The Sacred Speaks

In this episode of The Sacred Speaks, I sit down with Dr. Gregory Shaw—renowned scholar of Neoplatonism and author of Hellenic Tantra and Theurgy and the Soul—to explore a forgotten path of spiritual transformation: theurgy. Together, we investigate: What theurgy actually is—not as abstract philosophy, but as a living practice. How modern culture’s loss of a mythic worldview creates both psychological pathology and spiritual hunger. Why Iamblichus taught that the divine does not live “elsewhere” but is present within matter itself. How ancient rites and rituals can restore a sense of sacred participation in our lives today. Gregory Shaw’s work bridges ancient philosophy and contemporary spirituality, showing how ritual, sacred embodiment, and symbolic consciousness can help us recover the animistic worldview our culture has lost. This conversation moves beyond ideas—it’s a call to remember. Subscribe to The Sacred Speaks for more conversations at the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and myth. Learn more about Gregory Shaw: • Hellenic Tantra: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVN69KY7 • Theurgy and the Soul: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0271023228 • Interview on The SHWEP Podcast: https://shwep.net/podcast/gregory-shaw-on-the-phenomenology-of-iamblichean-theurgy/ Connect with me: • Website & offerings: https://www.drjohnwprice.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ • Podcast archive: https://www.youtube.com/c/thesacredspeaks

Miles Neale, a Buddhist psychotherapist and author of 'Return with Elixir,' shares insights from his transformative journey through death and rebirth. He delves into ancient Greek dream temples, integrating Jungian psychology with Tibetan practices. Neale discusses the significance of personal pilgrimage in the Sum Valley, emphasizing virtue and integrity in today's world. He reflects on the power of mentorship and the profound personal growth that arises from navigating life’s challenges, urging listeners to embrace their own odyssey of self-discovery.

Check out John’s new website https://www.drjohnwprice.com/ Join The Open Gate – A Monthly Journey Through the Emotional Underworld The Open Gate is a live, monthly membership circle where we explore what I call the Little Teachers—emotions like shame, jealousy, and anxiety—not as pathologies, but as sacred guides. Each gathering includes teaching, meditation, journaling prompts, and a chance to reframe suffering as initiation. If you’re longing for community, rhythm, and depth—this is a space to walk that path. - https://www.drjohnwprice.com/the-open-gate-lt In this deeply reflective solo episode of The Sacred Speaks, host John W. Price explores the elusive and powerful principle of the feminine—drawing on insights from his previous interviews with Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles (author of Women in the Bible) and Elise Loehnen (author of On Our Best Behavior). John shares personal stories of his own initiation into the world of nurturing and care as a single father, and discusses how our culture’s overemphasis on the masculine has led to the neglect and invisibility of feminine values like intuition, mystery, and nurturing. Through the lens of archetypes—not gender—John examines how both masculine and feminine energies exist in all of us, and why restoring harmony between them is essential for personal and collective well-being. Using metaphors from music, psychology, and mythology, he invites listeners to embrace the mystery, honor the feminine, and seek a sacred balance within themselves and the world. Some key takeaways: The feminine represents mystery, intuition, and nurturing—qualities often undervalued in our culture. Masculine and feminine are archetypal energies, not tied to gender, and both are needed for inner and outer harmony. Restoring balance means honoring both energies, embracing the unknown, and seeking integration rather than dominance. In this episode (00:00) Introduction and Episode Overview (01:06) Synthesizing Interviews: Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles and Elise Loehnen (01:50) Exploring the Feminine and Masculine Principles (05:16) Personal Reflections and Experiences (09:28) Cultural and Archetypal Analysis (19:46) Insights from Jamie and Elise (27:46) Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action 🌎Find John W. Price WATCH: YouTube for The Sacred Speaks https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ @thesacredspeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesacredspeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ Brought to you by: https://www.thecenterforhas.com Theme music provided by: http://www.modernnationsmusic.com

Join me for a live webinar – Reframing Suffering: The Little Teachers We'll explore anxiety, jealousy, and shame as sacred teachers. Date: Wednesday, May 14 https://www.drjohnwprice.com/littleteachers-event-2025 Make sure to check out the book Women in the Bible https://www.amazon.com/Women-Bible-Interpretation-Resources-Scripture/dp/0664234011 In this episode of The Sacred Speaks, Dr. John W. Price speaks with Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles, a New Testament professor at SMU and ordained Baptist minister. The discussion covers Dr. Clark-Soles’ groundbreaking work on women in the Bible and her forthcoming book on psychedelics and Christianity. Dr. Clark-Soles shares her insights into translation, interpretation, and the often hidden or misrepresented roles of women in sacred texts. The conversation also delves into her personal experiences—including participating in a psilocybin clinical trial—which deepened her spiritual understanding and informed her scholarship. Together, they explore the complexity and richness of scriptural interpretation, the transformative possibilities of embodied reading, and the role of community, humility, and curiosity in authentic spiritual exploration. 🧠 Connect with Jaime: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimeclarksoles/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimeclarksoles/ Website: https://www.jaimeclarksoles.com/ In this episode: (00:00) Introduction and Guest Overview (00:29) Exploring Women in the Bible and Psychedelics (02:25) Invitation to Upcoming Webinar and Resources (03:52) In-Depth Conversation with Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles (06:19) The Intersection of Religion and Psychedelics (07:59) Personal and Professional Journey (12:02) Challenges and Misconceptions in Christian Communities (17:48) Hermeneutics and Interpretation of Scripture (28:40) Fear and Pride as Obstacles to Learning (38:49) Calendar Confusion and Community Building (39:53) Psychedelics and Spiritual Experiences (45:10) The Mystical Side of Christianity (56:33) Women in the Bible: A Deep Dive (01:13:13) Exploring Greek and Hebrew Language Nuances (01:14:42) Patriarchy and Gender in Biblical Context (01:17:13) Women’s Roles in Ancient Societies (01:23:30) Reevaluating Female Biblical Figures (01:28:16) Challenging Traditional Interpretations (01:39:26) Finding Community and Hope in Faith 🌐 Website: www.drjohnwprice.com 🎥 WATCH on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ @thesacredspeaks 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesacredspeaks 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ 🏛️ Brought to you by: The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences https://www.thecenterforhas.com 🎶 Theme music provided by: Modern Nations http://www.modernnationsmusic.com

In this episode of The Sacred Speaks, host Dr. John W. Price sits down with Elise Loehnen—writer, researcher, and author of On Our Best Behavior, a book that explores how the ancient moral framework of the seven deadly sins has been internalized by women, shaping their identities, relationships, and sense of worth. This conversation is not just a review—it’s a ritual inquiry. Together, John and Elise explore: The invisible “scripts” that define femininity in a patriarchal culture; How envy, pride, sloth, and other so-called “sins” reveal deeper spiritual truths; What Elise risked—and learned—by stepping out from her “invisibility cloak”; How patriarchal systems harm men as well, and the cost of emotional suppression; How men and women can co-create a future rooted in collaboration, not competition The role of grief, longing, and sacred agency in personal and cultural awakening; Elise also shares behind-the-scenes insight into her writing process, her podcast Pulling the Thread, and her evolving work around binaries, individuation, and collective healing. This episode is part of a broader arc on The Sacred Speaks focused on rebalancing the masculine and feminine within us and in our culture. Join John for the upcoming live webinar: Reframing Suffering – The Little Teachers Explore anxiety, jealousy, and shame as sacred messengers 📅 Wednesday, May 14 https://www.drjohnwprice.com/littleteachers-event-2025 or see @thesacredspeaks on Instagram 👉 CONNECT WITH ELISE LOEHNEN: Website: https://www.eliseloehnen.com/about Check out Elise Loehnen’s powerful book: On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good https://www.amazon.com/Our-Best-Behavior-Seven-Deadly-ebook/dp/B0BN574QYK Substack: https://eliseloehnen.substack.com/ Podcast: Pulling the Thread 🧭 CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction and Guest Announcement (00:12) Book Recommendation and Feminine Focus (00:36) Upcoming Episodes and Personal Projects (00:49) Cultural Excavation and Feminine Scripts (03:30) Interview with Elise Loehnen Begins (04:27) Exploring the Seven Deadly Sins (06:00) Patriarchy and Cultural Conditioning (16:54) Masculine and Feminine Archetypes (20:04) Podcasting and Personal Growth (25:33) Psychedelics and Personal Experiences (41:25) Writing as a Transformative Process (45:16) The 'Me' Story vs. The 'We' Story (46:52) Individualism vs. Collectivism (47:31) Individuation and Awakening (48:36) The Matrix and Cultural Narratives (50:24) Exploring Envy and Its Origins (52:17) The Seven Deadly Sins and Their History (56:45) Navigating Envy in Men and Women (01:13:40) Patriarchy and Its Impact on Men (01:19:26) Building a Bigger Tent for Everyone (01:20:31) Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks 🎧 Interview begins at (03:30) 🔗 THE SACRED SPEAKS: Website: http://www.thesacredspeaks.com WATCH: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg FOLLOW: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesacredspeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ Brought to you by: www.thecenterforhas.com 🎶 Theme music by Modern Nations @ www.modernnationsmusic.com

Visit drjohnwprice.com to explore the new site and sign up for the free live webinar on May 14th at 7:00pm CST—a communal space to deepen this work together. In this first solo episode of The Sacred Speaks, I open the door to a new format—one that invites reflection, story, and personal encounter. We begin with mentorship. Drawing from Homer’s Odyssey, we explore the sacred roots of the mentor archetype. I offer reflections on what mentorship has meant in my life—from the early days as a musician to the path of a seeker—and trace the thread through conversations with two giants in this work: Father Richard Rohr and Dr. James Hollis. We’ll move through the terrain of masculine energy, myth, music, therapy, and spiritual awakening—touching on what it means to be shaped by others and what it might mean to become a shaping force ourselves. I also share where the podcast is headed, including an upcoming turn toward the feminine. You’re invited to consider your own mentors—those seen and unseen—and how they’ve helped guide your becoming. 🌀 Episode Guide: (00:00) Introduction to Mentorship (00:40) Welcome to The Sacred Speaks (00:58) New Solo Format and Intention (01:42) Mentorship and the Masculine Archetype (03:27) Personal Encounters with Mentors (05:34) Music as Initiation (07:07) Therapy, Teachers, and Turning Points (11:41) Rohr and Hollis: Two Guiding Lights (21:00) Masculine Wisdom in Archetypal Form (22:50) A Glimpse Ahead: The Sacred Feminine WATCH: YouTube for The Sacred Speaks https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ @thesacredspeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesacredspeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ Brought to you by: https://www.thecenterforhas.com Theme music provided by: http://www.modernnationsmusic.com

In this engaging discussion, Richard Rohr, a renowned spiritual teacher and author, shares insights from his latest work, The Tears of Things. He reframes prophets as vital voices against systemic societal sins rather than just moral enforcers. The dialogue explores the dangers of dualistic thinking, the significance of humility, and the necessity of self-awareness in spiritual growth. Rohr reflects on his journey, the importance of initiation rites, and how genuine transformation requires embracing imperfection and compassion in our collective struggles.

In a captivating discussion, Dr. James Hollis, a renowned Jungian analyst with six decades of impactful experience, dives into themes from his book, 'Living with Borrowed Dust.' He explores confronting one's shadow and taking personal responsibility while sharing poignant reflections on mortality. Hollis emphasizes the importance of dreams in self-discovery and encourages listeners to grapple with life's big questions. His insights challenge societal scripts, advocating for authentic living through personal growth and resilience.

Make sure to check out Henry’s book “Original Love” https://henryshukman.com/writing/original-love Also check out the meditation app “The Way” https://www.thewayapp.com/?source=us_traffic Welcome to The Sacred Speaks! In this episode, I sit down with Henry Shukman—a Zen teacher, poet, and co-founder of The Way meditation app. Together, we explore the profound mysteries of meditation, spirituality, and the human experience. Henry shares his journey from his early struggles with eczema and psychological challenges to his transformative awakening and his life as a Zen teacher. We dive deep into Zen concepts, the beauty of ordinary experience, and the intersection of poetry and meditation. Henry offers wisdom on navigating common meditation hindrances and shares practical advice for cultivating awareness, deepening meaning, and connecting with the unseen currents of existence. Join us as we uncover the power of meditation to transform both our inner and outer lives. 👉Connect to Henry Shukman Website https://henryshukman.com/ The Way Meditation App https://www.thewayapp.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/henryshukman/?hl=en YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA645lNnrksSrZIwe6mJ4mQ (00:00) Welcome to The Sacred Speaks (00:29) Introducing Henry Shukman (01:27) Henry's Journey into Zen and Meditation (03:24) The Essence of Zen Practice (05:13) The Transformative Power of Meditation (11:40) Early Struggles and Discoveries (21:12) The Awakening Experience (32:17) The Path to Healing and Teaching (45:01) The Beauty of Ordinary Experience (52:09) Exploring the Zen Concept of Oneness (53:40) The Feminine Perspective in Philosophy (54:58) Zen Stories and Their Parallels (56:16) A Transformative Zen Experience (01:00:13) The Intersection of Poetry and Meditation (01:08:56) A Simple Guide to Meditation (01:17:51) Navigating Cultural and Religious Views on Meditation (01:25:23) Understanding and Overcoming Meditation Hindrances (01:35:31) Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Interview begins: 3:40 In this episode of The Sacred Speaks, Dr. John Price hosts Ayize Jama-Everett for a discussion on spirituality, religion, cultural identity, and the pervasive impact of colonization. Ayize shares insights from his journey, beginning with how his roots in Harlem and his work within the psychedelic space have shaped his perspective on community, healing, and cultural reclamation. Together, they examine how long-established cultural dynamics continue to influence our lives, often without our conscious awareness. Ayize discusses his efforts to influence these dynamics at a cultural level, reflecting on religious and spiritual practices as tools for both personal and collective transformation. They also explore the complexities of whiteness—not only as a cultural identity shaped by colonization but as an orientation that often perpetuates colonizing behaviors toward other cultures. Ayize shares the purpose behind his documentary, A Table of Our Own, which aims to expand access to healing practices for Black people and to highlight the important work already being done within these communities. The project seeks to de-stigmatize these substances, reframing them as natural balms that have served as spiritual and psychological support for Black people over millennia. The conversation touches on Black joy, the importance of reconnecting with land-based spiritual practices, and the need to decolonize healing spaces. Ayize’s reflections offer a fresh lens on the healing power of connection, inspiring listeners to consider how we might engage in reclaiming and honoring our spiritual and cultural roots. Bio: Ayize Jama-Everett holds three Master’s degrees: Divinity, Psychology, and in Fine Arts, Writing. He blends these degrees in all his work, often identifying as a guerilla theologian, a community-based therapist, and an afro-futurist in the same breath. He’s taught at Starr King School for the Ministry, California College of the Arts, The University of California, Riverside, Western Colorado College, and several private High schools for over twenty years. His expertise includes working with adolescents, the history of substance use in the United States, the history of Sacred Plant medicines in the Maghreb, the religious roots of political violence from Ireland to the Middle East, educational arts pedagogy, and Afrofuturism. He’s published four novels (The Liminal series) and two graphic novels (Box of Bones and The Last Count of Monte Cristo). www.atableofourown.org Website for The Sacred Speaks: www.thesacredspeaks.com/ WATCH: YouTube for The Sacred Speaks www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ @thesacredspeaks Twitter: twitter.com/thesacredspeaks Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ Brought to you by: www.thecenterforhas.com/ Theme music provided by: www.modernnationsmusic.com/