EP 66: Aphrodite & The Golden Apple

EP 66: Aphrodite & The Golden Apple

Author: Patrick Garner April 3, 2025 Duration: 24:56
This episode looks at the infamous Judgment of Paris, which sounds like a French court decision, but was actually a beauty contest between Greek goddesses! Join Hera, Athene and Aphrodite for the lead-up to the Trojan War and all the chaos that followed. And we re-introduce the goddess Eris, a nasty purveyor of war and destruction. Feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Email any suggestions to patrickgarner@me.com

Garner's Greek Mythology moves beyond familiar tales to consider these ancient stories as a living force. Patrick Garner, a best-selling author and mythologist, doesn't just recount the exploits of Zeus, Apollo, or Artemis. He delves into their origins and enduring influence, asking provocative questions about their nature and their surprising evolution through history. This podcast explores what these deities represented to the Greeks and, more uniquely, traces their fragmented journeys into the modern world. You'll hear how figures like Aphrodite, Athena, and Poseidon were transformed, suppressed, or quietly persisted within art, philosophy, and spirituality. Now in its fifth season and heard globally, the series connects the pantheon to broader themes in religion, culture, and society. Garner provides a nuanced perspective that treats mythology not as a static relic but as a dynamic, shifting dialogue about power, love, war, and creation. Each episode builds on this foundation, offering rare insights that challenge conventional interpretations and invite a deeper appreciation for how these ancient gods continue to resonate.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 72

Garner's Greek Mythology
Podcast Episodes
EP 72 — The Golden Bough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:32
The tale of The Golden Bough startled people in 1890 when mythologist Sir James George Fraser claimed human sacrifice was practiced in the heart of the Roman Empire. In this episode, we take our time machine back to 15 A…
EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:28
What happened to the Greeks after death? What did other people in 500 BC believe? In this episode, we look at the afterworld of Greeks, Jews, Egyptians, Persians, Buddhists and Chinese. Feedback? Send me a text! Support…
EP 70  — The Gods in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:05
The great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius kept a private diary during his endless military campaigns against the empire’s invaders. A new translation of this important text is now out and prominently features the Greek god…
EP 69  — Odysseus Takes the Long Way Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:01
The hero of the Odyssey and the Trojan War has to navigate treacherous waters and deities on his 10-year journey home. We join Odysseus for part of it. Meet Circe, the Sirens, and the sea monsters that slow his passage.…
EP 68  — A Shaman in Ancient Greece [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:28
A shaman suddenly appears in ancient Greece to proclaim that Pythagoras, the founder of philosophy, is divine. Behind the scenes, Apollo lurks. Listen as the Greeks are shocked at what unfolds! Feedback? Send me a text!…
EP 67: Strange & Obscure Tales (revised) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
EP 67 — Strange & Obscure Tales Four tales in one episode, all little known. Each focuses on the relationship between gods and men. One may well reveal the origin of werewolves. Come play with Zeus, Demeter, Artemis and…
EP 65: In Plain Sight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
This episode looks in depth at the unexpected themes of Greek pottery and how gods and heroes are depicted. We also examine the strange effigies of the god Hermes. You’ll meet a Hermes unlike any you’ve encountered. This…
EP 64: Artemis & the Ouija Board [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:49
Engaging one night with an old Ouija board, podcaster Patrick Garner conjures up the ancient goddess Artemis. Over the course of many hours, the goddess remembers Athena, Poseidon, Hecate, her brother Apollo and other di…
EP 63: Nyx, The Darkest Goddess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
Nyx. the goddess of night, appeared before the Olympic gods, even before the Titans. Her progeny were almost all beings of terror and dread, and included Doom, Death, Sleep, Dreams, Blame, Misery, The Fates, Retribution,…
EP 62:  When Zeus Came Knocking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
When Zeus Came Knocking A visit by Zeus and Hermes to an old couple’s home in ancient Greece sparked a tradition that goes on even today. All ancient Greeks knew that hospitality to strangers could bring fortune. Inhospi…