It’s not for nothing that “Gods” is the first word in the name of this show. Today, we’re talking about the Catholic Church's rigorous miracle verification process, and some (okay one in particular) truly bizarre holy relics.

If we had to pick a theme, it would probably be the way humans imbue objects with meaning and power.

Highlights:

* Tom shares a recent article about the Catholic Church's confirmation of a 72nd miracle at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France

* The surprisingly rigorous process the Catholic Church uses to verify miracles (out of 7,000+ investigated cases)

* What if “the placebo effect” is actual magic?

* Tom introduces the concept of "egregors" – non-physical entities or thought forms that arise from collective thoughts and emotions

* An article in Daily Mail about the most clickbaity holy relic of them all: the alleged foreskin of Christ

* That time when Nat Turner's body got turned into "relics" after his execution

* Charged objects versus the Ship of Theseus

* How the veneration of objects isn't limited to religious contexts, but extends to family heirlooms, collectibles, and status in modern life

If you listen through to the end, you’ll hear Tom’s frankly desperate plea for you to share your stories with us.

We also recorded Part 2 of our conversation about Mal's mind-blowing silent retreat experience immediately after this episode.

Here’s Part 1

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