Speaking with Joy

The Lost Birds, with Christopher Tin

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 06:44:49 -0600

A Conversation with Christopher Tin about extinction elegies, species loss, hope, and his new album with choral group Voces8.

Klara and the Sun, Parts 5 & 6

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:58:29 -0600

Joy concludes the summer book club on Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, discussing part five with Sarah Clarkson, and reflecting on the final section herself.

Klara and the Sun, Part Four

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:44:01 -0600

Joy discusses Part Four of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro with Michael Burdett and King-Ho Leung.

Klara and the Sun, Part Three

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:25:11 -0600

Joy discusses Part Three of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro with James Smoker.

Klara and the Sun, Part Two

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 16:37:49 -0600

Joy discusses Part Two of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro with Doctors Sarah and Jeremiah Coogan.

Klara and the Sun, Part One

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:10:40 -0600

Joy announces the book for her summer reading club (Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro), and discusses the first chapter.

Beauty and Her Sisters, with Ben Quash

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 03:37:59 -0600

Joy speaks with Professor Ben Quash about the Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, theological aesthetics, and the Visual Commentary on Scripture.

Imagining Our Neighbours, Mary McCampbell

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 02:14:57 -0600

Joy speaks with Mary McCampbell (who examined her PhD!) about how literature can help us cultivate empathy toward our neighbours, near and far.

Expect the End of the World with Paul Kingsnorth

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 07:55:21 -0600

Joy speaks with Paul Kingsnorth, a man who has been many things in his life: a poet, an eco-activist, and eco-pessimist, a warlock, and most recently, an Eastern Orthodox christian.

Accept Love with John Swinton

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:21:11 -0600

After a brief break to recover from Covid, Joy shares an interview with John Swinton where they speak about God's gentle, slow love, and how we should share that love with each other.

Shakeshafte and Other Plays with Rowan Williams

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 03:22:24 -0600

Joy speaks with Rowan Williams about his new (and first) collection of plays, the power of words, and the art of David Jones.

Be Like Mr Collins with Haley Stewart

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:28:06 -0600

Joy speaks with Haley Stewart about how Jane Austen's much maligned clergyman Mr Collins knows the secrets to an aggressively happy life.

Tell Yourself a Good Story with Casey Fritz

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 07:01:21 -0600

Joy speaks with Children's book author and illustrator Casey Fritz about the parables of Jesus, the power of storytelling, the place of horror, and the way ET demonstrate the gospel.

Enjoy Things Unironically with Boze Herrington

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 04:29:20 -0600

Joy speaks with Boze about guilty pleasures, BTS, the importance of wonder, and the power of enjoying things unironically.

Remember You Have a Body with Jenna Reed

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 17:22:48 -0600

Joy speaks with Jenna Reed about why we forget we have bodies and what we lose when we do, the similarities between Manichaeism and the Netflix reality TV show Love is Blind, and gentle steps we can take toward a more integrated life.

Dante’s Christian Ethics with George Corbett

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 04:54:17 -0600

Joy speaks with George Corbett about Dante Alighieri’s medieval literary masterpiece, the Comedia, and what it has to teach us about the search for direction in the dark wood of life and what it means to be human.

Flounder Well

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:15:00 -0600

What do you do when you don't know what to do? When life is perplexing and no paths seem to lead anywhere? Joy discusses bewildering seasons through some of her favourite floundering art: a poem by Malcolm Guite, a song by Henry Jamison, a children's book by Barbara Cooney, and a movie with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond.

Befriend Sadness with Sally Clarkson

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 01:29:00 -0600

Joy talks with her mother Sally Clarkson about how sadness doesn't make us bad Christians, how to find light in dark seasons, and how to accompany others through sorrow.

Befriend Sadness

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:49:24 -0600

Joy explores the theme of good grief through the journals of CS Lewis and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the swan song of Mozart, and the Irish animated film Song of the Sea.

Christopher Tin, Everything Under the Sun in Tune

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:06:12 -0600

Joy talks with two time Grammy Award winning artist Christopher Tin about synecdoche, video games, the moon landing, Pink Floyd, and why music delights us.

