Podcasts about heroine

Join Lynne Hilton Wilson for an insightful discussion on the women of Samuel and 1 Kings, including Bathsheba's story of seduction, abuse of power, and tragedy surrounding David's actions. This episode also explores the difficult questions surrounding plural marriage in the lives of David and Solomon, examining the historical, cultural, and spiritual context of these Old Testament accounts. Discover deeper perspectives on faith, agency, leadership, and the consequences of choices in the lives of Israel's kings and the women affected by them.

Step into one of the most dramatic and transformative periods in the Old Testament as Lynne Hilton Wilson explores 1 Samuel 17 through 2 Samuel 7. In this episode, we examine the legendary confrontation between David and Goliath, the fall of Saul, and the rise of David from shepherd boy to king of Israel. What can we learn from the women who shaped these events—often quietly, courageously, and faithfully behind the scenes? Dr. Wilson highlights the influence of figures such as Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, and other women whose stories illuminate covenant faithfulness, wisdom, political courage, and spiritual strength during a turbulent era in Israel's history. This episode also explores: • David's faith in confronting Goliath • The contrast between Saul and David's leadership • Covenant relationships and kingship in ancient Israel • The role of women in preserving families, kingdoms, and Faith • Messianic themes and covenant promises in 2 Samuel 7 • Insights from Hebrew culture, history, and scripture scholarship

It's been over one hundred years since J. M. Barrie first told the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and Neverland. Since then, Peter Pan has been adapted countless times, and become a constant reference point in popular culture. This hour, a look at the lasting cultural and psychological impact of Peter Pan. GUESTS: Maria Tatar: Professor emerita of folklore and mythology at Harvard University; her latest book is The Heroine with 1001 Faces; she is also the editor of The Annotated Peter Pan: The Centennial Edition Jonathan Russell Clark: The author of Skateboard and An Oasis of Horror in a Desert of Boredom; his writing has appeared in The New York Times, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, and Esquire Ann Yeoman: A Jungian analyst and the author of Now or Neverland: Peter Pan and the Myth of Eternal Youth and the co-author of C.G. Jung's Collected Works: The Basics MUSIC FEATURED (in order): I Don't Wanna Grow Up – Tom Waits Never Never Land – James Taylor I’ve Gotta Crow – Mary Martin, Kathy Nolan Darling Children – Alison Fraser I'm Flying – Mary Martin Captain Hook’s Waltz – Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan Ensemble I Won’t Grow Up – The Fools The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 17, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 2026 brings powerful intuitive messages centered on Frequencies of Fullness, breaking free from limitation, and remembering the truth of who we are.In this two-part series, Marie Mohler shares insights, stories, and soul songs to support you on your Divine Creative Hero's or Heroine's journey.Part 1 includes:Monthly themes and big-picture insightsGathering at the River inspirationGarden Insights #14 energy updateFrequencies of Fullness returningThe future as frequencySacred parables and expanding beyond smallnessDiscernment between false and true inner voicesReclaiming freedom, truth, and creative powerPart 2 includes:23 new soul songs to uplift and empower(Songs include Lantern Compass, Way Home, We Are Free, Great Emancipator, Fullness Is Who We Are, and more.)If these messages resonate, please like, subscribe, and share.Support this work:https://buy.stripe.com/3csbIU4v8a52eR2aEEExplore more:https://www.frequencywriter.com/https://frequencywriter.substack.com/Connect:X: https://x.com/marie_mohlerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@colorthemagicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/frequencywriterRumble.com: https://rumble.com/c/c-353585​​​​Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@frequencywriterMore from Whole Soul School and Foundation:http://www.wholesoulschoolandfoundation.orgDisclaimer: These videos are for educational purposes only.Support the show

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Jacob Charlton of Thornhill. After opening for Sleep Token on their massive North American arena tour last year, Thornhill quickly captured the attention of the heavy scene. Now, however, they're in the midst of their own headliner, dubbed the Mercia Tour, presented by our friends at Revolver. While on the run, the frontman stopped by the Artist Friendly studio to dig into the grind of touring, the intentionality behind heavy music today, the evolution of Thornhill across their records, 2022's Heroine and 2025's Bodies, and what it takes to keep a band together for the long haul. ------- Listen to their Artist Friendly conversation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Follow Artist Friendly! IG: @artist.friendly TikTok: @artist.friendly YouTube: youtube.com/@artist.friendly ------- Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden Producers: Janice Leary, Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin Director/Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman ------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden age, silver-screen legend who lived to tell a tale that could have only unfolded in Hollywood , Mamie Van Doren joins Media Path for a candid conversation about a life shaped by resilience, reinvention, and remarkable twists of fate!The woman who helped define an extraordinary era of entertainment and cultural change has chronicled both her escapades and her conquered adversities in a page-turning new memoir called 'You Thought I Was Dead: My Life of Celebrities, Sex and Champagne.'Mamie traces her grit back to a hard scrabble, Depression era, South Dakota childhood where poverty and hunger were a daily reality. Determined to escape that world, she set her sights on Hollywood, with a little help from lore, intentionally placing herself at a pharmacy soda counter in the in hopes of being “discovered,” just as Lana Turner had been. She was stunning and it worked. She was also 14!What followed was a series of cinematic turning points. Including a TV role, broadcast from The famed Florentine Gardens and a close friendship with cocktail server Elizabeth Short, who horrifically became known as The Black Dahlia. Her brutal loss has affected Mamie profoundly and permanently.Mamie recounts her rapid rise through the studio system after being spotted by a Universal executive, leading to a seven-year contract and her breakout role opposite Tony Curtis (and some handsome USC football stars) in 'All American'. She shares the origin of her now-iconic name, coined by an AP reporter and inspired by First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower. Its coining helped a farm girl named Joanie Olander fully embody her new Hollywood persona.After marrying bandleader Ray Anthony and starting a family, Universal dropped her contract, only to see her quickly courted by other studios. She reflects on love, longevity, and her current 50+ year marriage to Thomas Dixon, as well as the complicated realities of navigating Hollywood at a time when powerful men often operated without accountability. In a deeply personal revelation, Mamie speaks about a terrifyingly dark encounter with Jack Webb that she kept silent for years. He was selling “law and order” when he drugged, tied up and violated Mamie. She reflects now about how much (and how little) has changed.Stories where Hollywood and history intersect are a common thread in Mamie's adventures, such as a romantic interlude with Che Guevara while filming in Buenos Aires, and a dangerous, self-funded three-month tour to the furthest outposts of the Vietnam War to entertain troops. The gravest danger she faced was an on-stage attack at an officers' club in Saigon. But her time with the troops remains an experience that shaped her perspective on freedom and sacrifice.And IMDB Roulette this week is raucous, racy and romantic, with a trip to the cutting edge of rock 'n roll! Is Mamie the girl who invented it!?In current recommendations --Lisa: Documentary (directed by our very own Weezy!) Family Band: The Cowsills Story, streaming on PrimeWeezy: TV Land original series Younger, streaming on NetflixPath Points of Interest:You Thought I Was Dead: My Life of Celebrities, Sex, and Champagne by Mamie Van DorenMamie Van Doren on IMDBMamie Van Doren on WikipediaMamie Van Doren on InstagramMamie Van Doren on FacebookMamie Van Doren Facebook GroupFamily Band: The Cowsills StoryYounger

