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 Prophet
In this luminous episode of Hope is Kindled, we turn to Khalil Gibran’s timeless masterpiece The Prophet, a book that has guided hearts for more than a century and continues to sing to the human spirit. Blending poetry and parable, Gibran’s words invite us to reflect on love, work, freedom, joy, and sorrow, reminding us that life’s beauty and pain are intertwined threads of the same tapestry.
We explore Gibran’s life between East and West, the frame of The Prophet and its enduring wisdom, and how its voice harmonizes with the great texts we’ve journeyed through, including Self-Reliance, Meditations, Leaves of Grass, The Alchemist, and even the ancient cadences of Ecclesiastes. Together they form a chorus of authenticity, virtue, unity, resilience, and spiritual freedom.
I also share the personal story of how The Prophet came into my life, offered by a dear friend, and how it became a companion through dark and searching days, a reminder that words can heal when the heart is ready to listen.
In the end, we discover that Gibran’s message is not about doctrine but about being: that “work is love made visible,” that “joy is sorrow unmasked,” and that to live with grace is to live with hope.
