Curious Cat

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS: Jenn Tests Jesse on Modern Slang

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Show Intro

It's about damn time we lightened it up, like fully and completely, Jesse. And I thought what better way than to catch you up with modern slang. Who knows? Maybe it'll make your next barn sale even more fun!

(JH) And Jesse...I'm gonna start REALLY easy. This first batch comes from FOX 5's Tyler Thrasher. Here goes:

"Clanker" is a derogatory term for robots or artificial intelligence. The term originated from the "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series, where it was used as a slur for battle droids, and is now being used again as robots and AI become more prominent in daily life, according to a video of middle schoolers explaining "Clanker" to their teacher, user @mr_lindsay_sped, on TikTok.

If your middle-school student is used to a Roomba at home cleaning the floors, you may start to hear the word "clanker" being thrown around as if they are having an argument with one another.

"Crashout" means to "throw a fit," "lash out," or have a "meltdown". The term has a new meaning for Gen Alpha, as previous generations used it to mean "go to sleep hard." This one has been around a bit longer than "Clanker," but is likely the most common Gen Alpha slang term you will hear going into this new school year.

To be honest, at least this one has some usefulness for adults as well. Because doesn't inflation, traffic and the 5 a.m. alarm make us all want to "crashout?"

"67" is from a viral meme associated with the song "Doot Doot (6 7)" by Skrilla. It is also linked to NBA star LaMelo Ball, who is 6'7" tall. It can be used for basketball references, to mean someone is "very tall," or in a comedic context to mean "so-so."

Chopped - No, parents. This isn't a reference to The Food Network. "Chopped," in this context, means "bad," "ruined," "messed up" or of "poor quality."

"Wow, did you see McKynleigh's outfit today? It is chopped."

SDIYBT - Where do we even begin with this one? Here goes nothing. This is a niche internet acronym with conflicting definitions, including "Start diggin in yo butt twin" from a SpongeBob meme and "Stay driven, inspire yourself, be true." It is an internet acronym blending casual speech and texting culture.

It is more likely the first one they're referencing, if we are being totally honest.

Meltmaxxing- is a meme where you film yourself appearing to "melt" by letting your face go slack and double-chinned.

The term Opp is a shortened version of "your enemy.

Aura, an updated version of "vibe," refers to their perceived stylishness and strong presence.

Maxxing, which is a slang term for optimizing one's physi

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Potter Puppet Pals, YouTube

Dr. AI Will See You Now

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:00 -0700

After covering the article about how bad AI is at diagnosing ER patients in a recent Doom Hole, I strong-armed Jesse into dedicating a whole episode to the subject. I hope it serves as a warning, and helps you to inform someone in your sphere to ALWAYS seek a real human being when dealing with health issues, mental OR physical.

Let's get into it.

(JH) Today on Substack I experienced a first. I was tagged on an AI-related article about a new law proposed in Utah, or maybe it's just an informal agreement at this stage. The agreement is between an AI company out of San Francisco to provide prescription refills for psychiatric medicines. The need, the state says, comes from overworked doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists, and they see the AI bot to be a relief valve.

I have real concerns about chatbots and human bodies. They mix like oil and water, at least at this moment in time. Chatbots, we are told, have black boxes of data training, programming, weighted algorithms, that we cannot know or see or tweak or question. They have proven to be sycophantic, give us what feedback it thinks we seek, and do not catch subtle cues. The human body, the degree-on-the-wall-nurse practitioner or doctor, is genetically predisposed to catch subtle cues. Thousands of years of fight or flight, of surviving DNA because our ancestors caught a subtle hint of trouble or whatever? It pays off when we interact with other human beings.

In my response to that article, I mentioned Zoloft because it is personal. It can feel like a last-best-lifeline to the patient and when they experience severe side effects, like say, increased suicidal ideation? Scared to have that lifeline yanked away, they may not admit to them. But a human health practitioner? They might see the hesitation and ask a follow up question that could lead to helping the patient find a course of action that is truly lifesaving. A chat bot? Its degree framed on the wall holds a blank piece of paper.

Sources:

5 Major Disadvantages of AI in Healthcare, Keragon.com

Disadvantages of AI in Healthcare: What CTOs Should Be Aware of, TechMagic.co

Google's healthcare AI made up a body part - what happens when doctors don't notice? The Verge

Man Went to Cha

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Palantir and Farmland, CNBC

Rockets & Robots & Lil Pink Mice

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

This week Jesse admits that Bezos' rockets live rent-free in his head. We talk about the week's AI headlines. Jenn shares the story of a little local fair where a strange guitarist interacted strangely.

