Believe To See

Mandy, Christina, and Matt tackle the topic of artificial intelligence—particularly how powerful advances in AI may impact the world of art and artists. The cohosts discuss the pros and cons of AI and bring up questions about how Christians should think about AI and Art theologically. 

Christina interviews Jane Scharl about her chapter in The Anselm Society's new book Why We Create, "Time and Its Creator." Jane Scharl is an author, poet, and one of the editors of Why We Create.

In tribute to Leslie Bustard, long-time friend of The Anselm Society and contributor to The Anselm Society's new book Why We Create, Christina, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss the chapter in Why We Create written by Leslie: "Gratitude: The Foundation of Human Creativity."

In this episode, our cardigan-clad director, Brian Brown, joins Christina to discuss the Anselm Society's new book, Why We Create. (The cardigan is an obvious tribute to Matt). In the subsequent conversation, they explore why we often have a hard time relating to the material world, explaining why non-"spiritual" vocations matter, and justifying our interest in beauty. They also tell you why you should buy Why We Create, right here, right now: https://www.anselmsociety.org/why-we-create-book. This episode kicks off an on-and-off series this fall in which we'll discuss themes from the book with some of the authors!

Matt chats with YA Author Autumn Krause, discussing her new book, the genre-switch from her previous books to her most recent book, and the challenges she faced on her new writing project.   Find out more about Autumn's books at https://autumnkrause.com/books/

Matt chats with Natasha Kennedy, the illustrator for the FatCat (catechisms “fat with meaning”) books. Catechism can seem to be an intimidating (or boring) word, but catechism can actually contain the entirety of the Christian story of creation, fall, and, redemption. Natasha talks about her experience bringing together catechism and art in a way that can be appreciated even by young kids. Learn more about the FatCat books at https://lexhampress.com/fatcat

Matt and Mandy sit down with author Carolyn Leiloglou to talk about her new book, Beneath a Starry Sky, which places Van Gogh's Starry Night within middle grade fiction and the novel's protagonists inside of Starry Sky. Learn more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynleiloglou.com/ (Pre) Order Beneath the Swirling Sky at https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Swirling-Sky-Carolyn-Leiloglou/dp/0593579542

Christina and Mandy sit down to talk with Nicole Stratton, Artistic Director of Logos Theater, discussing a biblical worldview of the dramatic arts and how the arts when taught as a part of God's nature can give hope and healing. Find out more about Logos Theatre at thelogostheatre.com

Matt and his wife Danielle sit down with children's author Danielle Hitchens about her new book, "Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year around Jesus." Danielle talks about the liturgical year and how this helps us orient or lives, family's lives, and children around Jesus. Learn more about Danielle Hitchens at https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/author/danielle-hitchen  

Anyone who has ever published or tried to publish a book knows what "comps" are. Whenever you pitch a book, agents and publishers want to know what the "comparable books" are to your books.  Many authors find identifying comps both stressful and annoying, and sometimes horrifying if you find that someone seems to have written the exact same book as your book. Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss both the struggles of finding comps and discuss some possible redeeming qualities of comps.

Nicholas Kotar joins Matt at the Anselm Society digital pub table to discuss the origins of so many of the fairy tales and folk stories we know and love. But, the versions of the stories that we know are not necessarily the "original" versions of the stories. Nicholas harnesses his love for stories, and in particular his enviable knowledge of Russian fairy stories, to shed some light on the origins and significance of those tales.   Find out more about Nicholas and his work at NicholasKotar.com.

Anyone who writes knows that "voice" is important—even essential. Writers may be said to have a strong voice, or a unique voice, but what, exactly, is "voice?" Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline try to define what "voice" is (and Evangeline claims that she's never read a book in her life).

UFOs and aliens are in the news... again. Reports of aliens are nothing new. They go back at least to the second century, with the satirical work called "True History" by Lucian of Samosata. Since H.G. Well's "The War of the Worlds" we as a society have seemed to have been obsessed with alien stories ever since. Matt, Evangeline, and Christina talk about how alien stories have captured the modern imagination and (according to Matt, at least) fall into 3 different categories. 

Matt sits down at the Anselm digital pub with children’s author Alice Faye Duncan to talk about her new book and the history and importance of spirituals.   Find out more about Alice and her new book, This Train is Bound for Glory, at https://alicefayeduncan.com/

What is up with all the bad boys in literature? Why have girls throughout the centuries fallen for bad boys? Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline try to untangle the conundrum of the appeal of literary bad boys.

Matt, Mandy, and Evangeline discuss the importance of "voice" in writing stories.

Author and singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson joins Matt and Christina at the Anslem Society digital pub table to talk about Andrew’s creative process and his Wingfeather saga books.

How do you approach creating a story when it seems too big for you? Matt and Mandy welcome fellow guild member, Gianna Soderstrom, to the Anselm Society digital pub to talk about what to do with a spark of inspiration that seems too big to tackle.

Matt makes the case that the life and story of C.S. Lewis are just as interesting as Lewis's writings. Joining Matt and Mandy at the Anslem digital pub table is Terry Glaspey to help Matt make his point by describing how C.S. Lewis's intellect and imagination worked together to bring Christianity alive for so many. Find Terry's recent biography of Lewis at www.moodypublishers.com/not-a-tame-lion. Find out more about Terry and his writing at www.terryglaspey.com, where Terry talks about creativity, spirituality, and life.

Matt and Mandy talk with Anselm Society Arts Guild member Jane Scharl, a poet and playwright. They discuss Jane's recently published and produced play, an imaginative encounter between St. Ignatius of Loyola, John Calvin, and François Rabelais.