Profs at the Pub: Spirituality in Santa Barbara, Past and Present

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Profs at the Pub with Dr. Joseph Blankholm Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 7:00 PM at Draughtsmen Aleworks (Goleta) Spirituality in Santa Barbara, Past and Present Professor Joseph Blankholm will lecture on the rich history of metaphysical spirituality in the Santa Barbara region, which remains a global hub for all kinds of spiritual seekers. His talk will describe the specific beliefs and practices that are common in this spiritual tradition and discuss some of the metaphysical movements that continue to thrive in Santa Barbara, like Spiritualism and New Thought. Blankholm will also discuss how metaphysical beliefs and practices like energy, vibrations, channeling, and manifesting have become part of popular culture. As metaphysical spirituality becomes more mainstream, it’s more important than ever to understand its influence on parts of life as different as the gig economy, the growth of alternative medicine, and the realignment of party politics in the twenty-first-century United States. About the Professor Joseph Blankholm is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on secularism and the variety among nonreligious people, including atheism and spirituality. His latest project, on metaphysical spirituality, is supported by a $1.5m grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The UCSB Affiliates is led by a volunteer board of community members and campus representatives passionate about creating innovative and community- centered programming. The goal of the UCSB Affiliates is to build and celebrate connections between UC Santa Barbara and the greater Santa Barbara community. We provide a pathway for community members to learn more about UC Santa Barbara and participate in campus activities. Through our events and newsletters, we highlight exciting campus-community partnerships and initiatives. Learn more at communityrelations.ucsb.edu/ucsb-affiliates