Unlocking Dream Wisdom: Nightmares, Oracle Cards, & Inner Transformation with Greg Mahr, MD, and Heather Taylor-Zimmerman

In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell talks with psychiatrist Greg Mahr and visionary artist/psychologist Heather Taylor-Zimmerman about how dreams—especially nightmares—can support healing, personal growth, and creativity. They introduce the Dream Wisdom Oracle Deck, explore “befriending” difficult dream imagery, and share practical ways to re-enter and work with dreams through reflection, art, and intuitive tools. Chapters: 00:00:23 — Welcome + what the show explores 00:01:26 — Catherine’s falling-elevator dream as an opening metaphor 00:03:12 — Greg on nightmares, trauma, and why meaning matters 00:07:11 — Heather on dream rescripting + “active agency” in dreams and recovery 00:10:04 — Using an oracle deck to clarify a dream (simple draw + follow-up draw) 00:11:33 — What “visionary art” means + Jung’s influence and active imagination 00:21:20 — Creative flow: reverie, atmosphere, and leaning into discomfort 00:23:38 — Dreams + psychedelics: overlapping brain states and how dreams are a “mini trip every night” 00:32:49 — Caller dream: foundation stone “portal,” money envelope, and houses as psyche 00:42:13 — Caller question: recurring “raw chicken” symbol + how to work it with cards BIOS: Greg Mahr, M.D., is a psychiatrist actively involved in teaching and research on acute trauma and nightmares. He is on the faculty of the medical schools at both Michigan State University and Wayne State University and has published more than 30 academic research articles. The author of The Wisdom of Dreams: Science, Synchronicity and the Language of the Soul. SoulofCreativity.com Heather Taylor-Zimmerman, Ph.D., is a psychologist trained at Pacifica, a Jungian program in California. She is the director of an experiential teaching program in personal transformation through visionary art, and her healing artwork has appeared in clinics and hospitals as well as in public and private collections. GregMahr.com This show, episode number 354, was recorded during a live broadcast on March 14, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Videos available on YouTube at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.     Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Rewilding the Dream with Laura Smith-Riva Dreaming the Future with Paul Kalas, PhD Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at [email protected]. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about