Noble American Lives: Biographies of America's Religious Thinkers and Believers

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, examining William James, a prominent American philosopher and Harvard professor. The session delves into James's perspectives on asceticism, mysticism, and the philosophy of religion. James's thoughts on the spiritual significance of asceticism, despite its shift in value, and his explora...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, listeners are taken through a detailed reading and discussion from his fourth book, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: William James versus Mary Baker Eddy.' The focus is on William James, a Harvard College professor and eminent American philosopher. Benson delves into James'...

In episode 122 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues his reading from his book on the life of William James. The episode delves into James's work 'The Will to Believe' and his attempts to reconcile science and religion. It also discusses key moments in James's life, including his significant speech at the Robert Gould Shaw monument dedication, his struggles with heart is...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the life of William James, the acclaimed Harvard professor and American philosopher. Continuing from his fourth book, Benson discusses the impact of William James on psychology and philosophy, his teaching methods, and his personal life including the loss of his mother and the correspondence with his family. To...

William James: Struggles and Triumphs In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson delves into the life of William James. The discussion includes James's early years, his struggles with physical and mental health, and his academic journey. Benson highlights James's time in Europe, his philosophical insights, and his eventual marriage to Alice Howe Gibbons. The episode als...

In episode 119 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, focusing on William James, an influential American philosopher and Harvard professor. The episode highlights William James's early life, his family's history, and his exposure to Emmanuel Swedenborg's religious views which greatly influenced his father. The narrative delves into Willi...

In episode 117 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson concludes his third book by exploring the contrasting lives and philosophies of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith. The episode dramatizes a stage discussion featuring historical figures who critique and debate the legacies of Emerson and Smith. The conversation covers morality, theology, and the impact of their beliefs o...

In Episode 116 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson presents the epilogue of his third book, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: Ralph Waldo Emerson versus Joseph Smith.' The episode features a dramatized fictional discussion between historical figures, focusing on the philosophies and lives of Emerson and Smith. Notable figures such a...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson explores the lives and legacies of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith as part of his book series, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers.' Benson compares and contrasts the lives of Emerson, a prominent transcendentalist thinker, and Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesu...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues his examination of eminent American religious thinkers and believers by focusing on the parallels and differences between Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith. Both born in the early 19th century, Emerson and Smith had vastly different lives despite their shared New England heritage. The episode delves into their...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson completes his biography of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The episode details the events leading up to and following Joseph Smith's assassination, including the transport and secretive burial of his and his brother Hiram's bodies, and the subsequent actions and beliefs of his...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the final days of Joseph Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Detailing political and economic strife, personal betrayals, and the dramatic confrontations that led to his eventual assassination inside Carthage Jail, this episode offers an in-depth narrative of the c...

In episode 111 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues to delve into the life of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This episode explores Smith's complex religious and political ambitions, his controversial practice of polygamy, and his fraught interpersonal relationships, particularly with his wife, Emma. Benson recounts Smith's theo...

In this episode, William H. Benson continues his biography of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The story covers Smith's leadership in Nauvoo, the city's July 4th celebration, and the growing influence of the Mormon community. Joseph's political power in Illinois and the impact of the Mormon vote are explored, along with the formation and strength of the Nau...

In episode 109 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues his series on American religious thinkers and believers with a focused biography on Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This episode delves into Smith's efforts to build a theocracy in Nauvoo, Illinois between 1839 and 1844. Highlights include his endeavors to construct a...

In this episode of Noble American Lives, host William H. Benson continues to explore the life of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The episode delves into the events surrounding the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the speculative land frenzy, and the creation of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. As Smith's financial woes worsen, his ventures take a deep d...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the life of Joseph Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The discussion covers Smith's early collaborations with Sidney Rigdon, the establishment of religious communities in Kirtland, Ohio, and Zion, Missouri, as well as significant events and revelations that shaped...

In episode 104 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues reading from his biography on Joseph Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This episode delves into the intricate history and themes of the Book of Mormon, detailing the narratives of Nephi, the people of Zarahemla, and the Jaredites among others. Benson highlights the...

In Episode 103 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues reading from his book, focusing on Joseph Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The episode details critical events in Joseph Smith's life, including the death of his first child, the recovery and loss of sacred pages, and his subsequent divine revelations. It describes the...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, the focus is on Joseph Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The episode covers various aspects of Smith's life, beginning from his discovery of the seer stone in 1822 at the age of 16, through his involvement with treasure hunting in Western New York. It includes details...

In this episode of Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson dives into the fascinating early life of Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From his family's challenging financial circumstances and frequent relocations to young Joseph's severe health battles and spiritual struggles, this episode offers an in-depth look at the form...

In this milestone 100th episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, the discussion centers on the life and works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Benson delves deep into Emerson's perspectives on various subjects, including his criticisms of Emanuel Swedenborg's theology and views on Shakespeare's originality and influence. He details Emerson's contributions to literature, his...

Exploring Ralph Waldo Emerson: Insights from Experience In episode 98 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, the spotlight is on Ralph Waldo Emerson, particularly his grand essay 'Experience'. This episode is part of Benson's larger work, 'Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers'. Benson delves into Emerson's philosophical ideas, particularl...

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the life and philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, as detailed in Benson's third book, 'Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers.' The episode centers on the biography of Emerson, focusing on his groundbreaking essay 'Self-Reliance.' Benson explicates Emerson's broader, communal defini...