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.

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.

I’ve been a long time listener but all the sudden there are ads throughout the episodes, and randomly so. I find myself trying to understand the symbolism of makeup ads during the witch episode but maybe I am doing it wrong.

While trying to hold himself up as unbiased and openminded there is a distinct point of view the podcast. Jonathan refers to the male boxer as “she” several times. He doesn't notice that he’s accepted the lie.

“Inversion and mocking is empty and it will run out and the true seed that are true and good and beautiful will win in the end but it’s up to us to foster them and make them the priority in our lives” amazing podcast, light in darkness

Thoroughly enjoyable

Linked to Jordan Peterson, who is totally heretical in his views regarding the Bible and an ardent supporter of genocide (not to mention an active participant in certain anti-Christian globalist organizations). Why claim to accept our faith when you are only working to subvert it from within?

I don’t listen to every episode, yet I always feel like I learn something new when I tune in. Thanks for the work you all are doing!

I know he will not like anyone saying this, But Jonathan Pageau was born for such a time as this. Shine on Jonathan. Listening to your message from the ARC conference. Outstanding.

It is extremely important and very valuable to be able to hear these lessons and receive this information in clear and understandable ways.

Has opened my mind in many ways

All praise to sky daddy, for my sky daddy is the one true sky daddy, so much better than your sky daddy. Don’t ever unite towards a common goal or language, just like in that true story that happened a long time ago, that totally really happened, because sky daddy told me so. Oh and don’t mind us while we useless parasites horde all the resources and wealth, and indoctrinate your children so we can do weird stuff to them. All praise sky daddy!

In a world worn thin by materialism and power, it’s nice to find a haven where beauty abides and the archetypes roam.

Jonathan really draws out how symbolism affects us and how to see it and use it. His interviews are well done and especially eye opening. Great for anyone seeking knowledge of how the world works!

I have learned so much from these podcasts. I am dead set on watching or listening to every single piece of content that Jonathan puts out; he is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and genius speakers I have ever heard. An unmeasurably good companion piece to my reading, studying, and preparation to be received into the Orthodox Church. God bless!

Has changed the way I look at the world

This is my favorite podcast.

I am so thankful for Jonathan Pageau and that he shares his gifted insights with all of us. The Symbolic World has been a blessing to me.

I'm an Orthodox Christian, but I, like so many others, am challenged by Jonathan Pageau's deep wisdom. My inability to easily grasp his amazing symbolic understanding of life and various stories shows what a shallow, modernist way of thinking I have. I've been following him for years, and I hope that one day, by continuing to listen to him, I'll be able to learn a little of his way of thinking. The richness of the things he discusses is remarkable.

He speaks in a cryptic language, what is says is always barely further than understandable English, even though he speaks English words. Over years of practice, people slowly learn the language. The language of the Bible, of humanity, of creation – of God.

I discovered JP about a year and a half ago. His work is life-changing. It is medicine for the modern soul.

Even a layman like I, can appreciate the clear and concise podcast, even if I don’t understand some terminology, I still connect to the overall summary of them. Thanks

Love the super deep dives into biblical and cultural symbolism. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. Sincerely,

This podcast could change your life! 100/100

Absolutely outstanding. This has improved my understanding of the world.

JP is a skeleton key for understanding the unraveling modern world.

Pageau brings out ideas and concepts that are profound and desperately needed. I've never heard anything like this. Easily the best podcast of the last 5 years, maybe ever. And his YT channel is great too!

Pageau has a gift of showing the layers of beauty and meaning in social, psychological, and religious concepts. So thankful I found this podcast.

Since I started to listen to Jonathan Pageau’s Symbolic World I’ve gotten entirely new and deeper understandings of films, lyrics, stories, and my everyday life. He has a great way of showing symbolism found in ancient stories and new ones alike. I highly recommend his episode on the story of Moses.

Pageau firing on all cylinders

Can’t recommend enough

Very much recommend for all those asking big questions

Jonathan please read the book, How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin J Schmidt and do a show on it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks! Love your show!

Pageau brings together Jordan Peterson levels of insight into our great western stories but he improves upon Peterson in that he can give the fuller picture according to the rich tradition of the Christian tradition and worldview. I personally believe that rediscovering the power of the Christian story will be at the center of a renewal of society and Pageau is part of that great work

I just listened to podcast 174 and I’m so impressed. The questions were great and Jonathan’s answers were great. So helpful in trying to understand orthodox religion. Great explanation of what is happening in the world. And I agree on the psychedelics.

Also having my spiritual podmother Frederica Matthewes Greene on the show with Jonathan Pageau, my re-enchantment podfather, was just too much charm and graciousness for a single episode. 😭😭😭 Thank you for what you do, Pageau and team.

Jonathan does such an excellent job explaining or interviewing people who explain how we should see the world. I have had my mind blown about 3000+ times listening to/watching the Symbolic World. I can’t recommend it enough!

Jonathan is a very skilled interviewer and has fascinating ideas. He is able to get at the essence of things by approaching from a symbolic view. Appreciate his podcast.

Your show and Weird Studies are my two favorite podcasts. I probably would have never stumbled upon your podcast if I hadn’t first stumbled upon Weird Studies.

Pageau makes deeply intuitive and embodied experiences explicit. I’m very grateful for the mind God has given him. May it always be used with humility and in the service of Christ! Best podcast. His brother’s book on Genesis is also fantastic and a great companion to this podcast.

Great breakdown of otherwise obscure ideas

Jonathan Pageau has deep knowledge of two infinitely deep wells: Christianity and art. It's rare to find someone who has drunk so deeply from both. Highly recommended.

The incorporation of multiple speakers and authors is amazing, and yet there is such a common thread to everything. Love it. Thank you for putting it together

This podcast offers thoughts and views that help advance knowledge and insight into some of what is currently happening in our “culture”! Helps make sense of bizarre behavior and actions of people that are supposed to be leaders - lets us see through the veil of propaganda and realize the deception...

This is an incredible resource. So thankful

Great work! Excellent podcast! God bless you, Jonathan.

I just listened to the discussion with Rod Dreher, and I’m floored. It all makes sense. It’s terrifying, and yet brought me closer to Jesus than ever because my faith is not in my safety in my country. It’s in Him and His plan and future for me in the next life.

Oddly enough, I was introduced to Jonathan Pageau via his appearance on the Matt Fradd show, yet I believe Jonathan to be so important because he is the complete opposite of a Catholic Apologist. I’m an Orthodox Christian, and while I enjoy listening to the apologetics of people like Matt Fradd and William Lane Craig, I feel that they can tend to over intellectualize that which can not be rightly explained via Aristotelian metaphysics. Jonathan Pageau gives us something entirely different. Orthodox Christianity has a very strong component of mysticism to it, and Jonathan eloquently explains stories, art, culture, etc. in a way that unifies us to The Truth. At times, the explanations and analysis that Jonathan gives can be so heavy such that they make the metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas seem simple by comparison. But that is what makes his discussions all the more rewarding, because in the end, you’re getting to the meaning of everything.

I’ve been really happy to swerve into this podcast. The content is meta-narrative through and through and tied to meaning. Or rather, how to navigate and derive meaning from the narrative we are all participating in. Spoken from a place of deep contemplation and compassion. Worth your time. Kevin zalac

I enjoy your podcasts Jonathan. I have only recently started listening so maybe you incorporate these arguments in other podcasts. Somewhere along the line I believe it would be helpful to incorporate into your explanations the discussion of an ultimate aim. Some way of being within existence that leads to the greatest existence. In the podcasts I have listened to you do that in many indirect ways without actually saying concretely that the man Jesus , and therefore the truth of who he is, is the ultimate aim. From there the discussion would be about what that looks like lived out in the world. The other element i think would be very helpful is that Jesus is a choice. Arguments can go round and round endlessly about why this or that way of life is better for different individuals. At some point a person must say yes or no to Jesus, to the ultimate human realization of who God is, and therefore truth. We can talk all day about the ways people live that fall short and why saying yes to those things is a way for that person to be happy. But they must also through humility and interior honesty be able to say yes to the truth that it falls short of the ultimate aim. In this way you make it clear that no other man in the true understanding of Christianity can be an ultimate judge of another man and aside from all the metaphysical discussion Christianity ultimately comes down to an act of freely choosing love, or the ultimate good, which includes all things like forgiveness, humility, not causing harm to another, and so on. In those ways you make room for homosexuality and so on. You make clear the difference between present happiness and true joy, the joy of being filled with truth in a way that presents the possibility of a more joyful life for all.