.[7] Cooper, 557-8.

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 46min
The Life of Alcibiades by Plutarch with Alex from Cost of Glory
Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are continuing our study of Plato by diving into the Life of Alcibiades by Plutarch with Alex from the Cost of Glory podcast.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more resources!Visit our PATREON page for written guides and to chat with others!Alex is fantastic. Alex and Dcn. Garlick discuss a few preliminaries on why you should read about Alcibiades before studying Plato and why you should read Plutarch in general.If you are not familiar with the life of Alcibiades, you are in for a treat. This man is a real-life Odysseus with all the twists and turns and unbelievable plots to merit that title. Alex will help us navigate Alcibiades’ life and pull out some important lessons, like the inherent dangers of democracy.Also, THANK YOU for such a successful launch into Plato. We really appreciate it. Go check out our Patreon page for written guides on the great books AND a new community chat for all those who are reading Plato with us.So join us as we prepare for our Platonic studies by examining the life of Alcibiades by Plutarch.KeywordsAlcibiades, Plutarch, Socrates, Classics, Ancient Greece, Democracy, Philosophy, Cost of Glory, Antigone Journal, Human Nature, Alcibiades, Plutarch, Athenian politics, democracy, betrayal, piety, Spartan war, Socrates, ancient history, political strategy#Plato #greatbooks #philosophy #christian #catholic #classics #ancientgreece #Socrates

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 35min
Plato 101: An Introduction with Friends
WE ARE STARTING PLATO! Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast we are launching into our studies on Plato. We are kicking off with a roundtable of friends—a lawyer, two Phds, and an independent scholar—discussing the preliminary questions on Plato.Questions:Who was Plato?Why should we read Plato?Why should Christians read Plato?How should we read Plato?What Plato will we be reading?We’ll also have a brief opening chat on the great books in general and why they are worth reading—which is at the heart of our mission here at Ascend. We’ll end by mapping out the next 8-9 months of episodes on Plato, which includes some of the best university professors and online voices you can find. So join us today for an excellent conversation on who is Plato and why should we read him.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more resources!Visit our PATREON PAGE for written guides and a community chat on Plato.Keywords: Plato, Great Books, Socrates, Philosophy, Dialogues, Education, Christian Thought, Classical Education, Literature, Intellectual TraditionHashtags: #Plato #Greatbooks #Socrates #Christian Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books00:55 Introducing Plato and the Panel05:32 The Purpose of Reading Great Books12:05 Understanding Socrates and His Influence21:14 Exploring Plato's Life and Philosophy30:04 The Importance of Reading Plato30:49 Socratic Questions and Universal Truths33:53 Plato's Philosophical Legacy36:15 Plato and the Spiritual Dimension41:09 Plato's Role in Christian Thought44:24 Philosophy and Faith: A Christian Perspective51:19 How to Read Plato's Dialogues01:03:49 Understanding Plato in Context01:04:16 The Challenges of the Philosophical Life01:05:42 The Hazards of Philosophy01:07:18 The Demands of Knowledge01:09:42 The Cost of Philosophical Inquiry01:10:21 Upcoming Dialogues and Their Importance01:13:14 Exploring First Alcibiades01:13:44 The Euthyphro Dilemma01:17:05 Socrates' Defense in the Apology01:17:53 The Crito: Laws and Justice01:18:58 The Phaedo: Death and Immortality01:19:28 The Mino: Education and Knowledge01:21:05 The Gorgias: Rhetoric and Morality01:23:03 The Republic: Justice and Society01:24:40 Reading Recommendations and Translations01:26:04 Final Thoughts on Reading PlatoCheck us out at thegreatbookspodcast.com. Check out our new COMMUNITY CHAT where supporters can discuss Plato together.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
NEW BOOK: The Transhumanist Temptation with Grayson Quay
In this episode of the Ascend to the Great Books podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick welcomes back Grayson Quay to discuss his new book, 'The Transhumanist Temptation.'The conversation delves into the ideological roots of transhumanism, its implications for humanity, and the historical context that has led to its rise. Quay emphasizes the importance of teleology in understanding human nature and critiques the modern conception of freedom as it relates to technology. The discussion also touches on the challenges posed by technology, the influence of Nietzsche, and the need for a moral framework to navigate the complexities of modern life. Join us for a great conversation!BOOK: The Transhumanist Temptation by Grayson QuayYou can read the great books with Ascend! Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule.NEXT WEEK we start our study on Plato!Summary of BookFrom the dawn of creation, the serpent’s whispered lie—“ye shall be as gods”—has echoed through history, and today it manifests itself in the growing transhumanist movement.Our world stands at a crossroads with commercial surrogacy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and “gender-affirming care” threatening to radically reshape human nature. Will we stand firm on ancient wisdom or risk losing our humanity altogether?Grayson Quay deftly overturns the lies of transhumanism and cautions readers about the dystopian brave new world that has already arrived and will only get worse. And yet, he argues, transhumanism has more to do with philosophy than technology. The seeds of transhumanism were all there in the various isms of centuries past, but, under the harsh light of twenty-first-century science, they’re growing as never before.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books01:06 Exploring Transhumanism: The Book Introduction02:54 Inspiration Behind the Book04:31 Defining Transhumanism and Its Ideological Roots06:40 Target Audience and the Purpose of the Book09:40 Historical Context of Humanism and Transhumanism12:15 Understanding Teleology and Its Importance17:41 The Ethics of Medicine and Technology19:45 The Concept of Freedom in Modernity23:47 Technology's Role in Transhumanism27:42 The Moral Framework for Technology30:02 The Impact of Technology on Humanity35:40 Transhumanism and the Nature of Man42:34 The Asymmetrical Warfare of Parenting in a Digital Age46:44 Theological Implications of Transhumanism54:34 Two Competing Visions of TranshumanismVisit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more information!

