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In this episode, I discuss the Trump administration's war on higher education and place it within the context of the history of academic freedom and previous assaults on it. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Bauxite," "The Gran Dias," "Minister Creek," "Leatherbound," "Cicle Gerano," JoDon," "Kettl etopper," and "Delicates." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Other music: "Leaving Home" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WiscoJazz-Cast Episode 234 mixed by dj lukewarm Episode Two Hundred and Thirty Four features Ambient music & more... 01 - Kid Millions and the Sounds of Time - Must Be Dreaming [Ski School] 02 - Hammock - Requiem for Johan [Hammock Music] 03 - Hozuki & Cornwave - Oblivion [Kurate Music] 04 - 55 Cancri e - Att Lamna Tellus II/Solen Gar Ner [Music For Dreams] 05 - Bright & Findlay - Doom [Athens of the North] 06 - Patrick O'Hearn - Courage [PatrickOHearn.com Music] 07 - Stars of the Lid - A Meaningful Moment Through A Meaning(Less) Process [Kranky] 08 - DJ Shadow - Fleeting Youth (An Audible Life) [Mass Appeal] 09 - Hampshire & Foat - Call of the Forest [Athens of the North] 10 - Rikaar - Dream Structures [Apollo] 11 - Change Request - Momentary Lapse [Abstrakt Xpressions] 12 - Nightmares on Wax - The Other Ship [Warp Records] 13 - Khruangbin Les Petits Gris [Dead Oceans] 14 - Flaer - Follow [Odda Recordings] 15 - Catching Flies - Diamonds (Strings) [Indigo Soul] 16 - Caoilfhionn Rose - Rainfall [Gondwana Records] 17 - Quiet Village - Reunion (Reprise) [The Quiet Village] 18 - Camilo Sanabria - Mariposas [Netflix Music] 19 - Kid Millions - Oh Well [Ski School] 20 - Jamie XX - Every Single Weekend (Interlude) [Young] Hope you enjoy. -dj lukewarm https://linktr.ee/djlukewarm http://djlukewarm.com http://hearthis.at/djlukewarm http://www.mixcloud.com/djlukewarm http://djlukewarm.podomatic.com https://soundcloud.com/wiscojazz http://www.youtube.com/WiscoJazzCast RSS: http://djlukewarm.podomatic.com/rss2.xml
"Sometimes The Pink Opaque feels more real than real life." On this episode, we're traversing The Midnight Realm and opening up a case file on Mr. Melancholy from I Saw The TV Glow. Topics include: writer/director Jane Schoenbrun's inspiration for the story, our own personal connections to the media that this is influenced by, how authentically this captures the miasma of 1990s suburbia, the way our feelings about the movie evolved after subsequent viewings, interpretations of the ending, the incredible soundtrack, and much more! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram Chris's Instagram | Kristen's Instagram Chris & Kristen's Web Series: The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler
In Part 2 of their deep dive into the legacy of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Bianca and Julian unpack how his post-Pet Sounds work helped shape entire branches of modern indie rock - including lo-fi, outsider music, dream pop, synth pop, and chillwave. Did Brian Wilson invent the first interactive/remix album? Was he behind one of the first children's records by a major rock artist? And what's considered his final masterpiece? All that and more in Anything But Toto Ep. 21! ICYMI: Check out Part 1 for a look at Brian's groundbreaking work from 1961-1966. Also in this episode: Taylor Swift: reclaiming her masters and the directorial debut rumors Wicked for Good - will it be as good as the first installment? Sombr's “We Never Dated” New singles from the Jonas Brothers and Sabrina Carpenter: a nod to the Bee Gees and Chappell Roan… or too close for comfort? Plus: Sabrina's album cover controversy CW: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, mental illness, suicide, and substance use. Listener discretion is advised. Theme music by Daniel Konikoff Don't be a stranger! Email us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com
In today's podcast, I'm diving into a thought-provoking—and often heartbreaking—topic: mental illness in Tudor England. From moon-induced madness and “uterine vapours” to melancholy queens and frenzied courtiers, the Tudor understanding of mental health was a complex mix of medicine, superstition, religion, and fear. Did you know Jane Boleyn's breakdown led Henry VIII to change the law so she could be executed? Or that people paid to watch the inmates of Bedlam Hospital for entertainment? And what about Richard Pace, Henry VIII's secretary, who was said to tear his clothes and rant? I'll explore how Tudor people defined and treated mental illness, the roles of institutions like Bedlam, beliefs about the four humours, “wandering wombs,” and how the Dissolution of the Monasteries impacted care for the mentally ill. We'll meet real historical figures—from Queen Mary I to court fools considered holy—and look at how the legal system, family, and Church responded to mental illness. Inspired by my research with Clare Cherry and Amelia Sceats' brilliant thesis, this is a deep dive into a rarely discussed but important aspect of Tudor life. Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments—how do you think society's view of mental illness has changed? #TudorHistory #MentalHealthHistory #JaneBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #Bedlam #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway #TudorMadness #HistoricalTruths #HenryVIII Sceats, Amelia G. (2016) Rationality and reality: perspectives of mental illness in Tudor England, 1485- 1603. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield - https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/31474/
Today we talk melancholy. For me, melancholy comes on with certain triggers. Let's play music around three of them: trains, hypnagogia and wind. Sit back and get into this wonderful playlist.
In deze aflevering van Kalm met Klassiek sluiten we de week af met een reis door de tijd. We komen uit bij de horizon zoals mensen die 400 jaar geleden zagen. En wat blijkt? Dat is dezelfde horizon als die we nu kennen. Stel je voor hoe men eeuwen geleden al naar diezelfde einder staarden, met dezelfde dromen en verlangens. Melancholie alom in 'The image of melancholy' van Anthony Holborne. Wil je meer Kalm met Klassiek? Ga naar npoklassiek.nl/kalmmetklassiek (https://www.npoklassiek.nl/thema/kalm-met-klassiek). Alle muziek uit de podcast vind je terug in de bijbehorende speellijst (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6YgSfm1Sux7CroiJvzeUdx?si=be36463468d84e37).
Here at the end of Pride, I want to discuss the long, bigoted history and false scriptural basis of religious opposition to LGBTQ rights, and the effort of the religious right to seek an exemption to anti-discrimination laws so that they can persecute gay and trans people. UPDATE: since the production of this episode, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of religious objection to LGBTQ+ books in the case Mahmoud v. Taylor. I encourage you to visit 5calls.org and find their page to help you Oppose Efforts to Dehumanize Transgender and LGBTQ+ People. And attend a demonstration to make your voice heard. Visit https://www.mobilize.us/ to find an event near you! Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Black Ballots," "Lacaille," "The Gran Dias," "Leatherbound," "Tarte Tatin," "Illa Villardo," "Voyager," and "Game Lands." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This month Brian Wilson, one of the most gifted song writers and composers of the 20th Century passed away. In order to explore his work and the social and cultural context behind it, along with the meaning of the surfer sound of the early 1960s Toby Manning joins the podcast to talk about Pet Sounds, Smile, Surf's Up and more. *****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 20 of Anything But Toto, Bianca and Julian pay tribute to the legendary Brian Wilson, who passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. As the creative force behind the Beach Boys, Brian didn't just define a sound - he helped reinvent what pop music could be. In this first instalment of a two-part tribute, the hosts dive into the band's formative and most influential years (1961–1966), tracing Brian's evolution from surf-rock wunderkind to avant-pop architect. They explore how Wilson: Invented the surf vocal genre Shaped the shimmering, sun-soaked “California Myth” Defined the auteur approach to music making Refined the Wall of Sound production style Crafted experimental, emotionally complex music that still topped the charts From early beach anthems to the introspective brilliance of Today!, all the way to the lush masterpiece that is Pet Sounds, this episode examines how Brian's genius was there from the very beginning. Along the way, Bianca and Julian chronicle the personal and cultural forces that shaped Brian's early work, including candid discussions around trauma, mental health, and the darker currents behind the sunny image. Stay tuned for Part 2, where they'll explore late 1966-1977. CW: This episode includes discussion of child abuse, mental illness, suicide, and substance use. Listener discretion is advised. Theme music by Daniel Konikoff Questions or thoughts? Email us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com
Through exclusive interviews and over a decade of deep research, renowned music journalist Jan Gradvall explores the secrets to ABBA's success. There has never been a group like ABBA. More than half a century after their songs were recorded, ABBA still make people the world over dance and sing their hearts out. In 2013, when the band had not been interviewed for over thirty years, Jan Gradvall was granted unique access to them for the next decade and the result is The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover. Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad all share their personal stories, their thoughts and their opinions about ABBA's music more openly than ever before. Weaving in and out of their story, well-known international music critic Jan Gradvall reveals the context in which their unique sound developed and shows how the story of ABBA is also the story of Sweden and the globalization of pop culture. From their earliest hits in Sweden like "People Need Love" and "Ring, Ring" to their chart-topping international hits like "Dancing Queen," "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and "Mama Mia!" to ABBA Voyage - their first album in forty years - and the two-million-ticket-selling eponymous concert-experience in London, it is undeniable that, in the history of pop culture and music, there has never been a group like ABBA. With remarkable intimacy, Gradvall's sensational book brings readers closer than ever to one of the world's most notoriously private groups.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
Through exclusive interviews and over a decade of deep research, renowned music journalist Jan Gradvall explores the secrets to ABBA's success. There has never been a group like ABBA. More than half a century after their songs were recorded, ABBA still make people the world over dance and sing their hearts out. In 2013, when the band had not been interviewed for over thirty years, Jan Gradvall was granted unique access to them for the next decade and the result is The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover. Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad all share their personal stories, their thoughts and their opinions about ABBA's music more openly than ever before. Weaving in and out of their story, well-known international music critic Jan Gradvall reveals the context in which their unique sound developed and shows how the story of ABBA is also the story of Sweden and the globalization of pop culture. From their earliest hits in Sweden like "People Need Love" and "Ring, Ring" to their chart-topping international hits like "Dancing Queen," "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and "Mama Mia!" to ABBA Voyage - their first album in forty years - and the two-million-ticket-selling eponymous concert-experience in London, it is undeniable that, in the history of pop culture and music, there has never been a group like ABBA. With remarkable intimacy, Gradvall's sensational book brings readers closer than ever to one of the world's most notoriously private groups.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
The Toms are back with another walk around the golfing block. Today: Are you a club golfer or do you travel well? What happens when you do a card AND match play? (bad things) ALSO it's email corner with our pals at Golfbidder! Anyone else scared they might have a Vanity Handicap? See you soon and don't forget to check out our latest VS video over on the YouTubes. Toms x - Email - thetoms@golfisruiningmylife.co.uk Tik Tok Youtube - New episodes every Monday & Thursday!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As Trump ramps up his immigration raids in California and brings the armed forces to bear against peaceful citizen protesters, I want to talk more about the long, racist history behind similar immigration crackdowns in the US. I encourage you to visit 5calls.org and find their page to help you Protest the Unlawful Deportation of Venezuelan Immigrants to El Salvador and demand that your governor Deny Trump's Police State Tactics for Deportations. But more than this, get out to a protest in your area if you can. If you didn't make it out to the No Kings protests, visit https://www.mobilize.us/ to find an upcoming demonstration near you! Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Currently, I am in the process of migrating my blog posts and episode transcripts to a new Substack, so for the time being, you won't find new episode transcripts on my website. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Access Road 214," "Where It All Happened," "Voyager," "Evidence Room," "Winter in Black," "Olivia Wraith," "Illa Villardo," and "Service Road 237." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this interview, Lamorna Ash, author of Don't Forget We're Here Forever: A New Generation's Search for Religion, and one of my favourite modern writers, talked about working at the Times Literary Supplement, netball, M. John Harrison, AI and the future of religion, why we should be suspicious of therapy, the Anatomy of Melancholy, the future of writing, what surprised her in the Bible, the Simpsons, the joy of Reddit, the new Pope, Harold Bloom, New Atheism's mistakes, reading J.S. Mill. I have already recommended her new book Don't Forget We're Here Forever, which Lamorna reads aloud from at the end. Full transcript below.Uploading videos onto Substack is too complicated for me (it affects podcast downloads somehow, and the instructions to avoid this problem are complicated, so I have stopped doing it), and to upload to YouTube I have to verify my account but they told me that after I tried to upload it and my phone is dead, so… here is the video embedded on this page. I could quote the whole thing. Here's one good section.Lamorna: Which one would you say I should do first after The Sea, The Sea?Henry: Maybe The Black Prince.Lamorna: The Black Prince. Great.Henry: Which is the one she wrote before The Sea, The Sea and is just a massive masterpiece.Lamorna: I'll read it. Where do you stand on therapy? Do you have a position?Henry: I think on net, it might be a bad thing, even if it is individually useful for people.Lamorna: Why is that?Henry: [laughs] I didn't expect to have to answer the question. Basically two reasons. I think it doesn't take enough account of the moral aspect of the decisions being made very often. This is all very anecdotal and you can find yourself feeling better in the short term, but not necessarily in the long-- If you make a decision that's not outrageously immoral, but which has not had enough weight placed on the moral considerations.There was an article about how lots of people cut out relatives now and the role that therapy plays in that. What I was struck by in the article that was-- Obviously, a lot of those people are justified and their relatives have been abusive or nasty, of course, but there are a lot of cases where you were like, "Well, this is a long-term decision that's been made on a short-term basis." I think in 10 years people may feel very differently. There wasn't enough consideration in the article, at least I felt, given to how any children involved would be affected later on. I think it's a good thing and a bad thing.Lamorna: I'm so with you. I think that's why, because also the fact of it being so private and it being about the individual, and I think, again, there are certain things if you're really struggling with that, it's helpful for, but I think I'm always more into the idea of communal things, like AAA and NA, which obviously a very particular. Something about doing that together, that it's collaborative and therefore there is someone else in the room if you say, "I want to cut out my parent."There's someone else who said that happened to me and it was really hard. It means that you are making those decisions together a little bit more. Therapy, I can feel that in friends and stuff that it does make us, even more, think that we are these bounded individuals when we're not.Henry: I should say, I have known people who've gone to therapy and it's worked really well.Lamorna: I'm doing therapy right now and it is good. TranscriptHenry: Today I am talking to Lamorna Ash. Lamorna is one of the rising stars of her generation. She has written a book about a fishing village in Cornwall. She's written columns for the New Statesman, of which I'm a great admirer. She works for a publisher and now she's written a book called, Don't Forget, We're Here Forever: A New Generation's Search for Religion. I found this book really compelling and I hope you will go and read it right now. Lamorna, welcome.Lamorna Ash: Thank you for having me.Henry: What was it like when you worked at the Times Literary Supplement?Lamorna: It was an amazing introduction to mostly contemporary fiction, but also so many other forms of writing I didn't know about. I went there, I actually wrote a letter, handwritten letter after my finals, saying that I'd really enjoyed this particular piece that somehow linked the anatomy of melancholy to infinite jest, and being deeply, deeply, deeply pretentious, those were my two favorite books. I thought, well, I'll apply for this magazine. I turned up there as an intern. They happened to have a space going.My job was Christmas in that I just spent my entire time unwrapping books and putting them out for editors to swoop by and take away. I'd take on people's corrections. I'd start to see how the editorial process worked. I started reading. I somehow had missed contemporary fiction. I hadn't read people like Rachel Kask or Nausgaard. I was reading them through going to the fiction pages. It made me very excited. Also, my other job whilst I was there, was I had the queries email. You'd get loads of incredibly random emails, including things like, you are cordially invited to go on the Joseph Conrad cycle tour of London. I'd ask the office, "Does anyone want to do this?" Obviously, no one ever said yes.I had this amazing year of doing really weird stuff, like going on Joseph Conrad cycling tour or going to a big talk at the comic book museum or the new advertising museum of London. I loved it. I really loved it.Henry: What was the Joseph Conrad cycling tour of London like? That sounds-Lamorna: Oh, it was so good. I remember at one point we stopped on maybe it was Blackfriars Bridge or perhaps it was Tower Bridge and just read a passage from the secret agent about the boats passing underneath. Then we'd go to parts of the docks where they believe that Conrad stayed for a while, but instead it would be some fancy youth hostel instead.It was run by the Polish Society of London, I believe-- the Polish Society of England, I believe. Again, each time it was like an excuse then to get into that writer and then write a little piece about it for the TLS. I guess, it was also, I was slightly cutting my teeth on how to do that kind of journalism as well.Henry: What do you like about The Anatomy of Melancholy?Lamorna: Almost everything. I think the prologue, Democritus Junior to the Reader is just so much fun and naughty. He says, "I'm writing about melancholy in order to try and avoid melancholy myself." There's six editions of it. He spent basically his entire life writing this book. When he made new additions to the book, rather than adding another chapter, he would often be making insertions within sentences themselves, so it becomes more and more bloated. There's something about the, what's the word for it, the ambition that I find so remarkable of every single possible version of melancholy they could talk about.Then, maybe my favorite bit, and I think about this as a writer a lot, is there's a bit called the digression of air, or perhaps it's digression on the air, where he just suddenly takes the reader soaring upwards to think about air and you sort of travel up like a hawk. It's this sort of breathing moment for a reader where you go in a slightly different direction. I think in my own writing, I always think about digression as this really valuable bit of nonfiction, this sense of, I'm not just taking you straight the way along. I think it'd be useful to go sideways a bit too.Henry: That was Samuel Johnson's favorite book as well. It's a good choice.Lamorna: Was it?Henry: Yes. He said that it was the only book that would get him out of bed in the morning.Lamorna: Really?Henry: Because he was obviously quite depressive. I think he found it useful as well as entertaining, as it were. Should netball be an Olympic sport?Lamorna: [laughs] Oh, it's already going to be my favorite interview. I think the reason it isn't an Olympic-- yes, I have a vested interest in netball and I play netball once a week. I'm not very good, but I am very enthusiastic because it's only played mostly in the Commonwealth. It was invented a year after basketball as a woman-friendly version because women should not run with the ball in case they get overexerted and we shouldn't get too close to contacting each other in case we touch, and that's awful.It really is only played in the Commonwealth. I think the reason it won't become an Olympic sport is because it's not worldwide enough, which I think is a reasonable reason. I'm not, of all the my big things that I want to protest about and care about right now, making that an Olympic sport is a-- it's reasonably low on my list.Henry: Okay, fair enough. You are an admirer of M. John Harrison's fiction, is that right?Lamorna: Yes.Henry: Tell us what should we read and why should we read him?Lamorna: You Should Come With Me Now, is that what it's called? I know I reviewed one of his books years ago and thought it was-- because he's part of that weird sci-fi group that I find really interesting and they've all got a bit of Samuel Delany to them as well. I just remember there was this one particular story in that collection, I think in general, he's a master at sci-fi that doesn't feel in that Dune way of just like, lists of names of places. It somehow has this, it's very literary, it's very odd, it's deeply imaginative. It is like what I wanted adult fiction to be when I was 12 or something, that there's the way the fantasy and imagination works.I remember there was one about all these men, married men who were disappearing into their attics and their wives thought they were just tinkering. What they were doing was building these sort of translucent tubes that were taking them off out of the world. I remember just thinking it was great. His conceits are brilliant and make so much sense, whilst also always being at an interesting slant from reality. Then, I haven't read his memoir, but I hear again and again this anti-memoir he's written. Have you read that?Henry: No.Lamorna: Apparently that's really brilliant too. Then he also, writes those about climbing. He's actually got this one foot in the slightly travel nature writing sports camp. I just always thought he was magic. I remember on Twitter, he was really magic as well. I spent a lot of time following him.Henry: Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of writing and literature and books and this whole debate that's going on?Lamorna: It's hard to. I don't want to say anything fast and snappy because it's such a complicated thing. I could just start by saying personally, I'm worried about me and writing because I'm worried about my concentration span. I am so aware that in the same way that a piano player has to be practising the pieces they're going to play all the time. I think partly that's writing and writing, I seem to be able to do even with this broken, distracted form of attention I've got. My reading, I don't feel like I'm getting enough in. I think that means that what I produce will necessarily be less good if I can't solve that.I've just bought a dumb phone on the internet and I hope that's going to help me by no longer having Instagram and things like that. I think, yes, I suppose we do read a bit less. The generation below us is reading less. That's a shame. There's so much more possibility to go out and meet people from different places. On an anthropological level, I think anthropology has had this brilliant turn of becoming more subjective. The places you go, you have to think about your own relationship to them. I think that can make really interesting writing. It's so different from early colonial anthropology.The fact that, I guess, through, although even as I'm saying this, I don't know enough to say it, but I was going to say something about the fact that people, because we can do things like substacks and people can do short form content, maybe that means that more people's voices are getting heard and then they can, if they want to, transfer over and write books as well.I still get excited by books all the time. There's still so much good contemporary stuff that's thrilling me from all over the place. I don't feel that concerned yet. If we all do stop writing books entirely for a year and just read all the extraordinary books that have been happening for the last couple of thousand, we'd be okay.Henry: I simultaneously see the same people complaining that everything's dying and literature is over and that we have an oversupply of books and that capitalism is giving us too many books and that's the problem. I'm like, "Guys, I think you should pick one."Lamorna: [laughs] You're not allowed both those arguments. My one is that I do think it's gross, the bit of publishing that the way that some of these books get so oddly inflated in terms of the sales around them. Then, someone is getting a million pounds for a debut, which is enormous pressure on them. Then, someone else is getting 2K. I feel like there should be, obviously, there should be a massive cap on how large an advance anyone should get, and then more people will actually be able to stay in the world of writing because they won't have to survive on pitiful advances. I think that would actually have a huge impact and we should not be giving, love David Beckham as much as I do, we shouldn't be giving him five million pounds for someone else to go to write his books. It's just crazy.Henry: Don't the sales of books like that subsidize those of us who are not getting such a big advance?Lamorna: I don't think they always do. I think that's the problem is that they do have this wealth of funds to give to celebrities and often those books don't sell either. I still think even if those books sell a huge amount of money, those people still shouldn't be getting ridiculous advances like that. They still should be thinking about young people who are important to the literary, who are going to produce books that are different and surprising and whose voices we need to hear. That feels much more important.Henry: What do you think about the idea that maybe Anglo fiction isn't at a peak? I don't necessarily agree with that, but maybe we can agree that these are not the days of George Eliot and Charles Dickens, but the essay nonfiction periodicals and writing online, this is huge now. Right? Actually, our pessimism is sort of because we're looking in the wrong area and there are other forms of writing that flourish, actually doing great on the internet.Lamorna: Yes, I think so too. Again, I don't think I'm internet worldly enough to know this, but I still find these extraordinary, super weird substats that feel exciting. I also get an enormous amount of pleasure in reading Reddit now, which I only just got into many, many years late, but so many fun, odd things. Like little essays that people write and the way that people respond to each other, which is quick and sharp, and I suppose it fills the gap of what Twitter was.I think nonfiction, I was talking about this morning, because I'm staying with some writers, because we're sort of Cornish, book talk thing together and how much exciting nonfiction has come out this year that we want to read from the UK that is hybrid-y nature travel. Then internationally, I still think there's-- I just read, Perfection by Vincenzo, but there's enough translated fiction that's on the international book list this year that gets me delighted as well. To me, I just don't feel worried about that kind of thing at all when there's so much exciting stuff happening.I love Reddit. I think they really understand things that other people don't on there. I think it's the relief now that when you type in something to Google, you get the AI response. It's something like, it's so nice to feel on Reddit that someone sat down and answered you. Maybe that's such a shame that that's what makes me happy now, that we're in that space. It does feel like someone will tell you not just the answer, but then give you a bit about their life. Then, the particular tool that was passed down by their grandparents. That's so nice.Henry: What do you think of the new Pope?Lamorna: I thought it was because I'd heard all the thing around fat Pope, thin Pope, and obviously, our new Pope is maybe a sort of middle Pope, or at least is closer to Francis, but maybe a bit more palatable to some people. I guess, I'm excited that he's going to do, or it seems like he's also taking time to think, but he's good on migration on supporting the rights of immigrants. I think there's value in the fact of him being American as this being this counterpoint to what's happening in America right now. If feels always feels pointless to say because they're almost the idea of a Pope.I guess, Francis said that, who am I to judge about people being gay, but I think this Pope has so far has been more outly against gay people, but he stood up against JD Vance and his stupid thoughts on theology. I'm quietly optimistic. I guess I'm also waiting for Robert Harris's prophecy to come true and we get an intersex Pope next. Because I think that was prophecy, right? What he wrote.Henry: That would be interesting.Lamorna: Yes.Henry: The religious revival that people say is happening, particularly among young people, how is AI going to make it different than previous religious revivals?Lamorna: Oh, that's so interesting. Maybe first of all, question, sorry, I choked on my coffee. I was slightly questioned the idea if there is a religious revival, it's not actually an argument that I made in the book. When I started writing the book, there wasn't this quiet revival or this Bible studies and survey that suggests that more young people are going to church hadn't come out yet. I was just more, I guess, aware that there were a few people around me who were converting and I thought it'd be interesting if there's a few, there'll be more, which I think probably happens in every single generation, right? Is that that's one way to deal with the longing for meaning we all experience and the struggles in our lives.I was speaking to a New York Times journalist who was questioning the stats that have been coming out because first it's incredibly small pool. It's quite self-selecting that possibly there are people who might have gone to church already. It's still such a small uptick because it makes it hard to say anything definitive. I guess in general, what will the relationship be between AI and religion?I guess, there are so many ways you could go with that. One is that those spaces, religious spaces, are nicely insulated from technology. Not everywhere. Obviously, in some places they aren't, but often it's a space in which you put your phone away. In my head, the desire to go to church is as against having to deal with AI or having to deal with technology being integrated to every other aspect of my life.I guess maybe people will start worshiping the idea of the singularity. Maybe we'll get the singularity and Terminator, or the Matrix is going to happen, and we'll call them our gods because they will feel like gods. That's maybe one option. I don't know how AI-- I guess I don't know enough about AI that maybe you'll have AI, or does this happen? Maybe this has happened already that you could have an AI confession and you'd have an AI priest and they tell you--Henry: Sure. It's huge for therapy, right?Lamorna: Yes.Henry: Which is that adjacent thing.Lamorna: That's a good point. It does feel something about-- I'm sure, theologically, it's not supposed to work if you haven't been ordained, but can an AI be ordained, become a priest?Henry: IndeedLamorna: Could they do communion? I don't know. It's fascinating.Henry: I can see a situation where a young person lives in a secular environment or culture and is interested in things and the AI is the, in some ways, easiest place for them to turn to say, "I need to talk about-- I have these weird semi-religious feelings, or I'm interested." The AI's not going to be like, "Oh, really? That's weird." There's the question of will we worship AI or whatever, but also will we get people's conversions being shaped by their therapy/confessors/whatever chat with their LLM?Lamorna: Oh, it's so interesting. I read a piece recently in the LRB by James Vincent. It was about AI relationships, our relationship with AI, and he looked at AI girlfriends. There was this incredible case, maybe you read about it, about a guy who tried to kill the Queen some years back. His defense was that his AI girlfriend had really encouraged him to do that. Then, you can see the transcripts of the text, and he says, "I'm thinking about killing the Queen." His AI girlfriend is like, "Go for it, baby."It's that thing there of like, at the moment, AI is still reflecting back our own desires or refracting almost like shifting how they're expressed. I'm trying to imagine that in the same case of me saying, "I feel really lonely, and I'm thinking about Christianity." My friend would speak with all of their context and background, and whatever they've got going on for them. Whereas an AI would feel my desire there and go, "That's a good idea. It says online this." It's very straight. It would definitely lead us in directions that feel less than human or other than human.Henry: I also have this thought, you used to, I think you still do, but you see it less. You used to get a Samaritan's Bible in every hotel. The Samaritans, will they start trying to install a religious chatbot in places where people--? There are lots of ways in which you could use it as a distribution mechanism.Lamorna: Which does feel so far from the point. Not to think about the gospels, but that feeling of something I talk about in the book is that, so much of it is human contact. Is that this factor of being changed in the moment, person to person. If I have any philosophy for life at the moment is this sense of desperately needing contact that we are saved by each other all the time, not by our telephones and things that aren't real. It's the surprise.I quote it in the book, but Iris Murdoch describes love is the very difficult realization that someone other than yourself is real. I think that's the thing that makes us all survive, is that reminder that if you're feeling deeply depressed, being like, there is someone else that is real, and they have a struggle that matters as much as mine. I think that's something that you are never going to get through a conversation with a chatbot, because it's like a therapeutic thing. You are not having to ask it the same questions, or you are not having to extend yourself to think about someone else in those conversations.Henry: Which Iris Murdoch novels do you like?Lamorna: I've only read The Sea, The Sea, but I really enjoyed it. Which ones do you like?Henry: I love The Sea, The Sea, and The Black Prince. I like the late books, like The Good Apprentice and The Philosopher's Pupil, as well. Some people tell you, "Don't read those. They're late works and they're no good," but I was obsessed. I was absolutely compelled, and they're still all in my head. They're insane.Lamorna: Oh, I must, because I've got a big collection of her essays. I'm thinking is so beautiful, her philosophical thought. It's that feeling, I know I'm going the wrong-- starting in the wrong place, but I do feel that she's someone I'd really love to explore next, kind of books.Henry: I think you'd like her because she's very interested in the question of, can therapy help, can philosophy help, can religion help? She's very dubious about therapy and philosophy, and she is mystic. There are queer characters and neurodivergent characters. For a novelist in the '70s, you read her now and you're like, "Well, this is all just happening now."Lamorna: Cool.Henry: Maybe we should be passing these books out. People need this right now.Lamorna: Which one would you say I should do first after The Sea, The Sea?Henry: Maybe The Black Prince.Lamorna: The Black Prince. Great.Henry: Which is the one she wrote before The Sea, The Sea and is just a massive masterpiece.Lamorna: I'll read it. Where do you stand on therapy? Do you have a position?Henry: I think on net, it might be a bad thing, even if it is individually useful for people.Lamorna: Why is that?Henry: [laughs] I didn't expect to have to answer the question. Basically two reasons. I think it doesn't take enough account of the moral aspect of the decisions being made very often. This is all very anecdotal and you can find yourself feeling better in the short term, but not necessarily in the long-- If you make a decision that's not outrageously immoral, but which has not had enough weight placed on the moral considerations.There was an article about how lots of people cut out relatives now and the role that therapy plays in that. What I was struck by in the article that was-- Obviously, a lot of those people are justified and their relatives have been abusive or nasty, of course, but there are a lot of cases where you were like, "Well, this is a long-term decision that's been made on a short-term basis." I think in 10 years people may feel very differently. There wasn't enough consideration in the article, at least I felt, given to how any children involved would be affected later on. I think it's a good thing and a bad thing.Lamorna: I'm so with you. I think that's why, because also the fact of it being so private and it being about the individual, and I think, again, there are certain things if you're really struggling with that, it's helpful for, but I think I'm always more into the idea of communal things, like AAA and NA, which obviously a very particular. Something about doing that together, that it's collaborative and therefore there is someone else in the room if you say, "I want to cut out my parent."There's someone else who said that happened to me and it was really hard. It means that you are making those decisions together a little bit more. Therapy, I can feel that in friends and stuff that it does make us, even more, think that we are these bounded individuals when we're not.Henry: I should say, I have known people who've gone to therapy and it's worked really well.Lamorna: I'm doing therapy right now and it is good. I think, in my head, it's like it should be one among many and I still question it whilst doing it.Henry: To the extent that there is a religious revival among "Gen Z," how much is it because they have phones? Because you wrote something like, in fact, I have the quote, "There's a sense of terrible tragedy. How can you hold this constant grief that we feel, whether it's the genocide in Gaza or climate collapse? Where do I put all the misery that I receive every single second through my phone? Church can then be a space where I can quietly go and light a candle." Is it that these young people are going to religion because the phone has really pushed a version of the world into their faces that was not present when I was young or people are older than me?Lamorna: I think it's one of, or that the phone is the symptom because the phone, whatever you call it, technology, the internet, is the thing that draws the world closer to us in so many different ways. One being that this sense of being aware of what's happening around in other places in the world, which maybe means that you become more tolerant of other religions because you're hearing about it more. That, on TikTok, there's loads of kids all across the world talking about their particular faiths and their background and which aspera they're in, and all that kind of thing.Then, this sense of horror being very unavoidable that you wake up and it is there and you wake up and you think, "What am I doing? What am I doing here? I feel completely useless." Perhaps then you end up in a church, but I'm not sure.I think a bigger player in my head is the fact that we are more pluralistic as societies. That you are more likely to encounter other religions in schools. I think then the question is, well then maybe that'll be valuable for me as well. I think also, not having parents pushing religion on you makes kids, the fact of the generation above the British people, your parents' generations, not saying religion is important, you go to church, then it becomes something people can become more curious