Welcome to Poets at War, a podcast documenting the brood of writers, where art, theology, philosophy, and fun beckon your ears.In this transmission, the Brood oscillates between the mechanics of medieval romance and the absurdity of 80s nostalgia. Joshua opens the comms channel with a debate on the ethics of Intellectual Property: Is Zorro public domain? Should all stories eventually belong to the people? And what does Jurassic Park have to do with the moral decline of copyright law?Later, we switch feeds to intelligence from the recent Fight Laugh Feast offensive, where Jesse Marsalis recounts tales of street singing and the perils of "Fight Laugh Fasting." The squad then pivots to a theological breakdown of Masters of the Universe, as Ian argues that He-Man is actually a Christian allegory. Finally, we wind down with a look at the most ridiculous wrestling merchandise of the 1980s and a heated debate on the logical headaches of time travel in Bill & Ted versus Tenet.Topics Covered:Crusader Romances: A new story set in 1177 involving pirates and relics.The IP Wars: Zorro, Mickey Mouse, and the case for Public Domain.Jurassic Park: Why the book contains things the movie wouldn't dare touch.Theology of Pop Culture: Skeletor as Death and He-Man as the Christ-figure.The Art of the Con: Theories on the French Crown Jewels.Stand by for the final word.Join the Brood Today!https://joshuadavidling.com
In this transmission, the Brood oscillates between the mechanics of high fantasy and the absurdity of corporate bureaucracy. Joshua breaks down how "Legends" function as enchantments in his world, while the squad develops a groundbreaking scientific theory regarding wizards, wool socks, and the static electricity stored in beards.Later, the conversation shifts to the "SHAPE" superhero team, the campy genius of 1960s Batman, and the nightmare fuel of 90s cereal mascots. Finally, the group dives into deep theological waters, speculating on the Harrowing of Hell, the fate of Valhalla, and how Christ fulfills the "Chosen One" myth across all cultures.Topics Covered:The Mechanics of Legends: Enchanted objects and spirit possession.Wizard Beard Science: Harnessing static electricity for magic.Corporate Heroes: The bureaucratic absurdity of the "SHAPE" team.Pop Culture: Eartha Kitt’s Catwoman, The Munsters, and AI Wrestling.Theology: Did the Harrowing of Hell extend to Valhalla?Evangelism: Campus preaching plans and engaging with Hinduism.The Chosen One: How Jesus fulfills the universal myth.Join the Brood:Visit https://joshuadavidling.com for links to our Discord, Substack, and Patreon.Be your family's bard. Do not turn to the right or to the left, And The Lord will be with you wherever you go. Over and out!
Welcome back to the trenches! On this episode of Poets at War, the Brood gathers to discuss the chaotic life of the modern bard, the intersection of fast food and illicit activities, and how the absurdities of reality fuel our fiction.
We kick things off with life updates, including Joshua’s foray into "vibe coding" to build his own project management suite and Daniel’s busy schedule working in a group home. The conversation takes a hilarious turn as the group swaps stories about accidental encounters with drug dealers—including a sandwich shop called "Fat Sam's" and a very confusing offer involving a Wendy's bag in a Publix parking lot.
Later, we dive into the craft of writing. How do banana peels, urban sprawl, and fever dreams about sneezing elephants make their way into our stories? We wrap up the hour with tactical mechanics, brainstorming rule changes for Daniel’s card game (involving celebrity impressions), and nerding out over Stream Decks, A/V automation, and the struggle between digital tools and physical notebooks.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Intro & The Life of a Modern Bard: Job updates, eBay flipping, and "Vibe Coding."
21:25 – "Is that a sandwich or...?" Funny stories about drug deals, Fat Sam, and the Wendy's bag incident.
34:27 – From Reality to Fiction: How banana peel physics and construction sites inspire narrative.
49:20 – The Fever Dream: A terrified principal, a choir, and a sneezing elephant.
