The Stories That Shape Us: Myth, Scripture, and the Search for Meaning

There’s something timeless about the stories humanity has carried forward — from whispered myths by firelight to sacred texts handed down through the centuries. These narratives weren’t just entertainment; they were maps for the soul, helping us make sense of the world, ourselves, and what lies beyond what we can see. Today, as we navigate a complex, fast-moving world, these ancient stories still offer guidance — if we know how to look.

In our latest Language of the Soul episode, we explore this idea with Michael McPadden, a former naval aviator turned mythologist and author of Genesis to Revelation. Michael’s journey alone is remarkable: from piloting aircraft across the skies to charting the depths of human consciousness through biblical and mythological narratives. His work invites us to see old stories with fresh eyes — not as distant religious teachings or dusty legends, but as living allegories that speak to who we are and what we’re called to become.

This conversation isn’t about theology or dogma. It’s about understanding how myths and scriptures — from Sumerian tales to the Bible’s Genesis and Revelation — mirror the human journey. Michael unpacks the universal hero’s path hidden in these texts: the trials, transformations, and ultimate return to self that all of us, in our own way, travel. He draws connections between these stories and our inner world, weaving in insights from psychology, including parallels to Freud’s model of the psyche. It’s a reminder that these ancient symbols still resonate because they reflect our shared struggles with ego, desire, purpose, and redemption.

We touch on big themes: the metaphor of the fall from grace, the symbolism of the four horsemen, and how literal interpretations can rob these texts of their deeper, transformative power. This episode encourages reflection on how our personal myths — the stories we tell ourselves — shape how we see the world, and how revisiting old narratives can help us heal, grow, and reimagine our purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered how ancient wisdom might illuminate your modern life, or how stories passed down across cultures and ages still hold keys to personal transformation, this episode is for you.

Ready to listen? Join us as we explore the rich intersections of myth, scripture, psychology, and human potential.

The Comeback of 2D Animation: Why We’re Craving Realness Again

There’s something happening in animation right now that’s worth paying attention to—not because it’s simply nostalgic, but because it’s deeply human. As someone who works in the mental health and creative storytelling space, I can’t help but see these conversations about art, AI, and hand-drawn storytelling as part of a bigger theme: our collective hunger for authenticity. We live in a time where AI-generated content is everywhere—convenient, efficient, and often soulless. It’s not surprising that artists and audiences alike are looking back toward something that feels more tactile, more imperfect, more human. That brings us to 2D animation, an art form that has shaped generations and now, it seems, might just be making a comeback. Here’s what Language of the Soul podcast host, Dominick Domingo, had to say on this trend: There’s been a lot of industry talk lately speculating about 2D/traditional ANIMATION making a comeback. Recent articles confirm that although Disney has not greenlit...

Storytelling, Mindfulness, and What Makes Us Human in a Tech-Driven World

In a time when artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, many of us find ourselves quietly asking: What does it mean to be human? Amidst the algorithms, the data, and the drive for efficiency, how do we stay connected to the qualities that make our lives rich with meaning? One timeless answer lies in something we’ve carried with us since the dawn of time: the stories we tell. Stories are more than entertainment. They are the glue that binds us to one another, the mirrors in which we glimpse our purpose, and the maps that help us navigate life’s complexities. In our latest Language of the Soul conversation, we sit down with Denise Piles—mindfulness coach, former nun, and seasoned corporate professional—to reflect on how storytelling and mindfulness can help us stay rooted in our shared humanity, even in the fast-paced world of technology. Denise’s journey is remarkable. From a life shaped by faith and service to a career at Microsoft, she has walked two seemingly diff...

Interview Friday with author Rie McGaha

Rie McGaha was born and raised in northern California along the shores of Humboldt County where her grandmother often took her to dig for clams and watch the whales migrate. Being raised with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, gave Rie a deep love for nature. She has resided in the Kiamichi Mountains of SE Oklahoma for more than ten years with her husband, Nathan, where they rescue animals, nurses them back to health and tries to find homes for them. She is the mother of 12 and Nana of 33. VS: Rie, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. As you know, being a parent is hard work and when you throw writing into the mix . . . well it seems almost impossible to get everything done. I find myself asking if I giving my three children enough attention throughout the day. Now you didn’t really start writing until your children were grown, however, you have your grandchildren running around from time to time, so to start here is the first qu...

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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