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.

In this week’s episode we cover Book 11 of Homer’s Iliad. This book contains A LOT of Homeric similes. So we thought that we’d take a moment to talk about what an epic simile is and why they’re so great. This one’s about language! To cover this book we break down three of our favorite similes, plus an awesome taunt from Diomedes. Paris gets insulted again. And Nestor tells Patroclus a long story. In fact, this is the beginning of Patroclus’s tragic end… Listen to Book 12 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.

This week’s episode is all about book 10 of the Iliad, espionage by night. It’s still night, and both the Greeks and the Trojans decide to send spies. The Greeks send Diomedes and Odysseus. The Trojans send Dolon, a herald who doesn’t stand chance. This is the first book where we get to see what kind of man Odysseus is in the war. His actions are kinda shocking. What is he willing to do? How far is he willing to go? Listen to Book 11 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.

This week's episode is all about Book 9 of the Iliad, the embassy to Achilles. Basically, the Trojan War is not going well for the Greeks. And they’re getting desperate. Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax are sent to try to persuade Achilles to rejoin the fight. They each present different arguments. In many ways this book is similar to a Platonic dialogue. Will Achilles be swayed? And what the heck is Phoenix even talking about? Join us as we break down these three arguments and touch on the Ancient Greek word for glory.   Listen to Book 10 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.

This week's episode is all about Book 8 of the Iliad, where we get serious about trying to understand the greek gods. Are they really fickle? Can we unlock the hidden meaning behind their seemingly random actions? Bella proposes that we look at this through a symbolic lens, a Jonathan Pageau perspective, to dig deeper. Plus, Zeus finally gets involved in the action. He whips out his golden scales and his lightning bolts. Listen to Book 9 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.

This week's episode is all about Book 7 of the Iliad, where we break down another duel where no one dies. It's Hector vs. Ajax, but it ends in a draw. Why do they agree to halt the duel? In many ways this book is all about resetting the stage. The sun goes down and the dead are collected. Plus, Bella proposes the tile conspiracy theory. Did Ajax really get chosen at random? Listen to Book 8 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.

Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 6 of the Iliad, where we talk about the brutality of war. And we try to answer the age-old question: why can't we be guest-friends? Do these guys really have to fight one another? Plus, we argue over our differing opinions on Hector. Are his actions heroic or cowardly? Should he stay with Andromache or go down fighting? Listen to Book 7 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.

Welcome to WINNOW. Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 5 of the Iliad, where we talk about epic moments on the battlefield at Troy. This war is both epic and brutal. Ares joins in the fight on the Trojan side and Athena sides with the Greeks. Who will be triumphant? We also discuss fate and destiny in greek mythology. How much freewill do these heroes have or are their fates sealed? Listen to Book 6 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.

Welcome to WINNOW. Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 4 of the Iliad, where we talk about the bow shot heard 'round the world. Menelaus is wounded! The fighting begins! Join us as we discuss Bronze Age warfare and how to understand the greek word "thumos". Who is to blame for this war? And who are we rooting for? Listen to Book 5 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.

Welcome to WINNOW. Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 3 of the Iliad, where we talk about the duel between Menelaus and Paris. The duel that could've ended the Trojan War. We also explore themes of glory and honor on the battlefield. Who will go down as a hero? And who will be remembered as a coward? Watch this episode on YouTube. Listen to Book 4 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode on YouTube. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to the first episode of WINNOW. Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 2 of the Iliad, where we talk about the infamous catalog of ships. Listen to Book 3 of the Iliad to be prepared for the next episode: here Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to the first episode of WINNOW. Join us, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, as we dive deep into the Iliad and Odyssey one book at a time. This week's episode is all about Book 1 of the Iliad, where we talk about Achilles' rage. Watch this episode on YouTube! Listen to Book 2 of the Iliad to be prepared for next week's episode here. Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.

Welcome to WINNOW: A Couple's Close Reading of the Iliad and Odyssey. This is the introductory episode of our podcast where we, Owen and Isabella Gemmer, are diving deep into Homer's epic poems. Before we break down each book of the two epics, we first discuss the most popular translations of Homer's work. Which ones are best for first-time Homer readers? Which are we going to read on this journey? Whether you're looking to encounter Homer for the first time or are already a fan, we hope there's something for you along the way. Watch this episode on YouTube! If you're interested in reading along with us, Owen is recording an audiobook of Samuel Butler's translation. Listen here to prepare for the next episode. To view the Translation Matrix, click here.  Thank you to Nat Copeland for our theme song.