The Torch: The Great Courses Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Special Edition: The Crisis in Ukraine Mar 13, 2014

Show notes

Today, we have a surprise for you: a free special edition podcast! Host Ed Leon talks about the crisis in Ukraine with Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius. Does this current crisis bear historical resemblance to earlier European foreign policy emergencies? In what way is this crisis a result of the collapse of Communism and the Soviet Union?

Essential Science, Sacred Texts of the World, and Customer Stories Feb 11, 2014

Show notes

Ignorance is the fuel for science. Yearning is the fuel for the writers of sacred texts. And your passion for learning is our reason for being!

Barbarians of the Steppes, The Birth and Death of Stars, and Successful Individual Investing Jan 20, 2014

Show notes

Experience the fascinating world of Genghis Khan and the barbarians of the Steppes; learn the secrets of successful individual investors; and follow a star from stellar nursery to supernova explosion.

Learning Creativity, The Origin and Future of Earth, and Ancient Engineering Dec 11, 2013

Show notes

Discover the secrets to unlocking creativity, even if you don’t consider yourself creative; learn how geology factors into the evolution of life on Earth; and explore the genius inventions of the engineers of ancient Greece and Rome.

Linguistic Oddities, Yoga and Aging, Cultural Intelligence Nov 11, 2013

Show notes

Join The Great Courses and learn origins of the term "baby mama"; uncover the secrets to staying fit and healthy; and hear real-world advice for navigating cultures and customs of the world.

Classical Superstars, The Piano, and Robert Greenberg Oct 07, 2013

Show notes

Join host Ed Leon as Robert Greenberg, prolific composer, music scholar, and impresario of The Great Courses, explores the history of piano music and composers Beethoven and Mozart.

Christian Controversies, Storytelling, and Professor Appreciation Month Sep 16, 2013

Show notes

Did Jesus have a twin brother? How can you turn a personal experience into a compelling and powerful piece of storytelling? Has society ever truly learned the lessons of the costs of war? Join host Ed Leon as he explores these and other fascinating ideas by Bart D. Ehrman, Hannah B. Harvey, and J. Rufus Fears in celebration of Professor Appreciation Month at The Great Courses.

Culinary History, Battling Cancer, and Music and Math Aug 07, 2013

Show notes

Experience the lavish excess of a Renaissance feast; learn which tests accurately detect early stages of cancer...and the ones that do not; and understand how your music player transforms digital ones and zeros into the music you love with the underlying foundation of mathematics. Join host Ed Leon as he explores these and other fascinating ideas with experts from The Great Courses. Listen as professor and author Ken Albala takes us back in time to explore key eras of culinary history; researcher David Sadava explains the latest findings in the battle against cancer; and mathematician and musician David Kung reveals the amazing connections between music and mathematics.

Cyber Security, Gardening, and Mental Math Jun 04, 2013

Show notes

Dive into the high-stakes cyber battles being played out as countries, cyber criminals, and hackers seek control of the digital frontier. Increase your home's curb appeal and get ready for barbeques with this step-by-step guide to gardening. And keep your mind sharp with mental math "magic!"
In this riveting episode, explore fascinating ideas with experts from The Great Courses. Listen as:
--Paul Rosenzweig discusses the "hidden war" that now threatens nearly every American household;
--Melinda Myers shares gardening strategies to develop your green thumb; and
--Art Benjamin teaches you how to improve and expand your math potential by performing mind-bending calculations in your head.
More information about our courses can be found at TheGreatCourses.com.

Photography, Space, Color, and Wine Mar 26, 2013

Show notes

Meteors hitting the earth? A National Geographic photographer who puts it all on the line for his art? How do colors affect your brain or your wine choices? Who better to give some guidance than the expert professors from The Great Courses! In this debut podcast that spans the artistic to the catastrophic, listen to our professors share their thoughts on asteroids, photography techniques, and more. Discover as:
--Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer, shares stories of taking photos in the field;
--Neil deGrasse Tyson, renowned astrophysicist, talks about asteroids and meteors hitting the earth;
--William Lidwell, design expert, introduces his new course, How Colors Affect You; and
--Jennifer Simonetti Bryan, master of wine, describes our association with wine and color.
More information about our courses can be found at TheGreatCourses.com.