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Every book Jennifer Frey recommended on podcasts
Jennifer Frey appears on cultural and literary discussion podcasts, bringing an academic perspective rooted in philosophy, higher education, and the humanities. As an educator involved with the Honors College at the University of Tulsa, Frey discussed the creation of a rigorous core curriculum that engages students with foundational texts across Western civilization. She highlighted Saint Augustine's classic spiritual work, The Confessions, as an essential historical text studied alongside biblical literature leading up to the Reformation. Furthermore, Frey mentioned Plato's Symposium, describing how undergraduate students frequently return to their dormitories passionately debating the complex and unusual philosophical themes presented in the text. In addition to ancient and medieval philosophy, Frey reflected on popular literature, mentioning John Grisham's legal thriller The Firm during a conversation distinguishing between casual amusement and the deeper cognitive rewards of engaging with enduring, high-art literature.
Books recommended by Jennifer Frey
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The Confessions
The Confessions by Saint Augustine is a profound autobiographical and theological work detailing the author's spiritual journey, struggles with sin, and conversion to Christianity.
Discussed“And then, of course, you read some of the Bible, and then you go into long Middle Ages. And that’s basically Augustine to the Reformation. So we start with the confessions, and we go all the way into Luther and Calvin.”
Where to get it
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The Firm
The Firm by John Grisham is a bestselling legal thriller novel that follows a young, ambitious lawyer who joins a prestigious Memphis law firm only to discover it is secretly fronting for the Chicago mob.
Discussed“And I enjoyed the firm. I mean, just to be clear, it was entertaining. But there’s a difference between being amused and entertained.”
Where to get it
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The Symposium
Discussed“And so you have this shared basis of learning, but it’s amazing to see the fruits that arise from that, because they just go back to the dorm and they’re all kind of wondering what was going on in Plato’s Symposium, because it’s a really strange text in so many ways.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Best Defense Against A.I. is Reading Plato | Interesting Times with Ross Douthat | Interesting Times | 2026-05-21 | 3 |