Recorded live at Jewish Book Week in March 2026, this conversation brings together two writers whose books map Jewish histories that rarely make it onto the festival circuit. With a sold-out crowd at Kings Place in London, Samantha Ellis and Jordan Salama talk about language, loss, food, family archives, and what it means to carry more than one Jewish story at once.Our GuestsSamantha Ellis is a playwright, journalist and author, the daughter of Iraqi Jewish refugees. Her books include How to Be a Heroine and Take Courage: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life. Her latest, Chopping Onions on My Heart (published in the US as Always Carry Salt), explores Judeo-Iraqi Arabic, a language on the verge of extinction, and what we can and cannot pass on to our children. She also worked on the first two Paddington films.Jordan Salama is an award-winning writer whose journalism at The New Yorker covers migration, culture and the environment across the Americas. His second book, Stranger in the Desert, follows his great-grandfather's trail as a Syrian Jewish travelling salesman in the Argentine Andes in the 1920s, beginning with a binder of family history discovered in his grandfather's basement. Jewish Book Week is London's longest running literary festival, hosted by the Jewish Literary Foundation. It attracts award-winning authors and thinkers every year for an exciting programme of debates, talks, and performances at Kings Place, London and online. Find out more here. Key TopicsArab Jews: why the term matters, why it's contested, and what it opens upJewish futures: a generational shift in who is telling these stories and why nowYour GuideJudeo-Iraqi Arabic: the Jewish dialect of Arabic spoken by Iraqi Jews, now critically endangeredKubba shwandar: Iraqi Jewish dumplings of lamb and rice, cooked in a sweet and sour beetroot sauceTurcos: the name given to Arabic-speaking Ottoman immigrants in Latin America, Jewish and Christian alikeWant to learn more?Samantha Ellis appeared previously in Season 2: S2E5 Endangered, Not Erased Explore related conversations on Iraqi/Sephardi identity:S3 E2 Plural and Partial with Linda Dangoor S2 E9 Echoes of Aden at the Table with Claudia Mendoza S1 E6 Other Within the Other with Carol IsaacsSupport the podcast!To help keep this project going:You can make a one-off donation of as little as £5 at Buy Me a Coffee, Or subscribe on Substack Find us elsewhere, here!Show creditsHost / Producer: Eylan EzekielPost-production: Communicating for ImpactArtwork: Emily TheodoreMusic: Aleksafor utransndr KarabanovSound effects: Serge Quadrado Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠Akashic Records Training⁠⁠Join the waitlist for Akashic Readings and Clearings⁠⁠1:1 Programmes⁠⁠⁠⁠Appointments⁠⁠⁠⁠Free ebook⁠Lucy Lila Nelson-Gowan, Rev., MS: Website | Instagram | Exclusive offering for listeners of Wisdom from the Akasha, 15% off the first session. Coupon code: SUZIE15In this Meet the Grads conversation, Suzie Ridley, Akashic Records teacher, sits down with Lucy Naoibe Nelson to explore a deeply lived spiritual path, from early awakening and trauma, to devotion, service, and sovereignty. If you are navigating imposter syndrome, spiritual seeking, grief, or a sense that “there is more”, this episode offers grounded reflection on intuition, ethics, and what true alignment can look like over time.Lucy shares her unconventional journey into spiritual development, including early experiences of channelling, the impact of trauma, and the long path of rebuilding safety, self-trust, and purpose in the 3D world. Together, Susie and Lucy explore how the Akashic Records can amplify what you already carry within you, why ethics and reverence matter in spiritual work, and how the heroin's journey of grief, loss, transmutation, and transformation becomes a portal into deeper embodiment and spiritual sovereignty.In this episode, you'll learnHow spiritual awakening can be non-linear, and why “forgetting” and remembering can be part of the pathWhy imposter syndrome and witch wounding often surface when you are being asked to step into serviceWhat Lucy means by multidimensional sessions, and why integration matters as much as insightHow the heroin's journey relates to grief, loss, and transformation, and why darkness can be an alchemical teacherA simple intuition practice: track your nudges, act on them, and build evidence-based self-trust over timeFollow Wisdom from the Akasha on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or subscribe on YouTube, so you never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Friday at 7AM GMT +0.Timestamps1:08 Meet Lucy Naoibe Nelson2:56 Lucy's Non-Linear Spiritual Journey, Childhood Trauma and Walk-In Experience5:25 Finding Her First Spiritual Teacher at Age 10, Ego Work and Shadow Work13:19 The 2014 Awakening, Adrenal Burnout and Medical Leave14:55 How the Akashic Records Found Lucy, Unconscious Channeling and Library Flashbacks21:08 Lucy's Spiritual Services, Akashic Readings, Clearings and Soul Retrievals23:56 The Art of Alignment, Multi-Dimensional Sessions and Integrating Higher Guidance29:46 Who Lucy Works With, Seekers, Imposter Syndrome and Feminine Wounding37:51 Ethics in Spiritual Practice, Referrals, Boundaries and Sacred Container42:50 The Heroine's Journey, Grief, Descent and Spiritual Alchemy52:32 Trusting Your Intuition, Dark Night of the Soul and Surrendering to Divine Guidance59:34 Practice: Building Your Intuition Journal and Developing Your Internal TechnologyWisdom from the Akasha is the podcast for spiritually curious people navigating awakening, growth, and real-life challenges with a grounded, embodied approach. Hosted by Suzie Ridley of Akashic Readings and Healing, an Akashic Records Teacher, practitioner and researcher, each episode is a deep dive into esoteric topics and spiritual development for soul expansion.Guided by her work in the Akashic Records, Suzie shares reflections and practical suggestions you can bring into everyday life, where the mystical meets the tangible. With thousands of hours in the Akashic Records and clients around the world, her intention is to offer a fun, helpful resource that supports clarity, intuition, and meaningful, sometimes miraculous shifts.Connect with Akashic Readings and Healing⁠Website⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Pinterest

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 Do you feel stressed on a daily basis? Are you feeling low energy?  The news is filled with stories of wars, mass shootings, rights getting overturned, economic uncertainty, and so much continuous devastation, it could seem that we are living in End Times.  Our guest today, scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D., delves into the idea of finding possibility, even during these times of great grief. We have been conditioned to respond to the terrible, but it does not have to be this way. As an icon in the Human Potential movement, Jean shares ideas about how the Renaissance, with its advancements in music, art, poetry, and cosmology,  came after great plagues and times of war, much like the world situation today. Could we be in a new Renaissance period now? We are once again in a similar time of radical growth, and we have the power within us to see new possibilities and reach mythical potential in our human evolution.     Jean shares stories of her travels and talks about her friendship with scholar Joseph Campbell and how they would have "beautiful fights" which were friendly arguments and deep discussions about mythology and the fate of humanity. Campbell wrote extensively about the "Hero's Journey," while Jean considered the "Heroine's Journey." Part of the problem is that 50% of the human race is not being recognized for women's immense creativity and power. Women's ways are missing. With an emphasis on compassion, cooperation, community, and process rather than product and competition, humane creativity must be celebrated by acknowledging the achievements of women. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: JeanHouston.com.  This interview was originally taped in May 2022. Scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D., made her transition very recently and we air this in her honor.

Pop Rock Time  "The Greatest Pop Rock Hits of all Time" avec JIHEM #433Part 01.11 - The Rolling Stones - In the stars #202612 - Bobby Brown - Every little step #198813 - Maroon 5 - Heroine #202614 - Young The Giant - Evergreen #2026Part 02.21 - Roxy Music - Avalon #198222 - Park RD - Burn away #202623 - Cate - Crazy for you #202624 - Sting - Englishman In New York #1987Part 03.31 - Noah Kahan - Doors #202632 - Louis Tomlinson - The Observer #202633 - A-Ha - Take on me #198534 - LOLO - Whiskey and coke #2026Part 04.41 - Park Ji Hoon - Bodyelse #202642 - Duran duran - Ordinary World #199343 - Halsey - Carry the weight #202644 - Jack Gray - Look at you #2026

Taylor shares a fiery and important conversation with Britt Hartley of the mega popular “No Nonsense Spirituality.” They discuss how masculine and feminine enlightenment approaches differ, deconstructing patriarchy from spiritual spaces, cultivating a spiritual space where women feel safe + seen as full humans and SO much more on this week's episode of Magic Hour!   Connect with Taylor Paige Instagram @angels_and_amethyst  Website https://www.angelsandamethyst.com Follow @MagicHourPod on instagram and YouTube for more Magic Hour content.   Connect with Britt Website https://nononsensespirituality.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nononsensespirituality/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@nononsensespirituality Book https://a.co/d/0cpulzCi   If you have any questions about, intuition, spirituality, angels, or anything and everything magical, please email contact@magichourpod.com. We will answer listener questions once a month in our solo episodes Don't forget to leave us a 5 sparkling star review, they help more people find the pod and remember their magic. Please screenshot and email your 5 star reviews to contact@magichourpod.com and we will send you a free downloadable angelic meditation, and enter you to win an angel reading with Taylor Paige! The next Angel Reading giveaway will happen when we hit 222 5 star reviews on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Join the waitlist for a reading with Taylor here: https://angelsandamethyst.com/offerings/   Find Taylor's 3 part workshop series on Angelic Connection, Attracting a Soulmate Connection, and Healing the Witch wound here: https://angelsandamethyst.com/workshops/   Code 333 gives $33 off, plus, each student can email Taylor one question on the subject material per lesson. Join Taylor's email list at https://www.angelsandamethyst.com  to know when her monthly gatherings of Earth Angel Club are open for registration. Earth angel club is a monthly meeting of like-minded and magical people across the world. EAC includes an astrological and energetic overview, a guided meditation attuned to the current zodiac season, and for the highest ticket tier, a mini email angel reading. Each EAC member also has the option to skip the waitlist and sit with Taylor sooner for a reading.   Are you an aligned business owner that would like to advertise to our beautiful community of magical people? Please email contact@magichourpod.com ****** Editing by Ashley Riley  Music by Justin Fleuriel and Mandie Cheung. For more of their music check out @goodnightsband on instagram.   #magichour #witchypodcast #intuition #spirituality #angelicmessages #higherself #intuitiveguidance #spiritguides #astrologer #astrologytips #birthchart #zodiac #monthlyenergyreport #horoscope #collectiveenergy  

Today I'm reviewing The Poisons We Drink—a dark fantasy that uses a Witcher-inspired concept to explore systemic racism, corruption, and power structures in a compelling way.The worldbuilding and themes are definitely the standout here, tackling heavy issues through a fantasy lens that feels both unique and relevant. However, while I appreciated what the story was doing, I struggled to connect with the main character, who came across as unlikable for much of the book, creating a bit of emotional distance.

This is The Prog & Roll Radio Show 0:41 JETHRO TULL Songs from the Wood 4:56 Songs from the Wood (1977) PINK FLOYD One of these Days 5:18 Meddle (1971) CAMEL Song Within a Song 7:15 #30/29: Moonmadness (1976) YES Roundabout 8:31 #30/29: Fragile (1971) (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST May Day 7:58 #28/27: Octoberon (1976) STRAWBS Autumn 8:28 #28/27: Hero and Heroine (1974) GENESIS Ripples 8:06 #26/25: A Trick of the Tail (1976) (2007 Remastered) KANSAS Cheyenne Anthem 6:53 #26/25: Leftoverture (1976) Prog & Roll Radio Show with George and Nihal 1:00 THE MOODY BLUES The Afternoon: a) Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) b) (Evening) Time to Get Away 8:24 #24: Days of Future Passed (1967) PINK FLOYD Pigs (Three Different Ones) 11:26 #23: Animals (1977) (2016 Remastered Edition) KING CRIMSON Starless 12:14 #22: Red (1974) ELOY Awakening / Between the Times 8:47 #21: Dawn (1976)

WOW!!!

Louie & Barry cap the card at Santa Anita, including the Grade 3 Royal Heroine.Check out our partners at AmWager! A $50 deposit match awaits new bettors.

The Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes is DRF's Saturday Race of the Day for April 25. David Aragona and Mike Beer offer their picks and analysis, presented by Morningline.IO.

REUPLOAD! Thank you to Bethany for letting us know the tracks weren't synced - you are out Association Member of the Month, which we just made up. Do you really know what makes a Gothic heroine? In this episode, Lauren is exploring just that! Join us as Lauren leads Mary through all of the key the evolutions of the Gothic heroine - swoons and all - from her origins in early modern chivalric romance, to her 18th and 19th century transformations in Gothic Literature.

