The BOOKS AND LETTERS podcast explores the fullness of what it means to live as a steward of words in this modern world, in an age dominated by fleeting trends and digital noise.
It’s no secret that Western culture is fragmented, transient, and untethered from the language and ethical norms that once grounded society. Granted there has never been a univocal posture toward the perennial human questions; nor, has there been any kind of “golden age.” But, historically, there existed in the West a conversational relationship about matters of faith, culture, and creativity. Even in disagreement, there was enough common sense parties could understand each other and rational public discourse about ideas could ensue (consider the Federalist Papers a contemporary example). Some have called this The Great Conversation.
Today, the West lacks a realized sensus communis to the degree that rational public discourse is nearly impossible. Reasons for this deficiency are vast and complex, and there is an urgent need to recover our legacy. To rekindle any sense of thoughtful engagement in an age that is dominated by fleeting trends and digital noise will be no small task, but it is one worth pursuing. The BOOKS AND LETTERS podcast is an attempt to participate in, and by doing so help recover, the noble tradition of The Great Conversation.
Whether we are grappling with the works of modern writers like G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, or Josef Pieper, reflecting on the enduring relevance of Greek philosophers and Church Fathers, engaging the medieval scholastics and humanists, or simply savoring the tactile joy of a well-loved book, the constant endeavor of THE BOOKS AND LETTERS Podcast will be to lead my readers to think deeply, communicate clearly, and live wisely.
If you're interested in the perennial human questions about the meaning of life and human flourishing, exploring the Christian humanist imagination, or creating things that are good, true, and beautiful for the world, I hope you'll join me as a paid subscriber and tune in for dynamic monologues and intriguing conversations with featured guests. And from time to time, when the breeze is just right, I may even be inclined to chat it up some about life's little pleasures, like briars, beards, and good bourbon.
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