This section of Beowulf introduces the poem's opening, establishing a warrior culture in Denmark during/after the Viking Age. It focuses on the legendary Shield Sheafson, founder of the Scylding dynasty, highlighting his rise from foundling to powerful king who wasn't afraid to wreck a mead-hall. The segment then traces the genealogy to Hrothgar, builder of the magnificent mead-hall, Heorot. This sets the stage (time, place, origins of the ruling dynasty) before the arrival of the monster, Grendel, disrupting the (relative) peace and prosperity.

The blog is a motivational guide for men aged 40+ dealing with midlife stagnation. It uses the analogy of medieval warfare to encourage viewers to reclaim their lives by re-evaluating their priorities, fortifying their strengths, and breaking through personal barriers. The video combines historical examples, practical exercises, and community support to offer actionable advice in a humorous and relatable manner. The goal is to empower men to take charge, conquer their challenges, and find renewed purpose in middle age.

The blog discusses the poetic techniques used in Beowulf, focusing on how the poem functions as oral literature. It highlights three main stylistic features: alliterative verse (with its A-line and B-line structure), kennings (formulaic epithets), and gnomic statements (general, traditional comments). The video argues that these elements aided memory and transmission in a time before widespread writing. It suggests that alliterative verse is where the linking of letters is how poets organized sound, and that the oral pattern made it easy for people to remember. The presenter describes the "art of stating the bleeding obvious", describing the gnomic statements throughout Beowulf, and describes that these come to start and end section of the poem.

This blog offers middle-aged men practical advice on using Stoicism to navigate the challenges of mid-life. It uses Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle Is the Way" as a springboard to discuss Stoic principles like the Dichotomy of Control, Negative Visualization, and Virtue Ethics. The video avoids overly philosophical language, opting for relatable examples, a conversational tone, and a bit of British humour (including some swearing). It emphasizes taking actionable steps to face challenges head-on, rather than succumbing to a midlife crisis. It also acknowledges the limitations of Stoicism and encourages viewers to start a community to support each other.

The blog explores Beowulf's evolution from a glory-seeking warrior to a selfless king. It analyses his battles (with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon), highlighting the Anglo-Saxon values of loyalty, courage, and the acceptance of fate. The video contrasts Beowulf with modern heroes. Ultimately, it argues for bringing back the classic masculine role model.

This Blog for men aged 40+ aims to combat mid-life stagnation by encouraging viewers to find purpose, lead by example, and cultivate a positive mindset. It challenges the concept of a mid-life crisis, urging viewers to identify their personal "crusade" and actively fight against the forces holding them back. The script emphasizes action, self-improvement, and building a supportive community, all delivered with direct and realistic language. It combines tough love with practical advice to inspire viewers to reclaim their lives and overcome feelings of disillusionment.

This blog explores how the epic poem "Beowulf" reflects timeless human anxieties, specifically the fear of the unknown (represented by monsters like Grendel), the fear of death and fate ("wyrd"), and the fear of losing control and relevance (illustrated by Beowulf's ageing). By connecting these ancient fears to modern-day concerns like crime, technological anxieties, ageing, and career obsolescence, the video argues that "Beowulf" remains powerfully relevant as a guide to confronting our deepest dreads.

Roman military success stemmed from its organised legions, innovative formations like the Testudo, and strategic approaches such as the Fabian Strategy. Legions were flexible, standardised, and well-supplied. The Testudo provided protection against projectiles, while the Fabian Strategy aimed to weaken enemies through attrition. The Roman legion's adaptability and versatility made it superior to the Greek phalanx, which was rigid and limited by terrain. Roman legions, with their flexible structure and diverse weaponry, proved more effective across various battlefield conditions, leading to greater military achievements.

This blog post argues for the enduring relevance of Beowulf as an archetypal hero, lamenting the decline of masculine ideals in modern media. It traces Beowulf's evolution from a glory-seeking warrior to a selfless king, highlighting his embodiment of Anglo-Saxon values such as loyalty, courage, and a willingness to face fate. The post praises Wiglaf's loyalty and criticises the emasculated portrayals of heroes in contemporary culture, advocating for a return to strong, decisive, and selfless masculine role models like Beowulf.

This newsletter explores the complexities of human thinking and decision-making. It delves into Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow," highlighting System 1 and System 2 thinking, cognitive biases, and the illusion of understanding. It also references Richard Paul and Linda Elder's work on critical thinking, particularly the concepts of deductive and inductive reasoning. The newsletter further explores Kahneman's insights on cognitive ease, the search for causality, and the reliance on heuristics. Finally, it draws upon Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" to emphasise the importance of objectivity, rationality, self-examination, and acceptance of change for clear thinking and virtuous living. The overall aim is to encourage readers to become more aware of their cognitive biases and to cultivate better reasoning skills for a more examined and rational life.

This blog explores why the Old English epic poem Beowulf remains relevant and captivating in the 21st century. It highlights the poem's timeless themes (heroism, fragility of civilisation, language, warrior ethos, mortality, pop culture influence), examines its linguistic features and historical context (Anglo-Saxon England, pagan/Christian blend), and analyzes its lasting influence on modern storytelling, particularly through Tolkien and contemporary adaptations. The script aims to be educational, informative, and engaging, using visuals, humour, and a personal touch to connect with a broad audience. It encourages viewers to appreciate Beowulf's enduring power and its ability to illuminate universal human experiences.

Inspired by Robert Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War," this newsletter explores the importance of avoiding groupthink and establishing effective command-and-control. It emphasises the perils of divided leadership, advocating for a unified command structure led by trusted deputies who share a common vision. By cultivating a skilled team, streamlining communication, and issuing clear, inspiring orders, leaders can maintain control and achieve success in any competitive environment.

The essay argues for the continued relevance of the Beowulf hero archetype in modern society and fiction. It contends that contemporary heroes have become weak and lack the traditional masculine qualities of honour, strength, and selflessness. By comparing Beowulf to a modern hero (Jack Reacher), the essay highlights the enduring appeal of these qualities and suggests a potential resurgence of this archetype in the future. The author concludes that people crave heroes who are strong, honourable, and capable of protecting them from threats, whether in ancient poems or contemporary novels.

This piece explores Carl von Clausewitz and his seminal work, "On War." It acknowledges the difficulty of reading Clausewitz due to his complex writing style but emphasizes the importance of his ideas in military strategy and beyond. The text provides a brief biography of Clausewitz, then simplifies some of his core concepts: war as politics by other means, the trinity of war (violence, chance, and reason), friction, and the importance of morale. It touches on the "3 Reciprocal Actions" from Book 1 that can escalate conflict and highlights the book's emphasis on war's complex interaction of political goals, human passions, chance, and rational calculation. The author suggests that Clausewitz's principles can be applied to various aspects of life, making his work relevant even for those outside the military field.

The blog post dives into the Old English epic Beowulf with a fun, irreverent tone. It argues that Grendel is undeniably a monster and explores the motivations of Grendel's mother, referencing Jane Chance's theory that her actions stem from grief rather than vengeance. The post then analyzes Beowulf's dive into the underwater lair as a symbolic journey and highlights the heroic qualities—honor, fearlessness, selflessness, and duty—demonstrated by Beowulf. It concludes by emphasizing the poem's enduring themes of courage and the battle against darkness, inviting readers to share their thoughts on heroism and the nature of monsters.