This episode reflects on the heartbreaking accident at a girls' camp in Texas, where lives—many of them children—were lost. I explore the deep and painful question: Why does God allow suffering? And I do it through four different lenses:

• Christian/Biblical Perspective – Featuring insights from C.S. Lewis and the Book of Job
• Humanist View – Through the eyes of Voltaire, who challenged the idea that suffering is “part of God’s plan”
• Spiritualist Lens – Based on the Seth Material, which sees mass events as part of the collective consciousness
• Eastern Philosophy – Exploring karma, impermanence, and acceptance through Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

We also travel back to the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, another moment when religious leaders blamed the victims and used disaster to impose their beliefs, which I think is a parallel to what's happening right now.

I know this podcast won’t take away anyone’s pain. But I offer it with the hope that it might provide a little light, a bit of clarity, or a reminder that you're not alone if you're wrestling with faith, loss, or meaning.

My podcasts target left-brained types like me, whose rigid view of life restricts us from considering things outside the tightly organized spiritual paradigm we either grew up with or built for ourselves.

Follow my podcasts to discuss serious topics like grief, human suffering, prayer, religion, and spiritual practices. I also cover things that I used to consider craziness or “woo-woo” such as: meditation, manifestation, spiritualism, spiritual awakening, reincarnation, past-life regression, the channeling of spirits and aliens (seriously…), soul groups, astrology, and even Chinese fortune cookies!

Mike

Website: https://mikenicholas.com

Email: [email protected]

YouTube Channel: ‪@MikeNicholas-unleashed‬

YouTube Podcast:    / @mikenicholas-unleashed  

All Links: bit.ly/m/MikeNicholas-links

Is God the same yesterday, today, and forever… even in the face of scripture that seems to suggest otherwise?

In this episode of The Soul Unleashed Podcast, I dive headfirst into one of the oldest and most unsettling spiritual questions: Has God changed, or have we simply evolved in how we understand the Divine? I wrestle with the contrast between the vengeful, sword-swinging God of the Old Testament and the loving, grace-filled Jesus of the New.

I read verses that frankly haunt me, explore what early church fathers said about God's nature, and admit where I still stumble, even after years of searching. This episode isn't a theology class or a sermon. It’s me, asking the questions I know so many of us carry quietly.

If you’ve ever wondered how to reconcile justice and mercy, wrath and compassion, or scripture with your own evolving sense of truth, you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.

In this special Holy Saturday episode of The Soul Unleashed Podcast, I explore a lesser-known but theologically rich event: the Harrowing of Hell—the belief that Jesus descended into the realm of the dead between His crucifixion and resurrection.

Growing up in the Catholic tradition, I never gave Holy Saturday much thought. It was a quiet, in-between day—a time to dye eggs and prep Easter baskets. But recently, I came across a deeper layer to this day: an ancient teaching that Jesus didn’t rest, but descended into Sheol—a shadowy place where souls had been waiting since the beginning of time.

In this episode, I reflect on:

This episode also looks at the contrast between traditional Christian theology and modern spiritual beliefs, especially around reincarnation, soul contracts, and what happens after death.

Whether you embrace Catholic doctrine, explore spirituality beyond religion, or are just curious about what happened during that mysterious pause between Good Friday and Easter, this episode is an invitation to reflect on what we’ve been taught—and what might still be waiting to be uncovered.

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, I explore one of the most difficult spiritual questions many of us face: Why do some prayers go unanswered, especially in our darkest moments?

Through my own experience of loss, particularly the passing of my son, I’ve wrestled with this question on every level: emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Like many people of faith, I was taught that God hears all prayers and responds according to His divine will. But when your most heartfelt plea is met with silence, that belief can start to unravel.

In this conversation, I examine two primary paradigms for understanding prayer and suffering:

In this episode, I tackle a tough but necessary question: Why do bad things happen to good people? I’ve wrestled with this question personally, especially after losing my son and witnessing deep suffering in people I love.

I explore what two early Church Fathers—St. Augustine and St. Gregory of Nyssa had to say about the nature of evil, suffering, and God’s role in allowing it. Their views on theodicy are profound, but they also raise questions for me. What if the purpose of suffering is soul refinement? And what if, unlike their one-lifetime view, we experience multiple lifetimes to reach that refinement?

This is a personal reflection on:

In this episode of The Soul Unleashed Podcast, Mike Nicholas dives into the fascinating concept of soul groups—the idea that we reincarnate with the same group of souls across multiple lifetimes. But what does that actually mean?

Coming from a background of strict Catholic teachings, Mike never entertained ideas like reincarnation or soul connections beyond this life. That all changed when personal experiences—like the loss of his son—forced him to question everything.

