My Favourite Mystic

Welcome back! Having finally completed her PhD, Dr (!) AJ Langley is back, joined by Alicia Spencer-Hall to talk about the living/zombie saint, Christina Mirabilis (c.1150-1224). We talk about neurodivergence, crip narratives, and having to die three times before you actually get to rest!

AJ Langley is joined by Lee Irwin to talk about the Lakota mystic and healer Heȟáka Sápa (Black Elk). We talk about the difference between Native and Christian conceptions of visionary experiences, embodied spiritual practices, and the importance of acting on visions for the benefit of community.

CW: non-consensual/coercive relationships On this episode Barbara Newman tells host AJ Langley all about her guilty pleasure, the poet, novelist, theologian and literary critic, Charles Williams (1886-1945). We talk about coinherence, charisma, energy harvesting rituals, Dante and Beatrice, and Barbara's love for Taliessin through Logres. Follow us on Twitter and YouTube @myfavmystic and we will s...

Rowan Wilson joins AJ Langley to celebrate the works of Walter Hilton (d. 1396). We talk about the moral stakes of a life in the world, the existence of devotional guides as proof that devotion wasn't always easy, and the importance of a good night's sleep. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic and we will see you next month!

Genevieve Caufield joins the podcast to speak about the Prussian anchoress and visionary Dorothea of Montau (1347-1394). We talk about the joys of having two "lives" (neither of which say mush about her life), replacing her heart with a fiery lump of flesh, and declarations of orthodoxy.

And we are back! On this episode Maria Oen talks about her long-lasting interest in the mystic, saint, and founder of the Bridgettines, Birgitta of Sweden (d. 1373). We talk about her time in Italy, her high-status connections, her insistence that the Pope return to Rome, and her duties as the Virgin Mary's daughter-in-law.

Andrew Kraebel ( @hermitofhampole ) joins the podcast for our second episode on the fourteenth-century English mystic, hermit, and religious writer Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349). We talk about translating Rolle's writing, his poetry, his writing for women, and the importance of the whole person to the mystical experience.  Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic  

This month, artist and researcher Harri Hudspith ( @harri_hudspith ) joins host AJ Langley ( @medievalmystics ) to discuss the Carmelite nun, reformer, mystic, and saint Teresa of Ávila. We talk about playing hermits in the garden, learning how to cry over the Passion, and how to become so virile that you shock men. To see more of Harri's work, visit https://t.co/UUOktrp8hj Follow us on Twitter @m...

On this episode, AJ Langley ( @medievalmystics ) is joined by Delfi Nieto-Isabel ( @delfinietois ) speaks about the charismatic heretic, mystic, and incarnation of the Holy Spirit, Na Prous Boneta (c. 1296-1328). We talk about why she thought that Pope John XXII was the Anti-Christ, the age of the Holy Spirit, Peter John Olivi and apocalyptic theology, and the Holy Trinity as tiny men who jump on...

This month, Biörn Tjällén joins AJ Langley to speak about the Christian mystic Margareta, a woman of Sámi origin who travelled through Sweden in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century to gain support from Swedish religious authorities for the increase in pastoral care from those in the Northern regions of Sweden. We talk about the lack of information that we have, the letters of support,...

This week, AJ Langley s joined by dancer, choreographer, and theologian Sander Vloebergs to discuss the medieval mystic Lutgardis (c. 1182-1246). Turns out, she was an absolute boss! She returned God's gifts until she got the one that worked the best for her, she controlled their relationship and demanding God be as compassionate as He claimed, and saved souls from purgatory by demanding their rel...

Fleshly Janglers and Pinchers be gone! The wisdom of this episode in not for you! Becky Field joins the podcast this week to speak about the Cloud Author. We talk about the frustration, confusion, and peace (?) that comes from becoming nothing, the best insults in the mystical theology game, random one-syllable words for meditative focus, and the questions raised by authorial anonymity.  Foll...

The wonderful Marisa Michaud joins the podcast this week to tell us about the fascinating St Colette of Corbie (1381-1441). We talk about Franciscan reforms, Valois Burgundy, the joys of artistic depictions of mystics, and cherry-picking religious vocations! Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic , and if you are enjoying the podcast, rate and review us on your podcast app of choice!

This week Elsa McDonald joins the podcast to speak about Marguerite Porete (c. 1250-1310), author of The Mirror of Simple Souls who was burned at the stake for heresy. We talk about why theology can be confusing, the contradiction between the views of the inquisitors and the spectators at her burning, careful reading of texts, and how impressive conviction is!  Follow us on Twitter @myfavmyst...

Delphine Conzelmann joins AJ Langley to talk all about 12th century theologian William of St-Thierry (1085-1148). We discuss his "friendship" with Bernhard of Clairvaux, his conflict with Peter Abelard, the chest of Jesus, how we need to be better academic friends and reinstate academic infirmaries to deal with burnout and bound over our ideas. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic , and if you are en...

CONTENT WARNING! This episode contains graphic descriptions of an image of a torture victim, as well as discussion of ableism, sexual assault, and self-harm. This week W. Ezekiel Goggin ( @w_ezekielgoggin ) joins AJ Langley ( @medievalmystics ) to talk about the life and works of the man who said "The brother is my church": mystic & philosopher Georges Bataille (1897-1962). We talk confusion a...

Sean Hannan joins the podcast this week to tell AJ Langley all about Meister Eckhart (d. c. 1328). We talk about how little we know about him, even though we have a lot of his writings. We talk about the "now", becoming nothing, and sharing ground with God. We also talk about academics being honest about their agendas, how there is always room for academic disagreement, and how unfortunate it is t...

Jess Coulson joins AJ Langley to discuss the English hermit and mystic Godric of Finchale (d. 1170). We talk about material objects inspiring visions, Christ coming out of the cross (both as a baby and a man), the hotline to the Virgin Mary, and how Godric was just a guy and comparing him to Saint Thomas of Canterbury just isn't fair. 

Ed van der Molen and AJ Langley speak about the fourteenth-century French mystic and holy woman Marie de Maillé (1331-1414). We talk about chaste marriage and the benefits of marrying your childhood best friend. We also talk about the fine line between witches and saints, magical ointments, carts miraculously blocking roads, and how biographers should care about the content of visions (at least fo...

Hildegard von Bingen returns, this week as the favourite mystic of Karl Shuve, who joins AJ Langley to talk about her life, works, and manner of knowing. We talk about her relationships with her community, other women, and her scribe. We also talk about her preaching, her music, and her long legacy. 

Erin Risch Zoutendam joins AJ Langley to discuss the German mystic and beguine Mechthild von Magdeburg (c. 1207-282). We talk about flowing light, getting on the Virgin Mary's level, poor girls getting nice clothes in heaven, and why being a human is better than being an angel.  Follow us on Twitter: Erin Risch Zoutendam: @erin_zoutendam My Favourite Mystic: @myfavmystic AJ Langley: @medieval...

This week AJ Langley is joined by Pablo Acosta-García to discuss the Franciscan abbess, preacher, and mystic Juana de la Cruz (1481-1534). We talked about her mystical preaching, God's voice speaking through her body (in a deep register), a reader scandalised by God being compared to things, and how entertaining a sermon would have to be in order to keep audience's attention for six hours! We also...

Sam Dubbelman joins this week to speak with AJ Langley about the German philosopher, mathematician, and mystical theologian Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464). We talk about how to know God, "learned ignorance", breaking down the wall of logic and reason, and  that in the end it is always a leap of faith. We also talk about the power of good networks filled with good people. Shout out to the Cusanu...

AJ Langley is joined by Ilona Gerbakher to talk about the Jewish philosopher (and mystic) Moses Maimonides (1138–1204). We discuss the influence of Sufi mysticism on his work, why he believed that Jews had lost the ability to achieve mystical connection, and how they could learn to get it back. We also discuss antinomianism and AJ's hypothetical reaction to public nudity.  Follow us on Twitte...

AJ Langley is joined by Sean Field to discuss the visionary Margherita Colonna (c. 1255-1280). We discuss her Franciscan influences, her family connections (for better and worse), the differences between her two hagiographies, three year old Jesus taking up space, and being a teenage rebel in the thirteenth century. Also, bonus woman of note: Isabella of France! If your interest in Margherita has...