Imagination Redeemed

Have you ever looked around and felt like the last person on earth who still believes this stuff?Athanasius did. The young deacon at Nicaea spent the next forty-five years in exile, fighting a battle he couldn't win against a church that had largely caved. He wrote from the desert. He outlived four emperors. He didn't see the tide turn.He kept fighting anyway.In this episode, Brian, Amy, and Christina explore what faithful endurance looks like when you've lost the room—and why the Long Defeat is not the same thing as failure.

Andrew Roycroft, author and commentator on literature and faith, offers theological and practical reflections. Lancia Smith, writer on Christian imagination and formation, brings insights on embodiment and practices. They discuss longing, authentic embodied love, grief as a marker of deep attachment, grounding places that foster presence, and practical steps to tend immediate loves and trace small delights toward worship.

Andrew Roycroft, a poet and former pastor reflecting on grief and resurrection, and Lancia Smith, a Christian formation leader and publisher, explore embodied faith. They probe why Christianity mistrusts the body. They revisit Thomas as seeking bodily recognition. They trace historical fragmentation, discuss dissociation and the senses, and consider resurrection’s cosmic implications.

Jeremiah England, storyteller and folklorist, brings narrative savvy and folkloric detail. He traces why Cinderella tales recur worldwide. He discusses humility and loss, the helper who breaks in, transformation of ordinary things, and the moment identity is revealed. He connects those beats to deep human longings for being seen and rescued.

Sarah Howell, commentator on imagination and upbringing; Matthew Clark, storyteller who recalls illustrated childhood books; Jeremiah England, who remembers German cautionary tales. They discuss why dark fairy tales persist. They compare eerie illustrations to real-world fears. They debate how storytelling mode, parental prudence, and imaginative practice shape courage and moral formation.

Sarah and Caroline share what’s ahead for the podcast over the next three months, reflect on the meaning of eucatastrophe, and explore how fairy tales help us see this pattern of reality more clearly, and what the material world has to do with it all!Access the show notes through our Substack (head over to anselmsociety.substack)!

Christina Brown, a theological reflector on asceticism and creativity, and Jeremiah England, a literature-minded commentator who links stories to practice, discuss limits through A Gentleman in Moscow. They explore how confinement sharpens character, deepens relationships, and spurs creative growth. Short, thoughtful reflections move from hospitality and habit to sacrifice, beauty, and the surprising freedom found inside constraints.

In this engaging discussion, storyteller Matthew Clark, known for his captivating readings, and musician Christina Brown, who enriches the conversation with insights on hospitality, dive into the concept of pusillanimity, or 'smallness of soul.' They explore how comparison and societal pressures can stifle generosity. Through Tolstoy's tale of Martin the cobbler, the duo emphasizes that true generosity arises from identity, not resources. They highlight the importance of face-to-face encounters and the courage to act, encouraging listeners to embrace magnanimity in everyday life.

The hosts delve into W.H. Auden's captivating poem, exploring its vivid imagery and the contrasting energy that mirrors the holiday rush. They discuss the post-Christmas blues, revealing how Auden captures that familiar letdown. A fascinating take on the interwoven themes of the Lord's Prayer showcases the beauty in simple petitions. Listeners can also look forward to recommended readings on theology, along with details about an upcoming online course. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt final reading of Auden's work.

A little end-of-Advent treat for you!