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 One Heartbeat of Hope & Faith: Les Miserables & The Book of Job
In this deeply personal episode of Hope is Kindled, we journey into two of the most profound works ever written — Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the ancient Book of Job. These stories, though centuries apart, speak in one shared language — the heartbeat of faith and hope.
Both works stare directly into the face of suffering and ask the same eternal question: What remains when everything else is taken away? Through Jean Valjean’s redemption and Job’s endurance, we uncover how faith gives direction to hope, and how hope keeps faith alive.
This episode is not only a study in literature — it’s a reflection of my own search for light in dark times. Maybe you didn’t need to look for faith and hope today… but I did. And I’m thankful you came along for the journey. These stories remind us that even when the world grows silent, the human spirit still hums softly beneath it all, waiting for morning.
So listen closely — to the quiet rhythm that carries us through despair toward renewal. Together, we remember that even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.
