The Individuated Bookshelf: Books for the Inner Journey

In this episode, Béa sits down with author Shylashri Shankar for a rich and layered conversation about her debut novel, Blood Caste. Set in 1895 Hyderabad and loosely inspired by the mystery of Jack the Ripper, the novel becomes a launching point for a deeper exploration of themes like prejudice, identity, and the tensions between cultures and values.
Shankar shares how writing the book was more than a creative project—it was a personal journey of transformation. The discussion moves fluidly between the novel’s historical roots and the inner landscapes both authors navigate in their own creative processes. Along the way, they reflect on the role of fiction in uncovering truth, the power of inner work, and why audiobooks can offer a more embodied reading experience.
Blood Caste is published in the UK and in all English-speaking countries by Canelo Crime, [DK/Random House]. It will be available on Audio on August 7th.
Shylashri Shankar | Canelo Crime
 
 

In this episode Béa interviews award-winning literary scholar, poet, and Jungian thinker Roula Maria Dib. Together, they explore Jung’s evolving place within feminist thought, the role of the feminine archetype in the psyche, and the power of poetry and art as healing practices. The conversation moves through themes of visionary art, dreams, creativity, and how artists serve as vessels for the collective unconscious. Roula offers insights into her own work, including her books The Jungian Metaphor: Modernist Literature and Simply Being--and speaks to the necessity of creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and community.
The episode also features a powerful personal story about how a dream helped Roula recognize a life-threatening illness in her daughter—underscoring the importance of cultivating an ongoing relationship with the unconscious. For anyone drawn to Jungian depth psychology, feminist perspectives, and the transformative nature of art and dreams, this conversation offers rich ground for reflection.
Books & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
The Jungian Metaphor: Modernist Literature (2020) by Roula Maria Dibhttps://www.routledge.com/The-Jungian-Metaphor-Modernist-Literature/Dib/p/book/9780367553245
Simply Being by Roula Maria Dibhttps://www.chironpublications.com/shop/simply-being/
Learn more about Roula Maria Dib:https://labrc.co.uk/roula-maria-dib/
 
 
 
 

In this episode of Gatherings, we welcome writer and mythic guide Carly Mountain, author of Descent and Rising. Together, we explore the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna, a powerful narrative of descent, embodiment, and feminine transformation.
Carly shares how the myth mirrored her own personal journey and why it continues to speak to modern women facing burnout, identity shifts, or creative rebirth. We explore the myth’s cultural resurgence, its symbolic contrast to artificial intelligence, and its call to reclaim erotic intelligence, surrender, and embodied wisdom. Carly reframes surrender not as weakness but as the courage to meet what’s real—and sees descent not as failure, but as the doorway to collective healing.
For those navigating inner thresholds, this episode may serve as both map and medicine.
For more information about Carly’s book and workshops: Writer, Psychotherapist and Women's Initiatory Guide.
 

In this episode, Béa sits down with author and depth psychologist Connie Zweig to explore what it really means to “romance the shadow.” We speak about the lifelong task of making the unconscious conscious, the myths that still live in us, and how shadow work becomes even more essential as we age.
Drawing from her decades of writing and teaching—from Meeting the Shadow to The Inner Work of Age—Connie offers insight into how the parts we reject hold the keys to our vitality, our creativity, and even our spiritual growth.
This is a conversation about memory, myth, inner figures, and the radical courage it takes to turn toward what we’ve exiled within.
Connie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired Jungian therapist and author of Meeting the Shadow (A New Edition is now available) and Romancing the Shadow (A New Edition is now available). Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends Shadow-work into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. Her book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, extends shadow-work into religion and spirituality. Her new PODCAST, Dr. Neil’s Spiritual Awakening to Non-Duality, posts on all podcast platforms. See her new SUBSTACK for livestreams and new writing: https://www.shadowworkawareness.com/about.
 
 
 

In this episode, we explore the creative process. Is it limited to the material work we produce, or is the true creative path the inner work we do as part of the individuation journey? What kinds of conversations should we be having? How does dream work factor into the process? And does an artist need to reveal something meaningful to the collective for their work to be considered art?
Books mentioned in this episode: 
 The Creative Act: A Way of Being (Rick Rubin) 
The Archetypal Artist: Reimagining Creativity and the Call to Create (Mary Antonia Wood) 
Carl Jung and Arnold Toynbee: The Social Meaning of Inner Work (J. Gary Sparks) 
 
Quote from Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver: 
"And that is just the point: how the world, moist and bountiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That's the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. 'Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?'" 
 

Do you ever feel like something's off with the way we think as a society? In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Iain McGilchrist, who argues that an imbalance in our brains, favoring the left hemisphere's focus on control, could be leading us down a dangerous path. The discussion delves into how McGilchrist's theories connect with Jungian psychology and the importance of a holistic view of things. Tune in to learn more about this fascinating perspective! 
Show notes:
 
Books mentioned
 
The Master and His Emissary (McGilchrist)
The Matter With Things (McGilchrist)
The Dream of the Cosmos: A Quest for the Soul (Anne Baring)
Addiction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride (Marion Woodman)
 
Podcast episodes mentioned
Understanding The Matter with Things Dialogues Episode 28: Ch 28 The sense of the sacred
 
A Revolution in Thought? Lecture by Dr. Ian McGilchrist
 

This episode takes a deep dive into the writings and influence of Jungian analyst James Hollis. We focus on four essential books to get you started: The Eden Project, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life, Under Saturn’s Shadow, and Swamplands of the Soul. Through these works, we examine powerful themes such as taking responsibility for our lives, embracing individuation, understanding relationship dynamics beyond romance, confronting the struggles men face in expressing emotions, and learning to navigate life’s darker, swampy moments. We also reflect on how Hollis’ ideas have shaped our personal journeys. Tune in as we explore the mind of one of the wisest thinkers of our time—and find out which of his books might resonate most with you.

Join Béa and Carly as they discuss their top reads from 2024. With a focus on both fiction and nonfiction, they explore Carly Mountain's 'Descent & Rising,' Roberta B. Corson's Stepping Out of the Shadows,' J. Gary Sparks’ The Call of Destiny and Andrea Wulf's 'Magnificent Rebels,' among others. The conversation delves deep into book recommendations, literary themes, and personal reflections on the significance of these works.
The song used in this podcast is Jay Redelsperger’s  “On my Way”. You can find Jay’s music on Spotify, Apple Music and all other music platforms. He is also on YouTube Jay Mark Redelsperger - YouTube
 
For information on the SophiaCycles project: www.sophiacycles.com
 
Bea will be teaching a month-long course at the Jung Archademy on “The Archetypal Venus”. You can find information here: The Archetypal Venus LIVE-VIDEO SEMINAR SERIES with Béa Gonzalez, M.A. — JUNG Archademy
00:00 Introduction to Gatherings Podcast
00:39 Hosts' Personal Book Habits
03:03 First Book Highlight: Stepping Out of the Shadows
05:33 Exploring the Medial Woman Archetype
10:51 Second Book Highlight: Searching for Venus
14:14 Fantasy Romance Genre Insights
16:35 Third Book Highlight: The Shepard Duology
17:52 Impact of Fiction on Personal Growth
23:09 Personal Reflections and Career Doubts
24:03 The Power of Stories and Rituals
25:49 The Heroine's Journey and Self-Discovery
27:34 Exploring Jungian Concepts and Guides
31:54 Book Recommendations and Synchronicity
34:11 Alchemy and Symbolism
39:11 Historical Insights and Intellectual Movements
42:27 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects
 
 
 

Uncover the Journey of the Feminine Archetype through Time
In this episode, Jay and Béa discuss the myth of Inanna, the two Venuses, and the evolution of the feminine archetype across various cultures and eras. They initiate the conversation with an in-depth exploration of Inanna's myth, drawing parallels with the movie Barbie while emphasizing the continual relevance and transformative power of this ancient archetype. They also explore how Venus, a symbol of beauty and love, has transformed from an androgynous warrior to an emblem of love and connection. Finally, they discuss the need to shift from the binary perception of such themes towards viewing them as ongoing, transformative stories that are accessible to all individuals, regardless of gender.
Book Discussed: Descent to the Goddess, Sylvia Brinton Perera
 

In this episode, Jay and Béa explore the many dimensions healing can take. There seems to be a lot of attention placed on the notion of healing in the public sphere but what does this look like? Is it possible to ever fully heal? And if so, what modalities can help us on this journey?  Authors and books mentioned: Dr. Gabor Maté [The Myth of Normal]; Marion Woodman "Addiction to Perfection". Books we recommend: "Waking the Tiger", Peter Levine: "The Body Keeps the Score", Bessel van der Kolk. 
 
Song: "The Gathering" Jay Redelsperger