#248 From Plato To Picture Of Dorian Gray: A Year Of Deep Reading And What It Teaches Us

Send us Fan Mail In this third annual Christmas tradition, I welcome Eric back to the show for a wide-ranging conversation about books, reading, and the lifelong pursuit of understanding. We talk about his ambitious “great books” journey—now stretching toward what may become a 40-year project—covering everything from Greek tragedies and Plato’s dialogues to Confucius, Viktor Frankl, and modern classics. We dig into Eric’s disciplined reading habits, his yearly practice of starting January and February by reading the Bible (including his experience with the King James Version this year), and how he structures his reading year to stay motivated without burning out. We also explore big ideas like Plato’s theory of forms, the difference between philosophers and sophists, how ancient texts continue to shape modern thinking, and how AI can be used responsibly to deepen understanding— after you’ve done the hard work of reading. Eric shares the books that stood out most to him this year, including The Picture of Dorian Gray , Man’s Search for Meaning , The Analects of Confucius, and The Idea Machine , along with the powerful concept of finding a “single thread” that ties together everything you read. We close with practical, encouraging advice for anyone who wants to read more: start with what you love, and let curiosity do the rest. This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation for readers, thinkers, and anyone looking to build a richer reading life—perfect for closing out the year and setting the tone for the next one. Click here to see Erik's list of books read in 2025 Support the show I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise Resources and Links -------------------------------------------- My contact info: LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram Send me a text: 918-397-0327 Executive Producer: Ben Townsend Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack Voice Actor: Britney McCullough Logo by Angie Jordan Theme Song by Androzguitar

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#248 From Plato To Picture Of Dorian Gray: A Year Of Deep Reading And What It Teaches Us is an episode from The Scott Townsend Show by Scott Townsend.

This episode is 52:15 long.

This episode was published on Dec 22, 2025.

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