In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Wade Stotts for an insightful discussion on G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy—a work that continues to challenge modern skepticism with wit, paradox, and faith.

Together, they explore Chesterton’s journey from doubt to belief, his defense of wonder and reason, and his vision of Christianity as the key to understanding the world’s mystery.

Wade unpacks the humor and brilliance behind Chesterton’s arguments, showing how Orthodoxy remains a joyful antidote to cynicism and confusion in the modern age.

In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Matthew Knotts for a profound exploration of St. Augustine’s Confessions—one of the most influential works in Christian and philosophical history.

Together they trace Augustine’s journey from restless seeker to saint, examining his struggles with desire, truth, and divine grace.

Dr. Knotts illuminates the timeless relevance of Augustine’s introspection, revealing how his search for meaning still speaks to the modern soul.

This conversation delves into faith, philosophy, and the human condition through the eyes of one of history’s greatest minds.

In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with historian and author Raymond Ibrahim to discuss his book Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam.

Ibrahim explores the lives of legendary figures such as Richard the Lionheart, El Cid, and John Hunyadi—warriors who shaped the clash between civilizations.

Together, they examine how these men balanced faith, honor, and duty in the face of overwhelming odds, and what their stories reveal about courage and cultural identity today.

A powerful conversation on history, heroism, and the defense of Western civilization.

In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate welcomes Dr. Shaun Rieley of Hillsdale College for a thought-provoking discussion on St. Thomas More’s Utopia.

Together they explore More’s vision of the ideal society—its paradoxes, political commentary, and enduring questions about human nature and governance.

Dr. Rieley unpacks the historical context of Utopia, revealing how More used fiction to challenge both Renaissance realism and modern ideology.

This conversation bridges philosophy, politics, and faith, offering listeners timeless insight into the tension between moral order and the pursuit of a perfect world.