Academia Obscura

Chris Little

A podcast exploring the intersection of philosophy, esoterica, history, and consciousness—where ancient symbols meet modern thought. Academia Obscura dives into hidden knowledge, spiritual discipline, and the deeper forces shaping human experience, challenging listeners to question everything and live with intention.

Episodes

  1. Jul 15

    Doublethink, Oil Shocks, and the Chocolate Ration w/ Stacy

    Chris and his sister Stacy finally sit down to talk Orwell's 1984, using the novel as a jumping-off point for a wide-ranging conversation about authoritarianism, demagoguery, and how closely the book's mechanics (the two minutes hate, doublethink, Big Brother as an idea rather than a person) map onto the current moment. From there the conversation ranges into Fed leadership and monetary policy, the Israel-Gaza war and the politics propping up Netanyahu's coalition, the unfolding Iran standoff and its ripple effects on oil and global food supply, gender and sexual politics both historically and in the modern religious right, and Chris's own attempt to define his political identity somewhere between libertarianism and pro-union social democracy. Next time: Fahrenheit 451.

  2. Jul 3

    My Faith: Part 1

    Academia Obscura

  3. Jun 26

    The Ancient Queens of Sumeria w/ Demetria Nanos

    In this episode of Academia Obscura, host Chris Little interviews Demetria Nanos, head administrator for the Fellowship of Isis in Chicagoland and a board member of the International Pagan Society (IPS), about what sets IPS apart and its five pillars, focusing on education and scholarship. Demetria explains IPS’s integrative approach connecting spirituality with science, economics, history, and cultural context, using examples from the Bhagavad Gita, karmic ideas, and tantric perspectives. The conversation explores new DNA-based archaeological findings suggesting many lavish “royal” Sumerian tombs at Ur may have belonged to women, challenging earlier male-centered interpretations, and discusses Sumerian influences on biblical and mythic narratives (Abraham and Sarah, Samson and Gilgamesh, Esther/Ishtar, Mordecai/Marduk). They recount key elements of the Gilgamesh and flood stories, reflect on modern religious media and propaganda, and close with how to contact Demetria and plans to cover more IPS pillars next time.

  4. May 23

    2026 Astrology Forcast w/ Victoria Martin

    Host Chris interviews Chicagoland astrologer Victoria Martin, who has practiced since the mid-1970s and full-time since 1982, including a 20-year run as Bloomberg Business News’ on-staff astrologer interpreting statistical commodity-market charts. She explains her forecasting style as a “weather report,” her preference for working with about 100 fixed stars rather than 12 zodiac signs, and her emphasis on new and full moons, eclipses, and mass psychology. Martin outlines an intense start to 2026 with multiple new-moon conjunctions, discusses eclipse-related public confusion and unrest, and describes May’s new moon conjunct Uranus as a formative window focused on technology and groups, with July favoring alliances and August’s solar eclipse emphasizing leadership; after August she expects fewer proactive opportunities. The episode also discusses Chicago’s esoteric scene, ley lines, and contact details for readings and her free forecast email list.

  5. May 3

    Pilot

    Academia Obscura

  • 5 Episodes

About

A podcast exploring the intersection of philosophy, esoterica, history, and consciousness—where ancient symbols meet modern thought. Academia Obscura dives into hidden knowledge, spiritual discipline, and the deeper forces shaping human experience, challenging listeners to question everything and live with intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Little
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Academia Obscura
  • Show Website
    Academia Obscura