The Meta-Podcast (Ep. 35: Damien Walter)

On The Meta-Podcast (formerly Integral Podcasters), we talk with podcasters, YouTubers, and other media producers who are trying to offer, or who can't help but offer, more integrative perspectives. Who are these people, what do they collectively understand and point towards, and how can they be interlinked, mutually supported, clarified, and amplified? For episode 35, Layman is joined all the way from Bali by Damien Walter, a writer, science fiction critic, and the host of YouTube and podcast series on science fiction and 21st century myth-making. Together, Layman and Damien explore the social and spiritually enactive potential of science fiction and fantasy; the great story archetypes like the hero's journey in popular media; the power of world building; the difference between "escape" (or liberation) and "escapism" (or avoidance); the role of science fiction, fantasy, and horror for preparing us to encounter the uncanny; the transformation of concepts (and experiences) of time that science fiction affords; and some of Damien's thoughts on Integral Theory, Spiral Dynamics, and the strengths and shortcomings of Hanzi's metamodernism. Damien Walter's website and podcast link https://damiengwalter.com/ Damien Walter's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/DamienWalter Please consider supporting The Integral Stage on Patreon to make more of these conversations possible! https://www.patreon.com/theintegralstage