Jul 15, 2025 • 2h 26min
Homer and the Greek Plays: A Roundtable with Friends
Today on Ascend the Greek Books Podcast, we wrap up our exploration of the Greek plays with a lively roundtable discussion. Our panel of friends delves into the key themes of the tragic plays, including divinity, eros, fate, justice, the cosmos, virtue, and suffering.We explore plays such as the Oresteia, Prometheus Bound, the Theban plays, and the Bacchae, with insights from Homer, Hesiod, and Aristophanes. Don't miss this engaging conversation as we prepare to embark on our next journey with Plato.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule!Visit our Patreon page for written guides and a community chat on Plato!SummaryIn this episode of the Great Books Podcast, the hosts and guests engage in a round table discussion about key themes in Greek plays, including divinity, Eros, fate, and free will. They share their favorite plays and insights gained from their readings, exploring how these themes evolve from Homer to later playwrights. The conversation highlights the complexity of Eros as both a binding force and a source of mania, as well as the characters' limited agency in the face of divine intervention.The discussion culminates in a reflection on the implications of these themes for understanding Greek literature and philosophy. The conversation explores the themes of fatalism versus determinism, agency in Greek tragedy, the role of the gods, the evolution of justice, the nature of the cosmos, virtue, and the purpose of suffering. The speakers discuss how these themes are interwoven in the works of Homer and Aeschylus, highlighting the complexity of human actions, moral order, and the divine influence in Greek thought.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates06:38 Favorite Plays and Surprising Discoveries12:25 The Maturation of Thought on Divinity19:40 The Splintering and Obsessive Qualities of the Gods23:57 The Tension Between the Divine and Natural Phenomena25:47 Exploring the Concept of Divinity43:00 The Dual Nature of Eros55:54 Debating Fate and Free Will59:39 Plato's Symposium: Eros as Ascent01:01:30 The Interplay of Fate and Human Agency01:14:53 Justice and Retribution in Homer's Epics01:32:13 The Maturation of Justice in Aeschylus' Plays01:39:14 The Challenge of Justice in the Story of Oedipus01:44:40 The Redemptive Power of Suffering01:50:55 The Influence of the Cosmos on Virtue and Piety01:59:58 The Crucifixion: Suffering and Redemption02:09:28 Sharing the Wisdom: Importance of Discussion02:17:07 Insights into Justice, the Cosmos, Virtue, and SufferingKeywords: Greek plays, divinity, Eros, fate, free will, themes, literature, philosophy, podcast, discussion, fatalism, determinism, agency, Greek tragedy, justice, cosmos, virtue, suffering, Homer, AeschylusHashtags: #GreekPlays #Tragedy #Philosophy #GreatBooks

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 10min
The Frogs by Aristophanes with Tsh Oxenreider
Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are joined by Tsh Oxenreider to discuss The Frogs by Aristophanes. The play tells the comedic story of Dionysus deciding all the new tragic poets are terrible, so he travels to Hades to bring back Euripides to help save Athen’s from her moral decay. Once in Hades, Dionysus has several adventures, which includes hosting a poetry contest between Aeschylus and Euripides to see who is the best tragedian.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule!Visit our Patreon page for our library of written guides to the great books!For those who do not know Tsh Oxenreider, she is wonderful. She’s an author, blogger, and podcaster. I was on her podcast a while back to discuss acedia and love of eros. Great conversation. And today, we have a high-level, friendly chat about this The Frongs and our love of the great books in general.So join us today for a enjoyable conversation on Aristophanes’ the Frogs.ALSO: We start PLATO on 7.22.25! Check out our website for our reading schedule. Join us!00:00 Introduction01:09 Tish Oxenreider's Background and Love for the Great Books07:07 Introduction to Aristophanes and 'The Frogs'09:17 Appreciating Aristophanes' Comedy18:14 The Role of Comedy in Teaching Lessons21:59 The Humor and Juxtaposition in 'The Frogs'27:18 Comparing Aristophanes and Euripides30:26 The Title 'The Frogs' and its Significance32:51 The Impact of Translation on the Reading Experience34:29 The Power of Lightness34:55 The Relief of Small Pleasures35:54 Remembering the Power of Truth and Beauty37:43 The Transformative Power of Great Works39:00 Dionysus as the Go-Between40:18 Poets as Teachers

