PODCAST · education
Let's Talk Religion
by Filip Holm
This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Satan in Sufism
Iblis (Satan) refused to bow to Adam, and the Qur’an condemns him for it. But some of the most daring Sufi mystics read that refusal very differently: as the act of a perfect monotheist and a tragic lover who would not bow to anything but God, even at the cost of eternal separation. In this video...
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Anqa - Arabic Folklore's Most Elusive Creature
What is the Anqa? In this episode we explore the Anqa (عنقاء), the elusive, legendary bird of Arabic and Islamic tradition, often compared to the phoenix and the Persian Simurgh. We look at its origins in pre-Islamic Arabian lore, the story of how it vanished from the world, and how "the Anqa of...
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Alchemy in the Islamic World
In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of alchemy in the Islamic(ate) world, from the writings of Jabir ibn Hayyan, to the Emerald Tablet, Abu Bakr al-Razi & the Sufis. Music by: Filip Holm Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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'The Religion of Love' - Ibn 'Arabi's Most Famous Poem
Ibn 'Arabi's famous "Religion of Love" verses are some of the most striking lines in Islamic mysticism - a declaration that the heart can take the form of every temple, church, and shrine. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the poem itself, its context in the Tarjuman al-Ashwaq, and what it...
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The House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) in Baghdad
The House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) is one of the most mythologized institutions in history, but what do the actual medieval sources say? In this video, we separate legend from evidence, tracing what the House of Wisdom really was in Abbasid Baghdad & what role it played in the translation...
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Women in the Life and Thought of Ibn Arabi
The great Sufi mystic Ibn Arabi was taught by a woman. In Part 2 of our series on Sufi women in history, we explore the female saints, teachers, and muses who shaped the thought of Islam's greatest mystical philosopher. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk...
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John Scotus Eriugena & The Division of Nature
John Scotus Eriugena was one of the most radical thinkers of the early Middle Ages — a philosopher who fused eastern and western Christian theology with Neoplatonism to create a vision of God, nature, and creation centuries that is breathtaking and unique. In this episode, we explore his…
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The Talmud Explained (w. Zevi Slavin)
In this episode, Zevi and I explore what the Talmud is, what it is not, and the role it plays in the Jewish religion. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation:...
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Porphyry On The Cave of the Nymphs in Homer's Odyssey
In this episode we explore one of the most fascinating texts in the history of Western esotericism: Porphyry's Commentary on the Cave of the Nymphs. Written in the 3rd century, this short but remarkable work interprets a mysterious passage from Homer's Odyssey as a profound allegory for the…
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The History of "Hare Krishna" (Gaudiya Vaishnavism)
The Hare Krishna movement didn't start with chanting monks in airports, it began over 500 years ago with a Bengali mystic named Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This video traces the full history of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, from its roots in 16th-century devotional Hinduism to its transformation into the global...
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Rabi'a - Mystic, Saint, and the Mother of Sufi Love
Who was Rabi'a al-Adawiyya? Explore the life, teachings, and spiritual legacy of one of history’s most influential mystics. From divine love to radical devotion, this video examines how Rabi'a transformed Islamic spirituality and continues to inspire people centuries later. Sources/Recommended...
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Religion in Ancient Greece
Explore the fascinating world of religion in Ancient Greece, from the powerful Olympian gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo to sacred rituals, temples, myths, and festivals that shaped daily Greek life. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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The Lost Suras of the Quran?
Did the Quran once contain additional suras that are no longer part of the standard text? In this video, we explore reports about the codex of Ubayy ibn Ka'b and examine claims about “lost” or excluded suras during the Uthmanic recension. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm...
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Mazdak & Mazdakism - Ancient Persian Communism?
Who was Mazdak, and did he really preach a form of “ancient communism”? In this video, we explore Mazdakism—a radical movement in Sasanian Persia that challenged wealth, power, and social inequality over 1,500 years ago. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk...
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Atlantis of the Sands - The Legend of the Lost City of Arabia
Was the legendary “Atlantis of the Sands” real? In this video, we explore the mystery of Iram of the Pillars, the lost city often linked to the ancient people of ʿĀd mentioned in the Qurʾān. We explore whether it was originally a city or the name of a people, and all the legends surrouding it…
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Abd al-Malik - The Caliph Who Shaped Islam?
