My guest today is the renowned Starhawk, a writer, activist, permaculture designer and teacher, and a leading voice for ecofeminism and earth-based spirituality. She is the author of thirteen books, including The Spiral Dance, The Earth Path, and The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups, as well as the visionary novels The Fifth Sacred Thing and City of Refuge.

She directs Earth Activist Training, which combines regenerative design with spirit, social permaculture, and activism, offering courses both online and in person.

In our conversation today, we begin with acknowledging the fires that have ravaged Los Angeles. We explore how the frame of ecofeminism connects this tragedy to how unequal power relations affect all aspects of life, with violence against women reflecting a similar disrespect for the earth. Starhawk eloquently explains how we might challenge these systems of oppression, offering frameworks for compassion and transformation.

We delve into the misinterpretations of feminism, the role of mythology in shaping cultural narratives, and how visionary fiction can illuminate paths to a sustainable future. Her novel The Fifth Sacred Thing is a central inspiration for our discussion, particularly the exploration of how creative non-violence might confront a fascist regime and lead to true societal transformation.

We also consider the role of men in social movements, focusing on the cultivation of authentic power, responsibility, and the capacity to truly love.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

LINKS

* Starhawk on Substack

* Starhawk on Facebook

* Starhawk’s Official Website

DON’T MISS

Starhawk will be joining us for Fugitive Futures, our 5 day online visionary summit.

My guest today is my good friend Tad Hargrave.

Tad is the founder of Marketing for Hippies with a mission to restore the beauty of the marketplace. He teaches folks who have a desire to do good, but hate marketing, how to articulate their work with elegance and effectiveness.

Tad has spent years learning his ancestral language of Scottish Gaelic in Nova Scotia and on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. As well, for over a decade we have both attended the Orphan Wisdom School with Stephen Jenkinson in Ontario, where we have many fond memories in the teaching hall. In recent years, he’s turned towards studying ancient history, comparative mythology and Indo-European folklore.

In our conversation today, Tad has turned towards the fairy tale Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) and what it might have to stay about the indigenous memory of Europe.

Chances are, you’ve seen the Disney version of the story, though I would highly recommend you pause this episode and read the original Grimm’s tale before continuing.

Read the Grimm’s version here

Tad and I focus in on a particular moment, when after a 100 years of enchanted sleep, the prince approaches the briar hedge that encircles the castle and the Beauty lying within. We explore themes of seduction versus courtship and degradation of trust between men and women. We speak about the historical role of the Court and the tragedy of extracting too much from Nature’s innate abundance.

And finally, we explore how folk tales can hold practical wisdom for modern masculinity and how to sustain the mutual life between humans and the holy.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

DON’T MISS

Tad and his collaborator Kakisimow Iskwew have a number of deeper dives into the story of Briar Rose:

* Briar Rose - 6 Week Online Program Begins Jan 5th

* All details on Briar Rose Offerings

MORE LINKS

* Tad’s website Marketing for Hippies

* Tad’s Substack ‘On Culture Making’

SHOW NOTES

03:46 Welcoming Tad Hargrave

04:43 The Origin of Marketing for Hippies

05:47 Exploring the Fairy Tale of Briar Rose

06:56 The Symbolism of Briar Rose

11:50 The Dangers of Seduction and Coercion

14:11 The Pickup Artist Experience

25:14 The Concept of Courtship

25:33 The Etymology of Courtship

31:19 The Modern Mimicry of Courtship

39:19 The King's Riddle and Nature's Abundance

40:40 Indigenous Wisdom and Sustainable Harvesting

41:39 The Consequences of Mistrust and Overextraction

43:56 The Art of Courtship in Different Cultures

45:48 The Tale of the Tree of Life

50:22 Mentorship and the Importance of Timing

58:07 The Beauty of Courtship and True Love

01:08:29 The Wisdom in Stories and Elders

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

My guest today is Gabriel Meyer Halevy is a "radical flexitarian minstrel," musician, poet, and spiritual activist, born and raised in Argentina.

I first met Gabriel at the Tamera research project in Portugal, where we both attended the Global Love School. We stayed in touch over the years, and this past fall, I hosted Gabriel for a few shows in the Pacific Northwest where he brought this ‘prayerformance’ to the people.

During our time, we sat together to record this conversation that delves into Gabriel's personal journey, highlighting his wild adventures as youth, to his life as a poet and musician, to his interfaith reconciliation efforts in Israel and Palestine.

We also touch on Gabriel's creative process, including his his forthcoming book ‘On The Verge of The Verb’ that blends mythic fiction with true stories, and his belief that resilient peace involves recognizing the diverse ‘medicines' of different cultures and individuals.

