The Other Side of Things (Ep 09) - "My Mysterious Son" with Dick Russell

The Other Side of Things

00:00 Intro
01:05 Who is Dick Russell?
04:47 What is My Mysterious Son about and why Dick wrote it.
06:15 Other ways of looking at Schizophrenia and Otherworldliness .
08:44 Michael's soulchosis/spiritual emergency at 18 and how he worked through it.
10:55 Dick's first contact with Jung and Hillman
12:50 Hillman asks Dick to write his Biography - which turned into 3 large volumes!
14:30 Hillman's advice to Dick regarding his son Franklin - "treat him like a regular person"
15:15 Relaxing with Franklin, going with the flow and going with it and finding humor!
19:46 Who is Malidoma Patrice Some?
23:00 Dick received divinations from Malidoma and begins learning about shamanism
26:32 Michael's experiences with shamanic and soulcentric practices
28:47 The scariest moment of Dick's life with Franklin in Africa
32:00 Dick's breakdown/breakthrough with Franklin through a role reversal.
34:21 The most powerful protection in the universe - a pure heart!
37:16 Shaman's Among Us - book on schizophrenia and shamanism
38:54 Dick's current understanding of what he's learned from his journey with Franklin
41:54 The power of going through this journey as a family including Franklin's mother Eda.
48:57 The importance of the ancestors in this shamanic healing journey.
50:10 The slave shackle as part of the healing ritual Dick was asked to do.
57:50 Robert Whitaker and Mad in America
59:01 Metabolic Therapies for Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Schizoaffective disorders
1:01:00 How your devotion and love as a fire for your Mysterious Son touched my heart
1:03:30 In The Wound is the Gift
1:05:00 It's All About Love! Find out what is true in your heart.
1:08:00 Hillman and The Soul's Code
1:11:00 How to find out more about Dick's work.

Exploring the Borderlands: An Unforgettable Interview with Dick Russell:

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to the borderland between the personal and transpersonal dimensions of reality. Even before my near-death experience (NDE) at the age of seven, I was a boy who lived between the worlds—where the boundaries between myself, others, nature, and the cosmos ebbed and flowed like the brushstrokes of a Van Gogh painting.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve found profound joy in helping those who feel lost between worlds discover a path back—or a way to thrive within that liminal space. My journey has included studying with indigenous healers and teachers, practicing Buddhist meditation under my Zen teacher’s guidance for 45 years, and navigating the heartache of witnessing loved ones struggle with being "lost" between the worlds.

When I discovered Dick Russell’s book, 'My Mysterious Son: A Life-Changing Passage Between Schizophrenia and Shamanism', I immediately felt a deep resonance. Little did I know how much I would have in common with Dick, whose journey as a father navigating his son Franklin’s extraordinary life is profoundly moving. Dick’s work goes beyond the personal, connecting to themes of healing, shamanism, and the mysteries of the psyche.

As I prepared for this interview, I dove into his incredible body of work, including the monumental three-volume authorized biography of James Hillman, one of the most provocative post-Jungian thinkers of the 20th century. Dick’s connection to Malidoma Somé—someone who has also profoundly influenced my life—adds another rich layer to this dialogue.

This is not just an interview; it’s an exploration of mystery, healing, and the courage it takes to live between worlds. Join us for an unforgettable conversation that will leave you inspired and deeply moved.

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A bit more about Dick Russell:

Dick Russell is the author of sixteen non-fiction books, including a three-volume biography of depth psychologist James Hillman and "My Mysterious Son: A Life-Changing Passage Between Schizophrenia and Shamanism." Four books co-authored with Jesse Ventura were New York Times best-sellers, and his "Eye of the Whale" in 2001 was name among the Best Books of the Year by three major newspapers. He was also a recipient of the Chevron Conservation Award for his environmental work.

Dick's website: https://dickrussell.org/
My Mysterious Son on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Son-Life-Changing-Schizophrenia-Shamanism/dp/1510729003/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

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