The Mythic Masculine

My guest today is Deus Fortier, a multi-faceted artist, men’s coach, and ceremonial facilitator.He is a fire-keeper and drummer for the Blackfoot sundance in southern Alberta, as well as an initiate of Kriya Yoga, a comprehensive spiritual science, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda of the ancient Swami order.Since 2007, Deus has been working intimately with entheogens and plant medicines, which is how I had the opportunity to experience the psychedelic 5 MEO DMT.I’m grateful to call Deus one of my closest friends, and this interview follows a powerful one on one ceremony he offered me with the medicine. I can say without hesitation, it was...the most intense experience of my life.Our conversation here is recorded in the late afternoon, with the spirit of the journey still with me. We cover potent ground, including Deus’ journey as a spiritual seeker with a deep yearning to understand consciousness.  We talk about the power of liberating the intelligence of emotions and the nature of healing trauma.And finally, we cover the dangers and possibilities of intentional psychedelic ceremony, ending with a fierce original spoken-word piece from Deus called “Are You Okay?”Support the Podcast http://themythicmasculine.com/supportJoin the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Zhenevere Sophia Dao, founder of the Post-Daoism philosophy and the MogaDao practice, dives deep into post-Daoist gender theory and the mythopoetic life. She speaks about masculinity as a theatrical spirit and critiques traditional gender notions. Dao emphasizes the importance of sensitivity and imagination, challenging men to reclaim their emotional depth. Additionally, she presents the transgender experience as a vital cultural medicine that can help us navigate today's uncertainties, pushing for a broader understanding of gender and identity.

Today I'm happy to speak with Karen Lee Downes, co-founder of FemmeQ, who are holding their next event in Costa Rica as well as online July 24-31st. We are producing the next A Gathering of Stories livestream event in collaboration with their conference. In our conversation, we discuss the journey to come.  Get tickets for FemmeQ http://femmeq.orgGet tickets for A Gathering of Stories II http://agatheringofstories.comLearn more about Karen https://karenleedownes.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Maya Luna, a poet and creator of the Deep Feminine Mystery School.She has also authored a book of poetry, OMEGA: Feral Secrets of the Deep Feminine and released a spoken word album, Holy Darkness: A Tantric Opus.In our conversation today, we discuss how to tune into the frequency of the Deep Feminine, through the gateways of the senses.  We speak of the historical consequence of literacy on the cultures that venerated the Goddess and the subsequent rise of distorted masculinity.  We wonder on the original trauma that may illuminate the gender conflict still unfolding today, and the Madonna/Whore split that many women (and men) are seeking to integrate.And finally, Maya shares one of her powerful poems on the truth of Feminine power.Join the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/networkSupport this Podcast http://patreon.com/ianmack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Bill Plotkin, PhD, a depth psychologist, wilderness guide, and founder of western Colorado’s Animas Valley Institute.Bill has led thousands of women and men through nature-based initiatory passages, and is the author of number books, including Soulcraft, Nature and the Human Soul, and Wild Mind.In our conversation today, we discuss his recent book The Journey of Soul Initiation, which distills decades of his insights into human development and the mythopoetic relationship between humanity and ecology.We explore the Five Phases of what he calls The Descent to Soul, including PreparationDissolution, Soul Encounter, Metamorphosis, Enactment. We compare his model and the significant differences between Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, along the challenges of navigating through each stage of development.And finally, Bill names the blessing and burden it is to take on one’s own unique ecological niche, and how this invites us to become visionary artisans of cultural evolution.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Allan B. Chinen, a psychiatrist in private practice in San Francisco and Clinical Professor Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco.He has lectured extensively and presented numerous workshops on the role of myths, fairy tales and legends on our life stories. He the author numerous books, including In the Ever After: Fairy Tales and the Second Half of Life, and Beyond the Hero: Classic Stories of Men in Search of Soul.In our conversation today, we explore the relationship between the Hero and the Patriarch, and men’s initial fear and fascination with the Feminine. We unpack the tales that may guide men’s roles at mid-life, after the Hero has come home. And finally, we reach further back into the time before civilization, wherein lies the deep masculine wisdom of the Trickster.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Matthew Stillman, a dear friend who has been obsessed with how modern humans fit into an ancient world since, forever.He has a wildly eclectic background, from highlighting the connection between food and culture as a programming executive on the Food Network. He co-produced an acclaimed documentary on The End of Poverty.  He even created a traditional skincare company, called Primal Derma, delivered from his home in Harlem, New York.I first met Matthew as a scholar in the Orphan Wisdom School with Stephen Jenkinson, and we have spent many hours wondering about many things, from love, to poetry, and beyond.In our conversation today however, he shares about his upbringing in the world’s most mystical bookstore. He tells the tale of sitting at the feet of Robert Bly in the time just before his book Iron John would ignite the mythopoetic men’s movement. Matthew also speaks of the divine presence in the art of improv comedy, and the rules that govern finite and infinite games.And finally, he shares the ancient myth of Phaethon and being undone by his own awakening into fatherhood.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Beltane! In this bonus episode, Ian MacKenzie and Zamir Dhanji reflect on the inaugural 'A Gathering of Stories' held during Imbolc 2012. This magical weekend brought together a global feast of storytellers, musicians and poets to explore The Soul of Masculinity.  The entire journey is has just been released as a self-directed course on The Mythic Masculine Network, available to all members.  As well, Ian & Zamir hint at the future event to come.  Stay tuned. Music: Naad https://naad.bandcamp.comAccess the Journey as a Course http://themythicmasculine.com/networkLearn more about A Gathering of Stories http://agatheringofstories.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Ramon Parish, an assistant professor in Naropa University’s department of Interdisciplinary Studies.Ramon has been synthesizing mindfulness, embodiment, social justice, the environment, and ritual & ceremony for over a decade, and has helped usher hundreds of young people through contemporary threshold experiences.In our conversation today, we explore a dazzling array of themes, including: the impact of comics as modern mythologies, the power of healing personal and ancestral trauma through movement, the spiral dynamics of emergence, and how these uncertain times ask that we become riders of chaos.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the Conversation http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

This is a very special episode, recorded only a few days ago, from the front lines of the Fairy Creek Blockade - a peaceful 8 month occupation to prevent the logging of some of the last remaining old growth forest on Vancouver Island, Canada.I have been allied with effort these last few months, including releasing a short film ARISE in collaboration with The Mama’s Movement, which weaves voices of indigenous elders like Bill Jones, of the Pacheedaht Nation, alongside activists and children.On April 1st, the courts granted an injunction to the logging company Teal Jones, which means they are legally able to have the forest protectors arrested so they can continue their destruction. Luckily, the movement continues to grow exponentially, with creative and positive support pouring in from around the world.This past weekend, I joined the blockade for the first time, and experienced the beauty within the old growth trees, as well as the human community that has taken root.I sat down in the midst of a clear cut to interview Yogi Shambu, a musician, healer, and longtime member of the Rainforest Flying Squad, who were the initial catalyzers of the blockade.In our conversation today, he shares of his spiritual upbringing in rural Ontario, being surrounded by powerful women in his family. He speaks of his journey into Tantra Yoga, as well as becoming a professional mystic offering healing wherever he was called.Shambu reflects on his mythic models for masculinity, including the joy of coming into right service with the Great Mother, and how spiritual practice can best prepare one for generative conflict.And finally, we reflect on the stories that seeded us with an environmental consciousness in our youth, and how these flowers might bloom in our time of ecocide and evolution.Support Fairy Creek Blockade http://laststandforforests.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe