Stoner Story Witch

Ep20: 🌑♓️ Stories on our skin: Tattoos & Secure Attachment w/ Dusty

This episode does not center a particular story.  It is a revisiting of a {PAST} conversation, honoring that {people are stories, too!}.  In this episode, Kristyn practices secure attachment and connects with her tattoo artist Dusty to discuss tattoos, the union of creativity and spirituality, and the practices that resourced us to leave the cult of evangelical Christianity while leaving the door open for the Numinous.—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:Carmen Spagnola’s Numinous Network for courses on Secure attachment & ritual practices, her Podcast on Fascism, and her book  “The Spirited Kitchen” for more on Yule and other “rewilded” spiritual practices.For more companioning around leaving the high demand group of fundamentalist/evangelical Christianity, check out Tia Leving’s Instagram and Substack and Jeanna Kadlec’s “Heretic”For more on rewilding Yeshua/Jesus, check out Sophie Strand’s books: “The Madonna Secret” and “Flowering Wand”For more animism and mythology for troubled times, check out The Emerald PodcastRoadmap to Liberation with Rev. angel Kyodo williamsAs 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 WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

Ep19: 🌕♌️ {Bad Sisters} Practicing Pleasure to Dismantle the Patriarchy w/ Marisa Sullivan

(This episode contains spoilers for the season 1 ofBad Sisters on Apple- Watching not mandatory-Kristyn provides arecap in the beginning of the ep)If practicing pleasure weren’t a radically potent act of resistance, then why are radical conservatives andlow value men so scared of women, trans, & queer folk experiencing it?  How does capitalism condition us into scarcity mindsets that keep our pleasure small?  What are simple, yet profound, practices that can help us embody the world we dream about?  Why does the etymology of the words we use to describe our pleasure parts and practices matter, and what words can we use instead?Kristyn with a Why chats with her colleague and friendMarisa Sullivanabout their past pains of the patriarchy; the magical practices of self-pleasure, story, and creativity; and the importance of security, slowness, options, and consent-  through the lens of Bad Sisters season 1.0: Introduction 6:33: Kristyn gives an overview of Bad Sisters through the lens of the Stoner Story Witch28:24: Introducing Marisa!43:50: Marisa and Kristyn chat about Bad Sisters- Grace’s dance class and what the facilitator might have done differently57:51: The importance of creativity: Grace’s art class and autonomy1:06:23: Grace saved herself through story and creative practice1:14:13: The different channels of pleasure, Romantasy/Onyx Storm connections1:21:47:  Casting spells, at home practices1:28:59: Kristyn gets personal1:43:17: Marisa gets personal1:50:38: More practices1:59:06: Where you can work with Marisa2:02:03: Gratitude, sneak peek of upcoming episodesFor more on pleasure, check outPleasure Activism byadriennemareebrown For more on the the liberation of women in hetero relationships, check out Zawn Villines’Liberating Motherhood Substack, andPodcast—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:The Numinous Network (where Marisa guides embodied movement sessions) and Carmen Spagnola’s courses on Secure attachment and Contact NutritionThe book“Love Sex and No Regrets for Today’s Teens” by Elizabeth ClarkWheel of Consent/Consent GameThe life and death of Isadora DuncanEve Ensler & the Vagina MonologuesMarisa’s Teachers:Sheri Winston ,Mama Gina,Amina Peterson &Pamela SamuelsonJacob Moreno & PyschodramaPillars of Liberation withRev. angel Kyodo williamsAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

Ep18: 🌑♒️ Embodying Community in the Revolution w/ ESJC

How can we resist buying into the big lie that we are alone?  What does it take to embody a sense of dignity and belonging when we hold dominant identities within oppressive systems?  Can we lay to rest the desire to be “pure, perfect, and innocent” and still be worthwhile to the revolution?
Kristyn with a Why receives compassionate witnessing from some of the folks from her Embodied Social Justice cohort (ESJC) in today's (relatively) mini episode.
0-11:00: Introduction, Updates, Synchronicities
11:16- end: Crying and Compassionate Witnessing by Embodied Social Justice Cohort
Check out Kristyn on the “Asteria’s Convos” podcast where they chatted about building community and sharing sourdough!
—---------------------------------------------
Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:
If you enjoyed today’s ep, you will probably love the Cosmic Anarchy Substack by Ayesha Khan, Ph.D  and on IG @wokescientist
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 and sound editing)

Ep17: 🌗♎️ {Fourth Wing & Iron Flame} - themes of Disability Justice and Indigenous Sovereignty - A friendly chat with Alexis and Kendra

(This episode contains spoilers for the first two books of The Empyrean Series- Fourth Wing and Iron Flame)How can romantasy novels resource us to live a more liberated life?  How does “curing” a protagonist of their chronic pain support larger ableist narratives?  If you fall in love with a “book boyfriend” whose lands, language, and culture have been stolen from them- how can you show your devotion to them in real life and honor land back and indigenous sovereignty?  What would it take for us to stop policing groups we have been conditioned to hate/fear especially when the rules are unjust?  Do *all* romantasy fans play Dungeons and Dragons?Kristyn with a Why sits down for a friendly chat with two friends she met on Reddit- Alexis (a writer/boardgamer) and Kendra (an aerialist/chiropractor and member of the Cree nation)- both of whom live with chronic illnesses.  Together they discuss how Violet’s journey resonated with them, what they would have liked to see more of, and they collectively imagine what liberation can look like in the soon to be released 3rd book of the series, Onyx Storm!0- Episode Intro5:30- Kristyn gives a reflective synopsis of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame28:40-Introducing Alexis and Kendra41:32- Critiques of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame58:00- Moments in the book that resourced us1:09:47- How Fourth Wing and Iron Flame help you FEEL liberation1:15:30- What was lost? Connections with Indigenous themes1:19:37- The value of not curing a chronically disabled protagonist1:33:51- More connections and quotes of Indigenous themes1:40:00-Hope for Onyx Storm1:50:23- Outro—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:10 Principles of Disability Justice by Sins InvalidSophie Strand’ssubstack: You can preorder “The Body is a Doorway” hereFor more community and witnessing around chronic illness and disability, check out Carmen Spagnola’sNuminous NetworkRoadmap to Liberation withRev. angel Kyodo williamsAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

Ep16:🌖♍️ {Squid Game} & Satisfiability w/ Kevin

(This episode contains spoilers for seasons 1 and 2 of Squid Game)How can I connect and hold space for someone who is moved by a story that I refuse to watch?  How does capitalism thrive in binary/hierarchical thinking: good vs bad, guilt vs innocence, us vs. them? Is consent and free will even possible in capitalism? In what ways is Squid Game a metaphor for reality shows like Love Island?  How can a practice of satisfiability and finding your “enough” disrupt the insatiable momentum of capitalism? How can we create the world we prefer while also fighting against unjust systems?This episode flips roles asKevinsits Kristyn down to give a synopsis of Season 1 and Season 2 of Squid Game.  Then together they riff on how the puritanical obsession with innocence and perfection has kept us immobilized from just doing less harm and feeling more satiation in unjust systems of exploitation and “never enough.”  —-------------------------Grateful for the learning alluded to in today’s episode:-Toi Smith -Carmen Spagnola’spodcast with Toi Smith, courses on Attachment and Contact Nutrition on theNuminous Network-Ruben Anderson and the #smallanddeliciouslifeAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

S2E6- 🌕♋️ {Severance} Season Synchronicities- A friendly chat w/ Jamie

(This season contains spoilers for the show“Severance”- season 1 aired in 2022 on Apple)In what ways does Santa prime kids for the blind obedience to authority and black and white purity thinking that fascism requires?  How can stories help us overcome our fear response and reach for things we deeply yearn for?  Are reality TV shows (like Love Island) just another high demand group keeping us dysregulated and disconnected?  Is it even possible to untangle the web of fascism, diet culture, and Christian fundamentalism?Kristyn with a Why sits down for a friendly chat with her BFF Jamie to discuss the synchronicities that have arrived since they invited Severance into their lives.0-6:00: Introduction6:00: Santa Claus as Milchek11:48: The radical and uncomfortable task of creating more spaciousness from the demands of our jobs24:30: Jamie connectsS2E3 to Love Island and reality TV35:00: Jamie connectsS2E3 to Diet Culture and Christian Fundamentalism43:36: Kristyn connectsS2E3 to the November election in the USA48:41: Kristyn updates on the state of her marriage postS2E255:28:S2E4- how Subversive Smut can prepare the masses to confront “Big Lies”57:00: Burt’s invitation to return to the “1st edition” of stories and intuitive connections with the divine fromS2E51:06:30: Stories as a way to connect and companion ourselves in our shared human experience1:10:00 Outro—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:Tia Leving’sInstagram andSubstackCarmen Spagnola’sPodcast on FascismSophie Strand’s novel:“The Madonna Secret”Roadmap to Liberation withRev. angel Kyodo williamsAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

S2E5- 🌑♑️ History & Education’s Role in Radical Remembering- A friendly chat about {Severance Season 1} w/ John

(This season contains spoilers for the show“Severance”- season 1 aired in 2022 on Apple)What are all the ways that we sever from parts of ourselves?  How does public school utilize the tools of “the break room” to foster compliance rather than embody liberation?  How was Helly’s embodied elitism a catalyst for her Innie to revolt? How does Burt living out his “1st edition” beliefs radicalize Irv into queering his “ramrod straight” self?  What does it take for Dylan to discover that the fingertraps of capitalism are insufficient and isolating?Kristyn with a Why sits down for a friendly chat with her friendJohn Klingler- a public school history teacher and somatics coach.  They discuss the push-pull between the Innies’ search for meaning and mattering with the Outties’ quest to forget.0-7:50: Introduction7:50: Thoughts from a history teacher, parallels between Severance and public schools, “Break room” as “break your will room” & training subconscious that “it is dangerous to rest”27:15: Helly’s Embodied Anti-Capitalism– her elitism is a liability to Lumon on the Severed floor where she is no longer trying to earn secure attachment with her father37:20: Irv’s radicalization1:04:45: Dylan’s radicalization1:14:30: Outro—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:Work with John atburiedwisdom.comResmaa Menakem’s book: My Grandmother’s HandsCarmen Spagnola’s Hypnotherapy and courses on Secure attachment & Contact Nutrition on The Numinous Network, preorder herbook hereHospicing Modernity (Book)*Prentis Hemphill’s book: What it takes to heal**Prentis uses they/them pronouns, in the pod Kristyn clumsily used “women” to relate Prentis Hemphill’s embodiment work IRL to Reghabi’s reintegration work in "Severance" andpronouns matter.The Hive- in-person and online classes in CincinnatiRoadmap to Liberation withRev. angel Kyodo williamsAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

Solstice December 2024

This bonus and first ever mini-sode is a practice of trust--recorded, edited and uploaded in an hour.
Kristyn takes a moment to celebrate the podcast's half revolution around the sun: Timeline peering the last six months, sharing best predictions for early 2025 (more subversive smut coming soon?!), and offering a tearfelt thank you to listeners-
THANK YOU for sitting around my campfire with me the last 6 months.

S2E4- 🌕♊️ Pollinating Pleasure & “Subversive Smut”: A friendly chat about {ACOTAR} with Burju

(This season contains spoilers for the show“Severance”- season 1 aired in 2022 on Apple, and this episode contains spoilers for the romantic fantasy (romantasy) series “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) by Sarah J Maas)How can we increase intimacy with someone by opening ourselves to the stories that are speaking to them?  What can we learn about our own liberation when we engage in acts we have been conditioned to think of as “taboo”?  How can sci-fi and fantasy stories become our guides and companions to help us grapple with the realities of our world?  How can an author’s strategic use of attachment biology and “contact nutrition” enable readers to completely shift their allegiances?  What makes romantasy so fricking compelling, anyway!? Kristyn with a Why sits down for a friendly and integrative chat with her friend and fellow “movement fantasy baker” Burju about creativity, romantasy, and grappling with late-stage capitalism through the lens of “ACOTAR.”0-17:39: Intro, connection to Severance, pollination and polyamory17:45-28:41: Intro to Burju, Burju answers the pod’s 3 questions28:45-45:40: Why we love ACOTAR/How Fantasy helps us see our life 45:40-1:04:28: Our overview of ACOTAR1:04:28-1:16:13:Fiction and Desire/Romantic love as metaphor for a creative practice, secure attachment for the sake of creating1:16:13-1:25:11:Fantasy/Symbols are psychological, not literal/remembering that wealth is a symbol/side-eyeing the hoarded wealth of the romantasy genre’s  justice-minded revolutionary love interests1:25:11-1:33:50: Kristyn breaks down “Contact Nutrition under the Mountain”- how stories wield the tools of attachment to change readers’ minds 1:33:50-1:46:04:Power/TheDionysian roots of Rhysand 1:46:04-2:22:30: “Subversive Smut,” locating ourselves in a story, how romantasy can radicalize readers to feel solidarity with CEO assassins, grappling with what it is to have power and own a business in late-stage capitalism2:22:30-end: When people/practices we thought were the destination end up being stepping stones, how the Feyre character in ACOTAR can help connect us to our own agency—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration in today’s episode:Sophie Strand’sSubstack and Writings onDionysis Natalie Wynn’sContrapoints video on Twilight/RomantasyCeleste Davis’Substack onElizabeth Gilberts’ discussionof degraded vs divine masculine and feminineCarmen Spagnola & courses on Secure attachment & Contact Nutrition on The Numinous Network, preorder herbook hereRoadmap to Liberation withRev. angel Kyodo williamsRecommendation for healing for patriarchal males- bell hooksAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)

S2E3- 🌑♐️ {Severance Season 1}- A Numinous Summary- w/ Carmen Spagnola

(This season contains spoilers for the show“Severance”- season 1 aired in 2022 on Apple)How might someone heal from a coercive relationship or high demand group?  How can we identify fascism and fight tyranny and why must we?  How can we respond when escape is off the table?  When trauma severs the mind from the body, what are the pros and cons of “top down” vs “bottom up” healing modalities?  How can we discern when “wellness” isn’t safe?  How is absurdity a hallmark of collapse?Kristyn with a Why chats with her teacher and mentor Carmen Spagnola about disorganized attachment, cult tactics, fascism, “wellness,” and collapse through the lens of Severance.  --------------------0-11:14 Intro to episode11:14-18:00: Intro to Carmen18:00-31:51: Petey’s Protocol- How to heal from high demand groups31:51-45:31:  The disorganized field of Lumon- How fascism depends on cult tactics of hijacking your nervous system45:31-58:44: When Mark sculpts a tree/When “wellness” isn’t safe- Somatics and “top down” vs “bottom up” healing modalities58:44-1:08:40: Severance is absurd and so is Collapse- "We are in the Bread and Circus Phase"1:08:40-1:21:22:  a liberated future for Helly in Season 2, collectively imagining a better future.1:21:22-end:  If you enjoyed this interview, you can preorder Carmen’snext book!/ OutroScene Links—------------------------Wellness Session—---------------------------------------------Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:PreOrderCarmen Spagnola’s book hereAlexandra Stein’s book: Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian SystemsTimothy Snyder’s Book: On TyrannyAs always:----------------------------------Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically“Our Lady of the Underground” andOrpheus’ Song“Hedwig’s Theme” by John WilliamsShout out for the artistic assistance of:Matt Schubbe (Logo)Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)