Ultraculture With Jason Louv

Dive deep into the culinary history of America with our esteemed guest Christina Ward. From riding in the Wienermobile with Padma Lakshmi for "Taste the Nation" to her intriguing contributions to transgressive art, Christina's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In her latest offering, "Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat—An American History," set to release on September 26, 2023, Christina meticulously unravels how religious beliefs intersect with politics, economics, and most intriguingly, food. This work presents an alternate story of America, spotlighting true believers, charlatans, visionaries, and the many who walked behind them. She navigates with precision between academic studies, first-hand interviews, cookbooks, and religious texts, offering fresh insights into American history, all viewed through the lens of our kitchens. In this episode, we journey through the annals of religious influence on American culinary habits, discovering how food fads became mainstream and how vague spiritual movements of the 20th century used food as both a lure and a leash. With over 75 recipes from varied religious and communal groups, coupled with more than 100 historic images, "Holy Food" promises to be a treasure trove for historians, food enthusiasts, and the curious souls alike. Quoting the founder of the International Krishna Consciousness organization, Prabhupada, "This business—eating, sleeping, sex life and defense—this is common to the animal and to the human being," we embark on a conversation that promises to satiate both the mind and soul. Join us as we traverse the crossroads of faith, history, and the tantalizing world of gastronomy with Christina Ward. To explore further, dive into the world of magick with our free guided meditation at: https://start.magick.me. Show Links Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat—An American History Holy Food at Feral House Magick.Me

Embark on a transformative journey into the mystical realm of curanderismo with our distinguished guest Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., a seasoned curandera and a descendant of a long lineage of grandmother curanderas...! With an academic foundation from the University of California, Riverside, focusing on Mesoamerican shamanism, Erika seamlessly weaves the ancient with the contemporary. Her latest work, 'Veneration Rites of Curanderismo: Invoking the Sacred Energy of Our Ancestors,' serves as a beacon, guiding us on how to reconnect with our ancestors, shape our destinies, and deepen our healing paths. From the sacred energy of ancestors manifesting in various forms to the deification process of esteemed forebearers, Erika delves deep into the heart of ancestral veneration. In this episode, Erika unveils the rich tapestry of curanderismo, from the profound trance journeys and sacred gardening rituals to the art of ancestral altar-making and the path of Nepantla spirituality. Whether you're well-versed in curanderismo or just stepping into its enchanting embrace, join us as we explore the magic, stories, and wisdom that Erika Buenaflor brings to the table.

Today, we journey deep into the world of occultism with very special guest Mitch Horowitz, a PEN Award-winning historian, writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library, and a voice that has garnered respect across academic, journalistic, and subculture circles. Mitch's latest book 'Modern Occultism: History, Theory, and Practice,' takes us on a vibrant, epic journey through the annals of occult history. From the magical corridors of Cleopatra's reign to the revolutionary ideas of Madame H. P. Blavatsky, and the spiritual awakenings ignited by figures such as Aleister Crowley and Carl Jung. In his new book, Mitch unfolds the tapestry of hidden wisdom, the rise and influence of secret societies, the migration of magickal systems, and even the often-overlooked occult influences on iconic figures like Frederick Douglass and Isaac Newton. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of occultism in thought and practice. From the rebirth of esoterica during the Renaissance and the fin de siècle scientists studying the supernatural to the modern understanding of interdimensionality challenging our very perceptions...! Show Notes Pre-Order Modern Occultism Mitch Horowitz's Author Page Magick.Me

Dr. Connie Zweig, author of 'Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path,' discusses the interplay between spiritual longing and the shadow self, exploring the journey of spiritual awakening, challenges of betrayal, reclaiming spiritual authority, recovering from spiritual abuse, and the lives of renowned spiritual teachers. She also shares cautionary tales of contemporary spiritual leaders, emphasizing that meeting the shadow is an inevitable stage on the path to spiritual maturity.

