Episodes

  • #269 Laura Miller and Michael Ward: A sceptic in Narnia

    #269 Laura Miller and Michael Ward: A sceptic in Narnia
    Jul 6 2026
    Literary critic Laura Miller was captivated by Lewis’ Narnia stories as a child. As a teenager, she learnt of the Christian parallels in the books and felt “cheated and betrayed”. She was joined by Michael Ward, a leading expert on CS Lewis and author of Planet Narnia. This episode was originally broadcast on Unbelievable? back in 2009 + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    24 mins
  • #268 Alister McGrath: Is Christianity rational?

    #268 Alister McGrath: Is Christianity rational?
    Jun 29 2026
    How important are facts and reason? Is science alone enough? What role does imagination play in apologetics? How do we maintain a strong faith when engaging with sceptics? Alister McGrath shares his insight into Lewis' thinking on important questions in our final episode on Lewis and apologetics. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    20 mins
  • #267 Alister McGrath: Suffering, hell and the hope of heaven

    #267 Alister McGrath: Suffering, hell and the hope of heaven
    Jun 22 2026
    Does my life have any meaning? If God exists, why has he allowed my suffering? How can a good God allow hell? Alister McGrath explores whether Lewis can speak into any contemporary theological, ethical and cultural questions or concerns. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    19 mins
  • #266 Alister McGrath: Was CS Lewis an effective apologist?

    #266 Alister McGrath: Was CS Lewis an effective apologist?
    Jun 15 2026
    What is apologetics? Why does it matter? Can Christianity speak into the dominant narratives of our culture? Ruth Jackson is joined by Alister McGrath to reflect on what we can learn from Lewis' unique approach to apologetics. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    18 mins
  • #265 Dr Crystal Hurd: How Paternal Literary Habits Influenced CS Lewis

    #265 Dr Crystal Hurd: How Paternal Literary Habits Influenced CS Lewis
    Jun 8 2026
    In today’s episode, we welcome back Dr. Crystal Hurd, an educator, poet, and researcher from Virginia. Crystal shares insights from her paper, which was presented at the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference at George Fox University. We also feature a reading of her paper, 'How Paternal Literary Habits Influenced CS Lewis', marking the final instalment in our series with Dr. Crystal Hurd. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter, visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    28 mins
  • #264 Dr Crystal Hurd: CS Lewis’s Family, Faith, and the Literary Legacy of Albert Lewis

    #264 Dr Crystal Hurd: CS Lewis’s Family, Faith, and the Literary Legacy of Albert Lewis
    Jun 1 2026
    Dr Crystal Hurd - educator, poet, and researcher—joins Ruth Jackson to uncover the family story behind C.S. Lewis’s imagination, faith, and values. Drawing on her research and a paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conference, Crystal explores the literary ambitions and deep faith of Lewis’s father, Albert, and how both Albert and his father Richard shaped Lewis’s worldview and writing. Together, they discuss the joys and tensions of the Lewis household, the Victorian ideals that marked Albert’s life, and the imaginative world-building that began with childhood stories like “Boxen.” Discover how family, faith, and literature intertwined to shape one of the twentieth century’s most beloved Christian writers. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter, visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/ + Support us here + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, a free ebook and newsletter, visit our website
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    24 mins
  • #263 Dr Crystal Hurd: C.S. Lewis’s Family, Albert & Flora, and the Power of Literature

    #263 Dr Crystal Hurd: C.S. Lewis’s Family, Albert & Flora, and the Power of Literature
    May 25 2026
    Dr Crystal Hurd - educator, poet, and researcher - joins Ruth Jackson to uncover the family roots behind C.S. Lewis’s imagination and character. Drawing on her latest research and a paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conference, Crystal explores the impact of Lewis’s father Albert’s work ethic, moral integrity, and love of books, as well as the remarkable story of his parents’ courtship and marriage. Together, they reflect on how both Albert and Flora shaped Lewis’s literary passions, his values, and his lifelong relationships. Discover how the Lewis family’s love of literature, resilience amid hardship, and everyday faith shaped one of the twentieth century’s greatest Christian writers. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter, visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/ + Support us here + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, a free ebook and newsletter, visit our website
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    26 mins
  • #262 Dr Crystal Hurd: CS Lewis, Flora Lewis, and the Quiet Strength of Family

    #262 Dr Crystal Hurd: CS Lewis, Flora Lewis, and the Quiet Strength of Family
    May 18 2026
    Dr Crystal Hurd, educator and poet, joins Ruth Jackson to explore the formative influence of C.S. Lewis’s mother, Flora, on Lewis’s life, work, and relationships. Drawing on her research and her paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conference, Crystal discusses Flora’s character, wit, and impact on the Lewis family after her untimely death. Together, they examine how Flora shaped Lewis’s respect for women, the depiction of mothers in his fiction, and his evolving relationships across a lifetime marked by loss and learning. Along the way, Ruth and Crystal reflect on grief, humility, family dynamics, and the quiet legacy of women often overlooked in great men’s stories. + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter, visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/
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    27 mins