Women and Mythology
Women and Mythology is a soulful exploration of myth as a living force in contemporary life, sitting at the intersection of ancestral stories, feminine wisdom, and creative awakening. In Season 1, the host tells ancestral myths and fairy tales followed by rich symbolic commentary. In Season 2, she is joined by mythologists from around the world, weaving conversations that awaken the soul. The podcast is part of the Joseph Campbell MythMaker Podcast Network.
Episodes
Fairy Tales & the Noble Feminine Heart: On Princesses, Witches, and Awakening with Michelle Tocher
Fairy tales, symbols, and the transformative power of stories weave through this conversation with Michelle Tocher, award-winning Canadian author, storyteller, and founder of Wonderlit.Together, we explore the noble feminine heart of the princess, witches and fairy godmothers, Briar Rose and the wisdom of awakening, spinning straw into gold, creativity, and how fairy tales continue to illuminate o
Fox Woman: Wild Beauty, Symbolic Living, and the Mythic Life
In this special solo episode, Maria tells the European folktale of Fox Woman and explores some of its central symbols: the soul self, the archetype of beauty, and the home as an image of the psyche. She also shares why myths and fairy tales have become such an essential part of her own life, and introduces Anima Mythica, her new year-long journey into myths, fairy tales, and traditional stories of
The Mythopoetic Imagination, Ancient Religion & the Living World with Gabriela Gutiérrez
Ancient religion, imagination, and the living world weave through this conversation with Gabriela Gutiérrez, writer, mythopoetic researcher, and independent scholar.Together, we explore the prehistoric roots of the Greek gods, dreams, ritual, the transformation of the ancient goddesses, and how stories can restore our relationship with an animate, ensouled world.Connect with Gabriela Gutiérrez’s w
Women’s Spiritual Inheritance: History, Embodiment, and Sovereignty with Liz Childs Kelly
The sacred feminine, women’s spiritual inheritance, and the search for sovereignty are at the heart of this conversation with Liz Childs Kelly, author of Home to Her.Together, we explore the sacred feminine as both a historical reality and a lived experience, discussing embodied wisdom, women’s stories, community, and the longing many women feel to reconnect with what has been forgotten or hidden.
Inanna & Ereshkigal: The Underworld, the Hook, and the Return with Carly Mountain
Myth, embodiment, and the psychology of transformation are weaved in this conversation with Carly Mountain, psychotherapist and author of Descent and Rising and Untamed Pleasure.In this episode, we explore the myth of Inanna as a guide to the underworld journey, those moments that dismantle identity and ask us to move through loss, uncertainty, and change. We speak about descent as a necessary pro
A Year of Reckoning: Archetypes Shaping the Collective Psyche with Kristina Dryza
Myth, archetype, and cultural diagnosis meet in this conversation with Kristina Dryza, archetypal consultant, writer, and cultural reader whose work explores the invisible patterns shaping both individual lives and the collective psyche.In this episode, we explore what Kristina describes as a year of reckoning, a moment when performative identities collapse and power must be embodied rather than d
Mary Magdalene & the Forgotten Feminine Face of God with Anne Baring
Myth, history, and spiritual inquiry come together in this conversation with Anne Baring, scholar, author, and one of the leading voices on the Divine Feminine.Anne’s work spans decades of independent research into mythology, religion, art history, depth psychology, and cosmology. She is the co-author of The Myth of the Goddess, author of The Dream of the Cosmos, and most recently Divine Wisdom an
From Perfectionism to Sovereignty: Living Through Story with Dr. Stephanie Zajchowski
What happens when myth finds you, when a story begins to mirror your own becoming?In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Stephanie Zajchowski and I explore myth as a living companion, something to enter rather than analyze. We trace her journey from corporate marketing to mythology, through the initiatory thresholds of motherhood, postpartum depression, and the courage to begin again.Together, we spe
Living with Mythic Sensibility — through the myth of Psyche and Eros with Dr. Catherine Svehla
What does it mean to live with mythic sensibility—to move through the world as though it were alive and full of meaning? In this illuminating conversation, we explore how myth can guide us into deeper relationship with soul, creativity, and the unseen forces shaping our lives.Together, we journey through the Greek tale of Psyche and Eros as a map of transformation, reflecting on the wisdom of surr
Mythic Creativity & Women’s Sovereignty with Dr. Joanna Gardner
Creativity, sovereignty, and myth converge in this soulful conversation: an exploration of how women can reconnect with their creative essence, navigate blocks, and tend to the inner fire of imagination.Joanna Gardner, PhD, is a writer, mythologist, and magical realist whose work centers on creativity, wonder tales, and goddesses. She co-authored Goddesses: A Skeleton Key Study Guide and is the au
