My guest for this conversation is my good friend Jenn Morrill. Jenn is an editor, creator, mother, and true friend. She’s a person unafraid of exploring the depths of her psyche. Jenn and I have similar backgrounds from a faith perspective, having been born into and exited the same religion. We’ve spent countless hours discussing our personal and shared histories, religion, psychology, family, relationships, growth, and healing. Today we decided to record a conversation discussing a movie that we both love called Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I always enjoy my conversations with Jenn and, now, I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Laura Lewis-Barr, a playwright, freelance director, theater professor, and award-winning stop motion film maker. Laura is the creator of Psyche Cinemas, where she publishes her stop motion films about fairy tales portrayed in modern and fanciful situations. Laura alternates between creating short updated fairy tales and original scripts exploring characters and cultures from a Jungian perspective. Laura is a huge fan of stories and myths, and has found a true passion exploring them through a unique and creative framework. She’s like a child at play and, in speaking with her, I felt her energy, passion, and enthusiasm throughout. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Laura and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is international bestselling author Shelley Read. Shelley’s debut novel, Go as a River, is an amazing story that’s being translated into over thirty languages. Shelley taught writing and literature as a Senior Lecturer at Western Colorado University for nearly three decades, where she was also a founder of the interdisciplinary Environment & Sustainability major and the PRIME program for at-risk students. She’s a regular contributor to Crested Butte Magazine and Gunnison Valley Journal. Shelley is a fifth-generation Coloradoan who lives with her family in the Elk Mountains of the Western Slope. I found Shelley to be energetic, enthusiastic, and deeply insightful. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Shelley and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Luke McBain a man of many talents and experiences. Luke is a graduate of the German Film Academy, a writer, former actor and filmmaker, a Cambridge MBA graduate, a lecturer and a consultant. Luke is also the creator of a type of internal, imaginative experience called Liminosophy: a journey in search of the source of intuition, meaning, and happiness. According to Luke’s website, it does not matter if you are a high powered executive, a crafty entrepreneur, or someone who is on their own personal quest, Liminosophy is for you. I found Luke to be engaging, open, and deeply introspective. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Luke and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Nicholas Jim, an African oil painter and conservationist. His realism art, and I mean realism, portrays the landscapes and wildlife of Africa in stunning detail. In his own words, Nicholas paints “nature”. He also spends a good amount of time in nature and donates a portion of his earnings to the Endangered Wildlife Trust in support of the protection of endangered species. Nicholas also holds degrees in chemical engineering and has a passion for production. I found him to be an insightful and a well-balanced individual, full of deep thoughts and broad smiles. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Nicholas and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jason Smith, a Jungian analyst, author, and podcastor. Jason is a graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute–New England and holds a Master’s degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is the past president of the C.G. Jung Institute-Boston and has over 20 years of clinical experience. Jason is the author of ‘Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life’ and the creator of the ‘Digital Jung’ podcast. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Jason and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jonny Miller, a curious Somanaut, writer, podcaster, and nervous system specialist. Jonny is the host of the Curious Humans podcast and author of the Curious Human’s newsletter. He also leads a five-week bootcamp on nervous system mastery. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Jonny and hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jay Redelsperger, a singer, songwriter, and fellow Jungian enthusiast. Jay received his BA in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and an MA in Depth Psychology from Sonoma State University. His music is available on YouTube and on all major music platforms. Jay also co-hosts the Gatherings Podcast with Béa Gonzalez. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well. 

My guest today is Jonathan Hyland. Jonathan is a depth psychologist with a degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Jonathan began a journey into his own depths in an effort to understand an anxiety that was imposing on his life. Instead of medicating, Jonathan chose to allow the anxiety to guide him to a more whole version of himself. Jonathan’s story is fascinating, inspiring, and almost magical. I truly enjoyed our conversation and hope you do as well.

My guest today is Feldsott, an artist and healer with a long and fascinating story. At a young age, Feldsott became an artist on the rise, but he was disillusioned with the business side of art and stopped exhibiting or selling his work. Instead, Feldsott disappeared to South America where he championed environmental issues and studied with Indigenous people for more than 25 years. During this time Feldsott continued to paint every day, amassing a truly impressive body of work that went entirely unseen. In 2002, the National Museum in Quito, Ecuador, offered Feldsott his first solo show in two decades. I found Feldsott to be genuine, insightful, and quite gentle. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jason (J.M.) DeBord, best-selling author of the Dream Interpretation Dictionary, Creator of DREAMS 1-2-3, and host of The Dreams That Shape Us podcast. Jason is well known in the dream work space, and also as RadOwl, the moderator of Reddit’s most popular subReddit on dreams – r/dreams. Jason is the author of a new book Nightmares: Your Guide to Interpreting Your Darkest Dreams. I found him to be well-traveled in both the waking and dream world, generous and passionate. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jessica (Jess) Watson Miller, the founder of PsychCrisis.org – a nonprofit working to reform the psychiatric crisis system. Jess has a deeply personal connection to the crisis system and its flaws, and so works passionately to educate others about psychiatric crises and how to manage them, as well as designing new systems and working with current operators to improve their services. I found Jess to have a deep understanding of the issues. She’s well researched, thoughtful and articulate. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Bud Harris, an author, psychologist, and Jungian analyst. Early in life, Bud pursued a career in business but his life lacked meaning. Following a period of dissatisfaction and searching, he returned to school and eventually became a diplomate Jungian analyst. Bud has written dozens of books, including Sacred Selfishness, Into the Heart of the Feminine, and Becoming a Love Warrior. Through his writing, Bud shares what he’s learned about living a life of passion and love, fueled by self-knowledge and awareness. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Catherine Raven, an author, biologist, and overall inspiring human being. Catherine is a former national park ranger, she earned a PhD in biology from Montana State University, and holds degrees in zoology and botany from the University of Montana. Her first published book of non-fiction – Fox and I: an Uncommon Friendship – was the winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Award. Catherine’s natural history essays have appeared in American Scientist, Journal of American Mensa, Montana Magazine, Narrative Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. I found Catherine to be a lovely person, passionate about life and her work, and I truly enjoyed our conversation. I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Jared Janes, a coach, podcaster, community builder, and meditator. From an early age, Jared has had a deep interest in human development, and has been willing to endure quite a lot to learn about and experience that development for himself. Jared spent six years exploring a handful of popular meditation methods and spiritual traditions, but still sensed that something was missing. With the guidance of his friend & teacher Charlie Awbery, he moved from a renunciative practice to the life-affirming path of a yogi. And in 2020, the two of them co-founded a contemporary community of practice called Evolving Ground. I found Jared to be open, warm, and full of helpful knowledge based on personal experience. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Béa Gonzalez, an author, podcaster, lecturer, educator, and one of my favorite social media follows. I’m a fan of Béa because of her passion for teaching people about the importance of a metaphorical approach to life. As an author, Béa’s novels have been published in seven countries. Her titles include The Bitter Taste of Time, The Mapmaker’s Opera, and the recently published Invocation, which is available now. Béa recently launched a podcast called Gatherings, with her friend and musician Jay Redelsperger, in which they sit down to discuss subjects they are both passionate about—books and music. Whether reading her books, watching her lectures, or listening to her podcast, Béa always has something deep, relevant, and interesting to say. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and hope you do as well. 

My guest today is Bernie Taylor, a naturalist, author and archaeoastronomer whose research explores the origins of mankind’s creativity and awareness of the natural world. He’s authored several books, including Biological Time and Before Orion: Finding the Face of the Hero, which explores mankind’s creative capacity by looking at Paleolithic cave art from 40,000 years ago. Bernie proposes that select cave paintings are fundamental pieces in the human journey to self-realization, the foundation of astronomy, and a record of biological knowledge that irrevocably impacted some of the artistic styles, religious practices, and stories that are still with us today. I found Bernie to be deeply knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I truly enjoyed our conversation and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Dr. Alicia Colson, an archaeologist and ethnohistorian, who’s conducted fieldwork in Canada, the UK, the US and Antigua, all in an effort to understand our human past. In her work, Alicia collaborates with indigenous communities in an effort to understand differing viewpoints, while also using AI computing to make scientific discoveries. Alicia’s a member of The Explorers Club’s Class of 2022. She’s a Wiley Digital Archive Fellow, and the co-founder and co-Editor of Exploration Revealed, the Scientific Exploration Society’s digital hybrid publication, which showcases advances in knowledge and peer-to-peer support for those engaged with scientific exploration and adventure-led expeditions. In addition, Alicia is the commissioning editor for the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter of The Log Magazine, a quarterly publication of The Explorers Club. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Alicia and I hope you do as well.

My guest today is Charles Pezeshki, a professor of engineering at Washington State University, and self-described world traveler, husband, and father of two. Charles has published in the field of design theory and high performance work teams. He runs a large Design Clinic and has worked on large-scale projects in various fields: from organizing sustainability education in Europe, to understanding nonlinear dynamics and complex system theory, to environmental policy and experiential education. Charles has a fascinatingly-scary way of looking at the world, but it’s a message of hope, because empathy is at the heart. For all of Charles’s thoughts you can check out his website empathy.guru. I truly enjoyed our conversation and hope you do as well.

My guest today is Dr. Angela Puca who’s research focuses on magic, witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, shamanism, and related currents. Angela holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Philosophy and has lectured at Leeds Trinity University for several years. In 2021, The University of Leeds awarded her a PhD in Anthropology of Religion, which will be published in the upcoming year. Author of several peer-reviewed publications and co-editor of the forthcoming ‘Pagan religions in five minutes’ for Equinox, she hopes to bridge the gap between academia and the communities of magic practitioners by delivering related scholarly content on her YouTube Channel and TikTok ‘Angela’s Symposium.’ I truly enjoyed my conversation with Angela and I hope you do as well.

In our conversation, we dive deep into meditation and mindfulness, the impact these practices can have on chronic illnesses, how some people often misuse meditation as a form of escapism, the Alexander Technique, Western and Eastern approaches to overall wellbeing, and the importance of human connection.

My guest today is a fantastic human being, artist, and teacher named Shea Stanfield. Shea is author and publisher of the Starlight Scribe series, in

My guest today is a fascinating person and a true explorer, named Patricia Morgan. A conceptual artist based in Tucson, Arizona, she begins each piece

In this solo episode, I break down the story of Raya and the Last Kingdom, in which I discuss a story of healing, how any

In this solo episode, I break down the story of Po, a lovable panda, who’s journey takes him to the pinnacle of Kung Fu, where

Something that’s fascinating to me is the presence of two trees in the story of the Garden of Eden: (1) the Tree of Life and

My guest today is an amazing,  photo-realistic painter named Benjamin Johnson. Born in Philadelphia, Ben spent his formative years in the Pine Barrens of southern

My guest today is Adam Helms, a fascinating artist and human, who’s work encompasses drawing, printmaking, sculpture, assemblage, and archival research. Adam’s work often highlights

My guest today is the great Barbara Rogers. Barbara is a painter, educator, world traveler, and a very very kind person. Barbara paints to transcend

My guests today are a lovely and amazingly talented pair of artists named Kelly Leslie and Craig Cully. Kelly is a designer, a teacher, and

My guest today is a nationally recognized artist, accomplished educator, and driven creative coach named Carrie Seid. Carrie has produced and taught art most of

My guest today is a free spirit and a fantastic sculptor named Barbara Jo Borch. Barbara’s artwork deals with the connections and contrasts between nature

My guest today is Ahn-Thuy Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American photographer, educator, and all-around fantastic human being. Through her art, Ahn-Thuy investigates her personal history as a

My guest today is Dr. Kathleen Fitzgerald, a Certified Psychoanalyst and a Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist. Kathleen has worked in the mental health field

My guest today is Dr. Jean Benedict Raffa, an author and expert in Jungian psychology. Jean has lived two lives, the second of which began

My guest today is a world traveler, lifelong surfer, and an absolute wizard with a paint brush. His name is Pete Tillack. In his early

My guest today is the amazingly articulate and incredibly insightful Dr. Susan E Schwartz. Susan is a Jungian analyst educated in Zurich, Switzerland and a

My guest today is Dr. Bryony Shaw, a clinical therapist and an expert in tending to one’s dreams. As part of her doctoral programme, Bryony

My guest today is an accomplished painter, and an amazing person, named Beth Zink. Beth didn’t begin painting professionally until her kids were grown, but

My guest today is the amazingly talented Julie Sasse, Chief Curator at the Tucson Museum of Art. Julie is a life-long lover of the arts,

My guest today is the multi-talented Kimberly Davis Basso. Kimberley is a theater director, author, mother, and stroke survivor named Kimberly Davis Basso. Kimberly spent

My guest today is a brilliant sculptor, a thoughtful human being, and a great conversationalist named Carlos Page. Carlos was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

My guest today is an actor and author named Bradley Upton. Though his career has taken him from stage to screen to keyboard, Brad always

My guest today is a master sculptor and a lovely human being named Gedion Nyanhongo. Gedion began learning the art of stone carving from his

My guest today is an amazingly hard worker with a giant heart. Her name is Tonia Tewell and she’s the Founder and Executive Director of

My guest today is Bruce Marion, a fantastic, fun loving artist, and teacher. Bruce is a contemporary impressionist painter whose work explodes with vivid color

My guest today is an amazing artist and human being named Alejandro Macias, who also goes by Alex. Alex is an Assistant Professor at the

My guest today is my amazing friend Ebbie. Ebbie and I met way back in a past life. Since those days, we’ve both been reborn

Welcome to The EXPLORER POET Podcast. In this intro episode I discuss the podcasts format, my intent to explore through conversation, the unexplored realms of