Heavy Things Lightly

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our world in far reaching and profound ways. Perhaps overlooked is the spiritual impact it has had on all of us. Namely, the ubiquitous mask, which prior to this was reserved for thieves, select medical persons, and old world cultures.  To help us make sense of all of this John invited Fr. Silouan back on. As an iconographer and someone well versed in traditional...

While there could easily be parts three through infinity, we are ending our foray into evolution here. But hold on, because on this episode we take a look at the philosophical and rational underpinnings of evolution. We examine the idea as it transitions from theological into its post-enlightenment rational theory. Also featured is the Birmingham Lunar Society. What? Links: Kenya bishop leads anti...

In part one of this two part exploration of evolution, John dives into the idea of evolution as seen from the past and present. We also learn a bit about how many people actually believe in evolution both in the States and abroad. The numbers may surprise you! For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse". This semester's course is called "Are you a Co...

Are we suffering from a thanksgiving problem? Is giving thanks irrational (but really...is it?). Today John and Dan look at a bunch of hardcore "light" people (post-enlightenment people) who argue that in fact, your gratitude may be something akin to a vestigial organ. Of course the Old World will have something to say about that. Welcome to episode 43 of WAWTAR! Links: 5 Things You Shou...

You read it right. Uncles Seth is both A) back again and B) calculating how long he has left on this earth. Things are light despite the topic so we hope you'll join us yet again as everyone wonders aloud, "Why are we talking about rabbits?" --- For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse". This semester's course is called "Are you a Co...

This week WAWTAR is proud and honored to be hosting Eugene Vodolazkin. John and Eugene explore topics related to time and history, memory and of course, Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Mr. Vodolazkin is an internationally recognized author, having written Laurus and The Aviator (links below), and has submitted published articles to the First Things magazine. Enjoy this wonderful talk with Eugene and make sure...

Hello and welcome (back!) to WAWTAR. After a week off we are back and talking about something on everyone's mind, wait, face. Of course we had to talk about masks at some point and we finally got around to it. What are they really? What are they in the "Old World?" And for us... what are they in the "New World?" Links: Behind the Mask: The History and Symbolism of the Pand...

Most of us live in one, but what is it really? A place to live? A place to work? What about a place to become human? Or discover your purpose? Yikes. Don't worry though, Heers keeps things light as we dip into the idea of a city. Links: The Line - A Linear City in Saudi Arabia The Republic - Plato Coomaraswamy, Ananda (Amazon Link) For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WA...

What is Capitalism? Is it an economic model or something more? We take a look at Adam Smith and his contemporaries to better understand what capitalism actually is, which as John argues, is much more than a system of economics. Rather the extension of an idea called individualism. Links: How did the Enlightenment Influence Modern Economics Clark Carlton: My Two Cents on Capitalism Ayn Rand: Introd...

On todays episode of WAWTAR Heers talks with Roifield Brown. Roifield is known for his "10 American Presidents" podcast, but also produces six more and has published hundreds of episodes total. He is the founder of MyVillage.com , has radio shows, directed live TV and has contributed to the Huffington Post from time to time. He also happens to be an avid international traveler. Today Hee...

Welcome to episode 35 of WAWTAR. Today Heers looks at the life of General Curtis LeMay and his thoughts on air combat and how that relates (it does) to modern love and marriage. But more importantly we examine what it is we base our decisions on in life. Links: Bomber Mafia, Revisionist History Land Your Man podcast What is a Sutra (Wikipedia) For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly &...

He's back. It's Uncle Seth again and we're discussing "cancel culture," New World commandments, and if it's possible to be friends with people on the other side of the political divide. You know it's going to get spicy when Uncle Seth shows up... --- For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester&a...

Welcome! This week Heers and Daniel discuss Old and New World types of protest and to do that we take a look at sports. Sandy Koufax and Kyrie Irving both "sat down," but is what they did truly the same? And Heers asks the Daniel a question about a body triangle that leaves us all feeling a little nervous. Links: Koufax's Yom Kippur Decision, 50 Years Later While Koufax is rightly l...

Reilly Dooris, former FTF Field Director in Guatemala joins Heers this episode to discuss time and timelines. How do we determine the starting point for calendars? Is there a point in time that carries more importance than others? A day "zero?" Join us for a most timely conversation! Links: Calendars through the ages Proposed New Calendar Would Make Time Rational The Origin and History o...

 Jonathan Pageau, artist and founder of the Symbolic World podcast, joins John for an interview. The discussion ranges from symbolic thinking in the new world to Jonathan's past experiences with Mennonites in Africa. Links: The Symbolic World (Jonathan's podcast and work) The Language of Creation - Matthieu Pageau (Amzn) For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR P...

In episode 30 of WAWTAR Heers introduces the idea of the priest. Whos traditional role was rooted in sacrifice and who functioned as mediator between the seen and unseen worlds. The light and the dark. We take a look at how that role, which has slowly disappeared is now manifesting itself elsewhere in different forms. Links: Fr. Thomas Hopko Find out more about SJS Consulting by emailing John Heer...

Eden Revisited, a podcast that "cuts through the noise of the modern world and journeys to the roots of wonder and beauty," brings on John Heers to discuss his recently published novel 3Souls. Enjoy this interview and please check out Eden Revisited on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your content. Links: Eden Revisited on Apple Podcasts 3Souls (Amazon link) For a deep dive into WAWTAR...

Sports! Well chariot racing anyways. And a large riot. And can this kind of thing happen today? It's story time with John and his daughters as we discuss sports, identity and if modern culture is all that different from the ancient ones. For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a...

Welcome back to WAWTAR and episode 28. Today Heers takes a look at the stories we tell and the truths therein.  Can fiction be truthful? Why wasn't writing fiction a thing back in the day (pre-1600's)? And what does all of this have to do with the Nashville bomb? Come find out on todays episode of Why Are We Talking About Rabbits. Links: Notes on the History of Fiction The New Middle Age...

He's back! And this time we have some questions for him that a few of you, our listeners, wanted to ask. Join Heers and Seth for a hilarious episode where things are kept very light. For a deep dive into WAWTAR, register for our weekly "WAWTAR Podcourse" with John Heers. This semester's title is "Are you a Communist, a Capitalist, or a Christian?" Find out more about...

Welcome to Part 2 of our discussion on Freedom. Last week we took a look at the idea of "outside" freedom (government, politics, economy etc.). This week we are turning inwards to explore more the idea of inner freedom. And to help us along our way is Fyodor Dostoevsky - novelist and Russian visionary who will act as our guide.  Links: The Russian Soul and the Toxic West The Idiot and th...

Freedom. One of the hot button topics in modern American culture today. But what do we mean by it? And aren't there different aspects to freedom? Like inner and outer? What about individual freedoms? Welcome to part one of a two part episode where we trace the ideas of freedom, inner and outer going all the way back 4,000 years to do so. Links: The Vedas Plato's Allegory of the Cave Inte...

Sit down and pay attention! Today we are learning about...wait...what are we learning today? That's the question Heers poses to modern education. We explore the ancient roots of education, it's transformation, and final destination (which may surprise some of you). Welcome to episode 24 of WAWTAR! Class is in session! Links: Education in Athens Thomas Aquinas on Education Jefferson Bible...

This week John is talking to Joe Obidiegwu: author, teacher, and philosopher. He was born in Nigeria, moved to the US at 17 on a tennis scholarship and then moved to Sweden in 2012. John and Joe talk about how we can reframe some of the old world wisdom in a way that resonates with all of us new-worlders. Links: Healing of a Nation, Joe Obidiegwu (YouTube) Finding Your Way to Heaven Without a Cell...

What is a vote? What is that thing we all just did recently in the US? Where does it come from? And what does it mean today? We go back to ancient Greece and Athens to explore the roots of democracy. We also take a contemporary psychological look at what voting means for the modern mind. With both perspectives in hand, Heers offers historical insight into our modern government. Links: Short Video...