Wonderful podcast covering a much deserved topic. Highly recommend and very much appreciate this offering. Thank you!

A podcast that approaches this subject matter with the academic rigor that it deserves, by a podcaster with the credentials and dexterity to do it justice. Refreshingly neither credulous nor skeptical, this podcast is a treasure.

I absolutely love this podcast, it’s my favorite place to go when I need a healthy dose of Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I am enthralled by this podcast. It’s brilliant, nuanced, profound, funny…. Incredibly well researched. I found SHWEP just this year and I’ve listed to every episode, many of them multiple times. It’s unlike anything else out there. So fantastic. Thank you for your incredible work. Waaaay back in episodes 75/76 (Chaldean Oracles - I’m obsessed), you mentioned that the SHWEP’s favorite goddess Hecate would receive her own dedicated episode. It would make this devoted listener very happy to one day have the great good fortune to hear that. Deep gratitude for the amazing work you put into the world.

This podcast was recommended on the excellent “Third Eye Drops” podcast. I’m about six episodes in and very impressed—I plan to be a completist!

There are a small handful of things in this world that I cherish, that I savor and don’t rush my way through, that I return to again and again to be sure I have really in-corpor-ated its teachings not just into my mind but into my soul and practices. This podcast is one of those special treasures, and I thank the author wholeheartedly for the immense amount of work he has put into it. And for sharing his “secrets.”

Dear Earl, you have helped make this listener a gentle one, as the more insight you present, the less restless I become. I realize episodes are currently branching through a timeline of Western Esoteric thought and writing, which is great, but for the future would you please kindly consider an exploration of Lilith beyond what we know of her in 8-10th Century texts and Sumerian myth? Where do scholars stand on her wildly various interpretations these days? Can we tease her out of any emerging translations as anything other than a pre-Eve, a succubus, a baby killer, or a general pedagogical device concerning shame? Does anyone view her as a metaphorical representation within the alchemical process or something of the like? Can you please get on top of this? Haha.

May I request an exploration into George Gurdjieff? I’m eating up every episode of this series of esoterica.

This podcast should be required listening for any Bachelor of Arts degree or any Western individual who wants to see above the maze of their own psyche. Simply wonderful. Top Man.

🐉Only thing missing is more ratings an reviews 🐉

Earl’s podcast is a masterful, comprehensive, and entertaining survey of fascinating material that would be otherwise almost impossible to learn. This s the first podcast which I have listened to every episode of, sometimes repeatedly. What a gift to the world.

😳😅🫥

Well researched and thoughtful information. Bravo

This podcast is a treasure trove of sources, theories, and expertise on western esoteric literature and practices. Earl Fontainelle is building up a history of ideas that will appeal to — and enrich — enthusiasts and scholars alike across disciplines from Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean studies to the history of science through the Early Modern period, and much in between. An invaluable labor of scholarship and love (which you can also support financially as a SHWEP member). Keep listening and stay esoteric!

I absolutely love this podcast. If esotericism, philosophy, history of ideas, et al is up your proverbial alley, this podcast should fill you with warmth and joy. Honestly, this is my favourite podcast far above any other I’ve found. I only wish there were even more episodes as I’m constantly waiting for the next one to drop. Thank you, Earl for all your hard work and the time you spend putting this show and the guest interviews together! I love it!!!

This is wonderful.

Great discussion and information about obscure and fascinating topics. Believer or skeptic, scholar or amateur, all will be well served by listening.

As indicated the title of this review, SHWEP truly is a (nearly) perfect podcast. The content is applicable not only to those seeking a dive into the esoteric but also to those interested in history, religion, theology, and philosophy. In fact, I believe many of these episodes should be required listening in intro philosophy courses. Earl Fontainelle is an excellent storyteller with an abundance of charisma, which is a rare combination when approaching such heavy topics. His treatment of magic and mysticism is respectful and he’s somehow figured out how to present such ideas in ways accessible to both skeptics and believers alike. I’d also like to highlight the selection of guest speakers that appear in this podcast series as absolutely excellent and above reproach in their qualifications.

This is probably my favorite podcast. I’ve learned so much from Mr. Earl and appreciate that he shares his expertise with a podcast audience. I am a(n) historian and this podcast is very much for historians by a(n) historian. The interviewees are exceptional, all important and leading figures slash specialists in this field; the icon and legend Wouter Hanegraaf has made multiple appearances, for example. Mr. Fontainelle is deeply engaged with these topics and his knowledge is wide ranging, which makes for very interesting interview questions/ conversations. He also has a good radio voice and seems to be a polyglot, which means he isn’t guessing at how to pronounce words from classical antiquity. It is obvious that Mr. Fontainelle is brilliant based on his smooth delivery; his intelligent thoughts flow clearly and steadily without fail. All I can do is just offer you my love (and continued support on the website in order to access bonus content).

Why can’t I follow or subscribe to this podcast?

Any lover of history and esotericism will find this to be incredibly insightful. Love the work, keep on trucking through the above and below.

I’ve started using “for it is he” in my day to day conversations. Looking forward to the Rupert and Steve animated series.

…nice.

Exactly what a podcast of this type should be: an enthusiastic and incredibly well informed host marching through the history of western esotericism and speaking with scholars along the way

Appreciate your hard work - well done

As a Pythagorean would say Earl F. is...

I love the way this podcast is structured. I want to hear the history behind the ideas and how culture changes and flows with the passing years. This podcast does more than history it’s also some dry, intellectual humor. I feel like I am having a chat at a conference. It’s really delightful. Thank you for making this.

I have listened from beginning to end and greatly appreciate the work! I have been looking for something like this my whole life. And I’m just thankful I’m not alone in seeking these ideas and knowledge. Makes me feel a little more human.

Not just as nerdy as you could hope for but also with a subtle humor. If you like antique weirdness magic, the occult or mage the ascension this podcast is for you. Honestly it was the podcast I wish I had when I was an apprentice magician!

it’s exactly as nerdy as you secretly hope it’ll be. the host never acts too cool for it tho. he leans into it, and as a result it’s both informative and entertaining.

This is a “must listen” for anyone interested in esoterica. I enjoy the chronological order of the podcast, along with the scholars that give facts and context of the times and how they know of it in recent view.

Erle Fontenelle presents here the best overview of ancient philosophy, magic, and mysteriousness for you, right at your fingertips with a click. His presentation is precise, clear, easy to understand, yet consists of first-rate scholarship. Whether you are a scholar, a high-school grad who loves the ancient world, a practitioner of esotericism, or just someone who wants to know what the fuss is all about in regard to the ancients, you will find *a lot* of fun., interesting, yet in depth stuff in the entire catalogue of podcasts here. Dive in (or down, or up… listen and you’ll see what I’m esoterically saying here) and enjoy.

One could say the nature of this podcast is pretty niche so no surprise it’s getting all 5 stars so far here. That there’s a self selection of those who would seek this out and therefore would naturally love it and promote. This however discounts the fact that what he has done here and is doing is absolutely deserving of this rating for its depth, accessibility, nuance, and humor. I have been looking for something like this for a long time and so grateful for his efforts. Make no mistake, if you’re gonna skip over checking this out because you think it’s another woo woo, fantastical, New Age/occult snake tattoo bunch of hot air, IT IS NOT. This is rare, detailed summary and inquiry focused on real scholarship and an effort (excellent effort) to attempt to distill A LOT of history and ideas into chewable bites. Buy this ticket and take this ride stay esoteric

I love this podcast for many reasons, but the most important reason of all is the one I discovered through listening carefully to each podcast beginning at the beginning. But rather than just spill the beans and spoil your fun, let me simply wish you “Bon voyage!” P.S. A small correction: Plutarch lived and taught in Rome for many years before being exiled by Domitian in the purge of the philosophers. It was only after that point that he lived in his hometown of Chaeronea. He dedicates a number of his most important texts to his friend Sosius Senecio, right hand man to the Emperor Trajan and part of an intellectual circle at the highest levels of power and influence in the Roman empire.

Just amazing. Can’t wait to listen to all of the episodes. Thank you for your hard work and bringing us this comprehensive history of western thought.

Keep up the Great Work, Earl.

This is hands down my favorite podcast! Great depth of scholarship and learning with a wry wit. I have learned much about esotericism in the ancient world and have found SHWEP to be a great stimulus for my own reading. Thanks and keep up the good work.

As someone interested in the occult from an academic (rather than spiritual) perspective, this podcast has all the history and analysis that I’ve been craving.

The most informative and scholastic esoteric podcast I’ve heard so far.

I’m only a few episodes in, but I’m loving what I’m hearing. The host and interviewees are smart people who obviously have a deep interest in the subject. For people looking for ways to implement spiritual practices into their lives, it might be good to pair this podcast with another one, as this podcast is more informational and historical. Thank you creators for doing this! I’ve been interested in this topic a while now,but hadn’t found a good deep well of info until this.

One of the best podcasts available on esotericism. Each episode summaries the academic perspective on a given esoteric topic, alongside insights into how esoteric thinkers and esoteric communities view/viewed themselves. The podcast is both a great introduction to the topic of Western Esotericism, as well as a great refresher for those, like myself, who have taken out far too many student loans to study this neglected area of Western thought for themselves.

Incredibly well researched and produced!! Very important for serious students of philosophy and occultism

I’m really glad to have come across this podcast. It respectfully covers a broad range of topics. Rather hard to describe exactly what it’s about, since it covers so much, but: if you’re looking to learn about Western esoteric practices in their historical context (as opposed to looking for the modern practices in order to study them or become a practitioner yourself) there’s no better place to go. It is, however, the auditory equivalent of reading a particularly engaging textbook. If you’re not a primarily auditory learner you will probably need to listen to it again in order to fully absorb it. This isn't a flaw, just something to prepare for. My only complaint is that the older episodes are not kept on iTunes, so I have to go to the website to listen to them.

This podcast will reveal it. But only if you listen. And listen closely. And study. And learn. Maybe. A lot to digest here - but it's funny and sincere and I look forward to each new episode.