The Deepening

Cecily Mak: Living Undimmed

In this episode I speak with Cecily Mak — author of Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits — about the habits and behaviors we reach for to soften the edges of our lives, and what becomes possible when we loosen their grip. Cecily introduces the concept of "dimmers" — not just substances like alcohol, but anything we use to take the edge off: overworking, scrolling, people-pleasing, even wellness practices. Her argument is that while these habits help us avoid discomfort, they also mute our sense of aliveness, silence our intuition, and keep us in what she calls "the softer middle of human experience." We talk about: What it means to be dimmed and what it means to live undimmed How the eight awarenesses form a map for living more self-connected and present How intuition becomes clearer as we un-dim The difference between genuine service and dimming through people-pleasing What gets revealed when one dimmer loosens and why that layering matters Why our dimming behaviors aren't failures This is a warm, honest, and surprisingly wide-ranging conversation about clarity, agency, and the return to ourselves. Guest: Cecily Mak is an attorney, investor, advocate, founder and author of Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits, published by Flatiron Books. Find her at cecilymak.com. Resources mentioned: Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits — Cecily Mak The Five Invitations — Frank Ostaseski

Maria Souza of Women & Mythology: How Myths Illuminate Our Lives

In this episode, I’m joined by mythologist Maria Souza for a deep and beautiful conversation about the power of myth to illuminate our inner lives. We explore why myth still matters, how ancient stories mirror our psychological patterns, and how women can use stories to reconnect with intuition, creativity, and inner authority. Maria shares how myth can guide us during personal transitions and how a repertoire of stories can help us navigate motherhood, midlife, and other life thresholds. We take a close look at the Russian story of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga — a tale of intuition, fierceness, and the journey from innocence to sovereignty. We also discuss people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the ways midlife calls women to stop abandoning themselves and begin living from a deeper truth. If you’re navigating a transition, longing for clarity, or looking for inspiration, this conversation will help illuminate your path. Stories and Myths Mentioned Vasilisa the Beautiful (Russian folktale) Psyche and Eros (Greek myth) Demeter and Persephone (Greek myth) Inanna’s Descent (Sumerian myth) Sealskin/Soulskin (Selkie tale) The Crescent Moon Bear (Japanese tale) Manawi (African/African-American tale) La Llorona (Mexican tale) Connect with Maria Souza Website: womenandmythology.com Instagram: @womenandmythology Connect with Suzanne Website: divingdeepcoaching.com Shadow Pattern Quiz: ⁠https://www.divingdeepcoaching.com/quiz⁠ [https://www.divingdeepcoaching.com/quiz] 1:1 Coaching & Clarity Sessions: ⁠https://www.divingdeepcoaching.com/clarity-session⁠ [https://www.divingdeepcoaching.com/clarity-session]

Lisa Marchiano, LCSW: Dreams as Inner Guides

In this episode, I speak with Lisa Marchiano, Jungian analyst, author, and co-host of This Jungian Life, about her book Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams (co-authored with Deborah Stewart and Joseph Lee). We explore how dreams can serve as a compass for meaning and purpose, guiding us toward our fullest expression of self. Through the Jungian lens, Lisa explains how dreams act as messages from the unconscious—offering gentle course-corrections, creative insight, and wisdom for the lifelong process of individuation, or becoming who we’re truly meant to be. Together we discuss: Why dreams matter and how they guide psychological and spiritual growth The “inner companion” or Self as a source of support and direction How to work with dream images using associations, amplification, and active imagination Dream incubation—how to ask your dreams for guidance Why dreamwork is a creative dialogue that connects us to the depths of psyche and to the collective unconscious Whether you’re in a life transition, seeking clarity about your next chapter, or simply curious about the mystery of dreams, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical tools for deepening your relationship with your inner life—and living in greater alignment with who you’re meant to become. SHOW NOTES Guest Lisa Marchiano, LCSW — Jungian analyst, author (Motherhood, The Vital Spark, Dream Wise), and co-host of the popular podcast This Jungian Life. She teaches on the faculty of the C.G. Jung Institute of Philadelphia. RESOURCES MENTIONED Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams — by Lisa Marchiano, Deborah Stewart & Joseph Lee Dream School [https://thisjungianlife.com/join-dream-school/]by This Jungian Life — an online learning community for dreamwork Dream Guidance by Machiel Klerk (on dream incubation) Key Jungian ideas: individuation, the Self, amplification, active imagination, symbolic dialogue GUEST & HOST Links Guest → Lisa Marchiano [https://lisamarchiano.com/] Host → Suzanne L'Heureux | @divingdeepcoaching | www.divingdeepcoaching.com [https://www.divingdeepcoaching.com/] If this conversation resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone curious about dreams and the inner life. Download my free Midlife Reconnection Guide—for a gentle invitation to reflect and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.

Dr. James Hollis, P.h.D: Creating a Meaningful Life

In this rich conversation, Jungian analyst and internationally acclaimed author Dr. James Hollis joins me to explore the deep psychological and spiritual tasks of midlife—and how this threshold can open us to greater authenticity, meaning, and vitality. We talk about reclaiming personal authority, questioning inherited beliefs, and listening to the deeper promptings of the psyche. Hollis shares why he considers himself in the “richest phase” of his life, and how curiosity, courage, and service to life itself keep our journey far from over. Dr. Hollis is the author of more than 20 books, including The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife and A Life of Meaning. His work has touched countless lives, inviting us to ask bigger questions, live more consciously, and align our lives with what is truly ours to express. Whether you’re navigating a midlife transition, seeking clarity on your path, or simply curious about the inner journey, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and a deeper lens on what it means to live a life of meaning.

Janice V. Johnson Dowd, LMSW: Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery

How do we begin to heal the damage that addiction can cause in our relationships? In this episode, I speak with Janice Johnson Dowd — a Licensed Master Social Worker, recovering alcoholic, mother of four, and author of Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery. Together we explore the challenges of rebuilding trust, making amends, and navigating grief, guilt, and the deep longing for connection. Janice offers compassionate, practical insights — not just for people in recovery, but for anyone seeking to repair and strengthen important relationships. Whether you’re on a recovery path yourself or supporting someone who is, may this conversation offer reflection, hope, and encouragement for your own journey.