I Might Believe in Faeries

Almost all books are stupid, or else they are too smart. If you think so too, then this guest's books may be just right for you! Poet and novelist, E. L. Brooks, joins the show to discuss his two books, Phineiad: A Brief History of the Future, and The Loser, the Robot, and the Antichrist. If you enjoy online peasant romance, the death worship of immortal moon men, monsters, robots and warlords, th...

This is the final episode of the The Year of Our Lord, 2024. We are concluding this year with a bookclub discussion of The Place of the Lion  by Charles Williams. Williams was a member of the literary group, The Inklings, and friends with both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Prior to meeting these literary giants, Williams published The Place of the Lion and a few other stories.  In this episode...

This was a really great episode! Richard Rohlin, Deacon Nicholas Kotar, and Christopher Ruocchio join the show to discuss magic in fantasy fiction. What is magic? What are magic systems? How has the portrayal of magic changed in the last several decades? How do different authors approach magic in their books? What do liturgy and poetry have to do with magic? Why do we all have a problem with moder...

Happy Halloween! In this episode, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson returns to the show to have a conversation about werewolves, leprechauns, and folklore. We discuss her two books with Chrism Press, Brother Wolf and Wake of Malice.  Is there a basis for the werewolf legend? What does folklore have to do with Christianity? Is it good, bad, or a bit of both? What's next for Eleanor? We get at these questions...

Ovid was a Roman poet who wrote a 15-book catalogue that came to be known as The Metamorphosis. The stories are all based on Greek and Roman mythology and most consist in some sort of grotesque physical transformation as a result of the antics of the pagan gods. Ovid became so popular in Christian culture that there developed an entire mythographic tradition of interpretation. The culmination of t...

Christopher Tompkins (Darkly Bright Press) returns to the show to discuss the literary theories of horror author, Arthur Machen. Machen wrote about his views of literature in many places, but most extensively in his book, Hieroglyphics. We discuss Machen's ideas, his view on ecstasy, and why he considers Homer to be Fine Literature, but not Jane Austen. Books and Links Mentioned: Darkly Bright...

The 2024 book club continues! In this episode, we discuss A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. This book is a classic science fiction story and a masterpiece. Miller explores a post-apocalyptic America through the eyes of an order of Catholic monks in the Utah desert. These monks try to keep the flame of knowledge alive by preserving and copying ancient manuscripts while the rest of th...

This episode is the third and final in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I discuss the third book, That Hideous Strength. We cover multiple topics including marriage, sexuality, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, Arthurian magic, and more! Playing with magic is always danger...

This episode is the second in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I discuss the second book, Perelandra. We cover multiple themes including Lewis' thoughts on pleasure, demonic possession and temptation, and Myth Becoming Fact. Sometimes, words fail and are too va...

This episode will be the first in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I dive deeply into the first book, Out of the Silent Planet. We discuss Lewis' love of what he calls "The Medieval Model" and how he reinvigorates that conception of the cosmos with hi...

We have begun our book club discussions for 2024! In this episode, we discuss Eifelheim by Michael Flynn. Eifelheim is a classic clash of cultures story where a Medieval village is visited by stranded aliens. We discussed the themes of the book as well as a lot of the history, science, and theology behind it. Mr. Flynn died a few months ago, so please pray for his soul and his family. Author’s Lin...

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a special one for me. Every year, I learn something new and am able to dive deeper into this miraculous event. This year, I had the pleasure of reading a new book called Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy: How God Prepared the Americas for Conversion Before the Lady Appeared from Sophia Institute Press. This book has become a new favorite of mine, so this...

Both Jonathan Geltner ( Absolute Music ) and Gregorio Montejo ( In a Green Tree ) return as guests to discuss the 2019 book, Beneath the Silent Heavens, by Brian Christopher Moore. Nested in the discussion of the book, we also discussed typology vs allegory, Noe's Ark, Medieval Mystery Plays, the Welsh poet David Jones, the French poet Charles Péguy, the American tale tellers R. A. Lafferty, G...

Indie author Frederick Gero Heimbach joins the show to discuss his first novel, The Devil's Dictum. This is a story unlike anything you've read before. This is an alternate America founded by evil, satanic pirates where Richard Nixon is one of the good guys in a giant robot suit. If that doesn't grab your attention, then I can't help you. Twitter: @Fredosphere Author Website: https...