One more thing: he is an active core member of the global alliance of spiritual activists "Defend the Sacred," which was inspired by Standing Rock.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

LINKS

* Pre-Order “On The Verge of the Verb” - Bookshop or Amazon

* Gabriel’s Music on Bandcamp

* Gabriel on Facebook & Instagram

SHOW NOTES

01:39 Introducing Gabriel Meyer

02:12 Gabrielle's Early Life and Influences

04:01 First Encounters with Tamera

06:49 Gabrielle's Activism and Personal Struggles

16:17 Journey to Greece and Self-Discovery

24:17 Life in Sinai and the Path to Sacred Activism

32:43 Return to Israel and the Rainbow Family

35:49 Interfaith Connections and Cultural Exchange

36:21 The Celestial Wedding and Global Artistic Collaboration

36:57 Rekindling Jewish Rituals and Interfacing with Native Cultures

37:47 The Second Intifada and Palestinian-Israeli Relations

39:33 Sulha: Reconciliation and Peacebuilding Efforts

42:24 The Role of Creativity and Compassion in Peacebuilding

45:09 Sacred Activism and Global Solidarity

50:13 The Power of Music and Storytelling in Healing

58:36 Writing and Prophecy: Blending Truth and Vision

01:10:31 The Spiritual Stance of the Peacemaker

01:16:44 Concluding Thoughts on Peace and Unity

Recently I sat down with Matt Sturm (author of The Organic Masculine) alongside my collaborator Deus Fortier to do a post-event harvest from our immersion Eating the Shadow.

This men’s gathering was the first 5 day offering that Deus and I had put together, and we were beautifully affirmed by what happened in the container. Matt flew up from California to join us and experience the magic of what we created.

He has facilitated numerous men’s gatherings and been steeping in realms of archetypes & myth for many years - therefore, it’s a delight to unpack our time together with his keen eye and thoughtful heart.

This conversation is of particular interest to anyone facilitating transformational spaces for men, especially around the question of eros & sensuality.

“Masculinity is this amazing doorway into transformation. If we can shift our relationship away from something that's competitive into something that's collaborative, it actually illuminates possibilities in a way that supports all of us.”

We outline the state of men’s work today, along with the various permutations that have bloomed, from the mythic to the therapeutic. Matt shares his experiences and insights about crafting transformational spaces and the invocation of archetypes and ritual. We also discuss safety, trust, and collaboration in facilitation, and highlighting how these factors contribute to deeper connections and personal insight.

P.S. If you’re in the Vancouver region, catch Deus on Dec 8th at Resonance and Renewal: A Breathwork & Sound day for men.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

SHOW NOTES

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Eating the Shadow

01:21 Background of the Guests

03:11 The Concept of Men's Work

08:45 The State of Men's Work Today

15:29 Exploring Eros and Intimacy

22:07 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability

40:30 Facilitation and Collaboration

48:57 Future of Men's Work and Inviting A Peer Support Circle

52:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

On today’s episode, we delve into the layers of myth and meaning surrounding same-sex love in mythology, exploring the fascinating tale of Ganymede—a myth that stands apart from other tragic tales of ancient love.

Here, we uncover a story of enduring affection that doesn't end in loss, but in ascension, as Ganymede is welcomed to Olympus by Zeus and granted immortality. What does this myth offer modern queer men and the evolving dialogue around masculinity?

My guest, who goes by Gregory Ganymedes, joins me to explore these questions, along with his own journey through Jungian psychology, and the creation of The Ganymede Project. Together, we unravel themes of queer archetypes, dream analysis, the healing potential of myth and the imaginal possibilities for a future that honors all of who we are.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

LINKS

* Official Website - The Ganymede Project

* Greg on Instagram

SHOW NOTES

* Queer Representation in Myth: Exploration of Ganymede as a rare myth with a positive outcome for same-sex love, offering a mythic "happily ever after" for modern queer men.

* Archetypes Beyond the Mainstream: Discussing both traditional and queer archetypes, including Apollo and Dionysus, and the transformative impact of expanding archetypal representations for men.

* Dissolution of Boundaries: Examining how the current era, symbolized by the Age of Aquarius, is challenging rigid boundaries in gender and identity, and inspiring new understandings of self and eros.

* Cultural Impact of Queer Archetypes: How symbols like the "diva" and mythic figures like Ganymede foster imagination and self-acceptance within queer communities.

* Dream Analysis in Jungian Psychology: The power of dreams to reveal unconscious material, aiding personal integration and healing, especially through communal dream sharing.

* Compensatory Nature of Dreams: Jung’s idea that dreams bring up what’s missing or ignored in our conscious lives, offering guidance and insight through symbolic language.

* Alchemy as Psychological Transformation: Jung’s later work on alchemy and individuation as a process of turning the raw “materials” of the psyche into a cohesive, integrated whole.

* The Healing Power of Myth: How myths and symbols can be tools for understanding the self, especially in contexts where mainstream representations lack inclusivity.

* The Ganymede Project’s Vision: Greg’s vision for The Ganymede Project as a catalyst for a wider acceptance and exploration of queer-focused depth psychology, art, and myth in mainstream culture.

My guest today is Ned Abenroth, a creative entrepreneur and wilderness guide who has spent much of his adult life tending to transformational spaces.

For the last 10 years, he’s worked with Illuman, a global spiritual community that was birthed out of Richard Rohr’s work with male spirituality and rites of passage.

