Against the Mountains of Madness

About Against the Mountains of Madness

Against the Mountians of Madness is a podcast where John C. Wright and Jason Rennie use the lense of science fiction and philosophy to work out what has gone wrong with the modern world and what can be done to fix it!

Publisher

Jason Rennie

Category

education · fiction · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Sept 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2025

   Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

   In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John take on a surprisingly deep and often humorous theological question: do our pets have a place in the afterlife? Starting with Catholic teaching—Aquinas’ denial of animal immortality and the idea of limbo—they explore everything from St. Francis’ love of creatures to Dante’s poetic vision of unbaptized babies and noble pagans. Along the way, they wrestle with: • The Nature of Souls: Rational vs. animal vs. vegetative souls, and whether animals can truly make moral choices. • Catholic Teaching vs. Speculation: Why the Church officially denies animals the beatific vision, but why God’s mercy might still allow beloved pets to be present in heaven. • Near-Death Experiences: Testimonies of people seeing their pets in the afterlife, and how such accounts might support the hope of reunion. • C.S. Lewis & Storytelling: Speculations on how animals become “more than themselves” through their bond with humans, similar to how humans grow through divine friendship. • Cultural & Religious Views: From Islamic traditions of heavenly animals to Buddhist reincarnation, different faiths offer fascinating parallels. • Humor & Warmth: Beagles, border collies, cats as would-be saviors of civilization, and even wartime animal heroes like Sergeant Stubby and Wojtek the bear. The episode balances careful theology with wit and empathy, ultimately leaving listeners with the hope that heaven, being the fulfillment of all good, might not exclude the creatures we’ve loved.

2. 

   10 Oct 2025

   History and Heresy

   In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John examine the tension between history, authority, and heresy, sparked by a debate between Joe Heschmeyer and Dr. James White . They argue that nearly every heresy begins with rewriting history—whether by downplaying the authority of the early Church, misrepresenting figures like St. Ignatius, or reducing complex doctrines into simplistic slogans. Key themes include: • Authority & Scripture: Why the Bible’s authority cannot stand apart from the Church that compiled, preserved, and canonized it. • Development of Doctrine: How Catholic practices—from Marian devotion to the Mass—organically grew from early Church roots, like a duckling becoming a duck, rather than being later “corruptions.” • The Trinity & Heresy: The struggle of the early Church to clarify the mystery of the Trinity against heresies such as Arianism, modalism, and Patripassianism, showing how paradox must be embraced rather than flattened by reason alone. • Philosophy & Context: Why understanding Greek, Jewish, and historical context is essential to reading Scripture and the Fathers—without it, anachronisms and distortions abound. • Protestant vs. Catholic Views: How Protestant history often skips centuries, creating the illusion of a “lost” or “hidden” true church, when in fact Catholic continuity is visible in early writings, prayers, and practices. • Modern Parallels: From communists reinterpreting the apostles’ communal living to progressives rewriting history, the same impulse to simplify and distort repeats across time. Ultimately, they argue that heresy thrives on historical amnesia, while the truth of the Church is found in continuity, paradox, and fidelity to what was handed down.

3. 

   9 Oct 2025

   The Sexual Counter-Revolution

   In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John launch a spirited critique of the sexual revolution and its consequences for individuals, families, and society. Starting with a viral story about Annie Knight—Australia’s “most promiscuous woman”—they examine the tragicomic irony of a culture that glorifies promiscuity yet leaves women and men profoundly unhappy and unfulfilled. The discussion ranges widely: • Monogamy vs. Polygamy: Why exclusive marriage fosters stability and virtue, and why polygamy and promiscuity corrode trust. • Consequences of the Sexual Revolution: Divorce, broken families, disillusioned men, and women struggling to reconcile past choices with a desire for commitment. • Virtue as Habit: How chastity, like sobriety, must be cultivated—once lost, it’s hard to recover. • Cultural Undermining: From no-fault divorce to pornography, how laws and customs shifted to normalize vice. • Religion & Morality: Why Christian teachings on marriage and family remain the most rational framework for human flourishing. • Hope for Renewal: The possibility of a “sexual counter-revolution” as younger generations rediscover traditional values and reject the sterile promises of modernity. It’s a provocative, challenging conversation—sometimes biting, sometimes humorous—that calls listeners to reconsider the costs of a culture that treats sex as entertainment instead of a sacred bond.

