Best Thomas Solomon Podcasts (2025)

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Cultivating Virtue in Educational Practice with Ethan Hsieh 1:15:18

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8d ago1:15:18

1:15:18

To learn directly from Ethan Hsieh, John Vervaeke and Taylor Barratt, The Lectern is partnering with 5ToMidnight to offer a long form hybrid (online/in-person) practice program called TIAMAT-X. This program brings a full ecology of practices, endorsed by The Vervaeke Foundation to help you develop the capacity to… perceive what matters regulate in …

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The Housefly Effect and Other Nudges That Change Behavior | Brainfluence 29:09

9d ago29:09

29:09

In this Brainfluence episode, host Roger Dooley sits down with behavioral scientist Eva van der Broek and advertising creative Tim den Heijer, co-authors of the intriguing new book, The Housefly Effect: The Nudge Psychology That Steers Our Everyday Behavior. Together, they dive into the quirky yet profound ways that tiny changes—think a simple hous…

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Silk Road Seminar - Nicole Baden 1:17:23

27d ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Thank you for joining us LIVE for this special Lectern Launch Event with Nicole Baden and Dr. John Vervaeke. Nicole Baden is a contemplative teacher, somatic practitioner, and long-time collaborator within the ecology-of-practices community. Her work focuses on integrating embodiment, meditative discipline, trauma-informed techniques, and transform…

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LIVE TIAMAT X Q&A with Ethan Hsieh 1:56:08

29d ago1:56:08

1:56:08

Learn more about the program here: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/tiamat-x Led by Ethan Hsieh, John Vervaeke and Taylor Barratt, The Lectern is partnering with 5ToMidnight to offer a long form hybrid (online/in-person) practice program called TIAMAT-X. This program brings a full ecology of practices, endorsed by The Vervaeke Foundation to…

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Cultivating Virtuosity: Integrating Philosophy into Everyday Life 1:16:09

1M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Led by Ethan Hsieh, John Vervaeke and Taylor Barratt, The Lectern is partnering with 5ToMidnight to offer a long form hybrid (online/in-person) practice program called TIAMAT-X. This program brings a full ecology of practices, endorsed by The Vervaeke Foundation to help you develop the capacity to… perceive what matters regulate in real time and ac…

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Lectern Live Launch Event — Reflections, Updates, and a Major Announcement 1:57:09

1M ago1:57:09

1:57:09

In this livestream, John relected on the past year, walk through important updates to the Lectern platform, preview upcoming courses, and share a major announcement: Led by Ethan Hsieh, John Vervaeke and Taylor Barratt, The Lectern is partnering with 5ToMidnight to offer a long form hybrid (online/in-person) practice program called TIAMAT-X. This p…

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How To Make People Buy with Thomas Zoega Ramsoy - Brainfluence 32:44

1M ago32:44

32:44

In this episode of Brainfluence, Roger Dooley is joined by Thomas Ramsoy, CEO and founder of Neurons, to discuss the evolving fields of neuromarketing and consumer neuroscience. Thomas Ramsoy shares insights from his book, "How to Make People Buy," which delves into the science behind what drives consumer behavior—emphasizing that genuine engagemen…

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A Thorough Critique of Popular and Psychological Accounts of Meaning of Life 1:48:57

2M ago1:48:57

1:48:57

This is John's second video essay, and it delivers a thorough critique of contemporary theories of meaning in life. With his student Arjun Arora assisting, John dismantles the standard psychological and folk categories — purpose, coherence, significance, and mattering — showing why they fall short of capturing the depth of what "meaning" actually i…

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Unwasted_African aesthetics and the global translation of African narratives with Prof. Mugendi Kanampiu M’Rithaa 49:02

2M ago49:02

49:02

Professor Mugendi Kanampiu M’Rithaa is a pioneering transdisciplinary designer, educator, and President Emeritus of the World Design Organization. He is a thinker whose work spans continents, cultures, and causes- a passionate advocate for design as a transformative force on the African continent and a believer in the idea of “Afrika with a K” — a …

