The opening episode for Season 3 is focused on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby. Three English teachers, each armed with a story of the others, share different perspectives on how to read Gatsby the character and the novel:

Ep. 16 - A Soloist's Power and Voice Control

May 31st, 2017 49m 19s

Three English teachers passionately dissect Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale. They examine how this book impacts them as women, as lovers of story, and as analysts of their current culture. There are some spoilers regarding the new t

Ep. 15 - The Mystical Meaning of Hope and Humanity

Apr 26th, 2017 53m 14s

Three English teachers discuss the moving, tragic, and weighty book Night, by Elie Wiesel. Elie's story, as told in bitter flashback, awakens its readers to the horrible potential for man to commit evil. However, it also examines how hope and m

Ep. 14 - The Trouble With Self-Awareness and Self-Assertion

Mar 28th, 2017 54m 2s

Two high school English teachers and a Renaissance expert discuss the troubling qualities of William Shakespeare's Othello. WARNING: Due to the nature of the play, there is some discussion of sexuality.

Ep. 13 - The Power of Words on Film

Jan 29th, 2017 46m 55s

This month's discussion is atypical; rather than focusing on a print text, three English teachers argue the case for studying film as literature. The bulk of the conversation analyzes Peter Weir's Dead Poets Society. Each teacher also suggests

Ep. 12 - Acceptance or Capitulation?

Dec 23rd, 2016 50m 6s

This month's discussion wrestles with the factors that contribute to identity, both as a natural consciousness and as individual gender definition, with Alice Munro's short story, "Boys and Girls".

Ep. 11 - Delusion, Turmoil, and Paradox

Nov 29th, 2016 46m 25s

Three English teachers discuss the fascinating and complicated story of Shakespeare's King Lear. King Lear is both fun and frustrating, and obvious and ambiguous. We tackle the tough questions about the likability and believability of the chara

Ep. 10 - The Risk to Dream

Oct 27th, 2016 50m 32s

Three English teachers discuss the social and historical context of Steinbeck's classic novella Of Mice and Men, and its treatment of the importance of human connections and aspirations.

Ep. 9 - Problematic Desire

Jun 16th, 2016 51m 10s

Three English teachers share both appreciation and frustration of Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire.

Ep. 8 - A Time to Read and a Time to Think

May 18th, 2016 45m 32s

Three English teachers discuss the universal importance of books in our society, all the while heeding the warning that is Ray Bradbury's classic novel Fahrenheit 451.

Ep. 7 - This Play's the Thing That Makes Our Hearts Sing

Apr 28th, 2016 45m 34s

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare'sdeath, two teachers and one professor discuss the Bard's greatestplay, Hamlet. The conversation includes a Danishhistory lesson, a critical analysis, and a playful "What if?" game

Ep. 6 - Our Best Words in the Best Order

Mar 23rd, 2016 47m 47s

Two English teachers engage in a discussion of poetry that includes both struggles and celebrations in the classroom. We read some teaching favourites, as well as a sample of our own poetry.

Ep. 5 - The Virtuous Coward

Feb 24th, 2016 44m 21s

Three English teachers discuss the narrative tricks and discomforting themes present in Tim O'Brien's short story, "On the Rainy River".

Ep. 4 - Between a Beast and a Hero

Dec 15th, 2015 52m 36s

Three English teachers share insights, and some differing opinions, about Shakespeare's tragic character, Macbeth.

Ep. 3 - The Beast and Truth Within

Nov 23rd, 2015 46m 13s

Three English teachers discuss the poignant themes in Sir William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies along with some of the approaches they take with it in the classroom.