Practices of Depth and Soul and Why They Matter: A Conversation with Erin Geesaman Rabke and Carl Rabke

Greetings, listener friends!

We are delighted to share this conversation, the second in a series of three podcasts we're releasing during January 2026. The first is on practices of presence. The second, (this conversation) is on practices of depth and soul. The third will be on practices of reconnection and remembrance. We explore in each epsiode what these are and why they matter. These three realms of practice are woven through the foundation of our upcoming 13-month depth training, Refugia, which begins in early February, 2026.

What are practices of depth and soul? Why do they matter?

We begin with a line from Michael Meade: "Slow and down are the primary movements of soul."

Erin shares a beautiful quote from Francis Weller pointing toward a mythopoetic definition of soul.

We explore honoring depth and soul in a culture that tends toward the spiritual and the transcendent. We touch on many practices of depth and soul and why they matter, including

growing an apprenticeship with sorrow,
embodying one's unique genius or soul medicine,
what it means to grow one's adult presence,
the importance of the imagination and the imaginal,
how to be in relationship with our wounds and sacred limps.

We honor those from whom we have learned about soul, including Michael Meade, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Jaiya John, Francis Weller, Maya Angelou, James Hillman, and so many more.

We hope you enjoy this dive into depth and soul as much as we did. To learn more about Refugia, visit embodimentmatters.com/refugia

"Soul rebellion precedes social rebellion, which is why the first and last revolution work occurs in the soul. In the soul." – Jaiya John

Practices of Depth and Soul and Why They Matter: A Conversation With Carl Rabke and Erin Geesaman Rabke