57:11 – Tactical Mechanics: Developing Daniel's card game & brainstorming rule changes.
1:16:00 – Gear & Gadgets: Obsessing over Stream Decks, A/V automation, and the notebook debate.
Join the Brood:
Visit https://joshuadavidling.com for links to our Discord, Substack, and Patreon.
Be your family's bard. Do not turn to the right or to the left, And The Lord will be with you wherever you go. Over and out!
In this episode of Poets At War, Joshua David Ling, Alexander Robertson, and Michael Bush take a trip into the swampy waters of Burnt Marshwiggle!Why are modern buildings so often ugly, and why do traditional structures feel more human? This question ignites a feature-length discussion on the battle between beauty and utility. The poets argue that the choice between traditional and modern architecture reveals a deeper spiritual conflict: one that values timeless quality, human scale, and adaptability versus one that worships mass production and disposability.Along the way, the conversation touches on everything from Stream Deck automation and the theology of AI to a chilling story of government surveillance, all tied together by the central question: In the things we make, where do we place our soul?
In this episode of "Poets At War," Joshua embarks on a solo research journey to answer a pressing question: Where did all the Calvinist poets go? Why did a theological tradition that once produced giants like John Milton seem to retreat from the high arts and poetry?Join us as we search for the last significant movement of "near-Calvinist" poets. Our investigation leads us to the fascinating story of the Fugitive Poets and Southern Agrarians of the 1920s and '30s. We'll read and analyze works by key figure Robert Penn Warren and explore the literary theory he co-founded, "New Criticism" — including a powerful, AI-generated explanation of it from the perspective of J.R.R. Tolkien.The investigation deepens as we ask why this cultural shift happened. We explore critical concepts such as:The Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy and the "Great Reversal."The creation of a separate Christian subculture focused on utility over beauty.The clash between a theological identity (in Christ) and modern, identity-based art forms.Finally, we challenge the AI's initial conclusions, arguing that core Reformed theology (grounded in Creation, the Incarnation, and Common Grace) is profoundly pro-art. The conversation culminates in a strategic blueprint for how the church and its artists can work to widen this artistic application and re-engage the culture today.Topics covered in this episode:Calvinist Poetry & Reformed TheologyThe Fugitive Poets & Southern AgrariansRobert Penn Warren, John Crowe Ransom, Alan TateNew Criticism & Literary TheoryJ.R.R. Tolkien's view on art and sub-creationThe Great Reversal & Christian FundamentalismAbraham Kuyper, Francis Schaeffer, and Common GraceThe future of Art, Culture, and the ChurchThis is a deep dive into history, theology, and the future of Christian art.
Poets At War Episode 232
#PAW232
Broodcast Episode 32
#BC32
(00:00:00) - Intro & Casual Banter
The group catches up, discussing holidays, concert memories, exotic foods, and the new Broodcast background art created by Ian.
(00:15:26) - Ian's Thriller: "Delivery of Doom"
Ian shares a new story set in his Walter Ulrich universe, introducing Mike McGee, a pizza delivery driver in Maine who stumbles into a terrifying situation. On his last delivery of the night, he arrives at a creepy, dilapidated house and comes face-to-face with a monstrous, otherworldly being.
Feedback Focus: Ian asks for help building more suspense and eeriness in the lead-up to the monster's appearance. The group suggests using the five senses to build atmosphere, adding a fake-out scare, and leaning into the established religious elements for the story's climax.
(00:35:52) - Abby's Fantasy: "Rael'thil in the Red"Abby presents a piece from her high-fantasy world, "Asunder." The story follows Rael'thil, a red-coated centaur embittered by the slaughter of his kin. While hunting, he encounters a massive, monstrous troll, only for a wounded fairy warrior to suddenly appear and engage the beast. Rael'thil must decide whether to flee or help the fairy.
Feedback Focus: The group praises the classic fantasy feel and the unique world-building, including the metaphysics of "the veil" that separates the mundane and magical realms.
