Episode 9

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Published on:

11th May 2026

The Universe in a Drop: Soul Travel and the Weaver of Dreams

The Universe in a Drop: Soul Travel and the Weaver of Dreams

The Stories

  • "The Initiation of Manannán mac Lir" told by Maria Gillen.
  • "The Kabbalist of New Jersey" told by Jim.

The Hook

From the depths of the Atlantic to the edge of the galaxy, Maria and Jim explore the power of visualization and the ancient art of "leaving the body" to find truth. This episode bridges Irish myth and Jewish mysticism to reveal how a single drop of water—or a single prayer—can contain the entire universe.

The Chapters

  • [00:00] The Igloo and the Office: Maria and Jim compare New York snow to Irish rain before diving into how storytelling shifts paradigms in the corporate world.
  • [01:38] The Chair Exercise: A fascinating look at how our brains visualize differently, from overstuffed fireside chairs to abstract black-and-white letters.
  • [05:55] The Myth of Manannán: Maria tells the 3,000-year-old story of a daydreaming boy who discovers the universe in a drop of water and emerges as the God of the Sea.
  • [22:40] Pleasure Shock and Corporate Circles: A reflection on the visceral impact of myth and the "pleasure shock" of reconnecting with our non-intellectual selves.
  • [24:10] The Kabbalist of New Jersey: Jim shares a story of a master who teaches a young girl to let her soul soar past the stars to discover she is profoundly loved by the Creator.
  • [43:00] The Fetch Forward: A deep dive into Irish ancestral "knowing," soul-sending, and how "leaving the body" served as a survival mechanism throughout history.

Key Takeaways

  • The Power of Visualization: The "Chair" exercise proves we all inhabit different mental landscapes; storytelling is the essential bridge that allows us to see what others see.
  • Microcosm as Macrocosm: Manannán’s discovery that the whole universe exists in a single drop of water reminds us that true depth is found in focused presence, not just wide searching.
  • The Perspective of Smallness: In the vastness of the cosmos, feeling "small" is not a sign of insignificance, but a prerequisite for experiencing a universal embrace.
  • Ancestral Wisdom as Survival: The Irish practice of "sending the fetch forward" highlights how soul-work was a tool for enduring historical trauma and maintaining connection when physical expression was forbidden.

Closing

To dive deeper into the myths that move us, subscribe to the Healing Monsters Substack. Join our Transformational Storytelling Community to share your own stories and find the "red thread" that connects us all.

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About the Podcast

From Cork to New York
A cross cultural story bridge connecting the narrative traditions of Ireland and the United States - and beyond.
"From Cork to New York" acts as a cross-cultural Story Bridge, stitching together the rich narrative traditions of Ireland and the United States while welcoming guests from a vast array of cultures around the world. By gathering these diverse international voices to share their unique crafts, the show creates a rich space where global perspectives meet, mingle, and find common ground. At its heart, the podcast explores the concept of transformational storytelling, delving into how narratives - both ancient and modern - can foster community healing and personal growth across the globe. It serves as a vital digital thread connecting distant shores, using the deep-rooted ties between Cork and New York as a foundation for a truly global conversation.

About your hosts

Jim Brulé

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Jim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, death doula, teacher, and mentor, drawing on a unique background that encompasses advanced degrees in both clinical psychology and artificial intelligence. For the past seven years, he has directed Transformational Storytelling, an online school accredited by the National Storytelling Network. This global community trains spiritual storytellers from diverse traditions to craft narratives that inspire healing and foster spiritual growth.

Co-authored with Rebecca Lemaire, his book 'Stories of the Heart' presents 18 global tales for navigating life and death. https://StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com/

Jim is the recipient of the 2025 Oracle Regional Service & Leadership Award (Northeast Region), and participated in setting the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous oral storytelling at the 2025 Marrakech International Storytelling Festival.

Jim's classes, workshops, and communities embody his dedication to multicultural wisdom, grounded in the belief that true abundance arises from interconnected generosity and gratitude. You can learn more here: https://TransformationalStorytelling.org/

Maria Gillen

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Maria is the current Storyteller in Residence for the Kerry Writers Museum. She is a well known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit. She loves listening to stories and will tell a story at the drop of a hat. She loves co-creating stories with anyone ‘from the cradle to the grave’. She believes deeply in the power of stories to build communities, heal prejudice and to build resilience. She is a member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists). She is an award-winning storyteller, having won the longest-running Story Competition in Ireland - Finuge - twice and the Butter Roads Storytelling Competition.

Maria was the Irish Storyteller in Residence for Kerry Writers Museum from 2019 to 2022. She was the Artistic Director for the Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2020 to 2022. Maria is currently working as an archivist with Sheahan’s Storytelling Cottage in Finuge – a 300 year old traditional Rambling House in Finuge, Co. Kerry

She is a well-known popular storyteller on the storytelling circuit in Ireland and on the Cyberspace Platform. She is a well-known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit.

She is the preferred storyteller of Colette Travel Agency (the oldest existing travel agency based in the USA) for their premium storytelling experience in Cork. Maria delivers stories of Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, the Diaspora bond with America and the impressive history of Cork City and Cobh Harbour.