Believe to See

SD Smith has recently announced a Green Ember video game. He joins the digital pub table to discuss this exciting new project. So strap in for a deep dive into the Green Ember video game: its origin, its design, and how families can play video games in an enriching way.

Jacob Herold is a multi-instrumental musician whose music interweaves folk and jazz. He also happens to be a member artist of the Anselm Society Arts Guild. He joins the table to discuss his new album, The Train & The River. What's it like to fuse two styles like jazz and folk? Why should we worry about fusing different styles in the first place? And how did Jacob find the time to learn to play all of those instruments?   Buy The Train & The River: https://www.jacobherold.com/

Isaac Hans joins Mandy and Christina at the pub table to talk about his journey with photography--literally. What is "road trip photography," and what drew Isaac to it in the first place? How does his faith inform his work? Who are some of his biggest influences? He also sheds light on some of the equipment and techniques that photographers use, and why.

Author Sarah Arthur has previously joined the digital pub table to talk about her YA fantasy novel Once a Queen. But it turns out this was only the first book in her Carrick Hall series. She returns to the pub table to discuss the brand new second book: Once a Castle. Matt and Mandy ask Sarah about her process for creating a second book in a series, and where she plans to take Carrick Hall from here. Buy Once a Castle: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Castle-Carrick-Novel-Novels/dp/0593194489 Believe to See audience survey:  https://formurl.com/to/b2s-survey

It all comes down to this. In the final installment of our three-part series, Matt, Mandy, and Christina determine once and for all which artist is most representative of the Anselm Society artists' guild. Did you call it, or will you be surprised?

Matt continues forcing Mandy and Christina, championship bracket-style, to decide which famous artists most represent the values of the artists' guild. Part 2 of a three-part series.

In Part 1 of a two-part series, Matt forces Mandy and Christina, championship bracket-style, to decide which famous artists most represent the values of the artists' guild. They also coin a new word: "Anselm-y."

Fostering a healthy imagination in kids is a worthy goal--but what are the obstacles in today's society actively making that difficult, and what do we do about them? In this episode, we discuss several arguments in Anthony Esolen's satirical book "10 Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child" and ask the question, "How can we give kids a world where creatively engaging their environment is the norm--not the exception?"

It's Valentine's Day, so of course we want to talk about the best and worst love stories of all time! Join the hosts as we delve into what qualities make for a good love story annnnnd what qualities produce a bad one. Pulling from sources such as Shakespeare's famous sonnets and modern cinematic rom-coms, we explore it all. And there might be something about a little Scarlet Pimpernel flower mentioned . . . Listen to find out! (Due to technical difficulties, this episode slated for Valentine's Day is appearing after the fact. Our apologies for the diminished sound quality.)

Where Are the “Good Christian” Characters? Too often, the broader culture portrays Christians as narrow-minded hypocrites. We can all imagine plenty of explanations for this. But that leads to a more fundamental question. Why is it so hard to create a character who is both: (1) well-developed and compelling, and (2) a sincere Christian? On this roundtable, the hosts discuss why it's so difficult to create a “Good Christian” character. They also offer their candidates for best Christian characters in fiction. And in case you're wondering—yes, Matt dresses up as his favorite Christian character from pop culture. So stay tuned for the big reveal, neighborinos!

From paintings to novels, titles can guide expectations of viewers and readers, for good or for ill. And for some artists, coming up with a title can be as challenging as making the art itself. Join the hosts at the roundtable as they talk about titles — and “untitles” and subtitles and more — and see how you handle Mandy's genre quiz!

Ever feel like there was a band, tv show, or book that you were “supposed” to hate? Like hating it was required to prove you're cool and sophisticated? When Matt was in college, that band was Nickelback. And he's wondered why ever since… Why do we do things like this? Is this a good impulse, or something we should fight against? On this roundtable, the hosts explore the art that's cool to hate.

It never fails. Whenever someone on the internet complains that an animated film is bad, someone else on the internet replies: “It's a kids' cartoon. Who cares?”   On this roundtable, the hosts discuss whether we should expect children's animation to be serious art. They do this primarily by analyzing some of their favorite animated films.

Artists need solitude to create (or “conjure”), but we need one another too. Mandy and Matt and Christina discuss finding a balance between these seemingly contradictory needs.

Author SD Smith has previously joined the Anselm pub table to talk about his classic Green Ember series (an Anselm Society staple), and the Jack Zulu series that he's writing along with his son. Now, SD Smith returns to the table to discuss his new book, The Found Boys. It's a middle grade story that touches on a lot of complex issues—racial tension, forgiveness, reconciliation, and more. It's also a fun and funny adventure. Join us as SD Smith shares the heart and purpose behind The Found Boys.

Matt, Mandy, and Christina gather together to debrief about our recent podcast with guest Lancia E. Smith on the power of naming. There may be more than a little talk about best and worst fantasy football names and houseplants christened after famous authors, but what can we say? Names matter. And when you sit down to talk about it? You may be startled to discover how much the power of names - ( and the human instinct to name everything from our cars to our kids) - is inextricably linked to the identity God gave you.  

Another holiday season is upon us, bringing with it the potential for wonder—or for stress, consumerism, and detachment. Amanda Luedeke and Hannah Oplinger have created a new devotional that walks us from Thanksgiving through the new year, engaging all six of our senses (yes! There are six!). Join Mandy as she talks with Amanda about how we might “reclaim the holidays for [our] heart's formation and the glory of God”.

Christina didn't celebrate Halloween growing up. But every October, her children parade around the neighborhood trick-or-treating in their favorite super-hero costumes with their buddies, school-mates, and neighbor-friends. So what changed? Christina dives deep into the history and significance of Halloween. Is it an "evil" holiday? Are we "inviting darkness" or participating in "devil worship" by handing out candy in ghoul costumes? Together with Matt and Mandy, she explores how a proper understanding of Halloween fits into the larger Christian story.  

Matt's debut middle-grade fantasy novel, Red Rex, is here! Join Mandy and Christina as they talk with Matt about the dream, the process, the plot, the characters, the illustrations — and the footnotes.

Calvin and Hobbes may be the greatest comic strip ever. But there's a problem. Its creator, Bill Watterson, quit after only ten years. At age 38. Did Watterson squander his incredible talent? Matt thinks so. Mandy and Christina aren't so sure. Together, they discuss whether artists have a responsibility to share their talent with others.    

Taylor Swift is the most popular musician since the Beatles. And Matt doesn't understand. Don't get him wrong—he doesn't dislike Taylor Swift. He's just not the target audience. What he needs is a thoughtful fan to show him the ways of the Swifties. Matt has found that fan in his cousin, Alyssa. She explains the appeal of Taylor Swift as a musician, and the power of Taylor Swift as a storyteller. Can she win Matt over to the Swifties?

We all have young storytellers in our lives. Maybe it's a first-grade nephew drawing comic books in crayon. Maybe it's a teenage granddaughter writing her first short story. How can we best encourage them? Millie Florence is here to help. The 21-year-old author is about to publish her third novel. She gives insight on fostering a love of stories with the kids in our lives. Learn more about Millie's work at: https://millieflorence.com

In this conversation, Cultivating founder Lancia Smith joins Christina and Evangeline to discuss the power of naming and its impact on our identity and relationships. They explore how naming can be an act of love and reclamation, allowing us to see and be seen. They also discuss the importance of naming our fears and how it can take away their power. They emphasize the need for humility, listening, and recognizing the belovedness of others. They conclude by highlighting the role of myth-making and storytelling in reflecting eternal truth.  

Matt and Mandy interview fellow Anselm Guild member Jacoby Elliott, who is a musician, writer, and visual artist. Jacoby talks about his desire to make beautiful things and how a longing for beauty helped point him back to God.

Mandy interviews poet, playwright, and critic Jane Scharl to discuss poetry. Learn more about Jane at https://jcscharl.com/

Matt, who has never been able to get into Frank Hebert's classic science fiction Novel Dune or the films adaptations, brings Brian Brown and Peter Houk to the digital pub table to convince him of the merit of Dune.

Matt interviews Jody Collins about poetry, and why people should like poetry and it shouldn't be so hard to do so.

Matt interviews short-story author KC Ireton, discussing KC's work and journey as an author.

Mandy, Matt, and Christina discuss impressions made on them as children by different forms of art, why they made an impression on them, and how it impacts them to today.

Christina, Mandy, and Matt discuss the question, “How do we love other people with our art?”

Matt interviews Rachel Shinnick, author of YA Fiction novel Moon Thief. They discuss what led Rachel to writing her first novel, how she saw God working in the process, and the various trials of getting published for the first time. They discuss what it looks like to value artistic pursuits while also embracing and embodying Christian values as an artist. Learn more about Rachel and Moon Thief at https://www.rachelshinnick.com/

Matt interviews author Sylvie Vanhoozer. Find out more about Sylvie at https://www.theartoflivinginseason.com/

Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline talk about literature remixes. What is a literature remix? Take a well-known and beloved story - a Shakespeare play, a Jane Austen novel, fairy tale - and retell the story in a whole new setting. What makes a good remix? What makes a bad one? And what is it about some classic stories that compel us to keep remixing and retelling them over and over?

