Ancient Office Hours

Dr. Kate Cook, a Lecturer in Greek Culture at King’s College London, joins Lexie to discuss falling in love with tragedy after reading Aeschylus’ Agamemnon and Kassandra’s scene, connecting hostility toward prominent or “masculinized” women in modern games to ancient tragic narratives about women, and critiquing the “historical accuracy” discourse in gaming which includes mods that remove women. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Bluesky, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded June 12, 2025. 

Learn more about Dr. Cook: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/kate-cook 

Follow her on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/katexe.bsky.social 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sarah Bond, an associate professor of Classics at the University of Iowa, joins Lexie to discuss the importance of classical languages and public scholarship, her book 'Strike' and the evolution of labor unions from ancient Rome to modern times, the potential future of classics & the impact of AI on the job market, and the significance of empathy in humanities. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded June 11, 2025. 

Learn more about Dr. Bond: https://history.uiowa.edu/people/sarah-bond 

Check out her blog: History From Below 

Check out her Substack “Pasts Imperfect”: https://pasts-imperfect.ghost.io/ 

Follow her on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahebond.bsky.social

Grab a copy of her book Strike: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300273144/strike/ 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Alex Dold, a literary scholar, historian, and unofficial “Dr. of Outlander,” joins Lexie to discuss her insights on how she blends literary scholarship and historical research, the challenges of researching an ongoing series, the importance of studying popular culture academically, and the essential role of books and public history. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded January 28, 2026. 

Learn more about Dr. Dold: https://alexdold.com/ 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.dold.historian/ 

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Dold-Historian/61583605072756/ 

Check out her chapters in the new academic volume on Outlander: https://luath.co.uk/products/outlander-and-scotland?srsltid=AfmBOorsHtSQxR6pMQ7uNDzNOCWmlL1h_BwFuW6KdkvAMnFRlyBSvoAT 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Alexander Vandewalle, a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University, joins Lexie to discuss how his passion for modern video games and Classics led to his PhD research on the characterization of mythological figures in video games, the nuances of using video games in educational settings, and the evolution of classical reception in video games & its growing legitimacy as a field of study. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded May 30, 2025. 

Learn more about Dr. Vandewalle: https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/alexander.vandewalle 

Check out his publications on Academia: https://antwerp.academia.edu/AlexanderVandewalle 

Check out Paizomen, the database of Classical Antiquity games: https://paizomen.com/ 

Find his book on characters in myth: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/characters-and-characterization-in-mythological-video-games-9781350565852/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailey Beaupre, also known as The Sassenach Historian, is an American who moved to Scotland to become a historical and pop culture tour guide. She recounts her journey from a small-town Connecticut upbringing to becoming a Scottish history tour guide, inspired by a childhood fascination with the Titanic and a pivotal visit to Scotland. She discusses the intricacies of juggling an education career, a passion for history, the impact of Outlander on Scottish tourism, and the challenges of starting her own tour company. Additionally, she delves into her upcoming book project about a historical witch in Scotland, blending fictional storytelling with historical context. The conversation touches on the importance of preserving heritage sites amid increased tourism, the practicalities of moving abroad, the economics of the tourism industry, and the personal fulfilment found in guiding others through Scotland's rich history.

Originally recorded December 19, 2025.

Learn more about Hailey and her tours: https://sassenachhistorian.com/ 

Follow her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sassenach-Historian-Tours-100089200463277/

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassenachhistorian/?hl=en

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Naomi Weiss, a Professor of Classics at Harvard, joins Lexie to discuss the nuances and wonders of Greek tragedies, especially works by Euripides and Aeschylus, the complexities of modern adaptations, narrative vs. performance elements, and the potential of transforming these ancient stories into contemporary performances, like a musical adaptation of Greek tragedies. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded May 28, 2025. 

Learn more about Dr. Weiss: https://classics.fas.harvard.edu/people/naomi-weiss-0 

Check out her publications on Academia: https://harvard.academia.edu/NaomiWeiss 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Lindsey Mazurek, an Associate Professor of Classics at Indiana University Bloomington, joins Lexie to discuss her evolving interests from Greek civilization to Roman provincial archaeology, the complexities of ancient migration, and the implications of migration on social and political dynamics in ancient civilizations. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded May 28, 2025.

Learn more about Dr. Mazurek: https://classics.indiana.edu/about/core-faculty/mazurek-lindsey.html

Find more of her work on her website: https://www.lindseyamazurek.com/

Check out her publications on Academia: https://indiana.academia.edu/LindseyMazurek

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. David Parnell, a professor of history at Indiana University Northwest, joins Lexie to discuss the challenges and gaps in academic offerings in late antiquity, his work on significant Byzantine figures like Justinian, Theodora, and Belisarius, the potential for more historical media content, and the impact of digital records on future historical studies. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded May 16, 2025.

Learn more about Dr. Parnell: https://profiles.iu.edu/northwest/parnell-david.html 

Check out his publications on Academia: https://iun.academia.edu/DavidParnell 

Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/byzantineprof.bsky.social

Check out the Epic History YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EpichistoryTv 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Eduardo García-Molina, an Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joins Lexie to discuss his journey from being inspired by the video game 'Rome Total War' to specializing in the Seleucid Empire in his academic career, insights from his research, including the challenges of working with limited historical records, and his course on the intersection of gaming and ancient history. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! 

Originally recorded May 12, 2025. 

Learn more about Dr. García-Molina: https://classics.illinois.edu/directory/profile/emg24

Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/egarcmol.bsky.social 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. 

Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at [email protected] and we can provide one. 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmy Award winning casting director Suzanne Smith discusses the intricacies of casting for film and television, particularly in historical and period dramas. She shares her unplanned journey into casting, experiences with projects like Band of Brothers, Outlander, and Reign, and the unique challenges of casting roles that span different time periods. The episode explores the importance of historical accuracy, chemistry reads, and the impact of modern technology on the casting process. The conversation delves into the essence of an actor, the nuances of today's casting requirements, and personal anecdotes from her numerous casting endeavors. The episode culminates in a discussion on the significance of story adaptation across different media and a revelation of a dream casting project: The Hobbit by Peter Jackson. 

Originally recorded November 11, 2025. 

Check out all of her projects on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0189792/ 

For professional inquires check out her website: http://www.suzannesmithcasting.com/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject 

Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.