Podcast

The Symbolic World

Education

Jonathan Pageau looks at symbolism in all its forms, from its source in sacred stories and images to contemporary culture and ultimately how it shapes the world we encounter.

Episodes
490
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
52 min
On air since
2018
Latest episode
4 days ago

Episodes

490 episodes, newest first

  1. 492 - Nathan Betz - Cosmic Paradise in the Early Church

    Show notes

    Nathan Betz is a research fellow at the University of Regensburg. In this conversation, we talk about how the early fathers saw the heavenly Jerusalem not as a mansion in the sky, but as the point of everything. We discuss why the earliest apse mosaics in Rome stack paradise beneath the heavenly city, how churches came to be built after Revelation instead of just the old temple, and why the texts we have today are only small window into a much richer life.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/xTitW-sKcnw

    https://www.nathanbetz.com/📖 Get 35% off Nathan's book:Title: City of Gods: The New Jerusalem of John’s Revelation in Early Christianity by Nathan BetzDiscount Code (35%): DGBCONF4 (discount will be applied after clicking “checkout")Purchase Website: https://brill.com/display/title/65150 Timestamps:0:00 Intro1:55 Introducing Nathan Betz3:32 How a library visit became a career5:59 Paradise and the city: the bookends of Scripture7:32 "You will be gods in the city of God"8:22 Not a mansion in the sky9:43 Not just eschatology, but teleology10:12 Apophatic theology and the language of symbol12:33 The heavenly Jerusalem in early church art13:53 Paradise and the city in Roman apse mosaics15:56 The liturgy as the heavenly Jerusalem16:25 Is the church an image of the heavenly Jerusalem?17:14 Origen's Russian nesting dolls18:46 The jeweled cross20:27 The missing creative briefs22:25 How the garden is nested in the city24:03 Methodius's Symposium: from paradise to Zion25:34 Monasteries as little New Jerusalems26:30 Sinai, Ezekiel, and the heavenly pattern29:29 Are churches modeled on the heavenly Jerusalem?31:18 The earliest evidence: Zeno of Verona and Eusebius34:48 Hymns of the heavenly city37:36 Revelation in the East39:18 How the imagery survived without Revelation41:32 Texts are traces, not sources43:56 The life of the church as an eternal instant44:57 How this research shaped Nathan's faith48:18 Why everyone is talking about theosis now52:08 Closing🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    53 min
  2. 491 - Over The Garden Wall’s Cosmic Symbolism

    Show notes

    ~ Full spoilers throughout! ~

    Last year, several of you pointed me to Over the Garden Wall, Patrick McHale's 2014 Cartoon Network series. It's ten short episodes about two brothers lost in a dark wood on Halloween. It turns out to be one of the most complete explorations of the in-between I've seen in pop culture, closer to the first canto of Dante than you'd expect from a cartoon. In this video I discuss the symbolism in the show.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/VDYYV9xizZs

    -------------------------------

    GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/

    -------------------------------🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    26 min
  3. 490 - How Idolatry Began (Universal History)

    Show notes

    Part 5. In this episode, Deacon Seraphim Rohlin and I continue the Syriac text of the Cave of Treasures into the fourth age of the world. The text traces the origins of idolatry back to a lack of hope in the resurrection. It tells of a “flood of wind” that buried the idols in mounds, and it puts the origin of sorcery in a child sacrifice to a golden image. We also look at how the text explains Persian fire worship and why it makes Nimrod the same person as Zoroaster. Along the way we talk about the difference between an icon and an idol.

    Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/JLLlb-QqLBk

    Watch the full series here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLegM2eIGv3-I&si=uD375Yi9HcXAt4_j-------------------------------GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/-------------------------------The Book of the Cave of Treasures: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Cave-Treasures-Patriarchs-Crucifixion/dp/1911405659Timestamps: 0:00 Coming up1:26 Intro1:40 Preamble3:42 The Cave of Treasures & the Seven Ages of the World5:30 Tolkien's Middle-earth as Universal History6:11 The Oxford Summit & Tolkien's Grave8:41 King Arthur, Dragon Hill & the Blood Spot12:09 The Fourth Age: Egypt, Sheba, Ophir & India14:43 How Idolatry Began15:17 No Hope of Resurrection: Images on the Grave17:02 The Flood of Wind & the Burial Mounds18:55 Satan Enters the Golden Image21:01 Child Sacrifice, Moloch & Carthage22:41 What's the Difference Between an Icon and an Idol?25:58 Opening the Mouth of the Idol27:25 Idols As a Tool28:38 Same Rituals, Different Direction29:38 Idolatry vs. the Hope of Resurrection30:31 A Mound Full of Devils32:57 Nimrod Worships the Fire from the Earth33:43 Nimrod & the Wisdom of Noah's Son34:47 Abraham the True Astrologer35:10 Divination in the Old Testament: Urim, Thummim & the Ephod37:37 The Fire Priest's Dark Initiation40:34 How Paganism Emerges41:17 The Origins of Astrology42:56 Nimrod Is Zoroaster?44:11 Zoroaster, the Magi & the Star of Christ45:05 Nimrod, Zoroaster & Balaam: The Same Person?48:21 The Legend of Balaam's Talking Donkey49:06 Hidden Monotheism in the Ancient World51:21 Universal History as a Lens on the Present52:12 Why Zoroastrians Don't Bury Their Dead53:29 Armenia's Hayk & the Death of Nimrod🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    56 min
  4. 489 - Dear Catholics: Let’s Put Renaissance Art Behind Us

    Show notes

    This is a patron video we decided to make public. I look at the difference between Renaissance art and the symbolic language of early Christianity, especially through the mosaics of Saint John Lateran. Saint John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome and the pope’s actual seat as Bishop of Rome.

    This episode will be easier to understand on YouTube since it's based on visual art: https://youtu.be/TvsDGsKlIiQ-------------------------------GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/-------------------------------🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    31 min
  5. 488 - Relics Explained: Why your dead body is still precious

    Show notes

    Why do Christians venerate the relics of saints, and how can these objects perform miracles? I explore the biblical and symbolic meaning of relics, from the bones of Elisha to the incorrupt bodies of saints, and what they reveal about the body, holiness, and the resurrection.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/YnopjkmE6Nk-------------------------------GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/-------------------------------🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    31 min
  6. 487 - Divine Patterns in The Life of Moses (Archive)

    Show notes

    This talk is a repost from the archive. It was given in Feb. 2017 at the Climacus Conference in Louisville Kentucky. Looking at the story of the life of Moses as described by St. Gregory of Nyssa, I use the pattern found there to trace a map of the cosmos which can be used to interpret other stories and images.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/hUWZllivScw

    This is the second part of a talk. The first part is here: https://youtu.be/S1y-jEYNRNc

    The original audio was taken from Ancient Faith Radio: https://www.ancientfaith.com/

    -------------------------------

    GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/

    -------------------------------

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

    📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/

    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    43 min
  7. 486 - Encountering God in Stories (Archive)

