Ask the Ascot

02/08/2023

“Politics” aside, everyone should read this indictment.

History will remember it as a classic example of good, straightforward, all-American prose.

The people who wrote this indictment display the ability:

1. To make an argument based on evidence.

2. To build a strong narrative.

3. To explain the context in which the narrative occurs.

4. To make all of the above comprehensible to a non-specialist reader.

When people attack public education and vote to kill humanities programs, this is exactly the kind of vigorous thought they’re hoping to destroy, by the way.

13/07/2023

Crystal and I will be vacationing with our friend Kathleen Britto this weekend.

Kathleen has been my dear friend for 19 years.

And Kathleen just texted, “Are you guys going to want to do any particularly outdoorsy stuff? Do I need hiking boots?”

Because nothing says “a weekend with Michael Beck” like strenuous activity out-of-doors.

*Pictured: me, on a rare outdoor occasion

06/07/2023

Happy 40th birthday to my brother David Beck, the hardest-working and most talented man I know. My brother is artistic, brave, smart, and handsome. We should all be so lucky.

David is having an hilariously bad day today—involving a miserable planes-trains-and-automobiles-style misadventure in rural Pennsylvania—so be extra kind to him the next time you see his aged bones and ligaments.

Brother, I love you, and I‘m proud as hell of you.

05/06/2023

One of the great joys in life is loudly singing along to the score of “The Barber of Seville” in the original Italian when you yourself speak zero Italian.

31/12/2022

Episode 31: Crushing Obligation

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers the origin of religion, the best winter bird, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

21/12/2022

Ask the Ascot is back and better than ever (OK, nerdier than ever) with a new season of your favorite podcast!

Check out my two new episodes, including my presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

10/12/2022

Hello Gentle Listener! I am delighted to announce that a NEW SEASON of Ask the Ascot will begin next week.

God bless us, every one!

09/06/2022

I’ve been vacationing here for years and only today realized that I am the patron saint of Tybee Island, GA.

06/06/2022

An essential visual aid for Episode 29: Practicing Old-Timey Medicine Without an Old-Timey License.

Dr. Reid Russell of Crab Orchard, Tennessee was my great-grandfather.

06/06/2022

Episode 29: Practicing Old-Timey Medicine Without an Old-Timey License

Your favorite ten-minute podcast covers sneezing at night, debunked medical practices, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

31/05/2022

Episode 28: An Inadvertently Summer-Themed Episode

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers linen pants, vacations, my outrage over a defective pint glass, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

25/05/2022

I never thought a horse statue and I would have so much in common.

24/05/2022

Episode 27: A Few of My Favorite Things, Plus Chess

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers books that make me laugh, restaurants that no longer exist, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

17/05/2022

Episode 26-and-a-half: In Which I Pop Up My Head to Say Hello and Then Immediately Return to Work

Topics include President James Garfield and a brief but hearty greeting from the podcast wilderness!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

09/05/2022

Due to the workload agonies of the end of the semester, Episode 27 will be delayed until later in the week.

Management regrets the inconvenience.

02/05/2022

Episode 26: The End of the Beginning

Your favorite 10-minute podcast investigates commencement speeches, the agonies and resentments of middle age, and more!

https://anchor.fm/michael-beck02

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

25/04/2022

Due to an unforeseen but exciting last-minute professional obligation, this week’s episode will be delayed until later in the week.

Management regrets the inconvenience.

23/04/2022

I don’t know if anyone but me—and possibly Holly—is going to enjoy it, but I am having a lot of fun putting together my show notes for Monday’s episode right now.

18/04/2022

Gentle Listener, I think this episode is especially amusing.

Ask the Ascot 25: The Vampire You Will Always Have With You

Your favorite 10ish minute podcast covers straws, being a good neighbor, calling entities the name by which they want to be called, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

11/04/2022

Episode 24: I Suggest You Concede

Topics include board games, video games, giving up, and more! Your favorite 10-minute podcast presents a special topics episode on games.

https://anchor.fm/michael-beck02

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

06/04/2022

The only truly worthwhile part of my day so far has been a discussion with a student about how tall Dutch people are.

04/04/2022

Episode 23: Charming but Evil

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers old-timey automobiles, action figures at work, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

02/04/2022

This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened in my neighborhood.

28/03/2022

Episode 22: Feelings about Hills and Streams

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers Twitter, 19th century English poetry, which of Brian Johnson’s cats are my favorite, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

21/03/2022

Episode 21: Meet the New Zeus, Same as the Old Zeus

Your favorite 10-minute podcast investigates mythology, pro billionaire propaganda, and more!

https://anchor.fm/michael-beck02

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

16/03/2022

Your favorite 10-minute podcast is crafting a special topics episode on the subject of GAMES.

What questions do you have for me about games and gaming?

14/03/2022

Episode 20: Eleanor of Aquitaine is Not a Sandwich

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers sharing with friends, my favorite Plantagenet, and the distinction between seeming and being.

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

08/03/2022

Episode 19: A Moving Podcast

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers cardboard boxes, theater recommendations, jokes about potatoes, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]

07/03/2022

Today’s episode, scheduled to be released this afternoon, will be delayed until tonight.

I explain why in the episode.

Management regrets the inconvenience.

28/02/2022

Episode 18: Bankers in T-Shirts and Other Signs of the Apocalypse

Your favorite 10-minute podcast covers the best outfit, great recipes for living on your own, and more!

A plucky 10-minute podcast that answers your questions on any topic. New episodes every Monday afternoon. [email protected]