Episodes 212
Avg. Duration 57m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (47)
Since Oct 2018
Latest Episode May 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
48%
Hosting
feeds.simplecast.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

A blog and podcast that discuss James Joyce's Ulysses from a non-academic point of view. Less snooty, more movie references.

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Recent Episodes

Bonus Ep. 41 - The General Slocum [TEASER]

May 31, 2026 10m Bonus

We discuss the June 15, 1904 General Slocum disaster. To listen to or watch the full episode, visit patreon.com/barnaclecast

Wandering Rocks

May 20, 2026 46m

Here be dragons. Topics in this episode include why “Wandering Rocks” is the least Homeric episode of Ulysses, why the name “Wandering Rocks” isn’t quite right, how Jason escaped the Wandering Rocks,…

Bonus Ep. 40 - Gas from a Burner [TEASER]

Apr 30, 2026 9m Bonus

This month, we tell the story of how Dubliners got published and read Joyce's most scorched-earth poem, "Gas from a Burner." Listen to the full episode and see a video version at…

Medical Dick and Medical Davy

Apr 23, 2026 1h 2m

…Gravy? Topics in this episode include the grande finale of Stephen’s Hamlet theory, he finally proves by algebra that Shakespeare is the ghost of his own father, dio boia, James Joyce’s reaction to…

Bonus Ep. 39 - Henry V [TEASER]

Mar 31, 2026 9m Trailer

We complete our three-part series on Laurence Olivier's Shakespeare adaptations with a discussion of his 1944 version of Henry V.   Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/barnaclecast

Lapwing

Mar 25, 2026 51m

Agenbite of Lapwing. Topics in this episode include Shakespeare’s coat of arms, the significance of Cassiopeia to Stephen’s Shakespeare theory, the auspicious stars heralding the births of Stephen…

Bonus Ep. 38 - Richard III [TEASER]

Feb 27, 2026 9m Trailer

We discuss the 1955 film version of Richard III. Listen to or watch the full episode at patreon.com/barnaclecast

Richard and Gilbert and Edmund and Will

Feb 25, 2026 55m

What if the Shakespeares were really a bunch of crumb-bums? Topics in this episode include Shakespeare’s brothers Gilbert, Richard, and Edmund, which ones Stephen thinks were bad brothers and which…

Rutlandbaconsouthamptonshakespeare

Feb 18, 2026 49m

In which, Stephen proves through algebra that Hamlet’s grandson is Shakespeare’s grandfather.Topics in this episode include Puritanism, whether or not Anne Hathaway became a religious fanatic late in…

Bonus Ep. 37 - Hamnet [TEASER]

Jan 31, 2026 10m Bonus

We review the 2025 Chloe Zhao film, Hamnet.To watch or listen to the full episode, visit patreon.com/barnaclecast

Pray for us, Saint Thomas

Jan 28, 2026 1h 7m

Ora pro nobis! Pogue mahone! Acushla machree!Topics in this episode include Thomas Aquinas (but less than you might expect), Aquinas’ views on incest, the meaning on “new Viennese school,” whether or…

Why Stephen Talks about Shylock

Jan 14, 2026 1h

Isn’t Carrotty Bess great?Topics in this episode include why Stephen compares Shakespeare to Shylock, Shakespeare’s father John Shakespeare and his many business ventures, his legal troubles caused…

Secondbest Bed

Dec 03, 2025 1h 13m

Sometimes the secondbest bed is the better bed.Topics in this episode include Griselsa, Antisthenes and Helen, art of surfeit, the Dark Lady of the sonnets, the erotic adventures of Shakespeare and…

Bonus Ep. 35 - The Portrait of Mr. W.H. [TEASER]

Nov 27, 2025 11m Trailer

We discuss Shakespeare's sonnets, the identities of the Fair Youth and Dark Lady, and the Oscar Wilde short story "The Portrait of Mr. W.H."To hear the full episode, visit patreon.com/barnaclecast

Synge

Nov 19, 2025 1h 2m

Why do we always fight most with the people we have the most in common with?Topics in this episode include James Joyce’s fraught relationship with playwright John Millington Synge, the way Synge…

Mr. W. H.

Nov 05, 2025 1h 22m

“—Do you think it is only a paradox? the quaker librarian was asking. The mocker is never taken seriously when he is most serious.”Topics in this episode include Oscar Wilde’s “The Portrait of Mr.…

Bonus Ep. 34 - Robert Anton Wilson w/ Eric Wagner [TEASER]

Nov 03, 2025 12m Trailer

We interview author Eric Wagner about his new book, Straight Outta Dublin: James Joyce and Robert Anton WilsonTo listen to the full interview, visit patreon.com/barnaclecast

Puck Mulligan

Oct 22, 2025 50m

You will serve that which you laugh at.Topics in this episode include how to pronounce “Szombathely,” Buck Mulligan’s incredible entrance into “Scylla and Charybdis,” Nicolas Cage, the heresies of…

The Spirit of Reconciliation

Oct 08, 2025 1h 11m

Bitches love sonnets.Topics in this episode include putting Beurla on it, basilisks and 13th century bestiaries, Pericles and purported Shakespeare apocrypha, the Baconian theory of Shakespeare…

Nightwood [TEASER]

Sep 30, 2025 12m Trailer

We discuss Djuna Barnes' novel NightwoodListen to the full episode at patreon.com/barnaclecast

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Blooms & Barnacles have?

Blooms & Barnacles has published 212 episodes since October 2018, covering topics in Arts, Education.

Is Blooms & Barnacles still active?

Blooms & Barnacles is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 57m.

How do I contact Blooms & Barnacles for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Blooms & Barnacles, including email and social media links.

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