Heavy Things Lightly

This week is a brief look at the symbology behind the mask and how people are actually dying from loneliness in some places. And the fact that we probably have all been idiots at some point. At least according to Aristotle. Welcome to episode 19 of WAWTAR!Gagimargos! Wait, what is that in reference to? Learn more about the supra and it's symbolic importance here: https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/the-symbolism-of-the-supra/ If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.Links:David Brooks and the Nuclear FamilyNew York Times discusses KodokushiBremer, Death by LonelinessWe are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

We're back from Sierra Leone and it's time for episode 18! Today Heers is examining change. What is change? To start scratching at the surface of a question as broad as this, Heers takes us back to 50's and 60's China in a case study of the Red Guard. It's a mix of old and new as change puts everything into turmoil.Links / Further Reading:Wikipedia article on the Red GuardThe Guardian on the Red GuardGreat picture of a Red Guard rallyMao’s Last Revolution by Roderick MacFaquhuar and Michael SchoenhalsChina’s Cultural Revolution, 1966-69: Not a Dinner Party - Michael SchoenhalsHai Rui Dismissed from Office - Play by Wu HanIf you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

That's right, this episode is coming at you live from Sierra Leone. While dropping off two new Field Workers for First Things Foundation, John took some time to sit down with a couple of locals from Freetown to talk about the different aspects of their culture. For more information on the topics covered in this episode check out episode 15 where we go more in depth.Links:Integems Environmental ConsultancyAnsu's Film PreviewOlder documentary on SL KrioIf you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Nicholas Kotar is an author, translator (Russian / English) and teacher who's writing is inspired by Russian fairy tales. Perhaps his best known work is the Raven Son series of epic fantasy based on the Russian fairy tale Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf. He has been featured on podcasts such as Ancient Faith Radio and the Symbolic World and is a father, deacon, and home school teacher. Join Heers and Kotar for a winding conversation covering topics like the fool in culture, the narratives we inhabit and our culture undergoing change. This episode is one you don't want to miss as Kotar helps us understand the importance of narrative and balance in our lives.Links:Nicholas Kotar HomepageIn A Certain Kingdom Podcast by N. KotarLaurus, E. VodolazkinFor 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 the course and how to join (it's never to late!) here.Interested in joining First Things Foundation? Check out our Join FTF page for more info, or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org.Like writing? Like this podcast? Find out how you can continue the discussion further by submitting a blog over at First Things Foundation here.Gagimargos! Wait, what does that mean? Learn more about the Georgian Supra and its symbolic significance here.If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Often times in the "Old World," where First Things Foundation sends its Field Directors, you will encounter magic. Be it voodoo, or Mayan rituals, or any of the myriad types they have a common flavor. As "New Worlders" it's easy for us to hear about this and scoff, yet, what happens when you come face to face with it? With something you don't understand or can't explain? And really, how is that any different from the technological marvels we are surrounded by? Come join John Heers and three former Field Directors for a round-table discussion about magic and science on this episode of WAWTAR.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 the course and how to join (it's never to late!) here.Interested in joining First Things Foundation? Check out our Join FTF page for more info, or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org.Like writing? Like this podcast? Find out how you can continue the discussion further by submitting a blog over at First Things Foundation here.Gagimargos! Wait, what does that mean? Learn more about the Georgian Supra and its symbolic significance here.If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

V. Rev. Igumen Silouan Justiniano is an iconographer and a Deputy Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Dionysios the Areopagite in New York. He has written for various publications around the world and is also an editor and contributor to the Orthodox Arts Journal. John and Fr. Silouan talk about icons, images, and art all from a really distinct perspective.Links:Fr. Silouan's WebsiteOn the Gift of Art...But What Art?Episteme and Techne (Stanford)If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Toxic masculinity. What is it? How can we understand it and where does it come from? Is it a universal trait across the world and cultures? Perhaps most importantly for this podcast, how is viewed through that "Old World" lens? Join John Heers and the WAWTAR crew as we attempt to understand: toxic masculinity.Links:Is Toxic Masculinity Islamic?Learning to Be a Man Without MasculinityCNN: Inside Africa - Tackling Toxic MasculinityFeminist Current Article on Toxic Masculinity and PatriarchyMythopoetic Men's MovementIf you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

This week we are excited to bring on the show Fr. Peter Heers, Orthodox priest and author currently living in Greece. He also happens to be the brother of our host John Heers.Fr. Peter brings a lot of "Old World" into this episode from talking about life in Greek villages to Orthodox Christianity and how it pertains to culture and life. We also dive into thoughts on self esteem, history, and, of course, COVID.Links:Orthodox Ethos Website and PodcastThe Ecclesiological Renovation of Vatican IIFr. Peter Heers PatreonFr. Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works (link to Amazon)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 the course and how to join (it's never to late!) here.Interested in joining First Things Foundation? Check out our Join FTF page for more info, or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org.Like writing? Like this podcast? Find out how you can continue the discussion further by submitting a blog over at First Things Foundation here.Gagimargos! Wait, what does that mean? Learn more about the Georgian Supra and its symbolic significance here.If you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.--CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

No but really, what's a human right? Have we always had them? Where and when did they appear on the scene? And how do they relate to what's going on all around the world?Links:Human Nature: Indian Perspective RevisitedAl Islam OrgDaoism: AnthropologyFr. Silouan, artIf you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com;Support the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Teenage rebellion, the most angsty of times on our way to adulthood. And it happens to all of us...or does it? Come explore what adolescence and the road to adulthood looks like for us Enlightened folk and for those Old World cultures.Links:Can teenage defiance be used for good? - New York TimesThe Myth of the Teen Brain - Scientific AmericanTeenagers, Why do They Rebel - Web MDYes Your Teen is Crazy - Michael J. BradleyIf you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review with your comments. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. You can also check out First Things Foundation for more information on who we are and what we do.We are hiring and looking for people to join us in Appalachia! Check out our Opportunities page for more information.CreditsMusic:Provided by Edward Gares / Pond5.comSound effects:"Swoosh Transition" provided by https://www.zapsplat.com;Support the show2 years. Deep cultural immersion. Intense personal discovery. See what it means to become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities or email Daniel at danielpadrnos@first-things.org for more information.Please leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion."Why Are We Talking About Rabbits?" takes you beyond rhetorical "rabbits" and the shallow approach that the media and most thinkers today take to examine contemporary cultural phenomena. Using theology, history, philosophy and years of travel in Mali, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, and beyond, John Heers offers a refreshing take to how we got to where we are now. WAWTAR is all about talking about those heavy things… lightly. Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe