302: Of Mice and Men

302: Of Mice and Men

Author: A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, and Thomas Magbee May 18, 2026 Duration: 54:10
In this episode, A.J. talks about George and Lennie and their unfortunate run-in with wannabe boxer.

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: 50

Classical Stuff You Should Know
Podcast Episodes
296: Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:46
In this episode, we discuss how Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" relates to the victory of Romanticism. That, and we giggle sometimes.
295: Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
In this episode, we discuss ol' Robinson Crusoe, how he lived on the island, and escaped twenty-eight years later. It's . . . kinda good?
294: The Servile State, by Hilaire Belloc [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
In this episode, Graeme introduces us to "The Servile State," by Hilaire Belloc. All I know is that living in the woods has always been attractive to me, and now Graeme introduces fishing? Hot diggity, look for me near t…
293: Cinderella [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!
292: Nominalism and William of Ockham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:24
In this episode, we learn about William of Ockham's ridiculous notion that our words don't mean anything. Then why am I even writing this, WILLIAM. WHY DO WE EVEN TALK. You can tell that I (A.J.) am a big fan of this the…
291: J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
Apparently Tolkien is a fabulous illustrator. Who knew? I've seriously looked up prints, and they are weirdly hard to find . . . but enchanting. Oh, this episode is about Christmas. Merry Christmas!
288: Macbeth Inverted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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.