Stoner Story Witch

S7E1: 🌑♋️ Memos w/ Friends: Taming the Werewolf Within w/ Carmen Spagnola

(This episode is a collection of voice memos that took place from June 17 through June 30th. It feels significant and worthwhile to mention that June 30th was the day that Carmen’s beloved dog Mona became an ancestor)
 
Welcome to Season 7, a collection of voice memos between Kristyn and Carmen in the lead up to the release of Carmen’s book, How to Connect: Build Strong Bonds and Deep Connections Through Contact Nutrition (No Matter Your Attachment Style, Trauma History, or Neurotype) and the incremental release of Kristyn’s Empyrean Fanfic “Feral Diaries.”  
 
The intention of season 7 is to document the transition of a relationship from a mentor/mentee and provider/client to friend. In it, we commit to practicing secure attachment through an exchange of voice memos during a time when we are both releasing written works into the world.
 
In this episode, we discussed the werewolf archetype as a model for the importance of tracking power in our intimate relationships- as mothers, as white-bodied friends to other women of the global majority, and as women in relationships with men.
 
Kristyn shares about the roadmap that many romantasy series provide where the male main character is modeling how they tame the werewolf within (unless the series extends past two books, as Kristyn goes on a bit of a tangent on ACOTAR as well as Pride and Prejudice).
 
Carmen’s previous appearances on Stoner Story Witch include: Season 1 of Severance, Season 2 of Severance, and Heated Rivalry Season 1. As today is the new moon in Cancer, it feels magical to note that Carmen was also featured in the episode for the full moon in Cancer, where she spoke about Amor Fati.
 
Follow the podcast on Substack & Instagram!
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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
Carmen Spagnola’s Power Mapping workshop (see Spring Up Liberatory Education for more), Carmen’s Secure Attachment and Contact Nutrition Courses on the Numinous Network, 
Carmen’s Numinous Podcast, specifically her episode on the Ritual of Marriage Moon
Preorder Carmen’s Book
Follow Zawn Villines for more on the role of patriarchy, starting with her “Not All Men Hotline” 
 
MN_Therapist on Instagram (lots of reels explaining the role of power in children going no contact with their parents).
 
Dra Rocio Rosales Mesa
toi smith
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
 
 
 
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S6E1: 🌕♑️ Stories from the Sourdough Swap w/ Dina and Sarah

From 2024-2026, I have facilitated an ever-emerging Sourdough Swap- an attachment oriented and trauma informed anti-capitalist community building practice. The skills I have used as a facilitator are a blend of what I learned from Carmen Spagnola’s Facilitation Training as well as through facilitation training with the Offers and Needs model through the Post Growth Institute. Aside from being featured on Asteria’s Convos, I have not shared much publicly about “the swap.”
 
Until now. 
 
As the podcast and the swap are both entering into their third year, it is increasingly evident that the time has come for the two to merge- to allow Stories from the Swap to be shared publicly.  As season 6 of the Stoner Story Witch podcast.
 
This episode features a conversation with Sarah and Dina, two swappers who graciously accepted the invitation to record a conversation with the following prompts:
-How would you describe the swap to someone who has never heard about it?
⁠-What is your “swap story?”/what has been your experience of the swap so far?
-What do you enjoy most about the swap?
-What has been/is your intention/practice of the swap?
-A favorite swap moment 
-How has your experience in the swap impacted you/ what shifts have you noticed within yourself since joining the swap?
-Hopes/dreams/visions you have for the future of the swap?
 
Specifically, in this conversation we discussed how we practice identifying our internalized patriarchy, the importance of a council of elders, and parsed out how community building is both resource sharing and intimacy building, and grappled with the messiness of it all.
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Camen Spagnola’s Numinous Network, Facilitation Training, and PreOrder her Book
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

Stoner Solstice: "Feral Diaries" Part 1 is out now

I am so excited to share that the Empyrean fanfic that I have been working on for a year and a half is finally coming out! Part 1 is released TODAY in honor of the June Solstice, Part 2 will come out on July 15 (Conscription Day) and Part 3 will release on October 1 (Threshing day).
This book is a compilation and integration of my own favorite theories for the series and I have tried as hard as I can to make it align with the existing canon. I want it to feel like it is book 4! (or I guess we could say, book 3.5).
This is a labor of love for all of the Empyrean fans, but especially those of you on Reddit.

S5E10: 🌑♊️Writer’s Group Ch 10: A Sneak Peak of “Feral Diaries” w/Matt

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.
 
For the first time ever, I am including the part of our gathering where I read an excerpt of the book in progress (!), and this conversation also includes: how language (especially pronouns) shapes our worldview, edgewalkers and fugitives, and Kristyn discusses again how Birdbox (2018) is really just about collapse.
 
(This conversation happened on January 20, 2026)
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Bayo Akomolafe
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S5E9: 🌑♉️Writer’s Group Ch 9: Past Predicted the Present: Turn it in Pass/Fail w/ Matt

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.
 
Much of this conversation was omitted to protect details of our writings in progress, but in this conversation we discussed Matt embarking on his 2026 goal of self-publishing his book “Prayer Warriors” (anticipated release on August 3rd) while Kristyn (accurately) predicts the day (it is upon us) where she is gonna just click “publish” on the fanfic as Pass/Fail.
 
(This conversation happened on January 13, 2026)
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S5E8: 🌑♈️Writer’s Group Ch 8: Writing as Prophecy w/ Matt

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.
 
Much of this conversation was omitted to protect details of our writings in progress, but in this conversation we discussed writing as prophecy, life with EDS, how to work through Mercury Retrograde, how collapse brings clarity, and the power of collective imagination inherent in fanfic (as well as in pentagrams of human-dragon relationships.)
 
(This conversation happened on November 25, 2025, between publishing S5E3 and Repairing Relational Rupture w/ Kevin)
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
—---------------------------------------------
Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Resources in the “Compost Heap”:  Stranger than Fiction (2006 movie), Mistborn
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S5E7: ♎️🌕 Writer’s Group Ch 7: Season of Doubt w/ Matt

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.
 
Much of this conversation was omitted to protect details of our writings in progress, but in this conversation we chatted a little bit about the Sourdough Swap (a community centered around practicing mutual aid) that Kristyn facilitates and about “The Season of Doubt” that inevitably creeps into a creative practice.  Kristyn also pulls a three card oracle spread for Matt, because sometimes that is what is called for in a season of doubt.
 
(This conversation took place on November 4, 2025 in between the episodes S5E3 and Ep33: V for Vendetta)
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
—---------------------------------------------
Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S5E6: 🌑♓️Writer’s Group Ch 6: Pointing to the Moon w/ Matt

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.
 
Much of this conversation was omitted to protect details of our writings in progress, but in this conversation we discussed the difference between our need to be witnessed with the need to share our work, self-insert fanfiction/autofiction (why not create a badass baker?), collaborating and collectively imagining, and embracing that our work is but a gnarly finger pointing to the moon.
 
For more reflection, check out the substack post for this episode.
 
(This conversation happened on October 14, 2025, between publishing conversation with Jeanna Kadlec and S5E2)
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
—---------------------------------------------
Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Resources in the “Compost Heap”: Bhagavad Gita, Ryokan, Kamila Shamsie, Oranges are not the Only Fruit
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

Ep39: 🌕♌️ {Heated Rivalry} Power Mapping Prince Charmings w/ Carmen Spagnola & Jamie

(This episode assumes listeners have already watched season 1 of Heated Rivalry and contains only spoilers and no synopsis.)
 
Why are we so consumed by Heated Rivalry, really? What does it mean to have a source of corrective experience with no threat of betrayal?  How can romance offer us a reparative experience to resource us for collective liberation? When power mapping between two prince charmings, can we see to it that community wins over capitalism in real life, too?  Who knew that a tuna melt could evoke so many feelings?  
 
Kristyn with a Why uses the three questions she learned from teacher and mentor Carmen Spagnola on the Numinous Network to engage in a trauma-informed and attachment-oriented friendly chat with her BFF Jamie to settle their nervous systems as they shared their reactions to #HeatedRivalry season 1, featuring guest appearances from Carmen Spagnola.
Follow the Stoner Story Witch podcast on Substack!
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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
Carmen Spagnola’s Numinous Network, article on the Anxious/Avoidant Trap, &   Numinous Podcast
Esther Perel’s Reel 
Bitches Gotta Eat Substack
Zawn Villines: “If he wanted to, he would.”
Spring Up Liberatory Education
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
adrienne maree brown “Visionary fiction”
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)

S5E5: 🌑♑️Writer’s Group Ch 5: The Sexy Inventory- Daemons, Aes Sedai, and Indigenous Sovereignty

Note: This Writers Group episode is more of a diary entry documenting our creative process rather than a well-researched audio essay about a theme or an outlined interview. Transitions may feel jarring or confusing since the priority is consent and privacy over elements of our work.  If you have a pressing question, feel free to ask on substack!  (This conversation occurred in September 2025)
 
Much of this conversation was omitted to protect details of our writings in progress, but in this conversation we discussed elements from our own “Sexy Inventory” for our projects- from the competent protector relationship between daemons and humans from His Dark Materials, to the men in service of powerful women like the Warders to Aes Sedai in Wheel of Time, to the Indigenous Sovereignty in the Empyrean Series, we love it all.
 
You can find Matt here and here
 
Follow the podcast on Substack or Instagram!
 
—---------------------------------------------
Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
 
Jeanna Kadlec: “Embrace the Cringe” and “No new stories”
 
People’s Oracle, Dayna Lynn Nuckolls “Liberation is Collective Imagination” 
 
Thanks to Sophie Strand for “Compost Heap” and “Sexy Inventory” on Substack 
 
Resources in the “Compost Heap”: #WheelofTime, #HisDarkMaterials (#GoldenCompass) , #TheEmpyreanSeries, and Bodhisattva
 
Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As always:----------------------------------
Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:
Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams
 
Shout out for the artistic assistance of:
Matt Schubbe (Logo)
Kevin Carlow (Music)