S6E44 – AH – “Surprised by Oxford”, After Hours with Dr Carolyn Weber

Oxford serves as the backdrop for Dr. Carolyn Weber’s personal journey from an agnostic academic to a Christian, a transformation detailed in her memoir *Surprised by Oxford*. The conversation examines how the city’s atmosphere and the intellectual legacy of the Inklings, particularly C.S. Lewis, catalyzed her spiritual inquiry. Weber highlights the power of "longing" as a universal human experience, a theme she explored through her academic study of Romantic poets. The discussion also addresses the challenges of translating a memoir into film, emphasizing the importance of maintaining narrative integrity while capturing the aesthetic beauty of the university. Beyond her own story, Weber reflects on the enduring relevance of biblical narratives as a source of profound psychological insight and the necessity of "paying attention" to the sacred, often overlooked moments of daily life.