Podcast Summary: Discovering Purpose – A Jungian Journey to Your True Self

Podcast: Jung On Purpose by CreativeMind
Hosts: Debra Maldonado & Robert Maldonado, PhD
Date: September 29, 2025
Episode Length: ~48 minutes

Overview

In this premiere episode of “Jung On Purpose,” Debra and Dr. Rob Maldonado introduce their new show direction and invite listeners on a deep dive into Jungian psychology’s approach to purpose and self-discovery. The episode weaves together Jungian Theory, Eastern philosophy, non-dual spirituality, and neuroscience, providing a roadmap for individuals seeking authentic meaning and fulfillment. Through practical insights and rich metaphors, the hosts challenge the conventional quest for external validation and emphasize the importance of individuation—the inward journey toward the true self.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Call to Purpose: Central Life Questions

• Opening Reflection: The hosts discuss humanity’s perennial quest for meaning.
  • “What is my purpose? What am I doing here? What is all this about?” (Dr. Rob, 01:33)
• Eastern Philosophy Connection:
  • The “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” questions frame the episode, referencing both Mark Twain and ancient wisdom.
• Jungian Take: Purpose is not about specific achievements, careers, or skills but “finding out who we really are” (Debra, 02:21).

2. On Suffering and Meaning

• Viktor Frankl’s Wisdom:
  • Dr. Rob cites Frankl’s insight:

    “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and dying. But no one can tell another what that purpose is.” (Dr. Rob, quoting Frankl, 04:11)

  • Emphasis on individual discovery: Purpose can’t be copied or handed down.
• Suffering as Transformation:
  • Debra notes, “In that suffering is where we really transform, where we really have the opportunity to break free.” (06:04)

3. Jung’s Stages of Life & Individuation

• Jung on Life’s Seasons:
  • Debra shares a favorite Jung quote:

    “We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning. For what was great in the morning will be little in the evening, and what in the morning was true will at evening have become a lie…” (06:39)

  • Life is a series of developmental phases; early life is about building ego and Persona, but true fulfillment demands an inward turn at midlife (07:55).
• Individuation Process:
  • The journey shifts from outward achievement in youth to inner discovery in maturity:

    “The first part of life, we’re very outward focused. The second part…is really that inward focus of Individuation.” (Debra, 08:13)

4. The Illusion of Eternal Youth & Urgency of Living

• Impermanence as Motivator:
  • Debra likens the “preciousness of every stage of life” to the ephemerality of vacation, arguing that meaning is rooted in our awareness of life’s limits (10:07).
• The Real Gold is Within:
  • Outer achievements ultimately fade; true value is found turning inward:

    “Jung…probably very influenced by eastern philosophy, knows that the real gold is inside and the real journey is within.” (Debra, 11:19)

5. The Unconscious: Treasure House of Meaning

• Inner Search:
  • Dr. Rob emphasizes, “You have to go inside. You have to take that inner journey which goes into the unconscious mind…” (13:40)
• Cultural Lack:
  • Most lack training or recognition of the unconscious, missing access to creativity, dreams, and soulfulness (14:14).

6. Crisis as Catalyst

• Midlife Questions:
  • Debra reframes “midlife crisis” as “midlife opportunity”—an invitation to reevaluate values, identity, and life path (14:46).
• Societal Programming:
  • We are conditioned to measure happiness by external milestones, but these are fleeting (16:03).
• Inviting Reflection:
  • Listeners are prompted to consider when they’ve felt “a bit lost and out of alignment…Something is missing.” (Debra, 15:59)

7. Purpose as Calling, Not Construct

• James Hillman’s View:

  • “Purpose is a calling that pulls us towards it, not a program we push forward. So in other words, it’s not your academic career, it’s not your corporate position…” (Dr. Rob, quoting Hillman, 17:51)

• Persona vs. True Self:
  • Persona is essential early in life, but over-investment later leads to emptiness (Dr. Rob, 19:00).

8. Dreams and the Soul’s Promptings

• Personal Anecdote:
  • Debra shares a vivid dream as a catalyst for major life change, illustrating how the unconscious signals readiness before the conscious mind does (20:19).

9. Eastern Wisdom: The Upanishads & The Stages of Life

• Four Stages Model:
  • Jung’s affinity for the Upanishads is explored; Eastern philosophy prescribes studenthood, householder period, forest meditation, and renunciation as sequential life phases (22:30).
• Soul (Atman) vs. Role (Persona):
  • The “real you” is the witness, not the actor—a perspective that undercuts the Western emphasis on the body/ego as self (Dr. Rob, 27:23).