4. 

   8 Oct 2025

   Where’s My Jetpack?

   In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John dive into the fascinating history of science fiction’s promises versus the realities we live with today. They explore the technologies we were told to expect—flying cars, jetpacks, robot servants, broadcast power, interplanetary travel—and why they never quite arrived. The conversation covers: • Flying Cars & Jetpacks: From The Jetsons to James Bond, why they remain impractical due to safety, noise, and fuel limits. • Robots & AI: The uncanny rise of humanoid machines and self-driving vehicles, alongside the strange reality of AI companions. • World Government: Once imagined as utopian (Star Trek’s Federation), now feared as dystopian (1984, Brave New World). • Religion in Sci-Fi: How authors underestimated Christianity’s resilience while sometimes portraying religion as fraud or villainy. • War & Dystopias: Predictions of nuclear holocaust, overpopulation (Soylent Green), and ecological collapse—thankfully, mostly avoided. • Simulation Theory: A modern twist—if we’re in “the Sims,” what does that mean for morality, purpose, and God? • Space Travel: From Heinlein’s optimism to The Martian’s gritty realism, how dreams of Mars colonies remain just out of reach. It’s a witty, sprawling discussion that blends sci-fi nostalgia with philosophical reflection, asking: why do the dreams of the future so often miss the mark, and what does that reveal about us?

5. 

   7 Oct 2025

   Highs and Lows of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

   In this lively installment of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John take listeners on a whirlwind tour through the triumphs and failures of beloved franchises. The conversation begins with George R.R. Martin and whether he’ll ever finish A Song of Ice and Fire. John argues that Martin has written himself into a corner, his nihilistic worldview preventing the kind of redemptive ending that Tolkien achieved in The Lord of the Rings. From there, they branch into the broader question of storytelling conventions: what readers expect from genres, and what happens when writers subvert those expectations badly. Along the way, they dive into: • Game of Thrones vs. Tolkien: Cynicism versus grace, and why nihilism leaves no room for true happy endings. • Star Wars: From the genius of the originals to the uneven prequels and the controversial Disney era, including discussions of editing, mythic structure, and the “woke mind virus.” • Star Trek: Praises for Wrath of Khan, critiques of modern shows like Discovery, and nostalgic love for The Orville capturing the old Star Trek feel. • Special Effects: How CGI has both enhanced and cheapened sci-fi; practical effects in Predator, Aliens, and The Prisoner compared to digital shortcuts in modern productions. • Cult Classics: Babylon 5, Sliders, Krull, Lost in Space, and more—shows that blended vision and limitations, sometimes brilliantly, sometimes laughably. • Franchises Gone Astray: From Terminator sequels to Marvel’s weaker outings, they explore how beloved series can decline when spectacle overtakes story. The episode balances sharp criticism with genuine fandom, mixing laughter, anecdotes, and sharp philosophical observations. It’s a love letter to great sci-fi/fantasy storytelling—and a roast of when it goes wrong.

6. 

