The Torch: The Great Courses Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Discover the secrets of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

A million and a half words, 2,500 pages long, and encompassing six volumes, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire has made a lasting and consequential contribution to history. Whether you’re familiar with this masterpiece of literature or not, you’ll gain fascinating insights and discover modern parallels revealed by Harvard professor emeritus of literature Leo Damrosch and Chief of Brand, Ed Leon in this eye-opening edition of The Torch.

Apply the Art of Debate to Your Real Life Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

Want to improve the discussions in your organization, in your house, or in your social circles? Join Ed Leon and Jarrod Atchison, associate professor of communication at Wake Forest University, to discover how learning the rules and structure of formal debate can improve your communication skills, even in informal situations. By applying the same logic that great debaters employ, you’ll see drastic improvements in your ability to persuade and influence others, and discover you can better structure and consider your own thoughts in order to make better decisions.

Gain New Insights into the Holy Grail of Science: The Theory of Everything Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

Can one single theory explain everything in the universe? Providing a scientific explanation to the big questions of the universe such as “Why are we here?” is a huge undertaking—and one Einstein failed at, but this remains a quest many top scientists still work to unravel. Join physicist Don Lincoln from The Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory as he discusses the latest discoveries and if this enigma will ever be resolved.

Separate fact from fiction; reveal facts; and explore fiction with The Torch! Feb 06, 2017

Show notes

The truth is out there! Explore misconceptions about how your mind works, uncover overlooked history, and define two-sides of the same literary coin. Join Ed Leon and three esteemed experts on this revealing edition of The Torch where we bust common myths about our own minds, expose the amazing contributions that came from the Islamic Middle Ages, and delve into the literary genres of utopian and dystopian fiction. Do brain games help us avoid Alzheimer’s? What percentage of our brain do we use? When it comes to our brains, there are many fallacies out there that we’ve taken as fact. Professor Indre Viskontas answers these questions and provides the truth about how our minds work. Italy wasn’t the only country to undergo a cultural and scientific renaissance that impacted the world. Professor Eamonn Gearon reveals the many contributions of the Islamic Golden Age―a period in history that lasts form roughly 750 to about 1258―which is not as well-known as it should be. In the last decade, dystopian literature has become one of the most popular fictional categories, especially among the young adult audience. But it, and its counterpart, utopian literature, have been established genres for centuries. Professor Pamela Bedore unveils the history and influence of utopian and dystopian fiction.

Travel Deep Into History and Your Own Mind Jan 10, 2017

Show notes

How did the great philosophers view the connections between our minds and bodies? How did the ancient civilizations view the skies? How can stress benefit us? How did one singular period of history impact and influence the entire world? Ed Leon, Chief Brand Officer, and four renowned experts answer these questions providing profound insights into time, space, and our own bodies. How are our mental and physical perceptions connected? Professor Patrick Grimm tackles this problem from a philosophical perspective, looking at the link between experience, consciousness, and free will. The skywatchers of ancient times saw the stars in a very different way from what we see today. Professor Bradley Schaefer enlightens us about how ancient peoples around the planet viewed the sky, used pattern recognition to create constellations, and created some of the world's most mysterious structures based on the stars they saw. Many people mistakenly presume "stress management" means reducing the amount of stress in your life. Join Dr. Kimberlee Bethany Bonura to discover how stress can actually benefit us and how proper management means converting stress into positive energy that results in a better performance and a higher satisfaction rate. Learn how and why the British were able to take control and rule India for such an extended time despite rebellions as Professor Hayden Bellenoit traces the history of this monumental period. Don't miss this episode of the torch, chock full of exceptional information, startling insights, and groundbreaking perspectives.

Four ways we can impact our world by learning about our history Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

Ed Leon, Chief Brand Officer, and four renowned experts introduce us to what the new field of Big History can teach us about our future, how history’s greatest investor’s made their fortunes, what mysteries and wisdom are found in the Analects of Confucius, and how we can use history to predict which political candidate will win the presidency. Although Big History often focuses on the ancient past, Professor Craig Benjamin explains how we use Big History to learn much about the ways our actions impact the future. The average person knows more than they think about where to invest in order to profit. Professor John Longo discusses how these tactics were used by successful investors to make millions. Many people don’t realize the Analects of Confucius was not one linear composition, but is comprised of many independent tidbits of advice. Professor Robert LaFleur takes us through the process of how these individual pieces encompass a philosophy of life that set the foundation for modern society. For more than three decades, Professor Alan Lichtman has correctly predicted the outcome of every presidential election—including this most recent one—by looking at the past. Hear about his astounding process and more in this spectacular edition of The Torch.

The Literature of Mysteries, the Science of History, and Brain Hacks You Can’t Miss. Nov 14, 2016

Show notes

Solve the puzzles of great mystery fiction, uncover the depths of what paleontology can tell us about our past, and reveal secrets for outsmarting your own brain in this exceptional edition of The Torch. Join Ed Leon, Chief Brand Officer, as he talks to three renowned experts to learn more about these fascinating topics. Professor David Schmid, an award-winning associate professor, reviews the 200-year old genre of mystery and suspense by taking you backward and forward in time, around the world, and alongside some of the most amazing minds and characters in literature. Professor Stuart Sutherland, a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, introduces new theories about our ancestors inspired by recently exposed fossils and tells you how to find dinosaurs in your duck pond. Professor Peter M. Vishton, Associate Professor of Psychology, illuminates all the ways our brains “plot” to work against us, and provides tricks to overcome distraction, procrastination, and the other devices our brains invoke to sabotage our best intentions.

Explore the Enigmas of History, Philosophy, Photography, and Math. Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

We’re revealing the secrets to histories mysteries, modern math, and phenomenal photographs in today’s edition of the Torch. Join Ed Leon as he talks with four esteemed experts to help you learn to crack the codes! One of the world’s foremost experts on Egyptology Bob Brier—known as Mr. Mummy—provides an overview of how to decrypt hieroglyphs. Professor Charles Mathewes deciphers the major themes and lessons from St. Augustine’s seminal work The City of God. National Geographic photographer Michael Melford uncovers the tricks behind timing, framing, and taking the perfect landscape photograph. As James Tanton—teacher of teachers—demonstrates, the secret to unlocking the mysteries of math is to learn how to see it differently. Anyone who wants to be “in the know” and get insider secrets from the experts should not miss this illuminating edition of The Torch.

Exercise Your Body and Your Brain With Three Terrific Topics. Sep 26, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of The Torch, join The Great Courses Chief Brand Officer, Ed Leon, to explore the philosophies and benefits of tai chi, break down the complex concepts of Chemistry, and discover the incredible science behind decision making. No matter what your age or fitness level, the ancient art of tai chi can provide a multitude of benefits for you. Part exercise, part relaxation technique, the practice of tai chi can be considered a moving meditation. There is no one better to introduce the principals and methods than International Tai Chi Master, David-Dorian Ross. The formulas, tables, and elements associated with the subject of chemistry can often feel intimidating, but the right professor can unlock the mysteries of this fascinating subject. Join Professor Ron Davis of Georgetown University, as he introduces some of the coolest components of chemistry to help us understand and appreciate the structure of the world (and universe) around us. Some decisions seem like no-brainers. Or are they? Emory University professor Ryan Hamilton explains how every decision we make—from mundane to momentous—utilizes a far more complicated process than we realize, relying on hundreds of factors, influences, and variables. But we’ll make it easy for you: don’t let any of those decision-making elements keep you from joining this thought-provoking edition of The Torch.

Finding Fun in Grammar, Economics, and Machiavelli Aug 23, 2016

Show notes

Discover fascinating, intriguing, and enlightening insights about three rewarding topics—grammar, economics, and Machiavelli. No matter how proficient at grammar you are, you’ll benefit from joining Professor Anne Curzan, a professor of English at the University of Michigan, to reveal the rules of words, to study the structure of sentences, and to explore how the elegance of English has evolved. They say money makes the world go round and nowhere is that more evident than when you look at history through a financial lens. Professor Donald Harreld, Chair in the Department of History at Brigham Young University, shares how a majority of the world-changing moments were a reaction to financially-driven motivations. Whether you read The Prince in school, or for your own interest, you’ll discover a new perspective about the intention and messages of this controversial and influential work as discussed by Professor William Landon, professor of history at Northern Kentucky University. Join Ed Leon, Chief Brand Officer of The Great Courses, as he talks to these three expert professors to uncover little known secrets and unpack the nuances behind each of these subjects.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Torch: The Great Courses Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected