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In today's episode we visit a curious little island where words and language are more important to the people than technology and modern conveniences. But strange consequences follow when the revered alphabet starts falling to the ground, one tile at a time.

We follow Ella, her family, and her neighbors on a playful yet poignant word-picture through censorship, creativity, and the power of expression. Expect wit, wordplay, and a surprising amount of heart in this tale where every letter counts. Join us as we celebrate the resilience of language and communication—and the freedom to use it.

In this dive into the epic poem Beowulf, we explore the clash of monsters and men. With the translated combination of prose and poetry, this poem tells of the strongest of warriors - who grapples bare-handed with man-eating monsters - and wins! And follows it up with a fire-breathing dragon!

There's a wonderful history to this poem from the middle ages and we talk through some of the literary tools used (ever heard of a kenning?!) and some key Old English themes; like the impermanence of life and the pursuit of glory.

This episode is on Rudyard Kipling’s Captains Courageous. When spoiled rich boy Harvey Cheyne falls overboard from a luxury liner, he's saved by chance and hauled onto a fishing schooner. He is then plunged into a world that doesn't care about his wealth—only his willingness to work and learn.

As we follow Harvey’s journey, we talk about what it takes to grow from a boy into a man—not through lectures or privileges, but through hard physical work, learning from those around you, and the quiet, steady leadership of hard working men. Sometimes the most valuable life lessons aren't spoken but learned by experience.