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The Codex, the Caravan, and the Coming Year

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Codex

In this episode, I step back from the whirlwind of creation and offer a full catch-up on everything happening inside the Soulcruzer universe. Advent has brought a burst of momentum, new experiments, and a deepening sense of direction for the narrative alchemy community. This episode gathers the threads, clarifies the projects, and opens a few doors for you to join the journey.

Episode 412: Show Notes for the codex, the caravan, and the coming year

The Gnostic Caravan and the Advent Explorations

Much of my recent energy has gone into the Gnostic Caravan, a daily Advent series released through Instagram reels and accompanying written reflections. Each day introduces a figure from the Gnostic mythology, paired with a journaling prompt that helps you explore an aspect of your own psyche. You don’t need to know anything about Gnosticism to take part. You only need a curious mind and a willingness to look within.

If you’d rather reflect in private, you can always email me directly. If you prefer conversation without the noise of social media, the new Narrative Alchemy Forums are open and waiting. Alongside the existing Open Forum, I’m adding a dedicated Podcast Forum so listeners can discuss episodes in a quieter, members-only space.

A New Kind of Email Journey

I talk in this episode about the Narrative Alchemy Journey, a weekly email series that isn’t really a newsletter in the traditional sense. Each message contains one insight, one actionable exercise, and one journaling prompt. It’s structured as a cumulative journey rather than a stream of updates. When you subscribe, you begin at the first step and work forward at a steady, human pace. If you’re craving a more intentional rhythm for your inner life, this is a good entry point.

Updates on the Narrative Alchemy Codex

The Narrative Alchemy Codex, my evolving web-book, now has its first four chapters published on Soulcruzer.com. These chapters introduce key ideas in narrative alchemy and invite you to experiment with them through reflective prompts. Chapter Five begins soon. The Codex is designed for people who enjoy learning at their own pace, drawing from a blend of philosophy, psychology, storycraft, and inner alchemy.

Games as Tools for Imagination and Self-Inquiry

I spend time in the episode exploring the role of solo RPGs and tarot-driven story games in self-development. Titles like Magus Eternal, The Infamous Masquerade, and a short beginner-friendly mini-game are now live. These experiences work like guided narrative journeys. You draw cards or follow prompts, and the story that unfolds becomes a mirror of your own inner world. If you enjoy journaling, writing, or reflective play, these games make excellent companions.

Alongside them, I’m building a mini LARP/ARG hybrid that will run between now and the New Year. Think of it as a small rescue mission woven into everyday life. Players receive clues through familiar channels like email and voice notes, follow trails across physical and digital spaces, and solve puzzles as they go. It’s a gentle way of inviting playfulness back into the world around you.

Life, Middle Age, and What Comes Next

The episode also touches on a more personal reflection: watching my grandson grow, seeing my son at the age I once was, and recognising the contours of middle age with unexpected clarity. It brings a sense of standing in the centre of life’s wheel, looking forward and backward at once. That perspective is shaping both my work and my sense of purpose.

A Quiet Rebellion: Reclaiming the Open Web

I close with an invitation. If you’ve abandoned your blog, dust it off. If you’ve never had one, create one. Platforms like WordPress.com and Blogger still offer simple, free ways to carve out your own corner of the web. Even NeoCities exists if you feel nostalgic enough to hand-code. In an age dominated by walled gardens and algorithmic cities, building your own small home on the open web is its own kind of subversive act.

Connect with Me

Whether through the forums, an email reply, the socials, or a coffee somewhere in the world, I’m always up for conversation. Thanks for listening, thanks for walking this road with me, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

The Codex

The Realm of Possibility

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black wooden door frame

In this contemplative riff inspired by Michael Neill’s teaching, I explore what it means to return to the space before thought, that fertile void the Taoists speak of, where anything can grow. This piece is a reflection on presence, memory, and the quiet revolution of living from the realm of possibility. A gentle invitation to slow down, tune in, and remember the gate has always been within you.

The Subconscious as a Playground

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Most people think of the subconscious as a hidden, unknowable force—but what if, instead of treating it like a locked vault, you saw it as a playground?

In this episode, we explore how the subconscious isn’t just passively storing memories and instincts—it’s actively shaping your reality. The key to transformation isn’t just controlling the subconscious, but learning to interact with it, speak its language, and make it your ally.

seeing the shapes of things

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episode summary

In this episode, I take you along for an afternoon walk as I explore a phrase that caught my attention: “Learn to see the shapes of things rather than the stories.” What does it mean to perceive reality without immediately turning it into a narrative? How do we strip experience down to its raw structure before the mind rushes in to impose meaning?

I dive into the tyranny of story—how our minds are wired to turn life into a coherent narrative, even when reality itself is more like a landscape, a shifting web of patterns rather than a neatly plotted novel. What if we could resist the urge to explain everything and instead train ourselves to see the world through shapes, structures, and rhythms?

Through reflections on art, perception, emotions, and chaos magick, I explore how shifting our way of seeing could help us break free from rigid narratives and gain more creative control over our experience.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

  • Perception before interpretation. Instead of rushing to assign meaning to everything, what if we just observed the raw structure of experience?
  • The tyranny of story. We impose narratives on reality to make sense of it, but life isn’t a novel—it’s fluid, complex, and often resists neat explanations.
  • Seeing life as a composition. Artists instinctively view the world in terms of lines, shapes, and colours before assigning meaning. What if we could apply this to life itself?
  • Narrative creates an illusion of control. When we fit our experiences into a story, we feel like we understand them—but this often means we filter out aspects of reality that don’t fit the script.
  • Escaping the script. Instead of seeing events in terms of success/failure, hero/villain, what if we trained ourselves to recognize patterns, rhythms, and structures?
  • Experiencing emotions as shapes. Anxiety, for example, isn’t just a story about what might go wrong—it’s a pattern of sensations: a tightness in the chest, restless hands, spiraling energy.
  • Shaping reality like a magician. Chaos magicians and mystics focus on patterns rather than explanations—once you recognise the shape of things, you can reshape them.

Try This Experiment:

For a day, walk around as if you are an artist or a seer of shapes. Ignore the names of things. Ignore the stories your mind wants to tell. Just notice structure, movement, and form. What shifts when you perceive the world this way? Let me know what you discover!

Join the Conversation:

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop me an email, a post on Bluesky, or a message on Twitter/X.

And if you haven’t already, subscribe to the Soulcruzer Podcast so you don’t miss future episodes.

Until next time—happy wandering.

🎙️ Listen & Subscribe: Soulcruzer Podcast

in the game of life, are you a main quest-focused hero, a chaotic wanderer, or a philosophical sandbox player?

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In this episode, I explore the idea of living life as an RPG (Role-Playing Game)—what it means to own your narrative, choose your playstyle, define your character arc, and fully embrace the journey of discovery, challenge, and transformation. Inspired by my love of RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Gamma World, I break down a Life RPG Framework that helps map out our personal adventures.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast for more episodes.

dude, i feel like i’m back in the infantry

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Show Notes for This Episode of the Soulcruzer Podcast

Episode Summary:
Hey folks, join me on one of my early morning walks where I dive into everything from infantry flashbacks to creative frustrations and the tools I’ve been using to keep my head straight. This week, I’ve been wrestling with some mental blocks, but breaking out my trusty paper journal helped me see things more clearly. Along the way, I talk about the differences between digital and analogue journaling, share my thoughts on populism and politics, and geek out a bit over Google Notebook LM, a fantastic AI-powered tool I’ve been experimenting with. This episode is a blend of reflections, insights, and, as always, a bit of wandering off the beaten path.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

  • Infantry Flashbacks: I start off talking about changing batteries in the dark and how it brought me back to my days in the infantry, doing everything by feel and without flashlights. It’s funny how little moments like that can trigger such vivid memories.
  • On Frustration and Flow: I’ve been feeling pretty frustrated this week. You know that feeling when you know what you want to do but can’t quite get there? Yeah, that was me. I share how I used my paper journal to work through the block and get myself unstuck.
  • Digital vs. Analogue Journaling: I talk about the differences between journaling on paper and using digital tools like Reflect or GoodNotes. Each has its own vibe, and I share how I use them depending on whether I need logical clarity or want to tap into my emotions.
  • Hyperlinked Thinking: I’ve been diving into second-brain apps that let me connect my notes with backlinks and visualise my thoughts as a giant web. It’s like mapping out my brain, and it’s so cool to see all the connections come to life.
  • Populism and Politics: I reflect on the rise of populism and nationalism, especially in the U.S., and how billionaires seem to be steering what should be a movement for the people. It’s something I’ve been exploring more on the blog.
  • Google Notebook LM: This tool has been a game-changer for me. I’ve been using it to synthesize blog posts and even for my learning projects. It’s like having an AI research assistant that works with the exact sources I provide.
  • The Case for RSS: I make a case for using RSS feeds to curate your digital experience. It’s such a great way to avoid distractions and create a more intentional space online.

Links and resources I mentioned:

Connect with Me:

Support the Podcast:
If you’re enjoying the podcast, here are a few ways you can support me:

  • Follow, rate, and review the show on Spotify or your favourite podcast platform.
  • Subscribe to my newsletter for updates and exclusive content.
  • Join the conversation by leaving a comment on my blog or sending me an email.

Thanks for listening! If you made it to the end, let me know what you think. Drop me a comment, send me an email, or even record an audio reply. I love hearing from you. Until next time, keep walking, reflecting, and creating!

Relevance in the Age of Specialisation

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Day7: Relevance in the Age of Specialisation

As a generalist in a specialist’s world, can I be truly heard? Is the age of the generalist a thing of the past in a world that seems to value ultra-specific niches? As generalists, can we even stay relevant, or are we all just doomed to be “jacks (and jills)-of-all-trades, masters of none” and ultimately ignored? 

Digital Calm #27

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If you missed Tuesday’s Digital Calm show live, then here’s the replay.
Just a reminder, the show streams live every Tuesday from 8 – 9:30 PM.

If you download the Mixcloud app (search soulcruzer) you can have the show on the go with you while driving or walking the dog.

This week we get into a discussion about whether or not what a person does really matters in the grand scheme of things.

Plus we play some great tunes from Doctor Flake, Roy Bebop, Lost Frequencies, Embody, and more.
Have a listen and let us know your thoughts.

Too much geekery going on here

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Feet touched the ground at 05:47.

I know you’re not supposed to but I got sucked into social media first thing this morning. Linkedin specifically. Gary Vaynerchuk had a post up, 5 Best Tips for Salespeople. I read it and watched the accompanying 10 minute video. It was worth the time.

I only had time to read one of Olson’s poems this morning. Besides, mind was too full of frantic thoughts to concentrate on a poem.  The words clashed.  I went for a walk instead.

Post walk, ended up in a Zoom meeting which led me to Atlassian directly taking on Slack with their latest communication tool – Stride.  It’s an app formerly known as Hipchat as far as I can see.  But then again I haven’t properly given Stride a go so it’s probably premature for me to say that.  Stride led me to a very funny lady, Sarah Cooper and her blog.

I hesitated to post this audio from my walk. It’s a completely unedited stream of consciousness capture so listen at your own risk:

I spent a bucket load more time than I had intended redesigning the look and feel of the blog.  Changing a WordPress theme is supposed to be easy and there was a time when it was.  But lately, there seems, at least in my experience over the last 18 months, a lot of compatibility issues between WordPress plugins and PHP server side.  Getting hit with the ambiguous HTTP Error 500 is a pain. I don’t pretend to be a coder, but I have had to deal with stuff on the server side that I never had to do before.  In fact, I vow never to change the theme of this blog again.  It’s been that much of a pain.  On top of that, I now have to go through back posts to deal with formatting issues. Oh the joy of being a blogger! And I’m only just getting back into game properly.

I never did make it to the gym.

22:26 OK, I I’m going to close this entry out now.  I’m going to drink a coffee and read some more of the Charles Olson biography and then finish off The Tick series on Amazon Prime.  I started it over dinner.  There are only 6 episodes in the first season so I might as well finish it off tonight. I’m halfway there.

Soundtrack: