The Biographers

In part six of our Leonardo da Vinci series, we learn about the more senior years of Leonardo's life working as an engineer, before reverting his attention back to art once again. The Signoria of Florence commissions him to paint The Battle of Anghiari, only to find that a new upstart artist named Michelangelo is also commissioned to work on a wall painting right next to him. The two master artists then enter a battle of skill, until da Vinci finds a way out by asking the king of France for a favor, abandoning what could have been a masterpiece more famous than The Mona Lisa. After leaving his childhood home of Florence in favor of Milan, he first meets his adopted son, Francesco Melzi, and finds delight in scientific pursuits once again, this time revealing the ways of the heart -- literally. Tune in for part six of Leonardo da Vinci to learn more! (Ep. 028)

In part five of our series on Leonardo da Vinci, we dive into the first five years of Leonardo's return to his hometown of Florence after nearly two decades away. Upon arriving home, Leonardo discovers a conservative church-cult has taken over Florence after overthrowing Lorenzo the Magnificent. Leonardo also dodges portrait requests from bratty socialites, and paints a masterpiece known as Madonna of the Yarnwinder. Eventually, Leonardo begins to work for the infamous Cesare Borgia, whose cruel and merciless deeds would echo through history. After hearing news of the new world, da Vinci would then team up the notorious Niccolo Machiavelli, and hatch a plan for Florence to retake the port town of Pisa. But how did they plan to take the town without an army? Is it possible to steal a river? Tune in to part five of Leonardo da Vinci to find out! (Ep. 027)

In part 4 of our series on Leonardo da Vinci, we finally see the master artist's time in Milan come to an end. But before his time in Milan was over, Leonardo would discover multiple laws of the universe before Newton, Galileo, or Bernoulli, and build machines that tested the very limits of human imagination. Leonardo would also be commissioned to paint one of his most prolific works, The Last Supper, depicting a freeze-frame of a pivotal bible story. With gathered scientific knowledge way before its time, da Vinci would then pursue his longest standing dream: achieving human flight. But what was the fate of Leonardo's most beloved artistic endeavor, The Sforza Horse? Would the gargantuan statue be lost to history, or did fate have other plans almost 500 years later? Tune in to part 4 of our series on Leonardo da Vinci to find out! (Ep. 026)

In part three of our series on Leonardo da Vinci, we take a look at the first decade of Leonardo's time working for the Duke of Milan. Despite his initial ambitions to design war machines, da Vinci finds himself in the world of theatre, making sets and working as a court entertainer. In the world of art, da Vinci paints "The Virgin of the Rocks", and "Lady with an Ermine", showing off his skills in both science and symbolism. Leonardo also takes full advantage of his time in court to make connections, becoming friends with various masters of their craft to pursue architecture and the nature of the "universal man". Eventually, Leonardo lands his biggest job yet, resulting in an explosion of resources that will allow him to pursue every interest his brilliant mind can dream up. Tune in to part three of series on Leonardo da Vinci to learn more! (Ep. 025)

In part two of our series on Leonard da Vinci, we take a look at Leonardo's first decade as a master-ranked painter. Regardless of his distinguished title of "master", Leonardo still can't seem to finish most of the work he takes on, which results in one of the greatest unfinished works in history. We also get to learn about one of da Vinci's most revered paintings, which captures the soul of a young girl trapped in convention, whilst simultaneously revealing parts of his own soul. Coups will be plotted, and blood will be spilled, but from the chaos Leonardo will reinvent himself in the treacherous court of Ludovico Sforza, in the Italian city of Milan. Tune in for part 2 of Leonardo da Vinci to find out more! (Ep. 024)

It's finally Akiva's turn to host a series with our oldest biography yet: that of revered painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. After we explore da Vinci’s complicated childhood and education, we set the scene for Leonardo's new home of Florence, Italy -- a city of paint, gold, and blood. After da Vinci is accepted as a student under the legendary painting instructor, Andrea del Verrocchio, we also learn how young Leonardo becomes fascinated with geometry, architecture, fashion, science, and all forms of art, unknowingly securing his place as one of the most respected and popular figures of the Renaissance era. Tune in to part 1 of Leonard da Vinci to learn more! (Ep. 023)

It's time to chill out for a minute and take a break from all the studying and learning. In our first ever episode of Office Hours, we kick up our feet and casually chat about anything and everything. We also take a few minutes to go over questions we asked from previous series', and clarify a few things we didn't get quite right. Tune in for a laid-back conversation between our two hosts, Daniel Newman and Akiva Meola. 

In the conclusion episode to our series on Tennessee whiskey maker, Jack Daniel, we bid a fond farewell to the charismatic community leader, and dispel a few myths regarding his death. But what events led up to his ultimate demise, and what did Jack end up doing with his fortune? Maybe most importantly, who was going to take over his legendary distillery, and would it be able to stand the test of time? Tune in for part six, the finale, of our series on Jack Daniel to find out! (Ep. 022)

In part five of our series on legendary distiller, Jack Daniel, we finally get to see the little guy from Tennessee enter the spotlight of worldwide fame. But just as he was starting to bask in the spotlight, the United States began to accelerate in the direction of temperance, largely aided by outspoken activists like Carrie Nation. How did the Jacks Daniel's distillery survive such a turbulent time, and was Jack still the leader of the business? Tune in to part five as we continue on with the life of Jack Daniel! (Ep. 021)

In part four of our series on American Whiskey maker, Jack Daniel, we uncover the true origins of how Jack labelled his product as "Old No. 7," along with a few alternative tall-tales regarding the name. We also get to see Jack stretch his wings and expand his business in a way we have never seen before, in addition to introducing a new product to the marketplace called "The Belle of Lincoln." But how did Jack manage to keep his business afloat amidst the intense corruption that surrounded the whiskey industry in the United States? Was the Temperance movement still growing, and would it mean the end of distilling in the Appalachian Mountains? Tune in for part four of our series on Jack Daniel to find out more! (Ep. 020)