Welcome! This week Heers and Daniel discuss Old and New World types of protest and to do that we take a look at sports. Sandy Koufax and Kyrie Irving both "sat down," but is what they did truly the same? And Heers asks the Daniel a question about a body triangle that leaves us all feeling a little nervous. Links: Koufax's Yom Kippur Decision, 50 Years Later While Koufax is rightly lauded, Yom Kippur example set by Hank Greenberg Why is Kyrie Irving not playing? Latest updates as Nets star keeps ...
Feb 09, 2021•29 min
Reilly Dooris, former FTF Field Director in Guatemala joins Heers this episode to discuss time and timelines. How do we determine the starting point for calendars? Is there a point in time that carries more importance than others? A day "zero?" Join us for a most timely conversation! Links: Calendars through the ages Proposed New Calendar Would Make Time Rational The Origin and History of the BCE/CE Dating System For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John H...
Feb 04, 2021•58 min
Jonathan Pageau, artist and founder of the Symbolic World podcast, joins John for an interview. The discussion ranges from symbolic thinking in the new world to Jonathan's past experiences with Mennonites in Africa. Links: The Symbolic World (Jonathan's podcast and work) The Language of Creation - Matthieu Pageau (Amzn) For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a Capitalist, or a Christian?" Find out mo...
Jan 26, 2021•55 min
In episode 30 of WAWTAR Heers introduces the idea of the priest. Whos traditional role was rooted in sacrifice and who functioned as mediator between the seen and unseen worlds. The light and the dark. We take a look at how that role, which has slowly disappeared is now manifesting itself elsewhere in different forms. Links: Fr. Thomas Hopko Find out more about SJS Consulting by emailing John Heers FTF Quartz, "Explosive Growth in Witch Population" Asatru Norse Religion, Fastest Growing Faith in...
Jan 19, 2021•37 min
Eden Revisited, a podcast that "cuts through the noise of the modern world and journeys to the roots of wonder and beauty," brings on John Heers to discuss his recently published novel 3Souls. Enjoy this interview and please check out Eden Revisited on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your content. Links: Eden Revisited on Apple Podcasts 3Souls (Amazon link) For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a...
Jan 12, 2021•59 min
Sports! Well chariot racing anyways. And a large riot. And can this kind of thing happen today? It's story time with John and his daughters as we discuss sports, identity and if modern culture is all that different from the ancient ones. For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a Capitalist, or a Christian?" Find out more about the course and how to join (it's never to late!) here . Interested in joini...
Jan 05, 2021•50 min
Welcome back to WAWTAR and episode 28. Today Heers takes a look at the stories we tell and the truths therein. Can fiction be truthful? Why wasn't writing fiction a thing back in the day (pre-1600's)? And what does all of this have to do with the Nashville bomb? Come find out on todays episode of Why Are We Talking About Rabbits. Links: Notes on the History of Fiction The New Middle Ages by Eugene Vodolazkin | Articles The origin of fiction 3Souls: an ancient uptown love triangle What is Civiliz...
Dec 29, 2020•33 min
He's back! And this time we have some questions for him that a few of you, our listeners, wanted to ask. Join Heers and Seth for a hilarious episode where things are kept very light. For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a Capitalist, or a Christian?" Find out more about the course and how to join (it's never to late!) here . Interested in joining First Things Foundation? Check out our Join FTF page...
Dec 22, 2020•49 min
Welcome to Part 2 of our discussion on Freedom. Last week we took a look at the idea of "outside" freedom (government, politics, economy etc.). This week we are turning inwards to explore more the idea of inner freedom. And to help us along our way is Fyodor Dostoevsky - novelist and Russian visionary who will act as our guide. Links: The Russian Soul and the Toxic West The Idiot and the Subtext of Materialism The Idiot (Amazon) Check out our partners Health & Help and the cool work they do!...
Dec 15, 2020•37 min
Freedom. One of the hot button topics in modern American culture today. But what do we mean by it? And aren't there different aspects to freedom? Like inner and outer? What about individual freedoms? Welcome to part one of a two part episode where we trace the ideas of freedom, inner and outer going all the way back 4,000 years to do so. Links: The Vedas Plato's Allegory of the Cave Interested in joining First Things Foundation? Check out our Opportunities page for more info, or email Andrew at ...
