Making Friends With George MacDonald

Dan and James talk with Jess Lederman, author, George MacDonald enthusiast, and founder of WorksOfMacDonald.com. We discuss how Jess discovered MacDonald, MacDonald's theology - and how it differs from that of C.S. Lewis, why Jess create the www.worksofmacdonald.com website, Jess’ publishing of new editions of MacDonald's books and also MacDonald-related books, and Jess shares of one of his favorite passages from What's Mine's Mine. Visit Works of MacDonald if you have not before done so: www.worksofmacdonald.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dale, Dan and James discuss some of the more notable relationships in the novel Donal Grant. Discussion includes examination of how Donal approaches his first meetings with other characters of the book, how he sets boundaries in those relationships, and how this may be indicative of how George MacDonald approached relationships himself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dale, Dan and James chat with author Justin Wiggins. The discussion includes the following topics: how Justin discovered Lewis and MacDonald through music, Justin's love of all things Celtic, Justin's spiritual journey, several references to Princess and Curdie, Lewis' references to George MacDonald, striving for agape love, reading Phantastes, discussion of Lilith, some of Justin’s writing, and story telling. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dale and James discuss reading the Unspoken Sermons. The discussion includes: how to read and what it’s like to read the sermons, how the sermons are about relationships, an outline of what the sermons are, some thoughts about some favorite parts of the sermons. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dale, Dan and James are joined by friend Mercedes for a discussion about how she found George MacDonald’s works, why she loves them and what impacts they have had on her life. This was a long discussion (2 hrs 40 minutes, edited down to 1 hr 50 minutes) that we are sure most listeners will find insightful, entertaining and inspiring. Topics covered include: wise women, love, beauty, obedience, George as an antidote to popular culture, women characters, courtship, what’s wrong with George MacDonald fans, what makes stories true, who reads George MacDonald, and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dan, Dale and James discuss the types of characters that recur frequently in George MacDonald’s stories. We presume that this conversation may be something of a foundation for possible future episodes where we discuss particular character types in more detail. Please pardon the “clicking” noise in the audio of this episode. Dale’s microphone had technical difficulties, and while we edited out quite a bit of the noise, it’s still there. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

In this episode, Dr. Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson provides us with a great biography of George MacDonald, an overview of who and what influenced his life and writing, and what impacts and influences he had on other writers. You can find more from Kirstin on her website here: https://www.kirstinjeffreyjohnson.com/ NOTES: Episode Outline: From 0:00 - 43:51 - Kirstin gives us a biography of George From 43:51 - 1:32:05 - Kirstin shares more information about the influences of and on George, and discusses England’s Antiphon Dan would like to share that the “Here I am send me” Isaiah verse is also a huge verse in his own life and has shaped his entire adult journey. Fisk singers, comprised of black singers have a fascinating history. They were once performing and the lights went out. One of the singers hollered out “We’re all black now!” GM saw them perform both in America and England. For more information on them go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sb0h8 Kirsten’s dissertation is available to read at https://www.kirstinjeffreyjohnson.com/copy-of-articles-chapters-1 Illustrated Lilith is available at https://www.amazon.com/Lilith-Unabridged-Illustrated-Extensive-Introduction/dp/B0BFTMJVHS/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=george+macdonald+lilith+kirstin&qid=1694994467&sr=8-3 The Fantasy Makers may be found here https://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Makers-Tolkien-Lewis-MacDonald/dp/B07H4FBHPB The Golden Key Graphic Novel can be found here https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/the-golden-key?_pos=2&_sid=c7b2c2698&_ss=r&variant=40189094592599 The Light Princess graphic novel can be found here https://www.amazon.com/Light-Princess-1-George-MacDonald-ebook/dp/B07PF599PN Movies/comics drive readership so please explore these options both for yourselves and for introducing others to George MacDonald This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com

Dan, Dale and James introduce themselves, explain what the podcast is about, share why they are interested in and what they love about George MacDonald’s writing. Share a few quotes. We also explain what to expect in future episodes (discussions, interviews, etc.). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit makingfriendswithgeorgemacdonald.substack.com