The Symbolic World

Jonathan Pageau

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.

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467 episodes
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Episodes467

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January 1 · 56 min
429 - Martin Shaw - Longing and Mystery: The Quest for the Holy Grail
In this conversation, I sit down with storyteller and mythologist Martin Shaw to explore the Holy Grail. We talk about desire and longing, failure and mercy, chivalry and the feminine, and why the Grail stories continue to be relevant across centuries. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/3qDkPUsle3M COURSE: The Quest for the Holy Grail with Dr. Martin Shaw In the dark heart of January, when the nights are long and the world draws close, Dr. Martin Shaw returns to Symbolic World Courses for an intensive week-long journey to tell one of the greatest stories of the Medieval imagination: Parzival and the Holy Grail. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-quest-for-the-holy-grail Cost: $160 USD Dates of live course: January 12-16, 2026 Time: 12 PM-2 PM EST, except for Lecture 3 (January 14) which will be at 4PM-6PM EST Links: -Pre-order Martin Shaw’s upcoming book, Liturgies of the Wild, to get an exclusive chapter: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/741189/liturgies-of-the-wild-by-martin-shaw/ -Martin’s other books, including Snowy Tower: https://drmartinshaw.com/books/ Events: -February 13-15, 2026, Orthodox Christian Arts Festival (Praise for the Beauty) in Texas, with speakers including Martin Shaw and Deacon Seraphim Richard Rohlin: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/ -January 27, 2026, London, The Temenos Academy. Seeing the Patterned World: the Cosmos as Layered Microcosms, a talk by Jonathan Pageau with Dr. Martin Shaw in the chair. £10 General Admission. The Art Workers' Guild, 6 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AT. Doors open at 6.10 pm, lecture begins at 6.30 pm. https://www.temenosacademy.org/events-programme/seeing-the-patterned-world Some other links of things mentioned: -Jonathan and Dcn Seraphim’s recent course on Dante’s Paradiso: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso -Jonathan’s analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Part 1: https://youtu.be/Rg5RDZ7mMKo and Part 2: https://youtu.be/1ch1T24-W7Q -The Monks and Pirates discussion with Andrew Gould: https://youtu.be/WjMadP6DScM -Universal History: The American Religion episode: https://youtu.be/0_RKBPaQAyk Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:32 - Intro music 02:00 - The cost of conversion 05:49 - What is the Grail 10:05 - Other hints of the Grail 15:30 - To remain veiled 17:45 - Who the stories are for 19:42 - The place of chivalry 24:46 - The Holy Virgin 29:31 - Longing 34:12 - Weakness has a seat at the table 36:48 - Liturgies of the wild 43:42 - Christianity in publishing 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Dec 24, 2025 · 19 min
428 - Why they want you to think Christmas is pagan
In this video I discuss the persistence of the idea that Christmas was "stolen" by Christians from the pagans, or that it's secretly still pagan. Merry Christmas everyone. Christ is born! YouTube version: https://youtu.be/uh6rhiTrTnk Christmas symbolism playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY9MeGP5IILeRzu62Q1NPT4C NEW COURSE: The Quest for the Holy Grail with Dr. Martin Shaw In the dark heart of January, when the nights are long and the world draws close, Dr. Martin Shaw returns to Symbolic World Courses for an intensive week-long journey to tell one of the greatest stories of the Medieval imagination: Parzival and the Holy Grail. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-quest-for-the-holy-grail Cost: $160 USD Dates of live course: January 12-16, 2026 Time: 12 PM-2 PM EST, except for Lecture 3 (January 14) which will be at 4PM-6PM EST 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
427 - Dr. Iain McGilchrist - Artificial Intelligence, Possession, and Mental Illness
In this conversation, I speak with British psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author Dr. Iain McGilchrist about intelligence, mental illness, and AI. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/DRtpKyKJcss Get Dr. McGilchrist’s books: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/home/ APPLICATIONS OPEN: Ralston seeks 25 students with the curiosity and courage to find light in the darkness. Our one-year MA in the Humanities begins with two months learning Ancient and Modern Greek in Greece, before moving to beautiful Savannah, GA. Full and partial scholarships are available. The deadline for priority consideration is December 18, 2025. Visit https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma NEW COURSE: The Quest for the Holy Grail with Dr. Martin Shaw In the dark heart of January, when the nights are long and the world draws close, Dr. Martin Shaw returns to Symbolic World Courses for an intensive week-long journey to tell one of the greatest stories of the Medieval imagination: Parzival and the Holy Grail. Catch the early bird sale of 15% off if you register before midnight December 19: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-quest-for-the-holy-grail Cost: $160 USD Dates of live course: January 12-16, 2026 Time: 12 PM-2 PM EST, except for Lecture 3 (January 14) which will be at 4PM-6PM EST Timestamps: 00:00 Coming up 00:43 Intro music 01:07 Introduction to Ralston College and Its Mission 10:57 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Society 21:02 Intelligence and Consciousness 30:57 The Dangers of Alien Intelligence 39:17 Understanding Addiction and Mental Illness 46:04 Possession and Mental Health: A New Perspective 52:11 The Left Hemisphere and Its Malign Influence 01:03:37 AI: The Modern Sorcerer's Apprentice 01:11:11 All We Can Do 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Dec 11, 2025 · 39 min
426 - Andrew Gould - Monks and Pirates: Two Extremes that Explain the Rest of Us
In this conversation filmed (by Deacon Seraphim Rohlin) in the Florida Keys, I sit down with my friend Andrew Gould to finally revisit a surprising claim he made years ago—that pirates and Orthodox monks share deep symbolic parallels. We discuss ships and treasure, costumes, death imagery, life on the edge of empire, all converging on how these two seemingly opposite extremes strangely mirror each other. Let me know if you like the format of this video. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/WjMadP6DScM NEW COURSE: The Quest for the Holy Grail with Dr. Martin Shaw In the dark heart of January, when the nights are long and the world draws close, Dr. Martin Shaw returns to Symbolic World Courses for an intensive week-long journey to tell one of the greatest stories of the Medieval imagination: Parzival and the Holy Grail. Catch the early bird sale of 15% off if you register before midnight December 19: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-quest-for-the-holy-grail Cost: $160 USD Dates of live course: January 12-16, 2026 Time: 12 PM-2 PM EST, except for Lecture 3 (January 14) which will be at 4PM-6PM EST 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Dec 8, 2025 · 11 min
425 - The Cosmic Dance of Decorating a Christmas Tree
This is a repost of a patron video I made several years ago about decorating the Christmas tree as a family. Support us for access to more video like this. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/9y32OFyvskg NEW COURSE: The Quest for the Holy Grail with Dr. Martin Shaw In the dark heart of January, when the nights are long and the world draws close, Dr. Martin Shaw returns to Symbolic World Courses for an intensive week-long journey to tell one of the greatest stories of the Medieval imagination: Parzival and the Holy Grail. Catch the early bird sale of 15% off if you register before midnight December 19: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-quest-for-the-holy-grail Cost: $160 USD Dates of live course: January 12-16, 2026 Time: 12 PM-2 PM EST, except for Lecture 3 (January 14) which will be at 4PM-6PM EST 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Dec 4, 2025 · 59 min
424 - Universal History: The American Religion - with Dcn Seraphim Rohlin
"Americans who think they are Christians, truly are something else; intensely religious, but devout in the American Religion." In this episode of Universal History, I sit down again with Deacon Seraphim Rohlin to explore the roots and characteristics of the true "American religion". We trace how movements in American history shaped the spiritual landscape that eventually gave rise to Mormonism, Adventism, spiritualism, and perhaps even your own journey back to traditional Christianity. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/0_RKBPaQAyk Previous episode: https://youtu.be/o9rMy6lde0c?si=b8d-6tbkuIgAbl4K Paradiso live course details: The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 10th, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD (Involved patrons get 10% off, apply discount code at checkout) -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Nov 28, 2025 · 56 min
423 - Catholic Unscripted - Violence as the New Normal
This is a repost of an interview I did a few months ago on the Catholic Unscripted Podcast after the Charlie Kirk assassination. We discuss the topic of violence, the end of the World War 2 consensus, Israel, enchantment, science and technology, sex and gender, architecture, the structure of a normal vs a crumbling society, and more. Enjoy. YouTube version on my channel: https://youtu.be/TeCjedp6dJA Original interview on Catholic Unscripted YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/SSn_q-HQeFg?si=K7RkdByVEFDnoP4j The Catholic Unscripted Podcast is a UK online apostolate founded by Katherine Bennett, and Mark Lambert. Subscribe at https://www.catholicunscripted.com/ BLACK FRIDAY SALE. Get 30% off courses, 20% off books, and 25% off the Tales For Once & Ever bundle. Use code: BLACKFRIDAY2025 for courses, other discounts are applied automatically. Valid through Dec 3. Don't miss out: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com Paradiso live course details: The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD (Involved patrons get 10% off, apply discount code at checkout) -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Nov 18, 2025 · 26 min
