Best Nicholas Kotar Podcasts (2025)

1
The Mossy Face of Christ with Dr. Martin Shaw

9h ago

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We’re joined by mythologist, storyteller, and seanchaí Dr. Martin Shaw. With him, we explore traditional storytelling, hear timeless tales, and search for the “mossy face of Christ” hidden in the wild edges of myth and memory.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Medieval Bestiary Introduction (ft. Aaron Irber) 51:30

1d ago51:30

51:30

This is a solo episode where I discuss medieval bestiaries and announce a new project I have been working on. I discuss animal symbolism, how Medieval bestiaries depicted animals, and the stories behind them. There are supposed to be pictures with this episode so check out the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/h06opKxl444 ***********************…

1
Lafferty's Fourth Mansions (ft. Gregorio Montejo) 1:25:06

17d ago1:25:06

1:25:06

How the heck do I describe this book? In 1969, R. A. Lafferty wrote a novel. In it, he combined the spirituality of St. Theresa of Avila, conspiracy theories, immortal frog-men, psychic brain powers based on the ideas of the French paleontologist priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, badgers, modernist painters, and much, much more. Reading a Laffert…

1
How I’m Building the Next Inklings | Fantasy Publishing Behind the Scenes 24:44

18d ago24:44

24:44

Greetings, fellow fantasy fanatics and lore lovers! 🧙‍♂️✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the mystical curtain of indie fantasy publishing? In this rare “Craftsman’s Workshop” livestream, I reveal all the spellbinding chaos of my publishing plans for 2025 and beyond—straight from my candle-lit scriptorium (okay, maybe just my desk, but still magi…

1
Don't Look Back

21d ago

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The Great Tales hosts prepare for the Church’s harrowing of Hades by examining another famous descensus ad infernos, the story of Orpheus and the underworld. They’ll also briefly talk about how the Church Fathers refer to him as the “first theologian” of the Greeks.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Kebra Negast: The Glory of Kings (Part 2)

28d ago

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Richard and Fr. Andrew continue their discussion of he Kebra Negast, which tells the story of how the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia and hidden there, waiting for the revelation of the Incarnation.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Till We Have Faces (ft. Annie Crawford) 1:35:17

1M ago1:35:17

1:35:17

A myth retold. This book is C. S. Lewis at his most mature, and he considered it to be his favorite of his own works. Many readers find it to be a difficult book and hard to decipher. What is the story of Cupid and Psyche and how is Lewis retelling it? Teacher and Lewis scholar, Annie Crawford, joins the show to discuss all of this and more. Follow…

1
What If Aliens Were Catholic? w/ M.R. Leonard 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

Imagine this: Catholic aliens show up on Earth, but instead of demanding our surrender, they want to set up a Mass. Yep, you heard that right. In today’s conversation, I sit down with debut author M.R. Leonard, the brilliant mind behind Pilgrims, a sci-fi novel that reimagines St. Augustine’s Confessions with aliens, interstellar drama, and a heart…

1
Kebra Negast: The Glory of Kings (Part 1) [Ep. 10]

2M ago

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The Kebra Negast is set within the frame narrative about the debate of the true glory of kings held at the First Council of Nicaea, it tells the story of how the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia and hidden there, waiting for the revelation of the Incarnation.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Consolation of Grimdark: Why This Failed Quest Was More Satisfying Than Victory 22:39

2M ago22:39

22:39

Today, we embark on a perilous journey into the world of Grimdark fantasy, where heroes are fools, victories are tragic, and morality is as murky as a tavern’s back alley. After years of avoiding the genre, I finally took the plunge and read Joe Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged—the second book in The First Law trilogy. And what did I discover? …

1
The Epic of Keret

2M ago

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King Keret, son of the great god El, has been widowed and lost all his children, and he fears the extinction of his house. Fr. Stephen De Young joins the podcast to discuss this ancient Ugaritic epic, lost in the Syrian desert for over 3,000 years.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Magic in Middle Earth (ft. Richard Rohlin) 1:24:34

2M ago1:24:34

1:24:34

How does magic work in The Lord of the Rings? Does Tolkien have a "magic system?" Richard Rohlin returns to the show to discuss how Tolkien uses magic in his Legendarium. This is a continuation to our previous episode on magic systems in fantasy. Follow Richard Rohlin on Twitter.com @richardrohlin ***************************************************…

1
Cinema as Sacred Art: Why Tolkien’s World Needs Wes Anderson’s Touch w/ Reno Lauro 56:21

2M ago56:21

56:21

🎥 Ever wondered if The Lord of the Rings could feel both quirky and profound? Could Wes Anderson bring Tolkien’s world to life with meticulously composed shots, nostalgic hues, and objects that practically whisper stories of their own? In this week’s deep dive, I sit down with Reno Lauro—a cinephile, scholar, and someone who’s worked with none othe…

1
O Honeybees (ft. Salvator R. Tarnmoor) 1:28:09

3M ago1:28:09

1:28:09

In this episode, I get to discuss two of my favorite things: bees and mythology. Salvator R. Tarnmoor, or Ludovico Ambrosius when he is writing, joins the show to discuss his recent collection of poems on honeybees. This anthology collects poems from authors thousands of years apart and includes selections on bees from Virgil, Homer, Shakespeare, E…

1
Beowulf: An Enochic Apocalypse

3M ago

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The great Old English poem ‘Beowulf’ is one of the most intriguing and gripping stories from the early English Christian world. What few people know, however, is that this story about giants has roots in a much older apocalyptic tale – the Book of Enoch.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
A Dune Deep Dive w/ Richard Rohlin : Paul Atreides, Duncan Idaho, and Hollywood’s Religious Problem 49:23

3M ago49:23

49:23

At the time of this recording, it was my birthday, and - in true Hobbit fashion - I'm giving YOU the gift of diving into the vast deserts of Dune with the always insightful Richard Rohlin! In this impromptu episode, we’re unpacking Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films—praising the awe-inspiring visuals, iconic performances, and meticulous attention to det…

1
The Quest is Achieved (Grail Part 2)

3M ago

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The Great Tales continues the discussion of the Holy Grail in the story of Perceval. What does it actually mean to achieve the quest of the Holy Grail? And who may achieve it?By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Surviving the Dark Forest: Lessons from Liu Cixin's Sci-Fi Masterpiece 33:14

3M ago33:14

33:14

What if the universe isn’t just vast and indifferent but actively hostile—a cosmic battlefield where silence is survival? Welcome, friends, to an exploration of The Dark Forest, the second volume in Liu Cixin’s masterful Three-Body Problem series. 🌠 In this episode, we journey into a future where humanity faces an alien threat so advanced they can …

1
Who Serves the Grail? (Part 1)

3M ago

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Arthur, King of the Britons, is the matter of the greatest of all Christian legends in the English language, and at the height of those legends is the Holy Grail. What exactly is this holy object? Did it ever come to England? And what does it mean to the Arthur legendarium?By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
The Loser, the Robot, and the Antichrist (ft. E. L. Brooks) 1:29:28

4M ago1:29:28

1:29:28

Almost all books are stupid, or else they are too smart. If you think so too, then this guest's books may be just right for you! Poet and novelist, E. L. Brooks, joins the show to discuss his two books, Phineiad: A Brief History of the Future, and The Loser, the Robot, and the Antichrist. If you enjoy online peasant romance, the death worship of im…

1
Inside the Kotarverse: Slow Productivity & Stories Worth Dying For 50:02

4M ago50:02

50:02

This is a special repost of one of my Craftsman’s Workshop Patreon streams, where I dive deep into a pivotal question: What makes a story truly life-giving? 🌱 Join me as I open up about how storytelling keeps us grounded, and share thoughts on what it means to build a meaningful creative life amidst a chaotic world. We cover everything from my evol…

1
The Wondrous Queen and the Chestnut Roan - with Dcn. Nicholas Kotar

4M ago

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Fantasy novelist and Russian language translator Dcn. Nicholas Kotar introduces two Russian fairy tales: “Marya Morevna, the Wondrous Queen” and “The Chestnut Roan.”By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Cantos of Arcadia: Crafting America’s Post-Apocalyptic Myth 42:46

4M ago42:46

42:46

🔥 Imagine America’s collapse into myth. Today, we’re exploring “Cantos of Arcadia”—my sci-fi project that merges epic story, future-archaeology, and existential dread. This is the story behind the story, the uncharted process of weaving America’s “what if” into a future epic that merges apocalyptic ruin with ancient myth. Expect discussions on myth…

1
All Giants from Ymir Come (Prose Edda introduction)

4M ago

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The Eddas are the two great sources for Norse mythology. In this episode, Fr. Andrew and Richard introduce the Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson, the 13th-century Icelandic historian, poet and politician.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Canon in Sci-Fi? The Case for Shards of Honor and The Vorkosigan Saga 📚 32:09

5M ago32:09

32:09

Join me as I dive into Shards of Honor, the first book in The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold! 🚀💫 From the depths of autocratic heroism to the ideals of speculative fiction, we'll explore it all: grimdark versus high fantasy ⚔️, reflections on repressive political systems 🛡️, and the intrigue of intergalactic escapades 🌌. If you’ve ever won…

1
IMBIF Bookclub 6 - The Place of the Lion by Charles Williams 1:36:27

5M ago1:36:27

1:36:27

This is the final episode of the The Year of Our Lord, 2024. We are concluding this year with a bookclub discussion of The Place of the Lion by Charles Williams. Williams was a member of the literary group, The Inklings, and friends with both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Prior to meeting these literary giants, Williams published The Place of t…

1
In the Realms of Gold (Iliad Introduction Part 2)

5M ago

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Fr. Andrew and Richard conclude their first look at the Iliad, one of the foundational stories of Western civilization, discussing not only the basics for understanding the poem but also why it’s been so enduring for so much of human historyBy Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Adrian Tchaikovsky on Giant Spiders, Sci-Fi, and the Unexpected Success of Children of Time 43:38

5M ago43:38

43:38

Welcome, fellow book lovers and sci-fi enthusiasts! In this video, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with none other than Adrian Tchaikovsky—an international sensation and the brilliant mind behind Children of Time. This conversation is a treat as we dive into Adrian’s creative journey, his love for speculative fiction, and, of course, how a…

1
Sing the Rage (Iliad Introduction Part 1)

5M ago

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Fr. Andrew and Richard Rohlin take their first look at the Iliad, one of the foundational stories of Western civilization, and offer clues and insights as to how we should approach this daunting poem.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
The Art of Fantasy, Grimdark, and Tolkien’s Vision: Why We Keep Escaping Into These Worlds 39:11

6M ago39:11

39:11

Hello, fellow wanderers! 🌟 In this video, we’re diving deep into the heart of fantasy and the curious intersection between Grimdark and Tolkien’s mythopoetic storytelling. Yes, you heard that right—me, the self-professed Grimdark skeptic, is about to unpack this genre that I once claimed was something we should avoid (gasp!). But things have change…

1
Why We Hate Magic Systems (ft. Christopher Ruocchio, Nicholas Kotar, & Richard Rohlin) 1:24:39

6M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

This was a really great episode! Richard Rohlin, Deacon Nicholas Kotar, and Christopher Ruocchio join the show to discuss magic in fantasy fiction. What is magic? What are magic systems? How has the portrayal of magic changed in the last several decades? How do different authors approach magic in their books? What do liturgy and poetry have to do w…