about in their own right as adults. I think that plays into it.I think isolation plays into it and that's just not about technology and the phone, but that's the sense of-- and again, I'm thinking about early 20s, mid 20s, so adults who are moving from place to place, who maybe feel very isolated and alone, who are doing jobs that make them feel isolated and alone, and there are this dearth of community spaces and then thinking, well, didn't people used to go to churches, it would be so nice to know someone older than me.I don't know how this fits in, but I was thinking about, I saw this documentary, The Encampments, like two days ago, which is about the Columbia University encampments and within that, Mahmood Khalil, who's the one who's imprisoned at the moment, who was this amazing leader within the movement and is from Palestine. The phone in that, the sense about how it was used to gather and collect people and keep people aware of what's happening and mean that everyone is more conscious and there's a point when they need more people in the encampments because the police are going to come. It's like, "Everyone, use your phone, call people now." I think I can often be like, "Oh no, phones are terrible," but this sense within protest, within communal activity, how valuable they can be as well.I haven't quite gotten into that thought. I don't know, basically. I think it's so hard. I've grown up with a phone. I have no sense of how much it plays a part in everything about me, but obviously, it is a huge amount. I do think it's something that we all think about and are horrified by whilst also seeing it as like this weird extension of ourselves. That definitely plays into then culturally, the decisions we make to either try and avoid them, find spaces where you can be without them.Henry: How old do you think a child should be when they're first given a phone? A smartphone, like an iPhone type thing?Lamorna: I think, 21.Henry: Yes?Lamorna: No, I don't know. I obviously wouldn't know that about a child.Henry: I might.Lamorna: I'd love to. I would really love to because, I don't know, I have a few friends who weren't allowed to watch TV until they were 18 and they are eminently smarter than me and lots of my other friends. There's something about, I don't know, I hate the idea that as I'm getting older, I'm becoming more scaremongering like, "Oh no, when I was young--" because I think my generation was backed in loads of ways. This thing of kids spending so much less time outside and so much less time being able to imagine things, I think I am quite happy to say that feels like a terrible loss.I read a piece recently about kids in New York and I think they were quite sort of middle-class Brooklyn-y kids, but they choose to go days without their phones and they all go off into the forest together. There is this sense of saying giving kids autonomy, but at the same time, their relationship with a phone is not one of agency. It's them versus tech bros who have designed things that are so deeply addictive, that no adult can let go of it. Let alone a child who's still forming how to work out self-control, discipline and stuff. I think a good parenting thing would be to limit massively these completely non-neutral objects that they're given, that are made like crack and impossible to let go of.Henry: Do you think religious education in schools should be different or should there be more of it?Lamorna: Yes, I think it should be much better. I don't know about you, but I just remember doing loads of diagrams of different religious spaces like, "This is what a mosque looks like," and then I'd draw the diagram. I knew nothing. I barely knew the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In fact, I probably didn't as a teenager.I remember actually in sixth form, having this great philosophy teacher who was talking about the idea of proto antisemitism within the gospels. I was like, "Wait, what?" Because I just didn't really understand. I didn't know that it was in Greek, that the Old Testament was in Hebrew. I just didn't know. I think all these holy texts that we've been carrying with us for thousands of years across the world have so much in them that's worth reading and knowing.If I was in charge of our R.E., I would get kids to write on all holy texts, but really think about them and try and answer moral problems. You'd put philosophy back with religion and really connect them and think, what is Nietzsche reacting against? What does Freud about how is this form of Christianity different like this? I think that my sense is that since Gove, but also I'm sure way before that as well, the sense of just not taking young people seriously, when actually they're thoughtful, intelligent and able to wrestle with these things, it's good for them to have know what they're choosing against, if they're not interested in religion.Also, at base, those texts are beautiful, all of them are, and are foundational and if you want to be able to study English or history to know things about religious texts and the practices of religion and how those rituals came about and how it's changed over thousands of years, feels important.Henry: Which religious poets do you like other than Hopkins? Because you write very nicely about Hopkins in the book.Lamorna: He's my favorite. I like John Donne a lot. I remember reading lots of his sermons and Lancelot Andrews' sermons at university and thinking they were just astonishingly beautiful. There are certain John Donne sermons and it's this feeling of when he takes just maybe a line from one of Paul's letters and then is able to extend it and extend it, and it's like he's making it grow in material or it's like it's a root where suddenly all these branches are coming off it.Who else do I like? I like George Herbert. Gosh, my brain is going in terms of who else was useful when I was thinking about. Oh it's gone.Henry: Do you like W.H. Auden?Lamorna: Oh yes. I love Auden, yes. I was rereading his poems about, oh what's it called? The one about Spain?Henry: Oh yes.Lamorna: About the idea of tomorrow.Henry: I don't have a memory either, but I know the poem you mean, yes.Lamorna: Okay. Then I'm trying to think of earlier religious poets. I suppose things like The Dream of the Rood and fun ways of getting into it and if you're looking at medieval poetry.Henry: I also think Betjeman is underrated for this.Lamorna: I've barely read any Betjeman.Henry: There's a poem called Christmas. You might like it.Lamorna: Okay.Henry: It's this famous line and is it true and is it true? He really gets into this thing of, "We're all unwrapping tinsely presents and I'm sitting here trying to work out if God became man." It's really good. It's really good. The other one is called Norfolk and again, another famous line, "When did the devil first attack?" It talks about puberty as the arrival of the awareness of sin and so forth.Lamorna: Oh, yes.Henry: It's great. Really, really good stuff. Do you personally believe in the resurrection?Lamorna: [chuckles] I keep being asked this.Henry: I know. I'm sorry.Lamorna: My best answer is sometimes. Because I do sometimes in that way that-- someone I interviewed who's absolutely brilliant in the book, Robert, and he's a Cambridge professor. He's a pragmatist and he talks about the idea of saying I'm a disciplined person means nothing unless you're enacting that discipline daily or it falls away. For him, that belief in a Kierkegaardian leap way is something that needs to be reenacted in every moment to say, I believe and mean it.I think there are moments when my church attendance is better and I'm listening to a reading that's from Acts or whatever and understanding the sense of those moments, Paul traveling around Europe and Asia Minor, only because he fully believed that this is what's happened. Those letters and as you're reading those letters, the way I read literature or biblical writing is to believe in that moment because for that person, they believe too. I think there are points at which the resurrection can feel true to me, but it does feel like I'm accessing that idea of truth in a different way than I am accessing truth about-- it's close to how I think about love as something that's very, very real, but very different from experiential feelings.I had something else I wanted to say about that and it's just gone. Oh yes. I was at Hay Festival a couple of weeks ago. Do you know the Philosopher Agnes Callard?Henry: Oh, sure.Lamorna: She gave a really great talk about Socrates and her love of Socrates, but she also came to my talk and she and her husband, who I think met through arguing about Aristotle, told me they argued for about half a day about a line I'd said, which was that during writing the book, I'd learned to believe in the belief of other people, her husband was like, "You can't believe in the belief of other people if you don't believe it too. That doesn't work. That doesn't make sense." I was like, "That's so interesting." I can so feel that if we're taking that analytically, that if I say I don't believe in the resurrection, not just that I believe you believe it, but I believe in your belief in the resurrection. At what point is that any different from saying, I believe in the resurrection. I feel like I need to spend more time with it. What the slight gap is there that I don't have that someone else does, or as I say it, do I then believe in the resurrection that moment? I'm not sure.I think also what I'm doing right now is trying to sound all clever with it, whereas for other people it's this deep ingrained truth that governs every moment of their life and that they can feel everywhere, or perhaps they can't. Perhaps there's more doubt than they suggest, which I think is the case with lots of us. Say on the deathbed, someone saying that they fully believe in the resurrection because that means there's eternal salvation, and their family believe in that too. I don't think I have that kind of certainty, but I admire it.Henry: Tell me how you got the title for this book from an episode of The Simpsons.Lamorna: It's really good app. It's from When Maggie Makes Three, which is my favorite episode. I think titles are horribly hard. I really struck my first book. I would have these sleepless nights just thinking about words related to the sea, and be like, blue something. I don't know. There was a point where my editor wanted to call it Trawler Girl. I said, "We mustn't. That's awful. That's so bad. It makes me sound like a terrible superhero. I'm not a girl, I'm a woman."With this one, I think it was my fun title for ages. Yes, it's this plaque that Homer has put-- Mr. Burns puts up this plaque to remind him that he will never get to leave the power plant, "Don't forget you're here forever."I just think it's a strong and bonkers line. I think it had this element of play or silliness that I wanted, that I didn't think about too hard. I guess that's an evangelical Christian underneath what they're actually saying is saying-- not all evangelicals, but often is this sense of no, no, no, we are here forever. You are going to live forever. That is what heaven means.That sense of then saying it in this jokey way. I think church is often very funny spaces, and funny things happen. They make good comedy series when you talk about faith.Someone's saying she don't forget we're here forever. The don't forget makes it so colloquial and silly. I just thought it was a funny line for that reason.Then also that question people always ask, "Is religion going to die out?" I thought that played into it. This feeling that, yes, I write about it. There was a point when I was going to an Extinction Rebellion protest, and everyone was marching along with that symbol of the hourglass inside a circle next to a man who had a huge sign saying, "Stop, look, hell is real, the end of the world is coming." This sense of different forms of apocalyptic thinking that are everywhere at the moment. I felt like the title worked for that as well.Henry: I like that episode of The Simpsons because it's an expression of an old idea where he's doing something boring and his life is going to slip away bit by bit. The don't forget you're here forever is supposed to make that worse, but he turns it round into the live like you're going to die tomorrow philosophy and makes his own kind of meaning out of it.Lamorna: By papering it over here with pictures of Maggie. They love wordplay, the writers of The Simpsons, and so that it reads, "Do it for her," instead. That feeling of-- I think that with faith as well of, don't forget we're here forever, think about heaven when actually so much of our life is about papering it over with humanity and being like, "Does it matter? I'm with you right now, and that's what matters." That immediacy of human contact that church is also really about, that joy in the moment. Where it doesn't really matter in that second if you're going to heaven or hell, or if that exists. You're there together, and it's euphoric, or at least it's a relief or comforting.Henry: You did a lot of Bible study and bible reading to write this book. What were the big surprises for you?Lamorna: [chuckles] This is really the ending, but revelation, I don't really think it's very well written at all. It shouldn't be in there, possibly. It's just not [unintelligible 00:39:20] It got added right in the last minute. I guess it should be in there. I just don't know. What can I say?So much of it was a surprise. I think slowly reading the Psalms was a lovely surprise for me because they contain so much uncertainty and anguish, and doubt. Imagining those being read aloud to me always felt like a very exciting thing.Henry: Did you read them aloud?Lamorna: When I go to more Anglo Catholic services, they tend to do them-- I never know how to pronounce this. Antiphonally.Henry: Oh yes.Lamorna: Back and forth between you. It's very reverential, lovely experience to do that. I really think I was surprised by almost everything I was reading. At the start of Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling, he does this amazing thing where he does four different versions of what could be happening in the Isaac and Abraham story underneath.There's this sense of in the Bible, and I'm going to get this wrong, but in Mimesis, Auerbach talks about the way that you're not given the psychological understanding within the Bible. There's so much space for readers to think with, because you're just being told things that happened, and the story moves on quickly, moment by moment. With Isaac and Abraham, what it would mean if Isaac actually had seen the fact that his father was planning to kill him. Would he then lose his faith? All these different scenarios.I suddenly realised that the Bible was not just a fixed text, but there was space to play with it as well. In the book, I use the story of Jacob and the angel and play around with the meaning of that and what would happen after this encounter between Jacob and an angel for both of them.Bits in the Gospels, I love the story of the Gerasene Demoniac. He was a knight. He was very unwell, and no one knew what to do with him. He was ostracised from his community. He would sit in this cave and scream and lacerate himself against the cave walls. Then Jesus comes to him and speaks to him and speaks to the demons inside him. There's this thing in Mark's Gospel that Harold Bloom talks about, where only demons are actually able to perceive. Most people have to ask Christ who he really is, but demons can perceive him immediately and know he's the son of God.The demons say that they are legion. Then Jesus puts them into 1,000 pigs. Is it more? I can't remember. Then they're sent off over the cliff edge. Then the man is made whole and is able to go back to his community. I just think there's just so much in that. It's so rich and strange. I think, yes, there's something about knowing you could sit down and just read a tiny bit of the Bible and find something strange and unusual that also might speak to something you've read that's from thousands of years later.I also didn't know that in Mark's Gospel, the last part of it is addended, added on to it. Before that, it ended with the women being afraid, seeing the empty tomb, but there's no resolution. There's no sense of Christ coming back as spirit. It ended in this deep uncertainty and fear. I thought that was so fascinating because then again, it reminds you that those texts have been played around with and thought with, and meddled with, and changed over time. It takes away from the idea that it's fixed and certain, the Bible.Henry: What did you think of Harold Bloom's book The Shadow of a Great Rock?Lamorna: I really loved it. He says that he treats Shakespeare more religiously and the Bible more like literature, which I found a funny, irreverent thing to say. There's lovely stuff in there where, I think it was Ruth, he was like, maybe it was written by a woman. He takes you through the different Hebrew writers for Genesis. Which again, becoming at this as such a novice in so many ways, realising that, okay, so when it's Yahweh, it's one particular writer, there's the priestly source for particular kinds of writing. The Yahwist is more ironic, or the God you get is more playful.That was this key into thinking about how each person trying to write about God, it's still them and their sense of the world, which is particular and idiosyncratic is forming the messages that they believe they're receiving from God. I found that exciting.Yes, he's got this line. He's talking about the blessings that God gives to men in Genesis. He's trying to understand, Bloom, what the meaning of a blessing is. He describes it as more life into a time without boundaries. That's a line that I just found so beautiful, and always think about what the meaning of that is. I write it in the book.My best friend, Sammy, who's just the most game person in the world, that you tell them anything, they're like, "Cool." I told them that line. They were like, "I'm getting it tattooed on my arm next week." Then got me to write in my handwriting. I can only write in my handwriting, but write down, "More time into life without boundaries." Now they've just got it on their arm.Henry: Nice.Lamorna: I really like. They're Jewish, non-practicing. They're not that really interested in it. They were like, "That's a good line to keep somewhere."Henry: I think it's actually one of Bloom's best books. There's a lot of discussion about, is he good? Is he not good? I love that book because it really just introduces people to the Bible and to different versions of the Bible. He does all that Harold Bloom stuff where he's like, "These are the only good lines in this particular translation of this section. The rest is so much dross.He's really attentive to the differences between the translations, both theologically but also aesthetically. I think a lot of people don't know the Bible. It's a really good way to get started on a-- sitting down and reading the Bible in order. It's going to fail for a lot of people. Harold Bloom is a good introduction that actually gives you a lot of the Bible itself.Lamorna: For sure, because it's got that midrash feeling of being like someone else working around it, which then helps you get inside it. I was reading that book whilst going to these Bible studies at a conservative evangelical church called All Souls. I wasn't understanding what on earth was going on in Mark through the way that we're being told to read it, which is kids' comprehension.Maybe it was useful to think about why would the people have been afraid when Christ quelled the storms? It was doing something, but there was no sense of getting inside the text. Then, to read alongside that, Bloom saying that the Christ in Mark is the most unknowable of all the versions of Christ. Then again, just thinking, "Oh, hang on." There's an author. The author of Mark's gospel is perceiving Christ in a particular way. This is the first of the gospels writing about Christ. What does it mean? He's unknowable. Suddenly thinking of him as a character, and therefore thinking about how people are relating to him. It totally cracks the text open for you.Henry: Do you think denominational differences are still important? Do most people have actual differences in dogma, or are they just more cultural distinctions?Lamorna: They're ritual distinctions. There really is little that you could compare between a Quaker meeting and a Catholic service. That silence is the fundamental aspect of all of it. There's a sense of enlighten.My Quaker mate, Lawrence, he's an atheist, but he wouldn't go to another church service because he's so against the idea of hierarchy and someone speaking from a pulpit. He's like, honestly, the reincarnated spirit of George Fox in many ways, in lots of ways he's not.I guess it becomes more blurry because, yes, there's this big thing in the early 20th century in Britain anyway, where the line that becomes more significant is conservative liberal. It's very strange that that's how our world gets divided. There's real simplification that perhaps then, a liberal Anglican church and a liberal Catholic church have more in relationship than a conservative Catholic church and a conservative evangelical church. The line that is often thinking about sexuality and marriage.I was interested, people have suddenly was called up in my book that I talk about sex a lot. I think it's because sex comes up so much, it feels hard not to. That does seem to be more important than denominational differences in some ways. I do think there's something really interesting in this idea of-- Oh, [unintelligible 00:48:17] got stung. God, this is a bit dramatic. Sorry, I choked on coffee earlier. Now I'm going to get stung by a bee.Henry: This is good. This is what makes a podcast fun. What next?Lamorna: You don't get this in the BBC studios. Maybe you do. Oh, what was I about to say? Oh, yes. I like the idea of church shopping. People saying that often it speaks to the person they are, what they're looking for in a church. I think it's delightful to me that there's such a broad church, and there's so many different spaces that you can go into to discover the church that's right for you. Sorry. I'm really distracted by this wasp or bee. Anyway.Henry: How easy was it to get people to be honest with you?Lamorna: I don't know. I think that there's certain questions that do tunnel right through to the heart of things. Faith seems to be one of them. When you talk about faith with people, you're getting rid of quite a lot of the chaff around with the politeness or whatever niceties that you'd usually speak about.I was talking about this with another friend who's been doing this. He's doing a play about Grindr. He was talking about how strange it is that when you ask to interview someone and you have a dictaphone there, you do get a deeper instant conversation. Again, it's a bit like a therapeutic conversation where someone has said to you, "I'm just going to sit and listen." You've already agreed, and you know it's going to be in a book. "Do you mind talking about this thing?"That just allows this opportunity for people to be more honest because they're aware that the person there is actually wanting to listen. It's so hard to create spaces. I create a cordon and say, "We're going to have a serious conversation now." Often, that feels very artificial. I think yes, the beauty of getting to sit there with a dictaphone on your notebook is you are like, "I really am interested in this. It really matters to me." I guess it feels easy in that way to get honesty.Obviously, we're all constructing a version of ourselves for each other all the time. It's hard for me to know to what extent they're responding to what they're getting from me, and what they think I want to hear. If someone else interviewed them, they would probably get something quite different. I don't know. I think if you come to be with openness, and you talk a bit about your journey, then often people want to speak about it as well.I'm trying to think. I've rarely interviewed someone where I haven't felt this slightly glowy, shimmery sense of it, or what I'm learning feels new and feels very true. I felt the same with Cornish Fisherman, that there was this real honesty in these conversations. Many years ago, I remember I got really obsessed with interviewing my mom. I think I was just always wanting to practice interviewing. The same thing that if there's this object between you, it shifts the dimensions of the conversation and tends towards seriousness.Henry: How sudden are most people's conversions?Lamorna: Really depends. I was in this conversation with someone the other day. When she was 14, 15, she got caught shoplifting. She literally went, "Oh, if there's a God up there, can you help get me out of the situation?" The guy let her go, and she's been a Christian ever since. She had an instantaneous conversion. Someone I interviewed in the book, and he was a really thoughtful card-carrying atheist. He had his [unintelligible 00:51:58] in his back pocket.He hated the Christians and would always have a go at them at school because he thought it was silly, their belief. Then he had this instant conversion that feels very charismatic in form, where he was just walking down an avenue of trees at school, and he felt the entire universe smiling at him and went, "Oh s**t, I better become a Christian."Again, I wonder if it depends. I could say it depends on the person you are, whether you are capable of having an instant conversion. Perhaps if I were in a religious frame of mind, I'd say it depends on what God would want from you. Do you need an instant conversion, or do you need to very slowly have the well filling up?I really liked when a priest said to me that people often go to church and expect to be changed in a moment. He's like, "No, you have to go for 20 years before anything happens." Something about that slow incremental conversion to me is more satisfying. It's funny, I was having a conversation with someone about if they believe in ghosts, and they were like, "Well, if I saw one, then I believe in ghosts." For some people, transcendental things happen instantaneously, and it does change them ultimately instantly.I don't know, I would love to see some stats about which kinds of conversions are more popular, probably more instant ones. I love, and I use it in the book, but William James' Varieties of Religious Experience. He talks about there's some people who are sick-souled or who are also more porous bordered people for whom strange things can more easily cross the borders of their person. They're more likely to convert and more likely to see things.I really like him describing it that way because often someone who's like that, it might just be described as well, you have a mental illness. That some people are-- I don't know, they've got sharper antennae than the rest of us. I think that is an interesting thought for why some people can convert instantly.Henry: I think all conversions take a long time. At the moment, there's often a pivotal moment, but there's something a long time before or after that, that may or may not look a conversion, but which is an inevitable part of the process. I'm slightly obsessed with the idea of quests, but I think all conversions are a quest or a pilgrimage. Your book is basically a quest narrative. As you go around in your Toyota, visiting these places. I'm suspicious, I think the immediate moment is bundled up with a longer-term thing very often, but it's not easy to see it.Lamorna: I love that. I've thought about the long tail afterwards, but I hadn't thought about the lead-up, the idea of that. Of what little things are changing. That's such a lovely thought. Their conversions began from birth, maybe.Henry: The shoplifter, it doesn't look like that's where they're heading. In retrospect, you can see that there weren't that many ways out of this path that they're on. Malcolm X is like this. One way of reading his autobiography is as a coming-of-age story. Another way of reading it is, when is this guy going to convert? This is going to happen.Lamorna: I really like that. Then there's also that sense of how fixed the conversion is, as well, from moment to moment. That Adam Phillips' book on wanting to change, he talks about our desire for change often outstrips our capacity for change. That sense of how changed am I afterwards? How much does my conversion last in every moment? It goes back to the do you believe in the resurrection thing.I find that that really weird thing about writing a book is, it is partly a construction. You've got the eye in there. You're creating something that is different from your reality and fixed, and you're in charge of it. It's stable, it remains, and you come to an ending. Then your life continues to divert and deviate in loads of different ways. It's such a strange thing in that way. Every conversion narrative we have fixed in writing, be it Augustine or Paul, whatever, is so far from the reality of that person's experience.Henry: What did the new atheists get wrong?Lamorna: Arrogance. They were arrogant. Although I wonder, I guess it was such a cultural moment, and perhaps in the same way that everyone is in the media, very excitedly talking about revival now. There was something that was created around them as well, which was delight in this sense of the end of something. I wonder how much of that was them and how much of it was, they were being carried along by this cultural media movement.I suppose the thing that always gets said, and I haven't read enough Dawkins to say this with any authority, but is that the form of religion that he was attempting to denigrate was a very basic form of Christianity, a real, simplified sense. That he did that with all forms of religion. Scientific progress shows us we've progressed beyond this point, and we don't need this, and it's silly and foolish.I guess he underestimated the depth and richness of religion, and also the fact of this idea of historical progress, when the people in the past were foolish, when they were as bright and stupid as we are now.Henry: I think they believed in the secularization idea. People like Rodney Stark and others were pointing out that it's not really true that we secularized a lot more consistency. John Gray, the whole world is actually very religious. This led them away from John Stuart Mill-type thinking about theism. I think everyone should read more John Stuart Mill, but they particularly should have read the theism essays. That would have been--Lamorna: I've only just got into him because I love the LRB Close Reading podcast. It's Jonathan Rée and James Wood. They did one on John Stuart Mill's autobiography, which I've since been reading. It's an-Henry: It's a great book.Lamorna: -amazing book. His crisis is one of-- He says, "The question of religion is not something that has been a part of my life, but the sense of being so deeply learned." His dad was like, "No poetry." In his crisis moment, suddenly realizing that that's what he needed. He was missing feeling, or he was missing a way of looking at the world that had questioning and doubt within it through poetry.There was a bit in the autobiography, and he talks about when he was in this deep depression, whenever he was at 19 or something. That he was so depressed that he thought if there's a certain number of musical notes, one day there will be no more new music because every single combination will have been done. The sense of, it's so sweetly awful thinking, but without the sense-- I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here.I found his crisis so fascinating to read about and how he comes out of that through this care and attention of beautiful literature and thinking, and through his love of-- What was his wife called again?Henry: Harriet.Lamorna: Harriet. He credits her for almost all his thinking. He wouldn't have moved towards socialism without her. Suddenly, humans are deeply important to him. He feels sorry for the fact that his dad could not express love or take love from him, and that that was such a terrible deficiency in his life.Henry: Mill's interesting on religion because he looks very secular. In fact, if you read his letters, he's often going into churches.Lamorna: Oh, really?Henry: Yes, when he's in Italy, because he had tuberculosis. He had to be abroad a lot. He's always going to services at Easter and going into the churches. For a secular person, he really appreciates all these aspects of religion. His stepdaughter was-- there's a diary of hers in their archives. She was very religious, very intense. As a young woman, when she's 16, 17, intensely Catholic or Anglo-Catholic. Really, it's quite startling.I was reading this thing, and I was like, "Wait, who in the Mill household is writing this? This is insane." There are actually references in his letters where he says, "Oh, we'll have to arrive in time for Good Friday so that she can go to church." He's very attentive to it. Then he writes these theism essays, right at the end of his life. He's very open-minded and very interrogatory of the idea. He really wants to understand. He's not a new atheist at all.Lamorna: Oh, okay. I need to read the deism essays.Henry: You're going to love it. It's very aligned. What hymns do you like?Lamorna: Oh, no.Henry: You can be not a hymn person.Lamorna: No. I'm not a massive hymn person. When I'm in church, the Anglican church that I go to in London now, I always think, "Remember that. That was a really nice one." I like to be a pilgrim. I really don't have the brain that can do this off the cuff. I'm not very musically. I'm deeply unmusical.There was one that I was thinking of. I think it's an Irish one. I feel like I wrote this down at one point, because I thought I might be asked in another interview. I had to write down what I thought in case a hymn that I liked. Which sounds a bit like a politician, when they're asked a question, they're like, "I love football." I actually can't think of any. I'm sorry.Henry: No, that's fine.Lamorna: What are your best? Maybe that will spark something in me.Henry: I like Tell Out My Soul. Do you know that one?Lamorna: Oh, [sings] Tell Out My Soul. That's a good one.Henry: If you have a full church and people are really going for it, that can be amazing. I like all the classics. I don't have any unusual choices. Tell Out My Soul, it's a great one. Lamorna Ash, this has been great. Thank you very much.Lamorna: Thank you.Henry: To close, I think you're going to read us a passage from your book.Lamorna: I am.Henry: This is near the end. It's about the Bible.Lamorna: Yes. Thank you so much. This has definitely been my favourite interview.Henry: Oh, good.Lamorna: I really enjoyed it. It's really fun.Henry: Thank you.Lamorna: Yes, this is right near the end. This is when I ended up at a church, St Luke's, West Holloway. It was a very small 9:00 AM service. Whilst the priest who'd stepped in to read because the actual priest had left, was reading, I just kept thinking about all the stories that I'd heard and wondering about the Bible and how the choices behind where it ends, where it ends.I don't think I understand why the Bible ends where it does. The final lines of the book of Revelation are, "He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus, the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Which does sound like a to-be-continued. I don't mean the Bible feels incomplete because it ends with Revelation. What I mean is, if we have continued to hear God and wrestle with him and his emissaries ever since the first overtures of the Christian faith sounded.Why do we not treat these encounters with the same reverence as the works assembled in the New Testament? Why have we let our holy text grow so antique and untouchable instead of allowing them to expand like a divine Wikipedia updated in perpetuity? That way, each angelic struggle and Damascene conversion that has ever occurred or one day will, would become part of its fabric.In this Borgesian Bible, we would have the Gospel of Mary, not a fictitious biography constructed by a man a century after her death, but her true words. We would have the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch on the road between Jerusalem and Gaza from Acts, but this time given in the first person. We would have descriptions from the Picts on Iona of the Irish Saint Columba appearing in a rowboat over the horizon.We would have the Gospels of those from the early Eastern Orthodox churches, Assyrian Gospels, Syriac Orthodox Gospels. We would have records of the crusades from the Christian soldiers sent out through Europe to Jerusalem in order to massacre those of other faiths, both Muslim and Jewish. In reading these accounts, we would be forced to confront the ways in which scripture can be interpreted
In this episode of The Perry Pod, I look at Season 5 Episode 24: The Case of the Melancholy Marksman This episode includes: Law Library: Three strikes you're out + forgery Plot: Episode plot Trivia: Bullet grains, Paul Richards, and Perry's skepticism The Theme: Melancholy The Perry Proverb: "Any man who can run away..." The Water Cooler: Deleted scenes and the Paul Prompt from the last ep Contact me at theperrypod@gmail.com. Keep on walking that Park Avenue Beat!
In this episode, I discuss the history of the controversial wartime power that Trump has invoked to justify his mass deportations and the importance of the inalienable rights of due process and habeas corpus, granted by the constitution to all persons, that he is seeking to strip away. I encourage you to visit 5calls.org and find their page to help you demand that this administration Bring Abrego Garcia Home and Stop Trump's Plan to Traffic Civilians to a Foreign Gulag, as well as their pages to Protest the Unlawful Deportation of Venezuelan Immigrants to El Salvador and demand that your governor Deny Trump's Police State Tactics for Deportations. But more than this, get out to a protest in your area if you can. On June 14th, massive No Kings protests are being planned all over the country to coincide with Trump's birthday celebration. Visit https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/ to find an event near you! Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Black Ballots," "Cicle Gerano," "Game Lands," "Cicle Vascule," "Black Ballots" "Illa Villardo," "Winter in Black," and "Cicle Deserrat." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "Wake Up," and "Sentinel," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aight folks, another offseason episode for the podcast and we greatly appreciate you all for sticking with us through the playoffs. Alas, we have reached the cup finals and we're -- excited? Maybe? There's some storylines in this matchup for sure when it comes to the Boston Bruins with Marchand and Frederic. But there's more in the news cycle -- like the false alarm on the head coaching search. We fully expect a new bench boss to be announced during this cup. Will it be Marco Sturm? Cynically acclaimed. Incredibly online. Covering all things #NHLBruins | OFFICIAL CHIRP LINE: (860) 506-5444 presented by @SeatGeek, use promo code SHORTSHIFTPOD Send us a message
For Ireland's Mark Geary, America was everything. He moved to New York in the 1990s and cut his teeth in the music business alongside legendary artists like Jeff Buckley. Thirty years later, his songs continue to paint pictures of the modern Irish experience, especially as it relates to America. Geary sat down with Roots Music Rambler before his May headline show at The Monarch Music Community in Louisville, Ky., to talk about his latest album, In the Time of Locusts, songwriting, developing his sound and style and much more. Geary is on the sonaBlast Records label, which is based in Louisville, but has a roster of independent singers, songwriters and bands from around the world. In fact, labelmate Cait Justice, a previous guest on Roots Music Rambler, even popped into the interview, recorded in the green room at The Monarch. Frank and Falls also share this week's Pickin' the Grinnin' choices for artist recommendations for you. Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler's new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It's a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Mark Geary online Mark Geary on Spotify Mark Geary on Instagram The Monarch Music & Arts Community Cait Justice episode of RMR The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin' the Grinnin' Recommendations Magnolia Boulevard Amythyst Kiah Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to season 2!Today we're talking about Phoenix Springs by Calligram Studio! A game about asking the right questions and following a guide.Play Phoenix Springs on Steam! Check out the guide on Calligram Studio's website!Discussed in the episode:Ligne claire on WikipediaMystery and Melancholy of a Street, 1914 - Giorgio de Chirico on WikiArtPhoenix Springs has a secret to tell you by Katie and Catburger on YouTubeThis Point and Click Adventure Plays With Your Mind by Matt J. Wilson on YouTubePhoenix Springs - Walkthrough on Calligram Studio's websiteIsle of the Dead, 1883 - by Arnold Böcklin on WikiArtFred Durst on WikipediaIs Every Game REALLY Political? by No Pun Included on YouTube---Visit our website!Support the show on Kofi!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - 1 podcast, 1 game, 3 hosts = INNOCENT! (00:54) - This one's been a long time coming (02:44) - What is Phoenix Springs (03:43) - The artstyle (07:54) - The game is confusing
You can now text us anonymously to leave feedback, suggest future content or simply hurl abuse at us. We'll read out any texts we receive on the show. Click here to try it out!Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where things get a little surreal this week as we juggle fire-eaters, human oddities, and digital freakshows in our Top 5 Circuses in Film and TV. We also run away to the big top with Guillermo del Toro's noir thriller Nightmare Alley, and finish with the technicolour brain-melt that is The Amazing Digital Circus.
In this episode, in response to Trump's order supposedly "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," I look at the many ways he and his handlers/enablers distort and whitewash history and "sanewash" his administration. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Black Ballots," "Cicle Deserrat," "An Oddly Formal Dance," "Cicle DR Valga," "Leatherbound," "Cover Letter," "Access Road 442," and "The Gran Dias." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy" and "daemones," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of In the Key of Q, Dan Hall speaks with Ben McGarvey, who performs as Minute Taker. Ben's music is characterized by a signature blend of retro synth-pop, haunting piano melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics that explore the depth of human experience.Episode SummaryBen opens up about the origins of his stage name "Minute Taker" – a reference to his former day job that created an ironic contrast with his artistic identity. He describes it as "simultaneously mundane and otherworldly," reflecting the dual nature of his creative life.The conversation traverses Ben's musical evolution from a teenager in the 90s who was drawn to 80s synth music to his current work creating atmospheric, emotionally resonant songs. Ben reflects on how living in rural Shropshire as a young gay man shaped his relationship with music as a form of escape and self-expression.Throughout the episode, Ben courageously discusses his experiences with depression and how this has informed the melancholic quality of his music. Rather than viewing this melancholia as something negative, he explores how it can be "so beautiful" and serves as a connective tissue between artist and listener.Key Moments02:59 - Ben discusses his musical influences growing up, including Kate Bush, Pet Shop Boys, Tori Amos, and PJ Harvey07:47 - Reflections on growing up as a gay child in rural Britain during the Section 28 era09:35 - Ben shares his early songwriting experiences and how music became a form of escape16:46 - Discussion about representation and the importance of addressing songs explicitly to men22:46 - Ben speaks candidly about his experiences with depression and how it manifests24:44 - The evolution of Ben's work into audiovisual projects, including his concept album exploring gay men's lives throughout history28:32 - Details about his upcoming album "The Oblivion," inspired by Blade Runner and 80s sounds34:20 - Information about Ben's subscription service for fans to access exclusive musicGuest BioBen McGarvey is a Manchester-based musician who performs under the name Minute Taker. His work blends retro synth sounds with piano and emotional lyrics to create atmospheric, often melancholic music. Beyond traditional albums, Ben has expanded into audiovisual projects that explore LGBTQ+ experiences throughout history. His most recent album "Wolf Hours" included an accompanying visual narrative, and he's currently finishing his new album "The Oblivion."Gateway TrackBen recommends "Lead You Home," the opening track from his album "Wolf Hours," as the perfect introduction to his music. The song encapsulates his recent musical direction with its melancholic, synthy, and atmospheric qualities while remaining catchy. The accompanying music video alternates between scenes set in the 1980s and 1918, telling the story of two World War I soldiers.Gateway TrackMinute Taker website.In the Key of Q celebrates queer musicians and their stories. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, or email us at intheKeyofQ@gmail.com.Theme music by Paul Leonidou at Unstoppable Monsters.
With humor, vulnerability, and sharp philosophical insight, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the gritty reality of spiritual growth: that it sometimes begins with a period of loss, confusion, or even melancholy—but on the other side is joy, clarity, and freedom. This Q & A episode tackles big, relatable questions from listeners on the spiritual path: • How do I live a life of dharma—seeing the good in everyone—without letting people take advantage of me or drain my energy? • How do I practice detachment without becoming emotionally distant from the people I love? • Does devotion to Krishna mean not exploring other spiritual traditions? Discover how the simple mantra “Adjust. Tolerate. Focus.” can become a compass when life feels chaotic and the heart is pulled in too many directions. Key Highlights: • Adjusting your circumstances vs. tolerating them—and how to know which to do • Why Krishna's blessings can feel like lemon in milk—and why that's a good thing • The difference between real detachment and just shutting down emotionally • A perspective-shifting metaphor about butter that'll stick with you forever • Why kirtan and philosophy together are like spiritual ayahuasca (minus the vomiting) Whether you're navigating toxic coworkers or simply trying to love your family without losing yourself, this episode will give you both tools and comfort for the inner work that really matters.
With humor, vulnerability, and sharp philosophical insight, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the gritty reality of spiritual growth: that it sometimes begins with a period of loss, confusion, or even melancholy—but on the other side is joy, clarity, and freedom. This Q & A episode tackles big, relatable questions from listeners on the spiritual path: • How do I live a life of dharma—seeing the good in everyone—without letting people take advantage of me or drain my energy? • How do I practice detachment without becoming emotionally distant from the people I love? • Does devotion to Krishna mean not exploring other spiritual traditions? Discover how the simple mantra “Adjust. Tolerate. Focus.” can become a compass when life feels chaotic and the heart is pulled in too many directions. Key Highlights: • Adjusting your circumstances vs. tolerating them—and how to know which to do • Why Krishna's blessings can feel like lemon in milk—and why that's a good thing • The difference between real detachment and just shutting down emotionally • A perspective-shifting metaphor about butter that'll stick with you forever • Why kirtan and philosophy together are like spiritual ayahuasca (minus the vomiting) Whether you're navigating toxic coworkers or simply trying to love your family without losing yourself, this episode will give you both tools and comfort for the inner work that really matters.
Experimental, Melancholy, and Divisive• Our Patreon Has Free Bonus Episodes at patreon.com/wheelofgenre• Watch Video Episodes on Youtube• Email us at genrepodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, I tell the history of the US through the history of controversial tariff policies, and I examine speculation about the motivations behind Trump's disastrous tariff hikes. For an easy and effective way to make a political impact, visit 5calls.org and make your voice heard. Specifically, see the site's guidance for demanding Congress Stop Trump's Tariffs and Reclaim Trade Authority. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "The Gran Dias." "Delicates," "Cicle Deserrat," "Black Ballots," and "Starlight Corps." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does this thing still work? After a long hiatus, Outsyndicational is back with a 3 episode run that is titled the “Til Further Notice” run. These episodes will be in more of a 1 on 1 interview style.Derek stepped up to record these solo(he does miss his co hosts) to hold over all until we get to the summer and more regularly scheduled episodes. This first episode includes longtime friend AJ. In this episode they talk about video games, a recap of the game awards, and much more!Hope you guys enjoy this run. Love you guys!!!!LSE SOON
This week, The ADD Boys go from savage freestyles to messy sports debates, Shannon Sharpe scandals, why loyalty costs more than cash, and whether Ja Rule deserves more respect than T-Mac. Grab a shot of espresso and tune in to the madness. #TheADDBoys #ShannonSharpe #TheADDBoys #Podcast #NBA #HipHopDebates #FriendshipDrama #FreestylePodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #YouTubePodcasts Chapters (00:00:00) - Podcast(00:04:32) - Only(00:06:59) - Getting It Together For Summer(00:08:46) - West Side basketball player on the nickname(00:11:35) - LeBron James on Shaq's Fans(00:14:34) - LeBron James on Melancholy(00:16:47) - Kendrick Lamar on Lil Wayne's Voice(00:18:35) - "I Don't Pick Either Side"(00:21:56) - When A New Guy Comes In To The Love Boat(00:24:01) - Shannon Sharp on His Sexual Assault Claims(00:26:36) - Shannon Says She Followed Him To Vegas(00:30:29) - Steve Kroft on Shannon Parker's Defamation Lawsuit(00:32:27) - Shannon Gets Candid About His Love Life(00:37:01) - Shaq Confesses To Paying High Dollar For Escorts ((00:40:36) - Rich People Talk About Being Rich(00:43:10) - Shannon Shaw On His Cheating Sister(00:46:49) - TMac on Ja Rule vs T.I.(00:50:37) - Bill and Melo on Their Likability(00:52:48) - Nelly vs Dirk: The Legends Comparison(00:56:36) - Pac-Wayne vs Kanye(00:59:50) - The Goat vs Jay-Z(01:02:58) - LeBron James vs Kendrick Lamar(01:06:43) - Steph Curry on the Dominant NBA Players(01:11:31) - J. Cole vs Tim Duncan: The(01:14:27) - Kevin Gates vs LeBron James(01:18:23) - LeBron James on Kevin Gates Getting Slapped(01:20:49) - Charleston White on Perspectives With Big Bank(01:24:32) - In the Elevator With Jonas(01:25:47) - Turning 50: Who Should Wear A Crown?(01:29:13) - Ryan Coogler On Falling Down(01:32:52) - Ryan Coogler on Quentin Tarantino's Discography(01:36:24) - Kill Bill(01:43:15) - We Did It
Melancholy Club is one of Utah's premier emo outfits, made up of Tanner Padbury (lead vocals, guitar), Rex Blair (lead guitar, backing vocals), Zane Dees (drums) and Noah Shelton (bass, backing vocals). On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, we talk about the group's new projects, signature sound and upcoming performance at Kilby Block Party in The post Episode #475 — Melancholy Club first appeared on SLUG Magazine.
