Thank you Graeme for the Emma episode. Oh my, Austen sentences are long!

Loved the Emma show 🥰

I started listening to this podcast in 2021 when my teacher recommended it to me as a supplement for our literature class. Since then, I have listened to every episode at least four or five times. It’s actually concerning how I gorge myself this content. I love how the guys make a topic approachable while still offering in-depth commentary. This podcast has been my lifeline in times of intellectual drought and has gotten me through some of the lowest years of my life. I will legitimately crash out if they ever stop making new episodes. Thanks for all the good times, 🫵😶

I love your show! Not only is it funny and interesting but it saves me time! I am a homeschool mom who can barely keep up with my kids reading. We are apart of classical conversations and I have three teens, so the pace of all their assigned reading is too much for me. Your show covers a book, play, or philosophical idea in a way that I am able to engage my teens in conversation when I lack to time to read the book with them! Appreciate you guys!

I have listened to nearly every single episode of this podcast and have read many of the books recommended on it. When I first started listening, I craved this kind of knowledge, feeling that I had never been given it in school. Now, after finishing nearly every episode, I can say that it has made me a better man while also spoon-feeding me virtue. God has undoubtedly used this podcast to help me through struggles in my life, whether in faith or in overcoming sin. Very Truly thank you

The podcast is good I guess. They do cast pod many times.

When I pondered the Platonic ideal of a review, I discovered two primary of components: first, to encourage and second, to promote. Based off of this astute first premise (for how could it be otherwise) I will assert my best efforts to emphasize both. As to the encouragement- I discovered this podcast during my freshman year of high school in 2021. Since then, I have listened to every episode, laughed in over half, and learned something at least once. I appreciate the perspective, lightheartedness, and love of the good that exudes from Graeme, AJ, and Thomas. As a homeschooler, I have appreciated the freely given wisdom of two classical teachers and one life-long learner. They have been my constant resource for insightful conversation as soon as I finish a work of literature or philosophy, want to learn how to think, behave, and write gooder (though I may regret boasting of that last skill in this written review, although I did say “er” which insinuates relativity), or be entertained by the intricate plot of history. While I’m not an official Acolyte of Love, I maintain the faith in spirit. As to the promotion- As a classically educated person myself, I had no idea of the MANY classical things I should know, but didn’t. This podcast is one of the best investments your ears can make (aside from perhaps, listening to the Bible, audiobooks, or having meaningful discussions with your loved ones, but in the realm of podcasts at least, it consistently delivers). If you desire to discuss topics with wide ranging implications Classical Stuff You Should Know is a great place to be. (Also recommended for riotous Greek plays which are admittedly less ranging but still… imply things). While I’m unsure if this rambling review would meet Plato’s lofty expectations, I hope I’ve, at the very least, persuaded you to give this podcast a listen.

Not funny or insightful

‘Kay

I recently discovered this podcast and have found it to be a super enjoyable listen. I consider myself a pretty staunch humanist atheist, so I don’t agree with all of their views but it is always wonderful to be presented with an alternative perspective. Sometimes you can fall into your own eco chambers without realizing it. The hosts make topics that could be stuffy very approachable. They also have very fun banter!

The is an entertaining yet informative masterpiece of a podcast! The hosts don’t claim to know everything, but put in plenty of effort into their show. Some of the philosophy goes straight over my head, but I love the episodes on books- would you do an episode on The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas?? It is a splendid book. While definently friendly arguments often ensue between the trio of hosts, the information is valuable and I applaud your effort! I really enjoyed the Plantagenet series as well- will you end up moving on to the Tutor line? Thank you for the excellent work you do, - A devoted listener

I just finished listening to your program about The Great Gatsby. You did a wonderful job. It is one of my favorite books, and you really brought it to life.

The episodes I listened to mostly summarized other sources without real discussion of context or critical engagement with the material. This is not a group of PhDs, it is a group of primary and/or secondary private Christian school educators. “Classical education” in this sense seems to be more concerned with ignoring modern and postmodern theory on history, science, and sociology than teaching or analyzing Classical antiquity. Bring in some actual comparative literature, trace the impact of these philosophers through history, discuss contemporary thoughts on the same subject, anything with more depth. It’s fine that I’m not the target audience for this podcast, but it makes me really want to find the show I thought I was getting.

