Blue Medicine Journal : A Jungian Podcast

Join us in conversation with renowned songstress and author, Adele Bertei, as we weave our way through the life and times of Sinead O'Connor, courage in the name of justice, and the healing power of song. Adele is an anti-disciplinary author, director, performer, and composer currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of Peter and the Wolves (Smog Veil, 2020), Why Labelle Matters (University of Texas Press, 2021), Twist: Tales of a Queer Girlhood (ZE Books, 2023), and Universal Mother (Bloomsbury 33 1/3, 2025).   Bertei was an original member of the critically lauded Contortions, produced by Brian Eno on the seminal No New York LP. Reading prose and poetry, she opened for writers such as William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Kathy Acker among many others. Bertei acted in several underground films, including a lead role in Born In Flames by Lizzie Borden.   Bertei was lead singer in the Bloods –America's first openly queer band of women, and has performed and recorded as a backing vocalist and touring vocalist for artists such as Tears for Fears, Thomas Dolby, Culture Club, Whitney Houston, Sandra Bernhard and Sophie B. Hawkins among many others.   New York City's Museum of Modern Art recently acquired films of Bertei reading her poem The Ragazzi Manifesto in 1978, and The Offenders by Scott and Beth B., where Bertei plays the lead.   She has created and facilitated songwriting workshops for homeless youth at My Friend's Place in Hollywood, and as a member of Wayne Kramer's Jail Guitar Doors, teaching songwriting to the incarcerated at the Twin Towers facility in downtown LA, and at Century Women's Regional Center at Lynwood, the largest women's jail in the nation.   Her next book, No New York: A Memoir of No Wave and the Women Who Shaped the Scene, will be released in early 2026 by Faber & Faber UK.   Thanks to my producer and editor, Lucas Bakker @Iamlucasbakker- whose original music and soundtrack weave the Blue Medicine Journal podcast all together!  

Join us today as we consider theater as an archetypal quest, the magical realism of Pedro Paramo, and the shadow. In conversation with actor, Michael Moret; about his studies with John Coppola, the renowned acting coach, who teaches acting as an archetypal quest, and path to wholeness; not therapy, but therapeutic. And we turn to Pedro Paramo, for a brief intro to this quintessentially Mexican classic by Juan Rulfo, written in 1955 and giving birth to magical realism as a literary genre. 

Join us today, as we consider the role of imagination in this dark night of the soul. We revisit the Aztec Legend of the Five Suns, as we find ourselves "entangled in myth," in this kairos and opportune moment~ for a change of worldview.  Thanks, as ever, to the Tonantzin Society, for their generous donation, making scholarships available for Chicanx & Latinx communities, and to my producer and editor, Lucas Bakker, the backstage wizard for his original soundtrack and music.

Join us today for my reflections & journal snippets on the LA Firestorms, the Aztec Legend of the Five Suns, and a missive from the last Aztec king, from 500 years ago. Thanks to my producer, editor, Lucas Bakker, whose music and wizardry makes this podcast happen!  

Join us in rich conversation with Kelly Carlin McCall, and enjoy 50% off her forthcoming workshop on Winter Solstice: "Gather the Gifts." Link below! Kelly is an author, storyteller, depth psychologist, podcaster, transformational coach and television producer. Her 20+ years of study and practice in Zen Buddhism, Co-Active Coaching and Imaginal Psychology are the foundation for her creative work and for her transformational programs through her Humans on the Verge community. Her solo show, A Carlin Home Companion, was published as a memoir by St. Martin's Press in 2015. And in 2023, she won an Emmy as executive producer of the HBO documentary, George Carlin's American Dream. Thanks as ever to my producer, editor & composer of original music played on podcast @iamlucakker  https://humans-on-the-verge.mn.co/plans/1476018?bundle_token=de78a523493c00e5210848095a93fd51&utm_source=manual  

Join me in conversation with the vibrant Gloria Westcott and Grace Amemiya, directors and producers of the film "Art as Activism," celebrating 50+ years of Self Help Graphics, its vision & groundbreaking contributions to community.   About the Film: Art as Activism chronicles the evolving legacy of Self Help Graphics & Art, an East Los Angeles grassroots arts organization founded in 1972 by Sister Karen Boccalero, a Franciscan nun. Through a collection of first-hand interviews with prominent Chicano/Latino, multi-ethnic, and LGBTQ+ artists and community members, the film examines Sister Karen's powerful vision and contribution, showcases rare archival footage, first-hand histories and highlights the creativity.   email address: production@artasactivism.net   website: artasactivism.net  

"Tell me, what are you carrying in your medicine basket?" a question from today's podcast?  Today's episode is a sneak peek into "Blue Dreams Café: A online gathering place for "dream tending," Jungian depth psychology & ritual art."  The theme of our first Café: "Gathering Our Medicine Baskets in the kairos," is based on a dream. I share the dream, give a brief introduction to dream trending, and the kairos, as Jung called this extraordinary moment in history, and crossroads for humanity! The Blue Dreams Café starts Thursday, November 21st, 4-5;30 pm PST and convenes every new moon of the month! To join, email me for details at bluemedicine55@gmail.com $26.00 donation

“Converse with everything!” Join me in conversation with Dr. Craig Chalquist, Ph.D., Ph.D. Dr. Chalquist is the program director of Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation at National University. A passionate educator and storyteller, he presents and teaches at the intersection of psyche, story, nature, reenchantment, and imagination through courses on depth psychology, applied folklore, ecotherapy, and terrapsychology, the study of how the things of the world get into our hearts and live there: "Converse with everything!” To read The Tales of Terranea and other work, visit Chalquist.com.   

"Astrology is a tool that measures the kairos– re-ensouling the world." -Laurence Hillman, PhD This month I am happy to welcome back the brilliant and warm, Dr. Laurence Hillman, archetypal astrologer, co-founder of Archetypes at Work, and author. In this episode we discuss the "rise of the feminine," re-ensouling the world, and his upcoming  course: "Practical Archetypal Astrology Part 1: A Deep Dive For Beginners," starting Fall Equinox, September 21st. (see link below!) Join us! practical-archetypal-astrology-part-i-a-deep-dive-for-beginners  

I am thrilled to celebrate Pride month with today's guest, the Mystical millennial, Gregory Ganymedes (“ga-ni-MEE-deez”) (he/him)! Greg is the gaydreamer behind The Ganymede Project: an exploration of the queer masculine psyche through depth psychology, archetype, spirituality, and myth. Driven by the desire for more, more, MORE queer-centered psychological content, Gregory has carved out a slice of the internet dedicated to featuring imagery and quotations which appeal to queer psyche. A lifelong dreamer and seasoned Jungian analysand, he hosts a bimonthly Queer Men's Virtual Dream Circle open to GBTQ dreamers who identify as male at least partially. He also finds amusement in writing essays in which he applies a queer Jungian perspective to various psychological and secular subjects of whimsy. He is—in order of importance—a devoted husband and father, a conservatory-trained oboist, and administrative professional. Join us for an animated journey into the blue realms of soul! Thanks to Lucas Bakker: Producer/editor/musican/composer-backstage wizard! See promised links below Greg's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theganymedeproject/   Greg's website: https://theganymedeproject.wordpress.com/   Books I quoted from today:   Myths and Mysteries of Same-Sex Love by Christine Downing. https://g.co/kgs/zhV63cQ   Men in Love: Male Homosexualities from Ganymede to Batman by Vittorio Lingiardi. https://g.co/kgs/b18GzNs   Two Hearts Dancing: A Spiritual Journeybook for Gay Men by Andrew (Eli) Ramer. https://g.co/kgs/vwp5tp  

Join us for a lively conversation with B. Earl (the B stand for Ben!)  In this episode, we delve into the world of Marvel Comic Books, the primordial sources from which they spring, the myth-making process, Tarot, synchronicity, and the magic between frames! Ben is an American comic book writer and filmmaker who lives in Los Angeles. He has been working with Marvel Entertainment since 2017, writing MASTERS OF THE SUN, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, GHOST RIDER: KUSHALA, DEADLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN and most recently DAREDEVIL AND ECHO. He also contributed to the special MARVEL #1000 anthology. Ben is currently writing a graphic novel for the video game PLANETQUEST. When not writing comic books, Ben has a multi-project deal with Gaumont Entertainment along with his creative partner, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas. They are currently developing several scripted and animated series with the studio. B.Earl is also a well-known voice in the web3/metaverse space, speaking on digital collectibles and storytelling. He recently oversaw the web3 strategy for the high-end collectible company Sideshow, where he focused on bridging the gap between digital and physical. Currently he is consulting with the AI creative company, Lore Machine, where they recently did a comic book for the HP Omen gaming system. For more- check out his website! https://iambearl.com/   Thanks-as ever- to Lucas Bakker, my producer, editor, and the musician who provides the glorious soundtrack for Blue Medicine Journal!    

Join me in welcoming Hélène Cardona, poet, actor, translator, dream analyst, and linguist. Today's episode is a conversation and a beautiful reading from her Life in Suspension (Salmon Poetry), “a vivid self-portrait as scholar, seer and muse” as John Ashbery, tells us. Cardona is author of Dreaming My Animal Selves (Salmon Poetry), described by David Mason as “liminal, mystical and other-worldly,” adding, “this is a poet who writes in a rare light.” Hailed as visionary by Richard Wilbur, Cardona's luminous poetry explores consciousness, the power of place,and ancestral roots. It is poetry of alchemy and healing, a gateway to the unconscious and the dream world. For today's podcast, we look at Life In Suspension, but she has promised to be back and we will enjoy her reading from Dreaming My Animal Selves. Hélène has authored the translations The Abduction (Maram Al-Masri, White Pine Press), Birnam Wood (José Manuel Cardona, Salmon Poetry), Beyond Elsewhere (Gabriel Arnou-Laujeac, White Pine Press), Ce que nous portons (Dorianne Laux, Éditions du Cygne), and Walt Whitman's Civil War Writings (University of Iowa). She is the recipient of over 20 awards & honors, including the Independent Press Award, a Hemingway Grant and an Albertine and FACE Foundation Prize. Her work has been translated into 19 languages. She wrote her thesis on Henry James for her MA in American Literature from the Sorbonne, received fellowships from the Goethe-Institut and Universidad Internacional de Andalucía, worked as a translator/interpreter for the Canadian Embassy, and taught at Hamilton College and Loyola Marymount University. She is a member of the Parlement des écrivaines francophones. Enjoy!

Join us for a rich and packed conversation with Dr. Laurence Hillman. Steeped in the language of archetypes for over 40 years, he is an archetypal astrologer, professional archetypal coach, and the co-author of Archetypes at Work™ -a cutting-edge method to assess and develop people and organizations. Dr. Hillman has a PhD in Psychology focusing on Transformative Leadership, and specializes in helping his clients understand their deeper purpose, and their life's calling, especially in these challenging times. It is also fair to say, that Laurence is one of my favorite astrologers and his father, Dr. James Hillman is one of my favorite Jungian scholars, and founder of archetypal psychology. See Laurence's full bio and “archetypal introduction” at the link below! https://laurencehillman.com/about/

Join us in conversation with Jungian, Roland Palencia. He shares his ever-unfolding “personal myth,” as immigrant, queer Latino activist, and cofounder of Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLUU) and VIVA!, a Queer Latine artist collective in the early 1980s in Los Angeles. His award-winning film UNIDAD: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos chronicles this pioneering and visionary community, their inception, vision for community, their adversities, and triumphs. The film is co-produced by PBS and streaming on unidadmovie.com    

Join me this full moon in Leo for story time! Featuring “Things You May Find Hidden In My Ear,” by Palestinian poet, Mosar Abu Toha and a Yoruba Creation Myth about Oshun, the goddess of love & beauty!   Original music by Lucas Bakker, editor and producer of Blue Medicine JournalZ: A Jungian podcast!  

Caroline Casey of Coyote Network News shares her wordsmith magic & default setting "Woof, woof Wanna Play" to shine light on the role of the Trickster archetype and Astrology as we wend our way through this kairos moment and dark night of the soul. 

Our last episode of Season 1: A Solstice Lament, Creation Myths, Huitzilopochtli, Aztec God of the Sun and War, Utopia, Dystopia, & the Power of the Word. Join us for the last episode of Season One!

This episode Dr. Stephen Rowley takes us on a soulful mystery tour of his life as  "orphan and searcher." Reading from his newly-published memoir,The Lost Coin: A Memoir of Adoption and Destiny, Stephen shares poignant moments and through a Jungian lens, unveils his two quests, outward quest to find his birth parents and the quest inward, to find Self. In the search, he discovers "the journey is home." Welcome as we imagine a new world into being!    

Join me for some Halloween lore and family ghost stories; two occur in an old Hollywood Hotel known for its ghosts on the 9th floor! I narrate the first-hand accounts of ghost stories by my sister and daughter, as well as my own; and I am joined live by my son Lucas Bakker, (musician, editor, and producer) who tells his own tales of encounters with ghosts!  Theme Song "Paris" by Lucas Bakker and the eerie song featured for Halloween is his "Liquid Lily!" 

This episode blends Raven lore and considers the trickster-redeemer archetype. Poe's gothic poem of the same name explores the loss of the maiden archetype, and we explore Raven as my guardian spirit throughout my postpartum blues and as lifelong companion.  

Today we honor the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere. As our circle around the sun takes into the darkness~ storytelling season is upon us! In this spirit, I'll be sharing a 12,000 year-old prophesy and a poem about the power of story. Thanks, as ever, to my producer and editor, Lucas Bakker; his original music, "Paris," is our theme song, and today features "Orpheus."  

Meet Dama, Brazilian artist  on her journey into " the labyrinth of postpartum blues, "womb intelligence," ghost mentors, and art as Ariadne's thread that has helped her through the maze. Special thanks to the Tonantzin Society for their generous donation to Blue Medicine Journal. Mil gracias for helping to keep the voice and vision alive as we imagine a new world into being. Mil gracias! As always, thanks to Lucas Bakker, producer and editor, whose wizardry and original music bring this podcast to life; theme song "Paris," featuring "Morning Blossoms."  

The Chrysalis: join us for a guided meditation and exploration of profound~yet practical healing modalities that feed the soul with Thea Palencia. Thea is a doctoral student at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the Counseling psychology program, where she brings her own experience with postpartum blues to her research and dissertation topic. Good medicine!

"Somehow entering a very dark room forgotten, at the end of a very big castle and I have to find the key." -Cornelia Tae The poignant and profound stories of two women from two different parts of the world as they share their journeys into and out of the world of postpartum blues, and their paths to healing. My guests are Christina Valdivia Alcala, founder of the Tonantzin Society, and Romanian artist, Cornelia Tae. The quote is from Cornelia as she returns to contemplate her experience a decade later. Part 2 of a 5 part series! Depression and suicidal ideation are themes discussed.     

This is the first in a series that weaves together Jungian depth psychology with the myth of La Llorona, postpartum blues, and drawing from ancient Mesocamerica, reclaims childbirth as the profound rite of passage that it is.

In this first episode, Dr. Sandra del Castillo  introduces the vision of Blue Medicine Journal and imagining into a new world, and clarifies the language of a Jungian podcast on dreams, myth, and imagination! Producer and original music by Lucas Bakker