From claims about the pagan origins of Easter traditions to biblical literalists asserting that the miraculous darkness at the crucifixion is historically provable, I explode all kinds of myths in this holiday special. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Illa Vallardo," "Cicle Deserrat," and "Service Road 237." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "Cold War Echo," "daemones," "daedalus," and "Daylight PON II," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CD Eskilson, author of the new book of poetry Scream / Queen, joins the crypt to discuss poetry, Queer horror, and working with the monsters of our time. Order CD's book here: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/S/bo245013529.html Bookmark CD's website: https://www.cdeskilson.com/ Discuss the poetry of the gothic and the gothic of poetics with Horror Vanguard at: bsky.app/profile/horrorvanguard.bsky.social www.instagram.com/horrorvanguard/ www.horrorvanguard.com (maybe work in progress here) You can support the show for less than the cost of I dunno really like half an egg at this point at www.patreon.com/horrorvanguard Précis music: "Melancholy" by Aleksis Tristan Shaw (itch.io/profile/aleksis-tristan-shaw). Available for use under the CC BY 4.0 license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), at aleksis-tristan-shaw.itch.io/dark-piano-vol-i
"Blue and Melancholy", zo zou je dit eerste uur van deze All That Jazzz @1Twente Enschede kunnen samenvatten. En daar is niet mis mee, toch...?
Using melancholy as a medium, I discuss how a chat in a pub about the 2001 rom-com Serendipity lead to a breakthrough method in using the flute to express emotion. Grma xInline G Merch
I hate rain, Slackers,This week, we're digging into ten rainy day songs that capture the gray and the heavy. Spanning the late '70s to the late '90s, the list pulls from dark corners and quiet moments—think industrial beats, NY alt metal, acoustic ballads, and lyrics that can get pretty dreary. It's the kind of music that fits a slow drizzle or a full downpour, perfect for staring out a window, preferably with a hot cup of coffee. Mildly depressing? Maybe. Carthartic? Also, maybe. But probably.Got a rainy day song I missed? Hit us up on X, Instagram, and YouTube @stuckpodx or head on over to the The Stuck in the Middle Podcast page on Facebook. Drop a comment wherever you stream this podcast.
Throughout the Middle Ages and the Reformation, a story was told of the first female Pope, who had hidden her sex and been elevated to the highest position within the Church by accident. The story of Pope Joan is a total myth, but even today it serves as a useful lesson to illustrate the historical roots of the sexism and misogyny that still keeps women out of leadership positions. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Jadie Grange," "Preston and Carle," "Delicates," "Calisson," "Palms Down," and "Black Ballots." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I know we're not *technically* melancholy brunettes or sad women, but we are mediocre white dudes who love indie pop, so, please enjoy this review.
In the face of trans erasure and genocide, this episode affirms the existence of transgender people throughout history, focusing on the trans empress of the Roman Empire, long misgendered and called Elagabalus, though that was not her name. For an easy and effective way to make a political impact, visit 5calls.org and make your voice heard. Specifically, see the site's guidance for Opposing Efforts to Dehumanize Transgender and LGBTQ+ People. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Gemeni Mist," "Evidence Room," "Cicle Vascule," "Cicle Gerano," "Where It All Happened," and "Access Road 214." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daedalus," and "Seeker," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FREEDOM - HEALTH - HAPPINESSThis podcast is highly addictive and seriously good for your health.SUPPORT DOC MALIK To make sure you don't miss any episodes, have access to bonus content, back catalogue, and monthly Live Streams, please subscribe to either: The paid Spotify subscription here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/docmalik/subscribe The paid Substack subscription here: https://docmalik.substack.com/subscribeThank you to all the new subscribers for your lovely messages and reviews! And a big thanks to my existing subscribers for sticking with me and supporting the show! ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION: Harry is a young poet from Britain and my dear friend.In this conversation, Harry and I dive deep into the emotional and intellectual landscape of our time. We explore the weight of melancholy, the rapid technological changes, and how AI reshapes creativity and career paths. We discuss the realities of living in a surveillance society, the challenges of navigating relationships in the digital age, and the impact of family legacies on our identities.Throughout, we reflect on the importance of self-expression, storytelling, and humour in a world that often feels overwhelming. This episode is a blend of introspection, wit, and hard truths, one that will leave you questioning the world around you while reminding you of the power of human connection.Much love Doc xLinksWebsite https://harryradcliffe.substack.com IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAFFILIATE CODESWaterpureI distill all my water for drinking, washing fruit and vegetables, and cooking. If you knew what was in tap water, so would you!https://waterpure.co.uk/docmalik BUY HERE TODAYHunter & Gather FoodsSeed oils are inflammatory, toxic and nasty; eliminate them from your diet immediately. Check out the products from this great companyhttps://hunterandgatherfoods.com/?ref=DOCHG BUY HERE TODAYUse DOCHG to get 10% OFF your purchase with Hunter & Gather Foods.IMPORTANT NOTICEIf you value my podcasts, please support the show so that I can continue to speak up by choosing one or both of the following options - Buy me a coffee If you want to make a one-off donation.Join my Substack To access additional content, you can upgrade to paid from just £5.50 a monthDoc Malik Merch Store Check out my amazing freedom merchTo sponsor the Doc Malik Podcast contact us at hello@docmalik.comCheck out my website, visit www.docmalik.com
If a man thinks that somewhat is a duty, which is no duty, and then sorrow for omitting it, such sorrow is all too much, because it is undue, and caused by error. Many I have known who have been greatly troubled, because they could not bring themselves to that length or order of meditation, for which they had neither ability nor time; and many, because they could not reprove sin in others, when prudent instruction and intimation was more suitable than reproof.
A deluxe edition of The Sprina Session is live your listening pleasure! Join Keila and Jasmine as they recap all things Beyond The Gates and Trina Robinson on General Hospital. The Rundown Includes: Dani gets arrested for attempted murder, Ted and Leslie know each other (officially), Derek's worst nightmare almost comes true, Eva pulls a fast one on Leslie, Tomas and Kat sizzle on their first date, Dani leaves a wedding gift for Bill and Hayley, Jordan and Isaiah cement their relationship, and Trina remembers Spencer on her birthday. The show wraps with Trina Speculations for the week ahead and the Song Picks of the Week. Enjoy!Sprina Sessions Playlist Song SelectionsRiver - Banks Memories - Dean LewisCover Girl - RuPaulAddicted - Kelly ClarksonTake The Box - Amy WinehouseA Woman Destroyed - GarbageVanish Into You - Lady GagaFollow Keila on X and Blue Sky: https://x.com/LadyWrestlingXhttps://bsky.app/profile/ladywrestlingx.bsky.socialFollow Jasmine on X and Blue Sky: https://x.com/twin_fangirlhttps://bsky.app/profile/twinfangirl.bsky.socialCreate your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Thomas is the Alice Mary Baldwin Distinguished Professor of English at Duke University and Professor of Historical Theology in the Duke Divinity School. He is the author of four monographs: "Wordsworth Profession: Form, Class, and the Logic of Romantic Cultural Production," "Romantic Moods: Paranoia, Trauma, and Melancholy, 1790-1840," "Minding the Modern: Human Agency, Intellectual Traditions, and Responsible Knowledge," and "Incomprehensible Certainty: Metaphysics and Hermeneutics of the Image." In this conversation, Thomas and I explored theological aesthetics through a focus on the distinction between pictures and images and especially how images mediate spiritual realities. We discussed the transformative potential of art, the role of attention in perceiving the deeper meaning of images, and the implications of apophatic theology in understanding visual culture. Our dialogue also touched on viewing nature and art through a sacramental lens, the impact of consumerism on perception, and the need for humility and wonder to reclaim the mystical dimensions of images and their connection to the divine.
Tradon breaks down the biggest moves from the NHL trade deadline (4:46), Tyler previews the NL East Division for the 2025 MLB season (32:53), and James analyzes the biggest moves so far of the NFL offseason (50:30)
An examination of Aspasia, a woman of ancient Athens who was universally agreed to have been extremely influential in politics and philosophy, depicted as both a harlot and a sage. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Black Ballots," and "Delicates." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "daedalus," "Daylight PON II," "Wake Up," "Seeker," and "Nothing," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the 4th and final part of my series on the legends surrounding Lincoln and his assassination, I look at the false urban legend that John Wilkes Booth was not actually killed but rather escaped justice. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle Deserrat," "Delicates," "Black Ballots," and "Access Road 442." Additional music, including "Interception," "Remedy for Melancholy," and "Oneiri," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the 3rd part of my series on the legends surrounding Lincoln, I further examine conspiracy theories suggesting the plot to assassinate was much larger, involving some of the favorite culprits of conspiracists: the government, the Catholic Church, the Freemasons, and Jews. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Zeriba Village," "Illa Villardo," "Cover Letter," "Cicle Gerano," "Starlight Corps," "An Unknown Visitor," and "Leatherbound." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," "daemones," "Sentinel," "Daylight PON II," "and "Cold War Echo" is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second part of the series, we look at the plot to assassinate Lincoln, and the claims that it was a much larger conspiracy than history suggests. Get 3 months of premium wireless service for $15 bucks a month at MintMobile.com/Blindness Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Illa Villardo," "Bauxite," "Cover Letter," "Cicle Vascule," "Invernen," "Dawn Line Approaching," and "A Pulse of Rain." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the 2025 season premiere, I kick off a series about the myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Abraham Lincoln's assassination with a look at the misconceptions and legends that surround this much mythologized figure. Check out the show merch, perfect for gifts! Pledge support on Patreon to get an ad-free feed with exclusive episodes! Check out my novel, Manuscript Found! Find a transcript of this episode with source citations and related imagery at www.historicalblindness.com. Direct all advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Visit www.airwavemedia.com to find other high-quality podcasts! Some music on this episode was licensed under a Blue Dot Sessions blanket license at the time of this episode's publication. Tracks include "Cicle DR Valga," "Illa Villardo," "Bauxite," "Cover Letter," "Cicle Vascule," "Invernen," "Dawn Line Approaching," and "A Pulse of Rain." Additional music, including "Remedy for Melancholy," is by Kai Engel, licensed under Creative Commons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for some of us, it doesn't necessarily feel like it. I know not everyone relates to this confusing angst during the holidays, but maybe you do. Maybe you put a smile on your face for the parties and events, but inside, you might feel as alone as the Grinch sitting in his cave on top of the hill because who feels down during the holidays? Is your heart just three sizes too small? In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, who shares three tangible ways we can navigate these melancholy feelings during this time of year, including: 1. A simple exercise to soften your melancholy so it doesn't overpower you. 2. A powerful way to boost your energy and feel more at peace. 3. The single best thing you can do to mother yourself during this season. Listening to Dr. Sethi's blend of compassion and research feels like a hug for my inner Eeyore! I hope you feel the same way! For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcement: Use Code 3in30 to get 10% off Flecks of Gold Journals this holiday season! Related Episodes: 325: How to have Less-Stressful, More Meaningful Holidays // Desirae Endres from Minimal-ish 398: How to Plan for an Energizing (not Exhausting) Holiday Season // Dr. Amber Price 401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, MD Episode Sponsors: Earth Breeze: Go to earthbreeze.com/3in30 for 40% off with your subscription now. Quince: Go to Quince.com/3in30 for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Vionic Shoes: Go to vionicshoes.com and use code 3IN30 for 15% off your order. Let's Connect: Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***
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