Spring Break

Now that we’re 6 episodes in, I wanted to give you an update on the new series and my plans for 2019.  I’m planning to break “The Ancient World – Thea” into 6-episode “seasons” with breaks in between.  Which is another way of saying that I’m going back on break for a while. You can expect the second season sometime this Summer and a third season before the end of the year.  I don’t really have a feeling yet for how long this series’ll run – it might wrap in the third season or might take a fourth.  I’m notoriously bad at predicting that kind of thing.

During the break I’m planning to dig into a few side-projects. So, for example, if anyone out there has experience in ancient-history-themed childrens’ books hit me up on social media.  Otherwise if you’d like to help out the show here’s my humble ask: Find one friend who’s into history and tell them about The Ancient World.  Maybe even point them toward the first 6 episodes of “Thea” as a low-commitment introduction. If each of you could turn just one friend on to the show that would get us up over 50,000 subscribers. If each of you got two friends listening we’d have nearly 100,000.

Those are amazing numbers – but with your help it’s also completely doable. With the recent changes in the podcasting world it’s also a great way to show your support for freeform, independent podcasting.  And, last but not least, it’s a wonderful way to keep me inspired and keep the stories flowing.

So, that’s it for now – and thanks in advance for helping me out. I hope you’re enjoying “The Ancient World – Thea” and thanks again for listening!

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Spring_Break.mp3

8 thoughts on “Spring Break

  1. Hey Scott, Scott here as well up in Portland Oregon, great series! Idea that might help out, think I remember you were an instructor? Even if not maybe reaching out to student populations history departments, instructors, and clubs (nationwide not just your location, internet email is great thing!) asking them to just listen to a couple of episodes and ask them to give you feedback. If they like it they will stay! This will get more subscribers and have a chain affect that could in turn bring in more.

  2. Hey Scott,
    Enjoy the Spring Break! This is John from back in the days of being your neighbor. Wanted to offer a quick feedback, if I may. I really love the current series, but the period, as you know is super complex with tons of redundant naming. Maybe a quick "last week on the Ancient World…" recap at the beginning of each new episode I know would really help me reorient. Anyway, just a thought for what it's worth. Keep it up!

  3. Hey John! Hope things are well. Sorry for the delay, I was on vacation for a week & didn't take my laptop. Glad you’re enjoying the new series, and thanks for the feedback, you are likely totally right. Let me think about a good solution. Take care!

  4. Hi Scott,
    I've a complete non-sequitur for you to think about, I don't think it has any real answers, but as a traveler and history tourist you might want want to think or comment.
    French President Macron spoke last year about repatriating African artifacts from France. I'm currently in Mozambique on holiday, visiting the family here. My son-in-law was speaking at a conference in the French Consulate discussing Macron's comments this week, (I didn't go, as it was in Portuguese and my pitiful Spanish wouldn't cut it), but we discussed it beforehand.

    Mozambique is a poor country, with a lot of challenges, a long ceasefire in the civil war and only just getting inward investment, mainly from China, to develop deposits of raw materials. But definitely on the up and up over the 4 or 5 years I've been coming. The museums here are small, underfunded and lacking a lot, but I like museums and galleries in every country, so would always say, please visit. Maputo also has an (ugly) building by Eiffel, some excellent Pancho Guedes architecture, a great fish market, some decent beer (and my granddaughter – so I'm biased)

    The questions are:
    Should Mozambique (and / or other developing countries) invest in displaying repatriated items?
    France can afford to relinquish some African items, as they have tons of renaissance, Roman, Greek, Egyptian booty, Portugal less so, will / can they give it up?
    How should a country, such as Mozambique, with a lot of challenges, including a couple of very serious climate events this year, prioritise arts?

    The son-in-law works in the University art gallery and is passionate about art, he is adamant that putting arts to the bottom of the list, until all of the infrastructure / health / climate / education issues are solved, is not the right solution – every country needs arts – not just business and science!

    But what is the balance? This isn't specifically a Mozambique or even African question, it covers all of the colonised continents. I'm not sure there are any right answers, but certainly worth thinking about….

  5. Hello, and thanks for writing! You are correct that I am really no expert in this regard, other than I typically think items should be repatriated to their countries of origin provided those countries can adequately preserve and protect them. But as far as prioritizing their display (versus other national needs) I have no expertise, only personal feelings (as do both you and your son-in-law). Take care, be well, and I hope you enjoy the podcast! – Scott

  6. I know, and I'm sorry! 😉 I'm trying out different ways to keep a regular production schedule (and also keep a full-time job). But you will have something over the next couple of weeks! Take care 😉

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