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Silk Road Seminar - Jonathan Pageau 1:04:31

2M ago1:04:31

1:04:31

Thank you for joining us for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today's guest is @JonathanPageau Jonathan Pageau is a Canadian artist, writer, and public thinker exploring the patterns that unite art, symbolism, and meaning. As an icon carver and lecturer on symbolic thinking, Jonathan has become a prominent voice in the growing movement to recover tra…

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S5 E11 - Steven Shapin on the Social Life of Scientific Knowledge 50:24

2M ago50:24

50:24

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Steven Shapin, Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Harvard. Shapin reflects on his path into the history and sociology of science and discusses the central concerns of his work: how knowledge is produced, the social foundations of trust in science, the embodied nature of knowledge, and the performan…

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Virtuosity as a Way of Life | Ethan Hsieh and the Tiamat Process 1:13:32

2M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

Something is coming: https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/p/whatnext What if mastery isn't about perfection—but about transformation? In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke is joined by Ethan Hsieh to explore how the cultivation of virtuosity—typically associated with the arts—can become central to philosophical and existential growth. Ethan int…

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Kouomegne Celia Kamdom 40:47

2M ago40:47

40:47

In this episode, Celia shares how a move from Paris to Norway, and a lifelong pull toward design led her to create Oriaku, a jewelry brand that fuses African craftsmanship with Scandinavian minimalism. She reflects on growing up with a seamstress mother who shaped her understanding of fashion, and how lived experiences in different contexts helped …

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S5 E10 - Cordelia Fine on "Patriarchy Inc" 52:57

3M ago52:57

52:57

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Cordelia Fine — psychologist, award-winning writer, and professor in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne. Cordelia is one of today’s leading voices on how science and society shape our understandings of gender. In the conversation, Cordelia discusses her new book Patri…

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Silk Road Seminar - Elizabeth Oldfield 1:24:07

3M ago1:24:07

1:24:07

Thank you for joining us for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today's guest is Elizabeth Oldfield. Elizabeth Oldfield is an experienced leader, writer, consultant and podcast host with a passion for intelligent public engagement on issues of reconciliation, identity, and healing our common life. She is currently working with a range of organisations …

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Exploring Jewish Neoplatonism: The Life and Philosophy of Solomon Ibn Gabirol 1:24:23

3M ago1:24:23

1:24:23

Watch the first episode of our new season of Lectern Dialogues! This season's guest is Zevi Slavin. Zevi Slavin is a philosopher, educator, and public scholar whose work explores the intersections of mysticism and philosophy across traditions. As the creator of Seekers of Unity, he is dedicated to reviving and reinterpreting the voices of philosoph…

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S5 E9 - Miriam Solomon on How Stigma Shapes Psychiatry 26:09

3M ago26:09

26:09

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Miriam Solomon, Professor of Philosophy at Temple University and a leading voice in philosophy of science, medicine, and psychiatry. Solomon reflects on her intellectual trajectory, from her early studies in the natural sciences at Cambridge and her doctoral work at Harvard, to her later contributions…

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S5 E8 - Philip Kitcher on Philosophy for Science and the Common Good 47:35

4M ago47:35

47:35

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Philip Kitcher, John Dewey Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University and one of the most influential philosophers of science of the past half-century. Kitcher traces his intellectual journey from his early years at Cambridge and Princeton, where he studied with Thomas Kuhn, Carl Hempel, …

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Why Reason Needs Spirit | John Vervaeke 51:40

4M ago51:40

51:40

Thank you for joining us for this in-depth solo lecture from Dr. John Vervaeke, where he continues his exploration of cognition, meaning, and spirit from the perspective of relevance realization and predictive processing. In this talk, John takes us on a journey through the architecture of the mind, explaining how voluntary necessity, scientific id…

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S5 E7 - Lydia Patton on HOPOS 34:51

4M ago34:51

34:51

This week, Thomas Spiteri is in conversation with Professor Lydia Patton, philosopher of science and historian of the philosophy of science. Patton traces her unexpected journey from ballet to Kantian philosophy and into the emerging field of HOPOS (history of philosophy of science). She reflects on her years as editor-in-chief of the HOPOS journal…

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Silk Road Seminar - Rick Repetti 1:16:37

4M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today's guest is Rick Repetti. Silk Road Seminars are a live event where John weaves together threads from his various theoretical conversations along with a distinguished guest. These hour-long conversations are live on YouTube followed by an exclusive Q&A, where you can ask question…

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S5 E6 - Sarah Blaffer Hrdy on ‘Rethinking our Starting Assumptions’ 29:17

4M ago29:17

29:17

“I love your field. It is making such an important point about scientists who don't understand the extent to which our own upbringing impacts our starting assumptions. It's those starting assumptions that get you in trouble.” In today’s episode Samara Greenwood returns to interview the pioneering primatologist and evolutionary anthropologist, Sarah…

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Navigating the Trust Apocalypse: Examining Collective Agency and Distributed Cognitio 1:30:32

5M ago1:30:32

1:30:32

How do we rebuild trust and meaning in a world where certainty and connection are breaking down? In this episode of The Lectern, John welcomes Kieran McCammon and Jordan Hall to discuss the 'trust apocalypse' and its intersection with the meaning crisis. They delve into the vicious cycle between the loss of trust and the fragmentation of communitie…

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S5 E5 - Cristian Larroulet Philippi on Measurement in the Human Sciences 28:59

5M ago28:59

28:59

This week, Thomas Spiteri is joined by Dr. Cristian Larroulet Philippi, who joins us at the University of Melbourne this year as the inaugural RW Seddon Fellow in the History and Philosophy of Science program. With a background in economics and a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge, Larroulet Philippi was previ…

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S5 E4 - Heather Douglas on Rethinking Science’s Social Contract 46:27

5M ago46:27

46:27

This week on The HPS Podcast, Thomas Spiteri is in conversation with internationally recognised philosopher of science and professor at Michigan State University, Heather Douglas. Heather’s work has transformed how philosophers and scientists think about values, responsibility, and the relationship between science and society. In recognition of her…

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Silk Road Seminar - Bishop Maximus 1:04:21

5M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Bishop Maximus is a theologian, scholar, and Orthodox bishop whose work bridges ancient Christian thought with contemporary philosophical inquiry. A leading voice in the revival of patristic epistemology, he focuses on the integration of faith and reason through figures such as Clement of Alexandria. His research explores how early Christian thinke…

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S5 E3 - Hans-Jörg Rheinberger on 'Epistemic Things' 29:00

5M ago29:00

29:00

Today on The HPS Podcast, Thomas Spiteri talks with Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, distinguished historian and philosopher of science and Director Emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. Trained first in philosophy and then in molecular biology, Rheinberger is well-recognised for his work on the history and epistemology o…

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The Philosophical Silk Road: A Journey to Rediscovering Theosis and Sacred Pluralism 1:07:59

5M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

The Calling to Reorient the Self How can the sacred be recovered in a world fractured by autonomy and fragmentation? In this deeply personal episode of Kainos on The Lectern, recorded during a session hosted by Alexander Beiner on Kainos, John Vervaeke shares reflections from his recent pilgrimage across Europe—what he calls the Philosophical Silk …

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S5 E2 - Surekha Davies on Humans: A Monstrous History 19:37

5M ago19:37

19:37

Today on The HPS Podcast, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Dr. Surekha Davies, historian of science, art and ideas, and author of the new book Humans: A Monstrous History (University of California Press). Surekha’s research explores how ideas about humanity have been shaped by encounters with what did not seem to fit. She draws on visual, material and te…

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S5 E1 - Samara and Thomas: Reflections and Roads Ahead 30:42

5M ago30:42

30:42

After a short break, The HPS Podcast is back! Season 5 opens with a special handover episode. After several years as lead host, Samara Greenwood passes the mic to fellow PhD candidate Thomas Spiteri. Together, they look back on the podcast’s journey, what it has meant to them, and where it’s headed next. Hear from Samara and Thomas as they: Introdu…

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Agency, Communion, and the Dialogical Self 1:16:38

6M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

"To what extent is authenticity a solitary alignment with the inner self, versus a relational and dialogical process shaped through communion with others?" John Vervaeke, Gregg Henriques and Matthew Schaublin come together for a discussion covering the concept of authenticity. Matthew Schaublin presents findings from two studies, one of which emplo…

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The Crisis of Being 1:13:10

6M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

The Crisis of Being James Filler is a philosopher, theologian, and leading voice in metaphysics and post-Cartesian thought, specializing in substance ontology, the meaning crisis, and relational models of reason. With a PhD in philosophy and expertise in ancient and contemporary ontology, Filler is the author of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the His…

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Embarking on the Philosophical Silk Road: Exploring Pilgrimage and Theosis 1:49:01

7M ago1:49:01

1:49:01

This conversation marks the beginning of a deeper inquiry for Dr. John Vervaeke: What if pilgrimage is not a retreat from the world, but a return to what is most real? Joined by Ethan Hsieh, John explicates his intent to preregister his intellectual and philosophical orientation before beginning his metaphorical pilgrimage. Drawing on parallels wit…

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The Return of the Sacred: Mysticism, Tradition, and the Challenge of Modernity 1:31:10

7M ago1:31:10

1:31:10

Ritual, Wisdom, and What's Lost Sebastian Morello was trained in philosophy by Sir Roger Scruton and Andrew Pinsent. He is a lecturer, columnist, and popular public speaker in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. Morello has previously co-authored books on subjects of philosophy and education. He lives in Bedfordshire, England, with his wife a…

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What AI Can Never Be | John Vervaeke 57:04

7M ago57:04

57:04

Can artificial intelligence truly become wise? In this landmark lecture, John Vervaeke explores the future of AI through a lens few dare to examine: the limits of intelligence itself. He unpacks the critical differences between intelligence, rationality, reasonableness, and wisdom—terms often used interchangeably in discussions around AGI. Drawing …

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6.2. George Daniels: South Africa.Norway 42:55

7M ago42:55

42:55

George Daniels, Managing Director of the Oslo Afro Arts Festival talks about how the festival contributes to reshaping cultural narratives in Norway through the power of African arts. From teaching salsa classes to directing one of Scandinavia’s most vibrant cultural festivals, George shares his personal journey from South Africa to Oslo—a path fue…

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The Activator Advantage with Matt Dixon 34:54

7M ago34:54

34:54

In this episode of Brainfluence, host Roger Dooley welcomes back Matt Dixon, founding partner of DCM Insights and co-author of the bestselling "The Challenger Sale." Dixon shares insights from his latest book, The Activator Advantage: What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently, which is rooted in groundbreaking research on how top professionals win and…

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Silk Road Seminar - Zevi Slavin 1:29:59

7M ago1:29:59

1:29:59

Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today's guest is Zevi Slavin, founder of Seekers of Unity, a multidisciplinary platform exploring the convergence of science, mysticism, and philosophy. Zevi is known for his compelling work drawing connections between Kabbalah, Neoplatonism, Islamic mysticism, and cutting-edge theore…

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Sacredness After Deconstruction 1:38:05

8M ago1:38:05

1:38:05

Britt Hartley is a certified spiritual director, meditation teacher, and leading voice in secular spirituality, specializing in religious trauma, deconstruction, and nihilism recovery. With a Master's in Applied Theology, doctoral work in Open and Relational Theology (ABD), and training across Sufi, Mormon, and meditation traditions, she is the aut…

