Episode 5.3: The Second Bell

For March’s supermoon, we’re excited to bring you another special treat! In this episode, we are joined by Gabriela Houston (all the way from London!) to discuss her debut novel, The Second Bell. As always, our discussion contains spoilers!

Gabriela Houston is a London-based writer. She was born in Poland and raised in a book-loving household on the nourishing diet of mythologies, classics and graphic novels. She came to the UK at 19 to follow her passion for literature and she completed her undergraduate and Masters degrees at Royal Holloway, University of London. After her studies she worked in publishing for a few years. She now lives with her family in Harrow, where she pursues her life-long passion for making stuff up.

This episode was recorded via Zoom, so there may be occasional audio hiccups. Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide
  • 0:00 – 4:05 Welcome/ Trusty Trousers
  • 4:05 – 14:15 Introduction to The Second Bell and Gabriela
  • 14:15 – 41:58 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 41:58 – 1:20:40 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 1:20:40 – 1:36:50 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 1:36:50 – 1:45:24 Final Spells
Links

“All women in patriarchal societies I suppose would experience it to some extent, where you are being held back in quite fundamental ways…It’s a sort of constant struggle, where you’re supposed to hold your nature back and be softer, be less aggressive. Don’t tap into your anger.” @GabrielaHouston

“Motherhood was really the absolute end of a female character’s journey, traditionally…That means that there’s this whole huge aspect of human experience that doesn’t traditionally get the attention it deserves. ” @GabrielaHouston

“Words matter. The way we use words matters.” @GabrielaHouston

Episode 5.2: The Witch’s Heart

For February’s full moon, we’re thrilled to bring you a very special episode! Tonight, we are joined by author Genevieve Gornichec to discuss her debut novel The Witch’s Heart.

Genevieve Gornichec earned her degree in history from The Ohio State University, but she got as close to majoring in Vikings as she possibly could, and her study of the Norse myths and Icelandic sagas became her writing inspiration. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The Witch’s Heart is her debut novel. Learn more about Genevieve on her website.

This episode was recorded via Zoom, so there may be occasional audio hiccups. Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide
  • 0:00 – 4:32 Welcome/ Nalbinded Knickers
  • 4:32 – 6:24 Introduction to The Witch’s Heart
  • 6:24 – 23:48 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 23:48 – 40:49 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 40:49 – 49:28 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 49:28 – 58:37 “Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Sadis Dee!”
  • 58:37 – Final Spells
Texts Referenced in the Episode

“You don’t have to grab a sword and go out into the battlefield to have power and be worthy of having your story told.” @gengornichec

“[The heart is] a symbol of her capacity and her ability to love others and love herself, even after everything she’s been through.” @gengornichec

Minisode 5.1: New Moon, Who Dis?

We’re excited to announce a new series of minisodes, which will be released every month on the NEW moon. Listen for witchy recommendations and magical new moon rituals!

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Links

Episode 5.1: evermore by Taylor Swift

Happy full moon in Leo, and welcome to Season Five!!! We’re excited to kick off the new season with a very special episode about Taylor Swift’s latest album, evermore. A huge thank you to Amber Vernon, Jane Funk, Marri Brown, and Chelsie Booker for their incredible contributions!

CW: domestic abuse, murder, violence at the Capitol

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Listening Guide
  • 0:00 – 7:42 Host Introductions
  • 7:42 – 13:45 Long Story Shorts
  • 13:45 – 16:11 Introduction to evermore
  • 16:35 – 24:56 Thoughts from Amber
  • 24:56 – 46:35 “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?”
  • 46:35 – 51:00 Thoughts from Jane
  • 51:00 – 1:14:34 “Bald Heads and Queer Noses”
  • 1:14:34 – 1:18:41 Thoughts from Marri
  • 1:18:41 – 1:40:31 “Round About the Cauldron Go”
  • 1:40:31 – 1:47:38 Thoughts from Chelsie
  • 1:47:38 – 1:51:08 Final Spells
Links

Episode 4.9: Season Four Finale

Wow, another season down! What a wild ride 2020 has been. We hope you’re staying safe and enjoying the holidays, despite the current challenges. Sending you all love and light and best wishes for the new year.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Per usual, in our season finale we award our annual Witchies for the following categories:

Which witch…
  • Inspired you to learn something new or to improve your craft?
  • Helped you to see other people in a new light or to better understand your own position in society (and/or take social action)?
  • Changed the way you think of your body or the human body in general?
  • Taught you something about the natural world or encouraged you to heal and/or connect with your environment?
  • Encouraged you to create art or foster a spiritual practice?
  • Made you laugh?
What was your favorite/ most magical moment from doing the podcast?
Which witch wins the Witch of the Year Award?

Episode 4.8: Wayward Witch

Happy full moon! In this episode, we discuss Wayward Witch, the third book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. Be sure to check out our episode on the first book in the series, Labyrinth Lost, and our episode on the second book, Bruja Born.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Episode 4.7: Bruja Born

Happy full moon AND Halloween/ Samhain! We hope you’re having a fun day and staying safe. In this episode, we discuss Bruja Born, the second book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. Be sure to check out our episode on the first book in the series, Labyrinth Lost, here. And check back in next month for our episode on the third book, Wayward Witch.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Welcome/ Pant Chat (0:00 – 3:25)

Introduction (3:25 – 8:03)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (8:03 – 23:22)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (23:22 – 51:25)

“Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis, Dee!” (51:25 – 1:10:26)

Final Spells (1:10:26 – 1:13:38)

Episode 4.6: Mulan

Happy full moon! In this episode we tackle Mulan, the latest of the Disney live-action remakes.

Note: We recorded via Zoom, and there were some audio/ connection issues; we apologize for the glitches. Content warning for discussions of sterilization, torture, the Uighur genocide, and ICE detention centers in the first 13 minutes.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Introduction (0:00 – 13:45)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (13:45 – 40:10)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (40:10 – 59:30)

“Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Sadis Dee!” (50:30 – 1:15:40)

Final Spells (1:15:40 – 1:24:08)

“I do not think a creative team that willfully ignores real human suffering in order to get particular scenery for their shots is capable of telling an emotionally resonant story of a heroine who sacrificed everything to prevent more human suffering.” @plindawrites

Links

Episode 4.5: folklore

Happy (only slightly belated) full moon! If you enjoyed Taylor Swift’s powerful new album, folklore, you won’t want to miss this in-depth analysis brought to you by Linda and her sister Amber.

Our theme song is “Moon and Spruce” by Sarah Little Drum.

Here’s a listening guide for the episode. (For a description of our segments, go here.)

Taylor-ed Slacks and/or The Nap Dress (0:00 – 4:25)

Introduction (4:25 – 22:35)

“Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” (22:55 – 47:05)

“Bald Heads and Queer Noses” (47:25 – 1:02:50)

“Round About the Cauldron Go”/ “Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Sadis Dee!” (1:03:05 – 1:18:57)

Links