Ascend - The Great Books Podcast

Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan
  • 4.9 (108)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Ascend! We are a weekly Great Books podcast hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan. What are the Great Books? The Great Books are the most impactful texts that have shaped Western civilization. They include ancients like Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas, and also moderns like Machiavelli, Locke, and Nietzsche. We will explore the Great Books with the light of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Why should we read the Great Books? Everyone is a disciple of someone. A person may have never read Locke or Nietzsche, but he or she thinks like them. Reading the Great Books allows us to reclaim our intellect and understand the origin of the ideas that shape our world. We enter a "great conversation" amongst the most learned, intelligent humans in history and benefit from their insights. Is this for first-time readers? YES. Our goal is to host meaningful conversations on the Great Books by working through the texts in chronological order in a slow, attentive manner. Our host Adam Minihan is a first-time reader of Homer. We will start shallow and go deep. All are invited to join. Will any resources be available? YES. We are providing a free 115 Question & Answer Guide to the Iliad written by Deacon Harrison Garlick in addition to our weekly conversations. It will be available on the website (launching next week). Go pick up a copy of the Iliad! We look forward to reading Homer with you in 2024.

  1. 1d ago

    The Odyssey Books 11-12 with Luke Heintschel and Dr. Grabowski

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick discusses Books 11-12 of the Odyssey with Dr. Frank Grabowski and Mr. Luke Heintschel, the Academic Headmaster of Coeur du Christ Academy. Check out Ascend's LIBRARY of written guides and SOCIAL MEDIA. Check out Luke's Substack at CoCrucified and Dr. Grabowski's at Porch & Altar. Summary Listeners are taken on Odysseus’ harrowing katabasis into the underworld, where he confronts shades of the dead, including his mother, the tragic Agamemnon, and especially Achilles, whose devastating reflection on glory versus life delivers one of the most “blood on the floor” moments in Western literature. The conversation masterfully unpacks themes of piety, humanization, fate and free will, and the meaning of a well-lived life, while drawing illuminating connections to Plato, Dante, Boethius, and the Christian tradition. The discussion continues into Book 12 with the irresistible Sirens, the terror of Scylla and Charybdis, and the fateful transgression with the Cattle of the Sun. Throughout, the guests offer sharp insight into Odysseus’s evolving character, the tensions between cunning and virtue, and why these ancient stories remain essential for forming minds today. Whether you’re a longtime lover of Homer or new to the Great Books, this episode delivers rich intellectual conversation, pedagogical wisdom, and profound reflections that will leave you eager to pick up the text—or re-read it with fresh eyes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast 06:01 Exploring the Odyssey: Books 11 and 12 12:54 The Theme of Descent into the Underworld 16:57 Elpenor's Ignoble Death and Its Significance 23:42 Tiresias and the Prophecies for Odysseus 31:43 Fate vs. Free Will in the Odyssey 38:29 The Role of Women in the Odyssey 43:24 The Significance of Penelope in the Odyssey 45:48 Odysseus' Emotional Journey and Family Dynamics 53:13 Agamemnon's Narrative and the Role of Women 58:32 Achilles' Regret and the Nature of Glory 01:09:41 Ajax's Silence and the Weight of Honor 01:17:53 Exploring the Underworld: Tantalus and Heracles 01:20:34 Odysseus's Descent: Fear and Fate in Hades 01:21:38 Homer's Philosophical Insights: Preparing for Christ 01:22:29 Homer as a Teacher and Philosopher 01:24:15 The Sirens: Temptation and Knowledge 01:33:46 Scylla and Charybdis: Leadership and Sacrifice 01:39:31 The Cattle of the Sun: Fate and Free Will 01:46:04 Odysseus's Reflection: Mortality and Leadership Keywords Homer Odyssey Books 11 and 12, Odyssey Book 11 summary and analysis, Odyssey Book 12 summary, Odysseus katabasis underworld descent, Achilles in Hades dialogue, Odysseus meets Achilles, Sirens episode Odyssey, Scylla and Charybdis, Cattle of the Sun God, Tiresias prophecy, Elpenor burial, Odysseus piety and character development, fate versus free will in Homer, classical education podcast, Great Books discussion Homer, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick Odyssey, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Luke Heintschel Court of Christ Academy, Homer philosophy and theology, katabasis tradition Plato Dante, Christian reading of the Odyssey, Odysseus hero journey analysis.

