In a Certain Kingdom

This classic, which was written down in verse by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, is a cautionary tale about the danger of desiring too much. No villains or heroes in this one, just some unexpected magic from a talking fish... and the surprising lengths to which some people will go when given a bit of power. Perhaps, in a way, this is a perfect story for election season. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar reads a short essay from Ivan Ilyin on the necessity for everyone, in times of crisis, not to search for answers outside, but to begin the hard work of inner transformation. It is a consoling, but challenging, message that transcends partisan lines, and reminds us of what's really important, and how we can begin to effect real change in our world, even today.

This classic, which was written down in verse by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, is a cautionary tale about the danger of desiring too much. No villains or heroes in this one, just some unexpected magic from a talking fish... and the surprising lengths to which some people will go when given a bit of power. Perhaps, in a way, this is a perfect story for election season. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar reads a short essay from Ivan Ilyin on the necessity for everyone, in times of crisis, not to search for answers outside, but to begin the hard work of inner transformation. It is a consoling, but challenging, message that transcends partisan lines, and reminds us of what's really important, and how we can begin to effect real change in our world, even today.

A prince marries a princess. Yes, that's actually the beginning of this story! But he has to go away on a long journey. As though he could tell that terrible things would happen, he warned his new wife never to leave her room. But there couldn't be anything wrong about walking in the garden, could there? Especially with this wonderful new friend of hers who appeared out of nowhere? Of course not! Except, it turns out her best friend is actually a witch, and she wants to marry the prince herself! Instead of an analysis section, today Nicholas Kotar answers listener questions about the podcast. Among them, he talks about the very Slavic elements of living and dead water and the role of repetitive imagery and word choice. Also, he finally divulges the greatest secret of all... Who is Baba Yaga?

A prince marries a princess. Yes, that's actually the beginning of this story! But he has to go away on a long journey. As though he could tell that terrible things would happen, he warned his new wife never to leave her room. But there couldn't be anything wrong about walking in the garden, could there? Especially with this wonderful new friend of hers who appeared out of nowhere? Of course not! Except, it turns out her best friend is actually a witch, and she wants to marry the prince herself! Instead of an analysis section, today Nicholas Kotar answers listener questions about the podcast. Among them, he talks about the very Slavic elements of living and dead water and the role of repetitive imagery and word choice. Also, he finally divulges the greatest secret of all... Who is Baba Yaga?

Two orphans wander the wide world. At every turn, danger lurks. But little Ivanushka just can't get over his thirst! In spite of his sister's warning, he drinks the water... and turns into a goat. But that seeming tragedy sets into motion a series of events that will lead to the ultimate happily ever after. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar discusses why this seemingly depressing and dark story is actually the most Christian of them all. Goats, magic water, and evil witches... are you serious? What's Christian about any of that? For the first time this season, Kotar does a deep dive analysis of the story's symbolic structure, revealing a beautiful secret at the heart of this beautiful fairy tale.

Two orphans wander the wide world. At every turn, danger lurks. But little Ivanushka just can't get over his thirst! In spite of his sister's warning, he drinks the water... and turns into a goat. But that seeming tragedy sets into motion a series of events that will lead to the ultimate happily ever after. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar discusses why this seemingly depressing and dark story is actually the most Christian of them all. Goats, magic water, and evil witches... are you serious? What's Christian about any of that? For the first time this season, Kotar does a deep dive analysis of the story's symbolic structure, revealing a beautiful secret at the heart of this beautiful fairy tale.

A merchant has three daughters, whom he loves dearly. Before leaving on a long journey, he offers them to choose any gift they desire, and he promises to give it to them. But the third daughter asks the impossible: the most beautiful red flower in the world. The merchant searches and searches, but can't find it—until, by accident, he happens upon a magical castle with the most beautiful gardens he has ever seen. And what should he see in the garden, but the most beautiful red flower in the world! But then, he picks it, and all hell breaks loose. You may think you know the story of the beauty and the beast, but you probably haven't heard the Russian version yet. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar examines our ideas of beauty and ugliness. Are these concepts intrinsic and objective, or do they depend on personal expression? And what happens when a real life beast-lookalike insists that he should be allowed to teach kindergarten?

A merchant has three daughters, whom he loves dearly. Before leaving on a long journey, he offers them to choose any gift they desire, and he promises to give it to them. But the third daughter asks the impossible: the most beautiful red flower in the world. The merchant searches and searches, but can't find it—until, by accident, he happens upon a magical castle with the most beautiful gardens he has ever seen. And what should he see in the garden, but the most beautiful red flower in the world! But then, he picks it, and all hell breaks loose. You may think you know the story of the beauty and the beast, but you probably haven't heard the Russian version yet. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar examines our ideas of beauty and ugliness. Are these concepts intrinsic and objective, or do they depend on personal expression? And what happens when a real life beast-lookalike insists that he should be allowed to teach kindergarten?

A king has three wonderful, princely sons. But none of them has a bride! So the king decides to fix the problem, and test their virtue at the same time. Each of them must shoot an arrow up into the sky. Wherever it falls, there they will find their bride. Poor Ivan, the third son, shoots his arrow straight into the swamp. But not only does he find a bride there, he also gets more than he ever bargained for... In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar explores the strange, but compelling fact that stories of talking animals appear in nearly every folkloric tradition since ancient times. What do these stories say about us? Might they be reflections of some deep, primordial desire for something we lost?

A king has three wonderful, princely sons. But none of them has a bride! So the king decides to fix the problem, and test their virtue at the same time. Each of them must shoot an arrow up into the sky. Wherever it falls, there they will find their bride. Poor Ivan, the third son, shoots his arrow straight into the swamp. But not only does he find a bride there, he also gets more than he ever bargained for... In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar explores the strange, but compelling fact that stories of talking animals appear in nearly every folkloric tradition since ancient times. What do these stories say about us? Might they be reflections of some deep, primordial desire for something we lost?

A young girl loses her mother, and her father marries the stepmother from hell. Sound familiar? But this version of Cinderella has Baba Yaga, magical talking dolls, and a happily-ever-after to beat them all. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar introduces the idea of moral imagination and talks about how good stories help cultivate it in the heart of both children and adults. He also discusses how, yes, in some cases, stories can be very dangerous for you indeed . . .

A young girl loses her mother, and her father marries the stepmother from hell. Sound familiar? But this version of Cinderella has Baba Yaga, magical talking dolls, and a happily-ever-after to beat them all. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar introduces the idea of moral imagination and talks about how good stories help cultivate it in the heart of both children and adults. He also discusses how, yes, in some cases, stories can be very dangerous for you indeed . . .

The third daughter of a poor villager has a secret. No one suspects this quiet, unassuming girl of being betrothed, much less to Finist, a falcon by day and a prince by night. But when her sisters find out, they put knives on her windowsill . . . Instead of an analysis section, Nicholas Kotar talks with Natalie Wilson, the composer of the podcast's wonderful music, about womanhood, spiritual and physical hardship, and how the ritualistic nature of fairy tales reflects reality on a far deeper level than we realize.

The third daughter of a poor villager has a secret. No one suspects this quiet, unassuming girl of being betrothed, much less to Finist, a falcon by day and a prince by night. But when her sisters find out, they put knives on her windowsill . . . Instead of an analysis section, Nicholas Kotar talks with Natalie Wilson, the composer of the podcast's wonderful music, about womanhood, spiritual and physical hardship, and how the ritualistic nature of fairy tales reflects reality on a far deeper level than we realize.

Prince Ivan has come back to life after Koschei the Deathless chops him into pieces. But he still has not rescued his wife, Marya Morevna. To do so, he'll have to brave everyone's favorite villainess, Baba Yaga herself. But if he's not careful, he'll lose his head a second time! In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar concludes his exploration of Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" by examining why escapism isn't as bad as some people say it is, and how good fairy tales are actually closer to scripture than you might expect.