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 ...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr
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 ...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 28 min
Lee Harrington is an internationally known sexuality, relationships, and personal authenticity educator. Having taught in all 50 states and across 7 countries, he brings a combination of playful engagement and thoughtful academic dialogue to a broad audience. An award-winning author and editor on human gender, sexual, and sacred experience, his books include “Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Journeys,” “Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond,” and “Shibari You Can Use: J...
Jun 13, 2023•56 min
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...
Jun 06, 2023•1 hr
Moss Matthey is an author, Pagan and cult survivor from North Wales, UK. Having mixed German/Welsh heritage, Moss is currently working on their debut work out through Llewellyn. He is currently completing a BA Psychology at Chester University, and comes on to the show to discuss his spiritual journey out of a fundamentalist cult, his connection to Paganism and folkloric craft, and the insights he has formed along the way. Moss will be a speaker alongside myself and others at the 2023 Salem Witch...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min
My guest today is Enfys J. Book. Enfys J. Book is a nonbinary, bisexual clergy member within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, and the High Priest of the Fellowship of the Ancient White Stag coven near Washington, DC. Enfys has been studying Qabala since 2012 and teaching classes on magickal practice since 2015, including presenting at the Sacred Space Conference. Their debut work: “Queer Qabala: Nonbinary, Genderfluid, Omnisexual Mysticism & Magick” is currently available wherever books are...
May 23, 2023•44 min
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
May 16, 2023•1 hr
I sit down with prolific author Morgan Daimler to discuss their publishing journey, what it's like to write both fiction and non-fiction, and a little theoretical ponderings at the end. Morgan Daimler is a witch who has been a polytheist since the early ’90′s. Following a path inspired by the Irish Fairy Faith blended with neopagan witchcraft, they teach classes on Irish myth and magical practices, fairies, and related subjects in the United States and internationally. Morgan has written dozens ...
May 09, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 2
Ariana Serpentine is a multi-traditional witch, polytheist, and animist. She describes herself as a theology & history nerd, they are trans & queer, and is a Mercurial Girl. Ariana has worked in political trans activism, raising awareness for the needs of her community within Pagan and other circles. They are the author of “Sacred Gender: Create Trans and NonBinary Spiritual Connections” published by Llewellyn Worldwide. Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakar...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 1
My guest today is pagan author Morgan Daimler, whose work focusses on Irish fairy lore and urban fantasy.
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 18 min
My guest today is Jade Pichette, queer activist, Heathen gythia, and educator.
Aug 01, 2021•1 hr 2 min
My guest today is author, television personality, Witch, and fellow Welshperson... Mhara Starling! Mhara is the author of the forthcoming "Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales" by Llewellyn. At the taping of this interview, Mhara was unable to announce or speak about the book, but as of a week ago the book is now available for pre-order and comes out in February. Mhara speaks about what it was like growing up in North Wales, her reclaiming of her Welsh identity thro...
Jun 05, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 Grov...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This special episode is a collaboration between Ben and the TransCanadaProject. My guests today are Cary and Kelly, organizers of the TransCanadaProject, a storytelling collection project going coast to coast collecting the stories of members of the Trans community. Cary and Kelly both speak about their own coming out processes, the project, and what they have learned so far. Find out more at: https://transcanadaproject.ca/ --------- To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please v...
Jun 02, 2021•1 hr 4 min
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 ...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 10 min
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 podc...
Jun 01, 2021•36 min
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 abou...
Jun 01, 2021•57 min
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...
Jun 01, 2021•54 min
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...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 5 min
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 t...
Jun 01, 2021•57 min
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 al...
Jun 01, 2021•41 min
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 epis...
Jun 01, 2021•56 min
In episode 01 of Essence Podcast, I interview Andrew Anderson, writer of 'The Ritual of Writing' about his work, process, and what he learned about himself. Andrew is a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids; and works with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK. To learn more about Andrew and his works, please visit: www.instagram.com/ajanderson72 To learn more about Paduka Wellness and Ben Stimpson, please visit: www.padukawellness.com About Essence: Essence is a...
May 13, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 1
