Gary Laderman

Date: 2020-11-17 | Duration: 2h 26m

Episode Overview

Gary Laderman, a professor at Emory University, dives into the intersections of religion, death, and psychedelics, offering a nuanced exploration of spirituality beyond traditional frameworks. He discusses how psychedelics can open new pathways for understanding mortality and spirituality, highlighting their therapeutic potential, especially for trauma and depression. Laderman reflects on his own teaching experiences, emphasizing the importance of confronting difficult topics like death and suicide in academic settings to foster deeper awareness and resilience. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of religion and its cultural impact, including how interpretations of sacred texts shift over time and influence societal values. Laderman critiques materialism and social media as modern "religions" that shape identity and community in ways that can be both isolating and transformative. Additionally, he shares insights into the role of sexuality within religious and cultural contexts, noting the complexities and taboos that continue to surround this topic. Throughout, Laderman’s candid stories and scholarly perspective invite listeners to reconsider how spirituality, mortality, and culture intertwine in contemporary life.

About Gary Laderman

Gary Laderman is a distinguished professor of American religious history and cultures at Emory University, where he explores the intricate intersections of death, religion, sexuality, and the use of sacred substances. With a rich academic background, he has authored several influential works, including his most recent book, "Don't Think About Death: A Memoir on Mortality," which offers a poignant and personal reflection on our relationship with death. Laderman's thought-provoking insights into the cultural and spiritual dimensions of mortality make him a compelling voice in contemporary discussions surrounding life, death, and the human experience. His appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience not only highlights his expertise but also invites listeners to confront the often-taboo topic of mortality with curiosity and openness.

Key Moments

– Religious Studies
– Psychedelic Therapy
– Near-Death Experiences
– Death and Dying
– American Religious History
– Sexuality and Religion
– Drug Culture
– Materialism
– Social Media Impact
– Community and Spirituality
– Suicide History
– Higher Education
– Popular Culture
– Sex Cults
– Polygamy
– Memoir Writing
– Mental Health
– Psychoactive Drugs
– Anthropology of Religion
0:00:00 – Introduction and Gary Laderman's background
0:04:13 – Interest in drugs and psychedelics
0:07:48 – Spirituality and therapeutic benefits of psychedelics
0:12:50 – Near-death experiences and brain openness
0:15:03 – Meditation, set, and setting importance
0:16:32 – Responsibility teaching profound ideas to students
0:20:57 – Bible interpretation and religious transformation
0:27:22 – Impact of popular culture on religion
0:31:26 – History of LSD and Schedule I substances
0:36:00 – CIA's role in LSD experiments
0:39:01 – Sacred clown and Heyoka concepts
0:43:04 – Hope in younger generations
0:45:16 – Self-promotion and identity in modern culture
0:48:40 – Community feeling in the modern world
0:52:13 – Teaching American religious history
0:54:18 – Music and ceremonies in religious movements
0:57:19 – Financial instability and addiction issues
1:02:08 – Psychedelics illuminating personal patterns
1:08:53 – Pharmaceuticals as psychoactive drugs
1:12:02 – Memoir 'Don't Think About Death' introduction
1:18:56 – Traditional religion as primary resource
1:21:12 – Anthropological approach to religion
1:24:00 – Celebrity pastors and religious leadership
1:33:07 – Religious hypocrisy and paranoia from pot
1:34:57 – Materialism as a form of religion
1:37:51 – Social media's impact on youth
1:40:10 – COVID-19 death toll and social responses
1:44:48 – Dealing with personal struggles and difficulties
1:47:21 – Cognitive demands in high-level performance
1:52:53 – History of suicide as an intellectual topic
1:58:42 – Christianity's stance on suicide
2:01:14 – Changing taboos around homosexuality
2:03:50 – Modern American sexuality dynamics
2:08:23 – Success of 'Deep Throat' and porn culture
2:12:53 – Discussion of tantric sex and Oneida community
2:15:19 – Sex trafficking and syllabus inclusion
2:20:37 – Forms of polygamy and polyandry
2:22:26 – Promotion of memoir on mortality

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. you do? Well, for work. Yeah, I teach at Emory University. So I'm a professor. I've been there Starting point is 00:01:15 One of my students told me I should do it before I came in here. Starting point is 00:01:50 And it's become a bit of a problem lately. Starting point is 00:02:07 Yeah. Starting point is 00:02:43 in our lives, things that religion often can do. Starting point is 00:03:22 with a lot of these dancing naked figures that look Starting point is 00:04:13 Well, I've been interested in the topic of drugs for a while, Starting point is 00:05:43 There's a lot of people that are in the nuns that don't have any experience with psychedelics. There's a lot of people that are in the nuns Starting point is 00:06:24 Yeah. I feel like for a lot of these people that don't have psychedelic experiences that Starting point is 00:07:08 Yeah. Starting point is 00:07:48 But, you know, as we're saying, it's all about spirituality and those therapeutic benefits can't Starting point is 00:08:55 here and georgia too yeah all these places the whole world needs it well they need the option Starting point is 00:09:31 I mean. Starting point is 00:09:49 That's why I feel I'm on to something. Starting point is 00:10:35 And as you're saying, and I believe it too, Starting point is 00:11:17 terms of our religious lives. Starting point is 00:12:20 are made in people's lives. Starting point is 00:12:50 open up someone's brain while they're in the middle of a near-death experience Starting point is 00:13:31 know, I teach a death and dying course as well. And so near death experiences are, are, are pretty Starting point is 00:14:40 to walk on water. Starting point is 00:15:03 But again, there are, like with the monk or people who meditate, all kinds of important, well, set and setting, thinking about what is the context in which this is taking place. Starting point is 00:15:43 I mean, I'm at that stage of my career. I'm convinced about...

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Gary Laderman was the guest on JRE #1565. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

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On Joe Rogan Experience #1565 with Gary Laderman, topics include Religious Studies, Psychedelic Therapy, Near-Death Experiences, and Death and Dying.

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