Mourning Talk Show

Terry Marks-Tarlow is a psychologist, educator, author, illustrator and much more. We talked about her theory of Fractal Epistemology and her journey towards understanding its significance. Dr. Marks-Tarlow's website: https://www.markstarlow.com/ Dr. Marks-Tarlow's books: https://www.markstarlow.com/books/

Paul VanderKlay is a YouTuber and Christian thinker who has created a diverse community around Christian and existential themes. Nate Hile is also a YouTuber whose channel is called Grail Country. Nate tackles deep, theological issues with his own rotating cast of interesting and diverse people. He's also a member of Paul's "This Little Corner" community. Today's chat centres around hell. I wanted to pick these gentlemens' brains about it as it has been a source of fear and trauma for me. Paul's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @PaulVanderKlay Nate's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@grailcountry

Matt Brough has a podcast called The Common Toad. It often feels like he and I are picking at the same seam with regards to spirituality and philosophy. I thought it would be nice to get my podcast brain going again by chatting with him about podcasting and our general shared interest in Christianity. The Common Toad Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thecommontoad59

Steve Hill is a business owner, comedian, Satanist and much more. He is running for congress promoting peace, love and understanding. We talked about his life story and his insights from being in the military, corrections as well as being a black Satanist in Christian America.

Daniel Franzese is a comedian, actor and the host of the Yass Jesus Podcast. He is devoted to spreading light in the world with a message of radical acceptance. We talked about his personal history and what has formed him as well as how American culture has divided us from ourselves. We also talked about Gay Christianity's contribution to the world.

Malcolm Guite is a poet, author, academic, musician and more. We had a transcendent conversation rooted around the biblical story of the Transfiguration. Malcolm's website: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/ Malcolm's books: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/books/ Malcolm on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MalcolmGuitespell

Paul VanderKlay is a pastor in California as well as a YouTube Content creator and the focal point of a diverse online community. We talked about how it is possible to believe in impossible things such as the physical resurrection of Jesus. Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulVanderKlay Paul's Substack: https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/

Liam Kavanagh is the Director and Co-Founder of the Life Itself Institute, pragmatic utopians working on collaborative solutions to the cognitive and practical problems of the western mind. His book, Liams book, Collective Wisdom in the West: Beyond the shadows of the Enlightenment is available through Perspectiva Press. Life itself's website: https://lifeitself.us/ Liams book, Collective Wisdom in the West: Beyond the shadows of the Enlightenment https://www.amazon.ca/Collective-Wisdom-West-shadows-Enlightenment/dp/1914568028

Esther Lightcap Meek is an author, philosopher, and professor emeritus at Geneva College. She is known for her writing on Epistemology; Books such as A Little Manual for Knowing, Longing to Know, and Loving to know. We talked about her model of knowledge known as Covenant Epistemology and the seemingly countercultural idea that knowledge itself could point to God. This unusual take on knowledge rings true and is gaining ground. Esther's website: A Little Manual for Knowing Esther's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Esther-Lightcap-Meek/e/B001K8B11S?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1642485688&sr=8-1

This episode was films quite a while ago and, due to flakiness issues on my part, was not released until now. It consists of 2 separate interviews with the creators of viral auto-tuned videos. Details for both artists and their most well-known hits is listed below: Evan Gregory is one of the masterminds behind the successful Shmoyoho YouTube Channel with auto-tuned hits such as Bed Intruder and Double Rainbow. Schmoyoho: https://www.youtube.com/c/songify Bed Intruder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw Double Rainbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX0D4oZwCsA Brock Tyler is the creator of Anonymotif, a newer autotuned channel. Brock had viral success with the song Speaking Moistly which auto-tuned an unfortunate wording gaff by Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau during a speech on the COVID-19 pandemic. Anonymotif: https://www.youtube.com/user/anonymotif Speaking Moistly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eySDeBdqxGY

Becca Tarnas is a scholar, author, counselling astrologer and educator. She is studied in Archetypal Cosmology and the products of the imagination among many other things. She is an editor of Archai: The Journal of Archetypal Cosmology. We talked about these topics and how they relate to our evolution. We also talked about the experience of being steeped in these things from an early age.   Becca's website: https://beccatarnas.com/about/  Archai: http://www.archai.org/  The California Institute of Integral Studies: https://www.ciis.edu/

