EP 39: Stephen Larsen & John Bucher
We’re honored to welcome Dr. Stephen Larsen—psychologist, author, mythologist, and longtime student and friend of Joseph Campbell. Stephen and his wife Robin were close companions of Campbell for over two decades and co-authored Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind, the definitive biography of his life and legacy. With deep access to Campbell’s journals, personal reflections, and inner circle, their book offers an unparalleled portrait of the man behind the myth. In this conversation with JCF’s John Bucher, Stephen reflects on their friendship with Campbell, the process of writing A Fire in the Mind, and the enduring relevance of mythology in today’s world.
The Podcast With A Thousand Faces · Stephen Larsen, Tyler Lapkin, Joseph Campbell Foundation, John Bucher
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Show Notes
In this episode of The Podcast with a Thousand Faces, we’re joined by Dr. Stephen Larsen, psychologist, mythologist, author, and longtime student and friend of Joseph Campbell.
Together with his wife Robin, Stephen co-authored Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind, the definitive biography of Campbell. As close personal friends of Campbell for over two decades, the Larsens were uniquely positioned to offer an intimate, multidimensional portrait of the man behind the myths. Their book, written with exclusive access to Campbell’s journals, papers, and inner circle, brings both the public and private facets of his life vividly to light.
Stephen served on the founding board of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and co-founded the Center for Symbolic Studies, where he has spent decades exploring the intersection of myth, psychology, and human transformation. Trained by Edward Whitmont, Stanislav Grof, and Campbell himself, Stephen has also been a pioneering figure in the field of neurofeedback and consciousness research.
In this conversation with JCF’s John Bucher, Stephen reflects on his relationship with Campbell, the writing of A Fire in the Mind, and why mythology still matters—perhaps more than ever—in a world aching for meaning.
For more information on the MythMaker Podcast Network and Joseph Campbell, visit JCF.org.
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The Podcast With A Thousand Faces is hosted by Tyler Lapkin and is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is produced by Tyler Lapkin. Executive producer, John Bucher. Audio mixing and editing by Tristan Batt.
All music exclusively provided by APM Music (apmmusic.com)