Join Lexie Henning as she chats with thought leaders in academia and the entertainment industry about how they got into their field, their current work, and how they connect with the past. Together they strive to connect modern societies to ancient worlds, explore antiquity via contemporary storytelling, and introduce a wider audience to the various ways history and mythology influences popular culture around the world.
Tune in for intimate conversations with established top scholars, current postgrads, early career academics, and professionals in their respective fields as their wisdom and advice has never been more accessible!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Lexie Henning as she chats with thought leaders in academia and the entertainment industry about how they got into their field, their current work, and how they connect with the past. Together they strive to connect modern societies to ancient worlds, explore antiquity via contemporary storytelling, and introduce a wider audience to the various ways history and mythology influences popular culture around the world.
Tune in for intimate conversations with established top scholars, current postgrads, early career academics, and professionals in their respective fields as their wisdom and advice has never been more accessible!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lexie chats with Troy Baker, the voice of Joel in the popular video game series 'The Last of Us.' The conversation explores a range of topics, from childhood narratives and their impact on personal growth to the philosophical and historical influences that shape storytelling. Troy dives deep into his own nostalgic triggers, the importance of simple yet profound narratives, and the experience of loss and empathy in 'The Last of Us Part II.' They also touch on the critical balance between player agency and linear storytelling in video games. This episode provides a rich exploration of how ancient and modern stories continue to resonate today, all through the lens of a beloved video game series.
Originally recorded November 11, 2023.
Follow Troy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtroybaker/?hl=en
Find all of his projects on his IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1684869/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Christian Langer, a trained Egyptologist and professor in the Classics department at the University of Georgia, joins Lexie to discuss his interest in ancient Egypt's political economy, forced migration, and the nuanced interplay between Egyptian and Nubian relations, contemporary issues of decolonizing academic fields such as Egyptology, and the ongoing challenges of integrating diverse perspectives in a traditionally Western-dominated discipline. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Bluesky, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded April 12, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Langer: https://www.classics.uga.edu/directory/people/christian-langer
Check out his publications on Academia: https://uga.academia.edu/ChristianLangerFRHistS
Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-langer-8a393a113/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Johanna Hanink, a professor of Classics at Brown University, joins Lexie for a podcast centric episode, in which we dive into the origins and inspirations that led to the creation of her podcast Lesche. Our conversation covers the inspirations she took from other podcasts like Byzantium and Friends, the challenges of balancing academic rigor with creating accessible content, to her approach to preparing for interviews. It also highlights the importance of fostering a hype culture within academia and future plans for the podcast. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded April 8, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Hanink: https://www.johannahanink.com/
Check out Lesche podcast: https://www.leschepodcast.com/2388571
Follow Lesche on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leschepodcast/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Dunstan Lowe, a senior lecturer in Latin Literature at the University of Kent, joins Lexie to discuss his journey into the field of classical studies, driven by an early fascination with Roman history and mythology, the nuanced differences between Greek and Roman literature, particularly the works of Virgil and Ovid, and his fascination with archaeogaming and its relevance today. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded February 25, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Lowe: https://www.kent.ac.uk/classics-archaeology/people/1744/lowe-dunstan
Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ancientplay.bsky.social
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Christopher Zeichmann, a New Testament scholar and lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University, joins Lexie to discuss his new book focused on radical groups in antiquity. Dr. Zeichmann, a scholar specializing in early Christianity and the Roman military, explains his research background and the genesis of his book, 'Radical Antiquity: Free Love, Zoroastrian Farming Pirates, and Ancient Uprisings.' He explores the lives and societies of radical, leaderless communities throughout history, emphasizing the social experimentation that marked these groups. The conversation offers insights into Zeichmann’s motivations and the broader implications of his work for both scholars and general readers interested in political readings of history. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded August 14, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Zeichmann: https://christopherzeichmann.com/ & https://www.torontomu.ca/philosophy/undergraduate/religious-studies/christopher-zeichmann/
