The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall

James Hollis: How To Be Resilient

Mar 3, 2025

James Hollis, a renowned Jungian analyst and author, discusses the essence of resilience and personal growth. He emphasizes that true strength comes from within, rather than superficial self-help fixes. Hollis shares insights on navigating life's challenges, advocating for authenticity and self-acceptance. He reflects on his transformative journey from academia to therapy, revealing how personal struggles can lead to deeper understanding. The conversation also touches on the significance of dreams and the importance of forging meaningful connections during tough times.

55:45

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Episode guests

James Hollis

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Resilience is an inherent strength that enables individuals to navigate life’s difficulties by tapping into their inner resources and acknowledging their dark moments.

The simplicity of self-help solutions often overlooks the complex nature of personal growth, which requires ongoing effort and introspection amidst adversity.

Embracing vulnerability throughout various life stages fosters meaningful connections and allows individuals to recover their personal authority aligned with their true selves.

Deep dives

Understanding Resilience

Resilience is identified as an inherent strength that has allowed humanity to survive through challenging times. Individuals often find themselves feeling powerless and dependent during difficult phases of life, leading to a disconnection from their inner resources. The crucial realization is that no one else can resolve personal struggles; it's up to the individual to navigate these challenges. Resilience involves acknowledging the dark moments and embracing the journey through adversity to maintain emotional and spiritual integrity.

Intro

4min

Embracing Resilience and Personal Growth

27min

Journey from Academia to Healing

10min

Navigating Life's Challenges: The Odyssey of Resilience

4min

Exploring Growth and Dreams

6min

Embracing Self-Acceptance and Growth

5min

Finding Meaning Through Internal Dialogue and Trust

3min

For Andrew, it is the writings of Dr James Hollis, one of the world’s most eminent Jungian analysts, that have “sustained me through my dark times”. Dr Hollis’ books also regularly help Andrew’s marital therapy clients create change in their relationships and recover from infidelity.

In this classic reissued episode, Andrew speaks to James Hollis about what it means to be resilient - how do we discover and develop the strength nature gives us to “walk through the forest” when we inevitably hit dark times?

Bookshops and the internet are full of “five steps to happiness” style self-help manuals, telling us that if only we wake up earlier, change jobs, or eliminate caffeine, we will solve all our problems. In fact, life is fractious and difficult, and requires us to persist. The best way to do this is not an external solution, but to find and trust the strength within ourselves.

Dr. James Hollis is a Washington D.C. based Jungian psychoanalyst and the author of seventeen books. He was Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years and Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington (JSW) until 2019. He also worked as a Senior Training Analyst for the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, as a Director of Training of the Philadelphia Jung Institute, and is Vice-President Emeritus of the Philemon Foundation.

If You’re Looking for More….

You can subscribe to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts) and hear a bonus mini-episode every week. Or you can join our Supporters Club on Patreon to also access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50.

This week supporters will hear:

Three Things James Hollis knows to be true.
AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees.

Follow Up

Get Andrew’s free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things

Take a look at Andrew’s new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools

Take a look at James Hollis’ website

Read James Hollis’ book, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life

Read Andrew’s review of James Hollis’ book Swamplands of the Soul: New Life in Dismal Places:

Join our Supporters Club to access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, fan requests and the chance to ask Andrew your own questions. Membership starts at just £4.50.

Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall

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