Sex, Religion, Power And Politics

David Elkington, academic and historian is expert in all things biblical and Egyptological, with a specialization in the resonance patterns at ancient holy sites.  I'm very excited to discuss the role sacred sound played in ancient times at these ancient sites as well as what ancient humanity knew about using sacred sound.  We'll delve into where Christianity fit into this ancient scheme, if they did, and if modern music can compare to the old in this regard.  Finally, we'll uncover the heroine in these places and her role in the story and how wisdom fits into the overall scheme.

Daniel Mintie, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University's School of Medicine and four-times published author along with Julie Staples, Research Director at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University will join me on the air today to discuss reclaiming one's life after trauma.  We'll delve into PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder and how integrative medicine, CBT and yoga might address trauma symptoms.  Daniel will share the protocols he's developed and success stories of some of his clients.

Kerri Hummingbird, Soul Guide and host of Soul Nectar Show, is the #1 international best-selling author of "The Second Wave: Transcending the Human Drama," "Awakening to Me: One Woman's Journey to Self Love," and "Love is Fierce: Healing the Mother Wound."  We'll chat today about What Indigenous People Can Teach Us to Save Ourselves which delves into embodiment, inner medicine, how our story influences our life experience, reducing stress and mental chatter and how we might evolve into homo luminous....the one who dreams the sacred dream of New Earth for our descendants seven generations to come.

Marguerite Rigoglioso, Ph.D., is the foremost authority on the history of virgin birth, and the author of the bold new award-winning book, The Mystery Tradition of Miraculous Conception: Mary an the Lineage of Virgin Births.  No better person to discuss with me and our audience the 7 Mysteries of the Magdalene, how we can draw upon the mysteries of Magdalene to co-create miracles in our lives as well as heal our wounds and blocks.  We'll also delve into the little known herstory between Magdalene and Mother Mary, divine birth, sacred marriage and dealing with negative forces on the planet.

Jonathan Goldman, author of Healing Sounds: The Power of Harmonics and The Humming Effect: Sound Healing for Health and Happiness, which he co-wrote with Andi Goldman, are the topics of today's show and they are both my guests.  Jonathan, an international authority and pioneer in the field of sound healing, also a musician and teacher as well as Andi Goldman, a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in holistic counseling and sound therapy will share their knowledge with us regarding how sound actually heals as well as the methods of using sound for healing.  We'll dig deep into frequencies and harmonics as well as the importance of intent when using this modality of healing.  The Goldmans will share with us the most important healing instrument and why they think sound can be used for planetary healing.  I plan to shake things up a big and ask about the ancient sistrum and how it was used as well as their thoughts on if sound can move large stones in ancient times to build temples.

Beth Bartlett, Ph.D, is an educator, author, activist and spiritual companion.  She returns to the show today discussing how the Burning Times of yesteryear actually still affects women today.  I'll ask her about this historical trauma and how it operates in the world and why healing from trauma requires a spiritual response.  We'll delve into feminist spirituality and how that movement is a valuable part of this healing, particularly the reclamation of the immanence of the Divine.  Lots to talk about today, including the importance of Carol Christ's piece, Why Women Need the Goddess - as well as the world.  You can check out her previous appearance on the show on February 15 when we discussed Restoring Sisterhood. Beth is Professor Emerita of Women, Gender and sexuality Studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the author of numerous books and articles, including Journey of the Heart: Spiritual Insights on the Road to a Transplant, Rebellious Feminism: Camus's Ethic of Rebellion and Feminist Thought

Heather Meldel, author of The Disobedient Kabbalist is a South African born mystic, artist, author and intuitive reader, drawn to the call of the mystical, where myth and metaphor reside, connects deeply to Divinity and divination.  Authoring 7 books and 4 decks of oracle cards she is perfectly suited to discuss with us how our consciousness can be shaped as we move toward the 5th Dimension....a place we achieve rather than a place we go; connecting with the elements, the plant and animal worlds in new ways.  Her latest work on Tarot's Minor Arcana, The Parallax Oracle was published in October 2020 following The SyzygyOracle published in 2012..  Her website is www.sacredfemininekabbalah.com.

