Finding Faith in Fandoms

Jackie, Kenny, and new guest Matt Spellman discuss the renowned manga One Piece by Eiichiro Oda and its anime and live-action adaptations. Diving deep into the East Blue story arc, they reflect on the story’s themes of freedom, inherited will, found family, and pursuing dreams. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of bodily gore, murder, and slavery. References and Recommendations: Eiic...

As Thanksgiving approaches, Jackie and Amelia revisit the world of Arendelle for a discussion of the Frozen short films and sequel Frozen 2 , whose themes include vocation, ancestral sin, atonement, and adapting to change. How is Elsa a Christ figure, and how is Anna like St. Peter? This episode was recorded at BevCam in Beverly, Massachusetts, on land originally inhabited by the Naumkeag people....

Jackie, Amelia, and Brooke discuss the allegorical and philosophical elements of Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster and its stage adaptation. Music: ~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson Cover Art: ~ Model: Brooke Dennis ~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

In honor of Pentecost, Amelia and Kenny Smith join Jackie to discuss Disney’s Encanto and point out the Madrigal family's similarities to the Church. References and Recommendations Deconstructing Encanto by Pop Culture Pastor Encanto - Therapist Reacts! by Georgia Dow How Encanto Works by Howard Ho “The Saint That Is Just Me” by Danielle Rose Music: ~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson Cover Ar...

Freelance writer and filmmaker C.J. Williams joins Jackie for the first annual Star Wars Day episode, reviewing the Skywalker saga films (Episodes I-IX). Resources and Recommendations Our work: C.J.W. Writing , C.J. Williams’ website “ Where You Are, He Is: Leia, Rey, and St. Monica ” by Jacqueline Tetrault Star Wars commentaries referenced: A Critique of the Philosophy Behind Star Wars talk by Pe...

With Easter coming up, Jackie and Amelia discuss the Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel,” its Disney adaptation Tangled , and their themes of truth, rebirth, human potential, sacrifice, and finding the way home. Content Warning: Mentions toxic/abusive parent-child relationships. References and Recommendations: 11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting in Tangled by Cinema Therapy Glen Keane Discusses Merging The Go...

In honor of spring and St. Patrick’s Day, Jackie and Amelia discuss a little-known, original fairy tale musical, The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn. Content Warning: Mentions of child death and toxic/abusive parent-child relationships. Resources and Recommendations: The Clockmaker’s Daughter official website 2019 staged reading of The Clockmaker’s Daughter at Cadogan Hall...

Singer and actor Katie Broach shares her experience of playing the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music , and Jackie talks about her experiences with Catholic religious communities. References and recommendations: ~ The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp ~ Katie Broach's website: https://www.katiebroachsoprano.com ~ Jacqueline Tetrault's articles on religious vocations and com...

Amelia and Kenny Smith join Jackie to talk about their mutual love of Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë’s beloved Gothic coming-of-age romance. Among other things, Amelia lays out how Helen and Jane are Christ figures; Jackie opens up about life with ADHD; and Kenny identifies 19th-century tropes that the novel subverts. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of child abuse and spiritual abuse...

With Christmas coming up, Jackie and Amelia dig into the history of the Nutcracker, from E. T. A. Hoffman's novella to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet and various other adaptations. For more information and links to available filmed productions, check out our recommendations on the Finding Faith in Fandoms blog. Cover art model: Amelia Smith Cover art photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault Music: ~ "...

Drama therapist Brooke Dennis joins Jackie for a discussion of Disney's movie and musical Hercules . Fangirling ensues. For more of Jackie's analysis of Hercules , check out her essays, " Human and Divine: Hercules as a Christ Figure " and " True Heroism is True Love ." Media References & Recommendations: ~ "Myth Became Fact" by C. S. Lewis ~ The Literary Life Podcast Episode 60: Why Read Paga...

Artist and historian Patrick Powers joins Jackie for a discussion about the Halloween-themed animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall. Content Warning: This episode mentions sensitive topics, including death and suicide. References and recommendations: ~ " Greg's Gospel: Community, Self-Expression, & Radical Love - Over the Garden Wall's Moral Philosophy " by Michael Kellermeyer ~ " Meet the N...

Fresh from a series rewatch, Jackie and Amelia discuss the fantasy drama Once Upon a Time (2011-2018), which drew inspiration from classic fairy tales and Disney films. What emerged was a story that emphasizes faith, hope, and love above all. Content Warnings: This episode contains mentions of sensitive and/or potentially triggering topics, such as abandonment, abortion, abuse, addiction, death, t...

Jackie and Amelia discuss the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, as well as its film and stage adaptations. Read more of Jackie's analysis in " Abundant Life in Tuck Everlasting ." Bonus material will be available for Patreon supporters. Cover art: ~ Models: Amelia Smith and Jacqueline Tetrault ~ Photographer: Matthew Spellman Music used: ~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson ~ "Live Lik...

Jackie and Amelia (a professional Disney princess) take a deep dive into the film Frozen and its stage adaptation. Read more of Jackie's analysis in " Fear vs. Love: A Christian Take on Frozen " on Catholic Exchange. Bonus content will be available on Finding Faith in Fandoms' Patreon account . Read more of Amelia's thoughts on Anna as a Christ-figure and Elsa's journey to accepting love in The Pr...

This premiere episode lays the groundwork for all subsequent episodes. Host Jacqueline Tetrault introduces guests Amelia Smith and JMD Myers, and explains the concept that will be explored through Finding Faith in Fandoms. A full explanation of the salvation story pattern can be read in these articles by Jacqueline Tetrault: The Salvation Story Pattern Finding Christ in Fiction More information ab...