Through the Keyhole: Recent Episodes
Jeremy A. Kee
Through the Keyhole is a podcast that aims to cast a light on the good, the beautiful, and the true in these darkling times.
In today’s episode I am joined again by Tom Ruby. Our conversation last time was so engrossing that we wanted to keep the fire going. Last time we spoke about some encouraging things, so we decided today to go in the other direction and talk about reasons for doom. He and I are what you would call ‘doomer optimists’. A quick glance at the world as it presently stands yields justified concern, even pessimism. We talk about it today. And join us next week as Tom comes back once more to round out the hat trick of episodes. Here is my second of three conversations with Tom Ruby.
Enjoy the show.
In today’s episode I joined by Mr. Dean Abbott. Dean holds a special place in the annals of Keyhole lore as the podcast’s very first guest on September 13th, 2021 - 3 years and 4 days ago as of this episode’s release. This time around, Dean and I discuss the work he is doing as a coach and pastoral counselor, the lessons to be learned by those he works with, masculinity, intuition, finding one’s ‘place’, and Magnum P.I. What we don’t talk about is the other 7 things I wanted to bring up. So it goes with interesting people.
Enjoy the show.
In today’s episode I speak with Mr. Alan Cornett of the Cultural Debris podcast and, I have to be honest – this episode was recorded over a year ago. It is being published in September of 2024, but we recorded this in the Spring of 2023. Alan, I am quite sorry for the delay. Earlier in life Alan had the distinct privilege of working with Conservative luminary Russell Kirk. Alan and I spoke about the man and the experiences that came from working alongside such a brilliant mind.
Enjoy the show.
In this special episode of Through the Keyhole, I talk for a few minutes about my grandfather, Kenneth Morris, who passed away on 29 August, 2024 at the age of 92.
Thank you for listening.
In this episode of Through the Keyhole, I speak with Mr. Joseph Pearce, an essayist, author, speaker, and biographer of many great figures of the 20th century. For our purposes of this episode we focus in on one man: the late soviet dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Years ago, Mr. pearce was personally invited by Solzhenitsyn to spend a few days at his estate in Vermont for the purpose of a longform interview.
We talk about what it was like to spend time with the man, what he learned about him, and more generally about certain of Mr. Pearce's earlier life experiences that put him on the path that led to Solzhenitsyn.
What is the "Red Pill" and what do those who have taken it believe? It is a popular and problematic concept in modern American culture, particularly in the so-called "Manosphere", and has contributed to the explosion in men's mental health issues. In this episode of Through the Keyhole, I sit down again with the Attachment expert, Adam Lane Smith, to talk about the red pill lies, the truths that refute them, and how to recover from having believed in them in the first place.
If you enjoy this show, please consider subscribing to, following, and/or sharing the podcast. You can also continue the conversation by following me on twitter @jeremyakee and Adam @thebroethius.
If you are interested in acquiring Adam's services, you have do so in the following ways:
-
Attachment Bootcamp: https://calendly.com/adamlanesmith/individual-attachment-consult?month=2023-04
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Slaying Your Fears: A Guide for People Who Struggle with Insecurity - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1099212413
In this episode, we speak with Roobz, a Twitter user with a unique perspective on life and spirituality. Roobz shares her experiences growing up as a Pakistani-Canadian, and the role that religion has played in her life. We delve into the importance of finding balance and setting limits in our technology-driven world, and the need for "Third places" - spaces where people can gather and connect in meaningful ways. Join us for an enlightening conversation about the magic and mystery that still exists in our secular, post-modern world.
Topics covered:
- Roobz's background and experiences growing up as a Pakistani-Canadian
- The role of religion in Roobz's life and the importance of finding balance
- The perils of technology and the need to set limits
- The concept of "Third places" and their importance in our society
- Exploring the magic and mystery in our secular, post-modern world
Guest:Roobz, Twitter user and spiritual thinker
In this episode of Through the Keyhole, Andrew Snyder comes on to discuss Kierkegaard, Tolkien, and the importance of mythological awareness in a post-modern world.
Socials:
Andrew Snyder Twitter - @andrewnsnyder
Mythic Mind Podcast - @mythic_mind
Mythic Mind Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/andrewnsnyder
In this episode of Through the Keyhole, I speak with woman who (for now...) goes by the Twitter handle Going Godward. She is a social worker with a passion for education and common sense. Some of the topics discussed in this episode include:
- The realities of the public school system in the US;
- Finding one's "ideal self" in less than ideal times.
This was a phenomenal episode, and afterwards we mapped out several later conversations we would like to have.
If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, follow, or whatever else the platform allows you to do to stay up to date when new episodes drop. Also consider following the podcast on twitter!
