The Symbolic World

Latest Episodes:

343 - Skateboarding and the Divine Chariot May 24, 2024

Show notes

In this video, I cover the symbolism behind skateboarding, surfing, the image of the horse and rider, the chariot, and Ezekiel’s vision.
Original YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stqiG9vtZaQ
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

342 - Paul Kingsnorth - Becoming Gods Without God May 17, 2024

Show notes

In this conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, we discuss his main takeaways from his Substack series on The Machine, technology, artificial intelligence and silicon valley, civilization, principalities, the act of creation and desiring to be God, yet also creating the space for our annihilation. We also touch on environmentalism, storytelling, and art, including Tolkien and The Matrix. Enjoy.
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/BCIRA9wRkIA
His Substack: https://paulkingsnorth.substack.com/
Join me and Richard Rohlin for the Symbolic World course on Dante's Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses-pages/dantes-inferno
Previous conversations with Paul Kingsnorth:
- Civilization and Control: https://youtu.be/QetAHfg7w8s?si=mVSI0fOTFiroIwTb
- Environmentalism, the Tower of Babbel, and the Disintegration of Culture: https://youtu.be/uqDWGdJJx1Y?si=At5HMZaDohzgAFvm
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
01:01 - Intro music
01:26 - Introduction
02:11 - What are your main insights?
07:19 - Can this serve God?
10:53 - Become dependent on tools
13:05 - The god of economy
14:44 - The short history of progress
16:05 - No conspiracy needed
19:35 - A desire to supplant us
22:12 - Theosis
24:27 - Making vs giving birth
27:02 - Creation myths
28:09 - The environmental narrative
35:54 - How has your perception on story changed?
39:33 - Changing Paul's writing
41:47 - Language and AI in Writing
45:32 - The Influence of art
53:19 - Tolkien and a simple ending
56:54 - New stories
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

341 - The Last Judgement: The Culmination of Christian Symbolism May 08, 2024

Show notes

This is a talk I gave for Ralston College on the Icon of the Last Judgement, exploring Orthodox Christian imagery to understand ontology, theology, and how identity, symbolism, and fractals work in the medieval worldview.
Youtube version: https://youtu.be/APFPO4LXFIs
Ralston College website: https://www.ralston.ac/
Ralston College: Rethinking the Last Judgment: Cosmic Symbolism & the Metaphor for Self-Discovery | @JonathanPageau: https://youtu.be/30nx25GjCYI?si=D0nB-5iLQkycrJlQ
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💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

340 - The Icons of Holy Week May 01, 2024

Show notes

This talk took place in April 2024 at the Maliotis Cultural Center, hosted by Hellenic College Holy Cross with Dr. Timothy Patitsas. In this talk, I take you through all the icons of Holy Week from Palm Sunday to the Anastasis, the icon of the Resurrection of Christ.
Original YouTube video: https://youtu.be/vFW5nYC4CcM
Hellenic College Holy Cross: https://www.hchc.edu/
Originally posted on the Maliotis Cultural Center channel: https://www.youtube.com/@maliotisculturalcenter
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro music
01:29 - Introduction
05:07 - Center intro music
05:48 - Jonathan's talk
07:52 - Palm Sunday
12:49 - Bridegroom Matins
16:44 - Washing of the Feet
22:46 - The Last Supper
24:59 - The Crucifixion
32:58 - The Descent from the Cross
35:55 - The Anastasis
50:23 - Q&A
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

339 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: The Greatest Work of Western Literature Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

In this week’s episode of Universal History, Richard Rohlin and I give an introduction to Dante’s Divine Comedy, discussing its historical and political context, Dante’s motivations and his point of view, and why the Comedia is the greatest work of Western literature.
Join us for the first course on the Divine Comedy, starting May 8th. Dante’s Inferno: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses-pages/dantes-inferno
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/K5R939cIWg4
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

338 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: The End of Babel Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

