I haven't listened to those YouTube discussions, but they sound interesting.

I suspect that Vervaeke's odd blind spot about his philosophical/religious commitments is due to latent scientism he'd have picked up in his science departments. I've caught him a few times dismissing the philosophical question of life's meaning even while he presupposes some answers to that very question.

I agree that there are far worse religions than neoplatonism. In fact, I've been reading the comparative mythologist Uzdavinys on neoplatonism. It's close to the pantheism I prefer, but it strays into mystical theism. I'd prefer to keep it grounded more in science.

I think the meaning crisis is the price of an enlightened, philosophical perspective on life.