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The Heart and the Head

The Heart and the Head

By: Dr. Brenton G. Smith
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The Heart and the Head is a podcast about changing our lives through taking up a philosophical life of seeking after truth. This is considered by examining the lives and teachings of great philosophers and thinkers throughout history.

This is a show about how to change everything. It is for those of us who no longer find themselves reflected in the cultural narrative of seeking happiness through pursuit of wealth, achievement, or self-expression.

In Republic, Plato tells a parable, imploring each of us to “turn around” from the darkness of a life lived in the ignorance of a metaphorical cave to the light of a life outside that cave. In the cave's darkness, we identify external things such as success or pleasure as most real and as the way to happiness. When we turn around and begin to exit the cave, we begin to realize that the most real things are rather internal, spiritual things, things which Plato associates with a higher power which he refers to as the Divine.

Plato’s parable speaks just as much to us today as to the ancient Greeks. To take up the philosophical life means changing our whole way of living, changing what we desire and value, and committing to that change with our whole selves. This is a podcast devoted to helping us better understand how to live such a philosophical life.

https://brentongsmith.com/podcast/

© 2026 The Heart and the Head Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Reflecting on Scripture 12 - John 18:28-40 - What is Truth?

    Reflecting on Scripture 12 - John 18:28-40 - What is Truth?
    Mar 7 2026

    In this podcast, I look at Jesus's conversation with Pontius Pilate. Pilate asks Jesus, "what is truth?" revealing a deeply cynical outlook on the world. I examine that question as a temptation to a philosophy which all of us must reckon with. Will we choose Pilate's philosophy or find another one to call our own?

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
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    19 mins
  • Reflecting on Scripture 11 - Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus' Emotions

    Reflecting on Scripture 11 - Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus' Emotions
    Feb 15 2026

    On this podcast, I look at Mark 3:1-6, where we read about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, and how that affects a group of Pharisees.

    In this second part of the two-part series, I look at Jesus's emotional response to the Pharisees' hard hearts. I argue that this tells us something about our emotions on a Biblical view, as well as about what it means for Jesus to be Emmanuel -- "God with us".

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Reflecting on Scripture 10 - Mark 3:1-6 - The Blessedness and Limitations of Philosophy

    Reflecting on Scripture 10 - Mark 3:1-6 - The Blessedness and Limitations of Philosophy
    Feb 3 2026

    On this podcast, I look at Mark 3:1-6, where we read about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, and how that affects a group of Pharisees.

    I argue that Jesus attempts to use philosophy to reason with these Pharisees, which shows us the blessedness of philosophy, but that the reaction of the Pharisees reveals the limits of philosophy.

    I mention my dissertation (published by ProQuest, 2024) in this podcast. Here's a link to it for those who are curious: https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI31236250/

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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