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

Classical Stuff You Should Know

Arts EN ↓ 300 episodes

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.

Author

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

Category

Arts

Podcast website

www.classicalstuff.net

Latest episode

May 18, 2026

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Episodes

302: Of Mice and Men 18.05.2026

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

301: Crime and Punishment Part 2: Electric Boogaloo 12.05.2026

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 me stories.

300: 300 07.04.2026

COME BACK WITH YOUR SHIELD OR ON IT

299: Crime and Punishment: Raskolnikov the Edgelord 31.03.2026

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 about reading the book or teaching it to a few edgelords of your own.

298: Federalist Papers #10 03.03.2026

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?

297: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" 24.02.2026

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

296: Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" 10.02.2026

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

295: Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe 03.02.2026

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

294: The Servile State, by Hilaire Belloc 20.01.2026

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 diggity, look for me near the trees, boys!

293: Cinderella 13.01.2026

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!

292: Nominalism and William of Ockham 30.12.2025

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 a big fan of this theory.

291: J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas" 23.12.2025

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!

290: Civil Disobedience by David Henry Thoreau 16.12.2025

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

289: John Bunyan and Babe le bœuf bleu 09.12.2025

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

288: Macbeth Inverted 02.12.2025

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.

287: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving 04.11.2025

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.

286: Prince Darling 07.10.2025

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

285: The Democratic Man: Plato's Republic Revisited 30.09.2025

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.

284: Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" 09.09.2025

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.

283: Beauty and the Beast 02.09.2025

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?

282: Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen 26.08.2025

In this episode, we discuss Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility," along with a bunch of doofy males. I mean we discuss them, we don't podcast with them.

281: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 19.08.2025

Evil deeds? Never. I would never do that. I mean, somebody else might. But I never would. Trample a child? Nah. Nope. Not me.

280: Raskolnikov and Narcissism 20.05.2025

In this episode, Graeme tells us of the Narcissism of Raskolnikov. I mean, Graeme tells you, but A.J. had all the ideas (please give him validation).

279: Aesop's Fables 13.05.2025

In this episode, we talk about ants, grasshoppers, scorpions, and a fish named Chris.

278: Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" 22.04.2025

Ever feel like reading the diary of a Roman emperor? Boy have I got the book for you.

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