Galahad and the Grail is Book 1 of Merlin’s Isle, Malcolm Guite’s retelling of the King Arthur legends in ballad form. It releases in March of 2026. In the prelude to Galahad and the Grail, a voice shimmering in the morning air says:

Poet, take up the tale–
Take up the tale the land still keeps,
In earth and water magic sleeps,
The dryad sighs, the naiad weeps,
But you can lift the veil.

Malcolm has taken up a very old tale and lifted the veil on stories that have lingered in the traditions of the British Isles longer than the English language itself. 

Scholar and teacher Junius Johnson is taking up the tale in another way. Starting in January 2026, Junius is teaching a 20-week online class on the King Arthur legend. He describes the class as a chance to see for yourself why this story has fascinated the imagination for so many centuries.

In this episode, Malcolm, Junius talk with Jonathan Rogers about how King Arthur rode into their lives, and what these stories have meant to them.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.

<a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/merlins-isle?_pos=1&amp;_psq=galahad&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0">Galahad and the Grail</a> is Book 1 of Merlin&rsquo;s Isle, Malcolm Guite&rsquo;s retelling of the King Arthur legends in ballad form. It releases in March of 2026. In the prelude to Galahad and the Grail, a voice shimmering in the morning air says:
Poet, take up the tale&ndash; Take up the tale the land still keeps, In earth and water magic sleeps, The dryad sighs, the naiad weeps, But you can lift the veil.
Malcolm has taken up a very old tale and lifted the veil on stories that have lingered in the traditions of the British Isles longer than the English language itself.&nbsp;
Scholar and teacher <a href="https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/">Junius Johnson</a> is taking up the tale in another way. Starting in January 2026, Junius is teaching <a href="https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/">a 20-week online class on the King Arthur legend</a>. He describes the class as a chance to see for yourself why this story has fascinated the imagination for so many centuries.
In this episode, Malcolm, Junius talk with Jonathan Rogers about how King Arthur rode into their lives, and what these stories have meant to them.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Malcolm Guite and Junius Johnson Take Up the Tale

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/ce0fc265-07d5-4a0a-a744-b3a600bf6dbf/transcript

Besides being the proprietor of the much-loved Substack, Miller's Book Review, Joel Miller is the author of a new book that has made its way into the world after a thirteen-year gestation. In The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future, Joel make the case that books are one of the most important but overlooked factors in the making of our contemporary world. Books don't just preserve ideas, yes, but they also provoke new ones: they are true tools for thinking. This episode of The Habit Podcast was recorded live as part of a book-release celebration at The Rabbit Room’s North Wind Manor. 

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.

Besides being the proprietor of the much-loved Substack, Miller's Book Review, Joel Miller is the author of a new book that has made its way into the world after a thirteen-year gestation. In The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future, Joel make the case that books are one of the most important but overlooked factors in the making of our contemporary world. Books don't just preserve ideas, yes, but they also provoke new ones: they are true tools for thinking.&nbsp;This episode of The Habit Podcast was recorded live as part of a book-release celebration at The Rabbit Room&rsquo;s North Wind Manor.&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by <a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Joel Miller's Idea Machine

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/223d6f7c-8aa1-41b0-b95c-b39f00bd3ec2/transcript

Mischa Willett is a poet and writing professor. He is the Director of the Whitworth Writers' Workshop MFA in Creative Writing at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In this episode, Mischa Willett and Jonathan Rogers talk about MFA programs, failure as a means of getting work done, and apology letters written by robots.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero" a free mini-class, TheHabit.co/Development.

Mischa Willett is a poet and writing professor. He is the Director of the <a href="https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/mfa-in-creative-writing/">Whitworth Writers' Workshop</a> MFA in Creative Writing at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In this episode, Mischa Willett and Jonathan Rogers talk about MFA programs, failure as a means of getting work done, and apology letters written by robots.
This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero" a free mini-class, <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Mischa Willett Is Equipping a New Generation of Writers.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/acd110e1-0ae6-43ac-a8f9-b398003b54da/transcript

In her role as poet, Rachel Donahue has a track record of gathering other poets, encouraging them in their work, and giving them space to shine. In her role as publisher and editor at Bandersnatch Books, she has done all those things for poets by envisioning, then bringing to lifeI’ve Got a Bad Case of Poetry, an anthology of poems for children by dozens of poets, gorgeously illustrated by Emily J. Person. In this episode, Jonathan Rogers speaks with both Rachel and Emily about the origins of A Bad Case of Poetry, the joys of creating in community, and the role of delight in the making of art—especially art for children.

