If you have been following, you realize that we are exactly halfway through recapping our first Season.

As we plan for Season 2, we would like to share 2 major things with you:

1- We have invited Khaled Sallam and Henry Gould onto the Gumpship! They are both writers who we enjoy reading for, and they are friends who we can be ourselves around. Please welcome both of them to In Search of Gumption. We can’t wait to see what they come up with! We have no idea when they will post or what they will post about, but expect authentic and moving pieces! If you want to contribute to the project with writing - music - or any kind of art, send us an email at thegumpcast@gmail.com

2- We are going to Lamu for “research” and coconut wine! Omar is already there as you read this, and his adventures have inspired a new video series that we will launch tomorrow! Look out for The Lamu Diaries, our first amateur video series!

OK, and now back to our Season 1 recap. 6 more Sundays left! 🤠

What is something that you are afraid people will know about you? What is something that REALLY triggers you about others? That, my friend, is your shadow. Let’s get to know it. It’s ok, take a deep breath, and put your explorer’s hat on.

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Below you will find the following:

READ 📖 CHAPTER 7: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

LISTEN 🎤 S1EP07. THE SHADOW with Ryan Ginn 🇺🇸.

++ Paul’s Listener’s Reflection on the episode.

REFLECT 🧐 REVENGE AND THE SHADOW | Writer’s Commentary by Omar

📖 CHAPTER 7 : THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Maskat rises and learns about new capabilities and powers that he did not know he has. After being heartbroken by Laila’s rejection, and still bitter from Omari’s beating, it seems like there is only one way to redeem himself.

#Protip: Continue reading the book on this link or by clicking next at the end of each chapter.

In Search of Gumption

Chapter 7. The Empire Strikes Back

The next few days were silent for Maskat. He slept for long hours and the same orange-red raging bull nightmare would wake him up in the middle of the night. Each time he would get that dream, he would be frozen in place. It felt as though his legs and soul were hammered down to the courtyard floor with nine-inch nails…

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2 years ago · 1 like · Omar Shaker

🎤 S1Ep07. The Shadow with Ryan Ginn 🇺🇸.

In this episode we are joined by Relationship Educator and Coach, Ryan Ginn. In the episode:

• Ryan shares his expertise on the topic of the shadow.

• He introduces to us a healing modality called Internal Family Systems (or IFS), as a way to help individuals understand and reclaim their own shadows.

• And we do a live demo with one of our hosts!

#Protip: Listen to all podcasts here or on Spotify!

🧐 Listener’s Commentary | Paul Kist

I consider myself a relaxed and laid-back individual. And at the same time there are situations that really set me off, no matter how much yoga I did that morning. Usually these reactions are unexpected. Even if not expressed, as an introvert, I have learned to internalize most of those feelings. Either way someone gets the shit end of that stick. And maybe your shadow isn’t as hot tempered as mine, perhaps it’s those moments where you simply behave in ways or have feelings that are not aligned with your dominant persona, or identity. If you relate to this, then this episode is for you!

In Search of Gumption

Ep07. Listeners Commentary

So what about the shadow? We all experience it but most of us try not to pay too much attention to it, and others pretend it doesn’t exist. And can you blame us? The shadow is inconvenient. It causes us discomfort and sometimes pain. Often times it leaves us embarrassed in front of others, with relationship mess to clean up, or even worse, disappointed …

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a year ago · Paul Kist

🧐 Writer’s Commentary | Revenge & The Shadow by Omar Shaker

Behind the Egos/personas we present to the universe, lies a deeper darker side. And, yes, even you have one. We seldomly think of this darker side as ourselves, and we try our best to disown them. What happens to most of us, is that this shadow rises from our subconscious in times where we do not expect it to.

That’s the anger fit you got into with your spouse, the manipulation you did of your coworkers to get your way, and the snarky joke that you made at someone to get a laugh from your friends.

Let me tell you first that the shadow is not necessarily “bad”. It sounds dark yes, but if you really look at its behaviour: It generally wants what is good for you. It might just want your voice to be heard, or to feel close to others, or to gain more wealth and freedom. Whatever it does, there is a good intention there for you.

In Search of Gumption

Revenge and the Shadow

It’s Sunday, and here I am typing these words and I’d rather not be doing anything else. It feels good to do what your deep heart desires. Thank you all for clicking that “subscribe” button, and keeping me honest in honing this craft week in and week out…

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a year ago · 2 likes · Omar Shaker