BY LISA MARIE BASILE
The podcast is a strange animal. Music is usually the go-to while traveling or doing work, while books pass the time and fill our lives with beauty. But where do podcasts fit in? Do they require less or more work? Maybe both? They're educational, entertaining, and reminiscent of a time when broadcast radio floated like music throughout the home. You can simply play one and let all fall away.
Luckily, podcasts exist for every single nook and cranny of the Internet and all the different weirdos surfing it. For us witches, we've got a bevy of wonderful options. Not only do these podcasts serve as a reminder that we're not alone, they truly teach us. They bring us together. They enlighten us on practices, beliefs, and cultures. They create a little bright world where we can grow as practitioners and people. And they're fun.
Here are my favorites:
The Fat Feminist Witch is one of my favorite podcasts, maybe ever. I adore Paige, the host, who is not only well-versed in witchcraft and magical practices, but regularly approaches issues relating to mental health, the body, race and culture, and wellness. Her personal touch is moving and complimentary, and contextualizes the podcast's focus on modern witchcraft. This is what a real witch thinks about and feels and considers, one might think while listening. On top of that, her guests are interesting, her book reviews are stellar, and her off-the-cuff conversations are enlightening, intersectional, and emotionally open. And funny!
A recent favorite episode: Glamour Magick with Deborah Castellano
The Witch Wave is an excellent podcast for those witches and learners who want a deep dive. Pam Grossman, its host, carefully curates her podcast--ensuring diversity both in its guests and its topics. While she always makes an effort to clarify ideas, beliefs, or words, the questions asked aren't all easy or foundational. She digs deep with her guests and gets to the roots and nuances of the conversation, exhuming ideas that may not be widely spoken about and pressing for more. What you come away with is a comprehensive look at a given topic and a sense of true humanity and context. Pam Grossman is thoughtful, generous, and open-minded in a magical way, and her guests are always the same.
A recent favorite episode: Jessyka Winston of Haus of Hoodoo
The Serpent Cast is an explosion of awesome in every.single.episode. This podcast blends sex-positive talk and the spiritual (which is a perfect and necessary combo). Hosted by Annabel Gat and Sophie Saint Thomas, they'll cover everything from witchcraft and herbs to gender and sex toys. It's funny, fun, smart, enlightening and sexy. Oh, and I once won a sex toy from them via an Instagram contest. They made my damn day.
A recent favorite episode: Sonia Ortiz, Medium, Tarot Reader, and Artist
Hippie Witch: Magick for a New Age with Joanna DeVoe is one of my favorite podcasts--not only because it's ripe with excellent information on every aspect of the occult, but because its host (Joanna) is kind, thoughtful, balanced, honest, and truly interested in giving space and voice to all sorts of ideas and beliefs. She's funny (like, very), quirky (expect a live and let live style to this podcast), highly intuitive, and deeply empathic. You'll learn about everything from faeries to moon magic to creativity to spirit guides. She interviews dozens of folks, including authors and witches, and she's even interviewed me about my forthcoming book, Light Magic for Dark Times.
A recent favorite episode: Cultural & Personal Shadows Revealed Online
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding creative director of Luna Luna Magazine—a digital diary of literature, magical living and idea. She is the author of "Light Magic for Dark Times," a modern grimoire of inspired rituals and daily practices. She's also the author of a few poetry collections, including the forthcoming "Nympholepsy." She has written for The New York Times, Narratively, Grimoire Magazine, Sabat Magazine, The Establishment, Refinery 29, Bust, Hello Giggles, and more. Lisa Marie earned a Masters degree in Writing from The New School and studied literature and psychology as an undergraduate at Pace University.