Fall Preview: Feasting, Lord of the Rings, Halloween, and More! Anselm Society 2026-09-22 | Fall Preview: Feasting, Lord of the Rings, Halloween, and More!
Sin as a contagion #shorts #believetosee #zombie Anselm Society 2026-05-08 | Why do zombies and vampires refuse to die?At first glance, they seem like nothing more than horror tropes—violent, grotesque, and far removed from anything resembling Christian theology. But what if these monsters are actually asking some of the most important questions we can ask?In this episode of Believe to See, we explore the theological meaning behind zombie and vampire stories—from their origins in folklore to their dominance in modern pop culture. We trace the shift from Haitian zombie traditions to modern “infection” outbreaks, and from monstrous vampires like Dracula to the conflicted, almost-human figures in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond.Why do zombies often represent bodies without souls… while vampires represent souls trapped in a kind of cursed immortality? Why do these stories focus so heavily on desire, consumption, and the loss of humanity? And why have they remained so popular—from The Walking Dead to global hits like Train to Busan?We also explore: • Why zombies dominated pop culture from roughly 2005–2015 • The historical evolution of vampires from folklore to romance • Why many Christians have been wary of these stories • What these monsters reveal about the soul, the body, and the image of GodBecause in the end, these aren’t just stories about the undead.They’re stories about what it means to be truly alive.#Zombies #Vampires #Theology #Christianity #HorrorExplained #WalkingDead #Dracula #FaithAndCulture #Storytelling #BelieveToSee
How vampires got hearts 💕 ##shorts #believetosee #vampire Anselm Society 2026-05-07 | Why do zombies and vampires refuse to die?At first glance, they seem like nothing more than horror tropes—violent, grotesque, and far removed from anything resembling Christian theology. But what if these monsters are actually asking some of the most important questions we can ask?In this episode of Believe to See, we explore the theological meaning behind zombie and vampire stories—from their origins in folklore to their dominance in modern pop culture. We trace the shift from Haitian zombie traditions to modern “infection” outbreaks, and from monstrous vampires like Dracula to the conflicted, almost-human figures in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond.Why do zombies often represent bodies without souls… while vampires represent souls trapped in a kind of cursed immortality? Why do these stories focus so heavily on desire, consumption, and the loss of humanity? And why have they remained so popular—from The Walking Dead to global hits like Train to Busan?We also explore: • Why zombies dominated pop culture from roughly 2005–2015 • The historical evolution of vampires from folklore to romance • Why many Christians have been wary of these stories • What these monsters reveal about the soul, the body, and the image of GodBecause in the end, these aren’t just stories about the undead.They’re stories about what it means to be truly alive.#Zombies #Vampires #Theology #Christianity #HorrorExplained #WalkingDead #Dracula #FaithAndCulture #Storytelling #BelieveToSee
What Zombies Say about Us #shorts #believetosee #podcast Anselm Society 2026-05-06 | Why do zombies and vampires refuse to die?At first glance, they seem like nothing more than horror tropes—violent, grotesque, and far removed from anything resembling Christian theology. But what if these monsters are actually asking some of the most important questions we can ask?In this episode of Believe to See, we explore the theological meaning behind zombie and vampire stories—from their origins in folklore to their dominance in modern pop culture. We trace the shift from Haitian zombie traditions to modern “infection” outbreaks, and from monstrous vampires like Dracula to the conflicted, almost-human figures in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond.Why do zombies often represent bodies without souls… while vampires represent souls trapped in a kind of cursed immortality? Why do these stories focus so heavily on desire, consumption, and the loss of humanity? And why have they remained so popular—from The Walking Dead to global hits like Train to Busan?We also explore: • Why zombies dominated pop culture from roughly 2005–2015 • The historical evolution of vampires from folklore to romance • Why many Christians have been wary of these stories • What these monsters reveal about the soul, the body, and the image of GodBecause in the end, these aren’t just stories about the undead.They’re stories about what it means to be truly alive.#Zombies #Vampires #Theology #Christianity #HorrorExplained #WalkingDead #Dracula #FaithAndCulture #Storytelling #BelieveToSee