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Clouds by Aristophanes with Dr. Zina Hitz
In this episode, Dcn. Harrison Garlick, Chancellor and General Counsel of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, welcomes Dr. Zena Hitz, a tutor at St. John’s College and founder of the Catherine Project, to discuss Aristophanes’ comedic masterpiece, The Clouds. The episode dives into the play’s biting humor, its critique of Athenian society, and its timeless questions about education, piety, and moral decay. From the Thinkery’s absurd teachings to the mysterious Clouds, Dcn. Garlick and Zena unpack the play’s relevance to modern audiences, exploring themes of social ambition, familial breakdown, and the consequences of abandoning traditional values.Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more!Check out our Patreon page for our library of written guides!Key Discussion PointsAristophanes and The Clouds: Born around 446 BC, Aristophanes, the father of comedy, wrote The Clouds in 423 BC, nearly a decade into the Peloponnesian War. The play, a revised version not performed but circulated for reading, critiques Athenian decadence and intellectual trends through the story of Strepsiades, a debt-ridden father, and his son Phidippides. “Aristophanes in general is interested in portraying through this kind of ridiculous, sometimes slapstick, sometimes obscene comedy, certain truths” – Dr. Zena Hitz (16:47).The Thinkery and Education: The Thinkery, led by Socrates, teaches deceptive rhetoric and speculative inquiries, parodying new intellectual movements. It raises questions about education’s societal role. “The question about what an education is for and whether it helps the community or hurts it is a very basic fundamental question” – Dr. Zena Hitz (19:53).Piety and Political Stability: The play links reverence for traditional gods to social cohesion, showing how the Thinkery’s impiety destabilizes family and polis. “Belief in the gods is standing in for… sticking to the moral code that’s keeping the whole society together” – Dr. Zena Hitz (31:08).Socrates’ Portrayal: Socrates is depicted as a buffoonish sophist, but his role is ambiguous—possibly a stand-in for broader trends rather than the historical figure. “Strepsiades is the target… Socrates in a way is just being used to show something up about Strepsiades” – Dr. Zena Hitz (44:01).The Clouds’ Role: The personified Clouds, worshipped in the Thinkery, symbolize deceptive speech and align with comic poets, adding complexity. “Clouds cover things up. So there’s some kind of image for deceptive speech” – Dr. Zena Hitz (49:20).Socio-Economic Context: Set in a wealthy but decadent Athens, the play critiques social ambition and debt, mirroring modern struggles. “It’s in a way a very American story” – Dr. Zena Hitz (24:00).Moral Precedent and Human Nature: Strepsiades’ attempt to bend moral standards for gain backfires, reflecting universal human flaws. “You never want the full consequences of that one piece of wrongdoing… It never works out that way” – Dr. Zena Hitz (33:47).Translation Challenges: The episode highlights the importance of choosing a translation that preserves Aristophanes’ puns and humor, with recommendations for Arrowsmith and Sommerstein. “The translation on the Aristophanes actually matters a lot” – Dcn. Harrison Garlick (54:58).About Our GuestDr. Zena Hitz is a tutor at St. John’s College and the founder and president of the Catherine Project, a nonprofit offering free, open-access reading groups and tutorials on great books (CatherineProject.org). Her work spans classical philosophy, focusing on law, character, and the human good, while her popular writings explore freedom, education, happiness, and faith. She is the author of A Philosopher Looks at the Religious Life, which examines the paradox of total renunciation in pursuit of happiness. Find her at ZenaHitz.net or on Twitter/X.COMING UPNext week we discuss The Frogs by Aristophanes with Tsh Oxenreider and then we'll circle up for a round table on the Greek plays as whole. AND THEN we launch into PLATO with an introductory episode and then two episodes on our first dialogue: First Alcibiades. Join us!

