Mythic U

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Join us as we discuss Lord Ganesha, a popular Hindu deity known for his role in removing obstacles. We explore the history and diverse myths of Ganesha's origins, his widespread worship across Asia, and his significance in Hinduism. Ganesha's stories, including his birth, his battle with Shiva, and his broken tusk, are examined for their symbolic meanings. We al...

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Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the quote by Francis Weller, "The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them." We explore the balance between grief and gratitude, and how grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, enabling compassion. We take a look at how modern socie...

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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 Scribb...

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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 an...

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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...

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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 seek...

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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 histor...

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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...

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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 ...

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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 a...

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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 augur...

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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 var...

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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 NOTES
The Henson C...

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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.

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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 NOTES

Theoi.com - excellent resource on the original written and visual works of the Greek Pantheon

U Penn comparison of...

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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.<...

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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 -...

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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 Congress

Carl Jung and the Psychology of Dr...

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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 Philosophy

Carl Jung and the Shadow: The Ultimate Guide to the Human Dark Side - Hig...