Best Jonathan Finn Podcasts (2025)

1
736 Jane Austen's Favorite Brother, Henry (with Christopher Herbert) | A Letter from the South of France | My Last Book with Nicholas Jenkins 1:00:29

Play Pause

1d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Jane Austen had six brothers, but her older brother Henry was her favorite. Kind and witty, Henry has long been appreciated by Austen fans for his devotion to Jane and his championing of her novels. But Henry was a fascinating figure in his own right, capering through risky financial schemes and marrying an enigmatic French countess before ending h…

1
“Get Thee To A Cheese Monger!” Cheesemaking w/ Jasper Hill Farm 1:10:19

5d ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Jasper Hill Farm is one of the most respected names in American artisan cheese, and in today’s episode, Jonathan & Eli talk with Zoe Brickley — Jasper Hill’s “Minister of Culture” — about how a struggling Vermont dairy made a big gamble that grew into an award-winning operation. We dig into the 9,000-year history of cheesemaking; the science and cr…

1
Jump 1:01:31

6d ago1:01:31

1:01:31

By Jonathan Finn

1
735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson 1:23:55

8d ago1:23:55

1:23:55

Jacke talks to author Mark Hussey (Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a Novel) about Virginia Woolf's beloved novel Mrs Dalloway, which turned 100 earlier this year. PLUS author Graham Watson (The Invention of Charlotte Bronte) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open thr…

1
734 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (#16 GBOAT) | 1925 - A Literary Encyclopedia (with Tom Lutz) 56:09

12d ago56:09

56:09

Jacke talks to author Tom Lutz about 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia, which provides a fascinating window into a year when literature was arguably at its peak centrality. PLUS a look at J.R.R. Tolkien and his influential Lord of the Rings, #16 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open th…

1
Jonathan Gagné on Astrophysics, Coffee, & The Physics of Espresso 1:22:15

12d ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Jonathan Gagné is producing some of the best work in the world in terms of increasing our understanding and appreciation of coffee. And his new book, The Physics of Espresso, is incredibly smart, impressively easy to understand, and…fun! So it was an honor to have Jonathan on to talk about astrophysics, boulders, dust, soup, crema, headspace, and m…

1
Kevin Martin of Candlebox 1:30:12

13d ago1:30:12

1:30:12

On this episode of Sonic Impact, we sit down with the voice of a generation, Kevin Martin, the iconic frontman of the multi-platinum Seattle rock band Candlebox. We unpack the raw, unfiltered story of a band that felt like an outsider in their own hometown, even as their debut album exploded across the globe. Kevin takes us on an incredible journey…

1
Black Coffee 59:56

13d ago59:56

59:56

By Jonathan Finn

1
733 Haruki Murakami (with Mike Palindrome | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (#17 GBOAT) | A Letter from Tehran 1:24:11

15d ago1:24:11

1:24:11

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) is one of the rare writers who combines literary admiration with widespread appeal. Host Jacke Wilson is joined by lifelong Murakami fan Mike Palindrome to discuss what makes his novels so compelling, so mysterious, and so popular. Works discussed include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and …

1
732 The Bible (#18 GBOAT) | The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (with Kate Loveman) | Health Advice 1:13:35

19d ago1:13:35

1:13:35

Jacke starts the episode by looking at the different ways that ten writers have viewed the Bible, #18 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Then he's joined by scholar Kate Loveman, one of the few people in the world who's been able to read the diaries of Samuel Pepys in the original shorthand, for a discussion of her book The Strange Hist…

1
The Business of Craft Beer 1:20:09

19d ago1:20:09

1:20:09

With all the economic & cultural shifts swirling about these days, we wanted to get a handle on the state of craft beer: what does the current landscape look like, what are the biggest challenges, and what are the most interesting opportunities? Eli Brown and I discuss all of the above with New Image Brewing founder, Brandon Capps. We Want to Hear …

