July 5, 2025 • 11 mins
Welcome to The Nurse's Cauldron! Join your host, RN and witch, Leah, as she blends modern healthcare insights with ancient spiritual wisdom. In this introductory episode, Leah shares her unique journey from Methodist roots to embracing witchcraft, and why she's passionate about integrating science and spirit for holistic healing. Plus, discover your first practical "brew": the power of intentional breath. Tune in to stir your soul!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
UNKNOWN (00:00):
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (00:20):
Welcome, beautiful souls, to the Nurse's Cauldron.
I'm your host, Leah, and I'mabsolutely thrilled you've
chosen to join me here at thevibrant crossroads of science
and spirit, of healing wisdomand practical magic.
Have you ever felt that profoundnudge, that deep insistent
knowing in your gut, thatthere's more to healing than
just what we see on the surface?
More to true care than just adiagnosis or a prescription?
(00:43):
As a registered nurse, I'vewitnessed the incredible
life-saving power of modernmedicine, but through my
personal journey, I've also cometo understand and deeply believe
in the undeniable impact of theunseen, the intuitive, and the
spiritual on our overallwell-being.
And that beautiful, potentintersection is precisely what
we're going to explore togetherin this cauldron.
(01:06):
So, who am I, and why exactly amI stirring this particular
unique brew?
My name is Leah and byprofession, I am a registered
nurse.
My journey has been wonderfullyvaried, a true tapestry woven
through many different aspectsof human experience and
vulnerability.
Before I was a nurse, I workedin, did receptionist work,
medical billing, worked withmental health, MAP patients.
(01:32):
And then just from interactingwith other patients and other
healthcare professionals, itreally gave me the drive to go
back to school and become anurse.
And here we are today.
So I've spent time with theincredible resilience of
oncology patients, witnessingtheir raw courage and their
profound spiritual questions inthe face of life's Probably
(01:54):
life's most challengingdiagnosis.
I've navigated the complexitiesof mental health clinics,
holding space for individualsgrappling with their inner
demons, and finding pathways tostability and hope.
And my experience with substanceabuse patients has shown me the
deep wounds of addiction and theincredible strength it takes to
(02:14):
seek recovery.
Recently, so currently I work asan oral surgery nurse.
So it's very precision focusedwhere the physical body's
immediate needs are paramount.
And then I've also providedfoundational holistic care in
primary care settings, seeingthe cumulative effects of
everyday life on health.
(02:35):
Each of these roles has taughtme invaluable lessons about the
human body, the intricateworkings of the mind and the
indomitable spirit that dwellswithin us all.
Through all these experiences, aconsistent truth emerged for me.
My heart, it always, alwaysreturns to mental health.
It's the core of everythingelse.
It's why I'm currently back inschool, passionately working
(02:57):
towards becoming a psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner
or a PMHNP.
I truly believe that deep,sustainable healing starts from
within, that our mental andemotional well-being isn't just
part of health, it's thebedrock, the very foundation
upon which all other healthrests.
Now, running parallel to thatprofessional path is my
(03:19):
spiritual journey.
I grew up in aMethodist-centered family, and
while there was certainlygoodness there, a sense of
community and ethical teachings,it never quite resonated with my
soul.
There was always a quietyearning, a part of me seeking
something more, somethingancient, something that felt
deeply connected to the earth,to intuition, to the cycles of
(03:40):
nature, and to a direct personalexperience of the divine.
That seeking, that deepspiritual curiosity eventually
led me to my path as a paganwitch.
And when I say witch, I meansomeone who works with energy,
who connects to the cycles ofnature, and who believes in the
inherent power within themselvesand the world around them, and
who also uses intention tocreate positive change.
(04:04):
My practice is wonderfully,beautifully eclectic.
This means I don't adhere to asingle dogma or tradition.
I'm drawn to various paths, fromfolk magic to ceremonial
practices, from ancestralveneration to modern paganism.
