ReligionForBreakfast

Episodi

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  Americans Exaggerate How Often They Go to Church 25.09.2026 17min

  Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/religionforbreakfastNew research using smartphone location data reveals a massive gap between how often Americans say they attend religious services and how often they actually do. Are surveys wrong? Are memories fuzzy? Here's what the data really shows about religion in America.The article: Devin Pope, BFI Working Paper·May 8, 2024, "Religious Worship Attendance in America: Evidence from Cellphone Data," https://bfi.uchicago.edu/working-paper/religious-worship-attendance-in-america-evidence-from-cellphone-data/Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro00:43 Problems with self-reported surveys2:20 How the Smartphone Study Worked5:12 The Results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Americans Are Religious About America 25.09.2026 11min

  Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast American Civil Religion Episode 1: "Americans Are Religious About America."This episode is an introduction to American Civil Religion. It launches a 5-part series on the topic. Basically, American Civil Religion is when Americans are religious about America. The series argues that Americans are being religious when they create and curate American identity and ideals. Stay tuned for future episodes. Follow me on Twitter at: @andrewmarkhenrySpecial thanks to the Foundation for Religious Literacy for sponsoring this series: https://tfrl.org/Thanks to Dr. David McConeghy for researching and writing this episode! Follow him on Twitter at: @dmcconeghyReferenced videos:Coca-Cola is a Religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTVC2uVGEL0&t=118sWhat is Religion?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KHDR8jdbAImage credits:National Anthem protest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._national_anthem_protests_(2016%E2%80%93present)#/media/File:Oakland_Raiders_National_Anthem_Kneeling_(37444579735).jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Holi Explained | The Hindu Festival of Colors 25.09.2026 22min

  Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni.Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, celebrates love, spring, and the victory of good over evil. But its meaning is deeper than just throwing bright powders.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Didache | Another Book That Almost Made It Into the Bible? 25.09.2026 23min

  Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rfbincogni.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersThe Didache is one of the most ancient Christian texts...possibly even predating some of the books in the New Testament! It gives us an unparalleled glimpse into the social dynamics of early Christian churches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Does Humanity Still Believe in Magic? 25.09.2026 11min

  As far as science and technology goes, the 21st century is an exciting time to be alive. We are curing more and more diseases. We are developing better and better space travel. Some see these advances as evidence that religion and magic are losing their influence on society. Magic especially has been viewed as a debunked "proto-science" with little credibility in modernity. But sociological data suggests that many humans still practice and believe in magic. Patreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Check out the Myth of Disenchantment here: https://amzn.to/2sTnwDxI have collated more of my favorite books here: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastSources:Jason Josephson-Storm, "The Myth of Disenchantment"The Atlantic, "The New Age of Astrology,”: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/01/the-new-age-of-astrology/550034/WBUR, For Millenials, Astrology is on the Rise: http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/01/18/for-millennials-astrology-is-on-the-risePew Research, Is God Dead?: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/07/is-god-dead-no-but-belief-has-declined-slightly/ Psychic Service Industry research: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibisworld-industry-market-research-the-us-psychic-services-industry-is-expected-to-earn-revenue-of-21-billion-in-2016-300383816.htmlhttp://www.businessinsider.com/professionals-turn-to-psychics-in-uncertain-economy-2013-11Images:Alchemical writings: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=newton+alchemy&title=Special:Search&go=Go&searchToken=83va3mytrl3rl1kz1jdm8fo1f#/media/File:Isaac_Newton_alchemical_manuscript_page_AQ17_(2).jpgSeance image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism#/media/File:Helen_Duncan_fake_ectoplasm.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Why AI Feels Spiritually Dangerous | ft. Jared Henderson 25.09.2026 1h 15min

  Support Religion for Breakfast on Patreon! It's the best way to keep the channel going. We recently grew from 700 to 800 patrons, and the goal is 1,000 in 2026. Join us and help make it happen: http://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastCheck out Jared's channel @_jared Philosopher Jared Henderson joins me to explore AI, attention, and the future of human thought. We discuss the post-literate age, synthetic relationships, and whether technology is reshaping what it means to be human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is Diwali? 25.09.2026 20min

  Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfastWatch Cogito here: https://nebula.tv/videos/cogito-yt-what-is-hinduism?ref=religionforbreakfastJoin our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastSign-up for my classes list to be notified of online classes: https://classes.religionforbreakfast.com/Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It is celebrated mostly by Hindus, but many Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists recognize Diwali as well. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.00:00 The Basics: When and what?2:49 Day 1: Dhanteras3:18 Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi4:17 Day 3: Lakshmi Puja5:44 Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut / Bali Pratipada7:37 Day 5: Bhai Dooj7:47 Diversity of Practice9:49 Diwali Outside of Hinduism10:26 Origins and Mythological Narratives12:35 Diwali Outside of IndiaSelect images courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  War Makes Us More Religious 25.09.2026 13min

  Watch the full interview here!: https://youtu.be/s_M2odFfxno Support us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenrySpecial thanks to the Center for Mind and Culture for the chance to meet Dr. Joe Henrich and talk about this research! Check out their website and research at: https://mindandculture.org/ Bibliography:Michael Jackson citation at 4:37 - 4:47: Citation from Existential Anthropology, p. 94Joseph Henrich, Michal Bauer, Alessandra Cassar, Julie Chytilova, Benjamin Grant Purzycki, "War Increases Religiosity," Nature: Human Behavior, 2019Vail et. al., "A TMT Management Analysis of the Psychological Functions of Religion," Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2010, 84-94.Jonas, E. & Fischer, P. ‘TMT and religion: evidence that intrinsic religiousness mitigates worldview defense following mortality salience. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 91, 553-567 (2006)Martin Lang, "Effects of Anxiety on Spontaneous Ritualized Behavior," Current Biology, July 2015.Richard Sosis and Handwerker, "Psalms and Coping with Uncertainty," American Anthropologist," March 2011.Gelfand, M. J. et al. Differences between tight and loose cultures: a 33-nation study. Science 332, 1100–1104 (2011)Harvey Whitehouse et. al., "Brothers in Arms," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 2014.Zachary Rothschild et. al. "Does Peace Have a Prayer? The effect of mortality salience, compassionate values, and religious fundamentalism on hostility toward out-groups," Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, June 2009. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  How I Became a Religious Studies Researcher 25.09.2026 9min

  Inspired by Simon Clark's call for his subscribers to post "How I Became a Researcher" videos, I'm posting a short biographical sketch of my journey from a history Bachelors student to a religious studies PhD candidate. Hope you enjoy!Support the show over at https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast Simon Clark's Vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOhyZ8FYCmw&t=165sCuneiform Digital Library Initiative: http://cdli.ucla.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  UFO Religions Explained 25.09.2026 23min

  Go to https://brilliant.org/ReligionforBreakfast/ to get a 30-day free trial + the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual subscription.Join our Patreon community!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books by following this affiliate link to my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastA subset of New Religious Movements draw inspiration from the complex constellation of beliefs surrounding UFOs and intelligent extraterrestrial life. Scholars call these: UFO Religions. But what are they all about?To learn more, check out the Handbook of UFO Religions edited by Dr. Ben Zeller. Brill, 2021.Select footage and images courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Gnostic Gospels: Were They Illegal? 25.09.2026 10min

  A common theory is that the Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of Gnostic texts, were an illegal stash of books hidden from Orthodox Christian authorities. But recent scholarship has called this theory into question. Were the Gnostic Gospels legal?Support us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOr Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast Follow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBibliography: Mark Goodacre: https://www.academia.edu/26053912/How_reliable_is_the_story_of_the_Nag_Hammadi_discoveryNicola Denzey Lewis and Justine Ariel Blount: https://www.academia.edu/8105963/_Rethinking_the_Origins_of_the_Nag_Hammadi_Library_Brent Nongbri, "The Nag Hammadi Discovery Story," https://brentnongbri.com/2018/08/20/the-nag-hammadi-discovery-story/Tony Burke, "What Do We Talk About When We Talk About the Nag Hammadi Library?" http://www.tonyburke.ca/wp-content/uploads/What-Do-We-Talk-About.pdfLundhaug and Jenott, The Monastic Origins of the Nag Hammadi CodicesPhoto credits:Amulet: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jasper_intaglio-_Harpocrates_seated_on_lotus_in_papyrus_boat_MET_DP280467.jpgCoptic Magical Text: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coptic_magical_text_599v_apis.jpgBook of the Dead: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imhotep%27s_Book_of_the_Dead.jpgByzantine Amuletic Armband: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byzantine_-_Amuletic_Armband_with_Holy_Rider,_Saints,_and_Magical_Symbols_-_Walters_542657.jpgCodex II: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/nha/id/1381Codex V Interior: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/nha/id/1997/rec/1Gospel of Thomas manuscript: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Evangelio_de_Tom%C3%A1s-Gospel_of_Thomas-_Codex_II_Manuscritos_de_Nag_Hammadi-The_Nag_Hammadi_manuscripts.png Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Who Is Satan in Islam? | Iblis Explained 25.09.2026 24min

  Watch my interview with Dr. Ali Olomi on Nebula!: https://nebula.tv/videos/religionforbreakfast-what-are-jinn-interview-with-dr-ali-olomi?ref=religionforbreakfast Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast In Islam, Satan isn’t a fallen angel—but a jinn named Iblīs. This video explores his story in the Qurʾān, his role as tempter and adversary, and how scholars and mystics have interpreted him for over 1,400 years. Who is the Devil in Islam?Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Intro to Iblis the Adversary3:48 The Quranic Story of Iblis8:07 What is Iblis?12:42 Later Mystical and Philosophical Interpretations14:49 Folklore16:32 Nebula is awesome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  John Green on Religion 25.09.2026 46min

  Don’t miss a lecture—sign up for email updates!: https://www.religiondepartment.com/subscribeWatch Crash Course: Religions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O77IFewBxcg&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNDV8GjzfScxgEe4OgIlh3c&ab_channel=CrashCourseAndrew Henry sits down with John Green to talk about religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Egyptian Goddess that Rome Adopted 25.09.2026 26min

  Watch Dr. Angela Puca's video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIv8px318gw&ab_channel=Angela%27sSymposiumSupport us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastThumbnail art by @hotcyder Bibliography:Birgitte Bøgh, "Beyond Nock: From Adhesion to Conversion in the Mystery Cults," History of Religions, Vol. 54, No. 3 (Feb 2015), 260-287.John Kloppenborg, "Rethinking Nock on Conversion," in "Celebrating Arthur Darby Nock," 2021.Giulia Gasparro, "The Hellenistic face of Isis: Cosmic and Saviour Goddess," in "Nile into Tiber" edited by Bricault et. al. 2007.Molly Swetnam-Burland, "Egyptian objects, Roman contexts: A taste for aegyptiaca in Italy," in "Nile into Tiber" edited by Bricault et. al. 2007.Jaime Alvar, "Romanising Oriental Gods," Brill: 2008.Jan Bremmer, "Initiation into the Mysteries of the Ancient World," De Gruyter: 2014.00:00 Intro1:14 Goddess Isis in Egypt2:30 Intro to Mystery Cults4:24 The Mystery Cult of Isis6:08 Isis: A Cosmic and Savior God8:55 Isaic Rituals12:45 Conversion and Mystery Cults16:17 Patreon PitchSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Colbert On Religion 25.09.2026 8min

  I've watched a lot of Stephen Colbert over the years. When you watch enough of one TV show, you start to notice patterns. For Colbert, I noticed he talks about religion a lot...at least more than other late night TV shows. What can we learn about this?Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastPatreon: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastAndrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastSpecial Thanks to our Patrons on Patreon!:Christian G.Brian B.Daniel D.Cedric V.Tuuli H.Kalei W.Alex B.Adil A.Mason A.Mark H.Alice C.WilsonCain D.Pew Research Religious Knowledge Survey: http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/Video Bibliography: Excellent interview with John Mulaney on Catholicism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxlwLr4b4E0Awkward Maher Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqAco8a7vEEGeek out over Catholicism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIIxYLyUTC8Gets all up in your faith/Dalai Lama discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLWYXCOf4AcFaux Monk Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQhrqnb3CYPope-pologies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpTlS2vcWwMColbert’s favorite bible verse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1jXPhsz26gFencing with Ibtihaj Muhammad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs8O-MFu4yUStraight up asks Strahen if he is religious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMV2A2OqIq0Asks Ruffalo if he is Catholic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSvNDlJVfTwExcellent interview with Andrew Garfield about Silence, faith, Jesuits, and epistemological certainty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi3V4OzrkaA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Why is Christmas on December 25th? 25.09.2026 11min

  Everyone assumes that early Church authorities chose December 25th for Christmas to coincide with the already popular Roman holiday of Saturnalia. This may have some basis in reality, but there is another theory: That Christians believed Jesus was conceived and died on the same day (sometime in March or April). When you calculate 9 months forward from that purported day of conception, you get December 25th or January 6th. For more reading, see: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/how-december-25-became-christmas/Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBlog: www.religionforbreakfast.comMusic: Kevin MacLeod incompetech.comGraphic Design: Chris Maghintay, http://www.chrismaghintay.com/Animation: EC Henry, www.echenry.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Gods of Pre-Islamic Arabia 25.09.2026 37min

  With my link, you can get 50% off of Nebula. It’s just $30/year, or $2,5/month, at https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfast Watch SarahZ's "Three Dead Girls I Love": https://nebula.tv/videos/sarahz-three-dead-girls-i-love?ref=religionforbreakfastThumbnail design by ⁨ @ECHenry Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and ReutersBefore Islam, Arabs worshipped many gods. Using newly deciphered ancient desert inscriptions, we explore the forgotten religious world of pre-Islamic Arabia: The goddess Allāt, sacrifice, pilgrimage, fate, magic, and the everyday prayers of ordinary people.00:00 Intro to Safaitic Inscriptions3:44 The Goddess Allat (also Rodaw and Dushara)8:35 The Gods On Humanity's Side (Shams, Ba'al Samin, the Gadds)15:07 Ritual Practice (prayer, pilgrimage, sacrifice, magic)25:45 Fate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Jerusalem Syndrome: Real or Not? 25.09.2026 5min

  Lots of people have heard of Jerusalem Syndrome...the phenomenon of tourists suddenly having religiously-themed psychotic episodes upon visiting Jerusalem. But is this a real mental condition?Support the show on Patreon!: www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastFollow on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastInsta: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmarkhenry/Sources:Louise Howard (ed.), Kalian and Witztum, "Comments on Jerusalem Syndrome." British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176Moshe Kalian and Eliezer Witztum, “Jerusalem Syndrome as reflected in the pilgrimage and biographies of four extraordinary women from the 14th century to the end of the second millennium.” Mental Health, Religion and Culture, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2002. Yair Bar-El et. al. “Jerusalem Syndrome,” British Journal of Psychiatry, (2000), 176, 86-90.Samson episode: http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/13/world/what-makes-samson-run-amok-he-s-manic-in-jerusalem.htmlMoshe Kalian and Eliezer Witztum, "The management of Pilgrims with Malevolent Behavior in a Holy Space: A study of Jerusalem Syndrome,” chapter 8 in Maria Leppakari et. al. (eds.) Pilgrimage and Tourism to Holy Cities: Ideological and Management Perspectives 2017 Tourist Figures: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/More-tourists-visit-Israel-in-2017-thaa-ever-before-522665 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Who Was Allah Before Islam? 25.09.2026 30min

  We’re doing a guided read of Attar’s Conference of the Birds Join us here: https://www.religiondepartment.com/conferenceofthebirdsDid Arabs believe in Allah before Islam? Ancient inscriptions, poetry, and the Qur’an suggest a surprising answer. Explore the evidence for a pre-Islamic creator god known as Allah.Religion for Breakfast videos take a lot of research and collaboration. Patreon support helps fund editors, scholars, and future episodes. Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Polytheists Believe in Allah?2:39 What does Allah Mean?6:55 Who was Pre-Islamic Allah?13:51 Pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry16:22 Mushrikin: Pagan Monotheists?22:01 The Religion Department Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Korean Shamanism Explained 25.09.2026 30min

  Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/religionforbreakfastKorean Shamanism (Musok) is a dynamic religious tradition rooted in spirit mediation, ritual healing, and ancestral veneration.Join our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters00:00 Basic overview1:25 What is Shamanism?5:46 Shamanic Deities Explained7:38 Who are the shamans?12:40 Shamanism in Korea's religious landscape14:25 Why the stigma?18:26 Korean Shamanism in the 21st c.21:37 Sign up for Nebula! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices