Snakes & Otters Podcast

Francis is our tenured professor on this episode detailing the philosophy of the great intellectual and polymath John Locke. Unfortunately, Monty Python didn't include him the ever-awesome philosopher's drinking song so no snappy title to this one. 

Robert takes lead on this themed Code of Honor featuring the words of John Locke.

Martin takes the head of the table as the guys discuss the meaning and effects of the Kellogg-Briand Pact to outlaw war in 1928.

Martin sits at the head of the table and the guys expound and expand on a blog post on www.snakesandotters.com, namely, of all people now living, who would you love to invite to dinner?

That's right listeners, a fun pop culture episode on Frasier Crane and Company. Discussions of favorite characters and episodes abound as Francis captains and Martin gets to yell "That dingo's got your baby!"

We kick off our series on philosophers with political theorist Thomas Hobbes. And yes, we've named these episodes after lines from Monty Python's "Bruce's Philosophers Song". Martin mangles the lyrics, Francis ably captains.

Robert is sovereign this episode and the guys talk quotes from political philosopher Thomas Hobbes. This one really gets Martin's hackles up as he seeks to slay Leviathan. 

Martin takes the seat at the head of the negotiating table for the third of our episodes on 'treaties that changed the world' where the guys take down the disaster that was the Treaty of Versailles. As expected, Woodrow Wilson comes in for more deserved criticism. 

Francis pilots the chopper on this exploration of the classic sitcom, M*A*S*H. A show set in Korea but really about Vietnam that lasted until the Reagan Administration.

Robert and the guys have some 'splainin to do with the first female hero, Lucille Ball. 

Martin takes lead and the guys diverge a bit on their opinions on this month's quotes. 

Francis takes the emperor's chair and the guys examine the aftermath of Bonapartism. 

Robert takes pen in hand and we salute some favorite comic artists, starting with George Perez of Avengers and Fantastic Four fame. 

Martin chairs the convention here and the guys talk his hero Calvin Coolidge. Yes, they did say more than 2 words. 

Francis takes lead here and Orwell, Emerson and Coolidge are discussed.

Robert defenestrates this one for the guys and it was a long time in coming. He's right on the money though, this treaty from 1648 is an important marker in world history. 

Robert captains probably our weirdest hoopajoob yet, wherein the guys talk about what returning a shopping cart to the parking lot corral means for character, society and Nietzschean rebelliousness. 

Martin yada yada yada's the guys through an episode about Seinfeld, the sitcom about nothing. They follow the show's rules, and there's no hugging, no growth. Not that there's anything wrong with that. 

Martin captains an episode about an unlikely hero to the gang, 20th Century foundational poet, playwright and cultural critic T. S. Eliot. I should have been a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the floors of silent seas, indeed. 

Francis takes charge of the buck and half episode and of course very fittingly it is a Code of Honor. Here's where you can find the answer to the opening line: P.J. O'Rourke, Matthew McConaughey and somebody else walk into a bar . . . 

Martin leads the charge on a history episode on the real story of the Knights Templar. Dan Jones gets appreciation, Dan Brown does not. 

Martin cues the laugh track as the guys talk the meaning and importance of some landmark television sitcoms. 

Robert captains an episode in appreciation of prolific polymath Gilbert Keith Chesterton. 

Robert captains an awesome Code of Honor episode and the guys explore the nature of hubris and imagination. 

Francis leads the Knights of Otters and Snakes into battle in a spirited discussion of the Crusades and their aftermath.