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Gathering Gold: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sheryl Paul and Victoria Russell
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.
Latest Episodes
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- 1 weeks ago18 min
The Lazy Hard Worker
In this solo episode, inspired by a Patreon community member, Victoria reflects on what it means to be a "lazy hard worker"—someone who swings between periods of doing "nothing" and burning the candle at both ends. Through personal reflections, she explores the difference between moving slowly and being truly stuck, the fears that can fuel procrastination and perfectionism, and how understanding our own temperament, rhythms, and needs can help us find a more sustainable middle path. References: Gathering Gold episode: Effort and Ease
- Jun 29, 202652 min
The Wisdom of Shared Dreams
Four years ago, we shared an episode on dream work and the gifts that emerge from remembering, recording, and reflecting on our dreams in solitude. Today, we're returning to the subject—this time exploring the power of sharing dreams within a trusted community. What unique wisdom can emerge when we invite others to reflect on our dreams—and when we do the same for theirs? How can dream work expand our empathy, spark creative responses to social challenges, and help us discern how we're called to serve? And how do we find the kind of community where this sacred work can unfold? We explore all this and more in today's episode. References: Jeremy Taylor interviews with Dream Networker and Thinking Allowed Jeremy Taylor's Basic Dream Work Tool Kit Marion Woodman's dream work Gathering Gold episode: "Living IRL" The Kin of Ata Are Waiting for You by Dorothy Bryant
- Jun 15, 202655 min
Showing Up Is Enough: Reflections from the Retreat
Sheryl and Victoria reflect on their experiences of Sheryl's first-ever in-person retreat: Another Way. For five days, nestled in a Colorado valley, the retreatants engaged in dream work and rituals; practiced council; moved mindfully; and connected to creativity. Inside a circle of compassion and wisdom, tears and laughter flowed with ease. A web of deep, healing connection was woven--invisible threads of love that now stretch across continents and oceans. In this conversation, Sheryl and Victoria share the guiding principles of the retreat, emphasizing gentleness, safety, and empowerment; dispel myths about what a retreat experience "should" look like; and explore how, no matter what, showing up with an open heart is more than enough. References: "Another Way" Gathering Gold episode How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, Jenny Odell Animal Spirit Deck, Kim Kranz Projective identification dreamwork, Jeremy Taylor Join us on Patreon for bonus content and virtual gatherings: patreon.com/gatheringgold Some of our recent bonus episodes include: Victoria's Psychotropic Experience | The Slipstream of Time | Give and Receiving - Shudder - Feedback | The Problem with Pedestals | Are Intrusive Thoughts like Stray Cats?
- May 29, 202650 min
Dear Highly Sensitive Parent: Patreon Bonus Episode + New Reflections
Sheryl and Victoria share a favorite bonus conversation from the Patreon library ("Dear Highly Sensitive Parent") and current reflections on why it still resonates so deeply--especially now. Sheryl shares some of her most potent, painful, and life-changing experiences in early motherhood and the practices that held and grounded her in the toughest moments. And, she and Victoria discuss Sheryl's first-ever in-person retreat (!) and her new community offering for mothers: The Gathering Well. References: "There is Another Way" episode The Gathering Well community for mothers Interested in joining a future retreat? Email Sheryl: sheryl@conscious-transitions.com Join us on Patreon for bonus content and virtual gatherings: patreon.com/gatheringgold Some of our recent bonus episodes include: Victoria's Psychotropic Experience | The Slipstream of Time | Give and Receiving - Shudder - Feedback | The Problem with Pedestals | Are Intrusive Thoughts like Stray Cats?
- May 11, 202640 min
Becoming Who We Are: On Gifts, Passions & Pigeonholes
Sheryl and Victoria unpack how children—and adults—can become pigeonholed as “the smart one,” “the athlete,” “the good girl,” or “the creative one,” and what happens when those identities start to feel limiting. Through personal stories about parenting, childhood passions, sibling dynamics, and evolving career paths, they reflect on the importance of allowing young people the freedom to grow, pivot, and surprise us. The conversation touches on intrinsic motivation, the difference between genuine passion and externally imposed expectations, and how gifts and talents can both ground us and become tangled with self-worth. Sheryl and Victoria also explore the tension between encouraging perseverance and honoring a child’s authentic sense of self, sharing examples of how identity can unfold in unexpected ways. Along the way, they discuss multi-potentiality, growth mindset, perfectionism, gender expectations, and the deep human need to feel seen, valued, and free to contain multitudes. References: Other Gathering Gold episodes: You Do Not Have to Be Good Films: High School Musical (2006) Whiplash (2014) Books: Mindset by Carol Dweck Music: “Mirrorball,” by Taylor Swift TED Talk: Why Some Of Us Don’t Have One True Calling
- Apr 27, 202657 min
Snakes without Skin: The Middle School Years
In today's episode, we are exploring the emotional intensity of the middle school years, reflecting on both the pain and the “gold” of this stage—revisiting experiences of loneliness and self-consciousness alongside connection, self-discovery, and courage. We discuss how shifting attention from family to peers can deepen feelings of rejection, while also opening the door to more meaningful friendships and self-expression. We share how important it was for us to feel truly seen at this age—especially by supportive adults—and how small moments of recognition became lifelong anchors. In searching for the gold within them, we discover how these "middle" years are not just a time to endure, but a formative, tender, and transformative chapter that shapes who we become. References: “Don’t You Dare Teach My Daughter to Fear the Forest” by TY Chambers Dire Straights podcast episode: "Jeffrey Epstein, Les Wexner, and the 90s Mall" The Genius Myth by Michael Meade
- Apr 13, 202652 min
The Spirituality of Human Connection
When the topic of spiritual practice comes up, what comes to mind? Going to a religious service? Connecting with nature? Meditating? There are so many ways to connect of a sense of something bigger than ourselves. There is one vital pathways that is sometimes overlooked: Connecting with each other. In today's episode, we're exploring how connecting with other people -- both real and imaginal, in our memories and in the here-and-now -- can help us grow stronger and softer, safer and braver, more present and more expansive. References: Other Gathering Gold and Conscious Transitions work: Gathering Gold episode on "Spiritual Longing" Sheryl's course "Open Your Heart: A 30-Day Course to Feel More Love and Attraction for Your Partner" Comedy John Mulaney on "Stranger Danger" Tig Notaro's "Hello, I have cancer" Quotes Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Maya Angelou: “I’ve had a lot of clouds, but I have had so many rainbows…..and one of the things I do when I step up on a stage, when I stand up to translate, when I go to teach my classes, when I go to direct a movie, I bring everyone who has ever been kind to me with me.” “Black, White, Asian, Spanish-speaking, Native American, Gay, Straight, everybody. I say come with me — I’m going on this stage. Come with me. I need you now. Long dead….you see.. so I don’t ever feel, I have no help.” “I’ve had rainbows in my clouds.and the thing to do it seems to me… Is to prepare yourself so that you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud." William Blake: “I sought my God and my God I couldn't find; I sought my soul and my soul eluded me; I sought to serve my brother in his need, and I found all three; My God, my soul, and thee.” Music "People Get Back Up" by Mae Martin Join us on Patreon for bonus content and virtual gatherings: patreon.com/gatheringgold Some of our recent bonus episodes include: Victoria's Psychotropic Experience | The Slipstream of Time | Give and Receiving - Shudder - Feedback | The Problem with Pedestals | Are Intrusive Thoughts like Stray Cats?
- Mar 20, 202654 min
"I Don't Like Change"
"I don't like change." Many highly sensitive souls have uttered these words at one time or another. Perhaps we've said them recently, as we watched neighbors move away, or babies grow into toddlers, or winter slip into spring. Maybe we haven't dared speak them aloud since childhood, decades ago, when someone rolled their eyes in response and told us to buck up. In today's episode, we are exploring the contours of change--the good, the hard, the heartbreaking, and the joyful. How can we meet our growing pains and open our hearts with tenderness and compassion amidst the inevitable winds of change? References: Related Gathering Gold Episodes... ...about Time: The Passage of Time How to Slow Down Time ...about Receiving: Why It's Hard to Receive Good Things ...about Objects: Artifacts of the Heart Bonus episode: Emotional Support for Spring Cleaning Books ACT Made Simple by Dr. Russ Harris Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Poetry “Mysteries, Yes” by Mary Oliver Films Toy Story (1995) Music “La La Lu” from Lady and the Tramp “All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke Join us on Patreon for bonus content and virtual gatherings: patreon.com/gatheringgold Some of our recent bonus episodes include: Victoria's Psychotropic Experience | The Slipstream of Time | Give and Receiving - Shudder - Feedback | The Problem with Pedestals | Are Intrusive Thoughts like Stray Cats?
About 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.
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