Podcast appearances and mentions of Rachel White

In this eighth episode of the 11th season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of the show and astrologer extraordinaire Sam "The SkyGuy" all about planetary magic: how to do it, when to do it, and how to customize it to your unique natal chart- and annual astrological transits!Sam provides listeners a crash course in the background and fundamentals of chaos magic, ritual magic, and the specifics of how (and where) planetary magic fits into the big magic picture. Sam also digs into what big planets are making big moves this year, and how to harness their energies to amplify what's working-- and mitigate what's more challenging.Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Sam's Substack: https://skyguyreadings.substack.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this seventh episode of the 11th season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of the show and Skeptical Shaman podcast editor Natalie Fehlner (of Sidhe) all about Natalie's strange, strange journey into weird world of online dialogue-- and what it revealed about the spiritual reality underpinning surface-level ideology.Natalie experienced a pronounced spiritual trauma when accidentally encountering the hyper-violent images of Charlie Kirk's death online. While not a right wing Christian nationalist herself (I mean, Natalie is a fairy-channeling astrologer, poet and theater teacher, among other things!), she was gobsmacked by the reaction of "her team": the supposedly compassionate, open-minded, and ideologically consistent, spiritually-aware group to which she and many other Woo-based practitioners generally belong.Shocked by the cognitive dissonance of it all, Natalie did the unthinkable: she entered into the online colosseum to battle it out with anonymous faces (and voices) on the inter web. What she learned from this experience has not only served as a major spiritual and societal awakening for her, but also served as her inspiration to get educated and certified in cult awareness, ultimately setting out into the world to help deprogram her fellow humans that are ready to leave their distorted, ideological prison and enter the real world.Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Natalie's Substack: https://nataliesidhe.substack.com/?utm_source=global-searchNatalie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/nataliesidhe/Natalie's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NatalieSidhe Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

The deeper you go into psychic and energy work, the more sensitive you become, not less. If you're building a spiritual practice or just trying to understand why doing this work keeps leaving you wrecked, this episode is the one you didn't know you needed.About This Episode Rachel White spent nearly two decades as a Senior Vice President at a global corporation, quietly doing tarot readings out of her Chicago apartment on weekends. Today she runs TOTEM Readings in Austin, TX, serves thousands of clients worldwide, and just published The Business of Woo, a pragmatic field guide for anyone trying to build a legitimate, client-facing spiritual practice without the toxic positivity or the grift.What makes Rachel's perspective genuinely rare is this: she doesn't just practice energy healing and psychic work at a high level... she spent 20 years in corporate strategy before doing it full time. The result is one of the sharpest, funniest, and most grounded conversations we've had about the intersection of psychic abilities, modern spirituality, and what it actually costs to build something real around both.What You'll Hear in This EpisodeWhy developing your psychic abilities doesn't make you more protected over time. it makes you more permeable, and what that means for your daily life, your sleep, and your practiceThe single biggest mistake new practitioners make before they ever take a first paying client, and why your enthusiastic friends are not a market validation strategyWhy the Business of Woo is a $38 billion industry that is actively maturing, and what that means for anyone with a spiritual side hustle right nowThe pricing framework Rachel uses with her own mentoring clients, including why charging too much is often a red flag, not a signal of qualityWhat Rachel calls "the fake exorcism." A case study from her real practice that reveals exactly how fear-based manipulation works in the woo space, and how to spot it before it costs someone $10,000Why she tells herself out loud, several nights a week, that she will not leave her body in her sleep, and what that has to do with running a sustainable spiritual practiceWhy social media is structured more like a Ponzi scheme than a marketing channel, and what actually converts spiritual seekers into paying clientsThe one business move that outperforms Instagram, retreats, and online courses every single timeThe Bottom Line If you've felt drained, overstimulated, or emotionally gutted after doing spiritual or energy work for others, you're not doing it wrong... you're doing it right, and nobody warned you what comes next. Rachel did the hard work of figuring that out over sixteen years so you don't have to start from scratch.Listen, then tell us: Are you in the woo business, thinking about it, or just watching from a curious distance? Drop a comment or find us on social. We want to hear where you are on the path.Rachel White is the founder of TOTEM Readings in Austin, Texas, and the author of The Business of Woo. Her Etsy shop, Totem Readings ATX, carries flower essence blends, oracle decks, and her new clothing collaboration.Find her at totemreadings.com.Check out Rache's Clothing Collection with PUCK HCKY: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemUse special promo code SKEPTIC26 and get 20% off all TOTEM Tarot Streetwear collection with PUCK HCKY.Get her book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX7MHB8L?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_GBHGYVZBXV0QZXEQ8KCHEtsy Shop:https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXSubstack:https://totemrach.substack.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/totemrach/The Skeptic Metaphysicians is a spiritual awakening podcast for open-minded thinkers who refuse to check their critical thinking at the door. Each episode explores consciousness expansion, enlightenment, soul purpose, and soul growth through honest, grounded conversation with leading voices in metaphysics, psychic phenomenon, quantum healing, and beyond. We dive deep into spiritual awakening, ascension, alignment, and the awakening process without the dogma. From mediumship and spirit guides to Arcturian contact, astrology, and the subconscious mind, we explore it all with curiosity, humor, and zero guru worship. Whether you're in the middle of your own awakening, questioning reality, or just spiritually curious, this is the podcast for seekers and skeptics alike.Subscribe, Rate & Review!If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way!Connect with Us: 

In this sixth episode of the 11th season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Review Raffle winner and *as luck would have it* experienced animal healer and communicator Alyson Ogimachi (of Phoenix Healing) all about her journey from being an animal groomer and "normal person" to talented animal psychic and healer.Alyson has spent years in real deal, bonafide animal communication and healing training programs, and just recently launched her own Woo-based business: Phoenix Healing! Alyson shares her rigorous training background, and chats about the very, very crucial need for ethics, boundaries, and standard operating procedures when working in the Woo- especially for fuzzy and feathered clients that can't speak up for themselves!Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Alyson's website:  https://phoenix-healing.com/Alyson's IG: @phoenixhealingcommunication Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Rachel White is back on A Psychic's Story for Part 2 of this candid conversation exploring the business side of spirituality. In this episode, Nichole and Rachel move deeper into the realities of visibility, social media, audience growth, burnout, boundaries, authenticity, and what it actually takes to sustain intuitive work over time. Together, they explore the emotional and energetic realities of running a spiritual business in the modern world — including the pressure to constantly create content, comparison culture, the myth of overnight success, and the importance of consistency and real human connection. In this episode, Rachel shares: Why consistency matters more than instant success. The emotional challenges of visibility and social media. Burnout, boundaries, and maintaining authenticity. Why sustainable growth takes time and trust. The importance of community and word-of-mouth connection. What people misunderstand about spiritual entrepreneurship. This conversation is an honest look at the realities of building something sustainable within the spiritual space. To learn more about Rachel, listen to her podcast The Skeptical Shaman wherever you get your podcasts or visit her website totemreadings.com. Grab her book The Business of Woo. Support the TOTEM + PUCK HCKY collaboration and use promo code STORY26 for 15% off. To connect with Nichole, schedule a 1:1 session or join The Psychic Club go to apsychicsstory.com. If you're interested in the Angelic Academy, you can sign up HERE. If you feel called to do energy healing work and go deeper, Nichole Bigley is leading in-person Energy Healing Retreats & Certifications June 19–21 and October 16–18, 2026.  If you'd like to support the podcast, please subscribe to it and/or: FOLLOW @apsychicsstory on Instagram.  SIGN-UP to the newsletter for updates. JOIN Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content.  LEAVE A REVIEW to help others.  This podcast is intended to inspire you on your personal journey to inner peace. Its host, co-hosts or guests are not psychologists or medical doctors and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this fifth episode of the 11th season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Caitlin Gonzales, newly spiritually awakened friend of the fae and rural Louisiana homesteader who knows all about the shift from urban conformity to the feral borderlands-- both of the Woo and of Mother Nature!Like many of us in the time since Covid disrupted, well, everything, Caitlin has dramatically changed literally every aspect of her life, leaving a "normal" job to learn to homestead and embracing all things spiritual in the process, challenging her own, previous norms and assumptions while exploring agorism, witchcraft, the fairy realms, and more.Caitlin allowed for her spiritual awakening to expand out in orders of magnitude, and her story gives hope to all of us wishing, seeking and hoping for a better day-- and a better, more Woo world!Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Caitlin's Substack: https://substack.com/@caitlingonzalesCaitlin's IG: https://www.instagram.com/itscaitlingonzales/ Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Rachel White returns to A Psychic's Story — this time exploring something people may be quietly struggling with behind the scenes — the business side of spirituality. While more people than ever feel called toward intuitive work, healing work, and spiritual entrepreneurship, far fewer openly talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable spiritual business while staying aligned, authentic, and grounded. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Nichole and Rachel explore Rachel's early psychic experiences, the period where she pushed spirituality away, and the experiences that ultimately brought her back into intuitive work. They also discuss healing, burnout, perspective, and how spiritual work changes the way you move through life. In this episode, Rachel shares: How childhood psychic experiences evolved into professional intuitive work. The moment she realized spirituality could become her life's work. How an illness heightened her clairsentience and energetic sensitivity. The connection between healing, intuition, and spiritual awakening. What really shifts when you leave traditional corporate life behind. Why perspective becomes one of the greatest gifts of spiritual work. Rachel also opens up about skepticism, trauma, spiritual experiences that changed her worldview, and what it actually feels like to navigate modern spirituality while remaining grounded. To learn more about Rachel, listen to her podcast The Skeptical Shaman wherever you get your podcasts or visit her website totemreadings.com. Grab her book The Business of Woo. Support the TOTEM + PUCK HCKY collaboration and use promo code STORY26 for 15% off. To connect with Nichole, schedule a 1:1 session or join The Psychic Club go to apsychicsstory.com. If you're interested in the Angelic Academy, you can sign up HERE. If you feel called to do energy healing work and go deeper, Nichole Bigley is leading in-person Energy Healing Retreats & Certifications June 19–21 and October 16–18, 2026.  If you'd like to support the podcast, please subscribe to it and/or: FOLLOW @apsychicsstory on Instagram.  SIGN-UP to the newsletter for updates. JOIN Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content.  LEAVE A REVIEW to help others.  This podcast is intended to inspire you on your personal journey to inner peace. Its host, co-hosts or guests are not psychologists or medical doctors and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcoming back Rachel White today to chat all about her new self-published book!Are you an energy worker, psychic, tarot reader, astrologer, herbalist, candle maker, content creator, animal communicator or other Woo-based practitioner thinking about starting or transforming your own business? Is the unpredictable chaos in the job market and economy urging you to create your own side hustle, back-up plan, or bug-out bag? Are you overwhelmed and confused by vague, conflicting advice from an ocean of personal development influencers and life coaches? Are you looking for a trustworthy and transparent place to start?Well, The Business of Woo: Thriving In Your Psychic Business (Without Losing Your Mind Or Selling Your Soul!) is the book for you.This book transcends vague self-help drivel and abundance doctrine platitudes to offer readers tangible, actionable steps to create or transform their own Woo-based business, whether it's a part-time side hustle or full-time gig, including:• A detailed Goldilocks Zone checklist for readers to determine if the Business of Woo is a good fit for them• A robust Practitioner Archetype self-assessment that determines the reader's dominant psychic abilities, chakras, and corresponding niche within the Business of Woo ecosystem• Step-by-step instructions on how to launch a full Go To Market Strategy, including how readers can develop their own Value Proposition; Voice of the Customer Feedback; Key Differentiators; Target Client Personas; Elevator Pitch; Brand Guidelines; Logo; Pricing Strategy; Marketing Strategy; and Thought Capital Strategy.• The best practices, lessons learned, and standard operating procedures writer and full-time working shaman, Rachel White, has gathered across 16 years of client-facing psychic work• A candid field manual for navigating ethics in an unregulated industry• A proven process for readers to tackle innovation, including the creation and launch of new services, products and yes, even Woo-based books!Find the book and Rachel:The Business of Woo: https://a.co/d/02bZN99eAll websites and social media: https://linktr.ee/totemrachThe book combines Rachel White's unique experience: 20+ years in the corporate consulting and real estate industries with job titles like “Head of Knowledge and Innovation” and “SVP of Global Strategy” and 16 years of client-facing Woo-based business experience through her spiritual practice, TOTEM Readings. Rachel is the published author of the sold out TOTEM Tarot Deck and the TOTEM Flower Essence Deck, and is also the host of The Skeptical Shaman podcast.

In this fourth episode of Season 11 of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with long-time client (and fellow Chicagoan) Emily P. (of House of Lir), a lifelong psychic finally making the leap into the wild unknown of client-facing readings with her new, Woo-based business House of Lir.Emily has always been psychic, but it took a real deal (and very destabilizing) spiritual awakening to put everything into focus, making her natural physical mediumship, divination, and channeling capabilities an undeniable (and very weird) reality.This episode has it all: nonconsensual demon sex attacks, speaking on behalf of ghosts in crystal shops, and what it's really like to step into the weird world of doing psychic readings for others!Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Website: HouseOfLir.net Email: emily@houseoflir.netTik Tok: @daughteroflir Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Send us Fan MailConnect with RachelBook with Rachel  TOTEM + PUCK HCKY premium clothing— inspired by and featuring the art from Rachel's sold out TOTEM Tarot Deck: Promo Code: AGUA26Promo Link: https://puckhcky.com/discount/AGUA26?redirect=%2Fcollections%2FtotemCan you build a successful spiritual business without burning out, selling out, or losing credibility?In this episode, we sit down with Rachel White—shaman, psychic, and founder of TOTEM Readings—to talk about her new book, The Business of Woo.With nearly two decades in corporate leadership—including roles as a senior executive in global strategy—Rachel brings a rare, grounded perspective to the world of spirituality and entrepreneurship. She breaks down what it really takes to build a sustainable “woo” business in an industry often driven by emotion, intuition, and blurred boundaries.What You'll Learn:What shamanism actually is (beyond the buzzword)How Rachel transitioned from corporate leadership to spiritual entrepreneurshipThe biggest mistakes people make when starting a psychic or spiritual businessHow to balance authenticity with making moneyPractical business strategies most spiritual entrepreneurs ignoreWhy boundaries, pricing, and structure matter in “woo” workThe emotional toll of being highly visible in the spiritual spaceHow to stay grounded while working intuitively with clientsThe tension between spirituality and capitalismEthical challenges in psychic and intuitive workWhy some spiritual businesses fail (even with talent)The importance of treating your practice like a real businessEnjoy!Please rate and review the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you listen!Enroll in ARCANA today: https://aguaastrology.teachable.com/p/arcanaSee our faces on YouTube!Want to book a reading with Gabrielle? Please visit her website www.aguaastrology.comFollow us on Instagram @thespirtualsisterspodcast Follow Gabrielle on Instagram @aguaastrology (She will NEVER DM you for readings! Watch out for scammers!)Follow Brianna on Instagram @Brianna_mcferonSubscribe to Gabrielle's YouTube Channel Agua AstrologyJoin Soul Reading MethodMini Tarot Readings with Gabrielle: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IntuitiveGabrielle

In this third episode of Season 11 of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Jesse James Freeman and Jennifer Hotes of the Is AI The Devil? and the Curious Cat Podcasts all about the spiritual implications of our brave new techno-feudalist world. Was Rudolf Steiner right about Ahriman? Are there really ghosts (and demons) in the machine? How can we reclaim our sovereignty, human dignity, AND spiritual independence in a time such as this?Jesse and Jen offer their insights, gleaned from both the Woo and secular research, all while giving us some much needed (and realistic) hope for the future!Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooOur guests' links:Jesse's Substack: https://jessejamesfreeman.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsJennifer's Substack: https://jenniferhotes.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsThe Curious Cat Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/curious-cat/id1617885857Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of Curious Cat, Jenn and Jesse chat with a mysterious, underground figure (as described by our mutual friend, Rachel White) "Sam the Sky Guy”— aka Sam aka Skyguy. He keeps his details locked down because he has a real world job that might mix with the woo like oil does water.He read Jesse and Jenn's birth charts, and we have questions! Especially how our charts relate to each other and to AI. But, folks. That's just the beginning to what is an instant classic.Topics we cover include:Venus in ScorpioJesse's personal akashic record storeSam's astrological giftsGolden days at Booktrope and on socialsHadron ColliderKrull and the word, 'craptastic' is coinedPolybius, that Portland, Oregon arcade game mythWayback Machine going, going, gone?USB cable survivor tv show with tech brosOld school vid/computer games including ZORKBubba HotepA memorial to Rowdy Roddy Piper complete with bagpipes (you're welcome)and more*******Look for part two May 19th, Djinn and Tonic with Sam******* Links to our special guest:Polybius - the mysterious arcade video game, WikipediaWant a reading from Sam "The Sky Guy" - then email him: skyguyreadings@gmail.comSam "The Sky Guy" on SubstackJenn Sam's Etsy link:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmptyNestMamaShopSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. ***Is AI the Devil? on Substack!***Hero Organizations:80,000 HoursCenter for Humane TechnologiesState of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacyBuy Curious Cat Podcast a Coffee!

In this second episode of Season 11 of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Renee Puvvada (of Smoking Hot Books) about the writerly window of opportunity being presented by the unique and dynamic Fire Horse Year: a year that welcomes, supports and celebrates unique voices, authentic storytelling and independent publishing.Renee Puvvada failed at four books, lost $20k, and then sold 10,283 copies in a single year with 183 Instagram followers. Now, as founder of Smokin' Hot Books, she helps soul-led entrepreneurs turn their self-published books into authority-building, business-growing assets, all while you keep full rights and royalties. Jack Canfield noticed. Your future clients will too.Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooRenee's Links:Book a call with Renee here: https://smokin-hotbooks.com/get-in-touchConnect on Substack: https://smokinhotbooks.substack.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneepuvvada/?hl=enOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-puvvada/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this inaugural episode of Season 11 of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Gabrielle Celeste (of Agua Astrology), combining their superpowers to form some kind of Chinese and Western Astrology Megazord, offering listeners insights into what to expect in the dynamic Fire Horse Year (2026)...and beyond!Rachel and Gabrielle discuss the incredible spiritual awakening that cascaded over the land as a result of the global pandemic, digging into how this trend is evolving in real time in a post-pandemic landscape-- and how listeners can best navigate these novel energies and the Business of Woo (with their own discernment).Gabrielle Celeste is an Intuitive Astrologist who has conducted over 750 channeled astrology readings. She is the co-host of internationally recognized podcast, The Spiritual Sisters Podcast, and owner of Agua Astrology.Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:Buy The Business of Woo book HERE: https://a.co/d/0g7EFJmMTOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooGabrielle's Links:Website: www.aguaastrology.comCourses: https://aguaastrology.teachable.com/p/home-aguaastrology-teachable-comEtsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/aguaastrology/2026 Year Ahead Workshop: https://aguaastrology.myflodesk.com/wth7dkypi6Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguaastrology/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

This week is going to feel like things are finally coming to a head. If you've know things are building under the surface since the new moon on April 17th this week finally has somewhere for progress to land. Mercury squares Jupiter on Sunday and conversations start to move. Venus trines Pluto on Monday and then the Full Moon in Scorpio arrives on Friday, and it is the most intense full moon of the spring. Mercury moves into Taurus on Saturday and the mental energy slows into something more deliberate going into the following week. This week also brings back one of my favorite guests, Rachel White is the owner of TOTEM Readings, the creator of the TOTEM Tarot Deck and the TOTEM Flower Essence Deck, and the host of The Skeptical Shaman podcast and the author ofThe Business of Woo: Thriving In Your Psychic Business (Without Losing Your Mind Or Selling Your Soul!) As a working shaman and psychic practitioner, Rachel provides various 1:1 sessions as well as Spiritual Transformation Coaching and Business of Woo Mentoring. Through TOTEM Readings, Rachel has worked with thousands of clients around the world formore than 15 years.   All things Rachel White: https://www.totemreadings.com/ Get Your Copy of The Business of Woo: https://us.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2XSZQ1 Promo Code for 15% off the TOTEM + PUCK HCKY clothing collaboration: HEX26 https://puckhcky.com/discount/HEX26?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Ftotem     All things Cardsy B: last days of April special readings! Get yours here: www.cardsyb.com/lfgapril     Additional content: www.cardsyb.com   www.instagram.com/cardsyb    

If you're planning an ultra-distance running or cycling event, there's a good chance you'll be relying on support crew to help get you through it. But what makes a great support crew when it comes to nutrition? How do you best prepare them to support you? And what does success look like? To find out, we're joined by ultrarunner, sport nutritionist, and experienced support crew member, Rachel White. Timestamps: 04:11 - Rachel's experience as an athlete, crew member, and dietitian 13:20 - The main roles of support crew 21:08 - Preparing support crew before an event 39:46 - Fueling Endurance Practitioner Membership, T-12 course for athletes, eBook 42:02 - Challenges support crew may face during the event (theoretical and practical) 54:48 - Communication between athlete and crew during an event 1:02:09 - What does the optimal crewing experience look like to the athlete? 1:03:52 - Collecting athlete data during an event for post-event analysis 1:10:58 - Final thoughts from Rachel 1:13:26 - Bonus Round 1:19:34 - Wrap up   Guest - Rachel White: Website: rachelwhitenutrition.com Instagram: @rachelwhitenutrition LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-white-96102896   Fueling Endurance eBook | T -12 Race Nutrition Course | Practitioner Resources The Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 84 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask, and contains insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes.  The T -12 self-guided course will help prepare you for your next event, with online tools, guides, information and instructions to take you through the 12 weeks leading up to race day. And the Fueling Endurance Practitioner Membership provides access to online tools and calculators I use all the time when working with endurance and ultraendurance athletes. This includes working out the carbohydrate needs for runners (road and trail) and cyclists for different types of training sessions. For more into on each of these, check out fuelingendurance.com.  

Welcome to "Dishing with Stephanie's Dish," the show where we dive into the stories of people passionate about food, family traditions, and the recipes that connect us all. I'm your host, Stephanie Hansen, and today, I'm thrilled to sit down with cookbook author Sarah Peterson, whose new book, Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart, celebrates the beauty of vintage family recipes and the memories shared around the table. Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart highlights celebrated dishes from Peterson's recipe box—and collects stories from other passionate home cooks who opened their kitchens to share their own tried-and-true recipes. Peterson takes readers along as she visits, cooks, and bakes with friends old and new to present a smorgasbord of family favorites. She serves up stories about the people behind the dishes and offers special tips and tricks from the keepers of these recipes.Whether you're an avid home cook, a lover of kitchen nostalgia, or just here for some culinary inspiration, get ready to hear heartfelt stories, tips on cookbook writing, and a delicious conversation that will leave you hungry for more!Original Episode Transcript Follows:Stephanie Hansen [00:00:02]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Dishing with Stephanie's Dish podcast, where we talk to people in the food space who are as obsessed about food as we are. And today we're talking to the cookbook author Sarah Peterson. She is the author of Dish and Tell Recipes from the Heart. I'm going to hold up her book so that you guys can see it. It looks so cute. It's pink. Sarah, I am really excited to talk to you because I don't normally get to know people sort of along the whole journey of them writing a book and then seeing it released into the world. But that did happen with you and I.Sarah Peterson [00:00:37]:Yes, it did. We've known each other a little while, or at least I've known you. I've followed your career, and so it's been really great to have you to consult with a little bit, and you've really been a mentor to me throughout this process.Stephanie Hansen [00:00:50]:Well, and I think for you, coming from the PR world, which was where your background was, and then taking it into a cookbook, I'm seeing so many, like, similarities of how you're approaching things, and I think it's just super smart, and I can't wait to talk to you. So can you just give the viewer, the listener, a little bit of backstory about the book and why you wrote it and why it's special to you?Sarah Peterson [00:01:17]:Yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:01:18]:So.Sarah Peterson [00:01:18]:So about five years ago, maybe more, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my career. I'd been in PR a long time, telling other people's stories, writing in the voice of other people. I wanted to do something of my own. I had this love of everything vintage. I'm very nostalgic. I love any opportunity to, like, go back to my grandma's kitchens in my mind and, like, imagine them in their homes. And so this idea started brewing about, you know, what if I blogged about family recipes and shared some of these handwritten recipe cards, recipe boxes, my love of vintage. So I started with Instagram first, and I was posting a little bit, and then I.Sarah Peterson [00:02:00]:That kind of evolved into a blog, and that just really grew and grew, and it was just not my own family's recipes, but other people's families, too. Like, I started to just talk to my friends and my neighbors and ask them what are the recipes in their families that I've been handing down through the generations that are really close, you know, to their hearts, and started to share those stories on the blog and then thought, well, this could be a book. A book is daunting as you know, to write, but I had some encouragement from my dad and some other people and just pitched it to the Historical Society, and I'm just so grateful that they decided to publish it.Stephanie Hansen [00:02:37]:And what we're seeing in terms of trends for cookbooks is cookbooks that are AI proof, In other words, cookbooks that have a real narrative point of view on a story. And this book seems like it is exactly that and more. Did you feel uncomfortable or were you nervous about, like, being the keeper, the seed keeper, as it were, or the storykeeper of these stories and how you would translate them into an actual book?Sarah Peterson [00:03:07]:Yes. You mean for, like, other families? Yeah, absolutely. And I think what gave me maybe a little bit of confidence is that something that I had done in my career as a PR person and in one particular project for a client, I was tasked with shining the spotlight on small independent restaurants and the special role that they play in their communities. And so I had this chance to really interview them and tell their stories and talk about how they were making a difference in their communities. And so I was thinking about what I wanted to do with recipes and family stories, kind of drawing on that past experience of the storytelling, the type of storytelling I had done for restaurants and, like, small restaurant owners. And I think that helped give me some confidence. I think just seeing the difference it makes in someone's life, too, when they see a story printed about them. And I also love to shine the spotlight on, like, the underdogs.Sarah Peterson [00:04:03]:And I feel like home cooks don't get a lot of time in the sun, you know, So I wanted to do that. But, yeah, I do think there's a lot of responsibility you carry when you're telling somebody else's story. And it's not something I take lightly. So when I approach a story, I really, you know, lean on my journalistic background. I have a degree in journalism, try to get all the facts straight, run things by people, do fact checking, that kind of thing, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:04:33]:So you assembled all these stories and put them into a book along with your own family stories. And how has the book been received? Because it's really beautiful. It's super charming. There's lots of photos, recipe cards. It's very stylized in a sweet way.Sarah Peterson [00:04:51]:Thank you. I think it's been received really well. It's fun to see. Like, I've done a couple of events where people come up and they're just like, oh, this book is just so sweet. It reminds me of my grandma, and I can't wait to go look through her recipe box. That's like, the biggest compliment I can get. The Star Tribune editor, Nicole, she said she's the editor of Taste. She said it was like opening the book is like getting a big hug.Sarah Peterson [00:05:15]:And I think that's just so sweet, too. Like, I really wanted people to, of course, love the recipes and the stories, but I think, like, the imagery of vintage dishes, of recipe boxes, of grandmas and aprons, I mean, that's just like, so me. And I love all that, and I'm happy that other people seem to really love that as well.Stephanie Hansen [00:05:34]:I know it's hard to answer this question so soon after having the book come out, but this really does feel like it could continue on and be a series and continue to live on in your Instagram. Could even be like, audio, you know, version, or you could do television things with it because there's so much historical narrative in there. Has that occurred to you at all?Sarah Peterson [00:06:00]:Not so much yet. I mean, I'm trying to figure that all out now. Like, what do I want to do next? And I think, like, I would love to do more storytelling, more sharing of recipes, maybe more on my sub stack and my Instagram. But yeah, I mean, it could, there could be future editions of the book. But that's just so ambitious for me right now. Just kind of in the thick of it. Maybe I'll have to tap you for some more knowledge later on. But I mean, I do have, like, in talking to these families that I interviewed for the book, other stories would come up that they're, you know, other recipes.Sarah Peterson [00:06:34]:And certainly people that I've been meeting, doing events are telling me about their recipes. I had this woman come to see me at a book event at Kowalski's last weekend, and she brought her family cookbook that she had made, you know, just something that she had pieced together but was sharing with her family. And so it was really sweet, and I love seeing that, too. And I think, you know, sharing some of the recipes that other people share with me at events, but also talking about how they're recording their family recipes. Like, I think, if anything, I'd love to be an inspiration for other people or give people an inspiration to collect those recipes and show some of the formats that other families are using to share those with with their extended family.Stephanie Hansen [00:07:15]:As we talk about the nuts and bolts of making a cookbook, what was the hardest part for you in putting this book together?Sarah Peterson [00:07:25]:I think it was. It seemed so massive in the beginning, like, the organization of a cookbook. I've learned a lot in the process and, like, Have a rockin spreadsheet now. But that was very daunting in the beginning. Then I got into the thick of it, and I think toward the end, like, the editing. Oh, my gosh, that was really something because you don't know exactly when it's going to hit. Like, when are you going to have to look through this whole thing? Like, after. Even before it was in layout, like, just getting the manuscript and after the editor had done a first pass, and then you have to reread it all again, and you just have to, like, carve out a bunch of time and just get into it.Sarah Peterson [00:08:07]:And I thought that was really hard. It reminded me of being back in college when you're cramming for a final.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:11]:Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:08:13]:So I didn't, like, love that. But, I mean, it's just part of the process.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:18]:Yeah. Because the manuscript comes back and you don't know when. And then all of a sudden, like, your entire life is put on hold for however long it takes you to get through it.Sarah Peterson [00:08:25]:And for me, it was like a summer weekend. Like, oh, okay. I guess I'm gonna just be doing this for the next two weekend. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:33]:How did you feel about the photographing of the book? Because that can be a challenging part that stops people.Sarah Peterson [00:08:40]:I'm glad you asked about that because as you know, we have the same publisher. And it's really like, they were so great. They're like, sarah, just take photos like you're, you know, doing on your Instagram. These will be great. We'll make it work. Well, yes, but I just was, like, feeling I'm not a food stylist. You know, I do my thing and I take pictures in the moment when I'm making food, but I'm like, I don't know if these are cookbook worthy. And I do everything on my iPhone.Sarah Peterson [00:09:08]:I'm not gonna get a fancy camera. So as I got further along the process, pretty late in the process, I'm like, I just need some help, because I want somebody to help me get a really pretty shot for the COVID Help me shoot some of the things. Like, meat is so hard to take a pretty picture.Stephanie Hansen [00:09:24]:Yeah, for sure.Sarah Peterson [00:09:25]:Meatball. Or, you know, like, just. Oh. I was just really struggling, and I listened to your podcast and I know that you interviewed Rachel White of Set the Table Photography, who happens to be a food stylist as well. And I'd been following her on Instagram and really liked her style. So I reached out to her after hearing her on your podcast, and we met, and I just told her what I was doing. I said, I don't have a lot of money, but here's a few shots that I'd like to get. And she also took some headshots of me.Sarah Peterson [00:09:52]:But she came to my house for a few days, and we just banged out as much as we could. Not even like three full days. Like, two and a half days. I just was, like, cooking up a storm. We did headshots and lifestyle shots one morning, and then just a bunch of recipes and then, like, a bunch. A brunch spread one day, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:10]:So what that translated to me when looking at the book was we'll call them, like, some hero shots.Sarah Peterson [00:10:16]:Exactly.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:18]:That were. They were. It was funny because I couldn't necessarily tell when I was looking at the book, but I could see, like, just from the perspective of the stylized nature of the background and the more complete shot. Like, let's see if I can just find one that I can hold up.Sarah Peterson [00:10:44]:Yeah, A lot of the shots in, you know, the chapter intros.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:49]:Yeah, it's like, that one maybe.Sarah Peterson [00:10:52]:Yes, yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:53]:And I thought maybe that one.Sarah Peterson [00:10:56]:I took that one, actually. But I think just having Rachel, like, in. In the end, too, I was like, well, people are gonna. Is this gonna be weird to have a mix of really good professional pictures than my pictures? And then it was really important for me to have pictures that the families submitted, so candids and snapshots. And I know feature a lot of those in your cookbook, too. And I think those are so important, and I think they all came together. I hope so. Yeah, I did that one, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:11:28]:Oh, see, look at.Sarah Peterson [00:11:30]:I can't even tell if you look in the back. We credit which pages are definitely her pictures. But, you know, she did the COVIDStephanie Hansen [00:11:37]:shot, and that's this one. Yeah. No, I. I knew you had worked with her, but when I looked through the book, I thought I could tell, but I couldn't, so. Good for you.Sarah Peterson [00:11:49]:She helped me do the. The Dutch pancake.Stephanie Hansen [00:11:52]:Yep. Those are so hard to get because they deflate.Sarah Peterson [00:11:58]:I know. And the day that we did it, I just made the most gigantic one ever in my largest lodge skillet. And it worked. And, like, screaming in excitement that it came out so beautiful. And then it did deflate, but we made it look pretty with berries and powder. Powdered sugar. I did that one, too. That one.Sarah Peterson [00:12:16]:Handballs. But, like, she did these really pretty pictures of my recipe cards and recipe boxes, and she took pictures of me with my grandma's dishes. So she got a lot of shots, too, that obviously I Couldn't take because I was in them. Yeah, it was really nice. And I've been using her photos like crazy and all of my Instagram and marketing efforts, so I'm just so grateful that I had her. I wish I could have hired her for the whole thing. But I think, too, when you're making a cookbook, I don't know about you, but I like to eat what I make. And I'm, like, photographing it in the moment.Stephanie Hansen [00:12:49]:Yes.Sarah Peterson [00:12:50]:And I do like those kind of pictures too, so I'm really glad I have a mix.Stephanie Hansen [00:12:54]:I. I feel like, for me, if I'm not living that life or I'm not like, that is the life I live. So the intention is that it's happening in real time. I'm. I felt like this. Making this thing today, when I made it, this is what it looked like. This is how I ate it. This is how it.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:14]:The dishes I served it in. To me, that's what makes this food life fun. So when it becomes like a complete chore or a list or a job, that's when I find I don't like it as much.Sarah Peterson [00:13:26]:Right. And I do think that people resonate to real life pictures.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:31]:Yeah. We're lucky in that way, because if we would have been doing this during the fussy Instagram, first coming alive and everything being blown out white, beautiful shots,Sarah Peterson [00:13:42]:I don't know that we have to do that. And especially with AI now, you want things to look a little imperfect.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:47]:Tell me about how you scheduled your book tour and how you worked with your publishing company, because I feel like you're approaching it very methodically from a publicist standpoint, and I think that's helpful for cookbook writers.Sarah Peterson [00:14:05]:Well, I'm glad it appears so, because that is. That's been like a big surprise, like, book tour. Okay. I. You know, I didn't really know what to expect, and I've seen everything you've done, and you've done a phenomenal job. And I'm like, if I can do a fraction of what Stephanie does, that would be great. So really, right now, I'm in the thick of it. The book came out in February, but it was a little bit slow in getting events because I had a vacation and some other things planned.Sarah Peterson [00:14:33]:But then now, coming into April, I've got a lot more going on, and I've just been fielding requests that have come through the publisher or through my website, and I haven't said no to a lot. Although, know, like, there's things that come up, like speaking Opportunities. And I don't know that I'm there yet to do that kind of thing. So I'm just doing a mix of like, traditional book signings. The independent bookstores I absolutely love. I had a really sweet event in New at a bookstore called Luca. It was like, seriously, the set of the Gilmore Girls. It was so cute.Sarah Peterson [00:15:10]:That bookstore is amazing. And they had addition tell event where we talked about this. Like, how fun would it be to have people bring a recipe from their recipe box and we do a little recipe card swap. So we did that. And then they also made some of the dishes from the cookbook and we had like a potluck style event. So that was really sweet. So I think, you know, some of these events that come up are people that request them. Yeah, I do put on my PR hat and I'm like, well, how can we make this extra special and make it more an experience? And so I've been bringing.Sarah Peterson [00:15:42]:I've been hauling my grandma's china teacups to all these events filled with flowers. I gave you one places I use doilies made by my Aunt Jeannie. I bring pictures of the women in my family that I call the keepers that have been the keepers of our food traditions. So I sort of have this traveling roadshow.Stephanie Hansen [00:16:02]:A kid. Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:16:04]:But in terms of the events that I'm doing, I've just. Whatever comes my way, I'm kind of doing. I am not like seeking out things. I will say, though I do love the independent bookstores are really fun. And then this week I have an event at Fickers up in Duluth, which is my home. You know, Duluth and Cloquet. So that will be really exciting to do something like that where they're making the food and I just, you know, come in and speak and mingle with people. That will be.Sarah Peterson [00:16:32]:That will be nice.Stephanie Hansen [00:16:34]:We have an or we have a Taste Buds with Stephanie episode coming up with you. I know Michelle is editing it right now, and it is where we made sandwich loaf. And you have the recipe and the techniques for sandwich loaf in your book. Can you just talk a little bit about why sandwich loaf is important to you?Sarah Peterson [00:16:57]:I would love to talk about sandwich loaf.Stephanie Hansen [00:17:00]:It was the funnest thing I've done.Sarah Peterson [00:17:03]:Sandwich loaf is something that I just. I just love it so much. And for people who don't know what it is, it's basically a layered sandwich that comes in a loaf. It looks really pretty, like almost like a wedding cake. And then you slice it so it's like layers. It's Bread with layers of tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, pimento cheese, whatever you want to put on the inside. And then it's all encased in cream cheese and decorated with. You can decorate it with, like, piped cream cheese that's tinted so it truly does look like a pretty cake.Sarah Peterson [00:17:35]:Or. My friend Tony and I like to do it with vegetables and herbs and just make little flowers and whimsical butterflies. So my passion for sandwich loaf started when I was probably growing up. It just showed up at, like, wedding showers, baby showers, graduations. And I always loved it. I mean, I loved how it tasted, and it was just kind of enamored by how charming it is. And then my friend Tony had it at her wedding, and we just. We.Sarah Peterson [00:18:01]:We share a bond over sandwich loaf. And part of it. She has an aunt that works at the Super One Deli up in Cloquet and made these things. And that's how we'd get them growing up. They're always ordered from the deli. They didn't make them. But Tony and I were like, we should. We should make one of these.Sarah Peterson [00:18:17]:You know, we can buy the. It's called Pullman bread. It's that long, rectangular bread. She's like, we can just order that from the deli and make our own sandwich loaf. And wouldn't this be fun? And I think we were probably influenced by Instagram seeing other kinds of decorated cakes.Stephanie Hansen [00:18:33]:Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:18:33]:Pasture breads, where people are doing, like, fun, fun scenes. So we just started doing it a few years ago around Mother's Day. We've done it at her house. We've done it at my house, my parents house. And we'd share it with ladies in our life that we know would appreciate it. And we got such a great response. People that know sandwich loaf love it, and they're just so excited to get it. So we make, like, the big ones, then we'd cut them up and do little smaller ones, decorate them really cute and hand them out around town.Stephanie Hansen [00:19:03]:It was so fun to make that with you. I had seen sandwich loaf, but when Michelle, my producer, was like, hey, she wants to make a sandwich loaf. I was like, yeah, we can make whatever she wants to make. And then when I got there, I was like, oh, yeah, like, this is how we do it. And just making the pimento cheese and, you know, do you put tuna in? Because some people feel weird about fish. And then we had this. Do you have a salmon loaf? Like, do you have egg salad? Just such a blast making that. And I can't wait for us to show people what that's like on television.Stephanie Hansen [00:19:40]:This weekend it'll air Saturday at 8.30am it will launch on Instagram or, excuse me, it will launch on YouTube on Thursday and then it lives into perpetuity. And I'm sure they'll air it again. So it's nicely timed for your book. Thank goodness.Sarah Peterson [00:19:55]:And it's sandwich loaf season, I mean, in my world. So I'll be up in Duluth around Mother's Day and my friend Tony and I are planning to get together and make some. And it's just such a pretty spring thing and I think it would be great if people started serving them again at showers.Stephanie Hansen [00:20:08]:Yes, yes.Sarah Peterson [00:20:11]:Beautiful food item. And it's, it's tasty. You can customize it how you want. You know, you can make more than one if somebody doesn't like tuna or if you want to add some other salad. Yeah, I think it's going to be great. And it would be a fun group activity, wouldn't it, with your girlfriends?Stephanie Hansen [00:20:27]:Like. Yes.Sarah Peterson [00:20:28]:I love it because we just have fun decorating them together.Stephanie Hansen [00:20:31]:I also think it's a good multi generational thing, like for Mother's Day where, you know, you can have the kids, the grandkids, really, everyone can sort of get involved if they're, you know, I guess they have to be 10 or older probably. Unless they're. I mean, you see these little kids on Instagram making gourmet meals now. I don't know how that works. That wasn't.Sarah Peterson [00:20:51]:Well, you could make a peanut butter and jelly one. Like you could really modify the ingredients. I mean, that's not the way that I grew up with it, but it'd be fun to see what people do with it.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:00]:Yeah. And you could think you could frost it with peanut butter. Like that'd be pretty easy to do, actually.Sarah Peterson [00:21:04]:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:05]:Or just frosting in and of itself and then have like a, a sweet with jam and kind of. That would be really good too. Or like a cream cheese buttercream for sure.Sarah Peterson [00:21:17]:And I just think it's so pretty when you cut into it too. Like it's pretty on its own when it's decorated in its loaf form. But when you slice into it, the picture of, you know, just how it looks when, when it's on the plate I think is really pretty.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:32]:I'm just gonna see if I can find it here so I can show it.Sarah Peterson [00:21:35]:Yeah, here's the. It looks kind of funny on the camera there.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:39]:Can you see it pull back a little bit? Yes, now I can. Yep. It looks great.Sarah Peterson [00:21:45]:That's like in its full, complete form. And then here it is sliced. And I like it on vintage luncheon plates that, you know, the kind our grandmas and our moms used years ago. And they have the little indentation for the coffee mug.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:01]:We just had Easter yesterday and my mother in law is 94, I think, and came for Easter dinner. And over the years she keeps giving me, you know, dishes and things that she's offloading, as it were, but I kept. I've kept stuff. And we used to have Easter all the time in Nebraska with her at her house there. So I made the Easter spread. I used her tablecloth, I used her silverware forks. I used these little paper mache bunnies that she used to put on the table that I still kept. And it was so sweet to see her come to the house yesterday and sit down and like recognize all this stuff that we had when Ellie was little and we would have Easter with her.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:46]:It was. I was so glad I kept it all. You know, it's kind of a pain, but I'm so glad I did.Sarah Peterson [00:22:51]:Oh, and you'll have that to enjoy for years. And what a great memory. I mean, and I bet Dolores was just tickled.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:56]:She was, she really, she. She really was. And the funny thing, I said, well, you know, that's your tablecloth. And she said, well, where are the napkins? And I didn't really remember that there were napkins because they were in a closet and probably in a box and I didn't unearth them. So I was like, oh, I have the napkins. I just didn't get them out. Like, you know, where are the napkins? All right, so we are going to feature you on the Taste Buds episode. It's a Dec.Stephanie Hansen [00:23:22]:Decades episode where we had to think of recipes that were important to us like through the decades. So sandwich loaf was one. Then I did a Chicken Marbella, which I don't know if you did any dinner parties in the 80s, but if you did, that was what everybody made into like probably the early 90s too.Sarah Peterson [00:23:44]:I can't wait to try that. I have not had that dish.Stephanie Hansen [00:23:47]:It is the simplest thing to make and it has a power punch of flavor. I always double the sauce just because I like it. Really saucy, but it sounds gross. And my producer was like, oh, wait, we're putting prunes in this. I was like, yeah, you just gotta trust me. It's gonna be really great. And then by the time it's all done, you have this really delicious Sauce and the cooked chicken and you can just throw it in one big pan or one big pot and then serve it right from the pot. So it's an easy dinner party.Sarah Peterson [00:24:19]:Dinner party, yeah. That sounds really good.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:22]:Do you have any, like 80s or 90s dishes that you. Not actual dishes, but things to make that you're like, oh, I. If I had to do a decades theme, what would you make?Sarah Peterson [00:24:32]:You know, let's see. So the 80s, I wasn't cooking too much, but I love.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:37]:Because you're so much younger than me.Sarah Peterson [00:24:38]:I'm not so much younger, but I was in that time of life where it was like high school. School.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:43]:Yep.Sarah Peterson [00:24:44]:Not doing a lot of entertaining or anything. I can't think of. I don't know if this is. I mean, we love Dorito. The taco salad with Doritos. I don't know if that's 80s or 90s, but like.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:56]:No, it's. I think it's 90s. And we actually talked about taco salads when we were trying to think about, like, what would be we. I couldn't think of anything of the 90s. And then my producer Michelle, like came up with a bunch of stuff. And taco salad was actually also mud pie.Sarah Peterson [00:25:14]:Yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:25:15]:So we ended up making a mud pie bar that was actually a recipe that my stepmom had. But, like, people were eating a lot of mud pie apparently in the 90s. And chocolate lava cakes.Sarah Peterson [00:25:27]:Oh my gosh. And chocolate lava cakes. Are they. They're back. I mean, I see they are back. My daughter Lucy is a big fan, so anytime we're out to eat, she's got to get a chocolate lava cake.Stephanie Hansen [00:25:36]:Have you ever made one?Sarah Peterson [00:25:38]:No, have you?Stephanie Hansen [00:25:39]:I have attempted it like three different times and it never works. I always get a delicious brownie but like getting that molten lava piece in the middle have not succeeded yet. So I didn't want to do that on camera because I was like, oh, I just don't know.Sarah Peterson [00:25:56]:So, yeah, in 90s dishes. I was just thinking of one thing that my mom has made throughout my life and is in the cookbook are Italian shells. So the big pasta shells. Yes, we ate them a lot in the 90s. We probably ate them definitely after. But just the big pasta shells loaded with Italian sausage, some torn up bread, a, you know, an egg base in there and some pasta sauce and cheese and then smothered with more sauce and cheese. That was like at every big occasion in my life.Stephanie Hansen [00:26:28]:I love it. So delicious. Well, Sarah, congratulations on the book. I'm happy to be on this journey with you, and I'm real proud of you. I think the book is beautiful, and I'm glad you're having so much success. And I can't wait till people see us make sandwich loaf on taste buds this weekend.Sarah Peterson [00:26:46]:Well, thank you. And I just have to thank you for everything, Stephanie. It's been so fun to watch your career and how you've evolved and. And done all these amazing things with your radio show, with your books, all your books and the TV show, too. It's been really fun to follow along.Stephanie Hansen [00:27:01]:Thanks. I. I had people that helped me along the way, so I feel like it's my obligation, but also my joy to help other people because, you know, I. There are things about being a freelance creator and freelance writer and cookbook writer that no one can answer for you unless they've done it. And, you know that first person that told you, like, how much they made and how long it took and what to expect for food costs and, like, those were really valuable lessons that I was so glad that I learned and that people gave me the real deal because I think that is part of, you know, some people write books for fame and fortune. Some people write them to document a historical time in their life or something that's important to them. And then some people just do it because they think it's fun. But all of it and getting, you know, the historical background about what it's going to cost and how long it's going to take, it's important information, I think, to learn before you set out on the journey.Sarah Peterson [00:28:01]:Right. And you're doing such a great service to find that information and share it with the world. So.Stephanie Hansen [00:28:07]:Yeah. And I think your story about the food stylist, too, like, people, you don't have to have a food stylist. Do the whole book. Like, you could have 10 shots or hero shots or the beginning of chapter shots. That's a great way to do.Sarah Peterson [00:28:19]:And just like spending that time with Rachel, too, for those two or three days, like, I just learned so much. So I've taken some of that experience and been able to piggyback on that and some of the photography and things that I'm doing now.Stephanie Hansen [00:28:33]:Yeah, she's really good at it. So I'm glad that Rachel was a resource for you. Her podcast, you can find it in the archives, too, of Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, because it's in there and it's a good one to listen to. So, Sarah, thanks for being with me today. Congratulations on the book. It is Dish and Tell. And where can people get the book and how do you want them toSarah Peterson [00:28:53]:follow you so they can find the book at, you know, online through the major retailers. And then if you're in the Twin Cities, it's at, like, Kowalski's and a lot of independent bookstores. It's even at Barnes and Noble. I went by and visited it this weekend at the Barnes and Noble in Roseville. I've been going around and seeing my book at different places. It's so exciting, and people can follow me. My website is vintagedishandtel.com. my social media handles are the same.Sarah Peterson [00:29:19]:Vintage, Dish and Tell. And then I have a sub stack too, which, if you can't find, just go to my website and you'll be able to link to it.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:26]:Has anyone told you that when you see your book in the wild, you're supposed to sign them?Sarah Peterson [00:29:31]:No, I've thought about that. Do you, like. Do you talk to the bookstore manager or the.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:38]:Sometimes I wouldn't. At a Barnes and Noble, I'd probably just do it. But there's a real rationale behind it, because booksellers can return books that don't sell. They can't return books that are signed.Sarah Peterson [00:29:50]:I'm gonna go sign every one I can find.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:52]:Yeah, I. Whenever I'm out and about, and if it's a small store, I will tell them, okay. But if I see it, I'm. I'll just. I go to the bookseller and I'm like, hey, I'm here and my book is here. Do you mind if I sign a couple? A lot of them have stickers and they'll put, you know, signed edition. But if I'm at, like, Barnes and Noble, I just sit there with my pen and sign them all.Sarah Peterson [00:30:11]:Oh, that's great. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:12]:So make sure you sign them.Sarah Peterson [00:30:13]:Thanks for that. Hot tip.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:14]:Yeah, hot tip. Hot tip. All right, Sarah, thanks for joining me today.Sarah Peterson [00:30:18]:Thank you.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:18]:Okay, bye. Bye.Sarah Peterson [00:30:20]:Bye.Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to "Dishing with Stephanie's Dish," the show where we dive into the stories of people passionate about food, family traditions, and the recipes that connect us all. I'm your host, Stephanie Hansen, and today, I'm thrilled to sit down with cookbook author Sarah Peterson, whose new book, Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart, celebrates the beauty of vintage family recipes and the memories shared around the table. Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart highlights celebrated dishes from Peterson's recipe box—and collects stories from other passionate home cooks who opened their kitchens to share their own tried-and-true recipes. Peterson takes readers along as she visits, cooks, and bakes with friends old and new to present a smorgasbord of family favorites. She serves up stories about the people behind the dishes and offers special tips and tricks from the keepers of these recipes.Whether you're an avid home cook, a lover of kitchen nostalgia, or just here for some culinary inspiration, get ready to hear heartfelt stories, tips on cookbook writing, and a delicious conversation that will leave you hungry for more!Original Episode Transcript Follows:Stephanie Hansen [00:00:02]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Dishing with Stephanie's Dish podcast, where we talk to people in the food space who are as obsessed about food as we are. And today we're talking to the cookbook author Sarah Peterson. She is the author of Dish and Tell Recipes from the Heart. I'm going to hold up her book so that you guys can see it. It looks so cute. It's pink. Sarah, I am really excited to talk to you because I don't normally get to know people sort of along the whole journey of them writing a book and then seeing it released into the world. But that did happen with you and I.Sarah Peterson [00:00:37]:Yes, it did. We've known each other a little while, or at least I've known you. I've followed your career, and so it's been really great to have you to consult with a little bit, and you've really been a mentor to me throughout this process.Stephanie Hansen [00:00:50]:Well, and I think for you, coming from the PR world, which was where your background was, and then taking it into a cookbook, I'm seeing so many, like, similarities of how you're approaching things, and I think it's just super smart, and I can't wait to talk to you. So can you just give the viewer, the listener, a little bit of backstory about the book and why you wrote it and why it's special to you?Sarah Peterson [00:01:17]:Yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:01:18]:So.Sarah Peterson [00:01:18]:So about five years ago, maybe more, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my career. I'd been in PR a long time, telling other people's stories, writing in the voice of other people. I wanted to do something of my own. I had this love of everything vintage. I'm very nostalgic. I love any opportunity to, like, go back to my grandma's kitchens in my mind and, like, imagine them in their homes. And so this idea started brewing about, you know, what if I blogged about family recipes and shared some of these handwritten recipe cards, recipe boxes, my love of vintage. So I started with Instagram first, and I was posting a little bit, and then I.Sarah Peterson [00:02:00]:That kind of evolved into a blog, and that just really grew and grew, and it was just not my own family's recipes, but other people's families, too. Like, I started to just talk to my friends and my neighbors and ask them what are the recipes in their families that I've been handing down through the generations that are really close, you know, to their hearts, and started to share those stories on the blog and then thought, well, this could be a book. A book is daunting as you know, to write, but I had some encouragement from my dad and some other people and just pitched it to the Historical Society, and I'm just so grateful that they decided to publish it.Stephanie Hansen [00:02:37]:And what we're seeing in terms of trends for cookbooks is cookbooks that are AI proof, In other words, cookbooks that have a real narrative point of view on a story. And this book seems like it is exactly that and more. Did you feel uncomfortable or were you nervous about, like, being the keeper, the seed keeper, as it were, or the storykeeper of these stories and how you would translate them into an actual book?Sarah Peterson [00:03:07]:Yes. You mean for, like, other families? Yeah, absolutely. And I think what gave me maybe a little bit of confidence is that something that I had done in my career as a PR person and in one particular project for a client, I was tasked with shining the spotlight on small independent restaurants and the special role that they play in their communities. And so I had this chance to really interview them and tell their stories and talk about how they were making a difference in their communities. And so I was thinking about what I wanted to do with recipes and family stories, kind of drawing on that past experience of the storytelling, the type of storytelling I had done for restaurants and, like, small restaurant owners. And I think that helped give me some confidence. I think just seeing the difference it makes in someone's life, too, when they see a story printed about them. And I also love to shine the spotlight on, like, the underdogs.Sarah Peterson [00:04:03]:And I feel like home cooks don't get a lot of time in the sun, you know, So I wanted to do that. But, yeah, I do think there's a lot of responsibility you carry when you're telling somebody else's story. And it's not something I take lightly. So when I approach a story, I really, you know, lean on my journalistic background. I have a degree in journalism, try to get all the facts straight, run things by people, do fact checking, that kind of thing, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:04:33]:So you assembled all these stories and put them into a book along with your own family stories. And how has the book been received? Because it's really beautiful. It's super charming. There's lots of photos, recipe cards. It's very stylized in a sweet way.Sarah Peterson [00:04:51]:Thank you. I think it's been received really well. It's fun to see. Like, I've done a couple of events where people come up and they're just like, oh, this book is just so sweet. It reminds me of my grandma, and I can't wait to go look through her recipe box. That's like, the biggest compliment I can get. The Star Tribune editor, Nicole, she said she's the editor of Taste. She said it was like opening the book is like getting a big hug.Sarah Peterson [00:05:15]:And I think that's just so sweet, too. Like, I really wanted people to, of course, love the recipes and the stories, but I think, like, the imagery of vintage dishes, of recipe boxes, of grandmas and aprons, I mean, that's just like, so me. And I love all that, and I'm happy that other people seem to really love that as well.Stephanie Hansen [00:05:34]:I know it's hard to answer this question so soon after having the book come out, but this really does feel like it could continue on and be a series and continue to live on in your Instagram. Could even be like, audio, you know, version, or you could do television things with it because there's so much historical narrative in there. Has that occurred to you at all?Sarah Peterson [00:06:00]:Not so much yet. I mean, I'm trying to figure that all out now. Like, what do I want to do next? And I think, like, I would love to do more storytelling, more sharing of recipes, maybe more on my sub stack and my Instagram. But yeah, I mean, it could, there could be future editions of the book. But that's just so ambitious for me right now. Just kind of in the thick of it. Maybe I'll have to tap you for some more knowledge later on. But I mean, I do have, like, in talking to these families that I interviewed for the book, other stories would come up that they're, you know, other recipes.Sarah Peterson [00:06:34]:And certainly people that I've been meeting, doing events are telling me about their recipes. I had this woman come to see me at a book event at Kowalski's last weekend, and she brought her family cookbook that she had made, you know, just something that she had pieced together but was sharing with her family. And so it was really sweet, and I love seeing that, too. And I think, you know, sharing some of the recipes that other people share with me at events, but also talking about how they're recording their family recipes. Like, I think, if anything, I'd love to be an inspiration for other people or give people an inspiration to collect those recipes and show some of the formats that other families are using to share those with with their extended family.Stephanie Hansen [00:07:15]:As we talk about the nuts and bolts of making a cookbook, what was the hardest part for you in putting this book together?Sarah Peterson [00:07:25]:I think it was. It seemed so massive in the beginning, like, the organization of a cookbook. I've learned a lot in the process and, like, Have a rockin spreadsheet now. But that was very daunting in the beginning. Then I got into the thick of it, and I think toward the end, like, the editing. Oh, my gosh, that was really something because you don't know exactly when it's going to hit. Like, when are you going to have to look through this whole thing? Like, after. Even before it was in layout, like, just getting the manuscript and after the editor had done a first pass, and then you have to reread it all again, and you just have to, like, carve out a bunch of time and just get into it.Sarah Peterson [00:08:07]:And I thought that was really hard. It reminded me of being back in college when you're cramming for a final.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:11]:Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:08:13]:So I didn't, like, love that. But, I mean, it's just part of the process.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:18]:Yeah. Because the manuscript comes back and you don't know when. And then all of a sudden, like, your entire life is put on hold for however long it takes you to get through it.Sarah Peterson [00:08:25]:And for me, it was like a summer weekend. Like, oh, okay. I guess I'm gonna just be doing this for the next two weekend. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:08:33]:How did you feel about the photographing of the book? Because that can be a challenging part that stops people.Sarah Peterson [00:08:40]:I'm glad you asked about that because as you know, we have the same publisher. And it's really like, they were so great. They're like, sarah, just take photos like you're, you know, doing on your Instagram. These will be great. We'll make it work. Well, yes, but I just was, like, feeling I'm not a food stylist. You know, I do my thing and I take pictures in the moment when I'm making food, but I'm like, I don't know if these are cookbook worthy. And I do everything on my iPhone.Sarah Peterson [00:09:08]:I'm not gonna get a fancy camera. So as I got further along the process, pretty late in the process, I'm like, I just need some help, because I want somebody to help me get a really pretty shot for the COVID Help me shoot some of the things. Like, meat is so hard to take a pretty picture.Stephanie Hansen [00:09:24]:Yeah, for sure.Sarah Peterson [00:09:25]:Meatball. Or, you know, like, just. Oh. I was just really struggling, and I listened to your podcast and I know that you interviewed Rachel White of Set the Table Photography, who happens to be a food stylist as well. And I'd been following her on Instagram and really liked her style. So I reached out to her after hearing her on your podcast, and we met, and I just told her what I was doing. I said, I don't have a lot of money, but here's a few shots that I'd like to get. And she also took some headshots of me.Sarah Peterson [00:09:52]:But she came to my house for a few days, and we just banged out as much as we could. Not even like three full days. Like, two and a half days. I just was, like, cooking up a storm. We did headshots and lifestyle shots one morning, and then just a bunch of recipes and then, like, a bunch. A brunch spread one day, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:10]:So what that translated to me when looking at the book was we'll call them, like, some hero shots.Sarah Peterson [00:10:16]:Exactly.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:18]:That were. They were. It was funny because I couldn't necessarily tell when I was looking at the book, but I could see, like, just from the perspective of the stylized nature of the background and the more complete shot. Like, let's see if I can just find one that I can hold up.Sarah Peterson [00:10:44]:Yeah, A lot of the shots in, you know, the chapter intros.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:49]:Yeah, it's like, that one maybe.Sarah Peterson [00:10:52]:Yes, yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:10:53]:And I thought maybe that one.Sarah Peterson [00:10:56]:I took that one, actually. But I think just having Rachel, like, in. In the end, too, I was like, well, people are gonna. Is this gonna be weird to have a mix of really good professional pictures than my pictures? And then it was really important for me to have pictures that the families submitted, so candids and snapshots. And I know feature a lot of those in your cookbook, too. And I think those are so important, and I think they all came together. I hope so. Yeah, I did that one, too.Stephanie Hansen [00:11:28]:Oh, see, look at.Sarah Peterson [00:11:30]:I can't even tell if you look in the back. We credit which pages are definitely her pictures. But, you know, she did the COVIDStephanie Hansen [00:11:37]:shot, and that's this one. Yeah. No, I. I knew you had worked with her, but when I looked through the book, I thought I could tell, but I couldn't, so. Good for you.Sarah Peterson [00:11:49]:She helped me do the. The Dutch pancake.Stephanie Hansen [00:11:52]:Yep. Those are so hard to get because they deflate.Sarah Peterson [00:11:58]:I know. And the day that we did it, I just made the most gigantic one ever in my largest lodge skillet. And it worked. And, like, screaming in excitement that it came out so beautiful. And then it did deflate, but we made it look pretty with berries and powder. Powdered sugar. I did that one, too. That one.Sarah Peterson [00:12:16]:Handballs. But, like, she did these really pretty pictures of my recipe cards and recipe boxes, and she took pictures of me with my grandma's dishes. So she got a lot of shots, too, that obviously I Couldn't take because I was in them. Yeah, it was really nice. And I've been using her photos like crazy and all of my Instagram and marketing efforts, so I'm just so grateful that I had her. I wish I could have hired her for the whole thing. But I think, too, when you're making a cookbook, I don't know about you, but I like to eat what I make. And I'm, like, photographing it in the moment.Stephanie Hansen [00:12:49]:Yes.Sarah Peterson [00:12:50]:And I do like those kind of pictures too, so I'm really glad I have a mix.Stephanie Hansen [00:12:54]:I. I feel like, for me, if I'm not living that life or I'm not like, that is the life I live. So the intention is that it's happening in real time. I'm. I felt like this. Making this thing today, when I made it, this is what it looked like. This is how I ate it. This is how it.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:14]:The dishes I served it in. To me, that's what makes this food life fun. So when it becomes like a complete chore or a list or a job, that's when I find I don't like it as much.Sarah Peterson [00:13:26]:Right. And I do think that people resonate to real life pictures.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:31]:Yeah. We're lucky in that way, because if we would have been doing this during the fussy Instagram, first coming alive and everything being blown out white, beautiful shots,Sarah Peterson [00:13:42]:I don't know that we have to do that. And especially with AI now, you want things to look a little imperfect.Stephanie Hansen [00:13:47]:Tell me about how you scheduled your book tour and how you worked with your publishing company, because I feel like you're approaching it very methodically from a publicist standpoint, and I think that's helpful for cookbook writers.Sarah Peterson [00:14:05]:Well, I'm glad it appears so, because that is. That's been like a big surprise, like, book tour. Okay. I. You know, I didn't really know what to expect, and I've seen everything you've done, and you've done a phenomenal job. And I'm like, if I can do a fraction of what Stephanie does, that would be great. So really, right now, I'm in the thick of it. The book came out in February, but it was a little bit slow in getting events because I had a vacation and some other things planned.Sarah Peterson [00:14:33]:But then now, coming into April, I've got a lot more going on, and I've just been fielding requests that have come through the publisher or through my website, and I haven't said no to a lot. Although, know, like, there's things that come up, like speaking Opportunities. And I don't know that I'm there yet to do that kind of thing. So I'm just doing a mix of like, traditional book signings. The independent bookstores I absolutely love. I had a really sweet event in New at a bookstore called Luca. It was like, seriously, the set of the Gilmore Girls. It was so cute.Sarah Peterson [00:15:10]:That bookstore is amazing. And they had addition tell event where we talked about this. Like, how fun would it be to have people bring a recipe from their recipe box and we do a little recipe card swap. So we did that. And then they also made some of the dishes from the cookbook and we had like a potluck style event. So that was really sweet. So I think, you know, some of these events that come up are people that request them. Yeah, I do put on my PR hat and I'm like, well, how can we make this extra special and make it more an experience? And so I've been bringing.Sarah Peterson [00:15:42]:I've been hauling my grandma's china teacups to all these events filled with flowers. I gave you one places I use doilies made by my Aunt Jeannie. I bring pictures of the women in my family that I call the keepers that have been the keepers of our food traditions. So I sort of have this traveling roadshow.Stephanie Hansen [00:16:02]:A kid. Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:16:04]:But in terms of the events that I'm doing, I've just. Whatever comes my way, I'm kind of doing. I am not like seeking out things. I will say, though I do love the independent bookstores are really fun. And then this week I have an event at Fickers up in Duluth, which is my home. You know, Duluth and Cloquet. So that will be really exciting to do something like that where they're making the food and I just, you know, come in and speak and mingle with people. That will be.Sarah Peterson [00:16:32]:That will be nice.Stephanie Hansen [00:16:34]:We have an or we have a Taste Buds with Stephanie episode coming up with you. I know Michelle is editing it right now, and it is where we made sandwich loaf. And you have the recipe and the techniques for sandwich loaf in your book. Can you just talk a little bit about why sandwich loaf is important to you?Sarah Peterson [00:16:57]:I would love to talk about sandwich loaf.Stephanie Hansen [00:17:00]:It was the funnest thing I've done.Sarah Peterson [00:17:03]:Sandwich loaf is something that I just. I just love it so much. And for people who don't know what it is, it's basically a layered sandwich that comes in a loaf. It looks really pretty, like almost like a wedding cake. And then you slice it so it's like layers. It's Bread with layers of tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, pimento cheese, whatever you want to put on the inside. And then it's all encased in cream cheese and decorated with. You can decorate it with, like, piped cream cheese that's tinted so it truly does look like a pretty cake.Sarah Peterson [00:17:35]:Or. My friend Tony and I like to do it with vegetables and herbs and just make little flowers and whimsical butterflies. So my passion for sandwich loaf started when I was probably growing up. It just showed up at, like, wedding showers, baby showers, graduations. And I always loved it. I mean, I loved how it tasted, and it was just kind of enamored by how charming it is. And then my friend Tony had it at her wedding, and we just. We.Sarah Peterson [00:18:01]:We share a bond over sandwich loaf. And part of it. She has an aunt that works at the Super One Deli up in Cloquet and made these things. And that's how we'd get them growing up. They're always ordered from the deli. They didn't make them. But Tony and I were like, we should. We should make one of these.Sarah Peterson [00:18:17]:You know, we can buy the. It's called Pullman bread. It's that long, rectangular bread. She's like, we can just order that from the deli and make our own sandwich loaf. And wouldn't this be fun? And I think we were probably influenced by Instagram seeing other kinds of decorated cakes.Stephanie Hansen [00:18:33]:Yeah.Sarah Peterson [00:18:33]:Pasture breads, where people are doing, like, fun, fun scenes. So we just started doing it a few years ago around Mother's Day. We've done it at her house. We've done it at my house, my parents house. And we'd share it with ladies in our life that we know would appreciate it. And we got such a great response. People that know sandwich loaf love it, and they're just so excited to get it. So we make, like, the big ones, then we'd cut them up and do little smaller ones, decorate them really cute and hand them out around town.Stephanie Hansen [00:19:03]:It was so fun to make that with you. I had seen sandwich loaf, but when Michelle, my producer, was like, hey, she wants to make a sandwich loaf. I was like, yeah, we can make whatever she wants to make. And then when I got there, I was like, oh, yeah, like, this is how we do it. And just making the pimento cheese and, you know, do you put tuna in? Because some people feel weird about fish. And then we had this. Do you have a salmon loaf? Like, do you have egg salad? Just such a blast making that. And I can't wait for us to show people what that's like on television.Stephanie Hansen [00:19:40]:This weekend it'll air Saturday at 8.30am it will launch on Instagram or, excuse me, it will launch on YouTube on Thursday and then it lives into perpetuity. And I'm sure they'll air it again. So it's nicely timed for your book. Thank goodness.Sarah Peterson [00:19:55]:And it's sandwich loaf season, I mean, in my world. So I'll be up in Duluth around Mother's Day and my friend Tony and I are planning to get together and make some. And it's just such a pretty spring thing and I think it would be great if people started serving them again at showers.Stephanie Hansen [00:20:08]:Yes, yes.Sarah Peterson [00:20:11]:Beautiful food item. And it's, it's tasty. You can customize it how you want. You know, you can make more than one if somebody doesn't like tuna or if you want to add some other salad. Yeah, I think it's going to be great. And it would be a fun group activity, wouldn't it, with your girlfriends?Stephanie Hansen [00:20:27]:Like. Yes.Sarah Peterson [00:20:28]:I love it because we just have fun decorating them together.Stephanie Hansen [00:20:31]:I also think it's a good multi generational thing, like for Mother's Day where, you know, you can have the kids, the grandkids, really, everyone can sort of get involved if they're, you know, I guess they have to be 10 or older probably. Unless they're. I mean, you see these little kids on Instagram making gourmet meals now. I don't know how that works. That wasn't.Sarah Peterson [00:20:51]:Well, you could make a peanut butter and jelly one. Like you could really modify the ingredients. I mean, that's not the way that I grew up with it, but it'd be fun to see what people do with it.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:00]:Yeah. And you could think you could frost it with peanut butter. Like that'd be pretty easy to do, actually.Sarah Peterson [00:21:04]:Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:05]:Or just frosting in and of itself and then have like a, a sweet with jam and kind of. That would be really good too. Or like a cream cheese buttercream for sure.Sarah Peterson [00:21:17]:And I just think it's so pretty when you cut into it too. Like it's pretty on its own when it's decorated in its loaf form. But when you slice into it, the picture of, you know, just how it looks when, when it's on the plate I think is really pretty.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:32]:I'm just gonna see if I can find it here so I can show it.Sarah Peterson [00:21:35]:Yeah, here's the. It looks kind of funny on the camera there.Stephanie Hansen [00:21:39]:Can you see it pull back a little bit? Yes, now I can. Yep. It looks great.Sarah Peterson [00:21:45]:That's like in its full, complete form. And then here it is sliced. And I like it on vintage luncheon plates that, you know, the kind our grandmas and our moms used years ago. And they have the little indentation for the coffee mug.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:01]:We just had Easter yesterday and my mother in law is 94, I think, and came for Easter dinner. And over the years she keeps giving me, you know, dishes and things that she's offloading, as it were, but I kept. I've kept stuff. And we used to have Easter all the time in Nebraska with her at her house there. So I made the Easter spread. I used her tablecloth, I used her silverware forks. I used these little paper mache bunnies that she used to put on the table that I still kept. And it was so sweet to see her come to the house yesterday and sit down and like recognize all this stuff that we had when Ellie was little and we would have Easter with her.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:46]:It was. I was so glad I kept it all. You know, it's kind of a pain, but I'm so glad I did.Sarah Peterson [00:22:51]:Oh, and you'll have that to enjoy for years. And what a great memory. I mean, and I bet Dolores was just tickled.Stephanie Hansen [00:22:56]:She was, she really, she. She really was. And the funny thing, I said, well, you know, that's your tablecloth. And she said, well, where are the napkins? And I didn't really remember that there were napkins because they were in a closet and probably in a box and I didn't unearth them. So I was like, oh, I have the napkins. I just didn't get them out. Like, you know, where are the napkins? All right, so we are going to feature you on the Taste Buds episode. It's a Dec.Stephanie Hansen [00:23:22]:Decades episode where we had to think of recipes that were important to us like through the decades. So sandwich loaf was one. Then I did a Chicken Marbella, which I don't know if you did any dinner parties in the 80s, but if you did, that was what everybody made into like probably the early 90s too.Sarah Peterson [00:23:44]:I can't wait to try that. I have not had that dish.Stephanie Hansen [00:23:47]:It is the simplest thing to make and it has a power punch of flavor. I always double the sauce just because I like it. Really saucy, but it sounds gross. And my producer was like, oh, wait, we're putting prunes in this. I was like, yeah, you just gotta trust me. It's gonna be really great. And then by the time it's all done, you have this really delicious Sauce and the cooked chicken and you can just throw it in one big pan or one big pot and then serve it right from the pot. So it's an easy dinner party.Sarah Peterson [00:24:19]:Dinner party, yeah. That sounds really good.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:22]:Do you have any, like 80s or 90s dishes that you. Not actual dishes, but things to make that you're like, oh, I. If I had to do a decades theme, what would you make?Sarah Peterson [00:24:32]:You know, let's see. So the 80s, I wasn't cooking too much, but I love.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:37]:Because you're so much younger than me.Sarah Peterson [00:24:38]:I'm not so much younger, but I was in that time of life where it was like high school. School.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:43]:Yep.Sarah Peterson [00:24:44]:Not doing a lot of entertaining or anything. I can't think of. I don't know if this is. I mean, we love Dorito. The taco salad with Doritos. I don't know if that's 80s or 90s, but like.Stephanie Hansen [00:24:56]:No, it's. I think it's 90s. And we actually talked about taco salads when we were trying to think about, like, what would be we. I couldn't think of anything of the 90s. And then my producer Michelle, like came up with a bunch of stuff. And taco salad was actually also mud pie.Sarah Peterson [00:25:14]:Yes.Stephanie Hansen [00:25:15]:So we ended up making a mud pie bar that was actually a recipe that my stepmom had. But, like, people were eating a lot of mud pie apparently in the 90s. And chocolate lava cakes.Sarah Peterson [00:25:27]:Oh my gosh. And chocolate lava cakes. Are they. They're back. I mean, I see they are back. My daughter Lucy is a big fan, so anytime we're out to eat, she's got to get a chocolate lava cake.Stephanie Hansen [00:25:36]:Have you ever made one?Sarah Peterson [00:25:38]:No, have you?Stephanie Hansen [00:25:39]:I have attempted it like three different times and it never works. I always get a delicious brownie but like getting that molten lava piece in the middle have not succeeded yet. So I didn't want to do that on camera because I was like, oh, I just don't know.Sarah Peterson [00:25:56]:So, yeah, in 90s dishes. I was just thinking of one thing that my mom has made throughout my life and is in the cookbook are Italian shells. So the big pasta shells. Yes, we ate them a lot in the 90s. We probably ate them definitely after. But just the big pasta shells loaded with Italian sausage, some torn up bread, a, you know, an egg base in there and some pasta sauce and cheese and then smothered with more sauce and cheese. That was like at every big occasion in my life.Stephanie Hansen [00:26:28]:I love it. So delicious. Well, Sarah, congratulations on the book. I'm happy to be on this journey with you, and I'm real proud of you. I think the book is beautiful, and I'm glad you're having so much success. And I can't wait till people see us make sandwich loaf on taste buds this weekend.Sarah Peterson [00:26:46]:Well, thank you. And I just have to thank you for everything, Stephanie. It's been so fun to watch your career and how you've evolved and. And done all these amazing things with your radio show, with your books, all your books and the TV show, too. It's been really fun to follow along.Stephanie Hansen [00:27:01]:Thanks. I. I had people that helped me along the way, so I feel like it's my obligation, but also my joy to help other people because, you know, I. There are things about being a freelance creator and freelance writer and cookbook writer that no one can answer for you unless they've done it. And, you know that first person that told you, like, how much they made and how long it took and what to expect for food costs and, like, those were really valuable lessons that I was so glad that I learned and that people gave me the real deal because I think that is part of, you know, some people write books for fame and fortune. Some people write them to document a historical time in their life or something that's important to them. And then some people just do it because they think it's fun. But all of it and getting, you know, the historical background about what it's going to cost and how long it's going to take, it's important information, I think, to learn before you set out on the journey.Sarah Peterson [00:28:01]:Right. And you're doing such a great service to find that information and share it with the world. So.Stephanie Hansen [00:28:07]:Yeah. And I think your story about the food stylist, too, like, people, you don't have to have a food stylist. Do the whole book. Like, you could have 10 shots or hero shots or the beginning of chapter shots. That's a great way to do.Sarah Peterson [00:28:19]:And just like spending that time with Rachel, too, for those two or three days, like, I just learned so much. So I've taken some of that experience and been able to piggyback on that and some of the photography and things that I'm doing now.Stephanie Hansen [00:28:33]:Yeah, she's really good at it. So I'm glad that Rachel was a resource for you. Her podcast, you can find it in the archives, too, of Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, because it's in there and it's a good one to listen to. So, Sarah, thanks for being with me today. Congratulations on the book. It is Dish and Tell. And where can people get the book and how do you want them toSarah Peterson [00:28:53]:follow you so they can find the book at, you know, online through the major retailers. And then if you're in the Twin Cities, it's at, like, Kowalski's and a lot of independent bookstores. It's even at Barnes and Noble. I went by and visited it this weekend at the Barnes and Noble in Roseville. I've been going around and seeing my book at different places. It's so exciting, and people can follow me. My website is vintagedishandtel.com. my social media handles are the same.Sarah Peterson [00:29:19]:Vintage, Dish and Tell. And then I have a sub stack too, which, if you can't find, just go to my website and you'll be able to link to it.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:26]:Has anyone told you that when you see your book in the wild, you're supposed to sign them?Sarah Peterson [00:29:31]:No, I've thought about that. Do you, like. Do you talk to the bookstore manager or the.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:38]:Sometimes I wouldn't. At a Barnes and Noble, I'd probably just do it. But there's a real rationale behind it, because booksellers can return books that don't sell. They can't return books that are signed.Sarah Peterson [00:29:50]:I'm gonna go sign every one I can find.Stephanie Hansen [00:29:52]:Yeah, I. Whenever I'm out and about, and if it's a small store, I will tell them, okay. But if I see it, I'm. I'll just. I go to the bookseller and I'm like, hey, I'm here and my book is here. Do you mind if I sign a couple? A lot of them have stickers and they'll put, you know, signed edition. But if I'm at, like, Barnes and Noble, I just sit there with my pen and sign them all.Sarah Peterson [00:30:11]:Oh, that's great. Yeah.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:12]:So make sure you sign them.Sarah Peterson [00:30:13]:Thanks for that. Hot tip.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:14]:Yeah, hot tip. Hot tip. All right, Sarah, thanks for joining me today.Sarah Peterson [00:30:18]:Thank you.Stephanie Hansen [00:30:18]:Okay, bye. Bye.Sarah Peterson [00:30:20]:Bye.Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Jacob Racusin are at the BuildingEnergy Boston 2026 Conference (Sponsored by New Energy Works).Ilka and Jacob recap day 2 of the conference including a keynote by Melissa O'Mara and Kevin Stack, “Unstoppable Inner Resilience and Generational Leadership,” which guided attendees through a meditation connecting to ancestors and future generations, highlighting accountability, leadership, and the “knowing-doing gap” via the Inner Development Goals. Ilka then interviews architect Phil Kaplan about a deep energy retrofit of a mid-century Acorn Deck House involving unexpected conditions, major structural changes, and questions about cost and embodied carbon versus rebuilding. The day's highlights also include sessions on tools and strategies to balance operational and embodied carbon, evaluate deep versus moderate retrofits, and push manufacturers toward healthier, lower-impact materials.Episode with Rachel White & Michael Hindle: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/building-energy-boston-with-rachel-white-michael-hindleMeditation that is similar to the one described in the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-time-academy/id1589516917Episode with Melissa O'Mara and Kevin Stack: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/180-inner-development-goals-idgs-and-buildings-with-kevin-stack-and-melissa-omara Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

Dan and Ellen talk with Rachel White, CEO of the Associated Press Fund for Journalism. Rachel joined the nonprofit AP Foundation in 2024, after a 10-year run with The Guardian, the one-time print newspaper in the UK that has become a global digital powerhouse. In 2016, White became president of  theguardian.org, a nonprofit organization she founded that raises tax-deductible funds to support The Guardian's journalism. The AP Foundation has a similar mission, but is laser-focused on state and local news outlets all over the US. The AP Fund is expanding. Fifty news organizations have just joined, for a total of 100 newsrooms. News outlets get help with reach and strategy to achieve financial stability. Dan has a Quick Take on Local News Day, which is on April 9 and billed as "a national day of action connecting communities with trusted local news." Ellen's Quick Take is on an opinion column apocalypse in Fargo, North Dakota. The Fargo Forum, a locally owned news outlet, has forced out three long-running columnists. Why? Take a wild guess. Here's one headline on a recent column by journalist Jim Shaw: "Our local leaders oppose free and fair elections." He's now an ex-columnist. A big hat-tip to Alex Ip, a Gen Z publisher and editor at the xylom.com, which explores how communities are influenced and shaped by science. Alex broke this news about Fargo on social media.  

In this eighth episode in our dude-only season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Craig Moyer, freelance copywriter, advertising expert, novelist, and all around "creative" about our post-AI (and post-human) billionaire-led world-- and how best to navigate it!Craig's recommendation? Tackle the bad guys (and evil forces) with a sharp sense of humor, like he did in his mock ad campaign for the recent World Economic Forum conference in Davos, titled: "Let them eat snake!", a hilarious riff on Marie Antoinette's famous line: "Let them eat cake!".Craig, a consummate writer of text both short and long, takes listeners through how he's using his creative gifts to speak truth to real power-- and how to resist the dread of our modern world by engaging in the ultimate act of rebellion: creating art. Rachel and Craig also discuss Rachel's favorite city, New Orleans, which also happens to be Craig's home-- and even dig into where to eat, drink, and how best to enjoy this particular spiritual center.Rachel's LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooCraig's Links: Website: https://www.craigpmoyer.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-moyer-0103479/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this seventh episode in our dude-only season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Bobby Fierro of Wild Raven Tarot: a "TarotTuber" of the highest order who livestreams and posts truly incredible, engaging and very, very real tarot content for the masses to enjoy!Not only does Bobby bring the fun and joy of tarot to the masses with his 420 Tarot, Behind the Cards, and Fool's Journey YouTube series, but he also lives his personal spiritual practice in a real deal coven-- serving the coven as their resident "Black Dog": the resident "bouncer" and protector of the witches' coven, working to ensure peace and tranquility in the community.Bobby is also a devotee of Hecate and Hermes, and shares insights into their impact as Spirit Guides in his life as a person AND a practitioner-- including a funny story about what happens when you try to multitask during your daily devotions on their altars;)Bobby also shares some of the unique challenges and points of frustration with being in the Business of Woo, serving as powerful instruction for anyone considering taking the leap to become a full-time, client-facing tarot practitioner. Spoiler alert: people don't want to pay you-- and boundaries become a full-time work stream!LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooBobby's Links: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WildRavenTarotPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this sixth episode in our dude-only season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Ryan Hurd: a dream educator, creator of the Dream Studies website (and work), and author of the incredible Archeology of Consciousness Substack!Hilarious plot twist: Rachel and Ryan actually recorded a previous episode that seems to have entered a permanent, liminal state, with multiple "tracks" still "uploading"-- for the last two months-- to the online recording studio! And, while that may just sound like a standard tech glitch, odds are: it's something more!Why? Well, because like the second conversation that all of you get to listen to and enjoy, the topic of discussion is all things liminal, transient, dreamlike, and ephemeral! The best part? Ryan doesn't even remember the first conversation, proof positive that our memory of our reality is, well, a bit fuzzy-- even to the most adept dream weaver!This discussion dives into Ryan's research into sleep, lucid dreaming, dream talismans, and how we can use the other half of our life-- spent with eyes closed, laying in bed, traveling to other realms-- to enhance and improve our waking reality.LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooRyan's Links: Website: https://dreamstudies.org/Substack: https://ryanhurd.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Send a textGuest Links:All of Rachel White's Links HERE! Book a reading, buy flower essence, check out the fantastic hockey jerseys and MORE!Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. ***Is AI the Devil? on Substack!*** Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTok

In this fifth episode of The Skeptical Shaman's tenth, all-dude season, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with James Jude of James Jude Tarot and the LA Festival of Tarot : a client-facing tarot reader, teacher of all things tarot, and retired PR expert who worked on the Conjuring and Annabelle movie franchises (of all things)!Like Rachel, James started out as a non-believer in all things Woo, but slowly came around to the reality of the unseen world of spirit while working in PR for a series of major horror movies inspired by the real life events surrounding Ed and Lorraine Warren: the famous paranormal researchers at the center of the Annabelle, Amityville and the Enfield Poltergeist cases. James shares his on-set experiences, as well as conversations with skeptical observers, and how this evolved his perspective on all things Woo-- and supernatural.But it's not all demons, dolls or poltergeists! Rather, James found that these experiences drew him to the very supportive and not-at-all-scary world of tarot-- and he's since become a bonafide subject matter expert in all of the historical and technical aspects of this divinatory tool. James is EVERYTHING that the world of tarot needs: a perpetual student, inspired by limitless curiosity, who takes his craft-- and your tarot reading-- very, very seriously. LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooJames' Links: Website: https://www.jamesjudetarot.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjudetarot/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this fourth episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Brian Maierhofer: a working therapist that explores myth, madness, meaning, and how our greatest wounds can become our greatest gifts with his incredible Liminal Means Substack. Rachel and Brian chat all about the myth of the Fisher King and his wound-- and how we, as a people, need to heal our collective wounds, too. But how can we heal? How can society start to right itself? Stop screaming at each other? Stop policing each others' words and thoughts or personal political or religious beliefs?Well, as Brian shares, we can start by understanding the mechanism at the root of this wound: a very particular shift in brain activity that comes along with long-term adrenal fatigue and the anxiety-inducing psychological thought reform made possible by social media and corporate news. But Brian doesn't just identify the issue-- he also walks us all through how we can do a simple, sustainable AND TOTALLY FREE exercise to put our nervous systems-- and our brain-- back into the driver's seat. We can all actually transmute our wounds into our medicine-- and our superpowers. But, first, we have to take a look at them-- and actually f*cking do something to heal them ourselves.LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooBrian's Links: Substack: http://brianmaierhofer.substack.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/brian.maierhoferPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this third episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with "Alexis Vale", aka Alan Furth-- the mind behind the incredible Hidden Frameworks Substack, sharing his own meandering explorations in the realm of synchronicity, serendipity, and the ancient concept of Wu Wei: the "invisible river" flow state that we can fall into such that it carries us along-- without us needing to force it!In this episode, Rachel and Alexis discuss the long and strange journey that comes along with following the breadcrumbs out of a life in corporate captivity-- and just how magical and disorienting it can be to listen to your intuition instead of just your logical mind. Am I going through a spiritual awakening and following my soul's purpose, or am I going through a nervous breakdown and need to check myself in somewhere?The difference between these two possibilities when you're "in the messy middle" is a lot more subtle, nuanced and fungible than you would think, so it takes a lot of courage and self-belief to keep on meandering out of the prescribed loop society set out for you and, instead, make your way to the feral borderlands of the Woo.Alexis' story is so engaging because it's still unfolding-- and publicly, on his incredible Substack and via his alter ego, named Alexis!LINKS:TOTEM Readings Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooAlexis' Links: https://substack.com/@alexisvalehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alanfurth/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this second episode of our dude-only Season 10 of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Alfonso Civile of Heartsick Band: an incredible heavy metal ensemble combining hardcore and metalcore-tinged ferocity with haunting melodies and stunning atmospherics.Alfonso is not only a talented singer, musician, photographer, videographer and multimedia artist, but he generously donated his Zoolander-level Blue Steel modeling skills to our TOTEM + PUCK HCKY merch collaboration photoshoot, currently featured on PUCK's website. Rachel and Alfonso chat all things creativity and art in a time of commoditized slop. How can sincere artists, musicians and other creatives be seen and heard in a marketplace of enshittification? How can they get their fans to understand all of the invisible, unpaid work that being a creator requires? What can we all do to ensure that we still have quality culture, supporting artists in all the ways that matter the most?​Alfonso embodies the incredible diversity in the dude-verse, showing up as an artist, creative and sensitive being in an unexpected world: heavy metal music.LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooAlfonso's Links:Heartsick Website: https://heartsick.usHeartsick IG: https://www.instagram.com/heartsickband/Alfonso IG: https://www.instagram.com/alfonsocivile/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this long-awaited episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Clay Martin, Priest of the Path of the Barbarian Spirit and author of three incredible books including: Barbarian Spirit, Prairie Fire, and Wrath of the Wendigo. Clay has taken an unusual-- but very shamanic-- road to becoming a full-time Woo Woo practitioner. He had a long and illustrious military career in active duty, having served as an infantryman, Scout Sniper, and Reconnaissance Marine and, after transitioning to the Army, he joined the 19th Special Forces Group before returning to active duty with the 3rd Special Forces Group. ​In 2013, Clay was medically retired, and what followed was a difficult spiral into chaos. But, in 2022, Clay underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for traumatic brain injury. Six months later, he had his first psilocybin experience. Clay now calls psilocybin "the Sacrament", and believe that true healing begins at the spiritual level. Since his use of the Sacrament, he has encountered Norse gods, channeled visions of the future, and dedicated himself to a life of healing service to other wounded warriors. He is also now an active, working priest in his pagan church, reconnecting military veterans to the old gods and the old ways. Clay upends everything The Business of Woo tells you a New Age practitioner looks, sounds, and acts like. This episode kicks off our dude-only season of the podcast for precisely this reason: men are often underrepresented and underserved by the Business of Woo, often feeling alienated and "uninvited" to this space. The result? We all suffer from the monopoly of enshittified sameness.Clay, and others like him, are challenging this paradigm. And we here at TOTEM and The Skeptical Shaman podcast sure are happy about it.LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:TOTEM + PUCK HCKY Merch Drop: https://puckhcky.com/collections/totemThe TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooClay's Links:Website: https://www.barbarianspirit.com/IG: https://www.barbarianspirit.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

You may think it's an odd title, but what did you expect from Gen X? And it's another Aeon Byte/GenX Wasteland collaboration to celebrate the holidays in a high weirdness way. The Skeptic Shaman, Rachel White, joins me to chat about dark forces, synchronicities, the Promethean fire, and what a shit show 2025 has been. We'll discuss the ups and downs of this year's existence, providing insights and revelations on how to navigate the simulation and tap into our inner shaman. Dr. Cherlyn Jones will join us to share Jungian and other high-level takes. More on Rachel: https://www.totemreadings.com/ Fundraising: https://puckhcky.com/ More on Cherlyn: https://substack.com/@drcherlynhtjones Get The Occult Elvis: https://amzn.to/4jnTjE4 Virtual Alexandria Academy: https://thegodabovegod.com/virtual-alexandria-academy/ Gnostic Tarot Readings: https://thegodabovegod.com/gnostic-tarot-reading/ The Gnostic Tarot: https://www.makeplayingcards.com/sell/synkrasis Homepage: https://thegodabovegod.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte AB Prime: https://thegodabovegod.com/members/subscription-levels/ Voice Over services: https://thegodabovegod.com/voice-talent/ Support with donation: https://buy.stripe.com/00g16Q8RK8D93mw288 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special holiday shopping Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend and fellow e-commerce small business owner Amy Steffek (of Puck Hcky) all about the trials and tribulations of selling stuff online. In the Business of Woo, the pressure to produce and sell products online is fierce, coming along with phrases like "passive income" and "scale". And, while it's good to diversify and sell real, high-quality products online for any Woo-based or other small business owner, it's not the panacea that online influencers and spiritual grifters tell you it is. Just ask Amy! Sure, she may not be in the Business of Woo, but her small, online, cult following apparel business has taught her a lot about the difference between how things look from the outside-- and what the reality is on the inside.Take, for instance, Amy's 7-figure year. Yes, her online business literally pierced a MILLION DOLLARS (said in Dr. Evil voice) one year, but that's just revenue, guys. What was her profit, you might be asking? $0. Yep, that's right. In one year, she made more money than ever before-- and wasn't able to pay herself a dime for it. And this is NOT unusual in the business world and, in particular, the Business of Woo. The key? Constant tweaks and adjustments in the face of shifting economic and industrial factors is crucial-- and never mistake revenue for margin.What's more: turns out, our fellow humans aren't really doing great, and the mental health crisis affecting our nation is bubbling up for anyone interacting with the general public-- especially if those interactions are online. Anyone that runs an online business gets near-daily abuse and, in spite of all of our love and light tools, trust me when I tell you: it has an aggregate negative impact on anyone on the receiving end.This episode is hitting just as we're all heading out into the interwebs to start holiday shopping for friends, family and loved ones, arming us with a heightened awareness of how best to interact with our fellow human beings. Business owners are people, too. And no, they're not always rich. Often, they're tired and just trying to make their cool thing work so others can enjoy it.Proceed accordingly!LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooAmy's Links:https://puckhcky.com/https://www.instagram.com/puckhcky/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Lester Holt sits down with Andrea Canning to discuss her latest episode, “The Trouble in Bardstown.” When mother-of-five Crystal Rogers disappeared from Bardstown, Kentucky in 2015, it wasn't the first tragedy to strike the small town — and it wouldn't be the last. Her father, Tommy Ballard, was killed the following year. This summer, Crystal's former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, and two other men were convicted in connection to her death. But Tommy's and three additional murders remain unsolved, and the Bardstown community wants answers. Andrea tells Lester about the crimes that stunned and divided residents and gives updates on where the investigations stand now. Then, she shares a podcast-exclusive clip from her interview with Crystal's mother, Sherry Ballard. Later, Dateline producer Rachel White, who worked on the episode, joins Andrea to answer viewer and listener questions from social media.   Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us a video to @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question may be featured in an upcoming episode. Listen to the full episode “The Trouble in Bardstown” on Apple: https://apple.co/4oAeTIBListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mrkpz1zLlKhK7LD0UW3id  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend Kristen Pavle (of Relational and Ember) all about her work in creating and managing community, both online and in-person, for various businesses, nonprofits and community organizations.The crux of this episode? How can we-- either in the Business of Woo, at our "normal" day jobs, or just in society in general-- identify, build and maintain community? Kristen breaks down the definition of community, why it matters for small businesses (and for us as human beings!), and how it's changed in the strange last five years. She also gets into the nitty gritty of what makes a community work or NOT work, and Rachel and Kristen dig into the nuances within the realm of "spiritual community" and its classic pitfalls: spiritual narcissists, grifters, unstable Cluster-B types, and those suffering from "Main Character Syndrome". In a post-Covid, work-from-home, gig economy world, creating community has never been harder-- but it's also never been more important! Thankfully, Kristen shares incredible insights, practical solutions, and the all-important dose of hope to get us going.LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooKristen's Links:Website: https://www.emberconsulting.co/Email: kristen@relational.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpavle/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of the show and world-famous Tarot Lady: Theresa Reed. Theresa is an award-winning author of MANY Woo-based books-- not to mention an illustrious content creator providing live weekly readings on Instagram. In this episode, Rachel and Theresa dive into the tricky para-social dynamics created by social media, podcasting, YouTubing and content creation as a whole, and how Woo-based business owners can (and should) maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, subscribers and listeners. Theresa does a great job explaining how enforcing these boundaries CAN come across as bitchy, rude or even a downstream effect of believing your own myth. But she also explains that we in the Business of Woo can't always manage the perceptions or reactions of others, so it's best to just stay focused and in our lanes-- and within our healthy, appropriate "container".The summary? Modernity is bringing an increasing rate of change, particularly with regard to technology and its downstream effects-- particularly as it relates to near-constant, 24/7 access and stimulation. As psychics, energy workers and Woo-centric content creators, we need our downtime-- and our space and silence! So, don't feel bad about holding the line in the war of constant communication. You don't always have to respond right away-- and, sometimes, you don't have to respond at all! LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachKasia's TOTEM Deck(s) Review: https://youtu.be/Ba7Mi7HaEO8?si=X2IVEQrxj_jqPi3rTOTEM + Tarot Map Interview: https://youtu.be/yCOOjzGY0Yo?si=xV5UOtGdayTJgl4pPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooTheresa's Links:All links: https://linktr.ee/thetarotladyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetarotlady/Website: https://www.thetarotlady.comPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with the world-famous star of YouTube's Tarot Map channel: Kasia Kulbaska. Kasia, an astrologer and tarot card reader, has been on what she calls "TarotTube" for many years, sharing incredible deck reviews and facilitating fascinating discussions about the world-- and Business-- of Woo. Kasia and Rachel chat about the misconceptions and myths surrounding Woo-based YouTube, particularly with regard to monetizing video content. Spoiler alert: it's hard, and just because someone has tens of thousands of subscribers (or followers), it doesn't necessarily mean that's translating into a direct payment business model.Kasia explains how she uses YouTube's platform to get the word out about her private practice, acting as a kind of evergreen (and authentic) marketing tool. Kasia and Rachel also chat about how great podcasting and YouTubing are for Woo-based practitioners, helping to introduce yourself to your potential client base while also offering up legitimate Woo-based insights-- not to mention your unique point of view!And, unlike print or video advertising or social media marketing, YouTube videos and podcast episodes are forever-- and when someone finds out about you, they can go search and "binge" your content to really dig into your vibe (and unique slice of the Business of Woo). The key to it all? Well, there's a few.First, you have to be completely obsessed and inspired with the "thing" you're exploring in this emergent media platforms. Why? Well, because the second requirement is consistency over a long period of time, which can only be achieved by someone that genuinely, actually loves the nerdy Woo of it all.LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachKasia's TOTEM Deck(s) Review: https://youtu.be/Ba7Mi7HaEO8?si=X2IVEQrxj_jqPi3rTOTEM + Tarot Map Interview: https://youtu.be/yCOOjzGY0Yo?si=xV5UOtGdayTJgl4pPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooKasia's Links: Website: www.tarotmap.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarotmap/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarotmap/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with client, friend and consumer of the Woo Nicole Foos (of NVision by Nicole Foos). Not only is Nicole a talented crystal jewelry maker, artist and sculptor, but she's also an accomplished student and practitioner of the Woo herself, making her a VERY discerning customer. And that's exactly why she was pinged to join this Business of Woo-themed podcast series to offer up a unique line of sight into the client's perspective. What are Nicole's "green flags" vs. "red flags" when it comes to engaging with a psychic or practitioner? What trends has she noticed in the last few years, and which of these trends give her a solid case of the "ick"? What are some key metrics-- like reviews or age of business-- that skeptical but curious spiritual explorers keep an eye out for as they discern the best (and must trustworthy) practitioners with whom to work?This episode has it all: what is up with those weird psychic "membership programs"? What is the real math behind those online directories? How old SHOULD you be before you declare yourself a "life coach"? Listeners will come away from this episode with a clear set of criteria to consider before committing to someone in the Business of Woo!LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooNicole's LINKS:Website: https://www.nvisionbynicolefoos.com/Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NVisionbyNicoleFoosPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of the show Britt Sundkulla-Sinclair of Golden Thread Alchemy all about her transition from part-time working witch, astrologer and death doula to a full-time Woo-based business owner!And, not only does Britt describe what this transition has been like-- and what it demands in terms of working hours, promotional/ unpaid efforts, and very early mornings-- but she also explores the strange devolution in human interaction (and mutual respect) that has been accelerating since the Covid-19 pandemic. Clients and customers of the Woo just aren't behaving the same anymore, requiring Woo-based business owners to make some necessary but unpleasant changes like: charging for previously free events, making rules at group workshops re: topics to not discuss, and requiring deposits or up-front payment for one-on-one sessions.But it's not all Debbie Downer sh*t! Within all of this minutea and restructuring are tremendous silver linings, perhaps the most important of which is that this cycle is separating the tourists and casuals from the serious, life-long, real deal experts. If you're a Woo-based business owner navigating these trying times, just remember: every day that you don't give up, you're passively taking market share from those that do!And that means that you'll get to continue to be of service, fulfill your life's purpose, and continue to "touch the Woo" every damn day!LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooBritt's LINKS:Website: https://www.goldenthreadalchemy.comSubstack: https://goldenthreadalchemy.substack.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Cardsy B (of the Hex and the City podcast) all about what life is really like as a full-time working witch in residence at one of Manhattan's premier boutique hotels.And, while there's some literal magic in Cardsy's workdays, there is also the reality of the Business of Woo: the increasing exertion required to maintain healthy client boundaries, navigate parasocial dynamics, and process untethered-- and often nasty-- criticism that cuts to the core of your character.The bottom line? You can't make everybody happy all of the time, so Woo-based business owners and full-time psychic practitioners need to establish codified "shop policies" that enable them to stay consistent while conserving their precious energy while working with the general public. In this episode, Rachel and Cardsy chat about what a psychic session is supposed to deliver. Spoiler alert: getting a tarot reading or psychic sessions isn't actually a good way to manage anxiety, nor can a reading or session actually shift the material reality of your life. It's just a diagnostic, and one that the client should come away from feeling empowered and ready to tackle the world of free will-- just with better data;)LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck:https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXCardsy B's LINKS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardsyb/Linktree: https://bio.cardsyb.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of show Nichole Bigley (of A Psychic's Story) about the constantly shifting, evolving and demanding business and technology landscape in the Business of Woo.Nichole hosts the #1 Spiritual podcast in the world, which might give folks the impression she has a big team of tech-savvy backroom geniuses at the ready on a minute-by-minute basis. But, as Nichole explains in this episode, that's just not how the Business of Woo really works!What's more: with the exponential increasing rate of change in every vector of modern life-- and especially within the realm of technology and related tools-- managing the ever-expanding world of social media platforms, online course systems, and much, much more is a full-time job all on its own! Never mind the fact that very few of us working psychics, shamans and energy workers aren't exactly tech experts to begin with-- unless, of course, you see a deck of tarot cards as a spiritual technology!But it's not all bad news-- there's a serious silver lining in the Business of Woo, which Nichole and Rachel dig into, offering solutions and several white pills on the future of our "industry"!LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck:https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXNichole's Website: https://www.apsychicsstory.com/about-a-psychics-storyLooking for Angels Book: https://a.co/d/hIZK2f9Nichole's IG: https://www.instagram.com/apsychicsstory/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with friend of the show Colleen Soisson (of Feather Mountain Ayurveda) about the common misconception that business owners-- even those in the Business of Woo-- are rich. The reality of the Business of Woo is oceans away from how it's perceived by clients and consumers, and most practitioners make substantial, very unglamorous sacrifices to make their dream a daily reality. And not all of these sacrifices are financial-- there's all of the sweat equity, invisible and unexpected labor (like sweeping and cleaning your yoga studio every damn day), and the burden of taking the financial (and existential risk) of not having a steady paycheck from an employer.Colleen breaks down the cognitive dissonance between perception and reality, as well as outlines the real breakdown of daily work: how much is actually the Woo-based core competency vs. how much is the marketing, accounting, tech and other infrastructure enhancement efforts. The long and the short of it? The Business of Woo is like an iceberg: what you see is just the tip of it! So what can we all do about this strange perception paradigm? Well, to start, we can engage in honest conversations (like this one) AND make efforts to engage our Woo-based business owners with compassion and respect as they bust their hump to bring us the very best in spiritual services and technologies!LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachPlease support the Sponsors of The Skeptical Shaman Podcast:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck:https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXColleen Soisson Links:Website: https://www.feathermtn.comIG: https://linktr.ee/ColleenAyurvedaPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with writer and modern magician Marco Visconti (of the Magick Without Tears Substack) about the daily grind of being a Woo-baed business owner-- and, more specifically, content creator. For Woo-based business owners, these are not the "before times"-- and, as Marco has noted, it's a real challenge to make a living while sharing expertise and insights. As commoditized, race-to-the-bottom (not to mention often free) Woo-based content proliferates the marketplace, knowledgeable, experienced practitioners and authors are getting lost in the shuffle.After all: why pay for something you can get for free, right? Well, the answer is: because it's NOT THE SAME as the free stuff. Not even a little bit. Said another way? You get what you pay for, and this matters exponentially when it comes to the high stakes world of Woo-- and our spiritual development and wellbeing!Marco gets vulnerable, honest and brave as he shares the daily struggle of a writer that has dedicated their life to sharing their intensive years of research, practice, education, and energy. Hopefully, this episode will dispel outdated myths about the reality of being a writer, practitioner, or Woo-based business owner, engendering some much-deserved empathy and support for those that dedicate their lives to this service. The long and the short of it? Support your favorite writer, Substacker, and content creator with your dollars, referrals and recommendations. It makes a WORLD of difference for those trying to eek out a living while making a difference!Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooMarco's Links:Website: https://www.marcovisconti.orgSubstack: https://marcovisconti.substack.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this special, Business of Woo-themed episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) reconnects with the absolutely luminescent Yolanda Williams (of the Reiki Radio Podcast) to chat all things "Wusiness of Boo". That's actually not a typo. Unfortunately, it's how Rachel pronounced "Business of Woo" before she could gather herself at the beginning of this episode!Up first? Yolanda opens up the proverbial kimono to get really real about expectations around pricing and payment as a reiki practitioner, dispelling outdated myths permeating the Business of Woo and explaining why there needs to be an even exchange of energy for this work.Yes, it's shocking but true: people actually expect Woo-based business owners to undertake their services-- including energy work, psychic sessions, and much, much more-- for FREE. Not sure how they think practitioners are going to pay rent or buy groceries...maybe they think psychics and reiki practitioners can just "manifest money" with invisible magic?Yah, I know. When you put it in writing, it sounds nuts, doesn't it? That's because it IS NUTS. Those of us in the Business of Woo spend years of our life and tens of thousands of dollars on continued education and certifications to bring these services to the marketplace-- not to mention the fact that this is how we make our living..and pay our bills!Yolanda also details how (and why) her Woo-based business has evolved over the years to support her as a whole human being-- and not just a human "doing". The Business of Woo is a super client-session and client-facing labor-intensive model, and while practitioners love their work and feel a deep sense of purpose, the potential for burnout is REAL. This means that practitioners need to not only charge a fair fee for their time and talent, but they also need to get creative about ways to disseminate their knowledge via online courses, digital downloads, and books and manuals. Yolanda is the perfect guest to kick off this latest Business of Woo series of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, bringing a vulnerable and authentic-- but ultimately uplifting-- perspective to this dialogue. Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooYolanda's LINKS:http://instagram.com/reikiradiohttp://theenergeticalchemist.comPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

For today's episode, I am joined by Rachel White and Allie Stamler of the LA-based indie pop trio Polyglam. Allie and Rachel join me to discuss their new EP Spectrum and seasoned history as session musicians and songwriters for some of the biggest pop acts in the world. ✨ MORE ABOUT POLYGLAM ✨Polyglam is a power trio from LA creating sophisticated indie pop that plays with the sonic equilibrium with lush strings, layered beats, and breezy vocals. The band is comprised of seasoned songwriters and producers Allie Stamler (Dove Cameron, MAX) Rachel White (Panic! at the disco, Weezer) and John Sinclair (Weezer, Andrew McMahon). Their brand new EP, Spectrum, traverses the exploration of finding solace and comfort in the "in-between."✨ KEEP UP TO DATE WITH POLYGLAM ✨Web: Instagram: instagram.com/polyglammusic/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@polyglammusicSpotify: open.spotify.com/artist/77VW57Mxe5o2PJZOs61RtmApple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/polyglam/1675283383✨ CONNECT WITH IZZY ✨Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://agrrrlstwosoundcents.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/channel/UCv6SBgiYCpYbx9BOYNefkIg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/agrrrlstwosoundcents/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/grrrlsoundcents⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with her second client EVER when she opened TOTEM Readings 15 years ago in Chicago: Laura Hunnewell.Not only is Laura a friend of TOTEM and The Skeptical Shaman-- as well as a super-talented Licensed Esthetician-- she is a serious survivor, spending the last several years navigating serious health issues and a relentless chronic pain disorder.Laura has been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, otherwise known as "the suicide disease" because of the life-altering levels of pain it brings. And, while she continues to get traditional medical treatment (including TWO craniotomies), she has also embraced some more Woo-based tools to help her get through the day with a sense of peace, optimism and joy. In this episode (and show notes, below) Laura shares multiple books, resources, daily practices, and more with Rachel and The Skeptical Shaman listeners.Laura is living reminder that you can be "in it" and still show up for others. Despite dealing with an acutely painful and debilitating heath condition, Laura is kind and present for others-- proof positive that NONE of us have an excuse to be a sh*t just because we're having a bad day;)What's more: this episode also reminds us to show up every day with intentionality and compassion. Many of our fellow humans are struggling with unseen challenges we know nothing about, and outward appearances can be deceiving. So, when in doubt, be kind.Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooBooks mentioned in this episode:The Places that Scare You by Pema ChodronDon't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph NgyuenCan't Stop Thinking by Nancy ColierWhen The Body Says No by Gabor MateThe Myth of Normal by Gabor MateMaybe This Will Help by Michelle Rial The Healing Power of Sound by Michell Gaynor Laura's Links:Laura's website: laurahunnewell.comLaura teaches here: www.yogaloftstudios.comPlease note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) welcomes back fan favorite Allen Greenfield: famous ritual magician, Kabbalist, and former Thelemite, recently featured as a subject matter expert in Amazon's Hellier TV series.In a world of superficial spiritual LARPers, Allen Greenfield is a bonafide real deal-- a national treasure with all manner of arcane knowledge across his more than 60 years of hands-on esoteric experience. With legit certificates and bonafides from the Knights Templar, the Illuminati, and the World Association of Egyptian Obediences, Allen is a throwback to a time when sorcerers, magicians and practitioners dug deep into ancient, esoteric knowledge-- instead of just pulling an oracle card and issuing false profundities on Instagram.In this episode, Allen shares previously unheard insights into the unfolding Hellier magic and his book The Secrets of the Black Lodge Revealed: an unflinching look at the reality behind those bad boys fictionally featured in David Lynch's famous Twin Peaks TV series.Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooAllen's Links:Secrets of the Black Lodge Book: https://a.co/d/ecxH5qEFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReallyAllenGreenfield/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with writer and modern magician Marco Visconti all about the life of Thelema founder Aleister Crowley-- as well as the spiritual system (and its many, many tributaries) he left behind.What is Thelema? What is the Book of the Law? From where do these cornerstones of occult studies spring? What is sex magic? Who is Lady Babylon? How does one use the Lesser Key of Solomon? (Word to the wise: DON'T use the Lesser Key of Solomon!)Marco helps Rachel and listeners of The Skeptical Shaman podcast bust some of the myths around this iconoclastic, larger-than-life figure-- ultimately (hopefully) separating fact from fiction with regard to his strangely long-lived religion.Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooMarco's Links:Website: https://www.marcovisconti.orgSubstack: https://marcovisconti.substack.com/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with Jade Kaskel of Reform Routine, a full-spectrum, supportive Woo-based business that helps focus navigate the trauma and clutter of life-- including physical clutter in their homes!Jade's unique perspective comes from a long and often challenging early life, starting with being raised as a Jehovah's Witness and undergoing the spiritual trauma (and dark night of the soul) that come with leaving this kind of "religious institution".*Ahem*Now, Jade is bringing her many gifts, insights and lessons learned to the world, offering incredible, supportive services via her BRAND NEW Woo-based business. Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooJade's Links:Jade's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeelanor/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with AJ Goodwin-- a TOTEM client and professional realtor and business mentor that has spent the last several months embracing her spiritual and personal growth, living in the "messy middle" of transformation!As a highly-driven, high-performing entrepreneur, AJ spent this Year of the Wood Snake doing the impossible: taking time away from work to completely and totally invest in herself. She's growing hydroponic lettuce, embracing the weird and woo "assignments" in the TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Program, and letting herself luxuriate in the "in between"-- instead of pushing, rushing and grinding to get to the finish line OR, worse yet, deluding herself into thinking she can multitask this sh*t.Spoiler alert: you can't shortcut shamanic transcendence. So, knock that cheat code bullsh*t off;)AJ shares where she felt resistance to her intuition, to the world of Woo, and to even just taking some time away from the grind. She also shares what her ROI has been for this short break in the messy middle-- and it's pretty awesome.Rachel's LINKS:Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.comTOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.comRachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrachOur Sponsors' LINKS:The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsGThe TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://totemreadingsatx.etsy.com/listing/1492934343The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATXTOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coachingTOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-wooAJ's Links:AJ's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajgoodwinrva/Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

Local democracy has never been more essential, so why does it so often disappoint us? Jack convenes an all-star cast to discuss the promise vs the reality of school boards as democratic institutions. Special guests Rachel White, Derek Gottlieb, Kathleen Knight Abowitz and Johann Neem make the case that, love them or hate them, school boards remain one of the last places where Americans can come together as neighbors as part of a community. Bonus: we meet one of the longest-serving school board members in the land. The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HaveYouHeardPodcast

What if the thing that makes you extraordinary isn't something you're born with, but something you choose?In this episode, Jason Fox, former Special Forces operator, bestselling author, and host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, shares the habits that helped him move from feeling unremarkable to performing under extreme pressure. Not because he believed he was destined for greatness, but because he learned how to respond when it mattered most.We explore what it means to stay calm in chaos, how to build resilience when life doesn't go to plan, and the mindset shift that can turn self-doubt into strength.Jason talks about identity, trauma, his daughter's quiet courage, and the power of asking better questions in difficult moments. Questions like:What would the best version of me do right now?What if I'm more capable than I think?What would courage look like here?This is a conversation about finding your footing when the world tilts, and discovering that the superpower you're searching for might already be in you.Listen to the full episode with Jason Fox: https://pod.fo/e/24412fHere is more information on the studies referenced: The Batman Effect: Improving Perseverance in Young Children, Published In: Child Development, 2016 Rachel White et al (University of Michigan)