Born of Wonder bornofwonder

Les Miserables is one of those profound stories that somehow encompasses the full depth of human experience. We have birth, death, falling in love, disappointment, justice, despair, young revolutionary zeal, forgiveness, and heavenly hope.
From Valjean’s first encounter with the Bishop - who forgives him, undeservedly so - to Valjean’s own forgiveness of Javert (and Javert’s inability to accept his mercy) - this a story of love offered, received, and sometimes (tragically) rejected. It is a story that promises the often miserable human condition always has the hope of redemption, if not in this life, “somewhere beyond the barricade.”
Today on the podcast I am joined by Maddie Dobrowski to discuss the tension between justice and mercy in Les Miserables, both in the musical and in the novel. We explore how it is only in the love between people that God’s redemption is allowed expression on Earth. Though this story ends in a death (and little justice Earth-side), it is a triumphant, hopeful ending. The hope of Heaven, and the Joy of Love given and received is enough. It has to be.
 
Maddie Dobrowski is a Catholic author, literature teacher, and student. She resides in Spokane, WA with her husband, Matt where she enjoys hiking, writing, reading, and gardening. She is currently studying for her MA in Thomistic philosophy and in her free time, she teaches classic literature and writes the Arts & Culture column for her diocese's quarterly magazine. Her first book, The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism, was published in December 2023 with En Route Books and Media. You can also find her writing on Substack (Love of Literature), where she shares essays on finding goodness, truth, and beauty in literature and art.
Her two essays on Les Miserables:
“The Economy of Love”
“He is not Here. He Has Risen.”
 
*Special thank you to my husband, Chris, for his piano renditions of some of my favorite Les Mis melodies throughout this episode.
---
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
---
Connect with Maddie online:
https://maddiedobrowski.substack.com/ 
Instagram: @love_ofliterature
 
Read her book!

The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism 
 
Recommendation: Irish Wonders by D.R. McAnally, Jr.

When you first encounter the liturgical year, it can be completely overwhelming. There is a saint's feast day every day! What season are we in again? Is it Eastertide? Ordinary Time? Who can keep track?
Here to help us make sense of all this - and inspire us to live a rooted, embodied, seasonal, in-tune, life - is Kristin Haakenson, the writer and artist behind the sacred-seasonal liturgical living missive Hearthstone Fables. Kristin is a beautiful writer, rooted in story and history, and she beautifully weaves the rhythms of the agrarian year with the rhythms of the Church. She makes connections we may never have thought of (stay tuned for the discussion on the nativities of Christ and St. John the Baptist!) and brings a genuine joy to the liturgical year that makes the discovery of feast days and ancient traditions seem not overwhelming, but exciting, - delightful! A treasure trove to be explored. 
On the podcast, Kristin discusses how to feel rooted, both in place and in faith, in a modern age opposed to both. Also discussions on how to find community, make the liturgical year a living reality, and how to celebrate with presence and tradition no matter whether you’re in an urban or agricultural setting. 
An inspiring and convicting conversation to ground us in story, celebration, tradition, and art. 
---
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
---

Love her, hate her, you can't ignore her: Taylor Swift is a global phenomena. Today on the podcast, Katie is joined by Rachel Sherlock to discuss the power of girlhood, joy, dressing up, collective experience, and what the Eras Tour and Taylor Swift as an artist can offer a culture starved for meaning, unity, and good old fashioned fun. Plus - their favorite Swift songs, how they became fans, what era they are, and so many good deep dives for true Swift fans. If you're a Swiftie, this is a real treat, and if you're not, tune in and understand what all the fuss is about! (and get excited for her new album - dropping at the end of this week!)
*special shout-out to my husband Chris for his great piano covers of Taylor’s songs, “Wildest Dreams” and “You are in Love” on this episode!
---
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
---
Find Rachel Sherlock online:
https://www.rachelsherlock.com/ 
@seekingwatson
Listen to her podcast! --> Risking Enchantment 
---
Articles we discuss:
What the Taylor concert was really like. 
The Fellowship of Taylor Swift 

Today on the podcast Dr. Larry Chapp - former professor and current popular blogger, writer, theologian and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm - joins us to talk all about Dorothy Day. We discuss her radical politics, her orthodox faith, and what she has to offer a world so at odds with itself. Dorothy Day saw her politics, and her love for the poor, as completely inseparable from her Christian faith - it informed everything she did and everything she stood for. We speak about how to return to a truly 'lived' Christianity, even when it makes us a bit 'weird.' What is the role of money? How much should we even have materially speaking? Is there a deep tension with serving the poor and also being a responsible parent? All this plus a practical discussion on how we can help others and follow Christ's foundational commandment to always care for those in need. 
---
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
---
 
Dr. Chapp's blog - https://gaudiumetspes22.com/ 
Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm - https://dorothydaycwfarm.org/ 

Happy 100 episodes! To celebrate, we're launching off into space - exploring that 'Love which moves the sun and other stars' - guided by Gustav Holst's epic 7 part orchestral suite 'The Planets.' We'll visit each planet and hear its accompanying musical movement while also learning some fascinating facts (how old are you in Mercury years? Did you know the sun rises twice on Venus in a day? etc). This is a chance to wonder and stand in awe of the world (and other worlds), reminding us of the vast mystery we are all a part of. We'll also hear a beautiful Les Miserables-inspired violin medley at the very end (courtesy of Lindsey Stirling - who has an asteroid named for her if you were wondering). Happy stargazing!
 
----
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
----
 
Story Orchestra - The Planets
 
Gustav Holst - 'The Planets'
 
Planet facts courtesy of nasa.com 
 
S2:12 EP21: Look to the Stars
 
Other music from Blue Dot Sessions
Rocket sound effect courtesy of freesound.com 
 
Lindsey Stirling - Les Miserables Medley

Happy first day of Spring! Happy feast of St. Joseph! Today we'll hear the magical, sad, beautiful story of Persephone and how she became the wife of Hades, God of the Underworld. Persephone's yearly return to the Earth promises not only a good harvest and a blooming spring but the ultimate hope of resurrection and immortality. This episode is also filled with beautiful immersive music and you'll hear why Katie thinks classical music (and art generally) should always be open for reinterpretation and creative engagement. 
 
----
www.bornofwonder.com 
www.mediamarqcreative.com
Born of Wonder Substack
Come to Ireland with me in October 2024! 
---
Spring 1 - Max Richter Vivaldi Recomposed
 
Story from Bullfinch's Mythology - Persephone and Cerce
 
Sound effects courtesy of FreeSound
 
Recommendation:
Niklas Liepe - GoldBergHain (Quodlibet on "Kraut und Rüben haben mich vertrieben")