Mosaic Ark

Rachel Fulton Brown
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Professor Rachel Fulton Brown and her crew for a guided tour of the history, culture, and mythology of the medieval and postmodern West. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Mythopoeia,” our mission is to re-enchant the world by presenting a new perspective on the great mosaic of Creation. Livestreams weekly on YouTube, Telegram and at Unauthorized.tv. Visit our website at DragonCommonRoom.com for bios, video links, and more Tolkien-inspired stories and art.

  1. 153 The Monsters of Stranger Things

    NOV 1

    153 The Monsters of Stranger Things

    What makes a monster a monster? In this episode, we continue our discussion of Stranger Things, focusing appropriately enough for Halloween night on the monsters. From the Demogorgon of season 1, to Henry Creel’s transformation into Vecna in season 4, we tried to determine exactly why each of the monsters worked as vectors of horror. Why was the Demogorgon terrifying? Why was the body horror of the Mind Flayer so resonant? Why was the psychological torture that Vecna visited upon his victims before he killed them more terrifying than their actual deaths? And what of the humans of Stranger Things and the monstrous things they did; are their actions a separate horror, or inextricably connected to it all like so many corrupted vines? —Streamed October 31, 2025

    2h 10m
  2. 152 The Lost Innocence of Stranger Things

    OCT 25

    152 The Lost Innocence of Stranger Things

    On last week’s episode of The Mosaic Ark, the ladies were reveling in the nostalgia of the 1980s that Stranger Things presents; this week we wondered how to pinpoint the source of that strong nostalgic feeling. Though the show takes place during what were our high school years, the time period itself was not solely the source of the nostalgia; if it were, Stranger Things wouldn’t have as many young fans as it does. So what is it that every fan of this show is longing for? We think people are longing for meaningful relationships, bonding, the opportunity to band together with true friends who help each other overcome hardship in a scary world. At its core, it is a series about family and fellowship; it’s about being among friends so close that they are your found family, but it’s also about the challenges of the families we were born into, and the hope of forming new ones. Listen as we discuss the many different relationship dynamics presented in Stranger Things, and please give us your thoughts in the comments. —Streamed October 24, 2025

    2h 13m
  3. 151 Gaming the Nostalgic Horror of Stranger Things, Season 1

    OCT 18

    151 Gaming the Nostalgic Horror of Stranger Things, Season 1

    What story are we in? This is the question the ladies of the Mosaic Ark asked ourselves while watching Season 1 of the Duffer Brothers’ amazing series, Stranger Things. As everyone knows, it is a nostalgic trip back to the early 1980s with strong elements from the movies of Steven King, Steven Spielberg, and Ridley Scott. But what kind of horror story is it? Is it one where the characters live in a place that is evil just under the surface, and they can’t convince others of the danger? Is the story one of evil living among them and they think can’t do anything to stop it? Or is the evil presented as a good even as it shows itself in monstrous form? The ladies had some ideas. In between reveling in the nostalgia of our own high school days and appreciating the thought that went into the visual effects, we noticed the themes of horror in this series are familiar for reasons that had nothing to do with old movies that inspired it. Exactly what story are we in? As the fifth and final season of the series is readying for broadcast on Thanksgiving day, we look back on the story that we have lived without realizing it. Let us know in the comments if you’ve experienced the horror, too! —Streamed October 17, 2025

    2h 28m
  4. 150 Tolkien and the Recovery of Fantasy with Robert J. Dobie

    OCT 14

    150 Tolkien and the Recovery of Fantasy with Robert J. Dobie

    This week the ladies of the Mosaic Ark welcomed Professor Robert J. Dobie aboard to discuss his book The Fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien, Mythopoeia and the Recovery of Creation. Dobie is a Professor and Chair of Philosophy at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. He specializes in the medieval philosophers, but has had a fascination with Tolkien since he first read The Lord of the Rings when he was twelve. Professor Dobie believes that, though Tolkien was not a philosopher, his works contain many elements of philosophy. He also believes this makes a compelling argument that poetry and fiction are the best ways to explain the deeper meanings of life. Professor Fulton Brown, like Professor Dobie, had a similar beginning to her Academic journey having read Tolkien at age eleven, and they had much shop to talk on the subject of the philosophy underlying Tolkien’s work! KC just enjoyed riding the streams of consciousness and story! — Streamed October 10, 2025 Buy Robert’s book! https://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-J-R-R-Tolkien-Mythopoeia-Recovery/dp/0813238153/

    2h 4m

  5. OCT 4

    149 Scipio’s Cosmic Trip

    On this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies continued their discussion of “The Dream of Scipio,” that short, narrative work written by Cicero which served as an instructive parable about civic duty to the citizens of Rome. However mundane that purpose may have been, its descriptions of what Romans believed about the physical universe and religion are fascinating in their familiarity. Cicero used these images in his parable because his audience already understood what they were; his work described the physical universe and Earth’s place in it, a Supreme god, an afterlife, and the morals a man needed to get there. All of those things are what both scientists and Christians of today would easily recognize because they are an image of creation that they somewhat share with ancient pagans. Listen as we wrestle with the implications of this, and please give us your thoughts in the comments! —Streamed October 3, 2025

    2h 9m
  6. 148 Dreaming the Dream of Cicero's Scipio

    SEP 20

    148 Dreaming the Dream of Cicero's Scipio

    In Acts, St. Paul talked of prophesy and visions and dreams, and so these are very Christian actions; yes? But in the Roman orator Cicero’s “Dream of Scipio,” Cicero writes of both a vision and a prophesy that was experienced by the pagan Scipio in his dream. This work presented a model of creation and the creator that is very close to what Christians living a century later would profess. Does this mean that pagans and Christians are the same? Does it mean that St. Paul was merely speaking creatively? Or were both telling the actual truth? The ladies of the Mosaic Ark have some ideas. Listen to this week’s stream as we continue our discussion of C.S. Lewis’s The Discarded Image and what we learn from Macrobius’s commentary on Cicero about dreams. And please give us your ideas on the subject in the comments! — Streamed September 19, 2025

    2h 9m
  7. 147 Praying the Psalms in Times of Need with Robert Keim

    SEP 13

    147 Praying the Psalms in Times of Need with Robert Keim

    This week the ladies of the Mosaic Ark welcomed medieval scholar Robert Keim, who discussed his translation of the psalms which uses some of the lost vocabulary of medieval England. Professor Keim is in love with the Lord; he is also in love with the English language. He believes that the power of the psalms is in their poetry, and that this poetry helps Christians to understand who their Lord is and their proper relationship with him. But, as he and the ladies discussed, the psalms also help us to see that we are never alone in our moments of weakness; we share the same worries and fears as its author and the same hope in our Lord. This has been a very dark and unsettling week. We pray for the repose of the soul of Charlie Kirk, and for the safety and consolation of his widow and children, for “God is our refuge and our strength, our help when afflictions are heavy upon us” (Psalm 45, Robert’s translation). —Streamed September 12, 2025 Via Medievalis: https://viamediaevalis.substack.com/ Buy Robert’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Poetry-Family-Prayer-Robert/dp/B0CVVP3FTL/

    2h 35m
  8. 147 Praying the Psalms in Times of Need with Robert Keim

    SEP 13

    147 Praying the Psalms in Times of Need with Robert Keim

    This week the ladies of the Mosaic Ark welcomed medieval scholar Robert Keim, who discussed his translation of the psalms which uses some of the lost vocabulary of medieval England. Professor Keim is in love with the Lord; he is also in love with the English language. He believes that the power of the psalms is in their poetry, and that this poetry helps Christians to understand who their Lord is and their proper relationship with him. But, as he and the ladies discussed, the psalms also help us to see that we are never alone in our moments of weakness; we share the same worries and fears as its author and the same hope in our Lord. This has been a very dark and unsettling week. We pray for the repose of the soul of Charlie Kirk, and for the safety and consolation of his widow and children, for “God is our refuge and our strength, our help when afflictions are heavy upon us” (Psalm 45, Robert’s translation). Via Medievalis: https://viamediaevalis.substack.com/ Buy Robert’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Poetry-Family-Prayer-Robert/dp/B0CVVP3FTL/

    2h 35m
See All (154)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join Professor Rachel Fulton Brown and her crew for a guided tour of the history, culture, and mythology of the medieval and postmodern West. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Mythopoeia,” our mission is to re-enchant the world by presenting a new perspective on the great mosaic of Creation. Livestreams weekly on YouTube, Telegram and at Unauthorized.tv. Visit our website at DragonCommonRoom.com for bios, video links, and more Tolkien-inspired stories and art.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Fulton Brown
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Fulton Brown, Kilts Khalfan, KJ Crilly, Mel Wiggin
  • Show Website
    Mosaic Ark

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