The Old Man and the Sea with Admiral James St...

The perfect book to read around the Oscars this weekend? Joan Didion’s Play It as It Lays. In this episode, Shilo sits down with Peter Savodnik to discuss Didion’s 1970 novel—a book that seemed to anticipate everything ugly about Hollywood, celebrity culture, and the spiritual em ...  Show more

In this episode, Shilo Brooks sits down with New York City public defender Ben Schatz to discuss the novel True Grit–and the nature of justice in America. Ben founded the nonprofit Books Beyond Bars, which sends requested books (not just random donations) to individuals locked in ...  Show more

Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired United States Navy SEAL, best known for his leadership in special operations, delivers one of the most POWERFUL motivational speeches.

"The little things in life matter, If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be a ...

For Virginia Woolf, Leo Tolstoy was "the greatest of all novelists," and her argument was simple: "[W]hat else can we call the author of War and Peace?" In this episode, Jacke takes a look at Tolstoy's original plans for the novel; the unusual nature of the book, which Henry Jame ...  Show more

Episode 253 | Join author and retired U.S. Navy four-star Admiral William McRaven for a candid conversation about what it takes to be an effective leader today. Admiral McRaven outlines several valuable qualities he feels separate the good from the truly great leaders, drawing fr ...  Show more

In this episode of the WW2 podcast, we'll explore the Royal Navy from 1918 to the end of the Second World War and one man's career. Not an officer, but a regular sailor: Herbert Leeder, who chalk up 27 years of service. Following the career of one sailor is an interesting way ...