Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wesley Schantz, and I conclude the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". We specifically consider (1) The Department of Mysteries and what the mysteries of the magical world are (death, life, time, mind, love), and how they relate to our own primary world mysteries and questions; (2) we observe the epic battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore and make varied Luciferian (both Dantist and Miltonian) and Christological connections between the characters and the specific powers they manifest (division vs. unity); (3) we conclude by considering the nature of trauma, physical and spiritual (mental), and the role of the counselor/Dumbledore in guiding one back towards inner harmony by acceptance of difficult truths. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we consider (1) Sophocles' biographical details, (2) his innovations to the Athenian stage over a near 50 year career, and (c) the experiences his accumulated and expressed seeing ninety years of life and the great Persian and Peloponnesian Wars! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we consider (a) the four questions Dante puts to Adam, the first man, (b) the connections between Dante's time in heaven (6-7 hours) and Adam's time in Earthly Paradise (6-7) hours and how the language of man and man himself is like "leaves on a tree" ever changing (falling); and (c) the reasons of Peter's anger against the church (1) the misuse of the papal seat, and (2) divisiveness.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we (1) present the difference between a tragedy, comedy, and epic; (2) discuss what distinguishes a hero from an anti-hero, and (3) and begin explaining the historical context of Sophocles (and the War at Thebes), and the conventions of the Athenian stage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this episode of Side Quests, Mr. Wes Schantz and I have our penultimate discussion on Sqauresoft's epic role-playing game from 1997: Final Fantasy VII. We consider the following topics in detail: (1) the motifs of endings and beginnings, in the game itself and in our project covering it; (2) motivations and changing motivations in approaching a long-term game and the personal character growth (bildungsroman) required not only of your characters, but in you as you play through the game; (3) we consider nostalgia, missed opportunities, and the value of goal-oriented action in games and how that translates to a meaningful life.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we (1) review the slaughter of the suitors, the execution of the serving maids, and the dismemberment of Melanthios; (2) we observe the touching reunion of Penelope and Odysseus (after Penelope tests Odysseus, of course), and (3) we observe how Zeus, king of the Gods, finally puts an end to the conflict that started with the taking of Helen so long ago. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we observe (a) Dante's definition of "faith" and his defense of his belief in the words of the Old and New Testaments, (b) Dante's definition of "hope" and St. James' famous distinction between faith and acts, and (c) we witness Dante go blind and then speak to St. John about what love and sacrifice truly are. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this episode, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I consider (a) Harry's career advice, and the power dynamics between Professor Umbridge and Professor McGonagall; (b) the growing differences between Hermione and Hagrid (including touching on the theme of "the seen" vs. "the unseen" in these chapters and the series at large; (c) and the exit of the Weasley Twins in body and spirit! Bonus screed about arithmancy at the end. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we discuss (1) the nature of the garden and food similes and metaphors as we near the top of heaven, (2) the examinations on faith, hope, and love Dante will now endure, and (3) the character and inconsistency of Peter, the first pope. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we (a) observe Odysseus in rags string the bow and win the contest for Penelope's hand; (b) we witness the deaths of Antinoos, Eurymachos, Amphinomos and all the other suitors; (c) we witness the punishments of the serving maids and Melanthios! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we consider (a) the dream of Penelope and the famous gates of horn and ivory; (b) the rising portents suggesting the doom of the suitors, and (c) Odysseus recruits Eurykleia, Eumaios, and Philoitios to his cause! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I consider: (a) Neville, St. Mungo's and our deepening impressions of the character in the magical world; (b) Occlumency, what goes unseen or hidden, and Snape and Harry's  deepening relationship? (c) Also, bonus talk about how painfully awkward Harry and Cho's romance is. Quickly followed by an exposition of the Weasley Twins' (after Dumbledore's) grand hijinks. Audire! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we (a) review Odysseus' recent troubles with Iros, Melantho, and Eurymachos, (b) we view Penelope and Odysseus sit across from each other for the first time in twenty years (Odysseus in disguise as Aithon, the beggar), and (c) we observe the subtleties of the conversation between long estranged husband and wife! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we discuss (a) Arnaios (Iros) and his fight with Aithon (Odysseus in disguise); (b) the rude mistreatment of Odysseus by Melantho and Eurymachos, and (c) Odysseus' doleful plea to Amphinomos about the sorry state of mankind. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we consider (a) the inhospitable actions of Melanthios, the goat-herd, (b) Argos, Odysseus' ruined, old, and tick-ridden dog as a symbol for Ithaka (and any place gone to seed); and (c) we see the dark foreboding of the inhospitable actions of the leading suitor, Antinoos (throws a foot-stool at Odysseus!). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we review (a) the contemplatives of Saturn, including Peter Damian and St. Benedict; (b) we consider the nature and fate of all human institutions according Dante/St. Benedict (Rome, Florence, the Benedictine Order, the Franciscans, the Dominicans, etc...); and (c) we move forward to the Fixed Stars where we will meet St. Peter, St. James, St. John, and Adam, the first man (in Canto 26). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I discuss "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" chapters 19-24. Specifically, we consider (a) the relationship of language to domination, subjugation, and liberation ontologically, psychologically, sociologically, and mythologically; (b) we consider the nature of the thestrals, and Hagrid's "giant" problem; (c) and we conclude considering differing ways in which we, as wizards, might observe "Wizard Lent". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this episode, Mr. Wes Schantz and I continue trudging towards the end. We consider (a) the nostalgia of artificially extending the game-time by exploring and ferreting out new side-quests, (b) the importance of a narrative being a coherent whole rather than a chimerical attempt at "being everything to everyone all at once"; (having character and thus limits); and (c) what is it about a video game laced with narrative that makes it so addictive to us? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this episode, Mr. Wes Schantz and I talk (1) teacher strikes in West Virginia, Oakland, Los Angeles, and New York; (2) what the teachers unions are demanding (higher pay; fewer or no charter schools (West Virginia)), and (3) what charter school teachers are (successful by the numbers) and are not (cherry-pickers slowly rotting away the core of public education while profiting off failing children). 1) http://thefederalist.com/2019/03/01/west-virginia-teachers-parents-scared-disagree-striking-teachers-unions/?fbclid=IwAR1JQHzHn3RERQ2ryBkzj_gV4MH6fCajCkKUobr3z1mxqqWPnResWI0psao 2) https://www.city-journal.org/los-angeles-teacher-strike?fbclid=IwAR1lEUgaqYy_gDYJ8G8xc1J9kRIPvc_ymSBjbuojIqv-3dWfsYd1dwb6WrQ 3) https://theintercept.com/2019/02/01/oakland-school-district-teachers-strike-charter-schools/?fbclid=IwAR0vTyNvkkWvlKEAHjmAi7r7TUvy8ltvGWUnBsm5DRvrfRos_n9gtHKUrjc 4) https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/charter-schools-deliver-for-new-yorks-neediest-kids/?fbclid=IwAR1qB5rO2TXY-uZLl94N0_DPuGHu1uQM9l4nfZ4XKR0bWU

In this lecture, we discuss (a) Odysseus and Telemachos finally reuniting, (b) the new plan for ridding Ithaka of the opprobrious suitors, and (c) we see Odysseus start on his (new) long-journey home. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support