The Violet Vulture

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today's conversation features the incomparable Angelica Cresci (she/her).

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• The limitations of pop astrology and how to work through healing your relationship to your "bad placements"
• The importance of using storytelling, myths, and historical context in reviewing where beliefs around witchcraft and deities came from and how the narrative has already started to evolve
• Why we shouldn't be so afraid of Hades
• How Angelica has grown as a result of her deity work and what has changed about the practice over time
• We dig into what manifestation is (and isn't) and where to even begin with the practice
• Angelica offers plenty of advice and insight into what avenues to explore as a new or discerning witch

If you're ready to ditch wishing and revisit your old notions around spells, deities, and manifestation, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today, we've got a long-awaited conversation for you all: a chat with the incomparable Red Rum (they/them)!

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• How a project entitled “Death by Design” helped birth the Red Rum we know and love today
• They dig into the first time they ever witnessed burlesque
• The importance of refusing to dilute their artistic vision and the pressures to limit when to be spooky
• We reflect on how and why we're committed to confronting beauty, youth, and decay in our art
• Why it's crucial not to underestimate your audience (people can surprise you!) and confront their biases and expectations
• We explore high-brow vs. low-brow horror
• Plenty of time is spent reflecting on magical practices as two recovering Catholics with an affinity for talking to the dead

And we reflect on what's coming next within the world of Red Rum Performance Art.

If you're ready for a few ghost stories and a candid chat with an artist who's unapologetically a little peepshow/creepshow/freakshow, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today, we've got an extra special Friday the 13th episode in store for you.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• My top 7 horror films (and the swaps I made back when I talked about my top 5)
• I assign a deadly sin that I think most closely corresponds to each of my top 7
• The Halloween-y season archetype I think helps bring balance to each one (which ones do you think you are?)
• My two cents on what the horror community needs to do differently if we want the genre to be taken seriously

If you're in a spooky season rut and making the most of the rest of October, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today, we've got a special guest on the podcast: Karin Ashley of Ampersand Curiosities (she/her)!

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• What draws Karin to the intersection of beauty and decay
• Her relationship to natural history and how it informed her artistic beginnings as well as where she is today
• We got to hear her touch on the crystallization process and the joys and challenges that come with this medium
• A few recent, unexpected inspirations for her work (including how being embraced by the oddities community has helped her work evolve)
• How important it is to choose honesty over being timid about your work
• And the importance of moving away from gatekeeping and letting people surprise you

If you're curious about how to get the spark back in your creative life, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today, we've got the second installment of {Tiger's Eye}

{Tiger's Eye} is one of the benefits of being a member of my Patreon! Patrons at the Jock tier and The Final Girl tier can contribute their tarot inquiries or questions about horror, death, wellness, writing, or spirituality (the sky's the limit!) to this advice column-style episode. Episodes will be released monthly! Due to scheduling issues, there will be two this month since this is the September episode.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• A debrief of what I've been up to in my unplanned time away and what November will look like for yours truly
• A pre-Q&A discussion on the concept of "everything is copy" and the ethics of telling other people's stories
• Advice on how to navigate being online and how to preserve the integrity of your IP
• Some changes to the Patreon (spoiler: 1 less tier, more benefits across the board)
• We've got a question about angel numbers (do I believe in them? Stay tuned!)
• We've got a 3-card tarot moment for a listener who is approaching their 31st year (and what a year it sounds like it'll shape up to be!). Happy birthday, patron!
• And my response to what my current wellness routine looks like (life is a lot - doing something is better than nothing)

If you're curious about how you might benefit from tweaking how you give and share information on the web, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today, we've got the first installment of {Tiger's Eye}

{Tiger's Eye} is one of the benefits of being a member of my Patreon! Patrons at the Jock tier and/or The Final Girl tier can contribute their tarot inquiries or questions about horror, wellness, writing, or spirituality (the sky's the limit!) to this advice column-style episode. Episodes will be released monthly!

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• I'll give y'all a more detailed rundown of my Patreon tiers
• We've got a question about navigating shifts relating to deceased loved ones because, sure, when people die, the relationship changes... But what do we do when it changes again?
• Overcoming blockages and perceived limitations in one's creative practices
• A tarot card pull that ties together two of the asker's inquiries (sometimes when we assume two plants are separate beings, we find that their roots are intertwined)

If you're curious about how you might revamp your spiritual system or how you relate to those who have passed, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

The Mirror is my bonus mini-series that acts as a vessel for how I review - and refuse to rate - horror movies. You will find no "1 or 4-star reviews" here because I stand by horror not being something you can whittle down to some uniform scale. The Mirror will be shorter episodes that will be spoiler-free.

