The Re-Enchantment Book Club

The Re-Enchantment Book Club
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In this podcast about the intersection between faith & literature, hosts Jordan Porr and Brendan Michael explore how good stories can “re-enchant” us in a disenchanted age - the longings they point us to, the excellence of their craft, and their power to redemptively impact our lives.

  1. FEB 2

    Watership Down by Richard Adams

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss an abundance of rabbits, the power of myth, how the telling of stories shapes us, the value of ennobling tales, whether this book is actually for children, and an unfortunate excess of rollicking.   What We’re Reading: The Divided Soul by Heidi White The Unselected Journals of Emma Lion by Beth Brower Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë   Other Mentions: Psalm 104   Next episode we will be discussing Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin. We hope you join us! Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    41 min

  2. JAN 5

    Poetry Swap!

    In this special New Year episode, Jordan and Brendan examine the poems “Alive Together” by Liesel Mueller and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. They discuss what it means to marvel, the power of providence, the possibility of “missing out”, struggling to be who we are called to be, the paradox of oneness with Christ, the lilting magic of sprung rhythm, and the playfulness of God.   What We’re Reading: Train Dreams by Denis Johnson Time of the Child by Niall Williams The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman   Other Mentions: Poetry 180 by Billy Collins Jordan’s poets: Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon, Ted Kooser, Li Young Lee, Denise Levertov, Jim Harrison Brendan’s poets: Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Barrett Browning, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Richard Wilbur George Macdonald - “The New Name” (from Unspoken Sermons)

    43 min

  3. 12/01/2025

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan board the Hogwarts Express to discuss the deep magic of God, worldbuilding, finding our place in a larger story, British sweets, and whether Americans find the word “Philosopher” archaic. All topped off with an irresponsible number of references to Stephen King for an episode about a children’s book.   What We’re Reading: For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann  The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare Pet Sematary by Stephen King   Other Mentions: John Calvin’s sensus divinitatis   Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    44 min

  4. 11/03/2025

    Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan take up residence in Port William and discuss Membership, steadfast Love, what it means to live and die in the same place, visions of the Good Life, and the power of particular Fidelity. All of which is catfish optional.    What We’re Reading: A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Boone: A Biography by Robert Morgan The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought by Marilynne Robinson   Next episode we will be discussing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. We hope you join us! Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    47 min

  5. 10/06/2025

    The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

    The Lottery In this episode, Jordan and Brendan debate what defines a Dystopia; they also discuss the day they’ll beat their swords into plowshares, the shadow side of redemptive reality, the human capacity for violence, the “what the heck is going on here” feeling, an ill-fated cupcake, and the counter-catachesis of the Christian life.     What We’re Reading: So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis   Other Mentions: The Twilight Zone Black Mirror Dystopian Fiction   Next episode we will be discussing Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. We hope you join us!   Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    43 min

  6. 09/01/2025

    The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss the nature of dignity, the soul-crushing need to justify your existence, the cost of disordered loves, ambiguous epiphanies, the inherent value of humanity, the classist admiration for English lords, and whether or not they would have made good butlers.   What We’re Reading: The Cost of the Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer  The Chosen by Chaim Potok The Second Coming by Walker Percy   Other Mentions: Tom Waits - “Ruby’s Arms” Luke 11, Matthew 23 Unreliable Narrators Foils   Next episode we will be discussing The Lottery  by Shirley Jackson. We hope you join us! Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    52 min

  7. 08/04/2025

    Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan gush over the scarcity of admirable literary heroes, the value of patient writing, the struggle to understand the world, the tension between perishable beauty and the far side of eternity, the power of sacramental blessing, and the art of peeling onion layers.   What We’re Reading: A River Runs Through It by Norman McLean Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey True Grit by Charles Portis Other Mentions: John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion  Epistolary Novel Form  Romans 7:18-20   Next episode we will be discussing The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. We hope you join us!   Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    1h 2m

  8. 07/07/2025

    Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

    In this episode, Jordan and Brendan discuss the reintegrated life in a disintegrated world, the law of the jungle vs. the ministry of reconciliation, what’s caught instead of taught, seeking peace by loving people instead of ideas, the paradox of love & power, and the good earthiness of vegetables.   What We’re Reading: The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott The Book of Hours by Rainer Maria Rilke   Next episode we will be discussing Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. We hope you join us!    Music by Brendan Michael and Will Berry Podcast Graphic designed by Alex Morra

    50 min
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About

In this podcast about the intersection between faith & literature, hosts Jordan Porr and Brendan Michael explore how good stories can “re-enchant” us in a disenchanted age - the longings they point us to, the excellence of their craft, and their power to redemptively impact our lives.

Information

  • Creator
    The Re-Enchantment Book Club
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Re-Enchantment Book Club