Joshua Greaney Podcast: Recent Episodes
Joshua Greaney
This is a podcast hosted by "a nobody." I'm just thinking out loud in a world that is relentlessly telling me to "shut up," and I'm trying to offer a mic to others like me as well.
What should we think about the seemingly superstitious claims that people often make? What is the ultimate claim about the nature of reality that is undergirding these alleged superstitious and/or religious notions, and is it true?
Listen in as I tease these issues apart and strive to come to a simple, rational conclusion on the matter.
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Consider this like an audible journal entry. Yes, I’m rambling, but I can’t help it! Sometimes it’s good just to vomit my thoughts out so that they don’t remain trapped in my head. So if you want a sneak-peek into how my mind processes ideas and strings them altogether, then listen in. At the very least, this podcast episode might prove useful as a sleeping aid.
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Why does it seem as if—no matter where you look—everything in western culture is fake, a mere facade of what it once was? The various speakers of the "Mere Simulacrity" conference take a decent stab at explaining what is actually going on beneath the surface. Speaker James Lindsay in particular absolutely nails it with his three-lecture explanation of something sinister that has been at work since the early days of the dawn of time.
Listen in as return guest Bradley Vazquez and I commentate on the general content of this conference' lectures.
"Nothing is sound." - Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (from "Happy Is A Yuppie Word")
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Mere Simulacrity Conference (Playlist of Lectures):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZJe-MWy0cYcz0q1mm6OnKE0dGwJ3uC9P
"What is Critical Race Theory | James Lindsay":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BED_D6Hc6TU
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--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joshua-greaney/support
Listen in to what could have been titled as another "Chats with Bros" episode with my good buddy and former coworker Logan Harmon.
Never underestimate the power of inspiration and the affect it can have upon your life, and never underestimate the ability you possess to inspire others. Life is rich and filled with story. It is because of this that literary genres like poetry, fantasy, and sci-fi—fiction in general—resonate so widely and strongly with many audiences.
It's good to escape the daily grind and decompress from time to time. Perhaps in those rare moments, you might be inspired to see yourself as a fictional character in a novel of your own writing. What kind of a fantastical life would you want to live, and what choices would you have to make to manifest that as a reality? Your answers to those questions might make all the difference.
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How do I even begin trying to tell my "life story"? That would seem to imply that I know what kind of a story my life is and what its end will be. Nevertheless, here is my attempt to begin the daunting task of sharing my life story as it passes through the strange, paradigm-shifting year that was 2019.
Truth is definitely stranger than fiction.
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Intro Music: "On My Way" by Micah Greaney
https://micahgreaney.bandcamp.com/album/exposed-ep
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Sometimes it's good to know that other people are struggling just like you are to navigate through life's problems. If you find anything I share on this podcast episode to be personally relatable and if any of it helps you in any way, then I'm glad it has served a purpose beyond that of me simply airing some of my "dirty laundry" out in cyberspace.
Thanks for listening.
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Did you grow up "in the church"? Has anyone ever told you that you should "go to church"? Have you ever been bored out of your mind while "at church"? Have you ever thought that "going to church" was a waste of your time? Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, the church kinda sucks"? And have you ever stopped to ask why?
If so, then you're in good company. As it turns out, there is a fairly simple reason why the modern "church" sucks as much as it does. Listen in! I've got some insider knowledge to share with you, as well as some "ammunition" to pass on.
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The "times" are always changing; that's always been true. But one would be amiss to disregard the enormous impact that the internet has had upon the "90s kids" and the subsequent generations. The internet's ease of accessibility has increased exponentially, giving rise to all kinds of social media platforms that most everyone uses on the daily.
Listen in as guest Kim and I discuss our introduction to this mind-blowing technological wonder along with its pros and cons.
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Reflections on topics I discussed with passengers.
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This is how two people who actually love reading the Bible talk about it. What can I say? We're Bible Nerds!
Thank you in advance for your help in supporting this family. Kirt Strawder is a close friend of mine and a brother in Christ. He is genuine and has been a significant source of encouragement in my life.
Please consider cheerfully giving what you can to help him and his family in their time of need.
God bless you!
https://gofund.me/6de11e00
My good friend and former coworker Joshua Harris from the LUK5 Amazon warehouse joins me for a nerdy session of conversation in which we delve into the vast 14+ years' worth of films, tv shows, shorts, etc. based on the wildly known and highly beloved Marvel Comics. Consider this podcast episode to be a well deserved tribute to the late Stan Lee.
"Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! . . . Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know. They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. . ." - Psalm 35
"I [the Lord God Most High] will bless those who bless you [Abraham], and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Genesis 12:3
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Friday 29 July 2022
Vindicate me, God Most High! Rise up and bring down vengeance upon my enemies! This is my prayer, oh Lord my God!
Psalm 119:93-100
Psalm 26
Psalm 43
"Vengeance is Mine, and recompense [I, God Most High, will repay], for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly. For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free."- Deuteronomy 32:35-36
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Friday 29 July 2022
"Christ will always say something that unsettles us but sits with us and is not easily cast off." - Gabriel Fisher
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers." - Song of Solomon 1:2-4
"As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." - Song of Solomon 2:3
Join returning guest Stephen Pappas (Papadakis) and I as we wrap up our exploration of various works of fantasy.
Stay tuned for the next episode with Stephen in which we will begin an in-depth discussion on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series! I'm looking forward to finally taking a stab at reading through this well-known and beloved book series.
Thank you for listening!
Join returning guest Stephen Pappas (Papadakis) and I as we explore various works of fantasy in greater depths.
This podcast episode has solidified my decision to read through J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series!
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My apologies to everyone who was cringing when I claimed that Jason Sudeikis was the guy who played as the titular character in the film "Shazam!" I confused the film "American Underdog" which stars Zachary Levi with "Ted Lasso" which stars Jason Sudeikis. Bear with me, guys! I'm only human!
The life of Jon Sandy thus far—in his own words—as encapsulated by the following four songs:
"All Signs Point to Lauderdale" (A Day to Remember) - This is a pop punk classic about hating your home town—which I very much did growing up. I used to blast this on my runs wishing I was somewhere else.
"Stitch" (Wage War) - This really culminates the hate and anger I had with myself and others during my divorce. The line, "Three years in the making, but I guess we weren't worth saving," really sticks out.
"Glass House" (Machine Gun Kelly) - Consider this a reflection on who I am as a person at the height of my suicidal tendencies and self-medicating in the midst of losing my religion. "Life's been hard since 17, I've been through hell, I think I'm somewhere in between, caught in purgatory, I can paint the scene..."
"San Diego" (Blink-182) - This really anthems my nostalgia for the people I love back home in West Virginia. If you replace the lyric "San Diego" with "West Virginia," it makes me feel homesick. I love West Virginia, but I also know I could never go back—and I never did—or else I probably would've ended up dead to be completely honest.
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Shout out to West Virginia's Tudor's Biscuit World!: http://www.tudorsbiscuitworld.com/
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"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
The fairytale story of "Rapunzel" has been a favorite of mine for many years, but it wasn't until 2019 that I had the desire to delve into the symbolism embedded in such a short and simple story. What do you think? Does my analysis hold water? Does it do the story justice? I'll let you be the judge of that. Thank you in advance for listening!
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"Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel." - Proverbs 12:10
Revelation 2:18-29 (There is mention of a "Jezebel woman" tormenting God's people in this passage of biblical literature.)
A comparison of the 1812 and 1857 versions of "Rapunzel": https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm012a.html
I am honored to host my good friend Mike Smith (aka "Moody") and his girlfriend Janet Jade on my podcast. Moody is the only self-proclaimed Satanist/Luciferian I have ever knowingly met! You'd be surprised what kind of friendships can blossom when both people are open to listening to one another and learning from each other's life experiences.
The conversation is authentic, raw, and heartfelt. We offer it up to you in hopes of inspiring courage, perseverance, and an openness to the possibility that the lives we live possess an intrinsic, undeniable meaning woven into the very fabric of the universe. At times this sense of meaning can manifest, becoming irrevocably palpable. Never give up in your pursuit of the Truth. If you find yourself in a dark tunnel, keep pressing toward the Light at the end of it.
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"I find the Most High in cracks that you walk by..." - Matisyahu's "Crossroads"
"...Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death..." - Psalm 23
"...Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on..." - Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"
"You can hold the demons as high and as mighty as you want, but I will make sure the world sees their horns." - Zachary Daniel Payne
"...For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places...." - Ephesians 6:10-20
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11
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Need an "Uber Driver"? I'll do you one better! If you're in the northern Kentucky area, call up my good friend Justin Wade with Wade's Rides!
Work: (513) 377-6168
Mobile: (513) 633-8775
Email: wadejust824@gmail.com
Does anybody even read these? Haha! Just listen to the podcast! It's awesome! Kevin Schmitz is the man!!!
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Instagram: @f_sideofficial
Instagram: @kevin_schmitz_drums
Check out the Lucky Duck Pub in Burlington, Kentucky!
6072 Limaburg Rd,
Burlington, KY 41005-9310
At 9 years of age, Joseph Simon is by far the youngest guest I've had on my podcast up to this point! I was honored to host him! He is the first son of my good friend, mentor, and pastor Abraham Victor Simon. Moreover, Joseph's family was the first of many live audiences I've hosted while recording the podcast.
Listen as Joseph tells us a little bit about himself, the origin of his creativity, and the fun YouTube channel he started all on his own!
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Joseph Simon's YouTube Channel: "Carcity Adventurelessons" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs3qKsK4CeXXsVw4iEnnGrg
"I wanted you to stand within the fire and roar within it." - Zach Payne
From warehouse job experiences to musical pursuits to life lessons to freshly coined inspirational quotes—this podcast episode has it all.
You won't be disappointed! Join in as we reminisce about some significant events from our shared life experiences. And stay on the lookout for "part 2" when it comes!
In this second half, "Low" and I take it home. The good, the bad, and the ugly—you as the listeners get to hear it all.
I firmly believe that honesty is the path to freedom. There is power in striving to speak the truth to the best of one's ability.
"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC--krcPrzfpk0_osou4LuaA
Instagram: GCE_Lowkey
Instagram: GrindCampEmpire
Twitter: @OfficiallyLowkey
Nothing I could write down in this description would do this two-part episode justice.
"Low" and I invite you to listen to our conversation. Listen carefully and intently, and never underestimate the power of being a good listener.
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC--krcPrzfpk0_osou4LuaA
Instagram: GCE_Lowkey
Instagram: GrindCampEmpire
Twitter: @OfficiallyLowkey
There is always a silver-lining to even the worst situations life might throw your way. My good friend and former coworker Chris—nicknamed "Tiny"—has a life story that testifies to this intrinsic truth.
Listen in as he shares some of the details of the difficult road he was placed upon even before his own birth. Take courage from the spirit of perseverance that has compelled him to never give up, and don't cast aside the wisdom he's gleaned from enduring the "School of Hard Knocks."
Tiny, I'm rooting for you, bro! You are an inspiration to all of us!
"The hardest thing to do is face truth." - Tiny (Chris)
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"Count it all joy, my brothers [followers of Jesus Christ], when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - (James 1:2-4)
"As for you [Joseph's brothers], you meant evil against me [Joseph], but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." - (Genesis 50:20)
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:5)
Relationships, mental health, psychedelics, mythologies, dragons, dinosaurs, etc. Can Logan Creech and I cover every interesting topic under the sun in a single podcast? We definitely strive to in this second segment!
Enjoy listening to the conclusion of this epic conversation and the cliffhanger of a question that Logan poses at the close!
Thank you to all of our listeners! God bless!
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Check out Logan Creech's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logancreech8/
When everything under the sun is both offered and marketed to you from birth, discernment becomes an invaluable tool in navigating your path forward. Openness to new ideas, learning about different perspectives, and embracing change as a way of life are what have been subliminally bred into the upcoming generations. In many ways, the "Jack of All Trades" is king. Versatility is highly valuable, and a healthy dose of skepticism toward positional authority figures is the norm. A superficial analysis is no longer sufficient in today's Western culture(s); everything must be questioned.
Guest Logan Creech is a great example of the kind of mindset that "Gen Z" has when it comes to viewing the world at large. Everything is open for exploration, but that is where the best adventures always begin.
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." - Bilbo Baggins (J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings)
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." - Gandalf the Grey (J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings)
Everyone has an innate, deep-seated desire within themselves to find acceptance on the most fundamental levels of their being. This is intrinsic to what it means to be "human." It is a critical component of what defines the human spirit. That is why the ultimate fulfillment of that desire is expressed in the biblical literature as the God above all gods saying to His faithful child, "Well done, good and faithful bondservant!" There is no greater compliment.
"We're much more complicated than we understand." - Jordan B. Peterson
"The way we behave contains much more information than we realize. So, for thousands of years, we’ve extracted patterns of behavior that characterize humanity and meditated on them through imitation, drama, mythology, literature, and art." - Jordan B. Peterson
"Gratitude is the victory." - Joshua P. Greaney
Thank you to all of our listeners! We appreciate you!
What makes fantasy literature so compelling? The imaginative worlds created in the minds of the likes of Brandon Sanderson, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Lucas, Daniel Handler, and many more are beloved and cherished by many. Join guest Stephen Pappas and I as we bridge the gap between fantasy and real life by connecting some thematic dots lying beneath the surface. The conversation gets pretty heartfelt toward the end of this two-part episode. Stay with us, and you won't be disappointed!
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Comedian Aaron Woodall compares Star Wars and Harry Potter: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_sSQJz5Oiik
My first introduction to Bobcat Goldthwait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8tIpvlj64Y
"Put it in Reverse, Terry!!!": https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y5ntWlq8Hdg
You may never know the level of impact you have on another person's life. You might be the lone reason why someone in your life chooses to keep going. Do not take your life for granted. Do not take the people in your life for granted either.
Listen in as my good buddy and former coworker Derek M. and I candidly share some of the life experiences that have shaped us as individuals. We delve in pretty deep, so prepare for some baring of souls with a light-hearted plot twist at the end.
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Clip of Tae Kwon Do martial artist Chip Townsend winning a championship title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmswdVDs5l0
What do zip lines, a life-size Noah's Ark, Tim Pool, God, Tom Cruise, and Roe v. Wade have in common? They all come up in this podcast episode with a good buddy of mine, Derrick D.
Stereotypes be damned! If you value honest discussion and the pursuit of truth, then come along for this provocative roller-coaster ride of an episode!
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Shout out to Tim Pool and the entire Timcast team! We both love and appreciate you guys!
https://www.youtube.com/c/TimcastIRL
https://timcast.com/
Have you ever had a really intriguing conversation with a coworker in your workplace? My buddy Shammon and I have had many. We have had so many, in fact, that we decided to put some mics in front of us in order to share some of the kinds of things we've discussed with all of you!
Come along for the ride as we "water-ski" over a variety of interrelated topics and questions with the occasional "scuba-dive" to see what may or may not be lurking under the surface.
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Check out Shammon P.'s social media sites, including his podcast "let's link": https://linktr.ee/VangoBrand
Return guest Tim C. and I unite forces in order to tackle a variety of seemingly disparate questions which we have each wrestled with individually in the past. We begin by investigating the well-known adage of "following one's heart." Is it 100% unbiblical, or might there be some truth to this cultural proverb? But that's only the beginning. We invite you to join us for the ride and hope to provoke thoughts of your own on the topics we discuss.
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Tim C.'s blogpost: https://young-man-old-mind.blogspot.com/
What is the biblical response to the secular concept of "victim blaming"?
Listen in to the second half of this discussion as guest Tim C. and I continue in search of an answer to this question.
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Tim C.'s blogpost: https://young-man-old-mind.blogspot.com/
What is the biblical response to the secular concept of "victim blaming"?
Listen in as guest Tim C. and I wrestle with this question in search of an answer.
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Tim C.'s blogpost: https://young-man-old-mind.blogspot.com/
What exactly did the Apostle Paul have in mind when he said that "we [Christians] do not wrestle against flesh and blood . . . but against spiritual forces of darkness in heavenly places"? What does this look like on a practical, day-to-day level? To what extent does the spiritual realm interact with and/or impact our daily lives? Listen in as I work through my thoughts on these questions and more.
The vast majority of Christendom in the West has been inculcated for centuries with a deeply flawed, unbiblical definition of the word "church." This false definition is too often imported back into the biblical text provoking further doctrinal errors. So many Christian doctrines are contingent upon a correct understanding of what the New Testament authors meant by the term "church." It is therefore incumbent upon Christians to carefully examine the biblical texts to ascertain the original, intended meanings and usages of the term "church" instead of simply importing a false, culturally-defined definition which is altogether foreign to the text.
Listen in as I work out various concepts in the raw in an attempt to identify underlying themes of an overwhelming trend of distrust and cynicism toward authority figures in our western postmodern culture.
A glimpse into how my mind wrestles with simple questions such as, "What is prayer exactly?" Come along for the ride...even if it puts you to sleep.