93. ReFocus Week | How to Avoid Toxic Self-blame

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

When a sudden and severe illness confined her to bed, Carrie picked up a paintbrush and began to create. The act gave her comfort and a sense of purpose. She describes how she chose to build a temple to creativity within the limits of her condition. This daily choice continues to shape her life. Beauty, colour, song and small rituals turn her home into a sacred space.Join author Carrie Schmitt for a FREE live class Awaken Your Creativity - A Sacred Art-Making Ritual to Begin Your Journey.Thursday, September 25th 2025 – 6pm PST | 9pm ESTCLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILSFind CarrieInstagram, @carrieschmittCarrie's new book is available for pre-order now: Awakening Creativity, A Sacred Journey to Reclaim Your Inner ArtistAvailable on Amazon and other retailers. In this conversation, we explore creativity as a living relationship. Carrie speaks of it as something you meet with devotion and trust. It responds when you treat it with respect. Skill grows through practice, yet the deeper aim is union with the creative spirit.Our discussion connects this with the Three Cauldrons. The lower cauldron involves releasing the harsh voices that many of us carry from childhood. In the middle cauldron, you learn steadiness, so that your relationships with both people and your art hold more kindness. The upper cauldron opens to inspiration, the stream of divine illumination. When you move your own self aside for a moment, that stream can flow through with ease.Words hold power. Carrie speaks of the harm caused when we use language of battle to describe the creative process. Phrases about blocks or resistance set you against yourself. She invites people to speak with care. In her workshops, she asks students to treat themselves and their art with non-violence in word and thought.00.01 – Welcome and introduction to Carrie Schmitt and her book Awakening Creativity02.15 – A blessing to open the conversation03.11 – Carrie’s origin story and the sudden illness that changed her life06.07 – Painting in bed and the sense of a creative spirit as companion09.39 – Choosing a temple over a prison, daily beauty as practice13.00 – Redefining what it means to be an artist18.04 – Creativity as spirit and links with the Three Cauldrons and imbas forosnai19.32 – Words as power, why battle language harms the creative self22.07 – Battle in Celtic tradition and the balance of masculine and feminine25.27 – Working with creativity as a force rather than against it28.34 – Acceptance and surrender in the creative process29.23 – Creativity scars and how to heal them through new stories34.17 – Creativity as sacred ritual, the Vade Mecum journal, and pilgrimage39.25 – Collective creativity and community practice40.55 – The significance of the nine temples in the book42.46 – Ancestors, embodied wisdom and epigenetics55.25 – The morning menu, starting each day with joy and play01.00.41 – Community and family as support for the creative spirit01.01.30 – Closing reflections on a world where creativity is restored to its place01.06.09 – Practical details on Carrie’s free class and where to find her work

A warm, frank blether with Geo, the Glasgow-based witch behind the social media phenomenon in the witchcraft space, @thatglasgowwitch. We swap origin stories as we come to Scottish folk magic from wildly different labels (Witchcraft and Shamanism)... but perhaps not so different after all. We discuss the importance of saining practice, ethics, social media growth, and why numbers mean nothing without context. We explore the rule of three, closed practice, and how to build a living Scottish folk practice rooted in land, relationship, and care. You leave with simple ways to start where you live, reduce harm, and trust your own path.You can find Geo on Instagram & TikTok - @thatglasgowwitch00:01 welcome back, why this season restarts now01:30 two paths to Scottish folk magic, shamanism and witchcraft10:40 sharing online, pace, boundaries, and energy15:20 numbers, reach, and what matters in practice23:10 altar time, no content plan, follow practice not metrics31:00 tools and animal materials, reverence, plastics, and trade offs36:40 the rule of three, karma, and justice work43:20 second sight and seership, yesterday, today, and tomorrow46:50 closed practice in Scotland, broken lines and living craft56:10 white sage, juniper, and buying local, grow, gather, or source well1:04:10 choice without shame, reduce harm where you are1:12:20 where to find Geo, workshops, calendar, and notes on scammers

In this episode, host Rhonda McCrimmon interviews Dave Beroset of Spiritos Training, a trainee practitioner of shamanism and a successful awareness coach. Dave shares his journey of leaving corporate America to search for something deeper and more fulfilling. He discusses the importance of listening to intuition and the challenges men face in reconnecting with their intuitive abilities. Dave also talks about integrating shamanic practices into his coaching business and how shamanism has influenced his personal growth. He recommends books such as 'The Imagination Matrix' and 'Fool's Crow' and shares a body scan meditation practice for listeners to try. Takeaways Shamanism can be integrated into various aspects of life and work, blending with different practices and professions. Men often face challenges reconnecting with their intuition due to societal expectations and conditioning. Shamanic practices can be integrated into coaching and business to help individuals reconnect with their own inner divine. Shamanic training can greatly influence personal growth and transformation, leading to improved boundaries, presence, and connection with the sacred. Exploring different shamanic modalities and connecting with the land are important aspects of the shamanic journey. Recommended books: The Imagination Matrix, The Cauldron and the Drum and Fool's Crow. The body scan meditation practice can help individuals become more present and aware of their physical sensations. Connect with Dave: Instagram: @spiritos_training www.spiritostraining.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:25 Shamanism as a Blend of Life and Work 11:29 The Importance of Listening to Intuition 14:21 Defining Shamanism and its Relevance in Coaching and Business 16:28 Men and Intuition 23:30 Personal Growth and Influence of Shamanic Training 30:50 Experience with Other Shamanic Modalities 33:18 Favorite Books 42:31 Body Scan Meditation Practice 48:15 Closing Remarks

In this episode of Shaman Talk, host Rhonda McCrimmon interviews Maria, a faculty member at the Centre for Shamanism who combines astrology and shamanism. Maria shares how they fell in love with astrology at a young age and how it became a compass for them. They also discuss the difference between academic astrology and pop culture astrology and how Maria aims to find a middle ground that is both fun and meaningful.  Takeaways Maria combines astrology and shamanism to create a meaningful and accessible approach to astrology. There is a spectrum in astrology, from academic to pop culture, and Maria aims to find a middle ground that is both fun and meaningful. Maria focuses on themes and astrology's seasonality, helping individuals connect with their own astrology and apply it to their daily lives. Intuition plays a significant role in Maria's approach, along with the use of techniques and angles in astrological readings. Making astrology accessible and relatable requires grounding and practicality. Self-determination and autonomy are important in astrology. Understanding the cauldrons in Celtic spirituality can provide insights into personal growth and transformation. Embrace enthusiasm and take action in the upcoming astrological season. Want more Maria?! Join their mailing list: https://shamanic-reiki.ck.page/2b0cdf6073 Insights & tips to make Astrology meaningful & useful in daily life IG: @autonomyastrology Website fireheartedlife.co.uk Thanks for listening and please SUBSCRIBE - that is so helpful - thank you :) 00:00 Introduction 03:26 Maria's Journey with Astrology and Shamanism 08:07 Rediscovering Astrology and Shamanism 10:14 The Middle Ground: Academic vs Pop Culture Astrology 14:37 Combining Shamanic Practices with Astrological Insights 22:28 Personal Experiences and Insights 26:16 Balancing Intuition and Traditional Techniques 26:52 Working with Mercury and Aquarius 27:44 Making Astrology Digestible 29:02 Shamanic Connection with Astrology 30:20 Connecting Astrology to Daily Life 32:59 Struggles with Western Astrology 33:28 Evolving Shamanic Astrology 36:00 Integration and Wisdom from Saturn Return 38:00 Finding Balance in Spiritual Practices 45:05 Deepening Understanding of Shamanic Astrology 49:33 Insights and Messages from the Cosmos

In this conversation, Rhonda and her daughter Eve (23) discuss their experiences with narcissism in their family and the impact it had on their mental health. They also explore their different spiritualities and how they have found healing and growth. The conversation highlights the importance of self-reflection, taking responsibility for one's actions, and the power of love and acceptance in overcoming challenges. Despite their differences, Rhonda and Eve have built a stronger relationship and supported each other on their respective journeys. Takeaways Narcissism can have a profound impact on mental health and relationships within a family. Recognizing and taking responsibility for one's narcissistic traits is an important step towards healing and personal growth. Spirituality can play a significant role in the healing process, and different paths can lead to the same destination. Building a supportive and inclusive family environment allows individual spiritual exploration and growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:24 Mental Health Struggles and Coping Mechanisms 05:16 Narcissism in the Family 06:16 Lack of Parental Support and Emotional Maturity 08:36 Effects of Narcissism on the Family Dynamic 10:21 Realizing the Narcissistic Parenting 12:16 Journey of Healing and Breaking Family Curses 14:39 Recognizing Narcissistic Traits in Oneself 15:35 Healing Journey and Relationship with Siblings 16:35 Spirituality and Christianity 27:55 Using Psalms as an Oracle Deck 42:10 Best and Worst Traits in Each Other 47:15 Conclusion