Smokey is a visual artist and musician. He and I have been friends and collaborators for years. We decided to commit one of our wide-ranging conversations to video. This episode focusses on art, music taste, and modern culture. Smokey's website: https://smokeydraws.com/ Smokey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokeydrawss/

Howard Bloom is a thinker, author, scientist, music publicist and much more. He has written on atheism, cultural history, and anthropology. He is very hard to pin down! In this, our second conversation, I wanted to begin to get a feel for his style of transcendent atheism and see how it has informed his life's path. I enjoyed this conversation as we each represented different perspectives on religion and God. This is not a debate! Howards website: https://www.howardbloom.net/ Howards book, The God Problem: https://www.amazon.com/God-Problem-Godless-Cosmos-Creates-ebook/dp/B0104FJF7O/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+god+problem&qid=1631214074&sr=8-3

Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist, writer, literary scholar and philosopher. His new book, The Matter with Things takes over from his previous book The Master and His Emissary, examining some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. We discuss The Matter with Things as well as the topic of longing as an entry point for personal growth. Dr. McGilchrist's website: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/ Preorder the Matter with Things: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/the-matter-with-things/ Order the Master and His Emissary: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/the-master-his-emissary-book/

Donna Thomas is a writer, researcher and Research Fellow at the University of Central Lancashire. Her research is around consciousness and the self, especially as experienced by young children. Her website "A Children's Guide to the Unknown" examines what children can teach us about self and reality. Donna's website: https://childrenselfandanomalousexperiences.co.uk/ Donna's Essentia Foundation article: https://www.essentiafoundation.org/reading/re-thinking-identity-childrens-experiences-of-self/

Lewis Waller is the host and creator of the YouTube channel, Then & Now. He unpacks the life and work of diverse philosophers and historical movements to try to better understand human motivation. We focused on Epistemology (theories of knowledge) and how they are served by thought movements such as Modernism, Romanticism and Postmodernism. Lewis's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkS_HP3m9NXOgswVAKbMeJQ

Gary Lachman is a writer and musician who covers a broad range of topics to do with mysticism and the human condition. We talked about his career and how feeling the reality of death can awaken the desire for more life. Gary's website: https://garylachman.co.uk/ Gary's biggest hit written for Blondie (Always Touched by Your Presence Dear): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JziVnT0d6tY

John Vervaeke teaches Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto and spends a lot of time modelling deep, constructive conversation (dialogos as he calls it) with collaborators on YouTube. He was a huge inspiration to this podcast and an early guest. We discussed dialogos and how the ideas of sacred and profane might translate into a secular philosophy. John's YouTube series, Awakening from the Meaning Crisis and The Elusive I (currently being released in installments) are great ways to start thinking about thinking and conceptualizing the self. John's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke

Philosopher, psychotherapist and author Mark returns to Mourning Talk Show. We discuss moralism and spirituality. As usual, Mark gives further insights into his personal world of transcendent imagery and language with references to Dante and Blake; a spirituality that is ever-present and somehow non-religious. Mark's website: https://www.markvernon.com/ Mark's books: https://www.markvernon.com/books Mark's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PlatosPodcasts

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a Poet, activist, theologian and much more. He is a gentle, yet bold presence. His poetry podcast, Poetry Unbound is released through On Being and he also hosts the Corrymeela Podcast, a recent episode of which is a conversation with U2's the Edge. We discuss issues around poetry, prayer, social media. Poetry Unbound: https://onbeing.org/series/poetry-unbound/ The Corrymeela Podcast with the Edge: https://www.publictheologyireland.com/podcast/the-corrymeela-podcast-season-1-episode-6-the-edge Books by Pádraig Ó Tuama: http://www.padraigotuama.com/publications

David Jay is an inspirational motivator in multiple movements. He helped catalyze the asexual community and is Head of Mobilization at the Center for Human Technology (responsible for the documentary The Social Dilemma). We talked about where his diverse experience meets up and how he has tirelessly worked towards a world where people have agency over themselves and technology can enhance intimacy. The Center for Human Technology website: https://www.humanetech.com/ The Social Dilemma: https://www.humanetech.com/the-social-dilemma

John Tenney is a lecturer, writer and paranormal investigator. He has hosted TV shows, written extensively and created his own podcast of short case studies from his career. John's website: http://weirdlectures.com/ John's podcast: http://realmoftheweird.com/ John's interview with Conner Habib: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/aewch-133-john-e-tenney-or-paranormal-is-real-reality/id1298708750?i=1000501005170