TLDR: Think of The Mirror as a spooky little amuse-bouche for the discerning ghouls.

And for this one, we're talking about a movie I am STILL torn on (yes, even after viewing it once in January and again a few months ago in preparation for this episode): Infinity Pool (2023). How sci-fi is it? What are the strengths? What did I find outright baffling? Will I watch it a third time? Stream it now for the dish.

Thanks for tunin' in, and see you on the other side.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Rachelle Younie (she/her). Rachelle is the host of Mortality and the Morgue and a writer, director, producer, and comedian. She uses her podcast to discuss her time working in a morgue and interviews death-care professionals, artists, doctors, and more about all things death, dying, and grief.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• The various factors that sparked Rachelle’s interest in death and always being something of a spooky kid
• On defying expectations when people hear you do a form of death work or care
• On being something of a cycle disruptor - but also knowing when to stop prodding and let things lie

• Rachelle’s particular path to working in the morgue and the lowdown on how to take care of yourself when you’re engaging in more challenging work
• Her work as a filmmaker and comedian and how integral creativity is to her essence and making sense of life
• The importance of showing up and using your platform and fostering powerful conversations, and spotlighting more diverse voices in the community

If you're up for a raw and real conversation between two artsy kids who have always been a little drawn to the dark, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

The Mirror is my bonus mini-series that acts as a vessel for how I review - and refuse to rate - horror movies. You will find no "1 or 4-star reviews" here because I stand by horror not being something you can whittle down to some uniform scale. Each one is a spooky snowflake that ought to be judged on its own merits. The Mirror will be shorter episodes that will be spoiler-free.

TLDR: Think of The Mirror as a spooky little amuse-bouche for the discerning ghouls.

And for this one, we're talking about a movie with so much hype and promises that it's the scariest movie in 20 years: Talk to Me (2022). What are the elements? What's the vibe? We get into who I think will dig the movie (fellow lapsed Catholics, prepare your bodies and souls), a rundown of who might not dig it, and the flavor profile of this visceral, gritty piece of work from these debut directors. Did these Twin Youtubers-turned-horror directors deliver? Stay tuned for the dish.

Thanks for tunin' in, and see you on the other side.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got an action-packed solo episode full of ups and downs and everything in between from yours truly.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• I offer a quick and dirty glance at some of the astrology that will impact us until 2025 (so buckle up)
• I give y'all a little peek into the deets of our recent trip to California
• I spill the tea on the celebs we encountered
• There's some astrocartography aka locational astrology 101
• I answer a few questions y'all had about our epic trip (the energetics of places, my reading list, and the scoop on why I won't be visiting the Bay area anytime soon)
• The scoop on what I'm unapologetically quitting and what I'll be focusing on instead

If you're wondering if it might be time to say enough is enough on that thing you keep doing (and are resenting BIG TIME), this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

The Mirror is my bonus mini-series that acts as a vessel for how I review - and refuse to rate - horror movies. You will find no "1 or 4-star reviews" here because I stand by horror not being something you can whittle down to some uniform scale. Each one is a spooky snowflake that ought to be judged on its own merits. The Mirror will be shorter episodes that will be spoiler-free.

TLDR: Think of The Mirror as a spooky little amuse-bouche for the discerning ghouls.

And for this one, we're leaning fully into the festivities of Pride Month with this campy horror comedy starring a total queer icon. That's right: we're talking about M3GAN (2022). What are the elements? What's the vibe? We get into who I think will dig the movie (you fellow die-hard James Wan fans will find this utterly delightful), a rundown of who should NOT be watching this, and the flavor profile of this socially conscious and peak fabulous film.

Thanks for tunin' in, and see you on the other side.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Mickey Alice Kwapis (she/her). Mickey is a Chicago-based specimen artist, jewelry maker, stained glass artist and fully owns her weirdo status.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• Mickey dug into what kicked off her interest in preservation (hint: it runs in the fam)
• She unpacked her artistic path as a whole and how it's evolved over the years
• We took some time to explore how her work has impacted how she relate to grief and loss
• And in turn, we discussed how it comes up for clients and the boundaries she puts into place to stay in integrity with herself and the folks she serves
• We spent some time getting into what folks still get wrong about taxidermy/preservation (there’s plenty of bad takes and misinformation out there).

