Believe to See

By Anselm SocietyReligion & Spirituality Christianity Arts

Believe to See episodes

December 20, 2024 Solitude and Community
Artists need solitude to create (or "conjure"), but we need one another too. Mandy and Matt and Christina discuss finding a balance between these seemingly contradictory needs.
1 hr 3 min
December 07, 2024 SD Smith and the Found Boys
Author SD Smith has previously joined the Anselm pub table to talk about his classic Green Ember series (an Anselm Society staple), and the Jack Zulu series that he's writing along with his son. Now, SD Smith returns to the table to discuss his new book, The Found Boys. It's a middle grade story that touches on a lot of complex issues—racial tension, forgiveness, reconciliation, and more. It's also a fun and funny adventure. Join us as SD Smith shares the heart and purpose behind The Found Boys.
39 min
November 23, 2024 The Hosts Debrief: Naming - We Just Can't Escape It!
Matt, Mandy, and Christina gather together to debrief about our recent podcast with guest Lancia E. Smith on the power of naming. There may be more than a little talk about best and worst fantasy football names and houseplants christened after famous authors, but what can we say? Names matter. And when you sit down to talk about it? You may be startled to discover how much the power of names - ( and the human instinct to name everything from our cars to our kids) - is inextricably linked to the identity God gave you.
1 hr 1 min
November 10, 2024 Sense of Wonder: Delighting in God's Presence Throughout the Holiday Season
Another holiday season is upon us, bringing with it the potential for wonder—or for stress, consumerism, and detachment. Amanda Luedeke and Hannah Oplinger have created a new devotional that walks us from Thanksgiving through the new year, engaging all six of our senses (yes! There are six!). Join Mandy as she talks with Amanda about how we might "reclaim the holidays for [our] heart's formation and the glory of God".
45 min
October 24, 2024 Halloween: Should Christians Celebrate this Iconic Holiday?
Christina didn't celebrate Halloween growing up. But every October, her children parade around the neighborhood trick-or-treating in their favorite super-hero costumes with their buddies, school-mates, and neighbor-friends. So what changed? Christina dives deep into the history and significance of Halloween. Is it an "evil" holiday? Are we "inviting darkness" or participating in "devil worship" by handing out candy in ghoul costumes? Together with Matt and Mandy, she explores how a proper understanding of Halloween fits into the larger Christian story.
1 hr 10 min
October 17, 2024 Flip the Pub Table: Matt Mellema Interview
Matt's debut middle-grade fantasy novel, Red Rex, is here! Join Mandy and Christina as they talk with Matt about the dream, the process, the plot, the characters, the illustrations — and the footnotes.
59 min
October 04, 2024 Obligated to Create?
Calvin and Hobbes may be the greatest comic strip ever. But there's a problem. Its creator, Bill Watterson, quit after only ten years. At age 38. Did Watterson squander his incredible talent? Matt thinks so. Mandy and Christina aren't so sure. Together, they discuss whether artists have a responsibility to share their talent with others.
1 hr 5 min
September 19, 2024 Taylor Swift's Storytelling Power
Taylor Swift is the most popular musician since the Beatles. And Matt doesn't understand. Don't get him wrong—he doesn't dislike Taylor Swift. He's just not the target audience. What he needs is a thoughtful fan to show him the ways of the Swifties.

Matt has found that fan in his cousin, Alyssa. She explains the appeal of Taylor Swift as a musician, and the power of Taylor Swift as a storyteller. Can she win Matt over to the Swifties?
44 min
September 07, 2024 Encouraging Our Young Storytellers
We all have young storytellers in our lives. Maybe it's a first-grade nephew drawing comic books in crayon. Maybe it's a teenage granddaughter writing her first short story. How can we best encourage them?

Millie Florence is here to help. The 21-year-old author is about to publish her third novel. She gives insight on fostering a love of stories with the kids in our lives.

Learn more about Millie's work at: https://millieflorence.com
37 min
August 23, 2024 The Power of Naming
In this conversation, Cultivating founder Lancia Smith joins Christina and Evangeline to discuss the power of naming and its impact on our identity and relationships. They explore how naming can be an act of love and reclamation, allowing us to see and be seen. They also discuss the importance of naming our fears and how it can take away their power. They emphasize the need for humility, listening, and recognizing the belovedness of others. They conclude by highlighting the role of myth-making and storytelling in reflecting eternal truth.

1 hr 9 min

About Believe to See

From the publisher's feed

The podcast of the Anselm Society's Arts Guild. Join host Matt Mellema and a rotation of guests at the digital pub table for conversations about faith and storytelling. "Some things have to be…