What if the collapse of Western civilization isn’t political—but spiritual? Journalist and cultural critic Rod Dreher joins James Orr to trace our unraveling to the loss of sacred order. From the crisis of meaning to the return of enchantment, they explore the occult’s rise, the emptiness of modern Christianity, and the necessity of Christian community. Can recovering a sacramental vision of the world help restore hope in an age of cultural darkness?

See more of Rod here: https://roddreher.substack.com/

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:01:30 Christianity After Atheism

00:07:20 Why Young People Are Turning to the Occult

00:16:14 Enchantment Without Submission

00:21:33 How the West Lost the Sacred

00:38:59 The Role of Politics in Renewal

00:52:51 Hope Beyond Optimism

00:57:34 Like & Subscribe

Produced by https://www.arcadia-digital.com/

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First Light | Episode #6

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom.

New episodes fortnightly.

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Thank you, and welcome to the team.

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What if the collapse of Western civilisation isn’t political—but spiritual? Artist and theologian Jonathan Pageau joins James Orr to trace our unraveling to the loss of sacred order. From ancient hierarchies to modern chaos, they explore symbolism, the breakdown of the family, and the war on meaning. Can recovering the 'Great Chain of Being' help restore sanity to our politics, our culture, and our souls?

See more of Jonathan here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/team/jonathan-pageau

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:04:36 Symbols, Scripture & Sacred Texts

00:09:20 Reading the Bible Like the Church Fathers

00:14:15 The Postmodern-Patristic Paradox

00:20:02 Icons, Images & the Return to Orthodoxy

00:25:33 Metaphysical Collapse & Modern Politics

00:31:00 The Breakdown of Family & Meaning

00:36:05 Mental Health or Spiritual Crisis?

00:41:50 Christianity as Civilisational Bedrock

00:46:40 Hierarchies of the Heart

00:52:10 Signs of First Light

00:57:10 Like & Subscribe

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First Light | Episode #5

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom.

New episodes fortnightly.

🔵 SUBSTACK

If you value this content, and want to support us in making it, please consider becoming a subscriber over on Substack where you’ll get access to exclusive content.

You can join us here:https://www.jamesorr.uk/

Thank you, and welcome to the team.

🔵 SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtw.orr

X: https://www.x.com/jtworr

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-light-with-james-orr/id1837532287

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Wkn5RsDEDW471OVGAKdMj

What if the root of our crisis isn’t politics—but metaphysics? Mary Harrington joins James Orr to explore the ideological revolution behind transgenderism, transhumanism, and the rise of placeless elites. From Aristotle to airport lounges, they trace the collapse of meaning, the erasure of nature, and the urgent need to rediscover human limits.

See more of Mary here: https://substack.com/@reactionaryfeminist

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:04:36 Exploring Harringtonism: Philosophy and Feminism

00:09:28 The Role of Technology in Feminism

00:14:55 Human Nature and Metaphysics

00:19:34 The Impact of Technological Change on Society

00:24:48 The Philosophical Underpinnings of Autonomy

00:29:39 The Crisis of Human Identity

00:34:44 The Future of Transhumanism and Political Implications

00:40:22 Rootlessness and the Global Elite

00:46:14 Rediscovering Limits and the Return of Nature

00:57:11 Like & Subscribe

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First Light | Episode #4

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom.

New episodes fortnightly.

🔵 SUBSTACK

If you value this content, and want to support us in making it, please consider becoming a subscriber over on Substack where you’ll get access to exclusive content.

You can join us here: https://www.jamesorr.uk/

Thank you, and welcome to the team.

🔵 SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtw.orr

X: https://www.x.com/jtworr

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-light-with-james-orr/id1837532287

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5Wkn5RsDEDW471OVGAKdMj

What happens when a civilisation forgets who it is? Jordan Peterson joins James Orr to explore the metaphysical roots of the West’s decline, the enduring power of the Bible, and why recovering the sacred is now a political imperative.

See more of Jordan here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JordanBPeterson⁠

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:01:25 Exploring the Bible's Archetypes

00:02:40 The Importance of Narrative in Understanding Reality

00:06:11 Consciousness: Beyond Biological Reductionism

00:10:06 The Biblical Account of Consciousness

00:12:24 Material vs. Immaterial: Understanding Human Existence

00:14:10 The Relationship Between Time and Consciousness

00:15:31 The Role of Sacrifice in Civilization

00:19:08 The Depth of Sacrifice in Biblical Narratives

00:22:41 The Evolution of Sacrifice in Human Culture

00:29:28 Transformative Sacrifice: The Story of Abraham

00:35:41 The Ultimate Sacrifice: Christ's Role in Ending Sacrifice

00:42:41 Political Flux and Future Directions

00:49:04 The Gender Debate and Its Implications

00:51:59 Liberalism's Challenges and Future

00:54:08 Conservatism and Its Foundations

01:01:10 The Nature of Sacrifice and Redemption

01:15:34 Hope Amidst Challenges

01:20:33 Like & Subscribe

Produced by https://www.arcadia-digital.com/

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First Light | Episode #3

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom. New episodes fortnightly.

🔵 SUBSTACK

If you value this content, and want to support us in making it, please consider becoming a subscriber over on Substack where you’ll get access to exclusive content.You can join us here:https://www.jamesorr.uk/Thank you, and welcome to the team.

🔵 SOCIAL MEDIA

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Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-light-with-james-orr/id1837532287

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5Wkn5RsDEDW471OVGAKdMj

What happens when institutions abandon the people they serve? Matt Goodwin joins James Orr to expose the crisis in British universities, the rise of new media, and the urgent demand for political realignment.

See more of Matt here: @drmatthewgoodwin

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:01:50 The Crisis in Higher Education

00:20:18 The Rise of New Media and Its Impact

00:34:44 The Role of GB News in Political Discourse

00:37:55 The Need for Political Change and New Leadership

00:39:25 The Call for a Political Revolution

00:43:07 Rebuilding Trust in Political Institutions

00:49:49 The Rise of Reform UK and Its Potential

00:56:06 The Future of the Conservative Party and Political Realignment

01:01:16 Defining the Movement: National Conservatism and Beyond

01:04:52 Hope for the Future: A New Political Landscape

01:08:24 Like & Subscribe

Produced by https://www.arcadia-digital.com/

This episode was recorded on 1 May 2025.

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First Light | Episode #2

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom. New episodes fortnightly.

🔵 SUBSTACK

If you value this content, and want to support us in making it, please consider becoming a subscriber over on Substack where you’ll get access to exclusive content.

You can join us here:https://jamesorr1.substack.com/

Thank you, and welcome to the team.

🔵 SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtw.orr

X: https://www.x.com/jtworr

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-light-with-james-orr/id1837532287

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5Wkn5RsDEDW471OVGAKdMj

What happens when a civilisation loses faith in itself? Konstantin Kisin joins James Orr to discuss the future of the West, from Trump 2.0 and Ukraine to Britain’s immigration failures.

See more of Konstantin here: @triggerpod.

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Trailer

00:03:00 Cultural Shifts in Comedy and Free Speech

00:06:13 The Political Landscape: Trump and Wokeness

00:09:05 Geopolitical Dynamics: The US and Europe

00:12:05 Understanding the Russian Mindset

00:14:58 The Ukraine Conflict: A Complex Reality

00:17:49 Negotiating Peace: Challenges Ahead

00:21:06 The Future of Global Security

00:30:49 Putin's Legacy and Russia's Strategic Interests

00:32:05 Central Asia: Stability and Autocracy

00:33:56 Immigration: Perceptions and Realities

00:35:46 Islamism vs Islam: Understanding Extremism

00:39:58 The Paradox of Tolerance in Liberal Democracies

00:42:59 Political Will and the Challenge of Extremism

00:47:56 The Future of Political Discourse in Britain

00:53:47 Hope for a Balanced Society

00:59:21 Like & Subscribe

Produced by https://www.arcadia-digital.com/

This episode was recorded on 2 May 2025.

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First Light | Episode #1

First Light is a refuge of reason in a restless age—where the hard questions are welcomed, and easy answers are left at the door. Each episode unpacks the fault lines of our culture, from faith and politics to identity and belonging, all through the lens of our civilisation’s enduring wisdom.

New episodes fortnightly.

🔵 SUBSTACK

If you value this content, and want to support us in making it, please consider becoming a subscriber over on Substack where you’ll get access to exclusive content.

You can join us here:

https://jamesorr1.substack.com/

Thank you, and welcome to the team.

🔵 SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jtw.orr

X:

https://www.x.com/jtworr

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-light-with-james-orr/id1837532287

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5Wkn5RsDEDW471OVGAKdMj