Episodes

Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
CD 32 - Raj Bhakta & (Very) Old Armagnac
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
My guest is Raj Bhakta. Raj is a true practitioner of the art of cultural debris. From founding one of the first premium whiskey brands, Whistle Pig—based out of Vermont, of all places—to buying an actual college at auction, Raj is not one to limit himself.
We talk about all of those things, but especially Raj and I discuss the oldest known spirit, Armagnac, and his discovery of a great horde of Armagnac at a chateau in France, with vintages dating back over a century and a half. Raj bought it all, and the chateau, and launched Bhakta Spirits. We discuss everything from Armagnac to the Apprentice (and the guy who hosted it), but mostly Armagnac. And a little bourbon.
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Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
CD 31 - Os Guinness & The Great Quest
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
My guest is Os Guinness, long a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, Guinness was born in China and educated at Oxford. He is a prolific author, most recently of The Great Quest and Zero Hour America, both from IVP.
In our conversation we discuss the cultural crisis in America and if a turnaround is even possible. Os also discusses his childhood in China, his time with Francis Schaeffer, a chance meeting with Winston Churchill, and whether or not he receives free shipments of bottles from Guinness.
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Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
CD 30 - Annette Kirk: From Long Island to Mecosta
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Annette Kirk was kind enough to sit down with me to talk on a recent visit to Piety Hill in Mecosta, Michigan in the brick Italianate home that she and Russell Kirk built a half century ago.
Annette talks about growing up on Long Island, her activist mother, being present in the early days of the conservative movement at William F. Buckley’s home, and later meeting Russell Kirk. We discuss the culture shock of moving to rural Michigan, how their home became a magnet for refugees from around the world, and the work of the Kirk Center over the past 27 years. Plus, Annette tells the story of being kidnapped in her own car.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!

Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
CD 29 - Luke Sheahan on The University Bookman and Academic Freedom
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Luke Sheahan of Duquesne University and the newly appointed editor of The University Bookman, a book review journal founded by Russell Kirk and edited by him until his death. Dr. Sheahan steps into the role left vacant by the passing of the great Gerald Russello, someone we all greatly miss.
Dr. Sheahan and I discuss his plans for the Bookman, the debate between Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley on academic freedom, and the fundamental need for associations and the freedom of association as outlined by Robert Nisbet.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
Luke Sheahan Website | Twitter

Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
CD 28 - Jason M. Baxter & The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Jason M. Baxter is a professor at the University of Notre Dame and has a new book from InterVarsity Press titled The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis.
Dr. Baxter and I discuss the C.S. Lewis few ever talk about, the dangers of presentism, and how the medievals aren’t at all like the common stereotypes. Plus, for the second podcast in a row football comes up.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
Jason M. Baxter website
The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis
Jane Greer, The World As We Know It Is Falling Away
Moonshine & Magnolias: A Journal For Southern Regional Consciousness

Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
CD 27 - Michael Possanner & the Art of Bespoke Tailoring
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Michael Possanner is a bespoke tailor in Vienna, Austria. Michael and I discuss the value of bespoke tailoring, his non-traditional journey to learning the ancient trade, his love of American football, and his passion of mixology and collecting vintage cocktail books.
Christian Appalachian Project - Donate for flood relief
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Michael Possanner - website | Instagram
Coconelli Patisserie - website | Instagram

Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
CD 26 - Greg Hillis on Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Dr. Greg Hillis of Bellarmine University in Louisville. He is author of the recent book Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision from Liturgical Press.
Dr. Hillis and I discuss Merton’s reputation, his role as novice master at the Abbey of Gethsemani, his interaction with the Kentucky literary scene, and the significance of Merton’s interest in Eastern religions.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision

Monday May 23, 2022
CD 25 - Fr. Gregory Pine On Prudence
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
Dominican Friar Fr. Gregory Pine is a host of the podcast Godsplaining and frequently appears on Pints With Aquinas. He is author of the new book Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly published by Our Sunday Visitor.
Fr. Pine and I discuss the idea of prudence, its philosophical roots, and his favorite Kentucky bourbon distilleries, plus his strange encounter with a biker in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly
Fr. Gregory Pine on Pints With Aquinas

Wednesday May 04, 2022
CD 24 - Art Heists With Anthony Amore
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Anthony Amore is a Boston based New York Times bestselling author and art security expert. He is author most recently of The Woman Who Stole Vermeer: The True Story of Rose Dugdale.
He also works as Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum where he endeavors to recover the thirteen works of art stolen from the Gardner in a daring heist in 1990.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
Anthony Amore: Website | Twitter
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
CD 23 - Literary Saints With Jessica Hooten Wilson
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
Jessica Hooten Wilson is author of the new book The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints from Brazos Press. Jessica is a professor at the University of Dallas and has written previously on Walker Percy and Fydor Dostoevesky. She currently is preparing a manuscript on Flannery O’Connor.
Jessica and I discuss facing the reality of our own limitations, finding literary saints as exemplars, Flannery O’Connor, C.S. Lewis, and the influence of G.K. Chesterton on Sigrid Undset.
Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast!
The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination In the Company of Literary Saints
Jessica Hooten Wilson: Website | Twitter | YouTube