Swedish author Carl Abrahamsson and American artist and psychoanalyst Vanessa Sinclair join us in an engaging conversation that explores the integration of magic, art, and psychoanalysis in their daily lives. As a married couple, they have successfully merged these fascinating fields, creating a unique blend of creativity, self-discovery, and mystical exploration. In this episode, Sinclair & Abrahamsson take us on a journey through their ideas, theories, practices, experiences, collaborations, successes, and even occasional failures. They share their relentless pursuit of erasing the boundaries between magic, mysticism, art, and the unconscious, experimenting with various artistic expressions while strengthening their occult work. We delve into their relationships with influential figures such as Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, their experiments with the cut-ups technique of William Burroughs and Brion Gysin, their insights into the power of exposure and honesty, and their exploration of dreams, creativity, inertia, entropy, and much more. Abrahamsson & Sinclair's casual and inspiring style offers an intimate glimpse into their lives, filled with experimental output, including portraits, photographs, film stills, collages, and cut-ups. Their insights provide a refreshing perspective on how psychoanalytic thinking, language, and artistic expression can have transformative power. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of Abrahamsson & Sinclair's work, filled with wisdom, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of deeper insights. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that unravels the extraordinary lives of two exceptional thinkers and creators! Show Links Carl Abrahamsson's Amazon Page Vanessa Sinclair's Amazon Page Carl & Vanessa's Patreon Quotes from Notable Figures "Vanessa Sinclair is a female William Burroughs for the age of desperation." - Val Denham, artist "Carl performs magick; he concretises meaning and brings forth revelation into his carefully focused vision." - Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, artist "Carl guides a new generation of thinkers into a future that asks what if and gets even more strange, surreal, beautiful, and mystical than one can dream." - Gabriela Herstik, author of Inner Witch: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Craft and Sacred Sex: The Magick and Path of the Divine Erotic. "Carl Abrahamsson is not only among today's leading occult writers and artists, but is, in fact, one of this generation's most vital public intellectuals. Carl is our magickal Moses hoisting a fiery serpent in the cultural wilderness." - Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and Uncertain Places.

Paul Levy, author of 'Undreaming Wetiko,' explores the mind-virus of wetiko and its connection to ancestral trauma. He discusses the wounded healer archetype, the importance of symbolic awareness, and the transformative power of recognizing the inner guide. The podcast delves into projection, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, abuse, multi-generational trauma, centralized control, and alternative viewpoints. Levy invites listeners to explore their website for healing and transformative resources.

Jim Christy is an author, artist, spoken word performer, and a man who was once described as 'one of the last unpurged North American anarchistic romantics.' With a life as colourful as his narratives, Christy's journey from the tough streets of South Philadelphia to his current residence in Ontario has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this intimate conversation, Christy reveals his diverse experiences with an array of unique personalities, from hobos and jazz musicians to boxers and prolific writers such as Charles Bukowski, Peter Trower, and Joe Ferone. We explore his adventures, his relationships, and his uncanny ability to transform life experiences into riveting tales and captivating performances. Jim delves into his childhood, recounting memories of growing up in a boxing-obsessed neighborhood, his early rebellious streak that found him riding freights, and his move to Canada to evade the Vietnam War draft. And we explore his fascination with outsiders, the heroes of his narratives, such as the veteran carnival performer Marcel Horne, the jazz musician Charlie Leeds, the leftist Emma Goldman and Martin Luther King, Jr. Join us as we traverse the unexplored paths of Jim Christy's life, filled with rebellion, creativity, and an undying spirit of adventure. Get inspired by Christy's journey of perseverance, self-discovery, and his relentless pursuit of an authentic life—don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that unravels the extraordinary life of an exceptional storyteller! Show Links Jim Christy's Amazon Page Jim Christy: A Vagabond Life, by Ian Cutler Magick.Me

