Cogito Ergo Pod

Another lengthy one for you here! In this episode we are delving into the little understood world of cultural and religious polygamy. We shall try to answer the questions: ​What is polygamy ​How does polygamy manifest itself around the world? ​What relationship does polygamy have with various world religions? ​How can I include a (personally) much loved reality TV programme? Find this podcast on m...

Do you have a long car journey, or some serious gardening to do? Then this tome of an episode is for you! In this episode we are discussing everyone's favourite weary traveller and missionary, Paul of Tarsus. We shall try to answer the questions: ​Who was Paul? ​Where can you go if you travel over 10,000 miles? ​What was his relationship like with other early Christians? ​Was he a Paul, or more a...

In this episode we are discussing everyone's favourite esoteric subject, divination. We are going to try to answer the questions: ​What is divination? ​How widespread is the practice of divination around the world? ​What are some of the more common manifestations of divination? ​What are some of the more...unusual divining practices? Find this podcast on most major podcast platforms, and give us a...

In this episode we are discussing some more vintage heresy in the form of Montanus and Montanism. We are going to try to answer the questions: ​What do we know about Montanus and his followers? ​What did doctrine did Montanus spread which caused such a stir? ​Does Montanism share anything with any modern Christian denominations? (Spoiler - yes it does!) Find this podcast on most major podcast plat...

In this episode, the first with new intro and outro music, we are discussing one of the earliest Christian writers and personalities, Ignatius of Antioch. We are going to try to answer the questions: ​What do we know about Ignatius' life? ​What did Ignatius write about in his Epistles? ​Does Ignatius deserve the moniker of Theophorus? Find this podcast on most major podcast platforms, and give us...

In this episode, the first recorded using Riverside, we are discussing one of the earliest heresies, Marcionism. We are going to try to answer the questions: ​Who was Marcion of Synope? ​What was it that Marcion taught? ​What texts did Marcion create, and why were they important? ​Is it fair to call Marcionism a form of Gnosticism? Find this podcast on most major podcast platforms, and give us a f...

On this episode we are looking into the world of the esoteric entity known as Lilith. We are going to look into: • The considered origin of the figure known as Lilith. • The complex mythology which emerged over the centuries from mystic and esoteric Judaism. • How people would protect themselves against Lilith. • And a variety of names and terms which I can barely pronounce! Find this podcast on m...

On this episode we are looking into the lives of two famous Georges. No, not George Michael, George Galloway, or George Takei! We are going to give you: ​The lives of two men named George who played two very different roles in the early Christian church. ​The detailed history and legacy of one, and another who may only figure in the margins of many great tomes.  ​The blurry lines between legend an...

FINALLY, the second part of our two-part decent into the Reformation! We are going to give you: ​A long winded list of famous reformation figures (with plenty of unpronounceable names). ​Some of the major events which took place during the Reformation period (and...spoiler...it is mainly just warring). ​A (potentially failed) attempt to find some humour in events that divided countries, towns, and...

On this episode we make a start on a topic so massive that we are going to use TWO episodes to discuss it (and even then it won't be enough)...  The European Reformation !If you last until the end of the episode you will have heard, in a seriously redacted manner, some of the background of the events that took place before the Reformation began. Purgatory, indulgences, simony, and plenty of reform...

In this episode we are going to take a tour of some 1200 years of Roman Catholic history, and look at the people who became like the Bizarro to their respective Pontificate Superman... the Antipopes!! We shall look at who some of the noteworthy ones were, how they become Antipopes, and what happened during their (often short) reign! I apologise for how much I geek out on this one...but it was so g...

In this episode we are going to take to take an introductory look at the world of Gnosticism. The mysterious and allegorical world of Gnostic teachings and theology is a very deep one. Let us then time the time to look at the origins of what we term Gnosticism. We shall look at the broad theology behind it, and also some of the practices associated with it. Many of us have heard the term, it is no...

In this episode we are going to take a deep dive into the global phenomenon of flood mythology. There seems to be no continent that doesn't have a tale involving a great and catastrophic deluge. We are going to look at some of these stories - where are they set, who is involved, how the does the flood manifest itself, and how does it all conclude. There will also be a look at the theories behind w...

In this episode we are going to wade across the Styx and throw Cerberus a bone, as we delve into the murky world of the Greco-Roman underworld, Hades. We shall explore where it is, how to get there, and who you can expect to see while you are down there! This episode was so interesting to do that a pigeon even joins in at times in the background (we shall just call him Herbert). Find us on Youtube...

In this episode we are going to lose ourselves in the heat and sand of Ancient Egypt and explore the life of Pharaoh Akhenaten, and his efforts to bring about a total religious revolution in the form of Atenism. We will look at who Akhenaten was and how he fits into the history of Ancient Egypt. Then we will delve into what he was trying to achieve in throwing out the old gods and goddesses, repla...

In this episode, released a little late to coincide with the holiday itself, we focus on the Jewish celebration of Passover (the abridged version). If you like a fascinating combination of plagues, infanticide, unique food combinations, and story telling, then Passover is the celebration for you! Come and join us on our whistle-stop tour of a holiday about 2,500 years in the making! Also, if you l...

Judaism is well known for its profound religiosity, but there is also strong esoteric tradition to it as well. In this episode we look at some of the stories surrounding the Golem. This hulk of clay, brought to life through Jewish mysticism, pervades cultures and centuries. We will look at the origins of the term 'Golem', stories surrounding the creation and destruction of numerous Golems, and the...

Scotland has always been a land shrouded in strong religious belief, yet with a foot always in the past before the advent of Christianity. In this episode we look at some of the myths and legends surrounding the Hebridean islands of Scotland. With such a long history of people living on these beautiful islands, it would only make sense that there should be plenty of stories and tales. Gruesome cre...

The history of the witch trials of the early modern period was a terrible chapter in the history of Europe and North America. On this episode we look at a particular example of witch paranoia in 16th Century Scotland, the North Berwick Witch Trials. We have a look at the background of witch trials in Scotland, what the events surrounding the North Berwick witch trials were, and who were the people...

The first episode of C.E.P. focuses on the mysterious ad ever sought after (even by everyone's favourite adventurer) - Ark of the Covenant. One of the most sacred Jewish artifacts, created under the direction of Moses, and treasured by the great kings David and Solomon, the Ark has considerable theological importance. Shrouded in mystery dating back to the foundation of Israel, the Ark vanishe...