The Deepening

In this episode I speak with Cecily Mak — author of Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits — about the habits and behaviors we reach for to soften the edges of our lives, and what becomes possible when we loosen their grip. Cecily introduces the concept of "dimmers" — not just substances like alcohol, but anything we use to take the edge off: overworking, scroll...

In this episode, I’m joined by mythologist Maria Souza for a deep and beautiful conversation about the power of myth to illuminate our inner lives. We explore why myth still matters, how ancient stories mirror our psychological patterns, and how women can use stories to reconnect with intuition, creativity, and inner authority. Maria shares how myth can guide us during personal transitions and how...

In this episode, I speak with Lisa Marchiano , Jungian analyst, author, and co-host of This Jungian Life , about her book Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams (co-authored with Deborah Stewart and Joseph Lee). We explore how dreams can serve as a compass for meaning and purpose , guiding us toward our fullest expression of self . Through the Jungian lens, Lisa explains how dreams act a...

In this rich conversation, Jungian analyst and internationally acclaimed author Dr. James Hollis joins me to explore the deep psychological and spiritual tasks of midlife—and how this threshold can open us to greater authenticity, meaning, and vitality. We talk about reclaiming personal authority, questioning inherited beliefs, and listening to the deeper promptings of the psyche. Hollis shares wh...

How do we begin to heal the damage that addiction can cause in our relationships? In this episode, I speak with Janice Johnson Dowd — a Licensed Master Social Worker, recovering alcoholic, mother of four, and author of Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery . Together we explore the challenges of rebuilding trust, making amends, and navigating grief, guilt, and the deep longing for connection. Janic...

In this episode I speak with author and Dharma teacher Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) about her groundbreaking book Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction , coauthored with psychiatrist Dr. Paramabandhu Groves. This conversation offers a rich and powerful exploration of addiction—not only in its traditional forms, but in the everyday ways we avoid pain and disconn...

Journalist Maggie Jones has spent her career exploring the tender, often taboo experiences that define us—from grief and death to sex, aging, and desire. In this deeply personal conversation, we talk about the home funeral my family held for my mother in 2019, which Maggie witnessed and later wrote about in her powerful feature, The Movement to Bring Death Closer . Together, we explore what it mea...

In this episode, I talk with Lisa Marchiano about her powerful book The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire . It's a rich and inspiring resource—especially for women in midlife—offering a path to reconnect with lost parts of ourselves and reclaim our wholeness. Lisa is a Jungian analyst, author, and co-host of the popular podcast This Jungian Life . Her books...

Introduction to The Deepening: Conversations that lead you deeper into Self and Soul. If you're drawn to deeper conversations, I invite you to subscribe, tune in, and take the next step on your own unfolding journey.