PODCAST · history
Classically Trained
by Classically Trained Podcast
A media analysis podcast in which hosts Allison and Julia discuss modern media (including TV & film, books, and music) that depicts the Ancient Mediterranean world, its peoples, and its stories. We're here to have a good time, not to nitpick accuracy, but we've got a thing or two to teach, too.
Episodes
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Episode Twenty Two: Nolan's Odyssey
In this episode, we discuss the film The Odyssey (2026), dir. Christopher Nolan. The movie of the summer! In this one, we talk production ethics, Tumblr literary theory, and Sea Peoples. Content warnings: Profanity Discussions of racism and misogyny Mentions of sexual assault -- Music by Dark...
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Episode Twenty One: The Thief
We're back! In this episode, we discuss the novel The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner. For once coming in at a reasonable length, we talk fantasy genre convention, Hesiod, and getting jumpscared by guns. Content warnings: Profanity -- Music by Dark Fantasy Studios. -- Support us by subscribing to…
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Episode Twenty: Ancient Apocalypse
In this exceptionally lengthy episode, we break down a single episode of Ancient Apocalypse, the Netflix docuseries hosted by Graham Hancock. Suffice to say we did not enjoy it. Featuring carbon dating, the myth of the flood, Star Guy, and a whole lot of made up bullshit. Content warnings:...
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Episode Nineteen: Doctor Who
In this episode, we tackle three episodes of the new series of Doctor Who: Fires of Pompeii, The God Complex, and The Eaters of Light. Featuring Sibyls, the etymology of 'volcano', Roman sexuality, and, of course, some complaining about Steven Moffat, join us on this romp through a show that's...
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Episode Eighteen: The Wicked and the Divine
In this episode, we discuss The Wicked and the Divine vols. 1-4, by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. We talk Dionysus, the Satanic Panic (and also Satan, a bit), child sacrifice, and the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, plus a few takes that make it clear that at time of recording, neither of us had…
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Episode Seventeen: Disney’s Hercules
On this episode, we're joined by special guest Dr. Victoria Austen to discuss 1997 film Hercules. We talk trends in feminism, the Christianization of myth, and the cult of Elon Musk. Find Victoria on Twitter, @Vicky_Austen, and give her a follow! And click here for Dr. Polt's threads on Hercules,...
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Episode Sixteen: The Last Olympian
In this episode on the FINAL (AT LAST) Percy Jackson book, we talk about the Iliad (some more), Nico DiAngelo ex machina, and why Hestia is the most underrated Greek deity. Content Warnings: Mentions of canon-typical violence and death -- Music by Dark Fantasy Studios. -- Support us by…
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Episode Fifteen: The Mummy
In this episode, we dive into one of Julia's favourite movies, 1999's The Mummy. Turns out one of Julia's favourite movies is pretty racist. Featuring (a significant lack of) archaeological ethics, the magical ability to read ancient Egyptian, and yet another shoutout to our friend and yours…
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Episode Fourteen: Battle of the Labyrinth
This episode, we have a special guest: friend of the podcast Madi, who is a dedicated fan of Percy Jackson and joined us to share her perspective on this book! Digressions include environmentalism, how to pronounce 'Daedalus', and the Teletubby vaccination forgery scandal. Content warnings:...
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Special: Till We Have Faces
In this special episode, Julia strikes out on her own to conduct a semi-scholarly takedown of C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces. Spoilers: she hated it. Featuring unfortunate fantasy naming, the Christianization of Cupid and Psyche, and a weak attempt to explain Apuleius. Content warnings…
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Episode Thirteen: The Titan’s Curse
In this episode we discuss Percy Jackson book 3: The Titan's Curse. Featuring: both-sides-ism, a small amount of complaining about philosophy professors, and a pitch for casting Aphrodite. Also, we call Rick Riordan out for fridging. We continue to have mad nostalgic fun with these episodes....
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Special: The River Through Rome
This episode, we have a special treat: an interview with author Nicholas Nicastro on his recently-published novel, The River Through Rome. Featuring engineering logistics, a shoutout to flat-earthers, and the refrigerator door theory of writing inspiration, we hope you enjoy this conversation--we...
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Episode Twelve: A Thousand Ships
In this episode we discuss Natalie Haynes's 2019 novel A Thousand Ships. Digressions include identity theft, ancient clothing, and ecofascism. We also spend a while simping for basically every ancient woman mentioned. Content warnings: Profanity Discussion of violence and death Discussion of rape...
