In this deeply mystical and grounding episode, I welcome Canadian author and dream worker Toko-pa Turner. Toko-pa shares the journey behind her award-winning books, Belonging and The Dreaming Way, exploring how our personal search for belonging is often a reflection of a collective epidemic of alienation. We discuss how belonging isn't just an external place to find, but a skill and set of competencies we weave from the inside out.

We delve into the profound world of dream work, moving beyond simple interpretation to viewing dreams as "nature naturing through us." Toko-pa explains the Jungian approach to dreams, asking where a wound is taking us rather than just what caused it, and shares her own touching story of how her dreams "parented" her during a difficult youth.

Our conversation also touches on the impact of technology on our ability to dream, the importance of "idle moments" for creativity, and a vulnerable share about my own dream regarding my father's passing. Toko-pa closes with a powerful perspective on the "Death Mother" archetype and the necessary work of "remothering" ourselves when healthy models were absent.

You'll also hear about:

1. (04:19) The origin of Belonging: How a personal search for connection revealed a collective wound of alienation.
2. (13:44) The difference between Freud and Jung: Freud asks "what happened to you?" while Jung asks "where is this trying to take you?".
3. (15:53) How dreams can "parent" us: Toko-pa's experience of finding guidance from within when she left home at a young age.
4. (20:29) Reframing dreams: Viewing dreams not just as neurological processes, but as nature expressing itself through us.
5. (29:27) Dr. Gertrude's vivid dream about her father after his passing and Toko-pa's validation of visitation dreams.
6. (36:37) The "echo chambers" of social media and how technology exacerbates our sense of alienation.
7. (51:17) The necessity of "idle moments": Why pauses and boredom are essential precursors to creativity and wisdom.
8. (57:13) The "Death Mother" archetype and the lifetime work of "remothering" oneself from the foundations up.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Learn more about Toko-pa Turner

1. Visit Toko-pa's Website
2. Follow Toko-pa on Instagram

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s