Cogito Ergo Pod

Daniel Poole

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Religion & Spirituality
Updated Semiweekly

'Cogito Ergo Pod' is a podcast dedicated to discussing, delving and dissecting a variety of areas of theology, philosophy, mysticism, and the esoteric. Each episode will explore ranging topics from well known figures, concepts, and beliefs, to the maybe not unknown, but definitely misunderstood!

21h ago

Episode 45: Thomasine Gnosticism

Welcome back to Cogito Ergo Pod. In Episode 45, host Daniel takes you deep into the sands of antiquity to explore the mystical, rigorous, and completely fascinating world of Thomasine Gnosticism. From the chaotic religious marketplace of eastern Syria to the monumental 1945 discovery of the Nag Hammadi library in Egypt, we uncover a lost version of early faith. In this episode, we discuss: The Origins of the "Twin": How Didymus Judas Thomas became the hero of a massive eastern spiritual movement. The Gospel of Thomas: Decoding the 114 hidden sayings of the Revealer and the pursuit of gnosis. Extreme Asceticism: The harsh realities and liberating social dynamics of Encratism in the ancient world. The Hymn of the Pearl: A breakdown of ancient Syria's most beautiful esoteric allegory found within the Acts of Thomas. The Contender's Fire: The brutal dualism and urgent philosophical warnings hidden inside The Book of Thomas the Contender. Are we just divine royalty suffering from collective amnesia? Tune in to find out. Connect with the show:Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @CogitoErgoPod for bite-sized esoteric history, philosophical musings, and behind-the-scenes content! If you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave a rating and review.
Jul 13

Episode 44: Ophite Gnosticism

What if the ultimate villain of the Garden of Eden was actually humanity's greatest liberator? And what if the Creator of the physical universe was an arrogant, tyrannical impostor? This week on Cogito Ergo Pod, Daniel dives deep into the radical, inverted theology of the Ophite Gnostics. Flourishing in the shadows of the 1st to 3rd centuries CE, the Ophites turned orthodox scripture completely upside down. In this episode, we explore their complex cosmic mythology, from the descent of Sophia to the monstrous Demiurge known as Yaldabaoth. In this episode, we discuss: The origins of Gnosticism and the explosive discoveries of the Nag Hammadi library. The Ophite retelling of the Garden of Eden, where eating the forbidden fruit was an awakening, not a fall. Bizarre historical accounts of their Eucharistic rituals, which allegedly involved live snakes. How the Ophite soul navigated the afterlife using secret passwords to bypass hostile planetary rulers. Where the Ophites sit on the spectrum of early Christian mysticism compared to the Valentinians and Sethians. Tune in to explore a fascinating psychological question: What happens when you look at the foundational myths of our culture and flip the script entirely? Support the Show:If you enjoyed our journey into the strange and profound, please follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app! For bite-sized esoteric history and behind-the-scenes updates, join our community on Instagram and TikTok at @CogitoErgoPod.
Jul 5

Episode 43: Samaritan Gnosticism

When we picture the origins of early Christianity, we often imagine a unified movement. But the reality was a chaotic, vibrant marketplace of ideas. In this episode of Cogito Ergo Pod, Daniel takes you to the very epicentre of that spiritual collision: ancient Samaria. Join us as we trace the shadowy origins of what we now call Gnosticism. We’re diving deep into the ritual waters of the Samaritan Baptist Sects and meeting the figures who turned the ancient religious world upside down. Discover the intense asceticism of Dositheus, the tragic and beautiful cosmic mythology of Simon Magus and his divine companion Helen, the magical immortality promised by Menander, and the dizzying, star-crossed theology of the Quqites. More than just ancient history, we explore why these misunderstood "heretics" matter today, drawing fascinating parallels between ancient Gnostic thought and modern anxieties like Simulation Theory. Grab your heresiologies and hit play. It’s time to unravel the Samaritan roots of Gnosis. Follow & Support:If you enjoyed this deep-dive, please subscribe and leave a review! Keep the conversation going with us on Instagram and TikTok at @CogitoErgoPod.
Jun 27

