In this episode, professor Harrison reflects on the symbolism of willows and their connection to thresholds. He includes discussions of Japanese willow stories, Algernon Blackwood, and poems by the pre-rafalite poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his sister Christina Rossetti.

Robert Harrison on willows and thresholds

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

A conversation about crime in America with Scott Thomas Anderson, author of “Shadow People,” journalist for Sacramento News & Review, and producer of the podcasts “Drinkers with Writing Problems” and “Trace of the Devastation.” Songs in this episode: “Helen” by Glass Wave and “Hey Joe” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Crime in America with Scott Thomas Anderson

A conversation with Nate Klemp, a philosopher, writer, and founding partner at Mindfulness Magazine, on practicing mindfulness in our fast-paced, technology-dependent world. He is also co-author of the New York Times bestseller “Start Here.” Songs in this episode: “Nausicaa” by Glass Wave and “Dayvan Cowboy” by Boards of Canada.

Mindfulness in a Distracted World with Nate Klemp

In this philosophy-heavy episode, Professor Robert Harrison and David Bates, Professor of Rhetoric at UC Berkeley, discuss the “unnatural” origins of human technology and the difficulty of drawing sharp distinctions between artificial and natural intelligence. Songs in this episode: “Bourée” by Jethro Tull and “Ghost” by Fleetwood Mac.

The Artificiality of Natural Intelligence with David Bates

A monologue on Dante’s unflattering (and unjustified) portrait of his teacher, Brunetto Latini. This episode wraps up the first season of Robert Harrison’s series on “Dante’s Characters.” Songs in this episode: “La nuit du rat” by La Féline and “Preludio” by Dolce Acqua.

Dante’s Characters: Part Four, Brunetto Latini

A monologue on Guido da Montefeltro, a false counselor whose speech foreshadows literary modernism’s stream of consciousness. Songs in this episode: “Present Tense” by Radiohead and “Prufrock Blues” by Robert Harrison and Anne-Sophie Bine.

Robert Harrison on willows and thresholds

Download our free app to listen on your phone