Best Red Letter Philosophy Podcasts (2024)

1
Divine Hiddenness & C. S. Lewis 14:49

2h ago14:49

14:49

When we experience evil, or silence from heaven, can any answers, any consolation, be found in philosophy? In this episode we consider this question in the light of C. S. Lewis.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
The Red Army Victorious: The Conquest of Several Counties in Jiangxi and Fujian in the Spring of 1929 29:46

2d ago29:46

29:46

The conquest of Yudu, Xingguo, Ningdu, Longyan, and Yongding counties by the Fourth Red Army. Zhu De reminisces. Also, poetry. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-Decembe…

1
bl: Summertime Teaser 2024. 1:27

2d ago1:27

1:27

A small advice on ferns and blossoms, nothing more. 🌸 Credits: http://blisaletter.ru/

1
Mao Tells Zhou Enlai about Guerrilla Warfare 24:14

2M ago24:14

24:14

Mao’s April 5, 1929 reply to Zhou Enlai. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930 David Apter and Tony Saich, Revolutionary Discourse in Mao’s Republic Tony Saic…

1
Deus Absconditus 13:53

2M ago13:53

13:53

The world can seem a silent and indifferent place in the face of suffering and confusion. Where is God? Why should God, as some tell us, be in a whisper? Why should God dwell in secret places? In this episode we take up The hiddenness of God, the Deus absconditus.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
The Party Center Attempts to Assert Control over the Red Army and Orders Mao and Zhu to Report to Shanghai 22:24

3M ago22:24

22:24

A close look at Zhou Enlai’s February 7, 1929, letter to Mao Zedong and Zhu De. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930 E. H. Carr, Foundations of a Planned Eco…

1
RLP Replay: What's So Good About Good Friday? 17:26

3M ago17:26

17:26

As we continue recovering from being under the weather, we bring you one of our Easter favorites. On this holiday episode of Red Letter Philosophy we ask the question, what’s so good about Good Friday? We also discuss the frame or boundary that is Holy Week. In the words of Peter Kreeft, “it takes boundaries to make anything interesting. If a pictu…

1
RLP Replay: The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde 14:10

4M ago14:10

14:10

This St. Patrick’s Day finds us under the weather. Rather than miss the day, we offer/bring one of our St Patrick’s Day favorites. Is St. Patrick’s Day a celebration of the Irish; Irish history, Irish storytelling, Ireland herself, or is St. Patrick’s Day a celebration of a saint and of the one who molded the saint? We couldn’t decide. So, on this …

1
Mao’s March 20 Letter to the Central Committee, and the 5th Red Army’s Retreat from the Jinggangshan (January to April 1929) 25:08

4M ago25:08

25:08

Mao plans to expand guerrilla warfare, and meets up with Peng Dehuai in Ruijin. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930 Stephen Averill, Revolution in the Highl…

1
World In My Eyes 11:33

4M ago11:33

11:33

In this episode we contemplate the problems of silence and unbelief through the eyes of Jean Paul Sartre and Frederick Nietzsche. Do these two great atheist philosophers agree, fundamentally, with the great Christian philosophers? Take up and listen.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
RLP Holiday: Love & Death 15:18

5M ago15:18

15:18

Every once in a while Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day; this episode is for such days. Love and death are visitors from another world, doors in the wall of the world. Join us as we contemplate love and death.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
On the Experience of the National Bourgeoisie in the New Democratic Revolution 26:43

5M ago26:43

26:43

Some reflections on the experience of Shanghai capitalists after 1949 prompted by the ‘Notice to Merchants and Intellectuals’ that Mao issued after taking Changting in 1929. Further reading: Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930 Yao Wenyuan, “On th…

1
Policy of Truth 12:33

5M ago12:33

12:33

After a three month hiatus, Red Letter Philosophy returns. The boys pick up their discussion of the problem of silence and the problem of unbelief. In particular, they look at an intriguing argument from famed author, Andrew Klavan.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
A New Communist Order in Changting (March 1929) 34:07

6M ago34:07

34:07

Looking at what Mao and Zhu De did to install a new Communist order after conquering Changting. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Agnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De] Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of…

1
Bonus Tale 5: Red, Warm & Alive. 13:20

6M ago13:20

13:20

Facing Christmastime without a tale, albeit an extremely cruel one, just seemed… inappropriate. So we are giving you a chilling story about cold weather, death, and the importance of being gentle. Full transcript for the episode available here: http://blisaletter.ru/2023/12/24/bonus-tale-05-morozko/ * * * Our narrator for today is once again Peter …

1
Leaving Donggu, Taking Changting (February to March 1929) 22:50

7M ago22:50

22:50

How the Fourth Red Army spent their time in Donggu, and how they took the first city in the new base area in the Jiangxi-Fujian border region. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Agnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De] Joseph Fewsmith, Forging Leninism in China: Mao…

1
Bonus Tale 4: The Nesting Doll of Death. 19:28

8M ago19:28

19:28

The tale we are sharing today is agruably one of the most recognsable ones; it combines the idea of an enchanted animal spouse, a quest for a lost wife, and the first proper appearance of Baba Yaga in this podcast. Full transcript for the episode available here: http://blisaletter.ru/2023/11/19/bonus-tale-04-frog-princess/ * * * Our narrator for to…

1
RLP Holiday: Memento Mori 18:58

8M ago18:58

18:58

Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day: a trinity of holy and deathly days. In an increasingly secular age, these days become excuses to indulge the appetites: hedonism & ghoulishness. However, these days are days of profundity and depth when seen in the correct light. Join us as we contemplate mystery, death, and spirit in this episode of Red Le…

1
Bonus Tale 3: A Gift Horse In The Cellar. 13:03

8M ago13:03

13:03

The tale we are sharing today is yet another one about the dead - in this case, the grateful ones. Full transcript is available on our website: http://blisaletter.ru/2023/10/31/bonus-tale-03-a-gift-horse/ * * * Our narrator for today is Peter Joseph Lewis, again. Were you fascinated by his mouse? Time to meet his horse. * * * Narration & script: St…

1
Enjoy the Silence 16:08

9M ago16:08

16:08

Do we live on a silent planet? Are we merely insignificant specs of dust adrift in an indifferent cosmos? Or do we have reason to think otherwise? We’re on the road and searching for answers; join us, will you?By Red Letter Philosophy

1
From Dabodi to Donggu: The Retreat from the Jinggangshan Continues (February 1929) 20:48

9M ago20:48

20:48

The Mao-Zhu Army raises funds in Ningdu and moves on to the Donggu base area for rest and recovery. Background on Donggu. Link to map of Jiangxi province: https://www.chinamaps.org/china/provincemaps/jiangxi-province-map.html Further reading: Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi …

1
Running for Their Lives: The Retreat from the Jinggangshan (January to February 1929) 22:00

9M ago22:00

22:00

Mao and the Fourth Red Army break the encirclement of the Jinggangshan and retreat across southern Jiangxi with the Guomindang in hot pursuit. Link to map of Jiangxi province: https://www.chinamaps.org/china/provincemaps/jiangxi-province-map.html Further reading/watching on the difficulties of finding good maps of China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wi…

1
Frameworks for Thinking about Tragic Historical Shortcomings of the Socialist Experience 28:28

9M ago28:28

28:28

Answering a listener question on the Great Leap Forward famine. Further reading: Mobo Gao, The Battle for China’s Past United Nations, “Losing 25,000 to Hunger Every Day” Minhaz Merchant, “Churchill’s Bengal Famine” Karl Marx, Capital Mike Davis, Late Victorian Holocausts Frederick Engels, The Condition of the Working Class in England Support the S…

1
The End of the Sixth Congress 33:04

9M ago33:04

33:04

We wrap up our discussion of the Sixth Congress with a discussion of the political line coming out of the congress, and some related issues. Further reading: Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist Party Chang Kuo-t’ao [Zhang Guotao], The Rise of the Chinese Communist Party (2 volumes) Daniel Kwan, Marxist Intellectuals and the Chine…

1
Clashing Communists and Comintern Guidance: The 6th Congress Gets off to a Rocky Start 21:22

9M ago21:22

21:22

Qu Qiubai’s report and proposal are disputed, and the Comintern intervenes to restore order. Further reading: Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist Party Chang Kuo-t’ao [Zhang Guotao], The Rise of the Chinese Communist Party (2 volumes) Daniel Kwan, Marxist Intellectuals and the Chinese Labor Movement: A Study of Deng Zhongxia, 189…

1
The Problem of Unbelief 19:18

10M ago19:18

19:18

Do you struggle with belief? Are you disturbed by the apparent silence (or indifference) of the universe? If so, then this is the episode for you. Join us for a discussion of belief, silence, and much more in this first episode of season six.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
Bukharin on the Nature of the Chinese Revolution in 1928 38:08

10M ago38:08

38:08

Our third (and last) close look at Bukharin’s speech at the 6th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, held in Moscow in the summer of 1928. Further reading: Nikolai Bukharin, “On the International Situation and the Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party” Lenin, “Speech at the First All-Russia Congress of Working Women” Some names from this episode…

1
RLP Special: Death in the Grand Canyon (Refreshed) 16:00

10M ago16:00

16:00

The Grand Canyon is a place where the veil between this world and the next world grows thin; a place where we learn to take life, but not ourselves, seriously. In this episode, we look again at the death and spookiness that surrounds the canyon.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
RLP Special: Chance or the Dance (Refreshed) 16:15

11M ago16:15

16:15

In this episode, we continue our contemplation of a mystery. We began, two episodes ago, with G. K. Chesterton and his comment about seeing in “the light of the supernatural”. In the last episode we continued our musings with Peter Kreeft and his comments about the sea within. Now, we come to Thomas Howard and his comments about perception & realit…

1
RLP Special: The Sea Within (Refreshed) 12:13

11M ago12:13

12:13

The Summer of the supernatural continues. In this episode we revisit and refresh a pervious episode, The Sea Within. Perhaps the supernatural isn’t so far from the natural; perhaps what we call natural is supernatural from a certain point of view.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
RLP Special: Life Is a Pigsty (Refreshed) 15:15

12M ago15:15

15:15

Approximately five years ago we posted our first episode. The episode was, and is, titled, Life Is A Pigsty. In this episode, we reexamine, and elaborate upon, that first episode. Morrissey, Chesterton, & the messiness of life, on this episode of Red Letter Philosophy.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
Bonus Tale 2: The Devil You Know. 13:40

12M ago13:40

13:40

The main idea of today's tale, "The Smith and the Devil", is a common belief that a good master of their craft must have some sort of relationship with the dark side of the supernatural. Full transcript is available on our website: http://blisaletter.ru/2023/07/09/bonus-tale-02-devil-u-know/ * * * Our narrator for today is David Ault, who gave his …

1
Farewell & Adieu 20:50

1y ago20:50

20:50

In this episode of Red Letter Philosophy, we bid farewell to season five. We’ve been on a metaphysical journey through Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and contemporary philosophy. What conclusions can be drawn from our journey? Will we make it back home? “Tune in” and find out.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
Bonus Tale 1: Live, Laugh, Full Stop. 12:29

1y ago12:29

12:29

The tale we are going to offer you today is called "The Princess Who Would Not Smile", and is somehow about the ways to treat the undead. Full transcript is available on our website: http://blisaletter.ru/2023/06/19/bonus-tale-01-live-laugh/ * * * Our narrator for today is THE Peter Joseph Lewis, and trust us, you can't be fully ready for the mouse…

1
RLP Holiday: Fatherhood & Reality 10:58

1y ago10:58

10:58

Is it, as Freud said, that we are projecting our fathers onto the face of God, or is it that we project our inner knowledge God onto the face of our fathers? Do our desires and expectations come from a higher place? In this episode of Red Letter Philosophy, we explore the relationship between fatherhood and reality. Take up and listen.…

1
Thomas Howard: Chance or Dance? 17:04

1y ago17:04

17:04

Is it that nothing means anything or that everything means everything? Two myths, two ways of understanding life and the world; the culmination of Augustine, Pascal, and our season: on this week’s Red Letter Philosophy. Take up and listen.By Red Letter Philosophy

1
bl: Bonus Announcement 1:23

1y ago1:23

1:23

Just a checkpoint in this journey. * * * Transcript for the announcement available at http://blisaletter.ru/2023/06/01/bl-bonus-announcement/ * * * Narration & script: Stacy, doc. Music: Andrei Popov.

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