All-in-all, what I valued about Mickey in this conversation and in life aside from being a brilliant and thoughtful creator is her perspective on putting oneself out there. Both at the time of recording and even now, I’m holding onto those nuggets she shared and I hope it gives you some that same juice.

If you're keen to get science-y and see how you could stand to be a bit bolder in your life, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Brigitte (she/her) of Brigitte Marie Energy Design. Speaking with Brigitte was such a breath of fresh air with how she embraces experimentation and intentionality in her own life as well as the folks that work with her.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• What inspired her to get into systems, self-care, and systems-as-self-care work
• What a typical session might look like whether it's around building systems in Notion or the energetics of one's physical space
• How her dedication to this work has supported her own neurodiversity
• Embracing being a witch and the importance of trusting the process and one's journey
• The importance of looking critically at your life and surroundings if you're serious about making a change
• How dropping your habits isn't always a bad thing
• How grounding releasing perfectionism and clarifying your own non-negotiables in life can be
• The 30-day bad art challenge: what it was and how it allowed for some vulnerability and community-building

If you're keen to learn about how systems and letting yourself tinker along the way can be transformative to you and your biz's well-being, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got a super special guest on the podcast, fellow multi-passionate, storytelling purveyor of fine teas, botanical bitters, and wild curiosities: Ashley of Old Growth Alchemy (they/them)!

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• Being a jack-of-all trades (and fully owning it)
• What kicked off their interest in making tea and bitters and other curious ephemera
• The tea on OGA Tea Guild and the importance of co-creating with community
• How their approach to their work is informed by their environment (aside from sourcing local ingredients), magic, and stories
• Which pieces of lore and fantasy fandoms feel the most like home to them
• The importance of supporting magical boundary work in our current era

If you're keen to learn more about the value of curating cozy moments and thoughtfully retreating from the day-to-day, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

It's a solo episode today talking about something I've been putting off discussing for a while now due to fear of shame or backlash: how can I, a devoted Death Doula, find "Death Positive" to be a term that really doesn't do it for me anymore? And, admittedly, I unpack why it might never have been terribly aligned in the first place. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• More background on what got me into being a Death Doula 
• We define Death Positive in a nutshell 
• Where having a term like "death positive" has its strengths
• And, of course, we get into plenty of the limitations and where I think it falls short
• I give y'all some of the deets on my near-death experience
• The importance of scaling your work to your community 
• The value in putting a higher premium on prioritizing connection and community care over having perfect language
• Validation for those that agree and what alternatives might be more lined up with you (and validation if you're a die hard "death positive" stan)
• CN for death talk, medical trauma, mentions of violence and climate crisis

If you're keen to get the hot goss on why I'm not about this popular term as much these days, this one is for you. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Today we've got a super special guest on the podcast, writer and fellow horror enthusiast: Michael Pementel! Michael is a published music journalist and an editorial, interview, and review writer with a passion for video games, heavy metal, and psychological horror. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• Michael’s horror-loving beginnings and his personal criteria for what he considers good horror  
• Mental health and horror (and what this intersection teaches us)
• The value of cultivating media literacy
• We make our case for giving indies films (aka the underdogs) a fairer shot
• The value in prioritizing art that is just for you
• What Michael's core writing focus has been for the past few years, and how fiction has always made him feel at home
• There's many moments full of rapid fire recommendations for horror films, novels, and creators (both mainstream and indie alike)
• How corporate gigs can bring people together and naming burnout

If you're keen to learn more about how we should start talking about horror differently (and whether it's time to use it for your own personal growth), this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

The Mirror is my bonus mini-series that acts as a vessel for how I review - and refuse to rate - horror movies. You will find no "1 or 4-star reviews" here because I stand by horror not being something you can whittle down to some uniform scale. Each one is a spooky snowflake that ought to be judged on its own merits. The Mirror will be shorter episodes that will be spoiler-free.

TLDR: Think of The Mirror as a spooky little amuse-bouche for the discerning ghouls.

And today, we're starting this mini-series by digging into the Gen Z-fueled dark comedy horror film: Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). What are the elements? What's the vibe? We get into who I think will dig the movie (shout out to y'all who love seeing awful people be awful on screen), a rundown of who should NOT be watching this, and the flavor profile of this slower-paced, over-the-top experience. 

Thanks for tunin' in, and see you on the other side.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this one, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Jess de Haas of Soma Tide! Jess is a Vedic/Sidereal Astrologer, the writer of Cosmic Surfcasts, and a self-avowed Creative and Intuitive Guide.  

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• What inspired Jess to move away from one career and go all-in on Vedic/Sidereal Astrology
• What's on everyone's minds: the difference between Vedic and Western Astrology
• What Vedic astrology prioritizes over Western and the benefits of that focus, and how you absolutely can be into BOTH
• We get the lowdown on the beef she and I have with some IG astrologers (e.g., she's not about the fear-mongering)
• Some timeline jumping 101 and the importance of going all in on yourself
• Why we shouldn’t fear the void and seek to see possibilities within it
• And the shadow work that Jess has done recently (and what it's uncovered)

If you've been wondering if it's time to turn to the stars and collapse a timeline (or two), this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Taylor Elyse Morrison. Taylor is the Founder of Inner Workout and Gateway Coaching and the author of the soon-to-be-published Inner Workout: Strengthening Self-Care Practices for Healing Body, Soul, and Mind. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• We explore the motivation behind the original format of Inner Warmup  - and the reasoning behind how it'll evolve in season 2
• The importance of recognizing when burnout is happening and when a project needs to change (or come to a close)
• How Taylor has always been writing, and she highlights the unique struggles that come with writing a book
• A breakdown of Inner Workout's 5 Dimensions of Well-being
• How Taylor negotiates her boundaries with social media 
• We talk about Human Design and reframing what it means to be a Generator
• She gives me the scoop on her new business, Gateway (and what inspired it)
• Taylor beautifully lays out the differences between offering therapy, consulting, and actual coaching
• And she gives us some insight into her new era of embracing being a student and what it means to cultivate creativity and play

If you're curious about how to confront a fear of failure and move towards some unbridled growth in the new year, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Rivkah Reyes. Rivkah (they/she but mostly they) is a queer Filipinx-Jewish actor, musician, comedian, producer, writer, and witch. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• The scoop on how we know each other (aside from being badass queer witches)
• High school and theater politics and the humility that comes with not always being Number 1
• On embracing being a "floater" and  the value of cultivating different friend pods
• The great New York - Chicago - LA divide
• Dealing with the burnout that comes with being a Manifesting Generator if they're not careful
• Insight into the Nostalgia Machine and what this big push says about our collective feelings
• Their film Gianna and the Inner Saboteur - and the importance of choosing inner saboteur over other terms (and what inspired it)
• Crowdfunding Gianna and the challenges of making big asks and fighting for your art to get made
• Rivkah presents us with the gentle but direct way they work with their inner critic 

If you're curious about how to move from pummeling your Inner Saboteur to making peace with it, this one is for you.

CW: addiction, substance use

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! 

The Mirror is my bonus mini-series that acts as a vessel for how I review - and refuse to rate - horror movies. You will find no "1 or 4-star reviews" here because I stand by horror not being something you can whittle down to some uniform scale. Each one is a spooky snowflake that ought to be judged on its own merits. The Mirror will be shorter episodes that will be spoiler-free. 

TLDR: Think of The Mirror as a spooky little amuse-bouche for the discerning ghouls.

And today, we're starting this mini-series by digging into the polarizing Skinamarink (2022). What are the elements? What's the vibe? We get into who I think will dig the film, a rundown of who should NOT be watching this (shout out to y'all stressed parental figures), and the flavor profile of this atmospheric, dark nostalgia-fueled experience.

Thanks for tunin' in, and see you on the other side. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Merril Doty of Consensual Counseling. Merril is committed to providing sex/relationship counseling, sex education, and other healing services with thoughtfulness, empathy, and candor. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• The series of events that inspired Merril to pursue becoming a sex educator and how her trauma-informed training as a yoga instructor gave her a solid foundation for the work she’s committed to now
• I get very open and honest about something that has even impacted me - and we offer some validation to others who might be going through similar experiences (e.g., it shouldn’t hurt - unless you want it to)
• We get into our gut healing and pelvic floor health journeys and how they intersect with finding a new sense of security in our bodies
• Merril and I offer insight into how to relearn how to trust your body after feeling dysfunctional or encountering a big or little T-trauma
• And then we dive into the Q+ A! We got so many questions, but a major throughline with them is confronting shame, unlearning what was instilled in us as children about desire, and the importance of communication and honesty with oneself and one's partner (or partners!)

If you're overdue for a little sex education refresher, this one is for you.

CW: sexual assault (in adults and children)

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Alexandra Shelly. Alexandra is a Channeler, Voracious Reader, Podcaster, Healer, Mentor, and Guide and is committed to helping others discover their divine self through spiritual connection and practices.

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• How the rules of mediumship are constantly changing, and why we shouldn’t fear what it means about Spirit and our evolution as cosmic beings.
• Signs that you’re getting downloads from Spirit and the importance of learning what your "tells" are when Spirit might be trying to communicate with you.
• We bring it back to one of our earlier episodes of TVV about scammy readers, and Alexandra offers insight into what to look for in a high-value, ethical medium.
• Alexandra teaches us how to perform a roll call for your spirit guides and angels 101 and the importance of reevaluating your relationship with your spirit team, self, and higher self.
• We get a detailed breakdown of the psychic Clairs and how mediumship has impacted her relationship with death.
• Insight into whether you are ready (like...really, really ready) for what comes with getting readings from a medium and what may help you clarify if you’re looking for a medium for the right reasons.

If you're keen to learn more about improving your relationship with Spirit (and yourself and Self), this one is for you.

CW: suicide

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we've got a super special guest on the podcast, Emily Blackwell. Emily is passionate about unconditional self-love, confronting shame and challenging self-sabotage, and healing with somatics, breathwork, Tantra, and Yoga. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• Why Emily is also team “no resolutions” and thinks we need to be doing less in the winter
• She offers a crash course in Ayurveda (and even gets my dosha right)
• How travel and yoga were formative in bringing her back to herself and learning how to find balance after moving between extremes
• What inspired her to start offering retreats and what to expect in an inclusive, safely curated retreat experience
• How all of the ebbs and flows of the seasons inspire her care-filled work
• Advice on how to balance honoring your boundaries with pushing mindfully past and through discomfort to welcome transformation

If you're looking for some insights into when you should honor precisely where you are and when to push through for some challenging growth, this one is for you.

CW: disordered eating, diet culture, mental illness, addiction

Emily Blackwell's Website: //emilyblackwellyoga.com 

Emily Blackwell's IG: //instagram.com/emilyblackwellyoga

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this solo, reflective piece of work, we're looking back on a year (and then some!) of working on making this podcast a reality. 

In this episode, we'll get into the following and then some:

• How showing up before I'm ready has helped me hone my voice and improve my failure tolerance
• Pushing creativity to new and exciting places when you embrace being prolific and less perfectionistic 
• How podcasting can be lonely (and how I'll try to remedy that in the coming year)
• The realities of being chronically ill and how we surprise ourselves when we reframe what "being consistent" means instead of chasing down norms that don't actually serve us and our true journeys 

If you're down for an insider peak into what the past year has yielded (good and bad and dece alike) and what we may be exploring in 2023, this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this solo, spicy and exploratory episode, we'll build on the concepts for addressing radical wintering and review the three archetypes that might be supportive of you this season.

In this episode, we'll address the following and then some:

• A little reintroduction to what archetypes are. 
• How can archetypes guide reflection and personal growth while protecting your mental and somatic health? 
• We explore the wintry archetypes, how to tell which one you might be based on your current frustrations, and how to embody that archetype. 
• Should you surrender and create more ease? Should you own that you need more heat and need to pull away for a while to make the cold more tolerable? Should you finally commit to stripping the layers of your existence away and actually doing your shadow work this season?

If you're reflecting on how you need to evolve this season and you're wondering if you're the Snowbird, the Hibernator, or the Pack Member (or some combo of two or all of the above), this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this solo, stream-of-conscious-y, conversational episode, we'll lay some groundwork for addressing radical wintering and how it might be supportive of you this season.

In this episode, we'll address the following and then some:

• What does it even mean to winter? 
• Why (and how) is it for me?
• And I offer a different perspective on how winter might not actually be the worst. 
• And I lay down the power of ritual and embracing being present.
• How I reconcile my complicated history with the holiday season with a deep, profound love of winter.

If you're wondering if you should run a self-assessment on how you relate to this time of year (and ultimately yourself), this one is for you. 

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this super special mini-sode (on Krampusnacht nonetheless), I read aloud "Twas The Night Before Krampus" by yours truly, Emmy Colón-Geistlinger. Sit back, relax, and let this cautionary tale scare you into bloody good behavior. 

If you're jonesing for something quick, scary, with just a touch of merry, this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we’ve got a special guest on the show, Vanessa Lima of Rose Star Co. Vanessa is a copy and content writer for conscious creators, a formidable double Aquarius, Gemini Rising (lit alien vibes all around), and a self-proclaimed horror aficionado.

We start out by riffing on how we’ve both found horror films cathartic and comforting in ways that feel genuinely like home. Vanessa and I also reflect on what got her into horror, how it's always been something of a family affair, and the positive impact it had on her as a kid when she needed it most.

We spend some time digging into the power of horror marketing and where it falls flat, the advantages comedy has over horror in these ways, and how feeling catfished by a horror film ultimately comes down to the writing and execution of the film itself.

If you're in the mood to hear two creators geek out about horror storytelling and want some solid recs for getting into the genre, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we’ve got a special guest on the podcast who continues to challenge how I conceive of advocacy, organizing, and what self-care means.

Pastor Elle Dowd (she/they) and I spend some time getting into her book, Baptized in Tear Gas: From White Moderate to Abolitionist, the vulnerability that one grapples with when documenting their journey, and the responsibility that comes with writing about and depicting others. 

We also get into accountability, responsibility, and the power of embracing change as we evolve as humans committed to effecting change in the world. Elle also offers their perspective on when "staying in your lane" is an appropriate course of action in activism and shares her own healing experience that she's still in the thick of at the moment. 

We also get into bodies, healing from EDs, and somatic healing. And we reflect on what it means to transition from intellectualizing growth and actually doing the thing, and how important self-care is for collective wellness and the revolution we are building together. 

If you're someone who is thick in healing and trying to figure out what it means to embrace change and accountability, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we’ve got a special guest on the podcast who offers a gorgeous, affirming, and expansive perspective on spirituality and healing. 

Vanessa Murchie (they/them) and I spend some time reflecting on Human Design and they offer some extra noteworthy insight for the Projectors and Manifestors out there. We also dive into how the public discourse around the Akashic Records is one that we both find lacking in complexity and intersectionality. Vanessa offers some brilliant insight into what these practices are at their core and how they might provide a liberation-oriented container for fostering personal and spiritual growth, self-investigation, and development for anyone who might be aligned with their work.

We also spend some time discussing Vanessa's other offerings that truly act as these care-filled vessels for facilitating transformation. All-in-all, Vanessa presents us with a new perspective on healing and self-discovery that offers an equal opportunity for both play and curiosity.

If you've been curious about exploring new modalities and want a balance of seriousness and levity, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we’ve got a special guest on the show who I've been excited to have on for some time: my husband. 

Timothy Colón-Geistlinger (he/him) and I spend some time addressing our most-asked question. No, it isn't "when we will have children". Though that is a VERY close second. Timothy's a Lutheran seminarian who is on a path to pursue ordination. Meanwhile, I'm not exactly your stereotypical pastor's wife (not by a long shot). We've been getting a ton of questions about how we handle different spiritualities and if they clash in any way for years, so we took some time to get to the bottom of it together. 

We also dive into our similar yet distinctly different experiences with Christianity, navigating doubt and hardships, Timothy's perspective on what it means to be Lutheran, and what he wants to offer marginalized folks who otherwise have felt let down by the church. We also recorded this the day before our third wedding anniversary, so there are lots that we reflect on as a pair and it's such a joy to share with you all.

If you've also been asking yourselves how the hell a seminarian and a witch make it work and how could the church be in any way accepting of me/us, this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, we’re talking about something I’m pretty passionate about. I share a teeny bit more about my spiritual journey and modest beginnings as a baby witch. I also unpack the nuance and the ethics of witchcraft since it has become more mainstream. And I offer some insights into how you might go about navigating your own lane because - while it's super important to do your own research - I think having a starting place to begin going deeper is really helpful. This won’t give you everything, nor should it!

I do also offer some tidbits and advice for what to do if overstepping happens and I list out a few practices or tools that are fair use for all.

If you're interested in getting swept up in the magical beauty of ritual but want to maintain respect and consideration for what might not be open to you, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, I give y'all a rundown of some of my least favorite questions to hear when it comes to talking about horror with "does it even *count* as horror?" as the one I detest the most by far.  

We spend a little time getting into how (in my experience) these questions have historically held us back, how this talk only serves to alienate folks from the genre, and, frankly, these questions are a waste of time when we consider how this spooky people in-fighting serves no one in the long run. 

If you are also tired of all of the gatekeeping and want to explore how we got here and how we could do better by each other, this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, I expand a bit on Mini-Sode iii: Let's Live Deliciously and I'm your one-stop-shop for keeping the spooky vibes going all October regardless of scare tolerance. The episode opens with me making my case for Halloween truly being the people's holiday. A holiday for all regardless of age or economic status. 

We then dig into the scare-free, the moderately scary, the gettin' spookier, all the way up to SS-tier - Supreme Spooky. So many options for all of the folks out there who want to explore the season but might be a touch stumped. Tune in and even grab a pen and paper or open your Notes app on your phone. Let yourself get inspired and allow me to be your guide to all things autumnal and spooky aesthetic. 

If you're a fan of all things gruesome and looking to broaden your horizons and go back to basics a bit, or you're a recovering scaredy-cat or even a scared cat that wants to fully embrace your lane, this one is for you. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! 

In this episode, I’ve got a super special guest on the podcast. She’s a digital witch and content creator and strategist. She’s a trauma-informed tarot reader and teacher. I’m beyond delighted to introduce you all to Stacey Coplin (she/her) of House of The Rising Tarot. 

We cover making our practices more trauma-informed and how our own experiences with navigating trauma and recovery enlightened our paths. We also spend a little time discussing Human Design, and astrology - all the while connecting it back to what the Tarot has to teach us so long as we remain receptive to the messages. There's also some dissection of queerness, the process of coming to terms with our queer identities and evolution, and how being "other" actually opens us up to living more expansive, care-filled lives. 

If you, too, had a bad Tarot experience that soured you on the whole thing (and understandably so) and you're looking to explore how you might go about hitting refresh on the whole thing, this one is for you. 

Welcome to The Violet Vulture!

In this episode, as the final installment of my gritty growth series, we're going a little deeper on something referenced in this podcast previously. It seems like everyone that's a little woo or New Age-y is talking about the Witch Wound, but we go deep here, so we dive into the core of it.

We dig into what the Witch Wound might look or feel like in our actions or in our bodily sensations, how it relates to my baggage around monetization, and ultimately, how I've tried healing it and what you can try on yourself. Today is the first day of autumn, Mabon, the equinox, so what better time to reflect on ancestral work and intergenerational trauma - and healing? 

If you know you've been putting off this kind of shadow work and are ready to bust out your journal or get your collective healing on, this one is for you.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! 

In this episode, as part of my gritty growth series, we're unraveling and recontextualizing something that we talk about a lot but many of us tend to get fundamentally wrong. Accountability is something we all know we have or are beholden to, but a huge part of growth is getting clear on whether you are engaging in accountability discourse or...if you're asking for something else entirely. 

Are you looking for accountability, or are you out for blood? Are you looking for folks to be answerable and for concrete change, or are you being consumed by something formidable within you that you have yet to contend with (or both because porque no los dos)? 

If you have been stumped about how to approach discussions that just can't be put off any longer and you want to do so in a mindful, mutually supportive way, this one is for you. 

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! In this episode, as part of my gritty growth series, I’ve got a super special guest who went from having one central business to evolving and adapting them into three separate but interrelated entities. Think Marvel Cinematic Universe but more attitude, decolonizing, cafecito, and culture. Esperanza Salgado (she/her) is an artist, writer, musician, coffee mastermind, business wiz, basically a badass, prolific creator. 

Esperanza gets real with us about the complex truth about being a multi-passionate, multi-hyphenate with a strong sense of self and vision. She truly embodies gritty growth by being committed to making tough choices, reimagining her ideas in real time when she realizes that things just aren't working, and refusing to play small to appease other people. 

