About this episode
This episode explores the deeper purpose of toilet humor in storytelling through various literary examples.
Why do our greatest stories—Chaucer, Shakespeare, and even the Bible—include moments that feel . . . a little crude? In this episode, we make a surprising case: what we call "toilet humor" isn't just childish—it may actually serve a deeper purpose in storytelling. From the shocking story of Ehud in Judges, to Chaucer laughing at farts, to G. K. Chesterton reminding us to "take ourselves lightly," we explore how humor rooted in the body can humble our pride, reconnect us to reality, and remind us all that we're physical creatures with physical bodies.
Topics covered
- toilet humor
- storytelling
- humor
- literature
- religion
Keywords
- Chaucer
- Shakespeare
- Bible
- Ehud
- G. K. Chesterton
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Bible, Judges
More episodes of Believe to See
- The Saints As Stand-Up Comedians · April 14, 2026 · 41 min
- Jim vs. The Future · March 18, 2026 · 33 min
- Writing Music for Video Games (And Movies. And TV.) · March 10, 2026 · 31 min
- The Bible Is a Story About Dragons · March 4, 2026 · 37 min
- Truth Is Stranger . . . · February 26, 2026 · 1h 8m
- On Birds and Grief and Hope -- Courtney Ellis · February 17, 2026 · 38 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Believe to See podcast page.