LIMINAL NEWS with Daniel Pinchbeck

Filmmaker Betsy Chasse, co-creator of "What the Bleep Do We Know!?", joins me to dissect how the New Age movement morphed into a billion-dollar self-help industry. We discuss cult dynamics, spiritual narcissism, the rise of Trumpian mysticism, and how "manifestation" culture paved the road from The Secret to MAGA metaphysics. In this episode, I speak with filmmaker, author, and cultural critic Betsy Chasse — best known as co-writer and director of the 2004 New Age phenomenon "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" Betsy reflects on the film's legacy and how its ideas about consciousness and quantum reality were later weaponized by the self-help industry. We explore the psychological and economic forces that turned spirituality into a marketplace — from the Law of Attraction to "conscious entrepreneurship." Together, we unpack how the wellness world's obsession with "positive thinking" and "manifestation" created fertile ground for denial, cult psychology, and authoritarian spirituality. Betsy speaks candidly about narcissism, greed, and the need for genuine compassion and social engagement in a time of disinformation, AI disruption, and creeping theocracy. 🎧 Guest Bio: Betsy Chasse is a filmmaker, author, and producer best known for co-creating "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" She has since written "Metanoia," "Killing Buddha," and hosts her Substack Betsy's Rants, where she takes aim at the commodification of spirituality and the contradictions of modern "conscious" culture.  https://betsychasse.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #BetsyChasse #WhatTheBleep #NewAge #DanielPinchbeck #LiminalNews #LawOfAttraction #Consciousness #Spirituality #CultPsychology #WellnessIndustry #MAGA #AI #TheSecret #QuantumSpirituality

Frank Schaeffer grew up inside the birth of America's religious right — making films with his father, Francis Schaeffer, that helped launch the modern anti-abortion and Christian nationalist movements. In this episode, we unpack how that movement gave rise to Trump, how money and media corrupted the church, and what real spirituality looks like beyond ideology. Frank was at the center of it all in the 1970's and 1980s— collaborating on the series "Whatever Happened to the Human Race" with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and witnessing firsthand how religion, politics, and money fused into a powerful cultural machine. We explore how those forces evolved into today's Christo-fascist MAGA movement, how Trump became the "chosen" figurehead for a corrupted theology, and what Frank calls "the expert witness to a crime that never ended." Frank also discusses his new book, "The Gospel of Zip," a memoir-philosophy written through the lens of his relationship with his dog. It's about empathy, cooperation, and what he calls "the survival of the friendliest"—a human alternative to the cruelty and greed of Trump-era politics. 📘 Frank Schaeffer – "The Gospel of Zip" https://www.thegospelofzip.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #FrankSchaeffer #TheGospelOfZip #ChristianNationalism #ChristoFascism #EvangelicalRight #TrumpEra #FaithAndPolitics #AmericanSpirituality #ReligionAndPower #EvangelicalMovement #CultureWars #DanielPinchbeck #Deconstruction #MAGAChristianity

Liberal capitalism tells us to be good and bad at the same time—innovate, compete, and care. In this episode, I talk with economic anthropologist Brett Scott, author of "Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for Our Wallets", about the failure of liberal reformism, the rise of tech-fueled authoritarianism, and how the ESG illusion collapsed into the culture wars. In this episode of Liminal News, I speak with Brett Scott about what he calls "the contradiction at the heart of capitalism." We unpack how liberal capitalism's moral split—between ruthless competition and moral virtue—has produced both guilt and confusion across modern society. Brett traces the lineage of "good capitalism" from ESG investing to tech-driven "effective altruism," and explains how the right wing and figures like Trump, Musk, and Thiel have exploited that contradiction. We dive into the symbolic death of liberalism, the collapse of reformist fantasies like "stakeholder capitalism," and the rise of a new authoritarian capitalism cloaked in techno-utopian ideals. Later, Brett explores how crypto, stablecoins, and private tech empires are reshaping global power—and what a truly progressive, peer-to-peer alternative might look like. 👉About: Brett Scott is an author, economic anthropologist, and journalist exploring the intersections of money, power, and technology. He's the author of "Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for Our Wallets" and writes the Substack Altered States of Monetary Consciousness. His latest work examines the politics of cash, digital finance, and the psychological architecture of capitalism. 📺 YouTube:    / @brettscott   📰 Substack: https://www.asomo.co/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #BrettScott #DanielPinchbeck #Liberalism #Capitalism #Crypto #ESG #PeterThiel #ElonMusk #MarcAndreessen #TechIdeology #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Cloudmoney #Finance #AI #Politics #Utopia #Dystopia #SurveillanceCapitalism

What role did drugs play in the Third Reich—and how are psychedelics shaping our future? I sit down with Norman Ohler, author of "Blitzed" and "Tripped," to explore hidden history, consciousness, and the power of altered states. In this episode of LIMINAL NEWS, I talk with acclaimed German author Norman Ohler, best known for his groundbreaking book "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich." We explore the hidden story of methamphetamines in Nazi Germany, Hitler's staggering drug intake, and how these revelations reshape history. We also dive into his follow-up book "Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of Psychedelics," which uncovers the early history of LSD, Nazi-era drug experiments, and how CIA programs like MKUltra grew out of those foundations. Along the way, Norman and I share personal experiences with psychedelics, including ibogaine, and reflect on their potential to transform individuals and societies. We also discuss Rudolf Steiner, Western esotericism, and the importance of reclaiming spiritual traditions in our fractured world. 👉About: Norman Ohler is a German novelist, journalist, and historian best known for his international bestseller "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich," which revealed the hidden role of methamphetamines in Nazi Germany. His follow-up, "Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of Psychedelics," traces the early history of LSD and its entanglement with intelligence agencies and Cold War experiments. Ohler's work blends meticulous archival research with narrative storytelling, reshaping our understanding of history, politics, and consciousness.  https://www.normanohler.de/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #NormanOhler #Blitzed #Tripped #Psychedelics #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #Ibogaine #RudolfSteiner #MKUltra #LSD

In this episode of LIMINAL NEWS, I talk with Ralph White and Walter Alexander about the extraordinary life, teachings, and legacy of Rudolf Steiner—a visionary philosopher, spiritual scientist, and founder of biodynamic agriculture, Waldorf education, and anthroposophy. We explore Steiner's esoteric Christianity, his teachings on reincarnation and the evolution of consciousness, the challenges of our technological age, and how his ideas remain profoundly relevant today. 👉 Sign up for the month-long Rudolf Steiner seminar here: 🌐 https://www.liminal.news/awakening-th... 👉Ralph White Bio: Ralph taught the first course on holistic learning at NYU, and is the author of The Jeweled Highway: On the Quest for a Life of Meaning. He is director of the New Center for Holistic Learning NY and was co-creator of the New York Open Center, the city's leading venue for holistic programs for over 35 years. Ralph also directs the Esoteric Quest, a series of international conferences on the Western Esoteric Tradition, and is a long-time student of Rudolf Steiner's work. 👉Walter Alexander Bio: Walter has long been a prominent facilitator and program director at Anthroposophy NYC. He has been a fiction writer, teacher (public and Waldorf) and medical journalist (conventional and alternative) and is the author of Hearts and Minds: Reclaiming the Soul of Science and Medicine (Lindisfarne, 2019) and many articles.  ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #RudolfSteiner #Anthroposophy #Consciousness #EsotericChristianity #Spirituality #WaldorfEducation #BiodynamicFarming #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck

What role do psychedelics play in shaping culture, spirituality, and the future of consciousness? I sit down with journalist and author Joe Dolce to explore his latest book on psychedelics, the neuroscience of altered states, the wisdom of indigenous traditions, and the risks of commercialization. From ayahuasca to MDMA to microdosing, our conversation opens new perspectives on how psychedelics can transform our lives — and society.  👉About: Joe Dolce is a journalist, author, and media coach. He served as editor-in-chief of Details magazine and has written extensively on culture, consciousness, and psychoactive substances. His book Brave New Weed explored cannabis culture, and his new work brings a fresh, integrative perspective on psychedelics, blending neuroscience, indigenous wisdom, and personal practice. https://joedolce.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #Psychedelics #JoeDolce #LiminalNews #Consciousness #Ayahuasca #Microdosing #DMT #MDMA #PsychedelicScience #Spirituality #danielpinchbeck

DMT as a hidden technology? Jeffrey Kripal & Andrew Gallimore join Daniel Pinchbeck to explore consciousness, aliens & the end of history. In this episode of the Liminal News, I sit down with two extraordinary thinkers: Jeffrey J. Kripal, historian of religions and author of "The Superhumanities" and "Secret Body," and Andrew Gallimore, neuroscientist and author of "Death By Astonishment", "Alien Information Theory" and "Reality Switch Technologies." We dive deep into the implications of DMT research, extended-state psychedelic experiments, and the possibility of human contact with non-human intelligences. We explore the "death by astonishment" experience, the limits of materialism, and the surprising parallels between ancient religious visions and cutting-edge psychedelic science. Could DMT be a kind of hidden "technology" that points humanity toward a higher-dimensional reality? Are we approaching a civilizational tipping point — an "end of history" moment? And what can science and the history of religions teach us about the true nature of consciousness?  📖 Guest Bios: Jeffrey J. Kripal is a professor of philosophy and religious thought at Rice University and the author of numerous books including "The Superhumanities," "Authors of the Impossible," and "Secret Body." His work examines the intersections of consciousness, altered states, mysticism, and the paranormal, challenging the limits of materialist science. https://jeffreyjkripal.com  Andrew Gallimore is a neurobiologist, chemist, and pharmacologist based in Japan. His research focuses on the DMT experience, extended-state psychedelic immersion, and the interface between neuroscience, mathematics, and higher-dimensional theories of reality. He is the author of "Alien Information Theory" and "Reality Switch Technologies."  https://buildingalienworlds.com ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #DMT #JeffreyKripal #AndrewGallimore #Psychedelics #Consciousness #AlienInformationTheory #Superhumanities #SimulationTheory #EndOfHistory #DeathByAstonishment #Shamanism #Paranormal #Mysticism #terencemckenna

Are we truly in control of our minds — or are unseen forces at play? In this latest episode of Liminal News, I speak with Robert Falconer, author of "The Others Within Us", about trauma, spirit possession, and the porous nature of human consciousness. Falconer brings decades of psychotherapeutic experience and a deep understanding of Internal Family Systems (IFS) to a conversation that dives into the taboo: psychic parasites, entity attachments, and the darker dimensions of the human psyche. We explore how early trauma opens people to non-human influences, why psychedelics amplify both healing and danger, and how culture wars may reflect large-scale spiritual possession. 📚 About: Robert Falconer is a therapist, educator, and co-author of Many Minds, One Self (with Richard Schwartz, founder of IFS). His most recent work, The Others Within Us, explores the overlap of psychology and the paranormal, particularly in the context of healing from trauma. 🔗 Learn more: https://robertfalconer.us ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #RobertFalconer #IFS #SpiritPossession #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #TraumaHealing #Psychedelics #EntityAttachment #PorousMind #Psychotherapy #Spirituality #CultureWars #Consciousness

In this episode of Liminal News, I speak with scholar Jeffrey J. Kripal about the suppressed dimensions of consciousness, paranormal experiences, UFOs, eroticism in mysticism, and the deep structure of human imagination. Kripal is one of the few voices from within the academy daring to think—and teach—the impossible. We explore how the humanities can (and must) evolve to account for precognition, near-death experiences, and altered states, and what it might mean to reconceive the human itself in light of the extraordinary. This is one of the deepest and most nuanced conversations we've had yet on the show. 🎓 About: Jeffrey J. Kripal is the J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religion and Associate Dean of the Humanities at Rice University. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Authors of the Impossible, Secret Body, and his most recent, How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and Everything Else. His work explores how extraordinary human experiences challenge our basic metaphysical and epistemological assumptions.  🌐 Learn more: https://jeffreyjkripal.com ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #JeffreyKripal #Paranormal #Superhumanities #LiminalNews #UFOs #Mysticism #Consciousness #ReligiousStudies #NewEpisode #ImaginationIsReal #danielpinchbeck #occult #philosophy

