The Cultured Bumpkin

Walt Whitman | O Captain! My Captain | with Chris Tester

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we'll hear the incredible Chris Tester narrate an American classic by Walt Whitman. Chris is a classically trained, London based actor...

Robert Frost | Fire and Ice

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Frost lightheartedly speculates on the end of the world in this short little poem....To hear Jake read classic literature on Audible:Click here...

W.B. Yeats | Two Years Later

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a short poem by ol W.B. about passing along advice to someone younger......To get “Edgar Allen Poe Poems & Tales” on Audible:Poe Audiob...

Paul the Apostle | Romans

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we'll hear Paul's letter to the Romans in in entirety. It really is a must read/listen to understand Western thought, culture, and lit...

John Milton | On Time

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we check out John Milton for the first time (i think!) on The Cultured Bumpkin and hear his thoughts on Time.....To Support The Cultur...

Jack London | To Build a Fire

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A classic tale of man against nature

Edgar Allan Poe | The Tell Tale Heart | narrated by Antonio Roberts

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a an outstanding rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's classic narrated by Antonio Roberts.A re-run from May, 2021....To get “Edgar Allen Poe Poems ...

Thomas Jefferson | The Declaration of Independence

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Declaration of Independence is among the the most influential documents in U.S. history, and probably modern history. However, alot of people coul...

Edgar Allan Poe | Ulalume | narrated by Abigail Reno

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode who are graced by the vocal talents of Abigail Reno who reads Poe's Ulalume....to book her for your voiceover or audiobook project, or...

Oscar Wilde | The Model Millionaire

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a hilarious short story by Oscar Wilde. I really had fun with this one and I hope you enjoy it.....To Support The Cultured Bumpk...

Alfred, Lord Tennyson | Ulysses

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hey there! It's been a nice 2 week break after posting every day for 90 days, but I'm back.I won't do another "every day" sprint for a little bit, but...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I took a break last week, and plan to cut back to a couple or three episodes of the summer in order to do some longer stuff, but I'm sure I'll do anot...

Dwight D. Eisenhower | D-Day Letter to the Allies

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

79 years ago today, thousands of young American, British, Canadian, ANZAC, and other soldiers fought the Germans in northern France to stop the Nazi w...

Jude | The Holy Bible

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jude doesn't mince words and gets right to the point. Here's his epistle which makes up the last book of the New Testament.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | Daybreak

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describes a sunrise in this beautiful little poem......To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoff...

Mark Twain | How to Tell a Story

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this short story, Mark Twain breaks down the mechanics of how to get a laugh.If you've ever seen The Andy Griffith Show, part of this might remind ...

Alfred, Lord Tennyson | We Kiss'd Again With Tears

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A moving poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Emily Bronte | Fall, Leaves, Fall

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This lovely little mid 19th century gem from Emily Bronte perfectly encapsulates my feelings about the weather. Enjoy!(This is a replay from December ...

Alfred Noyes | The Highwayman

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When I was a kid I watched "Anne of Green Gables" and heard Anne Shirley recite this poem in front of her her (or at least part of it). I was smitten!...

1LT Tyler Parten, U.S. Army | A Memorial Day Episode

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Tyler Parten was a friend of mine, and I'd like to introduce you to him this Memorial Day...For more on Tyler's life and lega...

The Apostle John | Jesus Heals a Blind Man

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, and the "blind man" is one of the wittiest guys anywhere in there.I find this story funny and heartwa...

Ella Wheeler Wilcox | John Wesley's Rule

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I don't know if this was an actual Wesley rule, or whether she just made this up, but either way, here's some awesome advice by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on...

James Whitcomb Riley | He is Not Dead

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I've had several friends pass recently, and this poem brought some wonderful faces to mind.Hope you enjoy...........To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, c...

Alexander Pope | Vice

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this short little poem, Alexander Pope explains how a bad habit is developed. I agree with him!...........To get “Edgar Allen Poe Poems & Tal...

Stephen Leacock | How to Live to Be 200

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This piece is by Canadian funny man Stephen Leacock (1869-1944). Given the subject matter, it could have been written today! Hilarious!I hope you enjo...

William Wordsworth | The Kitten at Play

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you like kittens? Well this one's for you...........To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakephillips116(if you ...

Edgar Allan Poe | The Pit and the Pendulum

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This was the first Edgar Allan Poe story that I ever read. I was about 12, and I was made to. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but I did, and became a big...

The Parable of the Lost Sheep | Luke - from the Holy Bible

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a beautiful parable about a little sheep who wandered off from his 99 buddies and got lost...It's a real classic!

A Sleep Podcast Episode | featuring Ode to a Mockingbird and the poetry of William Wordsworth

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're doing something different.This is an episode from my sleep podcast "Ode to a Mockingbird" made which is available almost anywhere you get ...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 2

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another day, another Shakespeare Sonnet.

Emily Dickinson | Tell all the truth but tell it slant

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I hung out in Birmingham, Alabama for a couple of days with an artist friend. We walked all around downtown, had great conversations, lots o...

Thomas Hood | I Remember, I Remember

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This poem brings back alot of wonderful memories of my own childhood, but the closing line of his is the opposite for me.I hope you enjoy this!.....To...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 96

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features another Sonnet from William Shakespeare- Number 96.I hope you're having a good week and thank you for listening!....To Support T...

William Wordsworth | Lines Written in Early Spring

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How's the weather where you are? Here in east Mississippi it's gotten to be pretty seasonal after a cooler than usual spring. It will continue to get ...

King David of Israel | Psalm 23

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This one of the most well known and beloved passages in the Bible. It's gotten many a person through a difficult point in their life.And just like Her...

Elizabeth Barret Bowning | If Thou Must Love Me

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode we'll hear another masterpiece from ole Liz B Browning.I just love her stuff. This is Sonnet 14, If Thou Must Love Me.......To Support...

O. Henry | The Ransom of Red Chief

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is my all time favorite short story. I say things like "this is one of my favorites" alot, which is always true, but this is my favorite stories....

Edgar A. Guest | No Place to Go

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I bet you didn't know that Edgar A Guest wrote a poem about me once (it might be about you too!) There's nothing quite like a quiet evening in with a ...

John Keats | Ode to a Nightingale

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wished you were a bird so you could get away from your problems, then you'll like this one........To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, chec...

George Eliot | At Set of Sun

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we'll read a poem by "George Eliot" (pen name of Mary Ann Evans 1819-1880) which contains some excellent life advice......To Support ...

Walt Whitman | The Last Invocation

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features another poem from one of America's greatest poets, Walt Whitman.....To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buyme...

The Ten Commandments | Moses

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just about everyone, at least in the West, has heard of "The Ten Commandments", and most can even recite at least a couple of them.In order to better ...

Ella Wheeler Wilcox | You Never Can Tell

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we get some great advice on watching what you say, from Ella Wheeler Wilcox.......To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeac...

You Mustn't Quit | Author Unknown

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you thought about quitting lately? WELL DON'T! I hope this poem serves as an encouragement to you to keep putting forth the effort needed to get ...

Robert Browning | Song of Pippa Passes

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we read a lovely poem about spring from Robert Browning....To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jak...

Samuel Taylor Coleridge | The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was an English poet of the Romantic Movement who was also good friends with William Wordsworth.My friend Brent in ...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 100

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode I tell a few random factoids about myself, give the top 10 countries with most "The Cultured Bumpkin" downloads, and read Shakespeare'...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | A Psalm of Life

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we'll read a great viewpoint on life from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow....To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeac...

The Good Samaritan | Luke

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of the most well known stories in the New Testament, and perhaps the entire Bible.It comes from the Gospel of Luke chapter 10, and it's re...

Mark Twain | Don't Copy Cat

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Twain is generally known for his novels and short stories, but he has some great poetry as well, and in this case some life advice!It's Independe...

Robert Frost | Nothing Gold Can Stay

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Frost published this poem in 1923 and won the 1924 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry because of it.Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonder...

