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 
Brian and Jeff are joined by Michael Grenke, St. John's College - Santa Fe, to discuss Lise van Boxel's posthumously published book "Warspeak" from PoliticalAnimalPress.com. Purchase your copy here. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 45: Xenophon’s “The Education of Cyrus,” Book IV
Shilo Brooks returns for Book IV of Xenophon's "The Education of Cyrus." We discuss Cyrus' attack on the Assyrians, consolidation, cavalry, and Cyrus' first boyfriend returns (::kiss::kiss::) and the Susan woman. For more info check out combatandclassics.org. We now have a newsletter, Instagram (@combatandclassics), and twitter (@combat_classics). Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 44: The Education of Cyrus, Book III
Shilo Brooks returns for another episode of "The Education of Cyrus" by Xenophon. We discuss moderation, virtue, risk and a brief mention of the ugly boyfriend. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 43: Pierre Manent’s “The Metamorphoses of the City”
Dr. Joseph Wood (Institute for World Politics and Cana Academy) joins Brian and Jeff to discuss Pierre Manent’s “The Metamorphoses of the City,” Chapter 2: The Poetic Birth of the City. We discuss the relationships between war and politics, especially as it relates to The Iliad. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 42: The Education of Cyrus Book II
Shilo Brooks returns to continue our exploration of Xenophon's "The Education of Cyrus" Book II where Cyrus goes to war against the Assyrians and we try to tease out what fundamentals of warfare Cyrus discovers versus what he's taught by the Persians. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 41: Xenophon’s “Education of Cyrus” Book I
Shilo Brooks returns to discuss Book I of Xenophon's "Education of Cyrus" where we discuss Cyrus' early upbringing and the nature of government. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 40: Thucydides Part II with Andrea Radanasu
Andrea Radasanu of Northern Illinois University returns to discuss the Sicilian Expedition by the Athenian Empire from Thucydides "History of the Peloponnesian War." Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 39: The Wright Brothers with Shilo Brooks
Jeff and Brian are joined by Shilo Brooks, Director of the Engineering Leadership Program at the University of Colorado - Boulder, to discuss the role of engineering in the liberal arts and his lovely essay on the Wright Brothers for Scientific American: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/why-did-the-wright-brothers-succeed-when-others-failed/ Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 39: Thucydides Part I with Andrea Radasanu
Jeff and Brian are joined by Dr. Andrea Radasanu, Acting Director of the University Honors Program at Northern Illinois University, to discuss Thucydides "History of the Peloponnesian War," specifically the Athenian plague and Pericles funeral oration. For more info on Andrea and NIU, click here: https://www.niu.edu/honors/about/staff.shtml Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 36: Flaubert’s Madame Bovary
Join Brian, Ashley Johnson (https://www.writethinkdream.com/) and Anne Kniggendorf (twitter: @annekniggendorf) in their discussion of the 19th century classic, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Get more C&C on the PEL site or at combatandclassics.org. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 37: “Strategic Humanism” by Claudia Hauer
Brian and Jeff are joined by Claudia Hauer, St. John's College tutor and visiting professor of moral philosophy at the United States Air Force Academy to discuss her new book "Strategic Humanism: Lessons on Leadership from the Ancient Greeks." To pre-order, click below: https://www.politicalanimalpress.com/product/strategic-humanism/ Get more C&C on the PEL Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics Ep. 35: In memorian: Lise van Boxel
Our dear friend, co-founder, co-host and great-souled human, Lise van Boxel, has passed away. We present our humble tribute. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #33: Nietzsche’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” Part I
We begin our next “close read” series with the first two sections of Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which conclude with the famous line “God is dead.” Lise, Jeff, and Brian discuss Nietzsche’s imagery, allusions, and treatment of questions concerning love, envy, and humanity. Get more C&C on the PEL site or at combatandclassics.org. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #32: Veterans Education Project
Brian interviews Daniel Elkins, founder and director of the Veterans Education Project, which works to address issues faced by veterans in higher education. You can find more information on the Project’s website. And tune in to the Project’s podcast “Coffee with Congress” here, where it shares conversations with members of Congress about everything but politics. Get more Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #9: Joseph Conrad’s “Typhoon”
Lise, Jeff and Brian discuss another work by Joseph Conrad, a rip-roaring, seafaring tale! In his novella Typhoon, Conrad 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. Listen to more Combat and Continue Reading …
Combat and Classics #8: Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Sharer”
In this episode, Lise, Jeff and Brian discuss Joseph Conrad's short story "he Secret Sharer," which features a psychological drama between an young, unnamed captain who is uncertain of his ability to lead his ship and a mysterious man named Leggatt who swims up to the side of the ship, naked and adrift. Listen to more Combat and Classics. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #7: Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”
How do military leaders relate to the civilians they protect? In this episode, Lise, Jeff and Brian discuss that and other questions raised by this Shakespearean tragedy. The story of Coriolanus, a Roman general, starts with an heroic victory for Rome, but ends with exile, defection to the enemy, and ultimately death. Listen to more Combat and Classics. Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #6: Plato’s “Symposium”
Join Lise, Jeff and Brian for another Platonic dialogue! Socrates and Alcibiades reappear at a party attended by several characters who decide to take turns praising Eros, who is often referred to in English as the "god of love." As the dialogue progresses, we learn there is much more to love, or rather to "eros" than sexual desire, and the characters’ conversation moves on to Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #4: Plato’s Alcibiades I
Let's do some more Plato! Alcibiades is one of the most famous figures in military history. An incredibly successful Athenian general who fled to Athens’ enemy Sparta after being charged with with sacrilege. He and Socrates had a very complicated relationship. This particular dialogue raises questions about the nature of justice and who is worthy to lead. Listen to more Continue Reading …
Combat & Classics #3: Interview with Professor Martin L. Cook
Join us for a discussion with Martin L. Cook, Distinguished Visiting Professor at United States Air Force Academy. Prior to that, Professor Cook was Admiral James B. Stockdale Professor of Professional Military Ethics at the College of Operational and Strategic Leadership at the U.S. Naval War College. He is also co-editor of The Journal of Military Ethics. Professor Cook was Continue Reading …