Cultural Debris
Cultural Debris is a podcast hosted by Alan Cornett who interviews guests and explores culture in the tradition of Russell Kirk, Wendell Berry, the Inklings, the Agrarians, and the Distributists.
Episodes
Laird Mackintosh is a longtime Broadway actor who had the opportunity and privilege to play the Phantom himself in the final performances of the Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom closed in April after 35 years on Broadway and was Broadway’s longest running show.
Laird discusses playing the Phantom, his long association with the show, and the unpredictable life of being a Broadway actor. In addition, he a...
My guest is Dale Ahlquist who has made the study and promotion of the works and ideas of G.K. Chesterton his life’s work. We preview the upcoming Chesterton Society Conference, the growth of the Chesterton School network, as well as the status of the campaign to have G.K. Chesterton officially declared a saint. Plus, Dale’s thoughts on traveling to Genoa on a Cultural Debris Excursion.
Ferenc Hörcher comes to us from Budapest where he is a professor of political science and philosophy. He is the author most recently of Art and Politics in Roger Scruton’s Conservative Philosophy from Palgrave Macmillan. He is a leading scholar on the writings and thought of Roger Scruton and traditional conservatism. Ferenc and I discuss Roger Scruton’s ties to Central Europe and how it helped shape him, his growing ...
John Herreid is editor of a new art compilation from Ignatius Press titled The Catholic Home Gallery: Eighteen Works of Art by Contemporary Catholic Artists. We discuss the dying world of good used bookstores, what makes authentic art, and how to DIY your way to beautiful art on your own walls.
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My guest is His Imperial and Royal Highness, His Excellency Eduard Habsburg. He is Archduke of Austria and Ambassador of Hungary to The Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta. He is also a member of perhaps Europe’s most famous family. Plus, he is the author of a new book from Sophia Institute Press titled The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules For Turbulent Times.
The ambassador and I discuss the value of ev...
Kathryn Wehr is editor of the new Wade Annotated Edition of The Man Born to be King by Dorothy L. Sayers, which is published by IVP. We discuss Sayers’s challenges in realizing her vision for the work, the secretary who tried to change it, and Sayers’s trinitarian understanding of the creative process as well as her friendship with C.S. Lewis. Plus, we may just have your soundtrack for Holy Week.
Eric Twardzik is a regular in such publications as the Robb Report, WM Brown, and Drake’s online. His focus is men’s clothing and the drinks scene. We discuss classic American Ivy Style, its expressions in such places as Italy and Japan, Eric’s visit to Kentucky, and the rise of the white Negroni. Plus, Eric discusses a sheep to suit tailoring project.
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Holly Ordway is the first returning guest on Cultural Debris. Holly and I discuss her most recent book Tales of Faith: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel Through Literature. Holly and I discuss the value of literature, receiving vs using stories, why reading fiction can be a dangerous act, and why so much modern Christian art is so bad. Plus, we get a preview of Holly’s fascinating upcoming book.
Kevin Gutzman is Professor of History at Western Connecticut State University. He has published half a dozen books on Jefferson, Madison, and the Constitution. His latest book is The Jeffersonians.
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My guest is Raj Bhakta. Raj is a true practitioner of the art of cultural debris. From founding one of the first premium whiskey brands, Whistle Pig—based out of Vermont, of all places—to buying an actual college at auction, Raj is not one to limit himself.
We talk about all of those things, but especially Raj and I discuss the oldest known spirit, Armagnac, and his discovery of a great horde of Armagnac...
My guest is Os Guinness, long a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, Guinness was born in China and educated at Oxford. He is a prolific author, most recently of The Great Quest and Zero Hour America, both from IVP.
In our conversation we discuss the cultural crisis in America and if a turnaround is even possible. Os also discusses his childhood in China, his time with Francis Schaeffer, a chance meet...
Annette Kirk was kind enough to sit down with me to talk on a recent visit to Piety Hill in Mecosta, Michigan in the brick Italianate home that she and Russell Kirk built a half century ago.
Annette talks about growing up on Long Island, her activist mother, being present in the early days of the conservative movement at William F. Buckley’s home, and later meeting Russell Kirk. We discuss the culture s...
Luke Sheahan of Duquesne University and the newly appointed editor of The University Bookman, a book review journal founded by Russell Kirk and edited by him until his death. Dr. Sheahan steps into the role left vacant by the passing of the great Gerald Russello, someone we all greatly miss.
Dr. Sheahan and I discuss his plans for the Bookman, the debate between Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley on aca...
Jason M. Baxter is a professor at the University of Notre Dame and has a new book from InterVarsity Press titled The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis.
Dr. Baxter and I discuss the C.S. Lewis few ever talk about, the dangers of presentism, and how the medievals aren’t at all like the common stereotypes. Plus, for the second podcast in a row football comes up.
Michael Possanner is a bespoke tailor in Vienna, Austria. Michael and I discuss the value of bespoke tailoring, his non-traditional journey to learning the ancient trade, his love of American football, and his passion of mixology and collecting vintage cocktail books.
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Dr. Greg Hillis of Bellarmine University in Louisville. He is author of the recent book Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision from Liturgical Press.
Dr. Hillis and I discuss Merton’s reputation, his role as novice master at the Abbey of Gethsemani, his interaction with the Kentucky literary scene, and the significance of Merton’s interest in Eastern religions.
Dominican Friar Fr. Gregory Pine is a host of the podcast Godsplaining and frequently appears on Pints With Aquinas. He is author of the new book Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly published by Our Sunday Visitor.
Fr. Pine and I discuss the idea of prudence, its philosophical roots, and his favorite Kentucky bourbon distilleries, plus his strange encounter with a biker in Kentucky’s Red River Gorg...
Anthony Amore is a Boston based New York Times bestselling author and art security expert. He is author most recently of The Woman Who Stole Vermeer: The True Story of Rose Dugdale.
He also works as Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum where he endeavors to recover the thirteen works of art stolen from the Gardner in a daring heist in 1990.
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Jessica Hooten Wilson is author of the new book The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints from Brazos Press. Jessica is a professor at the University of Dallas and has written previously on Walker Percy and Fydor Dostoevesky. She currently is preparing a manuscript on Flannery O’Connor.
Jessica and I discuss facing the reality of our own limitati...
My guest is art historian Danielle Oteri who wrote a wonderful article published in The Paris Review about the Unicorn Tapestries in the Met Cloisters.
Danielle and I discuss mystery and wonder, angels and unicorns. And a security guard named Howie. Oh, and a squirrel.
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