Shows
GatheringsUnveiling the Books That Captured our Attention in 2024Join 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. H...
2025-01-1744 minGatheringsEpisode 21 | Venus, Inanna and Modern PerspectivesUncover 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 b...
2024-02-1345 minGatheringsEpisode 20 | The Healing JourneyIn 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
2024-01-1752 minGatheringsEpisode 20 | The Healing JourneyIn 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
2024-01-1752 minGatheringsEpisode 19 | Ways of Seeing | Conversation with Geneviève CaronIn 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 wo...
2023-12-1347 minGatheringsEpisode 18 | Is Doing Inner Work enough to Change Things?Béa and Jay wrestle with the question of whether doing inner work is enough to change things in the external world as well. Does doing shadow work and wrestling with our inner demons rid the world sufficiently of the burdens we place on others---or do we have a duty to address the social problems of the day as well? If so, how does doing inner work help us in that regard? Books explored include those written by Keiron Le Grice, Richard Rohr, Dale Mathers, Herbert Barks, Robert A. Johnson and more. Musical artist Jay is listening to is P...
2023-11-061h 03GatheringsEpisode 17 | The Limits of Rational ThoughtIn this episode, we discuss Jeffrey Kripal's book, “The Flip” which is an exploration of what happens to people who have an experience that is life transforming but which cannot be explained in rational terms. Other thinkers mentioned include Bernardo Kastrup [More than Allegory] and Rupert Sheldrake [Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home]. Jay also talks about the song, Rain and Gold, from his album "Harvesting James".
2023-10-0759 minGatheringsEpisode 16 | Landscape and Typology, Jung in LoveIn this episode we explore how landscape might map onto Jung's typological system. What do the landscapes that attract us say about our typological orientation? We also discuss Lance Owen's book, "Jung in Love" and the Jeff Buckley biography, "Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley" by David Browne. The song in this episode is from Jay's album, Harvesting James, "In the Summertime."
2023-09-2544 minGatheringsEpisode 15| The Problem with the Word ”Spiritual”Jay and Béa are back after a summer break to discuss some of the issues they have with the way the word "spiritual" is used. What does the word mean? How can we approach what it encompasses? We also discuss how the word drifts into a subject that keeps showing up---UFOs and the search for intelligent life in the universe. Is this part of an age old phenomenon appearing in a new guise? Books mentioned include "American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology" by DW Pasulka and "The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life" by Thomas Moore. The song in this episode i...
2023-08-251h 07
The Explorer Poet PodcastE42: Jay RedelspergerMy 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. .In our conversation we discussed music and its unique way of tapping into our subconscious, masculine and feminine, how they play essential parts in the cr...
2023-08-2259 minGatheringsEpisode14 | The Anti-hero
We are back after a brief hiatus with an exploration of the "anti-hero". We discuss how the film industry has changed its portrayal of the figure of the anti-hero--from "Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Godfather" to "The Sopranos" and "Succession". We also look at how this has been explored in literature [Lazarillo de Tormes, The Idiot, Catcher in the Rye] and in music [the rock and roll mythos and how it connects to Lord Byron.] Is the anti-hero something we relate to because we are attempting to outrun our shadows?
The music featured in this episode is Jay's newly recorded s...
2023-07-1042 minGatheringsEpisode 13 | The Wizard of Oz and other talesJay wanted to talk about "The Wizard of Oz" and so we did. This led us into a discussion about the importance of fairy tales and to my book recommendations for the month which are all by Marie-Louise von Franz. Begin with "The Interpretation of Fairy Tales" and then read all of her other books that deal with these stories. She was a great master in understanding their psychological importance. On the music side, Jay did not come up with any songs to match our conversation but I have one---his song, "Lead me to Gardens". It was featured in t...
2023-06-0241 minGatheringsEpisode 12 | Dreams and Dream InterpretationIn this episode, Béa and Jay explore the subject of dreams and how to approach them. The books mentioned include: "The Way of the Dream", Marie-Louise von Franz; "Dreams", CG Jung [Bollingen]; "Inner Work", Robert A. Johnson. The song featured in this episode is a new release by Jay---"Lead me to Gardens". You can find it on all music distribution platforms and on YouTube here:
Lead Me To Gardens - YouTube
2023-05-1147 min
The Explorer Poet PodcastE34: Béa Gonzalez; Sophia CyclesMy 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 t...
2023-05-021h 08GatheringsEpisode 11 | MysteryBooks discussed in this episode: The Gnostic Gospels, Elaine Pagels; The Gnostic Jung, Stephan Hoeller; Answer to Job, CG Jung. Music: Sigur Rós, Björk, Radiohead. Béa laments the burning of the library at Alexandria and Jay explores the notion of mystery and how it applies to music. Song: This 'Ol World from Jay's album, Harvesting James. You can find Jay's music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and all other music distribution services.
2023-04-1443 minGatheringsEpisode 10 | Visit to the UnderworldIn this episode, Béa and Jay explore the concept of the descent through the book recommended: The Descent of the Goddess by Sylvia Brinton Perera. Is the descent necessary? What does it entail? What does a descent look like when you choose to go willingly?
2023-03-2853 minGatheringsGatherings Episode 9 |Books and Music you Need in your LifeIn this episode, Béa and Jay discuss what they love the most--books and music. Both make recommendations for books/music you must read/listen to and why; books/music they are currently reading and listening to; and how this is all translating creatively. Themes that come up are: shadow work, the Apollonian and the Dionysian in music and how a book can change the course of your life. The song used in this episode is "The Gathering" from Jay's new [as yet untitled] album.
Links from the Episode
abebooks.com [used books]
Books Recommendations:
Meeting the Shadow, Connie Zweig
Pedro...
2023-03-1355 minGatheringsGatherings Episode 9 |Books and Music you Need in your LifeIn this episode, Béa and Jay discuss what they love the most--books and music. Both make recommendations for books/music you must read/listen to and why; books/music they are currently reading and listening to; and how this is all translating creatively. Themes that come up are: shadow work, the Apollonian and the Dionysian in music and how a book can change the course of your life. The song used in this episode is "The Gathering" from Jay's new [as yet untitled] album.
Links from the Episode
abebooks.com [used books]
Books Recommendations:
Meeting the Shadow, Connie Zweig
Pedro...
2023-03-1355 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 8 | The Sophia JourneyIn 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 Jam...
2023-02-2859 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 7 | Art and the UnconsciousIn 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...
2023-02-1454 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 7 | Art and the UnconsciousIn 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...
2023-02-1454 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 6 | The Path of IndividuationBéa 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...
2023-01-2459 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 6 | The Path of IndividuationBéa 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...
2023-01-2459 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 5 | Examining the ShadowBéa 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; T...
2023-01-1659 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 5 | Examining the ShadowBéa 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; T...
2023-01-1659 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 4 | Decoding the Mysteries of Romantic LoveIn 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...
2023-01-031h 00GatheringsGatherings | Episode 3 | The Triumph of ImaginationBéa 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 Sp...
2022-12-201h 02GatheringsGatherings | Episode 2 | Killing the ParentsJay 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 mus...
2022-12-0652 minGatheringsGatherings | Episode 1 | IntroductionsBéa 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.
2022-11-2957 min