In this special live episode of the Tend HER Wild Podcast, recorded at the James Theatre with the Water Bearer Collective, four remarkable women share stories and insights gathered across decades of life. Together they reflect on courage, friendship, aging, and the power of crone wisdom—showing how experience deepens our capacity to lead, love, and keep evolving. Guests Marcia Akin – Educator and Psychotherapist Connie Benton Wolfe – Social Entrepreneur and Innovative Leader Peg Burke – Former University of Iowa professor and former president of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Lark Birdsong – First women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa, leader, artist, and lifelong learner Marcia Akin & Connie Benton Wolfe Early Years & Self-Discovery Both Marcia and Connie describe themselves as shy girls who eventually stepped beyond their comfort zones to share their gifts. Marcia reflects on the influence of strong Quaker women and pursuing advanced degrees in education and social work. Connie recalls being excluded from a school play because of her shyness, but credits her grandmother's encouragement to trust herself and stay open to life's unfolding path. Courage Marcia shares how her colon cancer diagnosis at 49—after losing her father to the same disease—revealed the strength of family and community support. Connie believes courage begins with trusting your gifts and allowing them to be visible, noting that courage grows when women support one another. Love & Friendship Both women emphasize the importance of lifelong women's friendships. Marcia speaks about the grounding power of love and humor, while Connie offers simple wisdom: never abandon your women friends for a partner. Aging & Wisdom Marcia reflects that turning 80 has deepened her self-understanding and reminds us that growth never stops. Connie, who spent much of her career working in aging communities, continues to advocate for dignity and meaningful engagement for older adults. Rapid Reflections One truth about life: Marcia – Love relentlessly. | Connie – Start fresh every day. Stop worrying about: Marcia – Tomorrow. | Connie – Naysayers. Start doing earlier: Marcia – Listen to your body. | Connie – Understand money. Word for this season: Marcia – Deepening | Connie – Perplexing Still curious about: Marcia – People's stories | Connie – Younger generations Peg Burke & Lark Birdsong Early Years Peg grew up in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression, walking or riding a mule to school and facing limited opportunities for women. Lark moved frequently during childhood and grew up adventurous and energetic. Pioneers in Women's Sports Peg discovered physical education in college after receiving a small scholarship—an opportunity that shaped her lifelong advocacy for women in athletics. Lark was recruited by pioneering athletic director Christine Grant to help coach the first women's basketball team at the University of Iowa, where early teams had no uniforms or locker rooms. Courage & Justice Peg shares how witnessing inequality in women's sports fueled her activism, emphasizing that once you see injustice, you cannot ignore it. Lark describes courage through personal challenges like adopting her daughter from Peru and completing endurance cycling events such as Race Across America. Friendship & Collective Power Peg describes women's friendships as “a fire with three logs—it burns stronger together.” Lifelong collaboration among women leaders helped expand opportunities for future generations. Rapid Reflections One truth about life: Peg – Life is full of surprises. | Lark – Align what you think, say, and do. Stop worrying about: Peg – Appearance | Lark – Worry itself Start doing earlier: Peg – Be yourself | Lark – Build wealth and friendships Word for this season: Peg – Independence | Lark – Scarce Still curious about: Peg – Everything | Lark – Glass art and government balance Key Takeaway Seasoned Wisdom reminds us that aging is not an ending but a deepening. Through courage, friendship, curiosity, and advocacy, these women show how wisdom grows richer when shared across generations. Home waterbearercollective.com Other episodes you might enjoy: Episode 53: Exploring the Three Phases of Womanhood Episode 129: Dr. Sharon Blackie – Hagitude Episode 117:Roxanne Erdahl – Passion & Purpose Episode 179: Heroine's Journey: Descent to the Goddess Episode 150:  Healing the 3 Feminine Wounds Episode 143: Dropping Into Radiant Rest (Tracee Stanley) Episode 163: Rage as Teacher  Today's Episode sponsored by: The Local Hub (https://thelocalhub-ic.com/) Kate Moreland Coaching (https://www.katemorelandcoaching.com/) Dr Yoga Momma (https://dryogamomma.com/) Heartland Yoga (https://heartlandyoga.com/) Want to go on retreat? Want to join Betsy in Costa Rica in May 11-18 2026 at her favorite retreat center to help you connect with your inner healer using yoga, meditation, energy medicine, and creativity?  At this retreat, broadway director Kristin Hanggi is joining to lead on the power of creativity to move us through our collective and personal anxiety.   All the details here! Source

Barbarian, witch, murderer… and mother.Today Anya is joined by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes to discuss one of Greek mythology's most famous and dramatic characters, Medea. Discover the complex legends and legacy of Medea, from her daring love story with Jason to its dark aftermath… and how the Greek tragedian Euripides transformed her how her story is told, forever.Natalie Haynes is the author of several acclaimed books about women in Greek mythology, including Divine Might, Stone Blind, and most recently No Friend to This House, her own much-anticipated retelling of the myth of Medea. You can buy a copy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/No-Friend-This-House-Novel/dp/0063258447 Natalie Haynes is an author and comedian as well as a broadcaster for the BBC, and she has written for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Observer. Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

Most entrepreneurs think about their business book the wrong way. They count royalties, obsess over Amazon rankings, and then watch the book disappear from their marketing strategy the moment the launch hype fades.When you're a business owner or a speaker, you're not writing a book to sell books. You're writing a book to build a long-term marketing asset—one that generates clients, visibility, and authority for 5 to 10 YEARS (not just 5 to 10 weeks).In this episode, I'm talking with book strategist Holly Ostrout about what it actually takes to write a book that works for your business. We dig into the misconceptions that trip up smart entrepreneurs, the frameworks that make books convert, and why the funnel after the book matters more than the book itself.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why 20% or less of your book revenue comes from actual book salesThe biggest misconception entrepreneurs have about books (spoiler: it's not about bestseller status)Why most books fail to generate leads (and how the Heroine's Journey framework fixes it)How adult learning theory shapes a book that actually creates resultsThe funnel strategy every business book needs on the back endThe common denominator behind the books that keep selling.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Stop being the best-kept secret and Write the Book That Makes You THE Authority in Only 6 Weeks. This will open doors your expertise alone can't…the speaking gigs you've been pitching for, media visibility you've been building toward, and clients who show up to calls already sold on working with you.→ Take the QUIZ: https://www.hollyostrout.com/quiz/→ Connect with Holly on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hollyostrout/CONNECT WITH MEGAN:Join My Inbox Community → www.megankachigan.com/email Website → www.megankachigan.comLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-kachigan-loehr-9957684b/Threads → https://www.threads.net/@megankachiganInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/megankachigan/Join the Why Isn't This Converting?" Free 5-Day challenge to get more clients from your copy by clicking here!Know exactly what to fix in your copywriting with this "Why Isn't This Converting?" Free 5-Day Challenge. You'll get bite-sized email prompts where you'll apply one simple, high-impact fix in just minutes to make your content convert without having to re-write everything or constantly guess at what's going to work.

Today we conclude our Blast From the Past looking at a literary arc called the Hero/Heroine Journey popularized by Joseph Campbell.  Join us as we share how this framework was a helpful part of our spiritual formation.  Mentioned in this episode:Brami pastaRao's sauceSome of our show notes contain affiliate links.    We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for your support.

This week Karen talks the underrated show, Crazy for You! An old school jukebox musical - Gershwin standards anyone! - this show hits on all the musical theatre contrivances. Love at first sight! Mistaken identity! Heroine finds out the Hero lied to her and leaves! Funny side characters who fall in love! It has everything! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com

Dan Bucatinsky has been in Valerie Cherish's corner since the very beginning, and he's here to make the case for why she's always been a heroine, not a punchline. The actor and producer behind Billy, Valerie's manager, joins Newsweek's H. Alan Scott to talk about what makes this final season of The Comeback so emotionally satisfying, how the show manages to tackle AI without an agenda, and what it really means that Valerie is finally going head-to-head with the one person who knows her best. He also opens up about his decades-long creative partnership with Lisa Kudrow, the beautiful way season three honors the legacy of Robert Michael Morris (Mickey), and why, even as the cameras stop rolling on Valerie Cherish, he's not entirely ready to call it goodbye. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer-songwriter Maren Morris headlines Red Rocks July 19...she's had a fascinating career so far, blazing her own path as well being a member of the supergroup The Highwomen. Morris joined Bret to chat about Red Rocks vs. The Gorge, children's art displayed on the refrigerator and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes a character so compelling that readers will forgive almost anything about the plot? How do you move beyond vague flaws and generic descriptions to create people who feel pulled from real life? In this solo episode, I share 15 actionable tips for writing deep characters, curated from past interviews on the podcast. In the intro, thoughts from London Book Fair [Instagram reel @jfpennauthor; Publishing Perspectives; Audible; Spotify]; Insights from a 7-figure author business [BookBub]. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community and get articles, discounts, and extra audio and video tutorials on writing craft, author business, and AI tools, at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn This episode has been created from previous episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast, curated by Joanna Penn, as well as chapters from How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book. Links to the individual episodes are included in the transcript below. In this episode: Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' trifecta, how to hook readers on the very first page Define the Dramatic Question: Who is your character when the chips are down? Absolute specificity. Why “she's controlling” isn't good enough Understand the Heroine's Journey, strength through connection, not solo action Use ‘Metaphor Families' to anchor dialogue and give every character a distinctive voice Find the Diagnostic Detail, the moments that prove a character is real Writing pain onto the page without writing memoir Write diverse characters as real people, not stereotypes or plot devices Give your protagonist a morally neutral ‘hero' status. Compelling beats likeable. Build vibrant side characters for series longevity and spin-off potential Use voice as a rhythmic tool Link character and plot until they're inseparable Why discovery writers can write out of order and still build deep character Find the sensory details that make characters live and breathe More help with how to write fiction here, or in my book, How to Write a Novel. Writing Characters: 15 Tips for Writing Deep Character in Your Fiction In today's episode, I'm sharing fifteen tips for writing deep characters, synthesised from some of the most insightful interviews on The Creative Penn Podcast over the past few years, combined with what I've learned across more than forty books of my own. I'll be referencing episodes with Matt Bird, Will Storr, Gail Carriger, Barbara Nickless, and Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. I'll also draw on my own book, How to Write a Novel, which covers these fundamentals in detail. Whether you're writing your first novel or your fiftieth, whether you're a plotter or a discovery writer like me, these tips will help you create characters that readers believe in, care about, and invest in—and keep coming back for more. Let's get into it. 1. Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' Trifecta When I spoke with Matt Bird on episode 624, he laid out the three things you need to achieve on the very first page of your book or in the first ten minutes of a film. He calls it “Believe, Care, and Invest.” First, the reader must believe the character is a real person, somehow proving they are not a cardboard imitation of a human being, not just a generic type walking through a generic plot. Second, the reader must care about the character's circumstances. And third, the reader must invest in the character's ability to solve the story's central problem. Matt used The Hunger Games as his primary example, and it's brilliant. On the very first page, we believe Katniss's voice. Suzanne Collins writes in first person with a staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short declarative sentences—that immediately grounds us in a survivalist mentality. We care because Katniss is starving. She's protecting her little sister. And we invest because she is out there bow hunting, which Matt pointed out is one of the most badass things a character can do. She even kills a lynx two pages in and sells the pelt. We invest in her resourcefulness and grit before the plot has even begun. Matt was very clear that this has nothing to do with the character being “likable.” He said his subtitle, Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love, doesn't mean the character has to be a good person. He described “hero” as both gender-neutral and morally neutral. A hero can be totally evil or totally good. What matters is that we believe, care, and invest. He demonstrated this beautifully by breaking down the first ten minutes of WeCrashed, where the characters of Adam and Rebekah Neumann are absolutely not likable, but we are completely hooked. Adam steals his neighbour's Chinese food through a carefully orchestrated con involving an imaginary beer. It's not admirable behaviour, but the tradecraft involved, as Matt put it—using a term from spy movies—makes us invest in him. We see a character trying to solve the big problem of his life, which is that he's poor and wants to be rich, and we want to see if he can pull it off. Actionable step: Go to the first page of your current work in progress. Does it achieve all three? Does the reader believe this is a real person with a distinctive voice? Do they care about the character's circumstances? And do they invest in the character's ability to handle what's coming? If even one of those three is missing, that's your revision priority. 2. Define the Dramatic Question: Who Are They Really? Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling, came on episode 490 and gave one of the most powerful frameworks I've ever heard for character-driven fiction. He explained that the human brain evolved language primarily to swap social information—in other words, to gossip. We are wired to monitor other people, to ask the question: who is this person when the chips are down? That's what Will calls the Dramatic Question, and it's what he believes lies at the heart of all compelling storytelling. It's not a question about plot. It's a question about the character's soul. And every scene in your novel should force the character to answer it. His example of Lawrence of Arabia is unforgettable. The Dramatic Question for the entire film is: who are you, Lawrence? Are you ordinary or are you extraordinary? At the beginning, Lawrence is a cocky, rebellious young soldier who believes his rebelliousness makes him superior. Every iconic scene in that three-hour film tests that belief. Sometimes Lawrence acts as though he truly is extraordinary—leading the Arabs into battle, being hailed as a god—and sometimes the world strips him bare and he sees himself as ordinary. Because it's a tragedy, he never overcomes his flaw. He doubles down on his belief that he's extraordinary until he becomes monstrous, culminating in that iconic scene where he lifts a bloody dagger and sees his own reflection with horror. Will also used Jaws to demonstrate how this works in a pure action thriller. Brody's dramatic question is simple: are you going to be old Brody who is terrified of the water, or new Brody who can overcome that fear? Every scene where the shark appears is really asking that question. And the last moment of the film isn't the shark blowing up. It's Brody swimming back through the water, saying he used to be scared of the water and he can't imagine why. Actionable step: Write down the Dramatic Question for your protagonist in a single sentence. Is it “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you brave enough to love again?” or “Will you sacrifice your principles for survival?” If you can't answer this with specificity, your character might still be a sketch rather than a person. 3. Get rid of Vague Flaws, and use Absolute Specificity This was one of Will Storr's most important points. He said that vague thinking about characters is really the enemy. When he teaches workshops and asks writers to describe their character's flaw, most of them say something like “they're very controlling.” And Will's response is: that's not good enough. Everyone is controlling. How are they controlling? What's the specific mechanism? He gave the example of a profile he read of Theresa May during the UK's Brexit chaos. Someone who knew her said that Theresa May's problem was that she always thinks she's the only adult in every room she goes into. Will said that stopped him in his tracks because it's so precise. If you define a character with that level of specificity, you can take them and put them in any genre, any situation—a spaceship, a Victorian drawing room, a school playground—and you will know exactly how they're going to behave. The same applies to Arthur Miller's Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, as Will described it: a man who believes absolutely in capitalistic success and the idea that when you die, you're going to be weighed on a scale, just as God weighs you for sin, but now you're weighed for success. That's not a vague flaw. That's a worldview you can drop into any story and watch it combust. Will made another counterintuitive point that I found really valuable: writers often think that piling on multiple traits will create a complex character, but the opposite is true. Starting with one highly specific flaw and running it through the demands of a relentless plot is what generates complexity. You end up with a far more nuanced, original character than if you'd started with a laundry list of vague attributes. Actionable step: Take your protagonist's flaw and pressure-test it. Is it specific enough that you could place this character in any situation and predict their behaviour? If you're stuck at “she's stubborn” or “he's insecure,” keep pushing. What kind of stubborn? What kind of insecure? Find the diagnostic sentence—the Theresa May level of precision. 4. Understand the Heroine's Journey: Strength Through Connection Gail Carriger came on episode 550 to discuss her nonfiction book, The Heroine's Journey, and it completely reframed how I think about some of my own fiction. Gail explained that the core difference between the Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey comes down to how strength and victory are defined. The Hero's Journey is about strength through solo action. The hero must be continually isolated to get stronger. He goes out of civilisation, faces strife alone, and achieves victory through physical prowess and self-actualisation. The Heroine's Journey is the opposite. The heroine achieves her goals by activating a network. She's a delegator, a general. She identifies where she can't do something alone, finds the people who can help, and portions out the work for mutual gain. Gail put it simply: the heroine is very good at asking for help, which our culture tends to devalue but which is actually a powerful form of strength. Crucially, Gail stressed that gender is irrelevant to which journey you're writing. Her go-to examples are striking: the recent Wonder Woman film is practically a beat-for-beat hero's journey—Gilgamesh on screen, as Gail described it. Meanwhile, Harry Potter, both the first book and the series as a whole, is a classic heroine's journey. Harry's power comes from his network—Dumbledore's Army, the Order of the Phoenix, his friendships with Ron and Hermione. He doesn't defeat Voldemort alone. He defeats Voldemort because of love and connection. This distinction has real practical consequences for writers. If you're writing a hero's journey and you hit writer's block, Gail said, the solution is usually to isolate your hero further and pile on more strife. But if you're writing a heroine's journey, the solution is probably to throw a new character into the scene—someone who has advice to offer or a skill the heroine lacks. The actual solutions to writer's block are different depending on which narrative you're writing. As I reflected on my own work, I realised that my ARKANE thriller protagonist, Morgan Sierra, follows a hero's journey—she's a solo operative, a lone wolf like Jack Reacher or James Bond. But my Mapwalker fantasy series follows a heroine's journey, with Sienna and her group of friends working together. I hadn't consciously chosen those paths; the stories led me there. But understanding the framework helps me write more intentionally now. Actionable step: Identify which journey your protagonist is on. Does your character gain strength by being alone (hero) or by building connections (heroine)? This will inform every plot decision you make, from how they face obstacles to how your story ends. 5. Use ‘Metaphor Families' to Anchor Dialogue and Voice One of the most practical techniques Matt Bird shared on episode 624 is the idea of assigning each character a “metaphor family”—a specific well of language that they draw from. This gives each character a distinctive voice that goes beyond accent or dialect. Matt explained how in The Wire, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, every character has a different metaphor family. What struck him was that Omar, this iconic character, never utters a single curse word in the entire series. His metaphor family is pirate. He talks about parlays, uses language that feels like it belongs in Pirates of the Caribbean, and it creates this incredible ironic counterpoint against his urban setting. It tells us immediately that this is a character who sees himself in a tradition of people that doesn't match his immediate surroundings. Matt also referenced the UK version of The Office, where Gareth works at a paper company but aspires to the military. So all of his language is drawn from a military metaphor family. He doesn't talk about filing and photocopying; he talks about tactics and discipline and being on the front line. This tells us that the character has a life and dreams beyond the immediate scene—and it's the gap between aspiration and reality that makes him both funny and believable. He pointed out that a metaphor family sometimes comes from a character's background, but it's often more interesting when it comes from their aspirations. What does your character want to be? What world do they fantasise about inhabiting? That's where their language should come from. In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a spiritual hermit, but his metaphor family is military. He uses the language of generals and commanders, and that ironic counterpoint is part of what makes him feel so rich. Actionable step: Assign each of your main characters a metaphor family. It could be based on their job, their background, or—more interestingly—their secret aspirations. Then go through your dialogue and make sure each character is consistently drawing from that well of language. If two characters sound the same when you strip away the dialogue tags, this is the fix. 6. Find the Diagnostic Detail: The Diagonal Toast Avoid clichéd character tags—the random scar, the eye patch, the mysterious limp—unless they serve a deep narrative purpose. Matt Bird on episode 624 was very funny about this: he pointed out that Nick Fury, Odin, and eventually Thor all have eye patches in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Eye patches are done, he said. You cannot do eye patches anymore. Instead, look for what I'm calling the “diagonal toast” detail, after a scene Matt described from Captain Marvel. In the film, Captain Marvel is trying to determine whether Nick Fury is who he says he is. She asks him to prove he isn't a shapeshifting alien. Fury shares biographical details—his history, his mother—but then she pushes further and says, name one more thing you couldn't possibly have made up about yourself. And Fury says: if toast is cut diagonally, I can't eat it. Matt said that detail is gold for a writer because it feels pulled from a real life. You can pull it from your own life and gift it to your characters, and the reader can tell it's not manufactured. He gave another example from The Sopranos: Tony Soprano's mother won't answer the phone after dark. The show's creator, David Chase, confirmed on the DVD commentary that this came from his own mother, who genuinely would not answer the phone after dark and couldn't explain why. Matt's practical advice was to keep a journal. Write down the strange, specific things that people do or say. Mine your own life for those hyper-specific details. You just need one per book. In my own writing, I've used this approach. In my ARKANE thrillers, my character Morgan Sierra has always been Angelina Jolie in my mind—specifically Jolie in Lara Croft or Mr and Mrs Smith. And Blake Daniel in my crime thriller series was based on Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy. I paste pictures of actors into my Scrivener projects. It helps with visuals, but also with the sense of the character, their energy and physicality. But visual details only take you so far. It's the behavioural quirks—the diagonal toast moments—that make a character feel genuinely alive. That said, physical character tags can work brilliantly when they serve the story. As I discuss in How to Write a Novel, Robert Galbraith's Cormoran Strike is an amputee, and his pain and the physical challenges of his prosthesis are a key part of every story—it's not a cosmetic detail, it's woven into the action and the character's psychology. My character Blake Daniel always wears gloves to cover the scars on his hands, which provides an angle into his wounded past as well as a visual cue for the reader. And of course, Harry Potter's lightning-shaped scar isn't just a mark—it's a direct connection to his nemesis and the mythology of the entire series. The rule of thumb is: if the tag tells us something about the character's interior life or connects to the plot, it's earning its place. If it's just there to make the character visually distinctive, it's probably a crutch. Game of Thrones takes character tags further with the family houses, each with their own mottos and sigils. The Starks say “Winter is coming” and their sigil is a dire wolf. Those aren't just labels—they're worldview made visible. Actionable step: Start a “diagonal toast” notebook. Every time you notice something strange and specific about someone's behaviour—something that feels too real to be made up—write it down. Then gift it to a character who needs more texture. 7. Displace Your Own Trauma into the Work Barbara Nickless shared something deeply personal on episode 732 that fundamentally changed how I think about putting pain onto the page. While starting At First Light, the first book in her Dr. Evan Wilding series, she lost her son to epilepsy—something called SUDEP, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone. Barbara said that writing helped her cope with the trauma, that doing a deep dive into Old English literature and the Viking Age for the book's research became a lifeline. But here's what's important: she didn't give Dr. Evan Wilding her exact trauma. Evan Wilding is four feet five inches, and Barbara described how he has to walk through a world that won't adjust to him. That's its own form of learning to cope when circumstances are beyond your control. She displaced her genuine grief into the character's different but parallel struggle. When I asked her about the difference between writing for therapy and writing for an audience, she drew on her experience teaching creative writing to veterans through a collaboration between the US Department of Defense and the National Endowment for the Arts. She said she's found that she can pour her heartache into her characters and process it through them, even when writing professionally, and that the genuine emotion is what touches readers. We've all been through our own losses and griefs, so seeing how a character copes can be deeply meaningful. I've always found that putting my own pain onto the page is the most direct way to connect with a reader's soul. My character Morgan Sierra's musings on religion and the supernatural are often my own. Her restlessness, her fascination with the darker edges of faith—those come from me. But her Krav Maga fighting skills and her ability to kill the bad guys are definitely her own. That gap between what's mine and what's hers is where the fiction lives. Barbara also said something on that episode that I wrote down and stuck on my wall. She said the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul. I've been thinking about that ever since. On my own wall, I have “Measure your life by what you create.” Different words, same truth. Actionable step: If you're carrying something heavy—grief, anger, fear, regret—consider how you might displace it into a character's different but emotionally parallel struggle. Don't copy your exact situation; transform it. The emotion will be genuine, and the reader will feel it. 8. Write Diverse Characters as Real People When I spoke with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673—Sarah is Choctaw and a historical fiction author honoured by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian—she offered a perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. The key message was to move away from stereotypes. Don't write your American Indian character as the “Wise Guide” who exists solely to dispense mystic wisdom to the white protagonist. Don't limit diverse characters to historical settings, as though they only exist in the past. Place them in normal, contemporary roles. Your spaceship captain, your forensic scientist, your small-town baker—any of them can be American Indian, or Nigerian, or Japanese, and their heritage should be a lived-in part of their identity, not the sole reason they exist in the story. I write international thrillers and dark fantasy, and my fiction is populated with characters from all over the world. I have a multi-cultural family and I've lived in many places and travelled widely, so I've met, worked with, and had relationships with people from different cultures. I find story ideas through travel, and if I set my books in a certain place, then the story is naturally populated with the people who live there. As I discuss in my book, How to Write a Novel, the world is a diverse place, so your fiction needs to be populated with all kinds of people. If I only populated my fiction with characters like me, they would be boring novels. There are many dimensions of difference—race, nationality, sex, age, body type, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, culture, education level—and even then, don't assume that similar types of people think the same way. Some authors worry they will make mistakes. We live in a time of outrage, and some authors have been criticised for writing outside their own experience. So is it too dangerous to try? Of course not. The media amplifies outliers, and most authors include diverse characters in every book without causing offence because they work hard to get it right. It's about awareness, research, and intent. Actionable step: Audit the cast of your current work in progress. Have you written a mono-cultural perspective for all of them? If so, consider who could bring a different background, perspective, or set of cultural specifics to the story. Not as a token addition, but as a real person with a real life. 9. Respect Tribal and Cultural Specificity Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673 was emphatic about one thing: never treat diverse groups as monolithic. If you're writing a Native American character, you must research the specific nation. Choctaw is not Navajo, just as British is not French. Sarah described the distinct cultural markers of the Choctaw people—the diamond pattern you'll see on traditional shirts and dresses, which represents the diamondback rattlesnake. They have distinct dances and songs. She said that if she saw someone in traditional dress at a distance, she would know whether they were Choctaw based on what they were wearing. She encouraged writers who want to write specifically about a nation to get to know those people. Go to events, go to a powwow, learn about the individual culture. She noted that a big misconception is that American Indians exist only in the past—she stressed that they are still here, still living their cultures, and fiction should reflect that present reality. I took a similar approach when writing Destroyer of Worlds, which is set mostly in India. I read books about Hindu myth, watched documentaries about the sadhus, and had one of my Indian readers from Mumbai check my cultural references. For Risen Gods, set in New Zealand with a young Maori protagonist, I studied books about Maori mythology and fiction by Maori authors, and had a male Maori reader check for cultural issues. Research is simply an act of empathy. The practical takeaway is this: if you're going to include a character from a specific cultural background, do the work. Use specific cultural details rather than generic signifiers. Sarah talked about how even she fell into stereotypes when she was first writing, until her mother pointed them out. If someone from within a culture can fall into those traps, the rest of us certainly can. Do the research, try your best, ask for help, and apologise if you need to. Actionable step: If you're writing a character from a specific culture, identify three to five sensory or behavioural details that are particular to that culture—not the generic version, but the real, researched, lived-in version. Consider hiring a sensitivity reader from that community to check your work. 10. Give Your Protagonist a Morally Neutral ‘Hero' Status Matt Bird was clear about this on episode 624: the word “hero” simply means the protagonist, the person we follow through the story. It's a functional role, not a moral label. We don't have to like them. We don't even have to root for their goals in a moral sense. We just have to find them compelling enough to invest our attention in their problem-solving. Think of Succession, where every member of the Roy family is varying degrees of awful, and yet the show was utterly compelling. Or WeCrashed, where Adam Neumann is a narcissistic con artist, but we can't look away because he's trying to solve the enormous problem of building an empire from nothing, and the tradecraft he employs is fascinating. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, readers must want to spend time with your characters. They don't have to be lovable or even likable—that will depend on your genre and story choices—but they have to be captivating enough that we want to spend time with them. A character who is trying to solve a massive problem will naturally draw investment from the audience, even if we wouldn't want to have tea with them. Will Storr extended this idea by pointing out that the audience will actually root for a character to solve their problem even if the audience doesn't actually want the character's goal to be achieved in the real world. We don't really want more billionaires, but we invested in Adam Neumann's rise because that was the problem the story posed, and our brains are wired to invest in problem-solving. This connects to something deeper: what does your character want, and why? As I explore in How to Write a Novel, desire operates on multiple levels. Take a character like Phil, who joins the military during wartime. On the surface, she wants to serve her country. But she also wants to escape her dead-end town and learn new skills. Deeper still, her father and grandfather served, and by joining up, she hopes to finally earn their respect. And perhaps deepest of all, her father died on a mission under mysterious circumstances, and she wants to find out what happened from the inside. That layering of motivation is what turns a flat character into a three-dimensional one. The audience doesn't need to be told all of this explicitly. It can emerge through action, dialogue, and the choices the character makes under pressure. But you, the writer, need to know it. You need to know what your character really wants deep down, because that desire—more than any external plot device—is what drives the story forward. And your antagonist needs the same depth. They also want something, often diametrically opposed to your protagonist, and they need a reason that makes sense to them. In my ARKANE thriller Tree of Life, my antagonist is the heiress of a Brazilian mining empire who wants to restore the Earth to its original state to atone for the destruction caused by her father's company. She's part of a radical ecological group who believe the only way to restore Nature is to end all human life. It's extreme, but in an era of climate change, it's a motivation readers can understand—even if they disagree with the solution. Actionable step: If you're struggling to make a morally grey character work, make sure their problem is big enough and their methods are specific and interesting enough that we invest in the how, even if we're ambivalent about the what. 11. Build Vibrant Side Characters Gail Carriger made a point on episode 550 that was equal parts craft advice and business strategy. In a Heroine's Journey model, side characters aren't just fodder to be killed off to motivate the hero. They form a network. And because you don't have to kill them—unlike in a hero's journey, where allies are often betrayed or removed so the hero can be further isolated—you can pick up those side characters and give them their own books. Gail said this creates a really voracious reader base. You write one series with vivid side characters, and then readers fall in love with those side characters and want their stories. So you write spin-offs. The romance genre does this brilliantly—think of the Bridgerton books, where each sibling gets their own novel. The side character in one book becomes the protagonist in the next. Barbara Nickless experienced this firsthand with her Dr. Evan Wilding series. She has River Wilding, Evan's adventurous brother, and Diana, the axe-throwing research assistant, and her editor has already expressed interest in a spin-off series with those characters. Barbara described creating characters she wants to spend time with, or characters who give her nightmares but also intrigue her. That's the dual test: are they interesting enough for you to write, and interesting enough for readers to demand more? As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, characters that span series can deepen the reader's relationship with them as you expand their backstory into new plots. Readers will remember the character more than the plot or the book title, and look forward to the next instalment because they want more time with those people. British crime author Angela Marsons described it as readers feeling like returning to her characters is like putting on a pair of old slippers. Actionable step: Look at your supporting cast. Is there a side character who is vivid enough to carry their own story? If not, what could you add—a specific hobby, a distinct voice, a compelling backstory—that would make readers want more of them? 12. Use Voice as a Rhythmic Tool Voice is one of the most important elements of novel writing, and Matt Bird helped me think about it in a technical, mechanical way that I found really useful. He pointed out that the ratio of periods to commas defines a character's internal reality. A staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short sentences—suggests a character who is certain, grounded, or perhaps survivalist and traumatised. Katniss in The Hunger Games has a period-heavy voice. She's in survival mode. She doesn't have time for complexity or qualification. A flowing, comma-heavy style suggests someone more academic, more nuanced, or possibly more scattered and manipulative. The character who qualifies everything, who adds sub-clauses and digressions, is a different kind of person from the character who speaks in declarations. This is something you can actually measure. Pull up a passage of your character's dialogue or internal monologue and count the periods versus the commas. If the rhythm doesn't match who the character is supposed to be, you've found a mismatch you can fix. Sentence length is the heartbeat of your character's persona. And voice extends beyond rhythm to the words themselves. As I discussed in the metaphor families tip, each character should draw from a distinctive well of language. But voice also encompasses their relationship to silence. Some characters talk around the thing they mean; others say it straight. Some are self-deprecating; others are blunt to the point of rudeness. All of these choices are character choices, not just style choices. I find it useful to read my dialogue aloud—and not just to check for naturalness, but to hear whether each character sounds distinct. If you could swap dialogue lines between two characters and nobody would notice, you have a voice problem. One practical test: cover the dialogue tags and see if you can tell who's speaking from the words alone. Actionable step: Choose a key passage from your protagonist's point of view and read it aloud. Does the rhythm match the character? A soldier under fire should not sound like a philosophy professor at a wine tasting. Adjust the ratio of periods to commas until the voice feels right. 13. Link Character and Plot Until They're Inseparable Will Storr made the case on episode 490 that the number one problem he sees in the writing he encounters—in workshops, in submissions, even in published books—is that the characters and the plots are unconnected. There's a story happening, and there are people in it, but the story isn't a product of who those people are. He said a story should be like life. In our lives, the plots are intimately connected to who we are as characters. The goals we pursue, the obstacles we face, the same problems that keep recurring—these are products of our personalities, our flaws, our specific ways of being in the world. His framework is that your plot should be designed specifically to plot against your character. You've got a character with a particular flaw; the plot exists to test that flaw over and over until the character either transforms or doubles down and explodes. Jaws is the perfect example. Brody is afraid of water. A shark shows up in the coastal town he's responsible for protecting. The entire plot is engineered to force him to confront the one thing he cannot face. Will pointed out that the whole plot of Jaws is structured around Brody's flaw. It begins with the shark arriving, the midpoint is when Brody finally gets the courage to go into the water, and the very final scene isn't the shark blowing up—it's Brody swimming back through the water. Even a film that's ninety-eight percent action is, at its core, structured around a character with a character flaw. This is the standard I aspire to in my own work, even in my action-heavy thrillers. The external plot should be a mirror of the internal struggle. When those two are aligned, the story becomes irresistible. Will also made an important point about series fiction, which is where most commercial authors live. I asked him how this works when your character can't be transformed at the end of every book because there has to be a next book. His answer was elegant: you don't cure them. Episodic TV characters like Fleabag or David Brent or Basil Fawlty never truly change—and the fact that they don't change is actually the source of the comedy. But every episode throws a new story event at them that tests and exposes their flaw. You just keep throwing story events at them again and again. That's a soap opera, a sitcom, and a book series. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, character flaws are aspects of personality that affect the person so much that facing and overcoming them becomes central to the plot. In Jaws, the protagonist Brody is afraid of the water, but he has to overcome that flaw to destroy the killer shark and save the town. But remember, your characters should feel like real people, so never define them purely by their flaws. The character addicted to painkillers might also be a brilliant and successful female lawyer who gets up at four in the morning to work out at the gym, likes eighties music, and volunteers at the local dog shelter at weekends. Character wounds are different from flaws. They're formed from life experience and are part of your character's backstory—traumatic events that happened before the events of your novel but shape the character's reactions in the present. In my ARKANE thrillers, Morgan Sierra's husband Elian died in her arms during a military operation. This happened before the series begins, but her memories of it recur when she faces a firefight, and she struggles to find happiness again for fear of losing someone she loves once more. And then there's the perennial advice: show, don't tell. Most writers have heard this so many times that it's easy to nod and then promptly write scenes that tell rather than show. Basically, you need to reveal your character through action and dialogue, rather than explanation. In my thriller Day of the Vikings, Morgan Sierra fights a Neo-Viking in the halls of the British Museum and brings him down with Krav Maga. That fight scene isn't just about showing action. It opens up questions about her backstory, demonstrates character, and moves the plot forward. Telling would be something like: “Morgan was an expert in Krav Maga.” Showing is the reader discovering it through the scene itself. Actionable step: Look at the main plot events of your novel. For each major turning point, ask: does this scene specifically test my protagonist's flaw? If not, can you redesign the scene so that it does? The tighter the connection between character and plot, the more powerful the story. 14. The ‘Maestra' Approach: Write Out of Order If you're a discovery writer like me, you may feel like the deep character work I've been describing sounds more suited to plotters. But Barbara Nickless gave me a beautiful metaphor on episode 732 that reframes it entirely. Barbara described her evolving writing process as being like a maestra standing in front of an orchestra. Sometimes you bring in the horns—a certain theme—and sometimes you bring in the strings—a certain character—and sometimes you turn to the soloist. It's a more organic and jumping-around process than linear writing, and Barbara said she's only recently given herself permission to work this way. When I told her that I use Scrivener to write in scenes out of order and then drag and drop them into a structure later, she was genuinely intrigued. And this is how I've always worked. I'll see the story in my mind like a movie trailer—flashes of the big emotional scenes, the pivotal confrontations, the moments of revelation—and I write those first. I don't know how they hang together until quite late in the process. Then I'll move scenes around, print the whole thing out, and figure out the connective tissue. The point is that discovery writers can absolutely build deep characters. Sometimes writing the big emotional scenes first is how you discover who the character is before you fill in the rest. You don't need a twenty-page character worksheet or a 200-page outline like Jeffery Deaver. You need to be willing to follow the character into the unknown and trust that the structure will emerge. As Barbara said, she writes to know what she's thinking. That's the discovery writer's credo. And I would add: I write to know who my characters are. Actionable step: If you're stuck on your current chapter, skip it. Write the scene that's burning in your imagination, even if it's from the middle or the end. That scene might be the key to unlocking who your character really is. 15. Use Research to Help with Empathy Research shouldn't just be about factual accuracy—it's a tool for finding the sensory details that create empathy. Barbara Nickless described research as almost an excuse to explore things that fascinate her, and I feel exactly the same way. I would go so far as to say that writing is an excuse for me to explore the things that interest me. Barbara and I both travel for our stories. For her Dr. Evan Wilding books, she did deep research into Old English literature and the Viking Age. For my thriller End of Days, I transcribed hours of video from Appalachian snake-handling churches on YouTube to understand the worldview of the worshippers, because my antagonist was brought up in that tradition. I couldn't just make that up. I had to hear their language, feel their conviction, understand why they would hold venomous serpents as an act of faith. Barbara also mentioned getting to Israel and the West Bank for research, and I've been to both places too. Finding that one specific sensory detail—the smell of a particular location, the specific way an expert handles a tool, the sound of a particular kind of music—makes the character's life feel lived-in. It's the difference between a character who is described as living in a place and a character who inhabits it. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, don't write what you know. Write what you want to learn about. I love research. It's part of why I'm an author in the first place. I take any excuse to dive into a world different from my own. Research using books, films, podcasts, and travel, and focus particularly on sources produced by people from the worldview you want to understand. Actionable step: For your next piece of character research, go beyond reading. Watch a documentary, visit a location, talk to someone who lives the experience. Find one sensory detail—a smell, a sound, a texture—that you couldn't have invented. That detail will make your character feel real. Bonus: Measure Your Life by What You Create In an age of AI and a tsunami of content, your ultimate brand protection is the quality of your human creation. Barbara Nickless said that the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. Don't be afraid to take that step back, like I did with my deadlifting. Take the time to master these deeper craft skills. It might feel like you're slowing down or going backwards by not chasing the latest marketing trend, but it's the only way to step forward into a sustainable, high-quality career. Your characters are your signature. No AI can replicate the specificity of your lived experience, the emotional truth of your displaced trauma, or the sensory details you've gathered from a life of curiosity and travel. Those are yours. Pour them into your characters, and they will resonate for years to come. Actionable Takeaway: Identify the Dramatic Question for your current protagonist. Can you state it in a single sentence with the kind of specificity Will Storr described? Is it as clear as “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you the only adult in the room?” If you can't answer it with that kind of precision, your character might still be a sketch. Give them a diagonal toast moment today. Find the one hyper-specific detail that proves they are not an imitation of life. And then ask yourself: does your plot test your character's flaw in every major scene? If you can align those two things—a precisely defined character and a plot that exists to test them—you will have a story that readers cannot put down. References and Deep Dives The episodes I've referenced today are all available with full transcripts at TheCreativePenn.com: Episode 732 — Facing Fears, and Writing Unique Characters with Barbara Nickless Episode 673 — Writing Choctaw Characters and Diversity in Fiction with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Episode 624 — Writing Characters with Matt Bird Episode 550 — The Heroine's Journey with Gail Carriger Episode 490 — How Character Flaws Shape Story with Will Storr Books mentioned: The Secrets of Character: Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love by Matt Bird The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book by Joanna Penn You can find all my books for authors at CreativePennBooks.com and my fiction and memoir at JFPennBooks.com Happy writing! How was this episode created? This episode was initiated created by NotebookLM based on YouTube videos of the episodes linked above from YouTube/TheCreativePenn, plus my text chapters on character from How to Write a Novel. NotebookLM created a blog post from the material and then I expanded it and fact checked it with Claude.ai 4.6 Opus, and then I used my voice clone at ElevenLabs to narrate it. The post Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character first appeared on The Creative Penn.

