Michael Ward: re-enchanting... Planet Narnia

Justin and Belle talk to Michael about the Narnian universe, the nature of C.S. Lewis’ imagination, and more.

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

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Dr Michael Ward is a literary critic, theologian, and renowned C.S. Lewis expert – teaching at both the University of Oxford and Houston Christian University, in Texas. He is the author of books including Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and After Humanity: A guide to C.S. Lewis The Abolition of Man.

Justin and Belle talk to Michael about the inner workings of the Narnian universe, the nature of Lewis’ imagination, and one of his most difficult works – The Abolition of Man.

Visit Michael's web site.

There’s more to life than the world we can see. Re-Enchanting is a podcast from Seen & Unseen recorded at Lambeth Palace Library, the home of the Centre for Cultural Witness. Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall engage faith and spirituality with leading figures in science, history, politics, art and education. Can our culture be re-enchanted by the vision of Christianity?

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Podcasts

Seen & Unseen Aloud

9 June 2025

1 min read

Assisted dying, Jane Austen and how to solve the Gaza conflict

New episode: the silent campaigns groups, Jane Austen inspires, and why only politics can solve Gaza.

Natalie Garrett

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

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About this episode

This week's thought-provoking selection starts with Jamie Gillies asking suicide prevention organisations to get involved in the Assisted Dying debate; Beatrice Schudeler introduces us to Jane Austen-inspired novels of different times and genres, and Graham Tomlin tracks the political history of Gaza back to the Roman Empire and still suggests that only politics can find a long term solution.

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