Ben Jonson | Truth

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a short poem by English playwright and poet Ben Jonson (1572-1637) on Truth....To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacof...

Sir Walter Raleigh | Even Such Is Time

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) was an English explorer, soldier, writer, and member of Parliament under Elizabeth I of England.He's noted for populari...

Edgar A Guest | Defeat

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edgar A Guest had some of the best "advice" poems out there. My Dad had a volume of his work that he used to read to us, and after our reading we'd di...

O. Henry | The Cop and the Anthem

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

O.Henry (pen name of William Sidney Porter) was an incredible storyteller of the late 19th century and this story is one of my absolute favorites of h...

The Apostle John | 1 John

23 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Apostle John is one of my favorite biblical writers. He's kind and gentle, but also just as direct, assertive and and unwavering in his faith as a...

Edgar Allen Poe | To Helen

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we'll read Edgar's ode to the lovely Helen of Troy.....This week my audiobook was released on Libro.FM, Audible and other audiobook pl...

John Keats | The Human Seasons

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we'll hear a short, sweet poem from John Keats and also discuss what I've been up to this week...Thank you so much once again to every...

Emily Dickinson | 'Hope' is the thing with feathers

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"'Hope' is the thing with feathers" is one of Emily Dickinson's most well known poems...Emily Dickinson is one of my brother's favorite poets. He's ov...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 19

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ole Will gives Time a good old talking to...I once attended a production of Romeo & Juliet put on by the theater department of Ka...

Robert Frost | The Road Not Taken

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Robert Frost classic...To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakephillips116(if you go to the “Extras” tab you...

John Donne | The Bait

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This poem has alot of similarities to Christopher Marlowe's A Passionate Shepherd to His Love. Which one do you like better?To Support The Cultured Bu...

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal | The Book of First Kings

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Decent folks in any culture on earth don't like people who hurt children. This fascinating story from the Old Testament in the Bible tells how the Pro...

Emily Dickinson | Self-Reliance

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A quick poem from Miss Emily on this Saturday morning...To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakephillips116(if you...

W.B. Yeats | When You Are Old

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a Wiliiam Butler Yeats (1865-1939) love poem...To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakephill...

Robert Burns | My Bonny Mary

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As I've said before, I'm a sucker for a love poem, and this one by Robert Burns is top shelf...To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www....

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 18

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Shakespeare fave...To Support The Cultured Bumpkin, check out:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakephillips116To hear my commercial demos or book me to ...

Edgar Allen Poe | Annabel Lee

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A beautiful poem about loss...For more literature themed content, check me out on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@JakePhillips116/videosOr Tiktok (th...

Edgar Allen Poe | Hop-Frog

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I don't like bullies, so naturally I am intrigued by the way Hop-Frog handled his. One of my favorite Poe pieces...For more literature themed content,...

The Story of the Resurrection of Jesus | the Gospel According to Luke

09 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You can't be truly literate of western literature and culture without at least a rudimentary knowledge of the Holy Bible. Here's the story of the reas...

William Blake | The Tyger

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recently I read "The Lamb" (published in 1789) which was a favorite of my late father, and this is "The Tyger" (published in 1794) which references it...

D.H. Lawrence | Shadows

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we hear from D.H. Lawrence for the first time...For more literature themed content, check me out on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@J...

John Greenleaf Whittier | Maud Muller

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a poem on the subject of "what might have been" called Maud Muller by John Greenleaf Whittier.For more literature themed content...

Tennessee Williams | The Glass Menagerie | with Emily Liner

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I got to visit with Emily Liner, owner of Friendly City Books in Columbus, Mississippi.This is my favorite book store and you have to ...

Mark Twain | Journalism in Tennessee

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Twain's "Journalism in Tennessee" is one of my favorite short stories in American literature. This was originally recorded in November of 2018 an...

Sir Walter Scott | Native Land

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Sir Walter Scott gives us his take on people who look down on where they're from...For more literature themed content, check me out on...

The Story of Jonah | the Holy Bible

02 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the epic novel Moby Dick and many other maritime writings, a "Jonah" is regarded with superstition.To truly understand why, how about we listen to ...

Edgar A Guest | Father

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A poem about Dad's by one of my Dad's favorite poets.James Blunt singing "Monsters"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFbGcnl0poFor more literature them...

Don't Give Up | Unkown

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I've been doing alot of writing. I'm working on an eBook about how to become a voice actor (stay tuned for more details). One of the things ...

Dover Beach | Matthew Arnold

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this poem, Arnold describes his crisis of faith brought on by recent scientific discoveries.It's something that just about everyone experiences at ...

Wilfred Owen | Anthem for Doomed Youth

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wildred Owen was a "war poet" from the Great War (World War l) who was born in 1893 and was killed on November 4, 1918, just one week before the war e...

Emily Dickinson | I measure every Grief I meet

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This poem was requested by recent guest J.D. Sutter (https://www.audiotheatrecentral.com/)You can do the same! Email me at [email protected] w...

Edgar Allen Poe | The Raven

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Raven is one of the most well known, influential, oft quoted poems of all American literature. Hope you enjoy this rendition...For more literature...

Daniel in the Lions Den | The Book of Daniel

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of the most well known stories in the the entire Bible and involves a Persian tyrant, a group of jealous government officials, and a forei...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 36 | with guest Raine Fielder

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Raine Fielder is from the Appalachia region as been writing poetry since she was in seventh grade, when she fell in love with a guitar player. She has...

T.S. Eliot | The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

T.S. Eliot was a poet, writer, literary critic, and publisher who lived from 1888 to 1965.His "Prufrock" marked a cultural shift into Modernism and is...

Robert Frost | Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When people think of classic American poetry from the 20th century, Robert Frost is one of the folks they think of of. Someone once said that "he is o...

Walt Whitman | I Hear America Singing

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this poem, Walt Whitman paints a beautiful word picture of happy, fulfilled people singing while they go about their work."The hand of the diligent...

Robert Service | The Cremation of Sam McGee

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This poem was published in 1907 in "Songs of a Sourdough" and is set on Lake LeBarge in the Yukon in northwest Canada.It's one of my most requested re...

Theodore Roosevelt | The Man in the Arena | with Ross Hillier

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Coach Ross Hillier is a renaissance man and a very good friend. In this episode he explains, among other things, why he programs reading for fitness/w...

The Story of Creation | Genesis

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bible has had a great impact on western thought, culture, and literature. A familiarity will the Bible is a great help in understanding the themes...

Rudyard Kipling | If | with Charlie Phillips

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My five year old, Charlie, joins me in the studio today to read "If" by Rudyard Kipling. A great poem who's advice will help anyone.To see the video o...

Christopher Marlowe | The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another day, another love poem. This piece is by English poet Christopher Marlowe who died in 1593 just as William Shakespeare's career was taking off...

William Shakespeare | Sonnet 116

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this beautiful sonnet, Shakespeare gives us his take on what love is, and isn't. Enjoy!For more classic literature themed content, check me out on ...

Edgar Allen Poe | The Masque of the Red Death

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Poe short story, a selfish prince retreats into his bizarre fortress with a group of friends to wait out the "Red Death" ravaging the countrys...

William Wordsworth | I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Spring has sprung (at least down where I live!) The leaves are popping out, there are blooms on the fruit trees, and daffodils are about to be out en ...

Lewis Carroll | Jabberwocky | with Adele Spears

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Adele Spears and I discuss literary favorites, and she performs two pieces for us: Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" and James Whitcomb R...

The Prodigal Son | the Gospel According to Luke

12 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a wonderful story of redemption and forgiveness from the Holy Bible, told by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke.To hear more Bible readings, c...

With Every Rising of the Sun | Ella Wheeler Wilcox

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a writer and poet who lived from 1850-1919. In this poem she discusses living each day to its fullest.Thank you for listening....

Robert Burns | A Red, Red Rose

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ole Bob knew how to write a love poem, lets put it that way.If you enjoyed this, I'd be delighted if you'd subscribe to the podcast, leave a nice revi...