422 - Why Exaggeration Is Necessary in Storytelling
Given we're still in the fall season, I watched The Conjuring and it got me thinking about how real events can become exaggerated in story form. In this video, I look at how legends are created, and that exaggeration of certain elements of an event can help amplify the meaning and purpose of why we're paying attention to it in the first place. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/fA2cKrvYyTk Paradiso live course details: The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD (Involved patrons get 10% off, apply discount code at checkout) -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Nov 14, 2025 · 57 min
421 - Deacon Seraphim (Richard) Rohlin - Recovering Our Heritage
I’m excited to share this powerful talk by Deacon Seraphim Rohlin, my collaborator at the Symbolic World Press and co-host of the Universal History Podcast. In this talk from the 2025 Touchstone Conference, he explores how we can recover our heritage and live an enchanted Christian life. The title of his talk originally was "The Deep Pattern: Re-Enchanting Time through Medieval Universal History". YouTube version: https://youtu.be/EtvIpApaSrE https://www.touchstonemag.com/ Universal History podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY_M2uZP3yW6EEiod3fGD6FD&si=iYKlCCZJSt_ob2oi Paradiso live course details: The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD (Involved patrons get 10% off, apply discount code at checkout) -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro by Jonathan 01:15 - Intro music 01:40 - Introducing Dcn Seraphim Rohlin 03:34 - Start of talk 15:20 - Paradiso class 17:08 - Resume talk Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Nov 6, 2025 · 19 min
420 - How Free Will Actually Works
This was September 2025's patron video that we decided to make public. Thank you to my supporters. I explore the question of free will, drawing on the insights of St. Maximus the Confessor. While thinkers like Sam Harris argue that free will is an illusion and always contingent on material circumstances, I show how the Christian understanding reframes freedom—not as arbitrary choice, but as submission to the good. True freedom is not transgression, but moving toward higher and higher goods, where life becomes more natural and effortless. Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/burSzHmo4o4 The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD (Involved patrons can get 10% off) -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 31, 2025 · 23 min
419 - Trick or Treat: Halloween Symbolism in Little Red Riding Hood
Pre-order Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf now and get a free audiobook read by me, as well as an exclusive Q&A: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/products/the-tale-of-little-red-riding-hood-and-the-big-bad-wolf 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 29, 2025 · 30 min
418 - The Symbolism of the Entire Divine Comedy in the First Canto
In this video, I read and reflect on the first canto of Dante’s Divine Comedy — the opening of Inferno. This incredible canto puts the entire poem in perspective, serving as a microcosm for Dante's journey through inferno, purgatory, and into paradise. I discuss in detail, line by line, the rich symbolism and meaning Dante conveys. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/7zzQRg0muMo If you enjoy this kind of symbolic analysis, join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin as we continue through Dante’s Paradiso, starting live in November. You can get the early bird sale of 15% off if you use the code: EARLYPARADISO at checkout. Our past courses on Dante's Inferno and Purgatorio are also on a 50% sale during the month of October if you use code: DANTE50. Courses: -Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-inferno-the-course -Purgatorio:https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio -Paradise (upcoming): https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso Paradiso live course details: The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD-Get 15% off with the early bird sale through all of October with the code: EARLYPARADISO -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 25, 2025 · 49 min
417 - Three Things Christians Must Do to Rebuild Culture (Touchstone talk)
This talk took place at the 2025 Touchstone conference, Great and Wonderful Days: Rediscovering the Christian Life in a Post-Christian Age. The title of my talk was “This is the Day”. https://www.touchstonemag.com/ Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/cnMk_GFpVbw I explore how our modern world—built on endless disruption and self-expression—has reached its breaking point. We’re witnessing the collapse of a culture that forgot its source, but that’s also at the beginnings of renewal. From art and architecture to worship and storytelling, I share how Christians can remember, celebrate, and create once again—recovering beauty, meaning, and participation in the divine order. This is a moment of opportunity: to rediscover Christ as the pattern of reality and rebuild culture on that foundation. The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD -Get 15% off with the early bird sale through all of October with the code: EARLYPARADISO -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso During October you can also get 50% off the Inferno and Purgatorio courses with the code: DANTE50-Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-inferno-the-course -Purgatorio: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 17, 2025 · 21 min