Check out his publications on Academia: https://torontomu.academia.edu/ChristopherZeichmann
Find his new book “Radical Antiquity” here: https://firestorm.coop/products/23867-radical-antiquity.html
Or get the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Antiquity-Zoroastrians-Farming-Uprisings/dp/0745350399
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Caroline Arbuckle MacLeod, an Egyptologist and professor of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan, joins Lexie to discuss her path through near Eastern archeology, and how the Syrian conflict led her to fall in love with ancient Egypt, the unique interest in daily life, beliefs, and preservation of ancient Egyptian sites, her focus on woodworking in ancient Egypt and the practical and the spiritual significance of various woods used in Egyptian coffins. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded February 24, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Arbuckle MacLeod: https://stmcollege.ca/contacts/caroline-arbuckle.php?_gl=1*p96iqh*_ga*MTk1NDY2MDgxNC4xNzU3MTc1NjA4*_ga_7P8QY8C9QK*czE3NTcxNzU2MDckbzEkZzEkdDE3NTcxNzU2MzIkajM1JGwwJGgw#top
Check out her personal website: https://carriearbuckle.wordpress.com/
Check out her publications on Academia: https://usask.academia.edu/CarolineArbuckleMacLeod
Find her on Women Know History: https://womenalsoknowhistory.com/individual-scholar-page/?pdb=7591
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Carolyn Willekes, an equine archaeologist and professor of Ancient History at Mount Royal University in Canada, joins Lexie to discuss how horses were used for sport & spectacle in the Roman Empire & other fun horsey tidbits like using saddles (or the lack thereof) and the Byzantine factions. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded February 14, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Willekes: https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/Arts/Departments/Humanities/Faculty/Carolyn-Willekes.htm
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academic.equestrian/
Check out her publications on Academia: https://mtroyal.academia.edu/CarolynWillekes
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Tom Horne, an archaeologist, author, podcaster, and communications manager for the Govan Stones museum, joins Lexie to discuss his early inspirations from Glasgow's public museums into academia, the Viking economy, trade networks, and use of bullion economies, and the intersection of academia and media considering his experiences in television, film, and podcasts. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded January 28, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Horne: https://drtomhorne.com/
Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomhorne870/?hl=en
Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hornesupremacy.bsky.social
Check out his publications on Academia: https://independent.academia.edu/DrTomHorne
Check out the Shindig Archaeology podcast: https://shows.acast.com/shindig
Check out the Govan Stones Museum: https://thegovanstones.org.uk/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Damián Fernández, a historian of Late Antiquity and Associate Professor at Northern Illinois University, joins Lexie to discuss the complexities of Visigoth identity and their kingdom in Spain, the importance of learning languages like Spanish and Portuguese for a deeper understanding of Visigothic sites, and his work on a monograph on rebellion in the Visigothic Kingdom which explores how rebellion was used to justify state power. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded January 27, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Fernández: https://www.niu.edu/clas/history/about/faculty/fernandez.shtml
Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historiantillo.bsky.social
Check out his publications on Academia: https://niu.academia.edu/Dami%C3%A1nFern%C3%A1ndez
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Tom Morcom, an associate lecturer in Old Norse Language and Literature at University College London, joins Lexie to discuss his journey into academia, emphasizing his fascination with the depth and richness of Old Norse saga literature and narrative theory, the uniqueness of medieval Icelandic society, how Old Norse literature compares to classical works, and modern reception of Norse culture in popular media. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded January 10, 2025.
Learn more about Dr. Morcom: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/97142-tom-morcom
Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tommorcom.bsky.social
Check out his publications on Academia: https://uio.academia.edu/TomMorcom
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Actor Magnus Bruun, (voice of male Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla!), joins Lexie to chat about his love for storytelling and the rich history and mythology of Scandinavia that shaped his artistic vision, playing Cnut in "The Last Kingdom”, the challenges of portraying characters in both television and video games, and share some behind-the-scenes stories from working on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded January 5, 2025.