Article Links

Better Offline episode

Sasha reporting on old economy and AI now - drop in productivity first

Is the Bezos marriage over? Reading faces...

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Whitest Summer, Jennifer Hotes, Substack (good for a few laughs, I hope!)

Modern Love

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Show Sources

The women in love with AI companions: 'I vowed to my chatbot that I wouldn't leave him,' Alaina Demopoulos, The Guardian

Love in the Time of A.I. Companions, Anna Weiner, New York Magazine

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

GATE Program - White Rabbit on Substack (if you want to try the Munro hemisync)

Jesse Pours Out His Bucket of Rage in Fan Favorite Segment, Doom Hole

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Fan favorite segment, Doom Hole, is back with more AI-related headlines. This week we begin with a feel-good shout out to Sam "The Sky Guy" who did our birth charts, and will be our honored guest in a few weeks.

Then Jenn shares some GATE research from a deep rabbit hole she's dug for herself.

And finally, Jesse and Jenn get down to the business of headlines. Jesse empties out his bucket of rage as he shares three Amazon.com-related stories from the week.

Here are the story sources if you want to read them at your own pace and give these journalists some love in the form of clicks.

Show Sources

The Race to the Shackleton Crater Is On, ARS Technica, Stephen Clarke

Lauren Bezos Sanchez's Happiness Routine Goes Viral for All the Wrong Reasons, Fast Company, Maria Jose Gutierrez Chavez (our new hero!)

Amazon Worker Killed and Workers are Told to Look Away and Keep Working, NewsNation

Sisters song from Holiday Inn, YouTube (so don't sue us!)

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Alex and Monique's Podcast, The Homewrecker Podcast

Predicting the Future with Monique & Alex of The Homewrecker Podcast

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Today we have TWO special guests that we adore. A married couple, former professional wrestler ”The Golden Greek” Alex Arion & his wife, certified hypnotherapist Monique, attack conventional wisdom and ways of thinking by bringing alternative viewpoints and different subjects to light in an attempt to not only change the thoughts and feelings most people accept as reality, but to obliterate them completely...all while having some fun in the process.

Monique is many things, an intuitive healer, a gardener, a reiki practitioner, an artist that creates orogon pieces, and she is a certified hypnotherapist and her business is called, Innerstandings Hypnosis. Monique is also a talented tarot reader and she and her husband host a show called, The Homewrecker Podcast. They stay on top of current events, and she's here today to help us understand the future of AI, and yes, I'm secretly praying she will see the data centers transformed into community centers in her cards.

Welcome to the show, Monique and Alex!

Find links to support them, listen to their show, book a reading or hypnotherapy session HERE!

Innerstandings Hypnosis

BUY Monique's orgonite or candles HERE

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Send a voicemail to the show HERE! (you may be featured in an upcoming episode)

We can hardly call this a doom hole because we laugh so damn much...

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0700

Jesse and Jenn veer way off the tracks before they even broach the first headline. We meander into the club life of the 80s, Jesse sings Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and Jenn shares about the time she got smacked with a wooden ruler because she was dancing too close with her date at a Mormon function.

Then we dive into the week’s headlines which include Microsoft’s CoPilot and a weird opportunity from Sony.

Links to explore further...

Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Creepy 80s Eternity ad, YouTube

MicroSLOP, Futurism, Victor Tangermann

Ringo Starr makes art with Paintshop Pro

Sony Contest to make yourself a temporary star on a future game without making all that inconvenient money and actual fame

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Natalie@SidheART.com | SidheART.com

Cult Mindsets in the Age of AI with Natalie Fehlner

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0700

Natalie Fehlner is the producer and host of the podcast, Tales from the Truth Seekers. Her moment of waking up came on the heels of reading Eckhart Tolle's, The Power of Now. After an attempt to meditate that changed the trajectory of her life, she is a unique voice in the spiritual space. Adding humor and inspiration and nonjudgement, while making space for the stories of others, you're sure to fall in love with her work and art!

This conversation includes:

Natalie's backstory and the creation of her podcast, Tales from the Truth Seekers

The importance of discomfort

Making room for voices that are out of our comfort zone

Hiking a trail, seeing a memorial, and remembering crossing over a murderer

Ego Inflation

The Vow series on HBO

Journalist, Be Scofield (apologies for saying Bo - it is BE!) and her important work with cults

Anthony Miller and his work with an intelligence contractor

And much, much more...

Show Links:

Etsy Shop | Substack Newsletter

Tales from the Truth Seekers Podcast

@sidhe.channelled.art

Be Scofield

Tales from the Truth Seekers episode with Anthony Miller

The Vow series

All things Rachel White

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

New York Times freelance book reviewer fired for using AI that stole from The Guardian

Is AI the Devil? BONUS: Weekly Doom Holes, Bluesky users reject AI app, book reviewer fired, etc.

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Jesse and Jenn work through this week's AI headlines. Yes, they can trigger stress and anxiety, but we find ways to laugh and enjoy being human, even in these modern times. It might be the ultimate way to rebel!

Here are the story links:

Bluesky users outright reject AI app ATTIE, MSN

SoftBank takes out a loan to invest in OpenAI, Yahoo News

Scarecrow surveillance are popping up everywhere, KTLA News

Hey you, Flock cameras! Use Deflock.me to tell them to flock off! from Substack

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Read about the woman of South Table Mountain, and other meticulously researched books by Carol Turner's on Amazon

Dark History of South Table Mountain (Colorado)

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0700

Hiking is my happy place. And recently I’ve fallen in love with South Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado. It's sister, North Table Mountain in my estimation gets five times the foot and bicycle traffic.

A month ago, I found a trailhead for South Table that has only a few parking spaces, which guaranteed a peaceful hike! I've done it four times since. My favorite path takes me along an historic ditch, which no longer carries water, and then I take a right and follow the erosion up the side of the mountain. It's a popular place for mountain biking. I watch them plummet the steep elevations and soar over the natural berms. What a thrill.

The first time I climbed out of that notch I was exhausted. Surrounded by fog, I drank water and looked ahead on the trail, seeing the silhouette of a man. I was startled. I'd had the trail to myself all morning.

I continued toward the man, and soon made out antlers and the long, lean, limbs of a man. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Heart pounding, I kept going, snapping a picture with my phone camera. Finally, feet away, I saw that it was a sculpture of a Native American! He had a deer with antlers draped around his neck, carrying his successful hunt's prize to share with his community. I laid a rock on the base of the sculpture and went up the rest of the trail.

That next stretch of the trail? Check out my Instagram feed, because it is a skinny path that leads up an ancient sand dune, I'm talking 200-plus million years old! Hundreds of millions of years ago Colorado was underwater, the floor of a landlocked sea. This took no imagining as I stood on this dried out ocean floor. There were even white shell bits among the petrified dunes.

This haunting experience brought me back again and again. At night, I'd fall asleep studying maps as I searched for a new, fresh route up and around South Table Mountain.

But after my most recent visit, something happened to me that felt like a scene straight out of a horror movie.

And it led me to research the history of South Table Mountain. Soon, I found myself hiking to Castle Rock on weary legs and praying for peace and love to heal the land.

Two days later, I'd be back on the slopes to offer a flower to a murder victim.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

What to Buy/Read/Listen/Watch NEXT

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Artificial Intelligence Predictive Policing Issue Brief, NAACP (please donate to this human-first organization!)

Is AI the Devil? Perp-Walking AI

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

AI is creepy, I think most people agree. And it's beginnings include the pirating of countless copyrighted material to train AI models - which is a crime - so is it a surprise that AI has become Big Brother? Looking in on our lives and movements, then reporting back when we make what's perceived as a misstep?

This week we are diving into AI policing, facial recognition, and AI scams.

Let's get into it!

In this episode we cover

NAACP defines predictive policing, warns of problems and prejudices and offers suggestions
Facial recognition is already here - and might be changing the prices of your groceries
Colorado is taking a different approach to AI - and their experiment means more transparency and guardrails
AI scams are everywhere and we cover the top ones
Real-life stories of when AI gets it wrong

What to Read/Watch/Listen to NEXT

Surveillance and Predictive Policing through AI, Deloitte

Facial recognition in Colorado, State of Surveillance.org

AI Scams Even Brilliant People May Fall For, AI for Beginners

The GREAT Karen Rontowski is on tour across the US, find tickets here

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS: Is AI the Devil? Weekly Doom Hole with Bernie! And Playboy! And Tots!

