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Episode Summary
"Samsara" is a Buddhist term representing the endless cycles of death and rebirth. By most accounts, It's a total drag. But if it's inner peace and freedom you're after, well, then Nirvana is the place for you! Enlightenment, baby! That's where you belong. Getting there, however, isn't going to be so simple. Especially in a world where everyone seems to have the answer, but few have attained it themselves. So, how do we know who to believe? How does one break free from the endless cycles of suffering? Herman Hesse's 1922 novel, Siddhartha, is a great place to start! Simple enough, a 12-year-old could read it. Deep enough, it may take ten lifetimes to understand fully. So, first a beer, then enlightenment!

Episode Notes

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse

To connect with and learn more about Jen Rolston:
Eden Design, LLC - Jen's mission-based design, marketing, and consulting firm
​
Morning Dharma - her virtual, yoga, meditation, and movement community to help you start your day in a mindful way.

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Episode Summary
​
This long-overdue launch into the Marvel Universe begins with its' greatest misfits, the Guardians of the Galaxy. And helping Michael lead the exploration, is long-time comic book fan and leader in the wilderness connection movent, Ricardo Sierra. Together they explore; what it is about this collection of unlikely heroes that has so many of us loving them, how and why the soundtrack (arguable a character in the story) elevates the storytelling, and what the Guardians of the Galaxy may have to teach us about becoming guardians of our own home planet, earth. Did they get it right? Find out on this episode of Story Mischief.

Episode Notes
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To connect with and learn more about Ricardo Sierra:
RicardoJSierra.com
https://www.hawkcircle.com
The Forest Box For Kids
Ricardo's TedX Talk


To connect with and learn about Michael:
StoryMischief.com
​And connect with and learn about Michael's mischievous story-oriented offers CLICK HERE

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Episode Summary

FINALLY!... Ya get it? "Finally." As in Death is FINAL. But also as in, I finally dig into the collection of ancient Hindu texts known as the Upanishads. And more specifically, the Katha Upanishad. The story of young Nachiketa and his visit with Yama, the god of death, represents a departure from earlier Upanishads in that it was the first written for the common seeker and not exclusively for the priestly class (the Brahmin cast). And since I'm brand new to this incredibly rich collection of texts, stories, and teachings, I've asked teacher and long-time yoga instructor, Christa Mastrangelo Joyce, to help guide us through. Thanks to her and some excellent lectures on YouTube, this episode offers a friendly and engaging introduction into this foundational and beautiful story.

Episode Notes

To learn more about Christa Mastrangelo Joyce visit: JalaYogaFlow.com

For Prof. Peter Bolland's: 
Katha Upanishad - Part 1
Katha Upanishad - Part 2

​And connect with and learn about Michael's mischievous story-oriented offers CLICK HERE

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Episode Summary
​What is it about Robin Hood that has had people telling his story for over 800 years? Who was he? A Man? Myth? A man in tights? In this week's episode, Michael and fellow story wizard, Elizabeth Bercovici, string their bows and take a shot at understanding what it is that makes this outlaw hero so damn attractive. From ancient poems to modern movies, one thing is for sure; Robin Hood has a way of putting people in touch with the strength and courage they need in the face of oppression. 

Episode Notes

• To learn more about Elizabeth Bercovici
• To access her kind and generous gift - A Meditation to Meet your Inner Storyteller
  
  
• To learn more about Michael Trotta and Story Mischief
  
• Don't miss out on Michael's week mischief - Mischievable

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Episode Summary
The Trickster. Do they get a bad wrap or is it well deserved? This week's episode is an excerpt from an interview, taken from a 7-day virtual event hosted by writer and story mentor, Elizabeth Dylan Bercovici. In this section of the interview, Liz asks Michael about the role of mischief and the trickster archetype. Together they acknowledge the hazards but bring to light new possibilities for this often misunderstood force. In addition, they wander into "wild twin" and "wild god" territory to explore the role they have in creating change and healing.

Episode Notes
Click here to learn more about Liz and her 7-day virtual event

To learn more about Michael Trotta and Story Mischief

To join Michael's mailing list:
Mischievable - The free weekly email that helps you better understand and use stories to grow your life and your life's work in ways that feel authentic and achievable.

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​Episode Summary

Michael and guest Wendi Crosby York explore The Call by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Its mythic overtones reminiscent of the great Sufi Masters, Rumi, and Hafiz, invites readers to stop trying so hard and find that one word that is yours and yours alone. Together, Michael and Wendi explore what that one word may be and how to find it.

Episode Notes

The Call by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Oriah Mountain Dreamer's Website

To connect with Wendi Crosby York
To Learn more about Michael Trotta and Story Mischief
To join Michael's mailing list:

Mischievable - The free weekly email that helps you better understand and use story to grow your life and your life's work in ways that feel authentic and achievable.

​
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Episode Summary​
With the buzz that's been created around the new doomsday movie, Don't Look Up, starring Jeniffer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael seizes the opportunity to explore timeless approaches for learning the story of the natural world. "Knowledge of Place" is term used among nature-based mentoring communities and speaks to the idea of intimately knowing the land where you live. Joining Michael, is Lynn Trotta, mentor, ceremonial facilitator, and climate advocate. Together, the two have been working to put people back in touch with the earth for over twenty years. On this episode they share five of their favorite practices for getting to know the story of the land and your outside neighbors.

Episode Notes
From Lynn:
To learn more about and connect with Lynn Trotta
To join Rooted and Sacred (her Facebook group)
The Mist Filled Path

​From Michael:
For details and registration for Myth As Medicine
Sit Spot and the Art of Inner Tracking

​
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Episode Summary
In part two of What Jesus Never Said, we pick up where we left off in order to explore who Jesus becomes when allowed to speak for himself? When you remove everything the church and authors of the gospels said about him? When his teachings are offered not through interpretations but in the authentic voice of the man? In this episode, Michael and retired priest Brian Pearson continue to peel back the layers of mischief that have blanketed the story and teachings of Jesus in an attempt to better know the man and his teachings.

Episode Notes
The Silence of Jesus by James Breech
To learn more about and connect with Brian Pearson
The Mystic Cave Podcast

To Learn more about Michael Trotta and Story Mischief
To join Michael's mailing list:
Mischievable - The free weekly email that helps you better understand and use story to grow your life and your life's work in ways that feel authentic and achievable.

​Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
​

• Apple Podcasts
• Simplecast
• Spotify
• Itunes
• Google Podcasts

Episode Summary
Who does Jesus become when you allow him to speak for himself? When you remove everything the church and authors of the gospels said about him? When his teachings are offered not through interpretations but in the authentic voice of the man? In this episode, Michael and retired priest Brian Pearson peel back the layers of mischief that have blanketed the story and teachings of Jesus in an attempt to better know the man and his teachings. 

Episode Notes
The Silence of Jesus by James Breech

To learn more about and connect with Brian Pearson
The Mystic Cave Podcast


Mischievable - The free weekly email that helps you better understand and use story to grow your life and your life's work in ways that feel authentic and achievable.

Episode Summary

When our pursuit of "enough" turns out to be a hungry ghost that will never be satisfied, then what? This week on the podcast, Michael explores D.H. Lawrence's classic short story, The Rocking Horse Winner. While the tale has something of a tragic ending, guest Patty Lennon offers an alternative possibility for that place in each of us, looking for fulfillment, connection, and wholeness. 

Episode Notes

To read The Rocking Horse Winner

To connect with and learn about Patty Lennon:

www.pattylennon.com
www.facebook.com/pattyalennon

Check out her book- Make  Space For Magic


Mischievable - The free weekly email that helps you better understand and use story to grow your life and your life's work in ways that feel authentic and achievable.