124. Brian C. Wilson – New Age Tycoon: The Life and Legacy of John E. Fetzer

Brian C. Wilson is a Professor of American Religious History in the Department of Comparative Religion at Western Michigan University. He has a BSc in Medical Microbiology from Stanford University, an MA in Hispanic Studies from Monterey Institute of International Studies, and an MA and a PhD in Religious Studies with the University of California. Brian is also the award-winning author of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and the Religion of Biologic Living. His most recent book is John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age following the spiritual sojourn of a 20th Century Michigan business tycoon. Brian joins me today to discuss the path he has traveled, powered by a curiosity for the metaphysical questions in life and a desire to serve in a spiritual role. He shares his experience of joining the Peace Corps, where an initial posting to Honduras led him to spend several years traveling Central America and the Caribbean where he was introduced to a host of religious cultures. Brian discusses his links with the Fetzer Institute, located in his neighborhood, and how he eventually came to write John E. Fetzer’s autobiography, a story of an unconventional businessman with New Age beliefs. We also discuss reincarnation, spiritual camps for mediums and psychics, and the history of the Ouija board with the positive and negative associations to it. Quotables from Brian C. Wilson “World religions are so rich and there’s such interesting history and theology and philosophy people have developed, that if you take a deep dive it really does help you to better understand not only the world around you and the way people have perceived it, but also your own ideas of the world.” “World religions are so rich and there’s such interesting history and theology and philosophy people have developed, that if you take a deep dive it really does help you to better understand not only the world around you and the way people have perceived it, but also your own ideas of the world.” “World religions are so rich and there’s such interesting history and theology and philosophy people have developed, that if you take a deep dive it really does help you to better understand not only the world around you and the way people have perceived it, but also your own ideas of the world.” “World religions are so rich and there’s such interesting history and theology and philosophy people have developed, that if you take a deep dive it really does help you to better understand not only the world around you and the way people have perceived it, but also your own ideas of the world.” This week on The School For Good Living: Why differing religions should be compared for understanding rather than rankHow Brian’s time in the Peace Corps opened up new ways of looking at his own religionWhy John E. Fetzer was not your typical American business tycoonWhy the Ouija board gets a bad rapWhat Brian discovered about his own beliefs researching his latest bookHow Fetzer gave up his business interests to create a legacy in the Fetzer Institute before his deathWhy you should keep a journal when you travelBrian’s tips on finding a story worth writing about and his own creative processResources Mentioned: Book: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and the Religion of Biologic LivingBook: John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New AgeConnect with Brian C. Wilson: Brian Wilson’s WebsiteBrian Wilson on LinkedInSubscribe, Rate & Share!  Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the School for Good Living Podcast, with your host, Brilliant Miller. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave us a rating and review.  Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And be sure to share your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to inspire others to improve their lives and reach their full potential. The post 124. Brian C. Wilson – New Age Tycoon: The Life and Legacy of John E. Fetzer first appeared on School for Good Living Podcasts.