Shows
Mythic UThe Mythology of MoneyWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham discuss the beliefs about money in our culture. We look at the history of money, how various religions have dealt with wealth and wealth inequality, and provide contexts for our listeners to examine their own beliefs about money and material success.9 Gods and Goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity from World Mythology - The Scribbling Geek blogHistory of Usury: The Transition of Usury Through Ancient Greece, the Rise of Christianity and...
2025-10-3048 minMythic UTorture CultureWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us as we discuss the concept of "torture culture," exploring why humans inflict pain on each other and themselves. From schadenfreude and laughing at friends falling down to the banality of evil, we take a look at where the human capacity to do harm (and enjoy it!) comes from. We explore the division in America and the competing mythologies of our nation and the importance of facing ourselves and our personal pain. The discussion concludes with a reflection on the role of stories...
2025-09-2342 minMythic UWomen Who Run with the WolvesWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us as we discuss Clarissa Pinkola Estes' "Women Who Run with the Wolves," emphasizing its depth in Jungian psychology and storytelling. We explore the feminine perspective in myths, using Baba Yaga as an example of a reinterpreted heroine. The conversation delves into the historical and cultural significance of wildness and civilization, especially the differences in how Wild Men of myth are treated versus Wild Women. We discuss the societal pressures on women and men, the importance of transgressing social norms, and the psychological...
2025-08-1742 minMythic UMyth and Modernism: Where'd Comparative Mythology Come from Anyway?We'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the origins of the field of comparative mythology, from Frazier's Golden Bough to post-modernist critiques of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. We explore how modernist and post-modernist ideas have impacted the study of the world's religions, mythologies and philosophies and what it means for spiritual seekers in the West today as we try to avoid the colonialist mistakes of the past.SHOW NOTESThe Golden Bough: A Study of Magic...
2025-07-0751 minMythic USnakes and SerpentsWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the mythological significance of snakes, and their dual symbolism of life and death. We explore various cultural perspectives, including Chinese mythology where snakes represent power and transformation, and Hindu mythology where snakes are both protective and deceptive. The conversation also delves into the historical and symbolic use of snakes in medicine, such as the Caduceus and the rod of Asclepius. We highlight the snake's role in ancient myths, from the Minoan Snake Goddess to...
2025-05-1953 minMythic UArtificial Intelligence and the SoulWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Artificial Intelligence is everywhere now, available for your use and possibly coming for your job! Karen and Erin discuss the hefty moral implications of AI for humans - and for the artificial intelligence itself. The discussion ranges from AI art in competitions to the Church of AI to (of course) Star Trek, the Borg, and Commander Data (with a little Star Wars thrown in for good measure).SHOW NOTESWhat Isaac Asimov Can Teach Us About AI...
2025-04-1547 min
Walk With Jesus®Get to Know Grace BombThe Walk With Jesus® Easter Text Experience is happening Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (4/13 - 4/20)! We’re thrilled to partner with Grace Bomb this year and introduce you to them.Join Brighter Media Group’s Digital Director, Erin Branham, as she sits down with Grace Bomb founder Pat Linnell to chat about this simple yet powerful way to share the love and kindness of Jesus, plus how you can start “grace bombing” the people around you.Visit gracebomb.org to learn more. Let’s make hope louder together!_______________________________The Walk With Jesus® Podca...
2025-03-2606 minMythic UStories & Recovery: An Interview with Shannon GauldingWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Erin Branham and Karen Foglesong interview Shannon Gaulding, a film and television producer, about her personal mythology. Shannon discusses the importance of self-created stories in defining one's identity and the role of mythology in entertainment. She shares her journey from a chaotic family background to finding self-love and spiritual growth through the 12-step program. Shannon emphasizes the need for self-awareness, acceptance, and action in shaping one's life narrative. She also highlights the significance of community and spiritual practices in overcoming personal challenges and creating...
2025-02-1247 minMythic UConspiracy Theories as Mythic StoriesWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Welcome to a discussion about the nature of conspiracy theories, looking at their symbolic and mythic roots. What are conspiracy theories and why do people believe them? What do conspiracy theories have to do with personal mythology? The conversation delves into the motivations behind belief in conspiracy theories, and the history of conspiracy theories. The discussion also touches on the psychological impact of conspiracy theories and the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's personal stories.SHOW NOTESThe Search f...
2025-01-0343 minMythic UDivining Yourself: Divination and Personal MytholgyWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us as we discuss divination and its role in illuminating life's hidden significance and personal challenges. We explore divination's historical context, noting its ancient origins and modern relevance. Then we go deep on astrology, Myers-Briggs, and tarot, highlighting their Jungian origins and how they use symbolic archetypes. We also touch on modern augury, sharing personal experiences with animal omens and radio songs as divinatory tools. Does divination tell the future? Probably not - but does it tell us a lot about ourselves? Definitely!