Episode 42: Judean-Israelite Gnosticism

Here are the synopses tailored for your podcast platforms and various social media channels, keeping the focus on the Mandaeans, Elkesaites, and Kentaeans as updated in your script. Episode Title: Episode 42: The River of Secret Knowledge – Judean-Israelite Gnosticism Show Notes:When we hear the word "Gnosticism," we usually think of early Christian debates, secret gospels, and the Nag Hammadi library. But what if the true roots of Gnosis dig much deeper? In this episode of Cogito Ergo Pod, we wade into the rich, experimental soil of first-century Judea and the Jordan River Valley to explore the forgotten world of Judean-Israelite Gnosticism. We delve into the ancient "baptist movements" that sought cosmic salvation through living water, shifting their hopes from an earthly kingdom to secret, divine knowledge. In this episode, we explore: Mandaeism: The last surviving continuous Gnostic religion from antiquity, their beautiful dualistic cosmology, and their urgent fight for survival in the 21st century. The Elkesaites: A lost syncretic sect boasting towering angelic visions, magical practices, and a towering 96-mile-high angel. The Kentaeans: The enigmatic "ghost sect" that blurred the lines between ancient Israelite traditions and early Manichaeism. History is written by the winners, but exploring these fringe sects reminds us that the ancient world was just as messy and spiritually hungry as our own. Make sure to hit the follow or subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoyed our deep dive, please leave a 5-star rating and review! Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content and esoteric history: Instagram: @CogitoErgoPod TikTok: @CogitoErgoPod
Jun 20

Episode 41: Basilidian Gnosticism

Last week, we explored the dramatic cosmic rebellion of Sethian Gnosticism. This week on Cogito Ergo Pod, we pivot to a completely different branch of the esoteric tree: the highly intellectual, deeply philosophical world of Basilidian Gnosticism. Join Daniel on a journey back to 2nd-century Alexandria to explore the mind-bending teachings of Basilides and his followers. We break down the radical concept of the "Non-Existent God," the cosmic seed that birthed the universe, and a fascinating twist on the Gnostic demiurge—an ignorant but repentant ruler of the lower heavens. We also examine the historical puzzle left behind by the early Church "heresiologists"—like Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Clement—who painted wildly different pictures of this mysterious movement, ranging from high-minded philosophy to magical cults. In this episode, we discuss: How Basilidian Gnosticism differs from the Sethian tradition. The concept of absolute transcendence and the "Non-Existent God." Abraxas, the Great Archon, and his unique reaction to the Gospel. The "Great Ignorance" and Basilides' surprisingly merciful apocalypse. How early orthodox heresy hunters systematically suppressed the movement. Keep the conversation going!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CogitoErgoPod for behind-the-scenes content, bite-sized philosophy, and episode updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit that follow button and leave us a rating and review to help us appease the algorithmic Archons!
Jun 13

Episode 40: Sethian Gnosticism

Move over Valentinus—the punk-rock cousins of early Gnosticism have arrived. In this episode of Cogito Ergo Pod, host Daniel takes us out of the mainstream Sunday pews and plunges us straight into the underground networks of the Sethian Gnostics. If you thought last week’s Valentinian cosmic architecture was wild, brace yourself. The Sethians didn't want to reform early Christianity; they wanted to staging a full-scale cosmic jailbreak. In this episode, we dissect: The Cosmic Mistake: How the Aeon Sophia accidentally birthed Yaldabaoth—the lion-faced, serpent-bodied Demiurge who trapped divine light inside human flesh. The Ultimate Subversion: Why the Sethians recast the Creator God of the Old Testament as an arrogant cosmic tyrant. The Lineage of the Seed: Who was Seth, why did his "unshakeable race" bypass Church bishops, and what exactly was the mysterious ritual of the Five Seals? The Empire Strikes Back: How early church heresiologists like Irenaeus and Epiphanius waged a war of words, why the pagan philosopher Plotinus hated them, and how Constantine's imperial edicts ultimately forced a group of desperate monks to bury these forbidden texts in the Egyptian desert. If you’ve ever looked at the suffering in the universe and wondered about its origins, this deep dive into ancient existential mysticism is for you. Support & Follow:Enjoying our deep dives into the esoteric? Hit Follow on your favourite podcast platform to never miss an episode! Instagram: @CogitoErgoPod (For mystical diagrams, ancient history memes, and deep-dive graphics) TikTok: @CogitoErgoPod (For bite-sized esoteric history and behind-the-scenes thoughts)
Jun 5

Episode 39: Valentinus & Valentinian Gnosticism

What if the history of early Christianity had taken a radically different path? What if a brilliant poet and mystical theologian, rather than a traditional institutionalist, had become the Bishop of Rome? In Episode 39 of Cogito Ergo Pod, your host Daniel takes you on a deep dive into the enigmatic and beautiful world of Valentinus and Valentinian Gnosticism. For centuries, this movement was buried under the scathing critiques of early heresy hunters like Irenaeus and Tertullian. But the 1945 discovery of the Nag Hammadi library changed everything, revealing a deeply psychological, sophisticated theology that completely re-frames the human condition. In this episode, we dissect: The Man Who Almost Became Pope: The brilliant life, Alexandrian education, and Roman influence of Valentinus. The Cosmic Drama of the Pleroma: The 30 divine Aeons, the tragic fall of Sophia (Wisdom), and the creation of our world by the ignorant Demiurge. Awakening from the Nightmare: Why Valentinians believed salvation isn't about escaping legalistic "sin," but waking up from spiritual amnesia through gnosis. The Lost Voices: What primary texts like the Gospel of Truth and the Tripartite Tractate actually teach us about their optimistic view of universal restoration. Whether you're a history buff, a philosophy nerd, or a seeker of ancient mysteries, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about early Church history. Support the Show:If this episode got your cognitive gears turning, please take a moment to follow, rate, and review the podcast on your listening platform! Connect With Us:For daily doses of esoteric history, philosophical memes, and behind-the-scenes clips, follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @CogitoErgoPod
Jun 2

Episode 38: Spear of Destiny

What if a single, rusted piece of iron held the power to conquer the world—and curse anyone who loses it? In this episode of Cogito Ergo Pod, your host Daniel traces the bloody, mystical timeline of the Spear of Destiny, also known as the Holy Lance. From a standard-issue Roman weapon at the crucifixion to a coveted prize sought after by history’s most powerful rulers, we explore how a singular artefact blurred the lines between sacred relic, imperial talisman, and dark obsession. In this episode, we unpack: The Biblical Origin: The story of the centurion Longinus in 33 AD and the miracle that sparked a 2,000-year-old legend. The Conqueror’s Talisman: How titans like Constantine the Great, Charlemagne, and Frederick Barbarossa used the spear to forge empires—and the lethal consequences when they let it go. The Darkest Chapter: Adolf Hitler’s obsession with the lance, the Nazi seizure of the Austrian treasury, and the eerie timing of its recovery by Allied forces in 1945. The Scientific Verdict: What happened when metallurgist Dr. Robert Feather put the Vienna Lance under the microscope in 2003. (Spoiler: The truth is more complex than you think!) Whether you view it as a holy relic or a brilliant piece of historical propaganda, the story of the Spear of Destiny is a masterclass in humanity’s hunger for power. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: Follow & Rate: If you love the esoteric, philosophy, and theology, hit that follow button and leave us a 5-star review! TikTok & Instagram: Join the community at @CogitoErgoPod for visual deep-dives, historical artefacts, and episode extras.

'Cogito Ergo Pod' is a podcast dedicated to discussing, delving and dissecting a variety of areas of theology, philosophy, mysticism, and the esoteric. Each episode will explore ranging topics from well known figures, concepts, and beliefs, to the maybe not unknown, but definitely misunderstood!

Creator

Daniel Poole
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

47
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Daniel Poole
Show Website

Cogito Ergo Pod