Derek J Fiedler is a Writer, Conversationalist, and Symbolic Thinker. Dialogues with Derek is a podcast of full conversations with interesting people. Derek and guests enter into engaging discussions about the meaning crisis, philosophy, symbolism, narrative, and so much more with the hope of arriving at a deeper understanding. Interviews are most often uncut with minimal to no editing to provide true-blue, no-nonsense discourse.
derekjfiedler.substack.com (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
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Engaging conversations exploring deeper meaning with host Derek J Fiedler
Join Derek and special guests on YT. Enter to win signed records. Thank for your support and attention these 5 years - https://www.youtube.com/live/FKR4_IlPtsM?si=TATIfEOMyPmQRta3
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1 Dec 2024
The Music of the Spheres (Matthew Wilkinson)
Matthew Wilkinson is a professional organist and composer. In this discussion, Matthew explains the genius of Bach, music symbolism, the music of the spheres, the universality of music, and what it was like performing on an organ that Bach played in Germany. Matthew discusses soundtracks and themes in films like Interstellar, Arrival, and Dune, as well as revealing the key difference between composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams.
Matthew's YouTube channel - @matthewwilkinson2276 (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCPo3842Pl_Z3Xqo9GYACUzw)Matthew's website - https://matthewwilkinson.net/
Derek’s new book 'Arrival & Exodus' [handcrafted edition] releases 11.11 - https://open.substack.com/pub/derekjfiedler/p/arrival-exodus-book?r=d4e9f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
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24 Oct 2024
Classroom & Cosmos | author-teacher David Mathwin on applying symbolic worldview to teaching
Author and teacher David Mathwin tells how to apply the symbolic worldview in the classroom. He describes the challenges of the modern education system and argues how to change it from within using a symbolic, cosmogonic approach.
Dave's websites: https://astickinthemud.com and https://www.kalosconsultants.com
Read 'The Classroom as Cosmos' - https://www.amazon.com/Classroom-Cosmos-Teaching-Pattern-Application/dp/B0CSV7TF2C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LL03Q6QAB15E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S7Xu4I8kahyZmhbza-yaM_H-viinev38Vd9WFdnlnHqrbhFOy8fkeUnU7rGcUHQAySEWYmUPXRPLkfWvY2KAf7QBAS0uTwWx1VzGSbMFBsFXBCU3IhelyAdMETWmZLD1AQG-A2bloDEcLpSSVetBeGnkKkI2DpZyYNYWKcozH6btEw0g8ow1WNh2afLoM8nf-MbY64BTFIQzPstX3QEpjLt5n8BYcLgFjZL2YTfOD7g.CHK0HhmBdnvTIzC4K73rN0-7BUfVUrQvzzRXTr1UPYU&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+classroom+as+cosmos&qid=1728926200&sprefix=the+classroom+as+cosmos%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1
Dave's article on the Symbolic World website - https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/content/applied-symbolism-chaos-and-the-classroom-experience
NEW BOOK - Derek's special edition 'Arrival & Exodus' releases 11.11
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1 Oct 2024
Arrival & the Universal Language
"What is the foundation of civilization? Is it science, bloodline, technology, military? The sci-fi story Arrival, the book by Ted Chiang and 2016 film directed by Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part One and Part Two), offers an intriguing solution to this riddle...Language. To understand these enigmas of language, we must drill down deeper than the level of linguistic technicalities. When we arrive at the end of our excavation, we will have unearthed a most surprising discovery, bigger than the Arrival story, deeper than language itself."
Excerpts from the essay 'Arrival & The Universal Language' by Derek J Fiedler originally published (https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/content/arrival-the-universal-language)on the Symbolic World website, which is hosted by Jonathan Pageau.
This essay is part of a larger project (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/arrival-exodus-book)exploring the deeper meaning of Arrival. The first book (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/arrival-exodus-book), Arrival & Exodus, will be released on 11.11. Be 1-of-12 to own the handmade deluxe edition.
I have made a PDF version available for my Substack subscribers. Thank you for your support and joining the journey.
If you are interested in becoming a member, click the button below:
Watch more Arrival analysis podcasts and essays - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xfHKFgypaXyAVfAw5Bl4cKc
I want to create a (more concise) video version of this essay with clips from the film and animation. However, I don't have great editing skills. Do you know a video editor interested in collaborating? Reach out, let's do this.