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Audience Faves: Daston & Harrison on 'Scientists and History' 30:57

8M ago30:57

30:57

In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection. In this episode Professors Lorraine Daston and Peter Harrison talk to Samara Greenwood on the often complex, sometimes fraught relationship between practicing scientists and the history of science. This episode was originall…

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Audience Faves: Hasok Chang on 'Epistemic Iteration' 35:05

8M ago35:05

35:05

In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection. In this episode, Professor Hasok Chang talks with Samara Greenwood about his concept of 'Epistemic Iteration', the idea that scientific inquiries do not start from a solid foundation, but rather begin from an imperfect posit…

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Audience Faves: Rachael Brown on 'Values in Science' 25:25

8M ago25:25

25:25

In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection. In this episode we have Dr Rachael Brown talking to Samara Greenwood on challenge the common idea that Science is (and should be) 'Value-Free'. At a practical level, in choosing which phenomena to study, and how best to stud…

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Audience Faves: Kristian Camilleri on 'The Disunity of Science' 24:30

8M ago24:30

24:30

In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection. First, we have Dr Kristian Camilleri talking with Samara Greenwood about the relatively recent realisation that this thing we call 'Science' is a less unified phenomena then is typically supposed. The 'disunity' becomes clea…

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Hacking Humanity: Data, Desire, and the Future of Free Will 1:58:48

8M ago1:58:48

1:58:48

What happens when data knows us better than we know ourselves? In this raw and riveting conversation, John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro sit down with Andy Russell — a former architect of data-driven persuasion — to expose how AI, behavioral profiling, and social media algorithms can hijack human desire, threaten our agency, and reshape our…

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Audacious with Mark Schaefer: How Humans Win in an AI World 32:57

8M ago32:57

32:57

Brainfluence host Roger Dooley sits down with marketing thought leader and bestselling author Mark Schaefer, who returns to the show with insights from his latest book, Audacious. Mark shares his unique approach to writing—how each of his books is inspired by real problems facing marketers—and discusses the existential challenges and opportunities …

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Silk Road Seminar - Khalil Andani 1:30:16

8M ago1:30:16

1:30:16

Thank you for joining us LIVE for our monthly Silk Road Seminar! Today's guest is Khalil Andani, an Assistant Professor of Religion at Augustana College whose research focuses on Islamic philosophy, Ismaili thought, Sufism, and Qur'anic studies. Khalil is especially known for his work on esoteric hermeneutics and mystical cognition in the Islamic i…

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6.1. Regina Ohiama Udalor: Nigeria.Norway 1:06:00

8M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Discover how youth-led filmmaking is reshaping cultural narratives in Norway and beyond. In this episode, Regina Ohiama Udalor, producer & director at Peridot Films and founder of the Bragi Film Festival—shares her journey of building a sense of home in Norway while staying rooted in her African identity. Through the Bragi Film Festival, she empowe…

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Lectern Q&As: The Virtue of Love | Featuring John Vervaeke, Ethan, and Ellie 1:03:03

9M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

Welcome to a special installment of the Lectern Q&A! This month's theme is Love as a Virtue and Existential Stance. This session dives into the nature of love—not just as a feeling, but as a participatory, person-making virtue that binds us to reality and each other. Joining John and Ethan is Ellie, who brings both a deeply reflective presence and …

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Autonomy, Authenticity, and the Fragmented Self 1:13:34

9M ago1:13:34

1:13:34

If you find yourself torn between rationality and spirituality, science and mysticism, facts and belief; The Lectern's inaugural 8-week course will offer you a new lens through which to reflect on these dilemmas. Click here to enroll: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1 "What does it really mean to be authentic, and can this…

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Silk Road Seminar with Tom Cheetham 58:00

9M ago58:00

58:00

Thanks for joining The Lectern Live Become a member at Gamma Tier and above to join the Live Q&A portion of this seminar. Join the Lectern here: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lecte...By John Vervaeke