The podcast for Acadia Divinity College. Acadia Divinity College is on the campus of one of Canada’s most creative and innovative universities, Acadia University. The biblical and theological foundations that gave rise to the formation of this University find their full expression through the College, the University’s Faculty of Theology.
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Faculty Of Divinity Podcasts
The Signum Scene podcast covers Signum University news, Signum Symposia, and creator chats from Signum Plaza—engaging talks on literature for fans and scholars. Featuring event updates, faculty chats, MA student thesis presentations, and interviews with leading academics and creators, it offers something for everyone.
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Welcome to the Divinity Divulged podcast! The first podcast series from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. In each episode we’ll be taking a look at one of the fascinating research projects happening within the Faculty through conversations with the researcher and an expert guest working in their field. Our episodes are aimed at all of those studying and or exploring religion and theology across all levels, and we hope you enjoy!
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Join us as we explore the mysterious realm of human intuition, consciousness, and the Noetic Sciences—the study of inner knowing and spiritual perception. Have you ever sensed something before it happened? Dreamt of an event that later came true? Felt a deep, unshakable knowing that defied logic? If so, you’ve already tapped into your intuitive potential—and you're beginning to wake up. In this podcast, we guide you on the path to awakening higher consciousness and developing your innate spi ...
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This podcast represents conversations among faculty, staff, and alumni of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School from 2020–2022. No new episodes will be released.
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Chapter, Verse, and Season: A Lectionary Podcast from Yale Bible Study
Yale Divinity School Faculty
Writing a fresh, meaningful sermon every week can be challenging. Start your weekly sermon prep by listening to two Yale Divinity School professors chat about one of the upcoming Revised Common Lectionary texts.
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How do we transform and transcend our biases? From judgments made unconsciously to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform. Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren hosts the podcast series Learning How to See. Listen and discover how seeing is social, political, and contemplative.
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Join the faculty, staff, and guests of Zaytuna College as they reflect upon timeless reminders from the Qur’an and the Islamic tradition. Our Ramadan podcast highlights the applicability of Islam’s vast spiritual tradition and offers reliable companionship in your journey through this blessed month.
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With her super-sensitive sense of smell, sixteen year-old Kaia Smith is used to not fitting in. So when she receives an invitation from Dr. Vadim Grigori to participate in the Grigori Young Scholars Program with its promise that she will meet others like herself, she jumps at the chance. But what is the GYSP really about? Why are the faculty so interested in the story of the Fall of the Watchers? Why are they obsessed with antimony? And what role will GYSP participants like Kaia play in thei ...
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Welcome to The Hikmah Project, a unique platform dedicated to the exploration of the world's spiritual wisdom traditions, with a special emphasis on Islamic metaphysics and mysticism. Our mission is to offer seekers of sacred knowledge an avenue to delve into mystical texts, guided by renowned experts from across the globe. Through podcasts, online courses, and events, we aim to foster a community of learning and spiritual growth. Drawing inspiration from the Qur’anic verse: أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُ ...
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Unconditional Love, Ego, and the Path Back to Peace
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1:36:02Send us a text Love is the most practical power in the world—and the hardest to fake. We dive straight into why loving God first is the key that unlocks self-love, tames ego, and steadies you when life tests your courage. From there, we move into the daily mechanics of faith: what evidence looks like in real life, how repentance clears karmic debt,…
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When Technology Tests the Soul: AI, Sound, and the Shape of Modern Faith
1:45:48
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1:45:48Send us a text What if the most dangerous thing about AI isn’t what it knows, but what we stop doing when it’s always there to help? We open with a gut-check on where science and spirituality actually meet—no rivalry, just two lenses on the same mountain—and then trace how polite machines can slowly claim our choices if we trade discernment for con…
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October 1, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Mark Jefferson - Mourning in the Morning
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25:25October 1, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Mark Jefferson - Mourning in the Morning by Acadia Divinity CollegeBy Acadia Divinity College
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Decoding Rapture Hype and Rewriting Autism Myths for Real-World Hope
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1:33:48Send us a text Viral rapture dates, prophecy pressure, and a world on edge—let’s take a breath. We open by cutting through sensational predictions with grounded wisdom and a working definition of “rapture” as awakening rather than escape. From there we pivot into the heart of the episode: a deep, hopeful conversation with Harvard-trained educator a…
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Send us a text The digital age promises connection yet delivers isolation for countless people drowning in information while starving for meaning. In this profound episode, Dr. Douglas James Cotrell and co-host Les Hubert explore the spiritual crisis lurking beneath our technological abundance. We begin by examining the paradox of modern loneliness…
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Finding Your Spiritual Compass: A Guide for Uncertain Times
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1:18:30Send us a text When the world seems to change at warp speed, where do we find our spiritual bearing? In this deeply reflective episode (originally broadcast on Soul Report Live), Dr. Douglas James Cottrell guides us through the chaos of current events with wisdom that transcends political divisions. As global tensions rise in the Middle East and po…
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September 24, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Greg Jones - Doing Good
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23:15September 24, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Greg Jones - Doing Good by Acadia Divinity CollegeBy Acadia Divinity College
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September 17, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Stuart Blythe - No Give
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22:03September 17, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Stuart Blythe - No Give by Acadia Divinity CollegeBy Acadia Divinity College
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September 10, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins - Shrewd As Snakes, Innocent as Doves
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24:37September 10, 2025 - Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins - Shrewd As Snakes, Innocent as Doves by Acadia Divinity CollegeBy Acadia Divinity College
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This episode contains my conversation with Stacy Aannestad about her novel: Flight: the Den-Aronel Chronicles in the Signum University Collaboratory. I also report on two new works that have entered the fiction sector since the last episode. Support The Signum SceneBy Signum University
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Thesis Theater: Bronwyn Rivera, "Pilgrimage Narrative in Violet Evergarden"
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1:01:35This recording from September 1, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Bronwyn Rivera on Monday, September 1, 2025 at 11 am ET. From psychology to film theory, ecocriticism to posthumanism, anime studies have flourished as scholars investigate the medium through a variety of interdisciplinary lenses. In particular, academics are exam…
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Thesis Theater: Grace Bennett, “Neutral and Evil Technology in Lewis and Tolkien"
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1:03:47This recording from August 13, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Grace Bennett on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 3pm ET. This thesis challenges the reductionistic narrative that C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were anti-technology and anti-science. It examines technological examples from the works of Lewis and Tolkien that show thei…
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Thesis Theater: Sarah Shahan Polo, "The Lord of the Rings, Modernism, and The Counterculture"
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59:32This recording from August 6, 2025 Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Sarah Shahan Polo on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 1pm ET. This thesis explores the complex relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and the literary and cultural movements of modernism and postmodern counterculture. Though Tolkien personally distanc…
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This episode contains an interview with author and Academic Submissions Coordinator Dr Julian Barr. Julian has a middle grade novel called Rebel Seers: Beyond the Ashlands up in the collaboratory and several works published outside Signum University. There is also a brief reminder about the new Signum Tutorials program as announced at Mythmoot XII.…
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What if love could guide you through anger, injustice, and even the darkest memories? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher reflect on how love, honesty, and contemplative practice can transform even deep wounds. They also respond to a listener’s question: how do we love those who cause harm—especially in politics? Brian…
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Seeing with the Help of a Soul-Optometrist with Sr. Simone Campbell
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49:17What would change if you could see with eyes of love—even in the face of cruelty, fear, and disagreement? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher sit down with renowned spiritual leader, legal advocate, and activist Sister Simone Campbell for a deeply honest conversation about love, justice, and compassion. They explore ho…
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Thesis Theater: Jeffrey Wade, "Do the Inhabitants of Arda Know How Their Own Story Ends?"
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1:06:26This recording from June 4, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Jeffrey Wade on Thursday, June 4, 2025 at 5pm ET. This thesis concerns itself with the question of whether the inhabitants of Tolkien’s Arda possess an awareness of their creation’s eschatological end. It is not a study of Christian doctrine, Tolkien, or outside analys…
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Avatars Among Us: Divine Teachers in Chaotic Times
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33:53Send us a text Who are the great spiritual avatars that appear throughout human history, and why do they come when they do? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a profound exploration of divine consciousness made manifest in physical form. These awakened beings—Buddha, Christ, Sai Baba, and others—embody what Sai Baba himself described perfectly:…
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What would change if you believed that active, creative non-violence was the deepest expression of love? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher welcome legendary peace activist, Catholic priest, and author Fr. John Dear for an unflinching conversation about the cost—and the healing power—of universal non-violence. Togethe…
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Thesis Theater: Fr. Andrew Damick, "Divine Council Theology in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth"
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1:03:01This recording from May 30, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Father Andrew Damick on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2pm ET. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium, particularly in The Silmarillion and related material, the reader encounters divine beings, including the Valar, who are called gods in the text and by Tolkien himse…
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Awakening the Kundalini: Understanding Life's Sacred Energy
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27:53Send us a text What exactly is Kundalini energy, and why has it fascinated spiritual seekers across traditions for thousands of years? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a profound journey into understanding this mysterious life force that exists within each of us. The Kundalini, Dr. Douglas explains, is the fundamental creative energy that ris…