This week, Madigan brings you a REWIND episode from September 23, 2024, in which you;ll learn the story of the woman who organized the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan, or RAWA, who lived (and died) for the freedom of Afghan women and girls, Meena. I highly recommend reading the book, Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, for more information on today's subject. ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Meena-Heroine-Afghanistan-Revolutionary-Association/dp/0312306903⁠ To listen to more, join me on Patreon! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/angryneighborhoodfeminist⁠ Do you have a topic that you want the show to take on?    Email ⁠neighborhoodfeminist@gmail.com⁠ Social media:     Instagram: @angryneighborhoodfeminist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded in Iceland! In this episode we chat about how to show at an art museum in Iceland, overcoming health obstacles, painting from your personal experience and more with project manager for exhibitions at the Akureyri Art Museum, Freyja Reynisdottir .Check out Freyja's work on her instagram here: CLICK HERE.Submit your work to the NYC exhibition I am curating, She in the Tower, with a deadline of April 10: ⁠CLICK HERE⁠Experience my FREE masterclass, Awakening the Heroine: aligning energy and action for artistic acclaim, flow, and fortune, by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICKING HERE! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for my coaching program, The Luminary Artist Academy, before April 1 for guaranteed inclusion in a NYC May exhibition I am curating, "She in the Tower" Sign up and learn more here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LUMINARY ARTIST ACADEMY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet with me for 15 minutes to make sure the program is right for you: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CALENDLY LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enter the Creative Heroine podcast contest! Winner gets a podcast interview. To enter, write a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me on IG at @thecreativeheroines or email jlibor@jessicalibor.com . Read & subscribe to my substack, Painting the Realm of Forms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jessicalibor.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And join our Discord here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/SB2YY5NrnF⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out all of our courses and coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecreativeheroines.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can explore my art here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jessicalibor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening!!

The origins of International Working Women's Day lie in socialist organising and in the understanding that women's oppression is rooted in class society. Subscribe! Donate! Join us in building a bright future for humanity! www.thecommunists.org www.lalkar.org www.redyouth.org Telegram: t.me/thecommunists Twitter: twitter.com/cpgbml Soundcloud: @proletarianradio Rumble: rumble.com/c/theCommunists Odysee: odysee.com/@proletariantv:2 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpgbml Online Shop: https://shop.thecommunists.org/ Education Program: https://thecommunists.org/education-programme/ Each one teach one! www.londonworker.org/education-programme/ Join the struggle www.thecommunists.org/join/ Donate: www.thecommunists.org/donate/

In this episode I share my experience of exploring Iceland and my artist residency at the Akureyri Art Museum.⁠Submit your work to the NYC exhibition I am curating, She in the Tower, with a deadline of April 10: CLICK HEREExperience my FREE masterclass, Awakening the Heroine: aligning energy and action for artistic acclaim, flow, and fortune, by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICKING HERE! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for my coaching program, The Luminary Artist Academy, before April 1 for guaranteed inclusion in a NYC May exhibition I am curating, "She in the Tower" Sign up and learn more here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LUMINARY ARTIST ACADEMY⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet with me for 15 minutes to make sure the program is right for you: ⁠⁠⁠⁠CALENDLY LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠Enter the Creative Heroine podcast contest! Winner gets a podcast interview. To enter, write a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me on IG at @thecreativeheroines or email jlibor@jessicalibor.com . Read & subscribe to my substack, Painting the Realm of Forms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jessicalibor.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And join our Discord here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/SB2YY5NrnF⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out all of our courses and coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecreativeheroines.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can explore my art here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jessicalibor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening!!

What if the antidote to stress, overthinking, and constant mental chatter has been quietly walking beside us all along? Today we have a conversation with a master storyteller, consultant to the likes of Pixar, LucasFilms and Disney - Tom Schlesinger, on quieting the noise, returning to the body, and rediscovering joy. All through the lens of how dogs can remind us how to lead our best lives. Chapters00:00 – Intro & Welcome05:02 – Monkey Mind and Mental Chatter07:22 – Storytelling Before Language10:00 – Dogs, Humor, and Emotional Balance14:30 – Remembering Dog Stories Brings Us Home20:18  – Myth, Archetypes, and the Heroine's Journey31:09 – The Power of the Pause32:40 – Presence, Time, and Stress42:50 – Sensory Storytelling and the Body47:20 – Break49:37 – The Silent Evolution01:12:35 – Perfectionism vs Creative Flow01:28:39 – Returning to the Body and the Earth

WOW!!!

Leodora Darlington stopped by our office to chat about her debut novel The Exes, and immediately started spilling secrets. We got into her original (much deadlier) working title, daddy issues, and dating red flags. It's a conversation about rage, relationships, and the monsters we inherit.  Natalie is searching for "the one," but her dating history comes with a body count and lapse of memory. As old secrets claw their way into her new relationship, she's forced to confront what really happened to the men she left behind. Get The Exes at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.  

Kate and Betsy dive into the topic of feminism after an article came out in the New York Times in November 2025 entitled “Are women ruining the workplace?”.  In this episode we seek to understand the real meaning of feminism, the different waves it has gone through, and what the wild woman archetype says about these times. In today's Episode we discuss: The fire that Kate felt after reading this article, and why we've gotten to a point where feminism has become a bad word. The actual definition of feminism, and the history of the feminist movement through 4 different waves. Wisdom from Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes in “Women Who Run with the Wolves” about feminism. Past Episodes that you Might Enjoy:    Episode 179: The Heroine's Journey: Descent to the Goddess Episode 163: Rage As Teacher Episode 148: Reflections on the Wild Woman Archetype and What She Can Teach us In These Divisive Times Episode 135: Mandy Fabian: Fiercely Feminine Film Director Episode 121: A New Feminine Energy is Rising Episode 114: Use Your Voice Today's Episode sponsored by: The Local Hub (https://thelocalhub-ic.com/) Kate Moreland Coaching (https://www.katemorelandcoaching.com/) Dr Yoga Momma (https://dryogamomma.com/) Heartland Yoga (https://heartlandyoga.com/) Want to go on retreat? Want to join Betsy in Costa Rica in May 11-18 2026 at her favorite retreat center to help you connect with your inner healer using yoga, meditation, energy medicine, and creativity?  At this retreat, broadway director Kristin Hanggi is joining to lead on the power of creativity to move us through our collective and personal anxiety.   All the details here!  Here is the episode with Kristin –  154. The Multi-Hyphenate Wonder that is Kristin Hanggi Source

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at motivating you to apply God's word while strengthening your heart and nurturing your soul. Today's Bible reading is Joshua 2. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional at https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-joy-hcj/. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

"Be glad of your human heart....Pity those who don't feel anything at all.” What if the meteoric rise of the romantasy genre isn't about fae courts and dragon riders—but about our deepest and most human longings? Romantasy has taken the publishing world by storm. While some dismiss these stories as escapist fantasy, we believe their deeper power lies in how they illuminate the human heart. In this series on the alchemy of romantasy, we explore the mythic and psychological currents running through books like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing. Through the lenses of Jung and the Hero's (and Heroine's) Journey, we examine the desire to individuate, to be truly seen, to claim inner sovereignty, to find belonging, security, and freedom—and to join with a soulmate who honors the self we are becoming. Join us as we ask why these stories resonate so profoundly right now, and what they reveal about who we are. References: Books & Series A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury – Sarah J. Maas Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros Psychology & Myth Enneagram 4 type Jung & the collective unconscious The Hero's Journey – Joseph Campbell Pop Culture Moana Frozen Monica Lewinsky's podcast  Related Gathering Gold Episodes Escape Hatch Fantasies What Could Have Been You Do Not Have to Be Good Bonus: Books that Changed Us Join us on Patreon for bonus content and virtual gatherings: patreon.com/gatheringgold Some of our recent bonus episodes include: What Sheryl Forgot and Victoria's Experiment | The Slipstream of Time | Give and Receiving - Shudder - Feedback | The Problem with Pedestals | Are Intrusive Thoughts like Stray Cats?

The new Wuthering Heights film is already sparking debate. From saucy costume choices to renewed arguments over what Heathcliff should look like,  raising a bigger question: Why are we still arguing about a novel published nearly 200 years ago? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by historian, playwright and author Samantha Ellis, How to be a Heroine, to ask: have we all been getting Wuthering Heights wrong this whole time?Buy Samanth's book How To Be A Heroine Or, what I've learned from reading too much through our affiliate bookshop and you'll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too.www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Wuthering Heights film is already sparking debate. From saucy costume choices to renewed arguments over what Heathcliff should look like,  raising a bigger question: Why are we still arguing about a novel published nearly 200 years ago? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by historian, playwright and author Samantha Ellis, How to be a Heroine, to ask: have we all been getting Wuthering Heights wrong this whole time? Buy Samanth's book How To Be A Heroine Or, what I've learned from reading too much through our affiliate bookshop and you'll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too. www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Massachusetts native, Dan Boudreau served 25 years on the state's judiciary before retiring in 2004 to focus on mediation and arbitration. He earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law, after which he practiced as a private attorney prior to judicial appointments.His judicial career began in 1979 as a trial judge; he progressed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, where he authored hundreds of opinions for eight years, leading to an appointment by Governor Frank Keating to the Oklahoma Supreme Court as an associate justice, briefly serving as chief justice upon swearing in.Post-retirement, Dan contributed to dispute resolution as a mediator and arbitrator.Listen to Dan tell his story about being a Vista volunteer, how he put a Tulsa minister in jail, and his experience as a state supreme court justice on the podcast and website VoicesOfOklahoma.com.

