In the last 25 years, whole human beings have been born, grown up, graduated, married, and become parents. They may not remember that day when our world was gripped by events that seemed stolen from dystopian novels. On Sept. 11, 2001, militant religious terrorists hijacked four planes in the United States and plunged them into the sides of large buildings. Thousands died. Millions mourned. And every real person and fantastical fiction was forever changed.

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: review of The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur
 * Lorehaven Mission Survey: help shape this podcast and more [https://forms.gle/3ysva51rxQSwPoBZA]!
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1. Where we were when the towers fell

 * Zack’s memory of discovering the news by himself on a Tuesday
 * Stephen’s memory from just after one class at his own college
 * Initial fears, end-times narratives, and a nation cast into grief
 * Final blame: the militant group al-Qaeda fighting for their jihad
 * This self-destructive and religious evil confused many onlookers.

2. Aftershocks in the world of pop culture

 * That December: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
 * The next May, Spider-Man (2002). And later The Two Towers.
 * These three films and more drew on viewers’ need for heroic tales.
 * Stories like The Dark Knight (2008) explored counter-terrorism.
 * Christian publishers released many end-times or terrorism books.

3. 25 years later, some truth is under threat

 * We’ve talked about conspiracy theories. Many focus on this event.
 * But we must rely on testimony from people who lived the reality.
 * Today we may not have fantasy/superhero films if not for Sept. 11.
 * And the U.S. prevented more mass-casualty terrorism … so far.
 * Other stories explore the pre-political realities of justice and war.

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * Where were you (or a loved one) on Sept. 11, 2001?

Tiffany Lamb in the RealmSphere [https://realm-makers.mn.co/] recalled the 1980s:

There are so many shows that had an effect on me that I am not sure I can pick just one. However, I find when I go back and rewatch them, I usually am unable to sit through them. The teenage me and the senior me are very different people, thank God! Still, the very first thing that popped into my head was the only cartoon I used to watch, Dungeons & Dragons. I loved that show. I didn’t watch a ton of tv, but on the weekends I watched Tarzan, Batman & Robin (KaPow!), and Superman. I still remember when I learned the original Superman [actor George Reeves] committed suicide. I think that was when I realized that the lives people lived on the outside were very different from what they were living in private. Basically, I came to understand that actors are not really much different than the rest of us. Because of this insight, I never did fall into the hero worship that so many actors and rock stars get from their audience.

… I always thought of it as the age of innocence. However, going back and rewatching certain shows, like the Golden Girls, I can see where that was naive and due to my youth. Still, I miss the innocence of that era, and the hope everyone had for the future. We seem to be lacking that hope in our younger generation now. I wish kids nowadays could experience what we did growing up back then. It seemed like anything was possible.

Next on Fantastical Truth

We identified the villains behind the Sept. 11 attacks. Some doubt this could be true. W

329. How Did the Sept. 11 Terror Attacks Change the Course of Fantastical Fiction?

Last summer the new He-Man movie kind of failed at theaters. Stephen enjoyed the film! Others did not care so much, especially if they didn’t grow up in the 1980s. But last week, after the death of voice actor Peter Cullen, fans celebrated the legacy of Transformers. And last month, the Masters of the Universe remake film wielded the power of Grayskull to rule streaming media. No matter your age, big franchises from forty years ago have shaped the fantasy worlds we know today. How can Christians look back on this era with discernment and appreciation for good nostalgia?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Dawn by Morgan L. Busse [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. The Guardian of Ailos by Michael B. Foss [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/michael-b-foss/]
 3. Etania’s Worth by M. H. Elrich [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-h-elrich/]

Mission update

 * September 2026 book quest for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. Of note: some fans truly did miss the ’80s

 * For many of you, the 1980s came and went before you were born!
 * Stephen and Zack lived through most of the 1980s decade.
 * And yet both of them only remember portions of the time.
 * For his part, Stephen knew only the 1980s homeschool culture.
 * It was the neighbor kids who had He-Man and Rainbow Brite
 * Alas, Stephen never knew that fandom or any of the others, really.
 * And he only vaguely recalls some of these obscure/old franchises.
 * So if he sounds like a distant anthropologist, that is the reason!

