Episode Details

In this special episode, Sheryl's husband Daev Finn joins the show to continue our seasonal exploration of wintry themes. A psychotherapist who uses the metaphor of myth and fairy tales in his work, Daev offers his perspective on the Brothers Grimm telling of "Briar Rose" (otherwise known as "Sleeping Beauty").

Daev, Sheryl, and Victoria read the tale aloud, then share their reflections on themes of slumber, sexuality, growing up, and banishment. Daev offers perspective on the history of myths and fairytales and their problematic parts, Sheryl reflects on the treatment of powerful women in patriarchal narratives, and Victoria muses on how this tale cautions us to rethink banishing our inner "thirteenth fairy."

Find Daev on Instagram @followyourmyth

References:

• "Briar Rose" text
• Disney film Maleficent (2014)
• The myths of Psyche, Persephone, and Perceval 
• The entitled prince vs. positive prince role models: Aladdin, Luke Skywalker, Kristoff from Frozen (2013)
• French author Charles Perrault
• Moana (2016)
• The story of the Buddha 
• Protagonists with self-agency: "Hansel and Gretel", Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter
• A non-binary hero(ine) in literature: Orlando, by Virginia Woolf
• Modern myth-makers Neil Gaiman, Joseph Campbell, and George Lucas

Music in this episode:

• Gathering Gold theme music by Jarrett Farkas
• "Glacier" by SalmonLikeTheFish