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 51min
Madness and Piety: A Discussion on The Bacchae Part II
Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we plunge into the second part of Euripides’ The Bacchae—a harrowing yet gripping Greek tragedy that leads us deeper into the mystery of Dionysian eros. We’ll observe the tragic descent of King Pentheus, the Bacchae as a parasite upon society, and the haunting themes of eros, justice, and the question of piety under an evil god.Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading SCHEDULE.Check out our Patreon page for our 25 Q&A GUIDE to the Bacchae.From the guide:Why should you read The Bacchae?The Bacchae challenges readers to explore religion, erotics, piety, cosmic order, and human nature in a controversial and unsettling landscape. Euripides’ intent is not clear; thus, the reader is left to interpret a drama that seems to test longstanding Greek concepts, like piety and the gods.Dr. Grabowski acknowledges the play as an integral part of the “great conversation” in the Western canon, and Dcn. Garlick agrees by highlighting the play as an important antecedent to Plato’s Euthyphro and Symposium. Though the work includes disturbing imagery, it is within those images that Euripides is wrestling with erotics, piety, and the cosmos. Somewhat shockingly, the play presents several parallels to Jesus Christ and invites the reader into challenging comparisons. Overall, The Bacchae stands as an important—though controversial—work in exploring the nature of man and his relation to the divine.How is Agave’s death indicative of the destructive eros of Dionysus?The disordered eros of the Dionysian cult manifests as an anti-logos mania that is corrosive to the family and the natural political order. It brings societal instability. Dcn. Garlick explains that this Dionysian eros, unlike Plato’s ordered ascent through the ladder of love in the Symposium, is a “disordered erotics” that “spirals down to bestial releases.” It is notable that the first group affected by the Dionysian cult are women, and the first act of these crazed women is to abandon their husbands and children—and then run wild in the woods nursing animals and engaging in orgies. Euripides presents a scene of perversion, a perverted femininity and motherhood. The Bacchae also adopt masculine traits, like strength, a desire to hunt, and acts of violence—like tearing animals apart with their bare hands. Dr. Grabowski observes this all leads to the destruction of the polis, as “if you pervert women… there will be no children… no future generations, and… no polis.” The women’s rejection of domestic roles, driven by Dionysus’ “erotic mania,” fractures the social fabric, leading to a “complete and utter collapse… of a polis.”The climax of this societal destruction is Agave’s horrific act of killing her son, Pentheus, which Dcn. Garlick describes as the “zenith of this Dionysian madness,” epitomizing the cult’s perversion of natural relationships. Under Dionysus’ influence, Agave, “foaming at the mouth and her crazed eyes rolling with frenzy,” dismembers Pentheus, unaware he is her son until Cadmus restores her sanity. Dr. Grabowski calls this “sadistic” and “hideously perverse,” arguing it ensures “no polis… can survive if the Dionysian cult wins.” The murder of Thebes’ king by his mother symbolizes the ultimate collapse of political authority and familial bonds. This disordered eros, which Dcn. Garlick notes “robs you of your true identity,” transforms Thebes into a chaotic, sterile society.Check out more on the podcast and the guide!

