Do you ever find yourself tempted to do something bad? Do you ever know it's bad, but then you do it anyway? It's probably Wormwood's fault. And yours, of course--it's always your fault--but it's also Wormwood's. In today's book (as Holly and Rebecca return from hiatus to record another podcast), C. S. Lewis lays out all the best advice a senior devil (Screwtape) has for teaching his nephew Wormwood to tempt those pesky humans away from God and safely into Hell. It's about as insightful and disturbing as it is entertaining--in short, just what you'd expect from Lewis. And the episode is about what you'd expect from Holly and Rebecca too: extensive favorite quotes, reflections on humility, and praise for humanity's greatest heroes (such as Genghis Khan...the Emperor Nero...you know, heroic people).
Thanks for listening! Subscribe, share, whatever. Definitely read this book; it's a good one. And make sure to take the Goldilocks approach with thinking about devils: not too much, not too little, but juuuuust the right amount.
So do you really need to read The Silmarillion? Will Aragorn's reign of capturing every woman's heart ever end? Are the films or books better? "Are we even asking that question?" asks Rebecca.
"Yes," says Holly.
Since returning from our hiatus (we will neither confirm nor deny whether we were recruited by Gandalf for an adventure during this time), we have successfully conned a genuine non-relative guest, Samantha, into joining us as we relive the final lap of an unforgettable journey. Return of the King both moved us and made us laugh in ways only Tolkien could determine. In today's episode, Sam critically analyses the character of Eowyn, Rebecca protests how the movies did Denethor dirty, and Holly won't stop seizing every opportunity to extol Peter Jackson's genius. Join us as we delve into this third part of a very long masterpiece--discovering the last leg of suffering and sacrifice required to rescue Middle Earth, and the happiness that follows.
We have the perfect candidate for reading material as you sit over your daily second breakfast! Our guest, who is among the ranks of Tolkien's impressively extensive and crazy dedicated fanbase, has a blog you can find at: https://samsbookshire.blogspot.com/
This episode is available on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. We'd love to read your thoughts when you email them to tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers.
Is it octopuses or octopi? Do these strange sea creatures really have a unique color of blood and number of hearts? Is Sy Montgomery really all she's cracked up to be as an author? For once, you can listen to your co-hosts agree on how much they liked a book, along with some writing tips, cool octopus facts, and a recap on what a year’s worth of content has done for the podcast. Thanks so much for your support these past 21 episodes! We’ll see you (hopefully) in three months.
Email: tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com
Instagram: @tworetiredhomeschoolers
Music Credit: “March of the Pods” by Howling Mad H
Once upon a time, three nerds got together to talk about Lord of the Rings. The way to Mordor was long and fraught with technical difficulties, but at last they emerged from the depths of Fangorn to bring you this episode, wherein Holly ponders dark things, Itzhak is Treebeard, and I guess Rebecca must be Gandalf (she's pretty testy in this episode). Mostly it's just three nerds rambling about all the stuff they liked, though. Thanks for listening! You can find our episodes (past and future) on Spotify, Youtube, and Apple Podcasts, follow our Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers, and email us with comments or book suggestions at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. Link to our guest's blog: Echoes of the Republic
https://itzhakbenelkabbed.wixsite.com/echoesoftherepublic
Between Rebecca's habit of sinking cars and Holly's obsession with the Plateau of Latent Potential, this episode sure made for an interesting conversation. This week, your hosts toil away to explain and summarize all the charts, graphs, laws, and systems that make up this book, including: how to not let your happiness become dependent on accomplishing your goals, why motivation is overrated, and prioritizing maintaining a habit over progress. Return in three weeks when we review The Two Towers with who would have been our very first guest whom neither of us is related to.
Were you inspired to start some new good habits, but don't know where to begin in your personal life? Say no more! You can start with these:
Habit #1- Always like and comment on our videos
Habit #2- Email us your thoughts or book suggestions at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com
Habit #3- Check out our cool Instagram account @tworetiredhomeschoolers
Bonus: If you wanna go the extra mile, we suggest you break the bad habit of not sharing this podcast with your friends and family.
