The Literary Life Podcast – Episode 308: Preview of The Literary Life Season 8
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Angelina Stanford, Thomas Banks
Episode Overview
This special “Christmas Eve Eve” episode offers an in-depth preview of The Literary Life Podcast’s eighth season, outlining the upcoming reading schedule, conference details, initiative changes, and the guiding philosophy shaping the program for 2026. Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks discuss the evolving vision for the podcast, balancing core audience needs with accessibility for newcomers, and highlight both forthcoming content and some thoughtful “best of” rebroadcasts. The episode maintains the podcast’s signature blend of irreverent banter, literary depth, and a commitment to “reading like a human.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Housekeeping & Special Events (00:00–08:30)
- Upcoming Webinars:
- Dr. Ann Phillips on "Abiding in the Fields: Spenser, Milton, and the Pastoral Poetic Tradition" (Dec. 29)
- Focus on the literary tradition of shepherds in poetry from Virgil to Milton and Shakespeare, including biblical and classical influences.
- Dr. Ann Phillips on "Abiding in the Fields: Spenser, Milton, and the Pastoral Poetic Tradition" (Dec. 29)
- Annual Literary Life Conference: Shifted to January for better accessibility.
- Theme: “The Letter Killeth and the Spirit Quickeneth: Reading Like a Human” (Jan 23–30)
- Keynote: Dr. Jason Baxter, with talks on deep reading, the Great Divide, Tolkien, St. Paul, and Greek tragedy, plus a closing student panel.
- Hosted at houseofhumaneletters.com; all sessions available live or via replay.
2. Literary Life Season 8 Philosophy & Schedule Planning (13:47–23:00)
- Responding to Listener Feedback:
- Desire for manageable content output—balancing series depth and accessibility.
- Requests for more introductory, one-off, and topical episodes.
- Intention to leverage a strong back catalog, reducing FOMO.
- Seamless Access for New and Old Listeners:
- Angelina: “I’ve got to keep raising it… at the same time that I know this could be somebody’s first podcast episode.”
- Season 8 Approach:
- Full 52-week schedule planned for the first time.
- Mix of new series, one-off topical episodes, “Best of” reruns, and deep dives.
- Printed schedule available on Patreon, Discord, Facebook group, and Literary Life website.
- Full 52-week schedule planned for the first time.
3. 2026 Season Preview Month-by-Month (23:00–46:00)
January
- Conference week
- Best Of: "What To Do When The Literary Life Feels Overwhelming" (Panel: Cindy, Emily Rabel, Joan Rose)
- New: Jason Baxter on new, expanded Falling Inward (his “lost Tools of Learning for now”)
- Best Of: Dr. Vigen Guroian on fairy tales (“Tending the Heart of Virtue”)
- New: Dr. Michael Drought on Tolkien’s The Tower and the Ruin
- Best Of: Favorite poems from 2020
February
- Main Series: Molière’s Don Juan (Lit Life Players staged read-along)
- Best Of: "The Literary Life of Charlotte Mason" with Karen Glass and Donna Jean Breckenridge
March–April
- Topical: “How to Read Shakespeare” (strategies, resources, age recs)
- Book Series (6 weeks): Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- Banks admits: “I have not read that since college… I have a feeling this is going to surprise me in a lot of ways.” [24:16]
- Angelina: “I have a feeling it’s going to be even better than I remember… a chance to talk more about the Gothic novel.” [25:17]
- April: Introduction to poet Alexander Pope & Neoclassical poetry (18th c.); The Rape of the Lock
May
- Introduction: William Thackeray with a focus on Vanity Fair
- Mr. Banks: “He makes an interesting companion to read alongside Dickens… more urbane and refined in his wit.” [28:44]
- On Fairy Stories (J.R.R. Tolkien): Original episode rebroadcast plus a new revisited discussion with Jen Rogers
- Resource Roundtable: “Where to Start with Ancient Literature” featuring Dr. Ann Phillips (entry points for myth, epic, children/adult recs).
June–July
- Rebroadcast Series: Summer 2019’s “Short Stories and Essays” (James Joyce, Chesterton, Katherine Mansfield, Guy de Maupassant, Orwell, Forster, Addison, Johnson).
- Origin of Thomas Banks joining the show in earnest.
- Angelina: “I just didn’t want it to look like, oh, fine, Angelina… everybody she’s related to is going to get on the podcast. You married your way to the top, mister.” [37:09]
- Special: “Ask Us (Almost) Anything” listener Q&A
August
- Children’s Classic (5 weeks): Watership Down (Angelina’s first read; Banks: “It’s the Aeneid with bunnies.” [39:53])
September
- Update: “Literary Lives of Addison and Ella Hornstrom”—catching up with the twin teachers
- Major Series: George MacDonald’s Lilith (6 weeks) with Addison Hornstrom
- Banks: “George MacDonald terrifies me… Lilith, I felt like I had no compass with that book.” [41:37]
- Angelina: “Addison… has unlocked it for me, so I’m excited she’ll guide us.”
October–December
- Best Of (October): Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (satirical Gothic novel)
- December: Jane Austen Adaptations
- Rebroadcast of past “Pride and Prejudice” film episode with Atlee Northmore, plus a review of the forthcoming Netflix adaptation (“Either going to be ‘delightfully pleased’ or ‘hold me back, I’m coming for Netflix’.” [45:35])
- Year-End: 2027 Preview, “Our Literary Lives of 2026”
4. Reading Challenge & Engagement (47:00–49:50)
- New Approach: Reading challenge devised by the Patreon community.
- Only available via Patreon, even at free level.
- Angelina: “I think they did a wonderful job with it… it’s good to develop those relationships and get a little reading inspiration.”
5. Closing Philosophy & Encouragement (49:51–51:10)
- Literary life as humane, not performance-driven—resisting “crush your goals” mentality:
- Angelina: “I don’t want to crush my goals, I want to live a human life and not be crushed by anything!” [47:29]
- Openness to “where the muse takes me” and literature as an ever-unfolding adventure.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Seasonal Spirit:
- Angelina teasing: “Here with me is the jolly holly Christmas Mr. Banks.”
- Thomas: “I think you might have the wrong guy there, Ms. Stanton.” [01:36]
- Later concedes: “I think I enjoy Christmas as much, if not more than you do… but I approach it in a mellow way.” [01:47]
-
On Literary Culture & Teaching:
- Angelina: “It’s not just about getting clicks and likes and subscribers. We’re teachers, and we want to teach…” [15:42]
-
On Overcoming Overwhelm:
- “You find the podcast, you get excited and you’re like, you know, I’m going to crush my goals in 2026. I will master the literary tradition in one year. And then… you hit a wall and realize there’s so much I can’t possibly read everything.” [17:27]
-
On Revisiting Canonical Works:
- Angelina: “I am excited to revisit Jane Eyre… interested in revisiting. I have a feeling it’s going to be even better than I remember.” [25:17]
-
On Book Selections:
- Thomas: “Alexander Pope is just wonderfully and spitefully witty.” [27:08]
- “He’s a major poet, whether you like him or not.” [28:24]
- On Thackeray: “He makes an interesting companion to read alongside Dickens… more urbane and refined in his wit.” [28:44]
-
Comedic Banter:
- Angelina: “I just didn’t want it to look like… everybody she’s related to is going to get on the podcast. You married your way to the top, mister.” [37:09]
- Thomas: “I’m basically the Yoko Ono of this show… This is getting weird.” [37:15]
-
On the Literary Life Philosophy:
- Angelina: “We think the literary life is a life—it needs to be a humane life… and there’s no need for us to be out there, push, push, push, ‘crush our literary goals’ all the time.” [47:04]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–08:30: Announcements—webinars, House of Humane Letters events and conference
- 13:47–23:00: Philosophy behind the season; balancing newcomers and core listeners; broader approach
- 23:00–27:08: January–April schedule; key book picks; adaptation to feedback
- 27:08–31:18: William Thackeray introduction
- 35:31–37:40: Rebroadcast of 2019 Short Stories/Early Podcast Banter
- 38:07–39:53: Listener Q&A plans
- 39:52–41:42: Watership Down and George MacDonald’s Lilith
- 45:35–46:48: Jane Austen season finale; Netflix adaptation hedge
- 47:00–49:50: Reading challenge explained (Patreon exclusive; free to join)
- 49:51–51:10: Philosophy—resisting performance culture, embracing humane literary life
Episode Tone & Language
- Witty, conversational, approachable—balanced between scholarly rigor and warmth
- Emphasis on growth, inclusivity, creativity, and literary joy
- Reflective, encouraging, a touch self-deprecating, and lightly irreverent when lampooning “book goals” culture
For Your Reference
Full schedule and challenge: Find on Patreon (all access levels, including free), Discord, Facebook group, and The Literary Life website.
House of Humane Letters: For all courses, webinars, and event details.
This episode is an invaluable resource for planning your own literary journey through 2026, whether as a Literary Life veteran or first-time listener. The schedule offers a rare blend of deep-dives, entry points, thought-provoking conversations, and plenty of room to live, not “crush,” your reading life.