Regent College Podcast Dr. James Smoker: Imagining Being Human with Samuel Taylor Coleridge
10 snips
Aug 8, 2025 Join Dr. James Smoker, Registrar at Regent College and expert on Samuel Taylor Coleridge, as he explores the intersection of imagination and theology. He delves into Coleridge's struggles and creativity, revealing how the poet's reflections on nature and relationships enrich our understanding of the human experience. The conversation covers the importance of storytelling, friendship, and the moral lessons embedded in mythology. Discover how Coleridge’s work can illuminate modern faith journeys and inspire deeper connections with art and spirituality.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
How The Regent Podcast Began
- James Smoker originated the Regent College Podcast to showcase conversations with campus visitors and invited student involvement.
- He emphasised shared ownership and technical buy-in so the project would outlast any single person's interest.
PhD Work Amid Lockdowns And Coleridge's Coherence
- James describes COVID lockdown and remote research as a major PhD challenge that sharpened focus but limited library access.
- He also wrestled with Coleridge's scattered writing and the decision readers must make about his coherence.
Romanticism As A Response To The Enlightenment
- James explains Romanticism as a corrective to Enlightenment overconfidence in pure reason and method.
- Romantic poets elevated feeling, imagination and moral concerns as essential ways to know and live well.
