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PODCAST

Traversing the Strange World

Isaiah Danberry

We wake up in this world without a manual.No explanation for where we are, why we’re here, or what any of this ultimately means. Because of that, life feels strange—mysterious, beautiful, cruel, symbolic, and overwhelming all at once. We are, in many ways, strangers in a strange land.Traversing the Strange World is a contemplative podcast hosted by Isaiah Danberry, dedicated to unpacking that strangeness. Through mythology, religion, philosophy, psychology, archetypes, and personal reflection, the

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

60:48

044 Mythical Masculinity

Traversing the Strange World ·

2026/01/02

In this episode, we explore the four timeless masculine archetypes—patterns of strength, responsibility, creativity, and order that appear again and again across myth, psychology, and sacred story. Rather than treating masculinity as a cultural trend or a list of surface behaviors, we approach it as something ancient, symbolic, and earned through struggle.We trace these archetypes not only through mythic frameworks, but through biblical characters who embody them in very human, imperfect ways—men

en

14:14

043 A Brief History of Cannabis

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/31

Cannabis is often treated like a modern controversy — but its story stretches back thousands of years, woven quietly through medicine, ritual, empire, rebellion, and spirituality.In this episode of Traversing the Strange World, Peace & Toodles take a grounded but curious walk through the long and strange history of cannabis. From its ancient origins as one of humanity’s earliest cultivated plants, to its sacred and medicinal roles across cultures, to its demonization and rebranding in the modern

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89:11

042 Tarot Cards, with Elizabeth Woods

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/29

n this episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Woods for a conversation that moves between symbolism, intuition, and big-picture questions about reality itself. Both of us receive tarot card readings, using the cards not as fortune-telling devices, but as mirrors—tools for reflection, pattern-recognition, and meaning-making.From there, the conversation opens up into deeper territory. We explore the nature of reality and the universe, touching on ideas found in pantheism, where the divine is woven into

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63:39

041 From Saint to Symbol: The Evolution of Santa Claus

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/25

In this holiday special, Peace & Toodles take a strange and thoughtful ride through the snow-covered myths of Christmas as we explore the origins and evolution of Santa Claus—from saint and folklore figure to the red-suited archetype we all recognize today.We dig into where Santa really comes from, how different cultures shaped him over time, and uncover a few lesser-known Christmas tales and traditions that don’t always make it into the mainstream story.And of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas

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131:07

040 RETURN OF THE SHAMAN (Prof Micheal Northrop)

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/22

In this episode, we sit down once again with Michael Northro, known to many as the Shaman, for a deeper conversation on ancestors—who they are, how they are understood across shamanic traditions, and what it means to honor them in a modern world.We explore how ancestors are viewed not simply as figures of the past, but as living influences—guides, protectors, and carriers of memory that shape identity, culture, and spiritual practice. From blood lineage to spiritual lineage, we discuss the

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73:29

039 Living Above The Void. Ft Brit Hartley

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/15

In this episode, Peace sits down with special guest Britt Hartley for a wide-ranging conversation on what spirituality can look like outside the boundaries of organized religion—without dismissing religion entirely.We explore the idea of spiritual atheism: the search for meaning, transcendence, and moral depth in a secular world, while refusing to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Together, we examine the positive and formative aspects of religious traditions, even for those who no longer

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59:37

038 the story of Chanukkah!

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/15

Tonight, we’re talking about Chanukah—beyond the candles and the familiar traditions.At its core, Chanukah comes out of a real historical moment: a clash between cultures, pressures to assimilate, and a community struggling to hold onto its identity.The story survives mainly through the books of the Maccabees and later rabbinic tradition. It includes the rededication of the Temple, accounts of people who were punished or killed for refusing to abandon Jewish law, and, eventually, the tradition of

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84:31

037 Animal Farm

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/08

Today we step into George Orwell’s Animal Farm—a simple fable on the surface, but a razor-sharp allegory underneath. It’s a story where idealism cracks, where revolutions devour their young, and where animals reveal more about human nature than most political textbooks ever could.In this episode, we’re unpacking Orwell’s warning about power, propaganda, and the cycles of corruption that repeat themselves across history—from ancient empires to modern movements. We’ll break down the symbolism, the

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107:48

036 Strange Creatures of the Biblical sort.

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/12/01

In this careature-packed episode, Peace & Toodles dive into the shadowy corners of ancient scripture to uncover the strangest beings lurking between the lines. From dragons hiding in apocryphal texts to cosmic serpents curled beneath creation, we explore the mythic, monstrous, and mystical side of the Bible—both canonical and forgotten.Together we read and reflect on selections from the Apocryphal Book of Bel and the Dragon, passages from the Book of Job and Isaiah about Leviathan and Behemoth,

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79:58

035 Journey to the center of the Earth

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, we descend beneath the surface of reality itself. We begin with a guided journey through Jules Verne’s classic tale Journey to the Center of the Earth From there, we spiral outward into the strange and often unsettling world of Hollow Earth theories, hidden civilizations, underground oceans, ancient maps, and the long-standing human belief that something ancient and unknowable exists below our feet.