Medusa & Athena: Feminine Power, Protection, and Duality with Carla Ionescu
This conversation explores the myths of Medusa and Athena — their intertwined images in ancient art, the cultural shifts that reshaped Medusa’s story, and the deeper truths these goddesses carry about feminine power, protection, and duality.Images we talked about at: https://www.womenandmythology.com/medusaDr. Carla Ionescu is an ancient historian, Artemis expert, and author of She Who Hunts, a gr
Remembering Eve: Sovereignty, Story, and Spiritual Permission with Vanya Leilani
In this powerful episode, we remember the mythic Eve, the power of sacred disobedience, the role of creative transgression, and the lifelong journey of sovereignty. Together, we reflect on what it means to shed obedience, reclaim the sacred feminine, and remember ourselves as our own truest source of knowing.Dr. Vanya Leilani is a depth psychologist, writer, teacher, storyteller, and author of The
Motherhood as Initiation, Identity, and the Power of Fairy Tales with Lisa Marchiano
This conversation explores the inner transformation of motherhood, the tension between sacrifice and selfhood, the mythopoetic image of the mother, and the call for a deeper cultural conversation around mothering.Lisa Marchiano is an award-winning author, Jungian analyst, and co-host of the popular podcast This Jungian Life. Her books, including Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself and The Vita
Mythic Sensibility, Belonging & the Ethics of Story with Sharon Blackie
In this first episode of Season 2, we explore mythic sensibility, the ethics of storytelling, the archetype of the elder woman, and how to live a meaningful, enchanted life rooted in story and place.Dr. Sharon Blackie is an award-winning author, psychologist, and mythologist whose internationally bestselling books, including If Women Rose Rooted and Wise Women, explore the power of myth and fairy
Trailer Season 2
WE ARE BACK! Season 2 of Women and Mythology begins!This season, incredible mythologists will join me in conversation. New stories, new guests, and a renewed devotion to the mythic life.Stay tuned! Don’t forget to follow the show so you’ll receive each new episode the moment it drops.With a deep love for myth,Maria SouzaDiscover my work at Women and Mythology:www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women &
14.1 The Handless Maiden, Part 2: The Symbology of Seeking, The Royal Orchard, The Crone Mother, and The King
In Part 2 of the final episode of Season 1, Maria continues exploring the rich symbology of The Handless Maiden with special guest Dagny from The Art of Rest. Together, they delve into themes of being nourished by the soul world, the archetypes of the magician, gardener, and king, and the transformative journey of growing our hands back again.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/
14. The Handless Maiden, Part 1: Story and the Symbology of the Hands and Dismemberment
In the final episode of Season 1, Maria delves into the epic tale of The Handless Maiden alongside special guest Nikki. Together, they explore the symbolism of losing one’s hands, the inner predator, ways to protect our creative lives, and much more.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comNikki Lizares is the founder and sou
13. The Woman With Hair of Gold: Kore, Releasing Secrets and Grieving Our Wounds
Dive into the tale of The Woman with Hair of Gold to uncover the archetype of Kore—a self-contained, sovereign woman. Explore the transformative power of releasing shameful secrets, embracing grief, and healing the wounds we carry to fully embody our strong and vital self.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comANIMA MYTHICA
12. The Crescent Moon Bear: Embracing the Power of Rage and Healing
Explore the Japanese folktale of The Crescent Moon Bear, a story that reflects on the dual nature of rage—one that corrodes and one that is essential to a woman’s life. Maria Souza unpacks the archetypes of the healer and magical animals, as well as the symbolism of the bear, the mountain, and the path of healing woven throughout this tale.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wom
11. Baubo: Unearthing Sacred Sexuality, The Power of Laughter and The Symbology of the Vulva
Explore the Greek Myth of Baubo and a reflection on the symbology of laughter and the archetype of the Goddess of Fecundity as a source of power and vitality. Maria Souza also touches on the symbology of the breasts and vulva for women.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comWOLVES TRIBE PROGRAMDive deeper into this and 16 m
10. La Llorona: Folktale on Women's Creative Life, Unblocking The Creative Self and The Animus
In this episode, Maria Souza tells the Central American folktale of La Llorona, a story that showcases the tragedy of letting go of one's creative power. The symbolic reflection highlights the importance to nurture, unblock and protect women's creative life and how can our animus be ally, instead of tyrant.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website h
