Odysseus: The Wanderer's Curse Part 2 of 2

Odysseus: The Wanderer's Curse Part 2 of 2

Author: Janell Rhiannon May 26, 2026 Duration: 18:27
In Part 2 of The Wanderer’s Curse, we follow Odysseus from Calypso’s island through the Underworld and into his violent return to Ithaca. After twenty years of war and wandering, Odysseus is no longer the man who sailed to Troy. Through encounters with Achilles, Agamemnon, and the dead, Homer forces us to confront the true cost of war, survivor’s guilt, grief, and homecoming.When Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca, he does not find peace waiting for him. He finds another battlefield. This episode explores how The Odyssey becomes not just a story of adventure, but a story about the psychological burden of surviving war.

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

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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: 30

Greek Mythology Retold
Podcast Episodes
Medusa: An Interview with Julie Berry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:35
An exploration of what Medusa means in the modern era. I talk with NYT best selling author Julie Berry about her new book If Looks Could Kill and how Medusa's story still shapes power, rage, and transformation today. If…
Hecuba and Hector: Mother and Son [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:26
An exploration of the relationship between Queen Hecuba of Troy and her son, Prince Hektor. Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:The Homeric Chronicles, an adult fantasy series inspired by Greek mythology and the…
Oenone: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:57
An exploration of Oenone, the wife of Paris and mother of Corythus. She plays a pivitol role in Paris's life and the final days of the Trojan War.Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:The Homeric Chronicles, an adu…
Achilles: Mother and Commander, Part 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:00
An discussion of Dr. Casey Due Hackney's essay on mothering similes in the Iliad and how modern day warriors reflect the same emotions as the depicted in Homer's work. The heart-breaking 2010 documentary, Restrepo, about…
Achilles: Mother and Commander, Part 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
This episode explores the essay written by Dr. Casey Due Hackney where she discusses the "mother bird" simile in relation to Achilles and the book Achilles in Vietnam by Dr. Jonathan Shay. The relationship between Achill…
Thetis: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
An exploration of Thetis, the daughter of Nereus, wife to King Peleus, and mother of Achilles. She played a pivotal role in Achilles' life and in the fallout of the Trojan War.Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:…
Hecuba: Queen of Troy Bonus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:54
An indepth look at Queen Hecuba's intimate relationships as as a queen, wife, and mother after she is forced to give up her second son, Paris. Pre and post Trojan War era.Explore more Greek myth and epic retellings:The H…
Achilles: Super Men of Greek Mythology, Part 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
Part 2 of 2: Continuing the exploration of Achilles "history" with myth-facts about his childhood and training. And how his role in the Trojan War as a combat veteran and commander shaped his most intimate relationships.…
Achilles: Super Men of Greek Mythology, Part 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:05
An exploration of Achilles "history" with myth-facts about his childhood and training. And how his role in the Trojan War as a combat veteran and commander shaped his most intimate relationships.Explore more Greek myth a…
Helen of Sparta and Troy: Wonder Women of Greek Mythology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:18
An exploration of how Helen of Troy and Sparta became the symbolic spark of the Trojan War. As a favorite of Aphrodite, she endured the goddess’ blessings and curses. The Wonder Women of Greek Mythology series focuses on…