Finding Faith in Fandoms

Freelance writer and filmmaker C.J. Williams joins Jackie for the first annual Star Wars Day episode, reviewing the Skywalker saga films (Episodes I-IX).

Resources and Recommendations

Our work:

C.J.W. Writing, C.J. Williams’ website

“Where You Are, He Is: Leia, Rey, and St. Monica” by Jacqueline Tetrault

Star Wars commentaries referenced:

A Critique of the Philosophy Behind Star Wars talk by Peter ...

With Easter coming up, Jackie and Amelia discuss the Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel,” its Disney adaptation Tangled, and their themes of truth, rebirth, human potential, sacrifice, and finding the way home.

Content Warning: Mentions toxic/abusive parent-child relationships.

References and Recommendations:

11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting in Tangled by Cinema Therapy

Glen Keane Discusses Merging The Gospel With Animation,...

In honor of spring and St. Patrick’s Day, Jackie and Amelia discuss a little-known, original fairy tale musical, The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn.

Content Warning: Mentions of child death and toxic/abusive parent-child relationships.

Resources and Recommendations:

The Clockmaker’s Daughter official website

2019 staged reading of The Clockmaker’s Daughter at Cadogan Hall

Amelia Smith&#...

Singer and actor Katie Broach shares her experience of playing the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, and Jackie talks about her experiences with Catholic religious communities.

References and recommendations:

~ The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp

~ Katie Broach's website: https://www.katiebroachsoprano.com

~ Jacqueline Tetrault's articles on religious vocations and communities: http://www.jacquel...

Amelia and Kenny Smith join Jackie to talk about their mutual love of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s beloved Gothic coming-of-age romance. Among other things, Amelia lays out how Helen and Jane are Christ figures; Jackie opens up about life with ADHD; and Kenny identifies 19th-century tropes that the novel subverts.

Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of child abuse and spiritual abuse.

References & Recommendations:

~ T...

With Christmas coming up, Jackie and Amelia dig into the history of the Nutcracker, from E. T. A. Hoffman's novella to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet and various other adaptations.

For more information and links to available filmed productions, check out our recommendations on the Finding Faith in Fandoms blog.

Cover art model: Amelia Smith

Cover art photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

Music:

~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

~ "O...

Drama therapist Brooke Dennis joins Jackie for a discussion of Disney's movie and musical Hercules. Fangirling ensues.

For more of Jackie's analysis of Hercules, check out her essays, "Human and Divine: Hercules as a Christ Figure" and "True Heroism is True Love."

Media References & Recommendations:

~ "Myth Became Fact" by C. S. Lewis

~ The Literary Life Podcast Episode 60: Why Read Pagan Myths

~ "Hercules, Disney's Beautiful Hot Me...

Artist and historian Patrick Powers joins Jackie for a discussion about the Halloween-themed animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall.

Content Warning: This episode mentions sensitive topics, including death and suicide.

References and recommendations:

~ "Greg's Gospel: Community, Self-Expression, & Radical Love - Over the Garden Wall's Moral Philosophy" by Michael Kellermeyer

~ "Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die"...

Fresh from a series rewatch, Jackie and Amelia discuss the fantasy drama Once Upon a Time (2011-2018), which drew inspiration from classic fairy tales and Disney films. What emerged was a story that emphasizes faith, hope, and love above all.

Content Warnings: This episode contains mentions of sensitive and/or potentially triggering topics, such as abandonment, abortion, abuse, addiction, death, trauma, and violence.

Timestamps

0:07:1...

Jackie and Amelia discuss the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, as well as its film and stage adaptations.

Read more of Jackie's analysis in "Abundant Life in Tuck Everlasting." Bonus material will be available for Patreon supporters.

Cover art:

~ Models: Amelia Smith and Jacqueline Tetrault

~ Photographer: Matthew Spellman

Music used:

~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

~ "Live Like T...

Jackie and Amelia (a professional Disney princess) take a deep dive into the film Frozen and its stage adaptation.

Read more of Jackie's analysis in "Fear vs. Love: A Christian Take on Frozen" on Catholic Exchange. Bonus content will be available on Finding Faith in Fandoms' Patreon account.

Read more of Amelia's thoughts on Anna as a Christ-figure and Elsa's journey to accepting love in The Princess Passion Project.

Cover art:

~ Model...

This premiere episode lays the groundwork for all subsequent episodes. Host Jacqueline Tetrault introduces guests Amelia Smith and JMD Myers, and explains the concept that will be explored through Finding Faith in Fandoms.

A full explanation of the salvation story pattern can be read in these articles by Jacqueline Tetrault:

The Salvation Story Pattern

Finding Christ in Fiction

More information about this podcast and rela...