What are the British supernatural beings known as fairies? Where do they come from? Are they diminutive pagan gods or something else? Scholar and folklorist, Francis Young, addresses all of these questions in his new book, Twilight of the Godlings: The Shadowy Beginnings of Britain's Supernatural Beings. This show wouldn't live up to its name if we didn't discuss fairies from time to t...

What exactly is a lagomorph and why do they make interesting characters? Donald Jacob Uitvlugt joins the show to discuss lagomorphs, worldships, Chinese culture, and his book, Jiao Tu's Endeavour: A Furry Sci-Fi Adventure. Donald's website can be found here: jiaotusendeavour.wordpress.com Follow Donald on Twitter as well: @jiaotuwuku for Jiao Tu specific content @haikufictiondju for Donald's perso...

The time has come for the first episode on Gene Wolfe! Wolfe scholar Marc Aramini joins the show to discuss this amazingly unique author. We talked about Wolfe's life, his major themes, how he uses sexuality in his fiction, his intense fan base and much more. Enjoy! Marc Aramini's Books: Between Light and Shadow: An Exploration of the Fiction of Gene Wolfe, 1951 to 1986 Beyond Time and Mem...

Isaac Young joins the show to discuss modern depictions of angels and demons and whether or not demons can repent. We also discuss horror movies, Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Elden Ring and more. Follow Isaac on Twitter @HariSel57511397 Links: The Matrioshka Divide by Isaac Young https://www.amazon.com/Matrioshka-Divide-Isaac-Young-ebook/dp/B0BL1MRVXY Let Me Tell You What the Problem Is With...

I am introducing a new patron only series called Cauldron of Story where I read and discuss a fairy tale with my wife, Rachel Irber. In this first episode, Rachel and I discuss The Frog Prince, the first story in the Grimm's fairy tale collection. We start with an introduction to the series and then jump right into the story. Future episodes will be available to patron only supporters. Enjoy!...

Happy Halloween! To mark the spooky season, I interviewed the master of the numinous, Tim Powers, about his new book, My Brother's Keeper. We discussed the book, St. Hubert, the power of the subconscious, and, oddly enough, quantum physics. Tim Powers will also be speaking at Doxacon this year and I will be attending as a guest. Here is the website: http://www.doxacon.org/ Articles Mentioned:...

Matthew Scarince joins the show to discuss an essay he wrote on J. R. R. Tolkien titled Looking to the West: A Brief Study of Tolkien’s Carolingian Heritage. We discuss Tolkien's conception of "The West" and what that has to do with St. Brendan the Navigator, Charlemagne, and The Last World Emperor. We also include a brief discussion on Tolkien's disgust with the Nazi party. Matthew Scarince can b...

What do wonder and mischief have to do with education? What can Fairyland teach us? Junius Johnson, independent scholar, teacher, musician, and writer, joins the show to discuss his new book, On Teaching Fairy Stories: A Guide to Cultivating Wonder in Students through Great Literature. Johnson and I discuss the nature of Fairyland, fairy stories, and more. On Teaching Fairy Stories: https://www.ju...

Friedrich Nietzsche and a guy named Bronze Age Pervert want to return to the Bronze Age of Greek civilization to reinvigorate our culture with abundant vitality. The trouble is, Greek paganism, like all paganism, lacks the vitality they so desire. The life force they want can't fulfill their desires. What can? Susannah Black Roberts, Senior Editor of Plough and Mere Orthodoxy, joins the show t...

Demon snake gods, human sacrifice, and what does Conan the Barbarian have to do with Hernan Cortez? Alexander Palacio joins the show to talk about his sword and sorcery series, Ashes of the Urn. We also talk about story structure, the writing process, and how much power Barnes and Noble shelf stockers have over the culture. Follow Alexander on Twitter (now X?) @conan_es Author’s Books/Articles Men...

Gothic fiction author, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, returns to the show to discuss Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights. We discuss the novel's religious and gothic themes, Emily's background and beliefs and much more. Find out why so many people misread the relationship between the two main characters by tuning in! Author’s Books Mentioned: Brother Wolf A Bloody Habit *****************...