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!

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 for more info, or email Daniel at [email protected].

Like writing? Like this podcast? Find out how you can continue the discussion further by submitting a blog over at First Things Foundation here.

Gagimargos! Wait, what does that mean? Learn more about the Georgian Supra and its symbolic significance here.

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 who we are and what we do.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com;
Also provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

Sound effects:
Sounds provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 [email protected].

Like writing? Like this podcast? Find out how you can continue the discussion further by submitting a blog over at First Things Foundation here.

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 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 who we are and what we do.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
Sounds provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 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 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 who we are and what we do.

We are looking for and hiring people to join us around the world! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
Sounds provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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"
• An Orthodox Christian perspective on purpose and existence

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 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 who we are and what we do.

We are looking for and hiring people to join us around the world! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
Sounds provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 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 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 who we are and what we do.

We are looking for and hiring people to join us around the world! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
Sounds provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

Support the show (https://first-things.org/donate)

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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/articles/the-symbolism-of-the-supra/

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 who we are and what we do.

We are looking for and hiring people to join us around the world! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 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 who we are and what we do.

We are looking for and hiring people to join us around the world! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 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 who we are and what we do.

Links:

• David Brooks and the Nuclear Family
• New York Times discusses Kodokushi
• Bremer, Death by Loneliness

We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 Schoenhals
• China’s Cultural Revolution, 1966-69: Not a Dinner Party - Michael Schoenhals
• Hai Rui Dismissed from Office - Play by Wu Han

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 who we are and what we do.

We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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 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 who we are and what we do.

We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.

Credits

Music:
Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.com

Sound effects:
"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com

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 [email protected] for more information.

Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion.

"Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly.

Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band