Beth of Fresh Air — Episode 44: Review The OA with Micah Ellars and Dagmar Stansova

<p>In this episode of <em>Beth of Fresh Air</em>, <strong>Micah Ellars</strong> and <strong>Dagmar Stansova</strong> join me to unpack the many layers of the Netflix series <em>The OA</em>.</p><p>If you&#39;ve seen it, you already know this isn&#39;t a show that easily leaves you.</p><p>There are stories within stories, symbols within symbols, and characters whose meaning seems to shift depending on which layer you&#39;re looking through.</p><p>Both Micah and Dagmar bring professional experience in <strong>film, writing, and acting</strong> to this conversation, which gives us another fascinating lens for looking at how a story like <em>The OA</em> is constructed—and what it may be communicating underneath the storyline itself.</p><p>We&#39;ll explore the multiple layers of meaning embedded in the characters and plot, and go into the symbolism of <strong>angels</strong>, particularly fallen angels, and what they may represent within the world of <em>The OA</em>.</p><p>We&#39;ll also venture into darker territory and ask questions about the relationship between media, trauma, and the human psyche.</p><p>How is film and television be used for trauma-based mind control? What happens when an audience is repeatedly exposed to disturbing, emotionally charged, or highly symbolic imagery? What kinds of impressions can a story leave behind in us long after we&#39;ve stopped watching?</p><p>And then there are the uncanny overlaps with some of the territory we&#39;ve been exploring lately on BoFA.</p><p>We&#39;ll look at themes that echo <strong>Gurdjieff&#39;s work</strong>, the <strong>Toltec teachings</strong>, shifting perception, alternate realities, death and rebirth, captivity and freedom, movements of the body, and the possibility that reality contains far more than our ordinary state of consciousness allows us to perceive.</p><p>There is a LOT to unpack here.</p><p>And with three different sets of eyes looking into it, I suspect we&#39;ll find a few things none of us saw on our own.</p><p>Join Micah, Dagmar, and me as we pull apart the threads and see where they lead.</p><p><br></p><p>***Sign up to watch the recording of the Journey Code Open House:<br><a href="https://www.bethmartens.com/journey-code-open-house-2026-architecture-of-human-behaviour">Why Saying No Isn&#39;t Enough -- The Architecture of Human Behaviour</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>***<br><strong>MORE FROM BETH</strong></p><p><a href="https://kingheros.bethmartens.com/the-king-hero-archetype-quiz