In this episode, Mike explores:

In this episode of The Soul Unleashed Podcast, host Mike Nicholas takes a closer look at one of the Bible’s most well-known military accounts—the story of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian army. According to scripture, an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, forcing their king, Sennacherib, to withdraw and sparing Jerusalem from destruction.

But how does this account hold up against historical records and archaeological evidence? The Assyrians documented this event very differently, raising important questions about biblical accuracy, interpretation, and the nature of divine intervention.

In this episode, Mike explores:

In this transformative episode, we have Dr. Sharnael Wolverton, a naturopathic doctor, quantum scientist, linguist, and spiritual leader, who masterfully integrates diverse wisdom into a unified “language of miracles.”

Dr. Sharnael shares profound insights on how we can Re-Member Truth, Love, and Purpose, transmute what no longer serves us, and re-code our lives for greater alignment. She unpacks the science behind miracles and how frequency plays a vital role in our healing and transformation.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that blends spirituality, science, and practical wisdom to help you unlock your highest potential.

In this episode of The Soul Unleashed, I revisit the concept of purgatory through the lens of someone who values both spiritual experiences and intellectual exploration. Inspired by a post on X, I dig into Luke 12:41–48, a parable often referenced by Catholics as evidence of purgatory, and reflect on its deeper implications for the afterlife.

As someone who’s had my share of spiritual experiences, including a profound session with medium Rebecca Rosen, I share how my late son, Matt, came through to explain his ongoing life review. This deeply personal moment will change how one views the soul’s journey after death and open their mind to concepts like purification, reflection, and enlightenment beyond traditional religious teachings.

I also explore purgatory from a more analytical perspective: its biblical and theological roots, historical controversies like the sale of indulgences that fueled Martin Luther’s objections, and the role of purgatory in Catholic thought. I compare these ideas to New Age perspectives, Mormon teachings on the spirit world, and my own experiences with spiritual growth and life experiences.

My podcasts target left-brained types like me, whose rigid view of life restricts us from considering things outside the tightly organized spiritual paradigm we either grew up with or built for ourselves.

Follow my podcasts to discuss serious topics like grief, human suffering, prayer, religion, and spiritual practices.  I also cover things that I used to consider craziness or “woo-woo” such as: meditation, manifestation, spiritualism, spiritual awakening, reincarnation, past-life regression, the channeling of spirits and aliens (seriously…), soul groups, astrology, and even Chinese fortune cookies!

Mike

Website: https://mikenicholas.com

The post #182 Revisiting Purgatory and Biblical Evidence appeared first on The Soul Unleashed Podcast.

In this episode of The Soul Unleashed, we explore the eschatology, and the fascinating history and theology behind Pope Benedict XII and his influential papal bull Benedictus Deus, which defined the Catholic doctrine of the Beatific Vision. Diving into the question, “What happens when we die?”, we uncover the story of Jacques Fournier, the Cistercian monk turned pope, who shaped Church teachings during the tumultuous Avignon Papacy. From inquisitions in southern France to the Albigensian Crusade, this episode weaves together history, theology, and personal eschatology, offering insights into the medieval Church and its struggles for spiritual and political authority.

Resources:

Papal Bull entitled “Benedictus Deus” issued on January 29, 1336 (prior to the 10-day and leap year adjustments of the Gregorian Calendar in 1582) https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/benedictus-deus-on-the-beatific-vision-of-god-13139

Born Jacques Fournier (Frenchman) in 1285

Elected by mistake on Dec 20, 1334, succeeding Pope John XXII. The majority of cardinals favored Cardinal Jean-Raymond de Comminges, the Bishop of Porto. “You have elected an ignoramus”. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02430a.htm

He was the third of eight popes during the “Avignon Papacy” (1309-1377) 67 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy

This was followed by “The Western Schism” when there were Popes in both Avignon and Rome (1378-1417) 39 years https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Schism

The Albigensian Crusade was 1209-1229: https://worldhistory.org/Albigensian_Crusade/

My podcasts target left-brained types like me, whose rigid view of life restricts us from considering things outside the tightly organized spiritual paradigm we either grew up with or built for ourselves.

Follow my podcasts to discuss serious topics like grief, human suffering, prayer, religion, and spiritual practices.  I also cover things that I used to consider craziness or “woo-woo” such as: meditation, manifestation, spiritualism, spiritual awakening, reincarnation, past-life regression, the channeling of spirits and aliens (seriously…), soul groups, astrology, and even Chinese fortune cookies!

Mike

Website: https://mikenicholas.com

The post #181 What Happens When We Die? Exploring the Benedictus Deus (On the Beatific Vision of God) and Pope Benedict XII appeared first on The Soul Unleashed Podcast.