Always learning, alwaysintegrating new knowledge,
always finding what trulyresonates with my spirit and my
soul.
(04:24):
My cauldron is always open tonew ingredients, new
perspectives, and new insights.
I found a profound andempowering connection with what
some might call the darkerfeminine deities.
Figures like Hecate, the wisegoddess of the crossroads,
intuition, and liminal spaces.
Kali, the fierce liberator whodestroys illusions to bring
(04:48):
about radical transformation.
And Lilith, the sovereign,unapologetic embodiment of
independence and self-worth.
They have appeared in my life atdifferent times, often during
moments of challenge ornecessary change, guiding me,
confronting me, and empoweringme in ways I never anticipated.
They've taught me about thepower I found in facing our own
(05:12):
shadows and embracing our wholeauthentic selves beyond societal
expectations.
And of course, my heart remainsopen to any other deities,
spirits, or archetypes who wishto work with me as I continue to
learn and grow.
So, what truly happens when youcombine the clinical precision,
evidence-based knowledge, andcompassionate care of a
(05:32):
registered nurse with theintuitive wisdom, energetic
awareness, and ancient practicesof an eclectic pagan witch?
You get the nurse's cauldron.
This podcast is born from myunwavering belief that our
well-being isn't just about whata lab result says or what a
textbook prescribes or even whata particular diagnosis dictates.
It's about nurturing our wholeselves, our physical body, our
(05:54):
mental state, our emotionallandscape, and our spiritual
connection.
Now, let me be very clear.
We are not throwing out modernmedicine here.
Absolutely not.
My nursing background isfoundational.
It provides us with a frameworkof evidence, a commitment to
safety, and a deep understandingof the human body's intricate
systems.
(06:15):
But what happens when we add tothat strong foundation the
potent ingredients of intuition,ancient wisdom, energetic
understanding, and intentional,mindful living?
That's where the magic trulyhappens.
That's where holistic,sustainable, and profound
healing blossoms.
It's about empowering you totake charge of your well-being
in a way that respects both yourphysical vessel and your
(06:36):
spiritual essence.
For our very first practicalstir in the nurse's cauldron, I
want to share a simple yetincredibly powerful practice
that perfectly bridges both mynursing and witchy worlds.
Intentional breath.
This isn't just about breathing,it's about conscious breath
infused with purpose.
As a nurse, I've seen firsthandhow vital signs like respiration
(06:58):
rate react immediately tostress, anxiety, and pain.
Deep, slow, diaphragmaticbreathing activates the
parasympathetic nervous system,our crucial rest and digest
mode, literally calming the bodyfrom a physiological level.
It optimizes oxygenation, helpsreduce the stress hormone
cortisol, can even gently lowerheart rate and blood pressure.
(07:22):
It's a foundationalevidence-based tool for managing
acute stress, promotingrelaxation, and aiding recovery
in any clinical or personalsetting.
From a spiritual perspective,breath is life force itself.
It's prana.
It's spirit.
It's the very essence of being.
It's the most accessible form ofenergy work.
(07:43):
Intentional breath is how wedraw vital energy in, cleanse
stagnant energy out, andconsciously set intentions.
It connects us instantly to theuniversal flow.
In many magical traditions,breath is used to raise energy
for spell work, to focus intentbefore ritual, or to ground
ourselves deeply.
It literally breathes life intoour desires and our spiritual
(08:05):
practices.
So your first practical brewfrom this cauldron is this.
Find a quiet moment.
Even just two minutes can make adifference.
Settle in.
You can be sitting comfortablyor lying down.
Gently close your eyes if thatfeels safe for you.
Now place one hand on yourbelly.
Feel it rise and fall.
(08:26):
Inhale slowly and deeply throughyour nose for a count of four.
Feel your belly expand fullylike a balloon.
Now hold that breath gently fora count of four.
Exhale slowly and completelythrough your mouth for a count
of six.
While doing this, feel yourbelly soften and release all the
(08:47):
air.
