LIMINAL NEWS with Daniel Pinchbeck

This is an audio version of my recent video essay based on my recent Substack post, "Toxic Empathy: The Supreme Court and the Death of Christian Compassion." I explore how right-wing Christian nationalism has inverted the moral teachings of Jesus—transforming empathy into sin and cruelty into virtue. Drawing on Herbert Marcuse, Joy DeGruy, and the Gospels, I unpack how repression, self-denial, and hierarchy have been sanctified as "tough love." Read the original essay here: https://danielpinchbeck.substack.com/... Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uudg-3tORj0 📚 References & Mentions Eros and Civilization — Herbert Marcuse Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome — Joy DeGruy Toxic Empathy — Allie Beth Stuckey The Sermon on the Mount, Gospel of Matthew Liberation Theology — Gustavo Gutiérrez, Leonardo Boff Meister Eckhart, Christian Mysticism ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #ToxicEmpathy #ChristianNationalism #DanielPinchbeck #LiminalNews #ErosAndCivilization #JoyDeGruy #LiberationTheology #PostTraumaticSlaveSyndrome #MeisterEckhart #Theology #Philosophy #Psychoanalysis #ReligionAndPolitics #CulturalCritique #VideoEssay #evangelism #christiannationalism #christofascism #christianity

I sit down with Ramez Naam—scientist, technologist, and award-winning sci-fi author—to unpack how we arrived at the brink of democratic collapse, and what we can still do to pull back. Ramez and I first met years ago at Burning Man. Since then, he's become one of the most lucid voices connecting climate change, clean energy, technology, and political reform. We talk about the tech industry's dangerous silence, the manipulation of social media, the rise of AI influence operations, and why "everything is downstream from protecting democracy." He also shares hopeful insights about the unstoppable rise of clean energy, how humor and compassion can still bridge divides, and why the fight for the future will be won through both emotional resilience and civic action. 🎙️ Guest Bio: Ramez Naam is a computer scientist, futurist, and former Microsoft program manager. He's the author of The Infinite Resource: The Power of Ideas on a Finite Planet and the award-winning Nexus science-fiction trilogy. His work explores the intersection of technology, climate, and human evolution. 🔗 https://x.com/ramez 🔗 https://rameznaam.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #RamezNaam #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #Democracy #Authoritarianism #ClimateCrisis #CleanEnergy #TechEthics #AI #FutureOfDemocracy #BurningMan #PoliticalPolarization #SocialMedia #TrumpEra #Futurism

I sat down with Adbusters founder Kalle Lasn to talk about his new book "Manifesto for World Revolution" and his call for a "third crack at world revolution." Lasn reflects on the legacy of Occupy Wall Street and 1968, arguing that real change requires vision, not reaction. We explore his ideas for true-cost markets, meta memes, and a new Bottoms Up Majority Party—a "Third Force" that could redefine politics for the 21st century. Along the way, Kalle explains why activism must move beyond left and right, and why, in his words, humanity needs to "learn how to wobble again." 🎙️ Guest Bio: Kalle Lasn is the founder and editor of Adbusters magazine, known for its groundbreaking campaigns Buy Nothing Day and Occupy Wall Street. A lifelong media activist and cultural provocateur, he has written several influential books including "Culture Jam," "Design Anarchy," "Meme Wars," and "Manifesto for World Revolution." His work continues to inspire global movements for social and ecological transformation. 🔗 https://www.adbusters.org/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #KalleLasn #Adbusters #WorldRevolution #OccupyWallStreet #CultureJam #DanielPinchbeck #ThirdForce #MetaMemes #ClimateCrisis #TrueCostMarkets #GenZActivism #PoliticalChange #EcologicalEconomics #SystemicShift

Filmmaker Betsy Chasse, co-creator of "What the Bleep Do We Know!?", joins me to dissect how the New Age movement morphed into a billion-dollar self-help industry. We discuss cult dynamics, spiritual narcissism, the rise of Trumpian mysticism, and how "manifestation" culture paved the road from The Secret to MAGA metaphysics. In this episode, I speak with filmmaker, author, and cultural critic Betsy Chasse — best known as co-writer and director of the 2004 New Age phenomenon "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" Betsy reflects on the film's legacy and how its ideas about consciousness and quantum reality were later weaponized by the self-help industry. We explore the psychological and economic forces that turned spirituality into a marketplace — from the Law of Attraction to "conscious entrepreneurship." Together, we unpack how the wellness world's obsession with "positive thinking" and "manifestation" created fertile ground for denial, cult psychology, and authoritarian spirituality. Betsy speaks candidly about narcissism, greed, and the need for genuine compassion and social engagement in a time of disinformation, AI disruption, and creeping theocracy. 🎧 Guest Bio: Betsy Chasse is a filmmaker, author, and producer best known for co-creating "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" She has since written "Metanoia," "Killing Buddha," and hosts her Substack Betsy's Rants, where she takes aim at the commodification of spirituality and the contradictions of modern "conscious" culture. https://betsychasse.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #BetsyChasse #WhatTheBleep #NewAge #DanielPinchbeck #LiminalNews #LawOfAttraction #Consciousness #Spirituality #CultPsychology #WellnessIndustry #MAGA #AI #TheSecret #QuantumSpirituality

