ValerieJohnsAshes
@valeriejohnsashes.bsky.social
I’m a veteran psychotherapist, poet and storyteller. I am writing books and making good noise.
🎄Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas ❄️
May your day be cozy, your heart full, and your spirit at ease. 💫
May your day be cozy, your heart full, and your spirit at ease. 💫
December 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
🎄Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas ❄️
May your day be cozy, your heart full, and your spirit at ease. 💫
May your day be cozy, your heart full, and your spirit at ease. 💫
A candid moment about the journey of love, self-destruction, and healing in my forthcoming book, Night Flights.
When did you finally "grow up"?
When did you finally "grow up"?
December 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A candid moment about the journey of love, self-destruction, and healing in my forthcoming book, Night Flights.
When did you finally "grow up"?
When did you finally "grow up"?
Grateful for these words…
Thank you, Rebecca Campbell, for this generous praise of Ashes in the Milk.
Your reflection means so much. 💫
Thank you, Rebecca Campbell, for this generous praise of Ashes in the Milk.
Your reflection means so much. 💫
December 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Grateful for these words…
Thank you, Rebecca Campbell, for this generous praise of Ashes in the Milk.
Your reflection means so much. 💫
Thank you, Rebecca Campbell, for this generous praise of Ashes in the Milk.
Your reflection means so much. 💫
If you'd like to keep up with my coming events and book releases, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. I'd love to get to know each other better.
https://valeriejohns.com/subscribe/
https://valeriejohns.com/subscribe/
December 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
If you'd like to keep up with my coming events and book releases, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. I'd love to get to know each other better.
https://valeriejohns.com/subscribe/
https://valeriejohns.com/subscribe/
🕎 Wishing all who celebrate a joyful and light-filled Hanukkah.
May each candle remind us of resilience, hope, and the sacred warmth of community.
✨ Chag Sameach, friends. 💙
#Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights
May each candle remind us of resilience, hope, and the sacred warmth of community.
✨ Chag Sameach, friends. 💙
#Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights
December 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🕎 Wishing all who celebrate a joyful and light-filled Hanukkah.
May each candle remind us of resilience, hope, and the sacred warmth of community.
✨ Chag Sameach, friends. 💙
#Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights
May each candle remind us of resilience, hope, and the sacred warmth of community.
✨ Chag Sameach, friends. 💙
#Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights
Something is always lost. The Woolsey fire, the ranch, the accident on the trail. This clip from Night Flights explores the initiation into a cycle of grief and the journey of weaving gold out of the hard things. ✨ Where do you find the lost pieces of yourself? 🐴🔥
December 12, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Something is always lost. The Woolsey fire, the ranch, the accident on the trail. This clip from Night Flights explores the initiation into a cycle of grief and the journey of weaving gold out of the hard things. ✨ Where do you find the lost pieces of yourself? 🐴🔥
▶️ Lisa Tickel and I had a rich conversation on her podcast, Healing and Growing, Hand in Hand. Listen to our deep dive into healing trauma through writing and Dreamtending. 📘 Get your copy of Ashes in the Milk now: https://a.co/d/g5fmZsY
Lisa Tickel Podcast
▶️ Lisa Tickel and I had a rich conversation on her podcast, Healing and Growing, Hand in Hand. Listen to our deep dive into healing trauma through writing a...
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
▶️ Lisa Tickel and I had a rich conversation on her podcast, Healing and Growing, Hand in Hand. Listen to our deep dive into healing trauma through writing and Dreamtending. 📘 Get your copy of Ashes in the Milk now: https://a.co/d/g5fmZsY
“Valerie Johns combines her expertise as a psychotherapist with her own early childhood trauma in a way that gently invites us to examine and start to sort out our own inner workings... easy to read and not annoyingly clinical or New Age-y.”
December 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“Valerie Johns combines her expertise as a psychotherapist with her own early childhood trauma in a way that gently invites us to examine and start to sort out our own inner workings... easy to read and not annoyingly clinical or New Age-y.”
📚✨ Cyber Monday Reminder: Books Make Beautiful Gifts
This year, give something that lingers. That resonates.
