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[212] Jung at Harp Episode 212: The Conversation of Improvisation

Release Date: 05/08/2026

[213] Jung at Harp #213 Our Relationship to Resistance and Discord

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 213: Our Relationship to Resistance and Discord Why listen? What do we do when we encounter resistance—within ourselves, in our relationships, or in the creative process? And could discord actually have something important to teach us? In this episode, Kathleen Wiley and Deborah Henson-Conant explore the emotional and creative tension that arises when things don’t flow smoothly. From musical dissonance to personal conflict, they unpack how resistance can challenge us, shape us, and sometimes even guide us toward transformation. Discord is often something we...

[212] Jung at Harp Episode 212: The Conversation of Improvisation

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 212: The Conversation of Improvisation Why listen? Is improvisation completely different from memorization—or are they more connected than we realize? In this episode, we explore the surprising relationship between structure, memory, spontaneity, and creative freedom. In Kathleen’s absence this week, Deborah Henson-Conant dives into the living conversation between memorization and improvisation. While they may seem like opposites, both rely on deep listening, pattern recognition, trust, and presence. Many musicians think memorization is rigid while improvisation is...

[211] Jung at Harp | Episode 211: Adventures in Support

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 211: Adventures in Support Why listen? What does it really mean to feel supported? And how do we recognize the kind of support that actually helps us grow—in music, in life, and in our relationships? In this episode, Kathleen Wiley and Deborah Henson-Conant explore the many forms of support we rely on—and sometimes overlook. From inner resilience to external encouragement, they unpack how support shapes our creativity, health, and sense of connection. Support isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it looks like structure, sometimes like freedom. Sometimes it...

[210] Jung at Harp | Episode 210: What Is the VALUE of Self-Expression?

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 210: What Is the VALUE of Self-Expression? Why listen? We spend years building skills—but at what point do those skills actually become self-expression? And how much skill do you really need to express something meaningful? In this episode, Kathleen Wiley and Deborah Henson-Conant explore the relationship between technique, creativity, and personal voice. Is skill the gateway to expression—or can it sometimes get in the way? Many people believe they’re “not ready” to express themselves until they reach a certain level. But what if expression isn’t...

[209] Jung at Harp_#209 Why does EASY feel WRONG?

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 209: Why Does EASY Feel WRONG? Why listen? Have you ever worked so hard to improve your skills… only to feel like something’s off when things finally get easier? In this episode, we explore why ease can feel uncomfortable, even “wrong,” and how that mindset might be holding back your creativity, confidence, and growth. What happens when mastery starts to feel natural? For many of us, there’s a strange moment where ease triggers doubt. If it’s not hard, is it still valuable? Did we skip something? Are we “cheating”? In this conversation, Kathleen Wiley and...

[208] Jung at Harp Episode 208: A-B1-A-B2-A-B3-A

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 208: A-B1-A-B2-A-B3-A The Powers of Form Form or structure is the second principle in the 7 principles of creative expression developed by Deborah Henson-Conant. But why is form such a powerful force in both creativity and freedom? In this episode of Jung at Harp, Deborah and Jungian psychoanalyst Kathleen Wiley explore how structure shapes, supports, and even expands creative possibility. Using the musical pattern A-B1-A-B2-A-B3-A as a starting point, they reflect on how repetition and variation work together to create both coherence and surprise. Rather than limiting...

[207] Jung at Harp #207 The Thing about Beavers

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 207: The Thing about Beavers Beavers create entire ecosystems that support life far beyond themselves, shaping environments where many different forms of life can thrive. But within each of those living beings exists another kind of ecosystem — an inner world shaped by thoughts, emotions, reactions, and self talk. In this episode of Jung at Harp, Deborah Henson-Conant and Jungian psychoanalyst Kathleen Wiley explore the relationship between the outer environments we create and the inner environments we carry within us. Through a Jungian lens, they reflect on how our...

[206] Jung at Harp #206 Share What Speaks to You

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 206: What Speaks to You? What speaks to you and how does it speak? In this episode of Jung at Harp, Deborah Henson-Conant and Jungian psychoanalyst Kathleen Wiley explore the subtle, personal, and often surprising ways meaning, inspiration, and inner guidance make themselves known in our lives. Through a blend of musical insight and Jungian reflection, they consider how each person is attuned to different signals, whether through sound, emotion, image, intuition, or lived experience. What resonates with one person may be completely different for another, yet each form of...

[205] Jung at Harp #205 Why Write it Down

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 205: Why Write it Down What does it mean to “go to the source” — and why does it matter? In this episode of Jung at Harp, Deborah Henson-Conant and Jungian psychoanalyst Kathleen Wiley explore the idea of source as the wellspring of creativity, meaning, and inner alignment. Whether in music, psychology, or daily life, returning to the source invites us to reconnect with what is most essential and alive within us. Through a reflective and exploratory conversation, they consider what “your source” might be — a place of inspiration, intuition, or deeper...

[204] Jung at Harp #204 Why Spiders Balloon on the Wind

Jung at Harp

Jung at Harp | Episode 204: Why Spiders Balloon on the Wind When spiders “balloon” into the air, releasing a thread of silk and allowing the wind to carry them to unknown places, they surrender to a force greater than themselves. In this episode of Jung at Harp, Deborah Henson-Conant explore this fascinating natural phenomenon as a metaphor for creativity, improvisation, and trust. Just as the spider releases control and lets the wind guide its journey, musicians — and creators of all kinds — often face a similar choice: to tightly control what unfolds, or to surrender to the...

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Jung at Harp | Episode 212: The Conversation of Improvisation

Why listen?
Is improvisation completely different from memorization—or are they more connected than we realize? In this episode, we explore the surprising relationship between structure, memory, spontaneity, and creative freedom.

In Kathleen’s absence this week, Deborah Henson-Conant dives into the living conversation between memorization and improvisation. While they may seem like opposites, both rely on deep listening, pattern recognition, trust, and presence.

Many musicians think memorization is rigid while improvisation is free—but what if both are simply different pathways into connection and expression? This episode unpacks how familiarity creates freedom, how structure can support spontaneity, and why improvisation is less about “making things up” and more about responding in the moment.

Whether you’re a musician, creative artist, or someone navigating uncertainty in everyday life, this conversation offers insight into how we balance preparation with intuition.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The similarities between memorization and improvisation
Why structure can actually increase creative freedom
How improvisation becomes a real-time conversation
The role of listening, trust, and familiarity in creativity
Why being fully present matters more than being “perfect”

Join two harp players—a Jungian psychoanalyst and a composer/performer—for a weekly-ish conversation about music, psychology, and life.

🕘 Live at 9:15-ish EST on most Fridays
🎧 Watch and listen: JungAtHarp.com

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