Before turning to writing books and films full-time, Cousineau’s peripatetic career also included playing semi-professional basketball in Europe, harvesting date trees on an Israeli kibbutz, painting 44 Victorian houses (also known as Painted Ladies in San Francisco), teaching, and leading art and literary tours to Europe. He has worked as a sportswriter and taught screenwriting at the American Film Institute (AFI).
American mythologist Joseph Campbell was a mentor and major influence; Cousineau wrote the documentary film and companion book about Campbell's life, The Hero's Journey.[5] The author of more than 25 nonfiction books, and contributed to magazine publications including Parabola, and Paris magazine.[5] Cousineau has more than 15 documentary screenwriting credits to his name, including the 1991 Academy Award-nominated Forever Activists.[citation needed]
His best known works include Soul: An Archaeology, Readings from Socrates to Ray Charles, which Los Angeles Times columnist Jonathan Kirsch reviewed as "Inspiring, often mind-blowing, sometimes even a little scary," [6] and the best-selling book, The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide the Making Travel Sacred.[7][8]
Cousineau worked with religion scholar Huston Smith on three books as well as four documentary films on contemporary Native American issues. His books have been translated into nine languages.[2]
Cousineau, Phil (Dec 2013). Burning the Midnight Oil: Illuminating Words for the Long Night's Journey Into Day. Viva Editions. pp. 244 pages. ISBN978-1-936-74073-4.
Cousineau, Phil (Sep 2012). The Painted Word: A Treasure Chest of Remarkable Words and Their Origins. Gregg Chadwick (illus.). Viva Editions. p. 336. ISBN978-1-936-74017-8.
Cousineau, Phil (January 2010). The Oldest Story in the World. Sisyphus Press. p. 84. ISBN978-0-9626548-9-3.
Cousineau, Phil; Scott Chamberlin Hoyt (September 2009). The Meaning of Tea: A Tea Inspired Journey. Talking Leaves Press. p. 362. ISBN978-0-615-20442-0.
Smith, Huston; Cousineau, Phil (December 2005). A Seat at the Table: Huston Smith in Conversation with Native Americans on Religious Freedom. University of California Press. pp. 253. ISBN978-0-520-24439-9.
Cousineau, Phil (2004). The Blue Museum: Poems. Sisyphus Press. p. 152. ISBN978-0-9626548-2-4.
Smith, Huston; Cousineau, Phil (September 2003). The Way Things Are: Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life. University of California Press. pp. 338. ISBN978-0-520-23816-9.
Cousineau, Phil (October 2001). Coincidence Or Destiny? Stories of Synchronicity That Illuminate Our Lives. Wes Nisker (foreword). Red Wheel / Weiser. p. 224. ISBN978-1-57324-712-2.
Cousineau, Phil (September 1991). Deadlines: A Rhapsody on a Theme of Famous and Infamous Last Words. Sisyphus Press. p. 121. ISBN978-0-9626548-0-0.[5]
Densmore, John; Phil Cousineau (August 1990). Riders on the Storm: My Life with Jim Morrison and The Doors. Delacorte Press. p. 319. ISBN978-0-385-30033-9.
Cousineau, Phil (August 2014). The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work. The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell. Stuart L. Brown (foreword). New World Library; Third Edition paperback. p. 336. ISBN978-1-60868-189-1.
Cousineau, Phil (August 2003). The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work, Centennial Edition. Stuart L. Brown (foreword). New World Library. p. 288. ISBN978-1-57731-404-2.
Cousineau, Phil (May 1990). The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work. Stuart L. Brown (foreword). Harper & Row. p. 255. ISBN0-06-250102-X.[1][3]