The Cluttered Path #33 Cheryl Drury | How Old Books Reshape Modern Minds
Jan 29, 2026
Cheryl Drury, host of Crack the Book and longtime reader of classic literature, turned a yearlong project into a mission to show how ancient books reshape modern minds. She talks about how reading classics sharpens focus, builds mental discipline, and enlarges perspective. Practical tips include starting with narratives, skipping heavy introductions, and using note-taking and rereading to stick with difficult texts.
50:13
Poets Over Brawlers In Combat
- Todd recounts reading 18 Platoon and how a WWII platoon commander preferred poets for imagination and leadership.
- The story inspired Todd's view that reading expands vision beyond narrow self-interest.
A Reading Project Built Purpose
- Cheryl started a yearlong reading project after feeling unprepared for classics she'd tried before.
- The curated list gave her structure and purpose to learn things she felt she'd missed earlier in life.
Start Simple And Skip Heavy Introductions
- Expect a classic to change your heart and pick a friend to read with you.
- Start with narratives like the Odyssey, avoid heavy introductions, and switch translations if needed.
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Intro
00:00 • 55sec
Cheryl's origin: from engineer to classic reader
00:55 • 2min
Why reading builds imagination and leadership
02:41 • 2min
Finding a reading list that stuck
04:16 • 3min
Personal effects of the reading project
07:16 • 5min
The Death of Socrates surprised her emotionally
12:05 • 3min
Why classics feel boring or irrelevant
15:12 • 5min
How to reset your approach to classics
20:39 • 3min
A neighbor inspired to read the Odyssey
23:32 • 3min
Recognizing cultural references everywhere
26:10 • 3min
Classics as pre-modern self-help
29:06 • 3min
Aristotle on friendship changed her view
31:44 • 3min
The project made the world feel larger
34:39 • 2min
Three must-reads: Odyssey, Hamlet, Douglass
36:23 • 3min
How to start reading classics today
39:27 • 2min
Dealing with difficulty and finishing books
41:35 • 2min
Note-taking, physical books, and rereading
43:37 • 6min
Outro
49:26 • 34sec
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The Life of Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
#1800
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
Let Them Be
Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins's "Let Them Be" offers a practical approach to emotional maturity, particularly in relationships.
The book emphasizes the importance of allowing others to experience their own emotions and navigate their challenges without excessive intervention.
Robbins encourages readers to set healthy boundaries and prioritize their own well-being while supporting others' growth.
The book's focus on self-compassion and acceptance makes it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their relationships and emotional intelligence.
It provides tools and strategies for navigating conflict and fostering healthier connections.
#324
• Mentioned in 84 episodes
The Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy is an Italian narrative poem begun around 1308 and completed around 1321.
It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.
The poem discusses the state of the soul after death and presents an image of divine justice, describing Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
It is an allegory representing the soul's journey towards God, drawing on medieval Catholic theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy.
The work is considered one of the greatest in Italian literature and Western literature, and it helped establish the Tuscan language as the standardized Italian language.
#
The trial and death of Socrates
Plato
The book consists of four dialogues: *Euthyphro*, *Apology*, *Crito*, and *Phaedo*.
These dialogues delve into Socrates' defense against charges of impiety and corrupting the youth, his respect for the law despite his death sentence, and his discussions on the immortality of the soul.
The dialogues provide a profound exploration of Socrates' philosophy, his commitment to intellectual integrity, and his impact on Western thought.
#54271
18 Platoon
Sidney Jarry
#242
• Mentioned in 100 episodes
Discourses
Epictetus
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of informal lectures written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 AD. The philosophy of Epictetus is intensely practical, directing students to focus on their opinions, anxieties, passions, and desires to distinguish what is within their control from what is not.
The teachings aim to make people free and happy by living virtuously and 'according to nature.
' The Discourses cover a wide range of topics, including friendship, illness, fear, and poverty, and how to acquire and maintain tranquility.
They are set in Epictetus' classroom in Nicopolis and reflect his earnest and often humorous style of teaching.
#134
• Mentioned in 146 episodes
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius.
Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude.
Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge.
The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.
#3
• Mentioned in 1,029 episodes
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
#179
• Mentioned in 123 episodes
Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle
The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life.
The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life.
Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence.
The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.
#56
• Mentioned in 238 episodes
The Odyssey
Homer
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges.
Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage.
With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne.
The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
#119
• Mentioned in 158 episodes
The Iliad
Homer
The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events.
The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris.
The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war.
The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.
In this episode, Todd talks with Cheryl Drury, host of Crack the Book Podcast, about how old words can sharpen modern minds. We dig into why reading classics isn’t simply nostalgia, it’s mental training!
Cheryl explains how reading Plato, Homer, and Shakespeare can push your limits, deepen focus, and crack open real mental growth in midlife. No fluff. Just ancient ideas proving their power in real life.
You’ll learn:
- Why your brain actually craves complex writing
- How reading slowly builds clarity and confidence
- What’s wrong with our bite-sized information diet
- How Cheryl’s reading project turned into a purpose
Where to Find Cheryl:
Look for “Crack the Book Podcast” or…
https://cheryldrury.substack.com/
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Classic Books Mentioned in this Episode:
The Trial and Death of Socrates: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/s1Ihj7
The Iliad, by Homer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/kpbBL1
The Odyssey, by Homer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/uBeYhr
Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/adBqMa
Discourses, by Epictetus: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/Hy3FtB
Nicomachean Ethics, by Aristotle: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/JyHbr1
Hamlet, by Shakespeare: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/qZE74I
The Divine Comedy, Dante: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/BPRt7D
The Life of Frederick Douglass: https://amzn.to/4qLy8Qo
As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.
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