I’ve gone back and listened to the episodes on beauty three or four times already, particularly the introductory one to Season 2, several times. The interview with Laurence Pierson, the iconographer, was brilliant and really explored the deep meaning behind religious iconography as an aid to prayer. I appreciated how Jules addresses both the amazing beauty in churches, liturgical music, and Catholic art, while also recognizing the ways in which the Church hasn’t always championed her artists, particularly in recent decades. I appreciated the nuance and insight Jules brings to each episode, and as someone who is getting her PhD in literature, Jules has really profound insights into literature and art that makes me feel like she’s a kindred spirit.
This podcast is one of the best out there for reflecting on the intersection of faith and art. I love that it’s interviews woven together with Jules’s own narration in a conversational way, without simply being a “banter” podcast (though those are fun too!). It’s refreshing to have a podcast with a clear narrative arc, as well as deep and insightful reflections on the history of Catholicism, Catholic art, and Catholic communities.
