Howl in the Wilderness

On this episode I welcome author and psychologist Ian Edwards to the podcast to speak about his new book A Druid in Psychologist’s Clothing: E. Graham Howe’s Secret Druidic Doctrine, published in 2023 by Anathema.

E. Graham Howe is the epitome of the kind of renegade spirit that we celebrate on this podcast. He was born in 1896 and was one of the founding members of the famous Tavistock Clinic in London. Although Howe’s work was initially well received by the burgeoning English psychoanalytic community, he soon began to ruffle some feathers with his eclectic and non-conforming ideas that incorporated concepts derived from Eastern spiritual practice.

Howe published 12 books on a number of topics, and his writing stands out in the field for his straightforward and clear style, and conscious avoidance of psychological jargon.

Through his books and lectures E. Graham Howe influenced well-known intellectuals and fellow renegades such as R.D. Laing, Alan Watts and Henry Miller. While Howe travelled to India and studied Eastern spirituality and practice, he found a home for his ideas in the images and concepts of the ancient Druids, who he referred to as “masters of the art of living.” He outlined this druidic approach to a spiritual psychology in the posthumously published book The Mind of the Druid.

In our conversation, Ian and I speak in depth about E. Graham Howe’s life and work, his place within the psychological milieu of the early 20th century among contemporaries such as CG Jung, and how revisiting his once-radical ideas could serve to revive secular psychology that has run out of ideas by finally incorporating spirituality and metaphysics into it’s theory and practice.

Author page at Anathema: https://anathemapublishing.com/ian-c-edwards

Ian's dissertation "The Truth of Relationship: The Psychology of E. Graham Howe"
https://dsc.duq.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1534&context=etd

I've recently partnered with Better Listen — a well-established publisher of multimedia programs on psychology, spirituality and self-help since the 1990s — to offer previews of some personal favourites from their collection along with an exclusive HITW discount. I've been listening to their programs for years, which includes rare and excellent recordings from some of our most beloved elders like James Hillman, Robert Bly, Marion Woodman, Robert Johnson and John Lee.

I encourage you to check out their offerings and take advantage of our discount: HITW15 for 15% off ALL titles at https://www.betterlisten.com

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Full audio available here:https://www.betterlisten.com/products/myths-of-the-family-by-james-hillman

Description: In this challenging and entertaining audio program, internationally recognized Jungian teacher and theorist James Hillman, Ph.D., presents the themes he writes about in his well-know book, The Soul’s Code. The fantasy of the family remains the dominating theme of psychotherapy and psychotheory. In this recording, Dr. Hillman brings his critical eye, his wide eye – and often his absurd humor – to bear upon the myths that operate in our thoughts about family.

I've recently partnered with Better Listen — a well-established publisher of multimedia programs on psychology, spirituality and self-help since the 1990s — to offer previews of some personal favourites from their collection along with an exclusive HITW discount. I've been listening to their programs for years, which includes rare and excellent recordings from some of our most beloved elders like James Hillman, Robert Bly, Marion Woodman, Robert Johnson and John Lee.

I encourage you to check out their offerings and take advantage of our discount: HITW15 for 15% off ALL titles at https://www.betterlisten.com

_____

Full audio available here:
https://www.betterlisten.com/products/myths-of-the-family-by-james-hillman

Description:
In this challenging and entertaining audio program, internationally recognized Jungian teacher and theorist James Hillman, Ph.D., presents the themes he writes about in his well-know book, The Soul’s Code. The fantasy of the family remains the dominating theme of psychotherapy and psychotheory. In this recording, Dr. Hillman brings his critical eye, his wide eye – and often his absurd humor – to bear upon the myths that operate in our thoughts about family.

This is a preview of a longer episode. To listen to the full conversation and gain exclusive access the first 100 episode archive, join the pack over at patreon.com/howlinthewilderness 

Send a one time contribution to http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

Description:

On this episode I welcome author, lawyer and depth psychotherapist Benjamin Sells.

I wasn’t aware of Benjamin’s work until fairly recently, but I’m so happy to have found him. His writing on topics of soul, beauty, love and ecology resonate deeply with many of the subjects we’ve been covering on the podcast lately and I’m honoured to host him on his first podcast appearance.

Ben met and studied with two of our favourite renegade psychologists James Hillman and Thomas Moore back in the 1970s, and in his many books he both contributes to their shared legacy and offers his own unique ideas to the canon of archetypal psychology.

