Gatherings

In this episode, Jay interviews Béa about the SophiaCycles project --- the group that has been running for fifteen years. They discuss how it was formed and why, the importance of dream interpretation to the group, the public program that will launch in April, and how to set up a similar group for those who may be interested.  We also discuss something that has troubled us for some time---who "owns" Jung? Is it all about the theory, or do our inner worlds matter most? The song used in this episode is "Feels like Green" from Jay's album, "Harvesting James."

In this episode, Béa and Jay explore the "anxiety of influence" by looking at those writers and musicians who have inspired them. They also discuss what works survive the test of time and why. Finally, they also explain how their own artistic work has changed over time and what recurring themes they see appearing there.  The song featured in this episode is "And the Angels now are Singing" from Jay's album "Harvesting James." Jay has a GOFUNDME campaign running to fund new music. If you like his work, please consider donating at Fundraiser by Jay Redelsperger : Fund my 2nd album. (gofundme.com).  Béa's new novel is called Invocation and you can find information about it here: Bea Gonzalez Sophiacycles

Béa and Jay explore the individuation process using the film “The King of California” and the novel “Don Quijote” as examples of what this journey looks like. They also discuss Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey and how misunderstandings have been created around what that means. Other works mentioned include: “Searching for Sugarman”  “Star Wars” and “The Matrix.” Song: Hippie with a Cellphone from Jay's album, “Harvesting James”. If you like Jay’s music, please visit his GoFundMe page where he is raising money to go back into the studio and make more of it. Here is the link: Fundraiser by Jay Redelsperger : Fund my 2nd album. (gofundme.com) Béa has a new novel out and if you like what is discussed here, you might find it of interest. All the information can be found here: Bea Gonzalez Sophiacycles

Béa and Jay explore the concept of the shadow and how it appears in our lives. They examine the difficulties encountered by people living in a culture that does not match their orientation as extraverts/introverts. They also discuss how the shadow shows up during the mid-life transition. Other subjects: the body in exile, music as a form of catharsis and how to approach the third act. Works mentioned: The Stages of Life, CG Jung; Once Upon a Mid-life, Allan B. Chinen; Owning your own Shadow, Robert A. Johnson; A Little Book on the Human Shadow, Robert Bly; The Moonlit Path: Reflections on the Dark Feminine, Fred Gustafson. Song: I Never Asked, Jay Redelsperger from the album "Harvesting James".

In this episode, Jay and Béa tackle the thorny issue of romantic love and its many facets. Works mentioned include: He, She, We by Robert A Johnson and The Eden Project, James Hollis. They weave their way through notions of love as they emerged during the Middle Ages through the Celtic myths--in particular, Tristan and Isolde, and in the tradition of courtly love. Did romantic love play a role in the development of the individual in the West as Joseph Campbell argued? How do we transform these feelings of longing so relationships are not burdened with unrealistic expectations? They then explore the many shapes the anima and animus take and explore how these figures have appeared and matured in their own work.

Béa and Jay explore the terms feminine/masculine and the reactions they generate on social media. They also look at the burdens placed on men [book mentioned: Under Saturn's Shadow, James Hollis]. Béa guides Jay through an exercise to spur the imagination and they discuss why storytelling matters. Other works mentioned: The Iliad, The Skeleton Woman, The Godfather, and the stories of Inanna and Sisyphus. They finish with an exploration of the notions of chaos and order. The song featured in this episode is In the Summertime from Jay's album, Harvesting James. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music and all other music platforms.

Jay and Béa discuss the metaphorical killing of the parents through an examination of work from The Doors, Richard Wagner, James Joyce, Star Wars and Pedro Almodóvar. They also discuss the inherent pitfalls in refusing the call to maturity. Books mentioned in this episode: Now or Neverland: Peter Pan and the Myth of Eternal Youth, Ann Yeoman & The Problem of the Puer Aeternus, Marie-Louise von Franz. The song featured in this episode – This O’l World – is from Jay’s album, Harvesting James. You can find it here bit.ly/3F4DtvE and also through all major music distribution services.

Béa and Jay introduce themselves, they recount how they each discovered Jung and they discuss how it has impacted their creative output.  They also look at dreams and their importance. The music used in this episode is Jay’s Rain and Gold from his album, Harvesting James. You can find it on YouTube bit.ly/3APibAU and on all music platforms.