EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave

EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave

Author: Patrick Garner April 12, 2026 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 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 51: The Dark Goddess Persephone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:09
One goddess alone ruled in the ancient underworld. She was Persephone, although the Greeks dared call her only The Goddess. She had been dragged unwillingly into that gloom by Hades, but she quickly adapted to her circum…
EP 50: Delos, Island of the Gods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
2,500 years ago Delos was the most sacred island in Greece. As the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it was destined to become both the holiest of sanctuaries and a wealthy trading center. Its downside was that it was al…
EP 49: The Goddess of Fortune [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:24
How many of us know about the Goddess Tyche? Today this powerful divinity is largely forgotten. But 2,500 years ago, she was believed to determine the day-to-day fortunes of every Greek. If your ship was tossed against r…
EP 48: Goddesses in the Modern World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
In this episode Garner takes the listener on a pleasant hike in the countryside. But the city dweller stumbles upon a strange scene that may involve Athene, Artemis or Aphrodite. Upon returning to the city our hiker enco…
EP 47: All That Lasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:10
Novel 4 of The Naxos Quartet sums up the most important things in life — love and belonging. In this episode Garner reads a brief selection from the book, focusing on a dramatic moment in the return of Inanna, Gaia, Time…
EP 46: Julian Jaynes & The Delphic Oracle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:50
In 1976 an obscure psychologist from Princeton University published a book titled, “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.” It was a sensation, not in small part because Jaynes postulated tha…
EP 45: Interview with Greek AF Radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
EP 45: Interview with Greek AF Radio In this episode we join hosts Ari and Foti of Greek AF Radio as they interview Patrick Garner on a wide-ranging array of mythology topics. Garner discusses his creative background, hi…
EP 44: The Dark Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:31
When Greece became part of the Roman empire in 146 B.C., the Olympic gods were still dominant. But the gods had begun to drift away even then. This episode tracks their willful retreat from the lives of mankind. Narrated…
EP 43: Violence — Human and Divine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:51
In Episode 43 we analyze the impact of violence on the ancient Greeks. It was everywhere — the product of men constantly warring with each other and the result of gods randomly exerting their power. Far too often the god…
EP 42: The Divine Voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:06
Episode 42: The Divine Voice Welcome to Episode 42 where we hear a divine voice — or rather, we hear about how Socrates was guided throughout his life by a spiritual voice called a daimon. This daimon accompanied him fro…