One of the most frustrating conversations we keep having to have in the modern witchcraft movement is about cultural appropriation. And while we’ve repeatedly touched on this before, I’ve never focused an episode purely on the topic. So let’s do that. Let’s talk about exactly what it is and why it’s such a problem. Trae’s new novel, “The Witch and …

A question that is significantly harder to answer than most people think is “What is Witchcraft?” This month I’m going to try to answer that, and if I fail you’ll be at least as confused as I am by the end. And hey, isn’t nice to do something together from time to time? Trae’s new novel, “The Witch and the Rose,” is available to purchase right now …

Combating misinformation has always been one of the primary missions of this show, and honestly? It just gets exhausting sometimes. Why are people in this community so willing to uncritically pass on bad information? Why can’t people be bothered to do the minimum to verify what they’re saying’s correct? It’s incredibly frustrating. Trae’s new novel…

Last month Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran joined Trae to take a look at the classic witch-centric movie Hocus Pocus (1993). This month, Bree’s back to help review the 2022 sequel to that movie — Hocus Pocus 2. (And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joi…

It’s time to dig back into the VHS tapes that you’ve shoved in a box in your basement (or just open Disney Plus), and talk about the classic witch-centric movie Hocus Pocus (1993). Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran joins Trae this month for an indepth look at this Halloween movie… in November. But c’mon, we all know it’s Halloween year round in these p…

For the first time in five years, we’re breaking the “Trae talks to someone about ghosts for an hour in October” pattern. Instead we’re using this month and the witchcraft movement’s obsession with Halloween to ask “why are we doing any of this stuff?” It should make sense in the end. I hope. (And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the N…

One of the most common descriptions of “witchcraft” you’ll find out there will say that it’s a “nature based” practice. That’s also reinforced in so many witchcraft books over the last century, as well as in the current social media witchcraft circles. This episode is here to ask the question so many folks seem to be ignoring. Is it really? (And, o…

Variations of the phrase “There’s No Wrong Way to Witch” get tossed around our community, and I think it’s about time we discuss why we say actually say that. But beyond that, there are folks who try to twist the phrase to make it mean things it doesn’t — and we need to talk about how being valid as a witch doesn’t mean you’re not being a complete …

It’s July! You know what that means — it’s time for our annual Q&A special! Where you the audience send in your questions for the show, so we don’t have to research anything for a month… or something. In this supersized episode, we talk about what you wanted to talk about, instead of this month’s random whim. I did so little work this month, I even…

This month we’re talking about a very important concept: doubt. There are times when we question our beliefs and our witchcraft, and why that’s a good thing. Blind faith never helped anyone, and can actively harm you. Remember! Our Annual Q&A Episode is coming up in July! Make sure you submit your questions and comments here before July 10, 2023 to…

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church has announced a new accreditation program to “professionalize” Wiccan Clergy. They’re not the first people to try and set something up like this, and they likely won’t be the last. Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? Mostly I just think this is just a complicated thing. Links: ATC Setting Up Accreditation Progr…

This month we’re talking about liminality and the spaces in between. The places that don’t really seem to belong where they are, where that sense of unreality kicks in. Where we go to the edge of the firelight to the transition to the night. And how that all links into one of the most important, almost universal pieces of folklore: The Crossroads. …

This month on the show we’re answering a question I get a lot, and that’s how do you celebrate the Wheel of the Year if you live somewhere that the natural cycles don’t line up with a bunch of holidays put together in Ireland and Great Britain? How do you adjust and adapt your celebrations to fit in with the natural world around you? I mean, assumi…

This month on the show we’re going down a bit more of an unhinged rant than we’ve done lately, as we discuss “finger waggling,” “sit at the foot of the great teacher” energy, and how maybe we shouldn’t be letting certain dicks run stuff in the Witchcraft Community. Y’know, basic stuff that maybe we could all agree on if anyone thought about it for …

This month we’re taking a look at one of New Age spirituality’s most toxic philosophies: The Law of Attraction. We talk about the history of it, where it came from, and how it’s come back in a major way to a whole new generation as “Lucky Girl Syndrome.” What sometimes looks like a harmless TikTok trend can actually be incredibly dangerous. (And, o…

Back in September of 2021, we put out an episode all about Mabon and the person who named it, Aidan Kelly. This last October, just over after that podcast episode was released, Aidan Kelly reached out to me having listened to it and wanted to set the record straight. Thankfully he let me record the call for the show, and this is that conversation. …

This episode of BS-Free Witchcraft is actually a panel from CritWitchCon 2022 this last October. Spend an hour with Alex Wrekk, Bree NicGarran, Lozzie Stardust and myself as we talk about the history of modern witchcraft. Also you get to listen to me speed run like 130 years of history in under five minutes. It’s a lot of fun, and I think you’ll li…

