Beyond the Walls Book Podcast
Step into the world of timeless tales and literary treasures with "Beyond the Walls," a podcast that invites you to explore the profound wisdom and enduring relevance of classic books. Hosted by Bet LaPointe, who has been on her own decade-long journey through the annals of literature, this podcast is your key to unlocking the secrets and insights hidden within the pages of old, beloved books.
J.R.R. Tolkien once said, "Fairy tales do not deny the existence of sorrow and failure; they give a fleeting glimpse of joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief." In each episode, we take you on a journey beyond those walls to discover the joy, wisdom, and timeless lessons these books offer.
This is for anyone with a thirst for knowledge, a love for literature, and a desire to grow through the wisdom of authors long gone. If you're looking to curate a personal reading list that enriches your mind and soul, "Beyond the Walls" is your guide.
Join us as we delve into the essence of classic literature, one book at a time, and uncover the threads that connect these stories to our lives today. Let's embark on a literary adventure together and find the joy that lies beyond the walls.
Episodes
71 episodes
Definitions and Suggestions
Tonight's episode is a continuation of the thoughts from last week. I've attempted to clarify better what I mean by old books, and I've also included some modern reading recommendations.
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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22:11
The Case for Old Books
Tonight's episode walks through C.S. Lewis's reasons to read old books followed by mine. I don't believe my argument is fully fleshed out and next week I hope to have more details, definitions, and maybe even some book suggestions, so please ch...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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26:02
An Indispensable Instrument
Tonight we explore what C.S. Lewis says about true readers in the book C.S.Lewis The Reading Life.
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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23:04
Storytellers Rule Society
Why do we read stories? Why are they so important to how we live our lives? Tonight's episode explores what some of the great writers thought of stories and the capability of books to enlarge our minds and souls.
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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23:26
Everything on a Waffle
In 2002 Everything on a Waffle was a runner up to the Newbery Medal. In tonight's episode we'll explore what makes this offbeat story of a little girl in a tiny Canadian fishing town full of quirky characters a potential clas...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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24:28
Bridge to Growing Up
We all have a growing-up journey. And some children's books capture the essence of that journey so much better than others. Bridge to Terebithia, based on a real-life experience of the author's, is one of those precious stories that fu...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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22:41
A Rabbit Hill Worldview
The books that win the Newbery Medal are widely varied. In 1945 near the end of World War II a little book about animals and humans living in harmony won the coveted prize. Even though Rabbit Hill is geared to very young children more ...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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23:53
The Runaways
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was one of my favorite books when I was young. The story stands the test of time, and I found it just as enjoyable to read as an adult. Tonight, I explore the relevance of this tale ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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17:19
Caddie Woodlawn
Caddie's story is a beautiful slice of 19th century Americana. Though she lived more than 150 years ago, tonight's episode looks at how her childhood experiences still feel relatable today.
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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23:52
Setting the Standard
The winner of the 1990 Newbery Award was Number the Stars. While not entirely a true story, it does include the historic event of the people of Denmark protecting their Jewish friends during World War II. What was the influen...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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23:41
Weight of Freedom
The book Amos Fortune, Free Man recounts the true story an African prince, sold as a slave, who buys his own freedom, and becomes the first benefactor of his town of Jaffery, NH. What can this story reveal to us about how we ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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26:36
Carry On
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a beautiful book for children. Tonight's episode looks at why children and even adults can benefit from reading about the life of the great American navigator, Nathaniel Bowditch.
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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26:13
Color of Thoughts
"The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts." -Marcus AureliusTonight's episode is the beginning of an exploration about what happens when you change the ty...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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22:34
Deep Heaven Descends
The end is near as Merlin, carrying the power of the planets, enters Belbury to bring confusion and chaos to the workers of darkness. Lewis called this a fairy tale, but does it end with a "happily ever after" for Mark and Jane?
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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23:49
A Man of Straw
The trap around Mark is tightening and the plans of Belbury are coming to a climax. What is it that Mark's missing that has allowed him to be so taken in, and how will he find his way out?
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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26:06
Merlin
The tensions grow as Edgestow is invaded by the N.I.C.E. and the company at St Anne's searches for the only one who can help them.
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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30:36
Mr. Fisher-King
Tonight, we learn more about Ransom's back story in That Hideous Strength. Things have changed a bit for him since Perelandra. Who does Lewis want him to represent in this book? How do we expect his little band of followers to...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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25:15
Stuck in a Spider's Web
Things are getting sticky for Mark at the NICE, but sadly he doesn't see how he's being manipulated. Meanwhile, Jane is having even more vivid dreams. What will be the final dream that pushes her to the company at St Anne's for safety?
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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27:30
War of Words
Tonight's episode follows Jane and Mark as they travel separate roads leading them to the opposite sides of a cultural war. The world Mark is entering is full of vagueness, euphemisms, and uncertainty. Meanwhile Jane is drawn into a group that ...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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31:37
A Fairy Tale
Tonight is our first look at That Hideous Strength, the third and final book in the Ransom Trilogy. We'll explore the setting and meet the important characters. Two big questions to be answered right away are, who are the players in th...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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25:49
Blessed Be He
Tonight, we follow Ransom to the garden at top of the mountain and the coronation of the King and Queen of Perelandra. We will look closely at the parallels between Dante's Purgatorio and Lewis's Perelandra and see how Love is...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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31:59
From the Garden to the Cave
Tonight's episode follows Ransom through his inner battle to surrender to his calling. And once he surrenders the entire story turns. The battle with the Un-man extends beyond the island world and into the depths of a mountain. A mountain that ...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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36:18
Dualism
Weston has arrived on Perelandra and it's everything Ransom can do to keep him from corrupting the Green Lady. This week we'll look at Weston's motives and what or who is helping him wreak havoc on this new world.Books I'm using to under...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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28:51
An Unfathomable Task
Ransom has landed in a new world. Venus is a paradise of green seas and soft floating islands. The only inhabitants of this land are the Green Lady and a missing king. Life seems perfect on Perelandra and Ransom wants to see it stay that way. W...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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29:00
The Pulse of Perelandra
Tonight's episode is a brief overview of the second book in the Ransom Trilogy, Perelandra. Written in 1943, Lewis published this book when he was 45. Some consider it his best work. We will take this book slowly and do our best to explore the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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24:35