In a Certain Kingdom

Dobrynia, son of Nikita, fresh off his victory over the dragon, finds a mysterious set of hoof prints in the forest. He follows them, and finds a mysterious warrior. But who that warrior actually is, he could never have guessed... In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas reads an email from a listener that adds some interesting nuance to the ongoing conversation we've had on this podcast concerning the nature of evil in stories and how best to depict the battle between good and evil in a way that resonates with the audience.

In our second dragon-themed tale, Kiev the great city's perfect existence is darkened by a terrible dragon. It promises not to destroy the city, but only if the people offer it a beautiful maiden once a month. Finally, it's the princess's turn. Her only hope of avoiding a terrible death is a humble tanner living in obscurity outside the city. But he wants to have nothing to do with dragons... In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas offers some thoughts about how evil can emerge in reality, and how the good stories explain the emergence of evil not only in metaphorical terms, but in actual ones. Turns out that not only are fairy tales comforting, but they may be indispensable if we want to avoid the emergence of evil in our own lives.

In our second dragon-themed tale, Kiev the great city's perfect existence is darkened by a terrible dragon. It promises not to destroy the city, but only if the people offer it a beautiful maiden once a month. Finally, it's the princess's turn. Her only hope of avoiding a terrible death is a humble tanner living in obscurity outside the city. But he wants to have nothing to do with dragons... In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas offers some thoughts about how evil can emerge in reality, and how the good stories explain the emergence of evil not only in metaphorical terms, but in actual ones. Turns out that not only are fairy tales comforting, but they may be indispensable if we want to avoid the emergence of evil in our own lives.

In the court of Kiev, there are three famous warriors. We've already met Ilya Muromets. We haven't yet met Dobrynia Nikitich or Alyosha Popovich. It's time for Dobrynia's story, a mythic tale of a dragon who likes to steal princesses, a young warrior out to clear his name, and a battle that will literally cleave the earth in two. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas begins a two-episode exploration of the nature of evil in stories. In particular, three topics are raised: Why does modern culture like to rehabilitate traditionally evil characters? Is evil just a misunderstanding? Is it really more fun to be bad than good?

In the court of Kiev, there are three famous warriors. We've already met Ilya Muromets. We haven't yet met Dobrynia Nikitich or Alyosha Popovich. It's time for Dobrynia's story, a mythic tale of a dragon who likes to steal princesses, a young warrior out to clear his name, and a battle that will literally cleave the earth in two. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas begins a two-episode exploration of the nature of evil in stories. In particular, three topics are raised: Why does modern culture like to rehabilitate traditionally evil characters? Is evil just a misunderstanding? Is it really more fun to be bad than good?

After Ilya Muromets was healed by the three wanderers, they warned him against ever picking a fight with several famous fellow-warriors. One of those was Volga Vseslav'evich, renowned for his strength, but even more for his cunning. This is his story, a tale filled with deep magic, deeds of renown, and the triumph of virtue over power. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas reads a short essay by Ivan Ilyin about the failures of modern culture, and how a renewed attention to a life of the heart that warms the soul and spirit may be the only way out of our current difficulties. Luckily, it also may be the best way to begin anew the joyful process of cultivating our own selves.

After Ilya Muromets was healed by the three wanderers, they warned him against ever picking a fight with several famous fellow-warriors. One of those was Volga Vseslav'evich, renowned for his strength, but even more for his cunning. This is his story, a tale filled with deep magic, deeds of renown, and the triumph of virtue over power. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas reads a short essay by Ivan Ilyin about the failures of modern culture, and how a renewed attention to a life of the heart that warms the soul and spirit may be the only way out of our current difficulties. Luckily, it also may be the best way to begin anew the joyful process of cultivating our own selves.

Ilya Muromets comes home after his harrowing encounter with Svyatogor in the mountains. After receiving a blessing from his parents, he goes out into the world for the first time. Immediately, he saves a city from an army, to the acclaim of everyone. But a sinister force lies between him and Kiev, the capital city of Rus. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas discusses the need for a new heroic paradigm in stories for our time. Perhaps neither Tolkien nor George R R Martin can provide us with the heroes we need now. It's time to look to a different, and maybe unexpected, source for heroism.

Ilya Muromets comes home after his harrowing encounter with Svyatogor in the mountains. After receiving a blessing from his parents, he goes out into the world for the first time. Immediately, he saves a city from an army, to the acclaim of everyone. But a sinister force lies between him and Kiev, the capital city of Rus. In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas discusses the need for a new heroic paradigm in stories for our time. Perhaps neither Tolkien nor George R R Martin can provide us with the heroes we need now. It's time to look to a different, and maybe unexpected, source for heroism.

Ilya Muromets, fresh from his healing at the hands of the mysterious wanderers, goes to Krasnoiar the great smith to receive his first set of arms and armor. But no matter how much Krasnoiar tries, he's unable to make Ilya a sword. So Ilya travels into the holy mountains to encounter Svyatogor, the giant warrior. But is this giant warrior any different from the monster Kalivan? During a fateful encounter with a strange magical object, Ilya comes face to face with a terrifying truth about what it means to be a warrior in the first place.

Ilya Muromets, fresh from his healing at the hands of the mysterious wanderers, goes to Krasnoiar the great smith to receive his first set of arms and armor. But no matter how much Krasnoiar tries, he's unable to make Ilya a sword. So Ilya travels into the holy mountains to encounter Svyatogor, the giant warrior. But is this giant warrior any different from the monster Kalivan? During a fateful encounter with a strange magical object, Ilya comes face to face with a terrifying truth about what it means to be a warrior in the first place.

A peasant couple, though happily married, have a hidden grief. They haven't been given any children. So when their first son is finally born, they expect great things from him. But what they get instead is a cripple, a child unable to walk or do anything for himself. So how did this sickly child become the greatest legendary warrior old Russia has ever known? In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas does a deep examination of the idea that Christ used stories as the primary vehicle for transmitting his teaching. In doing so, he reveals some comforting truths about the nature of fairy tales and storytelling in general.

A peasant couple, though happily married, have a hidden grief. They haven't been given any children. So when their first son is finally born, they expect great things from him. But what they get instead is a cripple, a child unable to walk or do anything for himself. So how did this sickly child become the greatest legendary warrior old Russia has ever known? In the analysis section, Deacon Nicholas does a deep examination of the idea that Christ used stories as the primary vehicle for transmitting his teaching. In doing so, he reveals some comforting truths about the nature of fairy tales and storytelling in general.

Nicholas Kotar presents a teaser for the new season In a Certain Kingdom, which will begin on Thursday, May 6.

Nicholas Kotar presents a teaser for the new season In a Certain Kingdom, which will begin on Thursday, May 6.