Best Ancient Language Institute Podcasts (2025)

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Who's That Girl? | Fireside Chat with Eve on Creativity, Identity, and the Future | Ep 77 36:32

7d ago36:32

36:32

She changed the game in hip-hop, built a Hollywood career—and then had to figure out who she really was. Eve shares how she reclaimed her name, found peace through motherhood and spirituality, and what it took to stop performing and start becoming. Eve is a Grammy-winning Artist, Actress, and Author of Who’s That Girl?—a memoir about identity, heal…

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Replacing Machiavelli with Francesco Patrizi, feat. James Hankins | Episode LXXXVII 1:21:12

11d ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Send us a text Niccolo Machiavelli is often held up as the paradigmatic political philosopher of the Italian Renaissance. But as James Hankins argued in an earlier book, Virtue Politics, Machiavelli in fact repudiates the framework common to many of the humanists of the Renaissance. Machiavelli is an outlier. Who then can replace him as the Renaiss…

1
Building AI simulations of the human brain | Dan Yamins 32:56

9d ago32:56

32:56

This week on the show: Are we ready to create digital models of the human brain? Last month, Stanford researcher Andreas Tolias and colleagues created a "digital twin" of the mouse visual cortex. The researchers used the same foundation model approach that powers ChatGPT, but instead of training the model on text, the team trained in on brain activ…

1
What ChatGPT understands: Large language models and the neuroscience of meaning | Laura Gwilliams 42:31

25d ago42:31

42:31

If you spend any time chatting with a modern AI chatbot, you've probably been amazed at just how human it sounds, how much it feels like you're talking to a real person. Much ink has been spilled explaining how these systems are not actually conversing, not actually understanding — they're statistical algorithms trained to predict the next likely w…

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Using Paganism to Christianize the Pagans | Episode LXXXVI 52:28

27d ago52:28

52:28

Send us a text In his lifetime, John Chrysostom witnessed the true beginning of Christendom: the Emperor Theodosius confirmed the public standing of Christianity over that of paganism and delivered a final knockout blow to Arian heresy in favor of Nicene orthodoxy. But a religion on the upswing can attract opportunistic and ill-informed converts. J…

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What the other half of the brain does | Brad Zuchero 35:00

1M ago35:00

35:00

We've talked about glia and sleep. We've talked about glia and neuroinflammation. We've talked about glia in the brain fog that can accompany COVID or chemotherapy. We've talked about the brain's quiet majority of non–neuronal cells in so many different contexts that it felt like it was high time for us to take a step back and look at the bigger pi…

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The Hieronymus Option | Episode LXXXV 1:00:07

1M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Send us a text Can Christians read and appreciate pagan literature? The vexed relationship between the Church and a world that hates it has generated many different responses. The most popular recent proposal is Rod Dreher's "Benedict option" - Dreher counsels Christian retrenchment and quasi-monastic self-sufficiency. But the great saint of late a…

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The Female Biohacker's Guide to Living to 150 | Ep76 1:01:45

1M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

What if you could slow down aging and stay energized for decades longer? Kayla Barnes-Lentz—Top Biohacker, Longevity Expert, and Founder of LYV The Wellness Space—has done exactly that. Her biological age is 10 years younger than her real age, and she’s here to share how you can do it too. Kayla gets into simple but powerful biohacks—how sleep, foo…

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Shut the F Up & Manifest: The Power of Mindful Talk | Ep75 22:46

2M ago22:46

22:46

The way we talk about our lives shapes what we experience—but most of us don’t realize how much our words hold us back. Jorge Perez, a Bestselling Author and Personal Development Expert, has spent decades studying how language impacts success. His “Shut the F Up” approach challenges everything we think we know about communication and manifestation.…

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Stimulating the brain with sound | Kim Butts Pauly and Raag Airan 30:43

2M ago30:43

30:43

As we gain a better understanding of how misfiring brain circuits lead to mental health conditions, we'd like to be able to go in and nudge those circuits back into balance. But this is hard — literally — because the brain is encased in this thick bony skull. Plus, often the problem you want to target is buried deep in the middle of a maze of delic…

