Have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of the most powerful man in the ancient world? In this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Poochigian, Classics scholar, poet, and translator, to talk about his brand new translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

What makes this conversation so special is that Dr. Poochigian brings both the precision of a scholar and the sensitivity of a poet to a text that has moved readers for nearly 2,000 years. We talk about why Marcus Aurelius wrote in Greek instead of Latin, whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by anyone else, and what his morning practices can teach us about living a better life today.

Whether you're a longtime lover of Stoic philosophy, just getting started with Marcus Aurelius, or simply curious about what it takes to translate one of history's greatest books — this episode has something for you.

Here's some of what we cover in this episode:

• Why Marcus Aurelius wrote his private journals in Greek instead of Latin
• How the Meditations were preserved through centuries of history
• Whether the Meditations were ever meant to be read by others
• What Marcus Aurelius brought to Stoic philosophy
• The virtues he wrestled with most as Emperor
• How Dr. Poochigian's approach differs from Gregory Hays' beloved translation
• What the Meditations can teach us about changing our daily habits
• And so much more

If the Meditations have ever made you stop and think, this episode will make you see them in a whole new light.

📖 Get a copy of Dr. Aaron Poochigian's new translation of the Meditations:
https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X

📱 Download the Bookum App for more great author conversations:
https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Traci Thomas of The Stacks joins us to share her 2026 book predictions, must-read authors, and the books everyone will be talking about next year.

We kick things off with pop culture highlights Grammys, Oscars, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, and the rise of video podcasting before diving into our literary forecast. Traci shares her picks for breakout authors, literary comebacks, classic revivals, and the most anticipated books of 2026.

Whether you’re a dedicated reader, a book club member, or just curious about the future of publishing and culture, this episode is your guide to what’s next in books and reading for 2026.

Books & Authors Mentioned:

• Canon by Paige Lewis
• Kin by Tayari Jones
• Vigil by George Saunders
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• Wuthering Heights
• The Odyssey
• Fear and Fury by Heather Ann Thompson
• Pool House by Mary HK Choi
• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
  …plus many more!

Join the conversation and download the Bookum app to track your reading, share notes, and connect with fellow book lovers: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In 1949, Jackie Robinson, baseball's barrier-breaking hero, was asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee against Paul Robeson, one of the most famous Black men in the world. They never met. They never shook hands. But America placed them in opposition to each other during the Second Red Scare.

Award-winning journalist and author Howard Bryant joins us to discuss his powerful new book "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America." This conversation explores one of the most overlooked chapters in Black history the 1945-1953 era when the Cold War and the fight for civil rights collided.

Bryant reveals how Paul Robeson, an All-American football player, Columbia Law graduate, internationally acclaimed singer, actor, and civil rights activist was systematically erased from American history. His passport was revoked, his income destroyed, and the Black establishment turned against him.

At the center of this story is Jackie Robinson, thrust into becoming a political spokesperson simply because he was great at baseball. Branch Rickey used Robinson to publicly denounce Robeson, a testimony Robinson would later regret. By the end of his life, Robinson said he could no longer stand for the flag.

In this episode:

• Who was Paul Robeson and why was he erased from history?
• The 1949 HUAC testimony that pitted Jackie Robinson against Paul Robeson
• How the FBI, Second Red Scare, and Cold War destroyed Robeson's career
• Why the NAACP, Thurgood Marshall, and Black leadership abandoned Robeson
• Branch Rickey's role in manipulating Jackie Robinson
• W.E.B. Du Bois's unwavering support of Paul Robeson
• The Peekskill riots and passport revocation
• Parallels between 1949 and 2026
• Jackie Robinson's political evolution and regrets
• Howard Bryant's research and writing process

Get the book: "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America" by Howard Bryant https://www.harpercollins.com/products/kings-and-pawns-howard-bryant

Follow Howard Bryant: Website: https://howardbryantbooks.com/ Instagram: @howardbryantbooks Facebook: Howard Bryant Official

Download the Bookum App: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!