Notes from the Oracle: A Percy Jackson and Mythology Podcast

Podcast by Connor Stacey

Notes from the Oracle: A Percy Jackson and Mythology Podcast

"Notes from the Oracle" is a chapter-by-chapter read-through and breakdown of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and the rest of the Riordanverse that kickstarted our love of reading and mythology. In each episode, Connor and Jack recap and discuss that week's chapter before deep diving into the mythology and real-world history that inspired the gods, monsters, and other details from the chapter. Sources referenced during the myth section will always, always be listed in the show notes. New episodes of "Notes from the Oracle" will release bi-weekly on Sundays at 6 pm EST. If you're enjoying our show, share your favorite episode with a friend. It's the best way to support us, and it's totally free!

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Latest episodes

28 June 2026

Chapter 15: Nobody Gets the Fleece | The Sea of Monsters

HE'S BACK! That's right! This chapter has all the action you could want. Tyson returns, Percy Jackson demonstrates his true godly strength as he bests his strongest adversary yet, and our heroes finally get their hands on the golden fleece itself. We're breaking down all the action, so that you don't miss a moment before diving into one of our biggest myths in the Sea of Monsters, a breakdown of the entire story of the golden fleece from it's beginning to the end of the Argonautica.

This Week's Myths:

The Golden Fleece
The Argonautica

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

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01:46:27

14 June 2026

Chapter 14: We Meet the Sheep of Doom | The Sea of Monsters

Join in this week as Jack and Connor discuss the home of the Cyclops... Percy Jackson and Annabeth have arrived at the home of Polyphemus, so we're finally taking the opportunity to take a deep dive into Odysseus's encounter with the classic monstrous villain of the Odyssey in this week's myth section alongside our usual chapter breakdown where we're laughing at carnivorous sheep, lamenting the stupidity of Clarisse, and celebrating the return of the GOAT himself, Grover!

This Week's Myths:

Polyphemus

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

Homer, The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fitzgerald

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01:27:54

31 May 2026

Chapter 13: Annabeth Tries to Swim Home | The Sea of Monsters

I hope you're listening with headphones this week because Percy Jackson is facing the Siren's song as he and Annabeth journey further into the Sea of Monsters. Connor and Jack are discussing how this chapter has it all. We're breaking down the emotional moments that give this chapter depth for the characters and some solid son-of-the-sea-god action before taking on two very different myths. First, Connor is addressing some of the set dressing and talking about the volcanic island forges of Hephaestus before exploring the surprisingly intricate lore of the Sirens.

This Week's Myths:

Forges of Hephaestus
Sirens

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

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02:26:27

17 May 2026

Chapter 12: We Check In to C.C.'s Spa & Resort | The Sea of Monsters

YARGHH MATEYS! Beware the Sea of Monsters, for great evils lurk within. Including... pirates? Dead men tell no tales, so it's a good thing we're alive and well to break down this chapter for you! We're covering a real variety in today's episode. The chapter starts slow and somber as Percy Jackson grapples with the presumed death of his brother before quickly descending into complete chaos on Circe's island. As such, Connor is presenting a deep dive on Odysseus's encounter with Circe on her island before we get another special history deep dive from Jack! This week, Ramblings from Cabin 6 is all about the famed pirate Blackbeard, so climb aboard as we set sail for our longest episode yet!

This Week's Myths:

Circe

This Week's Ramblings from Cabin 6:

Blackbeard

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

Kirke (Kirke) - Greek Goddess of Sorcery, Sorceress of Aeaea
Kirke - Wikipedia
Hesiod, Theogony
Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History, Book IV
Homer, Odyssey, Book X
Moly (herb) - Wikipedia
Riordan, Rick. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2). Disney Hyperion, 2006.
Perry, Dan (2006), Blackbeard: The Real Pirate of the Caribbean, Thunder's Mouth Press, ISBN 1560258853
Wood, Peter H (2004), "Teach, Edward (Blackbeard) (d. 1718)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/27097
Johnson, Captain Charles (1724), A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates
Woodbury, George (1951), The Great Days of Piracy, W. W. Norton & Company
Konstam, Angus (2007), Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 9780470128213
Senior, Clive M. (1976). A Nation of Pirates. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7264-5
Butler, Lindley S. (2000). Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders of the Carolina Coast. Chapel Hill & London: The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-2553-0.
Woodard, Colin (2007). The Republic of Pirates. Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 978-0-15-101302-9.
Lee, Robert E. (1974), Blackbeard the Pirate (2002 ed.), John F. Blair, ISBN 0895870320