To get I've Got a Bad Case of Poetry by Christmas, preorder at Kickstarter before December 5.

In her role as poet, Rachel Donahue has a track record of gathering other poets, encouraging them in their work, and giving them space to shine. In her role as publisher and editor at Bandersnatch Books, she has done all those things for poets by envisioning, then bringing to life<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bandersnatchbooks/illustrated-childrens-poetry-anthology"> I&rsquo;ve Got a Bad Case of Poetry</a>, an anthology of poems for children by dozens of poets, gorgeously illustrated by Emily J. Person. In this episode, Jonathan Rogers speaks with both Rachel and Emily about the origins of A Bad Case of Poetry, the joys of creating in community, and the role of delight in the making of art&mdash;especially art for children.
To get I've Got a Bad Case of Poetry by Christmas, preorder at <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bandersnatchbooks/illustrated-childrens-poetry-anthology">Kickstarter </a>before December 5.

Rachel Donahue and Emily J. Person Have a Bad Case of Poetry.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/11d9bd2d-385f-4cbb-abc7-b39100b3cfae/transcript

Rabbit Room Press has started a new podcast called Rabbit Room Press Presents, serialized audiobooks of favorite Rabbit Room Press titles. The first season consisted of the seventeen interviews with poets that make up Ben Palpant’s book, An Axe for the Frozen Sea. Each episode is a different interview. Besides being an excellent writer in his own right, Ben is a great interviewer. This episode of The Habit Podcast is a rebroadcast of the first episode of Rabbit Press Presents—en Palpant, reading the Preface to An Axe for the Frozen Sea, followed by Chapter 1 of that book, his interview with the poet Scott Cairns.

Rabbit Room Press has started a new podcast called <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/rabbit-room-press-presents">Rabbit Room Press Presents</a>, serialized audiobooks of favorite Rabbit Room Press titles. The first season consisted of the seventeen interviews with poets that make up Ben Palpant&rsquo;s book, <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/an-axe-for-the-frozen-sea-conversations-with-poets?_pos=1&amp;_psq=axe&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0">An Axe for the Frozen Sea</a>. Each episode is a different interview. Besides being an excellent writer in his own right, Ben is a great interviewer. This episode of The Habit Podcast is a rebroadcast of the first episode of Rabbit Press Presents&mdash;en Palpant, reading the Preface to An Axe for the Frozen Sea, followed by Chapter 1 of that book, his interview with the poet Scott Cairns.

Rabbit Room Press Presents: Ben Palpant and Scott Cairns

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/84c16e89-46d5-4f3c-b6c0-b383003b6094/transcript

Katherine Ladny Mitchell is a mystery-writer. Not To Be is the first in her Pen and Paintbrush mystery series, in which a writer and a painter, two sisters, work together as amateur sleuths. In this episode, Katherine and Jonathan Rogers talk about the rules of mystery stories, and how they apply to other kinds of storytelling. And they discuss the ways that the habit of art could make artists of all kinds good crime solvers.

Katherine Ladny Mitchell is a mystery-writer. <a href="https://www.bandersnatchbooks.com/store/p/not-to-be">Not To Be</a> is the first in her Pen and Paintbrush mystery series, in which a writer and a painter, two sisters, work together as amateur sleuths. In this episode, Katherine and Jonathan Rogers talk about the rules of mystery stories, and how they apply to other kinds of storytelling. And they discuss the ways that the habit of art could make artists of all kinds good crime solvers.

Katherine Ladny Mitchell Writes Mystery.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/0a4ac87d-2509-4947-83f1-b37c00af21a2/transcript

Dr. Grace Hamman is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing. Her work has been published by academic and popular outlets, including Plough Quarterly and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. Her new book is Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life. In this episode, Grace and Jonathan Rogers talk about the virtues and vices, and the ways that virtues present differently in different people. They also talk about unicorns.

Dr. Grace Hamman is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing. Her work has been published by academic and popular outlets, including Plough Quarterly and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. Her new book is <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/ask-of-old-paths-medieval-virtues-and-vices-for-a-whole-and-holy-life-grace-hamman/fad8bfc2f8496d62?ean=9780310167204&amp;next=t">Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life</a>. In this episode, Grace and Jonathan Rogers talk about the virtues and vices, and the ways that virtues present differently in different people. They also talk about unicorns.

Grace Hamman on Virtues and Vices

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/03cfcb31-80fd-4a8e-abfd-b37500b36b54/transcript

Karen Walrond is the author of The Lightmaker’ Manifesto and Radiant Rebellion. She and her work have been featured on Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her blog Chookooloonks is a lifestyle, inspiration, and photography destination. Karen’s new book is In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur. In this episode, Karen and Jonathan Rogers talk about hobbies, the value of doing things you aren’t very good at, and the seven attributes of intentional amateurism.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Focus Retreat—a four-day writing getaway in Nashville, October 26-30. TheHabit.co/Retreats.

Karen Walrond is the author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lightmaker-s-manifesto-how-to-work-for-change-without-losing-your-joy-karen-walrond/093b5c452458ac5f?ean=9781506469942&amp;next=t">The Lightmaker&rsquo; Manifesto</a> and <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/radiant-rebellion-reclaim-aging-practice-joy-and-raise-a-little-hell-karen-walrond/c837921bdb9f0c33?ean=9781506487632&amp;next=t">Radiant Rebellion</a>. She and her work have been featured on Bren&eacute; Brown&rsquo;s Unlocking Us podcast, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her blog <a href="https://chookooloonks.substack.com/">Chookooloonks</a> is a lifestyle, inspiration, and photography destination. Karen&rsquo;s new book is <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/in-defense-of-dabbling-the-brilliance-of-being-a-total-amateur-karen-walrond/a1ae54fca0517975?ean=9781506487656&amp;next=t">In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur</a>. In this episode, Karen and Jonathan Rogers talk about hobbies, the value of doing things you aren&rsquo;t very good at, and the seven attributes of intentional amateurism.
This episode is sponsored by The Habit Focus Retreat&mdash;a four-day writing getaway in Nashville, October 26-30. <a href="TheHabit.co/Retreats">TheHabit.co/Retreats</a>.

Karen Walrond Is a Total Amateur.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/3bbea1bf-12fc-457f-938f-b36e00bb5ee9/transcript

Kate Gaston’s essays are usually hilarious and always wise. She is the proprietor of the Substack That Middle Distance and a regular at the Rabbit Room. She will also be a featured guest at The Habit's Focus Retreat at the end of October. In this episode, Kate and Jonathan Rogers discuss her essay, "The Heavy Lift of Creativity."

Kate Gaston&rsquo;s essays are usually hilarious and always wise. She is the proprietor of the Substack <a href="https://substack.com/@thatmiddledistance">That Middle Distance</a> and a regular at the Rabbit Room. She will also be a featured guest at The Habit's <a href="https://TheHabit.co/Retreats">Focus Retreat</a> at the end of October. In this episode, Kate and Jonathan Rogers discuss her essay, <a href="https://substack.com/home/post/p-165489559">"The Heavy Lift of Creativity."</a>

Kate Gaston Is Generous. And Hospitable.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/e9972230-b785-4df5-8465-b36700487a9b/transcript

Dr. Louis Markos is Professor of English at Houston Christian University. He’s an authority on C. S. Lewis, apologetics, and ancient Greece and Rome. He’s the author of close to thirty books, most recently From Aristotle to Christ: How Aristotelian Thought Clarified the Christian Faith. In this episode, Dr. Markos and Jonathan Rogers talk about the relationship between virtue and happiness, the difference between wishes and choices, and the role of contemplation in the creative life.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit's Focus Retreat, October 26-30 in Nashville. Find out more at TheHabit.co/Retreats.

Dr. Louis Markos is Professor of English at Houston Christian University. He&rsquo;s an authority on C. S. Lewis, apologetics, and ancient Greece and Rome. He&rsquo;s the author of close to thirty books, most recently <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/from-aristotle-to-christ-how-aristotelian-thought-clarified-the-christian-faith-louis-markos/ec1731d021a3223f?ean=9781514011324&amp;next=t">From Aristotle to Christ: How Aristotelian Thought Clarified the Christian Faith</a>. In this episode, Dr. Markos and Jonathan Rogers talk about the relationship between virtue and happiness, the difference between wishes and choices, and the role of contemplation in the creative life.
This episode is sponsored by The Habit's Focus Retreat, October 26-30 in Nashville. Find out more at <a href="https://TheHabit.co/Retreats">TheHabit.co/Retreats</a>.

Louis Markos Contemplates

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/1b3640b6-c63e-4486-9a4a-b36000ddc065/transcript

Conversations with writers about writing, hosted by Jonathan Rogers.

The Habit Podcast

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