Jun 17, 2025 • 2h 27min
Madness and Piety: A Discussion on The Bacchae Part I
Madness, piety, gore, and reason! Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, host Dcn. Harrison Garlick and the always insightful Dr. Frank Grabowski delve into the first part of Euripides’ The Bacchae—a chilling yet captivating Greek tragedy that explores piety, eros, the nature of the divine, and the fragility of societal order.The guys explore Dionysus, a god transformed from Homer’s jovial wine deity into a “cruel” and “diabolical” figure worshipped through “frenzied madness and the bestial release of sex and violence." With its graphic imagery, raw intensity, and ambiguous morality, this play offers a rich discussion, serving as a critical antecedent to Plato’s Symposium and revealing surprising parallels to Jesus Christ amidst its sordid chaos.Join us as we peel back the “bloody, terrible layers” of this darkly mesmerizing drama.Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more!Visit our Patreon page to view all our guides to the great books!Guest: Dr. Frank Grabowski: At the time of recordin, a professor of philosophy at Rogers State University, third-order Franciscan, and a valued member of the Sunday Great Books group. His profound insights into Greek literature and philosophy illuminate the complexities of The Bacchae. Dr. Grabowski now serves as the Dean of Faculty at Holy Family Classical School.Why should you read The Bacchae?The Bacchae challenges readers to explore religion, erotics, piety, cosmic order, and human nature in a controversial and unsettling landscape. Euripides’ intent is not clear; thus, the reader is left to interpret a drama that seems to test longstanding Greek concepts, like piety and the gods. Dr. Grabowski acknowledges the play as an integral part of the “great conversation” in the Western canon, and Dcn. Garlick agrees by highlighting the play as an important antecedent to Plato’s Euthyphro and Symposium.Though the work includes disturbing imagery, it is within those images that Euripides is wrestling with erotics, piety, and the cosmos. Somewhat shockingly, the play presents several parallels to Jesus Christ and invites the reader into challenging comparisons. Overall, The Bacchae stands as an important—though controversial—work in exploring the nature of man and his relation to the divine.Next Episodes:Next week, we continue with Part 2 of The Bacchae, diving into Pentheus’ tragic fall, the Bacchae’s destructive frenzy, and the play’s enigmatic conclusion. Upcoming episodes feature Aristophanes’ The Clouds with guest Zena Hits and The Frogs with Tish Oxenreider, as we pave the way for Plato’s dialogues.Thank You:A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Frank Grabowski for his brilliant insights and to our listeners for joining us on this ascent through the great books. Keep exploring, and we’ll see you next week for more of The Bacchae’s darkly mesmerizing drama!

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 49min
Cursed by the Gods: Oedipus at Colonus Part Two
Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Garlick and Mr. Eli Stone discuss the second and final part of Oedipus at Colonus—wherein Sophocles brings the horrific tale of Oedipus to a beautiful, redemptive end.Deacon and Eli discuss the dramatic zenith of Oedipus’ life, the theme of redemptive suffering, the binding power of love, and all the various ways this play comments on the relationships in Antigone and Oedipus Rex.Go visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule!Check out this awesome guide to Oedipus at Colonus! Here is the opening of Deacon's guide to Oedipus at Colonus:Oedipus at Colonus is a beautiful tale. It brings a tremendous amount of meaning to the Oedipus Cycle. Sophocles offers us perennial truths on fate, the agency of man, and the cosmic whole. I greatly enjoyed, as a first time reader, the narrative of Oedipus at Colonus—especially the ending. It is a tremendous zenith to the Oedipus Cycle and one that parallels the Book of Job in its ability to address the question of suffering.Oedipus at Colonus remains an important text within the Western canon of great books, as it is a beautiful antecedent to how later thinkers, like St. Augustine, will come to understand the world as subject to Divine Providence. Sophocles offers several preliminary considerations on whether the fate that rules the world does so according to justice; and whether man must adopt a certain docility in consideration of such a fate. The balance, however, of man’s agency and fate’s dominion is a perennial question.I am in debt to Mr. Eli Stone who not only guided me through this work but highly recommended the podcast cover the Oedipus Cycle. I very much appreciate his insights and all the wisdom he has brought to our conversations.Amongst all the horrific suffering, Oedipus at Colonus is able to bring a theme of redemption to the story of Oedipus. Like Antigone, he serves as a sign of the gods—a sign of cosmic fate, docility to divine order, and the meaning of suffering. May we come to understand Sophocles’ lessons and how they invite us to a more ordered existence.Episode HighlightsRedemptive Death: Dcn. Garlick shares, “I fell in love with this play when Oedipus sees the thunder head rolling in… his ecstatic joy that death comes." Theseus’ Nobility: Theseus’ interruption of sacrifice to save Oedipus’ daughters highlights Athenian justice: “Sojourners… are the special patronage of Zeus." Polyneices’ Tragedy: Oedipus’ curse on Polyneices sets up Antigone: “Please bury me… we’re setting the foundation… for the first play."Love’s Role: Antigone’s mediation and Oedipus’ farewell underscore love’s binding power: “She is love and love binds," as Deacon note.Guest Spotlight: Eli StoneEli Stone returns, bringing his expertise from his time at the Chancery, his discernment with the Western Dominicans, and his current role at the University of Tulsa Honors College. His passion shines through: “These are my favorite Greek plays… I’ve really enjoyed them." Eli’s insights on providence, love, and historical allegory enrich the discussion.Next Episode TeaserNext week, we dive into Euripides’ Bacchae, a stark contrast to the Theban plays, raising questions of divine madness and human limits. Join us for this intriguing exploration on Ascend the Great Books Podcast!Let us hear from you!Follow our account on X and let us know what you thought of Oedipus at Colonus and the Theban plays overall!Those who support us on Patreon have access to our written guides. We appreciate all their support.