George MacDonald and Us
George MacDonald and Us
Shaun and Catherine Kober
Welcome and thanks for stopping by! We are a husband and wife team in rural Minnesota. One afternoon, feeling overwhelmed by daily life, we decided to read a short story by George MacDonald together. We began exchanging our ideas about it. Then it struck Catherine that this would make a fun idea for a podcast. And the rest is history! Whether you're here as an ardent scholar of George MacDonald, as someone completely new to the MacDonald scene, or somewhere in the middle, we appreciate your curiosity about our content.
February
In this episode, we read George MacDonald’s poem, “February,” from, “A Book of Strife in the Form of a Diary of an Old Soul.” We look at how this poem may reflect George MacDonald’s wrestling with God, winter, and his relationship with writing. We explore aspects of fatherlessness, death, light, and what it means to be a child. This episode contains spoilers from Sir Gibbie and Castle Warlock! References: February by George MacDonald Wintesr in the World: A Journey through the Anglo Saxon Year by Eleanor Parker Beowulf St. Blaise (blessing of throats with candles) The Book of Job on Bible Gateway The Tale of Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf (In a Certain Kingdom) Till we Have Faces by CS Lewis (a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien The Lord of Spirits Podcast The Tempest by Shakespeare This Jungian Life: Healing a Negative Father Complex Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald Castle Warlock by George MacDonald Support Us on Patreon! Contact Us!
Feb 29, 2024
1 hr
The Giant's Heart Part II
In this episode, we read the second half of George MacDonald's fairy tale, "The Giant's Heart." For Catherine, this is the first time reading the ending. We explore the themes found in the conclusion of this intriguing and amusing story. We are also looking for listener suggestions for future episodes! See our contact info in the references notes below! References: The Giant’s Heart by George MacDonald AKubitzDesign on Etsy Morgan Creek Vineyards Bluebeard Fitcher’s Bird The Singing Springing Lark Marryng Mr. Rochester: Redeeming the Negative Father Complex by Lisa Marchiano Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth by Robert Johnson Support Us on Patreon! Contact Us!
Feb 20, 2024
48 min
The Giant's Heart Part I
In this episode, we read the first half of George MacDonald's fairy tale, "The Giant's Heart." We explore the themes found in this intriguing and amusing story. References: The Giant’s Heart by George MacDonald Say Something in (Manx/Cornish/Welsh/Dutch/Cornish/Spanish) Dr. Jordan Peterson on parents fighting in front of children (youtube clip) Hansel and Gretel (Rika Lesser and Paul O. Zelinsky) The Odyssey by Homer Jack and the Beanstalk (John Howe) Anima and Animus in Fairy tales by Marie Louise von Franz Support Us on Patreon! Contact Us!
Jan 19, 2024
56 min
The Sangreal
In this episode, we're all about Arthurian Romance as we read and discuss George MacDonald's poem, "The Sangreal." We'd love to hear your opinion on the debate we had during the discussion! See our contact info at the bottom of the show notes or vote in our poll on Spotify! References: The Sangreal by George MacDonald White Boxer Coffee Company Sweet Burley Tobacco by the Country Squire Saint Thomas Aquinas College King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Translated by Roger Lancelyn Green Monty Python and the Holy Grail Castle Warlock by George MacDonald Bone: Dying into Life by Marion Woodman The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky The Dream of the Rood (Anglo Saxon Poem) Winters in the World by Eleanor Parker Support George MacDonald and Us on Patreon Contact Us!
Jan 5, 2024
58 min
Halloween Special: 3 Poems
In this special Halloween Episode, Shaun's new microphone makes its debute! Catherine shares the joy of celebrating Halloween. And we read three "spooky" poems by George MacDonald! Happy Halloween everyone! References: A Mammon Marriage by George MacDonald The Dead Hand by George MacDonald A Dead House by George MacDonald Contact Us! Support us on Patreon!
Oct 30, 2023
15 min
The Castle: Part II
In this episode, we finish reading George MacDonald's short story, the Castle. We then discuss the many treasures found within this "castle." Refrences: The Castle by George MacDonald Parenting from the Inside Out by Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzel In a Certain Kingdom: Vasilisa the Beautiful “The Word became flesh to make us ‘partakers of the divine nature’: ‘For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.’ ‘For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.’ ‘The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.’" -Catechism of the Catholic Church, 460 Luke 17:20-21 The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis The Epiphany of the Eye by Tudor Mitrovic Support George MacDonald and Us on Patreon! Contact Us
Oct 23, 2023
1 hr 2 min
The Castle: Part I
In this episode, we read and discuss the first section of George MacDonald's short story, "The Castle." References: The Castle by George MacDonald The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila Wounded by Love by Saint PorphyriosIn a Certain Kingdom: Sister Alionushka and Brother Ivanushka How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman Psychology of Religion: East and West by Carl Jung Trauma and the Soul by Donald Kalsched Lord of Spirits: Fall of Man Part II: Crouching Sin, Hidden Dragon Alypius' Loft Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross This Jungian Life: Understanding Loss of Soul Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translated by JRR TolkienSupport George MacDonald and Us on Patreon! Contact Us
Oct 23, 2023
1 hr 27 min
Willie's Question
In this episode we explore the various themes found in George MacDonald's poem, "Willie's Question." Themes discussed include inflation and deflation, virtue, and most importantly: rabbits! References: Willie's Question by George MacDonald Saint Thomas Aquinas on souls Saint Maximos the Confessor: On the Ecclesiastical MystagogyShe by Robert Johnson Till We have Faces by CS Lewis (The myth of Psyche and Cupid retold) Saint Gianna Molla quote on charity Saint Augustine: Homily 9 on the First Epistle of JohnThis Jungian Life: You're Not a Fraud: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Matt Rhule: A Look N Episode 3Sound of Freedom Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald Phillipians 2:5-11George MacDonald and Us Patreon Page Contact Us
Oct 23, 2023
1 hr 15 min
Consider the Ravens
In this episode, we consider George MacDonlad's poem, "Consider the Ravens." References: Consider the Ravens by George MacDonald Jonathan Pageau: Where is Heaven? A response to Sam Harris Matthew 6:26-27 Leisure: the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper This Jungian Life: Reviving Tolerance in Cancel Culture Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald George MacDonald and Us Patreon Page Contact Us
Aug 6, 2023
35 min
Introductions and King Cole
In this first episode, we introduce ourselves, George MacDonald, and the podcast! We also read and discuss George MacDonald's poem, "King Cole." References: King Cole Marion Woodman Marie Louise von Franz Jason Jones King Lear, Shakespeare Malcom Guite George MacDonald and Us Patreon Page Contact Us
Aug 6, 2023
41 min