Shows
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceThe City & the City by China Miéville: Seeing What We've Been Taught to UnseeIn this episode, we explore The City & the City by China Miéville as a powerful metaphor for cognitive blind spots, social conditioning, and spiritual perception. Drawing on Miéville’s layered, dual-city setting—where citizens are trained to “unsee” an overlapping world—we reflect on what it means to overlook not just people and places, but also inner experiences, spiritual insights, and hidden possibilities. Using the novel as a lens, we talk about religious experience, social breach, the boundaries of acceptable belief, and the psychological costs of seeing too much. We connect these ideas with contempl...2025-07-231h 09
The Dissenter#1126 Nicole Prause: Pornography, NoFap, and Orgasm******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.f...2025-07-2154 min
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceSpiritual Direction (in a Shattered World)What is spiritual direction, really? In this episode, Jeff and Michael explore the practice not as a professional technique or spiritual luxury, but as a vital response to living in a fragmented, disenchanted world. Drawing on their own experiences as directors and directees, they talk about the invisible agreements that shape the space, the role of intuition, the balance between presence and expertise, and what it means to create a container where something deeper—call it spirit, God, or presence—can actually show up. Along the way, they touch on remote viewing, trickster dynamics, compensation anxiety, and the loneliness of b...2025-07-091h 18
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceAsk Us Anything—Live! Welcome to our very first live AMA episode—unscripted and full of spirit. Listeners showed up with real questions about prayer, mystical experience, cryptids, and the strange space where the psychological meets the spiritual. We talked about what it means to pray when God no longer fits, how to trust the knowledge of the heart, why some people encounter the sacred and others don’t, and whether Bigfoot might just be a messenger from beyond (seriously). It was thoughtful, honest, sometimes strange, and fun! Thanks to everyone who joined us live—and if...2025-06-251h 28
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceJumping on the Bridge of Faith with Emma McilroyIn this powerful and personal episode, we sit down with Emma Mcilroy—queer feminist, immigrant, entrepreneur, and CEO of Wildfang—for a conversation that dives deep into faith, identity, capitalism, and surviving life's darkest valleys. Emma shares her journey of reconciling her sexuality with her faith, the near-death experience surrounding the birth of her son, and how a private, hard-won relationship with God became her unshakable bridge. We explore what it means to wrestle with faith, lead with integrity, and hold onto Spirit in a world that often demands compromise. Episode Highlights [00:03:35] Coming Out, Fall...2025-06-1159 min
The Dissenter#1143 Brian Lerch: Same-Sex Sexual Behavior, Indiscriminate Sexual Behavior, Attachment, and Divorce******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.f...2025-06-1049 min
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceWhen You Make the Two One: Gnosis & Healing the DualityWhat if the path to salvation isn’t belief—but integration? Building off our last episode, Jeff and Michael unpack a mysterious saying from the Gospel of Thomas about making “the two one,” and explore how ancient Gnostic wisdom speaks to our divided modern selves. Jeff shares a concluding dream that becomes a portal into the deeper meaning of inner and outer reconciliation, while Michael reflects on the radical claim that knowing yourself might be the same as knowing God. Episode Highlights [00:01:54] Gnosticism & Direct Experience Jeff and Michael introduce the Gnostic theme of...2025-05-281h 04
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceWhen You Know Yourself: Gnostic Revelations from Nag Hammadi What if the spiritual texts we grew up with only told part of the story? In this episode, Jeff and Michael explore the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library—a collection of ancient, long-buried texts that include radically different teachings attributed to Jesus, including the enigmatic Gospel of Thomas. These writings challenge many assumptions of mainstream Christianity and open a doorway into a spirituality centered on inner knowing, direct experience, and the integration of what is within and what is without. Then Jeff shares a recent dream that unexpectedly mirrors the themes of the Gospel of Thomas, le...2025-05-141h 12
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceKnowledge Must Bow to Spirit: A Journey with George Inness What if a long-dead painter could reach across time to guide your spiritual awakening? In this episode, Jeff shares the astonishing true story of how George Inness—a 19th-century landscape artist and mystic—emerged as a living spirit guide in his life. From a chance encounter at a museum to a series of visionary dreams filled with barns, handprints, and transfigured light-beings, Jeff and Michael explore how spirit invites us to see beyond appearances, surrender our over-love of knowledge, and walk the ancient, living path of direct experience. This is an episode about listening deeply, following the signs, and allo...2025-04-3047 min
The Dissenter#1086 John Odling-Smee - Niche Construction: How Life Contributes to Its Own Evolution******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.f...2025-04-1854 min
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceWaking Up: Dreams, Enlightenment, and the Space BetweenWhat if waking up isn’t a single breakthrough moment—but a layered, looping journey through insight, fear, wonder, and mystery? In this episode, we explore the complex terrain of spiritual awakening through dreams, false awakenings, mystical encounters, and moments of terrifying clarity. From Michael’s lucid Spirit Train dream to Jeff’s powerful visitation from a fierce divine feminine presence, we ask: What does it really mean to wake up—is it a one time affair or is it a journey, a process? We dig into the paradoxes of awakening: how it can feel ecstatic or annihilati...2025-04-161h 07
