With this period of COVID-19 enforced isolation and physical distancing upon us, some may be on the lookout for some more podcasts to add to the rotation. As such, I’ve compiled a list of my ‘regular listens’ and provided a brief precis for each. Fair warning: if you’re not interested in history, international relations, theology, or apologetics, then there may not be a lot here that appeals…
For those who prefer an even briefer version, here’s the dot point summary. See below for links and details:
- Emperors of Rome
- Asia Rising
- The Undiplomatic Podcast
- The Asia Chessboard
- Whiskey & International Relations Theory
- The Strategy Bridge Podcast
- The Dead Prussian Podcast
- The Eucatastrophe
- With All Due Respect
- unDeceptions
- Ask N.T. Wright Anything
- Unbelievable?
“Ave, and welcome to Emperors of Rome: a podcast about the rulers of the ancient Roman empire.”
Hosted by La Trobe’s podcast guru Matt Smith, Emperors of Rome has amassed over 140 episodes since it crossed the digital Rubicon in 2014. It’s one of my regulars now, but I only started listening when we moved to Jordan in 2018 as a way of re-connecting with my earlier studies and to think a bit more about the ancient history of the Mediterranean and Levant, given we were now surrounded with the relics of empire. I’m a touch over halfway now (Ep. LXXVI) and still loving it.
Co-hosted by Rhiannon Evans, Associate Professor of Classics & Ancient History at La Trobe University, and in later episodes also joined by Caillan Davenport, Senior Lecturer in Roman History at Macquarie University, Emperors of Rome is mostly dedicated to, well, what the title suggests. That said, there are also episodes that examine other key figures such as historians or poets (for example Cicero, Ovid, Tacitus, and Juvenal), or specific topics, including Roman sexuality, Latin pronunciation, or Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Averaging 20-35 minutes each, they’re well-suited a enjoying in a single sitting.
“Welcome to Asia Rising: a podcast from La Trobe Asia, where we discuss news, views, and general happenings of Asian states and societies.”
Another product from La Trobe and Matt Smith, each episode of Asia Rising focuses on a single issue and clock in at an easily-digestible 20-25 minutes. Also included are recordings of events hosted by La Trobe Asia, such as the recent book launches for Rory Medcalf’s ‘Contest for the Indo-Pacific’, and Hugh White’s ‘How to defend Australia’.
Like Emperors of Rome, Asia Rising was first launched in 2014, and there have subsequently been over 140 episodes, which leaves plenty to catch up on. I tend to pick and choose which ones I listen to, but there is almost certainly going to be an episode or two on issues you’ll find interesting, whether the rules-based international order, the mass detention of Uyghurs in China, or the impact of ageing populations across Asia.
“The show with undiplomatic takes about the foreign policy scene and how the world really works (but often doesn’t).”
For something light-hearted, but focused on matters of extreme importance, The Un-Diplomatic Podcast is one of my weekly favourites. Hosted by Van Jackson, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington and self-declared “Washington insider/outsider eternally suspicious of conventional wisdom”, each episode typically comprises of four key segments and runs for around 45 minutes.
The regular segments (Prediction Market, Stay Off Twitter, Armchair Analysis, Ask Me Anything) include a range of hot-takes, deeper analyses, and reviews of recent publications. There are also the occasional sub-10 minute ‘raw uncut’ episodes on emerging issues, and ‘hustle’ episodes that are interviews with a specific foreign policy and national security expert.
Joined each week by a team of interns and former students (Pete, Gaby, Jake, and Ciara), this is an unashamedly left-wing/progressive look at international politics, with plenty of banter along the way.
“The podcast that examines geopolitical dynamics in Asia and takes an inside look at the making of grand strategy.”
A podcast from the prominent US think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Asia Chessboard is hosted by Michael J. Green, former George W. Bush-era National Security Council member and now CSIS’ Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, and H. Andrew Schwartz, CSIS’ Chief Communications Officer.
With only 20 episodes to date, I’ve been working my way through them all, and at the seemingly industry standard length of around 30 minutes per episode, they’re easy to listen through in one go. Mike and Andrew are joined by one or two guests each week, and have covered issues ranging from ‘grey zone’ tactics, to economic statecraft, the US-Australia alliance, and rising players in the Republican and Democratic foreign policy scenes.
Whiskey & International Relations Theory
“Patrick and Dan work their way through a piece of international relations scholarship. And drink whiskey.”
Probably the newest podcast on this list, Whiskey & International Relations Theory is hosted by Daniel Nexon, Associate Professor in Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, Professor in American University’s School of International Service.
At a meaty 70-90 minutes per episode (and two episodes per topic), these are more like conversational-style lectures, and best consumed with the amber liquid of one’s choice (yes, each episode does have a recommended whiskey pairing). The first three topics/six episodes cover Kenneth Waltz (structural realism), Cynthia Enloe (feminist international relations theory), and Alexander Wendt (constructivism).
Though it was hard going in places, I found these really helpful in re-familiarising myself with some of the key debates and theoretical paradigms of international relations, and getting me in a good academic frame of mind as I’m starting out my own PhD journey.
“The Strategy Bridge podcast features interviews on strategic affairs and diplomatic & military history.”
Hosted by P.R. Beckman, a television producer and unmanned aircraft pilot who served in the US Army between 1992-95, this is the companion podcast to the Strategy Bridge online journal. They are “a non-profit organisation focused on the development of people in strategy, national security, and military affairs” that publishes a wide range of articles and reviews reaching back into strategic history; whether ancient, medieval, or contemporary.
