Heavy Things Lightly
by John Heers
This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly. johnheersftf.substack.com
Episodes
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Demons, Deception, and Why Your Spiritual Practices Might Be Dangerous
Find this episode on YouTube: "Justine Alter" — a pseudonym — returns to chat with John Heers in a raw Heavy Things Lightly conversation you have to hear to believe.Justine worked for years as a professional psychic, deep in channeling, ceremonial magic, and occult community life. Baptized in…
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The Fox News Reporter Who Quit to Live an Orthodox Homesteading Life
Find this episode on YouTube: Holly Hickman went from Columbia Journalism and Fox News Radio covering NASA and the 2008 election — to milking cows, making cheese, and converting to Orthodoxy.In this episode of Heavy Things Lightly, Holly tells John how news really works: 7am editorial meetings,...
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Why They Left NASA to Start St. George's Classical Academy
Can you teach kids the truth AND prepare them for a secular world?On this episode of Heavy Things Lightly, host John Heers talks with James and Juliana Joyce, founders of St. George's Classical Academy in Boxford, Massachusetts — an Orthodox Christian classical school started from nothing in...
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An Odyssean Tale: The Man Who Would Not Quit
Find this episode on YouTube: Crow walked America searching for his father — and found the Father.From West Virginia hollers to LA gangs, from wolves in the Mojave desert to an Orthodox cross, this is an Odyssean tale of wandering, regret, and becoming Lazarus. John Heers sits with Crow (baptism...
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From Broadway to the Supra: Carrie Manolakos on Life After Lockdown
Welcome to the first episode of “Save Me a Spot at the Supra” on Heavy Things Lightly where John Heers hosts singer and Broadway performer Carrie Manolakos (best known for her performances in Mama Mia! and Wicked) at his restaurant after she attended a Supra, discussing how the tradition builds...
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Why This App Designer Hides His Face | An Old-World Cure Built as a New-World App
John Heers sits down with "Justin Smith" — an anonymous app designer you'll never see, only hear.His app, This Life, is audio-only and anonymous by design: you record your own voice, then get paired with a stranger for a day to hear three minutes of their life.In this episode John pushes back…
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Neil DeGraide: The West Has Forgotten Its Own Roots
Find this episode on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe
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Jay Dyer on the Enlightenment, Americanism & the Religion of Politics
Find this episode on YouTube: Jay Dyer joins John Heers to discuss the decline of 2000s New Atheism, shifting internet culture, the Enlightenment, Americanism, Orthodox Christianity, and the political forces shaping the modern West.They examine growing skepticism toward claims of scientific...
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Marriage Humility: When Your Intensity Becomes Your Marriage's Biggest Problem | Dr. Malamakis
Find this episode on YouTube: Dr. Philip Mamalakis says you'd take a bullet for your wife. But would you fix the light in the freezer she's been asking about for six weeks?That gap — between the heroic love we imagine and the ordinary love we're actually called to — is exactly what this...
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The Orthodox Cure for Broken Young Men | Fr. Hans Jacobse
Find this episode on YouTube: Father Hans has spent years reaching young men on the edge — men who are economically stuck, spiritually fragmented, and slow to trust. In this conversation, he names what’s really going on: a generation that woke up inside a world already infected with “narcissistic...
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Orthodoxy in Palestine
In this conversation recorded live at Symbolic World, John Heers sits down with Mother Agapia for a deep, unfiltered account of life on the ground in the West Bank: the building of the wall, the expansion of settlements, the targeting of Christian communities, and the complicated, often beautiful...
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Race, Ethnicity & Nationalism: Is an Orthodox America Possible?
Find this episode on YouTube: Is American Orthodoxy even possible? John Heers sits down with Ben Michael (Orthodox Luigi) to talk about race, ethnicity, what it means to be an American — and whether there's a future for Orthodox Christianity in a nation built on rootlessness.This conversation…
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The Ancient Christianity That is Alive and Well in Georgia
Georgia's ancient faith is still alive — and it demands more than just going through the motions.Professor Levan Gigineishvili joins John to discuss the importance of continuous personal growth as an Orthodox Christian, the ultimate answer to avoiding complacency and transforming our lives in...
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Online and American Orthodoxy w/ Fr. Paul Girgis
Find this episode on YouTube: Fr. Paul Girgis joins HTL to talk about American Orthodoxy, what's happening culturally, Lebanon and the Hezobollah question among many more.Discover more about Fr. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened”…
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Time and Despondency w/ Nicole Roccas
Find this episode on YouTube: Dr. Nicole Roccas has been researching and writing about time from both a historical and theological perspective for nearly ten years. In addition to being a writer and editor, she lectures at the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College (Toronto). Your support...
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Pageau talks Hegseth, Pulp Fiction, Clown World, and more...
Jonathan Pageau is back for a short chat, because we have to talk about clown world and Hegseth, and what in the world is going on in American politics. BUT! Also, we have to mention Symbolic World and especially the upcoming conference. ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've...
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Pete Hegseth, I'm not sure that was a prayer.
Find this episode on YouTube: Jonathan Pageau is back for a short chat, because we have to talk about clown world and Hegseth, and what in the world is going on in American politics. BUT! Also, we have to mention Symbolic World and especially the upcoming conference. Your support keeps this…
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Old Testament or No Testament War?
Find this episode on YouTube: Let's take a look at what's happening in Iran, Israel, Ukraine. How are we 'waging' war? Well, the answer is more nuanced than you think. And St. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia…
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Frederica Mathews Green | Art of the Tamada Talks
Find this episode on YouTube (subbed in Russian as well): Frederica Mathews Green on what it means to be a guest or a host at the Art of the Tamada event in Greenville, SC 2025."The Art of the Tamada" by the First Things Foundation (FTF) is a transformational cultural experience and fundraising...
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State of Reality (oh wait, Union) with Uncle Seth
Find this episode on YouTube: Let's all be calm and cool and watch the recent State of the Union address with Uncle Seth, because obviously that is a good idea. ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner...
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Eros Unbound: the story of Donald Marc Antony Trump
Find this episode on YouTube: Pavel Schelin sits down once more with John to talk about the tragic story of Marc Antony and those characters around him. What happens when massive Dionysian energy has no true master? It's a story of a bad Tamada, or Trump, or crazy college parties - and...
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Engaging the Other: Fr. Andrew Damick & Rev. Mike Landsman
Find this episode on YouTube: Fr. Andrew Damick and Rev. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in...
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The Svanes: A Missionary Tale
Discover more about the Svanes, their mission and support their efforts here:The Story: Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the...
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Wrestling the Tech Monster: James Poulos
Find this episode on YouTube: Reupload** The internet spirits inhabited our audio on the previous upload - we think we have it fixed this time around.John and James tackle the modern technology empire that seems to be consuming all of us. James sums it up pretty well during our convo: "...we are...
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Alex Sorin seems too nice for debates
Find this episode on YouTube: Alex Sorin joins the show today to talk about debating and defending the Orthodox Church, a little on Cicero, and a lot on the Protestant mindset in America. Also Alex is equal parts intelligent and nice. 10/10 would recommend as your lawyer. Find more Alex here:...
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Andrew McLuhan: Media, Modernity and The McLuhan Legacy
Andrew McLuhan is the son of Eric McLuhan, a grandson of Marshall McLuhan, founder and director of The McLuhan Institute (founded 2017). Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked...
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Baby Jesus Night in America (aka Christicamfest)
I'll say it one more time, this pod chose me! We weren't planning on doing this episode, but then the curse of the Old Calendar and Christmas being on different days...well, it all conspired to deliver this. A pod where I sound like a jerk, but I'm really not. Baby Jesus Night! Your support keeps...
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Romance and the Holidays with the Heers Girls
Find this episode on YouTube: The Heers Girls join HTL to educate us on what cuffing is, what women look for in men (kinda) and if body odor is a deal breaker. Also, there is singing. ✒ Substack: ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf 🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society:...
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The End of Christicans? Lt. Colonel Dan Horst
Find this episode on YouTube: Lt. Colonel Dan Horst joins the show as both a veteran and Tamada at our Keipi restaurant. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be.…
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Old World Candace vs New World Whites
Find this episode on YouTube: Pt. 2 following up on last episodes exploration of materialism and Gnosticism as we se them playing out in modern culture. ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you’ve ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/ 🏖️ Tailormade tours...
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Why Candace sounds crazy...but isn't.
Find this episode on YouTube: Let’s figure out reality. No really, let’s try and understand where reality exists as per an ancient understanding. And then maybe, we can understand why Candace might sound crazy, but really isn’t. Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our...
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Ceremonial Magician Justine Alter
Find this episode on YouTube: Ceremonial magician Justine Alter talks and what a talk it is. Extremely fascinating (terrifying?) look into what is happening just out of site. After a life of being a psychic, extreme artist, and cult leader Justine converted to Orthodoxy. Her story is…
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Halloween, Martyrs, and the MAGA Men
Find this episode on YouTube: A tale of ancient Christians, modern celebrations, and what it says about our current culture. ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf 🍷The best dinner party you’ve ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/...
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Dr. Ian McGilchrist Breaks the Light-O-Meter
Dr. Ian McGilchrist, best known for his books “The Matter with Things” (2021) and “The Master and His Emissary” (2009), is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and neuroscientist well known around the world. He comes on today, not only to take the (in)famous Light-O-Meter test, but also to talk about...
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We Are Not Alone - Grizwald Grim
Find this episode on YouTube: Welcome to a different side of the internet. A side where we are all fire ants banding together to create a life raft to navigate the raging electronic riverways of the internet. It’s a strange world out there and Grim is here to light the way. More Grizwald…
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Uncle Seth is Mad About Charlie Kirk Stuff
Find this episode on YouTube: Yeah, Uncle Seth isn’t thrilled with all the Charlie Kirk stuff and we get into that and more. I mention it at the end, but Art of the Tamada Greenville and Islamorada are both on the horizon. Check out dates and tickets at: https://first-things.org/aot -------- ✒...
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It's Not What You Think It Is
This story changes things. Or maybe it’s better to say, it returns things to where they should be. It’s a story made possible by the Supra. It’s the story of what it means to be human. What is a Supra and where can you join one? Visit Supra Dinner Society to discover this ancient tradition and…
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Man, Machine, and God: A Conversation with Paul Kingsnorth
Find this episode on YouTube: Discover more about Paul and his new book ‘Against the Machine’ here: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/ Photos used for Spruce Island by Ralph H. Sidway, from his book, ‘The North American Thebaid: https://thebaid.org ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ...
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Battling Doomerism with DJ Melki Prophet
Find this episode on YouTube: Come join us on a journey through the machine and modernity to discover doomerism, the time lord, and more with DJ Melki Prophet. You need come to Art of the Tamda: https://first-things.org/aot ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ…
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You Can Be a God. Bam!
Find this episode on YouTube: After dropping an article that ruffled some feathers, John had to invite Mathew back on the show. And alongside him Dcn. Seraphim who provides excellent insight to a the idea of theosis. Join us in Greenville or Islamorada for ART OF THE TAMDA:...
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Heather Pollington - Waking Up English and Orthodox
Find this episode on YouTube: Heather Pollington is a Lead Graphic and Surface Designer working in the television and film industry. Some notable projects she has worked on include the Pirates of the Caribbean, James Bond, The Tourist, Maleficent, and many more. She recently collaborated with...
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Frederica Mathews-Green Enters the Light-O-Meter
Discover this episode on YouTube: Today we have a most special guest - Frederica Mathewes-Green. A guest who embodies love and joy in equal measure. She is an author of over a dozen books and articles as well as providing film reviews for National Review Online. She is also well known for her...
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Culture At the Crossroads with Fr. Christian Siskos of Noetic Spring
Find this episode on YouTube: Fr. Christian Siskos joins John Heers at Keipi Restaurant to sit down and talk about AI, equality of men and women, tradition and the Supra. Discover more Fr. Siskos here: Fr. Christian Siskos ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf...
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Martyrdom, MAGA and the Epstein Files
Find this episode on YouTube: One of our leaders has to get down in the mud. Who's it going to be? See the original video here: ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf 🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society…
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Is Nepotism the Next Great Business Model? - Nicholai Blasing
Find this episode on YouTube: Nicholai is an expat living and working in South Korea, a convert to Orthodoxy, author, and getting people excited over on X/Twitter for his ideas on nepotism. Is it really bad? Isn't it something we've seen throughout history? John finds out. More Nicholai on X:...
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Bazed Lit Analyzer - 10 Badass Christian Films You Should Watch
Find this episode on YouTube: Enigmatic movie commentator BLA sits down to talk Christian movies and why so many just get it wrong. Also a little rabbit hole of talking about Christic moments in film, redemtion, and what makes a movie Christian if God isn't in it. Oh and spoiler alert: Gods Not...
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Ilya Sutskever Is Not A Biological Computer...Even If He Wants to Be
Find this episode on YouTube: You are not simply a biological computer. No matter what the latest AI super nerd says. This is an emergency pod - listen up! ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf 🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner...
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John Hammond - American Orthodox Deep Dive
Find this episode on YouTube: John Hammond is the author and director of 'American Orthodox' which explore the roots of Orthodox Christianity here in the U.S. John is a writer, editor, and (relatively) recent convert to Orthodoxy after a long road searching for the truth. Find out more about the...
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Robert Jackson - Education Needs a Rethink
Dr. Jackson is a professor of English and is the founding partner for Classical Commons - a hub connecting resources and people together that are interested in classical education. Currently, Dr. Jackson serves as senior fellow for both Flagler College and the Chesterton Schools Network. John and...
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Rod Dreher - Can We Live Without Lying?
Find this episode on YouTube: Rod Dreher is the author of the 'Benedict Option' and 'Live Not By Lies' - both exploring how to live as Christians in this modern world. Discover the four part series Live Not By Lies here: https://www.angel.com/shows/live-not-by-lies and stay to the end of the show...
About this show
This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.
johnheersftf.substack.com
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John Heers
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