As materialism fails to explain human consciousness, a new and ancient "Liturgy of Self-Making" is rising. In this deep-dive, Anthony Costello, Carl Teichrib and myself, Joshua Farris, explore how AI, Neo-Paganism, and the sexual revolution are converging to redefine what it means to be human.

Is the world becoming more technological, or more theological? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of SXSW and Paganicon to witness the birth of a new cultural era. We move beyond surface-level politics to examine the "Sexual Monism" and "Radical Individualism" driving today’s headlines.

From the failure of physicalism in AI labs to the "bestial ethics" of modern fantasy literature, our speakers provide a chilling diagnosis of a society that has detached sex from creation and the self from the Logos.

What you will learn in this episode:

The Failure of Materialism: Why top scientists are abandoning physicalism for mysticism.

The AI Mirror: How technology is becoming a tool for modern divination and "Digital Animism."

The Pagan Ethic: Why a worldview without a transcendent standard inevitably leads to a "Might Makes Right" power dynamic.

The Narcissism of Modern Sex: How the detachment of gender and sexuality from the body is impacting the future of civilization.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: It’s a Theological World After All

12:15 – SXSW Report: Why AI Experts are Desperate for Humanity

24:30 – Paganicon 2026: Using AI for Tarot and Rituals

36:45 – The Aesthetic Ethic: Beauty vs. Ugliness in Neo-Paganism

48:20 – Sexual Monism: The Goal of "Gender Alchemy"

01:05:10 – The Power Trap: Why Paganism Can't Condemn "The Hawk vs. The Squirrel"

01:18:30 – Stoicism & The Logos: Is There a Rational Alternative?

01:32:45 – The Marketing of the Occult: Fantasy Fiction and Young Women

01:45:10 – Conclusion: The Deconstruction of the Sexual Narrative

Connect with the Kirkwood Center:

Website: https://www.kirkwoodcenter.org/

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Theology #ArtificialIntelligence #NeoPaganism #Worldview #ChristianApologetics #CultureWar #Ethics #Philosophy

Is technology changing what it means to be human? Today I sit down with Matthew Burford (Founder of Tactical Faith) to discuss why modern apologetics is shifting from "winning arguments" to "reclaiming wonder."

As we move deeper into the age of AI and digital distraction, Burford argues that we are facing a crisis of disembodiment. Drawing on neuroscientist Ian McGilchrist’s work on the left and right brain, we explore how the "Left-Brain" obsession with data and control is hollowing out our spiritual lives—and why the physical, "Right-Brain" practices of the Church and the Eucharist are the only cure for modern anxiety.

Inside the Episode:

The Evolution of Apologetics: Why the "syllogisms" of the 90s aren't reaching Gen Z.

The AI Threat: How Large Language Models (LLMs) force us to redefine human uniqueness.

The Master and His Emissary: Applying Ian McGilchrist’s brain hemisphere theory to theology.

The School of Attention: How the Eucharist retrains our minds to see reality truthfully.

Re-enchanting the World: Moving from abstract ideas to concrete, lived practices.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction: Meeting Matthew Burford

2:15 – What is Tactical Faith? Bridge between Ivory Tower & Church

6:42 – The Shift: From Evidence-Based to Story-Driven Apologetics

11:30 – Why "winning the argument" isn't enough anymore

15:45 – The "Fragmented Self": Addressing Gen Z & Alpha

20:10 – Living in a Post-Christian "Disillusionment"

28:45 – Cultural Liturgies: What the Mall taught us about worship

35:10 – AI & The Crisis of Embodiment: What makes us unique?

41:30 – The Danger of Normalizing Artificial Relationships

45:20 – The Eucharist as a "Shared Attention Habit"

51:40 – Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain: Ian McGilchrist’s Impact

57:15 – Reclaiming the Mystery: How the Church can serve the world now

Resources Mentioned:

Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/

Ian McGilchrist - The Master and His Emissary

What do you think is the biggest threat AI poses to our humanity? Let us know in the comments below!

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Apologetics #FaithAndTech #IanMcGilchrist #Christianity #AI #Philosophy #Theology #TacticalFaith

Is the universe a mindless machine, or is it alive? In this episode, we explore the dramatic collapse of materialism and the rise of Panpsychism—the radical idea that consciousness is a fundamental feature of all matter.

From the "Hard Problem of Consciousness" to the return of ancient animism in the modern lab, we sit down with Anthony Costello and Carl Teichrib to deconstruct how modern philosophy is "re-enchanting" the world. Are we unified souls created by a transcendent God, or are we merely temporary "eddies" in a cosmic river of mind?

In this episode, we discuss:

Galileo’s Error: How science accidentally "shaved off" the soul.

The New Paganism: Why elite academics are suddenly sounding like ancient animists.

The "Combination Problem": The logical flaw that panpsychists can't explain.

Psychedelics & Magic: Are altered states revealing reality or just altering perception?

The Theology of Gender: Why the shift toward "Internal Experience" is feminizing the church.

The Moral Motivation: Why some philosophers prefer a "Conscious Universe" over a Personal God.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro: The Death of Materialism

12:45 - Thomas Nagel & The Hard Problem of Consciousness

28:30 - What is Panpsychism? (Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down)

45:15 - The "Epstein Connection" and Controlling Consciousness

58:00 - Is the Universe Divine? Panentheism vs. Pantheism

01:15:30 - Modern Animism: Why your computer might have "feelings"

01:30:45 - The "Feminization" of Spirituality & The Deification of Nature

01:45:20 - Why Panpsychism is "Ad Hoc" (The Theistic Critique)

02:00:10 - Final Verdict: Soul vs. Cosmic Eddy

Key Resources Mentioned

Galileo's Error by Philip Goff

Mind and Cosmos by Thomas Nagel

Knowledge and the Case for Dualism by Richard Fumerton

The Argument from Consciousness by J.P. Moreland

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Panpsychism #PhilosophyOfMind #Theology #Apologetics #Consciousness #HardProblem #NewPaganism #ChristianPhilosophy #Metaphysics

Is environmentalism the new global religion? In this deep-dive discussion, we explore the shocking shift from traditional Christian stewardship to a "Dark Green" neo-paganism that is quietly reshaping our churches, our laws, and our view of what it means to be human.

From the "Pachamama" rituals in the Vatican to the deification of "Mother Earth" in global policy like Agenda 21, we dismantle the Lynn White thesis and reveal why the "Population Crater" is the crisis no one is talking about. If you’ve noticed your church or culture shifting toward nature worship over the Creator, this episode explains exactly why—and how to respond.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 – The Population Bomb vs. The Population Crater

12:45 – 3 Christian Doctrines Under Attack by "Deep Ecology"

28:30 – The Infiltration: How Earth Worship Entered the Liturgy

45:10 – Agenda 21 & The Rio Summit: Environmentalism as Policy

1:02:15 – Pachamama & The Vatican: A Crisis of Identity

1:18:40 – Transhumanism vs. Post-Humanism: The Future of Man

1:35:10 – The Return of the Goddess: Feminism & Neo-Paganism

1:50:20 – Why Pastors Are Silent (And Why That’s Dangerous)

2:01:00 – Challenging the Assumptions: A Gospel Response

SUMMARY:

In this episode, we connect the dots between historical theology, modern environmental science, and globalist policy. We discuss how the "Gaia Hypothesis" has moved from a scientific metaphor to a spiritual reality for millions, and why the rejection of the Imago Dei (Image of God) leads directly to anti-natalism and the devaluation of human life.

We also take a hard look at the "German Catholic" model where altars are replaced with soil, and explore why a return to a "Supernatural Worldview" is the only way to safeguard the Truth in a re-paganized West.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Population Bomb by Paul Ehrlich

The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser

Hitler’s Monsters by Eric Kurlander

The 1992 Rio Earth Summit (Agenda 21)

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Environmentalism #Paganism #Christianity #Theology #Agenda21 #GaiaHypothesis #ChurchHistory #Worldview #Apologetics #SpiritualWarfare #Posthumanism

Is the West Returning to Paganism?

In this deep-dive episode, I sit with Carl Teichrib and Anthony Costello to peel back the layers of the modern Neo-Pagan revival. Far from being just "Halloween costumes" or "Burning Man nostalgia," we argue that we are witnessing a massive ontological shift in the Western soul—moving from the Christian Creator-creature distinction to a "One-ist" metaphysical monism.

From the history of Gardnerian Wicca and the rise of the Gaia Hypothesis to the political activism of Black Lives Matter and the LA School District, this conversation explores how the "Goddess" is replacing the "Father" in our cultural and spiritual structures.

 In This Episode, We Explore:

The Metaphysics of Monism: Why "Matter is Mother" is the foundation of every pagan worldview.

The "White Magic" Trap: Why therapeutic, "benevolent" magic can be more deceptive than dark magic.

Environmentalism as Religion: How the 1970 Earth Day charge forced the Church to defend its Theology of Creation.

Ritual vs. Prayer: The chilling difference between "bending the universe to your will" and "Thy will be done."

Paganism Goes Mainstream: How publishing houses and pop culture targeted a new generation of practitioners.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The Rise of the "Meta-Divine"

12:45 – Gerald Gardner and the Invention of Modern Wicca

25:30 – Is Modern Paganism just "Cosplay" or a Real Faith?

38:15 – The Political Turn: Activism, BLM, and Education

52:10 – Magic Defined: Crowley’s Will vs. Christian Petition

01:15:00 – The Environmental Challenge: Defending a Theology of Creation

01:35:40 – Why the "Goddess" is the Future of Secularism

Resources Mentioned:

Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich – Eric Kurlander - https://a.co/d/0fDU7xvg

Drawing Down the Moon – Margot Adler - https://a.co/d/06zyKQnJ

Nazi Oaks – Mark Musser - https://a.co/d/0hd7xE1g

Join the Conversation

Do you think the rise of nature-based spirituality is a reaction to a "sterile" modern world, or is it a return to ancient spiritual dangers? Let us know in the comments below! Don't forget to: Subscribe for more deep-dives into theology and culture. Hit the Bell to never miss an episode. Like this video to help the algorithm reach more people!

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Christianity #Paganism #Theology #Wicca #Metaphysics #Worldview #CultureWar #SpiritualWarfare #Apologetics

We will be watching a new multi-part podcast series that examines a major cultural and spiritual shift in the West. Rather than moving toward disbelief, contemporary culture is experiencing a renewed interest in spirituality—particularly forms resembling paganism, New Age beliefs, occult practices, altered states of consciousness, and alternative cosmologies. This shift challenges the long-standing assumption that Christianity’s primary intellectual opponent is atheistic materialism or secular skepticism.                       

Drawing on insights from theology, philosophy, historical analysis, and on-the-ground research, it is argued that the West is entering a “re-enchanted” spiritual landscape—a crowded marketplace of beliefs rather than a secular void.                                                                                                    

This podcast aims to help the church recognize and seriously engage this new environment by rethinking apologetics and theological priorities. Instead of responding mainly to unbelief, Christian engagement must now address alternative spiritual worldviews that are actively shaping culture, politics, psychology, technology, and discussions of consciousness and artificial intelligence.                                                                                                                        

Overall, the aim is to diagnose the current moment with clarity and realism, encouraging thoughtful, informed, and constructive engagement rather than fear or reactionary responses, and equipping Christians to understand and respond to the spiritual questions now emerging in contemporary culture.

#SpiritualShift #CulturalRenewal #PaganCulture #CulturalShift

Today, we're joined by Lauren Ponder, a professional Death Doula, to pull back the curtain on the "Death Positive" movement, Swedish Death Cleaning, and how to reclaim your dignity at the end of life.

In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, we explore why our culture is so "death-avoidant" and how we can transform the end-of-life process from a moment of fear into a spiritual and transcendent experience. Whether you're curious about "Death Cafes" or want to know how to start your own "Death Cleaning" legacy project, this conversation is for anyone who wants to live—and die—with intention.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: The role of a Death Doula

05:30 - The Big Secret: Is death a revelation?

12:15 - Reclaiming the “Art of Dying Well”

18:40 - The Death Positive Movement explained

25:10 - Why we equate "spending money" with "loving the dead"

32:00 - Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning) & Legacy Projects

40:15 - What is a Death Cafe? (And why you should join one)

48:50 - Personal reflections: Dying with Dignity

Connect with Lauren Ponder: https://withlove.events

Books Mentioned:

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Bodies in Motion and at Rest by Thomas Lynch 

What does "dying with dignity" mean to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

#DeathPositive #DeathDoula #SwedishDeath Cleaning #EndofLife #LegacyPlanning #TheologyPodcast

Today, we're joined by Lauren Ponder, a professional Death Doula, to pull back the curtain on the "Death Positive" movement, Swedish Death Cleaning, and how to reclaim your dignity at the end of life.

In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, we explore why our culture is so "death-avoidant" and how we can transform the end-of-life process from a moment of fear into a spiritual and transcendent experience. Whether you're curious about "Death Cafes" or want to know how to start your own "Death Cleaning" legacy project, this conversation is for anyone who wants to live—and die—with intention.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: The role of a Death Doula

05:30 - The Big Secret: Is death a revelation?

12:15 - Reclaiming the “Art of Dying Well”

18:40 - The Death Positive Movement explained

25:10 - Why we equate "spending money" with "loving the dead"

32:00 - Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning) & Legacy Projects

40:15 - What is a Death Cafe? (And why you should join one)

48:50 - Personal reflections: Dying with Dignity

Connect with Lauren Ponder: https://withlove.events

Books Mentioned:

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Bodies in Motion and at Rest by Thomas Lynch 

What does "dying with dignity" mean to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

#DeathPositive #DeathDoula #SwedishDeath Cleaning #EndofLife #LegacyPlanning #TheologyPodcast

Is God just an abstract idea, or is He the literal "Now" that holds your reality together?

In this deep-dive finale, philosopher Dr. Stephen Priest explains how "fundamental ontology," the study of pure being, leads logically from atheism to the Trinitarian God. We move beyond abstract theory into the "Eternal Now," exploring why the present moment is the closest we get to the Divine.

Plus, Dr. Priest shares a powerful, practical Christian breathing meditation to replace anxiety with divine presence ("God in, Devil out"). If you are interested in the intersection of consciousness, existentialism, and deep theology, this episode is the masterclass you’ve been waiting for.

 IN THIS EPISODE:

Why "Being" and "Presence" point directly to the Trinity.

How Heidegger’s Being and Time misunderstands the "Now."

Why God is not an optional "add-on" to the universe, but its foundation.

Practical Application: A breathing technique for Christian mindfulness.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Does the argument for God entail the Trinity?

01:17 – Heidegger, Time, and the "Eternal Now"

02:40 – Why the Trinity is the "Fundamental Ontology"

04:20 – Stephen’s Journey: From Atheism to Pure Being

06:40 – The Philosophical Debate: Is "Existence" a real property?

09:05 – Does a physical object (like a desk) have "Presence"?

11:30 – How to live in the "Now" (Practical Theology)

13:00 – Eastern Meditation vs. Christian Contemplation

17:00 – The "God In, Devil Out" Breathing Technique

21:10 – Why Atheism is a "Lack of Understanding" of Being

23:55 – The Immanence of God: Closer than you think

25:00 – Conclusion: Why Metaphysics is plausible again

RESOURCES & LINKS

Listen to Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfXgo8h5QaE

Dr. Stephen Priest’s Work: https://stephenpriest99.wixsite.com/website

Please consider supporting Soul Science Ministries: https://donorbox.org/soul-science-ministries 

#Philosophy #Theology #Consciousness #Christianity #StephenPriest #Existentialism #Trinity #Apologetics #Meditation #Metaphysics

In modern culture, we treat loss like a problem to be solved, something we're told to hurry through so we can "move on." But what if this mindset, which I trace back to the Enlightenment's focus on individual happiness, is actually making our society impoverished?

I sat down with the brilliant philosopher Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode (University of Oxford) to challenge the prevailing Freudian and secular views on grief. Mikolaj argues that mourning is a virtue we need to recover, and a portal not just into memory, but into transcendence.

This is a must-watch conversation for anyone seeking deeper meaning, struggling with loss, or questioning the self-help culture's quick-fix approach to suffering.

What We Covered:

0:01:14 Is Mourning a Problem to Solve or a Virtue?

0:05:34 The Relevance of Philosophy (And Why I'm Interested in It!)

0:21:39 Why Freud Got Grief Fundamentally Wrong

0:38:10 The Enlightenment Shift: Why Individual Happiness Is an Insufficient Goal

0:42:25 The Danger of "Toxic Relationship" Talk: How Utilitarianism Ruins Love

0:55:48 Mourning as a Moral Practice: Rituals that Keep the Dead Present

01:01:15 Kierkegaard's Test of Love: Expressing True Love After Loss

01:23:25 The Two Extremes of Death: The Macabre vs. The Overly Joyful

01:26:45 Why God Wants Our Outrage: The Appropriate Response to Loss

01:34:20 Grief, Transcendence, and Spiritual Perception

Mikolaj's Insight That Hit Me Hardest:

"Your mourning is not about you, it's about the person you've lost."

Connect with Us:

Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode: https://www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-mikolaj-slawkowski-rode/

Check out his excellent edited book: The Meaning of Mourning: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Mourning-Perspectives-Death-Grief/dp/1666908924

Subscribe & Follow:

Don't forget to subscribe to It's a Theological World, After All! We're here to dive deep into culture, God, and the soul, and I appreciate you joining the conversation.

#grief #mourning #philosophy #death #loss #theology #meaningoflife #griefsupport #Blackfriars #MacauleySchakowsky