Spirituality and The Elephant 6 Collective with Robert Schneider of the Apples in Stereo
From Pop Apocalypse by Matthew J. Dillon, Center for the Study of World Religions
April 23, 2026 · 2h 0m · Episode 21
About this episode
Host Matt Dillon interviews musician and mathematician Robert Schneider about spirituality and the Elephant 6 Collective.
In episodes 21 and 22 of the Pop Apocalypse, host Matt Dillon welcomes musician and mathematician Robert Schneider. Schneider is the lead singer of the psychedelic pop band The Apples in Stereo, a producer for bands including Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control, and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Technological University. In part one, we discuss Robert’s religious upbringing in the American South before exploring the mystical dimensions of The Elephant 6 Recording Co. We touch on the Church of the Subgenius, meditative practices, Krishna Consciousness, church camps, Surrealism, and Sun Ra’s Arkestra, then take a deep dive into how the Beach Boys served as the spiritual and artistic north star for Elephant 6.
People in this episode
Host: Matthew J. Dillon
Guest: Robert Schneider
Topics covered
- spirituality
- music
- Elephant 6 Collective
- religious upbringing
- meditative practices
- Surrealism
Keywords
- Robert Schneider
- Elephant 6
- spirituality
- music
- psychedelic pop
- Beach Boys
- meditation
- Surrealism
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, Elephant 6 Recording Co., Church of the Subgenius, Krishna Consciousness, Sun Ra’s Arkestra
Books & works: Beach Boys
More episodes of Pop Apocalypse
- Exploring the Mysticism of Mathematics with Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo · May 19, 2026 · 1h 43m
- Acting, Dreamwork, and the Study of Religion - A Talk with Amy Brenneman · February 22, 2026 · 1h 25m
- From Rock Star to Occult Historian - A Talk with Gary Lachman · January 22, 2026 · 1h 28m
- Integrating Wisdom Christianity and “The Work” of G.I. Gurdjieff: A Talk with Cynthia Bourgeault · December 12, 2025 · 1h 21m
- Mysticism and the Simulation Hypothesis – A Talk with Rizwan Virk · October 16, 2025 · 1h 23m
- AI, Hip-Hop, and the Digital Uncanny – A Talk with Paul Miller, aka “DJ Spooky” · September 21, 2025 · 1h 23m
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