• 460 - Dn. Seraphim Rohlin - Universal History: The Origin of the Nephilim
    Jun 26 2026
    In this conversation with Deacon Seraphim Rohlin, we continue our exploration of Genesis through the Syrian tradition, looking especially at Seth (Adam and Eve’s son after Cain and Abel), the Nephilim, and the fall of the sons of God. What begins as a discussion of the descendants of Seth becomes a way of understanding the descent from the holy mountain, the corruption of Cain’s line, and the strange traditions around giants, demons, music, desire, and the second fall before the flood.

    YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/3D2bRWrbKUU
    Episode 1 of this series: https://youtu.be/f--wBUEAxjY?si=cJE6aczhbDx13AoI

    Fr. Stephen De Young talking about Nephilim with Tucker Carlson: https://youtu.be/5x9vR5sKHFI?si=nBh9exyV3jkGYtWs

    📕 Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    📢 Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    Books (outside of the Bible) mentioned:
    The Cave of Treasures
    The Book of the Bee
    Book of Enoch
    Book of Adam
    Kebra Nagast
    Jubilees

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • 459 - The Future Belongs to Humans (Ottawa talk)
    Jun 24 2026
    This is a talk I presented at Chesterton Academy of Ottawa earlier this year.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/ETaRAauDxS0

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    00:51 - Intro music
    01:05 - Chesterton Academy introduction
    03:28 - Jonathan begins: art, AI, education, and the Pope’s encyclical
    05:53 - Why AI is not human intelligence
    08:18 - AI lacks embodied understanding
    10:47 - Money, efficiency, power, and the values behind AI
    13:07 - The Moloch trap and the AI arms race
    15:32 - AI’s impact on work and education
    17:01 - The anti-human vision of technocracy
    18:40 - What education is really for
    21:05 - Why learn art in the age of AI?
    23:50 - Little Red Riding Hood promotion
    24:46 - Remember, celebrate, and create
    25:57 - Remembering our stories and traditions
    29:36 - Celebrate what is good
    33:16 - Create in service of remembrance and celebration
    37:11 - Sincerity after irony and cynicism
    39:32 - Fairy tales, icons, and Christian visual language
    42:58 - Graphic novels, saints, and medieval storytelling
    44:28 - The challenge and opportunity of our time
    46:27 - Q: Is pessimism about AI justified?
    48:32 - Q: How can remembrance, celebration, and creation be transmitted practically in schools and families?
    53:23 - Q: Should schools return to oral exams and oral presentations because of AI?
    55:52 - Q: How much can we participate in or use AI without falling into the trap?
    58:31 - Q: What does cave art reveal about the relationship between man and art? Is art the signature of man?
    01:03:02 - Q: What is the difference between inventing something new and creating?
    01:07:20 - Q: Do strict rules in art stifle creativity? Why do people say beauty is subjective?
    01:10:04 - Q: How can we recover a true remembrance of the Middle Ages rather than seeing them as dark or backward?
    01:14:55 - Q: What is the difference between reading traditional stories and watching movies for entertainment?
    01:19:02 - Q: Why was beauty dismissed from art, and why is our built environment so ugly?
    01:21:07 - Q: What is your favorite piece of art in your home?
    01:23:28 - Q: Can AI be used as a Socratic interlocutor in education?
    01:26:36 - Q: What is the value of teaching classical languages like Latin and ancient Greek?
    01:27:45 - Q: How should young artists balance pursuing art with the need to make money?
    01:30:50 - Q: What is the importance of boredom, rest, silence, and imagination?
    01:33:15 - Q: Is re-enchantment, post-irony, and sincerity possible in an intentional way?
    01:37:08 - Q: How can different traditions unite against AI without losing their distinctiveness?
    01:41:39 - Q: How do we discern beauty in imperfect work, especially in a performative society focused on excellence?
    01:44:02 - Q: Where do you think AI is going, especially in education and culture?

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
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    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • 458 - What's at stake with The Odyssey (2026) by Christopher Nolan
    Jun 20 2026
    There’s a lot of expectation and noise around Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie, The Odyssey (2026). For decades after WW2 we were unable to tell many stories about kingship and fatherhood. As we move through the turbulent end of the WW2 consensus, stories like this form part of how we process the return of the father and identity.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/6prGX3wZKI8

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free. More than our other fairy tales, this one emphasizes the importance of the father’s role in protecting his family from the strange and subversive. https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    20 mins
  • 457 - Backrooms (2026): A Strange Return to Normal
    Jun 20 2026
    Backrooms (2026) is a recent horror/thriller film based on a creepypasta —an internet urban legend— that emerged around the time of the Covid lockdowns. A man discovers an infinite, labyrinthine expanse of "backrooms" that becomes increasingly disturbing.

    In this video, I analyze the symbolism of the film and explore the deeper reasons why it is so popular, outshining major blockbusters with much larger budgets and marketing campaigns. Enjoy.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/ZK6NaFsBGaM

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    25 mins
  • 456 - Gavin Ortlund - Who Can Be Saved?
    Jun 16 2026
    I had a discussion with Gavin Ortlund about the Orthodox Church's position on salvation outside the church.

