Now with fewer hosts! In this episode, Ian switches sides of the Attic to talk with Kurt about his new book, The Battalion: Citizen Soldiers at War on the Western Front,. They kick off the new season by talking about how defeat can sometimes look a lot like victory, why writing about war during a global pandemic might not be the best way to pass the time in quarantine, and about Ian’s love of playing with toy soldiers.

From there, the conversation turns to military fashion, as Kurt tries his best to get Ian to name history’s best and worst uniforms. Finally, they raise a glass and chat about the late Queen Elizabeth II over a well-earned cocktail.

Give it a listen—we promise this won’t be an episode of attrition!

In case our previous episode did not provide solace, we have a backup plan. Join Kurt and R.C. Miessler as they talk about how to go about enjoying whiskey! Sometimes words help and sometimes it’s a quick tipple that makes life a bit more bearable. So grab a finger or two of your favorite brown liquor and join us for a tasting!

In this episode, we try to recover from some recent unpleasantness. We asked previous guests of the show to read inspirational passages, poems, speeches, make their own comments, and simply give whatever message they thought that we all needed right now. As usual, our guests did not disappoint. We hope you enjoy this collection of calls to action, thoughts on our current political situation, and reflections on how one moves forward in darker times. Perhaps these thoughtful words from amazing people can contribute a bit of brightness in a dark time.

In this episode, we speak with Amy Tooth Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Oral History at Royal Holloway, University of London. Amy talks to us about her oral history research on butch culture and why, despite the fact that most people can recognize someone who is butch, it still takes academics years to figure out what “butch” means. She also explains why listening is something that actually takes practice and is hard to do. (Don’t Ian and I know it!) We then quiz her in a new rapid-fire format and geek out with her about our shared love of tweed fashion. Finally, we give her one difficult to drink cocktail now and send her home with a recipe for an even harder-to-drink cocktail! And this is how we treat people we like! Well, hopefully it still makes for interesting listening!

In this episode, we speak with Professor Christopher Kauffman, Adams Professor in Theatre Arts at Gettysburg College. Chris talks about the serious side of clowning and why nobody should ever try to be funny. He also explains why having a mean French man call you a “double-zero” is a great way to be funnier and explains the new “Muppet-core” fashion movement. Finally, we make our noses red both figuratively and literally by sipping on a cocktail. We promise this will only be the third worst thing you have ever heard! Call us Natalie!

In this episode, we speak with Professor of Mathematics at Gettysburg College, Ben Kennedy. Ben talks about why anyone would want to do math, what is interesting about chaos, and why it doesn’t matter if the thing you are discovering is important. He then (for some reason) answers a truly awful set of quiz questions and talks about how he has stopped screaming at colleagues during meaningless basketball games. Finally, we share a whiskey together that was made by two very special people (at least partially).

It’s our special Graduation Episode! In this episode, we talk with special guest Juls Buehrer, Gettysburg College’s Costume Designer-in-Residence and Gettysburg College’s Costume Shop Manager and Gettysburg College’s Scenic Artist. Despite doing more work in a day than Ian and I do in a year, Juls managed to carve out a little time to tell us about the amazing history of Academic Regalia. She also explains her affinity for Fairy dress and Ian tells the sad story of his own college graduation outfit. Finally, to recover, we all drink a purple-hued cocktail to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2024. We hope you find a nice set of pomps and circumstances to listen to this great episode!

In this episode, we talk with Craig Lair, Chairperson and Associate Professor of Sociology at Gettysburg College. We learn how his joy of skateboarding led to his Ph.D. and why the three of us might have Ph.D.’s from Harvard University in the near future. We also consider writing letters to each other without any work and learn why chickens are great economic sociology teachers. Finally, an old guest quizzes Craig, we talk a little bit of fashion, and we drink to escape capitalism. We didn’t hold back in the beginning of the 2nd season and neither should you! Give a listen!

In this episode, we talk to Kerry Wallach, Chairperson and Associate Professor of German Studies at Gettysburg College. She talked to us about her new book, Traces of a Jewish Artist: The Lost Life and Work of Rahel Szalit, and what it is like to search for things that aren’t there. Kerry also talks about her shared love of tweed a la Walker Slater and makes a pitch for her a new movie based on her research. Finally, we all share a punch-related drink celebrating a lost work by artist Rahel Szalit. Why decide? 

In this run up to the New Year, Ian invites Kurt to talk about his cocktail book, Ten Cocktails Adults Should Know. We discuss all things cocktails, from which ones are easier, which ones are harder, and which ones you can set on fire. Finally, Kurt makes not one, but two cocktails for Ian to drink to ring in the New Year! So pour yourself something bubbly and join us in the Attic.

You can find “Ten Cocktails Adults Should Know” by searching Amazon, or using the link: https://a.co/d/gav1FJw