I don’t know how it took me so long to find Ben’s work, but I’m glad I did. If you’re interested in the work of James Hillman and Thomas Moore I highly recommend exploring Ben’s books, particularly the recent trilogy on soul, love and beauty available through Spring Publications and featuring cover artwork by Hillman’s last wife and widow Margot Maclean.

This conversation is the epitome of what I try to do here on the podcast and what I think makes it unique. It’s a deep and intimate meeting of two souls exploring topics that mean a great deal to both of us. We explore ideas around beauty, nature, aesthetics, animal intelligence, ethics and ecology. Plus Ben offers some touching anecdotes about his life and friendship with the late James Hillman.

Ben’s website: http://benjaminsells.com

Thumbnail image: Margot Maclean

Topics: james hillman, carl jung, art, aesthetics, civics, soul, beauty, love

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I wasn’t aware of Benjamin’s work until fairly recently, but I’m so happy to have found him. His writing on topics of soul, beauty, love and ecology resonate deeply with many of the subjects we’ve been covering on the podcast lately and I’m honoured to host him on his first podcast appearance.

Ben met and studied with two of our favourite renegade psychologists James Hillman and Thomas Moore back in the 1970s, and in his many books he both contributes to their shared legacy and offers his own unique ideas to the canon of archetypal psychology.

I don’t know how it took me so long to find Ben’s work, but I’m glad I did. If you’re interested in the work of James Hillman and Thomas Moore I highly recommend exploring Ben’s books, particularly the recent trilogy on soul, love and beauty available through Spring Publications and featuring cover artwork by Hillman’s last wife and widow Margot Maclean.

This conversation is the epitome of what I try to do here on the podcast and what I think makes it unique. It’s a deep and intimate meeting of two souls exploring topics that mean a great deal to both of us. We explore ideas around beauty, nature, aesthetics, animal intelligence, ethics and ecology. Plus Ben offers some touching anecdotes about his life and friendship with the late James Hillman.

Ben’s website: http://benjaminsells.com

Thumbnail art by Margot McLean (http://instagram.com/margot.mclean)

This is a preview of a longer episode. To listen to the full conversation and gain exclusive access the first 100 episode archive, join the pack over at patreon.com/howlinthewilderness 

Send a one time contribution to http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

Description:

This episode has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to speak about this topic for quite a while and have been looking for the right person to have the conversation with. When I found out that my guest today, Dylan Hoffman, has included the work of Indigenous author and activist Vine Deloria in his depth psychology courses at Pacifica Graduate Institute, I suspected that I might have finally found the right person to have this conversation with.

I wasn’t disappointed.

In the discussion that follows, you’ll hear Dylan and I address the topic of decolonizing psychology — what that means, why it’s important to recognize it and call it out, and why including Indigenous voices like Deloria into psychological training is essential to that project.

We discuss the ways Deloria both appreciated and critiqued the work of Jung, how colonization can’t be separated from Christianity, what our favourite renegade psychologist James Hillman contributes to the decolonizing project, and how a marriage of archetypal psychology and shamanic practice might just offer an authentic and effective animist spiritual practice for a post-colonial, post-Christianity west.

This was a fantastic conversation and I’m sure I’ll be speaking with Dylan again down the road. 

Works Discussed:

C.G. Jung and the Sioux Traditions: Dreams, Visions, Nature and the Primitive

https://www.amazon.com/C-G-Jung-Sioux-Traditions-Primitive/dp/1882670612

God Is Red: A Native View of Religion

https://www.amazon.com/God-Red-Native-View-Religion/dp/168275314X

Light in the Dark/Luz en lo Oscuro: Rewriting Identity, Spirituality, Reality (Latin America Otherwise)

https://www.amazon.com/Light-Dark-Luz-Oscuro-Spirituality/dp/0822360098

Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide

https://www.amazon.com/Epistemologies-South-Justice-Against-Epistemicide/dp/1612055451/

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a preview of a longer episode. To listen to the full conversation and gain exclusive access the first 100 episode archive, join the pack over at patreon.com/howlinthewilderness 

Send a one time contribution to http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

Description:

On this episode I welcome back my friend Erik Davis to talk about how the grassroots values and DIY ethos of Generation X could provide an antidote to an ailing culture that has been polluted by corporate takeover of media and the internet.

Erik Davis, PhD, is an author, award-winning journalist, and popular speaker based in San Francisco.

He’s the author of many books on technology, esotericism and American subculture but his first and best-known book is TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information, a cult classic of visionary media studies that has been translated into five languages and most recently republished by North Atlantic Press.

He hosted the podcast Expanding Mind on the Progressive Radio Network for a decade, and earned his PhD in Religious Studies from Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore and frequently hosts events at the Alembic in Berkeley California.

Erik's Links:

https://techgnosis.com

https://berkeleyalembic.org

http://burningshore.com/

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode has been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to speak about this topic for quite a while and have been looking for the right person to have the conversation with. When I found out that my guest today, Dylan Hoffman, has included the work of Indigenous author and activist Vine Deloria in his depth psychology courses at Pacifica Graduate Institute, I suspected that I might have finally found the right person to have this conversation with.

I wasn’t disappointed.

In the discussion that follows, you’ll hear Dylan and I address the topic of decolonizing psychology — what that means, why it’s important to recognize it and call it out, and why including Indigenous voices like Deloria into psychological training is essential to that project.

We discuss the ways Deloria both appreciated and critiqued the work of Jung, how colonization can’t be separated from Christianity, what our favourite renegade psychologist James Hillman contributes to the decolonizing project, and how a marriage of archetypal psychology and shamanic practice might just offer an authentic and effective animist spiritual practice for a post-colonial, post-Christianity west.

This was a fantastic conversation and I’m sure I’ll be speaking with Dylan again down the road. 

Works Discussed:

C.G. Jung and the Sioux Traditions: Dreams, Visions, Nature and the Primitive
https://www.amazon.com/C-G-Jung-Sioux-Traditions-Primitive/dp/1882670612

God Is Red: A Native View of Religion
https://www.amazon.com/God-Red-Native-View-Religion/dp/168275314X

Light in the Dark/Luz en lo Oscuro: Rewriting Identity, Spirituality, Reality (Latin America Otherwise)
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Dark-Luz-Oscuro-Spirituality/dp/0822360098

Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide
https://www.amazon.com/Epistemologies-South-Justice-Against-Epistemicide/dp/1612055451/

On this episode I welcome back my friend Erik Davis to talk about how the grassroots values and DIY ethos of Generation X could provide an antidote to an ailing culture that has been polluted by corporate takeover of media and the internet.

Erik Davis, PhD, is an author, award-winning journalist, and popular speaker based in San Francisco.

He’s the author of many books on technology, esotericism and American subculture but his first and best-known book is TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information, a cult classic of visionary media studies that has been translated into five languages and most recently republished by North Atlantic Press.

He hosted the podcast Expanding Mind on the Progressive Radio Network for a decade, and earned his PhD in Religious Studies from Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore and frequently hosts events at the Alembic in Berkeley California.

https://techgnosis.com
https://berkeleyalembic.org

This is a preview of a longer episode. To listen to the full conversation and gain exclusive access the first 100 episode archive, join the pack over at patreon.com/howlinthewilderness 

Send a one time contribution to http://paypal.me/brianjamessoul

Show Links:

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

Description:

On this episode I speak with Stephanie McKay, an educator and mentor in earth-based skills and ancestral ways, located on Gabriola Island, British Columbia.

Stephanie and I met when I attended one of her Mythology Club sessions and found that we shared a common passion for tending to old stories in a way that reveals their deeper layers of meaning.

In the first part of our conversation, we talk about her transition from working as a video artist to becoming a wilderness educator, and her 12-year participation in Martín Prechtel’s school Bolad’s Kitchen.

In the second half, we take a deep dive into the old Germanic folk tale Iron Hans, also known as Iron John, the subject of Robert Bly’s seminal 1990 book. Stephanie offers some unique insights into the historical layers of the story that are fascinating and surprising.

Even though I’ve read Bly’s book many times over the past 30 years and recently conducted an 8-week online group where we read and reflected on the story, Stephanie’s insights opened up a whole new area of inquiry for me. In the audio version of part two, I’ve included an afterword where I share some of that research.

If you have any interest in this story, or pre-Christian European culture and spiritual traditions, I highly recommend you check it out.

Listen to Part Two "A Deep Dive Into Iron John" here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hitw124-mckay-pt-92425341

Links:

Stephanie's website: http://fianna.ca

http://brianjames.ca

http://instagram.com/brianjames.soulwork

http://youtube.com/@howlinthewilderness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.