"Something Different"

In this episode, Bicerin is proud to present a newly published book! The Orchard Cycle, by Muskan Bhatia. Is pain necessary for creativity? Can we sit our emotion and just let them flow? Is joy in simple things?These are the questions our team at Bicerin had when we first read the draft, making our feelings grow like fruits in a garden. With us, Muskan shares the personal journey behind the poetry, from solitude and self-discovery to the courage of naming emotions many of us never learned to understand. Together, we reflect on art, suffering, forgiveness, family, freedom, and whether creativity can truly heal the heart.More About MuskanLink to the book - The Orchard CycleBicerin - Introducing Muskan Bhatia

Episode 8: Myths, Eros and the Search for TruthLife is like a simple biscuit. We often see it as something broken in two, divided between ego and unity, reason and feeling, self and other- its nature, though, is whole.In this episode of Bicerin, the three of us — Simon Wilson, Edward, and Antonello — explore myth, consciousness, and ways of knowing that move beyond pure logic.Beginning with Plato’s Symposium and the philosophy of Eros, we reflect on how creativity is born from longing, how symbols shape human understanding, and why storytelling may reveal truths that reason alone cannot reach.What is the difference between myth and logos? Are some stories closer to truth than others? Has modern society replaced sacred myths with material ones like money, status, and identity?Through Greek philosophy, spirituality, and art, we consider whether myth is not fantasy, but a bridge back to wholeness. At one point, a simple biscuit becomes our metaphor: though it may appear broken in two, its nature was once whole. Perhaps reality is the same.For listeners drawn to philosophy, metaphysics, creativity, and the search for truth in a secular age, this conversation invites you to look again and perhaps see differently.🔗 References & Further Reading:📘 ⁠Phaedrus – by Plato📘The Iliad by Homer🔥 The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade🧠Man and His Symbols – by Carl Jung🧩Meditations on First Philosophy – by René DescartesSee episode 7 to know more about Simon!

🎙️ Episode 7 — Love, Obedience & the Paradox of God with Simon WilsonWhat is love when it can’t be commanded?What is obedience when it isn’t submission?And what happens when theology stops giving answers—and starts asking better questions?In this episode, we’re joined by Simon Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Theology, Philosophy, and Religion at Canterbury Christ Church University, for a wide-ranging, lyrical conversation on love, worship, obedience, paradox, and mystery—as lived experiences rather than abstract doctrines.Drawing from Christian mystical theology, Eastern Orthodox thought, philosophy, art, myth, and even pantomime (yes, really), we explore love not as sentiment or morality, but as eros—a deep, ontological yearning for communion. A force that does not erase otherness, but dances with it.Along the way, we question:Whether love is union, relationship, or both at onceWhy paradox may be closer to truth than logicHow obedience emerges from love rather than fearWhy God, if taken seriously, refuses definitionAnd whether suffering, devotion, and freedom are inseparable companionsThis is not an episode that explains God.It sits with God.Listens.Argues.Laughs nervously.And keeps going.Perfect for listeners interested in:philosophy of religion, Christian mysticism, Eastern Orthodox theology, love and paradox, faith and obedience, myth, art and spirituality, and alternative ways of knowing.🔗 Useful Links & ReferencesSimon WilsonCanterbury Christ Church University – Theology, Philosophy & ReligionCentre for Kent History and HeritageGregory of NyssaEarly Christian theologian and mystic — concept of epektasis (endless longing toward God)Dionysius the Areopagite (Pseudo-Dionysius)Mystical theology, divine mystery, and love as cosmic overflowKey Concepts MentionedEros, Agape, and ancient Greek understandings of loveParadox and apophatic (negative) theologyLove as communion without absorptionFaith as a way of knowing, not blind beliefRecommended ReadingThe Life of Moses — Gregory of NyssaThe Mystical Theology — Pseudo-DionysiusThe Darkness of God — Denys TurnerIf this episode unsettled you, good.If it contradicts you, even better.Leave a comment. Love demands response.

Stories That Shape Us: Literature, Identity, and the Art of Being HumanIn this richly layered episode, we sit down with Michael Flavin — novelist, award-winning short-story writer, and Reader in Global Education at King’s College London — to explore why stories are the secret architecture of human meaning. From Hamlet’s existential murmurings to the living legacy of the Northern Irish Troubles, Michael guides us through the power of literature to keep history alive, to confront us with ourselves, and to reveal the truths we’d rather avoid.We discuss his acclaimed novel One Small Step, the influence of works like Hisham Matar’s In the Country of Men and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird on child narrators, and the enduring weight of books that mirror our own private confusions and contradictions. Expect detours into Boccaccio’s Decameron, Chaucer, Manzoni’s The Betrothed, Joyce’s Ulysses, and even the unsettling brilliance of Red Riding Hood — all in service of understanding why stories shape us more profoundly than instruction ever can.🔗 References & Further Reading:Michael Flavin – Profile at King’s College LondonTechnology Enhanced Learning and Higher EducationDisruptive Innovation and Technology Enhanced LearningUpcoming Book: Long is the wayOne small step - Amazon Purchase LinkIn the Country of Men – Hisham MatarThe Decameron – Giovanni BoccaccioThe Betrothed – Alessandro Manzoni

🎙️ When Truth Becomes Optional — A Conversation with Gavin EslerWhat happens when lies become the norm and truth turns negotiable? In this powerful episode, journalist and BBC veteran Gavin Esler unpacks the global crisis of truth decay — the erosion of trust in politics, media, and leadership. From Boris Johnson’s “dead cat” strategy to the rise of digital echo chambers, Esler exposes how misinformation has reshaped our democracies and fractured public discourse.This is not just about politics — it’s about storytelling, ethics, and the stories we choose to believe. Discover how education, media literacy, and civic courage can help rebuild the fragile bond between citizens and truth.Perfect for fans of The Rest Is Politics, The Daily, and anyone seeking clarity in the chaos.📚 Featured Guest: Gavin Esler — author of Britain Is Better Than This🔗 References & Further Reading:📘 Britain Is Better Than This — Gavin Esler (Waterstones)🖋️ Gavin Esler’s official website — gavinesler.com📰 RAND Corporation report on “Truth Decay” — rand.org/research/projects/truth-decay.html💭 Hein de Haas, author of How Migration Really Works, reminds us:“Facts rarely change minds, but stories do — and that’s why the truth must be told as powerfully as the lie.”#GavinEsler #TruthDecay #PoliticsPodcast #MediaEthics #Democracy #FakeNews #PublicTrust #BBC #Journalism #Disinformation #PoliticalCulture #HeinDeHaas

What’s the true purpose of education? Is it to prepare us for a job, or to help us discover who we really are? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how different systems — from Italy’s broad classical studies, to the UK’s career-driven universities, to Germany’s middle ground — shape the way we learn, think, and live.We discuss why modern schooling often asks “what do you want to be?” instead of “who are you?”, and how this mindset narrows creativity, meaning, and freedom. Along the way we tackle the impact of tuition fees, the decline of the liberal arts, and how universities are increasingly run like businesses. We also ask: can AI disrupt education in a positive way, and what would it mean to build a system focused on curiosity, critical thinking, and the love of learning?From personal experiences as immigrants and students to reflections on philosophy, culture, and the value of hands-on skills, this conversation challenges the way we see knowledge itself. Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or lifelong learner, you’ll find fresh insights on why education matters more than ever.🎧 Listen now and rethink what learning should truly mean.#Education #Learning #CriticalThinking #EducationReform #Philosophy #LiberalArts #AIinEducation #BeSerenePodcastUseful LinksEdward's Franciscan Gardens MeditationUNESCO right to educationKrishnamurti on Education PDFRichard Rohr - Centre for Action and ContemplationAlan Watts - What is Money?

In this episode, we explore the many different paths that can lead to spiritual awakening. From Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam to art, philosophy, and literature, we look at how diverse worldviews often guide us toward similar inner truths.We reflect on the timeless relevance of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave—especially in today’s world of distraction, misinformation, and personal transformation. We also dive into the deep spiritual and existential themes found in Russian literature, drawing from the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Mikhail Bulgakov, whose stories continue to challenge and inspire seekers across cultures.Whether you’re walking a religious path, exploring through creativity and philosophy, or getting lost in powerful novels, this episode invites you to see how all these “blends” point to something shared. Because in the end, it’s still coffee.Discussed LinksEdward's Zen course- Zenways Plato's CaveThe Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov4 Noble TruthsAlan Watts-BritannicaBicerin - Canterbury meeting MeetupSchrödinger's cat

Some truths come like coffee—hot, bitter, and hard to swallow.In this episode of Something Different, we sit with the sting of spiritual suffering. Not the clean pain of a scraped knee, but the slow, existential burn that philosophers, mystics, and seekers have wrestled with for centuries. From the Buddhist idea of dukkha, the inherent suffering of existence, to Nietzsche’s call to embrace life’s chaos as the seed of strength, we trace the shape of the soul under pressure.Krishnamurti warned that it is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a sick society—so what happens when your awakening feels more like a breakdown? When the heat of insight burns through your illusions?We sip through moments of raw vulnerability, ancient wisdom, and personal stories that ask: is pain a doorway to truth? Or just a fire with no purpose?This isn’t suffering for suffering’s sake. It’s an exploration of the burn that transforms—of learning to hold the cup even when it scorches.So take a breath. Pour something strong. And join us as we explore what it means to be undone, remade, and fully, painfully, awake.#pain #suffering #sprirituality #philosophy #zen #lifeReferences mentioned:Michael EasterGrumpy MeditatorRupert SpiraDhammatalksJamyang Buddhist centreKrishnamurtiBicerin-LiteratureNietzsche

In this short and thoughtful podcast, we explore what makes art feel authentic and meaningful. From Plato’s philosophy to modern ideas, it’s a fresh take on the role of spirituality in our lives. Perfect for anyone into philosophy, culture, or the liberal arts—like a quick coffee break for curious minds.