Echoes of Heresy
Claim This Podcastby Andy Altschuler
Podcast Overview
<p><strong>Echoes of Heresy – a podcast about spiritual dissent, divergent beliefs and doctrinal conflict across time and tradition.</strong></p><p>In each episode the host, <strong>Andy Altschuler</strong>, looks into the stories of heterodox thinkers, movements or systems from various places, epochs and traditions. He also explores doctrinally problematic, controversial or insufficiently defined theological concepts and ritual practices within the mainstream religious frameworks.</p><p>From visionary cosmologies and mystical dissidents to folk saints, philosophical provocateurs, and long-buried sects, each episode dives into a story of a particular movement or sect, theological concept or trend, heterodox thinker or strain of thinkers, with references to primary and secondary sources, highlighting curious facts and crucial details.</p><p>It’s not strictly academic, but grounded in scholarship. Not esoteric, not sensationalist, not pushing any ideology — just curious, evidence-based exploration of the ways belief resists boundaries, shapes and shakes the world's spiritual traditions.</p><p>Listener feedback is always welcome.</p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:echoesofheresy@gmail.com">echoesofheresy@gmail.com</a> </p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/1/2025
Reach the team behind Echoes of Heresy
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
Recent Episodes
March 5, 2026
Folk Saints of Latin America
<p>The final episode of the first season. A glimpse into a phenomenon of Latin American Folk Saints.</p><p>Folk saint veneration is far from being a uniquely Latin American thing, but in Latin America, this phenomenon feels especially vivid – more public that elsewhere, more embodied, and woven deeply into everyday life. </p><p>Rooted in a long history of Catholic tradition, Indigenous cosmology, Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices, and mestizo cultural memory, the popular religiosity of the region creates fertile ground for unofficial saints. In fact, the Church often finds itself playing catch-up – cautiously acknowledging some folk cults, while condemning others as superstition or even heresy.</p><p>Folk saints often emerge in spaces where institutional religion seems distant: borderlands, rural villages, prisons, inner cities. They fill gaps the Church can’t or won’t reach. </p><p>Still, the line between folk devotion and Church orthodoxy is not always a battleground. In fact, more often than not, it’s a negotiation...</p><p></p>
February 16, 2026
The Gospel of Leo Tolstoy
<p>One of the greatest literary figures in Russian history — and, perhaps, the most recognizable Russian author in the world...</p><p>Tolstoy was celebrated during his lifetime. He was a cultural monument in his own time — read not only by the Russian intelligentsia, but by factory workers, schoolteachers, revolutionaries, and monarchists alike.</p><p>Unlike so many Russian thinkers and artists, he was never imprisoned, never exiled, never formally repressed by the state. His writings generally were not banned – neither by the Tsarist regime, nor by the Soviets who followed. In fact, both systems found ways to celebrate him.</p><p>In the Soviet Union, he was often presented as a proto-socialist critic, a moral voice who condemned inequality and imperial hypocrisy. In the West, he was embraced as a literary genius, a prophet of nonviolence, a spiritual humanist. Across cultures and ideologies, Tolstoy has remained, in many ways, untouchable.</p><p>Yet there is another side to Tolstoy. A side that is far more controversial, and far less publicized.</p><p>A man who delved into theology with relentless passion. Who challenged the foundations of Orthodox dogma. Who called the Church a distortion of Christ’s teachings. Who rejected the sacraments, denied the resurrection, and saw the cross not as a symbol of salvation, but as an emblem of cruelty.</p><p>What led Tolstoy, the literary saint of Russia, to this final spiritual rebellion? And why did the Church respond not with debate, but with excommunication?</p>
January 7, 2026
Sarmad - The Naked Saint of Mughal India
<p>A poet for whom the boundaries between creeds were illusionary. A mystic for whom non-dualism and apophatic vision weren’t just poetic metaphors — they were his lived reality. </p><p>All his life represents a bridge between the Abrahamic and Dharmic worlds. </p><p>Who was Sarmad Kashani? What was his formation in Iran? And what was his role in Mughal India? What is his legacy - spiritual, literary, social? </p><p>For those today who are suspicious of religious certainty and drawn to spiritual experimentation, he remains a startling, beautiful, and uncompromising presence.</p>
8 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Echoes of Heresy
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Echoes of Heresy?
<p><strong>Echoes of Heresy – a podcast about spiritual dissent, divergent beliefs and doctrinal conflict across time and tradition.</strong></p><p>In each episode the host, <strong>Andy Altschuler</strong>, looks into the stories of heterodox thinkers, movements or systems from various places, epochs and traditions. He also explores doctrinally problematic, controversial or insufficiently defined theological concepts and ritual practices within the mainstream religious frameworks.</p><p>From visionary cosmologies and mystical dissidents to folk saints, philosophical provocateurs, and long-buried sects, each episode dives into a story of a particular movement or sect, theological concept or trend, heterodox thinker or strain of thinkers, with references to primary and secondary sources, highlighting curious facts and crucial details.</p><p>It’s not strictly academic, but grounded in scholarship. Not esoteric, not sensationalist, not pushing any ideology — just curious, evidence-based exploration of the ways belief resists boundaries, shapes and shakes the world's spiritual traditions.</p><p>Listener feedback is always welcome.</p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:echoesofheresy@gmail.com">echoesofheresy@gmail.com</a> </p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.