Theology of Vampires and Zombies: What They Say about Us Anselm Society 2026-05-05 | Why do zombies and vampires refuse to die?At first glance, they seem like nothing more than horror tropes—violent, grotesque, and far removed from anything resembling Christian theology. But what if these monsters are actually asking some of the most important questions we can ask?In this episode of Believe to See, we explore the theological meaning behind zombie and vampire stories—from their origins in folklore to their dominance in modern pop culture. We trace the shift from Haitian zombie traditions to modern “infection” outbreaks, and from monstrous vampires like Dracula to the conflicted, almost-human figures in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond.Why do zombies often represent bodies without souls… while vampires represent souls trapped in a kind of cursed immortality? Why do these stories focus so heavily on desire, consumption, and the loss of humanity? And why have they remained so popular—from The Walking Dead to global hits like Train to Busan?We also explore: • Why zombies dominated pop culture from roughly 2005–2015 • The historical evolution of vampires from folklore to romance • Why many Christians have been wary of these stories • What these monsters reveal about the soul, the body, and the image of GodBecause in the end, these aren’t just stories about the undead.They’re stories about what it means to be truly alive. #Zombies #Vampires #Theology #Christianity #HorrorExplained #WalkingDead #Dracula #FaithAndCulture #Storytelling #BelieveToSee
The Longing for Authenticity Anselm Society 2026-05-04 | ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Peculiar Purpose Anselm Society 2026-04-30 | It's human to want to fit in. And it's human to fail at fitting in. What if our peculiarities aren't necessarily weaknesses to be overcome, but gifts from God that He wants us to use? Join us at the virtual pub table as we discuss the pain of feeling like a weirdo, and the joy of finding our purpose (among our fellow weirdos).
Is your love redundant or redemptive? Anselm Society 2026-04-29 | ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Immortality of Your Story Anselm Society 2026-04-27 | ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Gravity of Earthly Love Anselm Society 2026-04-27 | How do we love earthly things in a way that honors God? Where do our longings fit in that equation? And...should we hug a tree after all?Andrew Roycroft and Lancia Smith rejoin the podcast for a discussion of themes from George MacDonald's "The Light Princess."***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Case for Toilet Humor Anselm Society 2026-04-21 | Why do our greatest stories—Chaucer, Shakespeare, and even the Bible—include moments that feel . . . a little crude? In this episode, we make a surprising case: what we call “toilet humor” isn’t just childish—it may actually serve a deeper purpose in storytelling. From the shocking story of Ehud in Judges, to Chaucer laughing at farts, to G. K. Chesterton reminding us to “take ourselves lightly,” we explore how humor rooted in the body can humble our pride, reconnect us to reality, and remind us all that we’re physical creatures with physical bodies.
The Saints As Stand-Up Comedians Anselm Society 2026-04-14 | Stand-up comedy has become one of our culture’s most important artistic forms. And that sounds strange. How can something as simple as a single person telling funny observations and anecdotes be one of our most important art forms? But look around. Stand-up is all over Netflix and other major streamers. Comedians dominate both the podcast arenas and the YouTube clip arenas. They also have an outsized importance in the national conversation on a broad range of culture issues. How did this all happen? Where did all these comedians come from? Is there a significance to stand-up comedians beyond a few laughs? More fundamentally, how should we, as Christians, view the (surprisingly ancient) tradition of the comedian? Joining us at the table to discuss this issue is Jason Crawford. He‘s a professor of English at Union University, where he specializes in early modern literature and culture. He has also written a fantastic new book called God’s Fools: Saints, Prophets, Martyrs, and the Making of Modern Comedy.
