The Duty to the Self vs. The Duty to Others: The Awakening

The Duty to the Self vs. The Duty to Others: The Awakening

In this episode, we unpack the themes of love, identity, and the tension between selfhood and responsibility in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Is fulfillment found in others, or in devotion to the self? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between.

Where Conviction, Justice, and Fate Collide: Lessons from Greek Tragedy

In this episode of Fireside Lit, we explore some of the common themes across Greek tragedy, as emphasized by playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and discuss how these themes or "lessons" are still applicable to modern life.

The Search for Identity in Coming-of-Age Novels: 20 Authors Who Did It Best

Join us by the fire as we discuss some of the best, most impactful, and influential authors who have contributed to the YA/coming-of-age genre through the years. We'll also discuss some of their most memorable books, taking a stroll down memory lane to literature that shaped us as we grew up.

Consciousness as Pathology: Notes From the Underground

W hat happens when we push others away as we bow at the altar of our own mind? How does worshipping our own insightfulness, our own ego, lead to cynicism and isolation? Fyodor Dostoevsky's Notes From the Underground explores these questions and more. As we become acquainted with the misanthropic Underground Man, we learn that suffering stems not only from external circumstances, but from the tendency to idolize that suffering. We see firsthand how living in one's own mind can become pathology rather than introspection. If you’ve ever overanalyzed yourself into paralysis, struggled with uncertainty, or mistaken cynicism for depth, join us by the fire.

Love in Literature: 10 Books That Tell the Truth About Love

(Correction: In the episode, I mistakenly refer to The Art of Loving as being by “Ethan Fromm.” The correct author is Erich Fromm). With Valentine’s Day as a backdrop, this episode of Fireside Lit Book Club takes a thoughtful, honest look at how literature portrays love — not as a fairytale, but as something lived, tested, and deepened over time. Join us as we reflect on how popular culture often narrows our understanding of romance into idealized “happily ever afters,” and contrast that with the richer, more realistic depictions found in classic literature. From marriages shaped by faith and sacrifice, to relationships strained by society, pride, grief, and growth, these stories reveal love as an action, a discipline, and a force that asks something of us.