The Plunge With Derek Holser
The End of Evil: LILITH | Chris Green & Jordan Daniel Wood
updated
This week’s episode is an insightful presentation of The Sea Bell, or Frodo's Dreme, the poem by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Today’s guest is Bret van den Brink. Bret is a PhD student at the University of Toronto, where he also earned his MA. He earned his BA, with Honors at Trinity Western, Vancouver. Bret is a poet & lover of poetry from Spenser to Stevens.
To learn more and read some of Bret's writings: https://linktr.ee/bretv
Follow Bret on X: https://x.com/BretVDB
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Academic Journey
03:44 Discovering Tolkien: A Personal Journey
07:25 The Allure of Poetry
11:39 Exploring Tolkien's Poem: The Sea Bell
19:50 Themes of Transition and Liminal Spaces
26:46 The Nature of Faerie and Reality
30:31 Cultural Myths: Sasquatch and Folklore
32:30 The Symbolism of the Boat
37:35 The Journey of the Protagonist
42:56 Final Thoughts on Frodo's Dream
Full episode:
youtu.be/L0wgjsvsQoU
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
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👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
This week's episode is a lively conversation about Bilbo Baggins, the meaning and nature of place, and the opportunity for everyone to determine where their story ends. We touch on the Shire, the Ring, and Bilbo's journey There and Back Again!
Today's guest is Thalia Toha. Thalia is an architectural historian, geographer, and preservationist. She believes that everyone should be able to choose how their story ends, regardless of where they’re placed in life. Her interest in studying hidden ways in which places impact people’s story arcs led her from Princeton University to restoring 15,000 square foot town halls, to advising the development of food halls, to serving as a geography exhibit designer in Lafayette Museum.
Thalia's insights have been featured on Architectural Digest, SELF magazine, and Homes & Gardens. When she’s not busy with her interdisciplinary work, you can find her writing about the philosophy of places on:
storyarks.substack.com/about
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
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👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
00:00 Introduction to Talia Toha and Her Journey
05:56 The Significance of Place in Life
12:03 The Importance of How vs. Where in Life Choices
14:08 Bilbo Baggins: A Relatable Character
22:08 The Rhythms of Place and Their Impact on Life
30:54 The Nature of Disruption
37:50 Bilbo's Journey and Self-Discovery
43:52 The Symbolism of the Ring
52:37 Confronting Smaug: Power and Wealth
59:43 The Concept of Home and Transformation
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
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👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
This week's episode is an inspiring discussion of Frodo Baggins. The humble hobbit thrust into the quest for the ages. Joining me is Dr. @andrewnsnyder
Dr. Andrew Snyder is a professor of philosophy and theology, author of forthcoming book, Divine Honour in The Lord of the Rings, host of the Mythic Mind Podcast, and leader of the Mythic Mind Fellowship, which is a Christian humanities-based community. Andrew enjoys discussing the wisdom found in stories from ancient myths to contemporary pop culture, and he resides in Williamsburg, VA with his wife and three kids.
youtube.com/@UC3sdc7y0Cd7E5OYNqNEi36w
mythicmind.substack.com
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
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👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Andrew Snyder and Tolkien's Influence
03:02 Andrew's Journey to Discovering Tolkien
05:53 The Philosophical Value of Fiction
08:42 Frodo's Understanding of Heroism
11:31 Frodo's Loss of Innocence
14:20 The Tookish Nature of Frodo
17:27 The Quest for Significance
20:25 Frodo and the Ring's Dark Power
23:19 The Council of Elrond and Frodo's Decision
26:27 The Nazgul Encounter at Weathertop
29:24 The Climax at Mount Doom
30:51 The Role of Providence in Tolkien's Narrative
35:04 Frodo and Sam: A Friendship of Distinction
40:03 Gandalf's Mentorship and Influence on Frodo
45:33 Boromir and Frodo: Contrasting Approaches to Responsibility
49:00 Duty, Sacrifice, and Perseverance in Frodo's Journey
51:50 Eucatastrophe: The Happy Turn in Tolkien's Stories
56:02 Tolkien's Fascination with Northern Mythology
59:11 Frodo's Bittersweet Departure to the Undying Lands
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
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👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
This week's episode is a lively conversation about The Narrator. Is the voice of the storyteller of The Lord of the Rings Tolkien's voice? How does The Narrator advance the story, reveal aspects of Tolkien's worldview, and more.
Dr. Sørina Higgins @DrSorinaHiggins is an editor, author, English teacher, and writing consultant. Her scholarly interests include British & Irish modernism & magic, religion & literature, the Inklings, and Arthuriana. Dr. Higgins is currently writing a series of lectures on the Inklings for one of The Great Courses from The Teaching Company.
Sørina has received a Clyde S. Kilby Research Grant from the Marion E. Wade Center for her forthcoming book The Oddest Inkling: An Introduction to Charles Williams, due out in 2026 from Apocryphile Press. She previously wrote and recorded C.S. Lewis: Writer, Scholar, Seeker, an Audible Original from The Teaching Company, and edited an academic essay collection entitled The Inklings and King Arthur. She is also the author of the blog The Oddest Inkling, devoted to the study of Charles Williams’ works. theoddestinkling.wordpress.com
wyrdhoard.com
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
⸻
👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
00:00 Introduction to Serena Higgins and Her Journey
03:05 Exploring Joy as a Signpost to God
05:51 The Cultural Phenomenon of Magic and Spiritualism
08:56 The Impact of Occult Practices on Literature
12:06 Tolkien's Relationship with Magic and the Occult
15:05 The Role of the Narrator in Tolkien's Works
17:56 Narrative Techniques and Reader Engagement
20:36 Characterization Through Narrative Voice
23:47 Compassionate Narration and Character Trauma
26:56 The Red Book of Westmarch and In-World Authors
32:11 The Manuscript and Its Authors
34:07 Narrative Persona and Reliability
37:56 Tolkien's Influence from Beowulf
38:41 Digressions and Their Impact
41:38 Tolkien as Translator vs. Author
44:46 Evolution of the Narrator
50:43 The Structure of The Lord of the Rings
52:17 Medieval Inspirations in Tolkien's Work
55:40 Narrative Perspective and Free Will
01:00:55 Sub-Creation and the Role of the Narrator
Today's episode is a singular one, for a singular writer. This is a conversation about Cormac McCarthy, and his novel Child of God. This novel explores the uttermost depravity of humanity, and wrestles with the idea that "perhaps" Lester Ballard is a child of God like me...
Joining me for this conversation is the incomparable Joel Miller, of Miller's Book Review. millersbookreview.com
Joel J. Miller is a former publishing executive with a twenty-year career in writing and editorial. Today he serves as chief content officer of Full Focus (FullFocus.co) and publishes Miller’s Book Review (MillersBookReview.com), a popular Substack celebrating literary culture.
He is the author of several books, including The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future (forthcoming, November 2025). His writing has appeared in Reason, the Washington Post, American Spectator, and National Review. He lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, kids, dogs, and more books than space.
Pre-Order Joel's latest book here: tinyurl.com/yushvpfk
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
⸻
👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
Chapters:
Introduction to the Novel and Guests (0:00)
Personal Reflections and Life Stories (5:12)
Exploring Cormac McCarthy's Writing Style (12:45)
Themes of Humanity and Depravity (20:30)
Character Analysis: Lester Ballard (28:15)
Violence and Society (35:50)
Theological and Philosophical Insights (42:30)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (50:00)
Hashtags: #CormacMcCarthy #ChildOfGod #LiteratureDiscussion #BookAnalysis
I hope you'll enjoy this guest episode, and subscribe to youtube.com/@UCcYFlFuyOmYL6LcuicqzULw
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📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
⸻
👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
Bethany also discusses the critical role of community in fostering a sense of belonging and empathy, advocating for spaces where individuals can feel safe to share their stories and be received with warmth and compassion. Throughout the episode, she provides practical grounding and mindfulness practices that listeners can incorporate into their daily lives to support their well-being and connection to others. Join us as we explore the profound impact of soul care and the ways it can lead to deeper healing and transformation.
⸻
📲 Connect with Derek Holser:
🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@derekholser
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/derekholser
📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y
⸻
👂Like what you hear?
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop!
🗣️ Got thoughts? Drop a comment below! Let’s talk MacDonald, community, art, or your favorite retreat snack. (We won’t judge if it’s popcorn.)
#SoulCare #HealingJourney #MindBodySpirit #CommunityBelonging