Part 2...Stephen Gray, author of How Psychedelics Can Help Save the World returns for the second half of our interview wherein we'll get to topics not covered in his February 1, 2023 show.  These issues include making wise choices when choosing products and the process by which to experience the sacred medicines, including cannabis, MDMA, 5meO-DMT and San Pedro Cactus or Huachuma.  We'll delve into the role and importance of psychedelics in the years to come within society (good and bad) as well as do plants really talk to us?  We'll spend some time talking about the indigenous contributors to the book.  He's also the author of Cannabis and Spirituality.

Today we'll be discussing Rev. Matthew Fox's life work - Creation Spirituality and that is a lot of road to cover.  We'll delve into what it is, as well as the comparison between being religious vs spiritual, the nature of evil and angels, including scientific research proving angels are real - along with Matthew's own personal experience with angels.  Creativity as a power of the universe and the key to our genious will be discussed as well as Cosmic Masses.  Time permitting we'll examine compassion vs pity and wisdom vs knowledge.   ***After the interview hear the final part, #4, of Why Women Need Goddess with Karen discussing the essay of Carol Christ. BIO:  Rev. Matthew Fox, PhD, author, theologian, and activist priest, has been calling people of spirit and conscience into the Creation Spirituality lineage for over 50 years. His 38 books, lectures, retreats, and innovative education models have ignited an international movement to awaken people to be mystics and prophets, contemplative activists, who hon

Ordained interfaith Minister and Wiccan High Priestess, Mary F. Gelfand is a Unitarian Universalist/CUUPs national leader with a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia who enjoys creating and leading learning opportunities for adults.  Today we'll discuss the Scars of Body and Soul left on women and men living with the impact of patriarchy, including our relationship with our body that stems from patriarchal oppression.  Mary believes our body is a roadmap of our life experiences and she'll explain what she means by that, as well as how women can learn to love their bodies.  After the interview stay tuned as Karen discusses Carol Christ's essay Why Women Need Goddess - Part 3 of 4.  Final part  discussed next week.

Julia Paulette Hollenbery is a joy, happiness and relationship expert that leads her to writing books like The Healing Power of Pleasure: 7 Medicines for Rediscovering the Innate Joy of Being.  She's also a therapist, body worker and facilitator.  She'll tell us about her childhood which sparked this transformational journey and the disciplines she uses in her therapeutic work with clients to help them attain joy, happiness and good relationships.  We'll delve into the Universe of Deliciousness, the Mess of Modernity and Magicalness.  And of course we'll learn what the 7 Medicines that help us discover joy.  After the interview Karen will discuss Carol Christ's essay Why Women Need the Goddess.  Part 2 of 4.

Today, Janet Rudolph, author, sacred traveler, and shamanic practitioner, joins me today to tackle the subject of her healing journey.  We'll discuss how abuse takes our voices away and what mythological figures factored in her healing journey.  Janet will share her pathways toward healing and how abuse harms our sense of self.  Janet recognizes the gifts she discovered in the wreckage left behind from her abuse and shares that with listeners as well as what she calls the pitfalls of finding her own quest.  Finally, we'll delve into why women leave abusive situations.  At the end of this interview Karen will discuss Carol Christ's essay, Why Women Need the Goddess.  Part 1 of 4.  Parts 2-4 will air in the next several weeks.

Carolyn Baker, professor of psychology and history, psychotherapist for two decades and author of 15 books chats with me today about her newest book, co-authored with Andrew Harvey titled Radical Regeneration: Sacred Activism and the Renewal of the World. In our interview we'll discuss the prescription for the planet's restoration and renewal.  Included will be her assessment of where we stand today in terms of fixing big climate problems, the alternatives to industrialism and technology destroying the earth, how American natural proclivity for hope and optism factors into our potential ability to save ourselves and the planet and what blame belongs to Donald Trump.  Also we'll delve into how negative emotions such as fear, anger, grief and despair can be a good thing and Carolyn will define Sacred Activism and how we might "return to joy."

An experienced feature film Producer, Emmanuel Itier directed several pictures before completing in 2012 the Peace documentary 'The Invocation' narrated by Sharon Stone and staring Desmond Tutu, HH The Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra as well as many worldwide peace activists. In 2013 Mr. Itier executive-produced a Drama filmed in Hong Kong: 'Red Passage' which won many Awards in the Festival circuit.   Mr. Itier seats on the board of Directors of 'Darfur Women Action Group' in an attempt to bring Peace to Darfur. He is also the current President of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace (RotaryEclubofWorldPeace.org ) and he is a member of the U.N Association.   Mr. Itier grew up in France and he moved in the USA thirty years ago. He resides in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and three sons. Finally Emmanuel Itier released in 2014 another inspiring documentary Celebrating Women around the planet: 'FEMME-Women healing the World.' This Documentary earned over 20 Awards around the World. I'll discuss with Emmanuel

Beth Bartlett, Ph.D., is an educator, author, activist and spiritual companion.  She is also Professor Emerita of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  She's authored numerous books and articles making her the perfect guest to discuss how patriarchy has been able to divide and conquer, turning women against each other by status, race, class, ethnicity and in competition for men.  We'll discuss the pros and cons of sisterhood and a new notion of "sistering" that might be a more hopeful path toward healing our relationships with each other.   Quote from Beth Bartlett:  ""Sisterhood is not about unity, about women coming together and agreeing about everything.  It's about women acting in solidarity with each other, listening and responding, acting and advocating, showing up to do the work.  Sisterhood is about honoring and acting on the obligation we have to each other. "

Writer, Carolyn Boyd, a favorite contributor to Feminism and Religion Blog, or FAR as it's known to many regular readers is with me today to discuss the Hospitality of Goddess Centered Cultures.  We'll delve into what that looked like and how it might address the trauma and abuse epidemic in our world.  We'll delve into the loss of this value and how its affected women, reclaiming hospitality through goddess myths and stories, how values and practices of the current goddess movement also helps women heal.  We'll also discuss what goddess centered cultures can teach us about preventing abuse and trauma.  Carolyn's website is www.goddessinateapot.com   Resources link for show from Carolyn Boyd:  https://goddessinateapot.com/2023/02/10/creating-a-hospitable-community-interview-on-voices-of-the-sacred-feminine/

Stephen Gray, editor of How Psychedelics Can Help Save the World and Cannabis and Spirituality shares some of the wisdom from the contributors to his anthology, namely how wisdom of Indigenous people and the power of psychedelics can help us enact the radical shift in consciousness necessary to navigate the collapse of the old world order and the birth of a new consciousness centered on awakened-heart interconnectedness.  We'll discuss the role and importance of psychedelics in years to come, what a "mature planetary civilization" looks like, how the Great Medicines can be used effectively, and how women's voices are central to the vision for a healed humanity.  And much more including if there are cautions and dangers to using these substances... 

Judith Shaw, a New Orleans native and graduate of the SFO Art Institute has always been interested in myth, culture and mysticism.  Today she's with me to discuss how stories, myth and divinatory practices can help us deal with the trauma and abuse we have endured in our lives.  We'll look at Celtic myths which give us insight into how society normalizes abuse and exploitation and which archetypes or stories in the Celtic Goddess deck lend themselves to recognizing trauma, abuse or lack of self-worth.  She will explain how to use oracle decks as a tool for healing and raising awareness and how symbols and myths about aimals can also help someone dealing with past trauma and abuse.

It is my great pleasure to have returning to the show, foremother, wayshower and my personal mentor, Riane Eisler, author of famous books such as The Chalice and the Blade, Sacred Pleasure, and Our Real Wealth.  She is the founder of the Center for Partnership Studies, winner of numerous awards and she is here with me today to discuss her newest book, Nurturing Our Humanity:  How Domination & Partnership Shape Our Brain Lives and Future.  Today we'll be delving into all that title implies as well as her legacy of work over the years and her best recommendations for how we as individuals can contribute toward society in a meaningful way to help humanity make that leap toward partnership and away from abuse, exploitation and domination and the trauma that comes with these unhealthy values and actions.

Today we are discussing rituals as a tool for healing wounds developed in the toxic culture in which we live.  Mara Branscombe, author of Ritual As Remedy: Embodied Practices for Soul Care  will dig into what ritual is, give some examples of simple rituals for those new to this alternative healing modality and discuss various types of rituals including full moon and new moon rituals, rituals to begin you day or evening rituals to enhance your sleep.  I'll be sure to ask Mara about techniques to work through excess emotions such as fear, shame, guilt, grief and low self esteem.  Mara will share with listeners how rituals alongside soul care practices encourage someone to reclaim wholeness and pursue their life dreams.