ShamanTalk

In this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, I welcome Reverend Dr David William Parry, a gay, queer Old Catholic priest, poet, and theologian whose work bridges Christian tradition, LGBTQ+ spirituality, and the arts. As founding pastor of St. Valentine's Hall in London—an inclusive Catholic community—David brings a unique perspective on how ancient spiritual traditions can speak to modern seekers across all paths.We explore the surprising connections between Catholic mysticism and shamanic practice, challenge mainstream religious assumptions, and offer hope for those wounded by religious trauma. David's openness about his identity as an "unrepentant homosexual" clergyman provides refreshing honesty about navigating faith traditions that have historically excluded queer voices.You can learn more about David's work on his website

In this powerful conversation, I welcome Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. to discuss his new book, The Poisoned Arrow: A Toltec Guide to Overcoming Fear. Miguel shares candidly about how the book emerged from personal experiences, including a concussion, caregiver's fatigue, and a cancer scare, making it a deeply authentic exploration of fear in real-time healing. The discussion weaves together Toltec wisdom, modern challenges such as AI and social media, and practical approaches to working with both rational and irrational fears.About my GuestDon Miguel Ruiz Jr. is a Toltec Master of Transformation and author of multiple books, including The Five Levels of Attachment and The Mastery of Self. He carries forward the teachings of his grandmother, Madre Sarita, the spiritual head of their family. From that early age, he was called upon to translate Madre Sarita’s prayers, lectures, and workshops from Spanish into English. In this way, through constant repetition and review, he learned the content of her teachings in both languages. Miguel now brings ancient Toltec wisdom into practical, accessible language for modern life, transforming the lives of countless souls. Find his work:The Poisoned Arrow: A Toltec Guide to Overcoming Fear - Available wherever books are sold

Join us for a deeply engaging conversation with Elwynn Green (@TheAntleredCrown), a generational hedge witch from England, as he shares his journey from being raised by two powerful witch aunts to becoming a practitioner himself. We explore the often-overlooked magic of everyday life, why imagination is more powerful than visualisation, and how traditional witchcraft asks us to live in the liminal space between the mundane and the mystical, without losing touch with either.Elwynn discusses the importance of deconstruction before reconstruction in spiritual practice, the animistic spirit within crafted objects, and why taking yourself too seriously can lead to spiritual burnout. We also dive into navigating social media as a spiritual practitioner, the difference between herbalism and wort cunning, and why being "lost" might be the truest state of all. Plus, hear about his forthcoming book Between the Horns: A Book of Liminal Witchcraft and why glass jars might not be the magical containers you think they are.You can find Elwynn @theantleredcrown on Tiktok & Instagram

In this episode of ShamanTalk, Rhonda McCrimmon is joined by author, teacher, and witch Judika Illes, well known for her encyclopedias of spells and magic. Together they explore the hidden threads of witchcraft woven through fairy tales, the importance of protection spells, and how magic shows up in daily life.Judika shares her origin story, from growing up with a love of books and tarot to becoming one of today’s most recognised writers on magic. She explains why fairy tales hold coded shamanic teachings, why children respond so deeply to archetypal stories, and how spellcasting begins with clarity of intention.Find Judika:Judika's website is under maintenance currently - http://judikailles.com/Instagram - @judikaillesFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles/

This episode explores the profound overlaps between witchcraft and shamanism. We discuss how both paths draw from land, rhythm, and story, and why creativity and relationships matter more than strict methods. You’ll hear how sigils, trance, drumming, and journeying all connect through the body, and why asking why is essential for any living practice.We delve into themes of safety, boundaries, and responsibility, illustrating how witches and shamans alike utilise these as guiding principles. Ancestors, omens, guides, and symbols all find their place in this conversation, revealing the shared ground between two traditions that help us find a sense of belonging and meaning in the modern world.Find out more about Laura’s work at lauratempestzakroff.com or follow her on Instagram at @owlkeyme.arts.CLICK HERE to find out more about The Gathering of the Witches 2025