Deep Talks: Exploring Theology and Meaning Making

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Special thanks to PostEverything Podcast for having me on. Check them out at:   https://open.spotify.com/show/2IduWunxhhDfZd8vYOGNab?si=c2912b1cc62649ce   ___________________________ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

​Jordan Hall, is a futurist, philosopher, and public speaker renowned for his insights into the interplay between technology and culture. Hall played a significant role in the digital media landscape at MP3.com and later as the founder and CEO of DivX, a company instrumental in the online digital video revolution.  After this, Hall turned his attention to halting the collapse of civilization. Hall is a prominent thinker in the Game B movement, which seeks alternative societal structures to address systemic challenges. He has engaged in numerous discussions and interviews on topics such as the "metacrisis," the future of civilization, and the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.   ___________________________ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Ian Harber is the author of Walking Through Deconstruction: How to be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith. https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Through-Deconstruction-Companion-Crisis/dp/1514008564   ___________________________ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

I recently joined Christian Baxter and the Yours Truly Podcast to discuss how the meaning crisis is leading to our post-cynical vibe shift. ------ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In this episdoe, we'll critically reevaluate the message of The Matrix and whether or not its philosophical and theological themes did more harm than good.  On YouTube: https://youtu.be/fYww_x_WaGk?si=dizfer-krgqJuALc   _____________   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! Patreon.com/deeptalkstheology

John Vervaeke, PhD is a philosopher and cognitive scientist. He is an associate professor and award-winning lecturer at the University of Toronto, teaching in the Department of Psychology. His work and research is far-ranging, including topics such as human intelligence, rationality, wisdom, and AI. Clay Routledge, PhD is an existential psychologist, a writer, and a consultant. Clay is Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute and coeditor of Profectus, a magazine on human progress and flourishing. As a leading expert in existential psychology, Clay's work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. - Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Is C.S. Lewis' "Space Trilogy" the most important Lewis book for our current cultural moment? Annie Crawford is the co-founder of Vine Classical Community & the Senior Fellow for The Society of Women of Letters. She writes for publications such as Salvo, The Symbolic World, and others on the works of C.S. Lewis. ____________   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