1
St. Basil and the Pagans

6M ago

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Myths, legends, and lore are part of Christian tradition. Historically, Christians read and used even the mythology of paganism. In this inaugural episode of The Great Tales, Fr. Andrew and Richard discuss what St. Basil the Great has to teach us about reading pagan myth.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin

1
Human-centric Sci Fi vs Lovecraftian Nightmares w/ Richard Rohlin 1:19:45

6M ago1:19:45

1:19:45

Hey dear friends! In this video, Richard and I dive deep into the evolving worlds of science fiction and fantasy. From Tolkien's carefully restrained magic to today's cosmic horror and existential threats, we explore how modern storytellers like Adrian Tchaikovsky are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human in a vast, often terrifying u…

1
Werewolves & Leprechauns (ft. Eleanor Bourg Nicholson) 1:52:34

6M ago1:52:34

1:52:34

Happy Halloween! In this episode, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson returns to the show to have a conversation about werewolves, leprechauns, and folklore. We discuss her two books with Chrism Press, Brother Wolf and Wake of Malice. Is there a basis for the werewolf legend? What does folklore have to do with Christianity? Is it good, bad, or a bit of both? W…

1
Moralizing Ovid (ft. Sarah-Jane Murray) 1:36:31

7M ago1:36:31

1:36:31

Ovid was a Roman poet who wrote a 15-book catalogue that came to be known as The Metamorphosis. The stories are all based on Greek and Roman mythology and most consist in some sort of grotesque physical transformation as a result of the antics of the pagan gods. Ovid became so popular in Christian culture that there developed an entire mythographic…

1
Hieroglyphics by Arthur Machen (ft. Christopher Tompkins) 1:44:19

8M ago1:44:19

1:44:19

Christopher Tompkins (Darkly Bright Press) returns to the show to discuss the literary theories of horror author, Arthur Machen. Machen wrote about his views of literature in many places, but most extensively in his book, Hieroglyphics. We discuss Machen's ideas, his view on ecstasy, and why he considers Homer to be Fine Literature, but not Jane Au…

1
IMBIF Book Club 5 - A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. 1:45:19

8M ago1:45:19

1:45:19

The 2024 book club continues! In this episode, we discuss A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. This book is a classic science fiction story and a masterpiece. Miller explores a post-apocalyptic America through the eyes of an order of Catholic monks in the Utah desert. These monks try to keep the flame of knowledge alive by preserving an…

1
That Hideous Strength (fr. Andrew Snyder) 2:00:41

9M ago2:00:41

2:00:41

This episode is the third and final in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I discuss the third book, That Hideous Strength. We cover multiple topics including marriage, sexuality, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, Arthurian magic, and more!…

1
Perelandra (ft. Andrew Snyder) 1:39:31

10M ago1:39:31

1:39:31

This episode is the second in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I discuss the second book, Perelandra. We cover multiple themes including Lewis' thoughts on pleasure, demonic possession and temptation, and Myth Becoming Fact. Some…

1
Out of the Silent Planet (ft. Andrew Snyder) 1:29:32

11M ago1:29:32

1:29:32

This episode will be the first in a trilogy where Andrew Snyder, from The Mythic Mind Legacy Podcast, and I discuss each book in C. S. Lewis' "Ransom Trilogy." In this episode, Andrew and I dive deeply into the first book, Out of the Silent Planet. We discuss Lewis' love of what he calls "The Medieval Model" and how he reinvigorates that conception…

1
IMBIF Book Club 4 - Eifelheim by Michael Flynn 1:45:03

12M ago1:45:03

1:45:03

We have begun our book club discussions for 2024! In this episode, we discuss Eifelheim by Michael Flynn. Eifelheim is a classic clash of cultures story where a Medieval village is visited by stranded aliens. We discussed the themes of the book as well as a lot of the history, science, and theology behind it. Mr. Flynn died a few months ago, so ple…

