In this on-location episode, we join Professor Jocelyn Swigger in her piano-filled office. Jocelyn is Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies for the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. Jocelyn introduces us to a wonderful composer few have heard, Agnes Tyrrell. She also talks about what it is like teaching piano in a conservatory at a small liberal arts college. In our fashion segment, we find out why musicians wear black in concerts—and why Jocelyn chooses differently when out and about on campus. Finally, the three of us raise a glass in honor of Agnes Tyrrell. It’s our most musical episode yet!

In this episode, we speak with Bruce A. Larson, Professor of Political Science at Gettysburg College. Bruce speaks to us about his work on campaign finance issues in the U.S. government and how it is definitely super easy to fix. Bruce also takes us on a winding journey through his path to academia—a route marked by romantic pursuits and rock bands—and reflects on how, given the state of things these days, staying in the band might’ve been the better choice. As usual, we quiz him on his political science knowledge and in our fashion segment ask him about the difference between dressing as a political scientist and dressing to be in a hair band. Finally, we end with an expensive cocktail that was definitely not used to buy favorable policies for Ian and me at the college.

Now with fewer hosts! In this episode, Ian switches sides of the Attic to talk with Kurt about his new book, The Battalion: Citizen Soldiers at War on the Western Front,. They kick off the new season by talking about how defeat can sometimes look a lot like victory, why writing about war during a global pandemic might not be the best way to pass the time in quarantine, and about Ian’s love of playing with toy soldiers.

From there, the conversation turns to military fashion, as Kurt tries his best to get Ian to name history’s best and worst uniforms. Finally, they raise a glass and chat about the late Queen Elizabeth II over a well-earned cocktail.

Give it a listen—we promise this won’t be an episode of attrition!

In case our previous episode did not provide solace, we have a backup plan. Join Kurt and R.C. Miessler as they talk about how to go about enjoying whiskey! Sometimes words help and sometimes it’s a quick tipple that makes life a bit more bearable. So grab a finger or two of your favorite brown liquor and join us for a tasting!

In this episode, we try to recover from some recent unpleasantness. We asked previous guests of the show to read inspirational passages, poems, speeches, make their own comments, and simply give whatever message they thought that we all needed right now. As usual, our guests did not disappoint. We hope you enjoy this collection of calls to action, thoughts on our current political situation, and reflections on how one moves forward in darker times. Perhaps these thoughtful words from amazing people can contribute a bit of brightness in a dark time.

In this episode, we speak with Amy Tooth Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Oral History at Royal Holloway, University of London. Amy talks to us about her oral history research on butch culture and why, despite the fact that most people can recognize someone who is butch, it still takes academics years to figure out what “butch” means. She also explains why listening is something that actually takes practice and is hard to do. (Don’t Ian and I know it!) We then quiz her in a new rapid-fire format and geek out with her about our shared love of tweed fashion. Finally, we give her one difficult to drink cocktail now and send her home with a recipe for an even harder-to-drink cocktail! And this is how we treat people we like! Well, hopefully it still makes for interesting listening!

In this episode, we speak with Professor Christopher Kauffman, Adams Professor in Theatre Arts at Gettysburg College. Chris talks about the serious side of clowning and why nobody should ever try to be funny. He also explains why having a mean French man call you a “double-zero” is a great way to be funnier and explains the new “Muppet-core” fashion movement. Finally, we make our noses red both figuratively and literally by sipping on a cocktail. We promise this will only be the third worst thing you have ever heard! Call us Natalie!

In this episode, we speak with Professor of Mathematics at Gettysburg College, Ben Kennedy. Ben talks about why anyone would want to do math, what is interesting about chaos, and why it doesn’t matter if the thing you are discovering is important. He then (for some reason) answers a truly awful set of quiz questions and talks about how he has stopped screaming at colleagues during meaningless basketball games. Finally, we share a whiskey together that was made by two very special people (at least partially).