This week's show is a journey aboard the virtual Pequod as Joe Matheny and returning guest Leah Prime join AP in a discussion about the Herman Melville classic Moby Dick; or, The Whale- its esoteric qualities, the influence throughout literature and culture, and its personal effects on everyone in conversation here. They discuss works of art and literature as initiation, and the timeless impact of books such as Moby Dick on readers over 150 years after its initial release. The philosophical nature of the text, as a treatise on life, existence, and man's place in the world are less obvious than the titular whale and the attempt to hunt it down, and in the course of talking about it here Joe, Leah, and AP unpack some of the more mystical implications of the book. 

While discussing themes such as monomania, revenge, man vs nature, and fate each of the voices in the show shares a bit about their personal journeys with the text and how it has informed some of their views, inspired them, or led them on paths of discovery. It's a conversation worth listening to whether or not you've read the book.

Joe is the creator of Ong's Hat, and author of several books- follow him on substack here: https://substack.com/@josephmatheny

Leah can be found on bluesky at leahprime.bsky.social