Combat and Classics is a series of podcasts and online seminars that explores the nature of man in conflict and cooperation through socratic dialogue and the great books. For more info visit 
In this episode, Lise, Jeff and Brian discuss Chekhov’s (very) short story, whose main character experiences a transformation during the course of a conversation with a peasant mother and her daughter.
Combat & Classics #9: Joseph Conrad’s “Typhoon”
More Conrad with Jeff, Lise, and Brian—this one is a rip-roaring, seafaring tale!
This novella tells the story of Captain McWhirr, his crew, and his ship’s brawling passengers as they sail through a typhoon. The work raises questions about leadership in the face of human conflict and natural disasters.
Combat & Classics #8: Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Sharer”
In this episode, Lise, Jeff, and Brian discuss Conrad’s story of a young, inexperienced sea captain who takes aboard and conceals a mysterious man—Leggatt, first mate of another ship—who has fled imprisonment on his own ship after being accused of the murder of one of his fellow crew.
Combat & Classics #7: Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”
Jeff, Lise, and Brian dive into this tragedy about war, politics, class, loyalty, and more.
Combat & Classics #6: Plato’s “Symposium”
In this episode, Lise, Jeff, and Brian bring us along to the party with Socrates and a cast of characters who engage in dialogue about love, desire, politics, law, and philosophy.
Combat & Classics #5: “The Birds” by Aristophanes
Join Jeff, Lise, and Brian for a discussion of this farce about banishment by Aristophanes.
Combat & Classics #4: Plato’s “Alcibiades I”
Join us for a discussion of this dialogue between Socrates and Alcibiades, an incredibly successful Athenian general who fled to Sparta after being charged with sacrilege.
Combat & Classics #3: Interview with Professor Martin L. Cook
Join us for for a discussion of ethics and the military, in an interview with Martin L. Cook, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the US Air Force Academy.
Combat & Classics #2: Plato’s “Republic”
Join Lise, Jeff, and Brian for a conversation on Book I of the Republic.
Also, how to approach the “Great Books” if you’re starting from scratch.
Combat & Classics #1: Sophocles’s Ajax
The first episode from a new member of the PEL Podcasting network, featuring Brian Wilson with St. John’s profs Lise van Boxel and Jeffrey J.S. Black. Listen here as they discuss Sophocles’s play Ajax about a great Greek warrior who takes his own life on the beach of Troy.
Combat & Classics #0: Introduction
Join Lise, Jeff, and Brian for the kickoff podcast, in which we talk a bit about what we’ll cover and why.
Spoiler alert: it’s a strange brew of classical literature, military history and culture, and the human experience of war.
Not School Update: August 2016
As the heat of summer is causing me to spend as much time trying to stay cool as is humanly possible (and hopefully you as well, dear reader), we want to let you know about some of the upcoming Not School seminars that you can enjoy whilst pondering some of life’s more existential issues (such as: mojito or bud light lime).
Not School Update for July: Free Montaigne Seminar 7/11
Everybody’s out “America-ing” this weekend, but we want to take a moment from your patriotic revelry to remind you of some of our PEL Not School seminars coming up in July.
Not School Update Going into July
Hey all, we’re back again to tempt you into digging deeper into upcoming live online seminar proposals in our Not School and Citizen Forum. We have, as El Guapo would say, a plethora of options for you.
June Not School Update: Montaigne, De Beauvoir Aftershow, Film, D&D and the Presidential Candidates
Come to the Intro Readings in Philosophy Seminar on Montaigne on Sun. June 5, 5pm Eastern. Or check out the Citizens’ Forum for proposals on Film as Art and D&D, or join the in-progress group studying the positions of the presidential candidates before that’s old news. Better yet, propose your own group!
Philosopho-Palooza this Sunday!Sunday!Sunday!
Join a Not School group for big fun this Sunday!
Not School May Update
It’s May! Check out what’s happening in Not School groups, or feel free to propose your own.
Not School April: Dennett and Germans and Aristotle
Come get involved in the coming month with a Not School group, or propose your own!
Is “Hungernachdeutschphilosophie” a made up word? Maybe, but it works.
Not School Intro Group: Plato’s “Crito”
The first session of the newly revived group, led 3/20/16 by Brian Wilson of Combat & Classics fame (a St. John’s thing). Featuring Steve Kurtz, Stacey Morris, Roger Crandy, Nick Eddy, Justin Modra, James Lee, and Cathy Reisenwitz.
Not School This March: Hobbes, Nietzsche, Dennett, Plato, Hegel
Something for the Ubermensch in all of us: Hobbes, Nietszche, Dennett, some Intro to Philosophy readings starting with Plato, and don’t forget the Aftershow on Hegel! Get in on Not School’s offerings for March!