Shows
Dark Finds PodcastHenry Veneer-Brooks - Columbanus, and How Ireland Saved Europe in the Dark AgesOn this week’s episode we sit down with documentary film maker & author Henry Vyner-Brooks. Henry is also the host of the ‘Saving Europe’ YouTube channel, where he takes us on a journey across Europe and explores the people who rescued European Civilisation in the Dark Ages & after World War II, people like Columbanus and Robert Schuman. On this episode, we delve into the story of Columbanus, an influential Irish missionary and a key figure in the Christian monastic movement of the early Middle Ages. We explore Bangor Abbey, known at the light of the world in the 6th century...2024-09-231h 19
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN EP.6 - Churchill, Schuman & British Exceptionalism (1951-1963) Has the EU betrayed its founders?In this final episode Henry travels to 5 European countries exploring the long march of European integration and why Britain always appeared an uneasy fit within that project. He is also asks a veteran peace activist who has attended the Strasbourg parliament for 50 years; whether the project itself has departed from the intensions of its founders. 2022-03-3043 min
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN EP.5 - The Lost Art of Forgiveness (1946-1951) How Frank Buchman helped Schuman win the PeaceThe Franco-German reconciliation, described by one US thinktank as 'the greatest achievement in modern statecraft' was partly helped by a Lutheran preacher. Frank Buchman and his international network of Christians helped Schuman and Adenauer maintain their Christian calling toward forgiveness when a resolution seemed impossible. The rest is history.2022-03-3037 min
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN EP.4 - The Wilderness Years (1941-1945) - Preparing to Win the PeaceVisiting various hiding places in the mountains and valleys of France, this episode not only explores the people who helped Robert Schuman keep one step ahead of a 4-year Nazi manhunt, but also examines the Christian philosophy that underpinned his political ideals.2022-03-3024 min
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN EP.3 - The Great Sifting - Prison, Torture, Resistance & Escape (1939-1941)Who stands fast?’ wrote a condemned German pastor, 'when evil is disguised as light, as historical necessity, or social justice.’ As war descends on Europe, Schuman's character is further forged in Nazi prisons and the temptations offered him by one of Hitler's most trusted officials. As the threat of execution looms, Schuman plans a daring escape with a secret dossier. 2022-03-3028 min
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN Ep.2 The Crucible of War - The Political Birth of Robert Schuman (1914-1939) (Documentary Audio files)Henry continues his journey through Europe to explore how Robert Schuman, future prime minister of France, entered politics after WWI during a period of toxic culture wars and endemic industrial corruption. (Documentary Audio files)2022-03-3018 min
The Book DistillerySCHUMAN EP.1 - Calm amidst the Chaos - the formation of Robert Schuman (1886-1914) (Documentary Audio files)In episode 1 Henry travels between Luxembourg and Metz exploring Schuman's upbringing in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian war. After the early death of his father, Schuman studies law even as German militarism threatens European peace. (Documentary Audio files)2022-03-3018 min
The Book DistilleryUNCUT INTERVIEW: The Life & Times of Charles Danguy - 50 years making peace at the heart of EuropeEXPERT: 2012 Luxembourg Peace Prize; Outstanding Peace Activist, Charles Danguy speaks about his life on the frontlines of political and industrial conflict all over Europe...Poland and Ukraine LINKS FOR CHARLES:. - https://luxembourgpeaceprize.org/laureates/outstanding-peace-activist/2012-charles-danguy/- https://www.foranewworld.info/people/charles-danguy For Henry: www.SavingEurope.com SAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europe-Tale-Twilight-Europa/Many thanks to Tune tank for the background Music: - www. tunetank.com_3823_old-picture_by_victorwayne.mp3 - www.tunetank.com_5306_a-farewell_by_creativemediass.mp3 ...2022-03-2450 min
The Book DistillerySAVING EUROPE Interviews: The Big Ideas that shaped Modern Europe with Prof. Alan FimisterSUMMARY: An extended interview with Prof. Alan Fimister about the Catholic spiritual framework of the Robert Schuman (The Father of Europe) and Jacques Maritain (Framer of the UN Declaration of Human Rights). Alan is contributor to the Spectator and Catholic Herald newspapers, also an assistant professor of Theology at St John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado and director of the Dialogos Institute. Alan's related articles: - https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/alan-fimister- https://spectatorworld.com/topic/defense-integralism-alan-fimister-catholicism/- https://catholicherald.co.uk/ive-loved-the-eu-all-my-life-but-im-delighted-we-have-left-it/- https://catholicherald.co.uk/vote-leave-its-what-st-augustine-would-have-wanted/-h...2022-03-2439 min
The Book DistilleryBEDE to BORIS, JUSTINIAN to JUNCKER: 2000 Year History that led to BREXIT with Prof. Alan FimisterSUMMARY: An extended interview with Prof. Alan Fimister about the historical, theological and legal aspects that made Britain a square peg for European integration. Alan is contributor to the Spectator and Catholic Herald newspapers, also an assistant professor of Theology at St John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado and director of the Dialogos Institute. Alan's related articles: - https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/alan-fimister- https://spectatorworld.com/topic/defense-integralism-alan-fimister-catholicism/- https://catholicherald.co.uk/ive-loved-the-eu-all-my-life-but-im-delighted-we-have-left-it/- https://catholicherald.co.uk/vote-leave-its-what-st-augustine-would-have-wanted/-https://www.thetablet.co...2022-03-2428 min
The Book DistilleryCHRISTIAN SOCIAL NETWORKS in the BATTLE for the SOUL of EUROPE with Historian Dr Philip BoobbyerEXPERT: An extended interview with Philip Boobbyer, who read Modern Languages at Trinity College Cambridge (1982-86), before doing an MA in Russian Areas Studies at Georgetown University, Washington DC (1986-88), and a PhD in the Department of Government at the London School of Economics (1989-1992). After temporary appointments at the University of Westminster and the LSE, he came to the University of Kent in 1995. He is currently the School of History's Director of Graduate Studies. https://www.kent.ac.uk/history/people/385/boobbyer-philip For Henry: www.SavingEurope.com SAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www...2022-03-2454 min
The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#11 - Past, Present & Future for British Christian Democracy with Dr Jonathan ChaplinTOPIC: Anchored around the Epilogue of Saving Europe, this long-form conversation centers largely around a deep & authentic Christian response within the political sphere. EXPERT: * Dr. Jonathan Chaplin has lectured and written widely on many themes in Christian political thought. * He is the former Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics, Cambridge, UK, a member of the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty, and has held academic posts in Toronto and Amsterdam. * He is Associate Fellow of the London-Based think tank Theos * He is a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Chris...2022-03-241h 36The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#10 - THE LOST SOUL OF EUROPE & THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE with Jeff Fountain (Schuman Centre of European Studies)SAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europe-Tale-Twilight-Europa/dp/0956942741/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JQBYKQA7MEPI&keywords=saving+europe&qid=1644255873&sprefix=saving+europe%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Also, massive thanks to Pond % stock video contributors: Stock Footage provided by Fanta, from Pond5 brown gold geometric patterns - by kastomazer, from Pond5 Spiral galaxy - by DCPmedia, from Pond5 rays of sunlight and dust - by gianlorenzo, from Pond5 Florence Cathedral - by Hefrson, from Pond5 macro spot of fresh coffee droplets Many thanks...2022-02-071h 28The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#9 - Theological aspects of Brexit & European Identity - with Prof. Josh HordernTOPIC: Discussing Ch.15 of Saving Europe, 'The Europeanisation of Europe,' with a special focus on Christian responses to local, regional, national & supra-national allegiances. GUEST: Prof Joshua Hordern is Associate Professor of Christian Ethics in the Faculty of Theology and Religion and a Governing Body Fellow of Harris Manchester College. SAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europe-Tale-Twilight-Europa/Many thanks to Tune tank for the background Music: - www. tunetank.com_3823_old-picture_by_victorwayne.mp3 - www.tunetank.com_5306_a-farewell_by_creativemediass.mp3 - www.tunetank.com_5306_a-farewell_by_creati...2021-12-101h 34The Book DistilleryBook Distillery Ep.8 - Discussing Christian & Secular perspectives in 1943 regarding the post-war political settlement. (Guest Dr. Dominic Erdozain of Emory University, Atlanta.)SAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europe-Tale-Twilight-Europa/dp/0956942741AUDIO PODCAST: -SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/559YJ1cpNSQGnvLLtrezlH-GOOGLE: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MmE3OTEwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==-RADIO REPUBLIC: https://radiopublic.com/the-book-distillery-6pgjvO- BREAKER: https://www.breaker.audio/the-book-distilleryMany thanks to Tune tank for the background Music:- www. tunetank.com_3823_old-picture_by_victorwayne.mp3- www.tunetank.com_5306_a-farewell_by_creativemediass.mp3- www.tu...2021-10-271h 17The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#7 - Texas Investigator goes voluntary homeless to minister to prostitutesTHEME & GUEST: Trying to get under the skin Columbanus' Voluntary exile, we speak with Nicole Morgan, a Texas Sexual Abuse investigator who left her 70,000$ job and travelled to 15 countries as an itinerant evangelist, with a special ministry focus on women trapped in the sex industrySAVING EUROPE BOOK UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europe-Tale-Twilight-Europa/dp/0956942741 AUDIO PODCAST: - SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/559YJ1cpNSQGnvLLtrezlH- GOOGLE: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MmE3OTEwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==- R...2021-10-111h 36The Book DistilleryBook Distillery #6 - Why the E.U. & Western Civilization is in Terminal Decline - Schuman, Maritain, Catholic Social Teaching, Aquinas & IntegralismAn extended interview with Prof. Alan Fimister about the Catholic spiritual framework of the Robert Schuman (The Father of Europe) and Jacques Maritain (Framer of the UN Declaration of Human Rights). Alan is contributor to the Spectator and Catholic Herald newspapers, also an assistant professor of Theology at St John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado and director of the Dialogos Institute. Alan's related articles in the Spectator & Catholic Herald: - https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/alan-fimister - https://spectatorworld.com/topic/defense-integralism-alan-fimister-catholicism/ - https://catholicherald.co.uk/ive-loved-the-eu-all-my-life-but-im-delighted-we-have-left-it/ - h...2021-09-231h 27
The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#5 - 'How the Irish saved Western Christianity' - Friendship, Forgiveness & HolinessA scholarly & personal discussion with Historian, Archaeologist & Adventurer Meredith Cutrer about her Oxford doctoral work which specializes in: 0:00 - Introduction - the 6th century Irish Monastic revolution 1:40 - Academic & Personal Introduction to Guest, Meredith Cutrer 3:30 - Brief Overview of Chapters 6 & 7 of 'Saving Europe' 7:50 - Q.1 - Tell us about Irish Monastic Cities & Life under their rule? (Also; aspects, appeal of the Christian ascetic tradition, Religious extremism & military motifs in early medieval Christianity.) 16:30 - Q.2 What are the origins of Christian asceticism? Ref: The Greek (Byzantine) & Egyptian influence of Irish Chris...2021-08-181h 38The Book DistilleryBook Distillery #4 - Mark 'Rocky' Roques on how Plato & Aristotle compromised ChristianityDiscussion with Philosopher Mark Roques on Chapters 4 & 5 of Saving Europe. Subjects covered: the intellectual and cultural milieu of early medieval Ireland, and also 19th/20th century Europe. (Incl.: Hobbes, De Sade, Nietzsche, Aristotle, Plato, Aquinas, Newman, Leo XIII, Maritain.) WEBSITES: For Henry: www.SavingEurope.com For Mark Roques: https://thinkfaith.netMark's latest book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-spy-the-rat-and-the-bed-of-nails/mark-roques/ben-clymo/9780995757202 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spy-Rat-Bed-Nails-Christian/dp/0995757208 SAVING EUROPE HARDBACK BOOKS: UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europ... USA...2021-07-241h 26The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#2 - If no Irish then no Charlemagne/Carolingian Renaissance - with Dr. Alex O'HaraDiscussion with Dr Alex O'Hara on Ch.2 of Saving Europe - about early Ireland, Irish Christianity and its impact on Europe BUY THE BOOK? HARDBACK BOOKS: UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europ... USA AMAZON - https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Europe-... GERMANY AMAZON - https://www.amazon.de/Saving-Europe-T... UK/USA BARNES & NOBLE - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/savi... BELGIUM / NETHERLANDS - https://www.bol.com/nl/p/saving-europ... EBOOKS available at: UK AMAZON - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Europ...2021-07-171h 33The Book DistilleryBook Distillery#3 - From Nietzsche to the Gulag - the failure of Rationalism & rise of post-modernism (with Dr. Richard Russell)Discussion with Philosopher Dr Richard Russell on Ch.3 of Saving Europe examining the intellectual and cultural milieu of 19th century Europe. (Incl.: The retreat of cultural Christianity and the groundwork for the rise of totalitarian ideologies) WEBSITES: www.SavingEurope.com For Dr Russell: https://www.allofliferedeemed.co.uk/2021-07-171h 06
The Book DistilleryBook Distillery #1 - 6 Christians & 1 Muslim discuss Western Civilization, Religion & JesusWELCOME TO THE BOOK DISTILLERYDuring the Covid-19 lockdown 6 Christian friends met on Zoom to discuss Norman Davies 'The Isles'. When they chose (group member) Henry's book 'Saving Europe', he decided to invite other academic specialists & then also to hit the 'record button' - This Podcast is the result! 0:00 Title Sequence 2:00 Meeting the Boys 3:30 Content & Format 4:20 Richard’s 60-sec summary 5:20 Comments on the Books Intro (seeker a deeper historical perspective & synthesis, dialogue & not entrenchment 9:12 Society as ‘base and superstructure’ – distinguishing the superficial from the fundamental. Also the illusi...2021-07-091h 19