The Dream Journal

Katherine Bell
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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. 4D AGO

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. APR 20

    Embodied Imagination with Robert Bosnak

    In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with dreamwork pioneer Robert Bosnak, founder of Embodied Imagination, about how to work with dreams, symptoms, memories, and trauma without forcing interpretation. Bosnak shares why “not knowing” can be the most skillful stance in dreamwork, how to re-enter a dream through flashback memory, and how shifting perspective—from the “narrator” to the environment or other beings—can unlock relief, agency, and integration. Keywords: dreamwork, embodied imagination, Robert Bosnak, Katherine Bell, experiential dreamwork, flashback memory, non-interpretive dreamwork, trauma nightmares, somatic symptoms, neutral witness, psychedelic integration, imaginal realm, dual consciousness Key takeaways Start with not knowing. A dream can be meaningful even when you can’t explain it; “not understanding” can keep you closer to the living experience of the dream. Re-enter the dream as a place. Instead of treating dreams as stories to decode, Embodied Imagination uses flashback memory to return to the dream environment and feel it in the body. The body leads the mind. Sensation and affect often arrive before conscious meaning—so the work begins with what the body is already doing. Work with symptoms as imagery. By focusing attention on the location of a symptom, spontaneous images can arise (distinct from mental “fabrication”). Shift perspective to create change. Moving from the “I/narrator” to the viewpoint of the image (e.g., the mountains, a closet, a wall) can soften overwhelm and open new possibilities. Use a neutral witness for trauma. Approaching a traumatic scene from the perspective of a steady object in the environment can reduce re-traumatization while allowing the experience to be processed. Dual consciousness supports integration. In psychedelic or numinous states, holding “two worlds at once” helps you stay grounded while engaging the imaginal reality. Integration is a practice. Returning to the experience, slowing it down, and revisiting it from multiple perspectives can turn a peak moment into an embodied daily exercise. BIO: Robert Bosnak is a Zurich-trained Jungian psychoanalyst specializing in dreaming. He founded Embodied Imagination and is a past IASD president, a fiction and non-fiction book author, and psychiatry faculty at the SUNY Upstate Medical University. He is also presenting at the IASD conference in June up in Ashland Oregon. Learn more at EmbodiedImagination.com To donate to the show’s host community radio station, go to KSQD.org The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/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. This show, episode number 359, was recorded during a live broadcast on April 18, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Videos 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: Dancing With Dreams & Nightmares | Ritual Dreamwork, Bees, Snakes, & the Dream Hive with Lana Nasser   From Shame to Self-Love with Bill St. Cyr   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/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  6. APR 13

    When Dreams Guide How We Live: Deena Metzger on Spirit, Earth, and the Power of Dreaming

    What if dreams aren’t just personal—but meant for the community? In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with writer, healer, and Earth activist Deena Metzger about sacred dreaming, Indigenous wisdom, and what it means to live by dream in dark and uncertain times. Together they explore dreams as spiritual messages, ethical guidance, and acts of resistance—and listeners share powerful dreams of sanctuary, community, joy, and not dying alone. This conversation invites us to imagine a world where dreams teach us how to live, care for one another, and remain in relationship with the Earth. ✨ Featuring live listener dreams ✨ Indigenous and collective dream perspectives ✨ Community, joy, and shelter at the end of the world Chapters Welcome to The Dream Journal Anaïs Nin and the Beginning of a Life with Dream Dreams Against the State and Underground Dreaming Do Dreams Come from the Psyche—or from Spirit? How to Recognize the Dreams That Matter Fear, ICE, and Remembering Joy Through Dream Listener Dream: Sanctuary at the End of the World Listener Dream: Brotherhood, Death, and Not Dying Alone Final Reflections on Living by Dream BIO: Deena Metzger is a poet, novelist, essayist, playwright and storyteller. She is an Earth activist with over a dozen published books and a multitude of essays, articles, poems, and stories. Her play, Dreams Against the State, was produced in a variety of venues. She has tried to be faithful to the calling of healer and medicine woman and has taught and counseled for over fifty years.  Deena lives at the edge of a wild park with Mountain Lion and others as companions. Her newest offering is a novella called The Story that must not be told, which she describes as a fiction that is not a fiction. Contact our guest: DeenaMetzger.net The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/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. This show, episode number 358, was recorded during a live broadcast on April 11, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Videos 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: Spiritual Elderhood with Illana Berger, PhD The Woman between the Worlds: Dr Apela Colorado   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/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.

  7. APR 6

    Inside the Sleeping Mind: Memory, Dream Yoga, & the Neuroscience of Sleep with Ken Paller, PhD

    What if your brain is solving problems, strengthening memory, and shaping creativity while you sleep—without you even knowing it? In this deep‑dive conversation, cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Ken Paller joins Katherine Bell on The Dream Journal to explore groundbreaking research on memory reactivation during sleep, lucid dreaming, dream engineering, and how ancient Tibetan dream yoga practices intersect with modern neuroscience. Dr. Paller is a professor of psychology and director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at Northwestern University. His lab was among the first to demonstrate that memories can be reactivated and strengthened during sleep using subtle sounds—a method known as Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR). This research reveals how sleep improves learning, creativity, emotional processing, and even problem‑solving. Together, we explore: How the brain processes memories during deep sleep and REM sleep Whether sound and sensory cues can influence dreams The science behind lucid dreaming and two‑way communication with dreamers How dreams contribute to creativity, insight, and psychological well‑being What Tibetan monks practicing dream yoga can teach neuroscience about consciousness This episode bridges cutting‑edge sleep science, experiential dreamwork, and ancient contemplative traditions, offering a powerful new lens on why dreams matter—even when we don’t remember them. “Sleep can be helpful even if we don’t fully understand how it works.” — Dr. Ken Paller ⏱️ Timestamped Chapters 00:00 – Dreams, Awakening, & Why Dreams Matter How dreams influence waking life—even when we don’t understand them 02:10 – Meet Dr. Ken Paller & the Science of Sleep Memory research, sleep neuroscience, and dream modification 03:20 – Memory Reactivation During Sleep (TMR Explained) How the brain strengthens learning while you sleep 05:00 – Can Sounds Improve Memory & Skill Learning? Using subtle audio cues to enhance recall and performance 08:00 – Can the Sleeping Brain Hear & Respond? Earthquakes, alarms, and how sensory input enters sleep 10:00 – Using Sleep to Improve Mental Health & Well‑Being Sleep engineering, anxiety, depression, and rumination 13:30 – Lucid Dreaming: Knowing You’re Dreaming What lucid dreaming is and why it’s so rare 15:00 – Two‑Way Communication with Dreamers Answering questions and solving math problems while asleep 21:50 – Tibetan Dream Yoga & Buddhist Neuroscience How monks use lucid dreams for insight, compassion, and transformation 37:30 – Creativity, Problem Solving & Sleeping on It How dreams help solve problems you can’t crack while awake 🌙 Why This Episode Matters This conversation reveals that dreams are not random or meaningless—they are part of a sophisticated system that supports learning, creativity, emotional regulation, and insight. By understanding sleep and dreaming, we unlock tools for living more consciously, creatively, and compassionately. 🔗 Learn More Contact our guest: KenPaller.com A presentation in Chile: The IASD conference is June 13-17 in Ashland Oregon. Find out more at IASDconferences.org/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. This show, episode number 357, was recorded during a live broadcast on April 4, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Videos 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: How Dreams Improve Emotional Health | Psychiatrist Loma K. Flowers on Emotional Competence The Science of Nightmares and Lucid Dreaming with Michelle Carr, 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. 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. MAR 30

    Dancing With Dreams & Nightmares with Lana Nasser

    What if nightmares are not something to escape—but something to dance with? In this episode, we’re joined by Lana Nasser, dreamworker, ritual facilitator, and creator of The Dream Hive, for a deep exploration of dreams, nightmares, embodiment, and collective dreaming. Together, we explore how dreams connect us to the more‑than‑human world, how ritual can transform fear, and why symbols like bees and snakes carry powerful intelligence for our time. This conversation weaves together ritual dreamwork, ecofeminist perspectives, embodied practice, and collective healing, offering a grounded yet imaginative approach to working with dreams—not as private puzzles to solve, but as living relationships to tend. Whether you’re a dreamer, therapist, ritualist, artist, or simply curious about the wisdom of the unconscious, this episode invites you into a deeper way of listening. 00:00 — Opening: Dancing With Dreams & Nightmares Introducing the episode and the invitation to meet dreams as living teachers rather than problems to fix. 03:45 — Lana Nasser on Ritual Dreamwork How ritual creates a container for working with dreams safely, creatively, and collectively. 08:20 — Nightmares as Initiation Reframing nightmares as gateways to embodied knowledge, not signs of failure or pathology. 14:10 — The Dream Hive: Collective Dreaming in Practice Exploring shared dream spaces and why dreaming together matters in times of crisis. 20:05 — Embodiment & the Body’s Dream Language Why dreams are not just images, but sensations, movements, and felt experiences. 26:30 — Bees, Snakes & Dream Symbolism Working with non‑human dream figures without reducing them to fixed meanings. 33:40 — Ecofeminism, Earth, and the Unconscious How dreamwork intersects with ecological grief, care, and re‑enchantment. 40:55 — Ritual, Safety & the Nervous System The importance of pacing, consent, and grounding when working with intense dream material. 47:25 — Dreaming With Others Without Appropriation Ethics, humility, and listening when dreams cross cultural and ancestral lines. 54:10 — Closing Reflections: Living in Dialogue With Dreams How to continue the relationship with dreams beyond the night. The annual IASD conference will be in Ashland OR June 13-17. Information at IASDconferences.org/2026 The Wisdom of the Mothers online conference will be April 22-23. Information at https://www.yerusha.org/wotm2026 BIO: Lana Nasser is a writer, performing artist, and dream-weaver, she guides individuals and groups in ritualizing dreams—using theater, movement, props, and nature—to enter dialogue with the imaginal. Her practice reveals insight, fuels psychospiritual exploration, and births communal and personal ritual art. An ecofeminist shapeshifting storyteller, she bridges worlds through embodied dreamwork and innovative performance-making practices. Contact our guest: LanaNasser.com Photo credit: Kristof Persyn This show, episode number 356, was recorded March 26, 2026  and originally broadcast on March 28, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Videos 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: Holding Space for the Mystery with Bonnie Buckner, PhD How Dreamwork Strengthens Intuition: Lucidity, Meaning, and the Medial Archetype with Athena Laz 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/. 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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