Dose of Depth

Deborah Lukovich, PhD
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

This is Dose of Depth podcast. I’m your host, Deborah Lukovich, and I invite you to be curious about your unique experience of being human. In this podcast, we’ll explore the deeper meaning of ordinary life experiences through conversation, stories, and education. You might have a serious ah-ha moment, or you might be amused by the movie your life seems to be imitating, or you might just be entertained by one of my awkward stories. I’m hoping you’ll become more aware of those moments when a deeper part of you is prompting you to see things differently and maybe even go a new direction. So, let’s get started. Deborah 

  1. What Leaders Aren't Seeing (Leadership Through a Depth Psychology Lens)

    Jun 16

    What Leaders Aren't Seeing (Leadership Through a Depth Psychology Lens)

    Most leadership development focuses on strategy, communication, and performance. While these skills matter, many leadership challenges persist because the real issue is operating beneath the surface. In this video, I explore leadership through a depth psychology lens:   * I explain why self-knowledge is one of a leader's greatest advantages. * We examine the hidden dynamics that influence relationships, decision-making, team performance, and organizational culture, including unconscious assumptions, emotional reactions, projection, and communication patterns. * I introduce practical frameworks I use when coaching leaders and facilitating teams, including the Four Conversations model, the 3P's framework (Purpose, Projection, and Permanence), and a process for approaching difficult conversations with greater clarity and intention. Whether you lead a nonprofit, business, community initiative, or team, understanding what is happening beneath the surface can help you navigate challenges more effectively and create greater alignment, trust, and impact. If you're a leader, a leadership team, a nonprofit, or an organization facing a challenge that seems resistant to traditional solutions, the next step may not be a new strategy. It may be a deeper understanding of what is happening beneath the surface. To learn more about executive coaching, leadership team facilitation, or organizational discovery sessions, visit deborahlukovich.com. Deborah Lukovich, PhD P.S. Click here to listen to my video about toxic work cultures.  #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #DepthPsychology #SelfAwareness #ConsciousLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamEffectiveness #OrganizationalDevelopment Support the show

    37 min
  2. Beyond Body Image: Psychology, Power, and the Collective Shadow - A Conversation with Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Gretchen Ames

    May 5

    Beyond Body Image: Psychology, Power, and the Collective Shadow - A Conversation with Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Gretchen Ames

    What if the body isn’t a problem to fix, but a message to understand? In this conversation, Dr. Deborah Lukovich sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Gretchen Ames to explore the body through a depth psychology lens—where symptoms are not isolated issues, but expressions of the whole person shaped by culture, history, and the unconscious. Some of the books mentioned during our chat:  Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C.G. Jung: https://bookshop.org/p/books/memories-dreams-reflections-carl-g-jung/3fbd24905b79758c?ean=9780679723950&next=t Sacred Prostitute, Nancy Qualls Corbett: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-sacred-prostitute-eternal-aspect-of-the-feminine-studies-in-jungian-psychology-by-jungian-analysts-vol-32_nancy-qualls-corbett/278770/?resultid=7aa25fb5-dfb9-438f-a049-d188764eee9d#edition=3521189&idiq=4807607 Fearing the Black Body, Sabrina Springs: https://bookshop.org/p/books/fearing-the-black-body-the-racial-origins-of-fat-phobia-sabrina-strings/1b837c89155348be?ean=9781479886753&next=t Addiction to Perfection: The Still Ravished Bride, Marion Woodman:https://innercitybooks.net/bookshop/author/marion-woodman/addiction-to-perfection/ https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-fat-lady-sings-a-psychological-exploration-of-the-cultural-fat-complex-and-its-effects-cheryl-fuller/7d5bf75535a4f2d5?ean=9781782204978&next=t Segment 1 – Medicalization vs. Meaning We begin with a critique of modern psychology’s focus on diagnosis and symptom reduction, and revisit Jung’s idea that every symptom must be understood within the context of the whole person—not pathologized in isolation. Segment 2 – Chaos, Corruption, and Inner Wisdom In a time of cultural upheaval, we explore how failing systems disconnect people from their inner authority, creating fear, dependency, and a loss of trust in one’s own instincts—and why this breakdown may also signal transformation. Segment 3 – The Body as a Cultural Symbol Drawing on historical and cultural analysis, we unpack how body ideals were constructed—who benefits from them, and how race, gender, and power shaped what is considered “acceptable.” Segment 4 – Shame, Morality, and Capitalism Segment 5 – The Problem with Individual Blame Segment 6 – The Psychological Impact of Weight Loss Segment 7 – The Repressed Feminine and the Body Segment 8 – A New Lens for Healing This conversation invites a radical shift: from fixing the body to understanding it, from blaming the individual to examining the systems we live in, and from fear to a deeper relationship with inner wisdom. Are you ready for depth psychology coaching? Learn more here: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/ Deborah Lukovich, PhD  #DepthPsychology #JungianPsychology #BodyImage #WeightLossTruth #BodyPositivity #InnerWork  Support the show

    1h 27m
  3. The Hidden Psychology of Emotionally Toxic Workplaces: Taking Your Power Back

    Apr 17

    The Hidden Psychology of Emotionally Toxic Workplaces: Taking Your Power Back

    Most conversations about toxic workplaces focus on what’s happening out there—bad leadership, poor communication, unhealthy culture. But what if that’s only half the story? In this episode, I explore: What makes a workplace “toxic” (and how it impacts your mental health)How "toxic" shows up differently in nonprofit and corporate environmentsHow stress and uncertainty trigger what's right below the surface Why leaders are often unequipped to handle this level of complexityDrawing on depth psychology and neuroscience, I break down: The four conversations happening in every interactionHow childhood patterns shape emotional reactions at workThe role of the reticular activating system in reinforcing perceived threatsWhat complexes are—and how they quietly run the showMost importantly, I walk you through a practical process to: Separate facts from emotional reactionsTrace intense responses back to their originWork with emotions in the bodyShift your internal state—and change how others respond to youThis isn’t about excusing harmful behavior. It’s about reclaiming your power. Because, as C.G. Jung suggested, the fate of the collective depends on the self-reflecting individual. If you’re navigating a difficult work environment, this episode offers a different kind of doorway—one that leads inward. Deborah Lukovich, PhD  Click here to learn how to deal with difficult people and my communication tool: https://doseofdepth.buzzsprout.com/1917216/episodes/17729530-dealing-with-difficult-people-a-tool-for-scary-conversations #workplaceculture #burnoutrecovery #toxicworkplace #workplacepsychology Support the show

    30 min
  4. The Hidden Childhood Pattern Blocking Your Growth (Chapter 3 from When Sex Meets God: Mixed Messages)

    Mar 25

    The Hidden Childhood Pattern Blocking Your Growth (Chapter 3 from When Sex Meets God: Mixed Messages)

    Have you ever felt like the version of you that once worked… no longer does? Midlife unraveling rarely announces itself. It begins quietly, with a growing sense that something is off, even when your life still looks “successful” from the outside. The traits and patterns that once helped you navigate the world can start working against you. And instead of changing, many of us double down on what we’ve always done. So what’s really happening beneath the surface? In depth psychology, Carl Jung described parental complexes — unconscious patterns formed in childhood through our earliest relationships. These patterns shape how we respond to life, often without us realizing it, until they begin to limit our growth. Midlife unraveling is not a breakdown.  It’s a turning point. A call to return to parts of yourself that were set aside long ago. In this episode, I share reflections from Chapter 3 of my memoir, When Sex Meets God: A Midlife Unraveling, and explore how mixed messages from childhood can create a kind of self-imposed glass ceiling later in life. If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or unsure why your old ways of being no longer fit, this episode offers a deeper lens into what may be unfolding. ✨ If this resonates: Purchase my memoir, When Sex Meets God: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-sex-meets-god-a-midlife-unraveling-deborah-lukovich/4cbce8637457c444?ean=9798349679292&next=tSubscribe to my website for reflections, teachings, and upcoming offerings: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/Explore working with me as a depth psychology coach if you’re navigating a transition, unraveling, or inner calling that wants your attention. Schedule a free exploratory chat: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/servicesDeborah Lukovich, PhD  #MidlifeAwakening #DepthPsychology #JungianPsychology #ParentalComplex #ShadowWork #InnerWork #SelfDiscovery #EmotionalHealing #LifeTransitions #ConsciousLiving #PersonalGrowth #PsychologicalGrowth Support the show

    6 min
  5. The Invisible Thread: How Childhood Memories Shape Your Life Path (Chapter 2 of When Sex Meets God: Instinct for Freedom)

    Mar 18

    The Invisible Thread: How Childhood Memories Shape Your Life Path (Chapter 2 of When Sex Meets God: Instinct for Freedom)

    What are your earliest childhood memories?  Often, there's an invisible thread running through our lives, connecting various life events in ways we could never imagine at the time.  Revisiting your earliest childhood memories can inspire appreciation for decisions you made that didn't make sense to others or even yourself at the time.  In this brief episode, I share a pair of early childhood memories that helped explain my meandering approach to career decisions (from Chapter 2 of my memoir, When Sex Meets God: A Midlife Unraveling).  Some might have labeled me a hacker as I went from financial planning to nonprofit fundraising to consulting, all the while engaged in community activism on the side.  While suffering through my midlife unraveling, I discovered my need to avoid becoming trapped, especially in other people's ideas about me.  An instinct for freedom was a primary driver of my life.  ✨ If this resonates: Purchase my memoir, When Sex Meets God: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-sex-meets-god-a-midlife-unraveling-deborah-lukovich/4cbce8637457c444?ean=9798349679292&next=tSubscribe to my website for reflections, teachings, and upcoming offerings: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/Explore working with me as a depth psychology coach if you’re navigating a transition, unraveling, or inner calling that wants your attention. Schedule a free exploratory chat: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/servicesDeborah Lukovich, PhD  #DepthPsychology #InnerWork #ChildhoodMemories #LifePath #PersonalGrowth #MidlifeUnraveling #SelfDiscovery #MeaningfulLife #EmotionalHealing #ConsciousLiving #JungianPsychology #ShadowWork Support the show Support the show

    5 min
  6. When Being Attracted to Someone Catches You Off Guard

    Feb 23

    When Being Attracted to Someone Catches You Off Guard

    Ever find yourself attracted to someone you shouldn’t be attracted to especially when you’re already in a relationship? What if that attraction isn’t a threat…but a message? In this short video, I explore how attraction often points to something your unconscious is asking you to develop, reclaim, or live more fully. Instead of acting on attraction or suppressing it, I suggest lingering with it and listening for what wants to be known. I share personal examples of being intensely drawn to people who were unavailable and how, once I understood what I was really attracted to, their literal pull dissolved. What remained was desire for essence: creativity, authority, justice, devotion to purpose. When we pursue those qualities in our own lives, attraction often transforms. 🔗 Learn more through my 3P’s Framework for uncovering the hidden meaning of attraction: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/post/still-stewing-about-the-last-fight-with-your-romantic-partner 📖 Read my article: When Is Sexual Attraction Not About Sex?: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/post/when-is-sexual-attraction-not-about-sex 📘 My memoir brings these ideas to life through lived experience. Learn more here: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/whensexmeetsgod Attraction doesn’t always ask for action. Sometimes it asks for integration. Dr. Deborah Lukovich #Attraction #Relationships #DepthPsychology #SelfAwareness #UnconsciousMind #EmotionalGrowth Support the show

    5 min
  7. Depth Psychology Coaching Changed My Client’s Life: In Her Own Words

    Feb 12

    Depth Psychology Coaching Changed My Client’s Life: In Her Own Words

    In this episode, I’m joined by one of my coaching clients who shares her experience of depth psychology coaching and how it changed the way she sees herself and her life. We talk about dreams, active imagination, creative expression, and how inner work supported her in writing and performing a play that received standing ovations. She also shares how learning to advocate for herself through a difficult conversation became a turning point in her confidence and sense of agency. This is a conversation about listening inward, trusting what wants to emerge, and discovering that inner work can lead to very real changes in how we live, create, and speak. Are you ready for depth psychology coaching? Schedule a free exploratory chat here: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/services When you subscribe, you'll get a free download of my book, Your Soul is Talking. Are You Listening?  Deborah Lukovich, PhD  #ClientStory #CoachingResults #InnerWorkJourney #DreamsAndMeaning #CreativeProcess #PersonalGrowth #DepthPsychologyCoach Support the show

    47 min
  8. Sacred Teachers in Unexpected Places (Chapters 21-25 of When Sex Meets God)

    Feb 7

    Sacred Teachers in Unexpected Places (Chapters 21-25 of When Sex Meets God)

    Who gets to decide what’s right for you? We often hear the phrase “You are the highest authority for your own life,” but that raises a deeper question: who is the “you” that can actually be trusted? In this episode, I reflect on a talk by Alan Watts, in which he suggested that our five senses are always perceiving the past, while intuition, faith, and belief shape the future. Much of what guides us lives below conscious awareness, quietly influencing our choices, desires, and longings. I explore how the body itself can become a trustworthy guide; not as something to control or override, but as a living intelligence that sometimes leads us toward truth and sometimes into experiences that are essential to our unfolding. To bring this idea into lived experience, I read from Chapter 21 of my memoir, When Sex Meets God: A Midlife Unraveling, and reflect on the chapters that follow. I share how a series of younger men became unwitting sacred teachers, drawing me into a deeper, more honest relationship with my body, my sexuality, and my soul. This conversation is an invitation to question inherited beliefs, listen more closely to your embodied wisdom, and consider what might be asking to emerge in your own life. ✨ If this resonates: Purchase my memoir, When Sex Meets God: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-sex-meets-god-a-midlife-unraveling-deborah-lukovich/4cbce8637457c444?ean=9798349679292&next=tSubscribe to my website for reflections, teachings, and upcoming offerings: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/Explore working with me as a depth psychology coach if you’re navigating a transition, unraveling, or inner calling that wants your attention. Schedule a free exploratory chat: https://www.deborahlukovich.com/servicesTrust begins with listening. Deborah Lukovich, PhD  Support the show

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

This is Dose of Depth podcast. I’m your host, Deborah Lukovich, and I invite you to be curious about your unique experience of being human. In this podcast, we’ll explore the deeper meaning of ordinary life experiences through conversation, stories, and education. You might have a serious ah-ha moment, or you might be amused by the movie your life seems to be imitating, or you might just be entertained by one of my awkward stories. I’m hoping you’ll become more aware of those moments when a deeper part of you is prompting you to see things differently and maybe even go a new direction. So, let’s get started. Deborah 

Information

  • Creator
    Deborah Lukovich, PhD
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dose of Depth
  • Show Website
    Dose of Depth