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Artwork for Pop Apocalypse

Pop Apocalypse

Matthew J. Dillon
Precognition
Creativity
Time Loops
Philip K. Dick
Virginia Woolf
Spiritualism
Zen Buddhism
Technology
Creative Writing
UAP
Mysticism
Psychology
Religion
Photography
A Philosophy Of Madness
Simulation Hypothesis
Elephant 6 Collective
Ramanujan
Erik Davis
Catholicism

Pop Apocalypse explores gnostic, esoteric, and mystical currents in popular culture. The podcast features interviews with artists, musicians, and writers about the experiential and spiritual dimensions of their work. Music by Secret Chiefs 3.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes22Founded3 years ago
Categories
Religion & SpiritualityArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Pop Apocalypse

Latest Episodes

Episode 22 of the Pop Apocalypse features part two of Matt's epic interview with musician and mathematician, Robert Schneider. Robert and Matt discuss the status of the third Olivia Tremor Control record (2:44), and how that story is interwoven with ... more

Spirituality and The Elephant 6 Collective With Robert Schneider

In episodes 21 and 22 of the Pop Apocalypse, host Matt Dillon welcomes musician and mathematician Robert Schneider. Schneider is the lead singer of the psychedelic pop band The Apples ... more

In Pop Apocalypse, Ep. 20, we welcome actress, writer, producer, and activist, Amy Brenneman. After earning her B.A. in Comparative Religions at Harvard, Amy went on to a successful acting career, with star turns in the film Heat, as well as the show... more

In Pop Apocalypse, Ep. 19, we welcome author and musician, Gary Lachman, to the show. Lachman was the original bassist for the seminal new wave band, Blondie. He later became an intellectual historian; to date, Lachman has published twenty-six books,... more

In Pop Apocalypse, Ep. 18, we welcome theologian, author, and Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault, whose work combines the Christian contemplative and wisdom traditions, “The Work” of GI Gurdjieff, and the philosophy of Henry Corbin into a lived myst... more

Do we live inside a Matrix-like simulation? For Episode 17 of Pop Apocalypse, we welcome one of the leading theorists behind the simulation hypothesis, Rizwan Virk, to discuss that question. Virk is an entrepreneur, videogame pioneer, and academic au... more

For Episode 16 of Pop Apocalypse, we welcome composer, artist, and media theorist Paul Miller. Miller is best known for his music as DJ Spooky, the avant-garde turntableist who has collaborated with artists ranging from Chuck D to Yoko Ono. He has al... more

For episode 15 of Pop Apocalypse, we welcome assistant professor, Fryderyk Kwiatkowski, on to discuss the relationship between ancient Gnostic myth and modern cinema. Fryderyk takes us through the impact European intellectuals 20:29 Carl Jung, Hans J... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

Recent Guests

Robert Schneider
Musician, Elephant 6 / Apples in Stereo, mathematician
The Apples in Stereo; Elephant 6 Collective; Mathematics
Episode: Exploring the Mysticism of Mathematics with Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
Amy Brenneman
Actress, writer, producer, and activist
Episode: Acting, Dreamwork, and the Study of Religion - A Talk with Amy Brenneman
Gary Lachman
Author and musician known for works on occult history and figures like Crowley and Gurdjieff
Author, musician
Episode: From Rock Star to Occult Historian - A Talk with Gary Lachman
Rizwan Virk
Academic, author, video game pioneer, and entrepreneur
MIT; author of The Simulated Multiverse and The Simulation Hypothesis
Episode: Mysticism and the Simulation Hypothesis – A Talk with Rizwan Virk
Joyce Fredkin
Wife of Ed Fredkin, associated anecdote in interview
related to MIT computer science legacy
Episode: Mysticism and the Simulation Hypothesis – A Talk with Rizwan Virk
Paul Miller
DJ Spooky, multimedia artist and media theorist
DJ Spooky / Rhythm Science / Sound Unbound
Episode: AI, Hip-Hop, and the Digital Uncanny – A Talk with Paul Miller, aka “DJ Spooky”
Fryderyk Kwiatkowski
Assistant Professor in the Department of Culture and Digital Age Studies at the University of Krakow
University of Krakow
Episode: Gnostic Myth in Film - A Talk with Fryderyk Kwiatkowski
Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix
Musician, philosopher, and artist, known as the lead singer and songwriter of the band Liturgy.
Liturgy
Episode: Black Metal and Orthodox Christianity - A Talk with Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix of Liturgy
Jennifer Higgie
Painter, editor, and author known for her work in art history and contemporary art criticism.
Frieze Magazine
Episode: Women, Art, and the Spirit World - A Talk With Jennifer Higgie, Author of The Other Side

Host

Matt Dillon
Host and interviewer guiding conversations with guests across mysticism, esotericism, and culture.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Fascinating and compelling conversations with scholars and artists about spiritual matters. I listened to every episode with great enthusiasm.

    Audible
    5
    Aaron Pedinotti
    United States2 years ago
  • great conversations with fascinating people

    Fascinating and compelling conversations with scholars and artists about spiritual matters. I listened to every episode with great enthusiasm.

    Audible
    5
    Aaron Pedinotti
    United States2 years ago
  • Finally!

    This is the podcast I’ve been looking for! The host is erudite, funny, and has the perfect perspective to hold conversations with luminaries from the world of “occulture”. Listen up, you won’t be disappointed

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jojo from soho
    United States3 years ago
  • Let’s get weird

    Brilliant podcast on intersection of esoterica and pop culture. I hope it grows and receives the recognition it deserves.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dappercatfish
    United States3 years ago
  • An excellent leading edge podcast!

    This is an excellent podcast for deepening knowledge and discovery!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kristy Gordon
    United States3 years ago
  • Love it!

    Matt is a gem and so is this podcast! I’m excited to keep learning from the esteemed Dr. Dillon and his fascinating guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stay Free 87
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and thoughtful, provocative questions.
Erudite host with a knack for connecting ideas across disciplines.
Strong production and compelling storytelling.
Engaging conversations with luminaries from esoteric and cultural scenes.

Top Religion & Spirituality Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Integrating Wisdom Christianity and “The Work” of G.I. Gurdjieff: A Talk with Cynthia Bourgeault
Q: Are the people who come to your Wisdom Schools religious officiants, or do they bring contemplative praxis to everyday life?
They come from diverse backgrounds: clergy, therapists, businesspeople, students, and artists, all drawn to an inclusive Christian path that deepens practice and integrates contemplative disciplines into daily life, work, and leadership.
Integrating Wisdom Christianity and “The Work” of G.I. Gurdjieff: A Talk with Cynthia Bourgeault
Q: What drew you to study Christian contemplative tradition?
Cynthia describes her Quaker upbringing and the pull toward a quiet, presence-filled spirituality, which led her to explore centering prayer and Christian mysticism, eventually intersecting with Gurdjieffian practices through mentors and texts like Needleman's works and Keating's Open Mind, Open Heart.
Exploring the Mysticism of Mathematics with Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
Q: Can you describe the India trip and the moment your new theory clicked?
He describes visiting Ramanujan's hometown of Kumbakonam, the Ramanujan Temple, and Mysore, where a Christmas Day experience yielded a full conceptual breakthrough: a mental image of light delivering a unifying theory linking partitions and primes, which later formed his PhD dissertation.
Exploring the Mysticism of Mathematics with Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
Q: I would love to hear about your own personal experiences with Ramanujan and your journey into graduate math.
The guest recounts studying Ramanujan's life as a source of inspiration, his own transition from a music-focused career to graduate school at Emory, and how Ramanujan's dream-driven discoveries influenced his thinking about proving theorems, modular forms, and number theory. He emphasizes the emotional and symbolic power of Ramanujan's story in motivating self-taught learners.
Madness, Mysticism, and Philosophy – A Talk with Wouter Kusters
Q: What influences did you have that led you to write A Philosophy of Madness?
My experiences with madness prompted philosophical explorations and interactions with various thinkers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Pop Apocalypse

What is Pop Apocalypse about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive interview show that centers on mysticism, esotericism, and gnosis as it appears in culture, art, and technology. Recent episodes thread together music, mathematics, religion, film, and digital culture, exploring how spiritual ideas inform creativity, worldviews, and modern storytelling. Guests range from musicians and actors to scholars and technologists, often discussing how personal beliefs, ritual practices, and metaphysical ideas shape their work and the cultural landscape. The program stands out for connecting countercultural and esoteric traditions with contemporary art and media, offering listeners thoughtful context for the transdisciplinary moments where spirituality meets pop culture.

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How many episodes of Pop Apocalypse are there?

Pop Apocalypse launched 3 years ago and published 22 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pop Apocalypse?

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What guests have appeared on Pop Apocalypse?

Recent guests on Pop Apocalypse include:

1. Robert Schneider
2. Amy Brenneman
3. Gary Lachman
4. Rizwan Virk
5. Joyce Fredkin
6. Paul Miller
7. Fryderyk Kwiatkowski
8. Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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