EP00 | American Democracy's Call to Quest

In these troubling times, the rule of the people requires our participation lest democracy slip from our fingers altogether.  American Musecast invites listeners to a journey through civics, current events, and the charms and challenges of our socio-political institutions. Using elements of positive psychology and drawing from the archetypes of the hero’s journey found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, Susan Travis presents American democracy and its citizens as flawed heroes on an aspirational expedition of hope and determination. 

Topics discussed in this episode:  

• [3:12] The need for informed citizenry
• [6:41] Archetypes and the hero’s journey
• [7:40] The promise of American Musecast
• [8:12] American Musecast schedule

Episode Audio Embed: 
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Episode Music:   
An Epic Story, by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Episode Tags:
#America, #citizens, #Americans, #heroesjourney, #civics, #quest, #democracy, #stewardship, #archetypes, #citizenship, #JosephCampbell

Disclaimer:   The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of sponsors, underwriters, advertisers or guests. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. 

Transcript

Welcome to American Musecast.  I’m your host, Susan Travis, inviting you along on this exploration of American politics from the perspective of a hero’s journey. Now, you may not know this, but as citizens, it is OUR responsibility to steward democracy! That’s right.  It’s right there in the job description that citizens are to help take care of this thing, America’s democracy, that is.  Well.  I think we can all hear a big OH-SHIT-OH-DEAR groaning throughout the universe! Doesn’t look so hot, does it? Maybe we’ve slacked off a bit. Or . . . a lot.

We’ve become divided and disrespectful toward one another, a country of a few “haves” with a whopping lot of power, money, and attitude, and great vast sea of “have nots” tagged as complainers and dependents.  Somehow, there’s always the inevitable little gaggle of political representatives who do little but posture and puff before cameras like silly schoolyard bullies.  These are such weird times!

America is on a hero’s journey, grappling with lesser angels on the low road, even as we squint upward into the light of higher ground, looking for a foothold.  From all the corners, we are a people who feel unheard, and when no one listens, we throw a finger today, a hissy fit tomorrow, until finally, throwing the stars and stripes like an Aboriginal spear makes absolute sense to millions.  We can all see America riding the rapids toward something far more ominous than that beautiful ‘more perfect union’ we were promised. 

Well, I think we should call, “bullshit” and snatch it back.  Course correct. We’re needed to step up.  All of us.  Yeah, you, too, you in the back!  And me.

In a Star Wars movie or a video game, this would be that moment when we’re called to gird our loins to embark on a mission full of perils and misadventures, a quest that will test the arc of justice!  But, this is not a movie, and it’s not a game.  Stewarding democracy.  I can hear your hands a-raising.  “How do you steward something, and I’ve sort of forgotten, but what again exactly is democracy?”

Well, . . . that’s the problem.  Politics, government, civics, democracy – it’s all a jumble, confusing and a bit unsettling.  Even if we don’t know what stewarding democracy means, don’t watch the news or know who to believe, we feel in the breeze on our very skin that these are politically hazardous times.  

And, if you ever wonder what you’d have done, during the ugliest times in history, as treasured institutions were mocked and diminished, as truth was twisted into lies, and as leaders justified hate toward group after group of people.... if you ever wonder what you’d have done . . . well, it's what you're doing now.  Pondering this notion, I know it applies to me. 

Because I’m frustrated with a need to do more, I decided to produce this podcast using my talents for teaching and writing, my education in politics, mythology and psychology, my gift for optimism, and my brand new little sound studio here in the mountains of New Mexico, where I’m still learning how to record.  I decided to reach millions of listeners with my pearls of wisdom!  Well, anyway, subscribe and share, and we’ll see how that goes . . . 

But the thing is, many of us have all but forgotten the particulars of any civics class that we might have had in school, if we ever had any at all.  Millions of Americans haven’t, and when I say, “civics,” many aren’t even sure what that even means.  One third of Americans can’t name even one branch of government, and some of you may wonder, “Government has branches?

America’s peculiar that way . . . form a system of government and an economy, the very health of which requires the knowledgeable participation of its citizens . . . and then foster an educational wasteland of those very matters.  Neglect to teach the fundamental responsibilities of stewarding democracy, or even what the words mean. Kind of a funny way to run a country, if you ask me. . . yeeeeaaaah . . . what gives?  

Without basic civic instruction, we wing it.  We go with our gut! We use common sense in place of informed scrutiny. It becomes easier to blame, to ignore complexities, to scoff at the rule of law, to pooh pooh whole aspects of our political scaffolding, or even to justify flinging our democracy to the scrap heap.

These days, we’re mentally buffeted by conflicting information, snarky discourse, and a firehose of political chaos. Presidents, politicians, pundits, press, and we (all the people,) are PERPLEXED as to what to do and what will become of us.  We’re showered with terms we can’t define if asked. We’re in the midst of a worrisome voyage, not sure of how to right the ship. Are we rearranging the proverbial deck chairs on the Titanic?  Should we stay out of the way, cowering in the hold with the cargo, or go up top, try to find starboard, and pull on a rope? I mean, really!  What gives?

Some are stressed. Some depressed. I know one woman who just stands clutching a bottle of wine and screams profanity at the television, every night. Oddly, others are bored by the whole mess and couldn’t care less.  “It won’t do any good.  It’s not what I want to do with my time.” Some muse we just need to be positive and manifest blue skies. (Well, how’s that going?)  And we all know those who’ve surrendered to cynicism, themselves becoming what they most fear.  

None of this is surprising, but each of these choices turns a blind eye, and OPTS OUT of the stewardship of democracy, so I’m here to implore you – please don’t opt out of stewarding democracy!  Whatever your reason for thinking you’ll just sit this one out, that just won’t do.  IT WILL. NOT. DO.   If my words happen to describe YOU, even for a moment, then you’re the very reason I’m doing this, because way too often, they describe me as well.  

Well, now that I’ve got you wide-eyed and quivering with a stirring conscience, let’s take some deep breaths, gather our wits, muster some grit, and let’s tackle this democratic fixer-upper called America!  

First, it’s important that we find a way to speak honestly, honorably, and confidently about the issues of the day. Secondly, to do that, we need reliable context.  Third, fourth, and fifth, we need to think through our options on what to do, how to do it, and why, and above all, we must stay hopeful and engaged.  That, my dear listeners, is how we begin to steward democracy into a healthy, prosperous, and gracious nation, for all of us.

So, how will this podcast help?  What’s secret sauce with this one?  Well, I’m suggesting that there’s a compassionate way to look at the American journey, warts and all, and that is through what are called “archetypes.” 

Much like the characters and forces underlying the great epic tales, we find archetypes in our own history, our current challenges, and our future.  They are the patterns that form the story of my life, and of your life, and of the story of America.

You see, like individuals, America is both the hero and the villain of its own story.  America’s story touches us with its joys and shadowy challenges, with its complex characters and dynamics that sizzle and pop with dastardly deeds, and psychological motivations , all of this touches us, because America’s story follows the pattern of what it means to be human.  I can promise - the use of archetypes unlocks an awful lot of clarity to some very grave issues.

Those following American Musecast will engage with American civics as an unforgettable adventure.  We’ll pack fresh, clear understanding into our duffels, gather some citizen confidence, and move toward speaking with more informed clarity than that tired playlist of sound bites we lug around like a fist full of flash cards just to show we know the party line.  I’m telling you.  We’re gonna be smarter than that, and we’re gonna outwit the status quo while we’re at it.

Here's what you can expect from my side of the headset.  Each episode will be between 30 and 45 minutes long, I’ll drop ‘em  once a week, and if you follow, you’ll automatically get a notice when a new one is available.  Each episode will explore basic principles of democracy when applied to issues and strategies faced by Americans.  Now, it may seem overwhelming, but we’ll smooth out and have an interesting time as well.  We have the writings of powerful thinkers to serve as guides, along with the archetypal lens of myth and psychology.  

This moment, this episode is the “call to quest.”  We’re on a pilgrimage of questions, if you will . . . a little road trip through the psyche of America.  Some of you will refuse the call, go back to binging reruns of CSI, and that’s okay, we’ll soldier on without you if you’re not ready.  Maybe later. 

But for those dear listeners with a fire in the belly, here’s what I ask of you!   I invite you to follow this weekly podcast and to share it with others. Tell them how great it is and that you love it. Please, offer suggestions or observations in the comments section.  Often, your comment sets off a sparkle of ideas for a whole new episode!  Just use your manners.  Remember, I’m not a chew toy . . . I’m a real person,.   