1
Golden Flower 59:43

20d ago59:43

59:43

By Jonathan Finn

1
731 The Brothers Karamazov Reclaimed (#19 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:21:06

22d ago1:21:06

1:21:06

Responding to a special request from a listener, Jacke discusses Fyodor Dostoevsky, his novel The Brothers Karamazov, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. This episode was originally released as episode #250 on October 7, 2020. For reasons Jacke discusses, it has not been available for several years. One show note: at several points i…

101
MVP158: David Finn On The De Minimis Exemption Removal And Its Impact On Tabletop Games 45:01

25d ago45:01

45:01

In this episode of the Manaverse Podcast, we delve into the significant changes in shipping to the US from the rest of the world due to the removal of the de minimis exemption. David Finn, the owner of Giga-Bites Tabletop Gaming Cafe and Bridge Distribution breaks down why this change might actually be good for US and global businesses and strategi…

1
730 "To Autumn" by John Keats | The Invention of Charlotte Brontë (with Graham Watson) | My Last Book with Sara Charles 1:06:20

26d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Jacke looks forward to a new season by exploring the language and imagery of John Keats's famous ode to autumn. Then he talks to Graham Watson about his new book The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: A New Life, which tells the story of how how Charlotte reinvented herself as an acclaimed author, a mysterious celebrity, and a passionate lover. PLUS Sa…

1
Carlos Alberto Sánchez on Mexican Philosophy 21:22

27d ago21:22

21:22

What is distinctive about Mexican philosophy? How much is it linked to its geopolitical context? Carlos Alberto Sanchez, author of Blooming in the Ruins, a book about major themes in 20th century Mexican philosophy discusses this topic in conversation with David Edmonds. This episode was supported by the Ideas Workshop, part of Open Society Foundat…

1
Reflecting Light 59:48

28d ago59:48

59:48

By Jonathan Finn

1
729 Milton the Revolutionary (with Orlando Reade) | My Last Book with Jodi Picoult | More Exciting News 1:07:45

29d ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Since the publication of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667, readers and critics have noted the relationship between the poem and the author's political and personal struggles. What has been less prominent - at least until now - is how the poem came to haunt various political struggles over the next four centuries. In this episode, Jacke…

1
728 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (#20 GBOAT) | Lorraine Hansberry - RECLAIMED 1:30:35

1M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

As part of the "25 for '25" series, Jacke starts the episode with a look at #20 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Then he reclaims a previous episode devoted to Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, a brilliant playwright who died at the tragically young age of 34. (The Hansbe…

1
727 Earthly Paradise in Old French Verse (with Jacob Abell) | My Last Book with Victorian Literature Expert Allen MacDuffie | A Dueling Neapolitan Passionate for Poetry 1:04:12

1M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What happened to Eden? While today we might view the story of Adam and Eve as metaphorical, for many generations of Christians, the Earthly Paradise was a vibrant symbol at the heart of the cosmos. In this episode, Jacke talks to Jacob Abell about his book Spiritual and Material Boundaries in Old French Verse: Contemplating the Walls of the Earthly…

1
Coffee Gear, Pt. 5: One-Year Update on Jonathan’s Coffee Setup & Journey 1:17:25

1M ago1:17:25

1:17:25

What happens when an obsessive gear reviewer dives headfirst into the expansive world of espresso? It’s now been over a year since our last update on Jonathan Ellsworth’s coffee journey, so Eli and he talk about what’s new in his setup; what he’s learned (or rejected) from the depths of coffee videos and online forums; and whether this whole thing …

1
Waiting for a Train 59:51

1M ago59:51

59:51

By Jonathan Finn

1
726 England vs France - A Literary Battle Royale (with Mike Palindrome) - RECLAIMED 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

“Our dear enemies,” a French writer once called the English. Englishman John Cleese called the French “our natural enemies” and joked “if we have to fight anyone, I say let’s fight the French.” With the exception of some (very important) twentieth-century alliances, the French and the English have been at each others’ throats for a thousand years. …

1
Ellie Robson on Mary Midgley on Animals 16:05

1M ago16:05

16:05

Mary Midgley didn't begin publishing until she was 59 years old, but nevertheless made a significant impact and had a distinctive approach. In this episode of Philosophy Bites Ellie Robson discusses some of her key ideas about our relationship with other animals.

1
Sari Nusseibeh on Philosophy and Conflict 24:23

1M ago24:23

24:23

Many people think philosophical discucssion is a luxury in times of conflict, but the Palestinian philosopher Sari Nusseibeh is more optimistic. In this episode of Philosophy Bites, recorded in early 2025, he explains why.

1
725 The Trial by Franz Kafka (#21 GBOAT) | Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian (with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith) | An Uplifting Story 1:18:40

2M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Jacke starts the episode with an uplifting story, then submerges himself into chaos and absurdity for a look at The Trial by Franz Kafka, which lands at #21 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. Then he welcomes novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith to the show for a discussion of her admiration for Edith Wharton, her passion for the works of Patrick…

1
The Cast Iron Comeback: Field Company Co-Founder, Stephen Muscarella 59:23

2M ago59:23

59:23

Fact: Cast iron is having a moment. And that’s true even while the cast-iron skillet has never lost its standing as one of the most iconic of culinary tools. So today, Eli talks with Field Company co-founder, Stephen Muscarella, about how a vintage pan sparked a journey to reimagine cast iron from the ground up. They get into what makes cast iron s…

1
Now or Never 59:15

2M ago59:15

59:15

By Jonathan Finn

1
724 The Stranger by Albert Camus (#22 Greatest Book of All Time) | Christopher Isherwood (with Jake Poller) | Postcard from a Listener in Yunnan 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Put on your black turtleneck! Jacke starts the episode with a look at #22 on the list of The Greatest Books of All Time, The Stranger by Albert Camus. Then he talks to Jake Poller about British and American novelist and playwright Christopher Isherwood, whose Goodbye to Berlin was adapted into the stage musical and movie Cabaret. In discussing his …

1
Ghia’s Journey from ‘Shark Tank’ to the Mainstream 54:36

2M ago54:36

54:36

Ghia is a drink brand that isn’t trying to be beer, wine, or spirits — and definitely not a “mocktail.” It’s bitter, bold, and built for people who want a drink that doesn’t play it safe. Today, Eli talks with Ghia founder Mélanie Masarin about building a culinary inspired non-alcoholic option that’s not about sobriety, but about choice, occasion, …

1
723 The Moral Rights of Authors (with Mira T Sundara Rajan) | My Last Book with Radha Vatsal 1:16:28

2M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

As technology advances, the ability of authors and artists to prevent their works from being pirated or misused has become urgent. In this episode, Jacke talks to copyright expert Mira T. Sundara Rajan (The Moral Rights of Authors and Artists: From the Birth of Copyright to the Age of Artificial Intelligence) about the history of copyright law, the…

1
Like Humans Do 1:00:48

2M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

By Jonathan Finn

1
722 Kerouac's Road - A Conversation with Ebs Burnough, Director of a New Kerouac Documentary | My Last Book with Beat Generation Expert Steven Belletto 1:03:15

2M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Since its publication in 1957, Jack Kerouac's iconic novel On the Road has inspired millions to head for the highways and live life to its fullest. In this episode, Jacke talks to filmmaker Ebs Burnough about his new documentary Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation, which interweaves stories of modern-day travelers with those influenced by or conne…

1
721 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (The #23 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:28:14

2M ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Jacke continues his journey through the list of the 25 Greatest Books of All Time with a look at Flaubert's "perfect novel," Madame Bovary (1856-57). Telling the story of the bored wife of a provincial doctor who enters into a series of infidelities, Flaubert's debut caused an immediate sensation - and changed the way we've come to view both novels…

1
OUR GUY WON! Celebrating CRAFTED co-host, Eli Brown, on His Grant Award + What's Next for His Project 24:51

2M ago24:51

24:51

On CRAFTED ep. 75 we told you a bit about the proposal Eli submitted re: N/A cocktails. Welp, Eli was awarded the very competitive ‘Raise the Bar’ grant, so Jonathan talks with him about why this is a big deal, and Eli shares more details about his project. Congrats, Eli! We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’…

1
Robert Talisse on Civic Solitude 17:42

2M ago17:42

17:42

Democracy is about acting as a group, but, surprisingly, Robert Talisse argues that what it needs to function well is a degree of solitude for citizens. In-group and out-group dynamics mean that individuals become vulnerable to being pushed towards more extreme views than they would otherwise hold. There is, Talisse, maintains, a need to balance ti…

1
720 The 25 Greatest Books of All Time - #24 "The Odyssey" by Homer | The Conclusion to F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" (with Mike Palindrome) 1:23:43

2M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Jacke continues his analysis of "The 25 Greatest Books of All Time" by a special look at Homer's Odyssey. Then Mike Palindrome, the president of the Literature Supporters Club, joins Jacke for a discussion of the second half of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 story, "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," in which a young midwesterner travels to a secluded Mo…

1
719 "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F Scott Fitzgerald (with Mike Palindrome) | 25 for 25 - #25 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 1:51:49

2M ago1:51:49

1:51:49

In June of 1922, the twenty-five-year-old wunderkind F. Scott Fitzgerald published "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," an incredible story of fabulously wealthy people living a secret life in remote Montana. Later that month, he began composing his most famous work, The Great Gatsby. In this episode, Jacke and Mike read and discuss this early Fitzger…

1
Wooden Ships 57:09

2M ago57:09

57:09

By Jonathan Finn

1
718 Jim - The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade (with Shelley Fisher Fishkin) | Mark Twain's Dreams 1:36:04

2M ago1:36:04

1:36:04

In this episode, Jacke talks to eminent Twain scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin (Was Huck Black?: Mark Twain and African-American Voices) about her new book Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade, which sheds new light on the origins and influence of Mark Twain's beloved yet polarizing figure. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the recent …

1
717 Einstein and Kafka (with Ken Krimstein) | Dr Johnson Helps a Friend (and Changes the Course of Literary History) | My Last Book with Fernando Pessoa Expert Bartholomew Ryan 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

It's an action-packed day at the History of Literature! First, Jacke recounts the story of Dr. Johnson racing to the aid of his friend, the playwright Oliver Goldsmith, whose landlady was threatening him with debtor's prison. Naturally, the great critic and dictionary author Johnson found a very literary way to help. Then Jacke is joined by author …

1
What is ‘Amaro’ & Why is Bitter Better? Sennza Finne on a Spirit You Should Know 1:02:11

2M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

Amaro is bitter, complex, and a little mysterious — and most people have no idea what it actually is. So in this episode, Eli talks with the folks behind Sennza Finne, a Seattle-based amaro producer making small-batch, seasonal expressions. We get into what amaro is (and isn’t); how their experience as bartenders shaped their process; and why every…

1
Undercover 1:01:03

3M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

By Jonathan Finn

1
716 Icelandic Folk Legends (with Dagrun Osk Jonsdottir) | John le Carre at the Bodleian 58:28

3M ago58:28

58:28

Since the first permanent settlers landed there more than a thousand years ago, Iceland has been perhaps the most unique and enchanting place in all of Europe. How fitting, then, for its people to have developed unique, enchanting, and captivating stories involving hidden people, trolls, ghosts, sea monsters, and more. In this episode, Jacke talks …

1
Hanno Sauer on The World History of Morality 24:33

3M ago24:33

24:33

How did morality evolve? Why do different cultures have such a similar set of moral norms and values? Hanno Sauer gives an evolutionary story that explains the genealogy of morality through human co-operation.