In this episode, I talk with Morgane Ciot and Alice Maynewaring — co-founders of The Classics Department — about their new immersive theater project, "PsychoMagic 9", which just sold out its debut run in New York. Inspired by Alejandro Jodorowsky's cult classic "The Holy Mountain" and the spiritual tradition of psychomagic, their show blends performance, ritual, and audience participation in radically imaginative ways. We explore the lineage of avant-garde theater from Artaud to Grotowski, the resurgence of immersive experiences, and the challenges of creating transformational art in a time of social disconnection and political breakdown. We also touch on ketamine as a therapeutic and theatrical tool, the Enneagram as a narrative device, and how to awaken sovereignty through art. 🔗 https://classics-department.com ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #ImmersiveTheater #PsychoMagic #LiminalNews #Jodorowsky #LARP #Enneagram #AvantGardeTheater #RitualArt #NYCTheater #KetamineTherapy #danielpinchbeck

I sat down with former British diplomat turned anarchist thinker Carne Ross to explore the collapse of the rules-based global order and the rise of techno-authoritarianism in the US and beyond. Carne and I unpack the Trump phenomenon, Christian nationalism, Gaza, Israel, and the radical possibilities of democratic confederalism inspired by Murray Bookchin and practiced in Rojava. We explore historical parallels to Weimar Germany, the architecture of state surveillance, and why Carne believes anarchism is not only viable—but necessary. 💬 We also dive into Carne's ongoing work advising the autonomous region of Rojava in northeastern Syria, his reflections on digital resistance, and what a realistic lifeboat strategy might look like for those concerned about the U.S.'s political future.  https://carneross.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #CarneRoss #Anarchism #Trump2024 #Authoritarianism #Rojava #IsraelGaza #SurveillanceState #Fascism #Bookchin #Ocalan #Collapse #Resistance #Palantir #SubstackVoices #danielpinchbeck #podcast

In this episode of Liminal News, I speak with political writer, civic tech pioneer, and longtime democracy advocate Micah Sifry about the creeping authoritarianism in the United States—and whether there's still time to reverse course. Micah and I talk about everything from grassroots resistance to digital surveillance, from the failures of liberal institutions to the underestimated power of local organizing. We also explore what's happening beneath the radar—why the media isn't telling the full story, and what real, distributed defiance might look like. Micah brings decades of hard-won insight to the table—from co-founding Personal Democracy Forum and Civic Hall to writing about third-party movements and campaign finance reform. I found this conversation both sobering and energizing, and I hope it sparks some sense of strategic urgency in you, too. 🧠 About: MIcah Sifry is a writer, speaker, and organizer focused on democratic innovation. He co-founded Civic Hall and the Personal Democracy Forum and authored Spoiling for a Fight: Third-Party Politics in America. He's spent years helping build digital tools and communities to support more participatory democracy.  https://micahsifry.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #MichelSifry #LiminalNews #CivicTech #DigitalDemocracy #GrassrootsOrganizing #SurveillanceState #DemocracyUnderThreat #Authoritarianism #DanielPinchbeck #PoliticalAwakening #ProgressivePolitics #Indivisible #Resistance #HopeAndAction

In this special episode of LIMINAL NEWS, I sit down with cultural theorist Douglas Rushkoff and author/flow-state expert Jamie Wheal for a wide-ranging conversation on the dark evolution of psychedelia, the rise of techno-fascism, and how we might reclaim our collective soul in an age of chaos. We dive into the uncomfortable truths about how sacred tools are being co-opted for power, wealth, and control. From ayahuasca at country clubs to crypto-funded authoritarianism, we explore how spirituality, capitalism, and politics have become dangerously entangled—and what can still be done to shift the tide. 👉 Follow Jamie Wheal on Substack: https://jamiewheal.substack.com/ 👉 Follow Douglas Rushkoff on Substack ("Team Human"): https://rushkoff.substack.com/ ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #DouglasRushkoff #JamieWheal #PsychedelicRenaissance #TechnoAuthoritarianism #Ayahuasca #MAPS2025 #Collapse #FutureOfConsciousness #Hermeticism #NewMythos #AI #CryptoPolitics

🎧 What kind of future is AI creating—and what deeper forces are driving it? I sit down with journalist and trauma educator Matthew Green to explore the spiritual, psychological, and political implications of artificial intelligence. We dive into the darker undercurrents of the AI revolution—from mass surveillance and job loss to mythic archetypes and occult prophecy. Matthew has been a participant in several of my courses, and I've deeply appreciated his clarity and depth. Together, we explore questions that I believe are essential for our time. Here, we discuss: 🔹 How AI may destabilize society on a massive scale 🔹 Why authoritarianism and tech oligarchs are fusing into a new power structure 🔹 Rudolf Steiner's prophecy of Ahriman and its uncanny parallels to today 🔹 The war on memory, cognition, and human agency 🔹 The rise of AI mysticism and synthetic religions 🔹 What kinds of practices and communities we need to respond  🔗 FOLLOW MATTHEW GREEN ON SUBSTACK https://substack.com/@matthewgreenglobal ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #ArtificialIntelligence #AIandConsciousness #SpiritualTechnology #Apocalypse #Ahriman #DanielPinchbeck #MatthewGreen #RudolfSteiner #LiminalNews #AIProphecy #TechnoMysticism #AIandAuthoritarianism #CollectiveTrauma #FutureofAI #Mysticism #AIandEthics #SyntheticReligion #AIcult #DigitalSpirituality #EsotericPodcast #BreakingTheAIBarrier #tech #bigtech #AI

Daniel Pinchbeck convenes a soul-searching dialogue with Grammy-winning artist Kimbra ‪@kimbramusic‬ (Vows, The Golden Echo) and author-futurist Jamie Wheal (Stealing Fire, Recapture the Rapture). Together, they explore the possibilities for a new religious imagination grounded in mysticism, direct experience, and sacred community. Kimbra shares her early mystical encounters and evolving relationship with Christian mysticism, while Jamie unpacks how myth, Spiral Dynamics, and cultural architecture could birth a "Church of the Good, the Beautiful, and the True." Together, they examine the paradox of post-Christian yearning: How do we reclaim the sacred while resisting both fundamentalist revivalism and New Age drift? From psychedelic mysticism to the rise of muscular techno-Christianity among Silicon Valley elites, this conversation pulls no punches. A deep dive into archetypes, esoteric traditions, collective ecstasy—and the future of soul in an age of collapse. ✨ Topics include: 🌌 Mysticism vs. organized religion 👩‍🎤 Feminine divinity, art & direct revelation 📜 Reclaiming Christ consciousness 🧠 Spiral Dynamics & developmental faith 🛐 Gnosticism, Hermeticism & sacred community 🧬 Psychedelics, music & aesthetic transmission 📉 The collapse of liberal Christianity 🔥 Can we ignite a new spiritual renaissance? ================================== Please subscribe to the LIminal News Substack Newsletter! https://substack.com/@danielpinchbeck Please buy my books! https://tinyurl.com/mrsmtpwv Please join my online seminars and community at THE LIMINAL INSTITUTE: www.liminal.news Instagram:   @danielpinchbeck Official Website:  www.pinchbeck.io/ #ChristConsciousness #Mysticism #JamieWheal #Kimbra #SpiritualAwakening #Esotericism #NewReligion #LiminalNews #DanielPinchbeck #PsychedelicChristianity #GreatAwakening #FutureOfFaith #SpiralDynamics #GnosticRevival #PostChristian #podcast