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Episode Eleven: Supernatural
In this episode we discuss the television series Supernatural. We take a long trip down memory lane--way down. Right to hell, in fact. Featuring: fanfiction, the University of Washington-Seattle, and some good ol' fashioned misogyny. Actually, a lot of good ol' fashioned misogyny. Content…
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Episode Ten: Troy (2004)
In this episode, we discuss the 2004 film Troy, starring Brad Pitt. Unsurprisingly, we had a lot to say. Featuring: American imperialism, and Homeric combat, and just a little bit more complaining about the costuming in Troy: Fall of a City. Support us by buying us a coffee! And follow us on...
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Episode Nine: Sea of Monsters
We return to the world of Percy Jackson for book two, and immediate get mired deep in academic theory. Because of course we do. Featuring a critique of diet culture, Frantz Fanon, and a little bit of hubris. Mentioned in the episode: ORBIS, an ancient travel calculator from Stanford Support us by...
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Episode Eight: Hadestown
In this episode, we discuss Hadestown, particularly the Broadway Cast Recording version of the musical. Featuring: metrical formulae, Tumblr Feminism, and fanfiction about beekeeping. Support us by buying us a coffee! And follow us on Twitter!
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Episode Seven: Gladiator
In this episode, we discuss Gladiator (2000), featuring orientalism, unfortunate Freudian weirdness, bad takes on imperialism, and... queer giraffes? Minor correction: at about 31:30, Julia says "Commodus" where she should say "Maximus". Mentioned: The costuming in Troy: Fall of a City,...
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Episode Six: The Mountain Goats Mixtape
This episode, we discuss a playlist of Mountain Goats songs that contain classical reference, and are generally enthusiastic about the whole thing. This is a somewhat different episode than our previous ones, because we're discussing a mixed bag of media, but we had a lot of fun! Find the…
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Episode Five: The Lightning Thief
Finally we're back with NEW MATERIAL! This episode is our (brisk but fruitful) discussion of the first Percy Jackson Book, The Lightning Thief. It also contains our entry into the #discourse about Medusa. As mentioned in the intro, you may notice that we had some audio issues with this episode!…
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Episode Four: Fall of a City Final
The fourth and final episode in our series on Troy: Fall of a City, discussing episodes seven and eight. Thank god. We repeated a number of things we've been saying all the way along in our final notes in this last episode about Fall of a City, but we hopefully have managed to do so in a clear…
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Episode Three: Fall of a City 3
In this episode, we discuss Troy: Fall of a City episodes 4, 5, and 6, and how they handled THE ENTIRE PLOT OF THE ILIAD. Yes, in only three episodes of television. Spoilers: it was pretty bad. Feat. translation theory, Julia's continued strong opinions about Achilles, and Allison's favourite…
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Episode Two: Fall of a City 2
The second part of our four-part series on Troy: Fall of a City, covering episodes two and three of that show. It's still bad! But at least we don't have any corrections this week.
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Episode One: Fall of a City 1
The first of a four part series on the Netflix original series Troy: Fall of a City, covering episode one of that show. Two small corrections to things we said in this episode: first, women did sometimes give birth lying down. Second, there is some evidence to suggest that the Greeks did know…
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Episode Zero: Meet the Hosts
An optional listening experience for those who are interested in learning a bit more about the hosts. We discuss our academic and personal backgrounds and some info about what sort of things we're thinking about when we talk about media. Also, there's some waffle about theory.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A media analysis podcast in which hosts Allison and Julia discuss modern media (including TV & film, books, and music) that depicts the Ancient Mediterranean world, its peoples, and its stories. We're here to have a good time, not to nitpick accuracy, but we've got a thing or two to teach, too.
HOSTED BY
Classically Trained Podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Classically Trained have?
Classically Trained currently has 25 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Classically Trained about?
A media analysis podcast in which hosts Allison and Julia discuss modern media (including TV & film, books, and music) that depicts the Ancient Mediterranean world, its peoples, and its stories. We're here to have a good time, not to nitpick accuracy, but we've got a thing or two to teach, too.
How often does Classically Trained release new episodes?
Classically Trained has 25 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Classically Trained?
You can listen to Classically Trained on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Classically Trained?
Classically Trained is created and hosted by Classically Trained Podcast.
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