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceSearching for a God We Will Never Find with John Hamilton What happens when the walls of traditional religion crumble, and all that’s left is raw, unfiltered awe? In this episode we sit down with John Hamilton—UCC minister, musician, and author of the excellent theological memoir Honest to God. Guided by the book, the three of us dive into the chaos and beauty of spiritual awakening in an era of collapsing institutions. John Hamilton was born into a spirited Irish-American family of singers and storytellers. Breaking with his strict Catholic upbringing, he embarked on a career in music that immersed him in the colorful but d...2025-04-021h 12
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceThe Homa & the Chapel Perilous What happens when you call on Jesus in an ancient Vedic fire ritual? Will he show up? How? In this episode, Michael shares his experience with Homa, a Vedic fire ceremony, and what happened when he decided to dedicate it to Jesus. The result was an unfolding series of synchronicities—stretching across years, continents, and eventually even into the Spirit Train dream—culminating in a moment of undeniable presence. Meanwhile, we explore the Chapel Perilous, the threshold between belief and madness, where meaning breaks through in ways that can’t be ignored. We briefly summarize the Sp...2025-03-191h 15
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceAwaken in the Dream with Paul Levy What if everything we’ve been taught to believe about reality is wrong? What if we’re not just living in the world, but dreaming it—and the dream is sick? In this episode of the Gospel of Direct Experience, we welcome Paul Levy, a writer, mystic, and self-described “wounded healer,” who has spent decades exposing the insidious mind-virus known as Watiko and more recently has been describing the spiritual side of the revelations of quantum physics. We dive into his own initiation—his ecstatic spiritual awakening that landed him in a psychiatric hospital—before unpacking the terrifying and liberating realization tha...2025-03-061h 25
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceAwaken in the Dream with Paul LevyWhat if everything we’ve been taught to believe about reality is wrong? What if we’re not just living in the world, but dreaming it—and the dream is sick? In this episode of the Gospel of Direct Experience, Michael Ellick and Jeff Mansfield welcome Paul Levy, a writer, mystic, and self-described “wounded healer,” who has spent decades exposing the insidious mind-virus known as Watiko and more recently has been describing the spiritual side of the revelations of quantum physics. We dive into his own initiation—his ecstatic spiritual awakening that landed him in a psychiatric hospital—before unpacking the...2025-03-051h 25
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceAll Aboard the Spirit Train: Dreams, Discernment, and Anxiety What if your anxieties weren’t obstacles but doorways? What if your dreams aren’t nonsense, but portals to deeper wisdom, hidden truths, and paths yet unseen? What if the very fears that keep you up at night are the same forces trying to wake you up? In this episode Michael recounts a dream of cosmic proportions—one that begins in the disorienting corridors of an ever-shifting church and ends aboard a song-filled dragon train soaring into the multiverse. Along the way, we wrestle with discernment, anxiety, and the unsettling realization that reality itself may be more dreamlike than we ass...2025-02-261h 01
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceStar Wars, Hidden Histories, and the Stories That Shape Us with AJ Musewe Why do Star Wars, Harry Potter, and other sci-fi/fantasy stories resonate so deeply with us? What do they reveal about power, identity, and spirituality? In this episode of we sit down with historian and educator AJ Musewe to explore the power of myth, the narratives we inherit, and how reclaiming lost stories shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world. From the parallels between Anakin Skywalker and Harry Potter to the hidden histories of the Civil Rights movement, this conversation dives into how fantasy, sci-fi, and real-life struggles intersect in our search for meaning.2025-02-121h 04
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceConsciousness & the Cross (D.B.Y.D. Pt. 2) Is the self an illusion—or something real and necessary? If we must die before we die, what is it that actually dies? In this follow-up to Dying Before You Die, hosts Michael Ellick and Jeff Mansfield wrestle with the paradox of selfhood, consciousness, and crucifixion. Does awakening mean dissolving the ego, or is there something essential about our individuality? How did Jesus navigate this mystery, and what does it mean for us? From childhood mystical experiences to the Church’s to the potentially heretical path of theosis, we explore what it means to let go—and what remains when we...2025-02-0553 min
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceDying Before You Die (Part 1) Have you ever felt like every path you turn down leads to hell? In this episode, we explore the idea of dying before you die, a concept central to many of the world's religions and mystery traditions. Is it possible to face the terror of our own fragility and emerge transformed? What if the self you cling to is the very thing keeping you from true life? Join us as we face down Death with stories, poetry, and a dream about battling a creature that refuses to die. Time-stamped Episode Highlights and Works Cited in the show no...2025-01-221h 08
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceRewilding the Soul: Wilderness, Apocalypse, PracticeWhat if our deepest spiritual experiences aren't found in churches or meditation halls, but in lonely wilderness and abandoned subway tunnels? In this week's episode, Michael and Jeff explore how their earliest encounters with the divine came through wandering in the woods, which later developed into seeking out the "in-between spaces" of disused urban landscapes. From a transformative 2,200-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail to trespass in the post-apocalyptic spaces of New York City, they reveal how conventional spiritual practices often try to recreate what wilderness and devastation free offer: direct contact with another world, hidden right n...2025-01-151h 15
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceAbducted by Direct ExperienceIs it possible to encounter something beyond the boundaries of our everyday reality? From mysterious UFO phenomena to encounters with supernatural beings, this episode explores the uncanny, the unexplained, and the power of the paranormal to transform us. What do these experiences mean, and what happens when they disrupt our tidy worldviews and safe spiritualities? Join us as we dive deep into personal stories, cultural myths, and spiritual traditions that connect the mundane with the mysterious. Main Topics The Ariel School UFO encounter Cross-cultural and historical accounts of encounters with beings from other dimensions. The spiritual...2025-01-0853 min
The Gospel of Direct ExperienceThe Gospel of Direct Experience Episode Summary What happens when orthodoxy meets heresy, when mystery collides with gnosis, and when the physical and psychic worlds intertwine? In this inaugural episode of The Gospel of Direct Experience, we explore the transformative power of direct spiritual encounter. Through stories of our own life-altering moments—both mystical and terrifying—we illustrate the difference between abstract belief and raw, unmediated experience. Whether you’re a seeker of truth, a skeptic of dogma, or just curious about your own spiritual depths, we hope this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Main Topics Defining Direct Experi...2025-01-011h 12
Radio LabyrinthAre They The Kingmakers?Welcome back to another episode of In the Labyrinth!
This week, the whole gang is here as we delve into the end of election season and the beginning of something entirely new. Tim brings a surprisingly optimistic outlook that contrasts with the rest of us.
We say goodbye to the legend Quincy Jones and reflect on his monumental body of work.
Tim and Jeff's hometown of Mansfield, PA, made headlines this week, and we're excited to discuss its newfound claim to fame with the most talked-about person in town.
We review Episode 7—the pe...2024-11-0953 minThe Gospel of Direct ExperienceTeaser (What Is This Podcast Like?)2024-10-2411 min
Dorking OutSlap Shot (1977) Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, & The Hanson BrothersHosts Sonia Mansfield and Margo D. pick a fight with the Hanson brothers and dork out about 1977’s SLAP SHOT, starring Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, Lindsay Crouse, Jennifer Warren, David Hanson, and Steve and Jeff Carlson. Dork out everywhere …Email at dorkingoutshow@gmail.comSubscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle PlaySpotify LibsynTune In Stitcherhttp://dorkingoutshow.com/https://twitter.com/dorkingoutshow2023-06-2051 min
PB & JaisyEpisode 73: How We're Appreciating Clients & Giving Back Over the HolidaysWith the holidays quickly approaching, we're discussing things you can do to impact your community and also your business. Giving back in any capacity, whether that be time, money or your expertise, is so special. It can actually decrease your own stress, transform your perspective and even expand your network for business.Bill Steddum - Facebook: @Bill.SteddumJaisy George - Instagram: @jaisyyySarah Padgett - Facebook: @sarahpsellshousesShout Outs:Buffini Podcast - It's a Good LifeBears - Christmas Morning @ 8:15am meet at Century 21 Judge Fite MansfieldPie Day2022-10-1928 min
Drive With Tom ElliotThe 91st Academy Awards Ceremony PredictionsMovie House Concessions on the MHM Podcast Network gives our Oscar predictions for the 91st Academy Awards Ceremony that will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. Let us know your choices in the comments section.
Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees
Christian Bale – Vice
Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe – At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen – Green Book
Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees
Mahershala Ali – Green Book
Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott – A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me...2019-02-051h 10
Something About the Beatles152: Best of SATB 2018 As a sonic landscape to accompany your holiday season demands: driving places – online shopping – gift-wrapping, and so forth, SATB presents an end-of-year look at the highlights of this years’ shows. We had some terrific guests this year, ranging from notables like Randy Bachman and the Mona Lisa Twins to SATB favorites like Erin Weber and Jeff Martin. Tons of great discussions and explorations – more to come in the New Year. Special thanks to: Ben Rowling – Vinnie Zummo – Jeff Martin – Erin Weber – Jack Petruzzelli – Ivor Davis – Axel Korinth – Jon Savage – Bill Wyman – Michael Salfino...2018-12-081h 53
The Jam CompanyDig In Akron: Holbrook Riles IIIHolbrook Riles III (aka HR3) | Drummer. Producer.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr3drumz
"Holbrook is a drummer/beat producer from Mansfield, OH. His interest for drums was sparked at age 9. Throughout his duration at Ontario Jr. High and High School, he participated in marching band, concert band, and jazz ensemble. In 2005, Holbrook attended the University Of Akron for 5 years, studying music performance and communications. There he developed his love for jazz, electronic, hip hop, world, and classical music. Between 2010 and 2016, he has been involved with organizations such as Royal Caribbean International, The...2018-11-0104 min