Through The Briars Pod

Christian Kossivas
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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. 4d ago

    Why Griffins Appear in Orthodox Churches | Griffin Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why do griffins appear in Christian art and Byzantine church decoration? What is the hidden meaning behind these mythical creatures, and why do they share features with the cherubim described in the Bible? In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the fascinating symbolism of the griffin through ancient mythology, medieval bestiaries, Byzantine art, Orthodox Christianity, biblical imagery, philosophy and sacred architecture. The griffin is a legendary creature combining the body of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle. But why were these two animals united? Why were griffins associated with kings, gold, guardianship and sacred places? We examine the griffin’s origins in ancient mythology, its appearance in Byzantine Christian art, and its symbolic relationship to strength, wisdom, hierarchy, protection and the union of earthly and heavenly qualities. From the cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus, Ezekiel’s extraordinary vision of the heavenly throne, and the four living creatures in Revelation, Scripture reveals a remarkable pattern of composite beings associated with divine glory and sacred space. But are griffins actually cherubim? We explore the similarities and important differences between these creatures without confusing mythology with Orthodox Christian teaching. Drawing on Orthodox church architecture, the Cherubic Hymn, St Maximus the Confessor and symbolic principles of centre and periphery, unity and multiplicity, and participation, we discover how these ancient images can illuminate modern struggles with pride, ambition, power, responsibility, relationships and the desire for control. Ultimately, the griffin raises a question that is more relevant than ever: What is the purpose of becoming powerful if you have nothing greater than yourself worth protecting? Through Orthodox Christian theology, we explore how true strength finds its fulfilment not in domination or self-glorification, but in humility, sacrifice, love and communion with God. Welcome to Symbolarium, a series from The Briars of Truth, exploring ancient symbols, mythology, Gothic and medieval literature, philosophy and Orthodox Christian wisdom to understand the problems of modern life. If you enjoy exploring the deeper meaning behind ancient creatures, biblical symbolism and sacred imagery, subscribe for more episodes. Ancient Symbols. Modern Problems. #GriffinSymbolism #ChristianSymbolism #OrthodoxChristianity #MythologyExplained #Symbolarium

  2. Oct 26

    The Monster Was Never the Wolf | Werewolf Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why do men turn into wolves? What is the deeper meaning behind werewolves, lycanthropy, the full moon and the terrifying transformation from human into beast?In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the symbolism of the werewolf through ancient mythology, medieval folklore, Gothic literature, philosophy and Orthodox Christianity.From the Greek myth of Lycaon and the medieval tale of Bisclavret to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the werewolf reveals a disturbing question about human nature: What happens when our desires, anger and appetites begin to govern the very person they were meant to serve?We examine the symbolic meaning of wolves, the forest, nighttime transformation, the full moon, the divided self and the struggle between strength and self-mastery.Drawing on Aristotle, St Maximus the Confessor and St John Climacus, we explore the passions, the formation of character, spiritual watchfulness (nepsis) and the difference between experiencing temptation and consenting to it.But the werewolf is not simply a story about anger. It also speaks to modern struggles with lust, pornography, addiction, wounded pride, resentment, self-sabotage and the destructive habits that gradually shape our identity.And perhaps the most surprising lesson is that the problem is not our natural desires or our strength, but what happens when they lose their proper direction.Finally, we explore the Orthodox Christian understanding of repentance, healing and theosis: not the destruction of our humanity, but its transformation through communion with Christ.The most frightening thing about the werewolf may not be that a man becomes a monster, but that he can no longer govern what he has become.Welcome to Symbolarium, a series from The Briars of Truth, where we explore ancient symbols, mythology, medieval literature, philosophy and Orthodox Christian wisdom to confront the problems of modern life.Subscribe for more explorations of the hidden meaning behind monsters, myths, literature and sacred imagery.Ancient Symbols. Modern Problems.#Werewolf #WerewolfSymbolism #MythologyExplained #OrthodoxChristianity #Symbolarium

  3. Oct 19

    Why Vampires Need Your Blood | Vampire Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why do vampires drink blood? Why are they associated with seduction, immortality, darkness and the fear of the Cross? And what if vampire symbolism reveals something deeply disturbing about human desire, love and the way we treat other people?In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the hidden meaning of vampires through Gothic literature, mythology, European folklore, Christian symbolism, Orthodox Christianity, philosophy and psychology.From Bram Stoker's Dracula to Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, the vampire is far more than a bloodthirsty monster. It is a creature caught between life and death, desperate for intimacy yet incapable of sustaining itself without consuming the lives of others.But why does the vampire need blood? Why does it return to the coffin? Why is it associated with mirrors, invitations, seduction and an endless hunger that can never truly be satisfied?We explore the symbolism of blood as life, the difference between love and possession, the dangers of disordered desire, and how vampire stories reflect modern struggles with lust, pornography, addiction, validation, toxic relationships and the endless pursuit of pleasure.Drawing on Aristotle, St Maximus the Confessor, Dostoevsky and Orthodox Christian theology, we examine how desire can become destructive when separated from its proper purpose.Finally, we explore a profound Christian contrast: the vampire takes blood from others to preserve its own existence, while Christ freely gives His blood for the life of the world.This reveals the difference between consumption and communion, immortality and resurrection, possessiveness and genuine self-giving love.The vampire's tragedy is that it wants to live forever without ever learning how to love.And perhaps the most uncomfortable question is this: Are you giving life to the people around you, or are you slowly consuming theirs?Symbolarium is a series from The Briars of Truth, exploring ancient symbols, monsters, mythology, Gothic literature, philosophy and Orthodox Christian wisdom to understand the struggles of modern life.If you enjoy exploring the deeper meanings behind ancient stories and monsters, subscribe for more episodes of Symbolarium.#VampireSymbolism #Dracula #GothicLiterature #OrthodoxChristianity #Symbolarium

  4. Oct 12

    Why Churches Are Covered in Monsters | Gargoyle Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why are medieval churches covered in terrifying monsters?Gargoyles are among the strangest features of Gothic architecture. These grotesque stone creatures appear on cathedrals and churches dedicated to God, surrounded by sacred art, saints and Christian imagery. But why would medieval Christians place monsters on holy buildings? And what can their symbolism teach us about the chaos in our own lives?In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the deeper meaning of gargoyles through medieval history, Gothic architecture, Christian symbolism, Orthodox Christianity, philosophy, mythology and Gothic literature.Unlike purely decorative grotesques, true gargoyles serve a practical purpose: they carry rainwater away from the walls of a building. Through this strange architectural feature, we explore a deeper symbolic interpretation of boundaries, order and chaos, the human soul, temptation, suffering and the importance of knowing what deserves to occupy the centre of your life.Drawing connections to Orthodox Christian teachings on the passions, spiritual watchfulness (nepsis), asceticism and the healing of the human person, we examine why a meaningful life requires boundaries without becoming a prison.We also explore how writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and Dostoevsky use darkness, monsters and human suffering to reveal uncomfortable truths about human nature.What if the gargoyle teaches us something about the things we allow into our minds, the resentment we refuse to release and the chaos we struggle to control?The purpose of a good structure isn’t to ensure that storms never arrive. It’s to withstand them when they do.Symbolarium is a series from The Briars of Truth, exploring ancient symbols, mythology, monsters, literature and Orthodox Christian wisdom to understand modern human problems.What is one boundary you think people need to protect more carefully today?#GargoyleSymbolism #GothicArchitecture #OrthodoxChristianity #ChristianSymbolism #Symbolarium

  5. Oct 5

    Your Possessions Are Possessing You | Dragon Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why do dragons hoard treasure they can’t actually use? Across mythology, medieval legend and literature, the dragon repeatedly appears alongside gold, caves, guarded treasure, destructive power and heroes who must confront it. But perhaps the dragon represents something much deeper than simple greed. In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the symbolism of dragons through Beowulf, the story of Fáfnir, biblical imagery, Christian symbolism, Orthodox Christianity, philosophy and the psychology of possession. Why does the dragon take the form of a serpent with wings? Why does it hide treasure inside a cave? Why does losing even a tiny part of its hoard provoke such destructive rage? And what happens when something we possess—money, status, knowledge, beauty, relationships, resentment or even social-media attention slowly begins to possess us? We explore the difference between possession and participation, how good things become disordered when they lose their proper purpose, Christ’s teaching that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” and how Orthodox practices such as fasting, almsgiving and gratitude teach us to receive the world as gift rather than something to grasp and hoard. The dragon’s problem isn’t that it fails to recognise treasure. It knows exactly what is valuable. It simply no longer knows what value is for. And perhaps the most important question isn’t what do you possess? It’s what are your possessions turning you into? Symbolarium is a Briars of Truth series exploring ancient symbols, monsters, myths and stories and the modern human problems hidden within them. #DragonSymbolism #Mythology #OrthodoxChristianity #ChristianSymbolism #Symbolarium

