Jean Houston is known as a scholar, philosopher and  visionary. A prolific writer who has transversed the globe lecturing, teaching and consulting with world leaders along the way, Jean's life has been devoted to pushing the boundaries of human potential. She possesses a true passion for what is possible.

In their first conversation, Oprah and Jean sit down to discuss her new book, The Wizard of Us. In it, Jean uses The Wizard of Oz to discuss how life's biggest lessons are often found in the most popular stories in our culture. At the heart of many stories, she says, is the idea of the hero's journey. Watch the clips below to find out more about her own spiritual path and how we all have the potential to be the hero of our own lives. 

Jean describes herself as an evocateur of the possible and a midwife of souls—and says her spiritual evolution started at age 6. After getting in trouble with the nuns at her Catholic school, Jean locked herself in a closet to cry and pray for a miracle. (She even promised to give up candy.) After she stepped out of that closet, she says the whole world shifted. Watch as she tells the story of her spiritual awakening to Oprah:


Joseph Campbell was a great American writer and mythologist who wrote about what he calls the hero's journey. From Homer's Odyssey to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, he recognized a theme that applies to humanity—we are the heroes of our own lives. Jean was a friend and colleague of Campbell's and also believes in the hero's journey. Watch as she discusses the first step in becoming the hero of your own life and realizing the power of your own possibility—the call to adventure: 

During their conversation, Jean shares the steps of every hero's journey. Find out what they are. Then, watch as Oprah reveals the milestones of her own:



Aging doesn't mean the end of your story. In fact, Jean says getting older allows you an awakening into your higher purpose. Watch as she reflects on being 75 and the hardest lesson she had to learn. Plus, find out why she says life got really good at age 60:


Finally, what is the message Jean most wants us all to know? Find out why she says we are all capable of handling the greatest challenges of our time: