Slaying Dragons

06/25/21 • 56 min

Good stories matter — we all know this. But how do these good stories shape us, form our imaginations, make us better parents, and remind us what really matters? Why do the best stories sacramentally peel back the surface to reveal what’s really there? Seth and Tsh talk to their friend, novelist Shawn Smucker, about what it means to immerse your life in good stories — and why it’s not optional.
To borrow a quip from G.K. Chesterton about children and fairy tales (because it’s just as true for adults): good stories don’t tell us dragons exist. We already know this. Good stories tell us dragons can be killed.

Seth: Newsletter | Website

Tsh: Newsletter | Website

Shawn Smucker: Books | Podcast | Twitter | Instagram | Website

Pick up a round of drinks & help keep the show going

Come to Italy with us!

Journal of a Novel, by John Steinbeck

Working Days, by John Steinbeck

Evilene Killerman on Instagram

Anything is Possible, by Elizabeth Strout

The Surrender Experiment, by Michael A. Singer

Radical Face's albums The Family Tree: The Roots, The Branches, and The Leaves

Radical Face guidebook

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Seth: Newsletter | Website

Tsh: Newsletter | Website

Shawn Smucker: Books | Podcast | Twitter | Instagram | Website

Pick up a round of drinks & help keep the show going

Come to Italy with us!

Journal of a Novel, by John Steinbeck

Working Days, by John Steinbeck

Evilene Killerman on Instagram

Anything is Possible, by Elizabeth Strout

The Surrender Experiment, by Michael A. Singer

Radical Face's albums The Family Tree: The Roots, The Branches, and The Leaves

Radical Face guidebook

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Previous Episode

Alive People, Alive Art

Two episodes ago, Seth and Tsh talked about artists who are no longer alive but still live on through the great art they left us. As a follow-up, in this episode they chat about the artists who are very much alive and are making the world a bit better through their art.
Seth's and Tsh's criteria? Artists who aren’t as commonly well-known, as well as people who aren’t out to make a name for themselves as an InfluencerTM or ThoughtLeaderTM. They’re also some who aren’t even literal artists, per se, but they use their preferred medium like an artist would — curated, thoughtful, and with the receiver in mind.

Seth: Newsletter | Website

Tsh: Newsletter | Website

Pick up a round of drinks & help keep the show going

Come to Italy with us!

Lesley Villareal on Instagram

Repertoire, by James Acaster on Netflix

James Acaster On the Absurdity of the British Empire, on YouTube

Wonderful Arkansas on Instagram

Rick Steves - Podcast + YouTube

City on Fire, Garth Risk Hallberg

John Blase: Website + Twitte

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Heather King on Instagram

Boze Herrington on Twitter

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Next Episode

Ordinary Beauty #1

Recognizing beauty is a habit, and it’s also not optional if we want to live a sacramental life. In this episode, Seth and Tsh share specific examples of beauty they’re currently witnessing in their lives, and you’re invited to notice your own as well.