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
Don Quixote
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The Mad Knight and the Impossible Dream
Grab your lance (or broomstick), strap on that dented colander, and saddle up your trusty steed—even if he’s more broom than stallion. In this episode of Hope is Kindled, we ride alongside the magnificent madman of La Mancha himself: Don Quixote! Equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and weirdly inspiring, Cervantes' Don Quixote is more than the world’s first modern novel—it’s a love letter to impossible dreams, stubborn optimism, and the glorious art of refusing to stay in bed when the world knocks you down.
We explore everything from Quixote’s chivalric delusions to his undeniable wisdom, from the tragic hilarity of Sancho’s bathroom emergency to Sheldon Cooper’s unexpectedly Quixotic tendencies on The Big Bang Theory. You’ll also find cameos by Monkey D. Luffy, Chief Bromden, the Eleventh Doctor, and even the uncomfortably charismatic Donquixote Doflamingo from One Piece.
So whether you’re charging at giants, chasing justice, or just trying to survive Tuesday, this episode is for anyone who dares to believe in something beautiful—even when it makes you look ridiculous.
“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?” Maybe the real madness… is not hoping at all.