  6. Sep 28

    Why You Can’t Resist Distraction | Siren Symbolism | Symbolarium

    Why do Sirens sing instead of attack? In Homer’s Odyssey, the Sirens don’t overpower Odysseus by force. They attract him with a song so irresistible that he has himself bound to the mast of his ship. Thousands of years later, that ancient monster offers a surprisingly powerful way of understanding distraction, desire, temptation and the battle for our attention. In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the deeper symbolism of the Siren through Greek mythology, Homer’s Odyssey, Orthodox Christianity, Scripture, the Church Fathers, philosophy and the modern attention economy. Why does temptation attract rather than attack? What is the difference between desire and freedom? Why does Odysseus voluntarily bind himself to the mast? And what can his journey teach us about social media, pornography, validation, endless scrolling, novelty and the things constantly pulling us away from where we actually want to go? Through Orthodox ideas of watchfulness (nepsis), the passions, asceticism and properly ordered desire, we uncover a deeper meaning behind the Siren: the most dangerous distractions don’t always force us away from our destination. Sometimes they simply make somewhere else look more beautiful. The Siren doesn’t need to destroy your ship. She only needs to make you abandon where you were going. Symbolarium is a Briars of Truth series exploring ancient symbols, monsters, myths and stories—and the modern human problems hidden within them. #SirenSymbolism #GreekMythology #OrthodoxChristianity #Attention #Symbolarium

  7. Sep 23

    Beauty, Identity, and Responsibility | An Orthodox Framework for Spiritual Warfare

    What does it mean to move from the image of God to His likeness? In a world obsessed with limitless self-invention and superficial trends, how do we find our true, stable identity? In this Orthodox Christian youth talk, we explore the deep connection between Beauty (what we love), Identity (what that love makes us), and Responsibility (how the person we are becoming treats others). Centered entirely on Jesus Christ and the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit, this lecture dives into Orthodox theology, patristic wisdom, and ascetic spiritual warfare.We peel back the layers of human brokenness and the passions using classic literature, cultural symbolism, and the Gospels. Discover why your private home should never be more beautiful than your church, the deep meaning behind Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" and the Parable of the Onion and why the devil defeats us with subtle "imps" rather than massive "dragons." Learn the ultimate Orthodox remedy for a fragmented soul: regular holy confession, true repentance, humility, and watchfulness. #OrthodoxChristian #SpiritualWarfare #Dostoevsky #Theosis #ChristianYouth

  8. Sep 21

    You’re Losing to the Small Things | Imp Symbolism | Symbolarium

    The habits destroying your life rarely look dangerous at first. In this episode of Symbolarium, we explore the strange symbolism of the imp — the small, mischievous creature that appears throughout European folklore and Christian-influenced imagination — and what it can reveal about temptation, bad habits, distraction, moral decline and the fragmentation of the human person. Why represent evil as something small? Why are imps mischievous rather than terrifying? And why might the smallest compromises be more dangerous precisely because we barely notice them? Through Scripture, Orthodox Christianity, patristic ideas of watchfulness and logismoi, Aristotle’s philosophy of habit and virtue, C.S. Lewis, Macbeth and symbolic ideas of hierarchy, boundaries, attention, multiplicity and fragmentation, we explore how small actions gradually shape character. From endless scrolling and pornography to resentment, gossip, procrastination and the constant pull of notifications, the modern “imp” rarely asks you to destroy your life. It simply whispers: “Just this once.” Because one compromise is an event. A thousand compromises become a character. Symbolarium is a Briars of Truth series exploring ancient symbols, monsters, myths and stories — and the modern human problems hidden within them. What small habit do you think people underestimate the most? #ImpSymbolism #BadHabits #SelfDiscipline #OrthodoxChristianity #Symbolarium

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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
    2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Christian Kossivas
  • Show Website
    Through The Briars Pod