(00:52:49) - Joshua's Epic Poem: The Aftermath of TragedyJoshua continues his wrestling epic. After learning about wrestler Joshua Slater's tragic past from his former trainer, his manager Jessica finds him in the arena parking lot. She confronts him with compassion, offering her unwavering friendship. Overwhelmed, Joshua responds not with words, but by playing his guitar, and the two share a moment of connection under the moonlight.
Feedback Focus: The consensus is that the pivotal conversation needs more back-and-forth dialogue to feel more satisfying and to give Joshua Slater more agency in the scene.
(01:03:30) - Brendan's Fantasy: A Song of StarsBrendan shares a quiet, character-focused scene. Ternon, a warrior-bard from a nomadic people, is on watch and sings a melancholic song of his homeland, its legends written in the stars. Eleanor, the young woman his group is escorting, overhears him. They share a heartfelt conversation about the constellations, his culture, and his reasons for leaving home to find his own story.
Feedback Focus: The piece is praised for its introspective beauty, strong sense of place, and the effective use of song to convey world-building and character.
(01:19:36) - Joel's Sci-Fi: "Champion Down" (Read by Joshua)The group critiques a chapter from Joel's action-packed sci-fi story. When the heroic soldier Fox goes down in a hostile city, his entire team scrambles to save him, defying orders and protocol. The chapter rapidly shifts perspectives between the captain launching a rescue mission, a multi-armed alien tech expert risking her own life by "over-temping" her brain implants to provide support, and other soldiers racing to an extraction point.
Feedback Focus: The chapter is lauded for its intense, chaotic energy and its effective use of multiple perspectives to show the high stakes and the team's unwavering loyalty to their fallen leader.
(01:37:25) - Outro
"Be your family's bard. Do not turn to the right or to the left and the Lord will be with you wherever you go. We'll see you next time in the trenches on Poets at War."
Poets At War Episode 231#PAW223Broodcast Episode 31#BC31Joshua: The host, a writer of narrative poetry.Joel: A writer of sci-fi/fantasy prose.Ian: A writer of an epic fantasy series.Alex: A writer and RPG game master.Kyrith: A writer of fantasy prose.Abby: A writer of fantasy prose.Brendan: A writer who joins later in the meeting.The meeting features several members sharing their works-in-progress, receiving feedback, and discussing various creative and personal topics.Joel reads a chapter from his sci-fi novel, Nanite Wars.Ian reads Chapter 3 of his fantasy novel, a story with a classic, C.S. Lewis-inspired tone.Alex pitches his idea for a tabletop RPG campaign set in the Fallout universe.Weekly Challenge: Brendan proposes a new weekly art and writing challenge for the group. Each week, a prompt will be given (based on a song, a pose, or a member's story), and participants will have the week to create a finished piece. The goal is to foster accountability, practice, and collaborative learning.Kerith's Story Pitch: Kerith shares the concept for a story she is struggling to write. It is set in a world where children are enslaved by unicorn-like beings. Joshua reads two narrative poems from his wrestling story, "Beauty and the Big Dog."
(NOTE: This recording was from 9/20/2025)Poets at War is a monthly podcast following The Brood, a community of Christian creators who craft narrative art to glorify God. Episodes feature author interviews, story presentations, media discussions, and workshop sessions. Host Joshua David Ling fosters a supportive Christian fellowship where artists encourage one another and pursue excellence in storytelling that points toward truth, goodness, and beauty.Join The Brood:https://joshuadavidling.com/discordPhishing, malware, deepfakes, AI scams... The digital world can feel like a minefield. Many Christians respond with fear, either hiding from technology in "digital monasticism" or becoming passively enslaved by the "dopamine casino" in their pockets. But is there a third way? A path of faithful action and stewardship?In this special episode of Poets at War, Joshua David Ling presents a live talk he delivered on the crucial topic of Technological Stewardship. He lays a robust theological foundation, arguing that technology, from its binary core of zeros and ones, is rooted in the very Logos of God. Using the Christian innovator Samuel Morse as a guiding example, Joshua rejects the false dichotomy of "Luddite vs. Tech-Slave" and issues a powerful call to action for God's people to become creators, not just consumers.This episode transitions from the "why" to the "how," offering practical, battle-tested strategies for families and individuals. You will learn:How to reframe your thinking about technology as a gift to be stewarded.Practical ways to fight "doom scrolling" by redeeming the time for God's glory.How to identify and avoid common threats like phishing, malware, and various online scams.Wisdom for parents on how to train their children to navigate the internet safely and creatively.Actionable advice on passwords, public Wi-Fi, data breaches, and accountability software.Whether you're a parent guiding your children, an artist creating in the digital space, or a Christian seeking to be wise as a serpent in a technological age, this episode provides both the framework and the tools to move from fear to faithful action. Join us to learn how to practice digital dominion and wield the tools of our age for the glory of God.
(NOTE: These recordings were from 9/2/2025 NOT 9/3/2025 like I say in the video.)
Poets at War is a monthly podcast following The Brood, a community of Christian creators who craft narrative art to glorify God. Episodes feature author interviews, story presentations, media discussions, and workshop sessions. Host Joshua David Ling fosters a supportive Christian fellowship where artists encourage one another and pursue excellence in storytelling that points toward truth, goodness, and beauty.
Join The Brood: https://joshuadavidling.com/discord
Chapters for #PAW229:
00:00:31 - #CC61 - Creators & Crusaders 61 with Jesse Marsalis - (9/2/2025)
Jesse and Joshua discuss podcast thumbnails and creative workflows before turning to Jesse's goal of recording an album by year's end. They spend considerable time exploring baby names for Joshua's third child, leading to a historical discussion about Cædmon, the earliest known English poet.
00:23:03 - #PB10 - Going Monthly with Daniel Reed - (9/2/2025)
Daniel shares his struggle to write "The Maiden's Child" while working full-time. He workshops a tense birth scene where his protagonist Katira, a midwife, loses a patient. Joshua helps refine the narrative, suggesting ways to convey the death powerfully and explore Katira's conflict between grief and duty.
Poets at War is a monthly podcast documenting The Brood Community of Christian creators as they actively forge narrative art to the Glory of God, serving as a digital Inklings group where artists gather to encourage and edify one another through their craft. Each expansive episode captures the ongoing creative journeys of The Brood, featuring rotating segments including author interviews, fully-produced story presentations, deep media discussions, and workshop sessions where members share works-in-progress ranging from epic poetry to fantasy novels. Host Joshua David Ling champions the mission of creating stories that encourage hearts for generations to come, building a supportive fellowship where Christian artists sharpen one another through constructive critique, mutual accountability, and shared dedication to excellence in storytelling. Like the Inklings of old, The Brood gathers monthly to document their progress, celebrate victories, work through challenges, and pursue the calling of creating narrative art that points toward truth, goodness, beauty, and the Kingdom of God.
Join The Brood:
https://discord.gg/kwkNEzQcDR
Chapters for #PAW228:
00:00:00 - #OA1 - Ollie's Announcements 1 - (9/9/2025)Sergeant Ollie and his newly arrived squad take command of the trenches, announcing Poets at War's shift to a monthly format. The colorful crew of soldiers promises more segments and chaos in future episodes.
00:02:46 - #GR101 - Going Monthly - (9/9/2025)Joshua explains the transition to monthly episodes to allow more time for creating Brood Tales content. He emphasizes the new focus on Christian creators documenting their artistic journeys.
00:04:55 - #CC60 - Creators and Crusaders Episode 60 With Ian Wilson (6) - (8/20/2025)Ian Wilson discusses selling books, finding therapy, and the challenge of monetizing creative skills. Joshua and Ian explore personal branding, social media's role in art, and the board game renaissance.