This is part two of our discussion about the Tower of Babel in the context of Universal History. Richard Rohlin and I recap and continue our discussion on the Book of Jubilees and Pentecost, discussing more in-depth the Feast of First Fruits, and what it means as a structure by which communion between heaven and earth can be facilitated - of unity and multiplicity. The duality of Pentecost explains several strange moments in Scripture and the apocryphal texts, most notably the laws of Noah, the covenant of Abraham, the scandal of Lot, and of course the Tower of Babel itself.
Previous episode on the Tower of Babel: https://youtu.be/wj9EK0QAW54?si=ClSLEQzKUaSFjeRl
Content mentioned:
- Apocrypha: An Introduction to Extra-Biblical Literature by Fr. Stephen DeYoung: https://store.ancientfaith.com/apocrypha-an-introduction-to-extra-biblical-literature/
- Biblical Symbolism: Uncovering Your Father’s Nakedness - Fr. Stephen De Young: https://youtu.be/GQgOYkzj0ek?si=VbkBfKvm56pHVHRv
Sign up to be notified when our course on Dante’s Inferno goes live. Class starts on May 8th. https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/109126/117615160942658931/share
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:41 - Intro music
01:05 - Introduction
02:37 - The book of Jubilees
05:10 - Feasting and sacrifice in the Book of Jubilees
08:48 - What is Pentecost
11:11 - Laws of Noah
17:37 - The double aspect of the Feast of First Fruits
20:30 - The scattering of the nations
23:32 - The prayers of Noah
26:02 - Raphael
28:42 - The City of Babel
30:15 - The Idolatrous Tower of Babel
32:45 - Abraham celebrates Pentecost
35:24 - A case of drunkenness?
38:45 - The big reveal
41:57 - Splitting in half
46:01 - Lot’s drunkenness
47:03 - There's only one Pentecost
50:31 - History
56:14 - The spirit descends
1:08:13 - This is what Universal History is
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💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

337 - How to Survive the End of a World - A Parable of Christ Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

This video will premiere tomorrow, Saturday, April 13th at 10 am EST.
In this short reflection, I will explain the parable of Jesus that’s the most difficult to understand, the Parable of the Penitent Steward, or the Unjust Steward. Recently I teamed up with Jordan Peterson, Daily Wire, and the same panel of the Exodus series, this time to film a series on the Gospels. The discussions pushed me to finally understand the parable after many years of pondering.
Sign up here to stay informed about our upcoming Symbolic World Course on Dante’s Inferno with Richard Rohlin: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/109126/117615160942658931/share
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💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

336 - Timothy Patitsas - The Vital Sign of Beauty Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

This is my second interview with Timothy Patitsas on the topic of beauty. We also discuss filmmaking, the work of Dr. Iain Mcgilchrist, liturgy, self-sacrifice, and social renewal as part of the fruits of a beautiful life.
Timothy G. Patitsas has been the Interim Dean of Hellenic College since January of 2020 and the Assistant Professor of Ethics at Holy Cross since the Fall of 2005. In 2019 he published The Ethics of Beauty, an attempt to recover one of the most ancient emphases of Orthodox spirituality, which is the firm priority given to combating the sensual rather than the intellectual passions. The book shows how this translates into a consoling and liberating Beauty-first approach to Orthodox ethics and life. The work also presents ethical, theological, and scriptural definitions of traumatic experience with a view to aiding recovery.
- Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/2CB1snUyy7Q?si=vi7_-88lsM2GBFWB
- Direct and most affordable place to get Ethics of Beauty by Timothy Patitsas: https://www.stnicholaspress.net/ethics-of-beauty
- Timothy’s film company, Beauty First Films: https://www.beautyfirstfilms.com
- The documentary film that Jonathan saw: Amphilochios: Saint of Patmos: https://www.beautyfirstfilms.com/amphilochios
- Save the date! On Thursday, April 18th at 7 pm, I will present at Maliotis Cultural Center on "The Icons of Holy Week". Get your $15 tickets on Eventbrite today.
Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/835903900067?aff=oddtdtcreator
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/918152849765191/?active_tab=discussion
Links to related videos:
- Our previous conversation on my channel - Beauty, Complexity and Ethics: https://youtu.be/baACQD-u3r4?si=jJC0OLDqAgxNXA1s
- My conversation with Dr. Iain McGilchrist - Beyond Materialism: The Matter With Things: https://youtu.be/QyBXqcgLAXs?si=dJAB79IlrKKORNI3
- A complimentary patron-only video about the Jesus Prayer that you can watch: https://youtu.be/aPyanmXxpaQ
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💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

335 - Justin Brierley - The Next Great Renewal Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

I had the opportunity to sit down with Justin Brierley to talk about Christian apologetics, the state of public discussions about faith, new converts, the identity crisis, and the rise of the “Christian atheist” with figures like Tom Holland, Jordan Peterson, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali intellectually aligning themselves with Christianity.
Justin Brierley 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. Through creative use of podcast, radio, print, video and social media, he aims to showcase an intellectually compelling case for Christianity, while taking seriously the questions and objections of sceptics.
Justin has worked in radio, podcast and video for over two decades. Until April 2023 he was Theology & Apologetics Editor for Premier Christian Radio, and hosted the Unbelievable? radio show and podcast as well as the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Justin was also editor of Premier Christianity magazine from 2014-2018, for which he continues to contribute articles.
Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/nIqBOQ-Vyhc
Justin’s website: https://justinbrierley.com
Surprising Rebirth Book: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/
Surprising Rebirth Podcast: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/
Justin Brierley’s book on Amazon, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again (Sep 2023): https://www.amazon.com/Surprising-Rebirth-Belief-God-Christianity-ebook/dp/B0BX14YSTH
My recent feature with Justin Brierley on the Re-Enchanting podcast brought to you by ( @SeenUnseenMag ) Seen & Unseen Magazine: https://youtu.be/ToWHWrmN2xY?si=7zU_Te_-p5aasJWm
Mentioned:
- Jordan Peterson on the Unbelievable podcast, debating with Susan Blackmore: https://youtu.be/syP-OtdCIho?si=7UFzr6K6PIluV7fO
- Ayaan Hirsi Ali's article on UnHerd magazine, ‘Why I am now a Christian: Atheism can't equip us for civilisational war’: https://unherd.com/2023/11/why-i-am-now-a-christian/
Timestamps:
00:00 - Coming up
00:44 - Intro music
01:10 - Introduction
02:49 - The rise of the Christian atheist
05:57 - Elevatorgate
11:54 - Giving Christianity a second look
14:11 - Ayaan Hirsi Ali Unherd article
14:39 - New converts
18:14 - Men's meaning crisis
21:22 - What's lying ahead
27:07 - Recapture apologetics today
29:16 - The role of artists
33:41 - Non-Christian Christian apologists
36:34 - Jordan Peterson's debate on Unbelievable
41:10 - “It depends on what you mean by ____”
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

334 - Aidan Hart - A New Image of Everything Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

In this dialogue with the amazing artist and iconographer, Aidan Hart, we discuss an image he has been developing depicting the New Jerusalem. This cosmic image shows many fractal relationships, including the Garden of Eden, the role and destiny of mankind, heaven, earth, and all of creation. It’s a beautiful synthesis presenting the positive aspect of the apocalypse.
- YouTube version: https://youtu.be/5KYqlzhZqMg
- Join me in supporting Aidan Hart’s work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AidanHartIcons
- Aidan Hart’s website: https://aidanharticons.com/
- A few years ago I gave a talk about the Icon of the Last Judgement that might be of interest: https://youtu.be/TsHnGUKEEdM?si=d3BL5nMtzoEP-vB4
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

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