Rendering Unconscious

In this podcast episode titled "The Magician's Paradox," Carl Abrahamsson delves into the complex interplay between detachment and engagement in the pursuit of personal and spiritual growth. He poses a fundamental question: how does one navigate the tension between inward focus on self-development and outward engagement with the world's suffering? Abrahamsson begins by acknowledging that those who glimpse the hidden structures of reality often find themselves at a crossroads, faced with the choice between two seductive paths. One path leads inward, emphasizing personal growth and the preservation of one's inner energies, while the other compels individuals to engage with the external world and address human suffering. The challenge lies in finding a balance between these two extremes. He critiques the concept of detachment, arguing that it should not be equated with apathy or indifference. Instead, true detachment is portrayed as a disciplined emotional withdrawal that protects one's inner world from extern

RU384: EVE WATSON & HELENA TEXIER ON FREUD'S PRINCIPLE CASE STUDIES REVISITED https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru384-eve-watson-and-helena-texier Join Rendering Unconscious Podcast at Substack to watch full episodes and access the complete archive: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com Rendering Unconscious episode 384. Rendering Unconscious welcomes Helena Texier and Eve Watson back to the podcast! They presented their work with the Freud-Lacan institute and Freud’s Principle Case Studies Revisited. https://amzn.to/4bUzfZw This was the second live Rendering Unconscious podcast event! Check out the first one: RU372: ALENKA ZUPANČIČ & TODD MCGOWAN ON COMEDY https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru372-alenka-zupancic-and-todd-mcgowan This episode features a discussion between Eve Watson and Helena Texier on their book “Freud’s Principles Case Studies Revisited.” They explore Freud’s and Lacan’s perspectives on key case studies, including Little Hans, Dora, the Rat Man, Schreber, the Yo

RU383: BALTIMORE BASED ARTIST & OCCULTIST NYNNMAH ON PHANTASMS OF EROS & NOSFERATU: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru383-baltimore-based-artist-and Join Rendering Unconscious Podcast at Substack to watch full episodes and access the complete archive: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com Rendering Unconscious episode 383. For this episode, I sat down with Nynnmah, a zine artist with interests in literature, art, and esoterica. Having explored philosophical questions from a young age, Nynn has deep interests in exploring the nature of reality, free will, and esoteric topics. Nynn’s work is influenced by her experiences, including her life in Baltimore, interest in metal music, and interactions with various cultural and spiritual influences. She emphasizes the importance of imagination, self-expression, and the role of artists in society. Follow Nynn at: https://www.instagram.com/nynnmah/ Nynn has a couple upcoming events, including talks on “Phantasms of Eros” Thursday, February 19th, and

RU382: SARAH JEZEBEL WOOD ON LOVI ARTES, VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIALS & CREATIVITY AS SELF-CARE Join Rendering Unconscious Podcast at Substack to watch full episodes and access the complete archive: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com Rendering Unconscious episode 382. On this episode, Sarah Jezebel Wood discusses her work with Lovi Artes, focusing on new Valentine's Day offerings, including candles with scents like "Domina" and "Lupercal," and new charm amulets. She shares her journey of starting her candle business, Lovi Artes, during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by ancestry and Yule traditions. Wood highlights the evolving nature of her work, which includes performance art and witchcraft. The conversation also touches on the challenges of long winters, the importance of self-care routines, and the impact of social media censorship on artists. https://linktr.ee/sarahjezebel News & events: Monday, February 16th we have a LIVE Rendering Unconscious Podcast event with Drs. Helena Texier and Eve Watso

RU381: RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS PODCAST IS CELEBRATING 8 YEARS! PART 3: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru381-rendering-unconscious-podcast Rendering Unconscious Podcast is now at Substack! https://renderingunconscious.substack.com Rendering Unconscious episode 381. As you know from the previous two episodes, Rendering Unconscious Podcast is celebrating 8 years! Check out: RU379: CELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru379-celebrating-8-years-of-rendering RU380: MEDLEY EPISODE OF RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS CELEBRATING 8 YEARS! https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru380-medley-episode-of-rendering All 3 of these celebratory episodes are unlocked. Enjoy! News & events: Looking forward to seeing you all for the next installment of An Introduction to Psychoanalysis on Saturday, February 7th. https://rucenterforpsychoanalysis.substack.com/p/one-month-til-intro-to-psychoanalysis Wednesday, February 18th, we have Mikita Brottman presenting Ima

RU380: MEDLEY EPISODE OF RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS CELEBRATING 8 YEARS! https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru380-medley-episode-of-rendering I had so much fun creating RU379 medley episode that I created another one (two actually!). Enjoy!

RU379: CELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru379-celebrating-8-years-of-rendering

In episode 9 of the Fenris Wolf Podcast, Carl Abrahamsson reflects on the significance of beginnings, particularly the start of a new year. He explores the human tendency to seek meaning in the arbitrary calendar reset and acknowledges the ancient narratives surrounding beginnings and endings, such as the cosmic egg and the phoenix. Despite our modern cynicism, he highlights the persistent hope that accompanies our New Year resolutions, suggesting that this hope is a powerful force for transformation. Abrahamsson emphasizes that time is a human construct, and while the universe is indifferent to our desires, our attention shapes our reality. Intentions set for the new year are commitments to allocate our energy and attention to what truly matters. He argues against the notion of destiny, advocating for the freedom to create our own meaning and choices. As the year unfolds, he notes a growing desire for authenticity and a shift away from outdated narratives of progress. He encourages listeners to embrace the

RU378: OWEN HEWITSON ON LACAN ONLINE, PSYCHOANALYSIS AS A CRAFT & READING LACAN LIKE POETRY https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru378-owen-hewitson-on-lacan-online Rendering Uncosscious has moved to Substack: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com Links to everything RU: https://linktr.ee/renderingunconscious Rendering Unconscious welcomes Owen Hewitson to the podcast! Rendering Unconscious episode 378. In this episode, I sit down with Owen Hewitson of Lacan Online fame. The conversation delves into Owen’s journey into psychoanalysis, beginning at age 14 when he first read The Interpretation of Dreams, and the evolution of Lacan Online. We also discuss our book collections, the challenges of analytic training, the significance of unconscious generational transmission, and the need for interdisciplinary engagement in psychoanalysis. We emphasize the importance of democratizing psychoanalytic knowledge and the potential of developing online resources, utilizing platforms such as Substack and You

RU377: EMMALEA RUSSO ON THE DREAM SCHOOL, ART, WRITING & ASTROLOGY https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru377-emmalea-russo-on-the-dream Links to all RU events: https://linktr.ee/renderingunconscious Rendering Unconscious welcomes Emmalea Russo back to the podcast! Rendering Unconscious episode 377. In this episode, we discuss Emmalea’s year-long course Psycho Cosmos, which just wrapped, as well as her upcoming monthly year-long course The Dream School, which begins January 25th. We reflect on the impact of these courses, the importance of dreams in art, and the role of the unconscious in creativity. We also touch on the use of tarot and astrology for year-ahead readings, the benefits of ongoing classes, and the building of online communities. Additionally, we discuss misconceptions about magic and art, the value of regular practice, and the upcoming release of Emmalea’s new book The Moon Papers. EMMALEA RUSSO is a writer and astrologer. She is the author of several books of poetry. Her first nove

RU375: CARL ABRAHAMSSON & VANESSA SINCLAIR – RENDERING UNCONSCIOUS/ THE FENRIS WOLF CROSSOVER EPISODE https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru375-carl-abrahamsson-and-vanessa Rendering Unconscious episode 375. In this special crossover episode between Rendering Unconscious and The Fenris Wolf podcasts, Carl and I talk about all we had going on this year and what’s to come in the new year. Enjoy! This is also Carl’s 22nd episode of RU Podcast! I’ve created a list of all RU episodes in chronological order, as well as in alphabetical by guest HERE to make it easy to find all your favorite episodes and guests. https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/episodes Join us at Patreon where we post exclusive content about our magical and artistic practices every week! We also meet for live monthly workshops with everyone at level 23 & up. https://www.patreon.com/c/vanessa23carl Carl posts exclusive content weekly at his Substacks, An Art Apart: https://anartapart.substack.com and The Fenris Wolf: https://t

RU374: GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE ON GENDER, SEXUALITY & PERVERSION AT THE NEW SCHOOL https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru374-genesis-breyer-p-orridge-on Rendering Unconscious episode 374. Back in 2013, Jamieson Webster invited me to co-teach a class with her on Gender, Sexuality and Perversion at the New School for Social Research in New York, and I invited Genesis Breyer P-Orridge to present to our class as a guest lecturer. My sister Stephanie Sinclair filmed the event, so I thought I’d post it here for all of you to enjoy! In this episode, Genesis explores the impact of societal expectations on individuals from conception, using performance art to explore human behavior. S/he describes he/r experiments with archetypal characters in the 1960s, leading to a realization of the theatrical nature of human presentation. S/he delves into he/r work utilizing shamanic techniques, physical stress, and rituals to reprogram the nervous system, including extreme experiences like being wrapped in wolf skins

RU373: KATY BOHINC ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE, AI, PUBLISHING & ASTROLOGY IN 2026: https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru373-katy-bohinc-on-the-winter-solstice Rendering Unconscious episode 373. In this episode, Katy and I cover a variety of topics, ranging from the impact of AI on society, to the benefits of self-care routines and the challenges of living in different climates. We touch upon the significance of the winter solstice and the importance of setting intentions. Katy discusses the implications of the upcoming Saturn-Neptune conjunction in February 2026, delving into potential political changes. We also reflect upon the economic impact of technology on publishing and other areas. Additionally, Katy shares personal anecdotes about her experience performing Trinity Star Trinity at eclipse festivals with her partner De Kai, author of Raising AI (2025). https://amzn.to/49kBraT Katy Bohinc is a poet and a data scientist; an avant-garde publisher and a professional marketer; an activist, an astrolo

This episode – “Dark Gods of Modernity: Why We Still Need Monsters” – argues that our age is full of monsters, even if we pretend we’ve outgrown them—and that we actually need them. The episode starts with the old role of monsters: they used to patrol the edges of maps and myths, marking what was dangerous or sacred. Dragons, demons, trickster gods gave shape to fears and taboos; they were ways of saying, “There is something here we don’t understand, but it matters.” Modernity claimed to banish them with science and rationalism, yet they’ve only changed costume. Today’s monsters show up as serial killers in prestige TV, pandemics and plagues, rogue AIs, shadowy elites, conspiracy cabals, zombies and apocalypses in endless variations. Even in a secular culture, we keep inventing figures that condense dread, guilt, and awe. The episode’s core claim is that monsters are how a society metabolizes what it cannot face directly. Climate change, systemic racism, algorithmic exploitation, ecological collapse—these a

RU371: KLARA NASZKOWSKA ON SABINA SPIELREIN & EARLY WOMEN PSYCHOANALYSTS https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru371-klara-naszkowska-on-sabina Rendering Unconscious episode 371. Rendering Unconscious welcomes Klara Naszkowska back to the podcast! EARLY WOMEN PSYCHOANALYSTS 14-week doctoral-level course with Dr. Klara Naszkowska & Dr. Mark Beitel begins Wednesday, January 21. https://www.spielreinassociation.org/about-1 Feel free to contact Klara Naszkowska directly at spielrein @ spielreinassociation.org Be sure to pick up her book Early Women Psychoanalysts. History, Biography, and Contemporary Relevance (Routledge, 2024). https://amzn.to/3MyAUZY FREE Online Talk - Klara Naszkowska joined by Ana Tomcic to discuss her latest book ‘Early Women Psychoanalysts,’ Freud Museum London on Wednesday, December 10th. https://www.freud.org.uk/event/early-women-psychoanalysts-history-biography-and-contemporary-relevance/ Register for Composing with Spielrein: Contemporary Applications of Sabina Spielrein’s

Welcome to Rendering Unconscious – the Gradiva award-winning podcast about psychoanalysis & culture, with me, Dr Vanessa Sinclair. https://renderingunconscious.substack.com On Monday December 8th, we have a very special event: Rendering Unconscious Podcast will be hosting our first live event with an audience! Welcome Alenka Zupančič and Todd McGowan as they discuss their work On Comedy. Alenka’s book The Odd One In: On Comedy (MIT Press, 2008) and Todd’s Only a Joke Can Save Us (Northwestern University Press, 2017) are two of my favorite books by them, and I’m so excited to be able to host them for this sure to be brilliant discussion! https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/monday-december-8-alenka-zupancic We will meet live via zoom on Monday, December 8th at 12 NYC (9AM San Francisco/ 5PM London/ 18:00 Stockholm/ 19:00 Beirut) for 90 minutes. All paid subscribers to Rendering Unconscious Podcast and RU Center for Psychoanalysis are welcome to attend! There will be plenty of time for Q&A/ discussio

RU6: STEVEN REISNER ON THE DANCE OF THE OCCULT & UNCONSCIOUS IN FREUD https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru6-steven-reisner-on-the-dance-of Rendering Unconscious episode 6. This episode of Rendering Unconscious is a lecture by Dr. Steven Reisner “On the Dance of Occult and Unconscious in Freud” given at Morbid Anatomy Museum, NYC, October 2016, as part of a lecture series hosted by Dr. Vanessa Sinclair on Psychoanalysis, Art & the Occult. In this lecture, Dr. Reisner explores Freud's interest in the occult and its implications for psychoanalytic theory. Reisner argues that Freud's curiosity extended beyond sexuality to include phenomena beyond sensory perception. He discusses Freud's experiments with telepathy and thought transference, emphasizing the importance of integrating denied knowledge. Reisner also highlights Freud's cautious approach to disseminating such knowledge, balancing scientific rigor with public perception. Additionally, Reisner links Freud's theories to contemporary issues like

RU370: GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE AT THE WARHOL MUSEUM https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru370-genesis-breyer-p-orridge-at As Hannah Haddix and I spoke a bit about Genesis and Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge in the previous episode RU369, I thought I’d share this talk Gen gave at the closing event weekend for their exhibition S/HE IS HER/E at The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh in 2013, curated by Nicholas Chambers. I had the good fortune to accompany Gen for this weekend, and s/he asked me to record this talk. Enjoy! All month, I've been posting my course on Scansion in Psychoanalysis and Art to RU Center for Psychoanalysis Substack. All 4 classes are up now, and include my in depth look at the life and work of Genesis and Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge. https://rucenterforpsychoanalysis.substack.com/t/classes News & updates: On Wednesday, December 3rd, join us as we explore Freud's life-long interest in telepathy – Phantoms of the Clinic: From Thought-Transference to Projective Identification with Dr. Mik

RU369: ARTIST HANNAH HADDIX ON CUT-UPS, SPIRITUALITY, ONLINE CENSORSHIP & JOINING THE CIRCUS https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru369-artist-hannah-haddix-on-cut Rendering Unconscious episode 369. Rendering Unconscious welcomes artist Hannah Haddix to the podcast! Follow her: Newsletter https://hannahhaddix.kit.com/yeshello Instagram https://www.instagram.com/skinslippers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/hjhaddix On this episode, Hannah discusses her new newsletter as a means to avoid online censorship and connect directly with her community. We share our frustration with social media algorithms that censor art, particularly nudity. Hannah shares her background in collage art, influenced by William Burroughs and Brion Gysin’s cut-up method, and her belief in the sacredness of all things. She also shares her journey to sobriety, the impact of ketamine therapy, and the importance of creating art without preconceived notions. We also discuss the magic of analog collage, future potential collabo

RU368: CARL ABRAHAMSSON "FROM MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE MAGICIANS TO INTRODUCTION TO OCCULTURE" https://renderingunconscious.substack.com/p/ru368-carl-abrahamsson-from-meetings Rendering Unconscious episode 368. In this crossover episode of The Fenris Wolf and Rendering Unconscious podcasts, my lovely husband Carl Abrahamsson presents a recent lecture he gave as the keynote speaker at this year’s Occulture conference in Berlin, presenting his books Meetings with Remarkable Magicians and the forthcoming Introduction to Occulture. https://thefenriswolf.substack.com Join us THIS SUNDAY for Carl’s 4-part course Into the Devil’s Den and Back: An Introduction to the History and Magical System of Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan with Carl Abrahamsson, Begins November 16 online via Morbid Anatomy Museum. All classes will be recorded and available for registrants, so don’t worry if you can’t attend live. https://www.morbidanatomy.org/classes/p/into-the-devils-den-and-back-an-introduction-to-the-history-and-magical-syst