Myth, creativity, consciousness
podcast links and other news
Our notion of “self” is one of the deep and enduring mysteries of human existence. The concept of self is both obvious and unfathomable, the meanings elusive and diverse. It can range from the concrete “me” to the illusory– … Continued
What is animism? Anthropomorphism? How are they different, and why might these ideas matter to you? My friend and colleague Rohini Walker recently invited me to talk with her about these questions. Our conversation was recorded as the … Continued
Birds have a unique place in our cultural imagination. Observing their habits, our ancestors learned about home building, foraging, and partnership. Their presence inspired our earliest art forms and culture. Today birds still teach us about sorrow and death, … Continued
“The spirit wanders, comes here now, now here, and occupies whatever frame it pleases. From beasts it passes into human bodies, and from our bodies into beasts, but never perishes.”–Joseph Campbell Animals have a significant presence in our mythologies. … Continued
Fables are probably the best known and most widely used stories in our mythological traditions. These are simple stories that frequently include animal characters. What is their appeal? Do they offer us more than a laugh? In this episode … Continued
This is our second and final podcast in celebration of National Poetry month. I devote the April episodes to National Poetry month, to honor and recognize the shared origins of poetry, myth, and song. I also want to share … Continued