Mosaic Ark

Mosaic Ark

by Rachel Fulton Brown
HistoryChristianity
Season 5
176 Quest for the Chosen One
Based Con is coming up in a couple weeks, and the Professor wanted to brainstorm some ideas for one of the panels on which she is appearing, “The Case Against the Chosen One.” What’s all the fuss about “the chosen one” in fiction, and why do both authors and audiences find it so appealing? Is it some kind of hard and fast rule à la Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, that there must even be a Chosen One at the center of a story? The Professor sent KC off to find out. After pulling up a few examples from popular books and films over the last 50 years, it seemed difficult to argue against its apparent necessity. But is there something darker going on with these repetitive story elements? The Professor thinks so; KC isn’t so sure. Listen and tell us what you think in the comments. —Streamed August 28, 2026 Join us at BasedCon! https://basedcon.com
S5 · E2
Aug 29, 2026
1:58:57
175 The Pursuit of Liberty
The Mosaic Ark was back this week to celebrate our 4th anniversary of streaming! On our last stream, we discussed the Declaration of Independence, and how its professed right of "the pursuit of happiness" was influenced by Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Man.” After that broadcast, KC asked the Professor how such a solid understanding of happiness had been turned on its head during the 20th century and changed to mean radical individualism and personal freedom above all else. “Oh, that’s John Stuart Mill,” she replied. “Here’s your new homework!” And thus ended KC’s happiness over our discussion of Pope, which was transformed into cynical frustration over Mill’s self-contradictory essay “On Liberty.” And if you listen to this stream, she’ll tell you how she really feels about Mill! And please leave us your opinions in the comments!—Streamed August 21, 2026
S5 · E1
Aug 22, 2026
2:06:02
177 Quest for Fantasyland
The Professor is prepping for a panel that she is going to participate in at BasedCon next week, and fellow poet Quinn Kimball is here to help! For the panel, she has been asked to think about why “so many fantasy worlds default to a vaguely medieval hereditary monarchy,” but before she can answer that question, she needs to know where and what Fantasyland actually is. Join us for a globe-girdling exploration of lands that might or might not be called “Fantasy”! —Streamed September 4, 2026
S5
Sep 5, 2026
2:07:54
Season 4
174 Self-Evident Truths
On this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies continued their discussion of Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Man,” and in particular its relationship to that part of the Declaration of Independence that lists one of man’s inalienable rights — the pursuit of happiness. We thought that, in its day, that phrase, “the pursuit of happiness,” must have sounded like a fairly ludicrous idea to include in such an important political document. It was far too broad, too undefined, too frivolous — wasn’t it? In a word, no. In his poetic Essay, Pope repeatedly mentioned this word with respect to Man’s place in creation, and as we found while reading Epistle III, with respect to Man’s place in society. Listen as we discuss Pope’s very well-defined description of the nature of society, how men flourish in society, and how this concept eventually helped to order our nation under our constitution. —Streamed July 31, 2026
S4 · E33
Aug 1, 2026
1:59:30
173 Lord of the Memes
Two hundred and fifty years ago this month on July 4th, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in the city of Philadelphia, in a rhetorical shot heard ‘round the world aimed at King George III, head of the most powerful empire in the world. By August 2nd of that same year, fifty-six men, representatives of Great Britain’s thirteen original North American colonies, affixed their signatures to it and sealed their fates. This was no small act, but it was a surprisingly small Declaration—only about 1,337 words. The four men who helped draft it apparently thought that brevity was the soul of wit, but where might they have gotten that idea? And while we’re on the subject of ideas, where could they possibly have gotten the idea that “the pursuit of happiness” was an “inalienable right?” From a poet, of course! And not just any poet, but one of the most famous and popular poets in the English language, Alexander Pope. Join the ladies as they discuss Pope’s popularity with the American colonists, and how he influenced and continues to influence our American identity to this very day. —Streamed July 24, 2026
S4 · E32
Jul 25, 2026
2:04:23
172 Pope's American Odyssey
Do you admire Homer’s “Odyssey”? Do you think that its telling is sacrosanct? Do you trust the good intentions of director Christopher Nolan’s current “accessible” retelling of this epic in film, or do you think it’s just rage bait? And why does it even matter? “Well, good stories always matter,” you might say, and you wouldn’t find an argument from the Mosaic Ark! But just how important is this particular story? Many believe it is the founding myth of the Greek nation, but what if we told you it is also the founding myth of America? Well, pour yourself a goblet of Kykeon and have a listen as we clue you in on one of the more interesting facts about our country’s founding. —Streamed July 17, 2026
S4 · E31
Jul 18, 2026
2:08:50
171 Unlocking the Alchemy
On tonight’s episode, the ladies were joined by the mighty Quinn! Dragon Common Room member and fellow poet Quinn Kimball joined us for a discussion of Draco Alchemicus Act II —The Court. Quinn noted that the story is full of symbolism and references to important trends and events in history, and as a well-read Millennial, he had some questions. For starters, who were our models for each of the characters? What is the meaning behind a two-headed angel? Why the 16th century? And who is that character holding the Palantir? Inquiring minds want to know! NB: We had some storms in the background which affected our recording on this one! —Streamed July 10, 2026
S4 · E30
Jul 11, 2026
2:14:43
170 Wyrd Poetry: Verses for the End of Time
In this episode, Professor Rachel Fulton Brown speaks with Kimberly Crilly about her newly-published book of verse, Wyrd Poetry. The book includes three short stories in poetic form, each themed for Halloween, a holiday which Kimberly will unabashedly tell you she loves! But there are larger concepts at work in the poems, concepts such as the temptation to power, and the human longing for family and home. The ladies also discuss how one writes Christian stories that people actually enjoy reading, without writing “Christian stories” that feel more like a Sunday school class. Have a listen, and please let us know your opinions in the comments; we’d love to hear them! —Streamed June 26, 2026 Buy KC's book! https://geni.us/5LG3
S4 · E29
Jun 27, 2026
2:00:47
169 Kayfabe and the Death of Drake
The Professor's little dog Drake died on May 24, and the world feels like it is ending. But what is real, and what is kayfabe? Tucker Carlson tells us the American Empire has ended, but the world seems to be enjoying visiting America for the World Cup. Was JRR Tolkien really a white supremacist, or is that just Trump Derangement Syndrome, too? And how was Agatha Christie able to see through the kayfabe of the Cold War already in 1951? Confused? Maybe it's all just a game after all—but not if dogs don't go to heaven. We promise, it all makes sense if you put the right glasses on. —Streamed June 19, 2026
S4 · E28
Jun 20, 2026
2:04:24
168 No Kings? Two Kings!
Last week, the US Congress gave a standing ovation to King Charles III as he addressed them in the House Chamber as part of his and Queen Camilla’s official state visit to the White House. Some reading this scenario might be confused about why hundreds of politicians who, mere weeks ago, were publicly supporting nation-wide “No Kings!” rallies, were suddenly agog for a foreign king. Didn’t their political ancestors roundly reject his ancestor at their declaration of independence 250 years ago? On this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies discuss the uncanny resemblance that President Trump has to a King, and why the “No Kings!” enthusiasts have suddenly embraced their inner monarchist. —Streamed May 8, 2026
S4 · E27
May 9, 2026
2:09:51
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