Psyche

In this episode, I explore how Lev Vygotsky’s ideas of scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development offer a powerful framework for working with neurodivergent clients. Using the image of a garden trellis, I reflect on how therapy provides the structure and support needed for authentic, self-directed growth—guiding without constraining, and always honoring the client’s natural direction.

Great conversation with Todd McGowan discussing his essay "Existentialism After Finitude: The Transcendence of the Unconscious" from the book Death and Love: Psychoanalytic and Philosophical Perspectives (co-edited with Julie Reshe).

A great conversation with Bob Langan about his new book Jung and Spinoza Passage Through The Blessed Self.

In this episode, I talk with therapist and podcaster Joel Blackstock about the life and legacy of Carl Jung. Our conversation explores Jung’s vast intellectual curiosity—his willingness to engage with mythology, dreams, alchemy, and even the paranormal in his search for psychological truth. We reflect on how Jung’s openness to mystery continues to inspire those on the path of self-discovery.

Barry Taylor, a speaker at Wake festival and expert in the psychoanalysis of religion, dives deep into the intersections of theology and pop culture. He shares insights from his recent talk, exploring non-linear thoughts and how modern anxieties shape personal identities. The discussion moves to redefinitions of divinity, emphasizing belief as both a coping mechanism and source of disillusionment. Taylor also reflects on the comforting role of God in personal belief systems, challenging traditional frameworks and advocating for an evolved understanding of spirituality.

I speak with Elliott about all things Jung and his article "Sacred Skies: UFOs and the Religious Function of the Psyche"

In The Ego and the Id, Sigmund Freud uses the analogy of a horse and rider to illustrate the relationship between the ego and the id, emphasizing that we may have less control over the unconscious than we’d like to believe. Yet, a decade later in New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, Freud introduces the psychoanalytic motto: “Where id was, there ego shall be,” hinting at the possibility of greater agency than he originally proposed. This tension—between the limits of our control and the hope for transformation—has always intrigued me. In this episode, I explore that dynamic by sharing a few key quotes from Freud, and one from Mari Ruti that I believe sheds meaningful light on this enduring paradox.

I speak to William B. Parsons about his book Freud and Religion: Advancing the Dialogue.

I speak with Richard Boothby about Freud's unsettling discovery of the death drive in "Beyond The Pleasure Principle."

I speak with Lacanian psychoanalyst Jason Childs about Sigmund Freud's “Some remarks on a Case of Obsessional Neurosis," aka the "Rat Man".