In this episode, we explore the distinction between merely growing older and becoming an elder, as well as the cultural gap that has left many adrift without guidance in traversing this threshold. Ned reflect on his personal experiences with grief and illness, having survived an encounter with cancer that reoriented death as a teacher.

And finally, he shares insights from creating the Illuman Elder Rites of Passage program, and the role of myth in orienting elderhood not a solitary journey, but one rooted in community, relationality, and service to future generations.

The Mythic Masculine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

LINKS

* Ned’s Official Website

* Illuman Elder Rites of Passage

SHOW NOTES

* Defining Elderhood: Exploration of the distinction between merely aging and truly becoming an elder, with elderhood seen as a relational and community-rooted journey, not simply a function of age.

* Rites of Passage for Elders: Discussion on the Elder Rites of Passage program, emphasizing the process of transition from adulthood to elderhood through rituals, ceremony, and community support.

* Cultural Gaps in Elderhood: Reflection on the modern cultural gap that has left many adrift without guidance in the transition to elderhood, especially in Western societies that often lack healthy rites of passage.

* Elder as a Verb, Not a Noun: Insight into the idea that eldering is not just an identity, but a function—an ongoing role of service, wisdom, and presence that must be actively embodied.

* Grief and Illness as Teachers: Ned shares personal experiences with grief and surviving cancer, which reoriented his relationship to death and positioned it as a profound teacher.

* Death and Diminishment: The role of death work in elderhood, helping elders embrace physical diminishment as a sacred process, and learning to hallow one's aging body.

* Myth and Elderhood: The importance of myth, particularly the story of Elijah, as a guiding narrative for elders, symbolizing the journey into the unknown, surrender, and transformation.

* Impact of Elders on Community: How the presence of true elders strengthens communities, bringing a sense of wisdom, calm, and relational leadership to younger generations.

* Ritual Spaces and Eldering: How the role of elders in ritual spaces creates a sense of safety and presence, often serving as the ballast during moments of collective vulnerability.

* Elders as Truth Tellers: Elders not only offer comfort and grace but are also responsible for being prophetic voices, unafraid to speak hard truths to their communities.

* The Future Vision for Elders: Ned discusses the broader vision of creating rites of passage and eldering programs across diverse communities to reclaim the essential role of elders in modern society.

It wasn’t long after my entry into “mythopoetic masculinity” back in 2015 that I came across the Minnesota Men’s Gathering, a yearly event that began in 1984 by Robert Bly, author of Iron John.

The organization has released a trove of stories & lectures on their Youtube channel from celebrated teachers such as Bly, Lewis Hyde, Martin Prechtel, Martin Shaw, Daniel Deardorff, Malidome Some and many more.

I have been tracking their yearly conference with a desire to attend - and when I heard it was the 40th anniversary, I heeded the call. I reached out and confirmed I my attendance, with the aim to produce a podcast episode afterward to share my experience.

You’re also welcome to join me at the Minnesota Men’s Conference Oct 1-6, 2024. Get full details on their website.

From the official announcement:

The conferences were built around the notion that the souls of men were atrophying in a culture that was essentially in the process of colonizing its own people and of de-animating the living world.

As an antidote to a culture of emptiness, of shallowness, and of disconnection from the web of being, men came together to work with mythic story, with images, with poetry, We placed ourselves into the mythic, into stories that contain traces of the old pathways to becoming a fully developed human being.

The work has continued for 40 years. At this conference, we will look at what has been done, where we have failed, where there have been sweet deepenings, and where the trail may lead.

In my pre-gathering podcast conversation today, I speak with conference organizers & storytellers Walton Stanley and Ben Dennis to discuss this moment of legacy and renewal.

Both guests share their experiences from the conference, noting its evolution from a focus on Jungian psychology to including broader elements like ritual and influences from indigenous wisdom. They address cultural shifts, the importance of multi-generational participation, and the necessity of a greater narrative for men in today's world.

More about my guests:

Ben Dennis is a mythologist and writer with a love of story, myth, psychology, psychodrama, and storytelling. His mythic interests include Greek mythology, Native American story, European fairy tale, and Hindu epic literature. Ben holds his PhD in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Ben retired from the Seattle Fire Department after 28 years as a fire fighter and training coordinator for the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Peer Support Team. He leads retreats for Veterans and First Responders, and has been adjunct faculty at Antioch University Seattle.

Walton Stanley is a writer and storyteller. He has held a life-long interest in myth, story, and in the power of story to transform the paradigms and frames in which we live. Walton is currently working, with Ben Dennis, on an anthology of selected tales and myths that have been shared in the past 40 years of the Minnesota Men’s Conference He has also completed a book, Following the Wrong God Home, Gilgamesh: The Foundational Myth of Civilization and the Roots of Ecological Collapse exploring th mythic roots of human exceptionalism, and our disconnection from the web of being as expressed in one of humankind’s oldest extant written stories, Gilgamesh.

I’d love to hear your comments. Please share below!