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Today's episode is about two sisters: one beautiful and the other ugly, and serves as a multi-layered tale winding together many threads of ambiguous meaning. With special guest Virginia Matthews, your hosts embark to uncover the significance of this book by discussing the old and new man within every Christian, a case against the divine for the injustice of human suffering, and Lewis' intent in reinventing this ancient Greek story. Come back in three weeks to get in on all the golden nuggets we're sure to gather from Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Email: tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com
Instagram: @tworetiredhomeschoolers
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Did you know that Thursday is a person? That throwing wads of paper with nonsense written on them is a tactic of escape? That it can be surprisingly difficult to tell the difference between an anarchist and a detective? If none of that made sense to you, then don't expect it to be clarified. In an episode where your hosts were sure they had little of insight to say, we still managed to discuss this perplexing book for about an hour. Holly may or may not have enjoyed this book, and Rebecca develops a warm regard for over-the-top characters. Join us as we draw this novel's allegory back to the book of Job and decide the meaning behind suffering is better felt than explained.
This episode is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and ESPECIALLY Sundays on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Admission to the council of improving this podcast with comments, book suggestions, and general opinions requires no experience or skill, and participation is encouraged by emailing us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. You don't have to be a detective to find our Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers. Our next meeting occurs in three weeks to talk about Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis.
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
What made Agatha Christie the world's second-best selling author, and what draws us to creepiness in the first place? In today's review of By the Pricking of My Thumbs, your hosts discuss these curiosities while considering mystery's worth as a genre, how to write suspense convincingly, and the horrors of the villain in this book. Holly appreciates the imagination it takes to hop off the murder train while Rebecca rejoices over the charm and compatibility of Tommy and Tuppence.
Did you enjoy this episode so much that you now look at any dolls you come across with suspicion, or did you despise it to the extent that you'd burn any painting of a house that was given to you? We have a wonderful solution to expressing your passionate emotion: rate/review or like/comment! Also, follow us on Instagram to get a clue to every upcoming episode @tworetiredhomeschoolers. You can email us your opinions and book suggestions at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (have you heard of spotify?), and YouTube. Join us in three weeks to hear about The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton.
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Join us for an energy-filled episode with special guest EllieJoy Matthews! We discuss Ted Dekker's Christian thriller Blink of an Eye, where Saudi princesses flee for their lives and Berkeley grad students can see the future (but only sometimes). Holly struggles with the purpose of prayer, Ellie has deep thoughts about open theism and the consequences of sin, and Rebecca sounds dead inside because she is dead inside. Do you know that walnuts are round? Then you are a singularly intelligent person and must also know how much we'd like it if you followed, rated, or commented on this podcast! Find us on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Follow our Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers to get notified when new episodes come out, and email us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com to suggest books or just chat. And don't forget to check back in three weeks for By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie!Music credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Why is the danger involved in riding a skateboard important for a child's development, and what's really so bad about telling a little lie now and then anyway? In today's analysis of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote To Chaos, we explore these questions (and a lot more) offered by the venerated Jordan Peterson. Holly talks way too much in this episode, but at least she has a revelation concerning the difference between "liking" and "loving" someone to show for it. Rebecca's epiphany lies more in the area of grappling with the dread of making a phone call. Join us as we discuss our four favorite of the twelve rules Peterson offers for living a life worth suffering for.
Did you love listening to this episode so much that you'd seek out a cat on the street to pet? Or did you hate it so much that you'd walk about with slouched shoulders in purposeful protest? Ok, let's face it, the fact that you're reading this far into the caption means you probably adore the podcast, so just like/subscribe or rate/review before you forget. Have a book recommendation or suggestions on how to improve the podcast? Feel free to message our email at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. Find us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers. The podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Join us in three weeks to hear about Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker.
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Which sin is the worst, and which one most afflicts modern America? In this analysis of what the Church considers the seven principal sins, your hosts explore these questions alongside Dorothy Sayers while reviewing her essay on the subject. Rebecca feels that she's stumbled upon a revelation concerning envy/covetousness and how they relate to the liberal/conservative parties, while Holly makes a "much less political" observation of gluttony's implications on our privileged society. Join us as we walk the tightrope of pride, creep along the quicksands of wrath, and stumble through the dungeon of sloth in our trek to arrive at the doorstep of truth (spoilers, we arrive at the conclusion that sin is not so great).
Important Announcement: Due to the demands of life, we are now releasing episodes every three weeks.
You, oh listener, have power... the power to give others the experience you just had by rewarding our podcast with some publicity when you rate/review and/or like/subscribe. (C'mon, you know you want to...) This podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. You can email us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com with book suggestions or comments. Don't forget to check out our Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers. Next up: the acclaimed 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson!