Bernardo Kastrup is an author, philosopher, scientist and technologist. His most recent works promote his compelling concept of Metaphysical Idealism (reality is essentially made from consciousness). We talked about his life and mission and got vulnerable about the implications of philosophy in our own lives. Bernardo's website: https://www.bernardokastrup.com/ Bernardo's books: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/iff-books/authors/bernardo-kastrup

Buck Angel is an entrepreneur, activist, and transexual adult film star. We talked about masculinity in modern times as well as vulnerability and the importance of honest conversation. Buck on twitter: https://twitter.com/BuckAngel Buck's website: https://buckangel.com/

Mark Vernon is an author, psychotherapist and philosopher. His newest book, A Secret History of Christianity, situates the bible within the history of thought and reveals the undercurrent of the evolution of human consciousness, revealing hidden insights forgotten or obscured by religious traditions. Mark's website: https://www.markvernon.com/ Buy the book: https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-History-Christianity-Evolution-Consciousness-ebook/dp/B07W6GFPZK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Mark+Vernon+The+secret+History+of+Christianity&qid=1601411210&sr=8-1 Mark on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PlatosPodcasts

Joseph Laycock is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Texas State University. He has written a book about the Satanic Temple and a book about the Satanic Panic triggered by roll-playing games in the 1980's. We had a great conversation about the nature of religion and what the Satanic Temple's story contributes to and nuances the discussion. Joseph's book, Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk about Religion: https://www.amazon.ca/Speak-Devil-Satanic-Changing-Religion-ebook/dp/B082VCL8YH Joseph's book Dangerous Games: What the Moral Panic over Role-Playing Games Says about Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds: https://www.amazon.ca/Dangerous-Games-Role-Playing-Religion-Imagined-ebook/dp/B00RX4UVWI/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1595256358&refinements=p_27%3AJoseph+Laycock&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Joseph+Laycock

Conner Habib is a thinker, podcaster, Occultist and much more. His podcast, Against Everything with Conner Habib is a consistently disorienting (in a good way) storehouse of under-represented perspectives. We talked about his history in sex work, Christian Occultism and much more. Conner's podcast: https://connerhabib.com/against-everyone/ Support Conner on Pareon: https://www.patreon.com/ConnerHabib

Sarah Janes is a dream researcher, writer and gifted communicator. She's an expert in Ancient Egyptian dream practices including dream temples. She is a vivid dreamer and teaches about lucid dreaming among many other things. I loved this conversation! Sarah's website: https://themysteries.org/

Johnny Pemberton is a comedian, actor, podcaster, musician and more. We talked about his career and how he thinks about comedy, darkness, virtuosity, intuition and more. Johnny's website: https://www.johnnypemberton.dog/ Johnny's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/justmynipples Johnny's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-to-tape-with-johnny-pemberton/id1162386297

Stephanie Drury is a Feminist and online social critic who became known for making (merciless) fun of modern Christian culture. I reached out to her to talk about her personal story of mental health and how the evangelical Christian church failed her and her family spectacularly. Stephanie's Twitter accounts: https://twitter.com/stephaniedrury https://twitter.com/StuffCCLikes https://twitter.com/fakedriscoll

Lois Letchord is an educator and author whose book, Reversed: A Memoir tells about her path to being an educator through teaching her own son, Nicholas to read when he was deemed a hopeless case. We spoke about meaning and curiosity and discussed my own difficulties with reading. Lois's website: https://www.loisletchford.com/

Paul VanderKlay is a pastor in Central California. His YouTube channel is an outlet for his thoughts on psychology, faith and culture. He gained a following by guiding many confused Christians during the initial rise of the polarizing thinker, Jordan Peterson, but has transcended Peterson and become known as an original and balanced thinker. Paul's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/paulvanderklay Paul's website: https://paulvanderklay.me/

Amy Edelstein is an author and educator. She has studied many paths of spiritual practice and (among other things) developed a secular course to teach inner strength to teens. Her message is one of practical strength and love. It was an honour to speak to her! Check out how you can learn or get involved in this important work! Inner Strength Foundation: https://www.innerstrengthfoundation.net/ Amy's website: https://amyedelstein.com/

