The Dream Journal

Katherine Bell
  • 4.9 (57)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Dream Journal explores a range of topics relating to the healing aspects of night time dreaming. Experienced dream coach Katherine Bell interviews dream experts and others on the path of dreaming, but the heart of this show is YOU, your nighttime dreams, your daytime desires, your hopes for a better life. Dreams, they really can transform your life! Podcasted episodes can be found on all major platforms. Video versions are available on YouTube @ExperientialDreamwork! The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Community Radio for the Central Coast of California, streaming live at https://ksqd.org Saturday mornings 10-11 AM Pacific Time.

  1. 2d ago

    Gayle Delaney on Dream Interviewing, IASD Origins, and Why Sleep Shapes a Better Life

    In this episode of The Dream Journal, Katherine Bell talks with Dr. Gayle Delaney about the origins of modern dreamwork, the early days of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, and Delaney’s practical Dream Interview Method. Their conversation also explores how curiosity—not imposed interpretation—can unlock the meaning of dreams, why sleep is essential for emotional and cognitive health, and how dreamwork can help people make better choices in waking life. Gayle Delaney’s Dream Interview Method and why it avoids one-size-fits-all interpretations How IASD began and what the early dream conferences were like Why dreamwork starts with curiosity, precise questions, and the dreamer’s own language The connection between sleep, joy, energy, and long-term brain health An example of how a dream about a black cat can open into real-life insight BIO: Dr. Gayle Delaney is the author or editor of eight books on dreaming, and Gail is a true pioneer in modern dream work who created the simple and powerful dream interview method. Gayle was also the founding president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and along with Dr. Loma Flowers, Gayle was the creator and co-director of the Delaney and Flowers Dream Center in San Francisco. Contact our guest: DelaneyonDreams.com The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 367, was broadcast on June 13, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. It was recorded on May 13, 2026. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: How Dreams Improve Emotional Health | Psychiatrist Loma K. Flowers on Emotional Competence Understanding Your Mind with Jesse Lyon Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  2. Jun 8

    Dreams, Fear, and Transformation with Lincoln Stoller

    What do dreams reveal about fear, hesitation, identity, and transformation? In this episode of The Dream Journal, Katherine Bell talks with Lincoln Stoller about dreamwork, self-doubt, courage, neurofeedback, mindfulness, and how dreams can surface the questions we most need to face. A thoughtful conversation on inner change, psychological growth, and the hidden patterns shaping our lives. #DreamJournal #DreamInterpretation #DreamWork #LincolnStoller #KatherineBell #Neurofeedback #Mindfulness #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #Psychology BIO: Lincoln Stoller followed his PhD in quantum physics by studying with prophets and shamans around the world. After two decades as a software entrepreneur, he trained in neuropsychology, hypnosis, and psychotherapy. He publishes as a physicist and practices remotely as a therapist, counselor, and coach. His book which is “The Learning Project, Rites of Passage,” won the 2019 Independent Authors Network book of the year.  You can download his latest book: Dreaming Yourself into Being, at his webpage: MindStrengthBalance.com The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 366, was recorded during a live broadcast on June 6, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Inside the Sleeping Mind: Memory, Dream Yoga, & the Neuroscience of Sleep with Ken Paller, PhD   Trauma is Universal but So Is Healing with Wendy Correa Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  3. Jun 1

    Creativity in Lucid Dreams with Dave Green: Doodles in the Dark

    Lucid dreaming, dream art, dream characters, and consciousness all come together in this fascinating conversation with Dave Green, London-based artist and author of Doodles in the Dark: An Artist’s Guide to Lucid Dreaming. In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell talks with Dave about how he creates drawings inside lucid dreams, recreates them after waking, and even hands dream pen and paper to dream characters to see what they will draw. They also explore dream meditation, dream yoga, dream portraits, the history of dream art, and the big question of whether dream characters have a consciousness of their own. If you’re interested in lucid dreaming techniques, dream creativity, dreamwork, consciousness studies, dream characters, meditation in dreams, or the connection between art and the unconscious, this episode offers a rich mix of personal experience, philosophy, and dream research. BIO: Dave Green is a London based artist who creates simple line drawings in his lucid dreams which he re-creates upon waking up. Lately he has been experimenting with giving his pen and paper to other people in his dreams to see what they create. Contact our guest: Dave-Green.co.uk The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 365, was first broadcast on May 30, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. The conversation was recorded on March 20, 2026. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Healing Dreams & the “Joy Factor”, Lucid Dreaming with Dr. Clare Johnson Lucid Dreaming with Robert Waggoner Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  4. May 25

