Spiritual AF Sundays

Spiritual AF Sundays

Welcome to Spiritual AF Sundays - where we blend culture, commentary, and (witch)craft. Host Jess Karels discusses current events and trends from a xennial, occult-nerd perspective.

Episodes

January 26, 2025 35 mins

In this episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, host Jess Karels delves into empathy and its portrayal as potentially sinful within certain American Christian circles.

We also discuss the theological and historical perspectives on sin, the evolution of Christianity, and how concepts like Manifest Destiny and American Exceptionalism have shaped modern evangelical thought.

We contrast the biblical advocacy for empathy and compassion with ...

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In this reboot episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, host Jess Karels, also known as The Mystic Geek, delves into the multi-faceted impacts of the recent TikTok ban from both political and spiritual perspectives. Discover how this event connects with American Exceptionalism and its deeper societal implications.

Don't miss out on unraveling these complex layers—listen now to bridge the gap between current events and mystical insight...

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January 17, 2025 38 secs

Welcome to Spiritual AF Sundays, a podcast where we mix culture, commentary, and witchcraft.

I'm your host, Jessica Karels also known as The Mystic Geek, and I'll be diving into discussions about current events and trends from a Xennial, occult-nerd perspective.

Social media RARELY does these topics justice, so let's approach them with a more nuanced take.

Grab your favorite beverage, sit in a comfy chair, and get re...

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This week, we talk about the darker side of religious practices, exploring emotional, psychological, and even financial abuses that can occur in religious contexts. Join us as we discuss the process of deconstruction, the path to recovery, and the importance of a safe healing space. Whether you've faced religious trauma or are keen on understanding this uncharted area, this episode is a key resource.

This week, we invite counselor, ...

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Dive into an enlightening journey of self-discovery with our special guest, Michael McGinnis. Embark on a captivating exploration of spirituality and personal development as Michael narrates his authentic journey that culminated in the creation of his transformative trilogy, "The Essential Revolution." Experience how this profound journey transcends the individual, sparking a global awakening.

In an age of division and chaos, McGinn...

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Journey into the intriguing realm of psychedelic therapy. This week, we welcome Anne Metz, a groundbreaking psychedelic therapist, as we delve into the unexplored depths of mind-altering substances and their potential in treating mental health conditions.

Discover the journey that led Anne to this revolutionary field, influenced by the insightful work of author Michael Pollan. Together, Jessica and Anne explore the nuances of psyche...

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In this episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, we discuss The Five Love Languages and how our guest made a new tool to make this framework accessible to everyone - all ages and all backgrounds.00:00 Guest Quote00:22 Opening Music01:18 Greeting, Episode Summary, & Guest Intro03:57 Meeting Our Guest, Paul Zolman04:11 Paul's Personal Journey and Challenges08:38 Creating a Game to Learn the Five Love Languages11:09 The Role of Love Dice: A N...

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If you've been following me for a while, you know that I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to all the talk about manifestation, vibration, Law of Attraction, and all that jazz. I'm aware of what I do and what I focus on, and I see where I'm at in life. I'll admit I'm very fortunate. I also see the amount of work others are doing and how they struggle, and I have a hard time believing that their struggles are because they aren't tr...

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In this enlightening conversation, we chat with Rajeshwari Rai, a certified Reiki Master Teacher. Rajeshwari shares her journey of seeking spiritual practices and her move towards self-reliance in connecting to Divine Source. She discusses the importance of embodiment, focusing on the physical world, and our senses. Rajeshwari also talks about the different types of Reiki, including Usui Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Money Reiki, Dragon ...

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In this transformative episode, we delve deep into the energy type AND energy system known as "Reiki" with none other than Debi Barr, a Reiki Master from Northern Ireland.


Debi's going to share her powerful healing story, which showcases how Reiki c...

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Spiritual bypassing is one of those hot-button topics in online spaces. Yet, like many nuanced things brought up on the Internet, it's definition is often left vague. For instance - setting limits on what you let into your life is okay, encouraged even. On the flip side, going full-on "good vibes only" is seen as spiritual bypassing. Resilience is lauded as a sign that we're able to manage the change around us, while also being cri...

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Have you ever felt stressed - like, must-move/can't rest stress? Ever notice how it's not just your body that feels it? Your head may be racing, your heart may be questioning, and you might not feel yourself. Well, that's not just a matter of stress; it's of being out of alignment with yourself.


In this week's episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, we're bringing on guest Lucy Byrd Hope to discuss her book, "Daily Alignment" - throug...

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In this week's episode, we bring on intuitive guide and healer, Gabi Morales, to talk about healing journeys. She shares her own story about how learning about intergenerational trauma in her family not only helped her but other relatives as well. We also delve into questions that leave others in "paralysis by analysis" mode when trying to figure out which healing method to use. 


 


About Our Guest
Gabi Morales is an int...

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Today, we're taking you on a literary journey to the heart of New Orleans, the city famous for its vibrant culture, tantalizing cuisine, and haunting tales. Our guest is none other than Ryan Winter, an exceptional talent in the realm of queer horror. Ryan's work masterfully captures the intersection of horror and sexuality, transforming fear into a powerful exploration of identity and desire.


His tales, inspired by the rich his...

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If you're like me, you probably heard about colonialism during world history classes in grade school and how it led to better lives for everyone involved. We're going to challenge that narrative and take a look at what happens when you have multiple groups of people with different levels of power over one another - AND we're going to look at how we're still dealing with the impacts of colonialism. In this week's episode of Spiritua...

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Ever wondered what it takes to leave behind long-held beliefs and embark on a transformational quest for personal enlightenment?


Join us as we sit down with our special guest, who shares her brave and empowering story of leaving Christianity to forge her own spiritual destiny. In this thought-provoking conversation, she opens up about the challenges, doubts, and ultimately the profound sense of freedom she found on her journey.

...

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Have you ever been told that the unfairness in the world - especially around issues like race, gender, or sexual orientation - is simply "The way things are"? When trying to understand if something is true, do you rely on objective sources like science or look to authorities such as religious documents or leaders? 


In this week's episode of Spiritual AF Sundays, We bring on Reverand Mary Martin, Author of "The Seamstress: A Dys...

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Lughnadsah is one of the festival days in the Wheel of the Year. Do you know the reasons why that day focuses on celebrating agriculture and the first fruits of the harvest? For those in the United States - are you looking for ways to honor this festival day?


 


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In this week's episode, we bring on author Kirsten Weiss to discuss her book "The Mysteries of Tarot." Kirsten's "Intro to Tarot" story is super-interesting! We not only nerd out about the cards, but also the wonders of world-building in fiction.


 


About our guest:


Kirsten writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries for people who want to escape with real, complex, and flawed but likable characters. If there’s magic i...

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In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of psychedelics and their potential benefits in mental health treatment. We bring on Jahan Khamsehzadeh, Ph.D., to discuss these mind-manifesting substances, their role in expanding human consciousness throughout history, and their potential to bring about cultural change and revolution. So grab your headphones and get ready for an enlightening and thought-provoking convers...

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