Believe to See
The podcast of the Anselm Society's Arts Guild. Join host Matt Mellema and a rotation of guests at the digital pub table for conversations about faith and storytelling. "Some things have to be believed to be seen." -Madeleine L'Engle
Episodes
Spider-Man has been one of the world's most popular superheroes for more than sixty years—but why has the character endured through so many radically different versions? In this episode, we trace the history of Spider-Man from Stan Lee's original Peter Parker through the Sam Raimi films, the MCU, and all across the Spiderverse. Along the way, we ask what actually makes Spider-Man . . . Spider-Man. Pe...
Why has Batman remained one of the world's most popular superheroes for nearly 90 years? From the dark, pulp-inspired Batman of 1939 to Adam West's colorful 1960s TV series, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and even The LEGO Batman Movie, Batman keeps reinventing himself.
In this episode, we trace the history of Batman to discover what makes the character so enduring&mdash...
What could Dolly Parton and Wendell Berry possibly have in common? One embraced rhinestones, celebrity, mass media, and an audience of millions; the other championed farming, limits, local community, and resistance to consumer culture. Yet both offer surprisingly powerful models for Christian artists. In this episode of Believe to See, we compare these two very different artistic lives and explore what they can teach us about livin...
Words like "rules" and "tradition" tend to make us squirm We're creative! Aren't we supposed to break free of the ordinary? Join the roundtable as the hosts discuss the necessity of learning, understanding, and practicing the "rules" in order to unleash our own creativity.
Some artists find fame while they're living . . . and may wind up forgotten once they're gone. For others, that script is flipped. Join the hosts at the roundtable as they share stories of artists whose works were only truly appreciated after their deaths. Why was their brilliance overlooked when they were alive? What led to their eventual (re)discovery and acclaim? Is it tragic, or inspiring, or a bit of both?
("Obscurity" by Bria...
Our modern culture seems to struggle with how to treat food. Sometimes it's a nuisance to choke down that protein bowl so we can get back to the "real" work. Other times, it's a struggle not to overindulge in our food-flooded society. And at others, food is broken down into its scientific components so that it no longer matters what it tastes like or if we enjoy it, as long as we're getting our macro- and ...
Join Mandy's conversation with oil painter Nicole Beck and road trip photographer Isaac Hans — both members of the Anselm Society Arts Guild. Nicole and Isaac discuss how storytelling is integral to their work, from inception to public showings. (Warning: You're going to want to attend more gallery shows after this episode, and you'll never see them the same way again.)
How much Arthurian art have you seen? Chances are, it's more than you think. From medieval illuminated manuscripts to seemingly vague romantic paintings of knights on horseback wooing maidens with flowing hair, join the hosts for an exploration of visual depictions of Arthurian legends across the centuries.
For more than a thousand years, the legends of King Arthur have been retold, expanded, and reinvented. In this episode, we trace the remarkable evolution of the Arthurian legends from the shadowy origins in post-Roman Britain through Saxon England and the French courts, up through Victorian writers and into the modern day. Along the way, we explore how each generation resha...
What did C.S. Lewis mean when he said that George MacDonald's Phantastes "baptized my imagination"?
Meredith Finch is the writer of the new graphic novel adaptation of Phantastes from Cave Pictures Publishing. We discuss the unique challenge of adapting a dreamlike and deeply symbolic novel into a visual medium, the meaning behind some of MacDonald's most memorable images and episodes, and why this strange fairy tale still speaks t...
Dovetailing with last week's episode on the ownership of stories, Matt, Mandy, and Sarah discuss the mysterious and oft-maligned world of fanfiction. Is it a silly way for mostly young women to get validation and fix the problems they see in other stories? Or is it a low-stakes environment to hone skills and experiment with identity?
What is fanfiction's appeal and value, and what can it show us about its subjects? Join the digital...
What if we've misunderstood the Inklings?
When most of us think of the Inklings, we picture C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien: two brilliant minds meeting in an Oxford pub and changing literature forever. But that's only one part of a much bigger story.
G. Connor Salter joins the Anselm Digital Pub table to discuss his new book, The Other Inklings. It explores the often-overlooked members of the Inklings, and ...
We love a good vampire yarn, or speculating about how we would react to a zombie apocalypse. Pop culture loves them too: vampires sexy, zombies scary. But what is the value in telling these kinds of stories? Is there more to it than just Hollywood trying to make more money?
Dr. Amy Hughes, a theology professor, scholar, and author joins the pub table to discuss our favorite supernatural creatures and what ...
It's human to want to fit in. And it's human to fail at fitting in. What if our peculiarities aren't necessarily weaknesses to be overcome, but gifts from God that He wants us to use? Join us at the virtual pub table as we discuss the pain of feeling like a weirdo, and the joy of finding our purpose (among our fellow weirdos).
Why do our greatest stories—Chaucer, Shakespeare, and even the Bible—include moments that feel . . . a little crude?
In this episode, we make a surprising case: what we call "toilet humor" isn't just childish—it may actually serve a deeper purpose in storytelling. From the shocking story of Ehud in Judges, to Chaucer laughing at farts, to G. K. Chesterton reminding us to "take ourselves lightly," we explore how hu...
Stand-up comedy has become one of our culture's most important artistic forms. And that sounds strange. How can something as simple as a single person telling funny observations and anecdotes be one of our most important art forms? But look around. Stand-up is all over Netflix and other major streamers. Comedians dominate both the podcast arenas and the YouTube clip arenas. They also have an outsized impor...
Theoretical physicists are debating whether the multiverse is plausible or bonkers. But regardless of the math, the idea of multiple realities is endlessly compelling for storytellers—from classic literature and pulp science fiction to contemporary film and television.
At the digital pub table, we're joined by filmmaker and culture critic Joseph Holmes to explore why the multiverse captivates us. His...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!