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This is The Broodcast! An Inkling-style Discord Chat in the vein of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, recorded the last Friday of every month.In this episode, the Brood explores the edges of the galaxy and the code behind the curtain. Ian kicks things off with a space opera outline featuring "The Heart of the Stars," giant spiders, and a Space Princess with a Cthulhu-esque twist. Daniel discusses the art of the procedural drama and reads a new, happier opening for The Maiden’s Child.The Host becomes the Hacker as Joshua reveals "Epic PageMaster" and Thumby Web Builder, some custom-coded writing apps complete with a hidden terminals and text-to-speech features. Later, we dive into the trenches with Joel’s high-octane Mech story and Brendan breaks down the party dynamics of his new Pathfinder-inspired cast.In this Episode:Ian: Heart of the Stars (Sci-Fi/Fantasy)Daniel: The Maiden’s Child (Fantasy) & Procedural DramasJoshua: Thumby Web Builder (Tech/Coding) & Beauty and the Big Dog (Wrestling Fiction)Joel: 37 Sci-Fi/Mech storyBrendan: Yoshi & Bleys (Character Concepts)To join our ranks of writers and artists, please visit: https://joshuadavidling.com

Joshua David Ling and Alexander Robertson engage in a skirmish over the soul of art in the age of the machine. But first, a briefing on new hardware and expanding the universe of the Guardians of Atlanta.In this tactical briefing, the brood discusses Valve's surprise hardware drop and the return of the legendary Steam Controller. The conversation then shifts to the frontlines of The Guardians of Alana and The Idiot's Guide to Illegal Tech Repair, debating whether a sequel season should focus on the beloved crew or the wider world.Finally, the battle lines are drawn regarding Artificial Intelligence. Is AI a tool for the conductor to realize a vision beyond their budget, or is it a cheap replacement for the human musician? From "Celtic Blues" to the "Steve Jobs" approach to creativity, Ling and Robertson wrestle with the ethics and aesthetics of the future.Topics Covered:Valve’s new Steam Machine and VR HeadsetWorldbuilding: Character-driven vs. World-driven narrativesThe "Celtic Blues" aestheticAI: The Studio Musician vs. The Live PerformanceThe philosophy of "Audio First" mediaJoin the ranks of writers and artists: https://joshuadavidling.com/discord

Welcome to Poets at War, a podcast documenting the brood of writers, where art, theology, philosophy, and fun beckon your ears.Today on the program, our troops gather in the barracks to discuss the tactical importance of singing all the verses of a hymn—and why leaving out the third verse is a strategic error. We also take a deep dive into the personnel files of a new sci-fi universe, examining the origins of the Magnus Canis, the Gentleman's Highline, and the Knights of Adonai.Finally, we end with a heavy theological skirmish regarding the waters of baptism. Does the King's decree outweigh the soldier's understanding? The brood engages in a high-level discussion on justification, sanctification, and the means of grace.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & The Tactical Hymn21:16 - The Map & Sci-Fi Personnel Files1:08:16 - The Baptism SkirmishYou too can be a part of the brood of writers and Poets at War. Just visit https://JoshuaDavidLing.com/Discord to join.If you're a true poetry patriot, you can support us on Substack and Patreon and get the recordings of all of our encouraging and strategic meetings, along with much more!Troops, 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!

Welcome to Poets of War, a podcast documenting the brood of writers, where art, theology, philosophy, and fun beckon your ears.Today on the program, Joshua and Abbi discuss the serendipity of fixing plot holes, the lost art of internet cartoons, and a deep dive into the theology of the stars—from C.S. Lewis's Planet Narnia to the man who changed the zodiac.For practical tools of creation, the conversation shifts from philosophy to the artist. The brood discusses the death of Hollywood, the necessity of Christian storytelling, and Joshua demos a new song generated to inspire fathers to be the bards of their own homes.But leaving the digital studio behind, we wade into the deep waters of theology and economics. The trio debates eschatology, the concept of duty as the foundation of theonomy, and whether a return to the guild system could save the free market from crony capitalism. To close out the transmission, then the men brainstorm a revolutionary new business model for wedding videography: the Mockumentary.Topics Covered:00:00 - Intro & The Serendipity of Editing02:18 - Reading "Guardians of Atlanta" with the Brood07:20 - The 1922 Stradivarius & Musical Improvisation16:38 - The Absurdist Humor of Homestar Runner & Dexter's Lab34:00 - Machete Order Star Wars & Lord of the Rings41:20 - Edgar Allan Poe & The Cozy Goth Aesthetic46:20 - Deep Dive: C.S. Lewis, The Seven Heavens, & The Zodiac ShiftFight the good fight.You too can be a part of the brood of writers and Poets at War. Just visit https://JoshuaDavidLing.com/Discord to join.If you're a true poetry patriot, you can support us on Substack and Patreon and get the recordings of all of our encouraging and strategic meetings, along with much more!Troops, 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!