Follow Magnus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnusbruun/?hl=en
Find all of his projects on his IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2422401/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Christian Rollinger, a Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Trier, joins Lexie to discuss his experience navigating the German academic system, evolution from focusing on modern history to becoming a scholar of ancient Rome, interest in the historical importance of monarchy, work on reception of classics in video games, and the growing acceptance of video game studies in academia. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded December 20, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Rollinger: https://www.uni-trier.de/en/universitaet/fachbereiche-faecher/fachbereich-iii/faecher/geschichte/profil/fachgebiete/alte-geschichte-1/team/dr-christian-rollinger
Follow him on Bluesky: @drcrollinger.bsky.social
Check out his publications on Academia: https://uni-trier.academia.edu/ChristianRollinger
Grab a copy of his edited volume on Classics in video games: https://www.amazon.com/Classical-Antiquity-Video-Games-Receptions/dp/1350193860
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Joel Christensen, a professor of Classics at Brandeis University, joins Lexie to discuss how his childhood in rural Maine and frequent library visits led to a passion for classics, finding parallels between Homeric themes and modern narratives, and re-analyzed Joseph Campbell's 'Hero of a Thousand Faces,' critiquing its limitations while highlighting its impact on modern storytelling. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded December 2, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Christensen: https://scholarworks.brandeis.edu/esploro/profile/joel_christensen/overview
Follow him on Bluesky (ft. Hermes): https://bsky.app/profile/sentantiq.bsky.social
Follow him on Twitter: https://x.com/sentantiq
Sign up for his substack: https://joelchristensen.substack.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Clare Downham, a professor of Medieval History and Celtic Studies at the University of Liverpool, joins Lexie to discuss her personal journey into Medieval History and Celtic Studies, the distinct ways Viking activities influenced Ireland compared to the UK, being a historical consultant for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and debunking popular misconceptions about the Vikings and iconic figures like Ivar the Boneless. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded November 11, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Downham: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/clare-downham
Follow her on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/downham.bsky.social
Check out her publications on Academia: https://liverpool.academia.edu/ClareDownham
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Hannah Čulík-Baird, a professor of Classics at UCLA, joins Lexie to discuss the intersections of her personal identity (growing up in Scotland) with her academic pursuits, the importance of addressing historical inequities within the field, the relevance of ancient texts like those of Cicero, and the modern challenges of teaching classics in a diverse and evolving academic landscape. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded October 25, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Čulík-Baird: https://classics.ucla.edu/person/hannah-culik-baird/
Check out her blog O Pietas Animi: https://opietasanimi.com/author/opietasanimi/
Follow her on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/opietasanimi.com
Check out the Res Difficiles Journal: https://resdifficiles.com/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Hans Bork, a professor of Classics at Stanford, joins Lexie to discuss his formative experiences with Indo-European linguistics before Classics, the siloed nature of language study, which is typically categorized with literature rather than with its scientific and mathematical aspects, and humor in ancient Rome, particularly the works of Plautus and Cicero. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded October 10, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Bork: https://classics.stanford.edu/people/hans-bork
Check out his publications on Academia: https://stanford.academia.edu/HansBork
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two-time Grammy winning composer Christopher Tin joins Lexie to discuss the evolution of film music, particularly the transition from lush orchestral scores of the past to the more atmospheric and synth-driven scores of contemporary composers, his experiences scoring for the Civilization game series and Old World, and the intersection of music, history, & creativity. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded September 5, 2024.
Learn more about Christopher: https://christophertin.com/
Listen to “Baba Yetu” the main title to Civilization IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiHDmyhE1A
Listen to “Live Gloriously” the main title to Civilization VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOF9v-W6kdc
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Carolyn Willekes, an equine archaeologist and professor of Ancient History at Mount Royal University in Canada, joins Lexie to discuss her moving from STEM/veterinary science to Classics, how being a “horse girl” drew her to Macedonian cavalry and the role of horses in the ancient world, the complexities of the human-horse relationship, and the legendary relationship between Alexander the Great and his horse, Bucephalus. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded August 29, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Willekes: https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/Arts/Departments/Humanities/Faculty/Carolyn-Willekes.htm
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academic.equestrian/
Check out her publications on Academia: https://mtroyal.academia.edu/CarolynWillekes
Watch her lecture for the American School of Classical Studies promoting a special 2022 exhibit Hippos: The Horse in Ancient Athens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQtILJLJYNk
Check out the Equine History Collective: https://equinehistory.org/
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Alexandra Schultz, a professor of Classics at Dartmouth, joins Lexie to discuss her journey from working at Microsoft into Classics, the role of feminist theory in understanding ancient texts and libraries, insights on the Library of Alexandria, the accessibility of ancient libraries, and what modern libraries can learn from their ancient counterparts. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded August 27, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Schultz: https://classics.dartmouth.edu/people/alexandra-leewon-schultz
Check out her publications on Academia: https://dartmouth.academia.edu/AlexandraSchultz
Follow her on Twitter: https://x.com/geekforgreek
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Grace Erny, a professor of Classics at the University of California - Berkeley, joins Lexie to discuss getting into Classics via extensive fieldwork and summer programs, her work on settlement pattern, economic & social transformations and Minoan artifacts in ancient Crete, and the importance of communal dining practices and the militaristic aspects of Cretan society. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded August 2, 2024.
Learn more about Dr. Erny: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/grace-erny
Check out her publications on Academia: https://berkeley.academia.edu/GraceErny
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOzymandiasProject
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.