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The Heart and the Head

The Heart and the Head

Di: Dr. Brenton G. Smith
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A proposito di questo titolo

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 Filosofia Scienze sociali Spiritualità Successo personale Sviluppo personale
Episodi
  • Reflecting on Scripture 9 - Acts 9 - Experiencing God, Part II

    Reflecting on Scripture 9 - Acts 9 - Experiencing God, Part II
    Jan 18 2026

    In this episode, I continue my discussion of common characteristics in direct experiences with God through examining the account of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and a letter the philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote referencing an experience he had.

    This is the second half of the discussion, you can find the first half by looking in the podcast history.

    This show contains an impassioned reflection at the beginning of it about the importance of independent, critical thinking in the context of the current geopolitical situation today.

    Here is the text of the note Pascal wrote to himself:

    The year of grace 1654,


    Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement, pope and martyr, and others in the martyrology.

    Vigil of St. Chrysogonus, martyr, and others.

    From about half past ten at night until about half past midnight,


    FIRE.


    GOD of Abraham, GOD of Isaac, GOD of Jacob

    not of the philosophers and of the learned.

    Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.

    GOD of Jesus Christ.

    My God and your God.

    Your GOD will be my God.

    Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD.

    He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.

    Grandeur of the human soul.

    Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.

    Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.

    I have departed from him:

    They have forsaken me, the fount of living water.

    My God, will you leave me?

    Let me not be separated from him forever.

    This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.

    Jesus Christ.

    Jesus Christ.

    I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified.

    Let me never be separated from him.

    He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:

    Renunciation, total and sweet.

    Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.

    Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth.

    May I not forget your words. Amen.

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    26 min
  • Reflecting on Scripture 8 - Acts 9 - Experiencing God, Part I

    Reflecting on Scripture 8 - Acts 9 - Experiencing God, Part I
    Jan 2 2026

    In this episode, I discuss common characteristics in direct experiences with God through examining the account of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and a letter the philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote referencing an experience he had.

    This is only Part I of the discussion, more will be released in the future.

    Here is the text of the note Pascal wrote to himself:

    The year of grace 1654,


    Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement, pope and martyr, and others in the martyrology.

    Vigil of St. Chrysogonus, martyr, and others.

    From about half past ten at night until about half past midnight,


    FIRE.


    GOD of Abraham, GOD of Isaac, GOD of Jacob

    not of the philosophers and of the learned.

    Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.

    GOD of Jesus Christ.

    My God and your God.

    Your GOD will be my God.

    Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD.

    He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.

    Grandeur of the human soul.

    Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.

    Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.

    I have departed from him:

    They have forsaken me, the fount of living water.

    My God, will you leave me?

    Let me not be separated from him forever.

    This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.

    Jesus Christ.

    Jesus Christ.

    I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified.

    Let me never be separated from him.

    He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:

    Renunciation, total and sweet.

    Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.

    Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth.

    May I not forget your words. Amen.

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    25 min
  • Reflecting on Scripture 7 - The Longing for Paradise in Isaiah and Plato's Republic

    Reflecting on Scripture 7 - The Longing for Paradise in Isaiah and Plato's Republic
    Dec 8 2025

    In this episode, I examine Isaiah, Chapter 11: 6-9 and compare it's depiction of a future paradise to the depiction the Greek philosopher Plato gives in Republic.

    -----------------------------------

    Support the show

    If you have questions or comments about content from this episode, please send feedback to theheartandtheheadpodcast@gmail.com
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    20 min
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