It's back to school season, and to mark the occasion, the full host complement is joined by Dr. Pano Kanelos, founding president of the University of Austin. Together, the ensemble dissect key moments in Hamlet. That includes a potential recontextualization of the best-known soliloquy in the world, Hamlet's “To be or not to be” speech. Plus: a look at the University of Austin as it prepares to welcome its inaugural class.

Joining Alex and Greg this week is Professor Robert Wyllie of Ashland University. He guides the group through the thought-provoking world of Byung-Chul Han, one of today's most interesting living philosophers, using his new ciritcal introduction to Han as a baseline. Professor Wyllie delves especially into Han's early work, exploring his weighty ideas on technology, culture, and the human condition in a way accessible to newcomers and veteran listeners alike. Tune in for a thinker that bridges the gap between Korean and German thought!

In this episode, the guys are joined by Professor Ariel Helfer of Wayne State University to discuss his new book on Plato's Letters. Delve into an engaging conversation about the philosophical insights and historical context of Plato's epistolary works, as well as how we ought to contextualize the work itself. 

This week, the guys are back to the three man band format. They discuss the opening of Strauss' most read work and highlight patterns of thought that continue throughout Natural Right and History. 

n this edition of The New Thinkery, Alex and Greg are joined for a second time by Dr. Thomas Cleveland, Academics Program Officer for the Jack Miller Center. The group take a look at a very short text that could be read in an hour, but to understand thoroughly could take years. 

This week, the guys are joined by Assumption University's own BJ Dobski. The group discuss Thucydides as a source of ancient history, the extent to which he is reliable, and the archaeology surrounding him personally.

In this episode of The New Thinkery, David and Alex have temporarily replaced Greg with Alex's mother, Fereshteh, who is an expert on Marcel Proust's mammoth 4,000+ page text, In Search of Lost Time. In the episode, the group discuss the first volume of the text, Swann's Way, analyzing the circuitous structure and style of writing utilized, as well as how it contributes to the text's overall message.

This week, the guys are joined by Damian Jungerman, a former US serviceman turned intellectual with a seriously impressive résumé. Jungerman details how great books saved him and how those great books continue to be a source of immense value, as well as sharing candid stories from the battlefield.

As school kicks into gear as summer is winding down, the guys take the opportunity to talk about the extent to which the common man can be benefitted or harmed by liberal education, using Herbert Storing's famous essay as a starting point. 

In this week's installment of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Michigan State's distinguished professor emeritus Jerry Weinberger. The group discuss Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, its importance, and whether and to what extent Fraknlin is an esoteric writer.

This week, the guys return to the meat and potatoes of philosophy: Plato and Socrates. They discuss the first half of Plato's Republic Book IV, the logic of continuing an empire in decay, and the Machiavellian nature of some of Socrates' advice. Plus: don't miss Greg's hot take on country music.

This week, the guys analyze the film classic Ford Apache. They're joined by Hillsdale College's Professor Adam Carrington, who has written about the film. The group talk about the portrayal of Native Americans, the hubirs of an aristocratic mindset, and more!

This week, the guys return to Strauss to look at a pair of his lesser known, but still important essays touching on historicism, science, and the trajectory of the West. The two provide an excellent primer to The City and Man for those who are interested in reading Strauss.

The guys take this week to close out their mini-series on Leo Strauss' What is Political Philosophy? Listen in as they unpack Strauss' analysis of modernity, his critique of historicism, and his defense of classical political philosophy. Thankfully, there are less calls to "whip it" this time.

This week, the guys are joined by Eric Adler, Professor and Chair of Classics at the University of Maryland. Together, the group discuss Plutarch's Life of Romulus and the history of Roman historians more generally as they compare to Greek historians.

After last week's discussion of Hiero, the guys are back this week with fare that is lighter in some ways, and heavy in others: Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby. From light analysis of the boxing movie trope to the weighty topic of euthanasia, the guys cover it all. Plus: Greg was actually in a real fight once. You'll never guess where.

This week, the guys reconvene to discuss Xenophon's Hiero. Greg has published translations of Xenophon, and is especially in his element. The core question the guys focus on is the same as that of this minor work: is the life of a tyrant more pleasant than that of a commoner?

This week, the guys re joined by Hillsdale professor and David's colleague, Michael Anton. The group discuss Montesquieu's philosophy and the ways in which it proves correct, and some ways it comes up short. Plus: Professor Anton talks about Jaffa and Machiavelli. 

As we leave the Televisual Age behind and enter into the Digital Age, it might seem like a paper proposing the banning or severe limiting of TV hasn't aged all too well. But Anastaplo's paper proposing just that has aged like a fine wine, and is more applicable now than ever. The guys analyze Anastaplo's paper from top to bottom.

This week, the guys are joined by one of Alex's colleagues: Dr. Paul Diduch. The group discuss whether unfettered technological progress is in fact "progress" and what we, especially in the modern age, ought to think about before we call technology an absolute good for humans and our souls.  They focus on some texts from Plato, Aristotle, and Bacon.

This week The New Thinkery celebrates its 100th episode! To mark the occasion, the guys invite on Producer Jake to chime in for an analysis of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8 and 9, which focus on the nature and types of friendships.

This week, the guys dive into another of Plutarch's lives. Unlike some of the other lives Plutarch describes, Theseus' is surrounded by an unusual amount of mythologizing, leaving us to speculate about why he is different from the others.

Was Aristotle's view of slavery evil, idiotic, a combination, or something else entirely? The guys sit down to talk about how Aristotle viewed slavery and how that view might look today.

Join the guys for an enlightening continuation of last week's discussion on Leo Strauss' What is Political Philosophy? This week, they delve into part two of the book, focusing on the classical solution to political philosophy. Their exploration reveals timeless insights about the nature of political thought and its enduring relevance, as well as reminding you to "whip it."

This week, the guys attended a panel where they interviewed Joshua Parens on the peculiar nature of Strauss' views on natural law and the philosopher. The group analyzes Strauss' wisdom-filled writings.

This week, the guys take a break from philosophy to visit the Wild West as they analyze the film Winchester 73. Revolving around who gets to own a nearly perfect Winchester rifle, the guys look at the key lessons and plot points.

This week, the guys take a look at one of the most memorable concepts from Plato's Republic, that of the noble lie. They analyze the usefulness of noble lies, and whether it should affect the way we view Plato. Plus: your mailbag questions get answered!

This week, the guys are joined by author, political commentator, and policy scholar Steven F. Hayward. The group take a look at the underlying themes of Max Weber's Politics as a Vocation, as well as some potential consequences of the line of logic used in the book. 

This week, the guys take a trip back to ancient Greece to discuss the first two books of Homer's Iliad. Plus: a cameo appearance from David's son!

With Easter around the corner, the guys are joined by Dr. Catherine Zuckert, the Reeves Dreux Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame, to take a look at the first Western Christian autobiography ever written: St. Augustine's Confessions. The cast discuss the timely themes and important underlying messages, as well as talk about Dr. Zuckert's educational biography.

This week, the guys continue their running series on Shakespeare. On the docket is one of Shakespeare's early comedies, Love's Labour's Lost. To help them with the analysis, Dr. Lee Ward, Professor of Political Science at Baylor University, joins the crew to shed light on the major themes and events of the play.

Shoutout to ALI for sponsoring!

If you like this episode format, let us know on Twitter and we'll make more like it.

In this episode, the guys delve into the profound insights of Leo Strauss' seminal work, What is Political Philosophy? while cracking their hallmark lewd jokes. Join them as they explore Strauss' examination of the nature and purpose of political philosophy, setting the stage for a deep dive into his enduring influence on contemporary thought. 

Learn more about this episode's sponor, Ralston College, and their immersive Humanities MA!

In this follow-up to the last episode on Plato's Republic, the guys are again looking at the concept of justice. Specifically, what issues one might take with it. The group analyze the speeches of Glaucon and his brother to get at the philosophic issues dwelling underneath what seems to be a universal concept.

This week, the guys are breaking up the nonstop philosophy with a movie with strong overtones about, what else, philosophy! The crew discuss Alfred Hitchcock's Rope—which is scarily based on a true story—and how philosophy can be dangerous when approached improperly.

In this President's Day edition of The New Thinkery, the guys are joined by Professor Diana Schaub, who teaches at Loyola University Maryland, and specializes in Lincoln. Together, the group discuss Lincoln's Lyceum Address and what Lincoln thought of himself as extracted from the text.

Shoutout to Davenant Hall for sponsoring!

In a first for The New Thinkery, the guys are joined for a threepeat guest appearance by Dr. Michael P. Zuckert. Together, the guys discuss the three elements of statecraft, and to what extent Lincoln hit the marks. 

Shoutout to Davenant Hall for sponsoring!

Don't blame Greg for his salty language—it's Machiavelli's fault!

In observance of the beginning of Black History Month, The New Thinkery guys are taking a look at Frederick Douglass' memoir, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Specifically, the group focus on why Douglass wrote the book the way he did, and what lessons can be taken away from Douglass' life and writings.

This week, the guys take a look at Aristotle's Politics. Specifically, they explore the key types of relationships according to Aristotle, how they contributed to the formation of the city, and why the city is the perfect size for humans to flourish. 

As Nazism came to the fore in Germany following World War I, Leo Strauss delivered a lecture that would be published posthumously attempting to explain why. Specifically, he emphasized nihilism, including its sources and influences. The guys discuss and expand upon this lecture.

In the first episode of 2022, the guys come out swinging by taking on Book I of Plato's Republic. One of the most important philosophic works of all-time, the discussion is as wide-ranging as it is entertaining. Plus: we want your ideas on what part of Plato's Republic the guys should cover next! 

The New Thinkery is celebrating its 200th episode this week. To celebrate, the guys convene to do a retrospective of sorts. They take the opportunity to thank listeners, guests, and others, answer listener-submitted questions, give you a peek behind the curtain, and compared to a usual week are a little more... unhinged. Tune in for a fun one!

Learn more about this episode's sponor, Ralston College, and their immersive Humanities MA!

This week, the guys are joined by none other than Dr. Harvey Mansfield. The group discuss Machiavelli's satirical play, La Mandragola in a wide-ranging discussion, and is closed out by an entertaining series of lightning round questions.

The New Thinkery wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! On this Christmas Day stocking stuffer, the guys delve into an unusual Christmas short story, Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Christmas Banquet". The guys analyze the somber work's underlying philosophic meaning and its connections to the present.

In this week's classic episode of The New Thinkery, the guys discuss the Christmas classic: A Christmas Carol. They go through the book's plot, themes, underlying philosophical points, and talk about the cultural impact the book has had since its publication in the nineteenth century.