Gail Carriger: The Heroine's Art of Building Community

The Writers Lab: Not Nearly Done

Nitza Wilon and Elizabeth Kaiden founded The Writers Lab to support women and non-binary writers over forty. In this episode, we dive deep into the systemic barriers these storytellers face. We talk about the industry’s bias toward younger, male voices, the resistance to internal, nuanced storytelling, and the persistent structures that determine who gets heard (and what gets funded and produced). Nitza and Elizabeth share their journey to creating this model: a safe space for these voices to be seen and amplified. Through mentorship, workshops, and retreats, writers can refine their craft, find support, and step into the light with confidence — raising the volume on stories that have long waited to be told. In this conversation, we explore: 1. How an enormous well of unrecognized stories reveals systemic exclusion, not individual struggle 2. Stark realities from 2025: out of 511 feature films made with 740 writers, 79% of writers were male, 20.68% were women, and only 12.1% were women over 40. 3. What happens when a community rallies around writers 4. The persistent dominance of conquest-driven, lone-hero narratives, and why stories rooted in relationships and nuance are essential 5. “Courage culture”: how risk, visibility, and voice differ depending on gender, race, and power 6. The impact of life interruptions — parenthood, care, and economic precarity — on creative careers, and how writers reclaim their ambition later in life 7. How to dismantle myths about age and relevance in storytelling 8. Gatekeepers, power, and the stories that get valued — and how to shift the culture of who decides Through this discussion, Nitza and Elizabeth illuminate the importance of returning to your voice, writing with authority, and creating stories that carry across a lifetime. It turns out age means nothing. So many are not being nearly done. Resources & Links: 1. Submit to The Writer’s Lab 2026: TWLStories.org [https://www.twlstories.org]

Kim Hudson: The Virgin’s Promise for a Love-Based World

The Virgin’s Promise offers a new narrative lens, a path that contrasts with the Hero’s Journey. Rooted in a love-based worldview, Kim Hudson spent years developing her model for screenwriters, creatives and for us to live by. It illuminates feminine power, authentic self-discovery, and the transformative potential of internal growth. This episode explores the 13 beats of the Virgin’s Journey, the hidden realms where insight and creativity dwell, and the interplay between fear-based and love-based power. It’s a roadmap for creating connection, embracing authenticity, and choosing light in a world often dominated by external conquest. Chapters 00:02:09 Introduction: How Kim came to this journey 00:05:12 How engaged she was with Hero’s Journey 00:06:40 The use of the World Virgin 00:09:50 Overview of the Virgin's Promise 00:11:10 Outward Facing v Inward Facing 00:14:20 Linear Power 00:16:48 Virgin's Journey and Hero's Operating System 00:25:00 Productivity and Linear Outcomes 00:29:50 Leadership is Changing. Be Kind 00:30:45 The Secret World 00:36:25 Virgin's Promise in a Partnership. Accepting 00:38:50 The Personal Virgin's Journey-Growth 00:39:25 Hero's Conflict vs discomfort in a Virgin's Journey 00:45:25 Choosing Your Light is a Life Well Lived 00:49:15 The Village Must Change 00:50:23 Hero's Story Preserves what exists. Virgin's doesn't 00:49:49 Whatever is in Your Heart will Grow

Maureen Murdock: Charting a New Course

Charting a New Course: How Maureen Murdock Defied the Hero’s Journey In this episode, Kimberley sits down with Maureen Murdock, the groundbreaking author of The Heroine’s Journey, whose work challenged the dominant myth of the Hero’s Journey. Together they explore the evolution of women’s voices in memoir and myth, the necessity of emotional truth in storytelling, and why Maureen spent a decade developing a feminine journey. They discuss the courage it takes to tell your truth for the benefit of other women, the myth of female inferiority, and the deep need to integrate both the masculine and feminine within ourselves and our culture. Maureen also clears up that infamous moment with Joseph Campbell, and the quote that’s been mythologised ever since. ✨ Key takeaways: Maureen's early connection to the sacred feminine guided her life's work. The absence of women's voices in memoirs prompted Maureen to explore this field. Emotional truth is key to writing impactful memoirs. The power of emotional truth in memoir and personal storytelling Why The Hero’s Journey didn’t fit women’s lived experience—and how The Heroine’s Journey was born The heroine's journey offers a framework for understanding women's experiences. Deficit thinking affects women's self-perception and achievements. Healing the mother-daughter split is crucial for personal growth. Integration of the masculine and feminine is a hopeful goal for society. Chapters 01:31 Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation 03:40: Maureen's Early Connection to Purpose 06:14: Exploring Myth and Memoir 11:37: The Evolution of Women's Memoir 13:25: Courage in Sharing Personal Truths 15:29: The Nature of Truth in Memoir 18:14: Joseph Campbell's Influence on the Heroine's Journey 23:35: The Emergence of the Heroine's Journey 26:38: The Impact of the Heroine's Journey in Modern Storytelling 32:04: Understanding the Myth of Inferiority 36:19: Addressing Internalised Patriarchal Voices 36:21: The Archetypes of Reasonable Behaviour 39:00: The Heroine's Journey and Collective Resistance 41:17: Mythical Themes in Writing and Creativity 44:37: Stages of the Heroine's Journey 53:20: Awakening and Spiritual Aridity 55:32: The Descent and Reconnection with the Feminine 59:03: Healing the Mother-Daughter Split 01:03:23: Healing the Wounded Masculine 01:06:44: Integration of Masculine and Feminine

Gail Carriger: The Heroine's Art of Building Community

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger takes us on a journey through storytelling, the heroine’s journey, and the power of connection. In this lively and insightful conversation, she explores the contrasts between the heroine’s and hero’s journeys, dives into themes of gender, mythology, and cultural impact, and reflects on her own path from archaeology to authorship. Gail shares her wisdom on staying true to one’s voice, building meaningful networks, and the transformative role of compassion in shaping stories that resonate. Takeaways * Connection, collaboration, and compassion in the heroine’s journey * How heroines rebuild networks, find lost connections, and create supportive communities, * The cultural impact of narratives in shaping perception. * Themes of perseverance, staying true to one’s voice, and the transformative power of storytelling Links https://gailcarriger.com/ Gail's resources for writers: https://gailcarriger.com/resources/#writers https://gailcarriger.com/2020/10/07/heroines-journey-special-extras/

Dr. Sharon Blackie: Once Upon a Midlife, Using Fairy Tales to Write

Host: Kimberley Lipschus Guest: Dr. Sharon Blackie Episode Summary: In this episode, Kimberley Lipschus is joined by Dr Sharon Blackie, mythologist, psychologist, and much loved author and advocate of female-led storytelling. The episode explores the untapped potential that midlife holds when viewed through the lens of myth, fairy tales and female empowerment. Sharon shares how her lifelong engagement with folklore and mythology, particularly European traditions, has shaped her understanding of women’s journeys and creative expression. The discussion unpacks the “post-heroic” journey, the stages of fairy tales that illuminate midlife transitions, and the concept of the mythical misfit—those who question the dominant cultural myths and seek new stories to live by. Sharon also explores the divine feminine: wisdom embedded in older women archetypes, and shares how her knowledge of working with fairy tales and folklore to provide tools for both personal growth and creative practice. Listeners will gain insights into: * How midlife can be a period of internal exploration and transformation. * The unique lessons that fairy tale heroines offer for navigating life and creative work. * How to embrace the “wise woman” archetype in personal and narrative storytelling. * The power of community, relationality, and connection to land in shaping story. * Practical inspiration for writers, creatives, and anyone navigating transitions in life. Timestamps: * 00:02 – Episode Introduction * 01:11 – Sharon’s journey into mythology and storytelling * 02:40 – Fairy tales as early lessons in resilience and community * 03:10 – Midlife crises and the search for inspiration * 05:22 – Hero’s journey vs. post-heroic journey * 07:16 – Origins of myths, folklore, and fairy tales * 10:27 – Fairy tales as tools for personal growth and creativity * 12:06 – Loss of family/home in fairy tales and personal journeys * 14:05 – Midlife, menopause, and internal transformation * 18:45 – The role of “hags” and wise women in myth and story * 20:50 - The heroic lens is an inflated archetype * 21:40 - The way Hero’s journey has been applied - search for glory *  24:20 - The women are the grail bearers and not about killing * 25:12 – Shifting from heroic to community-focused narratives * 30:00 – Mythical misfits and embracing uniqueness * 33:46 – Reimagining fairy tales for contemporary audiences. How authors use them * 35:49 – How landscape, place & setting influence a story * 38:40 – The divine feminine as a narrative and creative force * 42:28 – Wells, water, and the life-giving force of women in myth * 43:30 – Sharing the Siberian myth of the woman who becomes a fox * 50:46 - reference to the Dalai Lama, who said the world could be saved by the Western woman. Recommended For: Writers, creatives, and anyone interested in the heroine's journey. Relevant to anyone in midlife seeking wisdom, inspiration, and guidance for both life and art.