In this dive into the epic poem Beowulf, we explore the clash of monsters and men. With the translated combination of prose and poetry, this poem tells of the strongest of warriors - who grapples bare-handed with man-eating monsters - and wins! And follows it up with a fire-breathing dragon!

There's a wonderful history to this poem from the middle ages and we talk through some of the literary tools used (ever heard of a kenning?!) and some key Old English themes; like the impermanence of life and the pursuit of glory.

This episode is on Rudyard Kipling’s Captains Courageous. When spoiled rich boy Harvey Cheyne falls overboard from a luxury liner, he's saved by chance and hauled onto a fishing schooner. He is then plunged into a world that doesn't care about his wealth—only his willingness to work and learn.

As we follow Harvey’s journey, we talk about what it takes to grow from a boy into a man—not through lectures or privileges, but through hard physical work, learning from those around you, and the quiet, steady leadership of hard working men. Sometimes the most valuable life lessons aren't spoken but learned by experience.

This one is for Vanessa and Heidi!!

In this episode, we journey through the cosmic pages of A Wrinkle in Time, where a brilliant but awkward teen named Meg Murry teams up with her younger brother Charles Wallace and new friend Calvin O'Keefe to search for their missing father across space and time. With the help of some eccentric celestial beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who—they discover the wonders of the tesseract, a wrinkle in time that lets them leap across the universe. As they travel to strange planets, including a chilling world of forced conformity and the peaceful cave of the Happy Medium, they face the deep battle between good and evil. Along the way, they’re given gifts -- not just of magic or power, but of wisdom, courage, and love. It's a tale of warm family bonds, unlikely friendships, and learning that sometimes the greatest strength comes from being exactly who you are.