In this episode of Pathways with Joseph Campbell, we explore Campbell’s 1976 lecture Symbols of the Christian Faith, where he examines how the great motifs of Christianity - creation, fall, redemption, virgin birth, resurrection - are not literal events to be defended but universal metaphors meant to open us to the mystery of being. Campbell shows …

In this bonus lecture from Campbell’s WNDT TV days in the early 1960's, The Shaman and the Priest, he contrasts two ancient spiritual lineages: the lone visionary who gains power through ordeal, and the priest who serves the continuity of the community. Moving from Paleolithic hunters to Pueblo rituals, he shows how these twin archetypes shape cult…

In this episode, we present audio from two rare televised lectures from Joseph Campbell’s early public-broadcast career - Dead Sea Scrolls and No God but God - originally aired on WNDT in New York in the early 1960s. In these archival recordings, Campbell traces humanity’s spiritual crossroads — from Paleolithic caves and Near Eastern temples to th…

In this bonus episode, The Psychological Implications of Mythology (Part 2), we continue Joseph Campbell’s exploration of depth psychology—moving from Freud and Adler into the profound insights of Carl Jung. Campbell examines how myth reflects the inner structure of the psyche, tracing the journey from childhood dependency to the mature process Jun…

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In this bonus episode, Joseph Campbell speaks about the psychological implications of mythology. Recorded at the Cooper Union Forum in 1963, this lecture is part one of a two-part series. Campbell explores how myth functions as a system of “energy-releasing signs,” drawing on examples from animal instinct, human development, and psychological theor…

This lecture, “Mythology – The Path (Part 2),” was recorded in 1980 at Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania. In it, Joseph Campbell continues the discussion from Part 1, presenting mythology as a path of discovery. Here, he focuses on the search for “the self,” drawing on Jungian language and archetypes. The recording also includes a brief Q&A following th…

This bonus episode, The Origins and Functions of Myths, was recorded in 1974, though the location is uncertain. In it, Joseph Campbell explores mythology and folklore in relation to the "emergence of humankind." He emphasizes the importance of addressing these topics in this context, noting that myth is coequal with humanity and emerged alongside t…

This lecture, "Mythology - The Path (Part 1)", was recorded in 1980 at Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania. In it, Joseph Campbell discusses archetypes that guide us toward deeper inward experiences. He explores the Sanskrit word for "path," Marga, using it as a mythic metaphor for life. Drawing on Jungian psychology, Campbell expands on this theme to off…

This bonus episode, The Iliad and The Odyssey, was recorded at Sarah Lawrence College in 1956. It serves as a rich companion to our previous episode (41) on the same topic, recorded years later in 1971. In this earlier lecture, you’ll hear Joseph Campbell’s initial reflections on Homer and the epic Greek myths offering a fascinating glimpse into th…

This lecture was recorded at Sarah Lawrence College in 1971, Campbell’s final year of teaching there. In this episode, he delves into Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, framing it through the lens of the Hero’s Adventure. With insight and depth, Campbell explores the myth’s historical roots and its enduring power as a metaphor for the journey of life. Host…

In this bonus episode of Pathways, Joseph Campbell speaks at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. The date of the lecture is unknown. In it, he explores the sound of AUM in relation to states of consciousness, yoga, and the power of metaphor. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbe…

In this first episode of Season Five of Pathways, titled “Metaphor as Myth and Religion,” Joseph Campbell speaks at the Jung Institute of San Francisco in 1985. At 81 years old, Campbell delivers the lecture with a sense of freedom and confidence. The talk closely reflects the themes of his book The Inner Reaches of Outer Space. Host Brad Olson int…

This bonus episode, recorded at WNYC TV in 1963, was part of the “Myth, Mask, & Dream” lecture series. In this episode, Campbell explores the mythological significance of the “Mother Goddess” across the Neolithic, Bronze, and early Iron Ages. Please note that the audio quality improves approximately 15 seconds into the lecture. Pathways with Joseph…

This episode of Pathways, the final full episode of Season 4, features a lecture recorded in 1985 in Southwest Germany. In it, Joseph Campbell explores the significance of mythological images and reflects on some of the major themes that shaped his life and work. He also shares personal stories about how and why he became so passionate about mythol…

This lecture, recorded at the Esalen Institute in 1981, features Joseph Campbell delving into Jung’s concepts of the Anima and Animus, the shadow in psychology, and the role of myth in helping us navigate unexpected life challenges. Note: This recording is a recently discovered continuation of the lecture featured in the January 2023 bonus episode,…

This episode of Pathways with Joseph Campbell, titled "The Harmony and Discord of Religions," was recorded at Brandeis University in 1958. At the time, Joseph Campbell was 54 years old and nearing the completion of Primitive Mythology, the first volume of his Masks of God series. In this lecture, Campbell offers an affirmative defense of comparativ…

This bonus episode, titled The Birth of the Savior, was recorded in 1962 at WNET, a PBS member station in Newark, New Jersey, serving the New York City area. In this lecture, Joseph Campbell examines the mythology of the "savior" across cultures, with a particular focus on the image of the Christ child. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Br…

In this episode, recorded in 1974, Joseph Campbell explores the relationship between humans and their gods. The lecture was given just two years after Campbell's retirement from Sarah Lawrence College and five years after the publication of the final volume in his Masks of God series. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and provides commentar…

This bonus episode contains a short lecture that Campbell gave at Westerbee Ranch in Sonoma in 1987 on the "Symbology of the Tarot". It is a "slide" lecture meaning that Campbell was speaking to a curated set of slides, which he often did. Even though we cannot see the slides, his discussion and interpretation of the Tarot deck is worth a listen. T…

In this episode of Pathways, Joseph Campbell speaks at the Cooper Union in New York City in December 1967. He explores the "mythology of love" - from eros to agape and beyond. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and gives commentary at the end. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campb…

In this bonus episode recorded in 1957 at The Cooper Union in New York, Joseph Campbell speaks about the similarities and differences in "Eastern" and "Western" mythologies and ways of thinking. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is produced by Tyler Lapkin. Executive…

In this episode Campbell speaks to the relationship of mythology to psychology. He goes through the four functions of myth and emphasizes the fourth function - the psychological. He focuses on why this psychological function is so important in our contemporary world. The lecture was recorded at the Houston Jung Center in 1972. Host Brad Olson intro…

In this bonus episode, Campbell answers questions following his 1971 lecture, "Primitive Rites & Traditions", at Esalen Institute. He first speaks about the differences between male and female rites in various times and places and then gives an overview of his interpretation of the meaning of the "Virgin Birth". Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hos…

In Episode 34, "Primitive Rites & Traditions", Joseph Campbell speaks at the Esalen Institute in 1971. During the lecture, he interacts with participants about the importance and significance of rites and traditions in early mythologies. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the lecture, and offers commentary at the end. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is h…

In this bonus episode, Campbell discusses his "favorite definition of mythology". He also speaks to the four functions of myth, how a moral order relates to mythology, and finally retells the myth of the Tiger and the Goat. There is no information as to where or when it was recorded. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is…

In this episode entitled "Interpretation of Symbolic Form" which was recorded around 1970, Joseph Campbell delves into the meaning of symbolic forms and narrative. In the lecture, he explores how symbolic forms point to the human capacity for the transcendent experience. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the episode and gives commentary after the lect…

In this bonus lecture to Episode 32: "Mythologies of Quest and Illumination", Campbell discusses the mythology of the Buddha, and gives a comparison of the Buddha's "Tree of Illumination" to the Bible's "Tree of Immortal Life". Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is pr…

In this episode entitled, "Mythologies of Quest and Illumination", Campbell discusses the four functions of myth, love, and discovering one's own authentic life. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the episode and gives commentary after the lecture. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Fou…

In this bonus Q&A episode, Campbell answers questions about the nature of freedom, the origins of religion, following one's bliss, living out of one's center, and aesthetic arrest. It is taken from the Q&A session after his lecture, "The Psychological Basis of Freedom", recorded at Bennett College in North Carolina in 1970. Pathways with Joseph Cam…

Welcome to the fourth season of Pathways with Joseph Campbell! This episode entitled, "The Psychological Basis of Freedom", was recorded at Bennett College in North Carolina in 1970. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the episode and gives commentary after the lecture. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of th…

In this bonus episode of Pathways, Joseph Campbell answers questions from his lecture on the symbolism of Christianity, Buddhism, European Paganism, and the Arthurian Romances. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is produced by Tyler Lapkin. Executive Producer, John Bu…

In this episode of Pathways (the final full episode of season 3), Joseph Campbell speaks about similarities in the symbolism of Christianity, Buddhism, European Paganism, and the Arthurian Romances. Host, Bradley Olson introduces the episode and gives commentary after the lecture. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a …

This bonus episode of Pathways is the audio from a slideshow presentation that followed the lecture that he gave at Skowhegan on July 27th 1987. The lecture was podcast Episode 27: Artists, Poets, & Writers. Even though we cannot see the slides that professor Campbell is showing, his rich description is able to guide us through the presentation. Th…

In this episode of Pathways entitled, "Literary Wizardry - A Discussion with Joseph Campbell, recorded on December 15th 1970, Joseph Campbell holds a discussion session with students after his address to the student body of Sarah Lawrence College on the work of Thomas Mann. Host Bradley Olson gives an introduction and commentary after the lecture. …

In this Bonus episode recorded at the Jung Institute in 1982, Joseph Campbell discusses elementary and ethnic ideas as two different interpretations of myth using the work of Freud, Jung, and Thomas Mann. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is produced by Tyler Lapkin.…

In this episode of Pathways entitled, "Erotic Irony & Mythic Form", Joseph Campbell gives an address to the student body of Sarah Lawrence College about mythology and the work of Thomas Mann. It was recorded on December 15th 1970. Host Bradley Olson gives an introduction and commentary after the lecture. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by B…

In this bonus episode, Bradley Olson sits down with JCF's, Stephen Gerringer to discuss JCF's newest addition to the Collected Works, Myth and Meaning: Conversations on Mythology and Life. The book encompasses a wide-ranging collection of insights from legendary mythologist Joseph Campbell, sourced from rare and previously unpublished interviews, c…

This episode entitled, "Artists, Poets, & Writers", was recorded at Skowhegan on July 27th 1987. This was one of the last public lectures that Campbell gave before his death in October of the same year. The talk encompasses a discussion of myth, writing, and art. Host Bradley Olson offers an introduction and commentary at the end. Pathways with Jos…

In this bonus episode, Joseph Campbell answers questions following the lecture that he gave with the same name from EP 26. It was recorded in 1967 at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California and is the second lecture in the series Mystical Experience and the Hero's Journey. Host Bradley Olson offers an introduction to some of the ideas discussed…

In this episode entitled, "The Quest For The Grail", Joseph Campbell discusses the Grail Legends. It was recorded in 1967 at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California and is the second lecture in the series Mystical Experience and the Hero's Journey. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and offers a commentary at the end. Pathways with Josep…

In this bonus episode, Joseph Campbell answers questions following the lecture that he gave with the same name from EP 25. The questions deal with the contrast of mystical experience in the east and west. Questions topics include: the meaning and definition of samadhi, how an eastern mystic compares to the western mystic, how a mystic in the wester…

In this episode entitled, "Mystical Experience & The Hero", Joseph Campbell discusses the transformation myth undergoes over time. and the ways that myth must change to remain functional and alive. It was recorded in 1967 at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and offers a commentary at the end. Pa…

This bonus episode was recorded at Loyola College in 1972. It was a Q&A session following a lecture called "Imagination & It's Relation to Theological Inquiry." The lecture recording, unfortunately, was unavailable. In this session, Campbell answers questions about the feminine principle in Buddhism, how fear of women in patriarchal cultures affect…

In this episode entitled, "Hellenism & Christianity", Joseph Campbell discusses the influence of Greek mythology and Hellenism on Christianity. It was recorded on April 24th, 1972 in his classroom at Sarah Lawrence College. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and offers a commentary at the end. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad …

This bonus episode was recorded at the American Academy of Arts & Science at Harvard on April 23rd 1960. Campbell's talk was part of a symposium. At this point in his career, he had written The Hero With A Thousand Faces and the first volume of The Masks of God. In this lecture, he makes some distinctions between the mythology of the East and West …

In this episode entitled, "The Heroine's Journey", Joseph Campbell discusses the possibilities, potentials, and pitfalls of a female version of the Hero's Journey. As host Bradley Olson suggests, it was an attempt, though imperfect, by Campbell to map out the Heroine's Journey. It was recorded in 1981. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and …

In this bonus episode, Joseph Campbell answers questions following his lecture (from Episode 22) on the Moon Landings and Mythology. The questions and his answers involve our need to have "masks or personas", how myths from long ago affect us today, and the imagery involved in both repression and dreams. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by B…

In the first episode of Season 3 of Pathways, Joseph Campbell discusses the Apollo moon landings and their implications on mythology. It was most likely recorded sometime in the fall of 1969 or closely thereafter. Host Bradley Olson introduces the lecture and offers a commentary at the end. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD…

For more information on the MythMaker Podcast Network and Joseph Campbell, visit JCF.org. Pathways with Joseph Campbell is hosted by Brad Olson, PhD and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is produced by John Bucher and Ilya Smirnoff. Executive Producer, Robert Walter. Audio and editing services provided by Tyler Lapkin. Pathways …