9. Sealskin, Soulskin: A Story on Women’s Soul Cycle and The Marriage with The Ego.
In this episode, Maria Souza tells the story of Sealskin, Soulskin and brings a reflection on the symbology of the skin, the cycles of women's life, the marriage between ego and soul, and the agreements and gifts this relationship offers us.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comWOLVES TRIBE PROGRAMDive deeper into thi
8.2 Symbols: The 8 Traps That Causes Injured Instinct
In this episode, Maria Souza analyses the eight traps that the heroine in The Red Shoes succumbs to and what we can do to heal instinct. Reflect on what you must take to the executioner's house and women's excesses. Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comANIMA MYTHICA: A Yearlong Journey in Feminine Symbolic Lifeh
8.1 Symbols: The Handmade Life and The Red Shoes
In this episode, Maria Souza will explore the symbols of shoes and the color red and offer images for us to understand the Handmade Life. Reflect on what kind of sacrifices you are making and how you can build a soul-giving life.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comANIMA MYTHICA: A Yearlong Journey in Feminine Symbolic Li
8. STORY THE RED SHOES
Listen to the story of The Red Shoes, a classic tale about the traps women fall into when they trade their handmade life. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful exploration
7.1 Symbols: The Power of The Body
Explore ideas on the power of the body in the instinctual world. In this episode, Maria Souza will reflect on how one standard of beauty robs women of their creative life and why we must reclaim the wisdom of La Mariposa, the Butterfly Woman.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful
7. STORY LA MARIPOSA, BUTTERFLY WOMAN
Listen to the story of La Mariposa, the Butterfly Woman, a tale about the power of the female body, and reflect on its potential to pollinate and fertilize. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mytholog
6.3 Symbols: Surpassing the Survival Phase and Entering Our Thriving State
Reflect on the final few moments of the Ugly Duckling story. In this episode, Maria Souza will explore the ideas of cold, knowing how to accept help, and how to enter the thriving phase, the swan life. Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful exploration of myth as a living force i
6.2 Symbols: The Inner Mother in the Ugly Duckling's Tale
Explore the four archetypes of the mother in the Ugly Duckling story and the inner mother we carry as women. In this episode, Maria Souza will reflect on the characteristics of the ambivalent mother, the collapsed mother, the unmothered mother, and the strong mother archetype.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comANIMA MYT
6.1 Symbols: The Duckling as Instinctual Nature
Explore the Ugly Duckling as a symbol of the instinctual nature of women and the duckling's birth family as a symbol of a cruel culture. In this episode, Maria Souza will reflect on the gifts that exile offers us and the strength one must have to endure the journey for belonging.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨
6. STORY UGLY DUCKLING
Listen to the story of the Ugly Duckling, a tale about endurance, belonging, and finding one's kind. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful exploration of myth as a liv
5.2 Symbols: The 7 Tasks To Embrace Skeleton Woman
What are the seven tasks of the story of Skeleton Woman? In this episode, Maria explores the images from the story and the symbols of the seeker archetype, the sleep of trust, the power of tears, and the untangling of the life-death-life nature.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.comANIMA MYTHICA: A Yearlong Journey in Femi
5.1 Symbols: Lady Death and The Life-Death-Life Cycle
Who is Lady Death? What does she offer us? In this episode, Maria explores the archetype of the Skeleton Woman. Listen and reflect on the power that death brings to life, the unstoppable cycle of life-death-life, and the role of death within relationships.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcas
5. STORY SKELETON WOMAN
Listen to the story of Skeleton Woman, a tale about the life-death-life nature, love, and our relationship with the many endings that life brings. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast
0. START HERE: Introduction to Women & Mythology
In this special episode, Maria Souza gives some insights on navigating the podcast Women and Mythology: from the types of episodes available to how to listen to each of them. Maria also talks about the wild woman archetype in its shadow and light and the book Women Who Run With The Wolves. This introduction episode might be helpful if you are new to mythical work. A warm welcome to all of you! May
