EP 434: The Psychological Trap Blocking Your Intuition (And How To Escape) with Athena Laz

Have you ever dismissed that quiet inner nudge, only to regret it later? While most of us think we’re missing intuition, the truth is we’re systematically blocked from accessing it. We’ve been conditioned to trust logic over the whispers of our unconscious mind. But what if there was a way to reopen that bridge between rational thinking and deeper inner knowing? In this transformative episode, psychologist and bestselling author Athena Laz reveals the hidden psychological trap that’s been severing your connection to intuitive wisdom since childhood, and introduces a powerful archetypal framework that can restore it. The Science Behind Your Blocked Intuition Athena shares compelling research that proves intuitive abilities are real and measurable. Studies by researcher Rupert Sheldrake demonstrate that humans can sense when they’re being watched from kilometres away, even when facing the opposite direction. Countless people worldwide dream of natural disasters before they occur, often in places they’ve never visited. This isn’t mystical thinking. It’s documented human capacity that most of us have learned to ignore. Introducing the Medial Archetype The conversation centres on a revolutionary concept developed in the 1950s by analyst Tony Wolff, a brilliant collaborator of Carl Jung. Wolff identified what she called the “medial archetype” – a psychological structure that serves as a bridge between: The conscious and unconscious mind Dreams and waking reality The seen and unseen worlds Inner wisdom and external action Athena brings this forgotten archetype into modern times, showing how anyone can access this bridging function regardless of gender identity or background. Why Society Programmed You to Distrust Your Gut The episode explores how social conditioning systematically disconnects us from our natural intuitive abilities. From childhood, many of us learn that psychic experiences, vivid dreams, or “knowing” things without logical explanation aren’t acceptable. This creates what Athena calls a “psychological trap” – we possess the capacity for expanded awareness but have been taught to dismiss it as imagination or wishful thinking. Recognising the Medial Archetype in Daily Life The medial archetype appears through various channels: In Dreams: Figures serving as messengers or guides Symbols of bridges, rainbows, or infinity signs Angels or beings facilitating communication In Mythology: The Greek goddess Iris, who travels rainbow bridges between the divine and mortal realms Characters who mediate between different worlds or states of consciousness In Daily Life: Synchronicities that carry authentic weight and meaning Moments when inner and outer reality seem to respond to each other Natural emergence of symbolic experiences without prompting Practical Steps to Reconnect With Your Intuition Athena provides actionable guidance for developing intuitive abilities: Start Playfully Guess where the best parking space will be Before checking your phone, sense who the next email might be from Practice on low-stakes situations to remove pressure Begin Dream Work Write down the last dream you remember each morning Look for recurring symbols or themes Notice connections between dream content and waking life events Commit to Stillness Start with just 2 minutes of quiet sitting daily Gradually build to 10-20 minutes Develop “meta-awareness” – noticing your thoughts without judgment The Light and Shadow of Archetypal Work Working with the medial archetype brings significant benefits: Increased discernment Enhanced trust in the unknown Better navigation of life transitions Deeper connection to inner wisdom However, Athena emphasises potential challenges: Feeling overwhelmed by collective energies Difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries Need for grounding practices and realistic expectations Why This Mat