And repeat this cycle three tofive times.
As you breathe, set a simpleintention.
Maybe it's just, I am calm, or Iam present, or I am open to
healing.
Feel the tension releasing witheach exhale.
Notice how the simple, consciousact of intentional breath can
instantly shift your state, calmyour nervous system, and
(09:10):
simultaneously ground you firmlyin your body while opening you
to something deeper within yourspirit.
That's the accessible, profoundpower of the cauldron in action.
I'm so incredibly excited toshare this unique journey with
you, my fellow seekers ofwholeness.
In the nurse's cauldron, we'regoing to dive into topics that
inform, empower, and deeplyinspire.
(09:32):
We'll explore everything fromsafe and intentional essential
oil blending from a nurse'sperspective, to integrating
ritual into daily self-care, tounderstanding the shadow for
profound personal growth, and somuch more.
My hope is that this podcastbecomes a welcoming space where
you feel understood, where yourcuriosity about holistic health
(09:53):
and spiritual practices iscelebrated, and where you find
practical, actionable tools tonurture your whole authentic
self.
This is a community for thosewho know that true healing
involves more than just thephysical, for those who seek
wisdom in both science andspirit, and for anyone ready to
stir up a more vibrant,balanced, and empowered life.
I truly believe that bycombining these powerful
(10:16):
perspectives, we can unlock newlevels of well-being and live
more intentionally.
I do also have an Etsy shop, theOwl Witch Shop.
I sell ritual oil blends, mixedteas...
bath salts for rituals.
(10:36):
So if you want to check thatout, it's the Owl Witch Shop on
Etsy.
Go ahead and take a look ifyou're interested.
I'd love to hear your thoughtson this first episode and what
you're hoping to explore infuture episodes of The Nurse's
Cauldron.
You can connect with me onsocial media.
On Instagram, it's just TheNurse's Cauldron.
(10:58):
Pretty new on there, so justgive me a Give me a follow if
you're wanting to connect withme or anything like that.
And then next time, we'll bestirring up insights on
energetic boundaries, protectingyour peace as a giver, a topic
that is absolutely crucial fornurses, empaths, and anyone who
pours their energy into others.
(11:20):
You don't want to miss it.
Thank you for watching.
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (00:20):
Welcome, beautiful souls, to the Nurse's Cauldron.
I'm your host, Leah, and I'mabsolutely thrilled you've
chosen to join me here at thevibrant crossroads of science
and spirit, of healing wisdomand practical magic.
Have you ever felt that profoundnudge, that deep insistent
knowing in your gut, thatthere's more to healing than
just what we see on the surface?
More to true care than just adiagnosis or a prescription?
(00:43):
As a registered nurse, I'vewitnessed the incredible
life-saving power of modernmedicine, but through my
personal journey, I've also cometo understand and deeply believe
in the undeniable impact of theunseen, the intuitive, and the
spiritual on our overallwell-being.
And that beautiful, potentintersection is precisely what
we're going to explore togetherin this cauldron.
(01:06):
So, who am I, and why exactly amI stirring this particular
unique brew?
My name is Leah and byprofession, I am a registered
nurse.
My journey has been wonderfullyvaried, a true tapestry woven
through many different aspectsof human experience and
vulnerability.
Before I was a nurse, I workedin, did receptionist work,
medical billing, worked withmental health, MAP patients.
(01:32):
And then just from interactingwith other patients and other
healthcare professionals, itreally gave me the drive to go
back to school and become anurse.
And here we are today.
So I've spent time with theincredible resilience of
oncology patients, witnessingtheir raw courage and their
profound spiritual questions inthe face of life's Probably
(01:54):
life's most challengingdiagnosis.
I've navigated the complexitiesof mental health clinics,
holding space for individualsgrappling with their inner
demons, and finding pathways tostability and hope.
And my experience with substanceabuse patients has shown me the
deep wounds of addiction and theincredible strength it takes to
(02:14):
seek recovery.