We have some regular appointments a few hours from home. My teens and I have begun listening on the drive so that we don’t completely miss (home)school time. I pick out episodes that have something to do with what we are learning anyway. These are excellent and fun introductions to some more difficult reading material. I hope we don’t wreck because we’re laughing so hard (sticky-sticky-drag-drag!).

Occasionally the topic is completely irrelevant to me (as not a teacher) but, by and large, they’re talking about strictly classical topics, and I love that! And these guys have such a fun interpersonal vibe that makes me smile.

This is an amazingggg podcast! I love it! They always make me laugh while telling important moments in history. I hate history but I love listening to them!

Sometimes the content is over my head, but they asked me nicely to leave a 5 star review, so I will. The Plantagenets series was by far my favorite.

Very enjoyable discussions! I appreciate that these ideas are handled with a degree of care and without snobbery. It’s just three dudes talking about something they love.

Listened to half of one episode that was so riddled with glaring inaccuracies I couldn’t finish. Maybe the rest are better, but it can’t be worth the time to slog through their flippant patter to find out.

Gentlemen, I applaud your podcast. It’s exactly what I was looking for. We need more podcasts based on these concepts. It feeds my desire for contemplating the good, the true, and the beautiful. One may even classify listening to it as a form of leisure ;)

This is a fantastic and fun podcast!! Lots of good knowledge and good humor!

I love this podcast! I am classically homeschooling our 3 children and this is so helpful and interesting for someone who was public schooled and missed all this great stuff! It’s fun and the banter is right up my alley 🔥

I listen to the podcast on and off! It’s fun and funny! They do a good job at making classical and very old books and works entertaining! I love to learn and I’m glad these professors got together to make a great podcast!

We (my four kids and I) love this podcast. Y’all are hilarious. We cannot wait to hear about the next Bro-off that will happen in English history. We know the War of the Roses is over but, please, can you keep going with the House of Tudor? We need to hear about Mary Queen of Scots, preferably with all the trimmings.

This podcast is horrible for anyone who wants to remain in the bliss of their ignorance. If staying out of the great conversation is your jam, then this podcast will ruin your life. If you hate friendship, amicable disagreement, and delightful curiosity, you will surely hate this to your core. Stay far away if your life is generally full of darkness and you hate intelligible intelligence. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I love listening to these guys as I work. They do not come at you as experts who tell you what to think but invite you to learn about and wrestle with classical stuff with them. I thoroughly enjoyed going through the 10 part series on Plato’s Republic despite the disappointment of never getting to the horse race with torches. (I thought that was the entire reason for the gathering?)

Fun podcast but a bar mitzvah takes place at the age of 13, not 12 as pointed out in episode 12. Also in episode 11, it is said that emotions cannot be controlled. This is a fallacy. One should never be controlled by emotion, and can learn to control emotion. Given these points, how can I continue to listen and trust the information given here?

This is such an entertaining way to get an overview of a wide variety of topics related to literature, philosophy, the Classical understanding of man and his place in the universe, and… doors. A couple of the comments that I saw reference their scholarly credentials (or lack thereof) and seem to disparage them because of it. These guys are two high school teachers and a former administrator-turned math guy. They never claim to be more. Yet they are. Now, if you find yourself writing a doctoral dissertation on how the intersection of Absurdism and Neoclassical Economic Theory impacts stay-at-home parents in suburbia, you may be disappointed by this podcast (and the life choices that brought you to this point). That being said, this podcast is like sitting with some very smart, witty, and sometimes combative friends (not naming names, Graeme) who are talking about a subject that they either know quite well or a subject that they are just learning about. Their style may be off-putting to some, but to each his (or her) own. As for me (and this completely not generated by Chat-GPT review), I am a fan.

I can understand the classics when I hear the podcast! A+++ team with good rapport and clear communication.

I cannot remember how I came upon this podcast, but I am so glad that I did. I was homeschooled K-12 and I would encourage anyone to do the same, but if that is not possible, seek a classical education. The three hosts not only discuss topics often seen as unattainable by the so-called “common man,” but they present them in a truly conversational manner. Rather than immediately zoning out at the first mention of philosophy, you feel as if you are sitting in your living room with your friends having a good time while carrying on an educational dialogue. They make people like Aristotle and Dante, or topics such as rhetoric and the Homeric epics, seem accessible to anyone and everyone. Before you prepare yourself for a group of stodgy professors though, these men are young and the pop culture references that show up every now and then only enhance the enjoyable experience.

I spent a year catching up on this podcast. The final episode of my journey was the Frogs in which Graeme closes by making frog noises. I feel that encapsulates my experience: thought provoking and kinda weird. All in all, would recommend to anyone.

I’ve been listening for a year, and I just caught up. I was hooked after searching for some obscure philosophical topic in Spotify and seeing this pop up. I listened to three episodes a week while I worked (now just once a week; perks of being caught up) and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I missed out on a classical education but I’m slowly making up for it with books, a drive to learn, and this podcast. Keep up the good work! And never lower your hackles, Graeme. The world needs more thoughtfully raised hackles. (;

As someone who’s studied the classical texts somewhat, I was delighted to discover this podcast. And they cover such a diversity of topics that I’d recommend it to most anyone, even with their religious orientation (I’m personally agnostic). That being said, Graeme is probably one of the most frustrating people to listen to. He literally scoffs at ideas that do not necessarily fall in line with his own. Thomas and especially A.J. seem to be open to considering other perspectives, but their episodes sometimes devolve into catering to Graeme’s dogmatic obstinance. Edit: decreasing my review to two stars after listening to the human rights episode. I agree that we have to ground our human rights in some sort of metaphysical justification, narrative, or what have you, but it was nauseating listening to them proclaim that the Christian god is the only real justification. Humanism itself is a narrative that espouses certain human rights without recourse to a deity. Moreover, some modern traditions justify human (and animal) rights through the minimization of suffering. I’d encourage listeners to at least get a few different perspectives on these subjects, because these guys are blinded by their religion. Also, Graeme clearly doesn’t have a good grasp of history if he thinks that colonization was ever primarily motivated by a desire to spread ethical values. BFFR

Thomas, AJ and Graeme are three wonderful hosts that teach a lot about Classical education and I’m grateful to them for a lot of the topics they bring to the table and filling in some holes missing from modern public school education. My one criticism is that in listening to the Distributism episode, the gang just don’t have a firm grasp on certain political terms, socialism and collectivism are specifically put on the opposite end of the spectrum of fascism and authoritarianism by Hilaire Belloc, who’s writings this episode is about, and the hosts’ immediate reaction is an outright repudiation. Now I can go on and on into the specifics of what the difference between a state controlled by a dictator and a state controlled by the people are, in which both are technically The State, but very much not “the same thing”. However, I’m not here to spout my own personal politics so I’ll stay away from specifics for the sake of brevity in my review, this is merely to point out how instead of researching these kinds of things further when they are explicitly pointed at within the main text, there are episodes where the team tends to rest on their laurels a tad instead of trying to look a bit harder. I only ask that sometimes, the hosts keep their minds a bit more open and research their specific topics a little bit more if they are unsure of their footing. Thanks again for all that y’all do, sorry to have this review come out so negative, but it was sticking up my craw so to speak. You guys have introduced me to more classical education than would have been otherwise, and I’ll be forever grateful to y’all and hope to learn more with you guys in the future. Cheers and many thanks gang.

I listened to the Camus’ The Plague episode and enjoyed it. I thought I had found a great new podcast aligned to my interests. Then I listened to the Camus’ The Stranger episode and was frustrated by the manner in which the host described the book to his peers. In his effort to summarize the main character and plot points, he characterized Mersault as a petulant brat rather than as stoic and withdrawn. It is precisely Mersault’s lack of control, misunderstanding of society, emotionless, and indifference that show how he is a stranger to the world. While the host claimed to love the book and convince his friends to do the same, he did the book a disservice…as evidenced by his friends’ takeaway that Mersault was a jerk. I’ll listed to another episode or two to determine whether to subscribe.

I started listening back in October/November on a whim and caught up with every single episode after a couple months. These guys are awesome. My public schooling failed me on any literature or concepts that could be regarded as classical, so I took it upon myself to get learned up. I have a great foundation now, and have read Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aenied, Beowulf, Lewis’ A Preface to Paradise Lost, and now currently in Paradise Lost (within a rather large backlog of other books thanks to the episode topics like all of Shakespeare, Plato, The Divine Comedy, Dostoevsky, Wilde, the list literally goes on and on and on). Keep up the great work fellas!

Fantastic info. Fun to listen to.

Just great information and interactions. It is like I am out on a Saturday afternoon having a few beers with these guys discussing the classics. Really enjoy the shows!

Graeme: uh… Thomas: yes Graeme: so uhhh… Thomas: yes Graeme: umm, umm Thomas: yes AJ: pop culture reference Thomas: wait what Graeme: haha big Lebowski Thomas: wait is that a tv show, no AJ: it’s the big lebowski Thomas: no, I hate everything AJ: anyway that’s Ulysses

I’ve been listening to CSYSK for over a year now, and these guys never disappoint. I learn something new each episode, expanding my knowledge from my classical high school education. But you wouldn’t need to have any background in classicism to like this podcast. They are skillful at breaking down hard subjects for us listeners; plus their casual, friendly, and often hilarious conversation is very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks so much for doing what you do! 😄

This is hands down my favorite podcast. The witty, entertaining hosts make every subject they talk about captivating. They bring classical topics to life, and I’ve expanded my knowledge in those areas so much since I’ve started listening to them. LOVE these guys 🥹💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

I love this show! Look no further for a perfect blend of friendly banter and discussion over historical and classical content (usually 😁) as an approachable avenue to Euclids elements, Shakespeare, the Poetic Edda, and more! Their love for the truth comes out as they examine the material, and sound out their own first impressions. All wrapped up in typical, lovable heckling! 5 stars guys!

If you have any interest in anything ‘Classical’, or just want to hear three great friends talking about things they love, look no further than this podcast. After I graduated, the private school I attended (and some of my friends now teach at) switched over to more of a classical education model. I was disappointed I wasn’t there for the switch, but now get to enjoy an introduction to the classical world through this podcast! This is great to listen to on its own, or to use as a way to discover new topics and then dive deeper into your own studies on the subjects. I’m surprised a lot of people mention that they are “too Christian”. They never try to evangelize or are “preachy”. Any Christian message simply comes out of their paradigms, which seem to spring from a deep, sincere faith and love of Christ instead of a cheesy agenda. In fact, their openness and frankness in their discussions, particularly when wrestling through questions of belief and doctrine, are another reason why I love listening to them. It is very apparent that they live their values and speak from a place of honesty as true friends - there aren’t any egos or self-promotion as found in other podcasts that i personally find distasteful. Just some guys sharing about what they learn, like my abbot quotes, “One beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” I’ll always recommend these guys to anyone interested in learning and the classical realm (especially wooden doors, can never not mention those! lol I actually thoroughly enjoyed that episode). Keep up the great work! You guys do an awesome job and I appreciate the time you dedicate to providing this podcast.

I adore these guys; they’re obviously very intelligent and explain classic literature, culture, and philosophy in an approachable yet intellectual way. That said, I wish they were more upfront in the description about the perceptibly Christian leanings. The inclusion of their own philosophical & spiritual opinions ruined the (otherwise fantastic) Deep Joy episode for me. Still a fantastic podcast, but I wish they were more transparent about their own biases, which they sometimes present as philosophical fact.

The most awsomest podcast, when I hear “pardcast”, or “Helioses aclolytes of love”. I feel just at home. Thanks guys.

I can’t recall how this podcast came on my radar but I have thoroughly enjoyed every episode I’ve listened to. The comfortable conversation these guys have makes it so easy to be able to follow their topic of choice and I find myself commenting along- to myself- as if I could join the conversation. Great range of topics that are (interestingly) discussed. (Their laughter is great, too!)

This is a really fun podcast. I enjoy the teaching spirit they have of distilling complex ideas and stories down to easily understood segments. Funny banter too!

despite being a tenth grade student who is unfortunately easily distracted by literally anything, i am enthralled by this podcast! thanks grant for being grumpy 😌

I’m classically educated, and I absolutely LOVE learning more about some of the things I’m studying. Their take on Greek myths is fascinating and hilarious, if only because they have a rational take on all of the crazy things that the Greeks believed. Would recommend to any classically educated person, especially for high schoolers like me.

These guys are interesting and informative. On a good day they are witty and insightful. On a bad day they are like the smart and quirky guys I knew from high school who just read something interesting and are trying to figure it out and need to process with their friends. Good day or bad these guys could totally sit at my lunch table.