About Lisa
Lisa Marchiano is an award-winning author, podcaster, and certified Jungian analyst. Her highly-acclaimed books use draw upon the healing wisdom of fairy tales to help women connect more deeply with themselves.
Lisa is a host of the popular depth-psychology podcast This Jungian Life. With over 10 million downloads and a loyal following that includes artists, journalists, and celebrities, This Jungian Life is a top podcast in the US in the health and fitness category.
Lisa obtained her BA from Brown University. She holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a Master of Social Work from New York University. She trained at the Inter-regional Society of Jungian Analysts.
In addition to her books, Lisa’s writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the Journal of Analytical Psychology. She is a sought-after speaking and workshop facilitator who has lectured widely both in the US and abroad.
The story behind the book
Authors usually write about issues that matter a great deal to them personally, and I’m no exception The struggles that I catalogue in my book The Vital Spark are ones that I have seen many women in my practice contend with in my 25 years as a psychotherapist. They’ve worked to overcome self-doubt, claim their fierceness and self-assertion, and grab hold of their authority. I’ve worked with enough women going through such challenges that I am certain these are common issues. I’ve also been through them myself.
As I relate in the book, I was once a young woman who wasn’t sure she was good enough. I’ve held myself back from expressing my honest opinion because I worried I was wrong, or that my candor might hurt someone’s feelings. I’ve burned with anger that I didn’t dare express and hidden my light because I wasn’t sure it was worth sharing.
Since then, I’ve allowed myself to be bigger. I had a career or two, raised two kids, and became a Jungian analyst. I have a weekly podcast called This Jungian Life and am the author of several books. I now stand my ground when challenged on important issues, both in my personal and professional life. I’m still a work in progress, of course. We all are.
As I worked to give voice to what wanted to come forth, Jung’s ideas have been, as always, helpful. In speaking about our unallowed parts that we’ve never given ourselves permission to express, Jung offers us a beautiful metaphor. “Many—far too many—aspects of life which should also have been experienced lie in the lumber-room among dusty memories; but sometimes, too, they are glowing coals under gray ashes.”
Finding those glowing coals and fanning them back to life is the psychological work that awaits us. Doing so will renew and enliven us, put us in touch with our innate potentials, and make us more whole. I hope you’ll join me.