Talk Gnosis

Talk Gnosis welcomes back Dr. Shirley Paulson to discuss her new FREE course on the Nag Hammadi and related texts. Dive into how these texts portray Jesus as a teacher and healer rather than a sacrifice, celebrate divine feminine figures like Mary Magdalene and Sophia, and offers seekers mystical, but practical wisdom, for navigating the world we live in. Featuring insights from renowned scholars and addressing common misconceptions and cliches about Gnostic (or if you prefer, “Gnostic”) this conversation invites listeners to discover how these ancient writings speak to contemporary spiritual needs. Take the course at https://earlychristiantexts.net/introducing-nag-hammadi-and-related-texts/ Dr. Paulson has a great blog post that goes through ten points about why the Nag Hammadi writings matter for right here and right now. Check it out for yourself and share it with someone you think might be interested! You can read it at: https://earlychristiantexts.com/the-nag-hammadi-library/  [https://ia800609.us.archive.org/17/items/audio-actual-final-nag-hammadi/AUDIO%20ACTUAL%20FINAL%20Nag%20Hammadi.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

We’re pretty sure this is our first show where the topic of God’s penis comes up a number of times! Talk Gnosis dives deep into the intersection of Jewish mysticism and sacred sexuality with Dr. Marla Segol, author of “Kabbalah and Sex Magic: A Mythical Ritual Genealogy.” From ancient texts describing God’s body to medieval mystical practices to modern manifestions of Kabbalistic sex magic, Dr. Segol and Jon explore how Kabbalists understood sexuality as a way to participate in divine creation and sustain the cosmos. Check out the book at: https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-08960-7.html  [https://ia800809.us.archive.org/30/items/audio-final-kabbala/AUDIO%20Final%20Kabbala.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

We’re starting an exciting new series here on Talk Gnosis: We’re now going to have regular episodes where Jason and Jon dive deep into what it means to engage with Gnosticism. There will be researched installments about key Gnostic concepts from history, as well as shows looking at Gnosticism in our present time. This is all starting with this ep, where we map out our approach as practitioners who value both research and lived experience. This kicks off what we’re calling “Gnosticism 201” – going beyond just explaining what Gnosticism is to really explore how to engage with it thoughtfully and critically in the modern world. We share our own different approaches but we emphasize there’s no “right way” to be Gnostic. Whether you’re new to Gnosticism or have been exploring it for years, we hope you’ll join us as fellow travelers in mapping out the Gnostic spiritual landscape.  [https://ia902306.us.archive.org/0/items/mapping-gnosticism-audio/Mapping%20Gnosticism%20Audio.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are pivotal pieces of English literature…and they’re Gnostic?! Yes, claims Dr. Paul Robertson in his paper with Gabrielle Scott titled “Gnostic Thought in Milton’s Paradise Lost: Descent, Creation, Materialism, and the Eve-Sophia Parallel.” Paul guests on Talk Gnosis to drop this epic discovery about these epic poems. Virgil-like, he takes us through Milton’s remarkable synthesis of Gnostic ideas about divine descent, materiality, and salvation. From the Son’s role as a lower creator deity to Eve’s parallel with Sophia, Robertson illuminates how Milton wove ancient Gnostic themes into his masterworks. Don’t miss this revelation of how one of the greatest works in the canon draws on some of the West’s most controversial early traditions. -Deacon Jon shaking his fist at the heavens- “Better to reign in the Hell of low audience and low revenue esoteric content than serve in the Heaven of popular conspiracy content falsely labelled Gnostic.” But seriously, this turned out to be a really fun one and it won’t feel like homework so check it out! Email Dr. Robertson at Paul.Robertson@unh.edu for a copy of the paper!!  [https://ia800105.us.archive.org/22/items/final-paradise-lost-audio/Final%20Paradise%20Lost%20AUDIO.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

In our special Talk Gnosis Christmas Special for 2024, our panel of superstars Nic Laccetti, Joanne Leone, and hosts Jason and Jon tackle Christmas through a uniquely Gnostic perspective, uncovering how early Christians encoded anti-imperial messages within the Nativity story while examining the complex interplay between Christian and pagan winter celebrations. The conversation weaves through topics like St. Nicholas’s controversial history, the wild “Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” and how different cultures adapt these celebrations: give us a listen this holiday and explore the season’s deeper spiritual and cultural significance.  [https://ia800805.us.archive.org/11/items/audio-final-xmas-24/AUDIO%20Final%20Xmas%2024.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Marguerite Rigoglioso, scholar, spiritual teacher, and author, guests on Talk Gnosis to take us into the life and spiritual significance of Mother Mary. Marguerite shares insights from her new book, “The Secret Life of Mother Mary: Divine Feminine Power for Personal Healing and Planetary Awakening.” The conversation covers Marguerite’s own spiritual journey, the rediscovery of Mother Mary as the Goddess of the West, and the substantial yet often overlooked role Mary played in Jesus’ life and beyond. Marguerite also reveals fascinating details about Mary as a healer, a spiritual mentor, and an incarnated goddess, drawing from suppressed Gnostic Gospels and ancient texts. The episode culminates with an exploration of Mary’s continued relevance as a source of spiritual support and guidance in the present day. Order and buy the book wherever you get your books or at https://www.innertraditions.com/books/the-secret-life-of-mother-mary Check out more Marguerite at https://www.sevensistersmysteryschool.com/  [https://ia800803.us.archive.org/29/items/actual-final-mary-audio/Actual%20Final%20Mary%20Audio.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

