Snakes & Otters Podcast

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. 

Francis handles the big chair this week and we discuss the superiority of Marvel's Dr. Doom over all other fictional villains. And yes, Darth Vader is a lackey and a loser compared to Doom.

Robert captains an episode on our first inspirational yet fictional hero, Steve Rogers, Captain America. Guess what, in the end we tie comic books to theology and the inherent dignity of the human person. Because of course we did. 

Robert is the captain this time, and manages to blend Sir Alec Issigonis, Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway. Great stuff. 

Our quotes this time:

• Francis – “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self.” (Ernest Hemingway)

We are joined by Martin's youngest, Bjorn Ironside, for an examination of the historical/mythical figure Ragnar Lothbrok. Only our second guest and Bjorn does a great job as an amateur cultural anthropologist. 

The 80s nostalgia continues as the guys pay tribute to one of the great entertainers to emerge to mega stardom in the decade. And awesomely, Robin Williams kept it going right up to the second decade of the 21st century. 

We are children of the 80s after all, so of course Ronaldus Maximus is big part of our pantheon. Listen as the guys dive in to some Reagan era nostalgia, but also try to dig a little deeper into what made him appealing far beyond other public figures. 

Robert captains but still goes last and hammers on the great stuff from Francis and Martin. Martin goes super geek Star Trek with a Jean Luc Picard, Francis brings in US Grant, and Robert goes with some old fashioned folk wisdom. 

Our quotes this time:

• Martin – “Your discommendation is a façade to protect less honorable man. It is a lie, lies must be challenged.” (Jean Luc Picard)