Finding Faith in Fandoms

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“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 PieceGrand Line Review videos about the lore of One PieceLibrary of Ohara, The Library of One Piece Knowledge“A Litany of Saints … for Anime” by Sr. Orianne Petra René Dyck, FSP“One Piece — Realizing Belonging” by Sr. Orianne Pietra René Dyck, FSP“Why Gen Z protesters worldwide are flying an anime pirate flag” by Kate Bartlett, heard on NPR’s Weekend Edition SundayCover Art:~ Model: Matthew Spellman~ Photographer: Jacqueline TetraultMusic: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

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 DisneyElsa as a Christ figure, second installment of The Princess Passion Project by Amelia SmithPsychology of a Hero: Anna by Cinema TherapyMusic: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane DickinsonCover Art:~ Model: Amelia Smith~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

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 DickinsonCover Art:~ Model: Brooke Dennis~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

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 RecommendationsDeconstructing Encanto by Pop Culture PastorEncanto - Therapist Reacts! by Georgia DowHow Encanto Works by Howard Ho“The Saint That Is Just Me” by Danielle RoseMusic:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane DickinsonCover Art: Encanto candle made by LightingActLLC

Freelance writer and filmmaker C.J. Williams joins Jackie for the first annual Star Wars Day episode, reviewing the Skywalker saga films (Episodes I-IX).Resources and RecommendationsOur work:C.J.W. Writing, C.J. Williams’ website“Where You Are, He Is: Leia, Rey, and St. Monica” by Jacqueline TetraultStar Wars commentaries referenced:A Critique of the Philosophy Behind Star Wars talk by Peter Kreeft Folktale Types in Star Wars - Meta Masterpost by MissyHow the Force Can Fix the World by Stephen KentWhat the Force? podcast by Marie-Claire GouldMusic:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

With Easter coming up, Jackie and Amelia discuss the Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel,” its Disney adaptation Tangled, and their themes of truth, rebirth, human potential, sacrifice, and finding the way home.Content Warning: Mentions toxic/abusive parent-child relationships.References and Recommendations:11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting in Tangled by Cinema TherapyGlen Keane Discusses Merging The Gospel With Animation, Faith, and How To Follow Jesus on Simple Faith With Rusty GeorgeVirtual Viewing: Disney Cruise Line’s 'Tangled: The Musical’Cover Art:~ Model: Amelia Smith~ Photographer: Amos Madruga, courtesy of Ice Queen Cosplay Princess PartiesMusic:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

In honor of spring and St. Patrick’s Day, Jackie and Amelia discuss a little-known, original fairy tale musical, The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn.Content Warning: Mentions of child death and toxic/abusive parent-child relationships.Resources and Recommendations:The Clockmaker’s Daughter official website2019 staged reading of The Clockmaker’s Daughter at Cadogan HallAmelia Smith's cover of "A Story of My Own"Cover Art:~ Model: Amelia Smith~ Photographer: Kenny SmithMusic:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

Singer and actor Katie Broach shares her experience of playing the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, and Jackie talks about her experiences with Catholic religious communities.References and recommendations:~ The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp~ Katie Broach's website: https://www.katiebroachsoprano.com~ Jacqueline Tetrault's articles on religious vocations and communities: http://www.jacquelinetetrault.com/religious-vocations.htmlCover Art: Katie Broach and Michelle Heinze in The Sound of Music, produced by Imago Stage Company in November 2023. Photo by Michael Chiusano.Music used:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

Amelia and Kenny Smith join Jackie to talk about their mutual love of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s beloved Gothic coming-of-age romance. Among other things, Amelia lays out how Helen and Jane are Christ figures; Jackie opens up about life with ADHD; and Kenny identifies 19th-century tropes that the novel subverts.Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of child abuse and spiritual abuse.References & Recommendations:~ The British Library - Jane Eyre videos~ The Princess Passion Project - Jane Eyre essay by Amelia SmithCover Art: “Brave Enough For Love” music video by Amelia and Kenny SmithMusic:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

With Christmas coming up, Jackie and Amelia dig into the history of the Nutcracker, from E. T. A. Hoffman's novella to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet and various other adaptations.For more information and links to available filmed productions, check out our recommendations on the Finding Faith in Fandoms blog.Cover art model: Amelia SmithCover art photographer: Jacqueline TetraultMusic:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

Drama therapist Brooke Dennis joins Jackie for a discussion of Disney's movie and musical Hercules. Fangirling ensues.For more of Jackie's analysis of Hercules, check out her essays, "Human and Divine: Hercules as a Christ Figure" and "True Heroism is True Love."Media References & Recommendations:~ "Myth Became Fact" by C. S. Lewis~ The Literary Life Podcast Episode 60: Why Read Pagan Myths~ "Hercules, Disney's Beautiful Hot Mess: a Video Essay" by Lindsay EllisMusic used:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

Artist and historian Patrick Powers joins Jackie for a discussion about the Halloween-themed animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall.Content Warning: This episode mentions sensitive topics, including death and suicide.References and recommendations:~ "Greg's Gospel: Community, Self-Expression, & Radical Love - Over the Garden Wall's Moral Philosophy" by Michael Kellermeyer~ "Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die" by Ruth Graham~ "‘Over the Garden Wall’ Explores and Positively Subverts Fairy-Tale Worlds" by Elijah DavidCover art:~ Book: QuarterPress~ Costume: Amelia Smith~ Model: Jacqueline Tetrault~ Photography: Amelia Smith.Music:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

Fresh from a series rewatch, Jackie and Amelia discuss the fantasy drama Once Upon a Time (2011-2018), which drew inspiration from classic fairy tales and Disney films. What emerged was a story that emphasizes faith, hope, and love above all.Content Warnings: This episode contains mentions of sensitive and/or potentially triggering topics, such as abandonment, abortion, abuse, addiction, death, trauma, and violence.Timestamps0:07:15 Preliminary discussion0:21:00 Pilot and Season 10:43:00 Seasons 2 and 30:53:00 Rumplestiltskin0:59:30 Regina Mills1:07:00 Captain Hook1:14:00 Seasons 4 and 51:17:00 Season 61:32:00 Season 71:37:30 Final takeawaysRead more of Jackie’s analysis in “Stories and Saviors in Once Upon a Time.”Media references & recommendations:~ "On Fairy Stories" by J.R.R. Tolkien~ "On Three Ways of Writing for Children" by C.S. Lewis~ Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis~ The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove: The Religious Meaning of the Grimms' Magic Fairy Tales by G. Ronald Murphy, S.J.~ The Literary Life Podcast Episode 70: Why Read Fairy Tales?~ The Literary Life Podcast Episode 104: Witches, Wizards, and Magic, Oh My!Music used:~ “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson~ “Emma’s Theme,” sung by Jenniffer Morrison, written by Mark Isham, Michael Weiner & Alan Zachary, from Once Upon a Time: The Musical Episode (Original Television Soundtrack)

Jackie and Amelia discuss the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, as well as its film and stage adaptations.Read more of Jackie's analysis in "Abundant Life in Tuck Everlasting." Bonus material will be available for Patreon supporters.Cover art:~ Models: Amelia Smith and Jacqueline Tetrault~ Photographer: Matthew SpellmanMusic used:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson~ "Live Like This" from Tuck Everlasting Broadway musical soundtrack, music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Jackie and Amelia (a professional Disney princess) take a deep dive into the film Frozen and its stage adaptation.Read more of Jackie's analysis in "Fear vs. Love: A Christian Take on Frozen" on Catholic Exchange. Bonus content will be available on Finding Faith in Fandoms' Patreon account.Read more of Amelia's thoughts on Anna as a Christ-figure and Elsa's journey to accepting love in The Princess Passion Project.Cover art:~ Model: Amelia Smith~ Photographer: Ice Queen Cosplay Princess PartiesMusic used:~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson~ "Vuelie/Let the Sun Shine On" from Frozen: The Broadway Musical, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

This premiere episode lays the groundwork for all subsequent episodes. Host Jacqueline Tetrault introduces guests Amelia Smith and JMD Myers, and explains the concept that will be explored through Finding Faith in Fandoms. A full explanation of the salvation story pattern can be read in these articles by Jacqueline Tetrault: The Salvation Story Pattern Finding Christ in Fiction More information about this podcast and related blog is available at www.findingfaithinfandoms.org. Media mentioned: ~ Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment by Brian Godawa ~ "Letter to Artists" by Pope John Paul II ~ Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle ~ "Letter to Artists" by Pope John Paul II ~ Jesus Comes To... by JMD Myers ~ The Princess Passion Project by Amelia Smith Intro and outro music is "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson, courtesy of PremiumBeat.com