This may sound absurd to some of you, but professional wrestling might be America's best barometer on cultural shifts and changes. Paul reacts to the WWE Raw on Netflix trailer and discusses why the WWE should not be overlooked as one of America's most important cultural influences. ------ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Parker Settecase is the host of  @ParkersPensees  and  @ParkerNotes  In this episode, we discuss the rise of cynicism and deconstruction in pop culture, the philosophical roots of these postmodern shifts, and what may be coming next in the hero's stories of our culture.   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Jason Moody is the creator of Angel Studios brand-new fantasy anime series Gabriel and the Guardians, which tells an incredible fantasy story inspired by the book of Genesis, the book of Enoch, and the mythological context of the Ancient Near East. It's part Chronicles of Narnia, part Similrillion, part Dragon Ball Z, and it's deeply informed by the biblical scholarship you'd find in from Michael Heiser, John Walton, and the Bible Project. Jason Moody is the Founder and Creative Director of Colossul Studios and the visionary creator behind the highly anticipated animated series, Gabriel and the Guardians. In this episode, Paul Anleitner discusses with Jason Moody the strange contextual world of the Bible and how he was inspired to create a fantasy series that could explore some of that world and some of the deepest ideas of the Bible.   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a Patreon member today and receive bonus episodes, Q & A opportunities, and more! https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In a first for me, I sit down for a deep discussion about religion and culture... with a politician! Tudor Dixon was the first female Republican nominee for governor in the state of Michigan. Long-time followers of my work know that I don't do political endorsements, nor do I demonize candidates or politicians.  But when her team reached out for an interview, and I expressed my convictions, they expressed sincere respect for those convictions and clear indicators of a good-faith dialogue. But give it a listen and tell me what you think in the discussion forum on Patreon! Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Dr. Clay Routledge is a leading expert in existential psychology. He is a highly cited scholar who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three books, authored two books, and received numerous awards for his academic research and student mentorship. He is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute and the coeditor of Profectus Magazine. https://www.clayroutledge.com/ Ben Wilterdink is the Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute, whose work focuses on the connection between economic and social policy and existential meaning. https://profectusmag.com/author/ben/   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Dr. Clay Routledge is a leading expert in existential psychology. He is a highly cited scholar who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three books, authored two books, and received numerous awards for his academic research and student mentorship. He is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute and the coeditor of Profectus Magazine. https://www.clayroutledge.com/ Ben Wilterdink is the Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute, whose work focuses on the connection between economic and social policy and existential meaning. https://profectusmag.com/author/ben/   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Joe Rogan, once a vocal evangelist of New Atheist talking points on religion, recently expressed how he yearns for the "just and righteous" Kingdom of God and believes the world "needs Jesus...for real." That's quite a change for Rogan, but his journey is emblematic of a broader shift in attitudes towards religion. In this episode, I'll explain why this cultural shift is happening, and we'll engage with the work of Charles Taylor, Jonathan Haidt, Paul Tillich, and others to help us better understand what religion actually is.   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Political divisions and hostilities are pretty intense right now. But actually, that's nothing new for Christians. Since the very beginning, people with radically different political perspectives have claimed to be followers of Jesus. How should we navigate these tensions in our families and churches?   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In this roundtable discussion, I talk with 3 experienced former psychonauts about their experiences with psychedelics and why each of them eventually left psychedelics to practice Christianity. Ashley Lande is an artist and writer. She is the author of The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever: Transcendence, Psychedelics & Jesus Christ. https://www.ashleylande.com/ Paul Risse is a modern-day Renaissance man. He is an author, speaker, skilled craftsman, and boutique home builder. He is the author of The Psychedelic Christian. https://a.co/d/aSPxrRs Joe Welker is a pastor and writer from Vermont who writes on Christian spirituality with Reformed mysticism and psychedelic subculture. https://www.psychedeliccandor.org   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Andy Squyres is a singer-songwriter and essayist from Charlotte, North Carolina. In this conversation, we discuss how the metamodern shift impacts the way we communicate about God and the journey of faith. What do we do when the life strategies we've learned seem to fail? Is God much more boring than the mainstream Christian advertisements of him would lead us to believe? https://andysquyres.com/ Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Paul is on the other side of the interview today as a guest on health coach Nick Diller's podcast "Chasing Curiosity". In this conversation, we discuss the intricate relationship between culture and religion, and the function of religion as a guiding story in our lives. We discuss the decline of traditional religious practices in modern society and the resurgence of interest in spirituality, particularly among men.    Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Brett McCracken is a senior editor and director of communications at The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of several books, including The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World and Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community. brettmccracken.com In this conversation, Paul Anleitner and Brett McCracken explore the concept of metamodernism as a response to postmodernism, discussing its implications in storytelling, culture, and spirituality. They delve into the characteristics of modernism and postmodernism, the cultural shifts observed in cinema, and the search for authenticity and resonance in a world saturated with superficial content. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by Christianity in a post-Christian culture, emphasizing the need for the church to engage meaningfully with contemporary cultural longings while maintaining its core beliefs. Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   For the lecture series on Metamodernism: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EZScsHowQFM32YIYXZ3ch?si=2CCbm5mMT_arZBSAtzsn7w

Justin Wells teaches documentary filmmaking at Biola Unversity and is the author of How to Film Truth. He has a Master's in Philosophy from California State University- Long Beach, a Master of Theology and Art from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master's in Art and Documentary Film from the Art Center College of Design. In today's episode, we discuss the concept of the hero's journey in storytelling & popular film and assess how we can discern whether the stories we consume are universally true.  @justinsmorningcoffee  https://justinwellsfilms.com/ Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast    Watch this episode on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5P9esW46w0&ab_channel=DeepTalks

In this series, we'll attempt to distill the essential ideas and arguments from each chapter of David Bentley Hart's new book "All Things are Full of Gods." This episode focuses on Chapters 2-3. It's also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ssleazsl94 For Part 1 on the introduction and Chapter 1: https://youtu.be/YBNnZiu-D2g Tell me in the comments what you thought about this chapter! Ask questions! Share counterpoints! Let's get our own dialogue going. To support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast 

In this series, we'll attempt to distill the essential ideas and arguments from each chapter of David Bentley Hart's new book "All Things are Full of Gods."   This episode is also available on video: https://youtu.be/YBNnZiu-D2g   To support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from December 2020!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from December 2020!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from September 2023!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from August 2023!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from August 2023!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from December 2021!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from March 2021!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from July 2019!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from July 2019!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from June 2019!

