Welcome to Episode Eight in our Tolkien's Greatest Characters Series.        Today's episode features Eugene Terekhin. Eugene is a philologist, philosopher, translator, as well as the author of Elven Hidden Gems and the Works of the Inklings, The Music of Illuvatar in the Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Owen Barfield.     Check out Eugene's Substack: https://substack.com/@eugeneterekhin         Eugene and I discuss Treebeard and the life of the Ents, fascinating creatures and symbols in the work of Tolkien's sub-creation of Middle-earth. As always, Eugene displays his winsome wit and well-earned wisdom. I know you're going to love this conversation; feel free to forward it to friends!       ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tambika-Shield-Wisdom-Lightglider-Origins/dp/1645075486    

Welcome to our Halloween interlude, as we take a one-episode hiatus from our Tolkien's Greatest Characters series. I was recently in Nashville and took the opportunity to record with the incomparable Jordan Daniel Wood.        In this episode, Jordan and I discuss George MacDonald's essay "The Imagination: Its Function and Culture," explore the meaning and magic of wearing masks, and the nature of identity and reality — and, as always, we add a dash of hope and a bit of Maximus.        Jordan Daniel Wood is Assistant Professor of Theology at Belmont University. He holds an M.A. from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. from Boston College, both in Historical Theology. His interests range from Greek patristic theology to modern philosophy, especially Idealism. He is married to Alexis, a registered nurse, with whom he has four wonderful daughters.        Jordan is the author of the much-acclaimed The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor, available here: https://tinyurl.com/3k8xshj5        Jordan also posts regularly on his Substack, "Words in Flesh" https://jordandanielwood.substack.com/         ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser Substack: https://substack.com/@derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tambika-Shield-Wisdom-Lightglider-Origins/dp/1645075486        

Welcome to Episode Seven in our Tolkien's Greatest Characters series. Today's conversation is enlightening and uplifting, a discussion of the whimsical and winsome Tom Bombadil.        Joining me today is Brian Zahnd. Brian is the founding pastor of Word of Life Church  in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is the author of twelve books; most recently the forthcoming "Unseen Existences: Of Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Mystery in All Things".     https://substack.com/@brianzahnd         ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tambika-Shield-Wisdom-Lightglider-Origins/dp/1645075486          

Welcome to Episode Six in our Tolkien's Greatest Characters Series. Today's conversation is an inspired yearning for the true nobility within it us all. Today's conversation features the king-to-be, Aragorn.       Today's guest is Robert Hulett. Robert is a former student of mine and a long-time friend. He and his wife Jessica have three children and re in the throes of the typical myteries and meanderings of young parents.        Robert is a writer, an astute judge of cultural dynamics, and is a passionate defender of the pursuit of a godly life. He seeks to emulate Aragorn and believes that the example held out for us all in the character of the king-to-be provides humanity with a glimpse of our potential.        ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tambika-Shield-Wisdom-Lightglider-Origins/dp/1645075486/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OIRH7724MLSI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1LykaLPN_bJOY9iKTBBd4w.OQhIet5VaMC5HXCQlUnEDu0SVNhOnRyROyBhz6sKHqY&dib_tag=se&keywords=tambika+shield+wisdom&qid=1760676103&sprefix=tambika+%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1  

Welcome to Episode Five in our Tolkien's Greatest Characters Series. Today's conversation is a wide-ranging one, featuring the hobbit prince, Pippin.        Today's guest is Bradley J. Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History, Hillsdale College. He loves his family, his college, western civilization, American history, the American west, biography, photography, and progressive rock music.        In addition to Pippin, Bradley and I discuss American history, western civilization, heroic deeds, and the marvel of Tolkien's universe.        Brad publishes at Substack: https://substack.com/@bradleyjbirzer       He is the author of two Tolkien-related books:    J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle Earth https://tinyurl.com/4wu6crmy       Tolkien and the Inklings: Men of the West https://tinyurl.com/dsatzyy4         ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tambika-Shield-Wisdom-Lightglider-Origins/dp/1645075486 ⸻

Welcome to Episode Four of Tolkien's Greatest Characters.       This week's episode is an insightful presentation of The Sea Bell, or Frodo's Dreame, the poem by J.R.R. Tolkien.        Today's guest is Bret van den Brink. Bret is a PhD student at the University of Toronto, where he also earned his MA. He earned his BA, with Honors, at Trinity Western, Vancouver. Bret is a poet & lover of poetry from Spenser to Stevens.        To learn more and read some of Bret's writings: https://linktr.ee/bretv       Follow Bret on X: https://x.com/BretVDB       ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y ⸻

