Redeemed Imagination

In this conversation, Brian Brown, Sarah Howell, Jeremiah England, and Christina Brown delve into the themes presented in 'A Gentleman in Moscow' by Amor Towles, focusing on the character Count Rostov and his experiences within the confines of a hotel. Such a story helps us engage our confines -- After all, in winter, we’re stuck inside a lot, which reminds us of the limits that come with constricted space. Monotony, potentially bad habits and patterns, irritation from friction with or noise from people around us, etc. We’re kinda conditioned to view limits as confining; to want freedom and choice and autonomy. Even if we pay lip service to the value of limits, as soon as we experience a new one, we typically respond with frustration, rebellion, grief, and so on. But Christian writers, from ancient mystics to contemporary novelists, have seen limits–whether on our desires or even our physical space–as something very different. Maybe there’s a way to learn to be the kind of person who is sharpened, gro

What if the reason you feel too small, too broke, or too ordinary to be generous is actually a spiritual problem masquerading as humility? In this episode, we explore an ancient vice called pusillanimity—"smallness of soul"—that convinces us our limitations define us. Through Leo Tolstoy's story of Martin the cobbler and John Witherspoon's forgotten sermon on Christian magnanimity, we discover that true generosity isn't about having enough resources, but about remembering whose children we are.

A pre-New Year's bit of gorgeousness for you--Brian and Sarah read and discuss W.H. Auden's poem "For The Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio," and share a couple things to look forward to next year!

A little end-of-Advent treat for you!

"Joy and suffering are interconnected."What if joviality isn't just a personality trait—but a virtue we're called to cultivate? In our newest Imagination Redeemed episode, Joffre Swait takes us on a journey through the story of St. Nicholas to explore how generosity, celebration, and community can restore our capacity for joy—even in a culture that's forgotten how to be grateful.We talk about: ✨ Why joy and suffering are inseparable

Brian and Sarah break down our plans for the next three months of the podcast, reflect on divine abundance and the scandal of the incarnation, and more.

Life often feels like discord—a song gone wrong. Whether you're walking through grief, loss, or the quiet melancholy of longing for something more, it's easy to get stuck in wistfulness or despair. Through Tolkien's Ainulindalë, this episode explores how to hold both sorrow and hope together. You'll discover how to remember that life is gift—God's original theme of abundance and goodness—while also honestly stepping into what Tolkien called the music of "immeasurable sorrow." This isn't about toxic positivity or ignoring your pain; it's about learning to sing a third theme that weaves your grief into a larger, more beautiful story. As Thanksgiving approaches, this conversation offers a way to feast differently, carrying your homeward ache with both tears and joy.

Many of the conditions of Middle-earth in its Third Age mirror those of our own day: grapples for power, technological advances used for good and ill, and a high opinion in many circles of efficiency and maximized production. What does a feast signify and entail in such times? Earlier this fall the Anselm Society had the privilege of gathering for our fall retreat. Part of this retreat was focused on extended workshops; a time to be filled, to grow in knowledge or craft, and connect our vocations to the life of God. What you are about to hear is one of our speakers from our morning workshops, Amy Baik Lee.  Amy takes the time to linger at three festal tables in The Lord of the Rings, drawing what we can learn from them about the practice of sharing art, celebration, and fellowship — and ponder why this practice is vital to the journey of the Church and its saints.We are delighted to share this incredible talk. If you want access to the other five and a half hours of content from the fall retreat workshops, co

Should we be afraid of Halloween? What about death? What about just…the past? Whether it's our own trauma, fears of the occult, family history, or that big scary word tradition, many of us feel caught between two extremes: either cutting ourselves off from it all, or feeling so surrounded by it that we feel trapped.In this episode, we journey back to medieval England to discover what Hallowtide—the three-day feast that became Halloween—actually looked like, and why it might hold keys to a healthier relationship with all of it–death, tradition, and the past.Along the way, we'll mythbust everything you think you know about Halloween, explore the meaning of “honor your father and mother,” and discover practical ways to connect our own stories to the Great Story.

Brian Brown, Matthew Clark, and Terri Moon continue their conversation, exploring the concept of 'we songs' in worship, songs that connect congregants to God and each other. In this episode, we discuss the importance of melody, accessibility, and the role of instruments in creating a hospitable worship environment, one that instills confidence in the normal congregant and that inherently prioritizes the voice of the congregation. Within that framework, we delve into how singing serves as a spiritual discipline, the significance of familiar songs, and the need for crafting music that encourages congregational participation. Chapters00:24 Introduction to We Songs01:32 The Purpose of We Songs02:01 The Composition of We Songs02:51 Melody and Accessibility03:39 The Role of Instruments in Worship04:48 Hospitality in Worship06:13 The Voice of the People07:03 Worship Wars and Music Choices07:30 Cultural Context in Worship Music08:57 Fostering Congregational Singing09:31 The Role of the Worship Leader10:18 Mus

In 386 AD, an Italian bishop taught his congregation to sing—and their voices held off an imperial army. Why do some songs have the power to unite us, remind us who we are, and give us courage in dark times? And how can we get more of them?Join Brian Brown, Matthew Clark, and Terri Moon as they explore the lost art of "we" songs—hymns and ballads that connect us to God, to each other, and to the great story we're all part of.

In this episode (part 2 of 2), Brian Brown, Gustav Hoyer, and Benjamin Harding talk about the intergenerational nature of Christian creativity, and explore how film scores and children's stories show us how that works.The discussion includes:Why every generation in the church must leave a testimony of their time—failure to do so creates a void in cultural memoryHow Kalos Arts functions as a production company for Christian artists across multiple disciplines (music, visual art, written word), and believes art shouldn't remain inaccessible—people can develop appreciation through guided exposureHow film scores are great example of how this works; they serve as accessible entry points to classical musicWhy popular art forms like Harry Potter and The Hobbit demonstrate how "children's" stories can contain profound beauty

A bonus episode cross-posted from the Beauty Through Faith podcast! In this episode, part 1 of 2, Brian joins Benjamin Harding and Gustav Hower to say as many provocative things as possible, as quickly as possible. Things we talked about:Beauty as pursuit of God through the material world - How a beautiful girl became his doorway to understanding that pursuing beauty isn't separate from pursuing God—it's incarnational, found in both romantic love and the everyday physical world around us.The "You too? I thought I was the only one" moment - When the Anselm Society started hosting lectures on C.S. Lewis, Dostoevsky, and Christian architecture, people flooded in saying they'd always loved stories, music, and art but their churches had no explanation for why these things mattered to their faith.Feasting as theology in practice - How simple acts like preparing an abundant meal become a tangible way ordinary people participate in God's work of reconciliation."If we don't cry out H

Join renowned Canadian artist Josh Tiessen‬ for an inspiring evening at the Anselm Society as he shares his artistic journey and explores the intersection of Christian faith, wildlife art, and environmental stewardship.

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

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

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

A huge treat: Malcolm Guite joins the podcast!In our fast-paced, ever-connected world, we've largely forgotten the art of being still. But what if stillness isn't simply the absence of activity—what if it's actually a practice that requires intention, ritual, and presence?Join Brian Brown and Matthew Clark as they sit down with renowned poet and theologian Malcolm Guite for a contemplative conversation about pipe smoking as a case study in the spiritual discipline of stillness. Opening with Malcolm's own poem "Smoke Rings from My Pipe," this episode explores how a simple ritual can become a pathway to what T.S. Eliot called "the still point of the turning world."In this episode, we discuss:Why stillness is both desperately needed and increasingly difficult in our ageHow memory and presence intersect in moments of contemplationHow physical objects and rituals can anchor us in the present momentFar from escapism, this conversation reveals how true stillness prepares us for be

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

An exploration of human vocation through the lens of one of Tolkien's most strange and mysterious characters. Featuring special guest C.R. Wiley, author of "In the House of Tom Bombadil."