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Thesis Theater: Sarah Monnier, "Toward a Digital Edition of Widsið"
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56:29This recording from May 24, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Sarah Monnier on Friday, May 24, 2025 at 9am ET. It is a truth universally acknowledged that the Classics, which generally means Greek and Latin language materials, are much more advanced in digital scholarship and resources than Germanic languages. While an enormous a…
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This episode contains an interview with author Brad Patty, whose novel Arms and White Samite is posted in the fiction submission hall of the Circulation Library. WE also update new things added to the Collaboratory since the last podcast was recorded. Support The Signum SceneBy Signum University
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Seeing (and Dancing) in the Dark with Rev. Otis Moss III
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49:00How might your life change if you paused more often to unlearn what fear has taught you? In this episode, hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher are joined by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. Together, they explore what it means to live with vision in times of struggle—when the path is unclear, but the call to truth and love remains strong. Drawing …
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Send us a text We all carry wounds from childhood – from difficult teachers and parents to schoolyard bullies – but how do we heal them and move forward? Dr. Douglas Cottrell tackles this profound question with compassion and clarity, offering a transformative perspective that allows us to reframe our early experiences. Rather than dwelling on how …
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Karma vs. Sin: Understanding Spiritual Accountability
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39:01Send us a text Dr. Douglas James Cottrell delivers profound insights into the metaphysical mechanics of karma and sin, revealing how these spiritual processes shape our growth and development. While many misunderstand karma as simply "good" or "bad," Douglas explains it's actually a neutral process—similar to baking a cake—where our actions return …
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Seeing (and Loving) the Divine in The Everyday with Carrie Newcomer
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52:12How do ordinary moments become portals to the sacred? On this episode of Learning How to See, Carrie Newcomer joins Brian and Carmen for a conversation-and-concert that explores “short-form empathy,” the contemplative power of music, and the everyday practice of seeing, and being seen, through eyes of love. Along the way Carrie performs two beloved…
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Life After Life: Where Does Your Soul Go?
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25:38Send us a text Death is not the end, but merely a transition back to where we came from. Drawing from four decades of metaphysical exploration and his own near-death experience, Dr. Douglas James Cottrell reveals the fascinating journey our consciousness takes after we shed our physical form. What happens in those first moments after death? Dr. Dou…
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Seeing the Humanity of Everyone (No Exceptions) with Fr. Rafael Garcia
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42:36What happens to your own humanity when you choose to truly see the humanity in others? In this episode, Jesuit priest Father Rafael Garcia joins Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher to explore what it means to see through eyes of love—especially in a world that often teaches us to view immigrants, the incarcerated, and the marginalized with fea…
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In this episode of the Storyweb, host Christopher Bartlett takes the listeners on a tour of what is already in the Fiction Hall of the Signum University Collaboratory’s circulation library. He gives an overview of each of the works one may find there, and urges subscribers to engage with the authors of these works. To contact Christopher Bartlett, …
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Thesis Theater: Kimberly McKinney, "Ecology, Eucatastrophe, and Estel"
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55:42This recording from May 7, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Kimberly McKinney on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 10am ET. J. R. R. Tolkien’s tales about Middle-earth were designed to provide a conceivable mythological history for the existing world. Due to this intentional connection, his secondary, fictional world reflects many famil…
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The Many Minds Within: Understanding Different Levels of Consciousness
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39:03Send us a text What if everything you've been told about consciousness only scratches the surface of a much deeper reality? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a profound journey through the multiple dimensions of human awareness that science is only beginning to understand. Through vivid metaphors and practical examples, Dr. Cottrell reveals ho…
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Seeing Grace-fully with Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber
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46:17What would change if you believed that grace was at the center of your life? In this episode, Brian and Carmen are joined by longtime friend and public theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber for a conversation about the radical, healing power of grace—and how it reshapes our vision of ourselves, others, and the divine. Connect with us: Have a question you'd l…
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The Intersection of Physical Reality and Spiritual Laws: A Deep Dive with Dr. Douglas
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30:13Send us a text What does it truly mean to be "spiritual" and why do so many of us feel that our spiritual practices alone aren't creating the transformation we seek? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Douglas James Cottrell tackles this profound question that lies at the heart of the human experience. Drawing from over four decades of spiritual…
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Introducing Season 8 (and our new co-host!) with Carmen Acevedo Butcher and Brian McLaren
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41:05In this opening to Season 8, Learning How to See returns with understanding how to see with the eyes of love. On this season, Brian McLaren introduces his new co-host Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher—a scholar, translator, contemplative teacher, and birdwatching chocolate lover—and together, they launch the theme for this season: Seeing Through Eyes of L…