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Like Frodo, your hosts and guest Mackenzie Matthews form a fellowship and set out on a quest to uncover a fantasy masterpiece. We discuss Tolkien's aversion to allegory, debate the presence of moral implications, and compare the differences between the book and movie. Join us as we delve into the appeal of comfort versus the need for adventure in this classic tale of good vs. evil. Holly comes to appreciate Tolkien's writing abilities from a respectable distance, while Rebecca spiritedly defends Legolas and Mackenzie realizes that the Gandalf of the movie is not the Gandalf of the book...
One podcast to rule them all! Make use of yourself and leave us a review, rating, comment, like... literally anything (not that we're desperate). This episode is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. You can email us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com to leave us a book suggestion, follow us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers to be updated every time we upload a new episode, or find our guest on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@thatgirl8042 and/or Instagram @ma.ga.ma. Return in two weeks to hear about The Other Six Deadly Sins by Dorothy Sayers!
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
This week your hosts return from the Swiss mountains and embark on a new journey with a young fella who's chasing a bunch of thieves through the old Wild West. Rebecca struggles to describe a deep and mysterious affection for land that is depicted so well in this book. Holly reverts to believing in the common notion that "things just ain't as simple as they used to be" when it comes to love. Join us as we discuss the author and time period of Tucker, debate the legitimacy of coming-to-age stories, and delve into the psychological effects of an obsession.
Happy Valentine's Day! If you love us as much as we love you, you'll be overjoyed to hear that you can support us by very simply rating and reviewing. You can email us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers. You all liked our guest from our Charles Spurgeon episode so much that we've decided to have Mackenzie Matthews join us again for our episode on Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien three weeks from now. So saddle up and get hankerin' for some real good stuff coming your way!
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
This week we spent some time in the mountains and gained some intuitive powers as a result. We used those powers to read our listeners' minds, and then we knew exactly what this world needed: a healthy dose of Switzerland's history, our two cents on what makes simplicity so captivating, and an oh-so-thrilling conversation about happiness vs. suffering. Come partake of the welfare as we review Heidi by a woman whose name we either can or cannot pronounce. Rebecca insisted that we include the Swiss Guard traditional uniforms in our cover image, so you have her to thank for that. Holly continues to finish whatever book we're talking about the day we plan on recording the episode, but at least the quotes she prepares are better than her counterpart's.
Did you hate this episode so much that your daily cup of goat milk tasted unusually sour? Or did you love it to the extent that you're already starting a committee to formally decide on how to pronounce Johanna Spyri? We know you have opinions, so that's why we suggest you use the rate/review or like/subscribe functions in the likely case that they are positive ones. Further options to vent include our email at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. If you have Instagram, you can follow us @tworetiredhomeschoolers to become one of our golden fans. In two weeks, we'll be tackling Tucker by Louis L'Amour. Now go watch a sunrise or start a new habit of hiding biscuits in the closet with our blessing!
Music credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
If you're like us, you've heard the name of Spurgeon before and felt you ought to know something of him, but it never made its way to the top of your to-do list. Well, today we've come to change that for you! By analyzing his three sermons of "The Personality of the Holy Ghost", "The Bible", and "Election", your hosts band together with our guest Mackenzie Matthews to discover what it is about this pastor that made him such a prodigy of his day. Our journey takes us down some pretty rocky roads, but we felt the destination was well worth it. Do you have what it takes to explore the the chasms of Calvinism, get sucked into the tornado of truth, and walk the pastures of prejudice? Join us as we passionately express our opinions and laugh through a good time.
Did this episode bring a hot tear to your eye? Did it make your heart swell within your chest? You no longer have to contain such fervor when you make the wise choice to rate and review/comment and subscribe! Feel free to email us your thoughts or book suggestions at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers to be updated each time we release an episode! You can see more of our amazing guest on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thatgirl8042 and instagram @ma.ga.ma. See you in two weeks to talk about Heidi by Johanna Spyri!
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Happy New Year! Our New Year's resolution is to get at least one review that we can read in the intro to an episode to make it sound like we're popular (and no, this is not your faithful podcaster slaves guilt-tripping you).
ANYWAY! Welcome to part 2 of the Little Women talks. We took an unannounced Christmas break (on accident), so this week we make amends with a special guest who joins the discussion on whether didactic writing is compelling (answer: not when twelve-year-old Rebecca does it), the themes Alcott intended to convey, and tackling the Big Question: are the Marches a Christian family???!?? Holly sounds oh-so-sentimental but thinks she stumbled upon why Laurie and Jo wouldn't be a good match, Rebecca turns traitor on her favorite character Amy, and Rose offers the insight and thoughts that only a youngest sister can provide.
Music credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
The time has come at last, folks! We finally broach a subject your hosts have both knowledge and personal experience in! Isn’t that just capital (excuse our slang)? In the 1994 movie adaptation of Louis May Alcott’s book about sisterhood and the trials of growing into a young woman, we explore the beliefs of transcendentalism and marvel at the film elements that make this movie a classic. Holly swears by her controversial belief that Jo and Laurie do not belong together while Rebecca is more concerned with the movie’s slimeball interpretation of John Brooke. Cozy into the Christmas spirit with us as we join the March sisters in their greatest joys and griefs.
Did this episode melt the marshmallows in your hot chocolate from its holiday warmth? Or did it compel you to make the Grinch your new hero? We know you’re looking for a way to vent those violent emotions which is why you should rate and review!! We have an email: mailto:tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. We have an Instagram: @tworetiredhomeschoolers. We even have multiple platforms: YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. If you’ve made it this far in the description, you are one of a kind. And that is why we choose YOU to share this podcast. Stay tuned two weeks from now where we review the book that inspired this movie.
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Is fear the worst vice of them all? What makes a villain truly evil? Will Holly ever be reunited with her long lost spider pet? In today's episode, we use the excuse of reviewing a children's book to discuss some of life's deepest, darkest questions. Rebecca feels drawn to the concept of responsibility without personal stakes, and Holly takes a sudden and passionate interest in children's books that suspiciously feels connected to her relief at not having to read a book over 400 pages in a week. Join us as we dive into the forests of enchantment, the dens of dragons, and into the gaping mouths of monster-infested caves in search of hope for Addie and the Kingdom of Bamarre against a plague called the Gray Death.
Did you hate this book so much that you'd skip pardoning a turkey today if you were president? Were you so grateful for it to the point that you'd ramble on and on about it for hours during Thanksgiving dinner? If so, we have two suggestions: 1. Rate and Review! 2. Consider getting help (in that order of importance). We're grateful for you guys and your brilliant thoughts. Feel free to share them with us by emailing us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com (also to submit book/movie requests) after you follow our lovely Instagram (no one can crush social media like a couple homeschoolers) @tworetiredhomeschoolers. We make sharing about our podcast easy since we're up on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Have a Happy Thanksgiving dudes!!
Music Credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
Music credit: "March of the Pods" by Howling Mad H
In today's episode, your two very unmarried hosts evaluate, in comprehensive depth, one of the most romantic novels of all time - that's right, it's Emma, by Jane Austen. Holly has found a kindred spirit in Harriet Smith, Rebecca defends the noble pastime of gossip, and manipulation is probably only okay if you're stopping your friend from becoming Hitler. Also, don't be a snob.
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Like and subscribe, comment or email us at tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. (If you didn't like the episode, those things are still an option.) We're on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @tworetiredhomeschoolers to get updates when new episodes are posted and maybe Holly will post some funny homeschool memes sometime, I dunno, but wouldn't that be cool? You should do it, Holly. (You should never make me write one of these descriptions again, either.)
The Muses are against us - or maybe it's simply another week and therefore another opportunity for some random issue to develop, such as our mic deciding to cut in and out while recording. We trust that wherever editing was inadequate to appease the tech gods, your own gracious disregard will suffice. Oh, also, if you at all intend to read this book in the future, then beware of SPOILERS concerning basically every plot point of importance.
Anyway, we have managed to release yet another episode for the world's delight! In this particular one, Holly restrains herself from ranting too long about the Evacuation of Dunkirk, and Rebecca manages to keep from passing out from her undying love of this book. Join us as we review this once acclaimed, now forgotten masterpiece written by Helen MacInnes herself: Assignment in Brittany. (Bonus of listening: you will be repeatedly reminded that the year this book was published was 1942, and the number of its pages comes to 429.)
Did the sun seem brighter and sky bluer after listening to this? Were you so miserable once hearing it that you just wished it would rain forever and ever? Either way, we would be eternally indebted to you for voicing your thoughts. What's that? You don't know how?! Just rate and review and/or like and subscribe depending on the platform you're listening to us on (btw, this podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube). We have an Instagram account you can follow @tworetiredhomeschoolers. We even have an email: tworetiredhomeschoolers@gmail.com. Join us two weeks from now to hear about Emma by Jane Austen and see the next caption I overthink in an effort to make this monotonous list of podcast information interesting to read.
