In this episode of Gatherings, we welcome writer and mythic guide Carly Mountain, author of Descent and Rising. Together, we explore the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna, a powerful narrative of descent, embodiment, and feminine transformation.

Carly shares how the myth mirrored her own personal journey and why it continues to speak to modern women facing burnout, identity shifts, or creative rebirth. We explore the myth’s cultural resurgence, its symbolic contrast to artificial intelligence, and its call to reclaim erotic intelligence, surrender, and embodied wisdom. Carly reframes surrender not as weakness but as the courage to meet what’s real—and sees descent not as failure, but as the doorway to collective healing.

For those navigating inner thresholds, this episode may serve as both map and medicine.

For more information about Carly’s book and workshops: Writer, Psychotherapist and Women's Initiatory Guide.

In this episode, Béa sits down with author and depth psychologist Connie Zweig to explore what it really means to “romance the shadow.” We speak about the lifelong task of making the unconscious conscious, the myths that still live in us, and how shadow work becomes even more essential as we age.

Drawing from her decades of writing and teaching—from Meeting the Shadow to The Inner Work of Age—Connie offers insight into how the parts we reject hold the keys to our vitality, our creativity, and even our spiritual growth.

This is a conversation about memory, myth, inner figures, and the radical courage it takes to turn toward what we’ve exiled within.

Connie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired Jungian therapist and author of Meeting the Shadow (A New Edition is now available) and Romancing the Shadow (A New Edition is now available). Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends Shadow-work into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. Her book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, extends shadow-work into religion and spirituality. Her new PODCAST, Dr. Neil’s Spiritual Awakening to Non-Duality, posts on all podcast platforms. See her new SUBSTACK for livestreams and new writing: https://www.shadowworkawareness.com/about.

In this episode, we explore the creative process. Is it limited to the material work we produce, or is the true creative path the inner work we do as part of the individuation journey? What kinds of conversations should we be having? How does dream work factor into the process? And does an artist need to reveal something meaningful to the collective for their work to be considered art?

Books mentioned in this episode: 

 The Creative Act: A Way of Being (Rick Rubin) 

The Archetypal Artist: Reimagining Creativity and the Call to Create (Mary Antonia Wood) 

Carl Jung and Arnold Toynbee: The Social Meaning of Inner Work (J. Gary Sparks) 

Quote from Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver: 

"And that is just the point: how the world, moist and bountiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That's the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. 'Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?'" 

Do you ever feel like something's off with the way we think as a society? In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Iain McGilchrist, who argues that an imbalance in our brains, favoring the left hemisphere's focus on control, could be leading us down a dangerous path. The discussion delves into how McGilchrist's theories connect with Jungian psychology and the importance of a holistic view of things. Tune in to learn more about this fascinating perspective! 

Show notes:

Books mentioned

The Master and His Emissary (McGilchrist)

The Matter With Things (McGilchrist)

The Dream of the Cosmos: A Quest for the Soul (Anne Baring)

Addiction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride (Marion Woodman)

Podcast episodes mentioned

Understanding The Matter with Things Dialogues Episode 28: Ch 28 The sense of the sacred

A Revolution in Thought? Lecture by Dr. Ian McGilchrist

This episode takes a deep dive into the writings and influence of Jungian analyst James Hollis. We focus on four essential books to get you started: The Eden Project, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life, Under Saturn’s Shadow, and Swamplands of the Soul. Through these works, we examine powerful themes such as taking responsibility for our lives, embracing individuation, understanding relationship dynamics beyond romance, confronting the struggles men face in expressing emotions, and learning to navigate life’s darker, swampy moments. We also reflect on how Hollis’ ideas have shaped our personal journeys. Tune in as we explore the mind of one of the wisest thinkers of our time—and find out which of his books might resonate most with you.

Join 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.

For information on the SophiaCycles project: www.sophiacycles.com

Bea will be teaching a month-long course at the Jung Archademy on “The Archetypal Venus”. You can find information here: The Archetypal Venus LIVE-VIDEO SEMINAR SERIES with Béa Gonzalez, M.A. — JUNG Archademy

00:00 Introduction to Gatherings Podcast

00:39 Hosts' Personal Book Habits

03:03 First Book Highlight: Stepping Out of the Shadows

05:33 Exploring the Medial Woman Archetype

10:51 Second Book Highlight: Searching for Venus

14:14 Fantasy Romance Genre Insights

16:35 Third Book Highlight: The Shepard Duology

17:52 Impact of Fiction on Personal Growth

23:09 Personal Reflections and Career Doubts

24:03 The Power of Stories and Rituals

25:49 The Heroine's Journey and Self-Discovery

27:34 Exploring Jungian Concepts and Guides

31:54 Book Recommendations and Synchronicity

34:11 Alchemy and Symbolism

39:11 Historical Insights and Intellectual Movements

42:27 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

Uncover the Journey of the Feminine Archetype through Time

In 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

In 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 work on his new album, but we still get to listen to some of his gorgeous music! The song used in this episode is "In the Summertime" from his album, Harvesting James. Jay's music can be found all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify, Google and more.

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 Patti Smith.

The song used in this episode is Jay's "Lead me to Gardens" recorded this year.