00:35:24 - #BT3 - Brood Tales Episode 3 (Ghost Trucker S1E1: Stragglers) - (8/30/2025)Mike Kraft encounters a mysterious girl on Route 50 and supernatural forces that bend reality around his truck. Government agents close in as the cargo he's hauling holds dark secrets.
00:56:55 - #BM47 - Kpop Demon Hunters (Joshua, Alex, Brendan) - (8/28/2025)The crew analyzes K-pop Demon Hunters, debating its themes of shame, redemption, and whether demons can be saved. They discuss the film's stunning animation choices and compare and contrast its message to Disney's Frozen.
01:42:07 - #BC30 - Broodcast August 2025 (Joshua, Joel, Ian, Kerith, Brendan) - (8/29/2025)Ian shares his great-grandfather's 1936 journal discovering dinosaurs and the Heart of the Stars in a forbidden Himalayan valley. Joel continues Nanite Wars with Hope's rescue, Joshua presents wrestling poetry revealing The Big Dog's past, and Brendan's throne room scene explores a young baron's crushing doubts about leadership.
Poets At War Episode 227
#PAW227
General's Report Episode 100
#GR100
Joshua celebrates the 100th General's Report with a deep dive into predestination and its importance for artists, exploring Romans 9-11. The brood recording features Kerry Credeur, Daniel Reed, and Aaron Reed discussing storytelling techniques, the modular approach to narrative construction, AI's role in art and revision, and Daniel's work on "The Maiden's Child." The group explores the balance between cozy cottage stories and action-oriented narratives, while examining how different perspectives on art and beauty shape creative work.
Poets At War Episode 226
#PAW226
General's Report Episode 99
#GR99
Brood Tales Episode 2
#BT2
Joshua introduces Craic In The World, and performs the second full episode on Poets At War's Brood Tales!
Poets At War Episode 225
#PAW225
General's Report Episode 98
#GR98
Burnt Marshwiggle Episode 45
#BM45
Alexander Robertson, Joshua David Ling, Daniel Reed and Ian Wilson discuss whether or not we should be attempting a more robust hagiography as Protestants.
Poets At War Episode 224
#PAW224
Burnt Marshwiggle Episode 44
#BM44
Brendan, Joshua, and Ian discuss enjoying the mundane.
Poets At War Episode 223
#PAW223
General's Report Episode 97
#GR97
Broodcast Episode 29
#BC29
Joshua, Brendan, Kerith, Joel, Ian, and TK share their works in progress! This is the Broodcast! Inkling style Discord chat, last Friday of every month! To join, please visit:
https://joshuadavidling.com/brood
Poets At War Episode 222
#PAW222
General's Report Episode 96
#GR96
Brood Tales Episode 1
#BT1
Joshua introduces The Guardians of Atlanta, andPerforms the first full episode on Poets At War's Brood Tales!
Poets At War Episode 221
#PAW221
General's Report Episode 95
#GR95
Poetry Bootcamp Episode 9
#PB9
Joshua talksa bout having a Psalm 2 mindset, andJoshua, Brendan, and Daniel work on Joshua's darkest series!
Poets At War Episode 220
#PAW220
General's Report Episode 94
#GR94
Burnt Marshwiggle Episode 42
#BM42
Ian, Joshua, and Brendan, discuss the life and legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs!
Poets At War Episode 219
#PAW219
General's Report Episode 93
#GR93
Broodcast Episode 28
#BC28
Joshua, Alex, Braydon, Brendan, Daniel, Ian, Jesse, and John, and Joel share their works in progress! This is the Broodcast! Inkling style Discord chat, last Friday of every month! To join, please visit:
https://joshuadavidling.com/brood
Poets At War Episode 218
#PAW218
General's Report Episode 92
#GR92
Burnt Marshwiggle Episode 42
#BM42
Joshua, Alexander, Daniel, and Ian discuss Chesterton's idea of: "Either everything is a miracle, or nothing is."
https://joshuadavidling.com