2024-11-171h 03Mythic USocial Myths: Progress & the Golden AgeWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us as we discuss a couple of fundamental social myths of Western culture: the ideas of progress and the Golden Age. We take a look at the historical sources of these myths and how they ripple through our culture today. We explore the complexities of time and progress, looking to challenge the linear mythology that underpins Western culture and offer insights from various cultures and perspectives to broaden our understanding.SHOW NOTESWikipedia references if you want to know more:
2024-09-1649 minMythic UAffectionate Anarchy: The Mythology of the MuppetsWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us for a fun romp through the Magic Store and the works of the genius artist of play, Jim Henson. Puppets were dismissed as mere children's entertainment until Jim Henson took the art form to unforeseen levels with the affectionate anarchy of the Muppets. We explore Henson's philosophy of difference, creativity and play!SHOW NOTESThe Henson CompanyJim Henson: Idea Man now on Disney +How Muppets Creator Jim Henson Changed Puppetry - NPR articleThe World...
2024-08-0250 minMythic UDeep Dive: Demeter and DionysusWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.We take a deep dive into the fluidity of myth across place and time using Demeter and Dionysus as examples. While lesser known in our age, these two powerful gods once had thousands upon thousands of worshippers across the ancient Mediterranean. We explore their varied cults and the diverse versions of their myths.We want to hear from you! Please rate and review us wherever you find this podcast. Join our Patreon: patreon.com/yourmythicu
2024-04-1946 minMythic UThe Greek & Roman PantheonWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us for a deep dive into the Greek and Roman pantheons. We look at the Classical Gods as archetypes and discuss how they have come down to us as literature versus how they were worshipped and thought about in the ancient world.SHOW NOTESTheoi.com - excellent resource on the original written and visual works of the Greek PantheonU Penn comparison of Greek and Roman gods chart
2024-03-141h 03Mythic UThe Mythology of YouWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Whether you know it or not, you already have a personal mythology. It is made up of stories - stories of your place of birth, your family, your religion or spirituality (or lack thereof), your own lived experiences. Examining these tales can teach you a lot about yourself - and give you the agency to realign your stories to more fully reflect the you that you want to be.Human Beings are Wired for Story: Here's Why - ForbesThe Neuropsychological...
2023-12-1857 minMythic UModern Mythic Tales: Bull DurhamWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Join us for our first Modern Mythic Tales, where we look at contemporary works of art for their mythic and symbolic meaning. Today's Modern Mythic Tale is Bull Durham, a movie about America's other favorite pastime (SEX!). Released in 1988 and enjoying its 35th anniversary this year, Bull Durham was voted the best sports movie of all time by Sports Illustrated - but like most sports movies, it's about life more than it's about baseball, specifically a life where the main characters have constructed their...
2023-11-1144 minMythic UDreamsWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Dreams speak in the language of mythology - symbols. Join us to learn how your dreams are your unconscious mind speaking to your conscious mind, how to interpret dreams in the Jungian fashion to illuminate the most powerful symbols in your own psyche.The Red Book of Carl C. Jung: It’s Origins and Influences - Library of CongressCarl Jung and the Psychology of Dreams - Messages from the Unconscious - Academy of...
2023-10-0441 minMythic UShadows and MonstersWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.What horrors lurk in our own psyches? Each of us carries an Ego - and our Shadow. Join us as we discuss what the Shadow is, how it operates in each of us, in groups, and in society at large - from the Satanic Panic to Aliens and Darth Vader.Embracing the Shadow: Carl Jung - Orion PhilosophyCarl Jung and the Shadow: The Ultimate Guide to the Human Dark Side - High...
2023-08-1555 minMythic UPop Goes MythologyWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.We live in the God gap, when old mythologies are breaking down for many, and new mythologies have yet to emerge. Humans need mythology so much, though, that we'll get quite creative in making things work as mythology - even movies, tv, and book series! This episode we take a look at how participation in fandom meets the needs of some people's souls.SNL Get a Life skit - William Shatner's famous 1986 Saturday Night Live skit of a...
2023-07-0641 minMythic UArchetypesWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Symbols speak straight to the unconscious part of our mind and some of the most powerful symbols we deem to be Archetypes. In this episode we explore the many definitions and uses of Archetypes, from psychology to advertising, and how they are related to the quest for wholeness.Carl Jung’s Archetypes - a brief overview of Jung’s theory of the mind and its four core ArchetypesArchetypes in Literature - a quick overview of Archetypes in l...
2023-06-2958 minMythic UThe Needs of the SoulWe'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.The renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell described 4 functions of mythology - here we describe each function and flip them to examine how mythologies meet the needs of our souls. In conversation we consider how institutional mythologies such as organized religions may or may not still be successful in meeting our soul's needs and how choreographing our own spiritualities may do a better job.Show Notes and LinksThe Hero With A Thousand Faces - Joseph Campbell’s most fa...
2023-06-0940 minMythic UThe Needs of the SoulThe renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell described 4 functions of mythology - here we describe each function and flip them to examine how mythologies meet the needs of our souls. In conversation we consider how institutional mythologies such as organized religions may or may not still be successful in meeting our soul's needs and how choreographing our own spiritualities may do a better job.
2023-05-0843 min
Long Story ShortHope Inspires a New DreamErin still gets emotional remembering the moment she knew her dream was over…that it would not happen the way she thought it would. It was a loss that Erin Branham needed to grieve.In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a new dream that eventually emerged for Erin, but not before she walked through a difficult season of unrealized expectations.Erin Branham is part of a BRIGHT-FM team that makes hope loud for others. This is also something she needs as well. We all do.“Those who hope in the...
2023-05-0224 min
Long Story ShortHope Inspires a New DreamErin still gets emotional remembering the moment she knew her dream was over…that it would not happen the way she thought it would. It was a loss that Erin Branham needed to grieve.In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a new dream that eventually emerged for Erin, but not before she walked through a difficult season of unrealized expectations.Erin Branham is part of a BRIGHT-FM team that makes hope loud for others. This is also something she needs as well. We all do.“Those who hope in the...
2023-05-0224 minMythic UWhy are You Mythic?We'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us a text.Welcome to Mythic U! In our first episode we define mythology as deeply meaningful stories and ask: what does it have to do with you? Each of us lives in a web of myths - spiritual & religious stories, family stories, national stories, historical stories. Our stories are our beliefs are our myths are our identities. Topics covered include Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth, Carl Jung, the consciousness of plants and growing up in the Bible Belt, as we explore core concepts of thinking...
2023-04-2639 min
Your Day Brighter®Loving Your Single Life When You Don't Like It (Part 1)Join me for a lively conversation with two of my favorite women on the planet, my friends Erin Branham and Christina James, as we talk about being single and how they REALLY feel about it. We’ll glean from their wisdom, candor, and humor as we ponder what God might be up to in the lives of people who are single and asking God all the questions, like, “why?” and “how long?” So much good stuff here and it doesn’t get more real than we get. If you’re single, I know it will encourage you, a...
2022-03-1644 min
First BiteCommunity Engagement for Caregivers with Megan Branham
Guest: Megan Branham, LMSW - In this episode, Michelle is joined by her favorite child advocate and social worker, Megan Branham LMSW, to discuss a topic near to both their hearts, that is, community support for caregivers. If our caregivers are in crisis or even in a time of need, they cannot be fully present and engaged in speech therapy for the little ones we are called to serve. So, where does that leave us? What can we do? Megan and Michelle spend this precious hour discussing strategies for holding a crucial conversation to determine what needs are at...
2022-02-231h 05
Get Cozy: Life in Your 20sin the midst of a severe, toxic friendship with Kendra BranhamMy first podcast with a guest! This was so fun and Kendra is awesome
2021-12-0749 minFirst BiteChildhood ACEs and the SLP with Megan Branham
Guest: Megan Branham, LMSW - In the past thirty years, our knowledge of trauma and its effects have progressed significantly, but there is still plenty of research that needs to be done to further deepen our understanding. In today’s episode of First Bite, we get together with Megan Branham to discuss adverse childhood experiences, known as ACEs. We unpack how our knowledge of trauma is integrated into the field of SLPs, pediatrics, specialists, and social workers and the many challenges inherent to that mission. Megan holds a Master's in Social Work and is a graduate of the Annie E...
2021-08-181h 05
Well Seasoned The PodcastWhen Design and Messaging MeetStaceyann and Patrick are joined by Erin Branham, Founder and President of A2 Events to discuss when event design and event messaging meet and come to life.Learn more about A2 Events at a2.events.Rate and subscribe wherever you are listening!Email us your questions and event stories to be featured on the show.wellseasonededucation@gmail.com
2021-02-1856 min
I Can Relate PodcastS2E19: Facing the Giants of Fear, Anxiety and Depression with Erin BranhamHey Friends,Thank you so much for taking a moment to listen today! I am honored to have as my guest on the podcast, Erin Branham. She is the Marketing and Promotions Director for 95.1 SHINE-FM and is an incredible inspiration to me and many others. Today on the podcast, she talks about her story of fear, anxiety, and depression and how painful it was to go through this difficult time. You will be encouraged as she shares what she learned through this experience and how you can help others who are facing these giants. If this episode encouraged...
2020-10-2727 min