Interview: What Makes a Children's Story Timeless?

Interview: What Makes a Children's Story Timeless?

Sometimes, a beloved book or movie from childhood means just as much to you as an adult. Other times, going back to childhood stories makes you cringe. Why are some children's stories timeless, while others are time-bound? And can knowing the difference inform the stories we share with the kids in our lives? To answer these questions, Matthew goes to a trusted authority on children's stories: his wife, Danielle.

Bonus: The Already and Not Yet (S3 E6)

Bonus: The Already and Not Yet (S3 E6)

How should we, who have had eternity opened to us, approach the realities of living in a time-bound world that still wrestles with evil?

Pub Night: Smith of Wooton Major

Pub Night: Smith of Wooton Major

At the Anselm Society's May Pub Night, author Leslie Bustard presents her retelling of JRR Tolkien's story Smith of Wooton Major. Later, Leslie and Matt discuss the story's theme of enchantment.

Only the Lover Sings

Only the Lover Sings

Matthew Clark is both a singer/songwriter, and an Anselm Society Advisor. He joins the table to talk about his brand-new project: Only the Lover Sings. It's both an album and a book of essays, all centered around the woman at the well. Matthew shares how this story inspired the project, and why it has captured his imagination.

Fae or Not Fae?

Fae or Not Fae?

We talk all the time about Faerie Stories (Fairy Stories? Faeree Stories?). But what are they? The hosts discuss the elements of proper Faerie stories, as well as the value of Faerie for Christians. Then our resident Faerie expert, Evangeline, evaluates popular "Fairy Stories" to determine: is it Fae, or not Fae?

Interview: Bandersnatch  Classics

Interview: Bandersnatch Classics

Our friends at Bandersnatch Books stop by the table to share their upcoming project: Bandersnatch Classics. They're taking underappreciated classics in the public domain, and giving them the beautiful reprinting they deserve. The Bandersnatch team discusses the value of reading old novels, and the enduring appeal of their first Bandersnatch Classic: Understood Betsy.

Heaven in Art

Heaven in Art

Over the centuries, lots of artists have tried to portray heaven. Many (most?) have failed. What’s the best way to tell the story of heaven? Is there even an effective way? The co-hosts examine examples of heaven in art to find out.

The Enchanted Kingdom (S3 E3)

The Enchanted Kingdom (S3 E3)

Creation is redeemed, not abandoned, because creation tells the story of God’s glory in its own unique way. Brian shares Paul Buckley's essay to help us better understand how to read the "book of Creation."

Why Do Humans Create? (S3 E2)

Why Do Humans Create? (S3 E2)

Brian and Heidi tee up a big question: what’s the relationship between eternity and what I do with my time now?

Planted, Not Rooted

Planted, Not Rooted

Claire Keiser: a meditation on the relationship between the sublime and the ordinary.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Elizabeth Bristol Clayton presents her retelling of The Secret Garden at an Anselm pub night, and discusses its themes with Matt.

Subcreating in Subcreations

Subcreating in Subcreations

The hosts share their favorite examples of stories told within other artists' stories, as well as the characteristics that make them successful.

Why We Create (S3 E1)

Why We Create (S3 E1)

In which we kick off the 2022 season with an introduction to creation theology, and an explanation of everything that is to come this season.

How to Find Creative Ideas

How to Find Creative Ideas

The hosts discuss different ways to help spark creativity. They also share stories of how famous artists got their best ideas.

How to Create Beauty When Everything's In the Way

How to Create Beauty When Everything's In the Way

The pandemic turned potter Nancy Soderstrom into a watercolor artist. Nancy shares her approaches to art and prayer, and how they both encouraged her to keep creating beauty in difficult times.