Medium Rare: An interview with A. Natasha Joukovsky

Medium Rare: An interview with A. Natasha Joukovsky

Author: Janell Rhiannon March 6, 2026 Duration: 37:51
Today on Greek Mythology Retold I interview Natasha Joukovsky about her novel Medium Rare, a modern reinterpretation of the myth of Icarus told through the voice of a contemporary Cassandra. We talk about hubris, fate, warning signs, and how the ancient cautionary tale of flying too close to the sun still echoes in modern stories. If you love Greek mythology, myth retellings, and the deeper themes behind the Trojan War traditions, this conversation explores how those ideas continue to evolve today.

Medium Rare

Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:
The Homeric Chronicles, an adult fantasy series inspired by Greek mythology and the Trojan War.

Homeric Chronicles Series

In Greek Mythology Retold, author Janell Rhiannon weaves together meticulous historical research and the timeless narratives of myth, moving beyond simple retellings to explore the complex humanity within these ancient stories. Each episode draws directly from her work on The Homeric Chronicles, an adult mythology series focused on the Trojan War era. The podcast delves into the motivations, relationships, and often-overlooked details of gods, heroes, and everyday figures from this period, revealing surprising perspectives that challenge familiar tales. Rhiannon’s approach is both scholarly and accessible, treating these myths as a deep cultural legacy rather than just children's stories. Listening feels like a collaborative excavation, where every fragment of text and historical context helps reconstruct a vibrant, living past. You’ll find the narratives gain new dimensions, connecting the epic scale of destiny and divine intervention with intimate, personal struggles. This isn't a dry lecture but an immersive conversation, inviting you to reconsider what you thought you knew about Achilles, Helen, Odysseus, and countless other characters. The journey through this podcast is designed to be a thoughtful experience, where the distant echoes of ancient Greece find resonance in our modern understanding of power, love, loss, and legacy. Janell Rhiannon guides that exploration with a clear passion for the material, making each episode a standalone adventure while building a comprehensive, nuanced tapestry across the series.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 28

Greek Mythology Retold
Podcast Episodes
Andromache: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
An exploration of how Andromache’s experience of the Trojan War typified that of women in the ancient world. Unlike her Greek counterparts, Andromache lived through the war, day by day, alongside her husband, Hektor. The…
Penelope: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:32
An exploration of how Penelope evolved into the iconic figure of a faithful wife and cunning ally for her husband. Against the odds, she raised a prince to manhood and confounded dozens of suitors bent on ripping her wor…
Hecuba and Leda: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:02
An exploration of two queens: Hecuba and Leda. These two opposing matriarchs of Greek mythology's most prestigious royal families have more in common, than not. The Wonder Women of Greek Mythology series focuses on the f…
Clytemnestra: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:13
An exploration of why Clytemnestra is one of the most powerful women in Greek mythology. The Wonder Women of Greek Mythology series focuses on the female characters of the Trojan War era.Explore more Greek myth and epic…
The Timeline of the First Trojan War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:23
The final episode in the timeline of the Trojan War series focuses on the generation of the First Trojan War, covering Herakles and Hesione, King Laomedon, and Podarces (Priam) and reveals how these events are tied chron…
The Timeline of Helen of Sparta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:37
Continuing with the timeline of the Pre-Trojan War years, this episode focuses on events surrounding Helen of Sparta. How old was she when she was "taken" by Paris? When was she "taken" by Paris? How old was Helen compar…
The Timeline of Trojan War Events [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
How the "Golden Apple" event and the "Judgement of Paris" inform a clearer understanding of a chronological narrative of the pre-Trojan War years.Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:The Homeric Chronicles, an adu…