It’s October, and that means we’re in the spookiest of seasons! With that in mind we continue the podcast’s long standing tradition of doing a ghost stories episode! This year Trae is joined by Jodie Haas, co-host and co-creator of Nerd & Tie Podcast Network Shows Cool & Unusual Punishment and Pour Man’s History, as they take a moment to talk about…

Consumerism has been a driving force in the witchcraft movement since the beginning, but in the age of social media it’s only gotten more visible. Is this a good thing? I mean… no. No it’s not. But we probably wouldn’t be talking about it if it was, would we. Also, it’s entirely possible that WitchTok hates poor people. (And, of course, don’t forge…

On this episode we’re talking about the general tone of witchcraft discourse on social media, including Tumblr and TikTok. Is Witchtok the actual problem in our community, or is it just that the short form video format eliminates any possibility of nuance? (And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded…

It’s July! You know what that means — it’s time for our annual Q&A special! Where you the audience send in your questions for the show, so we don’t have to research anything for a month… or something. In this supersized episode, we talk about what you wanted to talk about, instead of this month’s random whim. (And, of course, don’t forget this show…

Can you believe we made it this long without doing an episode answering a question this basic? I mean, yeah, sure, I cover it a little in episode one — but after running across something online, I realized I really wanted to do something more complete on the matter. So that’s the question we’re answering this month. Mostly. Sort of. You’ll find out…

On this month’s episode of BS-Free Witchcraft we’re talking about political witchcraft. Should your witchcraft be political? What’s the history of the modern witchcraft movement and political action? Should your political action end with your witchcraft? For that last one… the answer is no. It’s a definite and clear no. (And, of course, don’t forge…

We’ve talked before about the white supremacy issues in the modern witchcraft, neopagan, and norse heathen communities, but today we’re dealing with something a little more insidious: the racism that might be coming from inside the house. Because what happens when someone who doesn’t think they’re racist does something racist is important, and ther…

Burnout is something that every witch will likely experience in their lives, and it’s just something we sort of have to deal with. So, in this episode, that’s what we’re talking about. And it’s mostly because, uh, a certain someone is currently burned out beyond all belief. (And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast N…

On this episode of BS-Free Witchcraft it’s finally come time for an episode on crystals. Yep, almost three and a half years into this witchcraft podcast, and we’re finally going to talk about the shiny rocks we all like to hoard. But here’s the thing — this might not be the episode you expect, because there’s a dark side to crystals. A dark side we…

As long as I can remember, people have been debating whether or not it’s okay for non-Jewish witches to incorporate Lilith into their practices. Is Lilith closed? Is it cultural appropriation? There’s so much misinformation in new age and poorly written witchcraft books on Lilith, it’s hard for some witches to get a clear picture. Like I’ve run int…

On this (very last minute) episode of the podcast, we’re looking at the myths surrounding paganism and Christmas… and how some of the claims that circulate this time of year don’t really have a lot of historical grounding. Or, in some cases, any at all. Frankly I just needed to do something that isn’t depressing to talk about after last month. (And…

Content Warning: This episode discusses trauma, abuse, child sexual abuse, and other topics related to those issues. Listener discretion is advised. On this episode of BS-Free Witchcraft we’re talking about manipulators, predators, abusers, and cult-ish behavior in the modern witchcraft movement. From online spaces to real world ones, we need to kn…

Well, we’ve reached that special time of year where it’s time to talk about ghost stories on the podcast! Sort of! This year, Trae is joined by Lee Bradford (creator of The Sweeney Tarot), who returns to the podcast after three years. We talk about ghosts, cryptids, and legends that don’t quite pan out. This year it’s a much more general episode wi…

In the last few years there has been some minor push back against using the name “Mabon” for the Autumnal Equinox. In this episode we’re going to talk about how Mabon got its name, who came up with the name, and why exactly a small group of British Traditional Wiccans are so mad about it. Spoiler: it’s because a bunch of Gardnerian Wiccans are mad …

This month we’re talking about how we, as a community, need to actually verify that something is real before we start sharing it. Time and time again, something gets passed back and forth within the witchcraft community before someone actually bothers to ask the question “is this something that’s really happening?” Because sometimes it isn’t. (And,…

It’s July, so that means it’s time for the annual BS-Free Witchcraft Q&A episode! Listeners like you sent in questions, and I’m going to do my best to answer them. Could it be a complete disaster? Maybe! Only one way to find out though. (And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like y…

So a few weeks ago I made a joke post on my Tumblr where I said beginner witches should “Fight a God.” This led me through a series of events which made me want to discuss how we relate to gods in witchcraft, the difference between worship and belief, and frankly whether or not we should fight a god. That, and, we’ve all agreed that Apollo has an O…