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The Curious Soul: Why Intelligent Spirits Choose Physical Existence
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26:46Send us a text What compels an intelligent, all-knowing soul to choose the limitations of physical existence? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell tackles this profound spiritual question with wisdom, humor, and practical insight that bridges ancient understanding with modern curiosity. The journey begins with a striking metaphor - we are like exquisite stat…
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Pain as a Catalyst: Why Suffering Serves a Purpose
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26:17Send us a text Pain serves as life's greatest teacher, waking us from complacency and pushing us toward spiritual growth. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell tackles the age-old question of why suffering exists in our world, offering profound insights that transform how we view life's challenges. Through powerful analogies and spiritual wisdom, Dr. Cottrell…
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Exploring the Mind's Reach: Remote Viewing and Astral Travel
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20:23Send us a text What happens when your consciousness travels beyond your physical body? Can your mind truly perceive distant locations or peek into the future? The boundaries between different psychic abilities often blur in popular understanding, but they represent distinct facets of human consciousness worth exploring. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell d…
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Send us a text Have you ever been helped by a mysterious stranger who appeared exactly when needed, then vanished without a trace? You might have encountered an angel in human form. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a fascinating journey exploring angelic encounters throughout history and in his own life. Drawing from decades of metaphysical e…
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Raising Your Vibrations: The Path to Spiritual Growth Without Suffering
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26:23Send us a text Dr. Douglas James Cottrell tackles a profound spiritual question: does elevating our consciousness really make life more elegant and easier rather than more difficult? His answer challenges conventional wisdom about the spiritual path. The journey begins by defining what "raising vibrations" actually means—becoming fuller, more actua…
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Introducing Storyweb, a new series of chats with authors and creators from the Signum Plaza. Support The Signum SceneBy Signum University
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In this inaugural episode of the Storyweb series, Christopher Bartlett interviews Sparrow Alden about her history and process as a writer. They discuss A Flash of Wings, Sparrow’s anthology of flash fiction that appears in the Signum University Collaboratory. https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/library/37 Support The Signum Scene…
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The Order of Events: Building Your Life with Purpose and Intention
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18:49Send us a text What does it truly mean to live a conscious, spiritually-aware life in today's chaotic world? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell draws from over four decades of spiritual teaching to offer profound yet practical wisdom on navigating life's journey with purpose and intention. Throughout this episode, Dr. Cottrell explores the delicate balance…
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Cosmic Patterns & Personal Destinies: Are You Awake?
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25:24Send us a text Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a profound exploration of the spiritual journey we all share, regardless of age or life stage. With over four decades of intuitive wisdom, he reveals how our lives follow predictable patterns—major spiritual lessons every decade and seven-year cycles of renewal that shape our development whether…
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Send us a text Death fascinates and frightens us, yet Dr. Douglas James Cottrell offers a refreshingly hopeful perspective: we don't fear being dead as much as how we'll die. This profound distinction sets the tone for an exploration of mortality that transcends typical doom-and-gloom conversations. Our physical existence, Dr. Douglas explains, is …
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Soul Journey: Unlocking the Wisdom of Past Lives
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21:17Send us a text Have you ever wondered why some people seem born with extraordinary talents or why certain challenges keep appearing in your life? The answer might lie in what existed before this lifetime. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell takes us on a fascinating exploration of pre-existence and how understanding our soul's journey can transform our pers…
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Finding Your True Path in a Chaotic World
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21:10Send us a text Feeling lost in today's chaotic world? You're not alone. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell tackles the universal struggle of finding one's path in life—a challenge that's particularly intense for young people navigating our digital age. Drawing from decades of wisdom, Dr. Cottrell reveals why most of us only truly "figure life out" around a…
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April 2, 2025 - Luke Steeves - Open the Scroll
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23:51April 2, 2025 - Luke Steeves - Open the Scroll by Acadia Divinity CollegeBy Acadia Divinity College
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Fear Is an Illusion: Mind Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality
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20:19Send us a text What if everything you believe about fear is wrong? Dr. Douglas James Cottrell delivers a paradigm-shifting perspective on the nature of fear itself, challenging listeners to reconsider an emotion that plagues countless lives. "Fear doesn't exist," he declares boldly, explaining that what we call fear is actually a condition we creat…
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Finding Your Truth in a World of Confusion
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17:56Send us a text What is truth, and can anyone truly claim to possess it completely? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Douglas James Cottrell explores the nature of personal and universal truth with co-host Les Hubert. "The truth is what you think it is," Dr. Douglas explains, but the wisdom lies in recognizing our limitations. Like puzzle piece…
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