-----Socials-----
Going Godward: @goinggodward (twitter)
TTK: @thekeehole
Recently a silly and certainly unserious article was published on the website Medium which sought to make the point that The Lord of the Rings was not a "Christian" story. What did the author mean by "a Christian story"? Dunno, but he didn't let that vague term stop him! To his credit, it's a fair conversation to have. Unfortunately, he used it as a vehicle to not only display his utter ignorance of the subject and his intellectual laziness, but also as an opportunity to slander, mock, and insult Christians because reasons.
I responded.
In what is my first solo episode of The Keyhole (huzzah!), I break down his argument, such as it is and as it pertains to the question of The Lord of the Rings Christian roots. The truth is... complicated, but as I make clear, without the profound importance of Tolkien's Catholicism to his own life, The Lord of the Rings would not exist. Make of that what you will, dear reader.
If you like this episode, leave a like, share a review, and subscribe to the show. It helps me reach a wider audience, and I really do want this to be the year that Through the Keyhole challenges The Joe Rogan Experience... Maybe that's too far. But this is something special, and your support helps the show grow.
Join the conversation!
- Twitter - @thekeehole - @jeremyakee
- Email: throughthekeehole@gmail.com
- Through the Keyhole on YouTube
In this episode of Through the Keyhole, I spoke with Dr. David Deavel, who along with Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson co-edited the recent Solzhenitsyn and American Culture: The Russian Soul and the West. Dr. Deavel and I spoke about the like and work of Solzhenitsyn and, more specifically, touched on topics such as:
- The role Solzhenitsyn's faith played in his work and his life
- What Solzhenitsyn saw happening in the world around him
- What lessons we can learn from him in 2022
... and much more. I hope to have Dr. Deavel on again, as there were so many avenues we could have explored.
If you enjoyed this show, please subscribe to the podcast, swing by YouTube and drop a like, and leave a review wherever you found me. It helps the show reach a wider audience (all hail The Algorithm). If you want to get in contact with me, you can find me on twitter, or email me at the following addresses:
-----Social Media-----
- Twitter: @thekeehole
- Twitter: @jeremyakee
- Email: throughthekeehole@gmail.com
As well, please be sure to give Dr. Deavel podcast a listen! Deep Down Things Podcast
Thanks for listening! Be sure to stay tuned for more great interviews and other content coming in 2022!
Welcome to Through the Keyhole. I am your humble host, Jeremy Kee. On this episode of The Keyhole I had the distinct pleasure to talk to Ms. Happy Madden. Happy is a fellow counselor here in Dallas, a former colleague of mine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and a friend. We discussed, among other things:
- Social media
- Glamorizing trauma among the younger generation
- Interpersonal neurobiology
- What is going on in your brain when someone else hits that ‘like’ button (which you should do, post haste).
The list of things we were not able to talk about far surpasses the list of things we did, so find Happy and hound her to become a regular on the show.
-----Socials-----
Jeremy (twitter): @jeremyakee
Podcast (twitter): @thekeehole
Email: throughthekeehole@gmail.com
On this episode of Through the Keyhole, Jeremy is joined by Dr. James Hanink, the former California gubernatorial candidate for the American Solidarity Party (ASP). Dr. Hanink and Jeremy discuss:
- The concept of 'the common good'
- Abortion
- Nuclear Annihilation
- Other sundry topics
I very much enjoyed the opportunity to talk to Dr. Hanink. It was so refreshing to speak to a politician who is honest and relatable. Case in point: you will have to remind yourself that Dr. Hanink is, technically, a politician!
If you are bothered by the corruption of the contemporary two-party system here in the US, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, "conservative", liberal, progressive, woke - whatever you are, there is something to grab onto on the platform of the American Solidarity Party. Give them a look!
-----Socials-----
Jeremy Kee: @jeremyakee
Through the Keyhole:
- @thekeehole
- throughthekeehole@gmail.com
American Solidarity Party:
- Website: https://www.solidarity-party.org/
- Twitter: @AmSolidarity
In this episode of Through the Keyhole, I speak with Adam Lane Smith, a coach, former therapist, and expert on Attachment Theory. What is attachment theory, you may ask? What a great question! Attachment theory, in short, is the way we view ourselves and the way we think others view us. This influences every aspect of your life - romantic relationships, friendships, work, everything. In this episode, Adam and I discuss:
- What attachment styles are;
- Why they are so important;
- How they become dysfunctional;
- How a dysfunctional style can cause problems in relationships - not just romantic, but platonic and professional, too;
- How you can repair an insecure style and why you should try to.
If you enjoyed this episode or found it helpful or interesting, please consider leaving a review on Apple or Spotify (or wherever you found the show), and share with anyone you think might light it! And don't forget to subscribe to the show for more on this and other mental health and relationship content.
