The Odyssey Odyssey Podcast

Can the world's oldest tale help in the modern world?
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Weekly

Every week, Tom and Jane-Frances sail through one book of Homer’s Odyssey, then chart the parallels to their own modern quests. Expect sharp laughs, honest detours, and ancient insights for anyone navigating career storms or reinvention in their own Odyssey. odysseyodyssey.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Book 12: Lash yourself to the mast...

    Jan 7

    Book 12: Lash yourself to the mast...

    Finally the Sirens make an appearance, amongst other monsters, and Odysseus must avoid temptation. And that’s not all. Will they heed the message to avoid the sun gods beasts? Will they stay clear of the cliff top monsters? In this book we get the best of the Odyssey - monsters, poor decision making and another cracking tale. It’s jammed packed and a fitting way to bring this act to a close. As usual, we find many relevant lessons for us as we navigate our own modern day oceans. Would you eat the sun god’s sheep? Would you be tempted by the call of the siren? Why is this story so relevant in today’s world? Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min

  2. 12/21/2025

    Book 11: Three Times I Rushed Towards Her...

    Can Odysseus and his men go home yet? No of course not. In order to go home the crew have to sail to the end of the earth and visit the dead. Why? Because the dead will tell them how to get home and will give them some key pointers on what to do (and not do) on the way home. Go home they tell him - you have but one life. Yes this all makes complete sense. No we do not do ghostly voices. Its a great book - and we hope you enjoy the podcast. Please subscribe below, leave comments and enjoy. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    Book 10: So close to home, but no.

    Odysseus swears he is almost home but is blown off course and swept up to another island with yet another attractive goddess. All is not lost though as another clue is revealed and he saves the day again. Well it’s his story and that is how he tells it. How many people must die? How do you turn your crew back from pigs to humans? How do you seduce the Queen of Aeaea? Join us as we try to work out what is going on and what on (our) earth we can take away from this ramshackle of a tale. Oh and becaused you asked: here is a review of the pop up book we talk about. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min
  4. Book 9: I am Odysseus!

    11/24/2025

    Book 9: I am Odysseus!

    Book 9 is where Odysseus spills the beans on how he got completely off course after Troy. We get one-eyed man-eating giants, lotus-fuelled apathy, and an escape plan that involves clinging to the belly of a sheep. As it turns out, underneath the heroics, we meet the real Odysseus: brilliant, slippery, and not nearly as noble as the legends make out. Oh and sometimes it pays to keep your mouth shut! Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min
  5. Book 8: Don't Challenge Odysseus!

    11/14/2025

    Book 8: Don't Challenge Odysseus!

    Book 9 appears to be a day of games and folly, but like everything in The Odyssey there are plenty of lessons to learn, traps to avoid and feasts to be had. A surprise guest appearance from the local rock star helps move the day along, but also drags the mood down with a the ancient world’s sadest song. Join us as we dodge the flying discus and try to guess the melody of an ancient Greek folk classic. Can we work out who Odyssey realy is, and why is so good at discus? Subscribe now as the action starts to build! Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min
  6. Book 7: Know Your Story

    11/04/2025

    Book 7: Know Your Story

    The parallels between Bronze Age Greece and our modern life continue to jump out at us as we march through Book 7 (without the help of a invisible fog). Join us as we continue to pull apart each book and find the hidden and not so hidden clues on how to get through our own ordeals. And yes there is another feast. Like what you are hearing? Please subscribe and leave a message. Ask questions and tell us more about what you have learnt from this very, very old story. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
  7. Book 6: Best Washing Day Ever

    10/29/2025

    Book 6: Best Washing Day Ever

    Welcome back to the Odyssey Odyssey as we continue the story of our hero as he finds himself washed up, stark naked on a Greek island. Luckily Athena is there with her Glow Up powers, and some brave girls who help him on his way. What on earth can we learn from this book? As usual we find more than one lesson from the ancient greeks - and we try our best to do better… (not just on washing day). Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
  8. Book 5: What would you do?

    10/12/2025

    Book 5: What would you do?

    You are trapped on an exotic Greek island with a beautiful nymph who offers you ever lasting love and eternal life. Would you say no? Would you spend every day crying on the beach?? OK so the island is clearly a metaphor - but can we work out how to apply this to our lives? And… when all is lost who will throw you a magic scarf (and would you leave it on the beach?). Another book and another set of life lessons from one of the world’s oldest stories. Like what you are hearing? Please tell your friends and subscribe. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  9. Book 4 - Another Feast, Another Clue & More Life Tips

    10/05/2025

    Book 4 - Another Feast, Another Clue & More Life Tips

    Another book, another set of genuinely handy ideas for real life. In this episide Tels gets the inside scoop on Dad from old mates; the gods nudge the plot along, but Helen steals the show. We unpack the practical stuff: how to handle gods, crash a wedding without being a goose, survive being stranded on an island, and reboot a party when the vibe’s gone sideways. Join Jane-Frances and me as we wade through yet another feast and a tangle of divine meddling to pull out tips you can use now. Like what you’re hearing? Subscribe and drop a comment below. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min
  10. Book 3: A Feast with King Nestor

    09/26/2025

    Book 3: A Feast with King Nestor

    As promised here is our podcast on Book 3 of the Odyssey where we dive into King Nestor’s stories as he helps Tels understand what happened to his father and all of the warriors after the Trojan war. As usual there are plenty of life lessons, great god moments and meat laiden feasts. Meanwhile news of the suitors and their poor behaviour is spreading adding urgency to the journey. Join us as Jane-Francis and I continue our detailed journey through the Odyssey as we look for clues to help us with our own adventures. If you like this and want to hear more please subscribe and tell your friends. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min
  11. Book 2 - Where A Plan Is Hatched.. And Tels Sets Sail

    09/21/2025

    Book 2 - Where A Plan Is Hatched.. And Tels Sets Sail

    Dear Listeners, Here is the anticipated next episode of the Odyssey Odyssey. JFK and I use Book 2 to work out what happens to young Tels, how it happened, and what we can learn from it. Will our man Tels find the courage to seek his father? Will Athena reveal herself? Will Penelope stop her son from leaving? Will the suitors stop eating all the food? And how much wine does a young man need for a sailing trip? From the townhall meeting with a bad omen, to a midnight raid to get the best booze, once again, so many modern life lessons from a story that is 3000 years old. Please join us as we dive again into the world of ancient Greece, gods and the wine-dark sea. Oh - and please subscribe, and yes the audio will bet better soon. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
  12. The Odyssey Odyssey

    09/13/2025

    The Odyssey Odyssey

    And so it begins. Two of us tackle one of the greatest stories of all time to see if it can help in today’s world. Surprisingly book one does offer a few tips. Not in the modern day influencer style insta ready form, but from the Gods themselves (dressed as an old neighbour). And as to our efforts in dissecting these tips: rambling, honest and just fun. Mercifully short! And there's more to come. Get full access to The Odyssey Odyssey at odysseyodyssey.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Every week, Tom and Jane-Frances sail through one book of Homer’s Odyssey, then chart the parallels to their own modern quests. Expect sharp laughs, honest detours, and ancient insights for anyone navigating career storms or reinvention in their own Odyssey. odysseyodyssey.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Can the world's oldest tale help in the modern world?
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tom
  • Show Website
    The Odyssey Odyssey Podcast

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