If you need a spark of inspiration (or two) because you feel like things just aren't working but you're not sure if it's the right time to pivot, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! In this episode, I spend a little time updating y'all on my little summer hiatus and how life can imitate art (or in my case, how my life imitated a classic horror movie). It then leads right into Part I of what I'm calling the Gritty Growth Series wherein we explore some boundaries 101 together. We get into what they are, types of boundaries and where we could employ them, how we might go about doing so in our own lives, and challenging the discomfort of saying what we need in order to keep ourselves safe (because sometimes what feels like the nuclear option in boundary-setting might be just what the doctor ordered).

If you've been wondering how you might go about having better boundaries as we enter the more introspective time of year, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! In this episode, we have a super special guest on the podcast, Naseem Jamnia (they/them). Naseem is a Persian, queer, nonbinary, writer, neuroscientist, baker, and nerd. Peppered throughout, we explore themes, topics, and inspirations surrounding Naseem's debut novella, The Bruising of Qilwa (now available wherever you buy your books!). We spend some time unpacking the beast that can be the MFA writer's workshop and spend some time dreaming of what a better world for QTBIPOC writers could look like. We also dig a bit into the decision to leave science and pursue writing full-time and how doing so honored Naseem's shadow in so many gorgeous, gorgeous ways. 

I've known Naseem for quite some time, so there's also plenty of riffing as only old friends can do, so stay tuned.

If talk of crushing outdated systems and blood magic gets you fired up, this one is for you.

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! In this episode, I spend some time unpacking the ins and outs of the Tarot, the Akashic Records, and Human Design. I also offer some tips and tricks on how to spot readers who may not have the best of intentions and how these tools have all assisted me in my work, my relationships, my spiritual practice, and overall personal development. We even spend some time debunking some things that really grind my gears, so stay tuned. 

If you've been played in the past and want the skinny or have been keen to learn more about these esoteric topics, this one is for you. 

Welcome to The Violet Vulture! In this episode, I spend a little time unpacking what it means to embrace a villain era. While it can be alienating in some ways, it's so much more liberating and life-affirming than you could imagine. We cover everything from what it looks like, how we got here, what isn't a villain era, and how you might go about embracing your own delicious villain era. 

If you've been wondering if you need to ditch the people-pleasing and draw some gorgeous, gorgeous boundaries while wearing a fly all-black outfit, this one is for you. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to the first full episode of The Violet Vulture! In this episode, I dive into the symbolism of The Fool in Tarot. We also get into just how complicated the Hero's Journey can be as well as the dark sides of being a hero (it ain't all roses and glory). 

If you've got that uneasy feeling like you're on the precipice of something new, and sometimes resenting the shadowy parts of this #maincharacterenergy, this one is for you. Let's see if we can work in some breathing room and self-compassion whilst on this trip into the unknown, shall we?

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to the fifth mini-sode of The Violet Vulture! In this bite-size teaser episode, I dive into my deep, long-lasting appreciation for archetypes and all they have to teach us in our spiritual journeys, creative tracks, careers, and the many curveballs life throws our way. 

The list as to why they've lasted so long would BE so long. But I whittled it down to what hits home the most for me as someone who has used them to grow as a witch, storyteller, and person. 

If you're feeling a disconnect between who you are and who you want to be, this one is for you. Let's see if we can reveal what's been buried all along. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to the fourth mini-sode of The Violet Vulture! In this bite-size teaser episode, we switch gears a little bit with this guided meditation that is centered around the core aspects of the New Moon in Gemini (05/30/2022). 

You can expect visualization, breathwork instruction, crystal singing bowl accompaniment, and reflection questions to get you through this lunation (and beyond). After all, taking a moment to check in with your Self and connecting with your breath is a constant, regardless of where the moon is. 

No matter when or where you're tuning in from, here's to cultivating curiosity and celebrating the walking paradox Gemini lives for embodying.

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to the third mini-sode of The Violet Vulture! In this bite-size teaser episode, I dive into my love of horror, learning to embrace my darkness, and how you might benefit from letting yourself be scared (even if only for a little while). 

Even if you're not a spooky convert by the end of this, I hope your one takeaway is to let yourself love things as wholeheartedly as you can. 

Website: soyemmy.com

Welcome to the second mini-sode of The Violet Vulture! In this bite-size teaser episode, I dive into what drew me to Death Doula work, how my practice has evolved, and my latest iteration of community grief care, The Wharf. Even though I've been at it for years, we're just getting started. 

Website: soyemmy.com