Tahir Nasser is one of the driving forces behind Rational Religion, a YouTube channel and publishing platform promoting religion and spirituality from the perspective of Ahmadi Muslims through intellectual discussions. Tahir is a medical doctor and a thoughtful, contemplative person. He and his brother, Umar discuss Islam with humour and grace. Rational Religion's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EndOfAtheism Rational Religion with David Berlinski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIgHsm3Faio&t=1057s Rational Religion with Rupert Sheldrake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHLnXWpGbO8&t=2226s Rational Religion's website: https://rationalreligion.co.uk/

Lucien Greaves is cofounder of the Satanic Temple and a main protagonist in the 'Hail Satan?' documentary, which currently has a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. He has devoted his life to this secular religion and promoting religious plurality in the United States. Lucien describes an alternative view of the idea of patriotism in the US, both progressive and a return to its roots. The Satanic Temple: https://thesatanictemple.com/ Lucien's website: http://luciengreaves.com/ Hail Satan? documentary: https://www.hailsatanfilm.com/

In this episode I speak with Dr. Trevor Tchir. Dr. Tchir is the Department Chair of Law and Politics at Algoma University in Ontario, Canada. He is also a talented musician, though we don't discuss that in the interview. NOTE: This is the last episode recorded with my old video chat platform. The video and audio quality leaves something to be desired, but the content is good. Thanks for understanding. I have changed to a better one since. Check out Trevor's impressions of Hannah Arendt: https://www.algomau.ca/news/arendts-theory-political-action/ Political Science at Algoma University: https://www.algomau.ca/academics/programs/political-science/ More on Hannah Arendt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzRY23qeYs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1hLz1yL8M

In this episode I speak with Tim Freke. Tim is a philosopher, writer and spiritual practitioner from the UK who has developed a theory and community around his concept of the Unividualism. We talk about concepts of god, human knowledge and meditation among other things. Tim's website: https://timfreke.com/ Tim's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/timfreke Tim's interview with Iain McGilchrist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD7BHJHkufY

In this episode i talk to James Avramenko. James is a writer and the host of the Friendless podcast. James has tackled the social media monster head-on by contacting his Facebook friends over the phone, recording the conversations, and then unfriending them at the end. We discuss social media, body language, empathy, public performance and more. Check out James's podcast here: http://friendlesspod.libsyn.com/ Or look for Friendless on all the major podcast platforms. Friendless on Instagram: @friendlesspod ______________________________________ Follow Mourning Talk Show for updates! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mourningtalkshow Instagram: @mourningtalk

In this episode I talk with Dr. Kathleen Gerbasi. Dr. Gerbasi is a Professor, Department of Psychology, Niagara County Community College. She has pioneered the academic study of Furries and the Furry Fandom. Her openness, honesty and compassion made this a very enjoyable conversation. Kathleen's Furscience website: https://furscience.com

I (Aaron) talk with Howard Bloom as he walks through Prospect Park on his daily constitutional. Howard is The former publicist for top tier artists such as Prince, the Talking Heads and Simon and Garfunkel. He's also the author of many books including the upcoming, Einstein, Michael Jackson & Me: A Search for Soul in the Power Pits of Rock and Roll. Howard is a unique thinker whose perspectives don't seem conform to any one ideology or creed. His perspective inevitably throws a new spin on any subject. He allowed me to interview him only if I could record a WhatsApp video call, which makes this a unique experience. We discuss sex, the ecstatic experience, and an atheist view of divinity. Howard's latest book: https://www.amazon.ca/Einstein-Michael-Jackson-Me-Search/dp/1493051679

Aaron talks with Mark Sargent. Mark is a flat earth believer. He created the popular YouTube series, Flat Earth Clues which has convinced many in the movement. The discussions ranges from the spiritual effects of this controversial belief to the geopolitical conditions that would be necessary in the flat earth model of history. Check out Mark's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/markksargent Watch the Netflix Behind the Curve Documentary trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkWt4Rl-ns

Aaron talks with John Vervaeke. John teaches Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. John's YouTube channel (featuring his series "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis"): https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke John's book, Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis (cowritten with Christopher Mastropietro and Filip Miscevic): https://www.amazon.ca/Zombies-Western-Culture-Twenty-First-Century/dp/178374328X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=john+vervaeke&qid=1567438876&s=gateway&sr=8-1