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-the-oracle/id1792459969

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03:51:15

03 May 2026

Chapter 11: Clarisse Blows Up Everything | The Sea of Monsters

It's official. Here there be monsters... That's right! Percy Jackson and friends are crossing the threshold into the Sea of Monsters where they're facing down the biggest, most dangerous foes they've faced yet: the legendary Scylla and Charybdis. Connor and Jack are breaking down every moment of this chapter's heart-pounding action before exploring the depths of the mythology that these monsters have to offer. But that's not all because Jack has brought a brand new Ramblings from Cabin 6 where this time he's providing another historical deep dive into America's civil war. This time, he's covering Union hero Laura Jackson, a lesser known historical figure and sister of the famous confederate, General Stonewall Jackson, so be sure to stick around to the very end of this episode, so you don't miss a moment!

This Week's Myths:

Scylla and Charybdis
The Clashing Rocks / The Sympleglades

And a special new section! This Week's History Section:

Laura Jackson and General Stonewall Jackson

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

Homer, The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.
Strait of Messina - Wikipedia
CHARYBDIS (Kharybdis) - Whirlpool Monster of Greek Mythology
SCYLLA (Skylla) - Sea Monster of Greek mythology
CETO (Keto) - Greek Goddess of Sea Monsters
APOLLONIUS RHODIUS, ARGONAUTICA BOOK 4 - Theoi Classical Texts Library
Aeneas - Wikipedia
Apollodorus, Library (Apollod.)
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Odyssey, by Homer
VIRGIL, AENEID BOOK 3 - Theoi Classical Texts Library
Symplegades - Wikipedia
Phineus - Wikipedia
The Argonautica, by Apollonius Rhodius
Riordan, Rick. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2). Disney Hyperion, 2006.
James I. Robertson, Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend (1997).
Stonewall Jackson Genealogy. Online Resources from the VMI Archives.
Historic Beverly: The Jonathan Arnold House
Laura Jackson Arnold | Civil War Women Blog
Spurgeon, Larry. “Laura Arnold: Stonewall Jackson’s Unionist Sister.” Jackson Brigade Quarterly (2020). Laura-Arnold-paper-Final-Draft.pdf
Forgotten sister of Stonewall Jackson defied her family and paid the price - West Virginia Explorer

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02:45:22

19 April 2026

Chapter 10: We Hitch a Ride with Dead Confederates | The Sea of Monsters

An encounter with a hydra can't bog this chapter down! It's got Monster Donut in it! Percy Jackson and friends finish their escape from the Princess Andromeda, and Connor and Jack are breaking down every detail of the phenomenal character interactions they have along the way and their discussions within the demigod hideout they stop to rest in before the attack from the Hydra. That means that in this week's myth section, we're talking about one of the most memorable multi-headed monster in Greek mythology, the dreaded Hydra. And the wind bag of course! So get yourself a box of donuts and prepare to dive into this delectable chapter.

This Week's Myths:

The Bag of Winds from the Odyssey
Hydras

And a special new section! This Week's History Section:

The History of the Confederate Navy

The Oracle's Visions! (Links to sources)

Homer, The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.
LERNAEAN HYDRA - Nine-Headed Serpent of Greek Mythology
Hesiod, Theogony
Apollodorus, Library
Riordan, Rick. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2). Disney Hyperion, 2006.
Milestones in the History of U.S. Foreign Relations - Office of the Historian
Still, William N. “Confederate Naval Strategy: The Ironclad.” The Journal of Southern History 27, no. 3 (1961): 330–43. https://doi.org/10.2307/2205212.
Hill, J. Richard, Rear Admiral (2000). War at Sea in the Ironclad age. London: Cassell. ISBN 0-304-35273-X.
Sondhaus, Lawrence (2001). Naval Warfare 1815–1914. London: Routledge.
The First Modern War? | Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Surdam, David G. “THE CONFEDERATE NAVAL BUILDUP: Could More Have Been Accomplished?” Naval War College Review 54, no. 1 (2001): 107–27. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26391129.

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-the-oracle/id1792459969

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Want to connect with us? Please direct all business inquiries to notesfromtheoraclepodcast@gmail.com

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02:13:06