

Imagination Redeemed
Anselm Society
It’s easy to see this world as disenchanted, and to give up hope that there’s more. But you were made to see the world with the eyes of heaven. And to live a bountiful life that participates in the life of God. Delve with Brian Brown and Sarah Howell into the great stories and their meaning for real life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 8min
Josh Tiessen: Wisdom in Creation
Join renowned Canadian artist Josh Tiessen for an inspiring evening at the Anselm Society as he shares his artistic journey and explores the intersection of Christian faith, wildlife art, and environmental stewardship.

Sep 2, 2025 • 57min
Why We Feast
Special edition in partnership with the Rabbit Room: how a healed relationship with food forms us to renew the world.Want to participate in Housemoot? Learn more.We were meant for life together. But the fallen world seeks to drive apart things that were meant to be together. People from God. Sexes and generations and tribes and individuals from each other. And the image of God from the rest of the creation (including food; through body image issues, food allergies, and McDonald's).Meanwhile, food features prominently in so many of our favorite stories—like Lord of the Rings, Wingfeather, Redwall, and Harry Potter. Why?In this episode, we'll delve into these fantastical realms to find a healed relationship with food—and reveal how eating can literally change how we do Christianity.

Aug 25, 2025 • 37min
Fall Preview (with Caroline Williams)
The world around us is quick to dismiss the past. And we Christians have sometimes been too quick to join our neighbors in writing things off that 'don't last.' But autumn is an opportunity to do something different: to recognize that our timeless God works in things that appear to be fleeting, and to consecrate moments for eternity.In this episode, Sarah and Brian talk with Anselm outreach coordinator Caroline Williams about our episode plans for the fall--what you can expect, and how to get YOUR questions answered on the show!Follow us on Substack:Imagination RedeemedCaroline Williams

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Language of Creation
We are called to participate in creation through communion, not control.Join us as we consider living in a world with talking trees. Through C.S. Lewis’s disenchanted Narnia, Brian Brown, Amy Baik Lee, and Sarah Howell explore the relationship between humanity and creation from a Christian perspective. This conversation unpacks the importance of recognizing the goodness of creation, the role of beauty in understanding God, and the need for a re-enchanted view of the world. And that ultimately, human beings were made to not only be present to the created order, uncover the layers of meaning within it, but also to participate in creation as an act of worship. __Get tickets now for "A Long Expected Feast" -- Sept 19-20 2025 in Colorado Springs!

7 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 4min
Interview: Malcolm Guite on Pipe Smoking and Stillness
Malcolm Guite, a renowned poet and theologian, engages in a thought-provoking discussion on the art of stillness through the lens of pipe smoking. He emphasizes how intentional pauses can ground us amidst chaos, offering clarity and connection. The conversation intertwines memory, ritual, and poetry, revealing how cherished objects can anchor us in the present. Guite also reflects on the transformative power of silence, suggesting that true stillness prepares us for meaningful action and deeper relationships, making space for both contemplation and creativity.

Jun 30, 2025 • 51min
Distraction and Mastery
What would it mean–for us, our families, and our vocations–if we could learn to be fully present?Join us as we explore the story of Taran Wanderer—a young man eager to skip to mastery but forced to learn that true craft begins with getting your hands dirty in the raw materials. Through Lloyd Alexander's tale of smithing, weaving, and pottery-making, we dive into why our souls, like Taran's hands, need to be trained in stillness before they can create anything worth keeping. From the decision fatigue of modern life to the machine expectations we place on ourselves, this conversation unpacks why we struggle to be present and offers practical wisdom for reclaiming the art of attention. Because sometimes the path to finding yourself isn't found in charging toward the next thing—it's discovered in learning to be fully present to what's right in front of you.__Get tickets now for "A Long Expected Feast" -- Sept 19-20 2025 in Colorado Springs!

Jun 6, 2025 • 57min
Tolkien's Enigma (with C.R. Wiley)
An exploration of human vocation through the lens of one of Tolkien's most strange and mysterious characters. Featuring special guest C.R. Wiley, author of "In the House of Tom Bombadil."

May 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
Finding the Great Story in the Kitchen Sink
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the mundane while waiting for your "real" purpose to begin?In Disney's Encanto, Mirabel spends years wondering when she'll get her magical gift and finally enter the family story—only to discover she was already part of it all along. Like Mirabel, many of us view ordinary moments as distractions from the "real" important work of our lives, constantly waiting for that someday calling or dramatic purpose.But what if Christianity isn't about escaping the ordinary—what if it's about discovering the Great Story right in your kitchen sink?Join us as we explore how our daily faithfulness in seemingly mundane tasks isn't preparation for the Great Story—it's precisely how we enter the Great Story. Discover why there are no ordinary things, and how Christians can learn to mobilize the world immediately around them for the glory of God.

May 6, 2025 • 57min
Planting Trees
What does it mean to “practice resurrection,” as Wendell Berry put it?It’s easy to look at the chaos and barrenness of the world and think we can’t make much of a difference. At least not without being some kind of superhero. What good is planting a tree in a wasteland? In this episode, the gang explores a different vision, provided by the story, “The Man Who Planted Trees,” by Jean Giono. Because maybe, just maybe, there’s a way forward.

Apr 30, 2025 • 4min
Who is Tom Bombadil?
Who is Tom Bombadil? Any Lord of the Rings/Tolkien fan knows that Bombadil is a very mysterious character.But what’s interesting is that as we unpack Tom Bombadil as a character, we end up unpacking things we’ve forgotten about how to do life. Tom Bombadil opens a window into what it means to pursue our vocations.Join Brian Brown, C.R. Wiley, and your fellow Imagination Redeemed listeners for a four-week study of vocation, calling, and mastery through a look at this enigmatic character.Sign up at https://anselmsociety.org/bombadil.