Paul VanderKlay's Podcast Martin Shaw's Liturgies of the Wild
Mar 4, 2026
Martin Shaw, author and storyteller who explores myth, faith, and contemporary culture. He discusses his book Liturgies of the Wild and how long-form storytelling reawakens wonder. They talk tour stories, the pastoral life behind the writing, England’s sacred landscapes, and reclaiming discarded myths for modern imagination.
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Book As A Bridge To Myth
- Martin Shaw wrote Liturgies of the Wild as a bridge offering accessible initiation into myth for younger readers overwhelmed by modern ‘shiny’ narratives.
- Paul Vanderklay found the book deeply formative, saying it requires respectful engagement and will likely endure across generations.
Taxi Moment When Bestseller News Hit
- Shaw delayed reading his own book on tour and instead experienced spontaneous, moving audience moments like meeting Jamal, a cab driver who celebrated his New York Times bestseller news.
- The Jamal story underscored providential small encounters during the tour and highlighted the book's surprising emotional impact.
Curate Your Stories To Protect Imagination
- Avoid consuming every story uncritically; many contemporary narratives aim to hypnotize rather than nourish imagination.
- Shaw warns of a 'tyranny of choice' in stories and urges curating reading to protect imagination from trance-like phone content.
