Because I'm The Muse and the Archive cover art

Because I'm The Muse and the Archive

Because I'm The Muse and the Archive

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

In this special episode of Because I’m John Sellmeyer, the host steps away from the usual lighthearted interviews and takes listeners on a thoughtful journey through two symbolic landscapes: the sun-scorched deserts of the Middle East and the icy expanse of the former Soviet Union.

We explore how the Middle East—birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—became a region where belief is not just cultural but deeply woven into the identity of entire civilizations. In contrast, the Soviet Union pursued a bold, often unforgiving experiment in state atheism, removing religion from public life in the hope of building a purely secular society.

What happens when belief is the foundation of your laws and legacy? And what happens when it's stripped away completely? Through stories, symbols, and a touch of poetic reflection, this episode dives into the power of faith, the risks of its absence, and the philosophical tension between sacred fire and ideological frost.

Whether you're drawn to history, religion, or just a good story, this episode invites you to think deeply—and maybe even rediscover the roots of the podcast itself.

What listeners say about Because I'm The Muse and the Archive

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.