Jen Pollock Michel is the author of three books, most recently Surprised By Paradox: The Promise of And in an Either-Or World. In this episode, Jonathan and Jen discuss the role of paradox in writing, the difference between either-or and both-and, and the difference between mystery and paradox.

Jen Pollock Michel is the author of three books, most recently Surprised By Paradox: The Promise of And in an Either-Or World. In this episode, Jonathan and Jen discuss the role of paradox in writing, the difference between either-or and both-and, and the difference between mystery and paradox.

Conversations with writers about writing, hosted by Jonathan Rogers.

The Habit

The Habit Podcast

S2 E8: Jen Pollock Michel Waxes Paradoxical

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

S2 E8: Jen Pollock Michel Waxes Paradoxical

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