In this special New Year episode, Jordan and Brendan examine the poems “Alive Together” by Liesel Mueller and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. They discuss what it means to marvel, the power of providence, the possibility of “missing out”, struggling to be who we are called to be, the paradox of oneness with Christ, the lilting magic of sprung rhythm, and the playfulness of God.

What We’re Reading:

• Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

• Time of the Child by Niall Williams

• The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

• The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

Other Mentions:

• Poetry 180 by Billy Collins

• Jordan’s poets: Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon, Ted Kooser, Li Young Lee, Denise Levertov, Jim Harrison
• Brendan’s poets: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Barrett Browning, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Richard Wilbur

George Macdonald - “The New Name” (from Unspoken Sermons)

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan board the Hogwarts Express to discuss the deep magic of God, worldbuilding, finding our place in a larger story, British sweets, and whether Americans find the word “Philosopher” archaic. All topped off with an irresponsible number of references to Stephen King for an episode about a children’s book.

What We’re Reading:

• For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann

• The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

• Pet Sematary by Stephen King

Other Mentions:

John Calvin’s sensus divinitatis

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan take up residence in Port William and discuss Membership, steadfast Love, what it means to live and die in the same place, visions of the Good Life, and the power of particular Fidelity. All of which is catfish optional.

What We’re Reading:

• A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines

• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

• Boone: A Biography by Robert Morgan

The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought by Marilynne Robinson

Next episode we will be discussing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

The Lottery

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan debate what defines a Dystopia; they also discuss the day they’ll beat their swords into plowshares, the shadow side of redemptive reality, the human capacity for violence, the “what the heck is going on here” feeling, an ill-fated cupcake, and the counter-catachesis of the Christian life.

What We’re Reading:

• So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan

• That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

Other Mentions:

• The Twilight Zone
• Black Mirror
• Dystopian Fiction

Next episode we will be discussing Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss the nature of dignity, the soul-crushing need to justify your existence, the cost of disordered loves, ambiguous epiphanies, the inherent value of humanity, the classist admiration for English lords, and whether or not they would have made good butlers.

What We’re Reading:

• The Cost of the Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• The Chosen by Chaim Potok

• The Second Coming by Walker Percy

Other Mentions:

• Tom Waits - “Ruby’s Arms”
• Luke 11, Matthew 23
• Unreliable Narrators
• Foils

Next episode we will be discussing The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan gush over the scarcity of admirable literary heroes, the value of patient writing, the struggle to understand the world, the tension between perishable beauty and the far side of eternity, the power of sacramental blessing, and the art of peeling onion layers.

What We’re Reading:

• A River Runs Through It by Norman McLean

• Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey

• True Grit by Charles Portis

Other Mentions:

• John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion
• Epistolary Novel Form
• Romans 7:18-20

Next episode we will be discussing The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss the reintegrated life in a disintegrated world, the law of the jungle vs. the ministry of reconciliation, what’s caught instead of taught, seeking peace by loving people instead of ideas, the paradox of love & power, and the good earthiness of vegetables.

What We’re Reading:

• The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• The Book of Hours by Rainer Maria Rilke

Next episode we will be discussing Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss the role of college professors in book enjoyment, the profundity of childlike faith, the need for unconditional connection, the loneliness and heartache of the world, the power of simple acts of kindness, feelings too big for our bodies, and the sweet tartness of a Florida staple.

What We’re Reading:

• Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
• The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon
• The Last Gentleman by Walker Percy
• Providence by John Piper

Other Mentions:

• Song Exploder Podcast
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Rich Mullins - "We're Not as Strong as We Think We Are"
• Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

Next episode we will be discussing Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. We hope you join us!

Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry

Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra