Born of Wonder

Today on the podcast Katie explores the life of Beatrix Potter, famed author of the "Peter Rabbit" stories. Creator of so many magical worlds, where did Beatrix find inspiration? And what inspiration can we gain from her life? Beatrix didn't publish until her late 30s, didn't find love or a place to truly call home until her 40s. It's never too late! A lover of animals, the countryside, and tradit...

Welcome to Season 4! We're launching the season with a deep dive into the beautiful traditional ballad Scarborough Faire. Did you know there are many versions of the song that don't even mention a fair at all? Or that for most of its history it seems the song was sung in a major key (not the haunting minor key we're all familiar with!)? And what is the symbolism behind that famous 'herb refrain? K...

It's been called the most beautiful book in the world - a book with a mysterious history - and an ongoing source of inspiration and fascination: The Book of Kells. The Medieval illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels of the Christian New Testament currently housed at Trinity College in Dublin and accessible to ALL via the web! In this episode Katie explains the storied history of the bo...

Happy Belated Mother's Day! On this episode, Katie shares some of her own experiences of motherhood and the many ways mothers bring incredibly unique, powerful gifts to the world. We'll talk about the 'both-and' of motherhood (so hard, so beautiful), the fact that mothers cannot and should not be caring for children alone, how children teach us to be beautifully unproductive,' and then we'll celeb...

Katie is joined by Beth Jamieson, host of the "Well Read Life" Podcast to talk ALL about Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. This saga takes us through the tumult and trials of a woman's life in medieval Norway, from childhood until the end of her life. Despite so many falls from grace, this is a redemptive story, highlighting not only the power of the human spirit, but the absolute relentless...

Katie chats with her husband Chris about the term they spent at Oxford University, "the city of dreaming spires" - The home of the Inklings (Tolkien and C.S. Lewis!), wonderful pubs, the Oxford Oratory... Hear about Katie's inability to navigate a bus schedule and getting lost in the Cotswolds... What did they learn from the Oxford Blind Wine Tasting Society? Do the British really hate Americans?...

In this episode, Katie shares how horses taught her a lot about bravery. "Kick on, Jump the Fence!" A meditation on how the Christian life is intimately tied up with suffering and love. Remember no day was as dark as Good Friday, no morning as bright as Easter Sunday. The most often repeated phrase in the Bible is "Do not be afraid." What are we so afraid of? Do we risk loving, losing, hurting? En...

Celebrating Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum with the Lord of the Rings - exploring Aragorn's Christ-like role as Healer, Priest, and King. We'll also talk about the Lord's Descent into Hell, the beauty of Holy Week Services (and what they entail), and the Hope that comes from a Returning King. Happy Holy Week, Happy Easter!  “For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the...

Murder mysteries don’t shirk from the violence of real-life. Sometimes the worst happens. But a murder-mystery also promises us answers. It promises us a good and thorough investigation that ends with the bad guy getting caught. Can you rectify the initial injustice? Of course not. But it can provide closure, release, and the smallest sense of restoration. Today on the podcast, a deep dive into 'c...

What does it mean to have a sacramental worldview, to believe in the sacramental imagination? We'll explore the convergence of the physical and the spiritual, how our lives can gain deep meaning by marking time with an understanding of eternity. Katie shares a story of her own personal experience with the sacramental imagination, during a difficult start to Lent. We'll discuss Flannery O'Connor, t...

A throwback episode - mischievous fairies in the Hills, fiddle music, Yeats, places where a 100 years can pass in one night, where 'what is lost can be restored.' Ever wonder what's beyond the hills of heather? On this episode, Katie leads us into some magical realms, the land of Faeirie and Myth.    www.bornofwonder.com Instagram @bornofwonder   "Spring 1" Max Richter, Recomposed, Vivaldi's Four...

Today on the podcast, poet and priest, R.S. Thomas - a singular artistic voice that speaks to mankind's essential loneliness and how the absence of God (in the Augustinian sense) is often the most profound proof of His presence. A wonderful Lenten meditation as we journey through the desert. Journey out to a wild Welsh cliffside and listen to some poetry.    R.S. Thomas Profile, 1995 https://www.y...

The epitome of class and elegance, Audrey Hepburn also embodied many virtues when it came to 'the simple life' - she loved children, gardens, animals, good food, and good company. A heartwarming episode with lots of great audio from interviews and films - the inspiring and timeless wisdom of Audrey Hepburn.  The Quiet Wisdom of Audrey Hepburn  https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/the-quiet-wisdom-of-...