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61:33

034 Astrology with Meggie

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/11/19

Peace & Toodles sit down with Astrology Meggie for a wide-ranging conversation about astrology, reincarnation, symbolic doors, Jim Morrison, and the archetypes, and the cosmic patterns that shape our lives. A mystical, thoughtful ride through the zodiac and beyond. Hope you enjoy!You can contact Meggie at meggie@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook!https://www.facebook.com/share/17fpzRWxZA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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120:11

033 The Strange Bridge, a Toodles special

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/11/10

In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, we open with a Pondering segment where Peace and Toodles explore a provocative question — does bullying have a place in society? They dive into the complexities of human behavior, the importance of open-minded dialogue, and how to stay aware in a world full of ideological noise and propaganda.From there, the discussion takes a mysterious turn as Toodles shares a haunting story from his late teens — an encounter at a strange

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75:54

032 Manhood in Balance

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, we dive into the question: What does positive masculinity really look like?Peace and Toodles explore the timeless balance between hard strength and soft strength — courage, resilience, and protectiveness on one side; compassion, emotional depth, and integrity on the other. Together, they unpack how men can embody both without shame or confusion, and how the cultural narrative around “what makes a man” has shifted through time

en

101:22

031 The Devil’s Masquerade: A Halloween Special

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/31

In this eerie Halloween special, Peace & Toodles are joined by the one and only Steeley Sawyer for a deep dive into the shadows — exploring how the figure we now call Satan evolved across scripture, myth, and time.From the Hebrew ha-satan — the heavenly “accuser” — to the fiery rebel of Christian lore, we trace how demons, trickster gods, and cosmic rebels all dance along the same line between chaos and creation. Along the way, we’ll share some wild trickster tales from world mythology, dabble

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88:32

030 Tobit, an apocryphal book.

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/27

In this episode, Peace & Toodles crack open one of the most overlooked and mysterious books of the Apocrypha — The Book of Tobit. It’s a tale that blends faith, folklore, and the supernatural: an angel in disguise, a young man on a fateful journey, and a demon who must be banished.From ancient exorcism rituals to Talmudic accounts of spirits and night demons, we explore how this strange little book bridges the gap between Scripture and the unseen world. What does Tobit’s story reveal about

en

104:42

029 Brothers Grimm Fairytales

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/21

In this episode, Peace and Toodles wander into the world of the Brothers Grimm — where snakes speak, stepmothers scheme, children wander through dark forests, and justice often comes in the strangest forms.We read The White Snake, The Juniper Tree, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel — four tales that show just how weird, dark, and surprisingly spiritual the Grimm universe can get. Along the way, we unpack hidden meanings, moral twists, and the cultural roots behind these old German folktales.Why do

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108:22

028 Holy Weird: The Most Bizarre Stories You Never...

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/13

Step off the beaten path of Sunday school and into the shadowy corners of the Old Testament. In this episode, Peace & Toodles uncover the Bible’s strangest and most overlooked stories — from talking donkeys and human sacrifice to naked prophets, sorcery, and half shaved beards. What do these bizarre tales reveal about the ancient world’s view of God, the cosmos, and humanity’s place in it? Join us! Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/share/1AA2Qqd31G/?mibextid=wwXIfr

en

64:08

027 Jesus’ strange childhood: Infancy Gospel

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/07

What was Jesus like as a child?The Infancy Gospel of Thomas paints a wild, strange, and sometimes unsettling picture of the boy Jesus — performing miracles, showing flashes of divine power, but also acting with a temper that feels very different from the Jesus we know from the Gospels.In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, we explore:The origins of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas and why it was never included in the New Testament.The bizarre stories of young Jesus —

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102:59

026 The Secret Language of Memory

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/10/03

In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, joined once again by our recurring co-host Steeley, we dive into the heart of what makes us who we are: our core memories. From the earliest struggles we shared in childhood, to the strange and powerful feelings that seemed to follow us through life, to the inspirational and unexplainable moments that changed us forever — we trace the patterns of memory that shape our souls.It’s part storytelling, part reflection, part

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94:03

025 Baal cycle. Gods Who Die, Gods Who Rise

Traversing the Strange World ·

2025/09/26

Shout out to our listeners in Sweden!In this episode of Traversing the Strange World with Peace & Toodles, we dive into one of the most fascinating mythological patterns of the ancient world—the dying and resurrecting god. We begin with the Baal Cycle from Ugaritic myth, where the storm god faces death, descent, and return. From there, we compare other figures like Osiris, Tammuz, and Adonis, exploring how different cultures expressed themes of life, death, and renewal through their deities.The

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44 results

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