    1h 50m

  2. May 26

    The Odyssey Books 9-10 with Dr. Gregory McBrayer

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and the Dr. Gregory McBrayer discuss Books 9-10 of the Odyssey--the first half of Odysseus telling his own story and covering such famous narratives as the lotus eaters, the cyclops, and Circe. Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey--great for small groups! Follow us on X, YouTube, Instagram, and more! Summary Books 9 and 10 of the Odyssey feature Odysseus revealing his identity to the Phaeacians and recounting his adventures after Troy. The episodes include the raid on Ismarus, the encounter with the Lotus Eaters (whom Odysseus forcibly removes to prevent them from forgetting home), the harrowing trap in Polyphemus the Cyclops's cave (where Odysseus uses the "Nobody" ruse, wine, and an olive-wood stake to blind the giant before taunting him and invoking Poseidon's curse), the visit to Aeolus (whose bag of winds is opened by the crew, blowing them off course), the cannibalistic Laestrygonians (who destroy the fleet except Odysseus's ship), and the stay with the goddess Circe (who transforms his men into pigs, but is countered by Hermes' moly herb, leading to a year of feasting and Odysseus bedding her under divine instruction before she directs him to the underworld). The hosts explore deeper philosophical and moral themes, viewing these stories as Odysseus's moral and theoretical education. They discuss xenia (guest-friendship) and its perversions, the tension between Odysseus's cunning intellect and his men's appetites or spiritedness, leadership failures, and Homer's intentional dialectic presenting human nature. Particular attention is given to Odysseus's curiosity, pride, and evolving understanding of place, home, mortality, and nature (highlighted in the moly scene as a discovery of physis). The conversation frames Circe as a structural pivot, contrasting earlier moral tales with later intellectual ones, and portrays Odysseus as a complex, self-serving yet learning figure whose narrative may blend truth and rhetoric tailored to his audience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books 07:42 Professional Updates and New Opportunities 09:37 Teaching Homer: Insights and Anecdotes 10:58 Homer as a Philosopher: Dialectics in the Text 14:08 Odysseus: The Complicated Hero 15:47 Odysseus' Journey: Learning and Growth 17:54 The Role of Storytelling in the Odyssey 23:05 The Importance of Place and Homecoming 28:08 Odysseus and His Men: Leadership Dynamics 35:47 The Lotus Eaters: Virtue and Temptation 40:31 The Nature of Happiness and the Soul's Journey 44:04 Odysseus and the Cyclops: A Political Critique 54:20 Guest Friendship and Ethical Dilemmas 01:05:01 Rhetoric and the Limits of Persuasion 01:09:21 Understanding Polyphemus: The Nature of Deception 01:11:20 Odysseus's Internal Monologue: The Role of Wisdom 01:12:46 The Cyclops's Overconfidence: A Fatal Flaw 01:13:49 The Role of Wine: A Tool for Manipulation 01:14:58 Guest Friendship: A Perverse Parody 01:16:36 The Blinding of Polyphemus: A Turning Point 01:17:47 Community Response: The Cyclops's Isolation 01:18:41 The Consequences of Pride: Odysseus Reveals His Name 01:20:51 The Significance of 'Nobody': Identity and Cunning 01:23:24 The Escape Plan: Cleverness in Adversity 01:24:05 The Curse of Polyphemus: A Divine Retribution 01:26:42 The Cycle of Violence: Guest Friendship Violated 01:27:34 The Structure of the Odyssey: Peaks and Valleys 01:29:09 The Role of Agency: Human Choices vs. Divine Will 01:29:38 The Heartbreak of Aeolus: Trust Broken 01:33:56 The Lystra-agonian Encounter: A Leadership Crisis 01:36:31 Odysseus's Leadership and Responsibility 01:39:50 The Enigmatic Circe: Goddess and Witch 01:45:13 Odysseus's Encounter with Circe: A Test of Will 01:50:59 The Nature of Eros and Odysseus's Choices 01:56:56 The Philosophical Journey: Nature and Mortality 02:01:51 The Path to the Underworld: Elpenor's Fate Keywords Key keywords for this episode include Odyssey Book 9, Odyssey Book 10, Odysseus Cyclops, Polyphemus, Circe Odyssey, Homer Odyssey summary, Odysseus adventures, Lotus Eaters, Aeolus bag of winds, Laestrygonians, Odysseus and Circe, Nobody Odysseus, Xenia guest friendship, Homer philosophy, Odysseus leadership, Odysseus moral education, Summary of Odyssey Books 9 and 10, Odysseus vs Polyphemus, Circe turns men into pigs, Philosophical themes in The Odyssey, Homer Odyssey Cyclops episode, Odysseus journey home, Guest friendship in The Odyssey, Ascend Great Books Podcast, Harrison Garlick Odyssey, and Gregory McBrayer Homer.