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22 Feb 2024
Reviving the Lost Art of Book Binding with Colin Miller
Colin is reviving the art of binding books by hand. He shares his process for crafting readable works of art and starting his company, Sylvan Bookwarks: visit the substack Sylvan Bookworks (https://open.substack.com/pub/sylvanbookworks). Colin Miller and Derek reveal a secret book project, The Symbolism of Arrival: Exodus (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/arrival-exodus-book).
Relevant Links
- How Colin bound (https://sylvanbookworks.substack.com/p/arrival-february-20)the Arrival book - https://sylvanbookworks.substack.com/p/arrival-february-20 (https://sylvanbookworks.substack.com/p/arrival-february-20)
- Sylvan Bookwarks Substack: https://sylvanbookworks.substack.com/ (https://sylvanbookworks.substack.com/)
- Watch conversations about the story 'Arrival': https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xfHKFgypaXyAVfAw5Bl4cKc (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xfHKFgypaXyAVfAw5Bl4cKc)
- Symbolic World Summit: https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xfHKFgypaXyAVfAw5Bl4cKc)
- Collins astounding Wood-Bead (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xfHKFgypaXyAVfAw5Bl4cKc) art piece video:
Listen to more quality conversations from the Dialogues with Derek podcast:
Join Derek’s merry band of subscribers:
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20 Feb 2024
The Universal Icon - S.R. Rohlin Reveals the Medieval Model, Lewis, & The Discarded Image
Author, Podcast Host, Role-Playing Game Designer, Seraphim Richard Rohlin tells the tales of rescuing Snow White with Jonathan Pageau, the origins of their Universal History podcast, Star Wars and the ‘myth of evolutionism’, and the deep meaning of the Medieval Model and other themes from C.S. Lewis's last published work 'The Discarded Image'.
Read Derek's notes (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/the-discarded-image-by-cs-lewis-dereks) and quotes from 'The Discarded Image'.
Relevant Links
* Watch Rohlin, Fiedler, DeGraide, & Kotar round-table discussion (https://youtu.be/ZnGgGtTWmMo) on making modern myths.
* Get your Symbolic World Summit ticket (https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit)before they sell out: https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit
* S.R. Rohlin's YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@RichardRohlin)Channel
Get full access to Deeper Look at derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
9 Feb 2024
James gives Shocking advice for 2024
Philosopher and Cultural Commentator, James Kourtides, returns to the Dialogues with Derek podcast to discuss what to expect in 2024, apocalyptic moments, towers of babel, using chaos as potential for transformation, and the two of the most powerful things you can do in 2024 to give you “eschatological optimism” in the shadow of the apocalypse.
Watch the video version (https://youtu.be/W2KL_rC9w3E) on the Derek J Fiedler YouTube Channel and access Derek’s notes below.
Read Derek’s personal notes (https://open.substack.com/pub/derekjfiedler/p/james-kourtides-gives-shocking-advice?r=d4e9f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true) from the conversation:
Meet James and Derek in Florida! Get your Symbolic World Summit ticket before they sell out - https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit (https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit)
Get full access to Deeper Look at derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
28 Jan 2024
How a Mathematician Overcame a Meaning Crisis - w/ J.P. Marceau
J.P. Marceau and Derek discuss J.P.'s upcoming course and book, how J.P. overcame zombie nightmares, and the opportunity to meet in person for the first time at the Symbolic World Summit on Feb 29, 2024.
J.P.'s new course - https://thesymbolicworld.com/news/symbolic-world-metaphysics-course-with-jp-marceau (https://thesymbolicworld.com/news/symbolic-world-metaphysics-course-with-jp-marceau)
Get your Symbolic World Summit ticket before they sell out - https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit (https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit)
Watch the video version (https://youtu.be/bkt5km6HNSE) of the podcast.
If you would like to stay up to date with Derek’s latest conversations with interesting people, consider subscribing to the newsletter:
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27 Jun 2023
Jonathan Pageau on Patterns & Pilgrimage
Jonathan Pageau shares stories from his pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece with his son and father - including legends and mysteries of vanishing icons, ancient 12th century manuscripts, rites of passage, and wonder-working relics.
Jonathan also gives some of the behind-the-scene action from his latest project 'Snow White and the Widow Queen' - visit the Kickstarter campaign (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/symbolicworldpress/snow-white-and-the-widow-queen/description). As well as announcing exciting developments like the Symbolic World Press and the Symbolic World Magazine - check out the website for more, thesymbolicworld.com (https://thesymbolicworld.com/)
Derek shared his personal insights from the conversation. You can view Derek’s notes (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/dereks-notes-from-jonathan-pageau) for free:
If you enjoyed this conversation, you might like to listen to previous conversations (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xdd7IRZ_pz6Hsc4qo1Ea1HQ)with Jonathan and Derek.
Get full access to Deeper Look at derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
4 Jun 2023
Revelatory Music for Modern Conundrums - Neil DeGraide of Dirt Poor Robins
Neil DeGraide of Dirt Poor Robins joins the channel to announce his newest EP 'Prelude to Firebird' featuring the track 'To the Heights' and give insight to the writing process with his co-writer and wife, Kate DeGraide. We get into profound topics like the purpose and problems of modern music making, AI deep faking, analog, societal control, the bargain of compliance, the two sides of fragility, and more.
"People are exhausted, disconnected, and disenchanted. My goal is to help people connect to deeper meaning that stabilizes them to not get tossed to and fro by the waves of change. This record gives more hope than anything we've ever done." - Neil DeGraide
You can read Derek’s personal notes from the conversation here:
Relevant Links
* dirtpoorrobins.com (http://dirtpoorrobins.com)
* Prelude to Firebird - Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/4T8FIKCexNfkyFMvfXj0bq?si=frndmK0fRBKnNb35zJU1yA)
* Dirt Poor Robins YouTube channel @dirtpoorrobins (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCuQZw5EE__gCljrkm0sBCOw)
* 'Queen of the Night' silent film - watch film for free (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_1fVFNUOfs&t=5s)
* Derek's film essays (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xcs_Z6uWgz_Q6_AmwFU7uxZ) of Queen of the Night
* More Neil + Derek conversations (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xdJ7tO__bVl0OB_e4YwgcyR)
* Roundtable discussion on Myth-making (https://youtu.be/ZnGgGtTWmMo) with Neil, Derek, Nicholas Kotar, and Richard Rohlin
Get full access to Deeper Look at derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe (https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
16 Feb 2023
Mystical Mountain-Top Experiences, w/ James Kourtides
James Kourtides gets Derek to open up about his most profound spiritual moments - mountain-top transformations, good/bad psychedelic trips, bargaining with succubi, guided trip with a medicine woman in Huatla de Jimenez, and enrapturing prayer.
Watch the Conversation
YouTube video podcast of James interviewing Derek
Relevant Links
* Watch/listen to the full conversation over at James YouTube Channel (https://youtu.be/A30f6Hs_syM).
* Listen and watch all of Derek and James conversations (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xcLu2rAgBCCPDEzX2ZJ5wDU).
* Ground Zero for the psychedelic movement, Huautla de Jimenez. Maria Sabina, The Mexican medicine woman that hipped America to magic mushrooms (https://timeline.com/with-the-help-of-a-bank-executive-this-mexican-medicine-woman-hipped-america-to-magic-mushrooms-c41f866bbf37).
If you dare, join Derek’s merry band of subscribers
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14 Dec 2022
Matthieu Pageau: Symbolism & Scripture
Matthieu shares new insights his upcoming books and from 'The Language of Creation' (2018). In this rare conversation, Matthieu discuss deep symbolism in Scripture and opens up about his life, living off-grid in a yurt in Northern Canada in winter.
Watch the Conversation
You can watch the video version of the conversation at Derek’s YouTube Channel.
Listen on Podcasting Platforms
Essential Links
Matthieu's book: 'The Language of Creation' - https://www.amazon.com/Language-Creation-Symbolism-Genesis-Commentary/dp/1981549331 (https://www.amazon.com/Language-Creation-Symbolism-Genesis-Commentary/dp/1981549331)
* Derek's commentary on 'The Language of Creation' - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xeqmA7giy9EonpgA9dO8TT0 (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxBkl6ci7xeqmA7giy9EonpgA9dO8TT0)
* Podcast w/ Matthieu's brother Jonathan Pageau on Symbolism & Sexuality (https://youtu.be/Iy8dYT61WIc) -
* Podcast w/ Matthieu's comment on initiation - Symbolic Directions with a Cosmic Compass (https://youtu.be/zYROeY9dOKU)
* Podcast discussing Matthieu’s Unpublished Writings on Music (https://youtu.be/t25V_co7X2Q)
* Cormac Jones 'Cosmic Chiasmus' article - https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/the-cosmic-chiasmus/ (https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/the-cosmic-chiasmus/)
Derek’s Notes from the Interview with Matthieu Pageau
You can view Derek’s personal notes from the conversation in this post:
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YouTube views
159,910
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
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Quality
3
Social presence
0
YouTube
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