Now, buckle up, Buttercup!  Let’s get out there, and steward democracy!     (10 min)

ng information, snarky discourse, and a firehose of political chaos. Presidents, politicians, pundits, press, and we (all the people,) are PERPLEXED as to what to do and what will become of us.  We’re showered with terms we can’t define if asked. We’re in the midst of a worrisome voyage, not sure of how to right the ship. Are we rearranging the proverbial deck chairs on the Titanic?  Should we stay out of the way, cowering in the hold with the cargo, or go up top, try to find starboard, and pull on a rope? I mean, really!  What gives?

Some are stressed. Some depressed. I know one woman who just stands clutching a bottle of wine and screams profanity at the television, every night. Oddly, others are bored by the whole mess and couldn’t care less.  “It won’t do any good.  It’s not what I want to do with my time.” Some muse we just need to be positive and manifest blue skies. (Well, how’s that going?)  And we all know those who’ve surrendered to cynicism, themselves becoming what they most fear.  

None of this is surprising, but each of these choices turns a blind eye, and OPTS OUT of the stewardship of democracy, so I’m here to implore you – please don’t opt out of stewarding democracy!  Whatever your reason for thinking you’ll just sit this one out, that just won’t do.  IT WILL. NOT. DO.   If my words happen to describe YOU, even for a moment, then you’re the very reason I’m doing this, because way too often, they describe me as well.  

Well, now that I’ve got you wide-eyed and quivering with a stirring conscience, let’s take some deep breaths, gather our wits, muster some grit, and let’s tackle this democratic fixer-upper called America!  

First, it’s important that we find a way to speak honestly, honorably, and confidently about the issues of the day. Secondly, to do that, we need reliable context.  Third, fourth, and fifth, we need to think through our options on what to do, how to do it, and why, and above all, we must stay hopeful and engaged.  That, my dear listeners, is how we begin to steward democracy into a healthy, prosperous, and gracious nation, for all of us.

So, how will this podcast help?  What’s secret sauce with this one?  Well, I’m suggesting that there’s a compassionate way to look at the American journey, warts and all, and that is through what are called “archetypes.” 

Much like the characters and forces underlying the great epic tales, we find archetypes in our own history, our current challenges, and our future.  They are the patterns that form the story of my life, and of your life, and of the story of America.

You see, like individuals, America is both the hero and the villain of its own story.  America’s story touches us with its joys and shadowy challenges, with its complex characters and dynamics that sizzle and pop with dastardly deeds, and psychological motivations , all of this touches us, because America’s story follows the pattern of what it means to be human.  I can promise - the use of archetypes unlocks an awful lot of clarity to some very grave issues.

Those following American Musecast will engage with American civics as an unforgettable adventure.  We’ll pack fresh, clear understanding into our duffels, gather some citizen confidence, and move toward speaking with more informed clarity than that tired playlist of sound bites we lug around like a fist full of flash cards just to show we know the party line.  I’m telling you.  We’re gonna be smarter than that, and we’re gonna outwit the status quo while we’re at it.

Here's what you can expect from my side of the headset.  Each episode will be between 30 and 45 minutes long, I’ll drop ‘em  once a week, and if you follow, you’ll automatically get a notice when a new one is available.  Each episode will explore basic principles of democracy when applied to issues and strategies faced by Americans.  Now, it may seem overwhelming, but we’ll smooth out and have an interesting time as well.  We have the writings of powerful thinkers to serve as guides, along with the archetypal lens of myth and psychology.  

This moment, this episode is the “call to quest.”  We’re on a pilgrimage of questions, if you will . . . a little road trip through the psyche of America.  Some of you will refuse the call, go back to binging reruns of CSI, and that’s okay, we’ll soldier on without you if you’re not ready.  Maybe later. 

But for those dear listeners with a fire in the belly, here’s what I ask of you!   I invite you to follow this weekly podcast and to share it with others. Tell them how great it is and that you love it. Please, offer suggestions or observations in the comments section.  Often, your comment sets off a sparkle of ideas for a whole new episode!  Just use your manners.  Remember, I’m not a chew toy . . . I’m a real person,.   

Now, buckle up, Buttercup!  Let’s get out there, and steward democracy!     (10 min)