"Encanto" and Gifts of the Spirit

"Les Misérables" and Revolutions of Love

In honor of American and French Independence Day, Jackie, Amelia, and new guest Emily Raine discuss the lasting relevance of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, its various adaptations, and its themes of national identity, moral crisis, and sacrificial love. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of mature subjects, including exploitation, prostitution, and suicide. This episode was recorded at BevCam in Beverly, Massachusetts, on land originally inhabited by the Naumkeag people. “So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilization, artificially creates hells on earth, and complicates a destiny that is divine with human fatality; so long as the three problems of the age—the degradation of man by poverty, the ruin of women by starvation, and the dwarfing of childhood by physical and spiritual night—are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a yet more extended point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless.” ~ Victor Hugo, preface of Les Misérables References and Recommendations: The Beauty and Anguish of Les Misérables! (feat. Lindsay Ellis) | It's Lit! | PBS Digital Studios Eponine as a Christ Figure , fifth installment of The Princess Passion Project by Amelia Smith Les Miserables and France's many revolutions | Enlightenment and Revolution | Khan Academy The Paris of Les Miserables Music: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

"One Piece" and Free Will

Jackie, Kenny, and new guest Matt Spellman discuss the renowned manga One Piece by Eiichiro Oda and its anime and live-action adaptations. Diving deep into the East Blue story arc, they reflect on the story’s themes of freedom, inherited will, found family, and pursuing dreams. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of bodily gore, murder, and slavery. References and Recommendations: Eiichiro Oda Meets Iñaki Godoy [https://youtu.be/ea6NieliCIU?si=siV_PvWdyA8zOyTk] “Faith Through Fiction: Storybooks, Manga, Movies, and Vampires [https://pauline.org/podcasts/bonus-episode-faith-through-fiction-storybooks-manga-movies-and-vampires/],” an episode of Dare to Dwell: A Podcast with the Daughters of St. Paul, featuring Sr. Allison Regina Gliot’s reflections on One Piece Grand Line Review [https://www.youtube.com/grandlinereview] videos about the lore of One Piece Library of Ohara [https://thelibraryofohara.com/], The Library of One Piece Knowledge “A Litany of Saints … for Anime [https://pauline.org/media-mindfulness/a-litany-of-saints-for-anime/]” by Sr. Orianne Petra René Dyck, FSP “One Piece — Realizing Belonging [https://pauline.org/media-mindfulness/one-piece-realizing-belonging/]” by Sr. Orianne Pietra René Dyck, FSP “Why Gen Z protesters worldwide are flying an anime pirate flag [https://www.npr.org/2025/10/05/nx-s1-5560980/gen-z-protesters-one-piece-pirate-flag]” by Kate Bartlett, heard on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday Cover Art: ~ Model: Matthew Spellman ~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault Music: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

"Frozen II" and the Next Right Thing

As Thanksgiving approaches, Jackie and Amelia revisit the world of Arendelle for a discussion of the Frozen short films and sequel Frozen 2, whose themes include vocation, ancestral sin, atonement, and adapting to change. How is Elsa a Christ figure, and how is Anna like St. Peter? This episode was recorded at BevCam in Beverly, Massachusetts, on land originally inhabited by the Naumkeag people. Resources and Recommendations: Behind the scenes of Frozen II: How Sami representatives cooperated with Disney [https://arctic-council.org/news/behind-the-scenes-of-frozen-2-how-saami-representatives-cooperated-with-disney/] Elsa as a Christ figure [https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3143045109346909&id=100009243533493], second installment of The Princess Passion Project [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLapu4iWDG45IBdcnK8szXgNY4Rf57pvO4] by Amelia Smith Psychology of a Hero: Anna [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlRCtQ5W8A] by Cinema Therapy Music: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson Cover Art: ~ Model: Amelia Smith ~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

"Daddy Long Legs" and God's Generosity

Jackie, Amelia, and Brooke discuss the allegorical and philosophical elements of Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster and its stage adaptation. Music: ~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson Cover Art: ~ Model: Brooke Dennis ~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

"Encanto" and Gifts of the Spirit

In honor of Pentecost, Amelia and Kenny Smith join Jackie to discuss Disney’s Encanto and point out the Madrigal family's similarities to the Church. References and Recommendations Deconstructing Encanto [https://youtu.be/MsLd8D1lwoY?si=cIayAGHfufvSaA8R] by Pop Culture Pastor Encanto - Therapist Reacts! [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3I0HsOf9M_SaOaa8HrLlKUtkcgiYNmjv] by Georgia Dow How Encanto Works [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkkocI7Ffe0bYOKb6bBHIGmilz-R3Wrag] by Howard Ho “The Saint That Is Just Me” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw8W-M1F5Sk] by Danielle Rose Music: ~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson Cover Art: Encanto candle made by LightingActLLC