Welcome to Poets of War, a podcast documenting the brood of writers, where art, theology, philosophy, and fun beckon your ears.Today on the program, Joshua David Ling, Benjamin Curlee, and Jesse Marsalis gather to discuss the intersection of cutting-edge AI technology and the ancient role of the bard. We begin with a look at new tools for world-building—specifically MarbleWorld Labs and Gaussian splats—and a recap of the Fight Laugh Feast conference from 2025 (featuring the legendary "Fast" pens).For practical tools of creation, the conversation shifts from philosophy to the artist. The brood discusses the death of Hollywood, the necessity of Christian storytelling, and Joshua demos a new song generated to inspire fathers to be the bards of their own homes.But leaving the digital studio behind, we wade into the deep waters of theology and economics. The trio debates eschatology, the concept of duty as the foundation of theonomy, and whether a return to the guild system could save the free market from crony capitalism. To close out the transmission, then the men brainstorm a revolutionary new business model for wedding videography: the Mockumentary.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & The "Fast" Pen06:45 - AI World Building & Gaussian Splats27:39 - The Death of Hollywood & The Father as Bard47:46 - Theology, Duty, & The Guild System1:12:32 - The Wedding MockumentaryJoin The Brood!Visit JoshuaDavidLing.com for more.Over and out.

Reports are coming in regarding the ethics of storytelling, the tactical deployment of Substack, and new intelligence on 3D visualization technology.First, the Brood analyzes the narrative styles of internet critics and the interconnected storytelling of creators like the Nostalgia Critic. Then, the battlefront shifts to the physical realm as Brendan arrives with harrowing tales of home renovation and his war against metal window trim.Finally, the squad engages in a fierce debate on the nature of Artificial Intelligence. Is AI "penicillin for the mind" or a poison to the soul of animation? From "Marble Worlds" technology to the "Be Your Family's Bard" hair metal anthem, the poets clash over whether we are facing a new prohibition or a new frontier.Topics Covered:The narrative ethics of internet critics3D Visualization: Gaussian Splats and Marble WorldsThe "Be Your Family's Bard" AnthemThe Great AI Debate: Tool for Masters or Trap for Novices?Tactical advice for conferences and creative stewardshipFight the good fight.You too can be a part of the brood of writers and Poets at War. Just visit https://JoshuaDavidLing.com/Discord to join.If you're a true poetry patriot, you can support us on Substack and Patreon and get recordings of all our encouraging and strategic meetings, along with much more!Troops, 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. Over and out.

Welcome to Poets at War, the podcast documenting the brood of writers, where art, theology, philosophy, and fun beckon your ears.Today on the program, we are intercepting signals from two separate evenings on the front lines of culture. First, The General Joshua David Ling and Officer Brendan Sunshine dig into the digital trenches to discuss Artificial Intelligence. Is AI just "singing to rocks"? They cover the spiritual implications of silicon, the struggle of the creative mind to find motivation in the machine, and the argument that the American Experiment may have ended in 1865.Later, the barracks are full as new recruits and old veterans join the show. To settle the troops, the General pulls out a field manual—specifically the prologue to The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson—to demonstrate the perfect execution of literary whimsy. The unit then plays a round of musical roulette involving their birth years before laying out the map for "Operation Oklahoma": the strategic plan to secure a physical headquarters and establish The Brood as a multi-generational institution.In this episode:Why AI will never be God (or Man).The People-Pleaser’s struggle with creative perfectionism.The hope for a re-Christianized West coming from the Global South.A reading of The Wingfeather Saga prologue.The vision for a physical base of operations and the future of the Brood.Join the Brood Today!https://joshuadavidling.com

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.