Story Secrets - Cooking Monsters and Exorcising Spirits

Story Secrets - Cooking Monsters and Exorcising Spirits

Author: Fr. Roderick Vonhögen February 19, 2025 Duration: 13:32

Editing my footage from the Elfia fantasy fair feels like stepping into a time machine. It’s freezing outside, but watching those warm, sunny September days again? Pure joy. Events like these are more than just fun—they create lasting memories.

One of my favorite encounters was with a German cosplayer dressed as Senshi, the mustachioed dwarven cook from Delicious in Dungeon. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a delightful anime about adventurers who literally cook and eat the monsters they fight. Think Dungeons & Dragons meets a cooking show. Strange? Yes. Entertaining? Absolutely.

During our chat, she mentioned another anime: Mononoke (not to be confused with Princess Mononoke). This visually stunning series follows a mysterious medicine seller who exorcises spirits by uncovering their form, truth, and motivation. It’s a deep, metaphorical take on human nature—and now, I need to watch it.

Cosplay, conventions, and unexpected anime recommendations—this is why I love these events. Have you seen Delicious in Dungeon or Mononoke? Let me know what you think!


Ever notice how a great film or television show can linger in your mind long after the credits roll? There’s often something more happening beneath the surface, a resonance that feels almost spiritual. Story Secrets is where we pull on those threads. Hosted by Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, this podcast sits at a unique crossroads, weaving together discussions on faith, popular culture, and pure entertainment. Each episode takes a familiar story-whether from a beloved movie, a gripping TV series, or even a timeless tale-and gently uncovers the themes of meaning, purpose, and humanity hidden within. You won’t find dry lectures here; instead, Fr. Roderick brings a conversational and insightful perspective, revealing how narratives we enjoy in our leisure time can unexpectedly illuminate deeper questions about life, virtue, and connection. It’s for anyone who loves a good story and has ever wondered why it sticks with them. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful friend for a coffee after seeing a fantastic film, where the conversation naturally drifts from plot points to the profound. You’ll come away with a richer appreciation for the craft of storytelling and, perhaps, a new lens through which to view your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Story Secrets
Podcast Episodes
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If you’ve been following Silo on Apple TV+, you know how gripping and thought-provoking this series can be. Season 2’s finale didn’t just deliver shocking moments—it left us pondering themes that feel eerily relevant in…
Story Secrets - A Conversation With Noldor Elves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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As I work on my new fantasy novel, I’ve been diving deep into the genre to figure out where my story fits. Is it epic fantasy like Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, or does it lean more toward historical fiction? Right now, i…
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The final episode of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew surprised me, not just with its action and drama but with its deeper meaning. This wasn’t just a story about space adventures; it was about freedom, family, and the courage t…
Story Secrets: Dragons As Flying Flamethrowers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ever wished you could transform into a dragon? Imagine the power to confront challenges head-on, just like Lilith, the protagonist of Kim ten Tusscher's fantasy series. Lilith's journey from captivity to self-discovery i…
Story Secrets - What Is 'Silo' Season 2 Trying To Tell Us? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
In the second season of Silo, the battle for freedom takes center stage, mirroring struggles we often face in our own lives. The series, based on Hugh Howey’s Wool, shows an underground world where people live confined i…
Story Secrets - The Pope at a Fantasy Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:47
At a fantasy festival in the gardens of a Dutch castle, I stumbled upon a surprising duo: a monk and the Pope, sitting on a bench and sharing a pizza. The “Pope” stood out—not because of his spot-on vestments, but becaus…
Story Secrets - Will Skeleton Crew Get a Season 2? Here’s My Take [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ever since Skeleton Crew premiered, I’ve been hooked. It’s not every day a Star Wars series comes along that makes me feel like a wide-eyed kid again. But as we approach the season finale, one question keeps popping up i…
Story Secrets - Murderbot on Apple TV+ Has a Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:09
Have you ever read a book where the main character’s identity completely changes how you see the story? That’s exactly what happened to me with The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. It’s a brilliant sci-fi series about…
Story Secrets - Chronicles of Magic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:19
I'm excited to share that I recently embarked on writing my first fantasy novel! It’s been a challenging journey, learning about story arcs, character development, and pacing action. I have newfound respect for authors w…