Essence Podcast with Ben Stimpson

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

My guest today is best-selling author Kristoffer Hughes, head of the Anglesey Druid Order; author, a Mount Haemus Scholar, drag performer, and former member of Her Majesty's Coroner. We discuss the relationship between death, drag, and druidry; relationship to landscape; and his upcoming Yuletide Tarot.To learn more about Kristoffer and their work, go to: https://www.angleseydruidorder.co.uk/kristofferTo view the episode, please click here: https://youtu.be/2qQfixM_Bnw Audio version can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PVyTZcEsf8ILmcl6zdAuT...--------------------------LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials:IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthorYT: www.youtube.com/@BenStimpsonAuthor FB: Ben Stimpson - AuthorWS: www.benstimpson.com

My guest today is folklorist and author Brandon Weston. Brandon's work focusses primarily on the Ozark region of the south-mid United States. They own and operate Ozark Healing Traditions, an online collective of articles, lectures, and workshops focusing on the Ozark Mountain region. As a practicing folk healer, their work with clients includes everything from spiritual cleanses to house blessings. Their books include Ozark Folk Magic, Ozark Mountain Spell Book, and Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms. Visit them at OzarkHealing.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:    / @benstimpsonauthor   FB: Ben Stimpson - Author 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

Michel Valim is a spiritual practitioner hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Michel is a Bruxo/Witch, Sacerdote/Priest of Aphrodite and Dionysus, Priest of the Religion of Antinous. He is a reiki practitioner and works as an integrative therapist and diviner of witch runes. On today's show we talk about Michel's spiritual journey, the relationship between Aphrodite/Dionysus/Antinous in his life, and his work at community building in the queer pagan community in Brazil. To connect with Michel, please check out his socials: FB: https://www.facebook.com/mickyvalim IG:  @ValimMichel  YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG128dn7W-S3D_zZAcAwK9g ---------------------------------------------------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: @BenStimpsonAuthor FB: www.facebook.com/benstimpsonauthor 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

My guest this week is award winning and best selling author Nicholas Pearson. Among the foremost experts on crystals, author and teacher Nicholas Pearson combines his extensive background in mineral science with a love of healing, spirituality, and folklore to illustrate the healing properties of gemstones. As an avid Reiki practitioner and shihan (師範, “instructor”), Nicholas is also passionate about understanding the roots of the system of Reiki. An international speaker, Nicholas’ has taught in both North America and Europe, and recently returned from a teaching trip to the United Kingdom where he is an instructor at the College of Psychic Studies which is based in South Kensington in London. He has been featured on numerous podcasts and radio shows, and currently collaborates with Devin Hunter “Getting Stoned with Devin and Nicholas” To connect with Nicholas please go and like/follow his socials: https://linktr.ee/theluminouspearl Copyright information: Title Music: "Wintersong" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

My guest today is Mhara Starling. Mhara is a witch, published author, lecturer and good luck troll officienado who resides in the English city of Chester, and who originally comes from Ynys Mon (Anglesey, North Wales). Mhara has been featured on the BBC, S4C and has been a presenter at various conferences and events throughout the United Kingdom. In this episode we talk about what life has been like since her book came out, the changing relationship to Wales and the Borders, and what founding the Gyffes Goch coven has been like. To find out more about Mhara and her work, visit her facebook page here which has links with her other social media: https://www.facebook.com/MharaStarling/ ------------------------------------- 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