Matt, Mandy, and Christina discuss Disney movie live-action reboots and whether any (or perhaps some) of the reboots are justified.

Matt and his wife, Danielle, interview fellow Anselm Arts Guild member Amy Lee and discuss Amy's new book "This Homeward Ache" and discuss what it means that God has set eternity in the hearts of man and how longing influences our lives.

Matt, Christina, and Evangeline discuss the concept of limitations as artists. While limitless possibilities may seem like what is needed to create, perhaps the best way to create is not boundless possiblities, but limits.

Evangeline and her brother Dr. John Case Tompkins sit down with Brandy Vallance to discuss symbols and symbolic language and their relationship with the Christian imagination.

Matt talks with writer G Connor Salter about his recent article on the classic book and movie The Princess Bride. Connor suggests how the author William Goldman's Jewish American heritage influenced The Princess Bride.

Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss cynicism in literature and what makes the difference between a good cynical story and a bad cynical story.

Christina and Evangeline chat with A.D. Rhine (Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson), the writer duo behind the novel Horses of Fire. Find out more about Ashlee and Danielle and their book Horses of Fire at https://www.adrhine.com/    

Matt interviews Sarah Arthur about her first YA Fiction book, Once a Queen, as they discuss the intersection between faith and great literature. Sarah is also the author of a nonfiction book on Madeleine L'Engle and a Lord of the Rings devotional. You can find Sarah's upcoming book Once a Queen at https://sites.google.com/view/saraharthur-fiction/home

Matt, Christina, and Evangeline discuss how artists can most beneficially give and take feedback from other artists.

Matt sits down to talk with Austin Freeman to talk all things J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. They discuss Dr. Freeman's recent book Tolkien Dogmatics and the deeply theological thought that runs through Tolkien's fiction. Dr. Austin Freeman is a lecturer and the Chair of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. You can find Tolkien Dogmatics at https://lexhampress.com/product/224282/tolkien-dogmatics-theology-through-mythology-in-middle-earth

Evangeline, Mandy, and Christina discuss how to handle writing the right story at the wrong time. What do we do, in life or writing, when our timing seems out of sync, when the work we've poured ourselves into doesn't seem to go anywhere?

Christina, Matt, Evangeline, and Mandy discuss their top books of 2023. In a (mostly) spoilers-free episode, the Believe to See co-hosts discuss books they read in 2023 (not necessarily published in 2023) that they found enriching and delightful.

Christina, Mandy, and Matt discuss fasting in feasting, their relationship to one another, and their relationship to the Christian tradition and liturgical calendar. They discuss how we can reclaim the definitions of fasting and feasting and how we can reintegrate them into our lives today.

Evangeline sits down with YA author and founder of Owl's Nest Publishers K.B. Hoyle to talk about teenagers, young adult literature, and the "bildungsroman," the coming-of-age story. Learn more about K.B. Hoyle at http://www.kbhoyle.com/

“We all know that if two people enjoy spending time together, they must secretly want to kiss each other. I mean, what's the point of being friends otherwise?” - Matt Mellema There seems to be a phenomenon in literature that if there are two characters in a story who are good friends, there will be some corner of the internet that will be convinced that they are an item… no matter what.  Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss the question, “Why can't people just be friends in literature?”

Mandy sits down with artist, writer, and spiritual director Jenn Layte for a conversation about imagination, stories, and faith. They discuss Lectio Divina, spiritual pilgrimage, spiritual direction, and more.   You can learn more about Jenn at https://jenniferaglayte.com/ and https://the-pilgrimage.org/.    All are welcome to join Jenn Layte and The Pilgrimage Online's online retreat, Winter Solace, January 12-14, 2024. Learn more at https://the-pilgrimage.org/home-2/get-connected/winter-solace-2024/

Matt sits down with Matthew Lee Anderson to discuss his new book, Called into Questions. Matt Anderson is an author and professor of philosophy at Baylor University, as well as the founder of Mere Orthodoxy (https://mereorthodoxy.com/). You can learn more about Matt at https://matthewleeanderson.com/

Matt, Christina, and Mandy set out to list the Anselm Society's Top 5—the “top five anythings” that the Anselm Society loves, is passionate about, and is defined by. Since Believe to See is the podcast of the Anselm Society, the Believe to See cohosts take it upon themselves to attempt to determine who or what (Tolkien? St. Anselm himself? The Chronicles of Narnia? GK Chesterton?) defines the Anselm Society.