It’s our fav returning guest….Deacon Jon. Plus, Jason has guest host Nic Laccetti back to grill this guy. Jon shares insights from his recent academic paper exploring the intersections between ancient Gnostic theology, Lacanian psychoanalysis, and critical theory. The discussion delves into how these three distinct frameworks offer complementary perspectives on human desire, lack, and our relationship with modern market systems. Jon explains how Gnostic myths about divine wisdom and separation resonate with Lacanian concepts of psychoanalytic lack and desire, while offering fresh perspectives on how these ideas apply to contemporary life. The conversation takes an interesting turn when examining how these combined frameworks can help us understand modern market systems as a kind of deity that shapes human consciousness and behavior. Rather than simply critiquing capitalism or promoting a return to some imagined “true self,” we explore how Gnostic thought might offer more nuanced ways to understand and navigate our relationship with markets and desire.  [https://ia800104.us.archive.org/10/items/actual-final-lacan-jcs-made-with-clipchamp-1/Actual%20Final%20Lacan%20JCS%20%20%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp%20%281%29.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Talk Gnosis interviews Terry Robinson and Puka from the Mage podcast about their recent episode exploring Gnosticism through the lens of the role-playing game Mage: The Ascension. The discussion goes into how role-playing games can serve as gateways to understanding complex philosophical and spiritual traditions, with both hosts sharing how games like Mage encourage players to explore different worldviews and ways of understanding reality. The conversation expands beyond just Gnosticism and Mage to explore how role-playing games can be a “technology” for safely exploring spiritual and philosophical ideas and help players engage with concepts of wonder, belief, and personal transformation in ways that can carry over into their real lives. Check out Mage the Podcast at: https://magethepodcast.com/  [https://ia600605.us.archive.org/27/items/talk-gnosis-mage-gnosticism-w-mage-the-podcast/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20Mage%20%2B%20Gnosticism%20w-%20Mage%20the%20Podcast.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Join us this Halloween for our second All Hallow’s bonus show as we take a deep dive into the hidden occult symbolism of Hammer’s 1958 classic “Dracula” with M.R. Osborne. In this special episode, we explore how this awesome horror film contains layers of esoteric meaning that most viewers have missed for decades. Osborne reveals how the film’s iconic final scene actually encodes complex metaphysical ideas about spiritual reintegration and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Whether you’re a horror film enthusiast or interested in mystical and occult traditions, this interview pulls back the curtain on one of cinema’s most thoughtfully crafted supernatural tales, revealing how someone at Hammer Studios may have deliberately woven ancient mystical teachings into their masterpiece of horror. You can watch the scene in Dracula that we discuss on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ssvgMHCa45s?si=5Xzg7xGp8p8HQGAa&t=128 Check out the article that inspired this interview and that has screen caps that we discuss in the interview at: https://www.mrosborne.co.uk/authors-blog/dracula-1958 Watch the whole movie of Dracula (1958) AKA The Horror of Dracula at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8eydvs  [https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1946529039-jonathan-stewart-570041071-draculas-occult-secrets-w-mr-osborne.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Dr. David Goodin has arisen once again to join us for a Halloween show. In an age where vampire mythology permeates popular culture, Goodin’s new article “WHAT WE [ACTUALLY] DO IN THE SHADOWS: Vampires in Orthodox Christianity through the lens of Kostova’s The Historian” explores the complex relationship between Orthodox Christianity and vampire folklore. Discover how the Orthodox Church’s historical accommodation of vampire beliefs and warrior-saint veneration has had far-reaching consequences that echo into modern geopolitics. From the streets of ancient Constantinople to the modern battlefields of Eastern Europe, Dr. Goodin traces how popular demands have shaped both vampire folk beliefs and theology in unexpected ways, revealing surprising impacts on major issues affecting our present world. Get the book when it’s out https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781978716896/Theology-and-Vampires He mentions this article as well: Fractured Orthodoxy: The Apocalypticism of the Russian World (Russkii Mir) Theology https://www.academia.edu/125016498/Fractured_Orthodoxy_The_Apocalypticism_of_the_Russian_World_Russkii_Mir_Theology  [https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1945653563-jonathan-stewart-570041071-talk-gnosis-the-vampires-shadow-w-dr-david-goodin.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​