Heather Taylor, Ph.D., Lydia Griffiths, M.A., Jason Batt, Ph.D., Selena Madden, Ph.D., and Talia Harris, all students and alumni of Pacifica, created the International Society of Mythology, which this weekend is hosting Myth Fest 2025. For more information on our M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with Emphasis in Depth Psychology, visit us here.
What can you do with a degree in Mythology? This is a common question we receive at Pacifica. Our M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with Emphasis in Depth Psychology program is a thriving, rich tapestry of stories, scholarship, and depth psychology with an active and dynamic faculty and students. Case in point, during the height of the pandemic, when PGI pivoted to create an online learning platform, two students of the Mythological Studies program, Heather Taylor, Ph.D., and Lydia Griffiths, M.A., “began a weekly zoom for students to collaborate, invite guest speakers, and support one another. As we entered the dissertation stage, we discussed ways to expand the community into real work applications for mythologists.” For two years, “Students met to discuss coursework, provide guidance on papers, present on mythic topics, and partake in conversation with guest speakers.”
Dr. Jason Batt, Dr. Selena Madden, and Talia Harris, three Pacifica students who participated in this group, joined with Heather and Lydia in contemplating how to grow the community and connect “mythologists around the world.” In 2024, they founded the International Society of Mythology (ISM), “taking the studies we learned at Pacifica, expanding them, and applying real world accessibility for people to gather together and implement how we, as mythologists, are tending to the soul of the world.”
When I asked what the continuing importance of myth is, they emphasized that myth “offers up layers of meaning, symbols and stories that help up make sense of our world and lives. Every version and re-telling of these stories imbue lived experiences, bridging the gap between the past and present while also offering up new ways to imagine the future.” Since it’s founding, ISM has continued to advance the study of mythology, to “bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern interpretation, providing a forum for exploring mythological themes, narratives, symbols, and their influences on various fields such as literature, psychology, anthropology, archaeology, history, and the arts.”
This weekend will mark the first Myth Fest put on by ISM, highlighting the interaction of art and myth, “a virtual celebration where artists and musicians discuss the profound influence of mythology on their work.” This is a one-day experience that welcomes both scholars and non-scholars drawn to mythology. Register for it here.
Creating ISM is not the only thing these five mythologists have going, as they forge their paths in the field of mythology.
Selena Madden
Ph.D. Mythological Studies
Selena, a distinguished mythologist with a PhD in Mythological Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute, merges archetypal education, somatic arts, and profound insights into the human psyche, guiding others on transformative journeys through myth, symbolism, and personal growth. Drawing upon her expertise in dance, martial arts, and depth psychology, she crafts immersive experiences that blend movement and archetypal exploration, inviting individuals to rediscover their inner selves and the luminous potential of their own mythic narratives.
Jason D. Batt
M.F.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Jason D. Batt, a mythologist, writer, futurist, whose PhD focused on future mythologies of interstellar travel, co-founded Signal Hill Road Publishing, Deep Space Predictive Research Group, and Project Lodestar. He is the Creative and Editorial Director of 100 Year Starship, founder of the Canopus Awards, and is currently the associate editor of the Journal of Space Philosophy, with his latest contribution being “Evolving Light” in Routledge’s 2023 publication “Outer Space and Religion.”
Lydia Griffiths
M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
Lydia Griffiths, co-founder of ISM and a PhD Candidate in Mythological Studies from Pacifica, delves deep into the nexus of popular culture and ancient myth, with a keen focus on fandoms as vibrant manifestations of modern mythology. As a mythologist, writer, and storyteller, she perceives stories as the lifeblood connecting communities and shaping the intricate human narrative.
Heather Taylor
Ph.D. Mythological Studies
Heather Taylor is a co-founder of ISM. She holds a Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and an award-winning filmmaker. Her documentary Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby won several prestigious film festivals and continues to air on PBS stations across America. Heather is passionate about the power of storytelling to help guide us toward our soul’s purpose. Animals, both real and mythological, have guided Heather along her path.
Talia Harris
M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
Talia Harris, a distinguished third-year myth student at Pacifica, seamlessly blends academia with passion as an Associate Professor of Computer Science in Vancouver, B.C. Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Talia harbors a zest for supercars, holistic wellness, spirituality, and fitness, creating a tapestry of interests that enrich her multifaceted life.
For more information on our M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with Emphasis in Depth Psychology, visit us here.
Angela Borda is a writer for Pacifica Graduate Institute, as well as the editor of the Santa Barbara Literary Journal. Her work has been published in Food & Home, Peregrine, Hurricanes & Swan Songs, Delirium Corridor, Still Arts Quarterly, Danse Macabre, and is forthcoming in The Tertiary Lodger and Running Wild Anthology of Stories, Vol. 5.