In any movement or group there’s always a pull to do certain things to fit in. There’s an unspoken (or I guess sometimes spoken) peer pressure to do certain performative actions to conform. The modern witchcraft movement isn’t immune to this phenomenon either, and so that’s what we’re going to talk about this month. But, like, in a fun way. And a r…

On this episode, I sit down with Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran to talk about openly being a Witch in the modern world. How accepted are witches really these days? What challenges do we face being open about our craft? What are the odds that an old lady with a murder-van is going to harass you in a gas station parking lot? …they’re surprisingly good…

After two fairly depressing episodes, it’s time to move on to something a little less bleak. This time around we’re talking about The Wheel of the Year! Well, at least the basic idea. Where did it come from, who slapped these eight holidays together, and are they really something every witch needs to give a crap about? Minor spoiler, the answer to …

A couple of years ago we did an episode on the history of the Satanic Panic of the latter half of the twentieth century, but recent events have led us to ask — could it be happening again? It’s very possible that we at the start of a new wave of satanic panic, and QAnon is just the latest symptom of a larger problem. Important Links: Our Satanic Pa…

This month we’re attempting to tackle a topic I’ve had on the list for a while: Norse Paganism’s Nazi problem. It’s not exactly the most fun thing in the world, but after a certain shirtless idiot was amongst the rioters that attempted to overthrow the United States government at the capitol on January 6th, I just couldn’t put it off any longer. I …

This month on the BS-Free Witchcraft podcast we’re tackling ghosts — which may sound like an October topic, but instead of spooky stories we’re instead going for practical advice on how to deal with them. What do you do if you encounter a ghost in the wild? What do you do if you think there’s a ghost in your home? It’s the perfect thing to discuss …

Earlier this year, Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran and I sat down to talk about the 1996 movie The Craft. It was a hugely influential film for a whole generation of witches, and surprisingly holds up well. So, needless to say, when the long awaited sequel/remake The Craft: Legacy came out on Video On Demand last month, we knew we needed to sit down a…

It’s Halloween. Like, literally. And like every other October episode on the BS-Free Witchcraft podcast, that means we’re talking about personal ghost experiences. Joining me this episode (from all around the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network) are Gen Prock (from The Nerd & Tie Podcast and Stormwood & Associates), Cris Sass-Council (from Let’s Be Legendar…

On this episode of the podcast we’re going towards a more positive note, and talking about a pretty great thing in the larger Witchcraft and Pagan community. I’m joined by Amanda Tomasini, former organizer of Central Illinois Pagan Pride Day, to discuss… well… Pagan Pride Day. Kind of spoiled that one there, didn’t I. (And, of course, don’t forget …

So the world is a massive garbage fire at the moment, and we’re all trying to cope. Witchcraft right now isn’t the easiest thing to do, and we need to take the time and acknowledge that it’s okay to not to feel jazzed about it sometimes. Like — it’s okay to not be okay. Also, apparently we’re all astral projecting and sleeping with people in their …

It’s July, and that means we’re doing another Q&A special where I answer questions from listeners like you. And this year I remembered to record it before I hid in a cabin for a week! We talk about your questions about Witchcraft, the show in general, and just stuff I guess. Watch what happens when I get fact checked! It’s neat! (And, of course, do…

It’s strange to think that a 90s teenage horror/urban fantasy film would be massively culturally important to the modern witchcraft movement, but for a generation of witches that’s exactly what The Craft is. In this super long episode of the podcast (seriously — it’s almost an hour and a half), I sit down with Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran for a ch…

On this installment of the podcast we tackle probably one of the more controversial topics in the modern witchcraft movement: The Burning Times. What were the actual “Burning Times,” where do we get that phrase from, and what really happened? Also, how has this phrase been used in modern witchcraft. It’s a heavy one, folks. (And, of course, don’t f…

So on last month’s episode we talked about would-be-gurus like Leah Steele. This month we’re instead going to look at her low-budget cousins though: Spell Farms. What’s a Spell Farm? They are websites where the average person can plunk down some money for a “witch” to cast a spell for them. And they’re just as reliable and honest as they sound. (An…

So we don’t talk about a lot of new age gurus, life coaches, and other “spiritual leaders” on this show. But when so called “Wealth Witch” Leah Steele reached out to me literally out of nowhere this month… I ended up going down the weirdest rabbit hole that ended at an “Australian Sex Wizard.” That is a sentence I just typed. Last month we went sol…

We’ve talked before about how dabbling in witchcraft is not just perfectly acceptable, but should be encouraged. It leaves the question open though — just how does one dabble? With that in mind, and at the suggestion of Tumblr user AskSecularWitch, I’ve gone through and created a “Dabbler’s Week” — a week of activities that someone could do to get …