Welcome to Episode Three of Tolkien's Greatest Characters.        This week's episode is a lively conversation about Bilbo Baggins, the meaning and nature of place, and the opportunity for everyone to determine where their story ends. We touch on the Shire, the Ring, and Bilbo's journey There and Back Again!       Today's guest is Thalia Toha. Thalia is an architectural historian, geographer, and preservationist. She believes that everyone should be able to choose how their story ends, regardless of where they're placed in life. Her interest in studying hidden ways in which places impact people's story arcs led her from Princeton University to restoring 15,000 square foot town halls, to advising the development of food halls, to serving as a geography exhibit designer in Lafayette Museum.        Thalia's insights have been featured on Architectural Digest, SELF magazine, and Homes & Gardens. When she's not busy with her interdisciplinary work, you can find her writing about the philosophy of places on:     https://storyarks.substack.com/about         ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

Welcome to Episode Two of Tolkien's Greatest Characters. This week's episode is an inspiring discussion of Frodo Baggins, the humble hobbit thrust into a quest for the ages.        Joining me is Dr. Andrew Snyder, a professor of philosophy and theology, author of the forthcoming book Divine Honour in the Lord of the Rings, host of the Mythic Mind Podcast, and leader of the Mythic Mind Fellowship, a Christian humanitites-based community.       Andrew enjoys discussing the wisdom found in stories from ancient myths to contemporary pop culture. He resides in Williamsburg, VA, with his wife and three children.        https://www.youtube.com/@andrewnsnyderhttps://mythicmind.substack.com 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y

Welcome to Episode One of our mega-series entitled Tolkien's Greatest Characters. Each week for the next sixteen weeks, we will host a conversation exploring the virtues, flaws, symbolism, and story development advanced by a unique character from the J.R.R. Tolkien Universe.       This week's episode is a lively conversation about The Narrator. Is the voice of the storyteller of The Lord of the Rings the voice of Tolkien? How does the Narrator advance the story, reveal aspects of Tolkien's worldview, and more.        Dr. Sørina Higgins is an editor, author, English teacher, and writing consultant. Her scholarly interests inclue British & Irish modernism and magic, religion & literature, the Inklings, and Arthuriana. Dr. Higgins is currently writing a series of lectures on the Inklings for one of The Great Courses from The Teaching Company.      Sørina has received a Clyde S. Kilby Research Grant from the Marion E. Wade Center for her forthcoming book The Oddest Inkling: An Introduction to Charles Williams, due out in 2026 from Apocryphile Press. She previously wrte and recorded C.S. Lewis: Writer, Scholar, Seeker, an Audible Original from The Teaching Company, and edited an academic essay collection entitled The Inklings and King Arthur. She is also the author of the blog The Oddest Inkling, devoted to the study of Charles Williams' works.       https://theoddestinkling.wordpress.com     https://wyrdhoard.com       _______ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

"He moves in the dry chaff among the dust and slats of sunlight with a constrained truculence. Saxon and Celtic bloods. A child of God much like yourself perhaps."       Today's episode is a singular one, for a singular writer. This is a conversation about Cormac McCarthy, and his novel Child of God. This novel explores the uttermost depravity of humanity, and wrestles with the idea that "perhaps" Lester Ballard is a child of God like me...       Joining me for this conversation is the incomparable Joel J. Miller, of Miller's Book Review. http://millersbookreview.com/       Joel J. Miller is a former publishing executive with a twenty-year career in writing and editorial. Today he serves as chief content officer of Full Focus https://fullfocus.co/ and he publishes Miller's Book Review, a popular Substack celebrating literary culture.        He is the author of several books, including The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future (forthcoming, November 2025). His writing has appeared in Reason, the Washington Post, American Spectator, and National Review. He lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, kids, dogs, and more books than space.        Pre-Order Joel's latest book here: https://tinyurl.com/yushvpfk     __________ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y

Today's episode flips the script. Turns the tables. I recently sat down with David Bates, host of Pints with Jack, a popular YouTube channel featuring C.S. Lewis and all things Inklings.        We chatted about why I started the Plunge and how I came to explore Owen Barfield.        I hope you'll enjoy this guest episode, and subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/@PintsWithJack       ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

Welcome to Episode Seven in The Human Series: Season One. Today's guest is Bethany Dearborn Hiser.       Bethany currently works as the Director of Soul Care for Northwest Family Life, a network of therapists trained to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma. As a bilingual social worker, chaplain, and pastoral advocate, Bethany has worked in a variety of ministry and social service settings with people affected by addiction, sexual exploitation, incarceration, and immigration.        After experiencing her own burnout, she has become passionate about being a sort of midwife alongside other helping professionals, as they navigate secondary trauma, move toward groundedness, and uncover their belovedness. She is a Spiritual Director and the author of From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers. https://www.amazon.com/Burned-Out-Beloved-Wounded-Healers/dp/0830847952       Bethany, her husband Kenny and their two young daughters, are just moving back to the Skagit Valley in NW Washington, after a few years in San Diego.       Bethany writes here: https://bethanydearbornhiser.substack.com     She offers online Soul Care Groups and Spiritual Direction for helping professionals. More info here: https://www.bethanydearbornhiser.com         ----- Connect with Derek Holser 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y   ⸻

Welcome to Episode Six of The Human Series. Today's conversation features Justin Bryeans, a dear friend and a kindred spirit.     Justin Bryeans is a southern boy at home in the great Pacific Northwest. He spends his days as a pastor and spiritual director, and is graced by the long haul companionship of his wife Hannah (married 29 years) and the joy of bearing witness to his four children as they continue to become themselves - Ethan, Noah, Tait, and Lucy.     Among other things, Justin and I discuss the endlessness of Jesus, the nature of hospitality, and the virtue of learning to be still.      ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

Welcome to Episode Five of The Human Series. I continue my conversation with Dr. Donald A. Lichi entitled: "The Soul of Psychology, 2."     Dr. Don is a licensed psychologist in Ohio and is Vice President Emeritus of Emerge Counseling Ministries where he served for over 30 years. Dr. Don is a frequent speaker at both sacred and secular conferences and seminars across the country.      He is a seasoned clinician with years of rich experience in counseling and consulting pastors and leaders. He directs the ministers' enrichment team at Emerge, which is a group of pastor-focused clinicians developing soul care treatments for pastors and their families. He is also the co-author of Broken Windows of the Soul:   https://tinyurl.com/53wvjnpt       Dr. Don's special focus is faith-based counseling, mental health, life skills, overcoming porn addiction, and marriage enrichment.  https://emerge.org/     Dr. Don has taught at universities and seminaries for a number of years and he was on the teaching faculty of Heart-to-Heart Communications and served 12 years on the pastoral ministry team of the Akron Chinese Christian Church.      His ministry has taken him to Australia, Singapore, India, Canada, Brazil, Thailand, Ecuador...quite literally all over the world.      Not only that, but he is a veteran of the Air Force where he served from 1970-77.  Dr. Don is married to Marcy, his wife of 50 years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren.          ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y    

Welcome to Episode Four of The Human Series. I'm joined by Dr. Donald A. Lichi for "The Soul of Psychology, 1."     Dr. Don is a licensed psychologist in Ohio and is Vice President Emeritus of Emerge Counseling Ministries where he served for over 30 years. Dr. Don is a frequent speaker at both sacred and secular conferences and seminars across the country.      He is a seasoned clinician with years of rich experience in counseling and consulting pastors and leaders. He directs the ministers' enrichment team at Emerge, which is a group of pastor-focused clinicians developing soul care treatments for pastors and their families. He is also the co-author of Broken Windows of the Soul:   https://tinyurl.com/53wvjnpt       Dr. Don's special focus is faith-based counseling, mental health, life skills, overcoming porn addiction, and marriage enrichment.  https://emerge.org/     Dr. Don has taught at universities and seminaries for a number of years and he was on the teaching faculty of Heart-to-Heart Communications and served 12 years on the pastoral ministry team of the Akron Chinese Christian Church.      His ministry has taken him to Australia, Singapore, India, Canada, Brazil, Thailand, Ecuador...quite literally all over the world.      Not only that, but he is a veteran of the Air Force where he served from 1970-77.  Dr. Don is married to Marcy, his wife of 50 years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren.          ⸻ 📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y    

Welcome to Episode Three of The Human Series: Radical Acceptance.     Today's guest is Dr. Heather Huckett, a psychotherapist with a PhD in Clinical Sexology, a Licensed Couple and Family Therapist, and an AASECT-certified Sex Therapist.      Dr. Huckett specializes in addressing sexual health within the context of identity, relationships, and individual well-being. As co-owner of Kaiun Wellness on Bainbridge Island, she provides integrated care that supports mental, emotional, and sexual wellness. Dr. Huckett's approach centers on whole-person wellness, emphasizing the complexity and richness of the human experience in both personal and relational contexts.      https://www.heatherhuckett.com/         📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

Welcome to Episode Two of The Human Series: Lifespan Integration and Restoration.       Today's guest is Sarah Kardelen (she/her), a licensed mental health counselor and founder of Tapestry Therapy. She is passionate about individual and collective liberation, and desires that people experience safety and healing so that they can come to their authentic selves and experience life-giving relationships.      https://www.tapestry-therapy.com       Sarah provides therapy, advocacy and consultation in English and Turkish. She works with teen and adult survivors of complex trauma, specializing in domestic violence, relational issues, childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, anxiety and depression.        She is certified in Lifespan Integration Therapy and is currently the director of the NWFL Lifespan Integration Initiative. She is also a certified victim advocate and has been the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program Manager of NWFL.    https://northwestfamilylife.org   https://northwestfamilylife.org/sarah-kardelen/           📲 Connect with Derek Holser:   🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser   📱 TikTok:   / derekholser     📸 Instagram:   / theplungewithderekholser     📘 Facebook:   / derekholser     📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y

Welcome to Episode One of The Human Series: Formation, Identity, Intimacy, and Sexuality.        Today's guest is Margaret Fay, a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor based in St. Louis, Missouri, with a practice rooted in the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Since 2014, she has guided adolescents and adults through anxiety, trauma, and life transitions using approaches like Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and Polyvagal-informed therapy.    Her work invites clients to explore deep self-awareness, healing, and meaning - often at the intersection of psychology and spirituality. Outside of her practice, Margaret finds joy in time with her family, the beauty of the natural world, and the quiet comfort of simple rituals, like a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She joins me today to reflect on inner transformation and the spiritual dimensions of emotional healing.    To learn more about Margaret: https://www.stl-ccc.org/margaret-fay-mac-plpc         Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y    

Welcome to the final episode in our series George MacDonald for Every Generation.     Joining me today is Stephanie Staples, a Nashville based singer-songwriter. Stephanie has spent over half of her life writing, recording and sharing her songs all over the world.      She has recorded ten full-length records and multiple EP's. Stephanie's studio albums tell part of her story but it is in her live performances that she truly shines, captivating audiences and fostering a reflective and prayerful atmosphere. She pours the full depth of her life experiences into her music and never shys away from the suffering and dark times but always reflects a light that persists through it all.     Stephanie's music can be found everywhere. Check out the links below to listen!   Https://www.stephaniestaples.com   Https://www.youtube.com/@stephaniestaplesmusic       Connect with Derek Holser: Twitter/X: https://X.com/derekholser TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser   New Book! Lightglider Origins - Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y  

Welcome to Episode Seven in our series George MacDonald for Every Generation.Joining me is a father-daughter duo: Erik Ritschard and Jenni Cannariato. We discuss growing up in a MacDonald-enriched household, and the power of the legacy of a healthy an loving image of our heavenly father.      Erik is a lifetime educator who's taught "just about every subject offered." Now Head of Schools at Grace Cascade Christian Schools in Medford, Oregon, Erik and his wife Jani enjoy dogs, goats, working at school, getting out the the coast as often as possible, and of course re-reading some George MacDonald from time to time. Both consider their five children and eight grandchildren among their greatest joys and blessings, and both point to Jesus as their perfect Father and Good Shepherd.      Jenni spends her days raising three rambunctious and creative boys. In the small spare moments, she works as a freelance editor, helping authors of all backgrounds polish and develop their writing. If there's any time remaining, you can find her reading a good book, lingering over a cup of coffee with her husband, or whipping up something tasty in the kitchen.     📲 Connect with Derek Holser: 🐦 Twitter / X: https://X.com/derekholser 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@derekholser 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplungewithderekholser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekholser 📚 New Book! Lightgliders ➡ Grab it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bDvRc0Y