Aggressively Happy

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:00:41 -0600

Joy reads the introduction to her new book, ponders the cultivation of joy in a weary and cynical world, and announces plans for the next ten weeks of episodes.

Youngest Siblings Rule the World (and other important truths), with Nathan Clarkson

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 12:55:22 -0600

Joy talks with her brother Nathan about the children's book they wrote together (The Clubhouse), how imagination and creativity reflect the image of God, and why youngest siblings are the best (just kidding... or are they?).

How to Read Really Long Books! (with Sarah Clarkson)

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 05:47:26 -0600

In this episode, Joy talks with her sister Sarah about how (and why) to read really long books, and why reading good books is good for the soul.

Annunciations of one sort or another...

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 04:33:56 -0600

Joy talks with Joel (her composer brother) about advent carols, and then reflects on two works of art about the the annunciation: a poem by Denise Levertov and a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner.

Tea with (Dr) Joy

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:10:53 -0600

Joy sits down with a cup of tea to talk about finishing her PhD, writing a book, starting a new job, and what's next for the podcast.

Part Six: Matthew Rose Sorensen

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:15:34 -0600

Joy reflects on the final chapter of Piranesi.

Part Six: The Wave (with Leah Libresco Sargeant and Caitrin Keiper)

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:00:58 -0600

When the man called Piranesi realizes that 16 is in danger he makes up his mind to save her from the devastating flood. Joy talks with Leah Libresco Sargeant and Caitrin Keiper about Part Six of Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.

Part Five: Valentine Ketterley (with Haley Stewart)

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 16:09:14 -0600

This week we open a window into Matthew Rose Sorensen's past, and what we see is more horrible than we could have imagined. Joy talks with Haley Stewart about enchantment, memory, and anti-horror novels in part five of Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.

Part Four: 16 (with Matthew Rothaus Moser)

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:02:13 -0600

Piranesi learns something that changes everything: his real name. Joy and Dr Matthew Rothaus Moser talk about names, disenchantment, and loneliness in Part Four of Susanna Clarke's novel Piranesi.

Part Three: The Prophet (with the Crouches!)

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:40:23 -0600

Joy hosts a family discussion with Andy, Amy, and Timothy Crouch about Part Three of Piranesi. Their conversation touches on the wicked Prophet, self-care, naïveté, knowledge, innocence, and swan bones.

Part Two: The Other (with Malcolm Guite)

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 15:51:06 -0600

Joy talks with Malcolm Guite about his friendship with Susanna Clarke, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and whether we live in an enchanted universe (like Piranesi's).

Part One: Piranesi (Summer Book Club)

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 17:42:44 -0600

After a seven month hiatus, the podcast is back! Joy speaks with her brother Joel about part one of Susanna Clarke's intriguing novel Piranesi, and then gives a literary and thematic introduction to the book.

A Christmas Carol

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 02:33:59 -0600

A special Christmas episode in which Joy's reflects on her yearly reading of Charles Dickens excellent novella A Christmas Carol.

Shadow and Light

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:34:44 -0600

Joy talks with Tsh Oxenreider about how to make the season of advent cozy and meaningful.

Tolkien's Bookshelves

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:23:24 -0600

Have you ever wondered what books were on Tolkien's bookshelves? In this episode, Joy talks with Holly Ordway about her new book Tolkien's Modern Reading.

Sacred Strings

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 04:34:52 -0600

Joy talks with anthropologist Sabine Hyland about her adventures in the Andes, her decipherment of the lost meaning of khipus, and how life is more than money.

Remembered and Remembering

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 14:52:27 -0600

Joy talks with Professor John Swinton about theology, disability, and dementia. God never forgets anybody, and it is the church's job to remind us we are remembered.

Bookish, Wise, and Tranquil

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:53:01 -0600

Joy talks with Dr Alan Jacobs about how reading old books can make us wise and tranquil.

An Exercise in Hope

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:07:38 -0600

Joy talks with Dr Esau McCaulley about his new book Reading While Black, his desire to give his children the gift of joy in a fearful world, and their mutual passion for gospel music.

Good Conversations (with my mom)

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:21:48 -0600

A good conversation is one of life's greatest pleasures. Joy kicks off a series of conversational episodes by chatting with her mother about education as conversation, Christ as conversation partner, and the importance of honouring the voice of others.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Twelve, featuring Charlotte Jones Voiklis

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 15:31:14 -0600

In this finale episode, Joy talks with Charlotte Jones Voiklis, the granddaughter of Madeleine L'Engle. They discuss how love calls us out of safety and into the fight for light.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Eleven

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 16:05:16 -0600

In this episode Joy talks with Elena Trueba about the difference between perception and vision, expensive candles, and the importance of treating people like special cupcakes and not uniform muffins.

Reading with Joy— Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Ten

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 08:05:11 -0600

Joy and Boze Herrington discuss chapter ten of Wrinkle in Time, and the importance of children's books for helping us feel at home in the world.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Nine

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 22:17:44 -0600

In this episode, Joy and Dr. Matthew Rothaus Moser discuss the symbolism of Mrs Who's glasses and the innate horror regarding obscenely large disembodied brains.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Eight

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:59:04 -0600

Joy and Brandee Knowles (cook extraordinaire!) discuss chapter eight of Wrinkle in time, living into our bravery, and the necessity of pain.

Reading with Joy— Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Seven

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 20:59:57 -0600

In this episode, Joy and L'Engle biographer Sarah Arthur discuss chapter seven, the creepiness of CENTRAL, the importance of names, and the insufficiencies of the intellect.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Six

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 22:36:09 -0600

In this episode, Joy and her mother Sally Clarkson explore chapter six of Wrinkle in Time. They discuss how the ways we narrate our stories shape the way we live them, the violence of conformity, and Sally's new book Awaking Wonder.

Reading with Joy— Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Five

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 22:20:19 -0600

In this episode Joy and Sarah Clarkson ponder over the fourth dimension, proclaim the power of sorrow, and speculate about whether the Mrs. W's are angels.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Four

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 22:41:02 -0600

On this episode, Joy and Sarah Cozart discuss white flowers, The Dark Thing, and the strength of beauty

Reading with Joy— Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Three

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:55:42 -0600

On this week's episode Joy and Kaitlin Schiess discuss belonging, familiarity, and the 'making strange' of fantasy stories. Tune in and then chime in on this week's discussion.

Reading with Joy — Wrinkle in Time, Chapter Two

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 22:53:46 -0600

Today we discuss chapter two. Joining me for today’s episode, Haley Stewart and I discussed the way someone we hardly know can fee like home, quantum entanglement, the spiritual discernment of pets, and, as ever, the excellencies of Mrs. Murray.

Reading with Joy— Wrinkle in Time, Chapter One

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:31:59 -0600

In this episode, Sally Clarkson (Joy's mom) joins her to discuss chapter one of a Wrinkle in Time. They talk about difference, conformity, love, and the wonderful writing of Madeleine L'Engle.

Summer Book Club!

Wed, 27 May 2020 09:28:17 -0600

This summer Speaking with Joy's online summer book club will be exploring the suspenseful, captivating, scientific young adult novel a Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.

The Soul in Paraphrase

Mon, 18 May 2020 16:01:37 -0600

A conversation with Dr Matthew Rothaus Moser about the transformation of love in Dante's Divine Comedy.

May Magnificat

Mon, 11 May 2020 12:43:05 -0600

Join Joy on the stoop of her Scottish flat to listen to birdsong and read three poems celebrating the glory of Spring.

Good Stories of Good Men

Mon, 04 May 2020 15:32:27 -0600

From Poirot to Aragorn, Joy and Nathan Clarkson discuss the best heroes of film and literature, and discuss the qualities of good men. Check out Nathan's new book Good Man, released today!

Golden Fury

Fri, 01 May 2020 01:39:48 -0600

Did you know modern chemistry began as an attempt to turn lead into gold? Enjoy this delightful conversation with historical fiction author Samantha Cohoe about alchemy, story telling, and lipstick!

Going on a Quest!

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:10:27 -0600

Escape into the stories about people who go places (while we cannot!) and explore role of narrative in developing virtue.

Places to Belong

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:01:23 -0600

A conversation with Gracy Olmstead about exodus, homecoming, landscapes, walking, and Wendell Berry.

The Perfect Cup of Tea!

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 09:44:05 -0600

Join me in my kitchen while I make french toast blintzes and contemplate the excellencies of tea.

Philosophy of Doodling

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 15:55:08 -0600

An interview with artist and illustrator Mariah Ziemer about her philosophy of doodling, being a happy artist, and her new children's book about the Australian outback.

Help Me Lament!

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 12:34:30 -0600

Enter into the story of the Passion through one of the greatest works of western music: Bach's Saint Matthew Passion.

Lenten Reflections

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 15:16:45 -0600

Women, Art, Friendship... Three Phd students band together to create a devotional project to help people meditate through the season of Lent with beautiful art.

The Escapecast!

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 14:53:45 -0600

An hour of happy, wholesome distraction with Haley Stewart.

The Consolation of Mystery Novels

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:26:29 -0600

Why are murder mysteries so comforting? Boze Herrington and Joy Clarkson discuss the spiritual depths and dark delights of their favourite genre.

Havens of Happiness

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 06:08:55 -0600

Listen into a mother daughter (Sally and Joy) Facetime about habits and havens of happiness, ways to keep your soul alive.

Jane Austen the Moral Philosopher — Karen Swallow Prior

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:05:17 -0600

A conversation with Karen Swallow Prior about the great moral philosopher of the 19th century: Jane Austen.

When Death Visits

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:32:39 -0600

Coronavirus, medieval morality plays, and Harry Potter.

Women of the One Thousand

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 05:59:48 -0600

Meg, the daughter of two academic historians herself, is troubled by the unimaginative story told about women throughout history: that they were always oppressed, quiet, and un-influential until feminism arrived on the stage to set us all free.

A Hidden Life

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 13:23:14 -0600

Why does it matter to live a faithful life, to resist evil, when it costs everything and seems to accomplish nothing? This episode reviews A Hidden Life, by Terrence Malick.

Church Mothers (Oliver B. Langworthy)

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 03:37:47 -0600

Who were the women of the early church? What do they have to teach us about vocation, the Holy Spirit, and being transformed into the image of Christ?

The Ragamuffin Bard

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 17:01:49 -0600

Welcome back to a brand new season of Speaking with Joy! This episode sings the praises of Rich Mullins, an artist steeped in scripture, with a heart like an open wound, and eyes that saw glory in creation.

Advent — Week Three (Christmasing with Sally Mama!)

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:26:13 -0600

A Christmas chat with my dear Sally-Mama!

Advent — Week Three (The Shepherd)

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 23:15:27 -0600

Christ comes as the ruling King, but he also comes as the gentle Shepherd.

Advent — Week Two (the Mother)

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 16:33:19 -0600

Mary is the first Christian, the first person in whom Christ dwelled. Her life and song teach us to bear Christ too.

Advent — Week One (the Coming)

Sat, 30 Nov 2019 18:07:07 -0600

Welcome to a special series on the season of advent. Sit in the dark, wait for the light, prepare for his coming.

Yes, And

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 14:19:23 -0600

How do we tell a good story with our lives? How do we sing a good song? Begin where you are. Grieve what you must. Do what you can.

Sea Watching

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:59:42 -0600

Can watching the sea lead us close to God? This was a question Welsh poet R.S. Thomas contemplated often in his poetry. In this episode Joy explores the poetry of R.S. Thomas with Shanti Daffern.

Wintering Scotland

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 14:38:38 -0600

There is a wisdom to the season of winter. But how does one wile away the long winter evenings in Scotland? By telling stories, singing songs, and dancing reels.

Heritage

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:18:02 -0600

What heritage were you given? What legacy will you leave behind? These are the questions discussed in this episode.

Memory

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 12:44:36 -0600

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Memory shapes our sense of who we are, where we come from, and where we're going. It's fundamental, and it's flawed. What are we to make of it?

Modern Day Monasticism

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:49:30 -0600

How can we incorporate rhythms of prayer into our every day lives, dedicating our work, play, and rest to God?

Freedom and Restraint

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:46:03 -0600

This episode explores Bach fugues, improvisational jazz, poetry, and a kid's cartoon to suggest the idea that true freedom necessitates restraint.

The Heart's Necessities

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 15:12:32 -0600

How do we live well in a complicated world? This episode seeks the words of a poet from the past and a musician for the present to explore this timeless question. This episode features an interview with Veery Huleatt, editor of a new volume of poetry by Jane Tyson Clement.

Touch

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:33:53 -0600

To be a human is to have a body, and to have a body is to touch and be touched. This episode explores our desire to touch creation, each other, and God.

New Season — Speaking with Joy Live!

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 04:13:44 -0600

Speaking with Joy welcomes a new season with this special episode featuring the talks from the Speaking with Joy live events and music from Two Benedictions. Enjoy!

A Refuge, a Resource, a Response

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 05:37:13 -0600

Speaking with Joy is celebrating its second anniversary! Many thanks to everyone who has joined in on the journey.

Reading with Joy — Chapter Nine

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:46:58 -0600

There was some one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that it was His mirth.

Blessed, Broken, Given — Featuring Glenn Packiam

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:31:13 -0600

Joy chats with Glenn Packiam about how our stories because sacred in the hands of Jesus.

Reading with Joy — Chapter Eight

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:58:44 -0600

"The chief mark of our epoch is a profound laziness and fatigue; and the fact is that the real laziness is the cause of the apparent bustle."

Reading with Joy — Week Seven

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 23:16:24 -0600

Is the world getting better and better? This week we discuss the myth of progress and the eternal revolution. Join in!

Reading with Joy — Week Six

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:48:37 -0600

Boze Herrington joins Joy to discuss the beautiful paradoxes of Christianity as it has tumbled through history.

Reading with Joy, Week Four

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:11:11 -0600

How is it possible that we both feel at home in the world and homesick in it?

Reading with Joy, Week Four

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:51:41 -0600

Can fairy tales help us understand the world better than modern philosophy?

Reading with Joy— Orthodoxy, Week Three

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 13:11:53 -0600

From her new flat in St Andres, surrounded by boxes, Joy rambles about chapter three of Orthodoxy and the unraveling of the modern mind. Listen in!

Reading with Joy — Orthodoxy, Week Two

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 08:16:14 -0600

What do sin, madness, and rationalism have to do with each other? Tune into this week's episode about Chapter Two of Chesterton's book Orthodoxy to find out!

Reading with Joy - Orthodoxy, Week One

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 15:48:15 -0600

Welcome to Reading with Joy, a summer book club on G.K. Chesterton's excellent book of essays Orthodoxy. Join me this week for our first episode, diving into Chapter One "In Defence of Everything Else."

Summering with Joy!

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 08:10:01 -0600

After a short (and unexpected!) break, Speaking with Joy is back. Listen to this podcast to hear about my summer book club, live Speaking with Joy events near you, and more. I hope you'll spend the summer with me!

Boredom

Tue, 21 May 2019 05:08:13 -0600

The modern world is both overstimulating and excessively boring. In this episode, featuring Boredom expert Dr. Rebekah Lamb, we explore the social, literary, and spiritual dimensions of boredom. I promise, you will not find this episode a bore.

The Enchanted Heavens

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:04:16 -0600

Is the modern world disenchanted? Today we will explore this question with the night sky as our conversation partner. My hunch is that the cosmos is not any less wondrous, mysterious, or enchanted than it was in the twelfth century. The world is not disenchanted, we've only grown blind to its wonder.