Believe to See

Matthew Clark is both a singer/songwriter, and an Anselm Society Advisor. He joins the table to talk about his brand-new project: Only the Lover Sings. It's both an album and a book of essays, all centered around the woman at the well. Matthew shares how this story inspired the project, and why it has captured his imagination.

We talk all the time about Faerie Stories (Fairy Stories? Faeree Stories?). But what are they? The hosts discuss the elements of proper Faerie stories, as well as the value of Faerie for Christians. Then our resident Faerie expert, Evangeline, evaluates popular "Fairy Stories" to determine: is it Fae, or not Fae?

Our friends at Bandersnatch Books stop by the table to share their upcoming project: Bandersnatch Classics. They're taking underappreciated classics in the public domain, and giving them the beautiful reprinting they deserve. The Bandersnatch team discusses the value of reading old novels, and the enduring appeal of their first Bandersnatch Classic: Understood Betsy.

Over the centuries, lots of artists have tried to portray heaven. Many (most?) have failed. What's the best way to tell the story of heaven? Is there even an effective way? The co-hosts examine examples of heaven in art to find out.

At the Anselm Society's April Pub Night, Anselm's Elizabeth Bristol Clayton presents her retelling of The Secret Garden. Later, Elizabeth and Matt discuss the story's theme of resurrection.

When an imagined world grows successful enough, other storytellers create their own stories in it. Some are great. Some are...not so much. The hosts share their favorite examples of stories told within other artists' stories, as well as the characterstics that make them successful.

Education expert Kreigh Knerr is on the Catherine Project's board of advisors. He joins the pub table to discuss the Catherine Project's innovative approach to education. They've launched a wide selection of Great Books reading groups taught by renowned scholars--for free! Kreigh explains how the Catherine Project helps students embrace their role as sub-creators. He also tells the listeners how they can enroll in the Catherine Project's next slate of courses.

Everyone has times when they need to come up with a creative new idea. But how do you do that? The hosts discuss different ways to help spark creativity. They also share stories of how famous artists got their best ideas.

Anselm potter Nancy Soderstrom joins the table to talk about pottery, watercolors, and COVID. A talented potter, Nancy found herself cut off from her pottery studio because of COVID. So she took up watercolors and--surprise!--became good at that too. Nancy shares her approaches to art and prayer, and how they both encouraged her to keep creating beauty in difficult times.

At the Anselm Society's March Pub Night, our own Evangeline Denmark presents her retelling of the legend of St. Brigid's Cloak. Later, Evangeline and Matt discuss St. Brigid's role in both Irish Christianity and Irish mythology, and the best ways to approach these saintly stories.