The Troubadour Podcast

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It's great to catch up with friends during this time so Chris De Pretis chatted about what's going on in the world and of course we discussed movies. All of us react differently to external tragedies and I'm personally appreciative of Chris for cheering me up.

Also hear our thoughts on the similarities between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and an old but relevant film genre.

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This is the final poem in William Blake's Songs of Innocence (1789). The theme is a simple one of "God's love.' But even if you are not religious, it is a wonderfully told poem. Hear how a poet expresses discontent and comes to an understanding of this elusive idea for Christians.

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Traveling is a big value for people today. It's one of the great benefits of being alive today. It is so easy and affordable to see the whole world. Often, we can travel places and see only the usual suspects. In this discussion I explore Dianne Durante's latest book "Getting More Enjoyment from Sculpture You love," and we discuss Dianne's work as being part of "travelogues."

Travelogues don't have to be boring lectures. They can be exhilarating and exciting new ways of seeing the world. Don't just go to NYC and see the same monuments you are "supposed to see." Try, instead, an art tour. Best of all, you can do this at your own pace and in your own way.

On this show Dianne and I discuss several sculptures, so you can see how simple her method is and how it helps anyone from any background enjoy art more deeply.

We also discuss a little bit of poetry and some ways to work with your children in seeing new art.

Special thank you to Quent Cordair Fine Art for the image of one of the sculptures they represent.

*To see all the art we discuss as well as links to many great resources please visit troubadourmag.com

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A prosperous prince isolates himself in his castle along with 1,000 revellers, while a plague devastates the country-side. 

This is the essence of this very short story by Poe.

When, today, we have the King of Thailand ordering arrests for people who go outside, while he holds up in a harem with 20 women, this story seems more real than fantasy.

Yet, I will be arguing there is a much deeper psychological story being told right under our eyes. It is one of fear and terror of course. Unfortunately, it will hit much closer to home than Thailand.

Enjoy this discussion and reading of a masterpiece by Edgar Allan Poe.

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How can we get spiritual nourishment when we are quarantined in our homes?

Alexandra York's latest book "Soul Celebrations and Spiritual Snacks" can help us attain a sense of calm and serenity during this time of chaos.

In this conversation we discuss the ideas in the book, such as "Secular Spirituality," we read one of her poems from the book and discuss ways that the both of us are gaining spiritual fuel in our lives during the quarantine.

Even when this quarantine is over, these practices are very valuable. From picking up a rock by a beach you love, to purchasing a sculpture you love, there are practices big and small to help you have soul celebrations and spiritual snacks.

Enjoy!

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What happens during a quarantine when you can’t call for help?

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Luc Travers and I just had a fantastic discussion about various artworks and how to look at a paintings. 

It often feels as though art is a special category of human activity that only a unique few can enjoy. What Luc teaches is how to "enhance those special moments in your life through the lens of art."

This approach to great artwork elevates even the everyday, seemingly mundane occurrences. It also, of course, elevates even the high points, the conflicts, the struggles, the achievements, or, in other words, LIFE.

On this episode we actually evaluate several pieces of artwork live. You will get to see me struggle to make sense of paintings, and I even get to introduce Luc to a new painting!

This was such a fun episode and I know you will enjoy it.

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On this episode I spend some time discussing my observations from talking to people during this crisis and I share my personal lessons from riding a motorcycle.

Literature can provide us with models for living and for dying. This may seem like an un-important thing, but it is absolutely critical. Death frames life. Without death we would have no reason to live. Poems that show us decaying and death can provide for us insights and ways to contemplate our own mortality and how to behave at times of higher risk.

Poems read:
Old Man Travelling: Animal Tranquilty and Decay, A Sketch
by William Wordsworth

The Death of Simoeisios (excerpt from The Iliad)
Iliad, Book 4, lines 473-489 (trans. Seth Schein)

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I had a great time talking with C Bradley Thompson about his latest book "America's Revolutionary Mind: A Moral History of The American Revolution and the Declaration That Defined it." We also had a wide ranging discussion about how Americans have lost their American minds and ways we can re-ignite the fire of liberty.

Yes we did discuss #covid19, but from the perspective of how our founders viewed the role and nature of government.

Bradley Thompson is a Professor of Political Science at Clemson University, where he teaches political philosophy. He is also the Executive Director of the Clemson Institute for the Study Capitalism and the founder of the Lyceum Scholars Program.

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You know him as the youtube sensation taking over the minds of young people like a ... Well I won't talk like that right now. He's Rucka Rucka Ali.

We discussed how we are dealing with lock downs as well as how Objectivism helps us laymen interpret and act based on the current state of affairs.

Later in the discussion we get into a variety of topics including what we are reading now (you'll never guess!) the role of literature at a time like this, the creative process, and developing an independent life.

This was an absolute pleasurable conversation for me and I hope you enjoy it as well.