How did Abd al-Malik shape the development of Islam? This video explores the reign of the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, including his reforms, the construction of the Dome of the Rock, and his role in shaping early Islamic identity. Was he the most important caliph in Islamic history? Find me and…
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The Islamic Idealism of Ibn 'Arabi
Was the great Sufi thinker Ibn 'Arabi actually a kind of idealist philosopher? In this video we explore the metaphysics of the Akbari tradition and the famous doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud (Oneness of Being). I examine Ibn ‘Arabi’s view that God (al-Haqq) is the only true Reality, while the…
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al-Ghazali, Ibn 'Arabi & The Sufi School of Love | w. Omid Safi
Find Omid here: Instagram: brotheromid And Illuminated Tours/Courses: https://www.illuminatedcourses.com Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Also check...
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The Sufi School of Love
What is the “School of Love” in Sufism? In this video, we explore Madhhab-e Ishq — the Sufi path centered on divine love (ishq) as the highest way to know God. From the poetry of Rumi to the teachings of Ahmad Ghazali, discover how love became a spiritual methodology, a theology, and a...
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Zurvanism - The Zoroastrian Heresy?
Zurvanism is a lesser-known feature of ancient Zoroastrianism that centers on Zurvan, the god of infinite time, and the cosmic struggle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu. In this video, we explore the origins, beliefs, and historical influence of Zurvanism, what it is and isn't, and why it...
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Abu Zayd al-Balkhi - The Man Who Discovered Mental Health 1,000 Years Too Early
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often seen as a modern invention—but its core ideas were explored over 1,100 years ago by the 9th-century scholar Abu Zayd al-Balkhi. In this video, we explore al-Balkhi’s groundbreaking writings on mental health, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation…
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Nicholas of Cusa: Life & Philosophy
Nicholas of Cusa was a 15th-century philosopher, theologian, and mathematician whose ideas anticipated modern science and philosophy. In this video, we explore his life, key works, and radical concept of “learned ignorance,” as well as his views on infinity, knowledge and religious diversity....
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What is Taqqiyya?
In this video, I explain the meaning of taqiyya in Islamic tradition & where it comes from. We look at its historical context, what scholars actually say about it historically and today. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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What is Sharia Law, Really?
What is Sharia law, really? In this video, we break down the meaning of Sharia, explain where it comes from, and discuss some of the most misunderstandings you’ve probably heard online. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani & The Qadiri Sufi Order
The Qadiriyya is often called the most widespread Sufi order in the world — but how did one 12th-century mystic in Baghdad inspire a global movement that still thrives today? This episode explores the life and legacy of Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, the saint revered across the Muslim world as Ghaus...
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What is Alchemy?
Discover the fascinating history of alchemy — the ancient art that aimed to turn base metals into gold. From mystical experiments to the birth of modern chemistry, this video explores how alchemists shaped science, philosophy, and the human quest for knowledge. Find me and my music here:...
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What Is a Ghoul? (The Terrifying Monster of Arabian Myth)
Long before modern horror imagined zombies or demons, ancient Arabic folklore spoke of the Ghoul (غول) — a terrifying shape-shifting creature haunting deserts, ruins, and graveyards. In this video, we uncover the true origins of the Ghoul: its roots in pre-Islamic Arabian mythology, its...
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The Sabians of Harran: A Lost Religion
Who were the mysterious Sabians of Harran? This forgotten group of ancient star-worshippers left behind one of history’s most fascinating mysteries. We look at the contemporary sources to (try to) find out what these ancient peoples actually believed and practiced. Find me and my music here:...
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Who were the Sabians? - The Lost Religion of the Quran
Who were the Sabians (Ṣābi’ūn) mentioned in the Quran? Were they a mysterious religious community, early monotheists, Mandaeans, star-worshippers, or something else entirely? In this video, we explore the fascinating question of the identity of the Sabians, drawing on Islamic sources, Quranic...
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Who are the Druze?
Who are the Druze? In this video, we explore the history, culture, and beliefs of the Druze people — a small but influential religious community mainly found in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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Who are the Jesuits?
The Jesuits, officially known as the Society of Jesus, are one of the most influential religious orders in the Catholic Church. Founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola, they have played a central role in education, missionary work, science, and global history. This video explores who the…
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Thomas Aquinas - the Greatest Christian Philosopher?
Discover the life, works, and enduring influence of Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), the Dominican friar whose synthesis of faith and reason transformed philosophy and theology. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:...
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The Amalricians - Pantheist Christianity?
Dive into the forgotten history of the Amalricians, a radical medieval sect branded heretical by the Catholic Church. Followers of philosopher Amalric of Bena, the Amalricians believed in a mystical union with God and a controversial idea: that God was not separate from creation. Discover how…
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What is Pantheism?
In this episode, we explore the powerful philosophy of Pantheism—the belief that God is identical with the universe and everything in it. From ancient roots to modern interpretations, we dive deep into how Pantheism connects spirituality, science, and nature in a unified vision of reality. Find…
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What is Jihad?
In this episode, we given an academic, historical overview of the concept of Jihad in Islam, dispelling some misconceptions and nuancing an otherwise thorny topic. Sources/Recomended Reading: Al-Dawoody, Ahmed Mohsen (2009). "War in Islamic Law: Justifications and Regulations". PhD Thesis....
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Who are the Augustinians?
Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recomended Reading: Gutierrez, David (1984). "The Augustinians in The Middle Ages...
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Was Alcohol Always Forbidden in Islam?
Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recomended Reading: Clarke, Abdussamad (translated by) (2021). "The Kitab al-Athar…
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Nasir al-din al-Tusi: The Greatest Islamic Astronomer?
Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recomended Reading: Badakhchani, S.J. (translated by) (1999). “Contemplation and...
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What is the Bektashi Order?
Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Also check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast:...
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Is Islam a Western Religion?
Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recomended Reading: Ahmed, Shahab (2017). "What is Islam?: The Importance of Being...
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Sri Ramakrishna & Universal Vedanta
We explore one of the most influential and significant Hindu figures in modern times. Written by Anmol Kohli Co-written by myself (Filip Holm) Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a...
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The Book of the Holy Hierotheos
In this episode, we talk about the so-called "Book of the Holy Hierotheos", a Syriac work that contains some of the most radical and shocking mystical teachings from the corpus of early Christian writings. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on...
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Religion in Ancient Egypt
In this episode, we try to get a basic overview of the religion that was practiced in Ancient Egypt. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation:...
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Pseudo-Dionysius: The Father of Mysticism?
In this episode, we tackle one of the most important figures in the history of religion, philosophy, mysticism & the esoteric - the writer calling himself Dionysios, and who would create a synthesis between Neoplatonic philosophy and Christianity in ways the echoed down the centuries. Check out…
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Inayat Khan & Universal Sufism
A long awaited episode, in which we finally talk about the important and controverisal 20th century sufi Inayat Khan and the Sufi Movement that he started in the West. Sources/Recomended Reading: Gandhi, Supriya (2020). "The Emperor who never was: Dara Shukoh in Mughal India". Belknap Press.…
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Picatrix (Ghayat al-Hakim): The World's Most Famous Book of Magic?
Discover the mysteries of Picatrix (Ghayat al-Hakim), one of the most influential books of magic ever written. This ancient Arabic text has fascinated mystics, scholars, and occultists for centuries with its unique blend of astrology, alchemy, and Hermetic philosophy. In this episode, we explore...
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Satanism, Feminism & The Occult | Per Faxneld
In this interview, I speak with Dr. Per Faxneld about Satanism and its different historical and contemporary features & connections. Check out Dr. Faxneld's Academia page for more: https://sh.academia.edu/PerFaxneld Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk…
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The History of Halloween
We're celebrating this years Halloween by talking about... Halloween. Join me as we explore the history and development of this fascinating holiday, from ancient Celtic roots, to Catholic celebrations and modern pop culture. Sources/Recomended Reading: Morton, Lisa (2019). "Trick or Treat: A...
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What is Satanism?
In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of Satanism, its history and different manifestations in the contemporary world. From the ancient history of the devil to the modern Satanic temple, the story of satanism is an intriguing one that touches on everything from religion, occultism,...
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The History of Vampires
Dive into the captivating world of vampire lore as we unravel the centuries-old history of these immortal creatures. From ancient myths to modern pop culture, join us on a mesmerizing journey through the evolution of vampire legends. Discover the origins, folklore, and enduring fascination...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Filip Holm
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Let's Talk Religion have?
Let's Talk Religion currently has 187 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Let's Talk Religion about?
This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions. Hosted on...
How often does Let's Talk Religion release new episodes?
Let's Talk Religion publishes regularly with 187 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Let's Talk Religion?
You can listen to Let's Talk Religion on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Let's Talk Religion?
Let's Talk Religion is created and hosted by Filip Holm.
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