The Torch: The Great Courses Podcast
70 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 7 years ago - ★★★★ - 131 ratingsThe Great Courses brings engaging professors from the best universities to lifelong learners on audio and video. We create a "university of the best," working closely with our customers to design each Great Course. With this podcast hosted by Ed Leon, you'll meet our fascinating professors and experts who create The Great Courses, listen to their stories and insights, and learn more about the great work they are doing. Discover scientists explaining the latest findings from the fields of astronomy, particle physics, or neuroscience; historians exploring the implications of the latest archaeological findings; medical experts making sense of current health alerts or medical breakthroughs; and literature professors bringing fresh insights to classic literary works. This podcast is available in audio-only format. More information about our courses can be found at www.TheGreatCourses.com.
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Episodes
ISIS: A Cultural and Historical Perspective
September 15, 2014 14:40 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBThe militant organization called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is grabbing front-page headlines and disrupting the global landscape. Learn why ISIS calls itself a caliphate; the source of their wealth and power; and whether their goal of a pan-Islamic state is achievable. What can the global community do to prevent ISIS from gaining more power?
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, How Things Go Viral, and the Neuroscience of Mindfulness
September 11, 2014 14:04 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBDiscover the "perfect storm" of factors that made the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge so popular; learn how to apply big data to make big waves with your business; and learn why our brains are not hardwired for a sense of well-being.
Touch American History with the Smithsonian & The Great Courses
September 03, 2014 13:46 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBThis month marks the inaugural Great Course produced in partnership with the Smithsonian. Join Host Ed Leon as he chats about Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour through American History with Professor Richard Kurin, the Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture at the Smithsonian.
Special Edition: The Ebola Outbreak
August 12, 2014 19:47 - 14 minutes - 20.6 MBThe outbreak of Ebola in West Africa is larger than any other Ebola outbreak in history, having over 1700 confirmed cases and over 950 deaths to date. Join Ed Leon of The Great Courses and Dr. Roy Benaroch as they discuss the outbreak, the transmission of the disease, its treatment, and what it means to the medical community.
Big Data, Big City Life, and a Big Question about Jesus Christ
July 30, 2014 14:34 - 28 minutes - 40.6 MBExamine the many uses of Big Data: from Netflix to military intelligence; gain insights into the first cities of the ancient world; and consider the most fundamental question about Jesus Christ.
Our 500th Course, the Not-so-Dark Ages, and Trust Mechanisms
July 01, 2014 21:02 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBA veteran professor shares stories from his 24 years with The Great Courses; we discover that the Dark Ages was actually a time of great innovations; and we learn the various skills behind successful negotiation.
Family History, Philosophical Politics, and Joyful Math
June 03, 2014 22:33 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBGain a personal connection to world history through genealogy, reconnect with the joy of mathematics, and scratch the surface of politics to reveal the philosophy beneath.
A Healthier, Wealthier, Smarter You
May 13, 2014 21:47 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBGet an inside view how doctors think and how it can help you become a better patient; revisit battles that could have sent history in an entirely different direction; and gain the confidence to invest in the stock market.
Explore the World with The Great Courses
April 09, 2014 13:51 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MBExperience European cities that are frozen in time; schedule your vacation activities to capture the best photos; and gain insight on the latest discovery about the moment just after the Big Bang.
Four Thermodynamic Laws, Four-Year-Olds, and Our 24th Anniversary
March 19, 2014 22:12 - 26 minutes - 35.6 MBTake a romp from the four laws of thermodynamics to an appropriate parenting style for your four-year-old to the twenty-four year history of The Great Courses!
Special Edition: The Crisis in Ukraine
March 13, 2014 17:15 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MBToday, we have a surprise for you: a free special edition podcast! Host Ed Leon talks about the crisis in Ukraine with Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius. Does this current crisis bear historical resemblance to earlier European foreign policy emergencies? In what way is this crisis a result of the collapse of Communism and the Soviet Union?
Essential Science, Sacred Texts of the World, and Customer Stories
February 11, 2014 20:23 - 26 minutes - 37 MBIgnorance is the fuel for science. Yearning is the fuel for the writers of sacred texts. And your passion for learning is our reason for being!
Barbarians of the Steppes, The Birth and Death of Stars, and Successful Individual Investing
January 20, 2014 17:24 - 31 minutes - 42.4 MBExperience the fascinating world of Genghis Khan and the barbarians of the Steppes; learn the secrets of successful individual investors; and follow a star from stellar nursery to supernova explosion.
Learning Creativity, The Origin and Future of Earth, and Ancient Engineering
December 11, 2013 21:06 - 29 minutes - 39 MBDiscover the secrets to unlocking creativity, even if you don’t consider yourself creative; learn how geology factors into the evolution of life on Earth; and explore the genius inventions of the engineers of ancient Greece and Rome.
Linguistic Oddities, Yoga and Aging, Cultural Intelligence
November 11, 2013 14:00 - 33 minutes - 20.3 MBJoin The Great Courses and learn origins of the term "baby mama"; uncover the secrets to staying fit and healthy; and hear real-world advice for navigating cultures and customs of the world.
Classical Superstars, The Piano, and Robert Greenberg
October 07, 2013 14:00 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBJoin host Ed Leon as Robert Greenberg, prolific composer, music scholar, and impresario of The Great Courses, explores the history of piano music and composers Beethoven and Mozart.
Christian Controversies, Storytelling, and Professor Appreciation Month
September 16, 2013 14:00 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MBDid Jesus have a twin brother? How can you turn a personal experience into a compelling and powerful piece of storytelling? Has society ever truly learned the lessons of the costs of war? Join host Ed Leon as he explores these and other fascinating ideas by Bart D. Ehrman, Hannah B. Harvey, and J. Rufus Fears in celebration of Professor Appreciation Month at The Great Courses.
Culinary History, Battling Cancer, and Music and Math
August 07, 2013 14:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBExperience the lavish excess of a Renaissance feast; learn which tests accurately detect early stages of cancer...and the ones that do not; and understand how your music player transforms digital ones and zeros into the music you love with the underlying foundation of mathematics. Join host Ed Leon as he explores these and other fascinating ideas with experts from The Great Courses. Listen as professor and author Ken Albala takes us back in time to explore key eras of culinary history; resea...
Cyber Security, Gardening, and Mental Math
June 04, 2013 14:23 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBDive into the high-stakes cyber battles being played out as countries, cyber criminals, and hackers seek control of the digital frontier. Increase your home's curb appeal and get ready for barbeques with this step-by-step guide to gardening. And keep your mind sharp with mental math "magic!" In this riveting episode, explore fascinating ideas with experts from The Great Courses. Listen as: --Paul Rosenzweig discusses the "hidden war" that now threatens nearly every American household; ...
Photography, Space, Color, and Wine
March 26, 2013 15:38 - 29 minutes - 38.5 MBMeteors hitting the earth? A National Geographic photographer who puts it all on the line for his art? How do colors affect your brain or your wine choices? Who better to give some guidance than the expert professors from The Great Courses! In this debut podcast that spans the artistic to the catastrophic, listen to our professors share their thoughts on asteroids, photography techniques, and more. Discover as: --Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer, shares stories of taking photos...