AJ Langley is joined by Lee Irwin to talk about the Lakota mystic and healer Heȟáka Sápa (Black Elk). We talk about the difference between Native and Christian conceptions of visionary experiences, embodied spiritual practices, and the importance of acting on visions for the benefit of community.

CW: non-consensual/coercive relationshipsOn this episode Barbara Newman tells host AJ Langley all about her guilty pleasure, the poet, novelist, theologian and literary critic, Charles Williams (1886-1945). We talk about coinherence, charisma, energy harvesting rituals, Dante and Beatrice, and Barbara's love for Taliessin through Logres.Follow us o…

Rowan Wilson joins AJ Langley to celebrate the works of Walter Hilton (d. 1396). We talk about the moral stakes of a life in the world, the existence of devotional guides as proof that devotion wasn't always easy, and the importance of a good night's sleep. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic and we will see you next month!…

Genevieve Caufield joins the podcast to speak about the Prussian anchoress and visionary Dorothea of Montau (1347-1394). We talk about the joys of having two "lives" (neither of which say mush about her life), replacing her heart with a fiery lump of flesh, and declarations of orthodoxy.

And we are back! On this episode Maria Oen talks about her long-lasting interest in the mystic, saint, and founder of the Bridgettines, Birgitta of Sweden (d. 1373). We talk about her time in Italy, her high-status connections, her insistence that the Pope return to Rome, and her duties as the Virgin Mary's daughter-in-law.…

Andrew Kraebel (@hermitofhampole) joins the podcast for our second episode on the fourteenth-century English mystic, hermit, and religious writer Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349). We talk about translating Rolle's writing, his poetry, his writing for women, and the importance of the whole person to the mystical experience. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmy…

This month, artist and researcher Harri Hudspith (@harri_hudspith) joins host AJ Langley (@medievalmystics) to discuss the Carmelite nun, reformer, mystic, and saint Teresa of Ávila. We talk about playing hermits in the garden, learning how to cry over the Passion, and how to become so virile that you shock men. To see more of Harri's work, visit h…

On this episode, AJ Langley (@medievalmystics) is joined by Delfi Nieto-Isabel (@delfinietois) speaks about the charismatic heretic, mystic, and incarnation of the Holy Spirit, Na Prous Boneta (c. 1296-1328). We talk about why she thought that Pope John XXII was the Anti-Christ, the age of the Holy Spirit, Peter John Olivi and apocalyptic theology,…

This month, Biörn Tjällén joins AJ Langley to speak about the Christian mystic Margareta, a woman of Sámi origin who travelled through Sweden in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century to gain support from Swedish religious authorities for the increase in pastoral care from those in the Northern regions of Sweden. We talk about the lack of …

This week, AJ Langley s joined by dancer, choreographer, and theologian Sander Vloebergs to discuss the medieval mystic Lutgardis (c. 1182-1246). Turns out, she was an absolute boss! She returned God's gifts until she got the one that worked the best for her, she controlled their relationship and demanding God be as compassionate as He claimed, and…

Fleshly Janglers and Pinchers be gone! The wisdom of this episode in not for you! Becky Field joins the podcast this week to speak about the Cloud Author. We talk about the frustration, confusion, and peace (?) that comes from becoming nothing, the best insults in the mystical theology game, random one-syllable words for meditative focus, and the q…

The wonderful Marisa Michaud joins the podcast this week to tell us about the fascinating St Colette of Corbie (1381-1441). We talk about Franciscan reforms, Valois Burgundy, the joys of artistic depictions of mystics, and cherry-picking religious vocations! Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic, and if you are enjoying the podcast, rate and review us …

This week Elsa McDonald joins the podcast to speak about Marguerite Porete (c. 1250-1310), author of The Mirror of Simple Souls who was burned at the stake for heresy. We talk about why theology can be confusing, the contradiction between the views of the inquisitors and the spectators at her burning, careful reading of texts, and how impressive co…

Delphine Conzelmann joins AJ Langley to talk all about 12th century theologian William of St-Thierry (1085-1148). We discuss his "friendship" with Bernhard of Clairvaux, his conflict with Peter Abelard, the chest of Jesus, how we need to be better academic friends and reinstate academic infirmeries to deal with burnout and bound over our ideas. Fol…

CONTENT WARNING! This episode contains graphic descriptions of an image of a torture victim, as well as discussion of ableism, sexual assault, and self-harm. This week W. Ezekiel Goggin (@w_ezekielgoggin) joins AJ Langley (@medievalmystics) to talk about the life and works of the man who said "The brother is my church": mystic & philosopher Georges…

Sean Hannan joins the podcast this week to tell AJ Langley all about Meister Eckhart (d. c. 1328). We talk about how little we know about him, even though we have a lot of his writings. We talk about the "now", becoming nothing, and sharing ground with God. We also talk about academics being honest about their agendas, how there is always room for …

Jess Coulson joins AJ Langley to discuss the English hermit and mystic Godric of Finchale (d. 1170). We talk about material objects inspiring visions, Christ coming out of the cross (both as a baby and a man), the hotline to the Virgin Mary, and how Godric was just a guy and comparing him to Saint Thomas of Canterbury just isn't fair.…

Ed van der Molen and AJ Langley speak about the fourteenth-century French mystic and holy woman Marie de Maillé (1331-1414). We talk about chaste marriage and the benefits of marrying your childhood best friend. We also talk about the fine line between witches and saints, magical ointments, carts miraculously blocking roads, and how biographers sho…

Hildegard von Bingen returns, this week as the favourite mystic of Karl Shuve, who joins AJ Langley to talk about her life, works, and manner of knowing. We talk about her relationships with her community, other women, and her scribe. We also talk about her preaching, her music, and her long legacy.

Erin Risch Zoutendam joins AJ Langley to discuss the German mystic and beguine Mechthild von Magdeburg (c. 1207-282). We talk about flowing light, getting on the Virgin Mary's level, poor girls getting nice clothes in heaven, and why being a human is better than being an angel. Follow us on Twitter: Erin Risch Zoutendam: @erin_zoutendam My Favourit…

This week AJ Langley is joined by Pablo Acosta-García to discuss the Franciscan abbess, preacher, and mystic Juana de la Cruz (1481-1534). We talked about her mystical preaching, God's voice speaking through her body (in a deep register), a reader scandalised by God being compared to things, and how entertaining a sermon would have to be in order t…

Sam Dubbelman joins this week to speak with AJ Langley about the German philosopher, mathematician, and mystical theologian Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464). We talk about how to know God, "learned ignorance", breaking down the wall of logic and reason, and that in the end it is always a leap of faith. We also talk about the power of good networks fill…

AJ Langley is joined by Ilona Gerbakher to talk about the Jewish philosopher (and mystic) Moses Maimonides (1138–1204). We discuss the influence of Sufi mysticism on his work, why he believed that Jews had lost the ability to achieve mystical connection, and how they could learn to get it back. We also discuss antinomianism and AJ's hypothetical re…

AJ Langley is joined by Sean Field to discuss the visionary Margherita Colonna (c. 1255-1280). We discuss her Franciscan influences, her family connections (for better and worse), the differences between her two hagiographies, three year old Jesus taking up space, and being a teenage rebel in the thirteenth century. Also, bonus woman of note: Isabe…

Host AJ Langley is joined this week by Joel Hecker to discuss the Zohar, an essential work of Jewish mystical thought. We discuss the complexity of its authorship, the concept of radiance, the difference between meditation and drugs, sex in mystical texts, and balancing an ascetic life with a wife and kids. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic, and if…

CW: Mentions of SA, self-mutilation, and removing teeth from a corpse This week AJ Langley speaks to Lydia Walker (@LydiaMWalker) about Marie of Oignies (c. 1177-1213), a devout religious woman whose dedication to God earned her two hagiographers, Jacques de Vitry and Thomas of Cantimpré. We talk about the difference between the life she led and th…

This week AJ Langley speaks to Samuel Baudinette about Albert the Great (d.1280), a German Dominican friar, philosopher, mystic, and accused sorcerer! We talk about the difference between a philosopher's comprehension of the divine and the beatitude of the Christian, his massive corpus of writings, his time walking around as bishop of Regensburg, a…

Content Warning: Domestic Abuse This week AJ Langley speaks to Subhasree Chakravarty about the mathematic and mystic Khona. We discuss her sayings, poetic couplets, and advice for all areas of rural life. We also discuss disguising mathematical brilliance as mystical inspiration and calling out your father-in-law for being bad at his job. Follow us…

This week special guest host Robert Dickins interviews the regular host, AJ Langley about the mystic commonly known as Agnes Blannbekin. We discuss confession, anonymity of mystics, bodily reunification, and Christ's foreskin. Follow us on Twitter @myfavmystic, and if you are enjoying the podcast, rate and review us on your podcast app of choice!…

In this week's episode, AJ Langley speaks to John Arblaster about Jan van Ruusbroec (c. 1294-1381), an Augustinian Canon and prolific mystical writer. We talk about finding the time to write, the fourth step on the path to God, the ease of being labelled a heretic, and the transmission of ideas through religious communities. Follow us on Twitter @m…

In this week's episode, AJ Langley speaks to Jessica Barr about German nun, mystic, and author of The Herald of Divine Love, Gertrude of Helfta (1256-1302). We talk about the community of nuns at Helfta, her love of literature, her relationship with the Divine, how she decided to take her religious vocation more seriously (quite a while after she j…

In the final episode of My Favourite Mystic for 2021, AJ Langley is joined by Gemma Simmonds CJ to discuss the mystic and founder of the Congregation of Jesus, Mary Ward (1585-1645). We discuss the difficulties women faced when trying to live a religious life, the mysticism of the everyday, the determination of the Jesuit Order not to admit women, …

In this week's episode AJ Langley speaks to Samantha Slaubaugh, PhD candidate in Liturgical Studies at the University of Notre Dame, about the complicated French beguine Douceline de Digne (1214-1274). We talked about Douceline's influential brother, Hugh of Digne, the strictness of her religious life, the importance of community, levitation during…

In this episode AJ Langley speaks to the Joseph Lumbard about Sufi mystic, writer, and preacher, Aḥmad al-Ghazālī. We talk about the metaphysics of love, getting ready for death, giving your older bother a crisis of faith and taking his job, and how hard it is to do research on people who think that your research is a waste of time. Also, near-deat…

In this episode AJ Langley speaks to the "Margery Kempe Lauras", Laura Varnam and Laura Kalas about the wonderous Margery Kempe, and their new volume Encountering The Book of Margery Kempe, out this month (November 2021) from Manchester University Press. We talk about how Kempe's work invites the reader in, her place among her mystical and religiou…

AJ Langley speaks to Travis Stevens about the Cistercian nun Beatrice of Nazareth (c. 1200-1268). We talk about distrust of hagiographers, lovesickness, absence, saying "yes and" to ecstasies, the role of the "housewife" in Beatrice's text, and how everyone need to "werk it". We also talk about how great Amy Hollywood is, about making mysticism "se…

AJ Langley speaks to Dyan Elliott of Northwestern University about the spiritual marriage of the fourteenth-century couple Elzear (d. 1323) and Delphine (d. 1358). We talk about the intense bond of their relationship, their canonisation procedures (aided by nepotism), the risks of being very into poverty in the 14th century, and how some visions we…

AJ Langley speaks to Louise Nelstrop about the fourteenth-century English hermit Richard Rolle. We talk about Rolle's popularity during the medieval period, his experiences of heat, sweetness, and song, his focus on calming the mind, and how true love is shouting it from the rooftops and forgetting when you first met. Follow us on Twitter: Louise N…

AJ Langley speaks to Hannah Victoria Johnson about the thirteenth-century beguine and mystic Mechthild von Magdeburg. We talk about love, suffering, sex grass, and Mecththild's desire to be below the Devil's ass-crack, all while Hannah attempts to convince listeners that Mechthild is easy to understand. We also discuss our new "Envisioning Visions"…

AJ Langley speaks to Alexandra Verini about the sixteenth-century Hindu mystic Mira Bai. We discuss her marriage to Krishna (and denial of her worldly husband), her poetry, the disapproval of her in-laws, and the connections to be found between medieval mystics of all denominations. Follow us on Twitter: Alexandra Verini: @AlexandraVerini My Favour…

AJ Langley speaks to Georgia van Raalte about the British occultist, spiritual advisor, and author Dion Fortune (1890-1946). We discuss her construction of British spiritualism, her rejection of Indian "Masters" in favour of British "Masters", how novels can stimulate mystical experiences, and Christian esotericism. CW: racism/eugenics and how the …

AJ Langley speaks to Lydia Shahan about the 13th-century mystic, poet, and holy woman Hadewijch. A woman of mystery, we talk about how little is known about her life, about paradox, about desire, and about the joy of rendering a category useless. Lydia Shahan is a second year PhD student in the Study of Religion at Harvard University. She looks are…

AJ Langley speaks to Liam Temple about the mystical writer and Benedictine Augustine Baker (1575-1641). We discussed his conversion experience, his eagerness for a quiet life of contemplation, the repeated thwarting of that desire, his advise to nuns on achieving mystical contemplation, his understanding of the varieties of mysticism, and how anyon…

AJ Langley speaks to Dr Laury Silvers about the Sufi mystic Shawana (9th century). We discuss the challenges scholars face when trying to find early Islamic female mystics, the impact of regional history on the articulation of mysticism, Shawana's weeping, and Laury's transition from academia to writing historical fiction. (CW: references to slaver…

AJ Langley speaks to James Roberts about the Russian Orthodox nun, social activist, theologian and writer Mother Maria Skobtsova (1891-1945). We talk about her theology and the mysticism of human communion, her mission to feed the poor (and her wheelbarrow full of vegetables), her involvement in the French resistance, our pity for her housemates, a…

AJ Langley speaks to Michael Hahn about the lay penitent (Franciscan) mystic Angela of Foligno (d.1309). We discuss her importance as a theologian, her fear of damnation, her spiritual sons, the abyss, lots of screaming and weeping, and how family can get in the way of a religious life (CW: death of family discussed) Michael Hahn is a theologian an…

AJ Langley speaks to Einat Klafter about the one and only Margery Kempe (c. 1373- after 1436). We discuss her pilgrimages, her co-authorship of her text, her sacralising of the mundane, and how she was just... a lot. (CW: depression and self-harm are discussed) Einat Klafter is a co-director of the Exceptional Selves Humanities Lab at the Zvi Yavet…

AJ Langley speaks to Lauren Cole about the mystic, writer, and polymath Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179). We talk about her medical texts, the effect of the humors on reproduction, the use of Adam and Eve, and foaming semen. Brief asides into the "gatekeeping" of the designation of individuals as "mystics" and Lauren's call for everyone to join her…

AJ Langley speaks to Jane Shaw about the mystic, writer, and spiritual advisor, Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941). We talk about her quest for authentic spirituality, her letters of spiritual advise (which are very funny and worth a read), her work as a retreat leader, and her ability to find a balance between spiritual and domestic life. Jane Shaw is P…

AJ Langley speaks to Meagan Khoury about the lay Dominican mystic and holy woman Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). We talk about the "Miracoli", Catherine's "projects" (including her prolific letter writing campaigns), and her fixation on breasts and hearts. Plus, as an added bonus, Meagan shares a bit about Saint Sarah (also called Sara la Kali) and…