More Spiritual Than God - Anselm Society Anselm Society 2026-04-09 | What if the resurrection isn’t about escaping the physical world, but redeeming it? Through Thomas’s story, Brian, Sarah, and special Guests Andrew Roycroft and Lancia Smith consider the resurrected Christ as fully embodied -- and what that means for us, and all of creation! ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Cinderella: how grace perfects nature #booktok Anselm Society 2026-03-31 | Full episode: youtu.be/Kqem6O4uFGI
Cinderella and transfiguration #podcast #booktok Anselm Society 2026-03-30 | Full episode: youtu.be/Kqem6O4uFGI
The story of everything #podcast #imaginationredeemed Anselm Society 2026-03-26 | Full episode: youtu.be/Kqem6O4uFGI
Cinderella Stories - Anselm Society Anselm Society 2026-03-25 | Join Brian, Matthew, Sarah, and Jeremiah as they discuss what Cinderella stories from around the world have to do with Easter and eucatastrophe. ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Did Cinderella Need Saving? - Anselm Society Anselm Society 2026-03-25 | Why do human beings, in every corner of the world, tell a Cinderella story? A story where the overlooked girl goes to the ball. Where the prince searches the whole kingdom. Where the slipper fits, and everyone knows at once exactly who she is. And where a prince sweeps the princess off her feet to marry him.And again our question is: why?***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Cinderella Stories - Anselm Society Anselm Society 2026-03-25 | Why does every culture have a Cinderella story? Because eucatastrophe — the sudden joyous turn from ashes to glory — is the fundamental pattern of reality itself, and every culture recognizes it.In our last episode, we spent an episode with the dark fairy tales — the ones that don't end well, the ones parents used to read to their children on purpose. The Juniper Tree. The Girl Without Hands. Stories that looked mortality in the face and didn't blink.We argued that you can't skip those. That the darkness isn't a problem to fix — it's preparation. That eucatastrophe only lands with force if the catastrophe was real.Well. The catastrophe was real.So now we get to ask the other question: why do human beings, in every corner of the world, also tell the opposite kind of story? The one where the overlooked girl goes to the ball. Where the prince searches the whole kingdom. Where the slipper fits, and everyone knows at once exactly who she is. And where a prince sweeps the princess off her feet to marry him.And again our question is: why?Join Brian, Matthew, Sarah, and Jeremiah as they explore that question.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Jim vs. The Future Anselm Society 2026-03-18 | Theoretical physicists are debating whether the multiverse is plausible or bonkers. But regardless of the math, the idea of multiple realities is endlessly compelling for storytellers—from classic literature and pulp science fiction to contemporary film and television. At the digital pub table, we’re joined by filmmaker and culture critic Joseph Holmes to explore why the multiverse captivates us. His new film Jim vs. The Future explores the moral and theological implications of the multiverse. It asks what responsibility, choice, and hope look like when every possibility is open.
Navigating Darkness in Stories Anselm Society 2026-03-16 | Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Value of Dark Fairy Tales Anselm Society 2026-03-15 | Listen to the whole episode here: youtu.be/-dA-I_M9tRw Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Preparing Kids for Lifes Darkness through Storytelling Anselm Society 2026-03-14 | Listen to the whole episode here: youtu.be/-dA-I_M9tRw Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real. ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Fear of God: A Path to Confidence Anselm Society 2026-03-13 | Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Training Affections through Dark Fairy Tales Anselm Society 2026-03-12 | Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real. ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Dark Side of Fairy Tales Anselm Society 2026-03-11 | Listen to the whole episode here: youtu.be/-dA-I_M9tRw ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Dark Fairy Tales - Anselm Society Anselm Society 2026-03-11 | Join Matthew, Brian, Sarah, and Jeremiah as we explore the dark and often unsettling fairy tales that have shaped human storytelling for centuries. We discuss their purpose, impact on children, and how they prepare us for the realities of life, and that courage, faithfulness, and hope matter precisely because darkness is real.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Writing Music for Video Games (And Movies. And TV.) Anselm Society 2026-03-10 | Video game music has come a long way. Simple electronic beeps have evolved into some of today’s most ambitious musical scores. In this episode, we explore how music shapes storytelling across all sorts of visual media, and why video game scores deserve to be taken as seriously as their movie counterparts. Joining the Anselm Society Digital Pub table is Vinicius Barbosa Pippa, a composer and conductor whose work spans film, television, and video games. He delves into his process for creating music to tell stories across many different genres.
