Join hosts Debra Maldonado and Dr. Rob Maldonado as they wrap up their enlightening series on the Hero’s Journey and Jung’s Individuation Process. In this episode, they dive deep into "The Return," the final, transformative phase of personal growth, providing practical insight and wisdom for integrating your inner journey back into everyday life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The three major stages of the Hero’s Journey’s: Departure, Initiation, and Return
• How this mythic journey parallels Jung’s individuation process
• Why the return is just as crucial (and challenging) as setting out on the journey
• How to integrate profound inner transformations once you “return” to ordinary life
• The confusion and ambiguity that often arises after a major self-discovery

Inspired to embark on your own journey of return? Dive deeper into these powerful ideas with the full Hero’s Journey series on Soul Sessions with CreativeMind. Take the first step toward integrating your own wisdom and creating a truly spiritual life.

00:00 Introduction, the Hero’s Journey & Jung’s Individuation Process
02:18 Diving Into the Return: Who Am I Now?
03:15 Mythology & Individuation: Symbolic Meaning
05:25 Entering the Unconscious: Resistance from Ego
06:52 The Return: Gifts, Intuition, and Courage
07:24 Refusal of the Return
08:41 Challenges of Reintegration
13:40 CreativeMind Life Coach Training Mention
13:49 The Magical Flight: Dangers on the Return Path
15:37 Ambiguity and Balancing the New Self
17:10 The Final Challenge and Intention for Return
18:28 Rescue from Without: The Role of Relationships
21:24 Crossing the Final Threshold: Integrating Wisdom
23:16 Integration, Not Isolation
24:36 Symbolic Living: Seeing the World Anew
29:04 Embracing Human Dualities
32:33 Outward Radiance & Spiritual Fulfillment
35:31 Recap: Stages of The Return
36:01 Invitation to the Journey & Closing Thoughts

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

Are you ready to reclaim your power with the Animus in your Hero’s Journey? In this episode, we’re venturing deeper into Jungian psychology to uncover what it means to engage the Animus and claim your inner authority and true power.

We’ll explore the powerful second stage of initiation, showing how your relationship with the archetypal father shapes your spiritual strength, and how integration of this energy is key to self-realization.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between shadow work and true integration (why insight isn’t enough)
• The symbolic meaning of the animus as authority, power, and the invisible forces shaping our lives
• How personal experiences with authority figures influence your connection to the divine and your own power
• Practical steps to reclaim inner authority, break through old patterns, and connect with your deepest self

If you’re ready to move beyond old limitations and bring the treasures of self-discovery into your everyday life, this episode is your map. Subscribe and journey with us next week for the “Return”—how to re-enter the world fully transformed.

00:00 Introduction and Hero’s Journey Overview
00:50 Recap of Initiation and Meeting the Anima
01:52 Entering the Archetypal Realm: Collective Unconscious
02:35 The Atonement with the Father: Introduction to the Animus
04:37 Understanding and Integrating Power and Authority
06:24 The Process of Insight, Emotional Work, and Integration
08:23 Early Imprints and Authority in Our Lives
10:08 Examples of Relating to the Father Archetype and Power
14:28 The Animus and Relationship with Spirit

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

Ever felt lost on your personal growth journey or wondered why life’s biggest challenges show up right when you’re ready for something more?

This week on Soul Sessions: A Jungian Coaching Podcast, Debra and Dr. Rob Maldonado guide you through a new episode called, “Why Feeling Lost is the Key to Living Your Potential.” Explore the “Initiation” stage of the Hero’s Journey, illuminating why facing the darkness is a crucial part of your soul’s transformation.

Get ready to explore the inner landscape of individuation, shadow work, and the archetypal energies that shape your sense of purpose and possibility.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The hidden gifts inside the “dark night of the soul” and why feeling lost is a vital step on your journey
• The “road of trials” and how real transformation begins with challenges and tests
• Shadow work as the first opening to greater creativity and why it’s only a beginning, not the end
• The meeting of the goddess archetype and integrating the anima for deeper connection, love, and genuine purpose
• Navigating temptations, attachments, and distractions that pull you off course and how to stay true to your calling

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

In this episode, Debra and Rob discuss the first stage of the Hero’s Journey, Departure, exploring its powerful connections to Jung’s concept of individuation. Together, they break down what it truly means to heed the “call to adventure,” grapple with the natural impulse to refuse that call, and why venturing into the unknown is such a pivotal moment for personal growth.

Drawing from Joseph Campbell’s celebrated framework, our hosts discuss the fears, resistance, and life changes that often spark the journey toward transformation—whether it’s a breakup, a new opportunity, an illness, or the desire for a more meaningful life. Debra and Rob illustrate how these external events become invitations to look inward, confront our unconscious, and begin the path toward authentic self-discovery.

You’ll hear thoughtful insights on why true change requires moving beyond comfort zones and external markers of success, and how the support of mentors and guides—especially those skilled in inner work—can help us cross that critical threshold. Whether you’re navigating a challenging transition or searching for deeper purpose, this episode offers both practical guidance and soulful inspiration for embarking on your own hero’s journey. Tune in and take the first step toward discovering the hero within.