    What Dreams Really Are: Prof Bill Domhoff on Sleep, Consciousness, and Mind Wandering

    Host Katherine Bell talks with G. William Domhoff about dreams, sleep, and consciousness through the lens of his book Dreams, Sleep, and Consciousness. Domhoff explains his neurocognitive theory of dreaming, arguing that dreams are not random nonsense, but a form of internally generated thought that reflects personal concerns, imagination, and the sleeping brain’s unique activity patterns. The conversation explores several big questions: What are dreams? Why do we dream? How are dreams connected to mind-wandering, sleep stages, and self-awareness? Domhoff also discusses research showing that dream content often reveals recurring waking-life concerns, relationships, and emotional patterns. He shares examples from long-term dream series, including how recurring dream imagery can illuminate deeper concerns even when the imagery itself seems surprising or symbolic. Domhoff argues that dreaming emerges when the brain’s systems for external attention and self-reflection are dialed down, while imagination and internally generated imagery remain active. The result is a vivid mental world that is immersive, emotionally meaningful, and often revealing. If you are interested in dream research, sleep science, REM sleep, non-REM dreaming, lucid dreaming, consciousness studies, dream meaning, dream journals, or the neuroscience of imagination, this episode offers a rich introduction to one of the field’s most influential researchers and his decades of work. Topics covered in this episode: Bill Domhoff’s neurocognitive theory of dreaming Whether dreams are meaningful or simply byproducts of sleep The connection between dreaming and mind-wandering What dream content reveals about personal concerns and relationships How REM sleep, non-REM sleep, and sleep onset relate to dreaming The difference between knowing and self-knowing in consciousness Why dream research matters for understanding the human mind BIO: G. William Domhoff is a pioneering dream researcher who has studied dreaming since 1960. He taught a long running university course on dreams at UC Santa Cruz through 2019 and has spent decades exploring how dreams work, how we remember them, and what they reveal about the human mind. His latest book is called “Dreams, Sleep, and Consciousness: Interweaving the Neurocognitive Theory of Dreaming with New Theories of Sleep and Consciousness.” Contact our guest: DreamResearch.net and Dreambank.net Bill is an invited speaker at the IASD conference which is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 364, was first broadcast on May 23, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. The interview was recorded on April 10, 2026. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Inside the Sleeping Mind: Memory, Dream Yoga, & the Neuroscience of Sleep with Ken Paller, PhD Dream Deeper to Sleep Better with Leah Ann Bolen Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  5. May 18

    The Black Dog of Depression, Dreamwork, and Self-Discovery in Ireland | Diane Hartman

    In this powerful episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with award-winning author Diane Hartman about the profound connection between dreams, depression, writing, and self-discovery. Diane shares the deeply personal story behind her memoir, Getting Lost on My Way: Self-Discovery on Ireland’s Back Roads, and how a solo journey through Ireland helped her confront the “black dog” of depression, reclaim her voice, and rediscover herself through writing. Together, Katherine and Diane explore how dreams can guide healing, illuminate emotional truth, and reveal the deeper patterns shaping our lives. Diane opens up about recurring dreams of a black dog chasing her—a powerful symbol of depression—and the unforgettable dream encounters that shaped her path, including a life-changing connection to Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue. The conversation also touches on creativity, memoir writing, ancestral memory, photography, humor in healing, and the courage it takes to follow a dream even when fear is present. If you’re interested in dreamwork, memoir, mental health, healing journeys, Ireland travel, creative transformation, or the role of dreams in personal growth, this episode offers inspiration, depth, and practical encouragement. In this episode, we explore: Dreams and their role in emotional healing Depression and the symbol of the “black dog” Diane Hartman’s solo travels through Ireland Writing as a path to recovery and self-discovery The influence of John O’Donohue and the idea of anam cara (soul friend) Memoir, creativity, photography, and transformation How humor and courage can coexist with grief and struggle Diane Hartman is an award-winning author, photographer, and retired school librarian. Her memoir, Getting Lost on My Way: Self-Discovery on Ireland’s Back Roads, traces her deeply personal journey through depression, travel, and creative awakening. Contact our guest: DianeHartmanAuthor.com The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 363, was recorded during a live broadcast on May 16, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Spiritual Journeying with Royce Fitts, PhD Is This Yours to Carry? with Linda Schiller Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  6. May 11

