Instant Classics

Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins together on a classics podcast is the kind of pairing that makes you wonder why it took so long to happen. Beard is arguably the world's most famous living classicist, and Higgins is the Guardian's chief culture writer -- between them, they bring both deep academic knowledge and the ability to make that knowledge genuinely entertaining. Instant Classics explores ancient stories through a modern lens, promising no degree in Classics required, and that promise holds up. The conversational format means you get two sharp minds bouncing ideas off each other rather than a scripted lecture. Episodes run 40 to 56 minutes and come out weekly, covering topics from Helen of Troy to an ongoing episode-by-episode breakdown of Homer's Odyssey. With 41 episodes and a 4.9 star rating from 154 reviews, this is still a relatively young show but already one of the best-reviewed in the category. The chemistry between the hosts is genuine -- they clearly enjoy each other's company and are not afraid to disagree or go off on tangents. There is a premium Book Club tier for subscribers who want exclusive Odyssey content. The show is rated explicit, mostly for frank discussion rather than anything shocking. Some listeners have noted occasional audio quirks and conversational overlap, which comes with the territory of an unscripted two-person format. If you want ancient history from people who actually spend their professional lives studying it, delivered with wit and warmth, Instant Classics earns its name.