Risking Enchantment

‘But my dear Sebastian, you can't seriously believe it all' ‘Can't I?' ‘I mean about Christmas and the star and the three kings and the ox and the ass.' ‘Oh yes, I believe that. It's a lovely idea.' ‘But you can't believe things because they're a lovely idea.' ‘But I do. That's how I believe.' Brideshead Revisited   Risking Enchantment returns for its autumn/winter season. As promised our first episode back is about Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. We discuss the novel in terms of its theme of the idolization of beauty, and look at how beauty both pulls characters away from God and draws them close to Him. We compare Sebastian's childlike and childish approach to beauty and life, with Charles' devotion but ultimately superficial love of beauty and art. At the heart of the discussion is Waugh's self-proclaimed theme of the operation of divine grace, and how beauty provides an opportunity for this grace to be received.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Worked Referenced Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh Brideshead Revisited (TV mini series, 1981) Scoop by Evelyn Waugh “A Twitch upon the Thread: Grace in Brideshead Revisited” by Annesley Anderson “Brideshead Revisited During Lent” by Patrick Tomassi “The rejection of beauty in Waugh's Brideshead Revisited” by Laura White “From Arcadia to Ascesis: the necessary loss of pleasure in Brideshead Revisited” by Joanna Bratten The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Rachel: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome Phoebe: The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge

"Romance is the deepest thing in life; romance is deeper even than reality." - G.K. Chesterton In this last episode of Risking Enchantment before the summer break, Rachel and Phoebe share their experience of watching musicals from the Golden Age of Hollywood. We discuss their peculiar charm, the effects of the era in which they were made, from cultural mores to filming techniques, and why they are a beautiful resource for those looking to see God's beauty in the world.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Films Referenced and Recommended in this Episode Singin' in the Rain Sound of Music High Society An American in Paris Funny Face Mary Poppins The Wizard of Oz The Sound of Music The King and I My Fair Lady Meet Me in St Louis Guys and Dolls White Christmas Other Works Referenced Manalive! by G.K. Chesterton The Healing Power of Gene Kelly by Emily Kubincanek 'Why Hollywood Matters', talk given by Barbara Nicholosi 'The Golden Age of Censorship' by Peter Tonguette   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Rachel: Financial Times Cryptic Crosswords Phoebe: Victorian Doll House Book

“The human mind has no more power of inventing a new value than of imagining a new primary colour, or, indeed, of creating a new sun and a new sky for it to move in.” C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man   In this episode we are joined by Michael Ward, author of the award-winning and best-selling Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man. We discuss Michael's theory, laid out in Planet Narnia, that Lewis wrote the series to have each book centred around the influence of each of the seven heavenly bodies of medieval cosmology. We also discuss Lewis' work the need for objective truth, especially in education, in The Abolition of Man, how he represented these ideas through fiction in his Space Trilogy, in particular the last book of the series That Hideous Strength.   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Michael Ward Follow Rachel on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Find out more about Michael at: https://michaelward.net/ Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Works Mentioned Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis by Michael Ward The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens by Michael Ward After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man by Michael Ward The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Manalive! By G.K Chesterton Sherlock (TV Series)   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Michael: A Man for all Seasons (1966)       Any Human Heart by William Boyd Rachel: Sabrina (1964)

“[Paradox is] truth standing on its head to gain attention." - G.K. Chesterton In this Easter episode of Risking Enchantment, Rachel and Phoebe discuss two of Chesterton's books: Manalive and St. Francis of Assisi. We draw out the similarities in themes, characters, and messages between the two books, in particular the use of paradoxes and seeming contradictions, as well as the general atmosphere of vibrant and energetic virtue. The main characters of each of these books, Innocent Smith, and St. Francis of Assisi both turn the world upside down in various ways, inverting people's expectations and confounding their preconceptions. In both cases Chesterton uses his typical contrarian charm to show his readers the wondrous gift of life through God. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Works Mentioned in this Episode: Manalive by G.K. Chesterton St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton “Chesterton and Saint Francis” by Joseph Pearce “Reason Exhausted: Paradoxes of G. K. Chesterton and C. S. Lewis” by Sara Park McLaughlin “Two Kinds of Paradox” by G.K. Chesterton What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Phoebe: Georgette Heyer Novels Rachel: Holiday to Rome

[Joseph's] incomparable example as a saint fortunate among so many for having lived a common life with Jesus and Mary—a life of service to Christ, a service born of love. - Saint Paul VI on the Feast of Saint Joseph (March 19, 1966)   We're delighted to welcome Elizabeth Lev back to the podcast. In her first episode, ​​Elizabeth Lev: Founding Christian Art and Redeeming Roman Myth we discussed her book How Catholic Art Saved the Faith: The Triumph of Beauty and Truth in Counter-Reformation Art the how early Christians evangelised to the Romans through art and architecture. Now Elizabeth is joining us again to discuss her new book The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art. We talk about Pope Francis' call to turn in prayer to St Joseph in our current age, the many ways that St Joseph has been represented in art throughout the centuries, and how this art can help us to cultivate a devotion to him.   Follow Elizabeth Lev: Twitter: @lizlevrome Instagram: @lizlevinrome Website: elizabeth-lev.com Elizabeth also runs Masters' Gallery Rome where you can join to get great lectures about Roman art. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock,  Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: How Catholic Art Saved the Faith: The Triumph of Beauty and Truth in Counter-Reformation Art by Elizabeth Lev The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art by Elizabeth Lev Patris Corde by Pope Francis Joseph the Worker by Modesto Faustini Flight to Egypt by Giotto Washing of the Feet by Giotto St Joseph Cradling the Infant Christ by Guido Reni Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Caravaggio Christ Crowning Saint Joseph by Francisco de Zurbarán St. Joseph and the Child Jesus by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo Flight to Egypt by Gislebertus, Autun Cathedral Death of Saint Joseph by Giuseppe Maria Crespi Death of Saint Joseph by William Blake Limbo by Sister Mary Ada Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Barroci Nuptials of the Virgin by Rosso Fiorrentino The Holy Family with a Palm Tree by Raphael Betrothed – Glimpses of the Betrothal of Mary and Joseph by Paraic Maher The Nagasaki Martyrs by the Cuzco School St. Joseph and the Child Jesus by Dony MacManus The Holy Family by Janet McKenzie St. Joseph Terror of Demons by Bernadette Carstensen St. Joseph and the Christ Child by Francesco Grandi What We're Enjoying At the Moment   Face to Face: Portraits of the Divine in Early Christianity by Robin M Jensen Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Augusta Gregory

“The Word himself was the first Gardener. In the beginning he planted a tree in the garden of Eden that grew the fruit of immortal life" - Vigen Guroian In this episode Rachel is joined by Reba Luiken, director of Allen Centennial Garden at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to discuss how gardening grounds us, both in the gifts of our bodies and the gifts of Creation. We talk about how we can look to Nature to understand God, and how the seasonal year helps us to understand our faith and the sacraments. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Reba Luiken Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned in this Episode Inheriting Paradise by Vigen Guroian The Fragrance of God by Vigen Guroian Walden by Henry David Thoreau Springing into the Season - Risking Enchantment "Christ the Gardener of our Souls" by Brent Klaske, Angelus Press "Godly Gardening", Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating by Norman Wirzba The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien by J.R.R. Tolkien The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien Beasts at Bedtime: Revealing the Environmental Wisdom in Children's Literature by Liam Heneghan The Secret Garden by Lucy Maud Montegomery Laudato si' by Pope Francis The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture by Haley Stewart   Things We're Enjoying At The Moment Reba: Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee Rachel: Mary Poppins Soundtrack, LP

“The great abstract nouns of the classical English moralists are unblushingly and uncompromisingly used: good sense, courage, contentment, fortitude…Contrasted with the world of modern fiction, Jane Austen's is at once less soft and less cruel.” - C.S. Lewis, “A Note on Jane Austen”   In this episode, we are joined by Haley Stewart, a Catholic convert, writer, speaker, podcaster, and Managing Editor of Word on Fire Spark, their new publishing line for children and young readers. We discuss Haley's new book, coming this March, Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be by Haley Stewart. We talk about the profound and vibrant ways Jane Austen explores morals and virtues in her novels. In particular we highlight the themes of prudence and constancy in Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, respectively, as well as speaking about Austen's peculiar genius for rendering the moral journeys of her characters.  Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Haley Stewart Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Haley on social media: @HaleyCarrots Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Find Haley Stewart's Work:   Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be by Haley Stewart   The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture by Haley Stewart   Carrots for Michaelmas blog   Fountains of Carrots Podcast   Word on Fire Institute Works Mentioned:   Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be by Haley Stewart Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Persuasion by Jane Austen Love and Friendship by Jane Austen, introduction by G.K. Chesterton The Illustrated Letters of Jane Austen, Selected and Introduced by Penelope Hughes-Hallett “A Note on Jane Austen”, Selected Literary Essays by C.S. Lewis   Things We're Enjoying at the Moment   Haley: All Creatures Great and Small (2020 TV Series) Rachel: Caper Board Game

“I now see that I spent most of my life in doing neither what I ought nor what I liked”. C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters Risking Enchantment is back for 2022, and in our first episode back Rachel is joined by Phoebe, to discuss our resolutions for how we hope to spend our time in the coming year. Using the above quote as inspiration, we discuss how to balance productivity with leisure, how schedules enable us to achieve our goals but can also lead us into the tyranny of efficiency, and how leisure is part of God's plan for us but in our modern age true leisure is hard to achieve. We look to literary references to help us understand how best to spend our time, whether it's the story of nuns and the tolling bell of their schedule in Rumer Godden's book In This House of Brede, or Fran Lebowitz's life of idleness as listed her humorous book Metropolitan Life.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned in this Episode: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis “The Lost Art of Intentionality” - Word on Fire From The Writing Life by Annie Dillard Idle Moments: Literary Loafers through the Ages and Pages - The Slightly Foxed Podcast The Fran Lebowitz Reader by Fran Lebowitz Heretics by G.K. Chesterton The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Cardinal Robert Sarah Wonder in a Digital Age - Born of Wonder podcast “Burnt Norton” by T.S. Eliot “The Three Sicknesses of U.S. Society: Racism, Poverty, and War” by Martin Luther King Jr    What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Phoebe: The Lord of the Rings, audiobook read by Rob Inglis Rachel: That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

“The more we are proud that the Bethlehem story is plain enough to be understood by the shepherds, and almost by the sheep, the more do we let ourselves go, in dark and gorgeous imaginative frescoes or pageants about the mystery and majesty of the Three Magian Kings.” - G.K. Chesterton   For our last episode of 2021, Phoebe is back again to discuss the wonderful paradox in celebrating Christmas that calls for both humility and extravagance. We discuss the mystery of the Christmas story, and the deep humility that Christ demonstrates to us in coming as a child in a manager, as well as our responding call to humility and generosity. We also discuss our need for splendour in our liturgies but also in our culture and our surroundings. We delve into the magic of The Nutcracker Ballet and the splendour to be found in our own Christmas decorations.   We hope you enjoy the episode and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and blessings for the new year ahead.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   The Nutcracker - Royal Opera House “The House of Christmas” by G.K. Chesterton Sermons for Christmas and Epiphany by St. Augustine Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder What's Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton Adela Cathcart by George MacDonald “A Letter About Christmas” by Ronald Knox “Preface to Paradise Lost” by C.S. Lewis All Things Considered by G.K. Chesterton   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald Rachel: Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI  

“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” - Italo Calvino In this episode Rachel and Phoebe are back to discuss Classic literature, what is it and why does it matter? We take a look at our own reading journeys and our hopes to try to become “well-read”, as well as a look at what Classic literature means to us, the question of whether all reading is good reading, and the tips and tricks that have helped us tackle bigger and more imposing books.   We'd love to hear your own experiences and favourite classics, as well as any feedback about what the classics mean to you, and what books you think should be included.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned Why Read the Classics by Italo Calvino “On the Reading of Old Books” by C.S. Lewis 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff The Collected Letters of CS Lewis, volume III: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy 1950-1963  The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis “Little Gidding” by T.S. Eliot “The need for more Catholic authors” by Niall Gooch Slightly Foxed Quartley Magazine “End of audiobook snobbery as scientists find reading and listening activates the same parts of the brain”   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Wolfwalkers (2020) (Listen to our episode about Cartoon Saloon's film's here) Rachel: Journals and Magazine - Slightly Foxed, The Lamp, Leaven, Country Living Magazine

Who will remember, passing through this Gate, the unheroic dead who fed the guns? Who shall absolve the foulness of their fate,- Those doomed, conscripted, unvictorious ones?" Siegfried Sassoon, 'On Passing The New Menin Gate' November has for many centuries held a place for Catholics as the Month of the Dead, a time to reflect and pray for the departed. In the last century it has also become the month of commemorating The First World War as well as soldiers and veterans more broadly. In this episode of Risking Enchantment, Greg Daly joins us to discuss The Great War, how we remember it, how we commemorate it, and the complexities surrounding these commemorations. We discuss the prevalence of poppies in Remembrance services, where that tradition comes from and why there is more to commemoration than paper flowers. We look at the experiences of those on the Western Front in the First World War and the soldier's own complex feelings about topics such as heroism, morality and commemoration. Finally we also touch on the importance of incorporating their Christian faith into our remembrance of them. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Greg Daly Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Greg on social media: @GregDalyIC, @thirstygargoyle  http://thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com/   Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Find out more about Leaven Magazine at https://leavenmagazine.ie/ Works Mentioned “Why has Remembrance become weird?” by Niall Gooch  “The Future of Memory: Remembrance In Years To Come” by Niall Gooch “In Flander's Field” by John McCrae “We Shall Keep the Faith” by Moina Michael “On Passing the New Menin Gate” by Siegfried Sassoon Blueprint for Armageddon - Hardcore History, podcast by Dan Carlin They Shall Not Grow Old, dir. Peter Jackson The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien Now It Can Be Told by Philip Gibbs   What we're enjoying at the moment: Greg: Fraiser, Purgatorio, and Hell Boy Mark Minola Rachel:  O Brother Where Art Thou,  The Hound of Death, by Agatha Christie, audiobook read by Christopher Lee

"I looked at her, with my mind full of that other lovely face which had so ominously recalled her to my memory on the terrace by moonlight. I had seen Anne Catherick's likeness in Miss Fairlie. I now saw Miss Fairlie's likeness in Anne Catherick." - Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White   We are joined for this episode of Risking Enchantment by Catholic author Eleanor Bourg Nicholson. Eleanor has recently published two Gothic novels, A Bloody Habit (2018) and Brother Wolf (2021). She joins us to talk about the Gothic genre, and why it's both relevant and interesting to Catholic writers and readers. We also delve into the theme of gothic doubles, a theme powerfully explored in many of the classic novels of the genre including Dracula, Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We also look at how the trope is explored in Sensation fiction, a genre adjacent to Gothic fiction, in particular in the novel The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. While Gothic fiction has the source of its uncanny doubling in the preternatural and phantasmagorical, Sensation fiction looks to the find the horror in the real societal problems found in the Victorian Age. Where the former genre examines how find ourselves reflected in the falleness of literal monsters, the latter genre examines how we find ourselves reflected in the villany and duplicity of our society.   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson Follow Rachel on social media: @seekingwatson Follow Eleanor on Facebook here. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Buy A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson here. Buy Brother Wolf by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson here. Find out more about Eleanor Bourg Nicholson's work with Homeschool Connections here. Related Risking Enchantment Episodes: Dracula: The Presence of Evil and the Power of Sacramentals Monsters and Morality in Romanticism   Works Mentioned: A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson Brother Wolf by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Dracula by Bram Stoker Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson The Victorian Age in Literature by G.K. Chesterton   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Eleanor: The Lord of the Rings on Audiobook Rachel: The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke    

“For us, we like going back to a time—and I'm sure nostalgia is feeding into that—where cell phones and the internet weren't around. If you went off with friends, it felt like you really could get lost on a grand adventure.” - The Duffer Brothers In this episode of Risking Enchantment I'm joined by Robyn Conroy, a professional animator who previously joined us for our episodes 'Cartoon Saloon: Celtic and Christian Coexistence' and 'The Prince of Egypt: An Epic in Animation'. This time she joins us to discuss the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things is a sci-fi horror series centered on the supernatural events occurring around the town, including the appearance of a girl with psychic and telepathic abilities. In the episode we discuss our love for the show and it's grounding in the virtues of loyalty, friendship and courage. We also talk about the complicated relationship our society has with the past and nostalgia, as typified by the success of Stranger Thing's 80's setting. We look at the negative effect of an over reliance on nostalgia, as well as a look at how the digital age might be impacting our ability to embrace the present and even encounter the mystery of our faith. Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Robyn Conroy Follow Rachel on social media: @seekingwatson Follow Robyn on Instagram: @robynconroyart Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Works Mentioned: Stranger Things, created by The Duffer Brothers "Why do we like 'Stranger Things' so much? A BYU professor explains"   On Fairy Stories by J.R.R. Tolkien  The Past Is a Foreign Country—Revisited by David Lowenthal "Jack Antonoff has a 'Strange Desire' for the '80s" 1999 by Charli XCX 2002 by Anne-Marie The 90s by Finneas Coney Island ft. The National by Taylor Swift "‘Stranger Things' is all too familiar" "The Strangness of Stranger Things" "Gateway to the upside down"   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Robyn: Take the Sadness out of Saturday Night by Bleacher Rachel: An American in Paris

"One writes such a story [The Lord of the Rings] not out of the leaves of trees still to be observed, nor by means of botany and soil-science; but it grows like a seed in the dark out of the leaf-mold of the mind: out of all that has been seen or thought or read, that has long ago been forgotten, descending into the deeps." - J.R.R. Tolkien For this episode we are delighted to be joined by Dr. Holly Ordway, Fellow of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute. We discuss her recent title, Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages, which addresses the claim that Tolkien read very little modern fiction, and took no serious notice of it. What Holly reveals is that Tolkien was in fact was intimately connected with the literature of his own time and concerned with the issues and crises of modernity.  In this episode we discuss Holly's book and also take an in-depth look at some of the themes in Tolkien's writings that may have been influenced by this interest in modern literature. Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Dr Holly Ordway Follow Rachel on social media: @seekingwatson Follow Holly on social media: @HollyOrdway Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Find out more about Holly at http://www.hollyordway.com/ Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Works Mentioned Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Dr Holly Ordway "Imaginative Apologetics" by Dr Holly Ordway - Word on Fire Institute Course The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie Tolkien and the Great War by John Garth The House of the Wolfings by William Morris “The Ruin”, Anglo-Saxon elegy What We're Enjoying at the Moment Holly: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome Rachel: Inside by Bo Burnham

"[T]he first aim of Dante, in his landscape imagery [in the Earthly Paradise], is to show evidence of this perfect liberty, and of the purity and sinlessness of the new nature, converting pathless ways into happy ones." - John Ruskin   For the first episode back from the summer Rachel is joined by Theology Professor Matthew Rothaus Moser to discuss Dante's Divine Comedy and its themes of nature and Creation. Matthew Rothaus Moser is Theology Professor at Azusa Pacific University. He has a recently published title Love Itself is Understanding: Hans Urs von Balthasar's Theology of the Saints and has a forthcoming title Dante and the Poetic Practice of Theology. To mark the 700th anniversary of Dante's death, in this episode Rachel and Matthew discuss the depictions of nature in The Divine Comedy, in particular the end of Purgatorio where Dante enters Eden. We trace how Dante builds the imagery of forests, trees, rivers and more over the course of the Comedy. We discuss the various themes and theology that Dante is exploring with this imagery, from humanity's current state of exile from the Garden of Earthly Delights, to the power of natural contemplation to turn us towards God, to the ways in which God reveals himself to us through his creation. Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Matthew Rothaus Moser Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow Matthew on Twitter: @M_Rothaus_Moser Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Works Mentioned: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri La Vita Nuova by Dante Alighieri Sacred and Profane Love Podcast: Episodes 32,33,34 The Divine Ideas Tradition in Christian Mystical Theology by Mark A. McIntosh “Narrator and Landscape in the "Commedia": An Approach to Dante's Earthly Paradise” Kenneth A. Bleeth After Dinner Scholar Podcast: Dante: “The Infinite Beauty of the World” with Dr. Jason Baxter Dante: Knowing Oneself, Knowing God, by Christian Moev “Scripture as Enigma: Biblical Allusion in Dante's Earthly Paradise” by Eleanor Cook “All Smiles: Poetry and Theology in Dante” by Peter S. Hawkins  Orchestra: or a Poeme of Dauncing by Sir John Davies   What We're Enjoying At the Moment Matthew Looking East in Winter Contemporary Thought and the Eastern Christian Tradition by Rowan Williams The California Mountains   Rachel The Rat Catcher's Olympics by Colin Cotterill

“[God] gave you strength to do what your conscience told you was right; and I don’t see that we need any higher or holier strength than that; or wisdom either." - Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South In this episode Rachel and Phoebe discuss North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Often dubbed ‘The Victorian Pride and Prejudice’ it is a wonderful love story but also a story of class struggles, the industrial revolution and religious turmoil. Throughout all these themes is Gaskell’s exploration of the importance of following your conscience, maintaining your principles and speaking and acting honestly. Rachel and Phoebe look at the ways in which each of these ‘unfashionable virtues’ are represented in the novel, and why they still apply to us in the modern day. After this episode, Risking Enchantment will be taking a break over the summer and will return in September. To get notified when it returns, or to keep up to date with any additional content, sign up to our newsletter at: Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Works Mentioned: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Thérèse de Lisieux Illustrated London News by G.K. Chesterton The Catechism of the Catholic Church What's Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton "The Inner Ring" by C.S. Lewis Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Garden's World Rachel: From Up on Poppy Hill (film. 2013), Whisper of the Heart (film. 1995)

“Why is it that of all the billions and billions of strange objects in the Cosmos - novas, quasars, pulsars, black holes - you are beyond doubt the strangest” - Walker Percy Lost in the Cosmos   In this episode Rachel is joined by Shane Jenkins to discuss Walker Percy’s satirical self-help book Lost in the Cosmos. In this book Percy explores ideas of the self, as well as the problems of modernity, scientism, identity crisis, and the breakdown of meaning in the modern age. Lost is the Cosmos is a complex and often troubling book but it also contains many keen observations and humorous moments.    Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Shane Jenkins Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @shanekins Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Works Mentioned Lost in the Cosmos by Walker Percy The Moviegoer by Walker Percy “Everything is Broken” Tablet by Alana Newhouse Mystery and Manners by Flannery O’Connor Thoughts after Lambeth by T.S. Eliot “Is Pope Francis Anti-Modern?” The New Atlantis by M. Anthony Mills   What We’re Enjoying at the Moment Shane: Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky Hippo Campus (band)   Rachel: Tickets to my Downfall by MGK (album)

“If we insist on keeping Hell (or even earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell.”   ― C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce   In this episode we are delighted to welcome to the show David Bates, co-host of the Pints with Jack podcast. He joins Phoebe and Rachel to discuss The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis’ imaginary supposition of Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. We talk about how Lewis demonstrates the ways that sin traps us and prevents us from entering into the joy of heaven, as well as Lewis’ unique ability to capture the vital energy and attraction of virtue.    Check out David’s podcast: Pints with Jack  @PintswithJack on: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Check out David’s wife Marie’s podcast: Pints with Chesterton    Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson, David Bates Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works mentioned in this episode:   The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake Inaugural Homily, Pope Benedict XVI New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton “The Age of Anxiety” by W.H. Auden The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien The Misquotable C.S. Lewis: What He Didn't Say, What He Actually Said, and Why It Matters by William O’Flaherty   What We're Enjoying at the Moment David: Speaking to his unborn son Phoebe: Smith of Wootten Major by J.R.R. Tolkien Rachel: Brideshead Revisited, 1981 TV Series

“‘You will find,’ he explained, ‘that when the kings are bullies who believe in force, the people are bullies too. If I don't stand for law, I won't have law among my people.’” In this episode Rachel and Phoebe discuss the figure of King Arthur in Malory’s Le Morte Darthur, the biblical echoes of his kingship, his attempt to create a just society and his failure to embody Christ-like ideals. We also discuss the new Catholic magazine, Leaven, launched by friend of the show, Greg Daly. It’s a digital magazine which showcases a coherently and distinctly Irish Catholic vision, and explores a mix of topics from science to literature, pop culture to social justice, history to philosophy and beyond. It’s first edition features articles and interviews with a range of established and new Catholic writers, including an article by Rachel on the theme of Pentecost in Arthurian myth, which forms a backdrop to this podcast episode.  Click here to get your copy of Leaven: Leaven Magazine leavenmagazine.ie Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works mentioned in this episode: Le Morte Darthur, The Winchester Manuscript by Sir Thomas Malory The Once and Future King by T.H. White “The Sword of the Spirit,” Leaven by Rachel Sherlock “King Arthur and the Liturgical Year,” quiteirregular by Jem Bloomfield  “Lancelot Versus the Pentecostal Oath,” Arthurian Literature by Kiera Schneider “A Real Catholic Monarchy,” The Distributist Review by John C. Médaille “Reflections for the Feast of Christ the King,” Vatican News by Fr. Antony Kadavil “Christ the King of the Universe,” National Catholic Reporter by Mary M. McGlone, CSJ   What We’re Enjoying at the Moment: Phoebe: The Sound of Music Rachel: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

"Our Lord began his public life on the Mount of the Beatitudes and closed it on the Mount of Calvary. This books tells the story of how he practiced the meekness, the mercy, and the poverty of the Beatitudes." - Ven. Fulton Sheen In this episode of Risking Enchantment Rachel and Phoebe discuss the short book by Ven. Fulton Sheen called The Cross and the Beatitudes. In this book, Sheen correlates the Beatitudes to the seven last words of Christ, and in so doing he illuminates how Christ embodied the Beatitudes not only in his ministry but in the Passion itself. It is a book full of insight and wisdom, and at under 100 pages it is an ideal devotional to read this Holy Week.  We wish you all a prayerful Holy Week and a blessed Easter Season.   Works Mentioned: The Cross and the Beatitudes by Ven. Fulton Sheen The Beauty and Ugliness of the Cross - Risking Enchantment Sacred Songs for Sorrowful Times: Music for Holy Week - Risking Enchantment The World’s First Love by Ven. Fulton Sheen “The Beatitudes Confront the Seven Deadly Sins” by Dennis and Rose Wingfield Perelandra by C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis "The Seven Words Spoken by Jesus Christ on the Cross" by St. Alphonsus Liguori   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Phoebe: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Pints with Jack: Season 4 - The Screwtape Letters   Rachel: Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Holly Ordway Boreas/Zephyrus Vinyl by The Oh Hellos

"I will smite Egypt with all my wonders" - The Prince of Egypt For this episode of Risking Enchantment, we are joined by animator and friend Robyn Conroy to talk about the 1998 Dreamwork's film The Prince of Egypt. A fantastic film in its own right, it is also an interesting modern example of a biblical story becoming a prestigious entertainment and artistic event. We talk about the incredible visuals and music of the movie, as well as the filmmaker's faithful and accurate adaptation of this sacred story. An excellent family movie for Lent, The Prince of Egypt is a masterful example of both animated and musical storytelling.   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Robyn Conroy Follow Rachel on social media: @seekingwatson Follow Robyn on Instagram: @robynconroyart Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned: The Prince of Egypt (1998) The Making of The Prince of Egypt (YouTube) "An Ecumenical ‘Prince of Egypt’" By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton   What We're Enjoying At the Moment Robyn: Principium, Album by The Arcadian Wild Rachel: Dubliners by James Joyce, audiobook read by Andrew Scott

"We are not here to triumph by fighting, by stratagem, or by resistance, Not to fight with beasts as men. We have only to conquer  Now, by suffering. This is the easier victory." - T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral In this episode, Rachel and Phoebe delve into two texts, T.S. Eliot's verse drama Murder in the Cathedral about the death of St. Thomas Becket, and the opera Dialogues des Carmélites by Poulenc, about the execution of a community of nuns towards the end of the French Revolution. Drawing on both of these texts we discuss the moral dilemma of 'doing the right thing for the wrong reason' and how these fictional accounts of martyred saints can help us prepare our soul for martyrdom and a life led in obedience to God's will.   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast Works Mentioned: “A Temple of the Holy Ghost” A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor Dialogues des Carmélites by Poulenc  Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot  Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton “Patience - Our Share in Your Passion” The Joy of Believing by Ven. Madeleine Delbrêl Orthodoxy by G.K Chesterton   What we are Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Risking Enchantment: A Pilgrimage in Paintings: Tissot's “Life of Christ" Rachel: Taskmaster

"The joy of the festival, drawing together the memory of both earthly and divine blessings, points to the eternal joy of heaven by giving us a small, imperfect glimpse of the eternal feast. "Why We Feast: A Matter of Life and Death", R. Jared Staudt Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned: Comfort Food by Jamie Oliver "Why does God care if you give up chocolate?" Called to More, by Rachel Sherlock "Why We Feast: A Matter of Life and Death", R. Jared Staudt In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity by Josef Pieper "Go deeper: Food in children’s books" by Imogen Russell Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis Food and Faith by Norman Wirzba Brambly Hedge: Spring Story by Jill Barklem Brambly Hedge: Autumn Story by Jill Barklem The Redwall series by Brian Jacques "The Lost Art of Feasting" by David Mathis A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling "Lower Sacraments: Theological Eating in the Fiction of C. S. Lewis" by Gregory Philip Hartley The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien Little Women by Louisa May Alcott "Nourishment, Delight, and Fellowship: The Purpose of Food in The Chronicles of Narnia" by Jonathan Darville The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Alice and Wonderland ballet, Royal Opera House recording Rachel: High Society (film)

"Men reverently doffed their hats; women wept and knelt before the pictures, and some even crawled like penitents through the show." Jesus, Illustrated: Tissot’s New Testament" by Ken Johnson In this episode, Rachel is joined by Shane Jenkins, who was previously on our Risking Enchantment episode 'Time and T.S. Eliot: Modern and Eternal Poetry'. In this episode they discuss the life and work of painter James Tissot. Once famous for his paintings of materialistic extravagance, Tissot had a profound and dramatic conversion in the middle of his life, after which he dedicated his life to chronicling the whole of the life of Christ through painting. In the episode Shane and Rachel discuss the various elements of his work that particularly interested him, and also offer a counterpoint to his work in the work of Gustave Dore. Also discussed is the need for art to accompany the Bible's words, and the newly published Word on Fire Bible. We would like to take this time to thank you for listening to Risking Enchantment this year and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Shane Jenkins Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned: Shane's blog article on Tissot and the link to his Slideshow of Tissot's paintings: 'James Tissot's "Life of Christ": The Complete Online Gallery and Introduction', In Praise of Follies by Shane Jenkins "The risqué artist who found God" The Catholic Herald by Laura Freeman "Jesus, Illustrated: Tissot’s New Testament" The New York Times by Ken Johnson The Blind Leading the Blind by Tissot Maltreatments in the House Caiaphus by Tissot Behold the Man, Ecce Homo by Tissot Let Him be Crucified by Tissot What Our Lord Saw from the Cross by Tissot The Annunciation by Tissot Jesus Ministered to by Angels by Tissot The Snow Queen by Vladyslav Yerko Jesus Carried up to a Pinnacle of the Temple by Tissot The Grotto of the Agony by Tissot Christ Retreats to the Mountain at Night by Tissot Inner Voices (Christ Comforting the Wanderers) by Tissot A Wild Ride Through the Night by Walter Moers '“From the Smallest Fragment”: The Archaeology of the Doré Bible' Nineteenth Century Art Worldwide by Sarah C. Schaefer Word on Fire Bible (Volume 1) The Gospel   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Shane: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill Rachel: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (audiobook read by Richard Armitage)

"The whole story of her life... It was here waiting for her … She had never needed to think about it before. It had been quite easy to fill her life with unimportant trivialities that left her no time for self-knowledge." - Absent in the Spring   In this episode of Risking Enchantment Rachel and Phoebe discuss two books: Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie and Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. Both lesser known works by well-known authors, they were nevertheless esteemed by their authors to be among their best work. They also both share several core themes: the quest for truth, the need to know and understand yourself, and the dangers of love without grace. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Phoebe on Instagram: @phoebe_lucy_watson Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned: Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis The Habit of Being by Flannery O'Connor A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Pints with Jack Podcast Rachel: Dialogues des Carmélites, opera by Poulenc shown on Met Opera

''Bless that good, good woman who hung the crucifix round my neck! For it is a comfort and a strength to me whenever I touch it. '' - Dracula In this episode Phoebe and Rachel discuss the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, and delve into the use and misuse of sacraments and sacramentals in the story. Also discussed is Eleanor Bourg Nicholson's novel A Bloody Habit which takes a more Catholic approach to the vampire story.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Phoebe on Instagram: @phoebe_lucy_watson Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: Dracula by Bram Stoker A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson "Oh, the Horror!" by Tom Riley "Bram Stoker’s Dracula" - Crisis Magazine "Vampires, demons, and the cross: Catholicism and horror" by Deacon Steven D. Greydanus "Cinemanemia or Revenge of the Bloodsucked" by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson Delving into the mind of a catholic novelist with Eleanor Bourg Nicholson - Fountains of Carrots podcast The Well and the Shallows by G.K. Chesterton   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Rachel: Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot

"This seeming paradox reflects two concurrently pervasive - and strikingly contradictory - perspectives. One is to be engrossed by the past, the other to dispense with it." The Past is a Foreign Country - Revisited By David Lowenthal We are delighted to welcome Catholic author and writer Fiorella de Maria. To find out more about her, and for links to all her titles visit her website: https://www.fiorellademaria.com/ In this episode we discuss the issues that the modern age has in the ways in interacts with history, from sanitising the past in books and films to tearing down statues. Works Mentioned: See No Evil: A Father Gabriel Mystery by Fiorella de Maria  The Abolition of Women by Fiorella de Maria (written under Fiorella Nash) Poor Banished Children by Fiorella de Maria "History Versus the Historians" Lunacy and Letters by G.K Chesterton The Past is a Foreign Country - Revised Edition by David Lowenthal The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley The Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain "On The Incarnation" Introduction to Athanasius by C.S. Lewis Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C.S. Lewis We'll Never Tell Them by Fiorella de Maria   Things We're Enjoying at the Moment Fiorella: Spending time with family Rachel: Vanilla Ice-cream Recipe in the Financial Times    

“The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite" In this episode Rachel and Phoebe discuss Susanna Clarke's new novel Piranesi. Set in a mysterious world, all contained in one vast house of marble statues and rising tides, the novel gives a wonderful opportunity to examine the way humans interact with the world around them.   Works Mentioned: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, BBC miniseries The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis “This critique of progress was something I borrowed from CS Lewis” - Susanna Clarke, Interview in the Hindustani Times Laudato Si, by Pope Francis General Audience 17 January 2001, Pope John Paul II "The Wobbly Chronology of Disenchantment" Church Life Journal, by Haley Stewart Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen "The House of Asterion" by Jorge Luis Borges "The Library of Babel" by Jorge Luis Borges   Things We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Season of Autumn Rachel: The Labyrinth of Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Often dismissed as 'the Dark Ages' of the Church before the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the Middle Ages was in fact a fascinating era for Christian preaching. Richly textual, highly informed, and even, entertaining, Fr Conor McDonough OP joins us on the podcast to discuss a Dominican perspective on preaching, especially in the Middle Ages, as well as the work of Humbert of Romans in his Treatise on Preaching.   “The Word Eclipsed?: Preaching in the Early Middle Ages” by R Emmet McLaughlin Dominion by Tom Holland Confessions by St Augustine “Eynsham and Ælfric” Clerk of Oxford blog, Eleanor Parker “Performing the Seven Deadly Sins: How One Late-Medieval English Preacher did it” by Alan J. Fletcher Treatise on Preaching by Humbert of Romans   What we’re enjoying at the moment: Fr. Conor: Pearl (poem) Rachel: Farewell my Lovely by Raymond Chandler

We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth Lev to the podcast. Elizabeth is an acclaimed art historian based in Rome, and author of several books including How Catholic Art Saved the Faith: The Triumph of Beauty and Truth in Counter-Reformation Art. In this episode we have a discussion about how early Christians evangelised to the Romans through art and architecture by highlighting continuity with Roman myth while also showing how Christianity redeemed and transfigured those earlier stories. We also talk about how that is a possible means of evangelising to people today. Follow Elizabeth Lev: Twitter: @lizlevrome Instagram: @lizlevinrome Website: elizabeth-lev.com Elizabeth also runs Masters' Gallery Rome where you can join to get great lectures about Roman art. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock,  Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned: The Spirit of the Liturgy by Pope Benedict XVI Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose by Flannery O'Connor "Myth Became Fact", World Dominion by C.S. Lewis      

“Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing." In our first episode back after the summer Phoebe and Rachel discuss the sense of longing found in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.  Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Phoebe on Instagram: @phoebe_lucy_watson Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (illus. Inga Moore) Audiobook: Read by Michael Hordern Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis The Pilgrim’s Regress by C.S. Lewis ‘Tinturn Abbey’ by William Wordsworth ‘The Buried Life’ by Matthew Arnold ‘The Day is Done’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Not That It Matters by A.A. Milne Tolkien On Fairy-stories, expanded edition, edited by Verlyn Flieger and Douglas A. Anderson The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien “Tolkien, Lewis, and The Wind in the Willows” by Roy Peachey, The Catholic World Reporter “God’s Whispers in The Wind in the Willows” by Justin D Lyons, Bereans at the Gate ‘Little Gidding’ by T.S. Eliot The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien “The Longing of the Wind in the Willows” by Chris Wheeler, The Rabbit Room Beyond the Wild Wood by Alan Jacobs, First Things   What We’re Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery Rachel: Mount Usher Gardens  

'The things I believed most then, the things I believe most now, are the things called fairy tales. They seem to me to be the entirely reasonable things.' G.K. Chesterton In this episode Rachel and Phoebe discuss Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, why it's a great example of a fairy story and how fairy stories help us to know and love the world around us. Upcoming Events: Great and Main Podcast, Ignite Conference, Dominicans Cork Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @phoebe_lucy_watson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Howl’s Moving Castle (2004, Studio Ghibli) Reflections: On the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton ‘The Ethics of Elfland’ Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton On Fairy-Stories by J.R.R. Tolkien Cartoon Saloon: Celtic and Christian Coexistence - Risking Enchantment ‘Fairy Tales’ All Things Considered by G.K. Chesterton ‘Glory and Splendor - part 3: The Beauty of Language’ by Peter Kreeft ‘The Language of Beauty - part 4: Words and Things’ by Peter Kreeft On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature by C.S. Lewis   What We’re Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe:  Ad Limina: A Novella of Catholics in Space by Cyril Jones-Kellett Rachel: Sherlock Holmes (1984 TV series), Sherlock Holmes (2009 film), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011 film), Sherlock (TV series).

“Somebody, after all, had to make a start.” - Sophie Scholl Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Greg Daly Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Greg on social media: @GregDalyIC, @thirstygargoyle  http://thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com/ Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005) Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts by Clive James ‘The White Rose of Conscience’ Irish Catholic by Greg Daly At the Heart of the White Rose: Letters and Diaries of Hans and Sophie Scholl Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert Sophie Scholl – The Final Days (2005) Review by Steven Greydanus, Decent Films The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis The Great War in Modern Memory by Paul Fussell The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis If This is a Man by Primo Levi What We’re Enjoying at the Moment: Greg: Middlemarch by George Eliot The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Rachel: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham (audiobook read by Michael Hordern)

"The young warrior awoke, dauntless from the dust, majesty arose, victorious and wise." -The Descent into Hell In this episode Chloe and Rachel discuss their love of Old English literature, along with three Old English poems on the theme of Easter: The Dream of the Rood, The Descent into Hell, and Christ II Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock and Chloe Colla Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson and @ChloeAMDG Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works and Authors mentioned: Tolkien & the Anglo-Saxon Heritage of Beowulf He Descended into Hell, Called to More A Clerk of Oxford The Healthy Wyrdness of the the Anglo-Saxons Some Anglo-Saxon Easter Customs The Dream of the Rood "The Dream of the Rood" and the Practice of Penitential Meditation The Institute of Catholic Culture: Dream of the Rood, A Poetic Vision of the Cross of Christ 'Steadfast Cross' The Descent into Hell 'Open wæs þæt eorðærn': the Harrowing of Hell Christ II Christ the Bird and the Play of Hope: An Anglo-Saxon Ascension   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Chloe: The radio plays of Lord Peter Wimsey Rachel: National Theatre at Home - Treasure Island, Frankenstein    

“The music had such an extraordinary force of reality that we realized, no longer by deduction, but by the impact on our hearts, that it could not have originated from nothingness, but could only have come to be through the power of the Truth that became real in the composer's inspiration.” Pope Benedict XVI In this episode, Phoebe and Rachel discuss the great works of music that can help us enter into Holy Week, especially as many of us are not currently able to attend the liturgies. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @phoebe_lucy_watson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Square Notes Podcast: Introduction to Gregorian Chant – with Dr. William Mahrt NPR: Listen: The Sound Of The Hagia Sophia, More Than 500 Years Ago The Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia by Cappella Romana Pastoral Letter on Sacred Music in Divine Worship “Sing to the LORD a New Song” by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample Square Notes Podcast: An Archbishop’s Reflections on Sacred Music – with Archbishop Alexander K. Sample The Magnificat Online Why Hollywood Matters - Barbara Nicolosi Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to Participants in the International Conference on Sacred Music Pope Benedict’s Words After Receiving Honorary Doctorate in Castel Gandolfo Benedict and Beethoven: The Outgoing Pope’s Musical Life   Musical Pieces: Les Rameux (The Palms) by Fauré (In English) Requiem Mass by Fauré (Version listened to: Nigel Short, London Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble and Tenebrae) Lamentations of Jeremiah by Palestrina Lamentations of Jeremiah by Tallis Miserere mei, Deus by Allegri Pange Lingua by Thomas Aquinas Adoramus Te Devote by Thomas Aquinas St John’s Passion by Bach St Matthew’s Passion by Bach Paul Hume, quoted in Music for Lent and Easter: St Matthew Passion by Bach The Seven Last Words of Christ by Haydn (Version listened to: Conducted by Nicholas Harnoncourt) Stabat Mater by Vivaldi The Lament of the Mother of God by John Tavener O Sacred Head Now Wounded At the Cross her Station Keeping Jesus, Remember Me Behold the Wood of the Cross Resurrexit by Berlioz The Messiah by Handel Thine be the Glory Westminster Mass by Panufnik   What We’re Enjoying at the Moment   Phoebe: Embroidery and Home Crafts The Sleeping Beauty Ballet   Rachel Escape to the Countryside Cheers

“Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.”-Roald Dahl In this episode, Phoebe and I discuss the wonderful, wacky and sometimes wicked world of Roald Dahl's stories, and we look to Chesterton to see how we should approach humour from a Christian perspective. Many thanks to Fr. Conor McDonough for the advice. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @phoebe_lucy_watson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works mentioned (all by Roald Dahl unless otherwise stated): Matilda The BFG George Marvellous Medicine The Witches The Twits Roald Dahl Audiobook set 1 Roald Dahl Audiobook set 2 Fantastic Mr. Fox Illustrators: Quentin Blake, Tony Ross Marget Talbot, The New Yorker, "The Candy Man, Why children love Roald Dahl’s stories—and many adults don’t." Matilda the Musical Matilda (1996 film) G.K. Chesterton on Fairytales: “The Red Angel,” Tremendous Trifles Chesterton on Vulgar Jokes G.K. Chesterton "On Mr. McCabe and a Divine Frivolity" To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Jen Campbell, The Importance of Seeing Yourself in Media Chesterton on Puritanism, Illustrated London News Joe Sommerlad, The Independent "World Book Day 2019: Roald Dahl's 10 best children's books, from Matilda to The Twits" What We’re Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: My Neighbour Totoro   Rachel: Elizabeth Lev talk: Behind the Veil of the Sistine Chapel How Catholic Art Saved the Faith by Elizabeth Lev

"There will be time, there will be time To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet"   In this episode Rachel is joined by Shane Jenkins to discuss the poetry of T.S. Eliot and the themes of time on his poetry, as well as his place in the modernist movement, the impact of his conversion on his writing, and the ways we can approach his writing today.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Shane Jenkins Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @shanekins Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned Talk Bhride Podcast "Influences: The Power of T.S. Eliot" by Seamus Heaney The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Theology of Hans Urs Von Balthasar, Word on Fire Institute Tractatus Logico - Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein Philosophical Investigations by Ludwig Wittgenstein The Wasteland by T.S. Eliot A Reader's Guide to T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets" Burnt Norton by T.S. Eliot East Coker by T.S. Eliot The Dry Salvages by T.S. Eliot Little Gidding by T.S. Eliot The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis The Confessions by St. Augustine A Preface to Paradise Lost by C.S. Lewis "G. K. Chesterton & T. S. Eliot: Friends or Enemies?" by Joseph Pearce Tradition and the Individual Talent by T.S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth by T.S. Eliot Chorus from the Rock by T.S. Eliot   Things We're Enjoying at the Moment Shane: Portal of the Mystery of Hope by Charles Peguy Rachel: The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt, Pushkin Press

"Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For the winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land." Cant., ii. 10-12. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Maria Connolly Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works Mentioned 'Why Walking Helps Us Think' by Ferris Jabr Greetings of John Paul II to the Delegates of the Italian Alpine Club Saint's Quotes on Flowers The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Walden by Henry David Thoreau Theology of Hans Urs Von Balthasar, Word on Fire Institute The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett (illustrated by Inga Moore) Percy the Park Keeper by Nick Butterworth St. Patrick's Breastplate The Deer's Cry Rose Harrington 'In the countryside, England’s Catholic heritage remains hidden in plain sight' by Charlie Hart Little Gidding by T.S. Eliot Pippa's Song by Robert Browning Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins God's Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins The Starlight Night by Gerard Manley Hopkins A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost A Woodland Glade by William Trost Richards John Williams Waterhouse On Hearing the First Cuckoo of Spring by Frederick Delius Bradi Barth Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Harding Sense and Sensibility (1995) Emma (2009) House of Flying Daggers (2004) Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) Mary Poppins (1964) Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Alice in Wonderland (1951) Short Stories of Oscar Wilde Watership Down by Richard Adams Well-Cultivated Words Slightly Foxed Podcast Nature & Story Sightly Foxed Podcast On Flowers with Amy Merrick Cultivating Place   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Maria: Hallows Yarn, This is Knit Rachel: Endeavour (TV Series)  

"At the touch of Vermeer's brush, the canvas transforms, so to speak, into a spectral, silver-backed mirror; into a magical retina... we are elevated from the realm of reality into the paradise of essentiality." Paul Claudel   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Greg Daly Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Follow Greg on social media: @GregDalyIC, @thirstygargoyle  http://thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com/ Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works mentioned: (All are paintings by Vermeer unless otherwise stated) Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt Belshazzar's Feast by Rembrandt Saint Praxedis Christ in the House of Martha and Mary The Procuress Woman with a Pearl Necklace Woman Holding a Balance Woman Reading a Letter The Astronomer The Geographer Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid The Lacemaker Vermeer by Paul Claudel, Salmagundi Magazine The Allegory of Faith How Catholic Art Saved the Faith by Elizabeth Lev Vermeer's Pregnant Women: On Human Generation and Pictorial Representation by Karin Leonhard The Allegory of Painting The Little Street A Hidden Life Review   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Greg: Middlemarch by George Eliot Rachel: The Sleeping Beauty Ballet, The Gentlemen, Uncut Gems, 1917  

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely." - Louisa May Alcott Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works mentioned: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott Little Women (2019) dir. Greta Gerwig Little Women (2017 TV series) dir. Vanessa Caswill Little Women (1994) dir Gillian Armstrong Jack and Jill: A Village Story by Louisa May Alcott Fountains of Carrots, Ep 123 Bringing Beauty to the World Through the Beauty of Home with Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering The G.K. Chesterton Collection by G.K. Chesterton The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis The Catechism of the Catholic Church The Home of Carl and Karin Larsson "Greta Gerwig shows us ‘Little Women’ like never before" by Haley Stewart    What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Weldon's Practical Needlework Rachel: A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson   

O Come Let Us Adore Him Happy Christmas from us here at Risking Enchantment   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works mentioned: [Christmas Carols discussed in bold]   'Christmas Ballad', Spirit of Christmas by G.K. Chesterton Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Homily of his Holiness Benedict XVI, Monday, 24 December 2012 In the Bleak Midwinter 'Into the Dark with God' by Hans Urs Von Balthasar 'Journey of the Magi' by T.S. Eliot Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 'The Importance of Singing Carols' by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski We Three Kings 'A Letter About Christmas' by Ronald Knox Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar Good King Wenceslaus 'A day to honor 'Good King Wenceslas', National Catholic Review by John L. Allen Jr. Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella   What we're enjoying that the moment: Our handmade mice from Maria Connolly Phoebe: Handel's Messiah Rachel: Klaus (film)

“When Mary has struck her roots in a soul, she produces there marvels of grace, which she alone can produce, because she alone is the fruitful Virgin who never has had, and never will have, her equal in purity and in fruitfulness.” ― Louis De Montfort, True Devotion to Mary   With Advent as the ideal time to reflect on Mary and her place in our lives, Phoebe and Rachel discuss some of their favourite Marian devotions, the paintings and images that accompany these images, and how these devotions can lead us to a fuller understanding of Christ and our Catholic faith. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works mentioned: [Marian Devotions discussed in bold] 'The Virgin' by William Wordsworth The World's First Love by St Louis De Montfort Margery Kempe's meditations : the context of medieval devotional literatures, liturgy and iconography (St Bernard of Clairveaux quote) Theotokos Cyril of Alexandria Second Letter to Nestorius   Star of the Sea St Bonaventure The Secret Of The Rosary by St Louis De Montfort The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien St Thomas Aquinas St Bernard of Clairveaux From Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco, compiled and edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B Mary Star of the Sea, by Bernadette Carstensen (painting) Stella Maris, by Lawrence Klimecki (painting) Stella Maris, Our Lady Star of the Sea by Josiah, HeartofIESVS (painting)   Our Lady, Help of Christians Song of Solomon 6:10   Hortus Conclusus Song of Solomon 4:12 Annunciation, by Fra Angelico (painting) The Annuciation, by Arthur Hacker (painting) Madonna im Rosenhag, by Stefan Lochner (painting) Frankfurter Paradiesgärtleins (painting) The Virgin in the Hortus conclusus:Healing the Body and Healing the Soul by Naoë Kukita Yoshikawa Flower Theology by John S. Stokes, Jr. "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle St Jerome   Our Lady of Sorrows Ven Francis Nguyễn Văn Thuận "Why Our Lady of Sorrows" by Fr Steve Grunow, Word on Fire "Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for the Church" by Rev. Karl Clemens, C.SS.R. Remnant Newspaper “The Virgin with Angels” and "Pieta" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (painting) "Mother of Sorrows" by Robert Hugh Benson   Our Lady of Guadalupe   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Rachel: Why Hollywood Matters by Barbara Nicolosi, video  

“When our women fail in courage,Shall our men be fearless still” In this episode, Phoebe Watson joins us to discuss the perspective of women and families on the home front of World War 1 and the courage that was displayed by the characters of Rilla of Ingleside, the last book in Lucy Maud Montegomery's Anne of Green Gables series.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works mentioned in the episode Fountains of Carrots podcast, with Haley Stewart and Christy Isinger Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montegomery Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montegomery Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History Podcast: Blue Print for Armageddon Mary and Christ’s Suffering by Fulton Sheen Catholic Stuff You Should Know - Courage and Subordination Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield “The Efficacy of Prayer,” originally from The World’s Last Night and Other Essays by C.S. Lewis "The Superfluous Woman" by Vera Brittain   What we're enjoying at the moment: Phoebe Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History Podcast: Blue Print for Armageddon The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Rachel They Shall Not Grow Old, dir. Peter Jackson

"Can we not say that the virtuous lives of the saints are the measuring lines stretched out over our souls to make sure our lives take the proper shape and measure up to their good example?" - St Anthony of Padua   To celebrate All Saints Day we take a look at the real impacts the saints can have on our lives by discussing some of the saints who themselves were inspired by saints, and how this helped them on their spiritual journey. We look at the four Theresas: Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, Mother Theresa, and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, as well as two saints inspired by St Francis Xavier.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Phoebe: The Goblin King Rachel: Over the Garden Wall

"I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light." In this episode I am joined by Robyn Conroy to discuss the representation of Celtic and Christian heritage in the animated movies, The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea by Irish animation company Cartoon Saloon. Along with highlighting the beautiful artwork of these movies we also delve into how Catholics can interact with other kinds of cultural traditions and beliefs. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Robyn Conroy Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson @robynconroyart Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: The Beekeeper trailer Cartoon Saloon The Secret of Kells Song of the Sea Revealing The Secret of Kells, Part 1, Image Journal Decent Films - The Song of the Sea, Review Song of the Sea Blog   "On Fairy-Stories" Tree and Leaf: Including Mythopoeia by J.R.R. Tolkien "Three Objections to Fairy Tales and C. S. Lewis's Response" "Great Films for Kids: Song of the Sea" "Fairy Tales" All Things Considered by G.K. Chesterton Folk Catholicism, Wikipedia The Importance of Myths and Fairy Tales for Christian Children, Catholic Exchange   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Robyn: Man in the High Castle, TV series Rachel: Great British Bake Off

‘Friendship is not only the message of the gospel, it is also the best medium for conveying it. As our Lord says ‘I no longer call you servant I now call you friends.’ - Dr. Scott Hahn In this episode Maria and I discuss our excitement at the upcoming canonisation of John Henry Newman. We explore what Newman has taught us about friendship and the particular role it played in his own life and spiritual journey. We also take a moment to highlight our favourite poems of his and to mark his place in the literary world.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod   Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Maria Connolly   Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast   Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: Apologia Pro Vita Sua by John Henry Newman 'A Letter Addressed to the Duke of Norfolk on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Recent Expostulation'Certain Difficulties Felt by Anglicans in Catholic Teaching, Volume 2 by John Henry Newman In His Own Words: Newman on Friendship Dr Scott Hahn on Newman's conversion ‘Sermon on Love of Relations and Friends’ by John Henry Newman ‘Sermon on Personal Influence, the Means of Propagating the Truth’ by John Henry Newman Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis 'Tolstoy and the Cult of Simplicity' by G.K. Chesterton 'The Parting of Friends' by John Henry Newman Snapdragon by John Henry Newman   'The Death of Gerontius' by John Henry Newman 'The Queen of Seasons' by John Henry Newman   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Maria: Georgette Heyer novels Rachel: You've Got Mail

"Christ wanted love to be called his single commandment. This we owe to all men. Nobody is excepted.” - Bartolomé de las Casas In this episode I am joined by Conor Gaffey to discuss some of the most well known stories about Christian and Catholic missionaries. At turns revered and despised, missionaries remain as fascinating figures in modern storytelling. We discuss the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, as well as the films, The Mission, directed by Ronald Joffé and Silence, directed by Martin Scorsese. Taking these narratives as a starting point we discuss what it means to introduce Christianity to a culture, the failings and virtues of historical missions and what it means to be brought to the edge of faith.   Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Conor Gaffey Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson, @ConorGaffey Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe The Mission, directed by Roland Joffé Silence, directed by Martin Scorsese Decent Films Reviews: The Mission (1986) Decent Films Reviews: Silence (2016)   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Conor: The Lion King (2019) Spirit by Beyoncé Rachel: Nothing Arrived (Acoustic) by Villagers              

‘I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.' Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice We're delighted to be back from our summer break and we've launched back into the thick of things. In this episode Phoebe and I are looking at the novels of Jane Austen and what her heroines can teach us about holding onto moral integrity and our Christian call to overcome our personal failings to love with true freedom.    Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works Mentioned: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Persuasion by Jane Austen The History of England’  by ‘a partial, prejudiced, & ignorant historian’ (Jane Austen) 'Jane Austen’s Morality of Marriage' by Guy McClung, The Imaginative Conservative 'Polite Lies: The Veiled Heroine of Sense and Sensibility' by Susan Morgan, Nineteenth-Century Fiction The Habit of Being by Flannery O'Connor 'In Defense of Fanny Price: Why You Don’t Like Mansfield Park as Much as You Should' by Haley Stweart, Carrots for Michaelmas Fountains of Carrots Podcast 'How to go to Confession', Catholic Stuff You Should Know   What we're enjoying at the moment Phoebe: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Rachel: Band of Brothers Chernobyl  

Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Ben Conroy, Matthias Conroy Follow us on social media: @seekingwatson, @BenJDConroy, @ItsJustLupin  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works mentioned: The Young Pope (2016) 'Vatican newspaper finally critiques ‘The Young Pope’ — one year after its release' 'Waiting for a Young Pope' by Matthew Schmitz The Medium and the Light by Marshall McLuhan 'Review: ‘The Young Pope’ Is Beautiful and Ridiculous' by James Poniewozik   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Ben: Breaking Bad Matthias: Attack on Titan Rachel: Your Name (2016)

"Have courage, and be kind" as we take a look at some examples of modern female protagonists, the pitfalls of their portrayals and what they could learn from the lives of the saints. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock and Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com   Works mentioned: Barbara Nicolosi (Podcast: The Church of the Masses) Wonder Woman Captain Marvel Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi Star Wars: Rogue One Twilight The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Dumbo (2019) A Wrinkle in Time (2018) A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book series and film adaptation) Beauty and the Beast (2017) Cinderella (2015) Harry Potter (film series) That Time Disney Remade Beauty and the Beast, Lindsay Ellis (YouTube video) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen War and Peace (2016 TV series) Anne of Green Gables Anne with an E Our Lady of Sorrows by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson Quote on Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI Prayer of Discernment by Bl. John Henry Newman The Life-Giving Will of the Father by Fr. Bonaventure Perquin, O.P. Prayer of Abandonment by Thomas Merton The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Liseux   What We’re Enjoying at the MomentPhoebe:Anne of the Island by L.M. MontgomeryThe Club of Queer Trades by G.K. Chesterton Rachel:Eighth Grade

"Then whoever was born a poet became an architect... in the direction of architecture,—gushed forth through that art, and its Iliads assumed the form of cathedrals." - Victor Hugo This week's episode comes from Rome, where we discuss the heritage and perspective that architecture gives to the Catholic faith. We discuss the recent fire at Notre Dame and look into Victor Hugo's famous novel on the cathedral to find out why these buildings hold a special place in our faith and history. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock and Phoebe Watson Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Works and Authors mentioned:   Elizabeth Lev  Built Form of Theology: The Natural Sympathies of Catholicism and Classicism Elizabeth Lev on Notre Dame The Hunchback of Notre Dame (This Will Kill That) To make Britain Richer, Make Britain Beautiful The Neuroscience of Architecture: The Good, the Bad—and the Beautiful The Liturgical Arts Journal   What We're Enjoying at the Moment Phoebe  TV: Erased Book: The Wanderings of Clare Skymer by George MacDonald Rachel Film: The Sisters Brothers