MPP108 Manly P. Hall & The Secret History of American Spirituality with Ronnie Pontiac

In this episode, occult scholar Ronnie Pontiac shares some great stories about his late mentor Manly P. Hall and some of the forgotten founders of America, many of whom were not, as we're led to believe, puritan Christians, but rather were an eclectic mix of neo-Platonists, alchemists and esotericists.Ronnie Pontiac worked as Manly P. Hall’s research assistant and designated substitute lecturer for seven years. As well as being a writer and occult researcher, he is a musician and has produced award-winning documentaries including films on the Cuban revolutionary hip-hop group Los Aldeano and the Seattle grunge band The Gits, whose singer Mia Zapata was tragically raped and murdered in 1993. Ronnie lives in Los Angeles with his wife and frequent collaborator Tamra Spivey.His recent book American Metaphysical Religion is an exploration of American occult and spiritual history, from Colonial-Era Alchemists to 20th-Century teachers. Most Americans believe the United States was founded by pious Christians. However, as Ronnie Pontiac reveals, from the beginning, America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world.