LifeCraft Read-Alouds
LifeCraft presents you stories and essays that inform and challenge the mind, feed the soul, and warm the heart. We uncover little known treasures and bring back neglected classics to offer you a variety of joyful and life-changing perspectives. Presented with clarity and passion, these recordings are perfect for your morning commute or a fireside family gathering. Keep checking back for new offerings.
Episodes
45 episodes
[Wildlife Essay] The Song Sparrow by John James Audubon
One of America’s greatest naturalists gave unforgettable descriptions of our native birds. These are shot through with a sense of wonder and provide an accessible sketch that moves us to closer observation for ourselves. Listen to what he says ...
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6:34
[Short Story] The Peddler of Ballaghadereen - Retold by Ruth Sawyer
In this classic and fetching Irish story we have opportunity to reflect on what really matters in life.
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15:12
[Philosophy] Aristotle on Contemplation and Happiness
In one of the most striking passages in the history of philosophy we see Aristotle’s conviction that happiness consists most in contemplation. This gives much food for thought regarding our deepest longings and a divine plan for their fulfillme...
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10:01
[Wildlife Essay] The Northern Cardinal by John James Audubon
The Northern Cardinal by John James Audubon. One of America’s greatest naturalists gave unforgettable descriptions of our native birds. These are shot through with a sense of wonder and move us to closer observation for ourselves
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8:36
[Short Story] The Atheist by Walter Macken
Beautiful and challenging, touching and provocative, this story of a sickly yet soulful boy is sure to move you, and get you thinking. Can be suitable for all ages, but with guidance/discussion for the young.
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23:39
[Essay] Cheese by GK Chesterton
This light-hearted essay penned in 1910 offers a perspective on cheese and the whole realm of eating prior to the industrialization of food production.
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8:22
[Short Story] On Coming to an End by Hilaire Belloc
This is a classic Belloc essay that intertwines the mundane and the transcendent, finding in everyday life echoes of our ultimate human destiny.
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12:05
[Excerpt] Grizzlebeard Tell of His First Love - from The Four Men by Hilaire Belloc
A classic account of a man's first love from one of Belloc’s best novels.
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15:05
[Spiritual] Blind Bartimaeus Encounters the Lord - excerpt from The Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, v.2, by Alban Goodier, S.J.
This is a meditative and deeply sensitive retelling of one of the Lord’s most moving miracles.
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17:39
[Excerpt from a Classic] Treasure Island: Jim’s Moment of Heroism
A short excerpt from the classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. Here is a thirteen year old boy at his best, who keeps his word come what may.
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12:10
[Excerpt from a Classic] Cardinal Federigo Borromeo from The Bethrothed by Allesandro Manzoni
A short excerpt from The Betrothed, the classic Italian novel by Alessandro Manzoni. This is a moving account of the encounter of the holy prelate (based on the real nephew of St. Charles) with the notorious Unnamed outlaw—a striking i...
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21:16
[Short Story] The Juggler of Notre Dame
This version of this wonderful short story from France is retold by Ruth Sawyer in The Way of the Storyteller. A story of faith for the whole family.
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17:16
[Short Story] The Deserted Mine, A Russian story (in the style of Leo Tolstoy) retold by Ruth Sawyer
This is a bracing and beautiful story of faith from the mines of Russia.
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18:06
[Spiritual] The Common Good Makes It All Worthwhile: Excerpt from The Living Water by Pierre-Thomas Dehau, O.P.,
This short excerpt from a twentieth century French Dominican gives a profound new perspective on life. Seeing oneself as part of a divinely ordained symphony reveals both the agony and the incomparable glory of human life.
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7:21
[Excerpt from a Classic] The Little Prince and the Fox from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This is one of the most memorable and poignant encounters in this beloved book—the most translated book ever, outside of the Bible. It offers insights into human nature, friendship, and life in the modern world.
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10:16
[Short Story Excerpt] The Wedding Call from The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy
This is a striking and moving account of an age-old Magyar wedding tradition. The Singing Tree is the sequel to The Good Master, both classic books about tradition-rich rural life in early twentieth century Hungary.
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18:49
[Short Story] Home by Hilaire Belloc
This beautiful short story from the French countryside is sure to provoke much reflection and conversation. One of the most powerful of Belloc’s stories.
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21:50
[History] The Three Hundred Spartans at Thermopylae; excerpt from The Histories by Herodotus
This is the classic account of one of the greatest feats of military bravery in the annals of history. It never fails to amaze.
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24:38
[Short Story: Comedy] The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
Written by one of the great American short story authors, this is a classic comedy about a kidnapping that goes awry. Perfect for an all-ages listen.
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25:01
[Philosophy] Plato's Cave
The Cave is the most memorable and influential image in the history of philosophy. This excerpt from Plato’s Republic is worth returning to again and again to savor the layers of meaning in this image that takes us to the heart of the ...
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17:23
[Spiritual] The Excellence of Eternal Wisdom, an excerpt from The Love of Eternal Wisdom by St. Louis de Montfort
This inspiring chapter from a spiritual classic uses the Old Testament book of Wisdom to highlight the beauty of Eternal Wisdom and point to how He comes to those who fittingly seek Him.
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10:37
[History] Husband, Father, Lover of Children - excerpt from All Things for Good: The Steadfast Fidelity of Stonewall Jackson by J. Steven Wilkins
Among the greatest military geniuses in history, Stonewall Jackson was a man whose private life rewards a closer look. This excerpt provides a heartwarming and uplifting window into his firm convictions and steady practices about things that ma...
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15:56
[Essays] Work, Spare Time, and Leisure by Josef Pieper
In this little gem Thomistic philosopher Josef Pieper sorts out with characteristic clarity the three concepts that express the main contours of truly human life. And in doing so, he offers us a foundation for real self-examination and improvem...
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23:14
[Essays] Learning How to See Again by Joseph Pieper
In this classic essay, Josef Pieper offers a powerful warning (already some 70 years ago!) that common practices are subtly but surely threatening our very humanity, by blinding us to the world around us.
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9:38
[Excerpt from a Classic] Pericles Funeral Oration as reported by Thucydides
One of the most famous speeches in the history of western civilization, this classic is a masterpiece of rhetoric that paints an unforgettable portrait of the ancient city of Athens, and the men who died in her defense.
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24:15