    2h 4m

  3. May 19

    The Odyssey Books 6-8 with Dr. Frank Grabowski

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discussing Books 6-8 of the Odyssey discussing Odysseus' time with the Phaeacians. Check our our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey. 10 Reasons to Read the Odyssey (The Ascent) Why Odysseus Refused to Become a God (The Ascent) Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey and the Phaeacians 10:45 The Nature of the Phaeacians 16:38 The Role of Rhetoric in Nausicaa's Character 22:41 Cultural Norms and Guest Friendship 28:23 Marriage Motifs and Political Wisdom 34:09 Nausicaa as a Symbol of Virtue 43:06 Odysseus and the Gods: A Growing Understanding 48:53 The Unique Role of Women in Homeric Epics 52:02 The Complexity of Guest Friendship 57:25 Divine Intervention: The Role of the Gods 01:02:24 Marriage Proposals: Naivety or Strategy? 01:04:53 Cultural Embarrassment: Odysseus's Maturity 01:08:52 Exploring the Human Side of Heroes 01:09:55 The Complexity of Virtue in Homer 01:10:50 Beauty and Political Instability 01:11:35 Marriage Proposals and Hidden Identities 01:11:58 Odysseus' Response to Offers of Hospitality 01:13:35 Cultural Insights from the Phaeacians 01:15:08 The Nature of Athleticism and War Games 01:16:44 The Role of the Bard in Storytelling 01:18:32 Odysseus' Emotional Depth and Vulnerability 01:19:44 Guest Friendship and Reciprocity 01:21:38 Odysseus' Identity and the Stakes of Revelation 01:24:07 The Bard's Song and Its Implications 01:25:59 Craft vs. Strength: Lessons for Odysseus 01:30:09 Adultery and Its Consequences in Homeric Society 01:31:15 The Warning Embedded in the Bard's Tale 01:34:10 Nausicaa's Role and the Theme of Marriage 01:37:04 Odysseus Weeping: A Complex Hero 01:40:45 The Final Ask: Identity and Storytelling 01:42:13 Prophecies and Their Consequences 01:45:10 Narrative Structure and the Art of Storytelling Book 6 Summary Odysseus washes ashore on the island of the Phaeacians. Athena appears to Princess Nausicaa in a dream and inspires her to go wash clothes at the river with her handmaids. Odysseus awakens, naked and brine-covered, and approaches the princess cautiously. He flatters her with rhetorical skill (comparing her to Artemis), requests aid without grasping her knees, and bathes privately. Nausicaa, showing courage, wit, and political savvy, provides him clothes, food, and careful instructions on how to approach the palace and supplicate her mother, Queen Arete, while avoiding gossip. The book ends with Odysseus praying to Athena in a sacred grove. Book 7 Summary Guided invisibly by Athena, Odysseus enters the splendid, utopian palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. He supplicates the queen as instructed, pleading for passage home. The court is initially stunned into silence until an elder prompts hospitality. Odysseus is bathed, feasted, and given a seat of honor. Queen Arete recognizes her daughter’s clothing and questions him; he recounts his arrival but omits some divine help. King Alcinous offers generous hospitality, promises to convey him home, and even subtly proposes marriage to Nausicaa (which Odysseus sidesteps). The Phaeacians are portrayed as peaceful, technologically advanced, and god-kin, living in an Edenic setting. Book 8 Summary The next day features athletic games, feasting, and bardic performance. A young Phaeacian (Broadsea) taunts Odysseus, prompting him to compete and win the discus throw, demonstrating his prowess. The bard Demodocus sings of the Trojan War (stirring Odysseus to tears) and the comic adultery of Ares and Aphrodite (trapped by Hephaestus’s craft), which Odysseus enjoys. More gifts and dancing follow. Nausicaa bids Odysseus a quiet, flirtatious farewell. Alcinous finally asks his name, setting up the hero’s full tale in the next books. The episode underscores themes of hospitality, craft over brute strength, and Odysseus’s emotional vulnerability. Check out our 2024 playlist on the Odyssey too! Keywords Odyssey Books 6-8 summary, Odyssey Books 6-8 analysis, Nausicaa and Odysseus, Phaeacians Homer, King Alcinous Queen Arete, Nausicaa beach scene, Odysseus Nausicaa temptation, guest friendship xenia Odyssey, Phaeacian utopia, Homer Odyssey podcast, Ascend Great Books Odyssey, Odysseus Nausicaa rhetorical exchange, Hephaestus Aphrodite song Odyssey, Odysseus weeping simile, Odysseus Alcinous marriage proposal, Phaeacian ships technology, Calypso vs Nausicaa, Odyssey Book 8 games bard, Odysseus craft over strength, Deacon Harrison Garlick Odyssey, Frank Grabowski Odyssey, Porch and Altar Substack.

    1h 49m

  4. May 12

    The Odyssey Book 5 with Dr. Glenn Arbery and Dr. Frank Grabowski

    Odysseus rejects becoming a god... why? Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Glenn Arbery of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK FIVE of the Odyssey--arguably one of the important passages in the entire Odyssey and in the Western canon. Check out Ascend on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon. Check out our written study guide to the Odyssey! Odysseus is offered everything a man could desire: immortality, endless pleasure, and the love of the goddess Calypso on her enchanted island. Yet he refuses, choosing instead the path of suffering, homecoming, and humanity. The conversation unpacks why Odysseus weeps on the shore despite his Edenic surroundings, the deeper meaning of his refusal, and the timeless question Homer poses to every listener: Would you say no to immortal pleasure? The scholars dive into rich themes—Odysseus’s interior dialogue with his own thumos (spirit), the contrast between Calypso’s cave and rocky Ithaca, the subtle work of the gods and fate, and striking antecedents to Platonic psychology. With insightful close readings, connections to the Iliad, and reflections on identity, place, and human flourishing, this discussion transforms a single book into a meditation on what truly makes life worth living. Whether you’re new to Homer or revisiting the epic, this episode will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great books, philosophy, or wrestling with life’s biggest questions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books 04:13 Exploring the Odyssey: Book Five 09:41 Athena's Plea and Zeus's Response 23:53 Odysseus on Calypso's Island: A Study of Contrast 34:43 The Choice of Immortality: Odysseus's Dilemma 39:32 The Identity of Odysseus: Suffering and Immortality 41:02 The Nature of Human Desire and Fulfillment 42:56 The Dilemma of Odysseus: Choices and Consequences 45:14 The Complexity of Fidelity: Odysseus and the Goddesses 48:09 Homer's Moral Landscape: Understanding Odysseus 51:14 The Role of Place in Identity and Homecoming 54:05 The Symbolism of Clothing: Calypso vs. Nausicaa 01:09:40 The Wrath of Poseidon: Odysseus's Struggles at Sea 01:13:35 The Inner Dialogue of Odysseus: Heart and Mind 01:17:23 The Weight of Time and Suffering 01:20:04 The Complexity of Divine Intervention 01:22:21 Agency and Internal Dialogue 01:25:20 Mortality and Immortality: The Role of Women 01:29:10 Navigating Divine Guidance 01:31:20 The Human Experience and Divine Learning 01:33:56 The Journey to the Shore: A Symbol of Rebirth 01:40:05 The Significance of the Olive Tree 01:43:41 The Transformation of Odysseus Keywords: Odyssey Book 5, Book Five of the Odyssey, Odysseus Calypso, Odysseus refuses immortality, Homer Odyssey Book 5, Calypso's island, why does Odysseus refuse immortality, Odysseus choice Calypso, Homer Odyssey analysis, Ascend the Great Books, Odysseus thumos, Platonic soul Homer, Odysseus homecoming, fate Zeus Odyssey, Odysseus rebirth, Calypso pleasure island, great books podcast Odyssey Be sure to check out our Odyssey episodes from 2024 too!

    1h 48m

  5. May 5

    The Odyssey Books 2-4 with Dr. Frank Grabowski

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discuss the famous "Telemachy" or the coming of age story of Telemachus, Books 2-4 of the Odyssey. Check us our on X, Instagram, Facebook, and more! Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey. In this rich second episode of our 12-week Odyssey series, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski dive deep into Books 2–4 — the Telemachy — exploring Telemachus’s powerful coming-of-age journey from a fatherless, disordered Ithaca to the ordered poleis of Pylos and Sparta. They unpack how Homer paints a vivid picture of political decay: twenty years without an assembly, a missing generation of men, and suitors devouring the household while logos itself loses its force. Yet as Telemachus steps into his father’s seat and sets sail under Athena’s guidance (disguised as Mentor), we witness not only his maturation but a masterclass in what makes a healthy polis. The conversation shines especially when they examine the suitors’ impiety, the beautiful practice of guest-friendship (xenia), and the threefold piety it reveals — toward the gods, the city, and the family. From Nestor’s sacrifices and storytelling to Menelaus and Helen’s double wedding feast, the episode is packed with insight, humor, and timely wisdom. Whether you’re reading the Great Books for the first time or returning to Homer with fresh eyes, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the political, moral, and spiritual layers of the Odyssey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey Study 06:18 Telemachus' Journey and Athena's Role 08:01 Political Instability in Ithaca 09:38 The Assembly and Telemachus' Leadership 15:48 Penelope's Dilemma and Guest Friendship 17:47 Xenia: The Importance of Hospitality 24:16 The Omen and the Suitors' Fate 30:37 Justice and the Role of the Gods 32:11 Mentorship and Guidance in Telemachus' Growth 39:45 Telemachus' Transformation and Epithet Significance 44:15 The Evolution of Characters in Homer 45:01 Telemachus' Journey to Maturity 47:42 The Role of Divine Guidance 48:38 Sacrifices and Natural Religion 52:56 Pylos: A Model of a Healthy Society 54:44 The Power of Prayer and Rhetoric 59:15 The Tragedy of War and Its Heroes 01:03:58 The Consequences of Choices in War 01:10:57 The Role of the Bard in Society 01:14:46 Foreshadowing and Sacrifice in the Odyssey 01:19:34 The Double Wedding Feast and Hospitality 01:22:08 Piety, Gratitude, and Debt 01:25:46 Reflections on War and Loss 01:28:12 Helen's Duality and the Nature of Free Will 01:29:10 Temptation and the Role of Wisdom 01:39:07 Menelaus' Journey and Wrestling with Fate 01:45:00 The Return to Ithaca and the Threat to Telemachus Here are more videos from our 2024 study! Book 2 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey Book 3 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey Book 4 of the Odyssey with Adam Minihan and Fr. Bonaventure, OP.

    1h 54m

  6. Apr 28

    The Odyssey Book 1 with Dr. Papadopoulos and Dr. Grabowski

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK ONE of the Odyssey--one of the greatest texts in the Western canon. Check out our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY OF THE ODYSSEY. Follow Ascend on X, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and more! Be sure to use our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey! They explore why the epic opens with “man” (not rage, not a god), the meaning of polytropos (“man of twists and turns”), Telemachus’s urgent coming-of-age amid an absent father and predatory suitors, Athena’s masterful mentoring, and Zeus’ striking defense of human responsibility. Along the way they illuminate Homer’s sophisticated anthropology, the poetic dialectic of Homer the philosopher, the haunting parallels with the House of Atreus, and why this ancient poem still speaks so powerfully to questions of masculinity, homecoming, virtue, and human greatness today. Witty, learned, and full of “blood on the floor” interpretive energy, this conversation will leave you hungry for the next eleven weeks—and convinced that Homer is one of the greatest teachers you’ll ever encounter. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast 03:39 The NEW Odyssey: A 12-Week Study 09:29 The Importance of Reading Homer 17:01 Exploring the Opening Lines of the Odyssey 30:14 The Man of Twists and Turns: Understanding Odysseus 35:28 Exploring Odysseus: The Complexity of a Hero 39:26 Justice and Fate: The Role of Aegisthus 42:28 Divine Intervention: Zeus and Human Responsibility 55:30 The Journey Home: Odysseus and Telemachus 01:03:12 Coming of Age: Telemachus's Transformation 01:05:37 Exploring Penelope's Role 01:11:44 Telemachus' Journey to Manhood 01:24:56 Reflections on the Odyssey More Resources Intro to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (2024) The Odyssey Book 1 with Dr. Frank Grabowski and Thomas Lackey (2024) Do Christians Owe a Debt to Homer? The Ascent. Understanding Homer as a Philosopher & Theologian. The Ascent. Keywords Odyssey, Homer, Greek Literature, Great Books, Philosophy, Mythology, Education, Homer's Teachings, Classical Studies, Odyssey Analysis Odyssey, Homer, fate, divine justice, Odysseus, Telemachus, Greek mythology, divine intervention, hero's journey, philosophy

    1h 34m

  7. Apr 21

    Intro to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen and Dr. Chad Pecknold (2024)

    For the first time since 2023, Ascend is reposting an episode--our introduction to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (6.25.2024) in anticipation of our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY of the Odyssey starting next week! We start BOOK ONE OF THE ODYSSEY next week! Check us out on X, Facebook, Instagram, and more! In this special introduction to Homer’s Odyssey, Deacon Harrison Garlick is joined by three distinguished guests: Dr. Patrick Deneen (Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed), Dr. Chad Pecknold (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America), and Dr. Richard Meloche (then President of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture). The conversation explores why the Great Books matter, why Homer’s Odyssey remains foundational to Western thought and theological formation, and key introductory themes in the epic (with a few light spoilers). Topics include the dynamic nature of the canon, Odysseus’s journey home as a meditation on human nature (neither beast nor god), the tension between fate and choice, temptations of forgetfulness or false immortality, and how a Catholic lens reveals anticipations of Christian truths like restlessness for our true home. The guests share personal stories of how they encountered the Great Books and reflect on the role of narrative in education and spiritual formation. It’s a rich, accessible discussion that sets the stage for deeper dives into the Odyssey while connecting ancient pagan wisdom to Christian theology. In this episode the panel discusses: • The importance of the Great Books canon and why it remains vital • Personal journeys into the classics (and how providence often leads us there) • Key themes in the Odyssey: homecoming, beast-like forgetfulness vs. god-like immortality, fate and free choice, father-son relationships, and Odysseus’s very human flaws • Reading pagan texts through a Catholic lens—seeing anticipations of Christian truth (restlessness for the City of God, the need for virtue and community) • The role of great stories in theological and liberal education Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and guest introductions 08:15 – How each guest discovered the Great Books 22:40 – Why read Homer? The foundational role of the Odyssey 40:00 – Major themes and introductory overview of the Odyssey (light spoilers) 1:05:00 – Odysseus as neither beast nor god – the need for the city 1:25:30 – Theological reading of pagan literature 1:45:00 – The dynamic canon and reading with Christian eyes 2:05:00 – Final thoughts and what’s next for Ascend Join us as we read the Odyssey over the next 12 weeks!

    1h 6m

  8. Apr 14

    The Spiritual Harm of Lying

    Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick explores one of the most striking features of Dante’s Inferno: why the poet places liars, flatterers, and the treacherous in the lowest circles of Hell — deeper than murderers, tyrants, suicides, and even blasphemers. Check out our new INSTAGRAM page! Visit THE ASCENT, our sister publication on Substack. We are reading the Odyssey over 12 weeks! Why does Dante rank fraud and treachery as worse sins than violence? What is the spiritual harm of lying? And how is lying profoundly anti-Christ? Deacon Garlick takes listeners on a deep but accessible journey through: The architecture and purpose of Dante’s InfernoThe nature of truth and the teleology (purpose) of speechWhy sins against the soul are worse than sins against the bodyThe corruption of the intellect as the worst perversion of human natureThe profound theology of Christ as the Logos — the divine ordering principle of all reality This episode will challenge you to take lying far more seriously and to see how every lie moves both ourselves and others farther away from Jesus Christ, who declares “I am the Truth.” Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ascend The Great Books Podcast 04:13 Exploring Dante's Inferno: The Spiritual Harm of Lying 06:07 Understanding the Architecture of Hell 15:05 The Nature of Truth and Speech 20:26 The Consequences of Lying vs. Murder 24:24 The Nature of Lying and Its Consequences 30:52 Understanding Logos and Its Significance Key Topics DiscussedDante’s moral purpose in writing the Divine ComedyThe structure of Hell: sins of incontinence vs. sins of maliceUpper Hell vs. Lower Hell and the City of DisWhy flattery appears lower in Hell than murderSt. Thomas Aquinas on truth: “the conformity of the mind to reality”The purpose (telos) of speech: to convey truth and help others conform their minds to realityWhy lying is a perversion of speech and an attack on the intellectThe inverted hierarchy of the soul in HellChrist as the Logos (John 1) — the rational structure and ordering principle of all creationHow lying is an anti-Christ act that divorces the mind from reality and from Jesus HimselfThe spiritual danger of breeding greater errors through falsehood Notable Quotes / Insights“Sins against the soul are always going to be more severe than sins against the body.”“The corruption of the best is the worst.”“Christ does not say ‘I have come to share a truth with you.’ He says, ‘I am the Truth.’”“Every lie moves people farther away from Jesus Christ because you are divorcing the mind from reality.” Keywords and phrases: spiritual harm of lying, Dante Inferno lying, is lying worse than murder, Dante Inferno flattery, why Dante puts liars in lower hell, spiritual harm of lying Dante, lying worse than violence, Christ as the Logos, logos theology lying, anti-Christ act of lying, Dante hell structure explained, truth and speech Catholic theology, why is lying worse than murder in Dante's Inferno, spiritual consequences of lying Catholic, Dante Inferno fraud vs violence, what is the spiritual harm of lying, lying as anti-Christ act, St Thomas Aquinas truth conformity of mind to reality, John 1 Logos and lying, Dante Inferno sins of malice, treachery in Dante's Inferno, flattery in Dante's hell, Dante Divine Comedy moral lesson, sins against the soul vs body, corruption of the intellect, teleology of speech, Catholic teaching on lying, Aquinas definition of truth, Inferno architecture explained.

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
108 Ratings

About

Welcome to Ascend! We are a weekly Great Books podcast hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan. What are the Great Books? The Great Books are the most impactful texts that have shaped Western civilization. They include ancients like Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas, and also moderns like Machiavelli, Locke, and Nietzsche. We will explore the Great Books with the light of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Why should we read the Great Books? Everyone is a disciple of someone. A person may have never read Locke or Nietzsche, but he or she thinks like them. Reading the Great Books allows us to reclaim our intellect and understand the origin of the ideas that shape our world. We enter a "great conversation" amongst the most learned, intelligent humans in history and benefit from their insights. Is this for first-time readers? YES. Our goal is to host meaningful conversations on the Great Books by working through the texts in chronological order in a slow, attentive manner. Our host Adam Minihan is a first-time reader of Homer. We will start shallow and go deep. All are invited to join. Will any resources be available? YES. We are providing a free 115 Question & Answer Guide to the Iliad written by Deacon Harrison Garlick in addition to our weekly conversations. It will be available on the website (launching next week). Go pick up a copy of the Iliad! We look forward to reading Homer with you in 2024.

Information

  • Creator
    Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan
  • Show Website
    Ascend - The Great Books Podcast

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