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Clear Your Blocks: Energy Healing for a Limitless Life | Ep74 21:06

2M ago21:06

21:06

Some emotions stick with us for years—sometimes, they’re not even ours to begin with. Four-time Emmy-winning Journalist turned Energy Healer, Frank Elaridi, reveals how trapped emotions and inherited trauma shape our lives in ways we don’t even realize. In this conversation, Frank explains the Emotion Code, works with a live guest to clear energeti…

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Why Modern Literature Stinks | Episode LXXXIV 57:21

2M ago57:21

57:21

Send us a text In the final chapter of Climbing Parnassus, Tracy Lee Simmons distinguishes between the "skills" and the "content" arguments for classical study, and says that the skills argument is in fact the stronger. Content, Simmons says, can be learned by reading translations - or even from scanning Wikipedia (or asking A.I.!). What is irrepla…

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Awaken Your Body's Healing Power Through Mindful Movement | Ep73 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

Your body isn’t just something you live in—it’s the key to your energy, emotions, and even your spiritual growth. Cloe Sommadossi, an International Pilates Educator and Founder of the Pilates Academy Dubai, shares how simple shifts in the body can create major shifts in the mind. If you've ever felt off balance—physically or emotionally—this conver…

1
Does good sleep insulate the brain against Alzheimer's? | Erin Gibson 39:25

2M ago39:25

39:25

We're kicking off our new season with a deep dive into one of neuroscience's most fascinating mysteries: sleep. This unconscious third of our lives isn't just about rest – it's absolutely critical for brain health, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. But here's where it gets intriguing: recent research suggests that increased napping as w…

1
Master the Alpha Mindset for Unstoppable Success | Ep72 13:06

2M ago13:06

13:06

We’ve all heard the term “alpha,” but most people get it totally wrong. It’s not about ego or being the loudest in the room. Seif El Hakim, founder of the Alpha Movement and bestselling author of Alpha Unleashed, is here to challenge everything you thought you knew about leadership and success. In this conversation, Seif breaks down what it really …

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The Declines and Falls of Classical Education | Episode LXXXIII 1:00:20

2M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Send us a text Classical education has declined and fallen before - as the Roman Empire succumbed to internal weakness and external threats, so did its bilingual educational regime. Humanists in the Renaissance revived the ancient world's Greek and Latin literary paideia, or at least created a new system of education modelled on it, which flourishe…

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Rewind Your Biological Clock: Gene & Stem Cell Secrets | Ep71 11:11

3M ago11:11

11:11

What if your body already has everything it needs to heal, but no one has told you how to utilize it? Dr. Adeel Khan, Founder of Eterna Health, has been cracking the code on regenerative medicine—helping people heal, recover, and even slow down aging using stem cells, peptides, and gene therapy. In this episode, we talk about how stem cells are lik…

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Supercharge Your Brain & Body | Ep70 18:59

3M ago18:59

18:59

Ever feel like your brain is running on low battery—foggy, overworked, and just not keeping up?Dr. Umair Qureshi knows exactly why that happens and what you can do about it. As a top physician in brain and performance medicine, he’s worked with top athletes and professionals to boost mental clarity, energy, and focus. We’re talking about how overth…

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Will Classical Schools Climb Parnassus? | Episode LXXXII 49:37

3M ago49:37

49:37

Send us a text A truly classical education is centered on the study of the Classics: the ancient languages and literatures of Greece and Rome. The adjective "classical" is thus a misnomer for a school that strays promiscuously from the true Classics into the "Great Books" or the "Great Tradition." So argues Tracy Lee Simmons in his landmark book, C…

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Ancient Secrets to a Happy, Healthy Home | Ep69 23:49

3M ago23:49

23:49

Most people think of real estate as just buildings and investments—but what if your home could actually improve your well-being? Alex Zagrebelny, Founder of R. Evolution Group, has spent over 25 years blending ancient wisdom with cutting-edge design to create spaces that promote happiness, balance, and longevity. In this conversation, Alex breaks d…

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"The Church Is Like the Ancient Roman State" | Episode LXXXI 1:02:16

