Martin takes the helm on an episode exploring American diplomacy and power on the world stage at the turn of the 20th Century. Martin has the guys talking John Taliaferro's All The Great Prizes and Robert W. Merry's President McKinley: Architect of the American Century as a starting point. And a new bourbon makes its first appearance. 

Francis runs a big pop culture episode for us and we do another round of 'Movies We Always Have to Watch', those movies when you come across them while channel surfing that make you stop and settle in.

This time we go with a 'Seventies Fest' with all our our movies being from (or real close to) that time period. We discuss classics from the era by Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, John Boorman, Clint Eastwood and the ever-awesome Mel Brooks. Fantastic stuff!

"When will you make an end Buonarroti?"

"When I am finished!"

Robert takes the big chair and we talk about a giant of a talent in Michelangelo. A true genius.

Martin captains a Code of Honor that serves as a bit of a continuation of the last week's Nietzsche episode. Francis and Martin quote the man himself while Robert the Hammer blasts him  . . . 

Martin captains a Snakes & Otters style exploration of Friedrich Nietzsche and his influence on history. Martin finds him interesting, Francis is intrigued, but Robert finds him unfulfilling. 

Robert captains a gourmet hoopajoob where the guys talk that great fall treat, homemade chili. They do this with a belly full of Francis' great tasting, meaty version of the dish too. 

Francis takes the big chair to lead the guys through an examination of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus" and all the subsequent derivations of this foundational and brilliant story. 

The guys take a trip down memory lane, paying homage to great teachers who got them where they are today. They start with the anchor of the college professor Mt. Rushmore, Bellarmine history professor Dr. Margaret Mahoney. 

Francis sits in the big chair this month for Code of Honor. He starts us with more von Clausewitz, then Martin bookends it with GK Chesterton, and Robert hammers it home like Thor with Mighty Mjolnir using poet Diane Ackerman. This one is Hall of Fame material listeners, download and archive it. 

Our quotes this time:

• Francis – “There are very few men, and they are the exceptions, who are able to think and feel beyond the present moment.” (Von Clausewitz)

Francis captains an episode exploring the historical impact of the military philosopher Carl Von Clausewitz. We dig into what he was really trying to tell us in "On War", and how misinterpretations of that work play a huge role in the world we live in today.