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 Demons
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In this intense and prophetic episode of Hope is Kindled, we confront the ideological chaos of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Demons (also known as The Possessed). Through a blend of political, psychological, and spiritual analysis, we examine how radical ideas, when untethered from morality, can lead to destruction and despair. Exploring characters like Stavrogin and Shatov, and Dostoevsky’s critique of nihilism, we reflect on the dangers of extremism — and the fragile hope that still flickers amid ruin.
