In the most recent episode on my husband's podcast A Thousand Names for God, together, we explored the transformative power of stories.
As James Hillman states, the stories of the soul move events into experiences. We discussed how stories are not merely historical or personal events but offer an experience of deeper, archetypal significance. This is where depth psychology offers perspective, helping us see that while we may think we’re the authors of our stories, we’re often “lived” by these deeper, unseen patterns.
One highlight from the show was the idea of the “mundus imaginalis,” coined by French philosopher Henry Corbin. Unlike literal, historical time and space, the imaginal is an a-temporal space where myth and soul play—a place where stories unfold and where we can directly engage with archetypal figures and images. It’s a space that gives us orientation and insight into our lives, allowing us to expand our capacity for presence, depth, and meaning.
As Rick mentions in the podcast, "When we stay close to myth, the soul won't get lost."
The takeaway? Stories aren’t static; they’re dynamic forces that shape us, whether we realize it or not. By stepping into them fully, we allow ourselves to be moved, to expand our capacity for empathy, and to find new meaning in the narratives that influence our lives.
In the episode, Rick also asked me about the core essence of my upcoming WILD retreat series, given it is centered on fairytales and the “wild woman” archetype. This archetypal image of the wild woman is both the central flame and guiding theme for the tales we chose for each retreat.
In the podcast, we explored how the intention of the retreat series is to invite women to encounter myths that move them beyond familiar narratives of repression and division, guiding them instead toward embracing their inner wildness, their “inner fire.” The fairy tales chosen for the series circle around this process of embracing inner wildness, encouraging women to embody the wild woman’s essence as they confront and engage with archetypal themes—like the mother, the masculine, and maidenhood. Whether conscious or unconscious, the initiatory quality of individuation is inevitable. The question is whether we choose to enter it intentionally or be dragged.
For women, this means stepping into communal spaces to explore these patterns and stories in a supportive environment rather than being overwhelmed by them in isolation. The presence of these communal gatherings—spaces to share stories, dance, or simply exist with others outside of the collective chaos—is itself a remedy. The mythic dimension we intend to touch upon holds the potential to reconnect us to a sense of depth that has, over time, been sidelined, leaving many without the guidance of true elders. In the podcast, Rick and I emphasized how the loss of elders has meant a simultaneous loss of imaginal spaces, leading to deeper societal crises.
The retreat series, then, is not just a workshop; it’s a chance to return to the soul's language through story, movement, and communal ritual—a place to “tend to the fire,” surrounded by others willing to embrace both mystery and transformation.
For more information on my upcoming retreat series and to join me for the first online retreat on November 23rd, head here.
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