  • “You are the awareness that is observing yourself…All the while the self, the Atman, is observing, there supporting you in a sense. But it’s not impacted by the experiences you’re having.” (27:23)

10. Letting Go of the Old Self: The Log Story

• Metaphor for Transformation:
  • Debra recounts a story from “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”: a man adrift survives by clinging to a log but must let go to reach the shore.

    “That’s what happens at midlife. We start to feel, you know, no matter what I do…I’m not really gaining any traction.” (Debra, 31:30)

  • Takeaway: “What are you hanging onto...that’s limiting your life more than actually helping it in this stage to create?” (33:32)
  • “When we let go there’s abundance and possibilities that we never really knew were there.” (33:54)

11. Neuroscience of Personality & Perception

• The Movie of Life:
  • Dr. Rob explains brain function as creating our cohesive reality; everything is consciousness (35:28).
  • “All the colors that you’re seeing right now...only in consciousness, only in the mind, only in experience...” (Dr. Rob, 37:07)
• Perceptual Shifts Through Individuation:
  • Neuroplasticity allows personality to change when deeper inner work is done, not just through superficial “rewiring.”
  • “Personality is very malleable…We can change it, but we have to get into what Jung called the unconscious.” (40:20)
• Self-Image & Labels:
  • Over-identification with labels or other’s perceptions is limiting; genuine individuation frees us from needing approval (42:53).

12. Growth Through Crisis

• Crisis as Opportunity:
  • “Periods of crises…are really opportunities to grow.” (Dr. Rob, 46:12)
  • The unconscious “window” opens during personal or collective challenges.

13. Closing Reflection

• Marie-Louise von Franz Quote:

  • “When the self takes the lead…one no longer asks, what do I want from life, but what is life asking of me? This shift is the birth of Purpose.” (Debra, quoting von Franz, 46:47)

  • The heart of individuation is not self-seeking, but surrender to a deeper call.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---|---|---| | 04:11 | Dr. Rob (Quoting Viktor Frankl) | “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and dying. But no one can tell another what that purpose is.” | | 06:39 | Debra (Quoting Jung) | “We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning...Our purpose must shift with the stages of life.” | | 17:51 | Dr. Rob (Quoting James Hillman) | “Purpose is a calling that pulls us towards it, not a program we push forward.” | | 27:23 | Dr. Rob | “The body is the actor...The real you is the awareness that is observing the actor play his or her role.” | | 33:54 | Debra | “When we let go there’s abundance and possibilities that we never really knew were there.” | | 40:20 | Dr. Rob | “Personality is very malleable...it’s malleable. We can change it, but we have to get into what Jung called the unconscious.” | | 46:47 | Debra (Quoting Marie-Louise von Franz) | “When the self takes the lead...one no longer asks, what do I want from life, but what is life asking of me? This shift is the birth of Purpose.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction, Vision for Podcast: 00:34–01:33
• Core Life Questions, Purpose Defined: 01:33–04:05
• Viktor Frankl on Suffering & Meaning: 04:05–05:29
• Jungian Perspective on Life Stages: 06:04–08:21
• Value of Life’s Transitions & Inner Journey: 10:07–12:25
• The Unconscious as Source of Meaning: 13:40–14:46
• Hillman on Purpose as Calling: 17:39–20:19
• Dreams Signalling Transformation: 20:19–22:30
• Stages of Life in Upanishads: 22:30–25:06
• Metaphor of the Log – Letting Go: 29:45–34:32
• Neuroscience & Malleability of Personality: 35:28–41:27
• Personality as Social Construct: 41:27–44:27
• Growth Through Crises: 46:12–46:47
• von Franz on Purpose: 46:47–47:55

Tone & Final Thoughts

Debra and Dr. Rob’s dialogue is warm, down-to-earth, and encouraging, blending scholarship with relatable analogies and personal anecdotes. Their approach is gentle yet persistent—insisting on the necessity of the inward journey for true fulfillment. Rather than a checklist for success, the episode champions curiosity, self-compassion, and the courage to evolve. In closing, listeners are invited to ponder not only what they want but what life is asking of them—a subtle but profound shift.

Next Episode Teaser:
Future discussions will focus deeply on career transitions, relationships, and spiritual awakenings—all through the lens of individuation, shadow work, and applied neuroscience.

“The journey to purpose is first and foremost a journey within.”