In this episode of Ultraculture, we sit down with journalist Ika Johannesson to talk about her book BLOOD FIRE DEATH, on the history of Swedish Metal. From the book: "In the early 1990s, Swedish musicians revolutionized the international music scene with their groundbreaking interpretations of what Metal music could be. Suddenly, the mild-mannered Scandinavian country found itself at the forefront of a new movement with worldwide impact thanks to bands such as Entombed, Dismember, and At the Gates. The birth of black metal drove the culture to even greater extremes, featuring a rawer, darker sound and non-ironic death-worship. Soon churches in both Norway and Sweden were aflame, and before long Satanism emerged as more than just an image. "But how did it all start? Why did Sweden become a hotbed for such aggressive, nihilistic music? And who are the people and bands that brought it all about? Blood, Fire, Death: A Swedish Metal Story recounts the evolution of the genre from the massive amplifier walls of 1970s rock, through the church-burning Satanic 1990s, to the diverse and paradoxical manifestations of the scene today. This book focuses on the phenomena that have propelled the scene forward in an evolution that has not only been musical, but aesthetic and ideological as well. This book is a story about grotesque logos and icons that invoke death and darkness, but also a story of dedication, friendship, community, and profound love for music. "Author Ika Johannesson says, 'This is not the definitive history of Swedish metal. Instead, we've focused on bands, individuals, and phenomena which to various extents have propelled the scene forward.'" Enjoy the show!! Show Links Blood Fire Death: The Swedish Metal Story Magick.Me

In this episode, we delve into England's Hidden Reverse—the history of the occult industrial bands Coil, Current 93, Nurse With Wound, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, and the monumental spells they cast on music and popular occulture. Our intrepid guide on this journey is Scottish writer David Keenan, a literary and musical polymath known for his innovative contributions to the UK cultural scene. Born in April 1971, Keenan has worn many hats, from running Glasgow's iconic record shop, Volcanic Tongue, to shaping the dialogue around experimental music genres in The Wire magazine. As an author, he has written four critically acclaimed novels, with his debut, "This Is Memorial Device", bagging the Collyer Bristow Award for Debut Fiction. Keenan's seminal work "England's Hidden Reverse", the focus of this episode, is an in-depth exploration of the English esoteric musical underground, featuring exclusive biographies of the genre-defying bands Coil, Current 93, Nurse With Wound and many more. Based on exclusive interviews and privileged access to the bands' personal archives, "England's Hidden Reverse" unveils the unique cultural, artistic, and sexual milieu of the English underground. This is a TREMENDOUS episode that focuses not only on the mentioned bands, but on Keenan's own occult experiences and THE VERITABLE NATURE OF MAGICK ITSELF. ENJOY!!!!!! Show Links England's Hidden Reverse, 2023 Expanded Edition David Keenan's Amazon Author Page Magick.Me

I went to New Orleans and all I got was this awesome 2 1/2 hour sitdown with Damien Echols! Damien Echols, a profound teacher of magick, author, and martial artist, should need no introduction. You may know him from his appearance on the Midnight Gospel or his extensive work in the field of magick. In this episode, we sat down to take turns interviewing each other, resulting in a rich, two-and-a-half-hour conversation about magick—and much, much more. According to Damien, this episode is one of his last podcast appearances, so I was very honored to get the time to sit down with him. If you wish to continue following Damien and his teachings, you can find him on his Patreon page, where he shares extensive content on the practice of magick. And make sure to check out Magick.Me, my online school for magick, meditation, and mysticism...! The school's growing rapidly, with a large faculty of teachers offering a wide array of classes on the wide world of magick, including Tarot, astrology, Hermeticism, chaos magick, astral travel, and lots, lots more. New teachers and classes are constantly being added—check out Magick.Me here! Enjoy the episode, and see you in class!! Links: Damien Echols' Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DamienEchols Magick.Me: https://www.magick.me Subscribe to Ultraculture With Jason Louv: https://podcast.magick.me