Gatherings

In this episode Béa interviews award-winning literary scholar, poet, and Jungian thinker Roula Maria Dib. Together, they explore Jung’s evolving place within feminist thought, the role of the feminine archetype in the psyche, and the power of poetry and art as healing practices. The conversation moves through themes of visionary art, dreams, creativity, and how artists serve as vessels for the collective unconscious. Roula offers insights into her own work, including her books The Jungian Metaphor: Modernist Literature and Simply Being--and speaks to the necessity of creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and community. The episode also features a powerful personal story about how a dream helped Roula recognize a life-threatening illness in her daughter—underscoring the importance of cultivating an ongoing relationship with the unconscious. For anyone drawn to Jungian depth psychology, feminist perspectives, and the transformative nature of art and dreams, this conversation offers rich ground for reflection. Books & Links Mentioned in This Episode: The Jungian Metaphor: Modernist Literature (2020) by Roula Maria Dib https://labrc.co.uk/roula-maria-dib/        

Carly Mountain, a writer and mythic guide, delves into the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna, reflecting on its relevance to modern women facing burnout and identity shifts. She redefines surrender as a courageous meeting with reality, emphasizing its strength in feminine empowerment. Carly discusses the contrasts between traditional myth and artificial intelligence, urging a return to embodied wisdom. The conversation encourages embracing pain as a transformative journey and highlights the healing power of shared narratives and collective experiences.

In a compelling dialogue, Connie Zweig, a retired Jungian therapist and author, shares her profound insights on shadow work and its significance in midlife. She discusses how confronting the unconscious can unlock creativity and spiritual growth. Highlighting the importance of vulnerability, Zweig explores how integrating our shadow nurtures deeper connections in relationships. She also addresses societal divisiveness, advocating for personal accountability as a means to foster understanding. This conversation weaves together memory, myth, and the courage to embrace our inner selves.

In this episode, we explore the creative process. Is it limited to the material work we produce, or is the true creative path the inner work we do as part of the individuation journey? What kinds of conversations should we be having? How does dream work factor into the process? And does an artist need to reveal something meaningful to the collective for their work to be considered art? Books mentioned in this episode:   The Creative Act: A Way of Being (Rick Rubin)  The Archetypal Artist: Reimagining Creativity and the Call to Create (Mary Antonia Wood)  Carl Jung and Arnold Toynbee: The Social Meaning of Inner Work (J. Gary Sparks)    Quote from Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver:  "And that is just the point: how the world, moist and bountiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That's the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. 'Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?'"   

Discover the intriguing ideas of Iain McGilchrist as he examines the imbalance between the brain's hemispheres, revealing how an overemphasis on analytical thinking can be detrimental. Dive into the impact of creativity, dreams, and subconscious expressions on personal and artistic growth. Explore the connection between nature and unity, stressing the importance of community rituals in fostering introspection. Finally, learn why embracing discomfort can lead to deeper self-exploration and a more holistic understanding of our experiences.

Dive into the profound insights of Jungian analyst James Hollis as the hosts discuss transformative themes from his most significant works. They explore the balance of self-love and healthy relationships while addressing the complexities of emotion in men. The conversation emphasizes midlife awakening and accountability, urging listeners to confront their anxieties as pathways to growth. Through personal stories and reflections, the podcast illustrates the wisdom of embracing life's darker moments and integrating diverse archetypes for collective healing.

Join Béa and Carly as they discuss their top reads from 2024. With a focus on both fiction and nonfiction, they explore Carly Mountain's 'Descent & Rising,' Roberta B. Corson's Stepping Out of the Shadows,' J. Gary Sparks’ The Call of Destiny and Andrea Wulf's 'Magnificent Rebels,' among others. The conversation delves deep into book recommendations, literary themes, and personal reflections on the significance of these works. The song used in this podcast is Jay Redelsperger’s  “On my Way”. You can find Jay’s music on Spotify, Apple Music and all other music platforms. He is also on YouTube Jay Mark Redelsperger - YouTube   For information on the SophiaCycles project: www.sophiacycles.com   Bea will be teaching a month-long course at the Jung Archademy on “The Archetypal Venus”. You can find information here: The Archetypal Venus LIVE-VIDEO SEMINAR SERIES with Béa Gonzalez, M.A. — JUNG Archademy 00:00 Introduction to Gatherings Podcast 00:39 Hosts' Personal Book Habits 03:03 First Book Highlight: Stepping Out of the Shadows 05:33 Exploring the Medial Woman Archetype 10:51 Second Book Highlight: Searching for Venus 14:14 Fantasy Romance Genre Insights 16:35 Third Book Highlight: The Shepard Duology 17:52 Impact of Fiction on Personal Growth 23:09 Personal Reflections and Career Doubts 24:03 The Power of Stories and Rituals 25:49 The Heroine's Journey and Self-Discovery 27:34 Exploring Jungian Concepts and Guides 31:54 Book Recommendations and Synchronicity 34:11 Alchemy and Symbolism 39:11 Historical Insights and Intellectual Movements 42:27 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects      

Uncover the Journey of the Feminine Archetype through Time In this episode, Jay and Béa discuss the myth of Inanna, the two Venuses, and the evolution of the feminine archetype across various cultures and eras. They initiate the conversation with an in-depth exploration of Inanna's myth, drawing parallels with the movie Barbie while emphasizing the continual relevance and transformative power of this ancient archetype. They also explore how Venus, a symbol of beauty and love, has transformed from an androgynous warrior to an emblem of love and connection. Finally, they discuss the need to shift from the binary perception of such themes towards viewing them as ongoing, transformative stories that are accessible to all individuals, regardless of gender. Book Discussed: Descent to the Goddess, Sylvia Brinton Perera  

In this episode, Jay and Béa explore the many dimensions healing can take. There seems to be a lot of attention placed on the notion of healing in the public sphere but what does this look like? Is it possible to ever fully heal? And if so, what modalities can help us on this journey?  Authors and books mentioned: Dr. Gabor Maté [The Myth of Normal]; Marion Woodman "Addiction to Perfection". Books we recommend: "Waking the Tiger", Peter Levine: "The Body Keeps the Score", Bessel van der Kolk.    Song: "The Gathering" Jay Redelsperger  

In this episode, Béa has a conversation with a member of the Sophia Collective---Geneviève Caron, photographer, documentary film maker, artist and spectacular human! Geneviève has just released an exquisite 8-minute documentary where she invites the viewer to journey with the artist Ljubodrag Andric, as he travels through Jaipur, India. We talk about her background, her involvement with the Sophia Collective, shadow work and much more. Here is the link to her website: Geneviève Caron Photography (genevievecaron.com) The documentary: Geneviève Caron Photography | Motion | 2 (genevievecaron.com) Jay is busy at work on his new album, but we still get to listen to some of his gorgeous music! The song used in this episode is "In the Summertime" from his album, Harvesting James. Jay's music can be found all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify, Google and more.