For the first podcast of the new year, we continue reading “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self” covering the Romantic Poets of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Blake. Also: gravity holes, American religious revival, and a snowless New York.

Part of our series of the Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, covering Rousseau's thought and the seeds it planted. Also, MacIntyre as anti-political historian, candles for Advent, and more!

A brief intermission featuring of a few of our favorite Walker Percy readings from "Lost in the Cosmos" and "Signposts in a Strange Land."

Join the Problem with Reading crew on this first episode reading through "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" by Carl Trueman, covering Part 1. Is sarcasm a Deathwork? Can Stephen avoid bringing up David Foster Wallace? What revenge has Summer wrought? All this and more.

Alison comes aboard to share her expertise in Bioethics. Whither Bioethics? Whomst Bioethics? You might be wondering these things, and we have answers. Well, our expert guest, Alison, does. What good is autonomy? Why is Canada (even more) evil (than we already thought)? Plus, an Ethics Bowl to see who is most ethical, and rants featuring Lord of the Ring, the Death of Summer Part II, and more!

Second of two episodes on the ever-relevant "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman. Hear the problem with televangelists, politics by TV, and Sesame Street--and why we're all agitated amnesiacs. Also, Sam finally experiences the joys of NYC's famously mentally stable population, Stephen reflects on his mortality, and Brevin finds a fellow tribe member via bloodline instincts.

After the first attempt was lost to the computer gods, the boys convene to give a second run at their review of The Batman, the latest iteration of the Caped Crusader. Brevin hates it, Stephen’s indifferent, and Sam’s in love, so get ready to choose the hero you deserve. Also included: a gritty rant, Gotham as the darkness of America’s cities, and an extensive review of reviews (all of them). Have a listen!

In a belated episode back, a reduced crew ponders their escape from graduate school...at least for now.

First of two episodes on the ever-relevant "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman, as well as some meditations on our reemergent nuclear moment. Also--Stephen has new appreciation for water torture, Sam's mind is collapsing attempting to answer the question "Are there more doors or wheels?", and Brevin thinks the Orthodox made lousy DnD classes. Have a listen!

2022 is finally here, and the Problem with Reading has a party to kick off the new year. Stephen presents more Math Poetry, Sam has his best rant of 2021 in 2022, and Brevin already wants Summer to return. Have a listen!