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The Symbolic World

Jonathan Pageau
Christianity
Genesis
Symbolism
Western Civilization
Artificial Intelligence
Christmas
Ralston College
Identity
Orthodox Christianity
Orthodoxy
Storytelling
Jordan Peterson
Dante Alighieri
Iconography
Creation
Holy Week
Marriage
Philosophy
The Divine Comedy
Materialism

Jonathan Pageau looks at symbolism in all its forms, from its source in sacred stories and images to contemporary culture and ultimately how it shapes the world we encounter.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes453Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityEducation

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Artwork for The Symbolic World

Latest Episodes

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:... more

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, cul... more

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 suffe... more

YouTube

This is a talk I did at Hillsdale College in March 2026. In this talk, I explore mythological thinking as a way of understanding how facts become meaningful. Facts do not present themselves to us neutrally. They are always organized by care, relevanc... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Josiah Trenham
Orthodox priest and theologian
Episode: 448 - Fr. Josiah Trenham - How to Integrate Faith, Family, and Nation
Kale Zelden
Teacher, writer who writes on Substack; involved in This Little Corner; past podcast with Rod Reier
This Little Corner; Substack writer
Episode: 443 - Kale Zelden - There’s Still Time to Read the Great Books
Dr. Zach Porcu
Author of Journey to Reality, Orthodox scholar
Journey to Reality
Episode: 440 - Dr. Zachary Porcu - Journey to Reality: De-Secularize Your Life
Pavel Shchelin
Orthodox Christian, political philosopher
Traditional political theology / Plutarch course
Episode: 439 - Pavel Shchelin - Plutarch: Symbolism of History with Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin
Matthew Wilkinson
Organizer of the concert event and host of the Pursuit of Beauty podcast
Pursuit of Beauty
Episode: 435 - The Song of Creation (Charleston talk)
Joshua Sturgill
Bookseller, world traveler, and educator
Eight Day Books
Episode: 431 - Joshua Sturgill & Dcn Seraphim Rohlin - The Art of Imitating Heaven: Structure and Meaning in Ancient Cosmology
Jean-Philippe Marceau
The author of 'Poultre Ductionist Christianity, A Way Out of the Meaning Crisis'
Episode: 430 - JP Marceau - The Mythology of Demographic Collapse
Dr. Iain McGilchrist
Chancellor of Ralston College, psychiatrist, and neuroscientist
Ralston College
Episode: 427 - Dr. Iain McGilchrist - Artificial Intelligence, Possession, and Mental Illness
Andrew Gould
Explorer of symbolism related to orthodoxy and piracy
Episode: 426 - Andrew Gould - Monks and Pirates: Two Extremes that Explain the Rest of Us

Host

Jonathan Pageau
Host and primary organizer, focuses on symbolism, Iconography, and cultural critique.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • The Symbolic World helped renew the eyes I use to see the world, and has continued to help me grow in understanding and in wonder for years. Thank you!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    danielgratz
    2 months ago
  • Excellent

    My go to podcast. So much depth and meaning whilst remaining engaging and entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plloyd88
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Mind bending, life changing

    Jonathan Pageau has a very unique perspective and way. Everything is meaningful and part of the fabric of a universal human symbolism. I've been listening to his podcast for years and it's completely changed how I think. Would recommend. 10/10.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Topdogeagle
    South Africa3 months ago
  • Knowledge. Seeking Knowledge.

    I will admit at times this show is out of my lane, but when we are exploring scripture, Mr Pageau fills in the color where previous teachings have left blank. I listen as a podcast and occasionally YT.

    Gloria.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Glory1212
    United States3 months ago
  • Occultism wrapped in a thin veneer of Scripture.

    Your very well read sir and have an impressive amount of knowledge in your head. Your ability to articulate your thoughts is also admirable.

    But your inability to explain the need for the tree of good and evil, in under 45mins perplexes me.

    One might simply understand it’s necessity in Christ Jesus’s gift of Freewill. Your explanation put my Gnostic teachings alarm on red. I see little difference in your gospel and that of the Kabbalist.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sheepDog part Wolf
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

What you get is a uniquely symbolic lens on culture that rewards careful attention.
Listeners praise deep, transformative insights and thoughtful interviews.
Some episodes are challenging but consistently rewarding for those open to complex ideas.
A few listeners criticize perceived bias or esoteric focus, especially for newcomers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#144
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#165
Italy/Education
Apple Podcasts
#125
New Zealand/Education
Apple Podcasts
#131
Sweden/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

443 - Kale Zelden - There’s Still Time to Read the Great Books
Q: Why is the epic important for modern students?
The epic gives us a framework for meaning beyond the merely personal, showing how individuals respond to calls or temptations and how literature can anchor us in a shared human condition against a backdrop of modern irony.
443 - Kale Zelden - There’s Still Time to Read the Great Books
Q: What do you do with your students to make these old texts come alive?
I establish a baseline that I don't care about their immediate feelings; I want them to understand the text on its own terms, using analogy to connect to their lives and to reduce the distance between ancient and modern readers.
441 - Mary Harrington - Technology, AI, and Cultural Memory
Q: So Mary, thanks for talking to me.
Mary responds by outlining her background as a writer and how her perspective has evolved over years, stressing that her core worldview remains consistent even as public discourse has changed.
439 - Pavel Shchelin - Plutarch: Symbolism of History with Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin
Q: And my question for you would be something like, why Plutarch?
Plutarch is compelling because his Lives foreground human desires and actions, offering a universal grammar of political symbolism that transcends time and helps readers understand contemporary power dynamics through character and story.
440 - Dr. Zachary Porcu - Journey to Reality: De-Secularize Your Life
Q: What motivated the writing of Journey to Reality?
The guest explains it was to provide college freshmen and later general readers with a concise, high-school-level introduction to metaphysics and epistemology that reframes basic religious categories, making the material accessible and relevant to everyday life.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Symbolic World

What is The Symbolic World about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of symbolism across religion, history, literature, and culture, with a steady focus on how archetypes, myths, and sacred imagery shape contemporary life. Conversations often bridge Orthodox Christian perspectives with wider cultural critique, touching on faith, politics, technology, education, and art. Notably, the host and frequent guests curate a distinctive lens that connects ancient wisdom to modern meaning, sometimes featuring deep-dive analyses of texts, icons, and historical ideas, and regularly promoting a symbolic World Summit. The show stands out for its invitation-only, idea-forward approach that appeals to listeners seeking meaningful, context-rich discussions rather than surface-level commentary.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Symbolic World?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Symbolic World:

1. The Lord of Spirits
2. The Whole Counsel of God
3. The Arena
4. First Things Podcast
5. Jay'sAnalysis

How many episodes of The Symbolic World are there?

The Symbolic World launched 8 years ago and published 453 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Symbolic World?

Recent guests on The Symbolic World include:

1. Josiah Trenham
2. Kale Zelden
3. Dr. Zach Porcu
4. Pavel Shchelin
5. Matthew Wilkinson
6. Joshua Sturgill
7. Jean-Philippe Marceau
8. Dr. Iain McGilchrist

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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