Intellectual Soil and Dark Questions

In this episode of Southern Demonology, JJ sits down with Jeff Lippman, host of the Garden of Thought podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about podcasting, curiosity, and the strange intellectual corners we stumble into when we stop trying to control the conversation.

What starts as a discussion about booking guests and navigating cancellations quickly turns into something deeper: the unexpected power of fringe ideas, the cultural weight of astrology, and why some of the most meaningful conversations happen when you don’t fully know where the interview is going. From controversial belief systems to unanswered scientific questions—like what actually defines life, or how many countries even claim to exist—the episode explores the tension between skepticism and open-minded inquiry.

Jeff and JJ also reflect on the podcasting community itself: the quiet relationships formed behind the scenes, the influence a podcast’s name can have on who’s willing to talk, and the “white whale” guests that continue to inspire future episodes. Along the way, they unpack how preparation isn’t about rigid research, but about active listening, intellectual humility, and being willing to follow a thread wherever it leads.

If you’ve ever wondered how podcasts evolve, why unexpected topics often make the best episodes, or how belief, curiosity, and culture intersect in the modern paranormal landscape—this conversation is for you.

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