In this discussion, we dive into the history of hermetic philosophy and other related topics with Prof. Dr. Wouter J. Hanegraaff. As a renowned scholar and Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, Dr. Hanegraaff is a leading expert in Western esotericism – focusing on topics such as the New Age movement, Hermeticism, Renaissance Platonism, and the history of rejected knowledge…

This episode covers:

• How Western culture interprets esotericism.

• Why studying God is so difficult to do in the realm of academia.

• What hermetic literature is, and what they say about the true nature of reality.

Dr. Wouter J. Hanegraaff was trained in cultural history and religious studies at the University of Utrecht, where he earned his Ph.D. cum laude in 1995 in New Age Religion and Western Culture. A former president of both the Dutch Society for the Study of Religion and the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism, he has been a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2006.

To learn more about Dr. Hanegraaff and his writings, you can visit his website.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Keep up with Dr. Wouter Hanegraaff socials here:

X: https://x.com/WJHanegraaff

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wjhanegraaff/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wouterhanegraaff/?hl=en

🛍️ Recommended Books from this Episode

📖 Esotericism in Western Culture: Counter-Normativity and Rejected Knowledge – An insightful exploration of how esoteric traditions developed in Western culture and why certain forms of knowledge were marginalized or rejected.
👉 Get it here

📘 Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed Book 380) – A clear and structured introduction to the ideas, traditions, and thinkers that shaped Western esoteric philosophy.
👉 Check it out

📙 The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs – A fascinating look into ancient Hermetic texts, revealing timeless spiritual and philosophical teachings rooted in Egyptian tradition.
👉 Explore it here

📕 Hermeticism and the Renaissance: Intellectual History and the Occult in Early Modern Europe – A deep historical study of how Hermetic thought influenced Renaissance philosophy, science, and culture.
👉 Discover it here

What if concrete could store energy that turned buildings, roads, and infrastructure into massive power banks? In this episode, we're joined by Damian Stefaniuk, Research Scientist at MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), and the Electron-Conductive Cement-based Materials Hub (EC³ Hub). Damian's research explores how concrete can be engineered to conduct electricity and store energy at up to 10x the capacity of traditional materials — while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of cement production…

Damian is a structural and materials engineering scientist who specializes in the development of sustainable construction materials and structures. His research focuses on science-enabled engineering of cement-based materials, with applications ranging from corrosion-resistant prestressed bridges and carbon-storing pre-cure carbonation to electron-conductive carbon concrete for renewable energy storage.

Dive in now to discover:

• How concrete can be made into a conductive material.

• Carbon-based conductive cement and nanomaterials.

• Infrastructure's role in clean energy and emissions reduction.

You can follow along with Damian and his work here!

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

🛍️ Recommended Books from this Episode

📖 Energy Storage: Fundamentals, Materials and Applications (2nd Edition) – A comprehensive guide to the science, materials, and technologies behind modern energy storage systems.
👉 Get it here

📘 Supercapacitors: Materials, Systems, and Applications (Materials for Sustainable Energy and Development) – An in-depth look at supercapacitor technology, covering materials, design, and real-world energy applications.
👉 Check it out

📙 Linden's Handbook of Batteries (Fifth Edition) – A definitive reference on battery technology, design, performance, and emerging advancements in energy storage.
👉 Explore it here

📕 Electrochemical Supercapacitors: Scientific Fundamentals and Technological Applications – A detailed resource explaining the core science and practical applications of electrochemical supercapacitors.
👉 Discover it here

Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

In this engaging conversation with Dr. Steven Engler, we explore esoteric traditions, mystical experiences, and how spiritual meaning shows up across cultures and belief systems. Dr. Engler is a Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Humanities at Mount Royal University, whose work bridges scholarship, lived experience, and cross-cultural inquiry.

His research spans fieldwork with Afro-Brazilian and esoteric spirit-incorporation traditions in Brazil, as well as methodological and theoretical approaches to understanding religion, spirituality, and meaning-making. Dr. Engler's work also examines how concepts like tradition, lived religion, and esotericism shape both personal experience and broader cultural narratives.

Beyond his research and teaching, Dr. Engler is a co-editor of leading journals and book series in religious studies and has closely analyzed the academic landscape of religion and spirituality in Latin America.

Click play to uncover:

• How people's stories reflect the beliefs of their respective traditions.

• The ways that belief makes a difference in experience.

• Experiences that have impacted Dr. Engler's perspective.

You can find more about Dr. Engler here!

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

🛍️ Recommended Books from this Episode

📖 The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment – A fascinating exploration of the history, traditions, and cultural influence of magic from ancient civilizations through the Enlightenment era.
👉 Get it here

📘 Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) – A foundational political philosophy text examining law, governance, and the principles that shaped modern democratic systems.
👉 Check it out

📕 When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God (Vintage) – An insightful look into modern faith practices and how believers experience and interpret spiritual communication.
👉 Discover it here

📗 The Varieties of Religious Experience (with Biographical Introduction) – A classic examination of spiritual experiences, belief systems, and the psychology of religion across cultures.
👉 See it here

Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!