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Artwork for The Symbolic World

The Symbolic World

Jonathan Pageau
Christmas
Boethius
Consolation Of Philosophy
Leviathan
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Christianity
Dragons
Western Civilization
Ralston College
Personal Crisis
God's Dog
Genesis
Sacrifice
Janus
Duality In Symbolism
Memory
Philosophical Wisdom
Literary Patterns
Mythology
Symbolism

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes416Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Symbolic World

Latest Episodes

In this video, I read and reflect on the first canto of Dante’s Divine Comedy — the opening of Inferno. This incredible canto puts the entire poem in perspective, serving as a microcosm for Dante's journey through inferno, purgatory, and into paradis... more

This talk took place at the 2025 Touchstone conference, Great and Wonderful Days: Rediscovering the Christian Life in a Post-Christian Age. The title of my talk was “This is the Day”.

www.touchstonemag.com/

Original YouTube version: https:/... more

YouTube

I explore how Disney’s Tangled reimagines the classic Rapunzel story and what these changes reveal about our modern world. Tangled captures a pivotal moment in Disney’s storytelling where there was a shift from the traditional fairy tale’s emphasis o... more

YouTube

Huge changes are happening in the political landscape. In this video, I reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and how this moment has deeply affected me toward recognizing how broken our unity has become. Drawing on symbolic insights, I explor... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Heidi White
Author, educator, and podcaster
Episode: 413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
Dr. Michael Levin
Director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, focusing on regenerative medicine and bioengineering
Tufts University
Episode: 411 - Dr. Michael Levin & Dr. John Vervaeke - Brave New Biology: Intelligence Trumps DNA
Dr. John Vervaeke
Cognitive scientist and educator known for his work in cognitive psychology and integrative approaches to knowledge
University of Toronto
Episode: 411 - Dr. Michael Levin & Dr. John Vervaeke - Brave New Biology: Intelligence Trumps DNA
Michael Diamant
Advocate for traditional architecture and proper urban planning
Episode: 408 - Andrew Gould & Michael Diamant - Architecture: The Most Important Art
Andrew Gould
Architect with a focus on classical architecture; co-founder of Orthodox Arts Journal
Episode: 408 - Andrew Gould & Michael Diamant - Architecture: The Most Important Art
Father Josiah Trenham
Orthodox Priest and speaker on marriage and civilization
Episode: 405 - Fr. Josiah Trenham - Marriage: The Bedrock of Civilization
Josh David Jordan
Texan filmmaker and creator of "El Tonto Pro Cristo"
Episode: 400 - A Dangerous Movie in the Best Way Possible
Nicholas Reeves
Musician, church musician, and educator, known in Orthodox circles.
St. Vladimir Seminary & Adelphi University
Episode: 397 - Nicholas Reeves - What Is Music?
Mary Harrington
Writer known for her insights on identity and AI
Episode: 388 - Mary Harrington - Identity After Postmodernism

Host

Jonathan Pageau
Host of The Symbolic World, focusing on the exploration of symbolism across diverse subjects including religion, culture, and art.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • Speaking from a worldview of Storytelling & symbolism

    He looks at each topic or discussion with a filter of story telling & symbolism, myth structures & patterns. He is an Eastern Orthodox Christian and an icon carver. They are taught symbolism heavily in learning that trade & uses that mindset to explore many modern topics. It’s very interesting if you are open minded & desire to hear from a worldview different from your own. If you find no value in exploring story, myths, icons, and how they connect with modern patterns or retellings of old stor... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Summerhills$
    United States20 days ago
  • Religious posing as intellectual

    Culturally narrow-minded, driven by one-sided belief without openness to other points of view, uninformed.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sy1096
    United Statesa month ago
  • Pre-Modern Understanding of Life

    Jonathan Pageau probably does more for the symbolic, anti-enlightenment movement in the popular mind than anyone else? He’s super interesting, well-spoken, and interviews a lot of interesting people. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TristanGp
    United States6 months ago
  • Terrific pod

    The criticisms about him being associated with Peterson are ridiculous. Peterson has done more for Christian evangelism than most Christians ironically. It’s not Jonathan’s fault he isn’t Christian yet. Also, don’t complain about the ads, that’s how he makes money. Just skip them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joe, Master-reviewer
    United States7 months ago
  • Phenomenal Delve into the Deep

    Very thoughtfully made podcast about spirituality (Orthodox Christian), theology, pop culture, history, stories (folklore, fairytales), and of course the symbolism that unites it all. If any of these things interest you, you’ll probably enjoy this. Some talks are harder to follow since they can go into some extremely deep topics but it’s always worth a listen. You will learn something new here, and it might just change your life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Soren Victoria
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The discussions are frequently described as deep and transformative, appealing particularly to those seeking meaning in spirituality and culture.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis of symbolism and its relevance in discussing contemporary issues.
Some critiques mention discomfort with commercial aspects, though many find the content valuable and enriching for personal growth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#183
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#95
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/Education
Apple Podcasts
#94
Colombia/Education
Apple Podcasts
#95
South Africa/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
Q: What is the role of Christ in the reconciliation of duty and desire?
Christ fulfills and subverts duty and desire through sacrificial love, inviting us to participate in this love and inviting us into a deeper understanding of joy.
413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
Q: How do you see the relationship between duty and desire in today's society?
Today, society often encourages following desires without restraint, which can lead to chaos, indicating the need for a balance between the two.
413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
Q: How do you see Aeneas in relation to duty and desire?
Aeneas is depicted as a character who chooses duty over personal desires, representing the concept that true fulfillment often requires sacrificing immediate desires for a greater good.
413 - Heidi White - The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life
Q: What do you mean by the divided soul?
The divided soul represents the internal conflict between the competing impulses of duty and desire within us, reflecting a war between what we ought to do and what we want to do.
400 - A Dangerous Movie in the Best Way Possible
Q: How have different audiences reacted to your film?
Jordan shares that while many non-Orthodox viewers grasp the film's narrative well, some Orthodox individuals have found certain elements confusing or have questioned its Orthodox representation, sparking important conversations.

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 comprehensive exploration of symbolism across various dimensions including religion, art, culture, and personal experiences is presented through engaging discussions and interviews with notable guests. The content frequently emphasizes the significance of traditional values, particularly within the context of Christianity, and how these influences intersect with modern society. Listeners are drawn into reflections on marriage, beauty, architectural traditions, and the deeper meanings embedded in stories and myths, all aimed at re-envisioning a world rich in meaning and connection. Unique insights around cultural narratives, historical contexts, and moral complexities augment these discussions, making them insightful for anyone seeking dep... more

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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. Pints With Aquinas
5. First Things Podcast

How many episodes of The Symbolic World are there?

The Symbolic World launched 7 years ago and published 416 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. Heidi White
2. Dr. Michael Levin
3. Dr. John Vervaeke
4. Michael Diamant
5. Andrew Gould
6. Father Josiah Trenham
7. Josh David Jordan
8. Nicholas Reeves

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