Essence Podcast with Ben Stimpson

My guest today is fellow therapist, Ash McKernan, author of "Wyrdcraft: Healing Through the Mysteries of the Fates." Matthew Ash McKernan, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, ecotherapist, bard, naturalist, and wyrdworker. He has degrees in anthropology and counseling psychology and loves to spend time at the crossroads where psyche, nature, magic, and healing intersect. You can visit his website at www.WyrdWildWeb.com To see the video version, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKa9TwdCIYw

My guest this week is Storm Faerywolf, prolific member of the queer magical community. Storm Faerywolf is a published author, experienced teacher, visionary poet, and professional warlock. He is a regular contributor to Modern Witch and is a founding teacher of Black Rose, an online school of modern folkloric witchcraft. He has written several books, including Betwixt and Between, Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft, and The Stars Within the Earth (Mystic Dream Press, 2003). For more, visit his website at faerywolf.com. He joins me for an epic double episode... I hope you'll join our chat for a listen! To view the video click here: https://youtu.be/THEdAXtPHjQ To listen to the audio, click here:

Albert Björn Shiell grew up in the shade of the South Downs of Sussex, England. He spent his days there walking ancient chalk hills, full of burial mounds and folklore. Trading it all in 2017 for cold and seemingly desolate Iceland, Albert picked up his life and moved North. He now lives in downtown Reykjavík, writing and researching, translating old Icelandic books. He spends his days walking the land around him, learning and conversing with the many plant and land spirits of Iceland. Focusing now on an animistic framework of Nordic magic combined with the Sussex cunning of his homeland, Albert aims to deliver practical folkloric magic inspired by both his homes. He is a podcaster, and author of "Icelandic Plant Magic" out through Crossed Crow Books. Find him on social media @Sussex_Pellar

Madame Pamita is a teacher, candle maker, spellcaster, tarot reader, and a Ukrainian diaspora witch. She is the owner of an online spiritual apothecary called Madame Pamita's Parlour of Wonders. She is the host of a YouTube video series, Candle Magic Class and the weekly Magic Q&A Tea Party. She is the proprietor of Madame Pamita's Parlour of Wonders. To find out more, please visit: https://www.parlourofwonders.com

Welcome to the first episode of my Fall series "Essence Podcast" Into the Woods" in which I speak with Folkloric and Tradititional practitioners and witches. My first guest is the lovely Byron Ballard. Byron is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist, and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at several festivals and conferences, including the Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Starwood, Hexfest and many others. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on "Wyrd Mountain Gals." Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Find her online at www.myvillagewitch.com. ---------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: www.youtube.com/@BenStimpsonAuthor FB: www.facebook.com/BenStimpsonAuthor WS: www.benstimpson.com

My guest this week is my friend Gareth Blacthorne, queer Virginian occult artist, political activist, and traditional witch. I first came across Gareth online through mutuals and he shared his artwork with me... I knew I had to have him on! -------------------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: www.youtube.com/@BenStimpsonAuthor FB: www.facebook.com/BenStimpsonAuthor WS: www.benstimpson.com

Brett Hollyhead is a traditional witch based in Wrecsam, North Wales. Immersed in the culture and landscape of Shropshire and the Borders, Brett has spoken across the United Kingdom and Internationally. Brett's written work can be seen in various magazines, as well as content on his social media pages. He is a member of the Welsh language coven, Sarffes Goch, with previous Essence podcast guests Moss and Mhara. Brett previously presented a talk at the Salem Festival of Folklore and Witchcraft, which will be available as a recording until the end of the 2023. To find out more about Brett, visit his social media under the name "The Witch of Salopia" https://www.instagram.com/witch_of_salopia ------------------------------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: www.youtube.com/padukawellness FB: Ben Stimpson - Author WS: www.benstimpson.com

My guest today is Ash William Mills, author and museum founder. Ash is the author of "The Black Book of Isobel Gowdie" and we talk about his relationship to his spirit guide, Isobel; Scottish witchcraft; the sometimes precarious relationship between academia and folk practice; and his favourite items he's collected or been donated for his museum. Find Ash at: https://www.facebook.com/museumofmfw or https://www.museummfw.com/ ------------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: www.youtube.com/@BenStimpsonAuthor FB: Ben Stimpson - Author WS: www.benstimpson.com

My guest today is Chris Lyon, founder of Mystai and host of "Into the Couldron." Chris is a trained archeologist, having completed his Bachelors at UCL in London, a long time occultist with particular interests in the Greek Magical Papyri and Hermetic traditions. We talk about his journey, his archeological background, and his interest in building community. To find out more about Chris and follow his socials, visit www.mystai.co.uk

Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

Craig Spencer is a Lancashire-born Anglo-Italian witch who practices Traditional Lancashire Witchcraft. His academic background earned him a Bachelor of Science degree with honours from the University of Salford and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Central Lancashire. He is an integrated therapist and Reiki teacher. In his downtime he enjoys reading, learning new languages (currently Mandarin “ni hao!”), and has a love for all things comedy and horror. He is the author of "Witchcraft Unchained: Exploring the Histiry and Traditions of British Craft" out now through Crossed Crow Books. Other works by Craig Spencer include Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches published by Llewellyn Worldwide. To connect with Craig, please see the following socials:

Instagram @WitchcraftUnchained Twitter @CraigSpencer90. -----------------------

Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My guest this week is my friend Houngan James (Dyekidon Bon Houngan Daginen Menfo). James is a Nova Scotia based Houngan asogwe of the religion of Haitian Vodou. He undertook kanzo in 2017 in the lineage of La Fraicheur Belle Fleur Guinen just north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Apart from his day job, James runs the website Lwa and Order, and engages in teaching and attending events across North America. In this episode we talk about hiw journey from punk kid building a shrine to Legba in the days of ICQ, to houngan having just married the lwas Freda, Dantor and La Sirene.

To see more of James' work, please visit his website: https://lwaandorder.com/

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Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

I am joined tonight by Matthew Venus, (He/Them) who is the proprietor of the Salem area shop Spiritus Atcanum, and alongside Jacqui Allouise (The Couldron Black) is the co-founder of the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival. Venus describes themself as an Artist, Folk Magician, Rogue Occultist, Folkloric Witch, Social Deviant, and Beard Curator. We discuss Matthews' evolution in spirituality, their thoughts on personal practice, queer peoples connection to witchcraft, and the story of how the folklore festival came to be. To find out more about Matthew and Spiritus Arcanum, and the folklore festival visit the following: www.salemwitchfest.com & spiritusarcanum.com -------------------------------------------

Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My Guest today is Eron Mazza. Eron (they/them) is a witch, activist, and podcaster. They are a dedicant of the Anderson Feri tradition, and hosts “The Witching Hour with Eron Mazza” a mindgarden media podcast in association with ‘Screw You Todd’ productions. In this episode, we talk about Eron's activism, spiritual progression, the Anderson Feri tradition, and their journey as a podcaster.

To listen to Eron's interview of me, please visit:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...

To connect with Eron, please visit his socials:

www.eronmazza.com

IG: @the_witching_hour_eron_mazza

FB: https://www.facebook.com/witchinghourwitheron

Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My guest today is ayurvedic consultant and spiritual practitioner, Avi Lago, of Glasgow, Scotland. ------------------------------------------------ Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My guest today is pagan author Morgan Daimler, whose work focusses on Irish fairy lore and urban fantasy.

My guest today is Jade Pichette, queer activist, Heathen gythia, and educator.

Originally posted: 3 Jun 2021

On today's episode I am very pleased to have a very special person in my life come onto the show. I spoke with my mentor, clinical supervisor, and friend Tiffany Lazic earlier about her journey into spiritual psychotherapy, the importance of seeing through story to essence, on building a heart centred space for others, and what lessons she learned along the way. Tiffany is a spiritual psychotherapist, writer, teacher, and joy enthusiast. Founder of the Hive And Grove Centre for Holistic Wellness located in Kitchener, Ontario. To find out more about Tiffany and her work, please visit: www.hiveandgrove.com --------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence. ------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self. Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained. ------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My guest today is El Conquistador, a music artist who has been taking the Orisha world by storm with his music videos devoted to the spirits of the Afro-Cuban religion Lukumi.  El Conquistador joins me for an intimate discussion on his spirituality, art, ambitions, and what motivates him to create in honour of the Orishas.  To find out more about El Conquistador, please see his youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2pkYjqfjQieKtlrmmgghDw 

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...​

My guest today is Pax Gray: podcaster, educator, spiritual seeker, and community facilitator from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.  Pax runs the New Moon Hearthcraft podcast, is an educator, a spiritual seeker, an initiate of Kaula Tantra, a former Trappist monk, and practitioner of the occult arts.  Pax joins me to speak about his life and the role social justice has played in his spiritual life.  To find out more about New Moon Hearthcraft with Pax, please see his facebook page and links to the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/NMHPax/ 

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...​

My guest today is Damh the Bard, Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids; host of Druidcast; and musician based in Brighton, UK.  Damh comes onto the show to discuss his spiritual and professional journeys and how they have culminated in his work as Pendragon of one of the largest Druid Orders in the world.  Damh speaks candidly about the evolution of his music, his role as a storyteller, and the intimacy of his masterpiece work:  The Branches of Y Mabinogi series.  To find out more about Damh the Bard, please see his website: www.paganmusic.co.uk  ----

----- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...​

My guest today is psychotherapist and professional storyteller Brian Walsh, a personal friend and colleague of mine who joins me to discuss the impact of story on his professional and spiritual life, his journey to claim story for himself, and how he uses story in his work with clients.  To find out more about Brian, please see her website: http://www.brianwalsh.ca/

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...​

My guest today is psychotherapist Carrie Lee, a personal friend and colleague of mine who joins me to discuss her life in the corporate world, her journey to a private psychotherapy practice, the interweaving of spirituality into her work, and the lessons she has come across along the way.  To find out more about Carrie, please see her website: https://soulsigma.ca/ 

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...​

My guest today is UK based spiritual practitioner Clint Ourin Burn, organizer of The Goddess Grove, a Northampton area seed group for the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids.  Clint is a member of OBOD; Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF).  Clint joins us today to talk about stepping into the role of teacher, service, memorial and ancestor work in the age of Covid.  To learn more about Clint and to watch his offerings, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/thegoddessgrovies  Apologies for the less than best quality of sound in the intro, my main microphone I use is no longer with us.  

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

My guest today is London based wellness advocate, inspirational writer, artist, graphic designer and author Tracy Kelly to speak about her new book 'Healthy Reminders'   To learn more about Tracy and to order her book, please visit: www.tracykelly.ca  

--------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.  

------------ About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, their life journeys and the insights gained.  

------------- Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode of Essence, we talk to Di Riseborough about personal healing work, forgiveness, and the importance of breath.  Di is a Registered Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Intuitive Life Strategist, and Transformational Healer based out of London, Ontario, Canada.  To learn more about Di, please visit: www.diriseborough.com

To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com www.facebook.com/padukawellness  

Please hit subscribe to get updates on future episodes of Essence.

About Essence: Essence is a podcast all about story, journey and self.  Released twice a month, Ben interviews individuals about their work, about their life journeys and the insights gained.

Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  NOTE: There is discrepancy in the title of the podcast, Ben mentions the title as being 'Lore.'  This interview was created before a rebranding of the podcast, and in no way are we affiliated (thought great admirers of) the Lore podcast created by Aaron Mahnke.