The hero’s journey is a storytelling concept that has been used for centuries and while it is still a powerful tool today for filmmakers, authors and storytellers, the art of learning from these heroes has been lost. Forging Heroes is about regaining that vision of who you want to be and learning from the heroes who represent our goals. It is about defining heroism and why it is still a crucial element of society and humanity. Forging Heroes is about being empowered each day with new purpose and a connection to the soul.
Morality is at the center of every hero but understanding where it comes from is sometimes overlooked.
Training is a continual process and one of extreme importance. Learning to take the time to grow and expand our skills is what helps us become the best heroes we can be.
Learning how to develop courage is the topic of this episode. One of the best things we can do is surround ourselves with supporting and loving people. This in turn strengthens our resolve and confidence which manifests into courage.
There is much to be learned from the great thinkers in our world. Simon Sinek is one of these. In this episode I talk about the most important quality a leader can have according to Simon and how it makes us better people.
In this episode we take a closer look at the first phase of the hero's journey and explore new principles of pursuing a life of meaning and fulfillment.
Finding role models in the movies we watch, the books we read and from those around us is a natural part of life. But applying what we learn from these heroes is not so easy. In this episode I discuss how we can craft a perfect role model that is worthy of our admiration.
The movie that we learn from in this episode is Secretariat, the story of the famous racehorse and his amazing owner. This story perfectly shows the battle within all of us, the struggle to defeat our faceless villain.
In this episode I use the example of several movies to emphasize the importance of understanding and practicing stoicism.
Stoicism plays a big part in our interpretation of the modern day depiction of heroism. The philosophy of the stoics originates in ancient Greece and the scholars of old. In this episode we learn about the philosophy's origins and how it has inspired the personal development movement.
Harmony is found when we develop our weaknesses and turn them into strengths, face our fears and mature as well rounded people. Any good hero can be brave and bold but the truly great ones are those who discover harmony. Learn how this applies to the hero's journey and how we can discover this harmony and peace for ourselves.
Everyone in life has two options; live in fear or live with freedom. It's up to us to decide what choice to make.
Looking at our lives as the hero's journey can be a so helpful and insightful but sometimes trying to be a hero can actually cause more harm than good.
The two pillars of heroism: Strength and Honor. In this episode we discuss why these traits represent everything good about being a hero and how it can be a theme for our lives.
The archetype of the lover is perhaps the most important as it is about accessing that inner spontaneity and love for life. It's about loving ourselves and loving others compassionately. It's about being receptive and open to the human experience. The lover is the dreamer, the optimist and the caretaker of himself and others. In this episode I discuss the benefits of accessing this energy and how it relates to the grander scheme of both the archetypes and the hero's journey.
Every culture has their ritual leaders who leads the people to emotional and psychological places of peace in harmony. This can also be seen in stories from all ages and mythologies. In this episode I talk about the archetype of the magician and how we can channel that energy to discover our power to create, to learn, to grow and discover the mysteries of the universe.
Warrior culture has been a part of nearly every civilization since the beginning of the world. Some embraced the honor and courage of the warrior while some exploited others with their power. In this episode I talk about the archetype of the warrior and how we can channel that energy to claim authority and power over our lives and pursue greatness and improvement. The warrior archetype is one of accountability and being true to oneself.
Powerful kings and queens ruled the world for thousands of years, some leading their nations to prosperity, peace and a bright future while others lead the people to chaos, poverty and disharmony. In this episode I talk about the archetype of the king and how we can channel that energy to better see the goodness in humanity and promote success around us. The king archetype is one of strength and honor and there is a lot it can teach us.
Understanding the meaning of archetypes of stories and the characters inside them can also help us understand the way our psyche fits into these archetypes as well. In this episode we discuss archetypes as taught by Carl Jung, Robert Moore and Douglas Gillete.
Overly focusing on greatness as a standard to be achieved can lead to obsession with outcomes and physical results as opposed to focusing on being a good person which will lead to a different kind of greatness. Now, achievement is important and excelling in your field is admirable, but there is a mature and responsible way to pursue that goal.
What is humanity's purpose? What is the internal drive that guides people through life? The pursuit of happiness is a cause and a lifestyle that is deep inside us. It guides our decisions and inspires our actions. But how does happiness and fining bliss apply to heroism?
Sometimes using what we've learned can be difficult as principles and new ideas can be abstract and out there. But grounding these ideas and finding ways to implement them in our lives is crucial to grow as people. In this episode I share some techniques and tools that help me solidify my learning and help me transform as a person.
In this episode we'll discuss the 3 key elements to a happy life and how it directly relates to the hero's journey.
While we are always the hero to our stories, we may not be the protagonist. Confused? In this episode I discuss how we can separate the two and how we may fit into other roles of a story.
What makes a hero inspiring? What drives to emulate these heroes and connects us to their stories? In this episode I'll do my best to answer these questions as we discuss the different archetypes these heroes represent and how they connect to our emotions.
This is the third and final episode of the Hero's Journey series where I break down the 12 steps and discuss their meaning. In this final piece I discuss the point of the journey and how the quest transforms the hero.
This is the second episode of three where I break down the 12 steps of the Hero's Journey and discuss how each step applies to our lives. This episode covers the trials the hero faces as well as the descent into the underworld.
This episode is the first of three where I will break down the 12 steps of Joseph Campbell's Hero's journey and discuss how these steps apply to us in our lives. In this episode I discuss the first three steps: the call to adventure, assistance and departure.
Understanding the fundamental differences between stories and reality is a crucial part of being able to learn the most from stories. Stories are so easily quantified and measured and life is so messy. But understanding these differences can actually make the stories more like our lives instead of less.
Understanding what a hero is in the general sense isn't the same as defining heroism for yourself although both are important. In this episode I discuss why defining heroism is more impactful when we do so with the perspective of who we actually WANT to become instead of who we think we HAVE to become.
In this first episode I share the story of what lead me to discover the world of heroism. This inspired me and lead me to discover my passion for story. Tune in as I discuss the purpose and vision of the podcast as well as the origins of the name.
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