Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discuss the famous "Telemachy" or the coming of age story of Telemachus, Books 2-4 of the Odyssey.

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Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey.

In this rich second episode of our 12-week Odyssey series, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski dive deep into Books 2–4 — the Telemachy — exploring Telemachus’s powerful coming-of-age journey from a fatherless, disordered Ithaca to the ordered poleis of Pylos and Sparta.

They unpack how Homer paints a vivid picture of political decay: twenty years without an assembly, a missing generation of men, and suitors devouring the household while logos itself loses its force. Yet as Telemachus steps into his father’s seat and sets sail under Athena’s guidance (disguised as Mentor), we witness not only his maturation but a masterclass in what makes a healthy polis. The conversation shines especially when they examine the suitors’ impiety, the beautiful practice of guest-friendship (xenia), and the threefold piety it reveals — toward the gods, the city, and the family.

From Nestor’s sacrifices and storytelling to Menelaus and Helen’s double wedding feast, the episode is packed with insight, humor, and timely wisdom. Whether you’re reading the Great Books for the first time or returning to Homer with fresh eyes, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the political, moral, and spiritual layers of the Odyssey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey Study

06:18 Telemachus' Journey and Athena's Role

08:01 Political Instability in Ithaca

09:38 The Assembly and Telemachus' Leadership

15:48 Penelope's Dilemma and Guest Friendship

17:47 Xenia: The Importance of Hospitality

24:16 The Omen and the Suitors' Fate

30:37 Justice and the Role of the Gods

32:11 Mentorship and Guidance in Telemachus' Growth

39:45 Telemachus' Transformation and Epithet Significance

44:15 The Evolution of Characters in Homer

45:01 Telemachus' Journey to Maturity

47:42 The Role of Divine Guidance

48:38 Sacrifices and Natural Religion

52:56 Pylos: A Model of a Healthy Society

54:44 The Power of Prayer and Rhetoric

59:15 The Tragedy of War and Its Heroes

01:03:58 The Consequences of Choices in War

01:10:57 The Role of the Bard in Society

01:14:46 Foreshadowing and Sacrifice in the Odyssey

01:19:34 The Double Wedding Feast and Hospitality

01:22:08 Piety, Gratitude, and Debt

01:25:46 Reflections on War and Loss

01:28:12 Helen's Duality and the Nature of Free Will

01:29:10 Temptation and the Role of Wisdom

01:39:07 Menelaus' Journey and Wrestling with Fate

01:45:00 The Return to Ithaca and the Threat to Telemachus

Here are more videos from our 2024 study!

Book 2 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey

Book 3 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey

Book 4 of the Odyssey with Adam Minihan and Fr. Bonaventure, OP.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK ONE of the Odyssey--one of the greatest texts in the Western canon.

Check out our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY OF THE ODYSSEY.

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Be sure to use our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey!

They explore why the epic opens with “man” (not rage, not a god), the meaning of polytropos (“man of twists and turns”), Telemachus’s urgent coming-of-age amid an absent father and predatory suitors, Athena’s masterful mentoring, and Zeus’ striking defense of human responsibility.

Along the way they illuminate Homer’s sophisticated anthropology, the poetic dialectic of Homer the philosopher, the haunting parallels with the House of Atreus, and why this ancient poem still speaks so powerfully to questions of masculinity, homecoming, virtue, and human greatness today.

Witty, learned, and full of “blood on the floor” interpretive energy, this conversation will leave you hungry for the next eleven weeks—and convinced that Homer is one of the greatest teachers you’ll ever encounter.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

03:39 The NEW Odyssey: A 12-Week Study

09:29 The Importance of Reading Homer

17:01 Exploring the Opening Lines of the Odyssey

30:14 The Man of Twists and Turns: Understanding Odysseus

35:28 Exploring Odysseus: The Complexity of a Hero

39:26 Justice and Fate: The Role of Aegisthus

42:28 Divine Intervention: Zeus and Human Responsibility

55:30 The Journey Home: Odysseus and Telemachus

01:03:12 Coming of Age: Telemachus's Transformation

01:05:37 Exploring Penelope's Role

01:11:44 Telemachus' Journey to Manhood

01:24:56 Reflections on the Odyssey

More Resources

Intro to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (2024)

The Odyssey Book 1 with Dr. Frank Grabowski and Thomas Lackey (2024)

Do Christians Owe a Debt to Homer? The Ascent.

Understanding Homer as a Philosopher & Theologian. The Ascent.

Keywords

Odyssey, Homer, Greek Literature, Great Books, Philosophy, Mythology, Education, Homer's Teachings, Classical Studies, Odyssey Analysis Odyssey, Homer, fate, divine justice, Odysseus, Telemachus, Greek mythology, divine intervention, hero's journey, philosophy

For the first time since 2023, Ascend is reposting an episode--our introduction to the Odyssey with Dr. Patrick Deneen (6.25.2024) in anticipation of our NEW 12-WEEK STUDY of the Odyssey starting next week!

We start BOOK ONE OF THE ODYSSEY next week!

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In this special introduction to Homer’s Odyssey, Deacon Harrison Garlick is joined by three distinguished guests: Dr. Patrick Deneen (Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed), Dr. Chad Pecknold (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America), and Dr. Richard Meloche (then President of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture).

The conversation explores why the Great Books matter, why Homer’s Odyssey remains foundational to Western thought and theological formation, and key introductory themes in the epic (with a few light spoilers). Topics include the dynamic nature of the canon, Odysseus’s journey home as a meditation on human nature (neither beast nor god), the tension between fate and choice, temptations of forgetfulness or false immortality, and how a Catholic lens reveals anticipations of Christian truths like restlessness for our true home. The guests share personal stories of how they encountered the Great Books and reflect on the role of narrative in education and spiritual formation.

It’s a rich, accessible discussion that sets the stage for deeper dives into the Odyssey while connecting ancient pagan wisdom to Christian theology.

In this episode the panel discusses:

• The importance of the Great Books canon and why it remains vital

• Personal journeys into the classics (and how providence often leads us there)

• Key themes in the Odyssey: homecoming, beast-like forgetfulness vs. god-like immortality, fate and free choice, father-son relationships, and Odysseus’s very human flaws

• Reading pagan texts through a Catholic lens—seeing anticipations of Christian truth (restlessness for the City of God, the need for virtue and community)

• The role of great stories in theological and liberal education

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and guest introductions

08:15 – How each guest discovered the Great Books

22:40 – Why read Homer? The foundational role of the Odyssey

40:00 – Major themes and introductory overview of the Odyssey (light spoilers)

1:05:00 – Odysseus as neither beast nor god – the need for the city

1:25:30 – Theological reading of pagan literature

1:45:00 – The dynamic canon and reading with Christian eyes

2:05:00 – Final thoughts and what’s next for Ascend

Join us as we read the Odyssey over the next 12 weeks!

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick explores one of the most striking features of Dante’s Inferno: why the poet places liars, flatterers, and the treacherous in the lowest circles of Hell — deeper than murderers, tyrants, suicides, and even blasphemers.

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We are reading the Odyssey over 12 weeks!

Why does Dante rank fraud and treachery as worse sins than violence? What is the spiritual harm of lying? And how is lying profoundly anti-Christ?

Deacon Garlick takes listeners on a deep but accessible journey through:

• The architecture and purpose of Dante’s Inferno
• The nature of truth and the teleology (purpose) of speech
• Why sins against the soul are worse than sins against the body
• The corruption of the intellect as the worst perversion of human nature
• The profound theology of Christ as the Logos — the divine ordering principle of all reality

This episode will challenge you to take lying far more seriously and to see how every lie moves both ourselves and others farther away from Jesus Christ, who declares “I am the Truth.”

00:00 Introduction to Ascend The Great Books Podcast

04:13 Exploring Dante's Inferno: The Spiritual Harm of Lying

06:07 Understanding the Architecture of Hell

15:05 The Nature of Truth and Speech

20:26 The Consequences of Lying vs. Murder

24:24 The Nature of Lying and Its Consequences

30:52 Understanding Logos and Its Significance

• Dante’s moral purpose in writing the Divine Comedy
• The structure of Hell: sins of incontinence vs. sins of malice
• Upper Hell vs. Lower Hell and the City of Dis
• Why flattery appears lower in Hell than murder
• St. Thomas Aquinas on truth: “the conformity of the mind to reality”
• The purpose (telos) of speech: to convey truth and help others conform their minds to reality
• Why lying is a perversion of speech and an attack on the intellect
• The inverted hierarchy of the soul in Hell
• Christ as the Logos (John 1) — the rational structure and ordering principle of all creation
• How lying is an anti-Christ act that divorces the mind from reality and from Jesus Himself
• The spiritual danger of breeding greater errors through falsehood

• “Sins against the soul are always going to be more severe than sins against the body.”
• “The corruption of the best is the worst.”
• “Christ does not say ‘I have come to share a truth with you.’ He says, ‘I am the Truth.’”
• “Every lie moves people farther away from Jesus Christ because you are divorcing the mind from reality.”

