Connecting Modern Societies to Ancient Worlds


Ancient Office Hours Podcast - Latest Episodes


June 11, 2025
Dr. Joel Christensen
Dr. Joel Christensen, a professor of Classics at Brandeis University, joins Lexie to discuss how his childhood in rural Maine and frequent library visits led to a passion for classics, finding parallels between Homeric themes and modern narratives, and re-analyzed Joseph Campbell's 'Hero of a Thousand Faces,' critiquing its limitations while highlighting its impact on modern storytelling.

May 28, 2025
Dr. Clare Downham
Dr. Clare Downham, a professor of Medieval History and Celtic Studies at the University of Liverpool, joins Lexie to discuss her personal journey into Medieval History and Celtic Studies, the distinct ways Viking activities influenced Ireland compared to the UK, being a historical consultant for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and debunking popular misconceptions about the Vikings and iconic figures like Ivar the Boneless.

May 14, 2025
Dr. Hannah Čulík-Baird
Dr. Hannah Čulík-Baird, a professor of Classics at UCLA, joins Lexie to discuss the intersections of her personal identity (growing up in Scotland) with her academic pursuits, the importance of addressing historical inequities within the field, the relevance of ancient texts like those of Cicero, and the modern challenges of teaching classics in a diverse and evolving academic landscape.
The Reading Party Podcast - Latest Episodes