   6 Oct 2025

   Ma and Pa Kent Saved the World

   In this thought-provoking episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John explore the moral foundations of heroism through the lens of Superman and his darker counterpart, Homelander from The Boys. The discussion begins with the question: what difference does upbringing make to a super-powered being? They reflect on how Superman’s Kansas farm-boy values, instilled by Ma and Pa Kent, shaped him into a protector rather than a tyrant, while Homelander—power without moral grounding—represents a cautionary tale. Along the way, they dive into comparisons with Invincible, Red Son, Ultraman, and other “evil Superman” stories, considering whether atheism, materialism, or utopian ideologies can provide a true moral compass. The conversation weaves through philosophy, C.S. Lewis, Ayn Rand, Maslow’s hierarchy, and the temptations of unchecked power. At its heart is the claim that genuine morality requires something beyond man-made codes—something transcendent. Without it, power tends to corrupt, and utopian dreams turn into nightmares. A lively, witty, and sometimes biting episode that asks: if Superman hadn’t been raised in Smallville, would the world have survived?

7. 

   3 Oct 2025

   In the Pale Moon Light

   In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John C. Wright dive deep into one of the most morally charged episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — In the Pale Moonlight. With the Federation on the brink of collapse in the Dominion War, Captain Sisko turns to Garak, the enigmatic Cardassian tailor-spy, to weave a web of deception strong enough to pull the Romulans into the fight. What follows is a tense exploration of lies, bribes, murder, and moral compromise — all in the name of survival. Was Sisko justified in sacrificing his honor to save the Alpha Quadrant? Did Garak cross a line, or was he simply the man willing to do what Sisko could not? Together, Jason and John unravel the artistry of the episode, its moral dilemmas, and what it tells us about ends, means, and the heavy cost of war. Join us for an engaging discussion that blends philosophy, politics, theology, and classic Trek storytelling.

8. 

   2 Oct 2025

   The Problem of Gandalf

   Jason and John C. Wright dive into the so-called “Problem of Gandalf,” a dilemma Christian authors face when writing fantasy: how to portray magic, wizards, or supernatural powers without glamorizing the occult. Gandalf, Merlin, Glinda the Good Witch, Dumbledore, and Harry Potter all become case studies in how fiction handles magic. The discussion covers: The allure of occultism (power, secret knowledge, pride, shortcuts). Historical attitudes toward witchcraft (Roman persecutions, medieval misconceptions, Catholic vs. Protestant responses, Salem trials). Christian authors’ responsibilities when writing about magic. Examples from literature, mythology, Shakespeare, and pop culture.

9. 

   1 Oct 2025

   How to save the world

   In this thought-provoking episode, Jason and John C. Wright tackle the question: How do we save the world from a culture that has seemingly lost its mind? From ancient idol worship to modern nihilism, the conversation explores how civilizations fall when truth, beauty, and virtue are abandoned. John lays out his seven “strongholds of the enemy”—the church, intellectuals, academia, politics, economics, culture, news, and entertainment—and argues that each has been inverted into its opposite. Together, the hosts discuss whether our age is uniquely insane, how past civilizations collapsed under similar errors, and what it will take to resist cultural decay. With references spanning from the Council of Nicaea to modern Hollywood, from Moloch to Marxism, from the Arian heresy to the woke inversion of truth, this episode is both dire in diagnosis and hopeful in prescription. Prayer, faith, courage, and reform—starting with the church—are presented as the indispensable tools for renewal. A wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on faith, culture, history, and the hard road of resistance. If you’ve ever asked yourself how truth can survive in a post-truth age, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions.

10. 

    30 Sept 2025

    The city on the Edge of Forever

    In this episode of Against the Mountains of Madness, Jason and John C. Wright dive deep into the legendary Star Trek episode The City on the Edge of Forever. What begins as a recap of Harlan Ellison’s time-travel tale quickly becomes a spirited debate on moral dilemmas, alternate histories, and the paradoxes of time travel. They wrestle with the haunting question: should Captain Kirk let Edith Keeler die to preserve the timeline, or is there always a “third way” that avoids choosing between love and cosmic disaster? Along the way, they connect the story to wider questions about morality, technology, war, utopias, and whether time travelers (or prophets) can ever act without playing God. The conversation is part pop culture deep-dive, part philosophical sparring match—funny, provocative, and full of wild side-trips into history, theology, and classic sci-fi.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.