At a time when the end can seem near because of global warming, nuclear nightmares or the predictions of ancient calendars, mythologist Michael Meade offers compelling tales of renewal and surprising ways to view the psychology and mythology that mark the passage between one era and the next. Lyn and Christine talk to Micheal about his timely new book, Why the World Doesn’t End: Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss, and his upcoming speaking visit to Portland, on Thursday, Nov.1 at First Unitarian Church ~ 1211 SW Main St.
A New York native with a razor sharp wit, Meade’s insights are especially valuable since they have been hard won through decades of work in the trenches of mentoring youth, visiting prisons, assisting war veterans and fostering dialogues between genders and races. Through story, poetry and discussion, he is able to find common ground on hostile turf, working with Chicago gangs, in ‘barrios’ in LA, on Native American reservations and with Sudanese refugees.