This summer, we'll be replaying some of the essential episodes from the past six years of Deep Talks. Here's one of those episodes from January of 2022!

Steph Curry experiences it when he's “in the zone” and hitting 35-foot three-pointers with ease. John Coltrane experienced it when he was recording his saxaphone performance on A Love Supreme. Psychologists have come to call this experience “the flow state.” But how might the flow state be related to what a monk experiences when he is deep in contemplative prayer or what a revival preacher feels in a tent meeting? In this series, we'll explore the science of the flow state through the groundbreaking work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his 'Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience' and offer theological reflections on possible points of intersection with historic Christian spirituality.   ——————  Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In today's episode, Sam Tideman and I discuss all things science and faith in one of the most profound discussions I've had on the subject of evolution, science, and Christianity in the six-year history of this podcast.   Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel.   ——————  Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Steph Curry experiences it when he's “in the zone” and hitting 35-foot three pointers with ease. John Coltrane experienced it when he was recording his saxaphone performance on A Love Supreme. Psychologists have come to call this experience “the flow state.” But how might the flow state be related to  what a monk experiences when he is deep in contemplative prayer or what a revival preacher feels in a tent meeting? In this series, we'll explore the science of the flow state through the groundbreaking work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's in his 'Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience' and offer theological reflections on possible points of intersection with historic Christian spirituality.   ——————  Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In this week's episode, we'll engage with the work of philosopher Byung-Chul Han to discuss how the constant consumption of information can contribute to a sense of meaninglessness and what role narrative and a reorientation of our relationship to God and the world plays in re-enchanting the world.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Joe Rogan, once a vocal evangelist of New Atheist talking points on religion, recently expressed how he yearns for the "just and righteous" Kingdom of God and believes the world "needs Jesus...for real." That's quite a change for Rogan, but his journey is emblematic of a broader shift in attitudes towards religion. In this episode, I'll explain why this cultural shift is happening, and we'll engage with the work of Charles Taylor, Jonathan Haidt, Paul Tillich, and others to help us better understand what religion actually is.

Kaz Hayashi is a biblical scholar, archeologist, and theologian from Japan. He is currently an associate professor of Old Testament at Bethel Seminary and has written on the theology and anime.   Check out his work in: Anime Philosophy and Religion  https://a.co/d/auLDmUN   And watch his lecture on "Yahweh the Tyrant!?: The Depiction and Role of Yahweh in BLEACH and other Japanese Anime and Manga" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeUQy...     In this episode of Deep Talks, Paul and Dr. Kaz Hayashi discuss the intersection of theology and anime.  They explore the surge of popularity and acceptance of anime in American culture, as well as the potential impact of American Empire and Christianity on Japanese culture. Dr. Hayashi emphasizes the importance of engaging with anime from a theological perspective and recommends several anime series for beginners. He also discusses the potential long-term impact of anime consumption in American culture and highlights the need to be aware of potential dangers and warnings when consuming anime. The conversation explores the influence of anime on popular culture, the psychological and social effects of anime, the visionary escape it provides, and the presence of religious and theological themes in anime.

Justin Wells teaches documentary filmmaking at Biola Unversity and is the author of How to Film Truth. He has several graduate degrees, including a Master's in Philosophy from California State University- Long Beach, a Master of Theology and Art from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master's in Art and Documentary Film from the Art Center College of Design. In today's episode, we discuss his work on the patterns and shapes of stories in film, television, and literature and how those guiding stories shape us. Is there a Christ-shaped story above all of our most compelling stories? https://justinwellsfilms.com/

Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel. In this episode, we continue our discussion from Part 1 on what happens when AI is put in positions where its "decisions" have life-and-death implications (like in an emergency room or battlefield). What ethical framework will guide it? Is it possible to teach artificial intelligence to be Christian? To access the full unedited video podcast of this conversation, become a supporter this podcast on Patreon. www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server.

Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel. In this episode, we discuss what happens when AI is put in positions where its "decisions" have life-and-death implications (like in an emergency room or battlefield). What ethical framework will guide it? Is it possible to teach artificial intelligence to be Christian? To access the full unedited conversation and not wait for part 2 next week, become a supporter of this podcast on Patreon. www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server.  

Brendan Graham Dempsey is a writer who's work focuses on the meaning crisis and the reconstruction of spirituality after postmodernism. He holds a BA in religious studies from the University of Vermont and a master's in religion and art from Yale University. He is the author of the 7-volume Metamodern Spirituality Series and, most recently, Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics. In this episode, we discuss metamodernism. What is it? How did it emerge? What will religion look like in the metamodern era? https://www.youtube.com/@BrendanGrahamDempsey Exclusive access to the full, unedited 2-hour conversation is available to patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-access-94836558?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Rafe Kelley, founder of Evolve Move Play, discusses the transformative benefits of physical fitness and embodied spiritual disciplines. He shares about his unique upbringing in the counterculture and how it has shaped his current interest in ancient Christian ideas and the intersection of myth and science. Rafe's work explores the value of physical discipline in character transformation. He's been featured on  Paul VanderKlay, John Vervaeke,  Jordan B. Peterson,  Jonathan Pageau,  and many other podcasts. Find out more about Rafe Kelley at: https://www.evolvemoveplay.com/rafe-kelley/ Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Timestamps: 00:00  - Intro 02:27 - Rafe's unique upbringing 17:01 - Wrestling with our pictures of Christ 21:40 - Modern Gnosticism & the Proper Valuing of our Bodies 33:52 - Physical Participation in Pentecostal & Charismatic Christianity 39:20 - Navigating Sexual Ethics in Counterculture & Religious Communities 44:37 - Original Sin, Religious Myth, and our Evolutionary "Hardware" 54:26 - Finding a Shared Pursuit in a Religiously Pluralistic Society 59:44 - Christianity, Group Selection, and Empire 01:12:31 - Pagan Resurgence plays on the Sex & Violence Hardware 01:21:58 - Rafe Kelley reflects on  @JordanBPeterson  ARC project  01:29:30 - Sin is Pursuing a Mistaken Good 01:35:29 - Becoming Christ-like without Orthodox Beliefs? 01:46:50 - Young Men Yearn for Courageous Practices

Video of this episode available at: https://youtu.be/ub_buhL5LU8?si=j0LfzM0eMpBd-ky7   Dru Johnson, PhD is a biblical scholar at Hope College. He is also the co-host of the On-Script Podcast and director of The Center for Hebraic Study. His new book What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture: Comparing the Conceptual Worlds of the Bible and Evolution proposes that the ancient Hebrew worldview of the Bible uniquely explores common concerns shared by Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory. Together, we discuss the challenges and hopes of seeking to understand and integrate evolutionary science and Christian theology. You can order Dru's new book here: https://shorturl.at/ektFN ___   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

For the video of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R0dKco1cDw4?si=Um0PpY96DJ0mOWIJ   I made this video to help those who, like me, come from church or Christian school contexts where Young Earth Creationism has been treated as the only way to think about science and the Bible. In this video, I'll explain 3 basic theological reasons why Christians who want to take the Bible seriously don't have to believe in Young Earth Creationism.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server:   www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Today's episode was recorded during a livestream with the Irish, Gen Z theology YouTuber extraordinaire- THEOHOPRACY. Theohopracy invited me on to discuss metamodernism, the Patrick Bateman meme / "sigma male" internet culture, and why there's a growing internet culture of young men attracted to "masculine" paganism. For Theohopracy's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW1cJ0NQOUA3G3ARqBw4JFw   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Video of this episode is available at: https://youtu.be/_zbklHa9kPc?si=33cv1KE01BwLOABU The celebration of Halloween in America seems to be at an all-time high. Is this just because corporations are learning how to capitalize on the costumes, decorations, and candy of the season, or is something deeper at work?   In this episode, we'll explore the religious and philosophical symbolism of the Universal Classic Monsters- Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and the Mummy and why these old films can give us insights into what the increasing celebration of Halloween means in our culture.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Today's episode is also available in video format at: https://youtu.be/5PTczGpDIPo?si=jcEK_6BEATlnE9Vp In my podcast series on #metamodernism we've been exploring the new cultural and philosophical shift that's happening in the West and how it is changing the way we tell stories and communicate. But what will metamodernism do to Christianity? How might this shift affect Christianity in the West? Should Christians be optimistic or worried?   Support my work on Patreon and get access to bonus episodes, live Zoom discussions, and more: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast