The Ivory Attic

A podcast about the wonders, weirdness, (and sometimes woes) of academia. In each episode Professors Kurt Andresen and Ian Isherwood bring in a guest from academia and ask them questions about their passions, quiz them about their subjects, talk about their sartorial predilections, and have them try brand new cocktails based on their academic interests. The Ivory Tower may be crumbling, but we plan making the best of it as we rummage through the Ivory Attic.

I(a)n the Trenches 03/21/2025

I(a)n the Trenches Now with fewer hosts! In this episode, Ian switches sides of the Attic to talk with Kurt about his new book, ,. They kick off the new season by talking about how defeat can sometimes look a lot like victory, why writing about war during a global pandemic might not be the best way to pass the time in quarantine, and about Ian’s love of playing with toy soldiers. From there, the conversation turns to military fashion, as Kurt tries his best to get Ian to name history’s best and worst uniforms. Finally, they raise a glass and chat about the late Queen Elizabeth II over a well-earned cocktail. Give it a listen—we promise this won’t be an episode of attrition! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/35770340

The Healing Episode 2: Water of Life 12/20/2024

The Healing Episode 2: Water of Life In case our previous episode did not provide solace, we have a backup plan. Join Kurt and R.C. Miessler as they talk about how to go about enjoying whiskey! Sometimes words help and sometimes it’s a quick tipple that makes life a bit more bearable. So grab a finger or two of your favorite brown liquor and join us for a tasting! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/34218050

The Healing Episode 12/01/2024

The Healing Episode In this episode, we try to recover from some recent unpleasantness. We asked previous guests of the show to read inspirational passages, poems, speeches, make their own comments, and simply give whatever message they thought that we all needed right now. As usual, our guests did not disappoint. We hope you enjoy this collection of calls to action, thoughts on our current political situation, and reflections on how one moves forward in darker times. Perhaps these thoughtful words from amazing people can contribute a bit of brightness in a dark time. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/34218020

Butchin' 11/01/2024

Butchin' In this episode, we speak with Amy Tooth Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Oral History at Royal Holloway, University of London. Amy talks to us about her oral history research on butch culture and why, despite the fact that most people can recognize someone who is butch, it still takes academics years to figure out what “butch” means. She also explains why listening is something that actually takes practice and is hard to do. (Don’t Ian and I know it!) We then quiz her in a new rapid-fire format and geek out with her about our shared love of tweed fashion. Finally, we give her one difficult to drink cocktail now and send her home with a recipe for an even harder-to-drink cocktail! And this is how we treat people we like! Well, hopefully it still makes for interesting listening! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/33667852

The Essence of the Clown 10/01/2024

The Essence of the Clown In this episode, we speak with Professor Christopher Kauffman, Adams Professor in Theatre Arts at Gettysburg College. Chris talks about the serious side of clowning and why nobody should ever try to be funny. He also explains why having a mean French man call you a “double-zero” is a great way to be funnier and explains the new “Muppet-core” fashion movement. Finally, we make our noses red both figuratively and literally by sipping on a cocktail. We promise this will only be the third worst thing you have ever heard! Call us Natalie! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/33266402

Total Chaos 09/01/2024

Total Chaos In this episode, we speak with Professor of Mathematics at Gettysburg College, Ben Kennedy. Ben talks about why anyone would want to do math, what is interesting about chaos, and why it doesn’t matter if the thing you are discovering is important. He then (for some reason) answers a truly awful set of quiz questions and talks about how he has stopped screaming at colleagues during meaningless basketball games. Finally, we share a whiskey together that was made by two very special people (at least partially). /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/32851747

The Graduation Special: It’s Just Putting Clothes on People 05/17/2024

The Graduation Special: It’s Just Putting Clothes on People It’s our special Graduation Episode! In this episode, we talk with special guest Juls Buehrer, Gettysburg College’s Costume Designer-in-Residence and Gettysburg College’s Costume Shop Manager and Gettysburg College’s Scenic Artist. Despite doing more work in a day than Ian and I do in a year, Juls managed to carve out a little time to tell us about the amazing history of Academic Regalia. She also explains her affinity for Fairy dress and Ian tells the sad story of his own college graduation outfit. Finally, to recover, we all drink a purple-hued cocktail to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2024. We hope you find a nice set of pomps and circumstances to listen to this great episode! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/31330602

Breaking the Iron Cage 03/15/2024

Breaking the Iron Cage In this episode, we talk with Craig Lair, Chairperson and Associate Professor of Sociology at Gettysburg College. We learn how his joy of skateboarding led to his Ph.D. and why the three of us might have Ph.D.’s from Harvard University in the near future. We also consider writing letters to each other without any work and learn why chickens are great economic sociology teachers. Finally, an old guest quizzes Craig, we talk a little bit of fashion, and we drink to escape capitalism. We didn’t hold back in the beginning of the 2nd season and neither should you! Give a listen! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/30366803

Tweed Camouflage and Lost Barmaids 02/05/2024

Tweed Camouflage and Lost Barmaids In this episode, we talk to Kerry Wallach, Chairperson and Associate Professor of German Studies at Gettysburg College. She talked to us about her new book, Traces of a Jewish Artist: The Lost Life and Work of Rahel Szalit, and what it is like to search for things that aren’t there. Kerry also talks about her shared love of tweed a la Walker Slater and makes a pitch for her a new movie based on her research. Finally, we all share a punch-related drink celebrating a lost work by artist Rahel Szalit. Why decide? /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/29792583