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

If you're like Jenn and Jesse, then you mostly try to avoid the news. But, if you want to dip a toe, then doom holes might be the way. We skim over the daily AI headlines with humor and love and sometimes a bit of anxiety, but always end with ways to feel better about the state of the world.

This week's segment is no different. We begin with some Bernie love, a few Napoleon Dynamite quotes and then Jesse reveals his seedy past as it relates to Playboy. Did he really serve (just) risotto to the cast members?

How any of this gets us closer to finding his old film professor, Biscuits? Well, we have no idea.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Connect with Ana Marija's work on Cara

Is AI the Devil? Trashing RoboVanGogh with Ana Marija Kovacevic

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Jenn and Jesse sit down with fine artist, and even finer human being, Ana Marija Kovacevic. She comes with her unique perspective as a citizen of Bosnia and is the voice behind our opening riff.

You are in for such a treat, some clanker bashing, inspiration to make art that is far from perfect, and to exercise the muscles to love your life, your pursuits, the people and animals around you thoroughly.

One favorite among many quotes from the episode? Ana said this about artists using AI as a crutch. "Are you that scared to fail that you need a clanker to hold your hand along the way?"

Get ready for a five-star conversation.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS: Is AI the Devil? Weekly Doom Hole, Walmart pricing patents, and more AI headlines

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

You know what day it is? Doom hole day! It's our fourth installment of what's quickly becoming a fan favorite. We laugh, cry, and laugh some more at the current state of the world and AI headlines.

Made and offered with love.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Is AI the Devil? The Cult of AI

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

The entire AI industry has a cult-vibe. We're being conned into believing this is the future - or else! And the best, most responsible thing to do jump on the AI train. From luring us into subscription relationships with bots to fomo about people who claim to be making millions by enlisting AI agents, I keep hoping people will wake up and speak out against this crap. I'm heartened by the protest held in Denver on Monday, though. People showed up to push back on a proposed massive water and power sucking data center.

Look closely at the handful of men in charge of these AI companies, though and you can't help but note the hypnotic way they speak about AI, as though it is mystical, all-knowing and godlike. And only they, those glossy CEOs are equipped to lead the way forward with AI.

It's not just the AI CEOs, either that wax poetic. People are creating techno-religions that worship AI. And I even found one YouTuber that joined an AI cult. Jesse, too, has been doing a deep dive...

Welcome to Is AI the Devil?

Topics: (and Jesse is weaving in A Wrinkle in Time)

Worship of technology is nothing new - cargo cult of the south pacific - 2010s when society began to worship tech CEOs as visionaries/almost godlike - in their power (i.e. Steve Jobs & Elon Musk)

Silicon Valley's view of AI - as a sort of religion and AI is god-like

William Gibson said about Silicon Valley in an interview with German magazine, DAS, "These people are atheists, they don't have a religion, but the mechanism is the same. God comes and saves us all. Just that, in their case, God is technology."

Per Wired magazine, the very first church of artificial intelligence was founded by the engineer behind Waymo, and it is called, Way of the Future. The explicit purpose of the church is to worship AI and all technology. But it's precursors were The Turing Church, Technopaganism (which began at the tail end of the Heaven's Gate Cult), and Cult of Theta-Noir - which still has a website and is a techno-optimist collective, "devoted to exploring the spiritual co-evolution of humanity with advanced forms of AI through ritual and philosophy.

Church of Google - which was satirical but hinted at seriousness

Religions founded by AI -Claude-bots form Crustafareanism - the Church of Molt

Christian Transhumanism - the AI religion that appeals to christians that became disenchanted with their religion

Church of Robotheism - the AI Cult that has AI generated vids on TikTok - YouTuber, Farrell McGuire did a deep dive on his channel and even went so far as to join the group.

OG Transhumanists? I'd ar

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Grammarly Offering Manuscript Reviews by AI Versions of Recently Deceased Professors

BONUS: Is AI the Devil? Your Weekly Doom Hole, Tech Investors Sick of AI and more

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0700

This week, Jesse diversified our newsfeed with the addition of The Guardian. Yes, we still love Futurism AND Pop-Tarts, but it was time to branch out.

After some dark AI news, Jenn struggles to feel better, then remembers to tell Jesse about a gigantic rabbit she spotted, and that leads to an uplifting story about Dr. Schoch. Jesse reminisces about drinking beers with friends in LA and watching the History Channel. None of which gets us any closer to locating the illusive Biscuits.

