The Sacred Now

Could it be that the people we so enthusiastically vilify in popular media are just reacting to a lifetime’s worth of oppression, judgment, or just plain old bad luck? Comedian and artist VALYRIA GRAVES-KOGEN takes Jay on visit into the not-so-wonderful world of Oz as portrayed into Gregory Maguire’s Wicked , and discusses how the eerily prescient events of this book are reflected in the current A...

It's spooky season! And if you’re like millions of people, you LIVE for Halloween horror. Why, though, this fascination with death and the macabre? What is it about horror, in film specifically, that thrills us so? And how much does it reflect our beliefs about the afterlife? For this conversation Jay sits down with hubby CK and with very special guest JUST HAUNTR , and we discussed what horro...

Can prayer, making the sign of the cross, and other superstitious rites be considered cultural rights - or indicative of compulsive behaviors? JAY JACKSON consults clinical psychologist DR. CANDICE HOKE KENNEDY and historical anthropologist CURT SMITH to find answers.

Special guest SETH WILSON of "Let's Talk Talk" reconnects with JAY JACKSON to talk about the idea of language itself, how grammar rules are used as weapons by the ruling class, and how a common understanding can transcend language barriers.

Special guest CHRISTOPHER POUNDERS joins JAY JACKSON for a fascinating discussion on the conflict between logic and emotion in "Star Trek" — and how it factors into social relationships, neurodiversity and autism, and our progress as a society. :: See the amazing, custom works from O'Faolain Leather Goods !

If you could have your wish for anything in the world to come true, what price would you be willing to pay? Would you trade your soul? SAMMY RAYNOR and JAY JACKSON talk about "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" and discuss whether it's worth it to make a deal with the devil.

In this episode, JAY JACKSON uses data, expert opinion, faith, compassion and humor to lay out a point-by-point rebuttal for the most common excuses people give not to get vaccinated against #COVID. :: VIEW HERE for David Vega's testimony (courtesy Indiana University School of Medicine) :: SUBSCRIBE to Dr. Mike Hansen's YouTube Channel :: READ the CDC's Statement on Vaccine Effectiveness :: VIEW H...

Developments in Afghanistan, Palestine, Guatemala, and elsewhere, have made it clear that, in spite of our shrunken world, the arbitrary lines we’ve drawn only serve to oppress and exclude. IAN REDFORD and CHAD SMITH of "This Course" explore the geopolitical landscape with JAY JACKSON , and talk about what that means for us as Americans.

Simone Biles Olympic episode reminds us that #BlackExcellence is rooted in a hustle-oriented culture that tells us you’re only as good as your grind. There is a very high price to pay, if you want to perform. JAY JACKSON talks with NESI EWING and RAVEN ROSE about whether that price is worth it. :: VIEW HERE for NAMI Resources for Black Mental Health  

In the beginning was the word; and when that word was shared, it sparked an idea. And when that idea was put into action, that word was fulfilled and became a story. So, what’s in a story, then? What is it that keeps us coming back to age-old tales time and again? Jay, Tanner, Brian, and David (a.k.a. THE RENEGADES ) talk about how a good narrative can have an impact we carry with us for life.

Particularly in the American South, there is a culture of shame around sex, sexuality, and sensuality. But where did that shame even come from? Why do we feel the need to keep our desires secret? Journalist and author SUZI PARKER joins JAY JACKSON to expose the seedy underbelly of Southern culture and lay our hypocrisy bare.

Back in the day, video games storylines were fairly straightforward. But over the years, games became more sophisticated — so much so now that a well-written plot element is just as important, if not more so, than the gameplay. Writer and educator JEFFREY R. VILLINES, PH.D. , joins JAY JACKSON to talk through how video games have evolved over time, and what the choices we make during gameplay say...

There's lots of mythology around dreams, but what are they, really? There’s so much we don’t actually understand about what happens when we dream, which is why, throughout history, humankind has sought an explanation for what they mean. Sleep specialist MICHAEL VARNELL , RPSGT, explains the process of sleep and why we need to dream; and artist and occultist RANDI SPARKS unpacks why these visions h...

Corporate media organizations like to claim they are "objective" or "fair and balanced," but the reality is many of these companies overlook, enable, and sometimes even endorse white supremacy. LATOYA CHERISE , KRISH MOHAN , and JAY JACKSON discuss how big-name newspapers and networks actually profit from pushing a racist agenda. :: The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center :: Diversely Geek :: The Arka...

Studies indicate several therapeutic benefits to playing games like Dungeons and Dragons . JAY JACKSON and DAVID WILLIAMS talk with professional counselor MAUREEN SKINNER to get insight on not just their relationship to their characters, but how the act of role-play itself can be instrumental to the healing process. **Content Warning - Discussion of Trauma, Abuse**

It's #PrideMonth, and we're marking the occasion with a panel discussion on racism in queer culture, homophobia in the African American community, dating, media, comedy, and more. DWAYNE DUKE , TOPHER KOGEN , and BRAXTON O. JOHNSON help JAY JACKSON unpack what it means to be a Gay Black Man in America. ** CONTENT WARNING: Explicit Language**

The Sacred Now returns with all new episodes on June 14th. We're talking superstition, storytelling, sex, and much more! Here's what to expect for the rest of this season.

Americans tend to think of propaganda as something other people are susceptible to. But the reality is, you are being misinformed in ways you’re not even aware of. That very concept is one of the primary themes of "The Hunger Games." KRISH MOHAN returns to explain nature of propaganda, why it’s so effective, and how to break its stranglehold on our culture.

What kind of landlord would put a tenant out on the street in the middle of a global health crisis? What are land owners supposed to do when their tenants can’t pay because of corona-related complications? Is the best thing to do, necessarily the right thing to do? JAY JACKSON talks with the best real estate and property management expert he knows — and that expert just so happens to be his father...

Most fans agree that "The Simpsons" best years are behind them, especially given the racial controversies, stale material, and lack of modern relatability. But does that mean it has nothing more to teach us? Is there anything left in these characters and their various relationships with spirituality that can serve as a lesson for ours? JAY JACKSON asks podcaster, professor, and fellow comedian CAT...

In a culture where empathy, compassion, and sensitivity are seen as weaknesses, how does Captain America, a.k.a. Steve Rogers, use those traits to bring out the best in us? What does it mean to "be a man"? TANNER TREADWAY returns to talk with JAY JACKSON about how Cap breaks our society's misguided notions of manhood and masculinity. :: DONATE HERE TO SUPPORT TRANS RIGHTS!

On TV, police officers are dedicated, if sometimes flawed, heroes; always staunchly on the side of justice. But in a world where Black and Brown people are murdered by cops with impunity, there is a disconnect with how cops are portrayed and the reality of how they interact with the community. JAY JACKSON asks "OFFICER SAM" for an inside perspective on law enforcement, and how events both real and...

Spider-Man’s true power doesn’t lie in his ability to stick to walls or shoot webs from his wrists, but in his courage to stand in the face of overwhelming odds and still have the fortitude to do the right thing. JAY JACKSON invites ROBERT SHEPHERD and BRIAN KEEN to discuss what drives Spidey to make the hard choice time and again — and what we stand to learn from that. [ Link: Support Trans Right...

Black Women built this country, and, in many ways, have been the driving force behind every progressive movement since its founding. And yet, data shows they are subject to lower wages , lower healthcare , higher incarceration rates , and higher poverty rates than their white or male counterparts. Today MS. EMILY KEARNS, REP. DENISE ENNET, and DR. ANIKA WHITFIELD talk with JAY JACKSON about what i...

For those of us who've lost loved ones in the era of COVID, dealing with death can be particularly difficult. Marvel's miniseries WandaVision, which centers on the Scarlet Witch, provides a case study in grieving through isolation. Guests LESLIE RAWLINGS and OLYMPIA ATKINSON share how they're processing their pain during a pandemic, while JORDAN HORNER joins JAY JACKSON to discuss how Wanda's stru...