The New Year’s Cocktails Special! 12/29/2023

The New Year’s Cocktails Special! In this run up to the New Year, Ian invites Kurt to talk about his cocktail book, Ten Cocktails Adults Should Know. We discuss all things cocktails, from which ones are easier, which ones are harder, and which ones you can set on fire. Finally, Kurt makes not one, but two cocktails for Ian to drink to ring in the New Year! So pour yourself something bubbly and join us in the Attic. You can find “Ten Cocktails Adults Should Know” by searching Amazon, or using the link: /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/29231218

The Gratitude Special 12/08/2023

The Gratitude Special It is the holiday season! During this time, we think it is important to talk about what we are thankful for, so we gathered a bunch of our previous guests and asked them to share their thoughts. Strangely, only one of our guests mentioned this great podcast! To wrap it all up, Ian and Kurt talk holiday fashion and Kurt makes Ian try a cocktail that looks and tastes a little too much like gravy. In hindsight, it was terrible, but at the time Ian said way too politely ‘I don’t hate it.’ Hopefully it will all get you in a jolly mood as the Fall semester comes to a close. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/28958253

Black Superheroes and Unpronounceable Literary Terms 11/01/2023

Black Superheroes and Unpronounceable Literary Terms In this episode, we talk with the inaugural Kermit O. Paxton and Renee A. Paxton Endowed Teaching Chair at Gettysburg College, Dr. McKinley Melton. McKinley talks to us about his research in spirituality among enslaved Africans in America as well as his new project investigating contemporary spoken-word African-American poets. He also explains why Ian’s “flexibility” is a superpower and describes his large collection of fleeces. Finally, we all share a delicious fall drink while two of the three attic occupants mock one of the host’s inability to say a word that looks nothing like how it is pronounced. But it’s all in good fun, I think. Join us to find out! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/28474610

Interdisciplinary Shenanigans and Cigars 10/01/2023

Interdisciplinary Shenanigans and Cigars We’re back, baby! In this episode, we have a poolside chat with Vern Cisney, the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at Gettysburg College. This is a spicy one! We discuss why an Independent Major might actually get you a job; Ian and Vern fix the “crisis in the humanities”; Kurt waxes fondly on his love of creative writing; and we figure out which philosopher/natural philosopher is Ringo. Our guest even coins a hot new fashion phrase. Finally, we end things with a hedonistic cocktail and cigar. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/28185809

Chatting with Dean Chat 07/01/2023

Chatting with Dean Chat In this episode, we start with a discussion about what professors actually do in the summer. This is followed by our first recurring segment, Notes from the Natural World, wherein naturalist Ian Clarke discusses the subtleties of birding without getting shot. Finally, we land an amazing interview with world-renowned Dean Chat who tells us that the academy is actually in pretty good shape after all! We definitely needed a drink after that! /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/27288810

Glorious 18th Century Literature 06/01/2023

Glorious 18th Century Literature In this episode, we speak with Dr. Joanne Myers, Associate Professor of English at Gettysburg College. We discuss 18th century British literature, the cultural history of miscarriage, and religious vocation. We also discuss which 18th century writer we would want to drink with and good thrift shops. Finally, we drink a milk punch which may have the largest difference between how delicious it tastes and how bad it looks when you are making it. Content Warning: miscarriage. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/27007521

X-Rays and Large Tricycles 05/01/2023

X-Rays and Large Tricycles In this episode, we speak with Nozomi Ando, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. We discuss better names for sciencey stuff, how to get cheap hot dogs, ways to alleviate exhaustion in the lab, and the appropriate number of shoes for a scholar. Finally, we sip on a cocktail guaranteed to give you pep as you race large tricycles inside of a multi-million-dollar science facility. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/26694543

Protest Music and Educating Educators 04/01/2023

Protest Music and Educating Educators In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dave Powell, former professor of education and current professor of public policy about teaching teachers, protest music, naming dogs, and the value of a good mustache. We also will serve up 2 cocktails, one based on a famous education philosopher and another on a mid-20th century folk singer. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/26390649

Co-Curriculum: The Saint Patrick’s Day Special 03/15/2023

Co-Curriculum: The Saint Patrick’s Day Special It’s our first ever co-curriculum episode! To thank everyone for the great reception the podcast has received so far, we created a St. Patrick’s Day special. In it, we will interview Dr. Jeff McHugh about being a post-doc, running in Paris, and his opinions on box-chain store St. Patrick’s Day t-shirts. Our co-hosts will also discuss (and drink) the perfect Irish Manhattan (which, it turns out, is not a “perfect” Manhattan). /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/26205855

The Self-Indulgent Beginning 02/26/2023

The Self-Indulgent Beginning In this episode we introduce the podcast, spend a bit too long talking about ourselves, and at the end finally describe what this podcast will be about. Don’t worry - we’ll get better at this. /episode/index/show/b90ae672-64df-433b-8b87-8f31f530f887/id/26049030

The Ivory Attic

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