🛒 Grab a copy today on Amazon:
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/kbwmoepfyb
#CyberMonday
This year, give something that lingers. That resonates.
🛒 Grab a copy today on Amazon:
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/kbwmoepfyb
#CyberMonday
December 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
📚✨ Cyber Monday Reminder: Books Make Beautiful Gifts
This year, give something that lingers. That resonates.
🛒 Grab a copy today on Amazon:
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/kbwmoepfyb
#CyberMonday
This year, give something that lingers. That resonates.
🛒 Grab a copy today on Amazon:
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/kbwmoepfyb
#CyberMonday
In this #flashbackfriday clip from a podcast I did this summer, we talk about how you can unlock the hidden messages in your dreams. 🌙 Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel so you don't miss any new videos.
https://f.mtr.cool/skplsbdpos
https://f.mtr.cool/skplsbdpos
November 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
In this #flashbackfriday clip from a podcast I did this summer, we talk about how you can unlock the hidden messages in your dreams. 🌙 Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel so you don't miss any new videos.
https://f.mtr.cool/skplsbdpos
https://f.mtr.cool/skplsbdpos
🚗🍂 Traveling for Thanksgiving?
I invite you to bring a story that feeds your soul.
Part self-reflection, part poetic memoir, Ashes in the Milk invites you to listen deeply. I'd love to share my story with you. 😊
🎧 Available as an audiobook for easy travel.
https://f.mtr.cool/ggpsfembjc
I invite you to bring a story that feeds your soul.
Part self-reflection, part poetic memoir, Ashes in the Milk invites you to listen deeply. I'd love to share my story with you. 😊
🎧 Available as an audiobook for easy travel.
https://f.mtr.cool/ggpsfembjc
November 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🚗🍂 Traveling for Thanksgiving?
I invite you to bring a story that feeds your soul.
Part self-reflection, part poetic memoir, Ashes in the Milk invites you to listen deeply. I'd love to share my story with you. 😊
🎧 Available as an audiobook for easy travel.
https://f.mtr.cool/ggpsfembjc
I invite you to bring a story that feeds your soul.
Part self-reflection, part poetic memoir, Ashes in the Milk invites you to listen deeply. I'd love to share my story with you. 😊
🎧 Available as an audiobook for easy travel.
https://f.mtr.cool/ggpsfembjc
🌟 Dive into the World of Storytelling with Us! 🌟 This year, I am thrilled to share my journey through "Ashes in the Milk," and my coming book, "Night Flights."
📅 Date: Sunday, Nov 23
⏰ Time: 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/zemqyxsbtd
📅 Date: Sunday, Nov 23
⏰ Time: 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/zemqyxsbtd
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
🌟 Dive into the World of Storytelling with Us! 🌟 This year, I am thrilled to share my journey through "Ashes in the Milk," and my coming book, "Night Flights."
📅 Date: Sunday, Nov 23
⏰ Time: 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/zemqyxsbtd
📅 Date: Sunday, Nov 23
⏰ Time: 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/zemqyxsbtd
Thank you so much to my dear friend Jim, and all of you, for your praise of Ashes. I am so honored. If you've read the book, please take a minute to review the book on Amazon or Goodreads. 🌟 Those reviews are so helpful in spreading the word. 🫶
📘 READ NOW: https://f.mtr.cool/qzysrqwxem
📘 READ NOW: https://f.mtr.cool/qzysrqwxem
November 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Thank you so much to my dear friend Jim, and all of you, for your praise of Ashes. I am so honored. If you've read the book, please take a minute to review the book on Amazon or Goodreads. 🌟 Those reviews are so helpful in spreading the word. 🫶
📘 READ NOW: https://f.mtr.cool/qzysrqwxem
📘 READ NOW: https://f.mtr.cool/qzysrqwxem
✨ This is what it feels like to come home to yourself.
Whole. Present. Animal. River.
In this clip from my upcoming book, Night Flights, I step into the wild, sacred experience.
She is the she-wolf.
She is milk.
She is more than hunger.
She is mine.
🌊 Press play, and let something remember.
Whole. Present. Animal. River.
In this clip from my upcoming book, Night Flights, I step into the wild, sacred experience.
She is the she-wolf.
She is milk.
She is more than hunger.
She is mine.
🌊 Press play, and let something remember.
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 AM
✨ This is what it feels like to come home to yourself.
Whole. Present. Animal. River.
In this clip from my upcoming book, Night Flights, I step into the wild, sacred experience.
She is the she-wolf.
She is milk.
She is more than hunger.
She is mine.
🌊 Press play, and let something remember.
Whole. Present. Animal. River.
In this clip from my upcoming book, Night Flights, I step into the wild, sacred experience.
She is the she-wolf.
She is milk.
She is more than hunger.
She is mine.
🌊 Press play, and let something remember.
🔁 #FlashbackFriday: Conversations on Dreams & Healing 🌙
Over the past year, I’ve had the honor of being a guest on several wonderful podcasts. Each conversation offered something different.
🎧 Watch on YouTube:
Over the past year, I’ve had the honor of being a guest on several wonderful podcasts. Each conversation offered something different.
🎧 Watch on YouTube:
My podcasts
Share your videos with friends, family and the world
f.mtr.cool
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
🔁 #FlashbackFriday: Conversations on Dreams & Healing 🌙
Over the past year, I’ve had the honor of being a guest on several wonderful podcasts. Each conversation offered something different.
🎧 Watch on YouTube:
Over the past year, I’ve had the honor of being a guest on several wonderful podcasts. Each conversation offered something different.
🎧 Watch on YouTube:
more shameless self promotion. #storytelling #poetry
November 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM
more shameless self promotion. #storytelling #poetry
☁️ Dreams don’t always speak in straight lines.
In this clip from Night Flights, the language is layered—part memory, part metaphor, part soul.
Let it wash over you.
In this clip from Night Flights, the language is layered—part memory, part metaphor, part soul.
Let it wash over you.
November 12, 2025 at 11:06 PM
☁️ Dreams don’t always speak in straight lines.
In this clip from Night Flights, the language is layered—part memory, part metaphor, part soul.
Let it wash over you.
In this clip from Night Flights, the language is layered—part memory, part metaphor, part soul.
Let it wash over you.
This is a prayer..
May you find the wrecking ball
of whatever addiction you are currently captured by
and land at a spectacular bottom
where everything you thought you knew was
wrong
wrong
oh, so stunningly wrong…
May you find the wrecking ball
of whatever addiction you are currently captured by
and land at a spectacular bottom
where everything you thought you knew was
wrong
wrong
oh, so stunningly wrong…
Valerie Johns | Substack
Valerie Johns is a veteran psychotherapist whose book Ashes in the Milk tells her own healing story — including memories going back to infancy. She is a dream tender who knows grief and trauma from the inside out.
f.mtr.cool
November 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This is a prayer..
May you find the wrecking ball
of whatever addiction you are currently captured by
and land at a spectacular bottom
where everything you thought you knew was
wrong
wrong
oh, so stunningly wrong…
May you find the wrecking ball
of whatever addiction you are currently captured by
and land at a spectacular bottom
where everything you thought you knew was
wrong
wrong
oh, so stunningly wrong…
November 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
✨ I'm so honored to be part of this powerful storytelling tradition.
Join me for Gorgeous Stories.
🎟 https://f.mtr.cool/hmdcgymxpu
💡 If you can’t attend live, you have the option to get a ticket and request the recording from the organizer.
Join me for Gorgeous Stories.
🎟 https://f.mtr.cool/hmdcgymxpu
💡 If you can’t attend live, you have the option to get a ticket and request the recording from the organizer.
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
✨ I'm so honored to be part of this powerful storytelling tradition.
Join me for Gorgeous Stories.
🎟 https://f.mtr.cool/hmdcgymxpu
💡 If you can’t attend live, you have the option to get a ticket and request the recording from the organizer.
Join me for Gorgeous Stories.
🎟 https://f.mtr.cool/hmdcgymxpu
💡 If you can’t attend live, you have the option to get a ticket and request the recording from the organizer.
⭐️🌙 In the dreamspace of Night Flights, pain becomes poetry, and memory becomes a map.
This clip from my coming book invites you to pause, listen, and breathe in something deeper.
What might rise to the surface for you if you let it? 🌊
This clip from my coming book invites you to pause, listen, and breathe in something deeper.
What might rise to the surface for you if you let it? 🌊
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
⭐️🌙 In the dreamspace of Night Flights, pain becomes poetry, and memory becomes a map.
This clip from my coming book invites you to pause, listen, and breathe in something deeper.
What might rise to the surface for you if you let it? 🌊
This clip from my coming book invites you to pause, listen, and breathe in something deeper.
What might rise to the surface for you if you let it? 🌊
1️⃣2️⃣ 🌙 Small rituals can have a big impact on your dream life. Try placing a meaningful object on your nightstand—a crystal, a candle, a photo, or a simple notebook. Let it serve as a signal: “This space is sacred. My dreams matter.”
I’d love to hear what’s helped you over these past 12 weeks.
I’d love to hear what’s helped you over these past 12 weeks.
November 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1️⃣2️⃣ 🌙 Small rituals can have a big impact on your dream life. Try placing a meaningful object on your nightstand—a crystal, a candle, a photo, or a simple notebook. Let it serve as a signal: “This space is sacred. My dreams matter.”
I’d love to hear what’s helped you over these past 12 weeks.
I’d love to hear what’s helped you over these past 12 weeks.
Step into a world where pain transforms into laughter and dreams are honored with reverence. In this audio clip from 'Night Flights,' join a journey of healing and connection as four women dance through their collective trauma, finding joy in the shared experience. 🌌✨ Stay tuned for more glimpses.
October 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Step into a world where pain transforms into laughter and dreams are honored with reverence. In this audio clip from 'Night Flights,' join a journey of healing and connection as four women dance through their collective trauma, finding joy in the shared experience. 🌌✨ Stay tuned for more glimpses.
1️⃣1️⃣ Bedside Voice Memos
Try this:
🎙 When you wake up, whisper the dream into your phone while you’re still half-asleep.
It doesn’t have to make sense. Let it be messy. Capture it before it slips away.
Sometimes the sleepy version of you remembers the details.
💭 Let me know how it goes.
Try this:
🎙 When you wake up, whisper the dream into your phone while you’re still half-asleep.
It doesn’t have to make sense. Let it be messy. Capture it before it slips away.
Sometimes the sleepy version of you remembers the details.
💭 Let me know how it goes.
October 28, 2025 at 1:01 AM
1️⃣1️⃣ Bedside Voice Memos
Try this:
🎙 When you wake up, whisper the dream into your phone while you’re still half-asleep.
It doesn’t have to make sense. Let it be messy. Capture it before it slips away.
Sometimes the sleepy version of you remembers the details.
💭 Let me know how it goes.
Try this:
🎙 When you wake up, whisper the dream into your phone while you’re still half-asleep.
It doesn’t have to make sense. Let it be messy. Capture it before it slips away.
Sometimes the sleepy version of you remembers the details.
💭 Let me know how it goes.
This dream:
a big, great, huge, seminal dream
came bearing the gift of redress, of repair
...
Such a magical grace!!
I’m the witness!
I receive it as it becomes clear to me:
I have discovered Red Dress Medicine!......
This painting emerged from a dream, recounted in Night Flights. (Coming soon.)
a big, great, huge, seminal dream
came bearing the gift of redress, of repair
...
Such a magical grace!!
I’m the witness!
I receive it as it becomes clear to me:
I have discovered Red Dress Medicine!......
This painting emerged from a dream, recounted in Night Flights. (Coming soon.)
October 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This dream:
a big, great, huge, seminal dream
came bearing the gift of redress, of repair
...
Such a magical grace!!
I’m the witness!
I receive it as it becomes clear to me:
I have discovered Red Dress Medicine!......
This painting emerged from a dream, recounted in Night Flights. (Coming soon.)
a big, great, huge, seminal dream
came bearing the gift of redress, of repair
...
Such a magical grace!!
I’m the witness!
I receive it as it becomes clear to me:
I have discovered Red Dress Medicine!......
This painting emerged from a dream, recounted in Night Flights. (Coming soon.)