IN THIS REPEAT - Dr. Hal Poe shares about his bio on the early life of C.S. Lewis in Becoming C.S. Lewis. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How well do you know C.S. Lewis? You probably don't know Jack as well as you think, until you know his early life. Or more accurately, nearly all of Lewis' interests and tastes were formed in his first twenty ye…

IN THIS REPEAT: Biography on Warren Lewis (brother of C.S. Lewis) written by Don King. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inkling, Historian, Soldier, and Brother: A Life of Warren Hamilton Lewis (released January 2023) by Don King provides a detailed look at C.S. Lewis’s brother. In this podcast interview with William O’Flaherty, Don talks about the first-ever full b…

We discuss the work of Ioane Petritsi (eleventh to twelfth centuries), a Georgian intellectual whose translation of, and commentary on, the Elements of Theology of Proclus is a historical anomaly in a number of ways. It turns out that everything in Proclus' metaphysics – even the henads – could and did make it through into a Christian work in twelf…

We discuss the long, convoluted, and often tendentious reception of Proclus and Proclean ideas in the eastern Roman empire. From late-antique debates about the nature of being and participation, through medieval reappropriations of philosophy, through to the radical debates of Plethon and Scholarios in the final days of the empire, Proclus emerges …

William O’Flaherty was recently interviewed by the Screwtape Letters Podcast: Confronting Evil in Our Time. Permission was given to share this excerpt from the beginning of their show. So, the following is part of a longer conversation. Follow the link below to listen to the entire interview (and also see links to other useful material related to w…

IN THIS REPEAT: A talk I gave in early April 2016 about a running theme in The Screwtape Letters. I just gave the following talk on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Inklings Fellowship Weekend Retreat that was held in Montreat, NC at Montreat College. It was also the public debut of my first book C.S. Lewis Goes to Hell: A Companion and Study Guide t…

We discuss the Occult in Modernist drama with Sørina Higgins. Yeats, Waite, Williams, Crowley, and a cast of supporting characters appear on the stage. The line between ceremonial magic and dramatic performance gets a thorough rinsing.By Earl Fontainelle

The SECOND of a two-part show exploring what we can learn about disability from C.S. Lewis’s doctor. Dr. Robert Havard wrote the appendix in The Problem of Pain. Joining William O’Flaherty to co-host this interview is Connor Salter. Our guests are Dr. Zachary Schmoll and Levi Anderson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Zachary D. Schmoll (PhD, F…

We discuss the translation, adaptation, and evolution of Proclus' Elements of Theology into and through the Arabic and Latin thought-worlds with Peter Adamson. Come for the monotheist Proclus who is Aristotle, stay for the digression on Plethon.By Earl Fontainelle

The first of a two-part show exploring what we can learn about disability from C.S. Lewis’s doctor. Dr. Robert Havard wrote the appendix in The Problem of Pain. Joining William O’Flaherty to co-host this interview is Connor Salter. Our guests are Dr. Zachary Schmoll and Levi Anderson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Zachary D. Schmoll (PhD, Fa…

Interview with Sørina Higgins about her audio-only work C.S. Lewis: Writer, Scholar, Seeker. It’s part of The Great Courses and available through Audible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this Interview on YouTube (IS live-action): Buy the audiobook Author Website The Oddestinkling Site Other Useful Links: Knowing and Underst…

We speak with Alireza Doostdar on his field-research exploring alternative forms of spirituality in Iran. Come for the new-age exorcisms, stay for the the true spiritual significance of The Exorcist.By Earl Fontainelle

Interview with Sarah Arthur about her YA Fantasy novel, ONCE A QUEEN that releases January 30th. A mysterious manor house hides the keys to shocking family secrets—and portals to other worlds—in the richly woven opener to bestselling author Sarah Arthur’s young adult fantasy series. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this Inter…

Learn how you can read the Journal of Inklings Studies for FREE for a limited time (through 1/31/2024). “The Latest on C.S. Lewis,” tells timely news about Lewis and selected related authors. If you have news or other related information that you want me to consider sharing, email me here: info (at) essentialcslewis.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~…

Here’s information about TWO Lewis-related events in 2024! Inklings Weekend in Montreat and 2. Undiscovered C.S. Lewis at George Fox University.“The Latest on C.S. Lewis,” tells timely news about Lewis and selected related authors.If you have news or other related information that you want me to consider sharing, email me here: info (at) essentialc…

Kevin Belmonte’s poetry has been set to music by Phil Keaggy, who had several friends create a wonderful album. Four of the 12 tracks related to C.S. Lewis. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this Interview on YouTube (not live-action): LISTEN to Pilgrimage here: https://philkeaggyfriends.bandcamp.com/album/pilgrimage https://a…

Chris Pipkin from The Inklings Variety Hour joins William O’Flaherty to celebrate the upcoming C.S. Lewis Reading Day (it’s November 29th, Lewis’s Birthday). Chris and William talk about some of the books that Chris has either enjoyed the most or ones that hold a special memory for him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this I…

In our second A House with Many Rooms interview, we discuss the intersections between AI and magic with machine learning engineer Karin Valis. Come for the divination, ensouled statues, golems, homonculi, and alphanumeric cosmology, stay for the techno-magical intervention at the end.By Earl Fontainelle

How BAD of a choice is Greta Gerwig for Narnia? Is it even possible she could be a GOOD choice? How difficult is it to even adapt a book into a movie? These and other issues are addressed by Drs. Crystal Downing, Terry Glaspey and Charlie Starr.Here's a TRANSCRIPT of the audio ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this Interview o…

November 29, 2023 is the 1st Annual C.S. Lewis Reading Day. Details for LIVE YouTube show on the 29h will be posted soon! “The Latest on C.S. Lewis” tells about recent news related to Lewis.Timely news about Lewis and selected related authors.If you have news or other related information about C.S. Lewis that you want me to consider sharing, email …

Freud’s Last Session movie made a noteworthy premiere at AFI after the teaser trailer was released days before. It will open in New York and LA on December 22nd and expand to other areas in January.Timely news about Lewis and selected related authors.If you have news or other related information about C.S. Lewis that you want me to consider sharing…

What is the value of History? Could C.S. Lewis be considered a Historian? Alan Snyder shares about his book, Many Times & Many Places, where he and his co-author explain how Lewis used his vast knowledge of history in many of his works. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See a video version of this Interview on YouTube (not live-action): Purchase fro…

Timely news and information about Lewis and selected related authors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch it on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/q1vHYocGi2k Dr. Peter Kreeft Virtual Event (on 60th Anniversary of Lewis's Death) -11/16/23 https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-60-years-later-reflections-on-the-life-of-c-s-lewis-wi…

Timely news and information about Lewis and selected related authors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch it on YouTube: Last “Latest on Lewis” Article Version Post https://essentialcslewis.com/2023/09/23/latest-on-lewis-september-2023-update/ Wade Center https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/wadecenter/ All About Jack Podcast: http…

Back on October 5, 2011, I released my first interview for what would become known as the All About Jack podcast. Over the years I have released a variety of interviews (usually by book authors) and done various features (like “essay chat”). What has been your favorite interview or feature? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch the 2019 Gresham In…

Timely news and information about Lewis and selected related authors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch it on YouTube:https://youtube.com/shorts/eQ1Oo2zw-ws Last “Latest on Lewis” Article Version Post https://essentialcslewis.com/2023/09/23/latest-on-lewis-september-2023-update/ Collectible Commemorative Coins Featuring The Lion, the Witch and…

C.S. Lewis’s brother, Warren Lewis is much less known of the two, but his life is still very interesting. Diana Glyer came across letters by him and ones written to him that provide an interesting story on its own. The Major and the Missionary gives the reader greater insight into Warrren’s life, while also adding to understanding his more famous b…

Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography by Holly Ordway takes a deep dive in how Tolkien’s Catholic faith was a central part of his life. In this second of a two-part interview, Holly tells William O’Flaherty more about the forty year span BEFORE The Lord of the Rings was published, details the extras material in the book (including an extensive pho…

IN THIS REPEAT: The first of a two-part round table discussion of The Hobbit - The book vs. The movies In book form The Hobbit has been available for nearly 80 years, but the third and final movie installment was just released late last year. No one suggests the three films are perfect adaptations, but how far off do they really miss the mark? Will…

Timely news and information about Lewis and selected related authors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Watch it on YouTube:https://youtube.com/shorts/jC94h7egOlU Last “Latest on Lewis” Post https://essentialcslewis.com/2023/08/23/latest-on-lewis-august-2023-update/ Remember the Sign (C.S. Lewis Foundation) Oct. 13-15) https://www.cslewis.org/progra…

IN THIS REPEAT: This is the single interview done with Dr. Devin Brown about his book The Christian World of The Hobbit. I also did a five part series on his book. PLEASE NOTE: This stand-alone interview was recorded before the FIVE part series on the book was created. Devin Brown has written several books dealing with The Chronicles of Narnia, and…

We discuss arguably the greatest magical book of the Islamicate tradition, the Shams al-maʿārif al-kubrā or Great Sun of Knowledge. Turns out it isn't by al-Būnī as everyone thought, though there is some Būnī in there; but it has so much to tell us about Islamicate culture, Sufism, and the ‘project of forgetting’ of esoteric Islām among both Muslim…

We introduce Aḥmad al-Būnī, master sūfī and alphanumeric speculator, but most famous in the Islamicate world as an authority on magic. We sift the wheat from the chaff and get to the bottom of who al-Būnī was, what he really wrote, and what kind of reception he has had, both within and outside of Islam.…

We discuss universal salvation, a perennial idea within Christianity – that all of humanity, or maybe even everything in the universe, will be saved through Christ's salvific atonement – with Morwenna Ludlow of the University of Exeter. Starting from Clement of Alexandria and ending with the current state of play in sometimes-unlikely Christian cir…

We discuss the widespread idea of the ‘disenchantment’ of the modern world – the idea that ‘we don't believe in magic any more’ – with Jason Josephson-Storm. It turns out that the idea is a myth, that the myth is actually a number of complex, interacting myths, and that none of them is empirically-accurate.…

We discuss Philippe-Jacques (or ‘Philip James’) de Loutherbourgh, accomplished eighteenth-century painter, polyglot socialite, alchemist, Occultist, healer, and inventor of the cinema.By Earl Fontainelle

We speak about illusion, magic, and reality with magical experience designer Ferdinando Buscema. He can make stuff disappear, find your card anywhere in the deck, and read your mind. He is, in short, a magician. But he is also, like Apuleius, Iamblichus, Ficino, and Crowley before him, a philosopher of magic.…

We discuss the extraordinary reception-history of the extraordinary text known as Sefer Yetsirah, the ‘Book of Formation‘. The Sefer Yetsirah would eventually become a foundational text for the Kabbalist movements of the high middle ages, but it was (and is) much more than that. Professor Langermann lays out the evolutions in reading this text from…

We speak with Dr Bojana Radovanović on the Bogomils, a widespread Christian ‘heresy’ – dualist, demiurgic, docetist, ascetic, and esoterically-structured – arising in the tenth-century Balkans and spreading into such unlikely places as Constantinople and even the monastery of Mt Athos. We discuss the who, what, and when of Bogomilism, animadvert as…

One of the most fundamental and intriguing questions in the philosophy of language is that of the relation between signs and the realities they signify. But what if the signs are letters and numbers simultaneously? And what if these are in fact the constitutive elements of reality itself? Juan Acevedo is our guide in an overview of the history and …

Is ‘free will’ a given, a constant of the human condition? It might seem that way, but as Dylan Burns argues in this interview, the idea that humans possess a faculty of un-coerced decision-making actually arises at a specific time – late antiquity – and in a specific context – early Christian philosophy.…

In Part I of a two-part series, we interview Dr Dylan Burns of the Universiteit van Amsterdam on the subjects of providence and fate in Greek philosophy, early Christian philosophy, and a number of esoteric currents partaking of both in late antiquity.By Earl Fontainelle

We continue our interview with Gyrus, starting from Copernicus' demolition of the polar cosmos and exploring the aftermath of this radical decentering of the cosmic structure of the west.By Earl Fontainelle

We talk cosmology with Gyrus, a man who has looked deeply into the patterning of space across time and culture. Moving from ‘horizontal’, landscape-base cosmologies to ‘vertical’, abstracted constructions of space, we discuss the human patterning of location and movement across a fairly mind-blowing swathe of history. You are where you are.…

Professor Dillon returns to the SHWEP to talk about the life and times of Stephen MacKenna – Irish radical, Modernist literateur, amateur of the concertina, and the first and greatest translator of Plotinus into English.By Earl Fontainelle

We discuss the magickal activities of Jack Parsons, (Marjorie) Cameron, and L. Ron Hubbard in 1940's California with Peter Grey. Rockets fly, yachts set sail, and very, very strange things happen.By Earl Fontainelle

We discuss those ‘magic squares’ that we find in esoteric texts from Indonesia to London, curious grids of numbers often used as astral-magical talismans with integrated alphanumeric mysteries. Bink Hallum has done the research, and lays out the story of the magic square from China to Agrippa.By Earl Fontainelle

Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī was a Persian universal scholar and theologian, particularly well-known for his tafsīr or work of Qur'ānic interpretation, a mainstay of Sunni Islam to this day. Less well-known is his work of addressative, astral, talismanic ritual, The Hidden Secret. Michael Noble has published a study of this work in the context of Rāzī's th…

We speak with an expert on the (religious) use of automata in the classical world, in an attempt to enter into the thought-world and technological practice of the ancient theurgists. Come for the living statues, stay for the giant snail-robot.By Earl Fontainelle

We discuss the life and work of Joséphin Péladan (1858-1918), art-critic, Occultist, playwright, and generally creative freak. Dr Sasha Chaitow is our guide to the fascinating life of nineteenth-century Paris' most prominent avant-garde Rosicrucian trend-setter. Welcome to the salon rosicrucien.By Earl Fontainelle