Heavy Things Lightly - podcast cover

Heavy Things Lightly

This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.

johnheersftf.substack.com
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Episodes

Knowledge vs Wisdom

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3H9pIf_fjNA What are we building towards? What do the most incredible engineering projects around the world, from ancient times until now, point to? Would and ancient culture understand the Large Hadron Collider? Do we moderns really understand the deeper reality of the Temple of Hara? Let's find out. Get tickets to the latest Art of the Tamada event feat. Jonathan Pageau and Jordan Hall: https://first-things.org/aot Find articles, John's novel, and...

Aug 20, 202427 min

Simon Scionka

After much traveling and all things FTF John returns and welcomes Simon Scionka. Simon has been making films since 1997 at the age of 17. Today he has had over 20 years in documentary film production, having visited 40 countries in the course of telling stories. He has filmed feature documentaries like Poverty Inc (a highly recommended film for anyone who wants a deeper insight into foreign aid) and short films like The Good Society. We welcome him today to talk about his latest film Sacred Alas...

Aug 12, 20241 hr 3 min

Intentions, Outcomes, and CERN

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1epb8MOU59E Making pilgrimage to CERN, ancient oracles, auguries, and more. John continues his exploration into intentions and how we are aligning ourselves to a good (or God depending!). And you might be surprised to find that the Old World folk and their entrail readings are that far removed from Physics Girl making pilgrimage to the ultimate science experiment. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense person...

Jul 18, 202431 min

Uncle Seth: Light Person Extraordinaire Insults Our Listeners!

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8BNf5N4c318 Uncle Seth returns...with a vengeance! But please be kind, because we truly do love him. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the podcast? Join us for more on Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ Teleg...

Jul 04, 20241 hr 2 min

The Road to Hell

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IGUbH5TEUrM The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Is it though? Is this a truism or just a clever quote with a particular amount of omph behind it. Today we start down that road - paved or not - and dive into CERN and physics and all these things were we ask ourselves, why are we doing this again? Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker w...

Jun 20, 202421 min

Artistry and Aiming for the Higher Things

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3t98_ghU2Jc Stephen Roach of the Makers and Mystics podcast joins the show to talk about artistry, how to be comfortable with the paradox that Christianity calls people towards, and developing the arts as a language to talk about the higher things. Makers and Mystics is a podcast exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and art. It is tied to the wonderful The Breath and the Clay creative arts gathering in Winston Salem, SC. Makers and Mystics...

Jun 12, 202451 min

Are Movies Redemptive?

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3t4deihkPyk Perhaps no type of modern media has had the level of impact as movies. But from their inception until now so much has changed. Are movies redemptive? Can modern movies be redeemed? John talks to the Bazed Lit Analyzer to find out. More on Bazed Lit: @BAZEDLITANALYZER Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things...

Jun 04, 20241 hr 14 min

Problems with the Modern Notion of Race

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yhChUUGkStQ Richard Rohlin of Universal History and Symbolic World fame rejoins John to talk about race. What is the Christian perspective? How did the enlightenment, the theory of evolution, and more change this understanding? Art of the Tamada coming up quick! New ticket options mean you can chose to join us for just a day or two. Details and ticketing: https://first-things.org/aot Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immer...

May 27, 202459 min

Orphan X & Orphaned Cultures w/ Gregg Hurwitz

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RGfvsPHGBlU Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times best-selling author of the Orphan X series, joins John to talk about writing, our changing new world view, and the terrifying new tools taking over our lives. Discover more about Gregg here: https://gregghurwitz.net/ Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or...

May 23, 20241 hr

How Not to be a Communist or a Capitalist...Somehow. Feat Fr. Turbo

Discover more about Fr. Turbo on his podcast The Royal Path: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRoyalPath Fr Turbo Qualls also contributes to Patristic Faith: https://www.patristicfaith.com/ ------ Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the podcast? Join us for more on Substac...

