This episode was more of a personal pondering out on my deck on a hot, July evening in 2024. As such, there is no introduction and no end blessing, so here they are now:

Hello, my name is Mark Stratton, welcome to Beyond the Journeys. Goddess blessings upon you, you have all the weapons and knowledge you need within you.

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AI generated synopsis:

This podcast excerpt discusses the speaker's contemplation of their next project, moving beyond the established hero's journey narrative. The speaker questions the limitations of solely focusing on the hero archetype, suggesting that true personal growth lies in transcending such fixed identities. They propose exploring a space beyond the hero's journey's typical stages, including the return and integration, aiming to examine what comes after achieving the "happily ever after." This exploration involves releasing limiting self-identifications and embracing a more fluid, less defined sense of self. The speaker intends to title their podcast "Beyond the Hero's Journey," reflecting their intention to examine this concept further.