Join Sheryl Paul, a counselor informed by the Jungian depth psychological tradition, and her co-host Victoria Russell, as they dive into the realms of our inner worlds and explore actions we can take to grow more self-trust and self-love. These bi-weekly episodes will provide guidance for diminishing fear and shame, embracing sensitivity and creativity, and approaching life with curiosity and compassion.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Winter is a season of contrasts. In the long dark nights, candles burn more brightly. Amidst the cold, we find ways to generate heat. And in the spaciousness and emptiness, we make room for new birth.
In today's episode, Sheryl and Victoria discuss winter as a time of paradox: a season of the elder and of the child, of quiet reflection and raucous play, turning inward and pushing ourselves out. A feminine season, ripe for mythology and rich with ferocity, warmth, destruction and creation.
We delve into a season that is not easy, but offers its share of gold when we prepare ourselves and gather our courage, accept the invitation to slow down, and open our eyes to its dazzling darkness and light.
If this is a difficult season for you, remember: here in the Northern hemisphere, the days are already getting longer now, second by second, minute by minute. Spring will come. It always does.
Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
In today’s episode, we’re talking about spiritual longing: longing for connection to God, to mystery, to something greater than our individual selves. We explore some of the obstacles and questions that arise around spirituality: Do I need belief to be spiritual? Is my partner wrong for me if I’m on a spiritual path and they’re not? How do I pray when I’m afraid of what God might ask me to do?
Victoria shares some of her history with spirituality and religion, including the legacy of her almost-monk grandfather, and a journey that includes Veggie Tales and CCD, desire and despair, writing poetry and e-mailing her ex-boyfriend from a silent retreat at an abbey.
Sheryl shares a poem that expresses her conception of the divine: not an external being that judges and punishes, but a warm and intimate relationship based in reciprocity, realness, and presence.
References:
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are entering into what can feel like a particularly lonely season for many people: the leaves have fallen from the trees, daylight disappears early, and the holiday season is upon us.
Sheryl shares a passage from The Wisdom of Anxiety about loneliness, and we talk about how we can shift from discussing it as a statistic (1 in 5 adults in the U.S. reports feeling “serious loneliness”), and start to add color, texture and feeling to the conversation. What color is loneliness for you? What shape does it take? What stories does it bring up in each of us?
Sheryl describes three types of loneliness: loneliness of the self, relational loneliness, and spiritual loneliness. Victoria shares a poem about feeling lonely, and discusses her experience of isolation during covid lockdowns. We talk about our need for others, and how to approach feeling lonely even in the midst of gatherings or intimate relationships.
To close, Sheryl leads us through a tonglen practice to help us connect not only to our own hearts, but to the hearts of all those around the world who are suffering.
References:
- The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
In today’s very special episode, Sheryl reflects on aging as she crosses the threshold into the next decade of life: her fifties.
We talk about what it means to “age backwards,” and we consider the question: how can we become more curious, more open, softer and lighter as the years go, rather than more rigid and calcified? Is it possible that aging is, in some ways, not as linear as we think?
We unpack some of the stories and perceptions about aging that can make it difficult for us to accept and embrace the changes that come with the passage of time. Sheryl shares her thoughts on common messages about aging bodies and appearances, and how to let go of the “shoulds” we encounter in different stages of life.
Sheryl also shares how she has been spending her time lately, moving from a Shmita year into a Jubilee year: slowing down, singing, learning Hebrew, and listening closely to her body. She shares some of her intentions and hopes for the future, including a special note about reclaiming her voice and her name.
References:
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Laughter is powerful. It can be a sign of deep comfort and intimacy, or a weapon used to reject and humiliate. Some of us grew up in homes where jokes were plentiful but tears weren’t allowed; others may have felt that silliness or goofiness was frowned upon. For some, relationship anxiety attaches itself to questions like What if my partner isn’t funny enough? Or, Is my partner too silly?
In today's episode, we’re talking about the importance of keeping a sense of humor when doing inner work, while also meeting our pain around unkind joking, teasing or sarcasm. Sheryl shares her own insecurities around humor, and addresses how family history and projection can play into humor-related relationship anxiety.
Stay tuned to the *very* end of the episode to hear a blooper and some belly laughs from your hosts!
References:
- Sheryl’s blog post: "How to Decode the Intrusive Thought: 'You’re Too Silly'”
- Pema Chodron
- Tara Brach
- James Martin and his book, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life
- Article about the Dalai Lama: "Playful humor: the Dalai Lama's secret weapon"
- Glennon Doyle
- Brene Brown
- Norman Cousins
Friday Oct 08, 2021
Friday Oct 08, 2021
After a short break, Gathering Gold is back with an episode about burnout and rest. We name just some of the many reasons why humans are tired right now, from navigating an ongoing global pandemic, to managing expectations around productivity and achievement. We land on a conversation about the unrelenting demands of technology that lead us to constant checking, producing, and multitasking, and exiting the present moment.
We discuss some of the fears underneath resistance to rest, and Sheryl shares her recent experience of taking a break from Instagram. We talk about learning to pay attention to our own rhythms, and saying no to some things so we can say yes to others.
Sheryl shares ideas for how we can replenish and recapture some energy as we move forward through ongoing uncertainty and transition.
References and Resources:
- Brené Brown's Dare to Lead podcast episode with Amy Cuddy about Pandemic Flux Syndrome
- Emily Dickinson's poem "If you were coming in the fall"
- Your Undivided Attention podcast
- The Social Dilemma documentary
- Center for Humane Technology
- Relationship coach Silvy Khoucasian
- Rabbi Lisa Rappaport
- Shemita year in Judaism
- Ted Lasso TV show
- The Nap Ministry
- Jewish Maariv prayer
- Eckhart Tolle
- "The Journey" poem by Mary Oliver
- When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd
References and Resources:
- Brené Brown's Dare to Lead podcast episode with Amy Cuddy about Pandemic Flux Syndrome
- Emily Dickinson's poem "If you were coming in the fall"
- Your Undivided Attention podcast
- The Social Dilemma documentary
- Center for Humane Technology
- Relationship coach Silvy Khoucasian
- Rabbi Lisa Rappaport
- Shemita year in Judaism
- Ted Lasso TV show
- The Nap Ministry
- Jewish Maariv prayer
- Eckhart Tolle
- "The Journey" poem by Mary Oliver
- When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd
Friday Sep 10, 2021
Friday Sep 10, 2021
What does it mean to live up to our potential, to fully experience life and to feel our lives are enough? Are we stuck choosing between constant striving for bigger and better or settling for boredom and apathy? In today’s episode, Sheryl shares memories of her grandparents that continue to inspire and inform her view of what it means to live a beautiful, simple, good life. Victoria unpacks some of her fear and shame around what it means to do and be “enough,” and asks Sheryl what has helped her to let go of the restlessness and fantasy that often color our younger years. Ultimately, we explore how approaching our daily lives with reverence and presence can lead us to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and help us to experience greater contentment, connection and aliveness right here, right now.
References:
- “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Soul (2020)
- Family Man (2000)
- Contemplative artist and spiritual director, Maria Bowler
- Richard Rohr
- Fred Rogers
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
In Part 2 of our episode about school anxiety, we dive more deeply into how school can impact our identity and sense of self, for better and for worse. Sheryl shares some perspective on different types of schooling, having homeschooled her children in the past and now sending them into their second year of school outside the home. We discuss the parts of our school years that we are most grateful for, and how school can help us build resilience. Sheryl shares rituals that parents and kids can do together to greet the new school year and move through any feelings, including grief, that may be present.
References:
- Sir Kenneth Robinson's talk "Changing Education Paradigms"
Gathering Gold
Join Sheryl Paul, a counselor informed by the Jungian depth psychological tradition, and her co-host Victoria Russell, as they dive into the realms of our inner worlds and explore actions we can take to grow more self-trust and self-love. These bi-weekly episodes will provide guidance for diminishing fear and shame, embracing sensitivity and creativity, and approaching life with curiosity and compassion.