PODCAST · education
Through The Briars Pod
by Christian Kossivas
The Through The Briars Pod has one goal, in a world that values comfort over courage, this podcast explores how to endure suffering, without bitterness, take responsibility and live toward what is good, true and lasting. Drawing from the perennial wisdom of literature, tragedy, myth, archetypes and the power of art, I uncover that wisdom that teaches more profoundly than logic alone. It shows how these characters, stories and trials reflect and shape a life, not only tackling how we should act but more importantly that is now lost, why we should act.
Episodes
-
Why Churches Are Covered in Monsters | Gargoyle Symbolism | Symbolarium
Why are medieval churches covered in terrifying monsters?Gargoyles are among the strangest features of Gothic architecture. These grotesque stone creatures appear on cathedrals and churches dedicated to God, surrounded by sacred art, saints and Christian imagery. But why would medieval Christians...
-
Your Possessions Are Possessing You | Dragon Symbolism | Symbolarium
Why do dragons hoard treasure they can’t actually use? Across mythology, medieval legend and literature, the dragon repeatedly appears alongside gold, caves, guarded treasure, destructive power and heroes who must confront it. But perhaps the dragon represents something much deeper than simple...
-
Why You Can’t Resist Distraction | Siren Symbolism | Symbolarium
Why do Sirens sing instead of attack? In Homer’s Odyssey, the Sirens don’t overpower Odysseus by force. They attract him with a song so irresistible that he has himself bound to the mast of his ship. Thousands of years later, that ancient monster offers a surprisingly powerful way of…
more -
Beauty, Identity, and Responsibility | An Orthodox Framework for Spiritual Warfare
What does it mean to move from the image of God to His likeness? In a world obsessed with limitless self-invention and superficial trends, how do we find our true, stable identity? In this Orthodox Christian youth talk, we explore the deep connection between Beauty (what we love), Identity (what...
-
You’re Losing to the Small Things | Imp Symbolism | Symbolarium
The habits destroying your life rarely look dangerous at first. In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the strange symbolism of the imp — the small, mischievous creature that appears throughout European folklore and Christian-influenced imagination — and what it can reveal about temptation…
more -
Evil Makes You Ugly | Witch Symbolism | Symbolarium
Why has the witch been depicted for centuries as crooked, grotesque and surrounded by darkness and why has the modern witch increasingly become beautiful, powerful and desirable? In this episode of Symbolarium, I explore the symbolism of the witch through beauty, moral corruption, power,...
-
Evil Fragments Your Identity | Angel & Demon Symbolism | Symbolarium
What do angels and demons actually symbolise? In episode one of the Symbolarium, we explore the deeper Christian symbolism of angels, demons, heaven, hell, identity, order, chaos, and spiritual fragmentation. Why are angels traditionally shown with feathered wings while demons are depicted with...
-
Becoming A Better Man | Faith, Fatherhood and Responsibility w/ Kent Pieterse
What does it actually mean to become a man and what happens when other people begin depending on you? In this conversation, I sit down with one of my former coaches to talk about Christian faith, fatherhood, community, masculinity and responsibility.We discuss how having children can deepen your...
-
Why The Devil Always Looks Attractive | Symbolism Of Temptation
Why is the Devil so often portrayed as attractive, intelligent, persuasive or charismatic? Why does temptation rarely look like evil when it first appears? Because if poison always tasted like poison, nobody would drink it. In this episode, we explore the symbolism of the Devil, temptation and…
more -
Why Everyone Should Pray (Even If You're Not Religious)
Why should you pray if God already knows what you need? And why pray at all if you aren’t even sure that God exists? Maybe because we’ve misunderstood what prayer actually is. Prayer isn’t primarily about convincing God to give us what we want. It is an act of attention, orientation and…
more -
AI Is a Fallen Angel
What do AI, social media, pornography, money, dating apps and the smartphone have in common? They aren’t literally fallen angels. But they can reveal an ancient symbolic pattern: something created for a good purpose becomes detached from that purpose, turns downward, and eventually begins ruling...
-
Gen Z's 'I Don't Need Anyone' Lie & Ego Problem
“I don’t need anyone.” It sounds like strength. Independence. Self-respect. Maybe even healing.But sometimes what we call independence is really fear with better branding.After rejection, betrayal, heartbreak or disappointment, it can feel safer to stop needing people altogether. We build walls…
more -
Edgar Allan Poe’s First Gothic Short Story: Metzengerstein Explained | Analysis
Edgar Allan Poe’s first published short story, Metzengerstein, already contains the gothic horror, symbolism, psychological darkness and moral consequence that would come to define his work. In this episode, we explore the strange tale of Frederick Metzengerstein, the ancient rivalry between two...
-
You Don't Love People Deeply You Manipulate And Keep Score
Some people believe they love more deeply than everyone else because they feel intensely, remember every detail, sacrifice constantly and think about the other person obsessively. But intense feelings are not always evidence of healthy love. Sometimes “loving hard” is actually self-abandonment.…
more -
Why Poetry Reveals Truth | Poe, Blake, Dante, Shakespeare & More
Why do we still need poetry in the modern world?We possess more information than any civilisation before us, yet we often lack the language to express grief, beauty, mortality, longing, temptation and the hidden movements of the human heart. Poetry does not merely decorate reality, it helps us...
-
Journey to the West Is THE BEST Pilgrimage of the Human Soul | Ep. 25
Most people know Journey to the West as the story of the Monkey King. I think it’s something far deeper. This isn’t simply a tale about defeating demons, it is that every demon reveals something you have not conquered. it is one of the greatest stories ever written about bringing the human person...
-
5 Books I COULDN'T Move On From | Ended My Reading Slump | Ep. 24
Why do some books stay with us long after we’ve finished them? In this episode, I share the five unique books that completely changed my relationship with reading. These aren’t necessarily the greatest books ever written, they’re the stories I couldn’t stop thinking about, the ones that reignited...
-
Why Smart People Stay Stuck | Hamlet Perfectly Diagnoses Analysis Paralysis | Ep. 23
Why do intelligent people often struggle to take action? In this episode of Through the Briars, we explore why Hamlet may be the most psychologically accurate character ever written. Shakespeare wasn’t simply writing about indecision, he was exploring analysis paralysis, overthinking, fear of...
-
Can Science Explain Everything? The Problem With Scientism Limits | Myth Bridges The Gap
Science has transformed our world. It has cured diseases, expanded our understanding of the cosmos, and revealed the extraordinary complexity of reality. But can science answer every question?In this episode of Through the Briars, we explore the crucial difference between science and scientism…
more -
Orthodoxy And The Occult | Sacred Symbols And Esoteric Symbols Meaning | Ep. 21
Have you ever noticed that Orthodox Christian symbols and esoteric symbols can sometimes appear visually similar? In this episode of Through the Briars, we explore the differences between sacred and esoteric symbolism, discussing symbols such as the serpent, the eye, sacred numbers, invocation vs...
-
You Are Symbolically Illiterate | The Necessity Of Symbolism | The Forgotten Language of Meaning Ep. 20
What is symbolism, and why has the modern world largely forgotten how to understand it? In this episode, we explore the symbolic worldview popularized by Jonathan Pageau and rooted in the Christian and Orthodox tradition. We discuss symbolism, unity and multiplicity, facts and stories, purpose,...
-
The Symbolism Of Ravens And Their Purpose | Ep. 19
Why have ravens appeared throughout mythology, literature, and Scripture for thousands of years? From Poe’s The Raven to Odin’s Huginn and Muninn, from Noah’s Ark to Prophet Elijah to Christ’s command to “consider the ravens,” this episode explores one of humanity’s oldest and most mysterious...
-
The Symbolism Of Devil May Cry's: Dante & Vergil | The Two Paths Of The Human Soul | Ep 18
Most of us face a constant battle between our light and dark sides like Dante and Virgil, two brothers embodying the eternal struggle of the human soul. In this episode, uncover how their story on Netflix’s Devil May Cry reflects universal patterns of trauma, power, and self-integration that play...
-
8 Literature Hot Takes That Get Progressively Hotter
What can William Shakespeare, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, dark academia, nihilism, and symbolic literacy teach modern culture? In this episode, I break down 8 literature hot takes on beauty, ritual, suffering, psychology, and why the death of symbolism may be leaving modern man…
more -
Avatar Was Never Just a Kids Show | The Hidden Symbolism of Team Avatar | Ep. 16
Why does Avatar: The Last Airbender still resonate so deeply years later? In this episode, we explore the hidden symbolism, psychology, mythology, and archetypal storytelling behind Team Avatar, breaking down what Aang, Zuko, Katara, Toph Beifong, and Sokka truly represent through the lens of...
-
We Are Living In The Age Of Narcissism (It's Destroying Us) | Ep. 15
Are we living in an age of narcissism? In this episode, I explore how modern culture may be rewarding image over character, attention over authenticity, and performance over truth. From social media validation, hustle culture, virtue signalling, identity politics, and gender conflict, to the...
-
Why Modern Life Feels Empty (We're Losing Beauty) | Ep. 14
Why does modern life feel comfortable yet strangely empty, and why do the most beautiful moments often carry a quiet sense of sorrow? In this episode, I explore why beauty is not a luxury but a necessity for meaning, identity, and endurance. Drawing on the insights of John Keats, William Blake,...
-
3 Things That Saved Me When I Felt Completely Lost In Life | Ep.13
Do you carry anger you can't fully explain... feel lost while everyone else seems certain... or sense yourself becoming colder from things you never chose to go through? This episode is a reflection on the moment I realised I wasn't just suffering, I was slowly becoming someone I didn't…
more -
These 7 Quotes From Literature Stay With You Uncomfortably Long | Ep 12
These 7 quotes from literature stayed with me long after I read them, reshaping how I see life, death, suffering, and meaning. Unlike modern self-help, these ideas don’t comfort you….. they confront you. In this episode, I break down powerful literary quotes that challenged my worldview and…
more -
Young Men Have Been Lied To & It's Leaving Them Lost | You Are Wasting Your Life | Ep. 11
In this episode, I examine why so many men today feel directionless—and why much of what they are turning to is making it worse. Figures like Clavicular, Andrew Tate, Sneako, and others offer a version of strength rooted in power, status, and indulgence. But beneath it, there is often a deeper...
-
The Modern Relevance Of Danse Macabre | Dance Of Death, Momento Mori | Humility Via Death | Ep. 10
In this episode - we unpack the profound symbolism behind the “Dance of Death,” revealing how medieval art and literature turn death from a dark enemy into an inspiring messenger of humility and hope. You'll discover how the Dance of Death emerged from the chaos of the Black Plague to serve as a...
-
Why Meaning Matters More Than Happiness | What Modern Society Gets Wrong | Sacrifice & Service | Ep. 9
In this episode, I explore why the pursuit of happiness is often misguided—and why meaning is far more enduring. Drawing on philosophy, responsibility, and the Japanese tale of Momotaro, I break down how a life centred on pleasure and comfort leads to emptiness, while a life oriented toward...
-
Why So Many People Feel Lost in Their 20s | Responsibility, Meaning, and Finding Your Path | Ep. 8
In this episode, we explore why so many people feel lost in their twenties. In an age of endless options and no clear path, many drift between possibilities, mistaking reflection for progress and becoming paralysed by the pressure to “find themselves.” Drawing on insights from thinkers such as...
-
Seven Books That Will Change How You See Life | The Literature That Shapes the Soul | Ep. 7
In this episode, we explore seven works of literature I believe illuminate the depths of human nature and the transformation of the soul. Unlike modern formulas for self-improvement, the greatest stories do not offer easy answers, they confront us with the complexity of conscience, suffering,...
-
Modern Self-Help Is Toxic And Making You Worse | Read the Classic Literature Instead | Ep. 6
In this episode, we examine how much of modern self-help, rather than elevating the soul, quietly feeds addiction, ego, and pride — offering formulas for success while neglecting the deeper question of why one should live at all. Turning instead to enduring works of literature, we look to figures...
-
The Four Humours Theory | How Personality, Morality & Archetypes Shape Us | Ep. 5
In this episode, we explore the ancient theory of the Four Humours, Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic and how they shape personality, morality, and society. We examine how characters like Hamlet, Alyosha Karamazov, Achilles, Wukong the Monkey King, Dorian Gray embody different...
-
The Importance Of Gothic Literature And Melancholy | Symbols & Art | Edgar Allan Poe | Ep. 4
In this episode, we enter the world of Gothic literature and the strange dignity of melancholy. Drawing on Edgar Allan Poe and his meditation on human contradiction in The Imp of the Perverse, we explore why darkness, decay, and solemn beauty have always spoken truths that rationalism alone…
more -
Symbolic Reality Of Dragons | Courage And Avoidance | Problems Manifesting As Dragons | Ep. 3
In this episode, we explore the dragon, not as a creature of legend, but as the symbolic embodiment of the problems, fears, and shadows we refuse to face. Ignored, these challenges grow, and if left unchecked, chaos descends, trampling order and invading the life we have built. To confront the...
-
The Importance Of Responsibility And Sacrifice | Being The Best Version Of You | Understanding Your Darkness | Ep. 2
In this episode, we explore why sacrifice and responsibility are not burdens, but the very conditions through which a meaningful life is forged. We examine the necessity of becoming the strongest version of oneself by voluntarily shouldering what is difficult, understanding one’s own capacity for...
-
Entering the Briars | The Mission | Why This Podcast Exists | Ep. 1
In the first episode, I introduce the mission behind Through The Briars Pod. We explore why embracing self mastery, nobility, responsibility, enduring trials and orienting life toward truth, goodness and strength is essential. I share the core pillars that guide this podcast and why stories,...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Through The Briars Pod has one goal, in a world that values comfort over courage, this podcast explores how to endure suffering, without bitterness, take responsibility and live toward what is good, true and lasting. Drawing from the perennial wisdom of literature, tragedy, myth, archetypes and the power of art, I uncover that wisdom that teaches more profoundly than logic alone. It shows how these characters, stories and trials reflect and shape a life, not only tackling how we should act but more importantly that is now lost, why we should act.
HOSTED BY
Christian Kossivas
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Through The Briars Pod have?
Through The Briars Pod currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Through The Briars Pod about?
The Through The Briars Pod has one goal, in a world that values comfort over courage, this podcast explores how to endure suffering, without bitterness, take responsibility and live toward what is good, true and lasting. Drawing from the perennial wisdom of literature, tragedy, myth, archetypes and...
How often does Through The Briars Pod release new episodes?
Through The Briars Pod has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Through The Briars Pod?
You can listen to Through The Briars Pod 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 Through The Briars Pod?
Through The Briars Pod is created and hosted by Christian Kossivas.
URL copied to clipboard!