4.2 Symbols: The Wild Mate and The Distractions From The Deep Work
Explore symbols from the story of Manawee. Who is the wild mate and his little dog? Reflect on the distractions we all find on our road and the importance of Deep Work.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful exploration of myth as a living force in our contemporary lives.Hosted by
4.1 Symbols: The Dual Nature and The Father in Manawee
Who are the twins in the story of Manawee? In this episode, Maria explores the dual nature of women: the ego and the soul self. Listen and reflect on the duality, the power of the names, and the significant figure of the father in a women's psyche.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast
4. STORY MANAWEE
Listen to the story of Manawee, a tale about the dual nature of women, the instinctual nature of men, endurance, and the distractions that await us on the road. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Myth
3.4 Symbols: The Alchemical Process and The Shadow in Vasalisa's Tale
On this final part of Vasalisa's journey, we comment her descent into the life-death-life cycle and the burning of her shadow self. In this episode, we will look at the symbols of the crown, the fire skull, the working hands, and the three horses. This episode closes the interpretation of the story of Vasalisa.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website h
3.3 Symbols: Meeting Baba Yaga, the Witch and Wild Goddess in Vasalisa's Tale
Would you be able to stand in the presence of a powerful witch? What does Vasalisa gain when she serves the wild goddess? In this episode, we will explore the archetype of the witch and the meaning of each task performed by Vasalisa. Enter the natural, fearless, and instinctual world within you.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmyt
3.2 Symbols: The Too Good Mother in Vasalisa's Tale
Explore the archetype of the too-good mother, who must die after a certain age so a woman can live boldly. In this episode, Maria explains and offers examples of how the too-good mother acts in our psyches and why it is essential to release ourselves from it.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Pod
3.1 Symbols: Intuition, Vasalisa's Doll as Treasure
Reflect on intuition as the soul voice and the treasure of women's psyche. Symbolized by the doll in the tale of Vasalisa, intuition is seen here as a soul-preserving force. In this short episode, Maria shares some of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés ideas on the intuitive self.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women
3. STORY VASALISA
She loses her mother and is subjected to a cruel stepfamily. She meets a witch who gives her fire. Do you think this storyline will ring any bells? Listen to the story of Vasalisa, an ancient Russian tale about retrieving intuition and encountering the wild mother. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagra
2.1 Symbols: Discovering the Predator, Bluebeard and Following Curiosity
She was told not to use a particular key, but she did so anyway... Do you follow your curiosity? In this episode, Maria will explore the archetype of the predator, the innate force that lives within us and seek to kill the light. She will also discuss the importance of curiosity and why women must nurture their curious nature. Join her to reflect on this deep initiation and examine the symbols of
2. STORY BLUEBEARD
Listen to the story of Bluebeard, a timeless fairy tale that holds one of the most basic initiations women must go through, understanding that the predator exists. This version of the story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & M
1.1 Symbols: The Bones of La Loba
Who is La Loba, Wolf Woman? What does it mean to gather the bones? In this episode, Maria explains and interprets key symbols of the La Loba story. Explore the symbolisms of seeking and incubating the bones, singing, and developing integration.Connect with us:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podcast is a soulful
1. STORY LA LOBA
In our first episode, your host Maria Souza will share the myth of La Loba, Wolf Woman. A story about finding the soul and connecting with the Wild Woman archetype. This story is found in the book Women Who Run With The Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Connect with Maria:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenandmythology/Website https://www.womenandmythology.com✨ Women & Mythology Podca
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