WINNOW: A Couple’s Close Reading of the Iliad and Odyssey

Enjoy Book 16 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

In Book 15 of the Odyssey, Telemachus makes his way back home, picking up a fugitive on the way. Meanwhile Odysseus hears Eumaeus's backstory. You may notice that the audio is a little choppy in the middle of this episode. We had some technical difficulties. Our apologies.  Listen to Book 16 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 15 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

The first people Odysseus meets in Ithaca are not the suitors, not Penelope, but a lowly swineherd. Join us as we discuss Eumaeus in this episode. Who is he? What does he represent? Listen to Book 15 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 14 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Join us as we discuss Book 13 of Homer's Odyssey. Odysseus has made it to Ithaca, but he doesn't recognize home immediately. Listen to Book 14 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 13 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Join us as we discuss Book 12 of the Odyssey, where all of Odysseus's crew dies from eating the Cattle of Helios. Whose fault is this? Who is to blame for their deaths? Listen to Book 13 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 12 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

In Book 11 of the Odyssey Odysseus ventures into the Underworld to get some advice from Tiresias. He also meets some old buddies down there like Agamemnon and Achilles. Join us as we discuss what Odysseus learns from the dead. Listen to Book 12 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 11 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Odysseus and his men encounter Circe in Book 10 of the Odyssey. How does Odysseus not get turned into a pig? Plus we discuss the bag of winds and the Laestrygonians. Listen to Book 11 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 10 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

You might think you know this part of the Odyssey, the part where Odysseus encounters the cyclops, but most people have barely scratched the surface. There's so much going on in Book 9, and we're going to discuss it all! Who is the cyclops, Polyphemus? Why is Odysseus telling this story? It takes keen eyes to read between the lines, or should I say eye. Listen to Book 10 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 9 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Bring out the Bard! It's time for some songs and games. Odysseus is weeping again, and we are left questioning whether it is genuine or fake. Join us as we breakdown the meaning behind the story of Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus in real time. Correction: There are triphthongs in English! Listen to Book 9 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 8 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Odysseus enters the palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete and goes straight for the knees! He tells them how he came to their island...kinda. Spoiler alert: Odysseus kinda lies. Join us as we discuss why this might be. Listen to Book 8 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 7 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Odysseus is in a tight spot. Join us as we discuss how he navigates this tricky situation in Book 6 of the Odyssey. Plus, who is Nausicaa and why is she significant to the story? Listen to Book 7 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer  

Enjoy Book 6 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

It's time to meet the man, the myth, the legend...Odysseus! But what do we find? Not exactly what we expected. Our Greek hero has some major character flaws. Join us as we discuss this first look at the man of many ways. Is his crying genuine or an act? Why has he been on Calypso's island so long when he says he misses Penelope so much? Listen to Book 6 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Welcome to a special bonus episode of WINNOW where we're covering Wuthering Heights. We read the book. We saw the movie. And both were...alright. Watch this episode on YouTube.  This Friday we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming with an episode on the Odyssey Book 5. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 5 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Telemachus journeys onward to Sparta where he finds Menelaus and Helen in Book 4 of the Odyssey. Menelaus and Helen are not exactly living in domestic bliss. Helen slips something into the wine to ease everyone's nerves. And Menelaus tells the story of how he returned home. A strange tale indeed! What does Telemachus learn from Menelaus that he didn't learn from Nestor? How does war effect even the best of warriors? Listen to Book 5 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 4 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Time for Nestor to pass his old man wisdom to Telemachus. In this episode we talk about what Telemachus actually learns from meeting Nestor in Book 3 of the Odyssey. Does he know where Odysseus is? Or if he's even alive? And we drop some Nolan News. Travis Scott being cast in the Odyssey movie was not on our 2026 bingo card. Listen to Book 4 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Enjoy Book 3 of Homer's Odyssey. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

We might've gotten a little ahead of ourselves last episode. Let's take a closer look at the power struggle in Ithaca in Book 2 of the Odyssey. Telemachus calls the elders and suitors to gather in the square. Penelope's scheme is revealed to the public! And why is Athena helping Telemachus succeed so much? Watch this episode on YouTube.  Listen to Book 3 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

We have decided to post Owen's Odyssey audiobooks of the Butler translation here to our podcast feed. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. We hope that this makes the Odyssey journey easier to follow for our audio-only listeners. Enjoy! Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Join us on our journey through Homer's Odyssey! This is the first official Odyssey episode covering Book 1 of the epic poem. We've been so excited to talk about Odysseus, but he's not even in this one! The Odyssey starts by showing us what's going on in Ithaca with Telemachus, Penelope and the many suitors. Why start the story here? Let's get into it! Watch this episode on YouTube. Listen to Book 2 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

We have decided to post Owen's Odyssey audiobooks of the Butler translation here to our podcast feed. These audiobooks are also available on YouTube with text on-screen. We hope that this makes the Odyssey journey easier to follow for our audio-only listeners. Enjoy! Thank you to Project Gutenberg for the full text of the Samuel Butler (1900) translation.  Narrated by Owen Gemmer.

Our journey into the Odyssey begins! Join us as we discuss the opening lines of the Odyssey with our special guest Kyle Prue. We talk about the meaning of "polytropos", concerns about Nolan's adaptation, and give advice to first time readers of the Odyssey. Listen to Book 1 of the Odyssey to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out Kyle's show RABBIT on YouTube. Check out our bonus podcast on Patreon, CHONKERS a mini podcast about thick books. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

If you're planning on joining us for our slow read of the Odyssey, you might be wondering what translation you should choose. No fear! We are here to give you some solid options and strong guidance. If you're wondering what we read when we're not reading the Iliad or the Odyssey, check out our bonus podcast on Patreon. Stay tuned for the Odyssey Book 1 audiobook coming soon! Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Join us as we discuss the final book of the Iliad. Fun fact: Achilles doesn't die in this one! Why does the story end like this? And how are Achilles and Priam able to come to a sort of understanding? We reflect back on the Iliad as a whole, and Bella makes the case that anyone can read the Iliad. If you're wondering what we read when we're not reading the Iliad or the Odyssey, check out our new bonus podcast on Patreon. Stay tuned for the Odyssey Book 1 audiobook coming soon! Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Welcome to the Funeral Games! In honor of Patroclus, Achilles holds many contests for various prizes. The boys are so back. Join us as we discuss these contests and the significance of the prizes. Because in this book, everyone gets a participation trophy from Achilles himself. Listen to Book 24 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

Drum roll please! The duel that you've all been waiting for is finally happening. It's Achilles vs Hector. Does the final duel live up to the hype? Or does it fall short in some way? Listen to Book 23 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

In this episode of WINNOW we discuss Achilles vs the River. His rage knows no bounds; he literally fights nature itself. How far will Achilles go to get revenge for the death of Patroclus? Listen to Book 22 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song. Edited by Isabella Gemmer

In this episode of WINNOW we discuss the Theory of the Bicameral Mind and how it potentially applies to the characters of the Iliad. It may explain why these greek warriors act without thinking and blame everything on the gods. And Owen surprises Bella with some really insightful Greek that adds a lot of color to the text. Watch this episode on YouTube. Listen to Book 21 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Conversation between Alex O'Connor and Vsauce Julian Jaynes's Book on the Bicameral Mind Theory Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of WINNOW. We reread the second book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, The Sea of Monsters, in anticipation of the new season dropping today. The Sea of Monsters is particularly special to us because it is one giant nod to the greek mythology in Homer's Odyssey. And we also just wanted to take a stroll down nostalgia lane. Join us as we map out the similarities and differences between the Odyssey and The Sea of Monsters. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

In this episode of WINNOW we discuss Book 19 of the Iliad. There's one more thing to do before Achilles charges into battle. Odysseus suggests the men eat, so they have enough energy to continue to fight. Achilles claims that he isn't hungry, but goes along with it. There are some half-hearted apologies and *jump scare* the horses talk. Listen to Book 20 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Book 18 of the Iliad is where we see Achilles's reaction to Patroclus's death. Achilles's reaction is intense and full of grief, but we think that there's more going on here. In this episode we do some investigating into the original Greek text to see what specific words Achilles is using to describe his relationship with Patroclus. Were they friends? Were they comrades? Were they roommates? Watch this episode on YouTube. Listen to Book 19 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome back to WINNOW. This week we are covering Book 17 of Homer's Iliad. We're not quite to the rage of Achilles yet. First the Greeks and Trojans must fight over Patroclus's dead body. Even once Hector has stripped off Achilles's armor, his body still carries great significance. But why is his body so important? Watch this episode on YouTube. Listen to Book 18 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Back our regularly scheduled programming! Today's episode covers Book 16 of Homer's Iliad. This is the book where Patroclus meets his tragic end. Why does Achilles let Patroclus wear his armor into battle? What inspires Patroclus to go beast mode? And what twist of fate is his undoing? We dive into all of it here on the WINNOW podcast. Listen to Book 17 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode on YouTube. You can watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to the second part of our bonus Frankenstein extravaganza. In this episode of WINNOW we discuss Guillermo del Toro's new movie adaptation of Frankenstein. We wanted to love it... but so many substantial changes were made to Mary Shelley's original novel that we're not ever sure we can call this Frankenstein. If you're looking for a free audiobook of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, checkout this audiobook narrated by Owen on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to this special bonus episode of WINNOW where we break down everything you could possibly need to know about Frankenstein before watching the new movie directed by Guillermo del Toro. If you're looking for a free audiobook of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, checkout this audiobook narrated by Owen on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

In this week’s episode we cover Book 15 of Homer’s Iliad. This is a make-it-or-break-it moment in the Trojan War. Either the Trojans burn the Greek's ships or the Greeks rally enough to push back the Trojans. And Zeus has total control to enact his PLAN. The rest of the gods are sitting on the sidelines. It's about to go down... Listen to Book 16 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode on YouTube.  Watch this episode on YouTube.  Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

In this week’s episode we cover Book 14 of Homer’s Iliad. This book focuses mainly on ox-eyed Hera, enacting her plan to seduce Zeus and distract him from the war. With Zeus distracted from the war, maybe the Greeks will have an opportunity to beat the Trojans back from their ships. We discuss the significance of Hera's actions and how love is portrayed in the Iliad. Listen to Book 15 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode on YouTube.  Watch this episode on YouTube.  Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

In this week’s episode we cover Book 13 of Homer’s Iliad. We refer to this book as the battle of the red shirts because there's a lot of fighting between the expendable characters. The guys who, if this was Star Trek, would be wearing red shirts. There's also a lot of talk of courage as Poseidon rallies the Greek troops against the Trojans. And don't forget about Menelaus! Listen to Book 14 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode on YouTube. Watch this episode on YouTube.  Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

In this week’s episode we cover Book 12 of Homer’s Iliad. This book starts and ends with the breaking of the wall that the Greeks erected to barricade themselves and their ships. We see that in the future, when this war is over, the gods themselves will break down the wall. But for now Hector is the Trojan warrior that breaks through the gates into the Greek camp. He throws a boulder. It's an epic "Grond" moment. Listen to Book 13 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode on YouTube.  Watch this episode on YouTube.  Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.