Pop Culture Matters: White Lotus Season Three with Martin Strong

Welcome to the fifth episode of Pop Culture Matters, a conversation with my good friend and veteran of radio and television in Vancouver and beyond Martin Strong. In this episode we discussed White Lotus season three. It would not have been on my radar for a Pop Culture Matters episode prior to this season, but then again it had never dealt so overtly with Christian and Buddhist spirituality before. It had in the first two seasons focused on the foibles of the rich and materialistic, but this season it took what I think was a welcome turn to explore the themes of materialism and suffering and loss in the context of religious values. That’s right, it turned to what matters most. Martin and I had been watching the show throughout the season but had not talked about it until a couple of weeks ago and we realized this is peak pop culture for our podcast. I hope you enjoy our discussion, but keep in mind as you begin to listen, there are spoilers galore.  This podcast emerges from the Centre for Christian Engagement at St Mark’s College, the Catholic college at UBC, a centre that explores the Christian and Catholic intellectual tradition and seek to learn from others, other Christians, other religious traditions, and those who do not claim any particular or formal religious affiliation.  Apart from our deep dive into White Lotus, we discussed Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, and he did indeed live in the late 2nd century A.D. (121-180 AD).  Martin also mentioned Ron Sexsmith, a Canadian singer-sonwriter and his song If Only Avenue, which I have linked to here. It's a beautiful song. If you have not heard him before, check out his discography, including the lovely and gentle God Loves Everyone.  We both had also read the article by James Martin, S.J. on the White Lotus finale. We both highly recommended it.  On Theravada Buddhism in general, please check out this introductory page.   Upcoming Events The Promise of Christian Education: Past, Present and Future, MAY 1-3, 2025, at ST. MARK'S COLLEGE, VANCOUVER, CANADA. You can find all the information on the speakers and the program on the CCE website. Click here to register. The cost for the whole conference is minimal and the three keynote speakers are free, but you do need to register for Dr. Margaret MacDonald, Dr. Samuel Rocha, and Reverend Dr. Stan Chu Ilo. Past Events: Father Andrew Laguna S.J.'s annual Jesuit Lecture on Immigration and Ignatian Spiritual Discernment is available on You Tube now. Dr Ray Aldred's third annual Laudato Si’ lecture, bringing together Indigenous and Christian thought on how to care for creation, is available on You Tube. Dr. Michael Higgins lecture on The Monk and the Pope is now on You Tube. The webinar with Fr. Jim Martin on April 7, Building Bridges: Reaching Out to Those on the Margins, is now available on You Tube.  A few thanks are in order. To Martin Strong, to Kevin Eng, and to Fang Fang Chandra, the team who helps me bring this podcast to you, but also makes the CCE run so much more smoothly. I also want to thank our donors to the Centre, whose generosity enables this work to take place at all: Peter Bull, Angus Reid, and Andy Szocs. We are thankful to their commitment to the life of the academic world and of the work of the Church in the world by funding the work of the CCE. I am also thankful to the Cullen family, Mark and Barbara, for their support of the ongoing work of the CCE through financial donations that allow us to bring speakers to the local and international arenas. If you are enjoying the podcast, please let your friends know. It’s the free gift that you can give to all of your friends! And also let people know by rating and reviewing What Matters Most on your favourite podcasting platform. And subscribe to the podcast. If you are listening, please subscribe. It’s free! Thanks again for listening and remember pop culture matters.  John W. Martens