288: Macbeth Inverted

288: Macbeth Inverted

Author: A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee December 2, 2025 Duration: 1:06:30
In this episode, Graeme talks us through a framework in which we can experience Macbeth (you know, that Scottish play). Turns out that when you kill a Scottish king, everything goes topsy turvy.

Three friends, A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee, gather for the kind of wide-ranging conversation that happens after a good book or a shared idea. Their Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast is built on the belief that the ancient world isn't a sealed relic but a living conversation that touches everything from art and literature to the deeper questions of faith and philosophy. You’ll hear them explore mythology, history, and classical texts, but always through a lens that feels immediate and accessible. They connect these enduring ideas to the categories that shape our lives, whether that's education, creative arts, or personal spirituality. The tone is less like a lecture and more like joining a discussion among knowledgeable pals who genuinely enjoy unpacking these topics together. This approach makes the podcast a resource for teachers looking for engaging angles and for anyone simply curious about how ancient thoughts on Christianity, ethics, and storytelling still resonate. Each episode feels like an invitation to pull up a chair and think along with them, finding richness in the classical tradition that goes far beyond dusty textbooks.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Classical Stuff You Should Know
Podcast Episodes
231: The Plague [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:42
In this episode, we discuss a central question in "The Plague" by Camus. Luckily, we avoid the central tenets of existentialism which now apparently raise the hackles of both Graeme AND Thomas. A.J. still likes it, thoug…
230: The Gold Standard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:52
In this episode, we discuss how the different monetary paradigms have affected history. Turns out, it's kinda hard to make things run if you are just trading shoes back and forth.
229: Thought Experiments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:36
In this episode we discuss a few of the famous thought experiments and their purpose in general. Also, it's totally not the same boat.
228: The Pomposity of ChatGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
In this episode, we review some common writing errors . . . errors that robots commit. Darn Robits are stealin' our jerbs.
227: The final Kantdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:38
This is the last of the four part series on Kant's "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals." While I don't feel like I nailed the first bit, I think we ended in a good place.
226: War of the Roses 6: Wormwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
In this episode, Graeme continues his series on the War of the Roses. The catatonic king finally wakes up, a guy fights the king in order to save him, and Clifford doesn't make an appearance.
225: Festschrift [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
In this episode, we discuss the collection of essays written in honor of Andrew Kern, "Liber Amicorum."
224: Kant IV: Get them endsssss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
In this episode, we continue with chapter two of Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, by Immanuel Kant. Our Hackles. They are raised.
223: The War of the Roses 5: The Mad King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:04
Graeme continues his series on the War of the Roses. New this week: a dude who fights without armor on, a military parade, and the mad king. It's like Game of Thrones, except real and sadly lacking Peter Dinklage.
222: Leaf by Niggle by Tolkien [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:51
Tolkien once wrote a story that totally isn't an allegory. Not even one bit. We discuss that story (totally an allegory) in this episode. Also, Horticulture! We don't discuss it, just been thinking about it lately.