In this based episode, see a couple of interesting short clips, hear some stuff about Franz Kafka & his story, "The Metamorphosis," and learn about the Art of Dark podcast. We should talk more about what we mean by "Based," but we'll save that for the secret streams. Themes of alienation and disorientation. The highly modernist setting. A dash of German and a dash of Jewishness. I mean, this episode really has it all. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward...
Apr 29, 2021•37 min
In this ineffable video, ironically, not as many visuals -- just some talking about language and thought after re-reading Cormac McCarthy's "Kekule Problem" essay... here's a link to the original essay: https://nautil.us/issue/47/consciousness/the-kekul-problem I've always found this to be a stimulating locus for meditation -- the origin of language, what it has to do with the self, and being human, etc. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward Odysee: https://odysee.com/ @Godward:5?r=FFgMAmWyyz...
Apr 21, 2021•38 min
In this positively-perspectival episode, learn about what happened after the Gospels and after the Book of Acts, both in Jerusalem and in places like Ephesus and Athens and Rome and Alexandria. Eusebius's church history is an attempt to narrate a people into existence -- he refers more than once to "the Christian race," and he definitely sees the destruction of Jerusalem as the fulfillment of prophecy. He cites Josephus and Philo, as well as a letter said to be written by Jesus Christ himself. S...
Apr 14, 2021•41 min
In this very English video, hear a bit of background and statistics on Milton's famous poem, "Paradise Lost." See some video footage of North Carolina in Spring. Hear about what's so wrong with communism, and why Psychology is only helpful if it builds upon a proper understanding of the essential nature of mankind. Blank verse is a slog, but if you love iambs, you'll enjoy this episode! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward Odysee: https://odysee.com/ @Godward:5?r=FFgMAmWyyzJ2b8HrstejXYp7UaTd...
Apr 08, 2021•34 min
In this abstract episode, consider a few specific examples taken from literary classics -- as well as a couple from modern books & movies -- in order to answer the question of whether there are limits to interpretation that are "built into" the narratives we enjoy. What ramifications do these proposed limits of interpretation have on our own sense of moral duties, heroism, virtue, and human psychology? If we consider our own lives as a story, does it help us to make good moral judgments, or ...
Apr 05, 2021•43 min
In this atonal episode, hear almost nothing about Milledgeville and very little about Lupus, but hear a pretty good complete reading of a fragment of an uncompleted novel based on a line from Psalm 2 by Flannery O'Connor -- who wrote the fragment, which has been published as a story titled "Why the Heathen Rage" (not Psalm 2, of course). In a way that's hard for Protestants to understand, thinking about violence and interesting unexpected-but-inevitable endings in relation to Christianity all ma...
Mar 31, 2021•40 min
In this mystical episode, learn a bit about German theologian Meister Eckhart and hear from his sermon, "Blessed are the Poor." We're talking exoteric and esoteric, outward and inward -- the god beyond all concepts of "God." The church wasn't exactly comfortable with him 700 years ago and some people still aren't. Enjoy! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true Odysee: https://odysee.com/ @Godward:5?r=FFgMAmWyyzJ2b8HrstejXYp7UaTdV9ep...
Mar 29, 2021•32 min
In this very plausible episode, learn to appreciate the way that the intricate, realistic, and even mundane details of a typical Borges story -- in this case, "Funes, El Memorioso" -- create a catalyst to imagination that can free you from your stuck-in-a-rut basic concerns about politics and orthodoxy and everything else that's predictable. Put your sails up to full mast and let's go somewhere! We're not staying in the ghetto, gang. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true Odys...
Mar 26, 2021•38 min
In this scattershot episode, we discuss the incentives and pressures that exist in modern, post-revolutionary capitalist society. We trash Milton Friedman a little bit and bolster some new stuff by David Graeber and some older stuff by Thoreau & Melville -- plus, hear from Wendell Berry & Leo Marx. We can reason about macroeconomics, but it's more difficult when (or: "if") we take into account the moods and emotions and yes, preferences, of the individual children of god that macroeconom...
Mar 24, 2021•39 min
In this experimental video, just get into the trance, learn to think like an iris flower, see some inverted video and hear more from Aarvoll & Dogen & Dionysus. There's also a bunch of paintings and pictures of early Spring. And what's with Moses covering his face?
Mar 21, 2021•44 min
In this licentious video, get wild with the Bacchae of Euripides, learn about where Dionysus comes from (he's a foreigner, sort of) and why he demands to be acknowledged as a god. And, hear all about what happens if we refuse to recognize him as a god. Plus, lots of paintings and a wild 5-minute video that I made myself with help from the muses. Odysee: https://odysee.com/ @Godward:5?r=4A91ThmzLji3NFhSe45XMiCLpT8Y8RDQ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward...
Mar 17, 2021•40 min
In this brightly lit video, learn about an ancient feud between one type of people (the good ones) and another type of people (the bad ones), and try to decide which side you want to be on. The stakes couldn't be higher! If you choose to be on the good side, the people on the bad side will probably hate you and ostracize you and maybe even kill you, whereas if you choose to go with the baddies, you'll get cushy jobs and make lots of money and be popular and celebrated in the media. All you have ...
Mar 15, 2021•44 min
In this heady video, hear a good deal of analysis of the first of Plotinus's Enneads, and learn about the three hypostases, his anti-Gnosticism, and how Porphyry preserved his mentor's biographical details. What is a "Proficient?" Plus, watch me thumb through the greatest children's book of all-time, "A Story of Mankind," by Van Loon -- and as usual, see some clips from the back-yard and neighborhood walks. Odysee: https://odysee.com/ @Godward:5?r=4A91ThmzLji3NFhSe45XMiCLpT8Y8RDQ Patreon: https:...
Mar 11, 2021•42 min
Interested in the Harry & Meghan Markle scandal? Want to learn about why the Royal Family is so interesting in this case, and why it's not so easy to decide which side is in the right? Listen to this informative episode where we discuss Sophocles's famous Oedipus Cycle, and we examine the philosophical issues that were raised by Oprah's interview by comparing what happened in ancient Thebes to what is happening now in Old England. Yes, it's a little click-baity, but don't let the lyin' mains...
Mar 10, 2021•40 min
In this Puritanical episode, learn about Jonathan Edwards, Puritan-Calvinist theology, and the importance of receiving a sort of special revelation that Edwards describes as a light immediately imparted by God. Plus watch me cut down a ginkgo tree. We're talking the real living Holy Spirit, and the orthodox are liable to cry because we ain't doin' it their way! Mwhaha find me on Patreon my fellow Protestants children of God: https://www.patreon.com/Godward...
Mar 06, 2021•30 min
In this heretical episode, see some images and learn to see through the images to the divine realm. Hear about how the Nag Hammadi was discovered, when the texts were translated, etc. Plus, hear some quotes from the Gospel of Philip, discuss the problem of language & ineffability... and if you make it to the end of the video, see a very fine painting of Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ staring at each other face to face. Romans 16:25: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to ...
Mar 03, 2021•38 min
In this scandalous episode, hear an overview of Herodotus, a defense of free speech, some reflections on my college years, and a re-telling of the story of King Candaules sucking himself. See some sexy paintings and read about the very different ways that people used to arrange themselves. If you're inclined to support my work, here's a link to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/Godward
Mar 02, 2021•29 min
In this succinct episode, learn little about the life of Blaise Pascal, about his historical period, about his political convictions--instead, hear a few of his maxims read aloud, and think with me about what they mean, and consider why he was thinking about them. Pascal seems to me like absolutely required reading for professing Christians, and he might even be a good antidote to the subtle corruptions that have been woven into the faith by bad Christians... and maybe even by non-Christians. Pa...
Feb 26, 2021•38 min
In this conspiratorial video, learn about the historian Sallust and his two works, The Catiline Conspiracy and The Jugurthine War -- see a great painting by Rogier Van Der Weyden, which I had intended to compare favorably to the Mona Lisa but chickened out. Hear a quote from a PhD who gives you the green-light on doing some light conspiracy theorizing. Seriously, for those of you who are hearing me, this one should really start to help it click... we're back in 64-63 B.C., but as Brian G says, t...