In the midst of so much confusion, sadness, and violence in the world, how do we find wonder? How do we balance our need to be informed with our need to guard our emotions? What about music, art, stories - where do these fit in when the world is consumed by overwhelming events? We'll unite to Ukraine through music, stories, shared humanity... Hymns, chants, folk music... 'Look for the helpers.' Th...

On this episode, Katie discusses the fascinating philosophical contributions of four women philosophers: one a zealous Catholic convert, one a bohemian artist, one an upperclass academic, and one a 'jack of all trades' with a special interest in biology and animals. What did they all have in common? A shared desire for Truth in an age of dogmatic relativism. As they discussed and debated the huge...

Interview any woman writer and odds are they will bring up Jo March. Everyone from Nora Ephron to J.K. Rowling to Susan Sontag to Simone de Beauvoir has claimed the bookish and bold heroine of Louisa May Alcott’s 150+ year old classic, Little Women, as a personal inspiration. What is it about Jo? In this episode, Katie discusses her personal relationship to this story and why it is the more 'munda...

On this episode, Katie chats with her good friend and fellow Scotland-obsessed world traveler, Mariam Saoma. The two chat about their 2019 trip, share recommendations, and discuss what it is about Celtic culture and Scotland in particular that they find so compelling and inspiring.    Instagram @bornofwonder www.bornofwonder.com   "My heart is in the Highlands" https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/my...

On this first episode of Season 3, Katie celebrates the literary life - St. Jerome, the patron saint of librarians/readers, Rory from Gilmore Girls, Beauty and the Beast (and that epic library!), and how books can be portals to other worlds. Inspiration for a new year filled with books!    www.bornofwonder.com Instagram: @bornofwonder   Music: Blue Dot Sessions   www.goodreads.com/katiesonlinelibr...

Bonus episode ! New Year's resolutions, getting outside and exploring Tolkien's concept of Eucatastrophe, ‘the sudden joyous turn, the mark of all fairy tales.’ We discuss Eucatastrophe in the context of other literary devices including perapatea, anagnorisis, and deux ex machina. Eucatastrophe is unique in the belief - the insistence - on a fundamentally just, ‘true,’ universe. We also explore Sh...

On this final episode of Season 2, Katie meditates on "wintering" and embracing the dark times in the year - and in life. Dark Night of the Soul, the turning of the year, a chance for reflection... And some recommendations (Icelandic Book Flood! When Harry Met Sally!) to get us ready for a new year.    Thank you so much for following along this season - looking forward to Season 3!!    Get in touc...

On this episode, Katie chats with Rebecca Hamilton, a practicing Eastern Rite Catholic, exploring the unique, transcendent beauty of this liturgy. We'll learn about some of the practical differences between Eastern and Latin Rite, what family and community life is like as a Byzantine Catholic, and we'll also hear some BEAUTIFUL chant from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. No matter what your rel...

On this episode, Katie explores the Advent traditions of the real life von Trapp family (inspiration for the famous "Sound of Music"), reading from Maria's autobiography - filled with beautiful Advent music and ideas for the coming season. Also - bonus - Julie Andrews and Maria Yodeling Together :)    www.bornofwonder.com   Lord of the Rings Advent Guide https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/journeyin...

What does it mean to be a human being? When Jane Goodall discovered chimpanzees could effectively use tools and had complex social bonds she challenged the idea of human exceptionalism. But we are exceptional... aren't we? What does it mean to be a Human Person, a Human Animal? Imagination? Morality? And what does it mean to be made in the Image and Likeness of God? On this episode we celebrate an...

On this episode, Katie explores the history of astronomy and stargazing - with a dabbling of poetry and theology, we remember to look up and stay in awe of our place in the wide expanse of the universe.  www.bornofwonder.com   App: Star Walk 2 Recommendation: The Tallis Scholars - If Ye Love Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI5Y9l2NHIo   Lion King Stars Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmDv...

Happy All Souls Day - the last day of Allhallowtide, the triduum of All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Day, and All Soul's Day. Today on the podcast Katie plays us some stunning sacred music (courtesy of the Brompton Oratory and The Baltimore Basilica) and discusses the importance of sacred music in the liturgy (is it just a matter of taste? what's the difference between contemporary music and chant? e...