Cultural Debris

My guest is Raj Bhakta. Raj is a true practitioner of the art of cultural debris. From founding one of the first premium whiskey brands, Whistle Pig—based out of Vermont, of all places—to buying an actual college at auction, Raj is not one to limit himself.

We talk about all of those things, but especially Raj and I discuss the oldest known spirit, Armagnac, and his discovery of a great horde of Armagnac at a chateau in France, with vintages dating back over a century and a half. Raj bought it all, and the chateau, and launched Bhakta Spirits. We discuss everything from Armagnac to the Apprentice (and the guy who hosted it), but mostly Armagnac. And a little bourbon.

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Bhakta Spirits Website | Instagram

My guest is Os Guinness, long a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, Guinness was born in China and educated at Oxford. He is a prolific author, most recently of The Great Quest and Zero Hour America, both from IVP. 

In our conversation we discuss the cultural crisis in America and if a turnaround is even possible. Os also discusses his childhood in China, his time with Francis Schaeffer, a chance meeting with Winston Churchill, and whether or not he receives free shipments of bottles from Guinness. 

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Os Guinness Website

Annette Kirk was kind enough to sit down with me to talk on a recent visit to Piety Hill in Mecosta, Michigan in the brick Italianate home that she and Russell Kirk built a half century ago. 

Annette talks about growing up on Long Island, her activist mother, being present in the early days of the conservative movement at William F. Buckley’s home, and later meeting Russell Kirk. We discuss the culture shock of moving to rural Michigan, how their home became a magnet for refugees from around the world, and the work of the Kirk Center over the past 27 years. Plus, Annette tells the story of being kidnapped in her own car.

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The Russell Kirk Center For Cultural Renewal

Luke Sheahan of Duquesne University and the newly appointed editor of The University Bookman, a book review journal founded by Russell Kirk and edited by him until his death. Dr. Sheahan steps into the role left vacant by the passing of the great Gerald Russello, someone we all greatly miss.

Dr. Sheahan and I discuss his plans for the Bookman, the debate between Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley on academic freedom, and the fundamental need for associations and the freedom of association as outlined by Robert Nisbet.

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Luke Sheahan Website | Twitter

The University Bookman

Jason M. Baxter is a professor at the University of Notre Dame and has a new book from InterVarsity Press titled The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis.

Dr. Baxter and I discuss the C.S. Lewis few ever talk about, the dangers of presentism, and how the medievals aren’t at all like the common stereotypes. Plus, for the second podcast in a row football comes up.

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Jason M. Baxter website 

The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis

Jane Greer, The World As We Know It Is Falling Away

Moonshine & Magnolias: A Journal For Southern Regional Consciousness

Michael Possanner is a bespoke tailor in Vienna, Austria. Michael and I discuss the value of bespoke tailoring, his non-traditional journey to learning the ancient trade, his love of American football, and his passion of mixology and collecting vintage cocktail books.

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Michael Possanner - website | Instagram

Coconelli Patisserie - website | Instagram

Dr. Greg Hillis of Bellarmine University in Louisville. He is author of the recent book Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision from Liturgical Press.

Dr. Hillis and I discuss Merton’s reputation, his role as novice master at the Abbey of Gethsemani, his interaction with the Kentucky literary scene, and the significance of Merton’s interest in Eastern religions.

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Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision

Greg Hillis website | Twitter

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Front Porch Republic Archive

Dominican Friar Fr. Gregory Pine is a host of the podcast Godsplaining and frequently appears on Pints With Aquinas. He is author of the new book Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly published by Our Sunday Visitor.

Fr. Pine and I discuss the idea of prudence, its philosophical roots, and his favorite Kentucky bourbon distilleries, plus his strange encounter with a biker in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.

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Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly

Fr. Gregory Pine 

Godsplaining Podcast

Fr. Gregory Pine on Pints With Aquinas

Cultural Debris on Twitter

Front Porch Republic Archive

Anthony Amore is a Boston based New York Times bestselling author and art security expert. He is author most recently of  The Woman Who Stole Vermeer: The True Story of Rose Dugdale.

He also works as Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum where he endeavors to recover the thirteen works of art stolen from the Gardner in a daring heist in 1990.

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Anthony Amore: Website | Twitter

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Cultural Debris on Twitter

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Jessica Hooten Wilson is author of the new book The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints from Brazos Press. Jessica is a professor at the University of Dallas and has written previously on Walker Percy and Fydor Dostoevesky. She currently is preparing a manuscript on Flannery O’Connor.

Jessica and I discuss facing the reality of our own limitations, finding literary saints as exemplars, Flannery O’Connor, C.S. Lewis, and the influence of G.K. Chesterton on Sigrid Undset.

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The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination In the Company of Literary Saints

Jessica Hooten Wilson: Website | Twitter | YouTube

Cultural Debris on Twitter

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