Believe To See

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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