416 - Tangled: The Triumph of Self-Realization
I explore how Disney’s Tangled reimagines the classic Rapunzel story and what these changes reveal about our modern world. Tangled captures a pivotal moment in Disney’s storytelling where there was a shift from the traditional fairy tale’s emphasis on a marriage union, to a more modern emphasis on personal self-realization. I also reflect on how these themes connect to our own retelling, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/o8BJcX61H08 Buy Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/ The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD -Get 15% off with the early bird sale through all of October with the code: EARLYPARADISO -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso During October you can also get 50% off the Inferno and Purgatorio courses with the code: DANTE50 -Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-inferno-the-course -Purgatorio: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 10, 2025 · 24 min
415 - Charlie Kirk's Assassination: We have gone beyond the pale
Huge changes are happening in the political landscape. In this video, I reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and how this moment has deeply affected me toward recognizing how broken our unity has become. Drawing on symbolic insights, I explore the danger of turning opposition into real enmity and the need to return to truth, forgiveness, and higher purpose. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/NrDbHQurRpg The recent interview with my brother, Matthieu, that I mention in the video: https://youtu.be/8-RWp1_lSEM?si=flnni77ae94jpuD- The Symbolic World Enters Paradise Join me and Deacon Seraphim Rohlin this November in our course on Dante's Paradiso. -Course length: 5 weeks, 15 hours -Dates of live classes: Wednesdays, November 5th to December 3rd, 2025 -Time: 2-5 pm Eastern Time -Cost: 190 USD -Get 15% off with the early bird sale through all of October with the code: EARLYPARADISO -Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-paradiso During October you can also get 50% off the Inferno and Purgatorio courses with the code: DANTE50 -Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-inferno-the-course -Purgatorio: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/dantes-purgatorio 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Oct 3, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
414 - Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin (Universal History) - American Folk Magic and Christianity: From the Reformation to Mormonism
Enchantment never truly disappeared from the modern world. In this episode of Universal History Deacon Seraphim Rohlin and I explore the world of magic and folk superstition in American Christianity. What is magic? Where’s the line between prayer and magic? Why did Protestant reformers ban holy water but keep belief in the devil? How did treasure-hunting rituals lead to the rise of Mormonism? YouTube version: https://youtu.be/o9rMy6lde0c Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:37 - Intro music 01:01 - Introduction 04:54 - What is magic? 08:46 - The modern & Enlightenment ideas of superstition 11:00 - Prayers and psalms 13:30 - The Reformation's perspective 24:27 - Medieval understanding of superstition 26:53 - Example: the French "Dog-saint" 28:11 - Reformation conclusions 33:37 - You have an embarrassing illness 37:21 - Christian magic hacks 46:29 - Manifestation 52:03 - Scapegoating 54:31 - Categories of magic 56:47 - Divination 04:30 - Water witching 07:30 - Saint Porphyrios 08:51 - Finding water 09:57 - Finding other things 11:44 - Money digging 13:33 - How money digging works 17:34 - The symbolism of the New World 20:54 - Joseph Smith and Mormonism 24:18 - The human need for enchantment 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Sep 25, 2025 · 47 min
413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