3M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Send us a text The Renaissance humanist Biondo Flavio dedicated his massive book Roma Triumphans, a historical investigation of what made Rome great, to his fellow humanist Pope Pius II. He contended that central to the story of Roman greatness was Roman religion, and that the Roman Catholic Church was the heir of the Roman Empire, correcting its f…

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The Modern Woman's Guide to Aging with Power | Ep68 40:55

4M ago40:55

40:55

What if everything you thought about empowerment was backwards? Dr. Amanda Hanson, renowned psychologist, speaker, and author, flips the script on empowerment and reveals why true power starts within. Known as The Midlife Muse, Amanda is a global advocate for women redefining their lives beyond societal expectations. In this episode, Dr. Amanda sha…

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Marco Saldana: How He Manifested a Scorsese Film | Ep67 56:02

4M ago56:02

56:02

Marco Perego-Saldaña’s life reads like a movie script—professional footballer in Italy turned visionary artist and filmmaker in the U.S. He opens up about how art became his way of healing and his mission to connect humanity. In this conversation, Marco shares how he uses tools like visualization and intuition to fuel his creativity and talks about…

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How Carl Case Built Billion-Dollar Companies Before Turning 31 | Ep66 36:11

4M ago36:11

36:11

Carl Case built billion-dollar companies before 31, but it all started with a college dinner tradition that no one saw coming: “Meat Sauce Mondays.” What turned these casual meals into gratitude gatherings that shaped Carl’s unique approach to connection and success? And how did those lessons help him create RapidTalk.ai, a platform revolutionizing…

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What the Modern World Lost | Episode LXXX 1:10:57

4M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

Send us a text Representative government, freedom of religion, the right to privacy - these are just some of the liberties of the modern world which we cherish. But at what cost? After the French Revolution and the subsequent rise and fall of Napoleon, the French classical liberal Benjamin Constant undertook an examination of ancient liberty as com…

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Breathwork vs. Medicine: The Science Behind Niraj Naik’s Soma Breath | Ep65 50:40

4M ago50:40

50:40

Can breathing really do what medicine couldn’t? Niraj Naik, Founder and CEO of Soma Breath, a former pharmacist turned breathwork expert, shares how he used breathwork to heal himself when doctors said his illness was incurable. His journey will make you rethink everything about health and what’s possible with just your breath. \In this episode, Ni…

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The Science of Biohacking: Unlocking Energy, Health, and Longevity | Ep64 57:05

5M ago57:05

57:05

What if you could turn back the clock on aging, heal emotional wounds, and unlock boundless energy—all through science? That’s what Dave Asprey, the Father of Biohacking, has dedicated his life to exploring. In this conversation, he shares how simple shifts in your body and mind can change everything—including a story about a woman who finally foun…

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Codie Sanchez on Building Wealth Through Creative Deal-Making | Ep63 1:09:50

5M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

Have you ever looked at a small, “boring” business and wondered, "What if this could change my life?” That’s exactly what Codie Sanchez, Award-winning Journalist-turned-Investor and Founder of Contrarian Thinking, did—and now she’s helping others do the same. With over 2.5 million followers, a New York Times best-selling book, and a mission to crea…

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Lucy Hale: Rising to Fame, Overcoming Addiction, and Finding Self-Love | Ep62 56:20

5M ago56:20

56:20

Fame may look glamorous, but Lucy Hale reveals the complexities behind the spotlight, from battling addiction to rediscovering her self-worth. As a celebrated actress and singer with accolades like Teen Choice Awards and People's Choice Award, Lucy shares the raw truths of her journey. This episode offers a candid glimpse into her struggles with al…

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How to live in a world without free will | Robert Sapolsky 40:46

5M ago40:46

40:46

Today, we are speaking with the one and only Robert Sapolsky, a Stanford neurobiologist, a MacArthur "Genius", and best-selling author of books exploring the nature of stress, social behavior, and — as he puts it — "the biology of the human predicament." In his latest book, Determined, Sapolsky assertively lays out his vision of a world without fre…

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How to Hack Your Mood: Science-Backed Ways to Feel Better Every Day | Ep61 49:03

5M ago49:03

49:03

It’s wild how much the right nutrition can shift everything—your mood, your focus, even how connected you feel to others. Shawn Wells, a brilliant Nutritional Biochemist with over a thousand patented supplements to his name, opens up about his journey from a tough childhood and battling obesity to discovering the life-changing power of nutrients. H…

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A Great Books Monastery | Episode LXXIX 47:20

5M ago47:20

47:20

Send us a text When civilization is crashing down all around you, what do you do? Retreat to the hills, build a monastery, and preserve what you can. That is exactly what Cassiodorus did in the 6th century when he founded the Vivarium, an Italian monastery dedicated to copying, emending, and preserving the classics of Greek and Roman literature. In…

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How to Speak So Everyone Listens to You: The Power of Storytelling | Ep60 52:56

6M ago52:56

52:56

What does it take to speak in a way that captivates, inspires, and truly connects? Adam Roa, a magnetic stage poet whose words seem to reach straight into your soul, shares how he turned vulnerability into his superpower. He talks about his journey from feeling emotionally shut down to commanding stages around the world with authenticity and heart.…

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The power of psychedelics meets the power of placebo: ketamine, opioids, and hope in depression treatment | Boris Heifets & Theresa Lii 35:10

6M ago35:10

35:10

Join us as we dive back into the world of psychedelic medicine with anesthesiologists Boris Heifets and Theresa Lii, who share intriguing new data that sheds light on how ketamine and placebo effects may interact in treating depression. We explore provocative questions like: How much of ketamine's antidepressant effect comes from the drug itself ve…

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Breaking Free: Neil Strauss on Healing Trauma to Build Authentic Love | Ep59 56:59

6M ago56:59

56:59

Sometimes, love and relationships aren’t as straightforward as we’d like them to be. This week, we sat down with Neil Strauss—a famous Writer for the Rolling Stone magazine and New York Times Bestselling Author, known for his thought-provoking works, including "The Game" and "The Truth," and for pulling back the curtain on what really goes on benea…

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The Barren Contemplative Life | Episode LXXVIII 50:20

6M ago50:20

50:20

Send us a text This week, Jonathan and Ryan discuss two early medieval selections from Richard M. Gamble's The Great Tradition, one taken from Gregory the Great, perhaps the most significant pope in the history of Christendom, and another from Alcuin of York, adviser to Charlemagne and architect of the Carolingian Renaissance. Both Gregory and Alcu…

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Why Every Great Love Story Needs Conflict: Lessons From Powerful Couples | Ep 58 1:20:26

6M ago1:20:26

1:20:26

Intimacy can be transformative, but what happens when we make it sacred? This episode dives into the raw, transformative power of sacred sexuality through the stories of three couples who’ve been through it all—breakups, reunions, and those messy, beautiful moments that define a relationship. They’re sharing how rituals and shared practices have no…

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Seeing sounds, tasting colors: the science of synaesthesia with David Eagleman (re-release) 21:52

6M ago21:52

21:52

Today, we are going back into the archives for one of my favorite episodes: We are talking to neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, David Eagleman. We're talking about synaesthesia — and if you don't know what that is, you're about to find out. Special Note We are beyond thrilled that From Our Neurons to Yours has won a 2024 Signal…

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Find Love and Heal Fertility Blocks with Marisa Peer Hypnosis | Ep 57 1:25:41

6M ago1:25:41

1:25:41

A few words can alter a lifetime, and few understand this better than Marissa Peer, a world-renowned Psychologist, Best-selling Author, and the Founder of Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Today, you’ll hear about her journey from teaching aerobics for Jane Fonda to becoming a sought-after therapist for high-profile clients like the late Prince…

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How to Train a Pastor | Episode LXXVII 1:05:32

6M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Send us a text He who teaches the truth finds himself locked in battle against all those who teach falsehood. With what tools will you equip him? That is the question motivating "Education of the Clergy," a 9th century treatise written by one of the great students of Alcuin: Rhabanus Maurus. The stereotype of the "dark ages" - the narrowness of min…

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Why You Should Resist Institutions for the Sake of Your Children | Ep 56 51:46

7M ago51:46

51:46

Most of us want the best for our children, but what if the very institutions we trust are actually steering our kids in the wrong direction? In this episode, Dr. Shefali, a renowned Conscious Parenting Expert and Bestselling Author gets real about how we can break away from the pressure of mainstream culture—competition, materialism, all of it—and …

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The BRAIN Initiative: the national vision for the future of neuroscience is now in doubt | Bill Newsome 39:23

7M ago39:23

39:23

Earlier this year, President Obama's signature BRAIN Initiative, which has powered advances in neuroscience for the past 10 years, had its budget slashed by 40%. Over the past decade, the BRAIN Initiative made roughly $4 billion in targeted investments in more than 1500 research projects across the country and has dramatically accelerated progress …

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The Spiritual Path That Led Big Sean to Fame and Success | Ep 55 1:12:47

7M ago1:12:47

1:12:47

Fame can be a wild ride, filled with both exhilarating highs and daunting lows, and Big Sean knows this all too well. As a Multi-Platinum Recording Artist with hits that have topped charts worldwide, he opens up about the ups and downs of his journey, sharing how spirituality has been a guiding force in his life. You’ll hear about the moment he sig…

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Florence the Heir of Rome | Episode LXXVI 1:01:52

7M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Send us a text What if the true heir of the Roman Empire was not Rome, but Florence? Over the course of his life and career as a scholar and politician, the great humanist Leonardo Bruni made this argument multiple times, and in a variety of ways. In doing so, he gave novel accounts of liberty and virtue, and eventually moved away from an appeal to…

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From Wellness to Personality: The Power of Supplements Explained | Ep 54 1:09:22

7M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

What if the right supplements could do more than just support your body—they could actually shift your mood and energy in ways you didn’t expect? This episode peels back the curtain on how certain nutrients can dramatically impact your mood, energy, and even your confidence. Featuring two brilliant minds in the world of health and wellness: Shawn W…

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The cannabinoids within: how marijuana hijacks an ancient signaling system in the brain | Ivan Soltesz 37:33

7M ago37:33

37:33

Given the widespread legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational uses, you'd think we'd have a better understanding of how it works. But ask a neuroscientist exactly how cannabinoid compounds like THC and CBD alter our perceptions or lead to potential medical benefits, and you'll soon learn just how little we know. We know that these mole…

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Master the Art of Connection through Presence | Ep 53 38:38

7M ago38:38

38:38

With the constant buzz of everyday life, learning to be fully present can truly change how we connect with ourselves and others. In this episode, we’re hanging out with Austin Mao, who opens up about his journey from tech entrepreneur to transformational guide. He shares some eye-opening perspectives on cultivating "ultra presence"—the ability to s…

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Dating Your Highest Self: The Most Powerful Tool for Manifesting | Ep 52 58:19

7M ago58:19

58:19

Imagine having just eight dollars in your bank account and turning it into a multi-million-dollar empire through the power of manifestation. Regan Hillyer, the Queen of Manifestation, shares her remarkable story of doing just that by connecting with her higher self. In this episode, she reveals the exact techniques that helped her—and over 400 part…

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Memory Palaces: the science of mental time travel and the brain's GPS system | Lisa Giocomo (Re-release) 25:50

8M ago25:50

25:50

Today we are re-releasing an episode we did last year with Stanford neurobiologist Lisa Giocomo exploring the intersection of memory, navigation and the boundaries we create between ourselves and the world around us. This episode was inspired by the idea of memory palaces. The idea is simple: Take a place you're very familiar with, say the house yo…

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How to Have Great Sex Well Into Your 60s with Tantra | Ep 51 59:39

8M ago59:39

59:39

Sexuality is something many of us struggle to understand—often clouded by shame, confusion, or fear, making it hard to explore freely. But what if there was a way to heal and fully embrace this part of ourselves? In today’s chat with Tantra Specialist Layla Martin, we explore how Tantra can be that path, helping you feel more connected and whole, b…

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