Snakes & Otters Podcast

Robert captains an episode on our first inspirational yet fictional hero, Steve Rogers, Captain America. Guess what, in the end we tie comic books to theology and the inherent dignity of the human person. Because of course we did. 

Robert is the captain this time, and manages to blend Sir Alec Issigonis, Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway. Great stuff.  Our quotes this time: Francis – “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self.” ( Ernest Hemingway ) Martin – “A camel is a horse designed by a committee.” Sir Alec Issigonis Robert – “Whenever you find yourself...

We are joined by Martin's youngest, Bjorn Ironside, for an examination of the historical/mythical figure Ragnar Lothbrok. Only our second guest and Bjorn does a great job as an amateur cultural anthropologist. 

The 80s nostalgia continues as the guys pay tribute to one of the great entertainers to emerge to mega stardom in the decade. And awesomely, Robin Williams kept it going right up to the second decade of the 21st century. 

We are children of the 80s after all, so of course Ronaldus Maximus is big part of our pantheon. Listen as the guys dive in to some Reagan era nostalgia, but also try to dig a little deeper into what made him appealing far beyond other public figures. 

Robert captains but still goes last and hammers on the great stuff from Francis and Martin. Martin goes super geek Star Trek with a Jean Luc Picard, Francis brings in US Grant, and Robert goes with some old fashioned folk wisdom.  Our quotes this time: Martin – “Your discommendation is a façade to protect less honorable man. It is a lie, lies must be challenged.” ( Jean Luc Picard ) Francis – “If...

Martin captains the last of our 4 part Civil War series with an examination of the Vicksburg Campaign and it's commander, US Grant. What the campaign was all about, and what it meant strategically, politically and socially. 

Martin captains a very silly episode (well I mean it is a freaking hoopajoob) and answers the question, Is Cereal A Soup? The guys also dive into some other really bad food ideas (tuna and jello pie?) but eventually come around to some positive notes on German kuchens and steak and eggs and other yummy stuff. 

Francis captains an episode that takes the S&O guys into the dark heart of that terrible Planet of the Apes (nod to Homer Simpson). We discuss all the great themes and shout out to the important creators of one of the pre-eminent Sci-Fi franchises. This of course includes more bro love for our man Chuck Heston, who's Taylor was way deeper a character than just a man among the monkeys. And always r...

Martin captains an homage to his north star, George Orwell. Read and learn younger generations. Yes, his novels were a comment on a polity that no longer exists, but the deadly ideas behind the Soviet Union still swirl the bowl of modern intellectualism. 

Martin goes all "Autocrat of the Podcast" with an Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr quote, Francis captains with Nelson Mandela ode to moral courage and of course when you have conversation + libation that equals Robert hammering it all home with Margaret Thatcher. Fight those battles as often as you need to!  Our quotes this time: Francis – “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the tri...

Francis helms a history episode and the guys explore the Battle of Gettysburg and tackle a what if in the process. Would Stonewall have made the outcome very different in Pennsylvania? And there's more to it than just Culp's Hill. Yes, "The Killer Angels" and Gettysburg get a mention. We would be remiss if we didn't mention the episode publishes on the anniversary of Day 3 of the battle, which inc...

Martin captains the guys through a discussion of the Western as an American art form, including a discussion on the evolution of the genre and how it came to reflect the current moment in American society. 

Francis captains an episode on that great American Icon, John Wayne, the man Emperor Hirohito wanted to meet on his trip to the United States in the 1960s. A rugged individualist, a man with a code, a man who believed in American Exceptionalism, but a man with flaws too. 

Second week of June and time for a Code of Honor boys and girls. Martin, Robert and Francis draw from all kinds of sources and use some great words of wisdom to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Draw nigh and learn. And like always, there's caution but also optimism.    Our quotes this time around: Martin – “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”...

First Friday means a history episode and this is part 2 of our 4 part Civil War series on the crucial battles of 1862-1863 that lead to Grant coming East. This week we talk Chancellorsville, Lee's greatest tactical victory, and along the way of course there's an examination of the personalities, like "Fighting" Joe Hooker and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Robert specifically mentions  Chancellorsvil...

Listeners, pardon the exceptional length of this episode, but it features our first guest ever, our good friend Marcus Aurelius. He claims to be of exceptional length as well. We tell stories and celebrate friendship. Welcome to the Brotherhood of Snakes & Otters Marcus.

Pop culture episode and Francis takes the reins to talk Samurai Cinema and what it meant in Japan, both pre and post WWII. The guys salute famed director Akira Kurosawa, and talk the way the Samurai movies became the basis for revisionist Westerns, Clint Eastwood and antiheroes. 

Martin captains and the gang talks about gonzo journalist, satirist and general ne'er do well P. J. O'Rourke. Martin reveals the number 1 item on his bucket list is to have a drink with PJ. That's how big a deal this heroes episode is.  P. J.'s books are too numerous to list here, but head to his website, www.pjorourke.com . His publisher, Grove Atlantic, has a full bio and a list of his stuff. If...

"In the dark days during the spread of the Covid 19 virus, three brave men decided to risk everything by talking about it . . . Well, we're not quite THAT brave, but we do talk a lot about the Great Covid Quarantine of 2020. Join the guys as we talk about how things are going, and some of the important things they've learned so far in what the old Chinese curse called "interesting times". And you...

Martin captains our 50th episode and the guys rise to the special occasion. Francis kicks off with words of wisdom from Leo Tolstoy. Martin jumps back in with the Chairman of the Board, Francis Albert Sinatra, and Robert hammers it all home with Lao Tzu. Yes you read that right, Tolstoy, Sinatra and Lao Tzu. All to give hope and purpose during COVID-19 isolation. Bonus, Chef's parents and the Loch...

Robert captains the first of 4 Civil War episodes, discussing the pivotal battles that led from the dismissal of George McClellan to the rise of US Grant. In today's episode we talk Ambrose Burnside and the disaster that was Fredricksburg. Some sources we use include  The Civil War  by Geoffrey Ward with Ric and Ken Burns, and we heartily applaud Jeff Shaara's  Gods and Generals.

The guys look back with nostalgia at the old classic TV cop shows and what they meant. 

Want a challenge? Try talking about Winston Churchill in less than an hour. The guys examine the life of British statesman Winston Churchill. There's a lot to unpack. Martin doesn't mention it, but he's read what's considered the sine qua non of modern Churchill bios, Martin Gilbert's 1 volume  Churchill: A Life .

Benjamin Disraeli, Helmuth von Moltke (the Elder) and Ronnie James Dio. Yep. The guys take quotes from a British statesman, a German field marshal and a rock n roll singer to give you April's words to live by. And like always, it works.  Our quotes this time: Francis – “Don’t complain, don’t explain.” ( Benjamin Disraeli ) Martin – “If you listen to fools, the mob rules.” ( Ronnie James Dio ) Robe...