#161 - Jessica DiRuzza - Neurodivergence & Therapeutic Astrology - Trust Psyche

#161 - Jessica DiRuzza - Neurodivergence & Therapeutic Astrology - Trust Psyche

WARNING: REALLY RICH EPISODE, You will meet Jessica DiRuzza who is a depth psychotherapist and has Trust Psyche School of Astrology and Depth Psychology - For many years, she has been doing what Therapeutic Astrology is all about - that is, integrating the wisdom of depth psychology and astrology, helping people heal through both symbolic and therapeutic conversations. In THIS conversation, you are about to her, we explore exactly that- the meeting of psychotherapy and astrology and our main focus today is on neurodivergence!! Can it be seen in the birthchart? And if so, how? Jessica views neurodiversity as a necessary part of human evolution ! Here are some of what we talk about: -Jessicas embodied astrology practise -The limitation of one session of astrology and the importance of safety, trust, and time when working with trauma and deep psychological change -Meeting each client where they are instead of relying on a single therapeutic model -Neurodiversity and why so many astrologers are naturally drawn to symbolic pattern recognition -The relationship between neurodivergence, trauma, and living in a world that isn't always designed for different nervous systems. This conversation is definitivly with a neuroaffirming perspective !! We both share vulnerable accomodations to a disability -Interventions - is it the right word?? -Jessica shares about "twice exceptional" and how extraordinary gifts can mask invisible disabilities -Hyper- and hypo-sensitivity EXPLAINED really well - and of course remember that our greatest gifts often emerge from the same place as our deepest challenges! -Chiron as a symbol of the universal human wound (what does Chiron have to do with neurodivergence??) -Jessica is big on the value of PARADOX (libra south node perhaps) -Spotting neurdiversity in the chart...well...it is symbolism not causation! -we are reminded of the danger of dogmatism in both astrology and psychotherapy -Why every astrologer works from an underlying metaphysics! -My suggestion of Pisces and Aquarius to have a special relationship with neurodivergence, because of their otherworldliness (Neptune, Uranus, 12 og 11th house signatures of course also) If you know Jessica's work, you'll know she has produced many inspiring lectures and teachings online, see links below: LINKS: https://trustpsyche.com/about/ [https://trustpsyche.com/about/] https://www.youtube.com/@TrustPsyche [https://www.youtube.com/@TrustPsyche] Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] Youtube edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_z9D06N3y8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_z9D06N3y8]

#160 - Perdita Finn: Mothers of Magic - Summoning the Wisdom of our Ancestors

"We have more lives than we can imagine to make our dreams come true, to see our prayers answered. To see with the eyes of the dead is to know that our story is a long story with so many more twists and turns and returns than we can imagine. To see with the eyes of the dead is to know that the future stretches before us into eternity and there is all the time in the world for the magic of life itself." Quote from the book "Mothers of Magic" by my guest today, Perdita Finn, whose work offers a profoundly enriching vision for humanity. As an Aquarius, she embodies the archetype's gift for seeing beyond convention and imagining new ways of being together. Because....Our bodily appetites and our spiritual hungers were never meant to be pulled apart, as she says. TAP in with us as we speak about: -"Mother" is not an individual identity but a collective reality -You don't own your baby - plus one woman should not be responsible for feeding the baby -Male mothers -They are telling us who we should be, not who we used to be! -To call out to mountain mothers, plant mothers and ancinent mothers from BEFORE civilisation -We dont have to heal our dead grandparents -The de-demonizing of talking to the dead -The long story and the empowerent of the dead -What it is to live in the longer story -this quote is essential: "I did not think of my ancestors as a lineage of names to which I was connected biologically but rather an entangled root system of beings who were the very ground from which I grew. All the dead who had ever been were our dead, were my dead, were there for me to call upon when I needed help." -Sugar Addiction seriously!! See this quote again from the book we speak about: "I needed to dive deep into the depths of time, the depths of my own soul, to call forth the guidance not just of my mother and my grandmother but an entire ocean of ancestral mothers and grandmothers. Only they could help me get sober." -Addiction and Civilization!!! Maybe we have to trust the long story of our souls—so much longer than a lifetime, a species, or an epoch—in order to find our way back to real sobriety!!!!! -FORGIVENESS (take back the magic) -TO SEE WITH THE EYES OF THE DEAD (before dying yourself) Uh and so much more- stick around for it all, a very inspiring interview! Find more on Perdita Finn here: https://takebackthemagic.com/about-perdita/ [https://takebackthemagic.com/about-perdita/] the book we speak of: https://a.co/d/03YPtUvB [https://a.co/d/03YPtUvB] Her writings on substack: https://perditafinn.substack.com/ [https://perditafinn.substack.com/] this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/_cFSTzMIs-0 [https://youtu.be/_cFSTzMIs-0] Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/]

#159 - Mirek Kanik - Modern Mysticism in Psychotherapy - Being a Modern Mystic

Mirek Kanik is a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and dynamic life coach based near Perth in Western Australia. He is author of the 2015 book: "I Am a Modern Mystic - So Are You: How to Engage Your Intuition for Real Change", which we dive into in this episode. TAP in to be inspired around how to allow for more mysticism in your own therapeutic practise. Here is some of what we talk about: -Mireks definition of mysticism and a mystic -Experiences with modern mysticism in psychotherapy -Mysticism as a therapeutic tool -How we sense each other and in fact can never lie to anybody -The flow point in therapy -How advice is in fact dis-respectful -Fear of the unknown & brain functioning -Heart and brain coherence (is heart or brain most important?) -TRANCE- flow- the in-between -the sleep-like state -Just as we having a fun time, I bring up the DARK mysticism! In the notes to Mirek writes: "Dark mysticism may emerge through experiences such as suicide, grief, or the sudden loss of a loved one. It belongs to the realm of the occult—not in the popular sense, but as something hidden, mysterious, and ultimately incomprehensible. Dark mysticism is unexplained suffering." -How we influence each other with our heart-fields -To open yourself up as a therapist - to the mystical flow or even channelling -Neptune, Pisces, 12th house -Psychologists versus psychotherapists! -Psychotherapy as an art where therapeutic rapport is essential -Mireks alternative Ph.D -The validation comes from people doing better -Mysticism and parenthood -The need to help and give, songs from a happy pisces moon I hope you enjoy it LINKS: https://www.headofficehealth.com.au/en/mirek-kanik [https://www.headofficehealth.com.au/en/mirek-kanik] the book: https://a.co/d/03dpWLI2 [https://a.co/d/03dpWLI2] Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] video: https://youtu.be/Das_jaHi2Gs [https://youtu.be/Das_jaHi2Gs]

#158 - Jim Fadiman & Jordan Gruber: The Pre-Science Paradigm-Shifting Case for Microdosing

"Microdosing, like the diminutive hobbits Bilbo and Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, has been able to diversify and develop by not bringing attention to itself; by not worrying about legislation, patent protections, or medical acceptance; and even by not having much concern about current conventional scientific methodologies (some of which are inappropriate for measuring improvements in subjective states)." (From page 279 in "Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance") THIS conversation is so special, and I feel so much love from Jordan and Jim - I mean in a quiet way where it lives inside their curiosity, their presence and openess, plus what you will hear is based on their decades of research. If you have never heard of microdosing, you are about to of course, but also here is some help from their book, where they for one (out several) thing say that microdosing is "a very small dose of a classic psychedelic (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) and certain additional substances (including Banisteriopsis caapi, Amanita muscaria, and others) that in higher doses strongly alter consciousness." MEET authors & my guests today: James Fadiman, PhD has been professionally involved with psychedelics for more than sixty years. Dubbed the "Father of Modern Microdosing," he developed the protocols and dose ranges that define the practice today. He holds a BA from Harvard and a PhD in psychology from Stanford, has taught at three universities, and cofounded the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Jordan Gruber, JD is a former attorney, writer, and editor with a long-time interest in psychology, psychedelics, and human potential. He has written and edited more than a dozen books across widely varying fields and has been close friends with Fadiman since 1990. Here they are together with me talking about their book: "Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance" from Aeon Books 2025. Join us as we go through themes such as: -Why does the world need this right now? -Can we use alchohol to microdose? -A generation is turning away from alcohol toward microdosing plus the authors say microdosing is already starting to replace alcohol at social events -ADHD medication as stimulants vs. microdosing that is restoring equilibrium so symptoms eventually go away vs. just functioning -Depression & the serotonin myth -Chronic Pain: from being in pain to having pain (when I read the quote I said "I love this" but then when I heard myself say it, I was like...it doesnt sound too good to still have pain, but Jim and Jordan explains very well and we also hear a personal story from Jordan around pain and medication) -We also touch on the connection between microdosing and their earlier work on multiple selves (Your Symphony of Selves)!! so interesting when you are into parts-work & the multimind-model -Should you keep microdosing forever? -What science hasn't caught up to yet -The millennia-long relationship with these plants ("For millennia, microdosing has been one way to become more aware of our relationship with all living beings") -Microdosing is very very popoular BUT its growing popularity has happened without influencers, celebrities or big pharma behind it, which may be exactly why it feels trustworthy -The afterglow from psychedelics and the second-day effect of microdosing -AND very importantly, I think, Jim and Jordans sweet astrological connection! Thank you for listening and share the episode if you feel like it -Mannah LINKS: youtube version: https://youtu.be/ZbRq3MNrPsc [https://youtu.be/ZbRq3MNrPsc] Podimo version: https://podimo.dk/therapeuticastrologypodcast [https://podimo.dk/therapeuticastrologypodcast] Jim: https://www.jamesfadiman.com/ [https://www.jamesfadiman.com/] the book we speak about: https://www.microdosingbook.com/ [https://www.microdosingbook.com/] also the book we speak about: https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/microdosing-for-health-healing-and-enhanced-performance/95425 [https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/microdosing-for-health-healing-and-enhanced-performance/95425] Jordan Gruber: https://www.instagram.com/jordangruber123/ [https://www.instagram.com/jordangruber123/] & https://jordangruber.com/ [https://jordangruber.com/] MANNAH: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/]

#157 - Abbie Rosner - Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging

"Long before their appearance in the modern West, psychedelic medicines were understood and revered as portals into sacred space." WELCOME today you will hear about SUCH a progressive and wise theme, when we talk about sacred medicine in older age. In fact it is a revolution— in the role of elders in our society. My guest and author today also write: "What a delight to meet my inquisitive, slightly edgy younger self again! And yet, altering my consciousness in older age, I found the weight of life experience grounded me like an anchor. I knew myself, my mind, my strengths. Years of meditation had taught me how to deal with that old trickster, fear. Now, pot invited me to put on music and dance, dive deep into conversation, and simply ponder life with a joy I'd never known. If that was what happened with cannabis, I couldn't wait to revisit psilocybin." Her name is Abbie Rosner, she is leading a movement of conscious aging, and in the book she shares not only her own experience but more than 30 older psychonauts share how their psychedelic experiences helped them heal old wounds, align with their authentic selves, and experience profound love and forgiveness. Her book is called "Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging" and is published in july of 2026 by Inner Traditions. In this interview we adress topics such as: -Why the focus of baby boomers -Aging before and aging now! -Bringing in psychedelics for the benefits for older adults -How it can help prepare transition: "Experiencing this paradox of simultaneously being everything and nothing may be about as close as we mortals can get to the divine. It can also extend a level of comfort to the idea of our own mortality. Some find that moving beyond the boundaries of self is useful for making peace with death." -The shift of consciousness -The experience of being PRESENT -Safety around drugs -and a word that I now love and will use all the time: MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES In the end we touch on the the Leo-Aquarius archetype in Abbies chart that for example show that she will live from a truth that has not yet become conventional which matches the fact that she gives voices to pioneering psychedelic elders. Thank you for being with us, here are some links to look at: LINKS the book: https://www.innertraditions.com/psychedelics-and-the-counterculture-of-aging [https://www.innertraditions.com/psychedelics-and-the-counterculture-of-aging] Abbie: https://www.abbierosner.com/ [https://www.abbierosner.com/] myself: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu7spZDxAAo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu7spZDxAAo]