Garden of Thought

Iran. The Caribbean, Ukraine. Serbia. Israel. Brazil. Protests and riots in Europe. Islands in Albania. We live in interesting times. Listen to an interesting person who taught at NYU and West Point, has been around the world, worked for and with the DoD and a Joint Chief, among other places.

Professor Emeritus John Hoopes is back again. This was initially going to be part 2 of the Civilations Before Civilation episode. And it was. But is was so much more. From the origins of music to pet theories, we cover a lot of territory. Could there be a root culture or cultures? Why is phonetics a trap so often? What does currencies have to do with this? Why is Lapis Lazuli an important clue? And so much more.

F.K. Sterling is the author of numerous novellas and non fiction ancient mysteries books. His works explore giants from around the world, Dragons and serpents, reptilians, the hollow Earth, and other topics.

His fiction includes the Deer Man of Derring Hollow and numerous tales in and around Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

www.eurekalore.com

Dr. Doug Cardell is an economist and he's worried about Socialism. He doesn't believe most people properly understand what socialism means. He opines they also don't understand history. And he brings the data to back his opinions up.

However, he also differentiates between capitalism and greed. He proposes a several point solution to make government more responsive and a better guardrail against abuse and excess.

We also discuss his newbook "Why Socialism Struggles".

dougcardell.com

We are rejoined by the author of the international bestseller, "The Secret History of the World", Mark Booth. Since that time, Mark as recently published "The Secret History of the Universe". I hope you'll listen to the earlier episode, but these are stand alone. This subject matter is a blending of esoteric thoughts, philosophy. physics, and other related theories and laws.

Book UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-History-Universe-Ancient-Wisdom/dp/1918107017
Book US: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-history-of-the-universe-how-ancient-wisdom-made-the-modern-world
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecrethistoryof
More: https://www.markboothauthor.com/links

Bob Pondillo was a kid that stumbled into becoming a deejay. He's also been a university professor, screenplay writer, author, had films in Cannes, and won 4 Emmy Awards. His latest book is a psychologocal thriller/horror novel entitled "The Confession". It's got child abuse, mean nuns, mysterious visitations, and violence. Tune in and learn aboutthat this man and his mostly midwestern journey. Except the songwriting in Nashviile.

Bruce Fenton returns into the Garden after a long hiatus. And lucky you because for unknown tech issues, about halfway through, he couldn't hear em so you got largely a solo show from the guest.

The topic was about the UFO/UAP disclosure, or lack thereof.

Alexander G. Carrion was a self described F up and went to law school. Six months out of law school, he realized he loved helping people via immigration law. Since that time, he founded a law firm with a nationwide practice.

We discuss the increasing complexities in practicing law in an era where the rules are constantly shifting.

Carrion Law
19 Hart Street, apt 1Brooklyn, NY 11206

Phone: (631)729-0002
e-mail: LexCarrionESQ@gmail.com

We welcome back Professor Rick Spence formerly of the University of Idaho, and currently host of the Strange As It Seems podcast. He's also been a multi time presenter of The Great Courses.

We discuss quite a list of religions many may have never heard of, or thought extinct, or a mystery. Well, we got through a good part of that list. Yes, the Beta Israelites are up first. Bogomils? We've got Bogomils. And so much more,

The Garden welcomes in Ray Godleski to discuss methods of building wealth, with an aim towards retirement and retirement according to your priorities. It's an enormous topic but we tried to hot the high points and make it clear that no one glove fits all and issues like taxes and estate planning are involved.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. Ray Godleski, Financial Advisor Set up a callhttps://www.google.com/maps/search/500+Buford+Highway,+Suite+115+%0D%0A+Suwanee,+GA+30024?entry=gmail&source=gEmail: Ray@SeWealthPartners.comLet us be http://www.yournextstepfinancial.com/About Osaic Wealth, Inc. 500 Buford Highway, Suite 115Suwanee, GA 30024 (770) 415-5925 Direct

Bernie Taylor is back! And this time we explore the School of Athens through the works of Raphael. This leads us to Gods and legends and giants of history.

Many of you might have wondered where has The Gospel of Thomas episodes gone. Thomas and I do another podcast now and that show has been transformed into the Out of Character podcast. It's on the Sports Jedi Network (Sports Jedi Media Network onYouTube) with an expanded roster of cohosts and an expanded remit.

