Hope is Kindled
A podcast devoted to the way stories shape us, sharpen us, and sometimes… save us.
Hope is Kindled is a literary podcast that explores classic and powerful works of literature through the lens of self-discovery, moral reflection, and enduring hope. Each episode delves into a single book, essay, or story, examining its themes, characters, and psychological depth, and connects it to timeless questions about the human condition.
What makes the podcast unique is its blend of literary criticism and warmth. It uses biographical, psychological, and historical criticism, along with personal reflection and cultural commentary—including references to Doctor Who, The Muppets, and classic film.
Please let us know what you think of our episodes, if you have any ideas for future episodes or to share your experiences looking searching for hope in the literary world.
Hope is Kindled
The Metamorphosis
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Our journey begins here—with Kafka’s haunting masterpiece The Metamorphosis. This isn’t just the first episode of Hope is Kindled—it’s the foundation of everything that follows. Gregor Samsa’s shocking transformation into a monstrous insect has long been read as bleak, alienating, and absurd. But through our lens of critical hope, we uncover something deeper: a reflection of the human condition that challenges us to look for resilience, connection, and meaning even in the darkest corners of literature.
Why start here? Because Kafka forces us to confront despair head-on, and in doing so, he teaches us how to search for glimmers of hope where they seem most absent. In this episode, we introduce the way we approach every text on this podcast: not by ignoring the pain and suffering it portrays, but by examining it until we find within it a call to courage, empathy, and growth.
If you’re new to Hope is Kindled, this episode is your key to understanding our perspective and mission: that even the most unsettling stories can reveal sparks of hope powerful enough to illuminate the human spirit.
