Classical Stuff You Should Know

Classical Stuff You Should Know

A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee

Episodes 300
Avg. Duration 59m
Activity Moderate
Apple Rating 4.7 (830)
Since Nov 2017
Latest Episode May 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
42%
Hosting
www.classicalstuff.net

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

A.J., Graeme, and Thomas discuss everything having to do with the classical world. Our aim is to help both educators and laypeople enjoy the classical world as much as they enjoy fine ales and good tales.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

S1E302 302: Of Mice and Men

May 18, 2026 54m

In this episode, A.J. talks about George and Lennie and their unfortunate run-in with wannabe boxer.

S1E301 301: Crime and Punishment Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

May 12, 2026 59m

In this episode, Graeme finishes what he began in episode 299: a full retelling of Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." Honestly, I would listen to more audiobooks if they were just Graeme telling…

S1E300 300: 300

Apr 07, 2026 59m

COME BACK WITH YOUR SHIELD OR ON IT

S1E299 299: Crime and Punishment: Raskolnikov the Edgelord

Mar 31, 2026 1h 4m

In this episode, we dive into Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." We've never really done the whole book in an episode before, so this is (part 1) of a great little introduction for those thinking…

S1E297 298: Federalist Papers #10

Mar 03, 2026 54m

In this episode, Graeme walks us through the complicated world of factions. How do we make sure that everybody . . . and nobody . . . gets what they want?

S1E297 297: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Feb 24, 2026 1h 3m

In this episode we cover a little of Poe's life, then two of his famous stories.

S1E296 296: Coleridge's "Kubla Khan"

Feb 10, 2026 59m

In this episode, we discuss how Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" relates to the victory of Romanticism. That, and we giggle sometimes.

S1E295 295: Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

Feb 03, 2026 1h

In this episode, we discuss ol' Robinson Crusoe, how he lived on the island, and escaped twenty-eight years later. It's . . . kinda good?

S1E294 294: The Servile State, by Hilaire Belloc

Jan 20, 2026 1h 2m

In this episode, Graeme introduces us to "The Servile State," by Hilaire Belloc. All I know is that living in the woods has always been attractive to me, and now Graeme introduces fishing? Hot…

S1E293 293: Cinderella

Jan 13, 2026 47m

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!

S1E292 292: Nominalism and William of Ockham

Dec 30, 2025 58m

In this episode, we learn about William of Ockham's ridiculous notion that our words don't mean anything. Then why am I even writing this, WILLIAM. WHY DO WE EVEN TALK. You can tell that I (A.J.) am…

S1E291 291: J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas"

Dec 23, 2025 49m

Apparently Tolkien is a fabulous illustrator. Who knew? I've seriously looked up prints, and they are weirdly hard to find . . . but enchanting. Oh, this episode is about Christmas. Merry Christmas!

S1E290 290: Civil Disobedience by David Henry Thoreau

Dec 16, 2025 1h 4m

In this episode, we learn how to---as Graeme would say---RIP THE SYSTEM. Well, at least until an aunt bails us out.

S1E289 289: John Bunyan and Babe le bœuf bleu

Dec 09, 2025 1h 3m

In this episode, we talk about allegory and cattle. Oh, and Pilgrim's Progress

S1E288 288: Macbeth Inverted

Dec 02, 2025 1h 6m

In this episode, Graeme talks us through a framework in which we can experience Macbeth (you know, that Scottish play). Turns out that when you kill a Scottish king, everything goes topsy turvy.

S1E287 287: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving

Nov 04, 2025 56m

Ever heard of the headless horseman? Did you know he was a Hessian Soldier? Do you know where the Jack-o-lantern comes from? FIND OUT IN THIS SPOOOOOOOKY EPISODE.

S1E286 286: Prince Darling

Oct 07, 2025 42m

Faeries. Stay away from them or you'll have your finger pricked all to heck.

S1E285 285: The Democratic Man: Plato's Republic Revisited

Sep 30, 2025 1h 7m

In this episode, Graeme discusses the degradation of man as a reflection of the degradation of the state suggested in Plato's Republic, Book VIII. Apparently true freedom is bloodshed.

S1E284 284: Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"

Sep 09, 2025 1h 18m

In this (far too long) episode, we play a quiz show with a cake as a prize. Because really, that's what every war is about: cake.

S1E283 283: Beauty and the Beast

Sep 02, 2025 1h 1m

Thomas continues his series on children's books with the (an?) original Beauty and the Beast tale. It's pretty lovely. Is it bad if I want to be Thomas's kid?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Classical Stuff You Should Know have?

Classical Stuff You Should Know has published 300 episodes since November 2017, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Classical Stuff You Should Know still active?

Classical Stuff You Should Know is currently moderate with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 59m.

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