In this episode, I share the energetic secrets of being taken seriously as an artists, and simple shifts you can make today!Attend the Era Contemporary Rococo inspired exhibition that Emma Grace Hapner has curated, The Secret Show, with exhibition openings on February 5th and 6th! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND!Experience my FREE masterclass, Awakening the Heroine: aligning energy and action for artistic acclaim, flow, and fortune, by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICKING HERE! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for my coaching program, The Luminary Artist Academy, before December 1 for guaranteed inclusion in a NYC May exhibition I am curating, "Heroine." Sign up and learn more here: ⁠⁠⁠LUMINARY ARTIST ACADEMY⁠⁠⁠Meet with me for 15 minutes to make sure the program is right for you: ⁠⁠⁠CALENDLY LINK⁠⁠⁠Enter the Creative Heroine podcast contest! Winner gets a podcast interview. To enter, write a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me on IG at @thecreativeheroines or email jlibor@jessicalibor.com . Read & subscribe to my substack, Painting the Realm of Forms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jessicalibor.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And join our Discord here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/SB2YY5NrnF⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for my free upcoming masterclass here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/b95c65c94acc/manifesting-for-artists⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out all of our courses and coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thecreativeheroines.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can explore my art here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jessicalibor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening!!

Back in 2008, I wrote a review of The Heroine's Journey on Goodreads. At the time, I was developing Mythellaneous, which was a clown hero's journey, so I was very excited to read this book, which was meant to be a women's version of the famous hero's journey as described by Joseph Campebll. Unfortunately, The Heroine's Journey was disappointing and generally kind of facile and old fashioned. It did not help me in the creation of that show.Over the years, I have noticed likes coming through for this review, more than any other book on my list. To keep reading ⁠⁠Comments on The Heroine's Journey⁠ ⁠⁠visit the Songs for the Struggling Artist blog. This is Episode 483Song: I'm No Heroine⁠Image of some of my myth booksTo support this podcast:Give it 5 stars in Apple Podcasts. Write a nice review!Rate it at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/strugglingartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mailing list: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.emilyrainbowdavis.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/SongsfortheStrugglingArtist/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support me on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/emilyrdavis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kofi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://ko-fi.com/emilyrainbowdavis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.me/strugglingartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://emilyrainbowdavis.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erainbowd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon - @erainbowd@podvibes.coBlue sky - @erainbowd.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to The Dragoning ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and The Defense ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Explicit due to one f**k

The daily news is filled with stories of division, wars, mass shootings, rights getting overturned, political chaos, and so much continuous devastation. What can we do collectively to ease the pain? Our guest today, scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D., delves into the idea of finding possibility, even during these times of great grief. We have been conditioned to respond to the terrible, but it does not have to be this way. As an icon in the Human Potential movement, Jean shares ideas about how the Renaissance, with its advancements in music, art, poetry, and cosmology,  came after great plagues and times of war, much like the world's situation today. Could we be in a new Renaissance period now? We are once again in a similar time of radical growth, and we have the power within us to see new possibilities and reach mythical potential in our human evolution.   Jean shares stories of her travels and talks about her friendship with scholar Joseph Campbell and how they would have "beautiful fights" which were friendly arguments and deep discussions about mythology and the fate of humanity. Campbell wrote extensively about the "Hero's Journey," while Jean considered the "Heroine's Journey." Part of the problem is that 50% of the human race is not being recognized for women's immense creativity and power. Women's ways are missing. With an emphasis on compassion, cooperation, community, and process rather than product and competition, humane creativity must be celebrated by acknowledging the achievements of women.  She also talks about her fateful meeting of evolutionary philosopher and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who became one of her mentors when she was much younger. At an early age, they would have profound discussions of time, history, and transformation, as she gained an alternate education of possibilities through their talks. Info: https://www.jeanhouston.com/

*Enjoy a preview of our new My Heroine Journey podcast:We all want the happy ever after, but what if that happy ending you dream of every day isn't actually the ending you want?What if your true happy ever after was something you've never dreamt of?Join today's journey as Megan and Kate discuss:Your core self versus your human self and the difference in their desiresThe truth behind why you want what you wantHow to find the pearl of your true heart's desire in the sea of human confusion The steps to start creating the happy ever after of your dreams Scotland is calling! Join our APRIL 2026 Scotland Fantasy Tour HERE Want to explore the world of SJM with us? Become a PATRON and gain access to our entire Sarah J. Maas series collection! LISTEN to our new My Heroine Journey podcast and follow us here: APPLE / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE

As the British Museum opens Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans, Ben Luke takes a tour of the exhibition with the museum's head of Oceania, Alice Christophe. We also hear about the museum's fresh approach to the stewardship of its collection of Hawaiian objects and materials. In Venice, one of the most famous palazzi on the Grand Canal, the Ca' Dario, is up for sale and we discuss the building, its history and its supposed curse with the founder of The Art Newspaper and former chair of the Venice in Peril charity, Anna Somers Cocks. And this episode's Work of the Week is Bathtub (1961-87), a late work made by Joseph Beuys, cast in bronze after his death in 1986. It is at the centre of a new show of Beuys's work at the Thaddaeus Ropac gallery in London, and I speak to Thaddaeus Ropac about the sculpture and its long journey to completion.Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans, British Museum, London, until 25 May 2026.Joseph Beuys: Bathtub for a Heroine, Thaddaeus Ropac, London, until 21 March. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How was Charles VII, with the help of Joan of Arc, able to fight his way to Reims to be crowned in the ancient seat of French kings? Why was she able to continually defeat the formidable soldiers of England, in battle? And, how was Joan's legendary ascent finally brought shatteringly down, as she fell into the hands of her dreaded English enemies…? Join Tom and Dominic as the discuss the apex of Joan of Arc's many triumphs, her continued war with the English, and the terrible moment that would see her captured, cast in irons, and put on trial for her life… _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editor: Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Baldwin Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude  Producer: Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Sayan sits down with author and indie publisher Annabel Youens to challenge the “go it alone” hero narrative and explore the heroine's journey, where healing and success grow through community. This conversation is for anyone feeling burned out by hustle-first stories, navigating a midlife identity shift, or craving a more grounded path to purpose. You will hear how stories shape mental health, why collaboration reduces loneliness, and how self-trust can return when you listen inward. About the Guest: Annabel Youens is the author of the debut speculative novel Thread Traveler and the founder of Sortline Press, publishing transformation stories for women in midlife. She previously spent 25 years in tech entrepreneurship, including an early role at AppBooks.com. Key Takeaways: Notice where the “solo hero” mindset is isolating you Reframe midlife as a second-act doorway, not a breakdown Ask: What did your 17-year-old self want that you postponed Create a daily practice that helps you hear your inner voice Replace “winning” with “collaborating” in one real-life situation How to Connect With the Guest: Website: https://linkly.link/2Ksbq  Substack: Saved by the Spell Book: Thread Traveler (available wherever books are sold) Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

Recorded in Paris at Muse & Heroine's Healing House, Mikaela MacLean (Director of Intuitive Skin Science at LILFOX) sits down with founder and beauty curator Janine Knizia for an insider conversation on skincare rituals, longevity, and next-generation ingredients. Janine shares how her early obsession with INCI lists led from a career in fashion to building Muse & Heroine, curating brands with uncompromising standards, and launching her own skincare line.They cover what it really takes to vet a skincare brand (and why it can take months), the daily rituals Janine refuses to skip, and the growing future of ocean-derived biotechnology, bio-fermented microorganisms, NAD, senescent “zombie cells,” and exosomes. Plus, lessons from the beauty industry, boundaries, integrity, and the personal “why” behind longevity.Stay tuned for an exciting collaboration announcement from Muse & Heroine, LILFOX + Mikaela MacLean...Highlights:How a true beauty curator evaluates brands and why vetting can take 3–6 monthsThe non-negotiable rituals that keep skin resilient: masking, sauna, and AM/PM routinesWhy Janine moved from fashion into wellness and beauty, and her stance against devaluing productsThe longevity conversation inside skincare: telomeres, mitochondria, senescent cellsWhat's next in skincare innovation: bioidentical exosomes and ocean-based ingredientsBoundaries in the beauty industry and choosing founders with integrityDesert island skincare picks, including the "iconic” LILFOX Flower Goo and Janine's Taffy Creme Longevity + biohacking framed as holistic lifestyle (not bro science)Muse & Heroine: website https://museandheroine.com/Instagram: @muse_and_heroine & @janinekniziaskincareLILFOX: @lilfox.beauty 

The end of the year can bring a lot of pressure to reflect, reset, and reinvent yourself all at once. Some people love the fresh-start energy of January, while others feel overwhelmed, resistant, or just plain tired. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, this episode is an invitation to step away from the noise and approach the transition into a new year in a way that actually feels supportive. In this short episode, I talk about why January isn't as powerful as we've been led to believe, why there's no single “right” way to do personal growth, and how you don't need resolutions, routines, or lifestyle overhauls to be worthy of change. I also guide you through a simple end-of-year reflection designed to help you close the year with honesty and move forward with clarity—without pressure or what might feel like performative positivity. In this episode, we explore: Why you don't have to begin the year with resolutions, intentions, or rigid routines in order to grow or change How January is just a date on the calendar, and why meaningful resets can happen at any point in the year The importance of questioning advice that claims there's only one correct way to heal, grow, or live well A simple end-of-year inventory that invites you to reflect on: The wins and moments where you showed up for yourself The lessons you learned about your needs, limits, and patterns The losses, endings, and disappointments that shaped your year  What you're ready to stop carrying forward into the next year Why focusing on how you want to feel can be more grounding than focusing on what you want to accomplish How choosing a few feeling-words for the year ahead can serve as a compass rather than a set of rules As you step into the new year, remember that you're not behind and you don't need to have everything figured out right away. You're allowed to move slowly, do things differently, and begin again whenever it feels right for you. Resources from this episode: Write Your Way Through It starts on January 21st! Come join us at Rythmia in January! The Heroine's Journey by Maureen Murdock Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I've compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by:We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link: http://andreaowen.com/podcast/709 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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