The Reading Party Podcast

Lexie hops on to share an announcement about the Reading Party podcast. Worry not, we will be back with a whole new season sometime in late 2026! In the meantime, we have 3 full seasons of fun content available to check out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back for a very special bonus episode of The Reading Party podcast! Join us as we sit down with Melissanthi Mahut and Michael Antonakos, the voices behind Greek siblings Kassandra and Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The discussion dives into their backgrounds, their connections to Greek mythology, and their experiences working on the game. They explore the challenges and rewards of voice acting for a sprawling historical video game, reminisce about ancient Greek culture, and even brainstorm mythical quests they would love to see in the game. Tune in for an engaging talk sprinkled with humor, thoughtful insights into the ancient world, and a few fun tangents! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final episode of season 3 of The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are discussing the 2016 film “Ben-Hur”. They share their thoughts on the film’s historical accuracy, the anachronisms in costume and set design, and the unexpected presence of Jesus in the narrative. From the dramatic chariot race to the film's ultimate message of forgiveness and redemption, they analyze what worked and what didn't in this modern retelling of a classic tale.The film "Ben-Hur" (2016) attempts to weave together historical and biblical narratives, creating a complex tapestry that can both engage and frustrate viewers. The story centers on Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish man living in Roman-occupied Judea, and his adoptive brother Masala, who becomes a Roman officer. This setup inherently invites a blend of historical context and biblical themes, particularly with the inclusion of Jesus as a character.Join Megan and Lexie as they navigate their way through historical inaccuracies, a confusing and frustrating amount of biblical tropes, and a welcome appearance of the wonderful Morgan Freeman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Reading Party, Megan and Lexie are joined by Dr. Victoria Austen to dive into the 2014 action-adventure film "Pompeii," starring Kit Harington. Join them as they explore the film's unique blend of romance, action, and historical disaster, all set against the backdrop of the infamous volcanic eruption.Dr. Victoria Austen, an expert in the classics, shares her insights on Roman gardens, social history, and the reception of the ancient world in modern media. We discuss everything from the film's portrayal of Roman identity to the accuracy of its volcanic eruption depiction. Expect a lively discussion filled with humor, critical analysis, and plenty of questions about the social dynamics at play in the film. Whether you're a fan of ancient history or just curious about how Hollywood interprets it, this episode is sure to entertain and inform! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Reading Party Podcast, hosts Megan and Lexie dive into the rich narrative of "Eagle of the Ninth" by Rosemary Sutcliffe. Released in 1954, this children's novel explores the journey of Marcus, a Roman soldier, as he navigates life in Britain after being injured and discharged from the army. The hosts discuss their experience of reading it after watching the film adaptation, "The Eagle," starring Channing Tatum, and share their initial impressions of the book, highlighting its engaging plot and historical context. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insights, reflections, and of course, plenty of tea! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.