Dec 08, 2020•38 min
Sit down and pay attention! Today we are learning about...wait...what are we learning today? That's the question Heers poses to modern education. We explore the ancient roots of education, it's transformation, and final destination (which may surprise some of you). Welcome to episode 24 of WAWTAR! Class is in session! Links: Education in Athens Thomas Aquinas on Education Jefferson Bible Rockefeller and the Board of Education Gagimargos! Wait, what is that in reference to? Learn more about the s...
Dec 01, 2020•35 min
This week John is talking to Joe Obidiegwu: author, teacher, and philosopher. He was born in Nigeria, moved to the US at 17 on a tennis scholarship and then moved to Sweden in 2012. John and Joe talk about how we can reframe some of the old world wisdom in a way that resonates with all of us new-worlders. Links: Healing of a Nation, Joe Obidiegwu (YouTube) Finding Your Way to Heaven Without a Cell Phone, Joe O A Jordan Peterson follow up on Old World concepts and Joe O's idea of "inner stability...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 17 min
What is a vote? What is that thing we all just did recently in the US? Where does it come from? And what does it mean today? We go back to ancient Greece and Athens to explore the roots of democracy. We also take a contemporary psychological look at what voting means for the modern mind. With both perspectives in hand, Heers offers historical insight into our modern government. Links: Short Video from BBC on Plato and Trump American Psychological Association on Voting Gagimargos! Wait, what is t...
Nov 17, 2020•33 min
It's election day! That means everything is feeling a little heavy. It also means we get to introduce Uncle Seth and make this episode something light. Who is Uncle Seth you might ask? He is many things: a teacher, father, and pragmatist, but also a perfect foil to our resident podcast host John Heers. It's the election day special and episode 21 of WAWTAR! Gagimargos! Wait, what is that in reference to? Learn more about the supra and it's symbolic importance here: https://thesymbolicworld.com/a...
Nov 02, 2020•56 min
This week sees John talking about the economy. We take a close look at the Greek origins of the word: oikonomia. Is our modern economy related to this ancient understanding? Where does capitalism fit in? Or communism for that matter? It's episode 20 here on WAWTAR! Gagimargos! Wait, what is that in reference to? Learn more about the supra and it's symbolic importance here: https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/the-symbolism-of-the-supra/ If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review...
Oct 27, 2020•35 min
This week is a brief look at the symbology behind the mask and how people are actually dying from loneliness in some places. And the fact that we probably have all been idiots at some point. At least according to Aristotle. Welcome to episode 19 of WAWTAR! Gagimargos! Wait, what is that in reference to? Learn more about the supra and it's symbolic importance here: https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/the-symbolism-of-the-supra/ If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with you...
Oct 20, 2020•20 min
We're back from Sierra Leone and it's time for episode 18! Today Heers is examining change. What is change? To start scratching at the surface of a question as broad as this, Heers takes us back to 50's and 60's China in a case study of the Red Guard. It's a mix of old and new as change puts everything into turmoil. Links / Further Reading: Wikipedia article on the Red Guard The Guardian on the Red Guard Great picture of a Red Guard rally Mao’s Last Revolution by Roderick MacFaquhuar and Michael...
Oct 13, 2020•33 min
That's right, this episode is coming at you live from Sierra Leone. While dropping off two new Field Workers for First Things Foundation, John took some time to sit down with a couple of locals from Freetown to talk about the different aspects of their culture. For more information on the topics covered in this episode check out episode 15 where we go more in depth. Links: Integems Environmental Consultancy Ansu's Film Preview Older documentary on SL Krio If you like this podcast, please conside...
Oct 06, 2020•27 min
Nicholas Kotar is an author, translator (Russian / English) and teacher who's writing is inspired by Russian fairy tales. Perhaps his best known work is the Raven Son series of epic fantasy based on the Russian fairy tale Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf . He has been featured on podcasts such as Ancient Faith Radio and the Symbolic World and is a father, deacon, and home school teacher. Join Heers and Kotar for a winding conversation covering topics like the fool in culture, the narratives we inha...
Sep 29, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Often times in the "Old World," where First Things Foundation sends its Field Directors, you will encounter magic. Be it voodoo, or Mayan rituals, or any of the myriad types they have a common flavor. As "New Worlders" it's easy for us to hear about this and scoff, yet, what happens when you come face to face with it? With something you don't understand or can't explain? And really, how is that any different from the technological marvels we are surrounded by? Come join John Heers and three form...