Feb 25, 2021•38 min
In this Truthful episode, Straussians are BTFO’d by one of the greatest men to ever live, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius — better known simply as Boethius. What can we do about the Woke brigade, cancel culture, and our lingering sense that the world that existed for our grandfathers was in some sense truer and more natural than the one we find ourselves in? Should we use cryptic language and parables, should we dodge persecution, make compromises, and let the executioner take our allies befo...
Feb 19, 2021•41 min
In this scandalous episode, hear all about the dalliances of Nero and Caligula, as well as the murderous antics of earlier emperors like Julius Caesar and Augustus. Seriously I wouldn't let your mom listen to this -- it's too controversial and graphic. Oh and, there are some visuals! Please take a look at my Patreon page -- the next secret stream meeting is tomorrow night! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true...
Feb 15, 2021•31 min
In this Historiographic episode, learn about Greek Historian Polybius, who lived in Rome for most of his life after age 33 -- but more important, learn about his chief work, "The Histories." He tells mainly of the Carthaginian attempt to sack Rome, but he intersperses all sorts of interesting observations about human nature, political philosophy, women, and so on. It's a really good read, and it reinforces my view that life was harder and scarier before the Logos than it has been ever since -- a...
Feb 10, 2021•41 min
In this extremely 20th-Century video, hear a summary of Camus's thinking on Nihilism, Absurdity, and political revolutions. What causes people to rebel against the status quo, and once they do, why does it always seem to lead to total meltdown until all narratives and shared values are destroyed? Can we live after the "death of God?" Is the state ever justified in squashing rebellion? Is deconstruction good when the institutions are bad? Are the secret police progressive and good and necessary i...
Feb 05, 2021•42 min
In this harrowing but visually stimulating video, get your quick summary of one of the great Ancient Greek dramas and a huge dose of art history. You'll hear about Agamemnon, the Libation Bearers, and the Eumenides, and hopefully you'll figure out a way to interpret the role of the furies as extremely annoying but maybe a little bit necessary, as long as we remember that God is God. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true...
Feb 03, 2021•36 min
In this mostly medieval episode, hear from Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame" on the idea that the Printing Press killed-off the Cathedrals. If we follow his logic, and observe that books themselves seem to be dying in the present age, replaced by video and internet entertainment, we might catch a glimpse of a very different future -- can we manage to propel the precious old values and virtues into the era of new media? This video is basically the best I can do -- I hope it's good enough! I...
Jan 31, 2021•35 min
This was a monologue with accompanying video that you can view on my YouTube channel -- search Godward Podcast
Jan 31, 2021•28 min
In this gothic episode, consider whether there's a difference between perversion and Perverseness. Make the connection between St. Paul in Romans 7 and Poe as he imagines things in "The Black Cat" and "The Imp of the Perverse." Part of the argument here is that any view of human nature (and mind) that neglects to take serious note of the impulse to sin must be recognized as shallower, and less realistic, than the optimistic and utopian descriptions of man as perfectible. That means no, I can't a...
Jan 27, 2021•45 min
In this hyperreal episode, learn about Victor Pelevin, my favorite living Russian writer -- hear summaries of his novels and do a closer look at a novella called "The Yellow Arrow." We're talking postmodernism and literary form, humor, nihilism, manipulated media, and A.I. sex bots. The Pelevin interview: https://youtu.be/sI8ScV1iqjo The Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true...
Jan 20, 2021•44 min
In this Biblical episode, hear a short summary of the Book of Jonah and then do some deep diving to think about what it all means -- what did Ninevah do wrong? Why was Jonah so hesitant? Does righteousness mean the same thing in a non-Jewish city-state that it means in the Northern Kingdom? Was the fish a whale? What do the weeds wrapped about Jonah's head symbolize? Or was Jonah a real historical figure? Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true...
Jan 15, 2021•42 min
In this natural follow-up to the Emerson episode from a couple videos back, we'll see what Henry David Thoreau thought about how and when it's appropriate to disagree with your government. On this show, we of course simply agree with whatever Jake Tapper says, and so this is absolutely not related to contemporary events in Washington D.C. -- but, Thoreau suggested that if a government gets bad enough, you might, sometimes, under certain circumstances, be justified in... telling it to shove it. T...
Jan 11, 2021•40 min