1
Flower World and True Myth (ft. Joseph & Monique González) 1:22:41

1y ago1:22:41

1:22:41

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a special one for me. Every year, I learn something new and am able to dive deeper into this miraculous event. This year, I had the pleasure of reading a new book called Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy: How God Prepared the Americas for Conversion Before the Lady Appeared from Sophia Institute Press. Th…

1
Beneath the Silent Heavens (ft. Jonathan Geltner & Gregorio Montejo) 1:51:48

1y ago1:51:48

1:51:48

Both Jonathan Geltner (Absolute Music) and Gregorio Montejo (In a Green Tree) return as guests to discuss the 2019 book, Beneath the Silent Heavens, by Brian Christopher Moore. Nested in the discussion of the book, we also discussed typology vs allegory, Noe's Ark, Medieval Mystery Plays, the Welsh poet David Jones, the French poet Charles Péguy, t…

1
The Devil's Dictum (ft. Frederick Gero Heimbach) 1:33:13

1y ago1:33:13

1:33:13

Indie author Frederick Gero Heimbach joins the show to discuss his first novel, The Devil's Dictum. This is a story unlike anything you've read before. This is an alternate America founded by evil, satanic pirates where Richard Nixon is one of the good guys in a giant robot suit. If that doesn't grab your attention, then I can't help you. Twitter: …

1
Trailer for The Great Tales

1y ago

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A new live show from Ancient Faith Radio. Join Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Richard Rohlin this coming fall as they examine the legends and stories that continue to remain relevant to the Christian Church today. The live edition of this show will air on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 2pm Eastern / 11am Pacific.…

1
Twilight of the Godlings (ft. Francis Young) 1:18:51

1y ago1:18:51

1:18:51

What are the British supernatural beings known as fairies? Where do they come from? Are they diminutive pagan gods or something else? Scholar and folklorist, Francis Young, addresses all of these questions in his new book, Twilight of the Godlings: The Shadowy Beginnings of Britain's Supernatural Beings. This show wouldn't live up to its name if we…

1
Lagomorph Warrior (ft. Donald Jacob Uitvlugt) 1:17:53

1+ y ago1:17:53

1:17:53

What exactly is a lagomorph and why do they make interesting characters? Donald Jacob Uitvlugt joins the show to discuss lagomorphs, worldships, Chinese culture, and his book, Jiao Tu's Endeavour: A Furry Sci-Fi Adventure. Donald's website can be found here: jiaotusendeavour.wordpress.com Follow Donald on Twitter as well: @jiaotuwuku for Jiao Tu sp…

1
Gene Wolfe (ft. Marc Aramini) 1:35:05

1+ y ago1:35:05

1:35:05

The time has come for the first episode on Gene Wolfe! Wolfe scholar Marc Aramini joins the show to discuss this amazingly unique author. We talked about Wolfe's life, his major themes, how he uses sexuality in his fiction, his intense fan base and much more. Enjoy! Marc Aramini's Books: Between Light and Shadow: An Exploration of the Fiction of Ge…

1
Repenting Demons and Twitter Nonsense (ft. Isaac Young) 1:16:39

1+ y ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Isaac Young joins the show to discuss modern depictions of angels and demons and whether or not demons can repent. We also discuss horror movies, Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Elden Ring and more. Follow Isaac on Twitter @HariSel57511397 Links: The Matrioshka Divide by Isaac Young https://www.amazon.com/Matrioshka-Divide-Isaac-Young-ebook/dp/B0…

1
Cauldron of Story Ep. 1 The Frog Prince (ft. Rachel Irber) 48:57

1+ y ago48:57

48:57

I am introducing a new patron only series called Cauldron of Story where I read and discuss a fairy tale with my wife, Rachel Irber. In this first episode, Rachel and I discuss The Frog Prince, the first story in the Grimm's fairy tale collection. We start with an introduction to the series and then jump right into the story. Future episodes will b…

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Nicholas Kotar Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen