In this episode, Barry and Jamie get real about the transformative power of shadow work. They dig into why those “hidden parts” of ourselves keep showing up—and how connecting with them can shift everything from self-awareness to the way we relate to other people.
They also walk through practical shadow work exercises and reflection strategies—like imaginal visualization and connecting the dots through honest inquiry—so you’re not just thinking about growth, you’re actually doing it. If you’ve been avoiding certain parts of your past, this is your sign to come a little closer (without shame).
With love,
Barry & Jamie
One afternoon in the spring of 2016, while waiting to board a flight out of Boston Logan airport, I purchased and downloaded an audio version of The Tools. It wasn’t entirely an impulse buy—I’d faintly remembered it being on a list of celebrity book recommendations. Still, when I first pressed “play,” I could not have expected the impact this book would have on me then, and the impact it’s had on my life since.
I certainly could not have expected that ten years later, I’d be filming this video with Barry Michels himself, reflecting on exactly that stretch of time leading up to my discovery of his brilliant work.
The conversation with Barry here reminds me of how much I’ve grown since then.
More importantly, it reminds me of how much more growth is possible through the miracle of shadow work, a practice that opens doors to continuous self-discovery, self-compassion, revelation and resolution.
I hope you enjoy this glimpse of it in action.
-Jamie Taylor
Shadow work is a powerful tool for personal growth—it helps you notice what you’ve been carrying (and what you’ve been avoiding).
Practical exercises make it actionable, so you can connect with your shadow in a way that feels grounded, not vague.
Reflection builds self-awareness by helping you understand how your past shows up in your present.
Healing relationships starts with vulnerability and honesty, especially when you’re willing to name what’s real.
Symbols can reveal shadow traits, giving you another way to recognize what’s underneath your patterns.
Jamie Taylor has been part of the Tools community in a formal way since Barry launched his virtual group sessions in 2020. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to attend multi-day Shadow Workshops with Barry at the Omega Institute and in Ojai.
Professionally, Jamie advises biotechnology companies in Silicon Valley and internationally on growth strategy. She is a lecturer on the Economics of Innovation at the MIT Sloan School of Business and at Yale University. She lives with her husband and three children in Menlo Park, California.
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