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Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! | Greek Mythology & the Ancient Mediterranean
Liv Reads Homer: The Odyssey (A Modern Translation!) Books 20 and 21
Liv reads Books 20 and 21 of Homer's Odyssey, translated by Ian Johnston. It's time for Odysseus and Penelope to have a little chat, before things really kick off. This modern translation is used with immense gratitude to translator Ian Johnston and Vancouver Island University. Submit questions and prompts for future Odyssey readings at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby
CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.
This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any that don't have "Liv Reads..." in the title!
Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
Learn more about Liv's next group trip to GREECE, this time following along with Ariadne's escape from Theseus. Check out Liv's new book, The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby.
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812. Wine Can Make You Live Forever, My Mother Was Right! (Herodotus Bk 3, Part 1)
32:41||Season 10, Ep. 812Oh the wonders of Herodotus and his histories! We are back into book three of Herodotus' Histories and getting to experience the wonders of Cambyses doing his own invasions and attacks against others. How fun! In this episode there's wacky skull logic, old friend falling into destitution, travels to Carthage and Ethiopia, and also a god! Woo! (The audio is terrible, sorry... Michaela is recording at Liv's place and neither of them checked the settings appropriately before recording! Technology!)AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Sources: Herodotus' Histories, translated by Tom Holland.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
811. Conversations: The Wonders of the Ancient and Mythical Mediterranean, More Sea Monsters w/ Dr Ryan Denson
01:47:53||Season 10, Ep. 811Everyone's favourite Sea Monster Guy, Dr Ryan Denson, is back for more! Liv and Ryan talk all things ancient and mythical sea monsters, Liv's lifelong love of sharks, and the overall WONDER of sea creatures, real, mythical, or otherwise. Pre-order Ryan's Sea Monster book here, and use the code SEAMONSTER (singular!) to get 35% off before September 2, 2026. **Please consider signing the petition against Exeter University's potential gutting of the Humanities Department, a decision that would affect not only multiple past podcast guests' work, but the ongoing study of Classics and Humanity more broadly.** AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
810. Liv Reads Homer: The Odyssey (A Modern Translation!) Books 19
01:03:10||Season 10, Ep. 810Liv reads Book 19 of Homer's Odyssey, translated by Ian Johnston. It's time for Odysseus and Penelope to have a little chat, before things really kick off. This modern translation is used with immense gratitude to translator Ian Johnston and Vancouver Island University. Submit questions and prompts for future Odyssey readings at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbabyCW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any that don't have "Liv Reads..." in the title!Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
809. Conversations: The Americanness of Modern Masculinity... Reception in Nolan's Odyssey w/ Dr Charlotte Gregory
02:25:46||Season 10, Ep. 809Liv is joined by returning guest (of Achilles Reception Fame!) Charlotte Gregory to talk about Christopher Nolan's Odyssey, reception of masculinity in Hollywood epic, and more of Liv's not at all subtle opinions on the film. AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
808. Liv Reads Homer: The Odyssey (A Modern Translation!) Books 18
54:56||Season 10, Ep. 808Liv reads Book 18 of Homer's Odyssey, translated by Ian Johnston. Odysseus returns to the palace in the disguised, things aren't looking good in Ithaca! This modern translation is used with immense gratitude to translator Ian Johnston and Vancouver Island University. Submit questions and prompts for future Odyssey readings at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbabyCW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any that don't have "Liv Reads..." in the title!Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
807. Conversations: What Makes a Dragon Slayer?, Medea w/ Jasmine Elmer
01:20:14||Season 10, Ep. 807Today Liv is joined by Jasmine Elmer all about Medea in her new book Slay! We are always down to talk that wonderful goddess/woman/general badass Medea and there was much fun had talking about how she could be considered a dragon slayer and what exactly that means!AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
806. SPOILER SPECIAL: Truly ADHD-fueled Ramblings on Nolan's Odyssey and Wilson's Review of It
01:11:31||Season 10, Ep. 806This is a bonus episode for a reason! Liv rants and rambled and goes on various ADHD tangents about Christopher Nolan's Odyssey and (thank the GODS!) Emily Wilson's recent review of the movie in the LRB.AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
805. The Hero We Don't Deserve, Memnon and Other Answers to Your Questions
52:50||Season 10, Ep. 805Liv answers listener questions about the Ethiopian king Memnon, the missing pieces of the Trojan War, and more. This episode (and Emily Wilson's recent review of Nolan's Odyssey!) have inspired another rambling Odyssey episode which will be in your feeds soon after this one. AVAILABLE NOW! The Odyssey: a Modern Retelling. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby. Enter our podcast guest form if you'd like to be on the show as a conversation guest!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.