2. From Star Wars to He-Man and beyond

 * Recap: George Lucas and Kenner created modern toy franchises.
 * Mass factories, network TV, and cable made a kids’ merch boom.
 * Aside note: some Christians had some legit/silly concerns about it [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/43-how-did-a-1980s-evangelical-book-warn-about-turmoil-in-the-toy-box/].
 * Mattel lost on Star Wars, but made its own franchise: He-Man.
 * This blended John Carter, DnD, mysticism, and superheroes.
 * Meanwhile, other boys’ and girls’ brands took over toy stores.
 * Zack’s notes about growing up in the 1980s and any toys he had.
 * Last week beloved voice actor Peter Cullen (Transformers) died.
 * Fans love his sincere voice for “gentle, powerful” Optimus Prime.
 * That plus GI Joe, despite flaws, did seem to honor real heroism.

328. How Did 1980s Franchises Forge the World of Modern Fantasy?

As students return to school, some can’t help dreading their assigned books. Even good readers in good schools will feel burdened by reading classic novels. So how can we remind ourselves and others that we’re not made to read as a duty to adults, but made for reading as part of our joy in Christ? Katherine Briggs, author of The Threshold Duology and part of the upcoming Classics Rebooted series, will teach us how fantasy fans can learn to love timeless classic fiction.[1. Photo by Iñaki del Olmo [https://unsplash.com/@inakihxz?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/assorted-title-of-books-piled-in-the-shelves-NIJuEQw0RKg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].]

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Dawn by Morgan L. Busse [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers fundraiser for ongoing defamation lawsuit [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation]
 3. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]
 4. King Justice: The Legend Begins by Evelyn M. Exley [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/evelyn-m-exley]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new review of Winter’s Dawn [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/winters-dawn/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Katherine Briggs

Katherine Briggs crafted her first monster story at age three. Since graduating from crayons to laptop, she continues to devour and weave fantasy tales while enjoying oolong or chai tea. She, her coadventurer husband, and rescue dog reside outside Houston, where she classically educates amazing middle school students, teaches ESL to adults, and studies other languages. Katherine is the author of The Eternity Gate and The Immortal Abyss from Enclave Publishing as well as Hunting the Forgotten Planet in Volume II of the upcoming Classics Rebooted collection.

1. How to learn the dutiful joy of reading

 * How Katherine found biblical truth and fantastical imagination.
 * Career choice to become a classical educator and a novelist.
 * Reviewing any differences between “literary” and “genre” fiction [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/239-do-you-prefer-literary-or-genre-fantastical-fiction/].
 * Discerning definitions of “dutiful” versus “joyful” reading of books.
 * This dutiful joy is unique to reading, starting with Scripture itself.

2. Tips to help anyone read more deeply

 * We can say that yes, reading books gives greater joy than screens.
 * A

327. Why Should Fantasy Fans Learn to Love Classic Fiction? | with Katherine Briggs

Once upon a time, a homeschool father dreamed of helping his children grow their love for writing. So while he worked for 20 years as a computer geek, he also trained to create fantastical fiction. Then, after hundreds of rejections, he broke through with his tale of two young teens who discover their secret ancestries: Dragons in Our Midst. Since then, Bryan Davis has won the trust of thousands of fans with more tales in this world, plus supernatural thrillers and superhero stories. Today we invite Bryan into our own cozy cave to explore how families can teach truth in fantasy this school year and beyond.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Dawn by Morgan L. Busse [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers fundraiser for ongoing defamation lawsuit [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation]
 3. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]
 4. King Justice: The Legend Begins by Evelyn M. Exley [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/evelyn-m-exley]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new review coming this Friday [https://lorehaven.com/reviews]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Bryan Davis

After working as a computer geek for 20 years, Bryan followed a dream to become an author. He began by writing a story to motivate his seven children to gain some excitement about writing, and that story grew into a novel. After spending the next eight years learning the craft and enduring more than 200 rejections from publishers and agents, he broke through with his best-selling series Dragons in our Midst. He is now a full-time author and lives with his wife, Susie, and their children.

Bryan Davis is the author of the following series: Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard, Astral Alliance, Wanted: Superheroes, The Oculus Gate, Reapers, Time Echoes, Tales of Starlight, Dragons of Starlight, Falcon’s Quest, Save the Multiverse, Not-So-Famous Dog Tales, and Not-So-Famous Dragon Tales. His standalone novels are Let the Ghosts Speak and I Know Why the Angels Dance.

For more information, see his website at DavisCrossing.com [http://www.daviscrossing.com].

1. How a ‘geek’ learned to make new worlds

 * Surveying Bryan’s journey to biblical truth and fantastical stories.
 * Recalling the early 2000s era for Christian-made fantasy fiction.
 * His series Dragons in Our Midst broke through to new realities.
 * These portal fantasy tales show wholesome yet human heroes.

2. Winning the hearts of homeschool fans

 * Bryan and his wife Susie h

326. How Can Families Learn Biblical Truth in Fantastical Fiction? | with Bryan Davis

Christian kids, do you recall all those old warnings against fantasy fiction?[1. Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko [https://unsplash.com/@lunarts?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/shallow-focus-photo-of-white-paper-sheet-mounted-on-cork-board-ZT9gjcJog6U?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].] Some people implied that if you made up too much stuff, you’d lose track of reality. Alas. For some cases, they’re absolutely right. Too many people are abusing God’s gift of imagination. They cast people they do not know as villains in a fantasy world in which they are the big moral heroes. This habit is taking over social platforms and podcasts. How can Christian fans respond with wisdom?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Dawn by Morgan L. Busse [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers fundraiser for ongoing defamation lawsuit [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation]
 3. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]
 4. King Justice: The Legend Begins by Evelyn M. Exley [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/evelyn-m-exley]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Conqueror of Shadow and Light [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/conqueror-of-shadow-and-light/]review [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/conqueror-of-shadow-and-light/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Concession stand

 * Some “conspiracy theories” are issues of wisdom, not sin.
 * And in fact, some ideas labeled “conspiracies” turn out to be true!
 * For more, listen to our episode How Can Christians Engage Wisely With Conspiracy Theories? | with Mike Duran [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/162-how-can-christians-engage-wisely-with-conspiracy-theories-with-mike-duran/]
 * Or read Mike’s article: Christians Who Engage Conspiracy Theories Must First Believe God’s Sovereign Rule [https://lorehaven.com/christians-who-engage-conspiracy-theories-must-first-believe-gods-sovereign-rule/]
 * Yet we’ve always had seen conspiracy theories based on fiction.
 * And today more people are building bigger and worse idols.
 * This makes the problem more than foolishness. It’s actual sin.
 * And this false accusation hurts true people we know and respect.
 * It also hurts people who still struggle after real abuse and lies.
 * Maybe you’ve been hurt by a real offense by a trusted someone.
 * In that case, you don’t need people weaponizing your empathy.
 * We’ll give you strong Bible tools to defend your calling and time.

1. False accusers are hurting true people.

 * By now you may know about the Realm Makers defamation suit.
 * Our friends and allies, Scott and Becky Minor, are suing a defamer.
 * Two weeks ago, they released their need for legal cost support [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation].
 * So far, they’ve reached nearlry $20,000 of a $50,000 funding goal.
 * We support them with 20 percent of new Lorehaven sponsors.
 * But first, about the opponent, don’t just speculate. Donate!

Scott and Becky’s open letter with the fundraiser [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation]:

Defamation Against Realm Makers & the Minors Standing Together for Truth: Protect the Realm Mak

325. How Can Christian Fans Respond to False Accusations?

Spider-Man! Spider-Man! Does whatever other heroes can’t. And these days, that means make a good movie. Other super-movies, even in the Marvel world, take on the fake responsibilities of social activism, then are forced to fight the sinister criticism of fans. Meanwhile, Spidey and his amazing friends just keep uniting people in his friendly cinematic neighborhood. How does one hero keep wielding such great power?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Dawn by Morgan L. Busse [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers fundraiser for ongoing defamation lawsuit [https://www.givesendgo.com/realmmakersdefamation]
 3. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]
 4. King Justice: The Legend Begins by Evelyn M. Exley [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/evelyn-m-exley]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: The Shattered Ones book quest has begun [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-shattered-ones/].
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/].

1. Superhero movies are fighting off villains.

 * Just last week we heard of more cancelled Marvel movie projects.
 * With some exceptions, the MCU has flopped on streaming screens.
 * Apart from quality, fans discerned a stench of Agenda moments.
 * Perfect-storm also struck with Jonathan Majors cast controversies.
 * Unlike older movies, fans follow every detail, leak, and rumor.
 * And like Spider-Man’s powers, internet is our gift and is our curse.
 * Meanwhile, DC’s latest reboot can’t even get off the ground.
 * DC is cancelling and delaying projects as a buyout draws nigh.
 * In the past, DC has proven actively hostile to particular fans.
 * Official statements and books isolate and mock certain versions.
 * For instance, The LEGO Movie mocked Green Lantern the hero.
 * In another case, an official Superman book criticized Zack Snyder.
 * In both universes, fanbases are divided, politicized, anti-heroic.
 * It feels like they’re pitting fan “denominations” against each other.
 * As a late famous comic creator famously uttered, “ ‘Nough said.”

2. But everybody loves one friendly hero.

 * Meanwhile, over in the Spiderverse corner of the Marvel world …
 * Corporate heads, marketeers, and actors alike are unifying for this.
 * Consider one recent GQ stunt with Brand New Day actors at trivia [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__vLZslytN0].
 * (‘Ware language.) Actors were asked about many Spidey versions.
 * In this universe, every story gets canonized and respected equally.
 * This follows No Way Home’s blend of previous film characters.
 * But for DC, they’ve tried to purge all previous versions except one.
 * This unifying approach helps fans love all Spider-Man versions.
 * Whether you like Tobey, Andrew, or Tom, you can celebrate Spidey!
 * So it’s not political. Now fans can have fun doing compare/contrast.
 * This ends up more like denominations who unify in essential faith.
 * (And yet that only goes so far. Holland won’t meet Madame Webb.)

3. The rise of self-aware yet sincere stories.

 * This year we’ve seen a wonderful increase of truly good films.
 * Three come from Amazon/MGM: Project Hail Mary, The Sheep Detectives, and even Masters of the Universe

324. Why Does Spider-Man Keep Saving the Day for Superhero Cinema?

Everyone’s talking about that new release from Christopher Nolan, the feature film that is just so big that it’s one everyone oughtta see. Zack has already seen it. Stephen will see it sometime. Meanwhile, what about that book by Greek poet Homer that changed the course of our world’s epic storytelling? Dramatist and author Phil Lollar—no stranger to that name!—returns to the studio for our tour of The Odyssey.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Worlds Collide by Clint Hall [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Above the Circle of Earth (softcover) by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]
 3. Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/bryan-timothy-mitchell/]
 4. Lorehaven Guild: July 2026 book quest for The Silver Chair [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-silver-chair/]

Mission update

 * New review at Lorehaven: Regeneration [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/regeneration/] and more
 * New Onscreen article: Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Film May Feel Woke but Fights for Judeo-Christian Morality [https://lorehaven.com/nolans-the-odyssey-film-may-feel-woke-but-fights-for-judeo-christian-morality/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * New book quest Aug. 3: The Shattered Ones by Brigitte Cromey [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-shattered-ones/]

Quotes and notes

 * This episode follows 322 about real risks of “toxic fandoms.” [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/322-when-do-fandoms-turn-toxic/]

We have forgotten what makes a pagan convert. We think that Peter and Paul were preaching to greedy, selfish, lustful pagans. They weren’t. They were preaching to greedy, selfish, lustful literary pagans, and that made all the difference. The Roman knew he was cowardly because God gave him a conscience, but he knew he could be more than a coward because Homer gave him Hector. The Greek lady recognized she was flirting with infidelity because she had moral instincts, but she knew she could resist infidelity because she also had Penelope.

Want to Change the World? Read Harry Potter [https://fathertalkstoofast.blogspot.com/2013/01/want-to-change-world-read-harry-potter.html]

Backstory: Phil Lollar

Phil Lollar started his performing career at the tender age of five. He won numerous acting awards in high school, and studied music, screenwriting and directing in college. Phil then worked with Focus on the Family, co-creating Adventures in Odyssey and writing more than 270 episodes plus directing more than 400 episodes. Phil also co-developed the hit comedy series Jungle Jam and Friends! as well as the animated video series Little Dogs on the Prairie. Phil also served as a writer and consultant for the television series, T

323. How Did Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ Shape Fantasy Forever? | with Phil Lollar

That’s how it starts. The fever. The rage. The feeling of powerlessness. That turns good fans … toxic. How does this toxification happen? Or does it happen? Maybe it’s all the fault of big corporations. Or social media. Or foreign adversaries poisoning the discourse. In either case, we need discernment to sort honest criticism from harshest cynicism.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Worlds Collide by Clint Hall [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Above the Circle of Earth (softcover) by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]
 3. Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/bryan-timothy-mitchell/]
 4. Lorehaven Guild: July 2026 book quest for The Silver Chair [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-silver-chair/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven, Daniel Whyte IV’s Onscreen article: Supergirl Strives to Be Good, but Struggles to Save a Disempowered Movie [https://lorehaven.com/supergirl-strives-to-be-good-but-struggles-to-save-a-disempowered-movie/].
 * Reviews are currently on hiatus, but we have over 380 of those [https://lorehaven.com/reviews]!
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/].

Critics are writing off famous fantasies, and we concede their demise. We also believe in an Author who surprises us with epic resurrection. Listen to episode 307.

1. They don’t—some of this is legit criticism.

 * Quick snack from the Concession Stand. We’ve talked about this.
 * Big corporations selling bad storytelling have blamed “toxic fans.”
 * Disney tried this against fans who disliked Star Wars TV shows.
 * They maybe learned their lesson and didn’t try it with Snow White.
 * And even the current DC regime didn’t do that much with Supergirl.
 * In this case, studios may be driven to these scripts by leftist media.
 * In fact, look for some media pundits to do this against Andy Serkis [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07y400jlngo].
 * But the fans may just be saying, “That’s not for me.” Loudly.
 * Often the fans have legitimate reasons for loudly rejecti

322. When Do Fandoms Turn ‘Toxic’?

Not just Independence Day, but all month long, American citizens are celebrating our nation’s semiquincentennial called “America 250.” Other fans from around the world are joining in! But some folks, of course, feel uncertain about such patriotism. Don’t our countries have a lot of problems? Isn’t our eternal citizenship in Heaven? Let’s explore how Scripture endorses “the glory and honor of the nations.” And let’s recall how fantastical stories illustrate this good love of our country.[1. Photo by Aaron Burden [https://unsplash.com/@aaronburden?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/flag-of-usa-on-grass-field-9C8r4QUwZRQ?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].]

Episode sponsors

 1. Worlds Collide by Clint Hall [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Above the Circle of Earth (softcover) by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]
 3. Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/bryan-timothy-mitchell/]
 4. Lorehaven Guild: July 2026 book quest for The Silver Chair [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-silver-chair/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: review of All That Glows [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/all-that-glows/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. Why some struggle to love their homeland

 * We’ll disclaim illegitimate hatred or homeland, called oikophobia.
 * Some prefer imaginary or opposite “homes” rather than real ones.
 * Still others are rank traitors for bad reasons, and can be rejected.
 * Yet more legitimately, “home” has a bad stigma for some people.
 * We must not let “home was bad for me” turn into “it’s bad for all.”
 * Nor should we let this impulse turn into “the nation is bad for all.”
 * Yes, a few countries are built on truly wicked foundations.
 * But most are not—certainly not those with listeners to us now.
 * Even if people do like America, however, they may feel guilty.
 * A similar impulse occurs to Christians who like other earthly gifts.
 * “Our treasure is in heaven, so nothing here on Earth matters.”
 * Subtle gnosticism: if it all burns, why value these temporal places?

2. How stories remind us of good homelands

 * Naturally we begin with the classics by authors who loved England.
 * Lewis and Tolkien saw bad battles and offered critiques at home.
 * But their stories remind us how good heroes fight for their peoples.
 * Hobbits foresee the danger to the Shire and leave home to stop it.
 * Aragorn loves his people and his country, despite their flaws.
 * Faramir doesn’t love weapons but “that [land] which they defend.”
 * Narnia’s kings and allies fight for her and for other good countries.
 * The Horse and His Boy is about the good country of Archenland.
 * Even harsh Calormenes, opposed to Narnia, have good qualities.
 * Classic sci-fi by the French Jules Verne honors American spirit.
 * Japanese stories adore American heroes, and we return the favor.
 * On this side of the pond, stories show America’s flaws and heroes.
 * Independence Day (1996) shows a pulpified-U.S. fighting aliens.
 * Transformers and Top Gun movies tend to follow that tradition.
 * Overtly “patriotic” stories are more about flavor, not philosophy.
 * Back in the UK, Stephen thinks Harry Potter shows this differently.
 * Spoilers:

321. Which Fantastical Stories Help Us Love Our Homelands?

This year’s Realm Makers event came up fast. Zack and Stephen had a blast at the annual event just two weeks ago in St. Louis, Missouri. Whether you got to join us there, or would like to catch up later, let’s survey the successes of this three-day conference and expo. And as more Christian fans (and creators!) find their place in these challenging yet fantastical worlds, we will explore how Realm Makers is not just helping you find your tribe, but helping slowly change the real world.

Episode sponsors

 * Twist of Time by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 * Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 * Author Update from Author Media [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 * Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/bryan-timothy-mitchell/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new reviews
 * Stephen’s article: “Why I Look Forward to America 250,000 [https://lorehaven.com/why-i-look-forward-to-america-250000/].”
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/].
 * This week: we begin our quest into C. S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair [https://lorehaven.com/book-quests/the-silver-chair/]!

1. Thursday: the Realm Awards banquet

 * Zack’s arrival and initial view of the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
 * Comparisons between this new venue and previous RM locations.
 * Stephen’s arrival and all-day setup of the Lorehaven booth.
 * Evening festivities: the Realm Awards costume banquet.
 * What we wore, what we saw, and who won best dressed.
 * This event celebrates the best Christian-made fantastical stories [https://www.realmmakers.com/2026/06/25/realm-award-winners-2026/].

Winner of the Realm Award for 2026 Book of the Year: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin

Winners of the 2026 Realm Awards:

 * Comics/Graphic Novels
   The Epistle to the Galatians: Word for Word Bible Comic: NIV Translation, illustrated by Simon Amadeus Pillario, published by Word for Word Bible Comics
 * Cover Design
   Daughter of Light by Morgan L. Busse, cover design by Jenneth Leed, published by Enclave Publishing
 * Flash Fiction
   “Godspeed, Spaulding” by Olivia Gratehouse, published by Havok Publishing
 * Short Stories
   “

320. How is Realm Makers Reshaping Our Culture?

Zack Russell (@ztrussell) · Zencastr

Zack Russell (@ztrussell)

Explore the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond, and apply these stories’ meanings in the real world Jesus calls us to serve.