For episode five of the pod, we are honored to welcome Jeffrey J. Kripal, J. Newton Rayzor Chair of Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University. In this career-spanning chat, we discuss Kripal’s Catholic upbringing, psychoanalysis, and the ecstatic experience in Calcutta that changed the direction of his career. From there, we touch on Jeff’s role at Esalen, historical mystics and paranormal powers, telepathic insects, and how the study of religion and popular culture come together in film, comedy, and comics.

Jeffrey J. Kripal holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in...

As part of the Transcendence and Transformation Initiative, the CSWR is proud to announce its first ever podcast. Pop Apocalypse explores the mystical and the mythic, the paranormal and the psychedelic in popular culture.... Read more about Audio: Pop Apocalypse: Waking from the Flesh Dream with Alex and Allyson Grey

Stephanie Paulsell, HDS Susan Shallcross Swartz Professor of the Practice of Christian Studies and Interim Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, discusses her recent publication about Virginia Woolf.... Read more about Video: Religion Around Virginia Woolf Author Discussion

Artist and author Rachel Sussman shares her physical, intellectual, and spiritual journey around the world and through time-space.... Read more about Video: All the Time in the World: An Artist’s Awakening with Ayahuasca