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
Terry Pratchett's Discworld
Far from home as a young teen—on a plane to Russia and later a bus rolling through Belarus and the Baltics—I first discovered Terry Pratchett with Witches Abroad. In those unfamiliar landscapes, Pratchett’s humor gave me joy, comfort, and even sparked conversations with strangers. That book lit a spark that grew into a lifelong love of Discworld, and though I treasure them all, Moving Pictures remains my favorite—for the way it so brilliantly lampoons the film industry while still revealing why stories on the screen matter so deeply to us.
In this episode of Hope is Kindled, we dive headlong into Pratchett’s world—forty-plus novels distilled into one conversation brimming with laughter, satire, and wisdom. From Sourcery and Eric to Jingo, Small Gods, Night Watch, Good Omens, and Hogfather, we race across Discworld’s absurd yet astonishing landscape, finding the places where fantasy collides with truth.
Pratchett understood that stories aren’t just escapes—they’re exercises in imagination, blueprints for compassion, and sparks of rebellion. His novels made me feel less alone in the world, and they still remind us today that hope doesn’t live in crowns or spells, but in small, stubborn acts of kindness.
So join me, as we laugh with wizards, march with guards, fly with witches, and walk alongside DEATH (who, of course, SPEAKS IN ALL CAPS). This episode is for the dreamers and the doubters, the cynics and the idealists—for anyone who’s ever needed a story to remind them they’re not alone.
