Wade Center

Dr. K. Alan Snyder discusses why Lewis is so famous in America as well as Lewis's own thoughts about America based on the research from his new book America Discovers C.S. Lewis: His Profound Impact. Tune in as Drs. Crystal and David Downing dig into Snyder's theories about why C.S. Lewis resonates so deeply with Americans.

Dr. Stephanie L. Derrick sits down with Dr. Crystal Downing to discuss her recent book The Fame of C. S. Lewis: A Controversialist’s Reception in Britain and America. They analyze the reasons why Lewis is so much more famous and well-loved in America than in Britain. Derrick also shares some of the fascinating stories and lesser-known tales of Lewis from her research in England.

This week’s episode features an inspiring and insightful interview with Reverend Dr. Malcolm Guite about the intersection of theology, literature, and the arts. Drs. Crystal and David Downing also discuss Guite’s conversion encounter as well as the impact of Romantic poets like Shelley, Coleridge, Blake, and C.S Lewis on his spiritual journey and worldview. Malcolm is the Chaplain and a Bye-Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge. He is the author of five books of poetry, several books on Christianity and theology, and regularly performs as a singer and guitarist with the rock band “Mystery Train.”

Dr. Michael Ward, award-winning author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and The Narnia Code: C.S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens, discusses his best-selling books and thesis about the secret theme that lies behind and which knits together all of the seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia. Dr. Ward also discusses with Drs. Crystal and David Downing his role and the story behind the memorial for C.S. Lewis placed in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey on the 50th anniversary of Lewis’s death.

New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan stops by the Wade Center to discuss her newly-released book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Patti discusses with Drs. Crystal and David Downing the inspiration behind her work of historical fiction that depicts the love story between Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. Patti also discusses the process of writing her book, insights she gleaned about Joy and Jack, and the research that went into bringing her book to life. This episode of the podcast will appeal to authors, fans of Lewis and Joy’s love story, and especially fans of Joy Davidman Lewis.

In the final excerpt from our interview with Douglas Gresham, things get rather personal. Doug discusses his reaction upon first discovering that the Wade Center was collecting the Lewis family papers. He also opens up about his and his wife’s conversion stories as well as his family. 

Douglas Gresham returns for part two of our interview to talk about his responsibility to steward the estate and legacy of his stepfather, C.S. Lewis. Doug shares some behind-the-scenes detail about C.S. Lewis’s practice of offering counseling at the Kilns, including to one royal visitor! He also shares some humorous and touching stories about everything from a short kayaking trip, to Lewis singing with some fishermen at a pub while on vacation, to Lewis’s own nightmares and memories from World War I.

Douglas Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis, sits down to discuss his memories of growing up with Lewis. In this first of three interviews, Doug opens up and shares some very personal memories about the deaths of C.S. Lewis and his mother. Stick around until the end to catch his comments about the future of the Chronicles of Narnia movie series.