“Emma” by Jane Austen

As Emma discovers that the way to love people is to encourage their independence, she builds a life that’s not only delightful on the surface, but deeply fulfilling.

The Good, The Bad, and Moana

by Thomas Walker-WerthArt & Culture

Dec 11, 2024

Moana 2, although not an especially bad film, is symptomatic a range of serious problems in our culture.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale is a fascinating story that highlights the importance of self-esteem, individual thought, and personal choice through a stylized and engaging narrative.

“The Student Conductor” by Robert Ford

The Student Conductor is a touching, bittersweet story of a man learning how to pursue the things he loves—and what could stop him from doing so.

“The Hunger Games” trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games trilogy highlights many important aspects of tyranny and rebellion, the most important of which is that pursuing your values requires freedom.

“Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick

Empathy, religion, war, and social hierarchies in Dick's 1968 sci-fi classic.

1960: Pop Hits in Review

by Jon HerseyArt & Culture

Nov 14, 2024

We’re diving into our musical detective work, examining the pop hits of history to find “the day the music died.” In this episode, we look at the Billboard Top 10 for 1960.

“Speaker for the Dead” by Orson Scott Card

Speaker for the Dead uses some bizarre sci-fi concepts to explore important moral issues—hitting the nail on the head on some, but muddying the waters on others.

Mark Knopfler: Sultan of Song

by Jon HerseyArt & Culture

Oct 23, 2024

“The thing is,” Mark Knopfler says of his craft, “if you’ve energized somebody . . . or you’ve sensitized somebody, you’ve made a difference.”

Self-Concept in Thornhedge

This fun fantasy novella offers an opportunity to reflect on identity and self-esteem.

“The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood

This spinoff to The Handmaid’s Tale, set in the same tyrannical theocracy (the Republic of Gilead), alternates between the perspectives of three very different women. Aunt Lydia, the only character who’s in...

I Found the Day Music Actually Died

by Jon HerseyArt & Culture, Lifestyle

Oct 3, 2024

I did something kind of nuts, and it took forever, but I think it clearly shows that pop music has definitely gotten worse.

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