Story Secrets - From Sacristans To Storytellers

Story Secrets - From Sacristans To Storytellers

Author: Fr. Roderick Vonhögen February 5, 2025 Duration: 8:29

What if your church’s sacristans—quietly setting up for Mass on Sunday morning—were also an elf and a bard at a fantasy festival the day before? That’s the real-life story of Ruby and Joost, two amazing cosplayers I met at Elfia, who also serve as dedicated volunteers in their church.

Their love for fantasy and faith isn’t a contradiction—it’s a reflection of the same values. Fantasy stories teach us courage, self-sacrifice, and hope, just like the Bible does. For Ruby and Joost, cosplay isn’t just dressing up. It’s a way to bring their favorite stories to life and share them with others.

In this episode, I talk with them about how faith and fantasy go hand in hand, and why we shouldn’t be so quick to separate them.

🎧 Tune in for a fun conversation about costumes, communities, and the unexpected ways stories connect us all!


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
Story Secrets - Why I'm Publishing My Book One Chapter at a Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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At the end of the first quarter of 2025, I'm ready to take the next step in my creative journey. For the past three months, I’ve been working hard on writing a fantasy novel – a project I’ve dreamed about for years but n…
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Story Secrets - Shadowlands: C.S. Lewis's Love and Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Have you seen the first episode of Wheel of Time Season 3? Amazon dropped three episodes at once, and I’ve watched the first one—and wow, they have seriously stepped up their game. For those unfamiliar, Wheel of Time is…
Story Secrets - The True Story of St. Patrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:03
Most of what people think they know about St. Patrick isn’t actually true. He wasn’t Irish. He probably didn’t chase snakes out of Ireland. And he definitely didn’t invent green beer (sorry, folks). But here’s something…