Here’s a recap of the elements in the First Stage of the Hero’s Journey: The Departure:

• The call to adventure
• Refusal of the call
• Supernatural aid/Mentor
• Crossing the first threshold
• Belly of the Beast

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

Unlock the deeper meaning of your personal growth journey by understanding the timeless connection between myth and psychology. In this kickoff episode of our new series, we're exploring how Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey aligns with Carl Jung’s process of individuation—and why this matters in our fast-paced modern world.

From ancient myths to modern movies, discover how these universal patterns can empower you to reclaim your true self and create a life of purpose. In this episode, we discuss:

• The key similarities and differences between the hero’s journey and Jungian individuation
• Why shadow work is the crucial first step to authenticity and meaningful change
• The role of archetypes like the hero, shadow, anima, and animus in transformation
• How embarking on your own inner journey leads to wholeness—not just for you, but for the collective

Ready to answer the call to adventure within? Subscribe and join us for a series that unpacks these stages each week!

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

Ready to see through the illusions and discover the true nature of reality? In this transformative episode of Soul Sessions with CreativeMind, Debra and Dr. Rob Maldonado guide you into the depths of “Maya”—the mysterious force behind the appearance of the world as we know it.

Building on last week’s insights on non-dual consciousness, this episode demystifies ancient Eastern philosophy and makes it accessible for anyone ready to live a more awakened, empowered life. In this conversation, we explore:

• What Maya is—and why it’s more than just “illusion”
• How your mind projects reality, and why you experience life as separate and fragmented
• The practical impact of understanding Maya on suffering, relationships, and daily life
• Ways to navigate life’s challenges by embracing non-attachment and higher knowledge

Join us as we blend science, psychology, and timeless wisdom to help you wake up from the dream and live with greater freedom and joy.

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

In this conversation, Debra and Dr. Rob dive deep into the nature of consciousness from both Eastern and Western perspectives, exploring the fascinating concept of “self-luminous consciousness.”

They break down how past experiences condition our minds to prioritize survival and fear, often shaping our perceptions of reality in limiting ways.

Drawing from ancient Eastern philosophy and insights from neuropsychology, the episode uncovers how consciousness is not just a byproduct of our brains, but the fundamental fabric from which all reality emerges. You’ll hear powerful metaphors and practical examples—including the intriguing analogy of the mind as a customizable app—that help demystify abstract concepts and show how they can be applied to your everyday life, especially when it comes to wealth, self-perception, and personal growth.

If you’ve ever wondered about the deeper connection between the self, the world you experience, and your ability to create a more fulfilling reality, this episode is for you.

Tune in as Debra and Dr. Rob set the stage for next week’s exploration of Maya, promising even more mind-expanding insights into the workings of our consciousness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between mind, body, and pure self-luminous consciousness
• How past conditioning and the “ego app” limit your possibilities
• The Eastern view that consciousness is the ground of all reality (not a product of the brain)
• Transforming your relationship with fear, success, and abundance by recognizing the true Self
• Practical ways to break free from limiting narratives—whether in money, career, or relationships

Let us know what topics you'd like us to cover. Visit CreativeMindLife.com

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com

What if everything you knew about reality was an illusion?

Continuing our series on Consciousness and Non-Dual Philosophy, In this episode, “Why is there suffering?”, we answer some common questions asked on this topic:

• Why is there suffering in the world?
• Am I the cause of bad things happening to me?
• What is my purpose if everything is one?

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

The Three Principles of Non-Dual Philosophy

• Everything is consciousness—without exception.
• Consciousness is one and indivisible. There is not ‘consciousness and something else’—it’s all one.
• YOU are that consciousness!

We explore why the intelligence that created the world would allow bad things to happen. Why is there war and evil? How am I responsible for the events that happen to me in my life?

Dr. Rob breaks it down for us that these tough questions usually come from the ego’s limited perspective. Instead of blaming ourselves, we are invited to see that we are part of the whole, much like branches on a tree. Yes, tragedy and injustice exist in the play of Maya (illusion), but our awareness of them is what connects us, not makes us to blame.

Key Points:

• The three foundational principles of non-dual philosophy and how they apply to daily life
• Why bad things happen to individuals and the world at large from the lens of consciousness, ego, and Maya
• The purpose of suffering, personal identity, and how trauma fits into the greater play of life
• Finding personal and universal purpose: the role of creation, individuation, and the power of inner work

✨ Exercise for the Week Ask yourself: What if I am one with everything? Meditate on that. Notice what arises.

00:00 Introduction
00:15 The Paradigm Shift: Consciousness & Non-Dual Philosophy
01:23 Three Principles of Non-Duality
04:43 Why Do Bad Things Happen? Suffering, Ego, and Responsibility
10:37 Personal Suffering and the Purpose of Pain
12:26 Maya, Duality, and the Nature of Reality
15:37 Healing, Changing Patterns, and Free Will
18:11 Creativity, Evolution, and Lila
19:36 Purpose: Are We Born With It or Do We Learn It?
25:32 Theory, Practice, and the Path to Individuation
26:33 Shadow Work as a Path to Oneness
29:40 Practical Wisdom and Final Thoughts

•••

Want to be a Certified Jungian Life Coach? Download your free program brochure: https://www.creativemindlife.com/download-now-lct-brochure

Stay Connected with Debra and Dr. Rob:
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | creativemindlife.com | connect@creativemindmethod.com