Magic, Medicine and Mayhem

Last week on the podcast, I mentioned that the frog has become something of a mascot for the LGBTQIA+ community–even though, scientifically speaking, only 2 species of frogs have ever been recorded as displaying homosexual behavior. So, why frogs then? Well, thanks to the internet–and the weird places that it sometimes takes us. Tune in to this week's Sylvology 101 (whether you're part o...

Welcome to the new and improved podcast (formerly known as Live From Suckville). In this episode I’ll share the vision and reasons behind the evolution of this podcast and tell you more about me, your host Sylva Florence. You’ll also hear what is blooming after this period of silence (aka silent transformation) and find out what exciting things are coming up this fall. Plus, I’ll tell you what to...

Did you know that you can start (or continue) the path to healing your trauma just by listening to this episode? My guest this week, Justin Sunseri, will tell you that whatever is blocking you comes down to biology and inherent mechanisms which exist in each of us to help us survive. But what neither of us wants is for you to just survive. We want you to thrive! So join us for this fascinating con...

Are you ready to say yes to life? Are you ready to surrender to it? Did you know that these two concepts are also one and the same? If surrendering sounds like giving up, if it's difficult for you or if you're not even sure where to begin, this episode is for you! Join in to listen to stories of and lessons from moments of utter surrender from my own life. Then we'll embark on a gui...

❤️‍🩹If you feel like your healing is a constant work in progress, you're certainly not alone. Join me and my guest, Katie MacDonald as we finish what we started in episode 4: wisdom and advice collected along an ongoing journey of healing through codependency. It's not about perfection and hindsight, but more about vulnerability and honoring the path itself. Come along with us and find...

A conversation I had at a pizzeria last week got me really fired up... And thus a new episode was born! Yes, I am here to rant against the patriarchy this week--but not only. Other than my own recent and not-so-recent experiences, you'll hear from other women about the trials and tribulations they have come up against, and the powerful lessons that came out of them. You're not going to w...

How do we cope when all of a sudden life throughs us a curveball that no one saw coming, and it stirs up all of our trauma? What happens when there is, therefore, no way to avoid our triggers? Join me for part one of a conversation that is as encouraging and affirming as it is vulnerable and real. It's the kind that gets you thinking about how you show up in the world and why. And it might ju...

The forest: A place we desire to return to, but at the same time, we're afraid to do so. A place where green shoots climb up through the duff: a simultaneous host of both life and death. A place to be navigated with reverence and trembling.  Our inner forest, the home and root of our inner nature, must be traversed with this same reverence and fear. It, too, has become foreign to us: a place...

Imagine one evening your life takes a rather scary u-turn, and your safety becomes the most important thing that exists. My guest this week, using the pseudonym Charlotte Grey to protect her identity, knows exactly how this feels. Join me as she recounts her story of survival--but not only. It's also a tale of rebuilding and reinventing. Of stepping into one's self worth. Of finally embr...

What if I told you that the key to your healing is in your suffering? Yes, all those crappy experiences (and visits to Suckville) aren't just misfortunes, random difficulties or horrible traumas. They are the very way that you become  whole, healed and the most authentic version of yourself. Join me for an introductory episode to get you started on your healing path. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS E...

We all know that breaking up is hard to do... But what if our endings don't always have to leave huge scars? Is there a way to ensure that no matter how things end, we can walk away with love? My guest this week, Becky Prokova, is here to tell us that the answer is yes. Join us to discover new ways to honor your endings in this empowering and hopeful chat about conscious uncoupling. LINKS MEN...

Be yourself. Love yourself. It's not always easy, is it? Especially if you're someone who is "different" than the others around you. Because of the way you are, the way you aren't, or because of who you love. Join us for an inspirational, Pride-themed coming out story that will have you laughing, tearing up, and (hopefully) feeling inspired to be more of who YOU are.  LINK...

Need healing? Why not take your vintage sailboat across the Atlantic? That's what came to mind for veteran Thorfin Skullcrusher. Back from Afghanistan and diagnosed with PTSD, up until then his life had been all about being a warrior. The boat adventure changed all that, and set him on a completely new course (pun intended). Join us for this extraordinary tale of courage, adventure, and the l...

You're never prepared for the moment that muddy water starts filling up your apartment, are you? Nobody imagined the water would have come into the historic center of Faenza, Italy. Nobody imagined that in other places in our town, the water would rise to 5 meters (15 feet). Still, it happened--and this is our tale. Listen in as I tell my own tale of the fateful night on 16 May, with help fro...

Every crisis is an opportunity, according to Chiara Dal Borgo. She's a professional dancer, but not only: she is also an incredible, strong women. A converter of so-called failures into growth, injuries into self-awareness, and life into a curious and creative dance. Chiara told me during our interview that dance has taught her so much about life. It's only fitting then that during this...

Like Alanis Morissette sang in her famous song, Ironic , "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you..." She was right, in that it sometimes takes us everywhere but where we thought we'd go. Alanis also sang, however, "Life has a funny way of helping you out." And she's correct about this as well. It might be bittersweet, it might not always be easy, and it might just...

As humans, we live with paradoxes all the time, right? The world seems at once a horrible place filled with war and famine, and a lovely place full of beautiful natural spaces and warm-hearted people. We, too, are paradoxes... Maybe we are the types that devour both multi-colored donuts AND organic, free range, antibiotic-free chicken. Our families can also be paradoxes full of loving people who a...

The kids, the errands, cooking and cleaning, your job, your studies and exams, car troubles, bills, somebody's birthday you forgot... It's just too much! Sound familiar? Tune into the latest episode in which my amazing guests give us inspiring and practical ways not to lose our freaking minds in the daily grind. Warning: this episode might make you feel better and/or more in control of y...

What do frogs and my family have in common? Until recently, not too much. Join me and a very special guest today to talk creatures that ribbit, nasal passages, salt, how cool my brother and dad are and much more. But first, an important update in the life of your host! LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the freebie. Monthly witchy gatherings : -Monthly Witchy Gatherings + Witchy Goodies subscrip...

When life throws you lemons, make lemonade. But when life throws you lemons in Ghana...? Only my guest this week, James Damman, has the answers for that. In his time there working for the Peace Corps, he experienced just about everything, from being convinced he might really die to finding humor and sweetness in the most unexpected of places. Join me for a fascinating discussion on life and cultur...

In about 24 hours, Michele Camorani's life changed completely. My guest this week endured a year+ of very scary and unexpected trials, yet he came out the other end as a better person. Join us today for a good dose of reality AND a really good laugh. If you haven't learned WAY too much about Michele by the end of this episode, you've been listening with the sound off! Warning: This...

Every ending can be a new beginning -- no matter what kind of an ending it is. Join me and my guest, Betta Sazzini, for a heartwarming and honest talk about the beautiful things that can grow from even the most unexpected of tragedies. Warning: This episode might leave you feeling like you want to hug everyone. Covid or no Covid. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the freebie. Monthly witchy gat...

When things get real--or real bad--it's tempting to slide right into a big ol' pool of negativity and/or bitterness. However, my guest today, Amanda Mayes, shows us that no matter how crappy things get, we always have a choice on perspective, how move forward, and what to do with our beautiful scars. Warning: this episode might leave you feeling grateful. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:...

This week, join me and my guest, Tiffany Glenn, a strong and brave woman who has been through a lot. Together, we confront important and timely issues regarding power, pain, labeling, and so much more. Warning: This episode contains references to rape and sexual violence. Other warning: It still might just leave you feeling quite hopeful. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the freebie. Monthly w...

What do cold water and freedom from addiction have in common? A lot more than you'd think, actually. Join me and my guest, Julie Shanks, for an interesting and liberating discussion on these topics and much more. Warning: this episode might leave you feeling mighty curious. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get the freebie. Monthly witchy gatherings : -Monthly Witchy Gatherings + Witchy Goodie...