T.S. Eliot’s Evocative Poetry | Season 10 Wrap-Up of “Turning to the Mystics”
Your heart beats in poetic rhythm — and in Season 10 of “Turning to the Mystics,” we explore the spirituality of poetry.
In this dynamic season, we embarked on a journey through T.S. Eliot’s evocative poem, “Four Quartets,” guided by our hosts, James Finley and Kristen Oates.
“When I read ‘Four Quartets,’ I was so touched by the depth of it and the beauty of it — I’ve been reading it ever since, really. T.S. Eliot is one of these people… who have been part of my inner world.”
—James Finley
Behind the Scenes of “Turning to the Mystics” Season 10
Want to learn more about how this season was made? We sat down with Senior Producer Dorothy Abrahams for some insight into the creative process of making such a thoughtful and reflective podcast.
What was your favorite episode and why?
Dorothy: Outside of the “Stories of Pilgrimage” bonus episode we released, which featured the voices and generous contributions of our listeners, one standout episode from Season 10 must be our interview with poet Malcolm Guite (Part 1 and Part 2).
Malcolm’s genuine enthusiasm for “Four Quartets” helped to highlight and emphasize all that James and Kirsten had unpacked over the course of the season. It was like adding a wonderful umami to an already delicious sauce.
What challenges did you have to overcome this season?
Dorothy: The team was very excited to take on T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets,” but we knew that a season devoted to a poet would be a departure from the Christian mystics our listeners had come to expect. So, we weren’t sure what the response would be!
We were also unsure of whether Eliot’s language was too dense and layered to unpack succinctly. However, James and Kirsten’s genius at conveying the mystical elements and connections within Eliot’s work helped us thread Season 10 with what had come before in a meaningful and expansive way. The more I listened, the more my mind broke open, and I hope others had their own transcendent experiences with “Four Quartets.”
What are your plans for next season?
Dorothy: In this new season, we’ll be exploring the work of philosopher Gabriel Marcel. I think our listeners are in for a treat as Kirsten and James have such facility with the subject matter. While also a departure from the Christian mystics, the wisdom from prior seasons shines through. For example, T.S. Eliot’s exploration of time, “Only through time, time is conquered,” came up within the first few recording sessions. Each season then acts like a palimpsest, adding layer upon layer of learning and heart opening to the ones that came prior.
We also heard from Corey Wayne, Director of Events and Production:
All of us at CAC are thrilled to have Dorothy stepping in as our Senior Producer!
As the CAC Podcast Network has grown over the last five years, I’ve recently been developing a brand-new team that continuing to produce the shows our listeners love and beginning to develop new ones. This season was Dorothy’s first project during her time here at CAC and I was thrilled with what she was able to do with it.
“Each season then acts like a palimpsest, adding layer upon layer of learning and heart opening to the ones that came prior.”
—Dorothy Abrahams, Senior Producer at CAC
Highlights from “Turning to the Mystics” Season 10
Through each episode of this podcast season, you are invited to experience the mystical wisdom of T. S. Eliot’s masterpiece, “Four Quartets,” guided by hosts James Finley and Kristen Oates.
- T.S. Eliot: Session 1 — James reflects on the qualitative essence of T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets.”
- Turning to T.S. Eliot — James Finley introduces listeners to T.S. Eliot and his poem “Four Quartets.”
- Dialogue 1: Burnt Norton — In this dialogue session, James and Kirsten focus on quartet one, “Burnt Norton.”
- T.S. Eliot: Session 2 — This second session brings us deeper into T.S. Eliot’s mystical words.
- Dialogue 2: East Coker — Discover Eliot’s second quartet, “East Coker.”
- T.S. Eliot: Session 3 — Explore “Four Quartets” through the ancient practice of lectio divina.
- Dialogue 3: The Dry Savages — Learn more about the third quartet, “The Dry Savages,” in this dialogue session.
- T.S. Eliot: Session 4 — Reflect on the spirit of “Four Quartets” in this session episode.
- Dialogue 4: Little Gidding — In this dialogue episode, turn to Eliot’s final quartet, “Little Gidding.”
- BONUS: Malcolm Guite on T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets” (Part One) — A special bonus interview with singer-songwriter Malcolm Guite explores poetry’s nature.
- BONUS: Malcolm Guite on T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets” (Part Two) — James, Kristen, and poet Malcolm Guite discuss Eliot’s third and fourth quartets.
- A Coaching Session on “Four Quartets” — James and Kirsten offer us guidance for our own spiritual path.
- BONUS: Stories of Pilgrimage — Discover themes in “The Way of a Pilgrim,” as listeners share stories of pilgrimage.
- T.S. Eliot: Listener Questions (Part One) — In this episode, Kirsten and James answer listener questions from Season 10.
- T.S. Eliot: Listener Questions (Part Two) — Explore more listener questions and the teachings of “Four Quartets.”
Transcripts are available for each episode.
On every season of “Turning to the Mystics,” we embark on in-depth explorations of the teachings of one unique mystic. New episodes are coming soon!
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