Falken's Labyrinth Podcast

Summary In this episode, I sit down with the electric and enchanting Ember Fae—fairy witch, burlesque performer, and exotic animal veterinarian—to explore the sacred intersection of dance, magic, and personal power. From the very beginning, we dive into the rituals that shape Ember’s world: lighting candles, drawing cards, and tuning into the energy of vengeance (yes, vengeance!) as a sacred respo...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains topics including suicide, drug overdose, and death. Take care of yourself, and skip this one if these topics aren’t right for you. Summary In this heartfelt and deeply resonant conversation, I sit down with Cat Dean (they/them)—an eclectic southern witch, tarot reader, and musician—to explore the experience of living in between. From our shared journeys throu...

Summary In this high-energy episode of Contemplating Resonance , I welcome the inimitable Mandi Em—a multi-published author, chaos witch, and your psycho-spiritual bestie—for a conversation that’s as feral and liberating as it is heartfelt and wise. We kick things off with a witchy card pull that sets the tone for a deeply resonant exploration of Mandi’s Feral Self-Care philosophy, which rejects p...

Welcome to Season 3 of Contemplating Resonance, launching on the Equinox—a moment of balance between light and dark. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s Ostara, a time of renewal and awakening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s Mabon, a season of reflection and release. No matter where you are, this shift invites us to honor transformation. This season, we’re diving deep into the intersections of psyc...

Summary In this episode of Contemplating Resonance , Matt Stine hosts Christine Greenwald, a psychotherapist, writer, and author of the Substack Recasting Religious Trauma . Together, they explore the profound impact of religious trauma, diving into its overlap with complex trauma and how it shapes self-perception, relationships, and spirituality. Christine shares insights from her therapeutic wor...

Summary In this episode of Contemplating Resonance , Matt Stine sits down with John Sundman—novelist, former high-tech professional, and self-described working-class hero—to explore the intersections of technology, power, and religious ideology. John shares insights from his career in Silicon Valley, his experiences with Catholicism, and how those influences shaped his writing. Together, they disc...

Summary In this episode of Contemplating Resonance , Matt Stine sits down with Ariele Lanning, also known as Divine Rebel Rising, to explore the deep work of deconstructing religious trauma and reclaiming personal autonomy. Ariele shares her journey from growing up in a Mormon household to experiencing profound shifts in her spiritual path. Her work as a deconstruction coach and evidential spiritu...

Summary This weekend marked my second annual retreat at St. Margaret’s Hermitage—a snowy, serene space just outside Bartlett, Tennessee. It’s been a time for reflection, connection, and setting intentions for the year ahead. My days were a mix of rituals, journaling, walks in nature, and exploring practices like Chaos Magick and Active Imagination. Each activity felt like a step toward integrating...

Summary In this thought-provoking episode of Contemplating Resonance , Matt Stine reconnects with returning guest Hana O’Neill, also known as the Suburban Witch, for a deep dive into cult tactics and religious trauma. Together, they unpack the BITE model of authoritarian control and phobia indoctrination, exploring how these tactics shape behavior, thought, and emotions in high-control environment...

Summary In this eye-opening episode of Contemplating Resonance , Matt Stine welcomes Lyn Smith Gregory, great-grandniece of Joseph Smith, to discuss her journey of breaking free from the Mormon Church and navigating family estrangement. Lyn shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a high-control religious environment, where questioning authority was discouraged, and leaving the church mea...

Summary In this heartfelt episode of Contemplating Resonance , host Matt Stine welcomes Kandi Zeller, a queer, witchy, disabled, and ex-evangelical writer and editor. Kandi shares their journey navigating the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and justice while healing from religious trauma. As an editor for Microcosm Publishing and writer of the Substack newsletter All the Threads , Kandi...

Summary: In the Season Two trailer, Matt Stine provides a sneak peek into a series of deep, thought-provoking conversations about religious trauma, healing, and self-discovery. Joined by guests like Kandi Zeller, Lyn Smith Gregory, Arielle Lanning, and John Sundman, they explore complex topics such as the psychological impacts of high-control religions, the intersection of narcissism and Christian...

Summary In this episode, Matt interviews Dawn Dickerson-Leger, a pastor and Ph. D. candidate, about her deconstruction journey and experiences in the Anglican Church. Dawn shares her background in evangelical Christianity and her transition to a more progressive faith. She discusses her exploration of Anglicanism and the appeal of its mystical traditions. Dawn also addresses the power structures w...

Summary In this episode, Matt and Jon discuss the importance of community in the process of deconstruction. They share their own experiences and how they found a sense of belonging in online faith communities. John also shares his personal journey of deconstruction, which was prompted by relationships and experiences that challenged his beliefs. They explore the balance between acknowledging the n...

Summary In this episode, Matt talks to Hana, also known as the Suburban Witch, about her journey from growing up in a Pentecostal church to exploring witchcraft and spirituality. Hana shares her experiences of being raised in a strict religious environment and the challenges she faced in questioning her beliefs. She discusses the impact of leaving the church and finding her own path, as well as th...

Summary In this episode, Marla Taviano shares her journey of deconstruction and how it has shaped her writing and perspective on faith. She reflects on her past beliefs and books, discussing the challenges of having written from a different perspective. Marla also talks about the process of writing and sharing her experiences, including the freedom she has found in breaking free from religious con...

Summary In this impromptu episode, I share my experience at a spiritual retreat and introduce the concept of resonance. I explore resonance as a physical and metaphorical concept, discussing how it relates to life, death, creation, and destruction. I also discuss my motivation for starting this podcast and my intention to share my own spiritual journey and amplify the stories of others. I share my...

I recorded this little trailer episode while testing Riverside, the podcasting platform I think I’m about to roll with. As it turns out, it does a good enough job of talking about one of the directions I intend to head with this podcast, so I thought YOLO… let’s upload it! Get full access to Falken's Labyrinth at falkenslabyrinth.com/subscribe