The Socratic Sessions
The Socratic Sessions explores humanity’s biggest questions—delving into philosophy, theology, history, science, and the enduring mysteries of religion.
Latest episodes
Apr 25, 2025 • 8min
Can Roleplaying Religion Change Belief? w/ Carl-Johan Palmqvist
🔍 Overview: Does practising a religion long enough blur the line between fiction and faith? Carl-Johan Palmqvist and Samuel explore whether extended immersion in rituals can shift atheists toward belief.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Lund UniversityPaper 1 (open access)Paper 2 (open access)Paper 3 (open access)🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#belief #religion #nonbeliever #immersion #ritual #philosophy
Apr 22, 2025 • 6min
Religious Fictionalism: Playing the Believer w/ Carl-Johan Palmqvist
🔍 Overview: Can you follow a religion without believing it? Carl-Johan Palmqvist and Samuel explore how religious fictionalists immerse in faith like role-players in a game—following rituals, obeying doctrines, and playing the part. But when does the role become real?🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Lund UniversityPaper 1 (open access)Paper 2 (open access)Paper 3 (open access)🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#fictionalism #religion #nonbeliever #agnosticism #roleplay #games #philosophy
Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 27min
The Philosophy Behind Magic, Ritual, and Illusion | David Alnwick | The Socratic Sessions | Ep #32
🔍 Overview: David Alnwick and Samuel explore the philosophy behind magic, ritual, and illusion, revealing how authenticity, psychology, and mysticism shape the magical experience.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin🗣️Highlights[Highlight 1]: How does authenticity shape the magic experience?[Highlight 2]: How do rituals in magic manifest psychological change?[Highlight 3]: What’s the link between magic, mysticism, and the supernatural?📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)WebsiteWhy magic should frighten you | David Alnwick | TEDxNewcastleDavid's Links🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#magic #ritual #illusion #belief #performance #experience #perception #philosophy
Apr 15, 2025 • 9min
The Occult, Evil, and ‘Pejorative Magic’ – What’s Really Going On? w/ David Alnwick
🔍 Overview: Magic has long been tied to the forbidden—the occult, paganism, and even outright evil. Samuel and David Alnwick dive into the cultural baggage of ‘dark magic’ and whether its practitioners are truly serious or just playing their roles to the fullest.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)WebsiteWhy magic should frighten you | David Alnwick | TEDxNewcastleDavid's Links🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#magic #occult #evil #pejorative #performance #experience #perception #philosophy
Apr 11, 2025 • 7min
Magic vs. Hecklers: How David Alnwick Handles Disruptions Like a Pro
🔍 Overview: What happens when the audience fights back? David Alnwick shares his strategies for commanding the stage, shutting down hecklers, and keeping control when things go off the rails.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)WebsiteWhy magic should frighten you | David Alnwick | TEDxNewcastleDavid's Links🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#magic #hecklers #performance #experience #perception #magician #philosophy
Apr 8, 2025 • 15min
The Ethics of Deception: When Does Magic Cross the Line? w/ David Alnwick
🔍 Overview: Magic thrives on illusion, but when does it become outright deception? Samuel and David Alnwick explore the ethical tightrope of stage magic—where misdirection turns into manipulation, and whether magicians owe their audiences the truth.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)WebsiteWhy magic should frighten you | David Alnwick | TEDxNewcastleDavid's Links🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#magic #deception #illusion #ethics #performance #experience #perception #philosophy
Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 36min
Pantheism: Cognitive Unity and The Divine Mind | Andrei Buckareff | The Socratic Sessions | Ep #31
🔍 Overview: Join Andrei Buckareff and Samuel as they explore pantheism, cognitive unity, and whether the universe itself could be a divine mind.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin🗣️Highlights[Highlight 1]: Is Pantheism Compatible with Ontological Naturalism?[Highlight 2]: Does Consciousness Point to a Divine Mind?[Highlight 3]: Can Pantheism Solve the Problem of Evil?📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Pantheism (Elements in the Philosophy of Religion) by Andrei BuckareffWebsiteTwitter🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#pantheism #divinity #god #creation #existence #unity #ontology #mind #philosophy
Apr 1, 2025 • 6min
Metaphysical Worldviews & Personal Preference w/ Andrei Buckareff
🔍 Overview: Andrei Buckareff and Sam examine whether our beliefs about reality are shaped by reason—or just personal preference.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Pantheism (Elements in the Philosophy of Religion) by Andrei BuckareffWebsiteTwitter🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#pantheism #divinity #god #existence #preference #metaphysics #mind #philosophy
Mar 28, 2025 • 5min
Pantheistic Limitations: What BINDS God? w/ Andrei Buckareff
🔍 Overview: If the universe is divine, does it have limits? Andrei Buckareff explores whether a pantheistic God is constrained by nature or choice.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Pantheism (Elements in the Philosophy of Religion) by Andrei BuckareffWebsiteTwitter🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#pantheism #divinity #god #existence #limits #metaphysics #mind #philosophy
Mar 25, 2025 • 9min
Defining Pantheism & Dispelling Misconceptions w/ Andrei Buckareff
🔍 Overview: Andrei Buckareff breaks down the common misconceptions about pantheism and explains why it’s often confused with other metaphysical views.🤝 Support The Show 🤘LocalsPayPalBitcoin📚 Episode Resources (affiliate links where possible - thanks!)Pantheism (Elements in the Philosophy of Religion) by Andrei BuckareffWebsiteTwitter🌐ConnectLinktreeSubstackTwitterFacebook PageInstagramGoodreadsBlueskyThreadsLinkedIn Page📺 Subscribe - Video PlatformsYouTubeRumble📷Gear (affiliate links - thanks!)Camera (Sony A6400)Lens (Sigma 16mm)Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4)Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1)Mic (RØDE PodMic)Lights (Elgato Key Light Air)Colour Back Lighting (Govee LED Floor Lamp)Recording Software (Riverside.FM)👍 Support: Like, subscribe, and share to fuel the quest for understanding.🔔 Stay Tuned: Tap the bell for instant notifications.📣 Join the Talk: Share your thoughts using #TheSocraticSessions.🚀 Thanks for Tuning In! Let's keep the conversation going.#pantheism #divinity #god #creation #existence #metaphysics #mind #philosophy