Each episode is 40-50 minutes long and focuses on a single topic, drawn out through an interview with a key expert. Some episodes have covered a key text (such as J.C. Wylie’s ‘Military strategy’ or Hannah Arendt’s ‘Lying in politics’) whereas others range from the Iroquis War, to Indian foreign policy, and World War 2 open-source intelligence gathering.
“The Dead Prussian Podcast aims to explore war and warfare through discussion and analysis of military theory, historical events, contemporary conflicts, and expert interviews.”
Hosted by Mick Cook, a former-Australian Army artillery officer and now Business Development Manager – Defence for UNSW Canberra, TDP has been running since 2016 and racked up over 90 episodes in that time.
Each episode typically runs for 25-35 minutes, in which time Mick interviews experts on topics to do with warfare, strategy, history, and military ethics, interspersed with his distinctively larrikin style. In honour of TDP‘s eponymous patron, ‘Big Carl’, each interview ends with the question “War is ___?”, which has delivered some pithy and insightful one-liners on this most vital of concerns.
“Welcome to the Eucatastrophe, where we meander through, politics, pop culture, church, and society to consider true human ends and how life may be enchanted.”
The Eucatastrophe is named after a term created by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe “the sudden happy turn in a story which pierces you with a joy that brings tears”; “it is a sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur”. Tolkien applied this concept to Christ’s resurrection (“the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible in the greatest [story]”) and it is here that the basis of this perambulate through theology, politics, philosophy, and virtue finds its origin.
It is hosted by Joel Harrison, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Law School specialising in constitutional and public law, and David Taylor, a philosophy graduate who works for the Centre for Disability Studies; a non-profit organisation affiliated with the University of Sydney’s medical school. They’re good mates, and a couple of big ol’ nerds (Star Wars, Marvel, and DC Comics get a regular mention).
I’ve previously described Eucat as ‘the Sultana Bran of podcasts’, in that it’s good for you, a great way to start the day, and not entirely serious. As a fellow Anglican, and having covered some aspects of political philosophy and theology in my earlier studies, there’s a lot for me to like here. If you want to think about what truly is ‘the good’ in life and for society, this is a good resource to include in the repository.
“Less agro, more conversation.”
WADR is produced by Eternity News and brings together the Rev. Dr. Michael Jensen, Rector of St. Mark’s Anglican Church Darling Point, and the Rev. Megan Powell du Toit, a Baptist minister on staff at the Australian College of Theology.
To me, WADR is a neat complement to Eucat, in that while it is likewise deeply grounded in theology, it is probably easier to engage with for the casual listener and a bit more practical. Furthermore, it is presented by theologians of different backgrounds and church traditions, which leads to some illuminating discussions, and certainly some disagreements, that draws from a broader range of Christian perspectives.
Regular segments include Marg and Dave, where both presenters will discuss/review a single text (whether book, film, TV show etc.); Secret Life of US, where we get to learn a bit more about what makes Michael and Megan tick; and For Argument’s Sake, a debate centred around a particular topical issue. Episodes are around 30 minutes, and have covered issues such as climate politics, religious freedom, women in ministry, Christian politics, and Biblical attitudes towards war.
“Each week here we’re exploring some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that’s either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’ and let the truth ‘out’.”
Another of the Eternity News stable, Undeceptions is hosted by the Rev. Dr. John Dickson, a Distinguished Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Public Christianity at Ridley College in Melbourne, a professional ancient historian, and (full disclosure) my friend and former parish minister at St. Andrew’s Roseville.
Episodes are 40-50 minutes long, and are based around interviews with prominent academics and public figures discussing topics such as the historical Jesus, the intersection of science and theology, countering myths about Easter and Christmas, and the question of suffering, illness, and pain.
Much of John’s public work over the years has been about trying to ‘undeceive’ us and get to the truth behind lots of stereotypes about Jesus and the Gospels, so if you have questions like “did Jesus really exist?” or “hasn’t science disproved God?” then this may be a good place to start.
“Welcome to the fortnightly podcast that connects you to N.T. (Tom) Wright’s thought and theology by allowing you to ask the questions.”
Produced by Premier Christian Radio in the UK, this is the first of two podcasts on this list hosted by Justin Brierley, an apologist and long-term host at Premier. He is joined by the Rt. Rev. Dr. N.T. (Tom) Wright, the former Anglican Bishop of Durham, and leading academic based at Oxford University.
These are very tidy episodes of 30 minutes each, and have covered a vast array of theological topics including free will, baptism, Old Testament violence, justification, predestination, and atonement. Being in a more limited church environment in Kuwait, I’ve found this to be a very helpful resource for thinking more about the key pillars of Christian theology, as well complementing the exegetical teaching of a Sunday.
“‘Unbelieveable?’ engages in fundamental questions on Christianity with the intention to openly discuss different opinions between Christians and non-believers.”
Justin Brierley’s second podcast on this list, but probably the better known of the two, Unbelievable? takes a Christian and non-Christian expert and engages in a long-form, moderated discussion-cum-debate over 90 minutes. It’s been running since 2014 and has over 300 episodes, so there are plenty of places to start!
I must confess that, like the ABC’s Q&A, I tend to be careful about which episodes I’ll listen to, otherwise it can result in me just yelling in frustration at the panelists snarkily talking past each other, despite Justin’s best efforts. That said, when it’s good, it’s really good. In the majority of episodes I’ve listened to, everything is being conducted in good faith, and there are lots of good insights to be gleaned on wide-ranging topics such as rationality, morality, and the origins of the universe.
David M. Andrews 
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