    Show notes

    The patterns in stories appear as their underlying order and also as a mode of human consciousness. We can encounter the Divine Logos in ancient stories and see how these patterns culminate in the story of Christ.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/S1y-jEYNRNcThis talk is a repost from the archive. It was given in Feb. 2017 at the Climacus Conference in Louisville Kentucky. The original audio was taken from Ancient Faith Radio: https://www.ancientfaith.com/-------------------------------GodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/-------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 – The world is made of stories01:23 – How the invisible holds the visible together03:49 – What makes something a story?06:15 – Ad starts: God's Dog 307:10 – Ad ends: The universal pattern of stories09:01 – How biblical stories hold the world together10:37 – Moses and the pattern of the Tabernacle13:13 – Christ as the Tabernacle encompassing the universe15:22 – Patterns within patterns18:03 – How the Old Testament points to Christ19:50 – Cain and Abel as patterns of Christ22:13 – The Eucharist reconciles opposing sacrifices24:35 – Christ as the fulfilment of all stories25:47 – The universal pattern of descent into the underworld28:08 – Why similar myths don't disprove Christianity30:33 – The Harrowing of Hades32:50 – How Christ transforms the ancient pattern35:29 – Seeing ancient myths through Christ36:17 – How we encounter God in stories37:51 – The danger of reducing Christ to our preferences38:46 – Letting go of our limited image of Christ40:13 – Encountering divine truth in unexpected places🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    41 min
  8. 485 - Why Modernity Loves Prometheus

    Show notes

    In this video, I look at the story of Prometheus and why our modern admiration for him leaves out an important part of the myth. I explore his connection to Cain, Lucifer, technology, and the recurring temptation to grasp power as if it were our own.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/zvM1RkJ_D1EGodsDog: Monk is now officially in stock! You can also get volumes 1 and 2 on sale during October! Visit: https://godsdog.com/🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    15 min
  9. 484 - The Saint Who Killed an Emperor

    Show notes

    In this episode, I look at the tradition of St. Mercurius: a warrior saint associated with St. Michael, the death of Emperor Julian the Apostate, and dog-headed men.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/_Qp3Xj153Ac

    Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://godsdog.com/

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

    📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/

    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    15 min
  10. 483 - R.R. Reno - The Return of the Strong Gods

    Show notes

    I talk with Rusty Reno about the collapse of the postwar “open society” ideal and the return of people’s need for strong loyalties, meaning, and transcendence. We discuss how we got here after the world wars decimated Western civilization: emergent post-war social narratives and identities like nationalism, globalism, politics, “progress”, environmentalism, and transhumanism. Finally we discuss the crisis of masculinity and our ultimate hope in Christ.

    Rusty Reno is the editor of First Things, a journal aimed at "advancing a religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society". He is the editor of the Brazos Theological Commentary on Scripture series and the author of several books, most recently Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism and the Future of the West. For twenty years Reno taught theology at Creighton University.

    YouTube version of this interview: https://youtu.be/NwTYsZfU2ak

    Rusty’s book, Return of the Strong Gods: https://www.amazon.com/Return-Strong-Gods-Nationalism-Populism/dp/1621578003

    Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog

    Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world

    6 weeks, 12 hours

    Price: Only $120, and Involved patrons can get 10% off. Apply your discount code at checkout.

    Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

    📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/

    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    1 hr 13 min
  11. 482 - The Sword of St. Michael

    Show notes

    Why is St. Michael often shown holding a flaming sword? I look at how this image developed, its connection to the expulsion from Paradise, the defeat of the dragon, and the emergent sacred geography known as the Sword of St. Michael.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/yE68F1pGPmQ

    Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog

    Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world

    6 weeks, 12 hours

    Price: Only $120, and Involved patrons can get 10% off. Apply your discount code at checkout.

    Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    24 min
  12. 481 - Dr. Diana Pasulka - The New Religion

    Show notes

    I finally sit down with Diana Pasulka to talk about UFOs, alien intelligence, AI, psychedelics, transhumanism, and the strange religious framework forming around all of them. We look at how these phenomena overlap with older spiritual categories, and why the promise of technological transcendence may be a counterfeit of something Christianity already understands.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/6TqYxG9gxwc

    Her books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.W.-Pasulka/author/B07NL6KZN5

    Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world

    6 weeks, 12 hours

    Price: Only $120, and Involved patrons can get 10% off. Apply your discount code at checkout.

    Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20

    Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Coming up

    01:58 – Introduction

    02:52 – How a Religious Studies Scholar Ended Up Studying UFOs

    08:52 – UFOs as Religious and Spiritual Phenomena

    13:25 – A Demonological History of the World

    14:41 – The Mythology and Narrative of UFOs

    16:38 – Why Governments Use UFO Disinformation

    20:56 – Technology, Magic, and Non-Human Intelligence

    24:22 – Aliens, Demons, and the Modern Image of the “Grey”

    27:43 – Psychedelics and Encounters With Other Beings

    30:19 – AI as an Alien Intelligence

    32:02 – UFOs and the Promise of a New Revelation

    34:29 – Spielberg and the Alien as Saviour

    38:35 – Arthur C. Clarke, Demons, and Childhood’s End

    40:50 – Transhumanism vs. Christian Transfiguration

    45:42 – God’s Dog: Monk

    46:42 – Aliens as Our Future, “Evolved” Selves

    49:06 – How the Alien Narrative Collides With Christianity

    52:36 – Project Stargate, Remote Viewing, and Psychic Espionage

    56:18 – Why Is the AI Project Also Called “Stargate”?

    57:30 – 2001: A Space Odyssey, AI, and UFO Disclosure

    01:01:29 – AI Is Feeding on Us

    01:03:00 – How Should Christians Respond?

    01:06:26 – AI Cannot Give Us Transcendence

    01:08:42 – Recovering the Spiritual Senses

    01:10:39 – Isolation Makes Us Vulnerable to Propaganda

    01:11:39 – Diana’s Next Book on Christianity

    01:13:00 – The Noosphere, the Singularity, and an Apocalyptic Moment

    01:17:06 – Christianity Makes Us More Human

    01:18:20 – Conclusion

    1 hr 19 min
  13. 480 - Dr. Zac Porcu - The Pagan Gods Really Exist

    Show notes

    Dr. Zac Porcu joins me to discuss his upcoming course on the demonological history of the world, looking at the pagan gods, fallen angels, magic, and technology. We explore what happens when you take seriously the early Christian claim that the gods were real, but fallen.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/WMKOzuhnib4

    Learn more about Dr. Zac: https://zacharyporcu.com/Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world 6 weeks, 12 hoursPrice: Only $120, and Involved patrons can get 10% off. Apply your discount code at checkout.Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe💻 Website, blog, courses: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com📚 Store: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    27 min
  14. 479 - The Horror of Getting What You Want - Obsession (2026)

    Show notes

    This was July 2026's patron video that we decided to make public. If you want to support us and get extra symbolism videos, subscribe a a paying member to The Symbolic World: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribeIn this video, I analyzed the movie Obsession, which was released in May of this year. It had a low budget and was directed by a YouTuber, yet became a massive breakout box office and critical success.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/z09N5ErcoTEJoin Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world 6 weeks, 12 hoursPrice: Only $120, and get 15% off through September 8, 2026 at 11:55PM ET! After the early bird sale, Involved patrons can still get 10% off. (Discounts can't be combined.)Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog============Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    17 min
  15. 478 - Christian Roy - Technological Madness: The Logic of Domination

    Show notes

    Christian Roy and I discuss Jacques Ellul’s theology of technique (technology) and the way modern systems turn power, efficiency, and mediation into ends in themselves. AI brings this crisis into focus, especially in our speech and relationships, but the deeper question is whether technology still serves a meaningful purpose —or whether we have begun to serve it. We also explore the Christian idea of non-power as a way beyond the logic of domination.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/HH_vCnVDTdo

    Christian’s book: Theology and Technique: https://www.amazon.ca/Theology-Technique-Jacques-Ellul/dp/1725259788

    Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world

    6 weeks, 12 hours

    Price: Only $120, and get 15% off through September 8, 2026 at 11:55PM ET!

    Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20

    Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:

    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5

    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/

    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    1 hr
  16. 477 - Louise Perry - How Progressivism Took Over Our Stories

    Show notes

    Louise Perry is a British journalist, author, and host of the Maiden Mother Matriarch Podcast. She’s a columnist for the Wall Street Journal and has been described as a leading reactionary feminist. She interviewed me for us to discuss why progressivism became such a powerful cultural force, how the postwar story shaped modern politics and storytelling, and why fairy tales still preserve patterns that our culture has tried to flatten or subvert.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/HVRY6WP4hFA

    Her website: https://www.louisemperry.co.uk/

    Her X account: https://x.com/Louise_m_perry

    Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin: ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

    Pre-order GodsDog 3 and get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    1 hr 25 min
  17. 476 - Matt Rhodes - The World Before the Flood Reimagined

    Show notes

    In this conversation with artist Matt Rhodes, we explore Dead Gods, his epic comic set in the world before the biblical Flood. We talk about Nephilim, Watchers, ancient patriarchs, dragons, dinosaurs, and what civilization might look like when people live for centuries and Noah himself becomes a warrior at the end of the world.

    Matt’s website: https://www.mattrhodesart.com/

    His YouTube channel where you can follow the creation process: https://www.youtube.com/@mattrhodesart

    Project trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP7ETbjN9yE

    Support this project directly: https://www.patreon.com/MattRhodesArt

    Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin: ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/

    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    44 min
  18. 475 - Jay Dyer - The Elites Are Doing Warfare on the Public

    Show notes

    In this conversation with Jay Dyer, we look at predictive programming, propaganda, Hollywood, and the growing role of AI in shaping how we imagine the future. We also discuss technocracy, centralization, and why the most important response may be much closer to home: rebuilding strong families, parishes, and local communities.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/qdMVVyxEL3k

    Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, taking place live this August and September. ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

    Website: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Coming up

    01:31 – Introduction

    03:32 – What Is Predictive Programming?

    08:32 – Propaganda, Art, and Soft Power

    14:48 – Hollywood and the Intelligence Agencies

    18:03 – Preparing the Public for War

    22:33 – Hollywood’s Revolutionary Narrative

    28:58 – Globalism, Nationalism, and the Nation-State

    31:50 – The Power of Invisible Institutions

    36:39 – Why Dystopias Can Still Condition Us

    43:07 – The Real Temptation of The Matrix

    46:11 – Social Engineering Through Entertainment

    49:01 – Why Promote Self-Destructive Narratives?

    53:39 – Long-Term Planning and the Technocratic Vision

    57:55 – Toward a Global Technocratic State

    01:01:40 – Has AI Replaced the Old Narratives?

    01:05:23 – AI and the Logic of Inevitability

    01:10:47 – Technology, Power, and Centralization

    01:13:11 – The Christian Alternative: Subsidiarity

    01:17:35 – Conclusion

    1 hr 19 min
  19. 474 - Josh Nadeau - The Return of a Christian Imagination

    Show notes

    In this conversation with Josh Nadeau, we talk about art, beauty, symbolism, and the recovery of a Christian imagination. We explore why traditional art still speaks so powerfully, how beauty can reveal realities that arguments often cannot, and why the work of artists may matter more than ever in a fragmented world.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/mE1EMCxGuvI

    Check out Josh Nadeau’s work:

    Sword and Pencil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swordandpencil/

    Every Day Saints Substack: https://substack.com/@everydaysaints

    His books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DNX73MZC

    Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, taking place live this August and September. ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

    Our website: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/

    1 hr 3 min
  20. 473 - Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick - Paradise Is Already Breaking Into the World

    Show notes

    Story time with Fr. Andrew! In this episode with Fr. Andrew Damick, we explore the symbolism of paradise through a fairy tale, a Norse saga, and the Christian tradition. We look at how the path to paradise is often revealed through humility, sacrifice, death, and transformation —and how these old stories can help us understand the relationship between heaven and earth.

    YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwp36RyLkPQ

    Join us this September in Oxford for a Symbolic World Summit (there are literally only 5 or so tickets remaining): https://symbolicworldsummit.com/

    Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, taking place live this August and September. https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass

    1 hr 30 min

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