-----Social Media-----
Adam Lane Smith (twitter) - @thebroethius
Jeremy A. Kee (twitter) - @jeremyakee - @thekeehole
On this episode of The Keyhole it was my distinct privilege to talk to Dr. Brad Birzer, a historian and professor at Hillsdale College, a biographer of such men as J.R.R. Tolkien, Russell Kirk, and Christopher Dawson among others. He is also the editor of The Imaginative Conservative, an online journal for those who seek the True, the Good, and the Beautiful in the tradition of Russell Kirk, T.S. Eliot, Edmund Burke and other leaders of so called 'Imaginative Conservatism.' Dr. Birzer and I discuss:
- What is ‘Imaginative Conservatism’?;
- Why it is a viable alternative to modern conservatism;
- What we have to be optimistic about;
- Why so many people have grown so disillusioned with modern conservative ideals;
- Monarchism in a democratic society;
- What really happened to the Ent Wives.
If you enjoy this episode, I encourage you to subscribe to the podcast. Please also consider leaving a review on whatever platform you so choose. It will help the show reach a wider audience. You can find me on twitter @jeremyakee, as well as @thekeehole, spelled K-E-E.
Enjoy the show.
-----Social Media and Relevant Links-----
Dr. Brad Birzer (twitter): @bradleybirzer
Stormfields: the personal website of Dr. Brad Birzer: https://bradbirzer.com/
The Imaginative Conservative
Dr Birzer's Amazon Author Page
For Ch. 3 I was joined by Ms. Kaitlyn Facista, founder and proprietor of the Tea with Tolkien online community. As I am sure you can imagine, or focus for the episode was the life, works, and faith of the English author, J.R.R. Tolkien. In particular, Kaitlyn and I discussed:
- Why and how we each got into Tolkien
- A good reading order for newcomers to the Tolkien party
- Our favorite points and ideas of Tolkien's Legendarium
- Tolkien's Catholicism and our own
- Why it is too early to worry about the Lord of the Rings series on Amazon Prime
This was such a fun conversation. I cannot wait to have Kaitlyn back on for more. We referenced a lot of different books in this one, so be sure to check out the works cited below. Please also consider leaving a review of the show and subscribing for more excellent regular interviews and other content coming in the future.
-----Social Media-----
Kaitlyn (twitter): @teawithtolkien
www.teawithtolkien.com
Jeremy (twitter): @thekeehole -- @jeremyakee
Jeremy (email): throughthekeehole@gmail.com
-----Works Cited-----
- Carpenter, H. - J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography
- Ordway, H. - Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages
- Facista, K. - To Middle-earth and Back Again
- Birzer, B. - J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-earth
- Pearce, J. - Bilbo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of The Hobbit
- Pearce, J. - Frodo's Journey: Discover the Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings
- Kreeft, P. - The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings
- Ryken, P. - The Messiah Comes to Middle-earth: Images of Christ's Threefold Office in The Lord of the Rings
- Rutledge, F. - The Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings
On this episode of The Keyhole I was given the honor to speak with Ms. Noelle Mering, a wife, mother, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and author of the recently released Awake Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology. We discuss:
- What it means to be “woke”
- Its origins and potential endpoints
- Its logical inconsistencies
- How the Christian may respond in good faith.
At the end of the episode, we turn our attention toward Ms. Mering's other work as the co-author and editor of the Theology of Home series of books. In these books, Mering and her co-author, Carrie Gress, discuss the importance of making one's home or other living space somewhere that is warm, welcoming, and fostering of ones values and beliefs.
It was a very good conversation. If you enjoyed it, please consider liking, following, sharing, subscribing, etc. It helps the show grow and reach a wider audience. Please note, also, that this was the first recorded episode, so apologies if it's a bit rough.
-----Social Media-----
Noelle Mering (twitter): @noellem
www.theologyofhome.com
Jeremy Kee (twitter): @jeremyakee
Keyhole (twitter): @thekeehole
Keyhole (email): throughthekeehole@gmail.com
Can anything good come from Twitter? Can pain and suffering ever lead to redemption? How does one address the cynicism and nihilism of our time? These are just a few of the topics covered in this, the inaugural episode of Through the Keyhole, a new podcast that seeks to shed light on the good, the beautiful, and the true in an otherwise darkening age.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider liking the podcast, subscribing, leaving a review on whichever podcast platform you choose, and tell your friends. Your support really helps the channel grow and reach a wider audience.
Please feel free to reach out with your comments, questions, and critiques! My contact information, as well as that of my guest, can be found below.
Jeremy: @jeremyakee @thekeehole, throughthekeehole@gmail.com
Dean: @deanabbott, dean@deanabbott.com