The Bible Is a Story About Dragons Anselm Society 2026-03-04 | Throughout church history, having a Christian imagination meant telling stories about dragons. If that sounds a bit strong, then look at your Bible. From the opening verses of Genesis to the climactic battle at the end of Revelation, dragons play an important role in the story of Scripture. So how should we as Christians place dragon stories within the Great Story? Author and podcaster Laurie Christine joins the digital pub table to sort this out. She has written a series of middle grade books called the Dragon Slayer Bible Series. She discusses the ways that the Bible’s understanding of dragons can shape our stories today.
Truth Is Stranger . . . Anselm Society 2026-02-26 | Is it possible to stumble into the Upside Down and come back with a handful of transcendent truths? Join Mandy, Christina, and Matt at the pub table as they discuss the themes and characters of the series Stranger Things—beauty in weakness, strength in fragility, the power of story, and more. Please note: if you have not watched the series, this episode is spoiler-filled!
On Birds and Grief and Hope Courtney Ellis Anselm Society 2026-02-17 | Courtney Ellis—author, pastor, and podcaster—joins Mandy at the pub table to discuss all things feathered (including hope) and how God speaks to our hearts through the wonder and beauty of His creation. (Find Courtney's books and podcast: courtneybellis.com)
Joy of Giving - A Dinner Date Anselm Society 2026-02-13 | Listen to the full episode, “The Freedom of Limits”***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Making Room for Grace Anselm Society 2026-02-11 | Listen to the full episode, “The Freedom of Limits”***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
When Bad People Make Good Art Anselm Society 2026-02-10 | We’ve all been there at some point. There’s an artist who does great work. We admire their talent, and we use their art as a model for our own. And then we learn the artist did something terrible in their personal life. How should we respond as Christian artists? Can we enjoy the art on its own terms and sift out the artist’s mistakes? Or are the artist and the art so intertwined that we can’t separate them? It turns out—shocker!—that this is a complicated issue with a lot of moving parts. But Matt, Mandy, and Christina do their best to walk through the different considerations and to give a framework for approaching the issue with care and intentionality.
Constraints Drive Self-Examination and Enchantment Anselm Society 2026-02-06 | Listen to the full episode, “The Freedom of Limits”***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
A Gentleman in Moscow: Discipline and Limits Anselm Society 2026-02-04 | In this conversation, Brian Brown, Sarah Howell, Jeremiah England, and Christina Brown delve into the themes presented in 'A Gentleman in Moscow' by Amor Towles, focusing on the character Count Rostov and his experiences within the confines of a hotel. Such a story helps us engage our confines -- After all, in winter, we’re stuck inside a lot, which reminds us of the limits that come with constricted space. Monotony, potentially bad habits and patterns, irritation from friction with or noise from people around us, etc. We’re kinda conditioned to view limits as confining; to want freedom and choice and autonomy. Even if we pay lip service to the value of limits, as soon as we experience a new one, we typically respond with frustration, rebellion, grief, and so on. But Christian writers, from ancient mystics to contemporary novelists, have seen limits–whether on our desires or even our physical space–as something very different. Maybe there’s a way to learn to be the kind of person who is sharpened, grown, and even set free by limits. To not just live well within them, but be unleashed by them to build new strength, transform our desires, love more deeply, create more beautifully, and stretch into the person God is making us to be.***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Our Stories Need Undaunted Joy Anselm Society 2026-02-03 | Our world has more material prosperity than ever. So why does everybody seem so dour? And why are so many of our culture’s stories devoid of hope? Author Shemaiah Gonzales’s latest book is Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. This collection of essays makes the case that, as Christians, our stories need more joy. But not the naïve or fake kind of joy. The real, brave kind. She joins the pub table to discuss the implications of telling stories that cultivate authentic joy.
Why Should We Care About Jane Austens Bookshelf? Anselm Society 2026-01-27 | It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest novelists. Her place in the literary canon is secure. Her influence on later generations is profound. But what about the novelists who influenced Jane Austen? Hardly anybody reads them nowadays, and they are not in the canon. Using Rebecca Romney’s book Jane Austen’s Bookshelf as a guide, Sarah, Matt, and Mandy discuss how strange this situation is. If Jane Austen thought a novel was great, shouldn’t we want to read it? The co-hosts make the case for adding these forgotten authors into the literary canon.
Shakespeare and the Dallas Cowboys Anselm Society 2026-01-20 | Even people who don’t follow sports know about the Dallas Cowboys. They’re “America’s Team.” Giant stadiums and superstar players and Super Bowl victories. The team that’s always in the news because of drama with their owner. But here’s the thing: the Cowboys haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 30 years. The images we have about the Cowboys’ greatness come from a four-year run between 1992 and 1995. How could such a powerful story emerge from such a short span of winning? Matt invites Luke Moja—his friend and resident 90s sports expert—to the digital pub table to discuss the enduring myth-making and real-life Shakespearean drama that is the Dallas Cowboys.
Do Audiobooks Count As Reading? Anselm Society 2026-01-13 | For many people, audiobooks are the primary way they engage with novels. Other people view audiobooks as something lesser that doesn’t really “count” as reading. What are the benefits (and drawbacks) of audiobooks? Of e-readers? Of old-fashioned paper books? The cohosts debate all this and more during this roundtable.
Great-Souled Living Anselm Society 2026-01-12 | What if the reason you feel too small, too broke, or too ordinary to be generous is actually a spiritual problem masquerading as humility? In this episode, we explore an ancient vice called pusillanimity—"smallness of soul"—that convinces us our limitations define us. Through Leo Tolstoy's story of Martin the cobbler and John Witherspoon's forgotten sermon on Christian magnanimity, we discover that true generosity isn't about having enough resources, but about remembering whose children we are.
Daughters of Bronze Ashlee Cowles Anselm Society 2026-01-06 | Ashlee Cowles returns to the digital pub table. She’s both an Arts Guild member and one half of the AD Rhine writing duo. Their latest novel, Daughters of Bronze, concludes their retelling of the Trojan War from the viewpoint of four Trojan women. Cowles discusses the ways she grounded the novel in history, and how she was able to find hope—even in the doom of Troy.
BEST OF Believe to See: Is It a Christmas Movie? Anselm Society 2025-12-30 | To celebrate the holidays, Believe to See is re-airing episodes from past Christmases. Or should we say from Christmas Past? "Is It a Christmas Movie?" first aired on December 3, 2022.
A Christmas Oratorio (Not the Messiah) Anselm Society 2025-12-29 | Make an end-of-year gift to support us: zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-make-a-difference-2178A pre-New Year's bit of gorgeousness for you--Brian and Sarah read and discuss W.H. Auden's poem "For The Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio," and share a couple things to look forward to next year!
BEST OF Believe to See: 12 Days of Christmas Carol Anselm Society 2025-12-23 | To Celebrate the week of Christmas, Believe to See is re-airing episodes from past Christmases . . . Should we say from Christmas Past? “12 Days of Christmas Carol” first aired on December 29, 2020.
Creation laughs with joy at the incarnation Anselm Society 2025-12-23 | Martin Luther: "All creation except the demons and the flesh laughs with joy at the incarnation."#incarnation #christmas
Luci Shaw: Marys Song Anselm Society 2025-12-19 | A little Christmas treat for you!***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
The Tyranny of the Present Anselm Society 2025-12-17 | ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
Are Today’s Literary Novels Only for Women? Anselm Society 2025-12-16 | The clear majority of literary novels are read by women. The clear majority are written by women, too. Women also dominate the publishing industry around these books. As a result, more and more men are feeling alienated by this new literary landscape. What’s led to this shift in the literary world? Is the development good, bad, or neutral? Matt, Mandy, and Christina delve into this multi-faceted issue.
The Hierarchy of Joviality Anselm Society 2025-12-12 | A moment from our recent conversation with Joffre Swait on the lost Christian virtue of joviality.
Joviality: A Regal Word Anselm Society 2025-12-09 | ***The Anselm Society's mission is a renaissance of the Christian imagination. We help churches re-learn how to disciple and work alongside artists. Artists to re-learn how to be a part of the church, integrating excellence of both craft and faith. And everyone else to burn with a desire to see the Kingdom with the same enchanted eyes with which they see Narnia and Middle Earth.Learn more: http://www.anselmsociety.orgEmail list: anselmsociety.org/email-listFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/anselmsocietyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/anselmsocietyCopyright (c) Anselm Society
