Our final episode of the Ulysses in 80 Podcast (2025) weaves 32 soliloquies from readers in 12 countries. Each recorded in a place of their choosing, spontaneous and on the spot, their voices join into one collective stream of consciousness—the 2025 Soliloquy.

Spanning many languages and accents, the chorus echoes Joyce’s vision: strangers passing one another on life’s journey. And at the end, one last soliloquy—an older voice, full of life—reminds us why we struggle with Ulysses, and why we read.

Hosted by Clíona Ó’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.

Podcast Description

In our final Ulysses in 80 webinar guest series of 2025, we’re joined by Ilaria Susmel from Trieste, Italy. A local and enthusiastic Joyce reader, Ilaria’s warm and engaging delivery brings both affection for Ulysses and fresh insight into how the city of Trieste itself shapes the reading of the novel in ways we may not have known.

As an added gift, Silvia Margherita German joins us from Trieste with song—imagine the city lights behind her as she sings and speaks, carrying the voice of Trieste into this final stop with Joyce’s masterpiece.

This episode is hosted by Clíona O’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross. With heartfelt gratitude to Ilaria and Silvia, whose passion and spirit made this closing conversation truly unforgettable.

Ulysses in 80 welcomes special guest Dr. Daragh O’Connell, Director of the Centre for Dante Studies in Ireland. This compelling conversation explores the deep links, intersections, and influences between Dante Alighieri and James Joyce — and their landmark works, Inferno and Ulysses. Through this shared lens, we uncover new insights into the structure, symbolism, and ambition of both literary masterpieces. This episode is hosted by Clíona O’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.

In this episode of the Ulysses in 80 podcast, we sit down with the one and only Robert Nicholson—a true Joyce legend who spent four decades as the curator of the James Joyce Tower & Museum in Sandycove. Robert has led countless walking tours through the winding streets of Joyce’s Dublin, published beloved editions of Walking Joyce’s Dublin, and brought the spirit of Joyce to life through community events, talks, and good old-fashioned conversation.

Think of this as a fireside chat… if the fire were flickering in a pub at the turn of the 20th century and the topic was Ulysses. With Robert’s wit, stories, and deep connection to the city and the novel, it’s more than a discussion—it’s a journey.

This episode was recorded live on July 29, 2025, and is hosted by Clíona Ó’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.

Pull up a stool, pour a pint, and join us.

🌐 ulyssesguide.com

In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Patrick Hastings, author of the acclaimed Guide to James Joyce’s Ulysses. Patrick has a gift for presenting Joyce’s monumental—and famously challenging—novel in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and intellectually honest. His approach preserves the novel’s complexity, context, and the rich possibilities it offers for interpretation and discussion.

With clarity, humor, and deep insight, Patrick helps readers find a way into Ulysses that feels welcoming and rewarding. The Guide to Ulysses is more than a reading aid—it’s a companion that will stay with you through every future journey into Joyce’s masterpiece.

Whether you're a first-time reader or a seasoned Joycean, this conversation offers tools, perspectives, and inspiration to deepen your engagement with Ulysses—one episode at a time.

Hosted by Cliona O'Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross

This special episode marks more than just the textual midpoint of Ulysses, where the novel turns toward Oxen of the Sun. It is a threshold moment in the novel. It is also a moment when the mirror turns, too.

Instead of us looking into Ulysses, Ulysses—and something deeper within us—looks back.

Strangers from across ten time zones, connected through the shared journey of reading Ulysses in 80 Days, came together live on a screen for a spontaneous, on-the-spot writing session. No time to prepare. A prompt in the real-time moment and then: GO! WRITE! TIMER SET!

Just five minutes to write about a personal “threshold” moment—raw, unrevised, and real. What surfaced weren’t just stories, but glimpses of truth.

This episode isn’t about studying Joyce. It’s about discovering what Ulysses helps reveal when we meet it halfway.

The Ulysses in 80 project is hosted by Mark Sanford Gross and Clíona O’Farrelly. With deep thanks to the brave writers who stepped forward and shared from the middle.

In this episode, we are In Discussion with Kelly Bryan of Blooms & Barnacles.

In this lively and engaging episode, we sit down with Kelly Bryan, co-founder and co-host of the acclaimed Blooms & Barnacles podcast and blog, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries and joys of James Joyce’s Ulysses. With warmth and wit, Kelly leads us through an organic, free-flowing conversation full of insights, laughter, and sharp observations. She chats with participants, dives into the details of Joyce’s text, and brings her signature spirit to the room.

For more on Kelly’s work, visit bloomsandbarnacles.com.

This episode is part of the Reading Ulysses in 80 Days project, led by Clíona Ó’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross, alongside hundreds of curious and passionate readers from around the world.

Join the conversation in the Ulysses in 80 Facebook group and follow us on Bluesky at @Ulysses80.

This week's episode: renowned scholar and author Joseph Valente joins us for a mind-opening dive into our Ulysses discussion. With wit, depth, and energy, he reveals the shimmer beneath Joyce's line and the architecture above them--making the text spark in ways we might have missed. Hosted by Cliona O'Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross, this is a bold, brainy, and illuminating conversation that stays with you long after it ends. Thank you, Joe Valente!

Join Ulysses in 80 on Facebook and follow us on Bluesky @ulysses80