Believe to See
Religion & Spirituality
About
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 believed to be seen." -Madeleine L'Engle
Episodes
- The Other Inklings
G. Connor Salter discusses his book, The Other Inklings, highlighting the overlooked members of the Inklings group. The episode explores how these individuals shaped Lewis and Tolkien, proposing that great stories emerge from communities,…
- The Theology of Vampires and Zombies
Dr. Amy Hughes, a theology professor, discusses the theological value of vampire and zombie stories in pop culture, exploring what these narratives reveal about humanity and God. The episode references her books on patristic women and Greg…
- Peculiar Purpose
This episode explores the human desire to belong and the pain of not fitting in. It suggests that perceived weaknesses might be divine gifts intended for finding one's purpose, especially when shared with a community.
- The Case for Toilet Humor
This episode of Believe to See investigates why classic stories include crude humor, suggesting it has a purpose beyond childishness. It examines examples from the Bible, Chaucer, and G. K. Chesterton to show how body-rooted humor can fost…
- The Saints As Stand-Up Comedians
This episode examines the prominent role of stand-up comedy in contemporary culture and its historical connections, including how Christians might view this tradition. Guest Jason Crawford, author of "God's Fools," shares insights.
- Jim vs. The Future
Theoretical physicists are debating whether the multiverse is plausible or bonkers. But regardless of the math, the idea of multiple realities is endlessly compelling for storytellers—from classic literature and pulp science fiction to con…
- Writing Music for Video Games (And Movies. And TV.)
Video game music has come a long way. Simple electronic beeps have evolved into some of today's most ambitious musical scores. In this episode, we explore how music shapes storytelling across all sorts of visual media, and why video game s…
- The Bible Is a Story About Dragons
Throughout church history, having a Christian imagination meant telling stories about dragons. If that sounds a bit strong, then look at your Bible. From the opening verses of Genesis to the climactic battle at the end of Revelation, drago…
- Truth Is Stranger . . .
Is it possible to stumble into the Upside Down and come back with a handful of transcendent truths? Join Mandy, Christina, and Matt at the pub table as they discuss the themes and characters of the series Stranger Things—beauty in weakness…
- On Birds and Grief and Hope -- Courtney Ellis
Courtney Ellis—author, pastor, and podcaster—joins Mandy at the pub table to discuss all things feathered (including hope) and how God speaks to our hearts through the wonder and beauty of His creation. (Find Courtney's books and podcast:…
- When Bad People Make Good Art
We've all been there at some point. There's an artist who does great work. We admire their talent, and we use their art as a model for our own. And then we learn the artist did something terrible in their personal life. How should we respo…
- Our Stories Need "Undaunted Joy"
Our world has more material prosperity than ever. So why does everybody seem so dour? And why are so many of our culture's stories devoid of hope? Author Shemaiah Gonzales's latest book is Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivatin…
- Why Should We Care About Jane Austen's Bookshelf?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest novelists. Her place in the literary canon is secure. Her influence on later generations is profound. But what about the novelists who influenced Jane Austen? H…
- Shakespeare and the Dallas Cowboys
Even people who don't follow sports know about the Dallas Cowboys. They're "America's Team." Giant stadiums and superstar players and Super Bowl victories. The team that's always in the news because of drama with their owner. But here's th…
- Do Audiobooks Count As Reading?
For many people, audiobooks are the primary way they engage with novels. Other people view audiobooks as something lesser that doesn't really "count" as reading. What are the benefits (and drawbacks) of audiobooks? Of e-readers? Of old-fas…
- Daughters of Bronze--Ashlee Cowles
Ashlee Cowles returns to the digital pub table. She's both an Arts Guild member and one half of the AD Rhine writing duo. Their latest novel, Daughters of Bronze , concludes their retelling of the Trojan War from the viewpoint of four Troj…
- BEST OF Believe to See: Is It a Christmas Movie?
To celebrate the holidays, Believe to See is re-airing episodes from past Christmases. Or should we say from Christmas Past? "Is It a Christmas Movie?" first aired on December 3, 2022.
- BEST OF Believe to See: 12 Days of Christmas Carol
To Celebrate the week of Christmas, Believe to See is re-airing episodes from past Christmases . . . Should we say from Christmas Past? "12 Days of Christmas Carol" first aired on December 29, 2020.
- Are Today's Literary Novels Only for Women?
The clear majority of literary novels are read by women. The clear majority are written by women, too. Women also dominate the publishing industry around these books. As a result, more and more men are feeling alienated by this new literar…
- From Rend Collective to Children's Author
Ali Gilkeson is a founding member of Rend Collective. She's also a best-selling children's author. Her latest book, "Keeping the Light," is newly-published from WaterBrook Multnomah. Gilkeson joins the digital pub table to discuss how her…
- Harry Potter in 500 Years
How will people in the future, say 500 years from now, view today's art? What are the novels, movies, and songs that will still be relevant and important to people in the year 2525? Each of the co-hosts offers their best guess.
- Why the Hammered Dulcimer Is the Greatest Instrument You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
When most of us hear " dulcimer," we think of Irish peasants in the Middle Ages. Or maybe that "damsel with a dulcimer" in the poem "Kubla Khan." The actual hammered dulcimer, however, is something else entirely. It's a unique blend of per…
- Neve Foster's Big Reveal
Author Neve Foster joins the table to discuss her new novel, Of Ink and Spirit . Along the way, she makes a shocking revelation. Neve Foster is, in fact, the pen name for Anselm's own Evangeline Denmark! Evangeline—err, Neve—discusses her…
- You Can't Judge a Book . . .
You know the saying, but is it accurate? Perhaps if we said shouldn't instead of can't, it would ring true. The fact is, we do judge books by their covers, all the time. Join our cohosts in a discussion of what makes a book cover good, bad…
- Beneath, Between, Beyond--Carolyn Leiloglou
Middle grade fantasy author Carolyn Leiloglou returns to the pub table to chat about the conclusion of her award-winning Restorationists trilogy, Beyond the Far Horizon (available 09/09/2025). Carolyn grew up surrounded by the paintings of…
- What Our Favorite Colors Say About Us
Did you know that your everyday experience with color has a deep effect on your brain? And why have you always hated yellow, anyway? Popular psychology argues that our favorite colors say a lot about us, often claiming that our favorite co…
- The Happiest Saddest People
JL Gerhardt is an author and partner at Hazefire Studios, where she and her husband, Justin Gerhardt, collaborate on the podcast Holy Ghost Stories . Gerhardt joins the table to talk about one of Hazefire's recent podcast projects: "The Ha…
- All Aboard the Grandparents Express
Chapter books are important. Their target audience is kids between about ages 6 and 10, and they play a major role in developing young readers. Author Leilani Mueller knows all about writing for this age group. She's the author of a brand-…
- It's Never Too Late for Beach Reads
Summer may be over, but Beach Reads are always relevant. We all have a favorite Beach Read: a story that is fun and immersive, but not necessarily deep or literary. But how do we feel about Beach Reads as a concept? After all, Believe to S…
- Carving Light From Darkness
Kreg Yingst is a printmaker, painter, and writer whose work can be found in both private and corporate collections--or in one of his several books. His medium of choice is printmaking, using an antique Showcard proof press to print his han…
- Superheroes and the Science of the Imagination
Meredith Davis is the author of the Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor series. These middle grade superhero stories draw inspiration from classic comic books and the science of imagination. Davis joins the pub table to discuss how her storie…
- Navigating the Nonfiction Market
Will Parker Anderson is a senior editor at Waterbrook and Multnomah (an imprint of Penguin Random House). He's also an important resource as a writing coach and book industry expert. Will discusses how to navigate the often fraught waters…
- Sharing Is Caring
Join the hosts at the roundtable as they talk about their favorite obsessions: the art and artists they love so much, they want the world to love them too. Mandy asks Matt and Christina to discuss where this impulse comes from—this desire…
- Should Novels Have Architecture?
Whether you're a new novelist, an experienced novelist, or not a novelist at all, there's something to learn from the intricacies of story structure. Author Elisa Lambert joins the table to discuss. She's one of the Anselm Society Arts' Gu…
- How to Make a Video Game
We recently talked with SD Smith about the heart and motivation behind the upcoming Green Ember video game. But how do you make a video game in the first place? Bryan Engram is here to help. He's the co-founder of Brazen Animation: the stu…
- Battle of the Books
Join us as Matt and Mandy battle it out to determine which book is better -- The Great Gatsby , or To Kill a Mockingbird . It's a doozy, folks. Come cast your vote!
- Sirens Everywhere! Not the Singing Kind
We know there's "nothing new under the sun," but must there be so many TV shows with a first responder, life-or-death, emergency services premise? Join Mandy, Matt, and Christina as they discuss the plethora of shows like these. Why are wr…
- Stories Tell the Truth
Author Jennifer Layte is a firm believer in the power of story to draw us closer to Jesus and closer to an understanding of who we are. Join Mandy and Jenn at the pub table as they discuss story, nicknames, and Jenn's latest book, Follower…
- When Art Gets the Blues
Good art moves us and makes us (or helps us) feel things. Mandy asks her cohosts to consider: why do some of us gravitate toward sad art when we're already sad? What is the purpose and value of art that's a little bit (or very much) heartb…
- Man Behind The Mythmakers
John Hendrix creates graphic novels that beautifully blend prose and illustrations to tell complex stories. His latest work, The Mythmakers , delves into a subject near and dear to the heart of the Anselm Society: the friendship of CS Lewi…
- The Enduring Appeal of YA
Sarah Hendricks is the author of a new YA fantasy novel called Ella . A few years ago, Matthew accidentally became something of a YA fantasy expert (long story). Now, he's checking in on the state of the genre. What's encompassed by the te…
- The Green Ember Video Game
SD Smith has recently announced a Green Ember video game. He joins the digital pub table to discuss this exciting new project. So strap in for a deep dive into the Green Ember video game: its origin, its design, and how families can play v…
- Where Folk Meets Jazz
Jacob Herold is a multi-instrumental musician whose music interweaves folk and jazz. He also happens to be a member artist of the Anselm Society Arts Guild. He joins the table to discuss his new album, The Train & The River . What's it lik…
- Road Trip! Interview With Isaac Hans
Isaac Hans joins Mandy and Christina at the pub table to talk about his journey with photography--literally. What is "road trip photography," and what drew Isaac to it in the first place? How does his faith inform his work? Who are some of…
- Back to Carrick Hall--Sarah Arthur
Author Sarah Arthur has previously joined the digital pub table to talk about her YA fantasy novel Once a Queen . But it turns out this was only the first book in her Carrick Hall series. She returns to the pub table to discuss the brand n…
- Who's the Anselm-iest Artist? Finale
It all comes down to this. In the final installment of our three-part series, Matt, Mandy, and Christina determine once and for all which artist is most representative of the Anselm Society artists' guild. Did you call it, or will you be s…
- Who's the Anselm-iest Artist? Part Two
Matt continues forcing Mandy and Christina, championship bracket-style, to decide which famous artists most represent the values of the artists' guild. Part 2 of a three-part series.
- Who's the Anselm-iest Artist?
In Part 1 of a three-part series, Matt forces Mandy and Christina, championship bracket-style, to decide which famous artists most represent the values of the artists' guild. They also coin a new word: "Anselm-y."
- How to Destroy a Child's Imagination
Fostering a healthy imagination in kids is a worthy goal--but what are the obstacles in today's society actively making that difficult, and what do we do about them? In this episode, we discuss several arguments in Anthony Esolen's satiric…
- Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Is It a Good Love Story?
It's Valentine's Day, so of course we want to talk about the best and worst love stories of all time! Join the hosts as we delve into what qualities make for a good love story annnnnd what qualities produce a bad one. Pulling from sources…