Hey I’m Ryan! I'm an educator, dream researcher, author and community builder. I've had a really fun work life, and it's all coming together now in the Dream Portal.
First I studied archaeology, and spent a decade roaming around with a shovel, a screen and a fine eye for investigating the material markers of human behavior. As an archaeologist, I am trained in the science of inquiry and analysis. I have a deep respect for how history and culture entrain us. I also have a grounded perspective about our role in the natural world as the last remaining species of hominids. We are something special, y'all, but we have cognitively domesticated ourselves so much that we have forgotten the superpowers that come with our hypersocial big-brained human suit.
Then I went to graduate school in consciousness studies, and became a professional dream researcher and a certified dreamworker. As a social scientist, I am trained in the art of intuition and imaginal research methods. Today I lecture internationally and am frequently cited in the academic and popular press, especially in regards to lucid dreams, sleep paralysis night-mares, and the anthropology of consciousness.
Next, I became a religious professional and a spiritual leader, serving a liberal congregation in Philadelphia as Director of Spiritual Development. There I focused on pastoral care, adult faith development and radical inclusion while teaching spiritual discernment to all ages, from kindergartners to elders. I run a pretty awesome youth group too. During this time, the pandemic hit. As a spiritual guide, I am trained in safeguarding a community to in troubling times.
These three skill sets—analyzing, intuiting, and safeguarding—are what make me uniquely qualified to lead this community of dreamers and visionaries.
What the last few years, in particular, have taught me is that dreaming, visioning and mindfulness can transform not only individuals but entire communities. Especially when times are hard.
In times of hardship, humans turn to dreams and other intuitive ways of knowing. In novel times, we must turn to novel thought, not for comfort, but to find creative and healing breakthroughs which can be applied to waking life.
That's what this is all about for me: helping dreamers like you become more courageous, compassionate and resilient in your life journey.