Keywords and phrases: spiritual harm of lying, Dante Inferno lying, is lying worse than murder, Dante Inferno flattery, why Dante puts liars in lower hell, spiritual harm of lying Dante, lying worse than violence, Christ as the Logos, logos theology lying, anti-Christ act of lying, Dante hell structure explained, truth and speech Catholic theology, why is lying worse than murder in Dante's Inferno, spiritual consequences of lying Catholic, Dante Inferno fraud vs violence, what is the spiritual harm of lying, lying as anti-Christ act, St Thomas Aquinas truth conformity of mind to reality, John 1 Logos and lying, Dante Inferno sins of malice, treachery in Dante's Inferno, flattery in Dante's hell, Dante Divine Comedy moral lesson, sins against the soul vs body, corruption of the intellect, teleology of speech, Catholic teaching on lying, Aquinas definition of truth, Inferno architecture explained.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick takes a popular article from The Ascent, a top 100 substack in faith and spirituality, and does a deep dive on CS Lewis, Dante, and the problem of evil (theodicy).

Check out THE ASCENT - a top 100 Substack on Christianity spirituality.

Check out "The Hidden Meaning of Narnia's Endless Winter" Substack article.

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In this fascinating episode Deacon Garlick explores one of C.S. Lewis’s most striking images: the never-ending winter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Why is it “always winter but never Christmas”?

Far more than a chilly backdrop, Lewis uses the endless cold as a powerful allegory for evil itself. Deacon connects Lewis’ imagery to Dante’s frozen pit at the bottom of Hell in the Inferno, revealing how both Christian master-teachers portray evil not as an opposite of the good, but as a cold, lifeless privation—an absence of heat, motion, and life.

You’ll gain fresh insight into:

- Why evil is best understood as a “hole in the ground” or darkness without light

- How the White Witch’s power to turn creatures to stone mirrors the soul-freezing effect of sin

- The beautiful contrast of Aslan’s warm, life-giving breath (echoing John's Pentecost and the forgiveness of sins)

- The deeper Christian truth that goodness and being are convertible—evil pulls us toward unreality and non-existence

Deacon also shares why reading Narnia to children is such a gift: it trains young minds to love allegory, unlocks the four senses of Scripture, and cultivates a richer, more sacramental view of reality.

Warm, thoughtful, and packed with spiritual wisdom, this episode will leave you with renewed appreciation for Lewis, Dante, and the profound way great stories reveal eternal truths.

If you love C.S. Lewis, Dante, or want to understand the nature of evil more deeply, you won’t want to miss this one!

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & What’s New on Ascend

01:34 Welcome to Ascend: The Great Books Podcast

03:45 The Ascent Substack & Sister Publication

06:20 The Hidden Meaning of Narnia’s Endless Winter

08:10 Background Story of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

11:30 Aslan as Christ Allegory & Benefits of Reading Narnia to Children

15:45 The Four Senses of Scripture (Literal, Allegorical, Moral, Anagogical)

20:10 Why Allegory Matters for Scripture and Reality

23:50 What Is Evil? – Introducing the Problem of Evil (Theodicy)

27:40 Evil as Privation of the Good (Augustine & Aquinas)

32:15 Freedom, Free Will, and the Origin of Evil

36:40 C.S. Lewis: Endless Winter as Allegory for Evil

40:20 The White Witch’s Power & Aslan’s Life-Giving Breath

44:10 Dante’s Inferno: The Frozen Pit of Hell

48:30 God as Love That Moves the Sun and Stars

52:00 Key Lessons: Evil, Being, and Goodness

55:20 Recap & Closing Thoughts

57:40 What’s Coming Next on Ascend

Keywords: C.S. Lewis, Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, endless winter Narnia, hidden meaning of Narnia, Narnia allegory, problem of evil, theodicy, Dante Inferno, frozen hell Dante, evil as privation, nature of evil, Aslan Christ allegory, White Witch, Christian allegory, four senses of Scripture, reading Narnia to children, great books podcast, Christian spirituality, privation of the good, evil and free will, Dante and Lewis, spiritual meaning of winter.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison discusses the last two cantos of the Purgatorio (32-33) with Joshua Charles of Eternal Christendom and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School.

We are reading the ODYSSEY NEXT! Check out our 12-week schedule.

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Check out Joshua Charles' Eternal Christendom.

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They explore the symbolic significance of Beatrice's role in guiding Dante through his spiritual journey, highlighting her as a representation of divine grace and wisdom. The conversation also touches on the allegorical elements of the sacred tree and the griffin, which symbolize Christ and the intertwining of spiritual and temporal authority.

The episode further examines the complex allegories of spiritual and temporal power, focusing on themes of judgment, schism, and the corruption within the church. The guests discuss Dante's critique of ecclesiastical corruption, particularly involving figures like Boniface VIII and the Avignon Papacy, and how these historical contexts are woven into the narrative. The prophetic visions of church corruption, represented by the harlot and the coming hero, the Greyhound, are analyzed for their implications on Dante's vision of divine justice and societal renewal. The discussion is enriched with references to biblical texts, especially the Book of Revelation, which heavily influences Dante's imagery.

Throughout the episode, the philosophical underpinnings of Dante's work are explored, with particular attention to the influences of Platonic, Augustinian, and Thomistic thought. The conversation transitions from the individual soul's purification journey to broader societal and political reflections, emphasizing the need for harmony between spiritual and temporal powers. The episode concludes with reflections on Dante's vision for renewal and hope, encouraging listeners to consider the allegories as guides for personal sanctification and societal transformation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Podcast

03:07 Exploring Dante's Purgatorio

06:02 The Role of Beatrice and Grace

08:50 Imagery and Symbolism in Canto 32

12:06 The Pageant of Church History

15:00 The Griffin and the Tree of Knowledge

17:53 Temporal vs. Spiritual Authority

20:45 The Significance of the Pageant

23:57 Concluding Thoughts on Dante's Vision

29:18 The Role of the Church in Governance

30:01 Wealth and Temptation: The Weight of Luxury

32:13 Temporal Authority vs. Spiritual Purpose

34:26 The Emergence of the Dragon: Schism and Violence

36:05 The Transformation of the Chariot: Corruption and Power

38:47 The Harlot and the Giant: The Church's Grotesque Reality

42:37 Dante's Perspective on the Papacy and Authority

49:35 The Need for a Temporal Leader

55:41 The Prophetic Vision of the Future

01:00:21 The Purifying Power of Temporal Authority

01:04:21 The Role of the Tree in Justice

01:06:47 Understanding the Moral and Anagogical Senses

01:10:46 The Discord Between Heaven and Earth

01:16:42 The Significance of the Two Rivers

01:22:40 Baptism and the Renewal of the Soul

Good work on reading the Purgatorio!

We have a few episodes from THE ASCENT up next and then we are reading the Odyssey.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Michael West discuss the top of Mount Purgatory: The Earthly Paradise (Cantos 28-31).

Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Purgatorio.

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They explore the serene, uncultivated garden where Dante encounters the mysterious Matilda picking flowers, the two rivers (Lethe, which erases the memory of sin, and Eunoe, which restores the memory of good deeds), and the elaborate apocalyptic procession featuring candelabras, elders, symbolic creatures, the griffin-drawn chariot of the Church, and dancers representing the theological and cardinal virtues. The discussion highlights Dante’s use of erotic imagery, classical allusions (Proserpina, Venus, Hero and Leander), and the communal themes running through the Commedia, while noting how Purgatorio depicts the gradual strengthening of the will through spiritual “exercise,” much like physical training.

The conversation then turns to the dramatic appearance of Beatrice in Canto 30, her stern rebuke of Dante for pursuing “shadows of false goods” after her death, and the emotional departure of Virgil, whose guidance ends as Beatrice assumes the role of divine wisdom.

They interpret Canto 31 as a sacramental confession scene in which Dante acknowledges his sins, experiences contrition while gazing at Beatrice’s eyes reflecting the dual-natured griffin (Christ), and is immersed in the River Lethe by Matilda. The hosts reflect on the limits of human reason and mentorship (Virgil), the incarnational role of beauty in leading the soul to God, the necessity of properly ordered eros, and the deeper Christian vision that Eden is not the final destination but a way station toward the beatific vision. The episode ends with anticipation for the conclusion of Purgatorio in the next installment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

02:19 Exploring Dante's Purgatorio: Canto 28-31

04:03 Scholarship and Themes in Dante

06:52 The Role of Community in Dante's Works

09:43 Personal Reflections on Purgatorio

12:20 The Earthly Paradise and Its Significance

14:48 Matilda: A Symbol of Beauty and Desire

17:44 The Rivers of Lethe and Eunoë

20:25 The Dichotomy of Memory in Dante's Vision

33:04 The Nature of Confession and Memory

34:32 Exploring Apocalyptic Imagery

38:08 The Role of Virtues in Spiritual Life

45:58 The Significance of the Procession

52:43 The Transition from Virgil to Beatrice

01:04:09 Virgil's Journey and Final Gift

01:05:25 The Role of Mentorship and Growth

01:07:24 The Pain of Separation from Mentors

01:08:58 Understanding Virgil's Absence

01:10:52 Beatrice's Introduction and New Guidance

01:12:22 Beatrice's Sarcasm and Wisdom

01:14:07 The Complexity of Virgil's Guidance

01:15:11 The Nature of True Goodness

01:17:04 The Pursuit of Apparent Goods

01:19:47 Beatrice as an Icon of Divine Beauty

01:21:41 The Role of Pity in Relationships

01:25:56 The Sacrament of Confession

01:27:43 The Importance of Tears and Remorse

01:33:41 The Vision of the Griffin and Christ

Good work reading the great books! Next week, we are joined by Joshua Charles and Dr. Frank Grabowski to end our journey!