May 10, 20241 hr 19 min

Wrestling the Spirits of the Old & New Worlds

Find it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iM7T0Fkui3w About Sister Anastasia: A member of an Orthodox monastery, she received her MA in Theology from St Vladimir's Seminary. She has long studied ancient praxis and modern addiction in all its varieties, which informs her writing on purification, inner prayer, and the role of the Church in a rapidly changing world. Today she sits down with John to talk about life in the Church and the new world influences all around us. Visit us at https://first-things...

May 01, 20241 hr 11 min

The Canadian Education Dilemma

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qTjJyeptXiI Dawn Muir is an Orff Specialist teaching K-5 music in Winnipeg, enriched by graduate studies in education at O.I.S.E. (M. Ed) and Cambridge UK (Ph. D), and ongoing studies in Afro-Caribbean dance and drumming, and World Music. Dawn is committed to musical excellence and grounding music in its cultural context. She joins John today to talk the decisions facing educators and institutions in Canada. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 y...

Apr 24, 20241 hr 20 min

An Unforgettable Story w/ Vesper Stamper

Find this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/2hJrnGLbCUQ Support Heavy Things Lightly and First Things Foundation through Glassybaby: https://tinyurl.com/v6a9j7zs Vesper Stamper: https://vesperstamper.com/ On Instagram / Youtube: @vesperillustration On Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/muj2hbx4 Vesper Stamper is a brilliant illustrator and artist telling stories of (in her words) history's rhymes. In addition to her work receiving international acclaim, she also produces her own podcast, Vesperisms,...

Apr 10, 202459 min

Is Classical Education Elitist?

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/szSyVWD5qO8 Jason Caros is the headmaster for a Founders Classical Academy in Texas. Founders utilizes a classical approach to education characterized by a traditional liberal arts and sciences curriculum and whole-group teaching methodology with an orientation towards truth, beauty, and goodness. Following on the heels of our conversation with Andrew Kern, Jason further expounds on the present and future of classical education. Founders Classical A...

Apr 03, 202458 min

Justin Brierley and Re-Enchantment

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J_cDmp250Pk About Justin (from his website - link below): Justin is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. Justin is passionate about creating conversations around faith, science, theology and culture. He has also authored a two books: 'Unbelievable?' and 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God'. Learn more about Justin: https://justinbrierley.com/ Visit us at h...

Mar 27, 20241 hr 1 min

State of the Pod 2024

Find the YouTube version here: https://youtu.be/GwKAlkCZK-s What is Heavy Things Lightly? What are the conversations we want to have? Or the ideas we want to explore? Here is what we are doing now and in the future. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the podcast? Jo...

Mar 15, 202416 min

Jordan Hall

Find this episode on YouTube: Jordan Hall was for a long time an early tech pioneer, perhaps best known for founding DivX (if you've downloaded or watched any video on the internet you can thank him). However his interests turned towards philosophy and what the future holds for humanity. He founded the Civium Project and Plan B to explore how humanity might become less rivalrous and more win-win. Jordan Hall on Medium: https://medium.com/@UCMzT-mdCqoyEv_-YZVtE7MQ On YouTube: @JordanGreenhall Vis...

Mar 01, 202457 min

Libertarianism Isn't Enough

Buck Johnson (formerly of the Death To Tyrants Podcast), now host of the Counterflow Podcast, is a musician, firefighter and Orthodox Christian and has always had an interest and drive to go one way while everyone else runs the other direction. He joins John to talk about how he came to be Orthodox and why, if we want to discover truth, we have to look beyond just the material. Counterflow Podcast: @Counterflow Great Candles Here: https://www.glassybaby.com/ Visit us at https://first-things.org/...

Feb 20, 202454 min

True Education is Classical Education

Co-Author of Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America and founder of the CiRCE institute, Andrew Kern joins John today to talk about the history of education, especially in America and maybe where it all went off the rails (hint: it happened before the colonies got their independent streak). They also explore what a return to classical education could look like and what it would mean for future generations. Discover more about classical education and the CiRCE Institute here: https://c...

Feb 16, 20241 hr 31 min

What Is The World - A Christian Perspective

Find this episode on Youtube: We are the world. Did Michael Jackson and crew get it right back in the 80's? WHAT!? Come and find out as we come to understand the world from a Christian perspective. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the podcast? Join us for more on ...

Feb 02, 202421 min

Martin Shaw: Wild Storytelling

Dr. Martin Shaw is known as a brilliant teacher of mythic imagination. He is an author, storyteller, and artist. He has written several books including Scatterlings and A Branch from the Lightning Tree among others. Find out more about him below. https://drmartinshaw.com/ Support the show 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for mo...

Jan 25, 202446 min

Malcolm Collins: The Population Crisis

Malcolm Collins and his wife Simone are founders of Pronatalist.org - a foundation with a goal to preserve as much of civilization and as many cultures as possible. To do this they provide resources for parents/future parents, advocate for policy changes, and create material and information regarding childcare and education. https://pronatalist.org Support the show 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-thi...

Jan 18, 20241 hr 21 min

What is the World Pt. 3 - Philosophy Answers! | WAWTAR #163

Part 3 of 4 in our quest to answer the question: What is the world? We've covered the science take and now we turn to philosophy, before ending with the "religious." Plato, Heidegger, and the Last Airbender all make a lovely appearance today on the show. Support the show 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Pl...

Jan 05, 202421 min

Roundtable: Fr. Sil, Neil DeGraide, & Topher Grant - What a True Feast Means | WAWTAR #162

John hosts a few of the guests that came to our 2023 Art of the Tamada event. What does it mean to really feast? What role does the wine play? And how can we invite communities' to rediscover feasting in a time of reenchantment? Art of the Tamada 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA4tFdW_DB8 Support the show 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos...

Dec 26, 202358 min

What is the World Pt. 2 - Does math define everything? | WAWTAR #161

It's part two and it's all about math. Maybe science can define the world for us. Are we all just walking equations? Manifested numbers? Let's find out. What is the world? Flat earthers. Round earthers. Physical, metaphysical, and all the bits in-between. Purple PBS Video: https://youtu.be/F__elfR3w8c?t=98 Support the show 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at da...

Dec 20, 202323 min

Conversations: Shamans, Magic, and Rationalism with Dr. James Mohebali | WAWTAR #160

Chinese medicine. Traditional witch doctors. Oriental shamans. What exactly are they doing. With what, or whom, are the communing? Dr. James Mohebali, Chinese medicine practioner, talks with John to illumine the non-rational parts of our reality. Check out the Substack article here: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/d... Original news article: https://tinyurl.com/3kdewtp3 FTF Website: https://first-things.org/ Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaura...

Dec 07, 20231 hr 8 min

Conversations: Loren Wilkinson | WAWTAR #159

Loren Wilkinson is Professor Emeritus at Regent College where he delves into issues like Christianity and the arts, philosophy, and earthkeeping. He is also an author and his latest book, Circles and the Cross: Cosmos, Consciousness, Christ, and the Human Place in Creation can be found here: https://a.co/d/6CyAcIB Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opport...

Nov 30, 20231 hr 5 min

Uncle Seth and War | WAWTAR #158

Uncle Seth is back! And things get a little spicy as the conversation enters into war, where we would fight for, and where this might all end. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the podcast? Join Inside Baseball with John Heers to support our work and gain access to...

Nov 21, 20231 hr 26 min

What is the World? | WAWTAR #157

Today we kick off our next series tackling a huge question: what is the world? Flat earthers. Round earthers. Physical, metaphysical, and all the bits in-between. And at the end we will cap this off with an in depth discussion. Visit us at https://first-things.org/ 2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information. Like the...

Nov 10, 202317 min

Conversations: Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy - On Christian Nonviolence | WAWTAR #156

Today we are pleased to have Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy join us for an look at his life, teachings and work. Fr. McCarthy is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his steadfast teaching of Christian Nonviolence around the world. Fr. McCarthy's work with the Center for Christian Nonviolence: https://www.emmanuelcharlesmccarthy.org/ Does the deep immersive experience interest you? You should consider becoming a Field Worker! Check out our Join FTF page: https://first-things.org/opportunities for more...

Oct 31, 20231 hr 24 min
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