EP 40: Robbie Blasser & Michael Lambert

In this episode, we explore how Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey finds fresh relevance in the lives of today’s high school seniors. Our guest, Robbie Blasser, has developed a powerful way to bring Campbell’s work directly into the classroom - helping students navigate the challenges of growth, change, and becoming.

Robbie is an English and Religious Studies teacher at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California. Holding Master’s degrees in both Social Philosophy and Teaching, along with a B.A. in Theater Arts, he brings an interdisciplinary approach to education. A lifelong lover of storytelling, Robbie first discovered Campbell’s ideas through Star Wars, and that early spark grew into a deep exploration of myth, mind, and pedagogy.

In his classroom, Robbie encourages students to “see the whole board”—to recognize connections between literature, neuroscience, philosophy, and myth. This unique perspective led him to consider how the Hero’s Journey aligns with modern brain science, and how students can use this mythic framework not only to interpret stories but also to rewire their own behavioral patterns during times of transformation.

In this conversation with JCF’s Michael Lambert, himself a veteran high school educator, they explore what it means to help students face the unknown, reshape their habits, and find courage at life’s thresholds.

For more information on the MythMaker Podcast Network and Joseph Campbell, visit JCF.org.

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The Podcast With A Thousand Faces is a production of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is hosted and produced by Tyler Lapkin. Executive producer, Joanna Gardner. Editing and Audio services by Dia Griffiths. All music exclusively provided by APM Music. (apmmusic.com)