Frank Schaeffer grew up inside the birth of America's religious right — making films with his father, Francis Schaeffer, that helped launch the modern anti-abortion and Christian nationalist movements. In this episode, we unpack how that movement gave rise to Trump, how money and media corrupted the church, and what real spirituality looks like beyond ideology. Frank was at the center of it all in the 1970's and 1980s— collaborating on the series "Whatever Happened to the Human Race" with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and witnessing firsthand how religion, politics, and money fused into a powerful cultural machine. We explore how those forces evolved into today's Christo-fascist MAGA movement, how Trump became the "chosen" figurehead for a corrupted theology, and what Frank calls "the expert witness to a crime that never ended." Frank also discusses his new book, "The Gospel of Zip," a memoir-philosophy written through the lens of his relationship with his dog. It's about empathy, cooperation, and what he calls "the survival of the friendliest"—a human alternative to the cruelty and greed of Trump-era politics. 📘 Frank Schaeffer – "The Gospel of Zip" https://www.thegospelofzip.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #FrankSchaeffer #TheGospelOfZip #ChristianNationalism #ChristoFascism #EvangelicalRight #TrumpEra #FaithAndPolitics #AmericanSpirituality #ReligionAndPower #EvangelicalMovement #CultureWars #DanielPinchbeck #Deconstruction #MAGAChristianity

Liberal capitalism tells us to be good and bad at the same time—innovate, compete, and care. In this episode, I talk with economic anthropologist Brett Scott, author of "Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for Our Wallets", about the failure of liberal reformism, the rise of tech-fueled authoritarianism, and how the ESG illusion collapsed into the culture wars. In this episode of Liminal News, I speak with Brett Scott about what he calls "the contradiction at the heart of capitalism." We unpack how liberal capitalism's moral split—between ruthless competition and moral virtue—has produced both guilt and confusion across modern society. Brett traces the lineage of "good capitalism" from ESG investing to tech-driven "effective altruism," and explains how the right wing and figures like Trump, Musk, and Thiel have exploited that contradiction. We dive into the symbolic death of liberalism, the collapse of reformist fantasies like "stakeholder capitalism," and the rise of a new authoritarian capitalism cloaked in techno-utopian ideals. Later, Brett explores how crypto, stablecoins, and private tech empires are reshaping global power—and what a truly progressive, peer-to-peer alternative might look like. 👉About: Brett Scott is an author, economic anthropologist, and journalist exploring the intersections of money, power, and technology. He's the author of "Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for Our Wallets" and writes the Substack Altered States of Monetary Consciousness. His latest work examines the politics of cash, digital finance, and the psychological architecture of capitalism. 📺 YouTube: / @brettscott 📰 Substack: https://www.asomo.co/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #BrettScott #DanielPinchbeck #Liberalism #Capitalism #Crypto #ESG #PeterThiel #ElonMusk #MarcAndreessen #TechIdeology #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Cloudmoney #Finance #AI #Politics #Utopia #Dystopia #SurveillanceCapitalism

What role did drugs play in the Third Reich—and how are psychedelics shaping our future? I sit down with Norman Ohler, author of "Blitzed" and "Tripped," to explore hidden history, consciousness, and the power of altered states. In this episode of LIMINAL NEWS, I talk with acclaimed German author Norman Ohler, best known for his groundbreaking book "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich." We explore the hidden story of methamphetamines in Nazi Germany, Hitler's staggering drug intake, and how these revelations reshape history. We also dive into his follow-up book "Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of Psychedelics," which uncovers the early history of LSD, Nazi-era drug experiments, and how CIA programs like MKUltra grew out of those foundations. Along the way, Norman and I share personal experiences with psychedelics, including ibogaine, and reflect on their potential to transform individuals and societies. We also discuss Rudolf Steiner, Western esotericism, and the importance of reclaiming spiritual traditions in our fractured world. 👉About: Norman Ohler is a German novelist, journalist, and historian best known for his international bestseller "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich," which revealed the hidden role of methamphetamines in Nazi Germany. His follow-up, "Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of Psychedelics," traces the early history of LSD and its entanglement with intelligence agencies and Cold War experiments. Ohler's work blends meticulous archival research with narrative storytelling, reshaping our understanding of history, politics, and consciousness. https://www.normanohler.de/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #NormanOhler #Blitzed #Tripped #Psychedelics #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #Ibogaine #RudolfSteiner #MKUltra #LSD

In this episode of LIMINAL NEWS, I talk with Ralph White and Walter Alexander about the extraordinary life, teachings, and legacy of Rudolf Steiner—a visionary philosopher, spiritual scientist, and founder of biodynamic agriculture, Waldorf education, and anthroposophy. We explore Steiner's esoteric Christianity, his teachings on reincarnation and the evolution of consciousness, the challenges of our technological age, and how his ideas remain profoundly relevant today. 👉 Sign up for the month-long Rudolf Steiner seminar here: 🌐 https://www.liminal.news/awakening-th... 👉Ralph White Bio: Ralph taught the first course on holistic learning at NYU, and is the author of The Jeweled Highway: On the Quest for a Life of Meaning. He is director of the New Center for Holistic Learning NY and was co-creator of the New York Open Center, the city's leading venue for holistic programs for over 35 years. Ralph also directs the Esoteric Quest, a series of international conferences on the Western Esoteric Tradition, and is a long-time student of Rudolf Steiner's work. 👉Walter Alexander Bio: Walter has long been a prominent facilitator and program director at Anthroposophy NYC. He has been a fiction writer, teacher (public and Waldorf) and medical journalist (conventional and alternative) and is the author of Hearts and Minds: Reclaiming the Soul of Science and Medicine (Lindisfarne, 2019) and many articles. ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #RudolfSteiner #Anthroposophy #Consciousness #EsotericChristianity #Spirituality #WaldorfEducation #BiodynamicFarming #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck

What role do psychedelics play in shaping culture, spirituality, and the future of consciousness? I sit down with journalist and author Joe Dolce to explore his latest book on psychedelics, the neuroscience of altered states, the wisdom of indigenous traditions, and the risks of commercialization. From ayahuasca to MDMA to microdosing, our conversation opens new perspectives on how psychedelics can transform our lives — and society. 👉About: Joe Dolce is a journalist, author, and media coach. He served as editor-in-chief of Details magazine and has written extensively on culture, consciousness, and psychoactive substances. His book Brave New Weed explored cannabis culture, and his new work brings a fresh, integrative perspective on psychedelics, blending neuroscience, indigenous wisdom, and personal practice. https://joedolce.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #Psychedelics #JoeDolce #LiminalNews #Consciousness #Ayahuasca #Microdosing #DMT #MDMA #PsychedelicScience #Spirituality #danielpinchbeck

DMT as a hidden technology? Jeffrey Kripal & Andrew Gallimore join Daniel Pinchbeck to explore consciousness, aliens & the end of history. In this episode of the Liminal News, I sit down with two extraordinary thinkers: Jeffrey J. Kripal, historian of religions and author of "The Superhumanities" and "Secret Body," and Andrew Gallimore, neuroscientist and author of "Death By Astonishment", "Alien Information Theory" and "Reality Switch Technologies." We dive deep into the implications of DMT research, extended-state psychedelic experiments, and the possibility of human contact with non-human intelligences. We explore the "death by astonishment" experience, the limits of materialism, and the surprising parallels between ancient religious visions and cutting-edge psychedelic science. Could DMT be a kind of hidden "technology" that points humanity toward a higher-dimensional reality? Are we approaching a civilizational tipping point — an "end of history" moment? And what can science and the history of religions teach us about the true nature of consciousness? 📖 Guest Bios: Jeffrey J. Kripal is a professor of philosophy and religious thought at Rice University and the author of numerous books including "The Superhumanities," "Authors of the Impossible," and "Secret Body." His work examines the intersections of consciousness, altered states, mysticism, and the paranormal, challenging the limits of materialist science. https://jeffreyjkripal.com Andrew Gallimore is a neurobiologist, chemist, and pharmacologist based in Japan. His research focuses on the DMT experience, extended-state psychedelic immersion, and the interface between neuroscience, mathematics, and higher-dimensional theories of reality. He is the author of "Alien Information Theory" and "Reality Switch Technologies." https://buildingalienworlds.com ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram: @danielpinchbeck Official Website: www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #DMT #JeffreyKripal #AndrewGallimore #Psychedelics #Consciousness #AlienInformationTheory #Superhumanities #SimulationTheory #EndOfHistory #DeathByAstonishment #Shamanism #Paranormal #Mysticism #terencemckenna