How do we tease apart the gold from the dross? What can be salvaged from a subculture marred by charismatic con-artistry, power abuses, and the toxic ingredients that lead to conspirituality? Founder of the Flow Genome Project, Jamie Wheal joins Derek for a wide-ranging interview about his new book, Recapture the Rapture. Following up on his Pulitzer-nominated bestseller, Stealing Fire, Wheal makes an ambitious argument for a dazzling renewal of meaning and mystery through sacralized biohacking. Rapture can be recaptured, Wheal argues, through awe-thumping music, blessed sex, moderate psychedelic use, and conscious community, or as he puts it “ethical cults.” After the interview, we’ll discuss.

In the Jab, Julian looks at clotting issues and emerging reports of vaccine impacts on women. In the Ticker, Matthew reviews the NY Times investigation of Alan Hofstetter’s wife and her January 6th adventure. Derek covers conspiritualism in fitness bro culture while Julian reports on Christiane Northrup’s latest junk science infomercial.

Show Notes

New Jersey gym owners offer free membership to those who don’t get COVID-19 vaccine

What We Know About Ian Smith, the New Jersey Gym Owner Defying Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Orders

Anti-mask gym fined

Fitness centers are struggling to rebound from the pandemic

A Teacher Marched to the Capitol. When She Got Home, the Fight Began.

White women’s role in white supremacy, explained

Recapture the Rapture — Jamie Wheal

Cult Dynamics 101: a primer

Hypnotic Da Free John — Svengali of the truth-seeking set (San Francisco Examiner, 1985)

Guru hit by sex-slave suit (San Francisco Examiner, 1985)

Original Oregonian investigation into Osho and R

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47: Is An Ethical Cult Possible? (w/Jamie Wheal)