Recently, so currently I work asan oral surgery nurse.
So it's very precision focusedwhere the physical body's
immediate needs are paramount.
And then I've also providedfoundational holistic care in
primary care settings, seeingthe cumulative effects of
everyday life on health.
(02:35):
Each of these roles has taughtme invaluable lessons about the
human body, the intricateworkings of the mind and the
indomitable spirit that dwellswithin us all.
Through all these experiences, aconsistent truth emerged for me.
My heart, it always, alwaysreturns to mental health.
It's the core of everythingelse.
It's why I'm currently back inschool, passionately working
(02:57):
towards becoming a psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner
or a PMHNP.
I truly believe that deep,sustainable healing starts from
within, that our mental andemotional well-being isn't just
part of health, it's thebedrock, the very foundation
upon which all other healthrests.
Now, running parallel to thatprofessional path is my
(03:19):
spiritual journey.
I grew up in aMethodist-centered family, and
while there was certainlygoodness there, a sense of
community and ethical teachings,it never quite resonated with my
soul.
There was always a quietyearning, a part of me seeking
something more, somethingancient, something that felt
deeply connected to the earth,to intuition, to the cycles of
(03:40):
nature, and to a direct personalexperience of the divine.
That seeking, that deepspiritual curiosity eventually
led me to my path as a paganwitch.
And when I say witch, I meansomeone who works with energy,
who connects to the cycles ofnature, and who believes in the
inherent power within themselvesand the world around them, and
who also uses intention tocreate positive change.
(04:04):
My practice is wonderfully,beautifully eclectic.
This means I don't adhere to asingle dogma or tradition.
I'm drawn to various paths, fromfolk magic to ceremonial
practices, from ancestralveneration to modern paganism.
Always learning, alwaysintegrating new knowledge,
always finding what trulyresonates with my spirit and my
soul.
(04:24):
My cauldron is always open tonew ingredients, new
perspectives, and new insights.
I found a profound andempowering connection with what
some might call the darkerfeminine deities.
Figures like Hecate, the wisegoddess of the crossroads,
intuition, and liminal spaces.
Kali, the fierce liberator whodestroys illusions to bring
(04:48):
about radical transformation.
And Lilith, the sovereign,unapologetic embodiment of
independence and self-worth.
They have appeared in my life atdifferent times, often during
moments of challenge ornecessary change, guiding me,
confronting me, and empoweringme in ways I never anticipated.
They've taught me about thepower I found in facing our own
(05:12):
shadows and embracing our wholeauthentic selves beyond societal
expectations.
And of course, my heart remainsopen to any other deities,
spirits, or archetypes who wishto work with me as I continue to
learn and grow.
So, what truly happens when youcombine the clinical precision,
evidence-based knowledge, andcompassionate care of a
(05:32):
registered nurse with theintuitive wisdom, energetic
awareness, and ancient practicesof an eclectic pagan witch?
You get the nurse's cauldron.
This podcast is born from myunwavering belief that our
well-being isn't just about whata lab result says or what a
textbook prescribes or even whata particular diagnosis dictates.
It's about nurturing our wholeselves, our physical body, our
(05:54):
mental state, our emotionallandscape, and our spiritual
connection.
Now, let me be very clear.
We are not throwing out modernmedicine here.
Absolutely not.
My nursing background isfoundational.
It provides us with a frameworkof evidence, a commitment to
safety, and a deep understandingof the human body's intricate
systems.
(06:15):
But what happens when we add tothat strong foundation the
potent ingredients of intuition,ancient wisdom, energetic
understanding, and intentional,mindful living?
That's where the magic trulyhappens.
That's where holistic,sustainable, and profound
healing blossoms.
It's about empowering you totake charge of your well-being
in a way that respects both yourphysical vessel and your
(06:36):
spiritual essence.
For our very first practicalstir in the nurse's cauldron, I
want to share a simple yetincredibly powerful practice
that perfectly bridges both mynursing and witchy worlds.
Intentional breath.
This isn't just about breathing,it's about conscious breath
infused with purpose.
As a nurse, I've seen firsthandhow vital signs like respiration
(06:58):
rate react immediately tostress, anxiety, and pain.
Deep, slow, diaphragmaticbreathing activates the
parasympathetic nervous system,our crucial rest and digest
mode, literally calming the bodyfrom a physiological level.
It optimizes oxygenation, helpsreduce the stress hormone
cortisol, can even gently lowerheart rate and blood pressure.
(07:22):
It's a foundationalevidence-based tool for managing
acute stress, promotingrelaxation, and aiding recovery
in any clinical or personalsetting.
From a spiritual perspective,breath is life force itself.
It's prana.
It's spirit.
It's the very essence of being.
It's the most accessible form ofenergy work.
(07:43):
Intentional breath is how wedraw vital energy in, cleanse
stagnant energy out, andconsciously set intentions.
It connects us instantly to theuniversal flow.
In many magical traditions,breath is used to raise energy
for spell work, to focus intentbefore ritual, or to ground
ourselves deeply.
It literally breathes life intoour desires and our spiritual
(08:05):
practices.
So your first practical brewfrom this cauldron is this.
Find a quiet moment.
Even just two minutes can make adifference.
Settle in.
You can be sitting comfortablyor lying down.
Gently close your eyes if thatfeels safe for you.
Now place one hand on yourbelly.
Feel it rise and fall.
(08:26):
Inhale slowly and deeply throughyour nose for a count of four.
Feel your belly expand fullylike a balloon.
Now hold that breath gently fora count of four.
Exhale slowly and completelythrough your mouth for a count
of six.
While doing this, feel yourbelly soften and release all the
(08:47):
air.
And repeat this cycle three tofive times.
As you breathe, set a simpleintention.
Maybe it's just, I am calm, or Iam present, or I am open to
healing.
Feel the tension releasing witheach exhale.
Notice how the simple, consciousact of intentional breath can
instantly shift your state, calmyour nervous system, and
(09:10):
simultaneously ground you firmlyin your body while opening you
to something deeper within yourspirit.
That's the accessible, profoundpower of the cauldron in action.
I'm so incredibly excited toshare this unique journey with
you, my fellow seekers ofwholeness.
In the nurse's cauldron, we'regoing to dive into topics that
inform, empower, and deeplyinspire.
(09:32):
We'll explore everything fromsafe and intentional essential
oil blending from a nurse'sperspective, to integrating
ritual into daily self-care, tounderstanding the shadow for
profound personal growth, and somuch more.
My hope is that this podcastbecomes a welcoming space where
you feel understood, where yourcuriosity about holistic health
(09:53):
and spiritual practices iscelebrated, and where you find
practical, actionable tools tonurture your whole authentic
self.
This is a community for thosewho know that true healing
involves more than just thephysical, for those who seek
wisdom in both science andspirit, and for anyone ready to
stir up a more vibrant,balanced, and empowered life.
I truly believe that bycombining these powerful
(10:16):
perspectives, we can unlock newlevels of well-being and live
more intentionally.
I do also have an Etsy shop, theOwl Witch Shop.
I sell ritual oil blends, mixedteas...
bath salts for rituals.
(10:36):
So if you want to check thatout, it's the Owl Witch Shop on
Etsy.
Go ahead and take a look ifyou're interested.
I'd love to hear your thoughtson this first episode and what
you're hoping to explore infuture episodes of The Nurse's
Cauldron.
You can connect with me onsocial media.
On Instagram, it's just TheNurse's Cauldron.
(10:58):
Pretty new on there, so justgive me a Give me a follow if
you're wanting to connect withme or anything like that.
And then next time, we'll bestirring up insights on
energetic boundaries, protectingyour peace as a giver, a topic
that is absolutely crucial fornurses, empaths, and anyone who
pours their energy into others.
(11:20):
You don't want to miss it.
Thank you for watching.
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