    Recurring Dreams, Dream Symbols, and Dream Mapping with Alira Solara

    In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell talks with Alira Solara about dream mapping, recurring dreams, dream loops, lucid dreaming, dream weaving, and dream interpretation. Together they explore why certain dreams repeat, how dream symbols and landscapes can reveal deeper patterns, and how tracking dreams can support emotional insight, spiritual growth, and everyday decision-making. Alira shares her approach to dream mapping—a practice of journaling dreams, noticing recurring images and locations, and identifying how dream patterns connect to waking life. The conversation also dives into dream loops, the unsettling experience of “waking up” inside another dream, as well as ideas around shared dream spaces, lucid dreaming, sovereignty, and protection in dreamwork. Katherine and Alira also discuss how dreams can reflect major life transitions, including a powerful dream that helped Alira recognize it was time to leave her job and follow a more aligned path. Throughout the episode, they reflect on how dreams can illuminate distortion, reveal hidden emotional truth, and help people reconnect with intuition, wholeness, and personal meaning. If you’re curious about recurring dreams, dream journaling, dream symbolism, lucid dreaming, or how to start understanding your own inner dream landscape, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration. Topics covered in this episode Why dreams repeat and what recurring dreams may reveal What dream mapping is and how to start your own dream map The difference between dream symbols, images, and personal meaning How dream landscapes can reflect parts of the self What dream loops are and why they can feel so intense Lucid dreaming, awareness, and “waking up” inside a dream Shared dream spaces, co-dreaming, and “Mall World” How dreams can prepare us for major life changes Dream journaling tips for beginners Dream weaving, distortion, and emotional integration Staying Sovereign in Dreamwork BIO: Alira Solara is a writer, dreamworker, and intuitive guide who explores the intersection of dreams, shadow integration, and spiritual awakening. Through her work, she helps others decode symbolic language, map inner landscapes, and reconnect with their own intuitive knowing through dreamwork, storytelling, and embodied self-inquiry. Contact our guest: AliraWritesTheLight.com TT, YT, IG, FB: @alirawritesthelight The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 362, was recorded during a live broadcast on May 9, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: How Dreamwork Strengthens Intuition: Lucidity, Meaning, and the Medial Archetype with Athena Laz Life after Death before Death with Nirakara Vani Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  7. May 4

    Space Weather and the Dreaming Mind: Solar Flares, Sleep, and the Nature of Consciousness with Annani Kelley, PhD

    What if the Sun is influencing your dreams? In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with Dr. Annani Kelley, researcher, poet, and founder of heliopsychology, about her groundbreaking work on space weather, solar flares, geomagnetic activity, and human consciousness. Drawing on more than 70 years of heliobiology research and her own PhD dissertation, Dr. Kelley explores how solar flares, sunspots, and geomagnetic storms correlate with changes in sleep quality, nightmares, aggressive dreams, dream bizarreness, and extraordinary dream states—including lucid, psychic, and precognitive dreams. The conversation moves beyond sleep into big‑picture questions: • How space weather affects human behavior, creativity, and social systems • Why solar maximum periods are linked with volatility and aggression • The idea that consciousness may be electromagnetic, with the brain acting as a receiver rather than the source • Historical events like the Carrington Event and how solar storms affect Earth • The role dreams may play in the evolution of consciousness Dr. Kelley also shares poetry from her book Somnia De Fine Mundi (Dreams of the End of the World)—dream‑inspired work that reflects apocalyptic imagery, transformation, and cosmic awareness. This episode blends science, psychology, dreams, poetry, and philosophy, offering a thought‑provoking look at humanity’s intimate relationship with the Sun. Chapter Headings Space Weather and the Science of Heliopsychology Solar Flares, Sunspots, and Geomagnetic Activity Explained How the Sun Influences Sleep Quality and Dreaming Nightmares, Aggressive Dreams, and Dream Bizarreness Psychic, Lucid, and Extraordinary Dream States Solar Cycles, Human Behavior, and World Events Consciousness as an Electromagnetic Phenomenon The Brain as Receiver: Rethinking Where Consciousness Comes From The Carrington Event and Extreme Solar Storms Dreams of the End of the World: Poetry, Apocalypse, and Meaning BIO: Dr. Annani Kelley recently received her PhD from Sofia University and is the founder of Heliopsychology. Her dissertation focused on the influence of space weather on sleep and dream states. She has recently published a poetry book called “Somnia de Fine Mundi” which translates to Dreams of the End of the World. Check out Dr. Kelley’s YouTube page @Dr_HelioPsy The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/2026/ This show, episode number 361, was recorded during a live broadcast on May 2, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Into the Cosmic Zone with Madi Murphy   Heliopsychology with Annani Kelley   Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  8. Apr 27

    Healing Dreams & the “Joy Factor”, Lucid Dreaming with Dr. Clare Johnson

    On this special episode celebrating 360 shows, Dream Journal host Katherine Bell (Experiential Dreamwork) talks with lucid dream pioneer Dr. Clare Johnson (Deep Lucid Dreaming) about healing dreams, lucid dreaming, and what Johnson calls the joy factor—those moments of bliss, beauty, and deep replenishment that can arrive in dreams and ripple into waking life. Together they explore dream body intelligence, emotional processing in sleep, dream incubation, and practical ways to work with nightmares—plus how the “thought-responsive” nature of lucid dreams can support intentional healing. In This Episode What are healing dreams? How sleep and dreaming support physical repair and emotional balance The “joy factor”: bliss dreams, dream beauty, visitation-style comfort, and why joy can be restorative Lucid dreaming basics: stabilizing lucidity and working skillfully inside the dream Thought-responsive environments: how intention, emotion, and expectation shape lucid dreams Dream body intelligence: the link between the dream body and the waking body (including a fist-clenching lucid dream study) Dream incubation: setting an intention for a healing dream before sleep Yoga nidra / hypnagogic edge: using deep relaxation as an “in-between” state for healing intention Nightmares & the body: why repetitive nightmares matter and how to work with them Lucid Imaging Nightmare Solution: re-entering a nightmare safely to find information and resolution Dreams and creativity: how lucid dreams can feed writing, research, and the creative process Chapters The Joy Factor: When Dreams Lift Us Up Beauty, Flying Dreams, and Dream Euphoria Dreams, Mental Health, and Emotional Processing Lucid Dreaming: What’s Special About Being Aware Stabilizing a Lucid Dream + Working with Intention Thought-Responsive Dream Worlds Dream Body Intelligence and the Waking Body Link Healing Dreams: Incubation, Yoga Nidra, and Visualization Don’t “Put Up” with Nightmares: Transforming Fear Writing, Creativity, and Dream-Inspired Books Resources & Mentions Clare Johnson’s website: deepluciddreaming.com Book: The Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming (mentioned for healing and lucid dreaming examples) Book: The Art of Transforming Nightmares (nightmare tools and the Lucid Imaging Nightmare Solution) Book: Elixir of Sleep (dream-inspired in its creation) Novels: Breathing in Color and Dream Runner (dream-inspired fiction; includes discussion of synesthesia and REM sleep behavior disorder) Term: Dream incubation (setting a pre-sleep intention to receive a healing dream) Term: Yoga nidra / hypnagogic state (deep relaxation on the edge of sleep) Term: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) (dream enactment during sleep) Organization/event: IASD conference (International Association for the Study of Dreams), with Dr. Johnson as a keynote speaker iasdconferences.org/2026 Johnson’s podcast: Sleep and Deep Lucid Dreaming Katherine Bell’s website ExperientialDreamwork.com This show, episode number 360, was recorded on March 5, 2026 and was broadcast on April 27, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Video podcast available on YouTube at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Befriending Sleep with Lucid Dreamer Dr. Clare Johnson Deep Lucid Dreaming with Clare Johnson, PhD Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Closed captioning is available on the YouTube version of this podcast and an automatically generated transcript is available at Apple Podcasts within 24 hours of posting. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

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4.9
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

The Dream Journal explores a range of topics relating to the healing aspects of night time dreaming. Experienced dream coach Katherine Bell interviews dream experts and others on the path of dreaming, but the heart of this show is YOU, your nighttime dreams, your daytime desires, your hopes for a better life. Dreams, they really can transform your life! Podcasted episodes can be found on all major platforms. Video versions are available on YouTube @ExperientialDreamwork! The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Community Radio for the Central Coast of California, streaming live at https://ksqd.org Saturday mornings 10-11 AM Pacific Time.

Information

  • Creator
    Katherine Bell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Dream Journal

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