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Modern storytellers are increasingly painting villains in a more sympathetic light, such as by recasting them as the hero or by giving them relatable motivations. Holly reflects on how this trend has shaped her own way of interacting with evil. [0:23] Intro (adjusting to newfound energy) [3:18] Book Time (The Great Train Robbery, Michael Crichton) [10:14] Main Topic Want to support more content like this? You can make small one-time or recurring donations through Buy Me a Coffee. Feel free to send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

2021 is looking just as insane, if not more so, than 2020. So what are we to do with all this crazy news flooding our feeds? In this episode, Holly reflects on ways of engaging with current events in a way that doesn't fill us with pride and anxiety. [0:23] Intro (the Joker movie, and Jonathan Pageau's commentary on it) [4:12] Book Time (Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson) [9:19] Main Topic Want to support more content like this? You can make small one-time or recurring donations to the show through Buy Me a Coffee. Feel free to send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

For this Valentine's Day special, Holly suggests five ways you can love and support the spoonie in your life, whether they are a significant other, family member, friend, or perhaps even an acquaintance.  [1:09] Intro (lockdown loneliness) [4:16] Book Time (Stan Lee's Alliances: A Trick of Light) [16:32] Main Topic Want to support more content like this? You can make small one-time or recurring donations to the show through Buy Me a Coffee. Feel free to send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

The spoonie life is often a lonely one, especially during a nation-wide lockdown, but solitude doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, Christians have sought out solitude from the beginning in order to commune with God and wrestle with their demons (sometimes literally). Holly discusses how she has been trying to make the most out of enforced isolation by learning from monasticism and reflecting on the spiritual reality. She also discusses the Penguin Classics collection Early Christian Writings and how the lives of Sts. Herman of Alaska, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna can inspire and challenge us when faced with disease and death. For more resources, see The Life of Antony by St. Athanasius, The Lord of Spirits podcast, and Dn. Michael Hyatt's podcast series on the apostolic fathers. [0:24] Intro (St. Herman of Alaska) [2:44] Book Time (Early Christian Writings) [8:55] Main Topic You can send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

Feeling productive isn't always easy, especially when facing significant health challenges. Holly discusses her own struggles with being productive and how her illness has helped her view restful activities in a new light. Also Dn. Nicholas Kotar's novel Song of the Sirin, his podcast In a Certain Kingdom, nonsensical Covid regulations, and why traditional prayers are wonderful tools.  For prayer ideas, see St. Philaret's morning prayer, these intercessory prayers, and these introductory prayers. Also, every (biblical) psalm ever. [0:24] Intro (lockdown #2) [2:36] Book Time (Song of the Sirin) [7:57] Main Topic You can send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

What's the point of life when everything that previously gave you purpose is stripped from you? Holly discusses feelings of worthlessness that commonly accompany chronic illness, systematic mass murder in Denmark, and why and how to see value in every human. Also Metropolitan Kallistos Ware's The Orthodox Way, Brandon Sanderson's Elantris, and what zombie lepers have to do with the Christian destiny.  [0:23] Intro [2:33] Book Time (Elantris—SPOILERS) [9:24] Main Topic You can send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

Providing context for future episodes, Holly gives a brief overview of her journey with arthritis. She talks about first noticing symptoms as an undergrad, getting the unexpected diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, and where she is at today. Also Kenneth Oppel's Silverwing and why animal protagonists can be so much fun.  You can send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message

What are spoonies and why should we care? Holly discusses Christine Miserandino's influential blog post that describes what it's like to have a chronic illness. Also Sarah J. Maas's novel Throne of Glass and why Harry Potter is way less interesting than every other character in the eponymous series.  You can send questions, criticisms, comments, and concerns to spoonieteatime@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spoonieteatime/message