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 Piece

Grand Line Review videos about the lore of One Piece

Library 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 Sunday

Cover Art:

~ Model: Matthew Spellman

~ Photographer: Jacqueline Tetrault

Music: “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 Disney

Elsa as a Christ figure, second installment of The Princess Passion Project by Amelia Smith

Psychology of a Hero: Anna by Cinema Therapy

Music: “Adventurous Souls” by Zane Dickinson

Cover 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 Dickinson

Cover 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 Recommendations

Deconstructing Encanto by Pop Culture Pastor

Encanto - Therapist Reacts! by Georgia Dow

How Encanto Works by Howard Ho

“The Saint That Is Just Me” by Danielle Rose

Music:

~ "Adventurous Souls" by Zane Dickinson

Cover 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 Recommendations

Our work:

C.J.W. Writing, C.J. Williams’ website

“Where You Are, He Is: Leia, Rey, and St. Monica” by Jacqueline Tetrault

Star Wars commentaries referenced:

A Critique of the Philosophy Behind Star Wars talk by Peter Kreeft

Folktale Types in Star Wars - Meta Masterpost by Missy

How the Force Can Fix the World by Stephen Kent

What the Force? podcast by Marie-Claire Gould

Music:

~ “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 Therapy

Glen Keane Discusses Merging The Gospel With Animation, Faith, and How To Follow Jesus on Simple Faith With Rusty George

Virtual Viewing: Disney Cruise Line’s 'Tangled: The Musical’

Cover Art:

~ Model: Amelia Smith

~ Photographer: Amos Madruga, courtesy of Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties

Music:

~ “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 website

2019 staged reading of The Clockmaker’s Daughter at Cadogan Hall

Amelia Smith's cover of "A Story of My Own"

Cover Art:

~ Model: Amelia Smith

~ Photographer: Kenny Smith

Music:

~ “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.html

Cover 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