Sep 22, 2020•1 hr 14 min
V. Rev. Igumen Silouan Justiniano is an iconographer and a Deputy Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Dionysios the Areopagite in New York. He has written for various publications around the world and is also an editor and contributor to the Orthodox Arts Journal. John and Fr. Silouan talk about icons, images, and art all from a really distinct perspective. Links: Fr. Silouan's Website On the Gift of Art...But What Art? Episteme and Techne (Stanford) If you like this podcast, please consider leaving...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Toxic masculinity. What is it? How can we understand it and where does it come from? Is it a universal trait across the world and cultures? Perhaps most importantly for this podcast, how is viewed through that "Old World" lens? Join John Heers and the WAWTAR crew as we attempt to understand: toxic masculinity. Links: Is Toxic Masculinity Islamic? Learning to Be a Man Without Masculinity CNN: Inside Africa - Tackling Toxic Masculinity Feminist Current Article on Toxic Masculinity and Patriarchy M...
Sep 09, 2020•37 min
This week we are excited to bring on the show Fr. Peter Heers, Orthodox priest and author currently living in Greece. He also happens to be the brother of our host John Heers. Fr. Peter brings a lot of "Old World" into this episode from talking about life in Greek villages to Orthodox Christianity and how it pertains to culture and life. We also dive into thoughts on self esteem, history, and, of course, COVID. Links: Orthodox Ethos Website and Podcast The Ecclesiological Renovation of Vatican I...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 23 min
No but really, what's a human right? Have we always had them? Where and when did they appear on the scene? And how do they relate to what's going on all around the world? Links: Human Nature: Indian Perspective Revisited Al Islam Org Daoism: Anthropology Fr. Silouan, art If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on...
Aug 25, 2020•26 min
Teenage rebellion, the most angsty of times on our way to adulthood. And it happens to all of us...or does it? Come explore what adolescence and the road to adulthood looks like for us Enlightened folk and for those Old World cultures. Links: Can teenage defiance be used for good? - New York Times The Myth of the Teen Brain - Scientific American Teenagers, Why do They Rebel - Web MD Yes Your Teen is Crazy - Michael J. Bradley If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your c...
Aug 18, 2020•34 min
Welcome to episode nine! In this episode Heers is joined by doctor, acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner James Mohebali. They talk nature, new vs old world medical practices and of course, COVID. Links: Rasputin biography Rape of Man and Nature, Sherrard If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. Finally, if you're interested, check out First Things Foundation...
Aug 11, 2020•54 min
In this episode we explore Truth. But that's a super heavy topic so we decided to come at it from a couple of different angles including juju from Africa, what it means to "take an oath," (do we even do that anymore?), and of course what the term "fake news" hints at. Welcome to episode 8! Links: Format.com Pics of local juju doctors John Tillotson, Archbishop of Cantebury Oaths from an Islamic Perspective Journal of African Law, Jstor A Profane History of Early Modern Oaths, by John Spurr If yo...
Aug 04, 2020•30 min
In this episode Heers brings on his daughters to see what their understanding of history is, what the midnight removal of the Columbus statue indicates, and how our perception, really our understanding, of history fundamentally changed after the Enlightenment. If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. Finally, if you're interested, check out First Things Foundation for more informa...
Jul 28, 2020•42 min
Kanye has been saying some very interesting things of late. Comments on Planned Parenthood and Margaret Sanger open the door to exploring the world view of Sanger: was she a racist as Kanye claims? Or is she something else? To answer this question we go back and take a look at her speech, "My Way To Peace" (link below), examine it and use it to explore the roots of her world view ( lig ). And along the way we encounter the most tasty of Enlightenment thinkers, Mr. Bacon. Links: The Imaginative C...
Jul 21, 2020•35 min
Heers dives deep into an "old world" description that includes the physical aspects in addition to the cultural and philosophical bits. We also bring on a special guest, Georgia, to test out the latest and greatest in technological gadgetry: the Light-O-Meter. To take the Light-O-Meter test click here . For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a Capitalist, or a Christian?" Find out more about the cour...
Jul 14, 2020•32 min
