The Hidden Life of Dreams

The Hidden Life of Dreams What if our dreams aren't random at all? What if they're quietly guiding us toward the parts of ourselves we've forgotten, rejected, or left behind? In this episode of Skin & Soul, I sit down with psychotherapist, poet, and author Valerie Johns to explore the hidden language of dreams and what they reveal about trauma, memory, creativity, and healing. Drawing from her newest book, Night Flights: The Poetry of Soul Retrieval, Valerie shares how dreams can become a pathway to wholeness—not by erasing the past, but by helping us reclaim the lost parts of ourselves. Together, we explore why nightmares may carry medicine, why the ego isn't our enemy, what it means when trauma "can't tell time," and how cultivating inner safety allows us to meet ourselves with greater compassion. This is a conversation about the unconscious, imagination, and the courage to turn toward what we've spent a lifetime avoiding. If you've ever wondered why certain dreams stay with you—or what they might be asking of you—this episode is an invitation to listen more deeply. In this episode:Why dreams may be invitations rather than interruptionsThe hidden relationship between trauma, memory, and the unconsciousWhy nightmares can become unexpected guidesThe difference between ego and soulSoul retrieval, creativity, and the journey toward wholenessGuest: Valerie Johns, author of Ashes in the Milk: A Poetic Memoir and Night Flights: The Poetry of Soul Retrieval.