Episode 94: Decoding our Dreams with Melanie McGauran

Posted on by Victoria

Wynne and I can’t think of much that we enjoy more than a returning guest. We’ve been privileged to podcast once again with the delightful – and insightful – Melanie McGauran.

Melanie’s an accomplished writer and observer of the world – both in her waking moments and in her slumber state. In this episode, we learn from Melanie about “decoding dreams”. A topic rich and wonderful, all about mining our subconscious adventures for clues about our lives, our world, our intentions and aspirations.

Sometimes our dreams provide opportunities to unravel problems or glean awareness about connecting threads in our lives – even family history in my case. I love that Melanie was inspired and reached out to chat with Wynne and I after reading my post “Late and Lost“.


No matter how we characterize our chat with Melanie, one thing’s clear. You will enjoy her insights about dream interpretation and might be encouraged to follow some of her suggestions to better recall the hidden messages unfolding in our dreams.


Melanie also shares her new favorite book – a terrific resource useful for understanding dreams.
Join us as we ‘dream a little dream’ with Melanie.


Vicki and Wynne 😊

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 94: Decoding Our Dreams with Melanie McGauran

Episode 94 transcript

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

~Late and Lost~

Melanie’s blog: https://leavingthedooropen.com/

“Why We Sleep” – Matthew Walker, Ph.D

Podcast Friday! Episode 74: Remembering Friends With Melanie McGauran

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

42 thoughts on “Episode 94: Decoding our Dreams with Melanie McGauran”

  1. Pingback: Dreams, Writing and Creativity – Surprised By Joy
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  5. Melanie McGauran’s discussion about lucid dreaming and the creativity possible in the REM state was so very interesting. Particularly intriguing was Keith Richard’s account of how he wrote “Satisfaction” and your dream recollection of the Giant White horse that ended up on a roof! Great interview! 🙂

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    2. Thank you for such kind words, Nancy! I am really glad that you enjoyed it. Vicki and Wynne are truly so much fun to be with, but also have a way of bringing out substantive material from guests; there is always something to think about after being with them. 🙂

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  6. Neat stuff!! I learned lucid dreaming at 17, so have practicing on-and-off for almost 20. It’s such powerful and fun stuff! Not only for creativity, but I personally feel it allows me to tap into some Jung-style universal consciousness and deep wisdom. I can’t wait to listen to this one!

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      1. Thank you, Vicki! It’s funny, I started reading books off my parents bookshelves at a young age and I was hyper-focused on “optimization” and “success” in all areas, including health. It took losing me health to realize that true success requires gentle patience, rather than always pushing the envelope. 🥰 Jung is the best of the best!!

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      1. Yes, it’s really such an incredible skill to foster. There is a quite a steep learning curve (at least there was for me), but it’s such a powerful too to have access to. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! The episode is fantastic!

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  9. I’m not sure why, but I don’t seem to remember many dreams anymore when I wake up. I have had that experience of waking up and wanting to know how something turned out, but I’ve never had the ability to pick up a dream where it left off. My wife has lots of nonsensical dreams but seems to recall much more than me. I enjoyed this interesting discussion, especially hearing about Melanie the protector. Maybe she can get a new gig with the Secret Service. 😊 It would be very interesting to know how long these detailed dreams happen in real time.

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    2. Haha, Pete, I’m not sure I’m cut out for Secret Service duty, but thanks for the vote of confidence! 😂 Seriously though, that is a fascinating question about the length of the dream. I never considered that. I can’t imagine how to measure that, it “feels” like a long time when it’s happening, but maybe it’s 90 seconds. I might have to return to the book to look for that. Thanks for listening and the connection you made happen here. 🙂

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  10. this was so interesting, I’ve always been fascinated by dreams and have always tried to figure them out. the ‘processing’ explanation makes perfect sense, as we know our brain doesn’t sleep when we do. Melanie is delightful

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  11. I enjoyed this interesting conversation with Melanie. In the beginning, I related to her being a walking emotion, and I’m not a water sign, but I should be! For some reason, I don’t remember my dreams, but sometimes I’ll wake up and wonder what it all meant. The moments of symbolism in dreams are fascinating (water and animals), and I especially loved the white talking horse symbolism. The meaning to Melanie is very moving. I also took the plunge and got a tattoo about a decade ago with my daughter after she was diagnosed with a horrible auto-immune disease. It was something she and I did together. So, I relate to being nervous and having one significant tattoo. I love the story about Keith Richards, Satisfaction and snoring! And I smiled at “Melanie, the spy!” I think if she wrote down her dreams, she’d have one or maybe several incredible novels! My best sleep happens in the first 4-5 hours. After that, I’m a tossed salad. 🙂 What a delightful conversation! ❤️🥰

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    1. Oh my! So much to love in your generous comment, Lauren. The best sleep early on — and then you’re a tossed salad? 😜 Me, too!
      Thank you for tuning in and enjoying Melanie. We’re mamas making meaning…however we can. Even in our sleep, if possible. 🥰❤️🥰

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  12. Wow, Lauren. I don’t know where to start. ❤️ The fact that you and your daughter got tattoos together after her diagnosis is incredibly special; what a loving thing to do. You referenced not remembering your dreams, but if something is lingering (like you wondering what it all meant), it’s possible that you’re feeling the emotion connected to it, though. I really am happy that you listened in and enjoyed it, and I, too, love your tossed salad analogy, that’s great! Thank you! 💕

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  13. I loved this conversation, so lively, bubbly, fun and insightful. I gotta say, I want whatever stuff Melanie is on, cuz I wanna have those same insightful lucid dreams, but maybe less of the presidential assassinations and more of the white talking unicorns. 😂

    I love the concept of the guard rails letting go and the mixology of memories during REM sleep. I find so much of my creative problem solving, usually of things stressing me out, happens during that lucid dream state because those inhibitions are not there and I can in fact be freer and more creative.

    Great conversation!

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    1. Ohhh….”mixology of memories”…that’s such a great phrase, Ab! Thanks so much for tuning in. Your comments always go right to the heart of the conversation, and you provide the BEST ‘takeaway’ thoughts. Melanie is fabulous…yes, indeed! 🥰

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