I Might Believe in Faeries

Aaron Irber
  • 4.8 (22)
  • Fiction

This is a podcast about stories, myths and Catholicism. Stories are how we orient ourselves in the world. In Catholicism, we believe in the Greatest Story: Christ crucified and resurrected. We participate in His story through ritual worship; the liturgy. Even in the Catholic Church, these truths are often forgotten or ignored. My mission for this podcast is to explore storytelling, myths, and how these fit into Catholicism. I will cover Catholic fantasy and science fiction authors, mythology, folklore and the Catholic faith. aaronirber.substack.com

  1. 20h ago

    Gene Wolfe’s Soldier of the Mist (ft. Marc Aramini)

    In this episode, I am joined again by writer and Gene Wolfe expert, Marc Aramini. Marc and I have an in-depth discussion of the first book of Wolfe’s Latro series, The Soldier of the Mist. The events of the book take place in 479 B. C. shortly after the battle of the 300 Spartans (and thousands of their slaves) fighting against the Persian army at Thermopylae. Latro is a mercenary in the Persian army who suffers from a head wound that gives him amnesia. We discuss the events of the first book, the frame narrative, and the characters. The Chapter Guide to Gene Wolfe’s Latro Novels by Michael Andre-Driussi can be found here. The physical editions of Marc’s first two books are now available on Amazon: * Between Light and Shadow: An Exploration of the Fiction of Gene Wolfe, 1951-1986 * Beyond Time and Memory: An Exploration of the fiction of Gene Wolfe, 1987-1990 Marc’s YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@marcaramini9794 Marc can be found on Twitter.com at @marc_aramini ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more! Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    Gene Wolfe’s Soldier of the Mist (ft. Marc Aramini)

  2. Aug 20

    The Man Who Was Thursday (ft. Gregorio Montejo)

    The Man Who Was Thursday was written by Gilbert Keith Chesterton in 1908 and is described as a metaphysical thriller. It is also one of the greatest Catholic novels of the 20th Century. Gabriel Syme, a poet detective, infiltrates a secret society of anarchists to try to foil their plans of world destruction. Gregorio Montejo returns as a guest to discuss this miraculous novel. We discuss Chesterton’s use of paradox, why the novel is called a nightmare, the color red, and so much more! Follow Gregorio on Twitter.com @KtistecP Do yourself a favor and subscribe to Gregorio’s substack Past Masters and read his essay on Chesterton here: ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more! Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    The Man Who Was Thursday (ft. Gregorio Montejo)

  3. Jul 31

    What is Astrology? (ft. Deacon Seraphim/Richard Rohlin)

    What is astrology? Is it different from astronomy? How was astrology viewed in the ancient world and Christian Middle Ages? What about astrology is forbidden to Christians and is there anything about it that is good, true, and beautiful? Deacon Seraphim (Richard) Rohlin returns to the show to discuss all of this and more. Find Deacon Rohlin on Twitter.com @richardrohlin The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/ Resources: Catholic Answers: Steer Clear of Modern Astrology: https://www.catholic.com/qa/steer-clear-of-modern-astrology Jimmy Akin: Thomas Aquinas and the Occult: https://jimmyakin.com/2020/06/thomas-aquinas-on-the-occult.html Origen and the Life of the Stars: A History of an Idea (Oxford Early Christian Studies): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198263619?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521716616?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more! Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    What is Astrology? (ft. Deacon Seraphim/Richard Rohlin)

  4. Jul 15

    Tolkien's Invasion of Dragons (ft. Ian Gunn/Thoughts on Tolkien)

    Independent Tolkien scholar, Ian Gunn, joins the show to discuss an article he wrote titled, “Tolkien’s Invasion of Dragons”, which was published in Mythlore in 2025. Have the dragons disappeared from the world or are they still lurking about? What do we even do with one if we stumble across one in our garden? Ian and I discuss Tolkien’s belief that tales of heroic myths and legends can revivify society and restore the “memory of the high and the perilous.” We don’t want to be invaded by dragons, but sometimes that is exactly what we need. “Tolkien’s Invasion of Dragons” (Mythlore 2025): https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3375&context=mythlore Joie de Vivre Journal: https://www.jdvjournal.com/ Ian Gunn can be found on Substact: Thoughts on Tolkien Ian Gunn can be found on Twitter.com @tolkienthoughts ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more! Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    Tolkien's Invasion of Dragons (ft. Ian Gunn/Thoughts on Tolkien)

  5. Jun 15

    Fairies: A History (ft. Dr. Francis Young)

    What are the mysterious beings known as fairies? Can they be defined? How have fairy encounters in Europe changed over the centuries? Dr. Francis Young returns to the show to discuss his new book, Fairies: A History, by Polity Books (2026). Dr. Young traces fairies and fairy encounters from pagan Europe all the way to the 21st Century. He argues that it is not useful to think of fairies as beings that can be proved and documented scientifically, but experienced through a type of perception. Have we moderns lost this type of perception? What does Tolkien’s conception of Faerie have to do with all of this? How did the Reformation and the Enlightenment impact fairy belief? We discuss all of this and more in this episode of IMBIF. Fairies: A History: https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=fairies-a-history--9781509566778 Dr. Young can be found on Twitter.com @DrFrancisYoung His substack is Francis Young ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more! Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    Fairies: A History (ft. Dr. Francis Young)

  6. May 15

    Technocracy (ft. C. A. Shoultz)

    A bold, new story for the 21st Century. Charles Shoultz has had the dream to write a modern story that would rival the great tales of old. He has finally begun to release his story in pieces, like an old magazine serial. Let me tell you, he does not disappoint. Writer and poet, C. A. Shoultz joins me on the show to discuss his first book, Technocracy. We talked about his background in poetry as well as the background to his story. This has the potential to be something big, so check it out! Follow Shoultz on substack: C.A. Shoultz The website to find the story is here: https://www.cashoultz.com/ Find C. A. Shoultz on Twitter.com @HarrierMagnus ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack - Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeries Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. ************************************************************************************************************* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    Technocracy (ft. C. A. Shoultz)

  7. Mar 30

    The Mills of the Gods (ft. Tim Powers & iSamwise)

    In this episode, I am joined by the award winning fantasy author, Tim Powers, and my friend, iSamwise, to discuss Tim’s newest book, The Mills of the Gods (Baen 2025). We talked about pagan gods, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, Alexander Scriabin, and all of the weird things going on in post-WWI Paris. Enjoy! The Mills of the Gods can be found here: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781668073018/9781668073018.htm iSamwise has a YouTube channel that can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@iSamwise ************************************************************************************************************* Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrber Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563 Subscribe to my Substack for updates on the show, essays, and more! Like my Facebook page - I Might Believe in Faeries Battle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Logo Art by Linnea Kisby This podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    The Mills of the Gods (ft. Tim Powers & iSamwise)

  8. Mar 24

    Tolkien's Darkest Tale (ft. Thomas Mirus)

    In this special episode, I am a guest on Thomas Mirus’ Catholic Culture podcast. We discussed Tolkien’s darkest story, The Children of Hurin. Thomas gave me permission to publish the episode on my own show as well. The original episode was published here: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/tolkiens-darkest-tale-w-aaron-irber/ Thomas Mirus can be found on Twitter.com @CatholicPods and on Substack Thomas Mirus Here are the original notes from the Catholic Culture podcast: The darkest, and perhaps most underrated, story J.R.R. Tolkien ever wrote was the tale of Túrin Turambar, a great man of the First Age of Middle-Earth, whose life was ruined by the curse of Morgoth (Tolkien’s Satan-figure) and by his own pride. The tale, which resembles a Greek tragedy, was given its longest and most satisfying version in the posthumously published book The Children of Hurin. Aaron Irber, host of a podcast “about stories, myths, and Catholicism”, joins Thomas to discuss this underappreciated work by Tolkien. -Aaron’s podcast, I Might Believe in Faeries Theme music: “Franciscan Eyes”, written and performed by Thomas Mirus. Download the Catholic Culture Podcast soundtrack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe

    Tolkien's Darkest Tale (ft. Thomas Mirus)
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4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

This is a podcast about stories, myths and Catholicism. Stories are how we orient ourselves in the world. In Catholicism, we believe in the Greatest Story: Christ crucified and resurrected. We participate in His story through ritual worship; the liturgy. Even in the Catholic Church, these truths are often forgotten or ignored. My mission for this podcast is to explore storytelling, myths, and how these fit into Catholicism. I will cover Catholic fantasy and science fiction authors, mythology, folklore and the Catholic faith. aaronirber.substack.com

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