Dovetailing with last week's episode on the ownership of stories, Matt, Mandy, and Sarah discuss the mysterious and oft-maligned world of fanfiction. Is it a silly way for mostly young women to get validation and fix the problems they see in other stories? Or is it a low-stakes environment to hone skills and experiment with identity?

What is fanfiction's appeal and value, and what can it show us about its subjects? Join the digital pub table to learn more about fanfiction and its purpose in continuing the conversation with the works it pays homage to.

Recent Episodes

Who Continues the Lore?

Join the digital pub table to learn more about fanfiction and its purpose in continuing the conversation with the works it pays homage to.

Who Owns the Lore?

At the digital pub table, we explore the history of intellectual property, the evolution of mythology, and how Christians should think about storytelling, creativity, and what it really means to “own” a story.

The Other Inklings

G. Connor Salter joins the Anselm Digital Pub table to discuss his new book, The Other Inklings.

The Theology of Vampires and Zombies

Dr. Amy Hughes, a theology professor, scholar, and author joins the pub table to discuss our favorite supernatural creatures and what they have to say about humanity and God.

Peculiar Purpose

Join us at the virtual pub table as we discuss the pain of feeling like a weirdo, and the joy of finding our purpose (among our fellow weirdos).

The Case for Toilet Humor

In this episode, we make a surprising case: what we call “toilet humor” isn’t just childish—it may actually serve a deeper purpose in storytelling.

The Saints As Stand-Up Comedians

Joining us at the table is Jason Crawford, a professor of English at Union University, who has written a fantastic new book called God’s Fools: Saints, Prophets, Martyrs, and the Making of Modern Comedy.

Jim vs. The Future

At the digital pub table, we’re joined by filmmaker and culture critic Joseph Holmes to explore why the multiverse captivates us.

Writing Music for Video Games (And Movies. And TV.)

Joining the Anselm Society Digital Pub table is Vinicius Barbosa Pippa, a composer and conductor whose work spans film, television, and video games. He delves into his process for creating music to tell stories across many different genres.

The Bible Is a Story About Dragons

Author and podcaster Laurie Christine discusses the ways that the Bible’s understanding of dragons can shape our stories today.

Believe to See Podcast

A podcast of the Anselm Society Arts Guild. Join host Matt Mellema, Mandy Houk, Christina Brown, and a rotation of guests at the digital pub table to explore how art and storytelling matter for faith and to connect our stories, great stories, and the Great Story.

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