In this episode of Career in Ruins, Derek and Lawrence finally sit down—successfully!—with Dr. Robin Rönnlund, classical archaeologist at the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Institute at Athens. After two failed recording attempts (one lost to rooftop wine, the other to a rustling coat), Robin joins us from the field in Greece to talk about excavations at ancient Vlochos, the challenges of running international projects, and what it takes to build strong connections with local communities. We dive into Robin’s archaeological journey, from being inspired by Jacques Cousteau on VHS to becoming a specialist in ancient urbanism, and explore the realities of funding, teamwork, and early-career research in Greece. Plus: Viking runes on a marble lion in Venice, thoughts on prehistoric parenting, and why missed deadlines can sometimes change your life for the better.

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