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/RtC8ENpbOW4

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    Timestamps
    00:00 Introduction and background to the discussion
    03:08 Steelmanning each other’s positions
    04:12 Gavin summarizes the Orthodox view of salvation
    05:37 Jonathan explains salvation as healing and theosis
    06:36 Normative and non-normative ways of salvation
    08:13 Jonathan summarizes Gavin’s historical argument
    10:53 Gavin clarifies his thesis about Orthodoxy, Catholics, and Protestants
    16:40 Is the modern Orthodox view a return to earlier tradition?
    18:32 Gavin explains why the 9th–19th century period matters
    20:20 Disagreement over whether individuals can be declared damned
    22:57 Jonathan responds on Orthodox theological boundaries
    24:54 Debate over the 9th century and the Photian schism
    31:32 The question: Is Gavin a Christian brother?
    38:37 The Synod of Jerusalem and Protestant theology
    41:36 Jonathan reads from the Synod of Jerusalem
    43:56 Gavin responds to Jonathan’s use of an old blog post
    46:42 Gavin outlines the Synod’s language about Protestants
    49:12 Jonathan argues synods define norms, not individual destinies
    52:28 Gavin challenges the “normative” reading of the Synod
    55:20 Normative texts, dogmatic authority, and qualifications
    58:13 Theophan the Recluse and hope for the non-Orthodox
    01:04:16 St. Philaret of Moscow and leaving souls to God’s mercy
    01:09:35 Protestant missions in Orthodox lands
    01:11:23 Gavin defends Protestant missionary theology
    01:13:30 Jonathan critiques Protestant evangelism and denominationalism
    01:16:21 The Eucharist, communion, and institutional exclusivism
    01:18:16 Gavin explains why he is not Orthodox
    01:20:44 Jonathan on Christ’s presence and God’s desire to save all
    01:21:59 Are Protestants categorized like Buddhists or Muslims?
    01:25:36 Salvation as transformation into the image of Christ
    01:28:55 Theophan’s advice: focus on your own salvation
    01:30:06 Personal holiness and evangelism
    01:32:18 Calvinism, evangelism, and divine decree
    01:36:52 Predestination, foreknowledge, and the River of Fire
    01:39:59 Closing the theological discussion
    01:40:33 Gavin’s apology and reflections on online discourse
    01:42:59 A call for patient Protestant-Orthodox dialogue
    01:44:12 Jonathan’s closing thanks

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
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    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • 455 - Disclosure Day: The Last Boomer Propaganda Movie
    Jun 11 2026
    I went to see Spielberg’s Disclosure Day and found myself watching a strange, late-stage piece of boomer propaganda about aliens, media, religion, and who we are supposed to trust. Here are my thoughts on the symbolism of the film.

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SBGPLaGfVTc

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau

    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 454 - The Enemy Who Pretends to Be Your Friend
    Jun 9 2026
    We often think of enemies as those who attack us openly, but fairy tales also warn us about another kind of enemy: the one who comes close, pretends to be our friend, and destroys from within. I also discuss how this pattern appears in Scripture, culture, identity, and even technology, and why discernment is so important in our current moment.

    Buy Little Red Riding Hood now during the month of June and get the audiobook with for free: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/U8VXqPX1-0Q

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau

    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • 453 - Seraphim Hamilton - Isaiah: The Fifth Gospel
    Jun 2 2026
    I’m joined again by Seraphim Hamilton to discuss his upcoming Symbolic World course on Isaiah, beginning June 15th. We talk about why Isaiah is central for understanding Christ in the Old Testament, the relationship between prophecy, exile, the suffering servant, the gentile nations, and the deep symbolic unity between Scripture, liturgy, and creation.

    Join Seraphim Hamilton in studying the Book of Isaiah this June. Register now to get 15% off before the early bird sale ends: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-fifth-gospel

    YouTube version: https://youtu.be/lPpBFh2-V90

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    00:47 - Intro music
    01:01 - Introducing Seraphim Hamilton and the Isaiah course
    01:48 - Seminary, liturgy, and returning to Scripture
    02:39 - Why Isaiah?
    03:02 - Isaiah as a Christological book
    05:27 - High Christology in the Old Testament
    06:52 - Leviathan, Revelation, and the Angel of the Lord
    07:51 - Isaiah 27 and the serpent of Genesis
    08:22 - Sennacherib, Hezekiah, and the Angel of the Lord
    10:51 - Are Old Testament prophecies taken out of context?
    11:18 - Exile, Assyria, Babylon, and biblical prophecy
    14:57 - Course promo: The Fifth Gospel
    15:47 - Isaiah 14 and the fall of Satan
    16:44 - The king of Babylon and the Daystar
    19:06 - Isaiah 14, Isaiah 53, and the suffering servant
    22:46 - Venus, Lucifer, and Christ as opposite images
    24:22 - Angels, humanity, and the transfer of authority
    25:57 - Is the suffering servant Israel or the Messiah?
    26:23 - The Messiah as the son of David
    28:50 - The servant, the seed, and the restoration of Israel
    32:13 - How the nations participate in the promise
    32:41 - The Old Testament and the redemption of the nations
    34:54 - The mountain of the Lord and divine fire
    37:34 - The heavenly Jerusalem and Isaiah 60
    38:02 - Isaiah 59, incarnation, and the redemption of Israel
    40:19 - The nations coming to honor the Jewish Messiah
    43:14 - What the Isaiah class hopes to offer
    43:56 - Seeing Christ disclosed in the Old Testament
    46:36 - Symbolism, the Fathers, and the tight weave of Scripture
    47:44 - Course details: five classes on Isaiah
    48:49 - Closing and where to sign up

    🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
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    🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
    -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
    -Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins