Talk Gnosis

Can contemplation be practical, playful, and deeply healing? Today on Talk Gnosis, we sit down with scholar, author, and translator Carmen Acevedo Butcher to explore the anonymous 14th-century Middle English masterpiece, “The Cloud of Unknowing.” Far from being an abstract theological treatise, The Cloud is an intimate collection of pastoral letters offering a radical, hands-on guide to prayer, non-dual awareness, and divine friendship. No matter what your path you will get A LOT from this book and from this talk with Carmen!!

Order your copy and check out the rest of Carmen’s books and translations here: https://www.carmenbutcher.com/books.html

Follow Carmen and her work at carmenbutcher.com

[https://ia600603.us.archive.org/29/items/video-project-1_20260929/Video%20Project%201.m4a]

How do Jacques Lacan, Islamic mysticism, Henri Corbin, and Iranian art films help us understand the modern crisis of meaning? Dr. Daniel Tutt joins Talk Gnosis to discuss his paper on Joan Copjec’s latest work, bridging psychoanalysis and the theology of Henri Corbin. We explore the mysteries of Shia Islam and Sufism through Corbin, the trap of “sham enjoyment,” and what the failure of mass political movements has to do with a New Age “therapeutic Gnosticism.”

Check out Dr. Tutt’s work at: danieltutt.com

[https://ia600509.us.archive.org/19/items/FINALAUDIOTTUTT/FINALAUDIOTTUTT.m4a]

The word “decadence” may trigger a whole host of associations for you, but today we’re talking about the French art movement of the 1800s… and what it has to do with modern Gnosticism!

[https://dn721901.ca.archive.org/0/items/talk-gnosis-the-decadence-movement-gnosticism/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20The%20Decadence%20Movement%20%26%20Gnosticism.mp3]

Dr. Anya Foxen, co-author of “The Serpent’s Tale Kundalini, Yoga, and the History of an Experience,” stops by to explain how the “serpent power” became permanently tangled up with Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and Theosophy.

We cover how the famous seven-chakra system actually owes its structure to Western planetary spheres, why the Ophite Gnostic savior serpent perfectly primed the West to embrace yogic energy, and how early 20th-century “weirdos” like James Pryce transformed the Book of Revelation into a literal Kundalini manual. Whether you’re a scholar or a practitioner, this interview breaks down the messy reality of how spiritual traditions are translated, invented, and physically experienced in the body.

Buy the book and discover more of Dr. Foxen’s work at: anyafoxen.com

[https://ia903108.us.archive.org/29/items/FINALFOXEN/FINALFOXEN.m4a]

We continue our history of the origins of the French Gnostic Church in the 19th Century, a oft forgotten chapter in the history of Gnosticism and alternative religions.

From the mystical offshoots of 18th-century Catholicism and the seance-fueled rise of Spiritism to Jules Doinel’s 1890 visions of Cathar bishops and the return of the Divine Feminine, we unpack the quirky, “crunchy” historical details that set the stage for a 19th-century spiritual revival.

[https://dn721407.ca.archive.org/0/items/talk-gnosis-gnosticisms-secret-history-french-gnostic-church-part-2/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20Gnosticism%27s%20Secret%20History_%20French%20Gnostic%20Church%20Part%202.mp3]

This week, Jason, Deacon Jon, and Nick dive into the rarely discussed “secret origins” of modern Gnosticism that took root in France long before the Nag Hammadi discoveries. We trace the wild historical lineage from the French Revolution’s Constitutional Church to Martinez de Pasqually’s Elect Cohen and Palaprat’s Neo-Templar Church of John, exploring how these secret “inner churches” laid the groundwork for the modern esoteric movement.

Things get even weirder in the second half as we unpack the dramatic, working-class mysticism of Eugène Vintras: complete with reports of levitation and bleeding Eucharists. Join us as we map out this complex historical landscape and discuss why the compelling mythos of the “inner church” remains a vital part of Gnostic communities today!

[https://ia601603.us.archive.org/13/items/talk-gnosis-gnosticisms-secret-history-french-gnostic-church-pt.-1/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20Gnosticism%27s%20Secret%20History_%20French%20Gnostic%20Church%20Pt.%201.mp3]

In this episode of Talk Gnosis, we sit down with artist Nicole Legault to explore the profound intersection of creativity, healing, and spirituality. Nicole opens up about her artistic journey, sharing how a powerful, cinematic dream about a humpback whale became a lifelong anchor in her work. We dive deep into her latest project, the Inner Sea Oracle deck, a stunning 55-card collection born from a decade of painting and her own experiences and inner knowing.

Moving beyond fortune-telling, Nicole explains how her water-themed deck is designed to help us look inward, observe life’s synchronicities, and realize that we are our own ultimate oracles. Join us for a conversation about reaching transcendence through art, and be sure to check out the Inner Sea Oracle on Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nicolealinelegault/the-inner-sea

Hit up Nicole’s website at: https://www.nicolealinelegault.com/

[https://ia600709.us.archive.org/35/items/finalfinal-nicole-audio/FINALfinalNicoleAudio.mp3]

On this Talk Gnosis, Jason Memhel and Deacon discuss the highly anticipated 2026 AJC Conclave happening this May in Calgary. With the theme of “Sacred Cycles, Rebirth, and the Natural World,” we break down why this gathering is the perfect place to experience spiritual community.

We also run through the massive lineup of world-class speakers, including Dr. Justin Sledge (Esoterica), legendary occultist Lon Milo DuQuette, Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes, Dr. Alexander Cummins, and many more. Whether you plan to attend in person or join online, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

In the second half of the show, we tackle a massive question: How do you actually practice Gnosticism in 2026?

Conclave details and registration at: https://www.johannite.org/conclave/

[https://archive.org/download/talk-gnosis-ajc-conclave-gnosticism-in-2026-finding-the-divine-spark/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20AJC%20Conclave%2C%20Gnosticism%20in%202026%2C%20%26%20Finding%20the%20Divine%20Spark.mp3]

When exploring the path to Gnosis, it is often easier to figure out what it isn’t than what it is. Jason, Deacon Jon, and Nick discourse about the modern discourse around Gnosticism to map out the false paths, dead ends, and online grifts that could lead seekers astray.

Check out Conclave 2026, we hope you attend ‘cuz you’ll love it! johannite.org/conclave

[https://ia902802.us.archive.org/5/items/talk-gnosis-what-gnosticism-isn-t-and-why-it-matters-gnostic-wisdom-network/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20What%20Gnosticism%20ISN%27T%20%28And%20Why%20It%20Matters%29%20-%20Gnostic%20Wisdom%20Network.mp3]

Jason, Deacon Jon, and Nic explore the messy intersections of Gnostic discourse and the 2026 digital landscape, where the “demiurgic” influence of algorithms often favors provocative takes over Gnostic insight. We explore the reality of “audience capture” (how creators can become trapped by the very content that performs well) and the prevalence of media labeled “Gnostic” that often functions more like a lifestyle brand or a conspiracy rabbit hole than a path to gnosis.

[https://dn720905.ca.archive.org/0/items/audio-ultimate-final-vid-made-with-clipchamp/AUDIO%20ultimate%20final%20vid%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp.m4a]