Welcome back! We're starting Season 5 in a truly adventurous spirit, joining St. Brendan the Navigator on his strange, miraculous journey to the "Land of the Blessed" - Avalon, Tir Na Nog, the Land of the Saints, Eden - it has had many names. We'll learn about some of the more beautiful and otherworldly parts of Brendan's journey, hear some Yeats poetry, and yearn for that 'other world' beyond the hills of heather. Plus, what kind of fairy are you? Traipsing or Solitary? Important questions and lots of immersive sound to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Week and the wonder of Irish storytelling traditions.

-----

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

Subscribe to Born of Wonder on Substack: https://bornofwonder.substack.com 

"He Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven"

S3 - EP 34Into the Land of Fairy

https://bornofwonder.podbean.com/e/s3-ep34-into-the-land-of-fav erie/ 

S1 - Ep9 

Celtic Otherworlds, St. Patrick, and Selkies!

https://bornofwonder.podbean.com/e/celtic-otherworlds-st-patrick-and-selkies-slainte/ 

Happy 2023! In this episode Katie shares the top ten things she learned this year. She also shares a great strategy for how to approach new years resolutions (and not get discouraged). We'll also hear a beautiful New Years blessing from John O'Donohue, lovely Irish fiddle, some quotes from the late, great Pope Benedict XVI, a beautiful rendition of In the Bleak Midwinter, and Dvorak's triumphant New World Symphony. This is an episode of solidarity, openness, new beginnings, hope, and fresh starts. Wishing you nothing but good things in 2023 - cheers! 

THANK YOU to everyone for listening and making Season 4 of Born of Wonder such a success! 

-----------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------------

Maybe you feel a sense of dread anytime you scroll through your social media feeds or turn on the news. Maybe you're stressing about the holidays because you know there are going to be some inevitably uncomfortable discussions surrounding politics, hot button issues, and religion. If any of this sounds familiar, this episode is going to lower your blood pressure and reassure you that while these discussions are undeniably difficult, they don't have to cost you your peace or your relationships.

Julie Walsh served for three years in the Inspector General’s office of the U.S. General Services Administration and for five years as Associate Director, Social Concerns of the Maryland Catholic Conference. For the past twelve years, Julie has been a stay-at-home mother to (now) five young children. She is a podcaster and writer advocating for respectful dialogue over political tribalism. Julie and Katie have a candid discussion about their own changing views over the years, in the areas of faith, politics, friendships, relationships, etc. and how this has complicated their approach to what are often presented as one-dimensional issues. 

As we near the end of Advent and celebrate the Incarnation in Christmas, let's remember to always put the dignity of the human person first. An encouraging, thought-provoking episode for you.

Have a very Merry Christmas! 

-----------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------------

Julie Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith, and that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mostly with Democrats when she was a lobbyist for the Catholic Church on poverty, immigration, and health care matters. Today she finds herself politically homeless, but not politically aimless. Julie has found purpose in encouraging people to look beyond labels, to focus more on the moral implications of politics than the partisan horse race. 

You can follow Julie on Instagram @julievwalsh and you can get to know her better on her podcast, More Than Politics, and her blog, These Walls.

https://www.instagram.com/julievwalsh/?hl=en

https://morethanpolitics.buzzsprout.com/

https://thesewallsblog.com/

---

Many thanks to Chris Marquette for the Christmas carols at the end, played on the guitar.

Background music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. 

All our favorite Christmas stories are about Second Chances - From Scrooge to the Grinch, from Charlie Brown to George Bailey, Christmas is all about 'waking up' to the reality of Life - the Joy, the Love, that really, truly has entered into the world... The Ultimate Second Chance: The Incarnation. We'll celebrate these beautiful stories of second chances, helping us all realize we really DO have 'a wonderful life.' 

-----------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------------

"Christmas is All about Second Chances"

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/christmas-is-all-about-second-chances 

“A Light that Shines in the Darkness”

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/a-light-that-shines-in-the-darkness

St. Alphonsus Baltimore  - https://www.stalphonsusbalt.org

Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Like the Riders of Rohan, we're fighting the good fight, we're waiting in the dark, hoping against hope, for a Victory that seems incredibly far off and unlikely. Dietrich Bonhoeffer described Advent as a 'prison cell' and said only those who were poor in spirit, truly in need of help, could know what it is to wait. St. Lucy's Day is next week - a celebration of light in darkness - the Winter Solstice, the darkest, longest night of the year, is just two weeks away. These are Dark Times. This is an episode for hoping against hope, fighting when it seems like all is lost, and knowing that Faith, Goodness,  and Love win out in the end. 

-----------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------------

“God is in the Manger” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer Advent Book

“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas

“Journeying through Advent with Lord of the Rings”

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/journeying-through-advent-with-lord-of-the-rings

“A Light that Shines in the Darkness”

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/a-light-that-shines-in-the-darkness

St. Alphonsus Baltimore  - https://www.stalphonsusbalt.org

Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Today on the podcast Katie interviews Gracy Olmstead, a journalist and author who speaks to our human longings for community, tradition, and home. She is the author of Uprooted: Recovering the Legacy of the Places We’ve Left Behind and frequently hosts discussions and book clubs surrounding topics of sustainability and slow-living. Katie and Gracy discuss how to embrace a spirit of permanence and continuity in an age of such constant change and movement. A thought-provoking chat sure to inspire you to invest in your family, homes, and community!

-----------

If in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays you feel yourself craving stillness, quiet, and introspection this is NORMAL - Winter is a time of hibernation and darkness. How can we stop fighting the cold, the dark, in body and soul, and embrace this season of Quiet Waiting? 

*originally aired December 2021*

-----------

Today on the podcast we learn about two incredible women - mothers, queens... and saints! Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Margaret of Scotland have fascinating stories and a lot to teach us about compassion, leadership, and strength. We'll also hear a bit about how one of these women became Katie's confirmation saint (much to her surprise!). Also a discussion on the beauty of repetition (this is for you parents) and what this teaches us about the nature of God.

-------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------

Music:

blue dot sessions

Comin Thro' the Rye - Bear Mcreery 

Two Noblewomen, Two Saints

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/two-noblewomen-two-saints-st-elizabeth-of-hungary-and-st-margaret-of-scotland 

Jen Fulwiler's Saint Name Generator

https://saintsnamegenerator.com 

Recommendation - Bela Bartok's Piano Concerto in E major

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7J7L53b8U0 

Katie recently traveled to Concord, MA where she visited Louisa May Alcott's house and grave. She shares some other important literary 'pilgrimages' she's taken (and tells all about the legend of the 'Poe Toaster!'), offers some encouragement to travel with little ones, and how pilgrimages, artistic and religious, can be important rituals to incorporate into our lives.

------

www.bornofwonder.com 

Leave a review for the podcast on iTunes and leave a star rating on Spotify! 

 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bornofwonder?fan_landing=true  

-------

Louisa May Alcott Orchard House

https://louisamayalcott.org 

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and Author's Ridge

https://newenglandtravelplanner.com/go/ma/boston_west/concord/sights/authors_ridge.html 

The Poe Toaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe_Toaster 

"End Titles" - the Duchess - Rachel Portman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InTJWxBYLyQ 

In this episode, we explore the haunting, rich, complex poetry of Sylvia Plath. Katie shares some of her personal history with Plath and why she continues to be a source of inspiration and fascination. Also discussions of memento mori, shared mortality, and how to remember and pray for the Dead during the month of October. 

*originally aired October 2021*

www.bornofwonder.com

Instagram: @born.of.wonder

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/of-life-after-death-sylvia-plath-biography 

https://www.bornofwonder.com/home/mass-for-sylvia-plath-and-allhallowtide 

Plath Reading Lady Lazarus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq2LOhaf97o&t=3s 

Plath Reading Daddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hHjctqSBwM&t=85s 

Plath Reading Tulips 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLNXOA9CzAQ 

Plath Reading Nick and the Candlestick 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJsJBm413U 

Also referenced - 

"Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath" by Heather Clark

"Birthday Letters" by Ted Hughes

Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM