The Alchemist and the Academic

Our alchemist and academic are back from a serious run of life events to get back on the mic and ready for Series 2! Join Becca and Kurt as they discuss what they've been up to, go over their favorite episodes of the first season, and preview the episodes coming for the second series! The Alchemist and the Academic return... and their drinks are full!

Just a little update on where we are at with recording! We have experienced some paranormal activity while recording Kurt's mediumship reading, which has ultimately led to us having to re-record! We appreciate your patience and can't wait to drop part 2 of mediumship for you soon!

In this episode, we welcome our first official guest -- medium Beth O'Brien! Here, Becca and I explore the gift of mediumship, how mediums come to understand their gifts, and what it means to them as they come to harness those gifts. We also talk to Beth about the practice of mediumship, what it feels like, and what spirits she has seen. Interestingly, this episode was meant to be released in a si...

In this, our first "coven meeting," our Alchemist and Academic take questions from listeners about the various topics they've covered so far in the first series. Becca explains why she uses such cozy ingredients in her simmer pots, why she blows cinnamon out her front door, how the moon charges water for rituals, and how psychological medication works in concert with her practice. Kurt mostly sits...

Join us this week on the Alchemist and the Academic! On this episode, Kurt experiences acupuncture first-hand and reports on his experience. As the alchemist and acupuncturist, Becca interprets Kurt's experiences and explains why he had certain sensations, and how acupuncture could be made part of Kurt's regular healing experiences. Becca and Kurt also talk about combining Eastern and Western medi...

As a witch, Becca calls on different deities for her needs. Protection, strength, abundance... Becca draws on the divine to help her with them all. On this episode of the Alchemist and the Academic, Becca tells Kurt all about the deities she invokes during her spellwork, as well as the different resources they provide her. One or more of Becca's familiar deities even showed up to say hello ... Kur...

On this episode you get to hear the ritual that Becca and Kurt perform! Specifically, Becca shows Kurt how to build an altar with intention, and how all the different parts of the altar come together to build a cohesive thing of spiritual beauty. The altar that Becca and Kurt build in this episode will sit at the center of their recording space and hopefully bring good vibes to them, the podcast,...

This episode is all about witchcraft! Becca talks about how she became a witch, how she practices, and what it is like being a witch in today's climate. Kurt drops some knowledge of past wars and origins of religion. Due to the amazing banter and inquisitive minds of both hosts, this episode is split into two parts! Part 2 will be released next week, and will include the ritual that Becca does wit...

On this episode, Becca dives into her profession of acupuncture! An ancient form of healing that developed in East Asia, and has been viewed as a placebo effect by the Western medical community. This is only part 1 due to a lot of great questions from Kurt, and, let's be honest, Becca could talk about acupuncture for hours on end. Becca covers the credentials and licensing process of what it takes...

Have you ever wondered what tarot cards are? Or what a tarot reading consists of? Maybe you've thought tarot was dark magic or brought in negative spirits? Becca goes into the origins of tarot, misconceptions about the cards, and how she practices this form of divination! Kurt brings a lot of great questions, along with several different theories of social science. At the end of the episode, you w...

Have you ever thought about why we put gifts for loved ones under a pine tree? Have you ever thought about why we bring a pine tree into our houses? Have you ever thought about why a jolly, white-bearded man who lives in nature gives us those gifts? Our Academic has. And our Alchemist has answers. Join us as Becca explains how our Christmas traditions have emerged, and why they are more ingrained...

This episode is an introduction to your Alchemist, Rebecca Fanali, and your academic, Kurt Braddock. We don't start arguing quiiiiiiite yet, but that's coming soon. Here, just meet us as your trust co-hosts, and how we come to understand the things around us. Yes, we have drinks for the intro as well.