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
Ernest Hemingway: A Life Story by Carlos Baker
I had planned to leave Hemingway for another time, but a friend reminded me that his work is too necessary, too urgent, to set aside. And so here we are, bringing Hemingway into Hope is Kindled at this exact moment, because sometimes the timing of a story is as important as the story itself.
In this episode, we reflect not on every page or paragraph, but on the power of Hemingway’s craft, the hope that can be found in his legacy, and the ways his work continues to challenge us to live with courage, integrity, and connection. We admire his composition, hint at his greatness, and place him in conversation with other works we’ve explored—always searching, as we do, for the sparks of hope that survive even in the darkest corners of literature. And, we will do this through the the work of Carlos Baker, whose biography, Ernest Hemingway: A Life Story, was incredibly revealing and inviting. Baker's work gave me a deeper appreciation for Hemingway and pulled me deeper into his extraordinary life and work.
This episode also holds a special place for us. We chose Hemingway for this moment wisely and judiciously, as a culmination of our journey so far. Our hope, as always, is that it will inspire you not only to listen, but to read—to take up Hemingway’s works yourself, and find in them whatever hope you most need.