In this conversation, I sit down with author and educator Heidi White to discuss her new book, The Divided Soul. We explore the story of the prodigal son, the tension between duty and desire, and how these themes echo through literature, culture, and our own lives. Heidi shares insights from the Bible, classical works, and pop culture, showing that many stories reflect this deep human struggle. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/1LjDeZpSviw Buy Heidi’s book: https://www.goldberrypress.com/products/the-divided-soul-duty-and-desire-in-literature-and-life Heidi’s Substack and podcast: https://closereads.substack.com/ Instagram: @heidiwhitereads 📖 Let's take our stories back. Check out our latest book in the Tales for Now and Ever series, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/ Fr. Stephen De Young's Jubilees and the Nephilim course is now finished and available for purchase: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/jubilees-and-the-nephilim Timestamps 00:00 - Coming up 01:40 - Intro music 02:04 - Introduction 02:48 - The prodigal son 05:32 - Duty and desire 07:17 - Paradise as unity 13:02 - Why the duality? 17:36 - Sins of the right hand and the left hand 20:49 - Ordering desire 27:30 - Examples 33:28 - Repentance and sacrifice 38:04 - Christ's version of this pattern 44:24 - Heidi's vision 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Sep 22, 2025 · 27 min
412 - The Age of Self-Esteem
This is August's patron video that I decided to make public. In it I explore the modern idea of self-esteem—where it came from, how it shapes our culture, and why it so often leads us into confusion and disorder. I contrast this with the Christian vision of humility, which offers a path to true freedom and joy. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/e__8eVCgjCE Please consider becoming a patron to get exclusive access to videos like this: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📖 Let's take our stories back. Check out our latest book in the Tales for Now and Ever series, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/ Join Fr. Stephen De Young in his Jubilees and the Nephilim course, now streaming live on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/jubilees-and-the-nephilim Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Sep 20, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
411 - Dr. Michael Levin & Dr. John Vervaeke - Brave New Biology: Intelligence Trumps DNA
Dr. Michael Levin is a professor in the Department of Biology at Tufts University and an associate faculty member at the Wyss Institute at Harvard. He directs the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts, where his team integrates biophysics, computational modeling, and behavioral science to study how cellular collectives make decisions during embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer. Levin’s research centers on diverse forms of intelligence and unconventional embodied minds, bridging conceptual theory, experimental biology, and translational work aimed at regenerative medicine. His lab also pioneers efforts in artificial intelligence and the bioengineering of novel living machines. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/iwOJ9PWcPmo Read more about Dr. Michael Levin’s work: https://drmichaellevin.org/ X: https://x.com/drmichaellevin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drmichaellevin John Vervaeke's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke 📖 Let's take our stories back. Check out our latest book in the Tales for Now and Ever series, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/ Join Fr. Stephen De Young in his Jubilees and the Nephilim course, now streaming live on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/jubilees-and-the-nephilim Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:14 - Intro music 01:40 - Introduction 02:23 - What Michael does 06:19 - Example experiments 07:51 - Memories outside the brain 12:46 - Terminology: memory 13:59 - Communicate to biological cells 15:54 - Limitations? 17:39 - Platonic patterns 34:06 - Incarnation and constraints 39:26 - Causes 49:28 - New beings in new spaces 52:25 - What the Enlightenment dismissed 55:32 - Molecular medicine 57:36 - Subtle bodies 01:00:45 - Ethics 01:03:37 - Medical and meaning applications 01:11:42 - Frightening 01:14:31 - Against the status quo 01:19:03 - Should we dabble in this technology? 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Sep 12, 2025 · 45 min
410 - Fractals: The World Is Full of Meaning (Midwestuary talk)
I’ve spoken about fractals on my channel for many years. In this talk, I explore the topic directly—showing how fractals are a fundamental structure of reality. Understanding these patterns is essential if we want to see the world symbolically and build true fellowship rooted in spirit rather than mere rules. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/S6xHkyhoN20 This talk took place at the 2025 Midwestuary conference. Estuary Hub Link: https://www.estuaryhub.com/ https://www.southeastuary.com/ 📖 Let's take our stories back. Check out our latest book in the Tales for Now and Ever series, Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://rapunzelbook.com/ 🔗Join Fr. Stephen De Young in his Jubilees and the Nephilim course, now streaming live on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/jubilees-and-the-nephilim 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 00:28 - Intro music 00:51 - Introducing Jonathan 02:08 - Start of talk 04:59 - Heaven and earth 07:44 - Produce variation 13:44 - Revelation 19:18 - Resistance to embodiment 22:05 - Heaven provides influence 25:21 - A nation: embodiment 35:56 - Too close to multiplicity 38:27 - A luminous hierarchy 41:22 - What can make a hierarchy fragile Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/