Through The Briars Pod

Christian Kossivas
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  • Self-Improvement
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The Through The Briars Pod has one goal, in a world that values comfort over courage, this podcast explores how to endure suffering, without bitterness, take responsibility and live toward what is good, true and lasting. Drawing from the perennial wisdom of literature, tragedy, myth, archetypes and the power of art, I uncover that wisdom that teaches more profoundly than logic alone. It shows how these characters, stories and trials reflect and shape a life, not only tackling how we should act but more importantly that is now lost, why we should act.

  1. 5h ago

    You Are Symbolically Illiterate | The Necessity Of Symbolism | The Forgotten Language of Meaning Ep. 20

    What is symbolism, and why has the modern world largely forgotten how to understand it? In this episode, we explore the symbolic worldview popularized by Jonathan Pageau and rooted in the Christian and Orthodox tradition. We discuss symbolism, unity and multiplicity, facts and stories, purpose, meaning, and the recurring patterns that shape reality.What does it mean to say that facts exist inside stories? Why is purpose more important than mere function? How do symbols reveal deeper truths about the world? And why does Christianity see Christ as the ultimate pattern through which all things find meaning? Topics covered: • What symbolism actually is • Unity and multiplicity explained simply • Facts vs stories • Purpose and meaning • Good and bad symbols • The symbolism of candles, serpents, crowns, mountains, and trees • Jonathan Pageau’s symbolic worldview • Christ as the Logos and pattern of patterns • Why symbolic literacy matters today If you’ve ever wondered why myths, rituals, stories, icons, and symbols remain powerful across cultures and history, this episode is for you. #symbolism #symbolicliteracy #orthodoxy #christianity #meaning

    38 min

  2. May 31

    The Symbolism Of Ravens And Their Purpose | Ep. 19

    Why have ravens appeared throughout mythology, literature, and Scripture for thousands of years? From Poe’s The Raven to Odin’s Huginn and Muninn, from Noah’s Ark to Prophet Elijah to Christ’s command to “consider the ravens,” this episode explores one of humanity’s oldest and most mysterious symbols: the raven as a messenger of memory, wisdom, death, and divine mystery. Explore the rich symbolism of ravens across mythology, literature, and religion, and understand their profound significance as messengers, witnesses, and symbols of truth, death, and providence. 00:00 The Raven: A Symbol Through Time 02:06 Ravens and Death: Witnesses of Mortality 07:01 Edgar Allan Poe and the Raven's Grief 13:01 Biblical Ravens: Messengers of Providence 20:19 Lessons from Ravens: Trust and Sustenance 23:24 The Raven's Wisdom: Embracing Life's Mysteries * William Blake's poetry on the infinite * Charles Baudelaire's works on symbolism * Oscar Wilde's writings on beauty and truth * The Norse Mythology of Odin's Ravens * Gothic Literature and Edgar Allan Poe * The Old Testament Prophet Elijah * Jesus Christ And The Ravens TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@christian_kossa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebriarsoftruth?igsh=MW04bGo0M21pZW8yNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#Raven #Symbolism #Mythology #EdgarAllanPoe #Philosophy

    25 min

  3. May 25

    The Symbolism Of Devil May Cry's: Dante & Vergil | The Two Paths Of The Human Soul | Ep 18

    Most of us face a constant battle between our light and dark sides like Dante and Virgil, two brothers embodying the eternal struggle of the human soul. In this episode, uncover how their story on Netflix’s Devil May Cry reflects universal patterns of trauma, power, and self-integration that play out in your life every day.You’ll discover why these characters symbolise two responses to suffering: embracing humanity with love and virtue versus rejecting it for control and power. We break down how their hybrid natures born from both human and demonic origins mirror our own struggle between light and darkness, and why denying or overindulging in either path leads to fragmentation and suffering.This episode explores key insights like Jung's shadow integration, the significance of hierarchies of virtue, and how the concept of the Devil Trigger reflects mastering destructive potential without succumbing to it. You’ll also learn surprising parallels to timeless stories like Cain and Abel, Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov, and the importance of aligning your life with higher principles.Why does one brother’s proper moral order make him stronger and more whole, while the other’s obsession with power leads to downfall? Because true strength isn’t just about domination, it’s about integration, humility, and purpose. Ignoring this eternal pattern leaves you vulnerable to chaos, dissatisfaction, and fragmentation in your relationships and inner world.Whether you're a fan of the series or simply interested in understanding the symbolic forces shaping human behaviour, this episode offers life-changing perspectives on confronting your shadows, embracing vulnerability, and becoming more whole. Perfect for anyone seeking personal growth through myth, story, or spiritual insight. Dive into these universal lessons and learn how to master your inner darkness for greater strength, love, and peace. Link To Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thebriarsoftruth?igsh=MW04bGo0M21pZW8yNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr http://www.tiktok.com/@christian_kossa #devilmaycry #devilmaycrynetflix #dantesparda #vergilsparda #symbolism #myth #philosophy #devilmaycry5

    44 min

  4. May 17

    8 Literature Hot Takes That Get Progressively Hotter

    What can William Shakespeare, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, dark academia, nihilism, and symbolic literacy teach modern culture? In this episode, I break down 8 literature hot takes on beauty, ritual, suffering, psychology, and why the death of symbolism may be leaving modern man spiritually disoriented. #Literature #DarkAcademia #Booktube

    47 min

  5. May 10

    Avatar Was Never Just a Kids Show | The Hidden Symbolism of Team Avatar | Ep. 16

    Why does Avatar: The Last Airbender still resonate so deeply years later? In this episode, we explore the hidden symbolism, psychology, mythology, and archetypal storytelling behind Team Avatar, breaking down what Aang, Zuko, Katara, Toph Beifong, and Sokka truly represent through the lens of literature, Jungian psychology, trauma, identity, redemption, and symbolism. From the reluctant hero to the wounded prince, this is Avatar like you’ve never seen it before.#AvatarTheLastAirbender #AvatarAnalysis #Zuko #Storytelling #CharacterAnalysis #Mythology #Psychology #Symbolism

    1h 14m

  6. May 4

    We Are Living In The Age Of Narcissism (It's Destroying Us) | Ep. 15

    Are we living in an age of narcissism? In this episode, I explore how modern culture may be rewarding image over character, attention over authenticity, and performance over truth. From social media validation, hustle culture, virtue signalling, identity politics, and gender conflict, to the psychological rise of narcissistic traits in relationships, culture, and the media we consume, this is a deeper look at the modern self. Drawing on the myths of Narcissus and Icarus, alongside Dorian Gray from The Picture of Dorian Gray, we examine pride, vanity, ego, identity, manipulation, the Dark Tetrad, and what happens when self-image replaces inner character. If you’re interested in psychology, mythology, literature, self-development, toxic relationships, modern culture, and the search for meaning this conversation is for you. #Narcissism #Psychology #ModernCulture #SelfDevelopment #Mythology #Literature #DorianGray

    44 min

  7. Apr 27

    Why Modern Life Feels Empty (We're Losing Beauty) | Ep. 14

    Why does modern life feel comfortable yet strangely empty, and why do the most beautiful moments often carry a quiet sense of sorrow? In this episode, I explore why beauty is not a luxury but a necessity for meaning, identity, and endurance. Drawing on the insights of John Keats, William Blake, Charles Baudelaire, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Oscar Wilde, this conversation moves beyond surface-level aesthetics into moral and existential beauty, how it emerges through suffering, why it feels tied to something infinite, and what happens when a culture loses its ability to perceive it. If you’ve felt lost, overstimulated, or disconnected from meaning, this is an exploration of why beauty still matters and why, without it, life begins to lose its depth.

    1 hr

  8. Apr 19

    3 Things That Saved Me When I Felt Completely Lost In Life | Ep.13

    Do you carry anger you can't fully explain... feel lost while everyone else seems certain... or sense yourself becoming colder from things you never chose to go through? This episode is a reflection on the moment I realised I wasn't just suffering, I was slowly becoming someone I didn't recognise. I speak on the decision to refuse bitterness even when it felt justified, to sit in silence and confront my own patterns instead of escaping them, and to choose meaning over collapse when everything in me wanted to give in. These weren't abstract ideas, but lived shifts echoed in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Blaise Pascal, and Viktor Frankl, who understood that suffering can either distort you or refine you depending on how you carry it. If you feel directionless, burdened, or on the edge of becoming bitter, this is not about escaping pain, it's about learning how to bear it without losing yourself.#selfimprovementjourney #philosophyoflife #findyourpurpose #meaningfullife #healingjourney

    49 min
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About

The Through The Briars Pod has one goal, in a world that values comfort over courage, this podcast explores how to endure suffering, without bitterness, take responsibility and live toward what is good, true and lasting. Drawing from the perennial wisdom of literature, tragedy, myth, archetypes and the power of art, I uncover that wisdom that teaches more profoundly than logic alone. It shows how these characters, stories and trials reflect and shape a life, not only tackling how we should act but more importantly that is now lost, why we should act.

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Kossivas
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christian Kossivas
  • Show Website
    Through The Briars Pod