Best Spartacus Life Podcasts (2025)

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RE-AIR: Conversations: How Women Became Poets, Gender History in Greek Literature w/ Emily Hauser 1:50:55

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2m ago1:50:55

1:50:55

This episode originally aired in November 2024. Liv speaks with author Emily Hauser about her book How Women Became Poets. They look at women in Greek myth, literature, etymology, and, very specifically, the long and arduous history of women 'poets' in Greek literature. Plus, a sneak peak at Emily's next work: Mythica/Penelope's Bones. Find more fr…

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629. WWI: The Christmas Truce 58:42

11h ago58:42

58:42

Did the Christmas Truce - which saw a number of unofficial ceasefires between the combatants of the First World War, during the Christmas of 1914 - really occur, or was it a myth? What is the real story behind this legendary event? And, did German and British soldiers really play football across no-man's land? Join Dominic and Tom as they delve int…

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Original Fiction - Haunted

2d ago

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“Haunted” was written, read and scored by Chad Fifer, with the generous participation of Heather Klinke.By Strange Studies of Strange Stories

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Battle of the Bad B*tches: Helen and Clytemnestra 56:58

2d ago56:58

56:58

Liv and Michaela come together for the third (?) annual Battle of the Bas--no wait that's actually the Battle of the Bad B*tches. Helen and Clytemnestra come together and we chat about everything that those two wonderful women were up to in the ancient sources. It's beautiful, it's amazing, and we support all their wonderful ways. Submit your quest…

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Jon Heder Talks Tapawingo, Indie Films, and Why Nate Feels Like a Cult Classic Character 7:56

3d ago7:56

7:56

Jon Heder Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his latest film Tapawingo and his uniquely lovable character, Nate. In this conversation, Jon breaks down what drew him to the quirky indie script, how Nate fits into the lineage of characters fans love, and why this role allowed him to explore a quieter, more confident kind of hero. He also di…

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Adrianna Mitchell on Playing Jamilah in CRUTCH, Comedy, and Working with Tracy Morgan 15:38

3d ago15:38

15:38

Adrianna Mitchell joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about her role as Jamilah in the Paramount+ comedy series CRUTCH. Adrianna opens up about her journey from Spelman College to Broadway to television, the setbacks that shaped her resilience, and why Jamilah’s “coming home and starting over” storyline r…

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David Tomlinson on Playing Max Benedict in Silent Night, Deadly Night 11:40

3d ago11:40

11:40

David Tomlinson joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss stepping into the horror genre with Silent Night, Deadly Night, the reimagining of the cult classic holiday slasher. David breaks down his role as Max Benedict, a small-town police officer contending with a brutal series of murders unfolding around the holidays — and why the character …

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Michael Jai White Discusses 'Exit Protocol' and Working With Dolph Lundgren 6:33

3d ago6:33

6:33

Michael Jai White joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an in-depth conversation about his latest film Exit Protocol, an assassin-driven thriller centered on loyalty, survival, and living by a personal code. Michael breaks down his role as Isaac, a character who’s always five steps ahead, and explains how he approaches playing men who operate in…

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Van Crosby on The Family Plan 2, Kyle’s Evolution, and Filming Across Europe 10:25

3d ago10:25

10:25

Van Crosby joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about returning as Kyle in The Family Plan 2, the hit action-comedy sequel streaming on Apple TV. In this episode, Van reflects on the massive success of the first film, how surreal it was realizing millions of people watched it worldwide, and what fans can expect from the Morgan family’s next…

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The Lowdown, The Hunting Wives, and A Ghost Story For Christmas. With guests Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe 1:28:25

4d ago1:28:25

1:28:25

Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe don their frock coats for Amadeus on Sky and we speak to both of them on this week’s show as they chat all things Mozart with Boyd. Plus we wrap up a festive haul of shows for under your Christmas tree, taking a look at Mart Gatiss’ latest Ghost Story For Christmas, The Room in The Tower on BBC2, getting drawn into the …

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628. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Unmasked (Part 5) 1:35:53

3d ago1:35:53

1:35:53

Who are the prime suspects for the identity of Jack the Ripper? Why did he suddenly halt his hellish killing spree, and never strike again? And, once and for all, who really was Jack the Ripper…? Join Dominic and Tom as they reveal, with shocking melodrama, the true identity of one of the world’s most mysterious serial killers: Jack the Ripper… ___…

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Episode 520 - The WORST Fictional Inventions We Thought Were Cool as Kids 59:16

6d ago59:16

59:16

It's time for another Mind Gap Podcast! This week, Doug and Justin kick things off by figuring out why Doug is so adverse to hanging stuff on his walls. Doug then rightfully brags to Justin about going to the dentist for the first time in over a decade and having zero cavities. Flossing FTW! This leads to a discussion on the importance of staying o…

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It: Welcome To Derry — An Empire Podcast Special, In Association With Warner Bros. 46:38

7d ago46:38

46:38

They all float down here. Now that It: Welcome To Derry, the prequel to Andy Muschietti's It Chapter One and It Chapter Two, has finished its eight-episode run, the Empire Podcast has teamed up with Warner Bros. to bring you a special episode in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer conquer their fears of clowns, spiders, and spider-clow…

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Liv Reads Statius: The Thebaid (Final) 1:19:11

6d ago1:19:11

1:19:11

Liv reads the final book of Statius' Thebaid, translated by JH Mozley. The brothers of Thebes, Eteocles and Polynices, are dead. Their wives and sisters want to bury them, but (unfortunately!) they need the king of Athens, Theseus, to make it happen. Submit to the Q&A at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subs…

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627. Jack The Ripper: From Hell (Part 4) 1:10:08

7d ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Why was Jack the Ripper’s final murder the most appalling of all? Who was the mysterious Mary-Jane Kelly, his unfortunate victim? And, what enduring impact would his crimes have upon the cultural climate of England, and the treatment of women? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the nightmarish crescendo of Victorian London’s darkest days, as Jack t…

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Ian Harding on Ripple, Playing Nate, Life-Changing Ripple Moments & Finding Hope Through Connection 19:05

8d ago19:05

19:05

Ian Harding joins the Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his new Netflix drama Ripple, where he stars as Nate, a wine bar owner whose life is turned upside down by an unexpected health crisis and a marriage falling apart. In this conversation, Ian breaks down Nate’s emotional journey, the meaning behind the show’s central idea of “ripple …

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Now for Cleopatra Senior!: Revisiting The Very Real Cleopatra VII with The Partial Historians 1:10:18

9d ago1:10:18

1:10:18

On Friday we looked at Cleopatra Selene (aka Cleopatra Jr, Cleopatra VIII), so it's only fitting to revisit an old (and very fun!) episode with the amazing Partial Historians about Cleopatra Selene's far more famous mother, Cleopatra VII (aka THAT Cleopatra... Find more from the Partial Historians here. Submit your question for the next Q&A via ema…

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Amadeus, The Revenge Club, and Imposter. With guest Martin Compston 1:24:21

11d ago1:24:21

1:24:21

We’re exacting righteous vengeance on love rat exes (not that Love Rat) in The Revenge Club on Paramount+ this week, and star Martin Compston joins us on the show for a chat about it as well. Elsewhere, Amadeus makes its debut on Sky Atlantic, pitting Mozart vs Salieri in a piano-off for the ages. Plus we cover Imposter (possibly THE Imposter, it’s…

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Claudia Black Breaks Down Cossutia’s Power in Spartacus: House of Ashur 18:37

10d ago18:37

18:37

Claudia Black joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her powerful role as Cossutia in Spartacus: House of Ashur. In this in-depth conversation, Claudia breaks down the emotional and political complexity of her character, the bold “what-if” direction of this new Spartacus chapter, and the intense pace of filming the series. She also shares the unexp…

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626. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Strikes Again (Part 3) 59:09

10d ago59:09

59:09

How did Jack the Ripper manage to strike twice in the same night without getting caught? Did he have an accomplice? And, what chilling clues did the police discover in the wake of the murder…? Join Dominic and Tom as they decode the next horrific phase of Jack the Ripper’s shocking killing spree, as they seek to reveal his identity once and for all…

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Emily Hall on Playing Sienna in Netflix’s 'A Merry Little Ex-Mas' 10:08

13d ago10:08

10:08

Emily Hall joins Pop Culture Unplugged for a festive, feel-good conversation about her breakout role as Sienna in Netflix’s holiday hit A Merry Little Ex-Mas. From landing the role through auditions to becoming the emotional core of the film, Emily shares what it really takes to bring heart to a modern Christmas movie. Emily opens up about working …

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Episode 519 - Which fictional tools would INSTANTLY be abused in real life? 1:02:39

13d ago1:02:39

1:02:39

It's time for another Mind Gap Podcast! This week, Doug and Justin share how they spent their Thanksgivings. The dorks then discuss the uncomfortable, and oftentimes unnecessary, icebreakers that precede team meetings. Doug shares a specific instance that happened recently and how he may have misread the room. The dorks then spend a bit of time jus…

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Conversations: Cleopatra Selene... A Queen her Mother Would Be Proud Of w/ Dr Jane Draycott 1:38:18

13d ago1:38:18

1:38:18

Liv speaks with Jane Draycott again this week about her book Cleopatra's Daughter: Egyptian Princess, Roman Prisoner, African Queen. Jane Draycott is an amazing scholar who has done phenomenal work on Roman women who often are left without a voice or are given a much lesser reputation than they deserve. Cleopatra Selene is a delightful character to…

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Sarah Drew Breaks Down Emily Lane’s Biggest Season Yet in Mistletoe Murders 11:41

14d ago11:41

11:41

Sarah Drew sits down with Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged — and this debut conversation delivers everything fans could hope for. In her FIRST interview with the show, Sarah opens up like never before about returning as Emily Lane in Mistletoe Murders Season 2, navigating the biggest emotional stakes yet, and why this series is the most meaningful jo…

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625. Jack The Ripper: Horror in Whitechapel (Part 2) 1:06:32

14d ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Who was Jack the Ripper’s second victim, and why was their murder considered the true starting point of his terrifying killing spree? How did the police investigation unfold? And, when and how did the Ripper strike again…? Join Dominic and Tom as they travel further into the dark streets of Victorian London and follow Jack the Ripper’s depraved tra…

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The Beatles: The British Invasion, with Conan O’Brien (Part 2) 55:22

15d ago55:22

55:22

| This episode is available a week early for members of The Rest Is History Club | What happens when fame, drugs, and genius collide? How did the Beatles survive John Lennon’s “more popular than Jesus” interview and the death of Brian Epstein? And, why did the band eventually break up? Conan O’Brien returns with Tom to dive into the Beatles’ final …

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The Worst Friendship Breakup of All Time (The Wars of the Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period) 34:53

16d ago34:53

34:53

We are back with the Wars of the Diadochi and finally Ptolemy gets his proper introduction. Join me today to see what goes on after the Lamian War, see who takes what sides, and who does or does not die. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition a…

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Dark Winds, Percy Jackson & The Olympians, and Irish Blood 1:11:41

18d ago1:11:41

1:11:41

On this week’s podcast you’ll be devastated to hear that we are unable to review Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era, however don’t switch off, because we do manage to rustle up some alternatives. Dark Winds makes its return to U&Alibi (43:45)and includes what is arguably the best meta joke of the year, Percy Jackson is back, causing trouble for the go…

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624. Jack The Ripper: History’s Darkest Mystery (Part 1) 1:04:08

17d ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Was Jack the Ripper the first serial killer of all time? Who was his first victim, and why was the murder so shocking? And, what did the Ripper phenomenon reveal about the anxieties of Victorian London? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the darkest days of London’s long history, as Jack the Ripper’s terrible, grisly reign of terror begins... …

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Episode 518 - What are some of the WORST doomsday devices in movies? 1:09:21

20d ago1:09:21

1:09:21

In this episode of the Mind Gap Podcast, Doug and special co-host, Eric Drezner, dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, discussing favorite monsters, homebrew creations, and the challenges of DMing. They share personal experiences and the joy of friendship through gaming. The conversation then shifts to a critical analysis of doomsday devices i…

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Conversations: The Empire is Back. . .and This Episode is the Seleucids w/ Dr. Talia Prussin 1:38:45

20d ago1:38:45

1:38:45

Liv and Michaela speak with Dr. Talia Prussin about the Seleucid empire and the Hellenistic Period generally. Much shenanigans went down, and many discussions on which little guy is everyone's favourite. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition a…

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Study 150 - The Soldier and Death

21d ago

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We're casting weird fairy tale magic all month, beginning with the Russian classic The Soldier and Death!By Strange Studies of Strange Stories

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623. The Nazis at War: Churchill’s Finest Hour (Part 4) 1:11:43

21d ago1:11:43

1:11:43

With Adolf Hitler at the apex of his power during the Second World War, how did he move on Britain? How did Winston Churchill respond? And, would Britain’s airforce triumph over Hitler’s Luftwaffe in the legendary Battle of Britain? Join Dominic and Tom as they reach one of the watershed moments of the Second World War, as the Nazis strive to elimi…

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The Beatles: The Band that Changed the World, with Conan O’Brien (Part 1) 51:00

22d ago51:00

51:00

How did four Liverpool teenagers become the most influential band on earth? What made their music and charisma irresistible to a generation? And, how did their ambition and timing spark a cultural revolution that still resonates today? In the first of two special episodes, Tom is joined by Conan O’Brien to explore the Beatles’ meteoric rise: the pe…

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That One Time When Alex Said Hey Guys, Figure It Out (The Wars of the Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period) 39:37

23d ago39:37

39:37

Some more fun history time for you all! This time we are diving into the Wars of the Diadochi, well more like Alex dying and all the Greek rebellions and the Lamian War in this episode. Starting off a new subsection of episodes based on the Hellenistic series, because we all need some more Hellenistic lore in our lives! Submit your question for the…

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Stranger Things, The War Between The Land And The Sea, and Spartacus: House of Ashur 1:35:20

25d ago1:35:20

1:35:20

The wait is over! Well, sort of, because Stranger Things returns to Netflix this week for the first part of its final season to whet our collective appetites for the final assault on the Upside Down at the end of the year (44:50). Plus the Notorious RTD is back with his latest spin-off to the Whoiverse, setting Russell Tovey on a collision course w…

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622. The Nazis at War: The Fall of France (Part 3) 1:07:54

24d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

How did the Battle of Dunkirk unfold in 1940? Why was it one of the key turning points of the Second World War for Hitler and his Nazi regime? And, how did the Allies manage to evade the jaws of annihilation at this crucial stage of the Second World War…? Join Dominic and Tom as they march further into the Nazis at war, with Hitler’s forces closing…

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Mikkal Karim Fidler on Playing Teddy in IT: Welcome to Derry 12:30

26d ago12:30

12:30

Mikkal Karim Fidler joins Elias to break down his role as Teddy in IT: Welcome to Derry. Mikkal talks about joining the Stephen King universe, the emotional weight behind Teddy’s guilt, and how real friendships off-camera helped shape the on-screen chemistry fans are loving. Hear Mikkal open up about the audition process, building Teddy’s layered m…

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Conversations: Life At the Far Edges of a Crumbling Empire... w/ Owen Rees 1:52:14

27d ago1:52:14

1:52:14

Liv speaks with returning guest Owen Rees about his new book looking at the fringes of ancient empire... From Egypt to Greece to Rome and China. Learn more about Owen's book, Bad Ancient, and Substack. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at …

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Episode 517 - Why don't movies feel REAL anymore? 1:03:54

28d ago1:03:54

1:03:54

It's time for another Mind Gap Podcast! This week, Doug and Justin start off with a few stories. Justin enrages Doug by recounting an experience of being caught in a line of cars that stretched over a quarter mile, all waiting to get into a newly opened Raising Cane's. After venting on the absolute absurdity of this, Doug lightens the mood with a s…

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621. The Nazis at War: Blitzkrieg (Part 2) 1:06:55

28d ago1:06:55

1:06:55

When Hitler’s eye fell on Norway and Denmark, how did he and the Nazis enact their terrible plan of conquest? How did the Allies respond to this western campaign? And, how did the French fare against the furious German attack…? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the next bombastic phase of the Nazis at war. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock t…