This episode could have been out the OOCP. Returning Garden guest Keegan Demetrijevic is a professional wrestler, Master's Degree holder, PhD student, and comic book creator. We discuss all those things. New listeners may want to check out his prior episode which centered primarily on Canadian indigenous literature.

Terry M. Adair, author of Where are the Little
Green Men?, and his newly published book
Earth: The Goldilocks Planet.
Building upon the famous Drake Equation,
Adair introduces a compelling framework that
examines not only how life begins, but how it
survives, evolves, and eventually becomes
intelligent.
From the structure of galaxies and the nature
of stars to planetary systems, photosynthesis,
biological complexity, and technological
civilization, this book traces the remarkable
chain of events that made Earth possible.
Blending astronomy, astrobiology,
evolutionary science, geology, and
thermodynamics, Earth: The Goldilocks Planet
reveals why our world may occupy a uniquely
favorable position in the cosmos.

Brace McKoy spent 11 years in the army after attending West Point. Thereafter, he was primarily in the defense industry. He authored a book in addition to other papers on the issues surrounding AI's emergence, the probability of aliens among us, and the forced reduction of population partly due to AI induced mass unemployment. He opines governments will have to take more control over the citizenry and consider a basic subsistence income. He also speaks on the role of religion. Specifically, his faith in Christianity. It's a conversation you don't want to miss.

In the latest crossover simulcast with Sweet and Good Torah, Laivi Shor rejoins us. Or did we join him? The chat says the latter. Anyway, you might not have thought that the Torah, Talmud, or Kabbalah opines on UFOs, Aliens, and the possible divine relationship. You were wrong.

Paul Skorpen has done a lot of things and has learned a lot of languages. He's learned Nepali. He's studied with a Shaman. He leads VIP tours.

He also has a theory that relates from the Bronze Age back to the dawn of the Tepes. We discuss those theories. But along the way, we have to learn a bit about both Goddesses and Tepes.

Deborah Wilde is a global wanderer and hopeless romantic. After twelve years
as a screenwriter, she was also a total cynic with a broken edit button, so, she
jumped ship, started writing funny, sexy urban fantasy books and never looked
back.
She loves writing smart, flawed, wisecracking women who can solve a mystery,
kick supernatural butt, banter with hot men, and still make time for their best
female friend, because those were the women she grew up around and admired.
Granted, her grandmother never had a to kill a demon at her weekly friend
lunches, but Deborah is pretty sure she could have.
Smart (ass) heroines. Epic magic. Red-hot romance.

Tovah Silver runs Mad Queens Inc., an unlicensed magical
problem-solving agency with her three best friends. They've
built their reputation on grit, loopholes, and unrepentant
competence, ignoring those who think their perimenopausal
magic tops out at party tricks.
They’re wrong but correcting them would be a felony. Every
one of the Queens has a forbidden second magic buried
deep—until an assassin golem forces Tovah to unleash
hers.
She thinks she got away with it. Then Nikolai Azarov shows
up.
Vancouver’s only golem-maker would call her story creative if he wasn’t too busy calling BS. Worse,
once he figures out what she actually did to that golem, he doesn’t turn her in. He names his price.
Now Tovah must honor a dangerous bargain with a man who’s already insufferable without
leverage, outmaneuver the magic cops circling her agency, and hunt down whoever left a hand-
delivered clay effigy on her bed.
Middle age isn't a crisis. It's a weapon.
Published by Te Da Media Inc and available worldwide in e-book, paperback, and audiobook on
October 12, 2026.
Purchase links:
Deborah Wilde Books: https://www.deborahwildebooks.com/collections/mad-queens-inc
Other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/3GB9vL

Horror and thriller actress, Amber Brooke, joins the Garden to talk about her projects and first hand spooky stories she's experienced.

She's also a model, cosplayer and frequent attraction at Horror Cons.

There's also a companion show on Sports Jedi (out of Character podcast) with Vinny Pacifico and Amber Brooke.

What's a Younger Dryas? What's a Glacial Maximum? Who was living in civilzations before Egypt and Sumeria? Turns out we have some names, places and archeology. So, Professor Emeritus John Hoopes breaks it down for us. Mezolythic, Neolithic, Holocene. among others are all terms we'll define and we'll fit some of those puzzle pieces between transforming to agriculturally based settlements from mobile hunters and gatherers.

J Scott Christianson is both capitalist and do gooder. He enjoyed great success in the private sector and has been a Professor at the University of Missouri. We discuss current events and trends surrounding this issue. Tech lords. Data centers. The threat from China. Job loss. Robots. Elon. It's all in here.