Deep Talks | Cultural Theology with Paul Anleitner

In a first for me, I sit down for a deep discussion about religion and culture... with a politician! Tudor Dixon was the first female Republican nominee for governor in the state of Michigan. Long-time followers of my work know that I don't do political endorsements, nor do I demonize candidates or politicians.  But when her team reached out for an interview, and I expressed my convictions, they expressed sincere respect for those convictions and clear indicators of a good-faith dialogue. But give it a listen and tell me what you think in the discussion forum on Patreon! Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Dr. Clay Routledge is a leading expert in existential psychology. He is a highly cited scholar who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three books, authored two books, and received numerous awards for his academic research and student mentorship. He is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute and the coeditor of Profectus Magazine. https://www.clayroutledge.com/ Ben Wilterdink is the Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute, whose work focuses on the connection between economic and social policy and existential meaning. https://profectusmag.com/author/ben/   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Dr. Clay Routledge is a leading expert in existential psychology. He is a highly cited scholar who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three books, authored two books, and received numerous awards for his academic research and student mentorship. He is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute and the coeditor of Profectus Magazine. https://www.clayroutledge.com/ Ben Wilterdink is the Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute, whose work focuses on the connection between economic and social policy and existential meaning. https://profectusmag.com/author/ben/   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Joe Rogan's recent shift towards valuing the Kingdom of God marks a noteworthy cultural transition in attitudes towards religion. The discussion highlights how many modern substitute religions like sports and politics often fail to fulfill deeper human needs. It emphasizes the search for meaning in secular life and critiques the existential crises posed by a lack of transcendent narratives. Furthermore, it advocates for the communal and moral benefits of traditional religions while exploring the innate human longing for spirituality and community engagement.

Delve into the cultural significance of Halloween and its evolving role in society. Explore how the holiday connects with religious beliefs and classic monster movies, revealing deep existential questions. Discover the transition from deism to atheism as reflected in these narratives, highlighting our yearning for the transcendent. The conversation also emphasizes how monsters symbolize societal fears, sparking meaningful engagement with the themes of the season.

In this roundtable discussion, I talk with 3 experienced former psychonauts about their experiences with psychedelics and why each of them eventually left psychedelics to practice Christianity. Ashley Lande is an artist and writer. She is the author of The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever: Transcendence, Psychedelics & Jesus Christ. https://www.ashleylande.com/ Paul Risse is a modern-day Renaissance man. He is an author, speaker, skilled craftsman, and boutique home builder. He is the author of The Psychedelic Christian. https://a.co/d/aSPxrRs Joe Welker is a pastor and writer from Vermont who writes on Christian spirituality with Reformed mysticism and psychedelic subculture. https://www.psychedeliccandor.org   Deep Talks is a listener-supported podcast that is free of advertisements. Become a member on Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Andy Squyres, a Charlotte-based singer-songwriter and essayist, dives deep into the metamodern shift's effect on faith and communication about God. He questions whether traditional religious frameworks fail to capture the essence of spirituality. The discussion delves into the tension between authenticity and societal pressures, critiquing superficial relationships in a performance-driven culture. Squyres emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and finding gratitude amidst life's challenges, advocating for a reimagined approach to faith that embraces complexities and doubts.

Paul, a culture and religion enthusiast, joins health coach Nick Diller for an in-depth dialogue. They explore how religion serves as a guiding narrative in lives and the decline of traditional practices in favor of modern spirituality. The conversation draws parallels between fandom and religious community rituals and emphasizes the growing interest in Eastern Orthodoxy as a source of stability. They discuss the significance of storytelling in films, revealing how popular culture mirrors societal values and shapes our understanding of meaning.

Brett McCracken, a senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and author, discusses metamodernism as a hopeful counter to postmodern cynicism. He highlights evolving storytelling in film, blending sincerity and critical awareness. The conversation dives into the intersection of faith and popular culture, emphasizing authenticity and the church's engagement with contemporary longings. They explore how digital overload affects connections and the appeal of traditional practices in a fast-changing society, advocating for meaningful narratives amidst the chaos.

Justin Wells teaches documentary filmmaking at Biola Unversity and is the author of How to Film Truth. He has a Master's in Philosophy from California State University- Long Beach, a Master of Theology and Art from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master's in Art and Documentary Film from the Art Center College of Design. In today's episode, we discuss the concept of the hero's journey in storytelling & popular film and assess how we can discern whether the stories we consume are universally true.  @justinsmorningcoffee  https://justinwellsfilms.com/ Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast    Watch this episode on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5P9esW46w0&ab_channel=DeepTalks