That Pennsylvania Witch

Send us Fan MailJoin me for a fascinating conversation with folklorist, author, public historian, herbalist, and storyteller Rissa Miller as we explore the strange, mysterious, and sometimes haunting stories woven into Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.From the folklore and local legends of Pennsylvania to ghosts, witchcraft, cryptids, and forgotten traditions, Rissa reveals how the stories passed down through generations reflect the history, fears, and beliefs of the communities that keep them alive. We’ll also explore a haunted arcade in York, Pennsylvania, and the eerie tales that make familiar places feel a little less ordinary.With years of experience researching local history and leading ghost tours, Rissa offers a unique perspective on the line between documented history and the legends that grow around it. Do ghost stories need to be true to matter? Why do certain legends endure while others fade away? And what can the stories we tell about the supernatural reveal about ourselves?Tune in for an intriguing journey into Pennsylvania folklore, haunted places, regional legends, and the enduring power of the unexplained.Rissa's Links:https://www.teaandsmoke.com/Rissa's Books:https://bookshop.org/p/books/goodnight-poet-poems-to-share-at-bedtime-rissa-a-miller/0036b68253a973b2?ean=9781732615267&bkshp-astro=thttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/room-with-a-boo-rissa-miller/1148539317 Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Ocean, a practicing witch since 2006, author, and dedicated Pagan community builder. With spiritual homes in the Sacred Order of the Black Forest and Ravens Cry Grove, an ADF fellowship, Ocean has spent nearly two decades exploring her spiritual path while helping create spaces where others can connect, learn, and grow.We talk about the realities of building Pagan community, the importance of creating welcoming and meaningful sacred spaces, and what it means to find your place within the larger Pagan world. Ocean also shares her experiences as a published and self-published author, writing about witchcraft, spirituality, feminism, mental health, and Pagan life.Just a quick heads-up before we dive in. In this episode, we share some personal reflections that include mentions of childhood abuse. We want to make sure you're taking care of your mental well-being, so please feel free to sit this one out if you need to.Ocean's Links:https://ravenscrygrove.org/https://pagancommunityretreat.org/https://paganpridelaoc.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/hidden-light/https://www.instagram.com/witchesmagazine Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Nina Mielipäivä, author of Mythology of the Sámi - Minorities Within Minorities, about the sacred myths and spiritual traditions of the Sámi peoples across the Arctic regions of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula. We explore the spiritual traditions of the Arctic North, the importance of preserving Indigenous stories, and the deep pull to reconnect with heritage after family ties and traditions have faded across generations.  Nina's links:https://www.youtube.com/@FairychamberBuy Mythology of the Sámi - Minorities Within Minorities: https://a.co/d/09sFz4VC Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of That Pennsylvania Witch, I sit down with Anna Urošević Applegate to explore the threads of heritage, spirituality, and ancestral memory. We talk about her Serbian roots, growing up in Chicago, navigating a dual faith tradition, and her new book, Slava!, which celebrates tradition and ancestral connection. Together, we reflect on the importance of honoring where we come from, the parallels between animistic practices across cultures, and how working with our ancestors can ground and guide us in the present. Chicago native Anna Urošević Applegate is a first-generation Serbian American and ordained legal Pagan clergy. She holds an M.A. in English from Loyola University Chicago. Anna is the founder of an inclusive Rodnovery fellowship known as the Circle of Rodu. You can learn more at www.circleofrodu.com.Buy Slava!https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738780672https://bookshop.org/p/books/slava-slavic-paganism-and-dual-faith-folk-ways-anna-urosevic-applegate/0c41376d2c1034d2?ean=9780738780672&next=t Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Pennsylvania Witch, I sit down with Dodie Graham McKay to talk about her new oracle deck A Witch’s Ally, the power of connecting to the land, and the creative magic behind her zine work. We also explore how once you’re punk, you’re always punk, and how that ethos shapes her practice. The deck features stunning illustrations by Laura Tempest Zakroff.  Dodie Graham McKay (she/her) is a writer, Green Witch, and filmmaker. She is inspired to document and share stories that capture the beauty of nature and the visible and invisible realms of magic and witchcraft. She is the author of the books Earth Magic: The Elements of Witchcraft and A Witch's Ally: Building a Magical Relationship with Familiars & Animal Companions, and her documentary films include The WinniPagans, Starry Nights, and the Fibe TV four-part series Exploring the Sacred. Dodie spends her spare time walking her dogs, teaching witchcraft, and facilitating a busy coven. She lives in Treaty One Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dodie's Links:https://www.dodiegrahammckay.com/ Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore Urglaawe as a living Heathen tradition rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch culture. I’m joined by authors Robert Schreiwer, Michelle A. Jones, and Stacey Lynne Stewart to discuss their book and the work of documenting and revitalizing this unique spiritual path.We dive into the core beliefs and practices of Urglaawe, from household and community traditions to folkways like Braucherei, and how these customs continue to evolve in the modern world. Along the way, we reflect on the deep cultural roots of Deitsch life, the relationship with land and spirit, and what it means to keep a tradition truly livingAnd, of course, it’s not all serious, there are birch beer references, and a potential cave exploration field trip plan unfolding. Bios and Links:Robert L. Schreiwer is a co-founder of the Urglaawe tradition within Heathenry. He is a trained Braucher within the Oley Freindschaft guild and the founder of the Blobarrick Freindschaft of Braucherei and Hexerei. He also founded In-Reach Heathen Prison Services and Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day. He served as the Steersman (President and CEO) of The Troth from 2016-2022 and continues to serve The Troth as clergy and in advisory roles. He was a member of the team that authored Declaration 127. He is a Senior Manager of Heathens Against Hate and as one of the managers of Philadelphia's Parade of Spirits. He is a Special Education teacher by day and an Instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language at night.Michelle A. Jones is a Hex, an Urglaawe Ziewerin, and secretary of die Urglaawisch Sippschaft vum Distelfink. She is also a founding member of the Primitive Grove Circle eclectic coven based in South Jersey. Stacey Lynn Stewart is a Ziewerin within Distelfink Sippschaft and a Braucherin. She is involved with her local Pagan Pride Day events and is a past member of the High Rede of The Troth. Stacey's Art:https://theaccidentalurglaawer.com/shop/Links:https://www.urglaawe.org/Buy the book!https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738777337https://bookshop.org/p/books/heathen-traditions-of-the-pennsylvania-dutch-an-urglaawe-primer-michelle-a-jones/c2702d3a495b9a83?ean=9780738777337&next=thttps://www.amazon.com/Heathen-Traditions-Pennsylvania-Dutch-Urglaawe-ebook/dp/B0DHPPTM8D/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heathen-traditions-of-the-pennsylvania-dutch-robert-l-schreiwer/1146321232 Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I speak with Teacher Sara Mastros about her book Introduction to Witchcraft. Drawing on her Greek and Jewish heritage and years of occult practice, Sara shares insights into witchcraft as a living tradition. Known as a dedicated teacher, she has a remarkable gift for explaining complex magical ideas with clarity, making deep esoteric concepts accessible to students and practitioners alike. Sara L. Mastros is the author of The Big Book of Magical Incense, Orphic Hymns Grimoire, The Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 Planetary Pentacles of the Magician King, and the forthcoming Sefer HaOtot: A Hebrew Book of Seals. Recognized by her peers as a brilliant and original thinker, an engaging and inspiring teacher, a compelling and clever writer, and a generally decent human being, Sara spends a lot of time dreaming, thinking, enchanting, writing and teaching about witchcraft, magic, and myth. But, her true passion is raising up an army of inspired, educated, empowered witches prepared to weave weird new ways of Being in a world that desperately needs us. Rise up!  Sara's Links:https://witchlessons.com/https://www.instagram.com/saramastroswitchlessons/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@SaraMastrosBuy Sara's Books!https://www.crossedcrowbooks.com/shop-crossed-crow-books/p/introductiontowitchcrafthttps://bookshop.org/p/books/introduction-to-witchcraft-thirteen-lessons-in-the-practice-of-magic-sara-l-mastros/cdff2045dbd31496?ean=9781964537573&next=thttps://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Witchcraft-Thirteen-Lessons-Practice/dp/1964537576 Support the show

Send us Fan MailAuthor Christian Brunner takes us deep into the Alpine world of cunning craft, spell traditions, and ancestral lore. From documented witch trial magic to modern Druid practice, we explore how mountain spirituality continues to evolve, and what his upcoming Wild Hunt book reveals about Europe’s most mysterious spectral procession.  Christian's links:http://www.christianbrunner.com/bio.htmhttps://www.instagram.com/christianfbrunner_author/https://www.tiktok.com/@christianbrunner_authorChristian's Books:Alpine WitcheryMountain MagicPlease buy at a local store or order at:https://bookshop.org/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/https://www.amazon.ca/ Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode I talk with Morgan Daimler about Fairy lore, mistranslated texts, and the Tuatha Dé Danann, and why precision in language matters. We explore their work translating older sources, the ripple effects of bad scholarship, and how correcting the record is fueled by equal parts passion and the undeniable motivational power of spite.. a surprisingly effective academic engine. We dive into the Fair Folk, the ethics of sharing knowledge, and the strange afterlives of old texts. It was a sharp, funny, and genuinely wonderful conversation, and I’m deeply grateful for Morgan’s work and for the generosity they bring to preserving and sharing these traditions.Morgan Daimler teaches classes on Irish myth and magical practices, fairies, and related subjects in the United States and internationally. She has been published in multiple anthologies as well as articles in various magazines, and she is one of the world's foremost experts on all things Fairy. Besides the titles available through Moon Books Morgan has a high fantasy novel 'Into Shadow' through Cosmic Egg and has an urban fantasy/paranormal romance series called Between the Worlds. Morgan has also presented papers on fairies and on fairies and witches at several university conferences.Morgan's links:https://www.facebook.com/Morgandaimler/https://www.instagram.com/morgandaimler/?hl=enhttps://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/morgan-daimlerBuy Tuatha Dé Danann:https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/tales-tuatha-de-danann-volume-1Support Morgan's Future Projects and Research:https://www.patreon.com/morgandaimler Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of That Pennsylvania Witch Podcast, we welcome author and Minoan spirituality expert Laura Perry for a deep and lively exploration of ancient myth, modern practice, and the winding pathways that shape our Pagan lives.Together, we wander into the heart of the Minoan world, discussing who the Minoans may really have been, how their vibrant Bronze Age culture still resonates today, and why the Minotaur continues to captivate the Pagan imagination. Laura shares insights from her work with Modern Minoan Paganism, offering a fresh and empowering view of the labyrinth not as a prison, but as a place of transformation.We also open up about our own spiritual journeys, comparing experiences, challenges, and moments of revelation along the path. From mythology to modern witchcraft, from personal practice to community connection, this conversation weaves together the old and the new in a way that feels both grounded and magical.Laura's links and info:Laura Perry is the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne’s Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. In this role, she also leans on her experience as a Wiccan priestess, a Reiki Master, an artist, and a longtime herbalist and fiber artist. She has been writing all her life, but her first book was published in 2001. She writes pagan and magical-themed fiction and non-fiction and has also created a Minoan Tarot deck and coloring book. Her articles have appeared in The Magical Times, Indie Shaman, SageWoman and Pagan Dawn magazines, among others. When she’s not busy writing, painting, or leading rituals, you can probably find her digging in the garden or giving a living history demonstration at a local historic site.Buy Laura's books:https://bookshop.org/p/books/pantheon-the-minoans-laura-perry/bf6727686ce2d56c?ean=9781803416274&next=thttps://lauraidaeja.substack.com/p/the-minoan-sun-goddesshttps://www.lauraperryauthor.com/ Support the show