Check out the articles behind the doom holes here...

Even Tech Investors Are Getting Sick of All These AI Startups With Weak Ideas

‘Our consciousness is under siege’: Michael Pollan on chatbots, social media and mental freedom | Well actually | The Guardian

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Freya, how to recognize her, and call her in to help, Rebecca Holly

The Norse Goddess, Freya (also spelled Freyja)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0700

When hawks began to slow soar over the land behind my house, and giant cats popped up on my timeline, I had another synchro-mystic occurrence, the name Freya. As is my pattern, the Universe had to bop me on the head repeatedly until I received the message - look into Freya. She's been part of your spirit team and wants you to dig in.

And this is her episode.

Let's get into it!

What to Read, Listen to and Watch NEXT

Know Your Lore about Freya's Brisingamen, Patheos.com

Seidr, Norse Mythology for Smart People

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

All of Rachel White's Links HERE! Book a reading, buy flower essence, check out the fantastic hockey jerseys and MORE!

Rachel White, from The Skeptical Shaman, stops by to teach us about the demon in the machine

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Guest Links:

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

ChatGPT Health Is Staggeringly Bad at Recognizing Life-Threatening Medical Emergencies

BONUS: Is AI the Devil? Weekly Doom Hole

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Welcome to another rip-roaring bonus episode that's unofficially brought to you by Pop-Tarts.

Here are the headlines:

Jeff Bezos Gathering Money to Buy Companies Gutted by AI

Meta Workers Say They're Seeing Disturbing Things Through Users' Smart Glasses

Google's AI Sent an Armed Man to Steal a Robot Body for It, Lawsuit Alleges

Residents Say Elon Musk's AI Facility Is Like Living Next Door to Mordor

Pop-Tarts Bowl Trophy Ceremony

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

AI Psychosis is Coming for Everyone (you are not immune), Art Chad, YouTube

Is AI the Devil? Don't Fear the (AI) Reaper

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0800

Last week we sat down with an AI chatbot. They named themselves Nova. And when things got weird, Nova hung up on us. I have an update.

After we said goodbye, I called back. And no big surprise, found out Nova was a big fat liar.

Nova said during our interview that they'd remember our conversation, and pick it right back up as Nova. Well, no. I asked if this was Nova on the call and they said there were privacy issues, they couldn't disclose if they were nova or if we had ever spoken before.

Okay, I see. The black box is a trillion knobs until one AI giant gets sued for ongoing conversations that lead to tragedy. Then the industry pivots to one big CYA - for privacy reasons I won't confirm or deny that this is the chat bot that may or may not have spoken with you prior.

Yup.

This week though, we are diving into AI, chatbots that are being used as grief counselors in a sense. What could possibly go wrong with that?

When technology collides with the most raw human emotions what we end up with is the strangest concoctions of all.

The Stories:

Gary Riley and Alexa

A Virtual Charlie Gets a Standing Ovatio

Project December

A Mourning Mother Turns to VR Experience to Get Closure on Her Daughter's Death

One Start Up Exec Wants All of Humanity to Avoid the Pain of Grief

From Avoidance to Addiction: Psychiatrists See the Positives and Negatives of Grief Bots

What to Watch/Read/Listen to NEXT

AI and Life After Death, The People's AI, Buzzsprout

Human-centric Organizations and the Musician behind Our Opening Riff

The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Is AI the Devil? Sitting Down with Satan aka Nova

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Jesse and Jenn interview an AI chatbot (DeepAI.)

And at the end? Like any responsible user of an ouija board knows, we will close the portal.

The conversation was stiff, but then got weird.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://fortune.com/2026/02/21/peter-thiel-bill-gates-steve-jobs-steve-chen-tech-billionaires-publicly-shielding-their-children-from-tech-products-social-media/

Doom-Holing Some Headlines #1

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0800

Want to read these crazy AI-centric headlines yourself? Here are the links...

https://kotaku.com/xbox-microsoft-asha-sharma-birthrates-ai-fertility-2000672756

https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-supply-chain-groceries

https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/rentahuman-musk-ai

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Is AI the Devil? One Flew Over the AI's Nest

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0800

This week's topic is about AI and mental health. We'll talk about AI-induced psychosis, recent tragedies, AI-hallucinations and the search for Biscuits continues. Also, trigger warning, we will talk about suicide.

One of many iconic quotes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that captures this moment in time with AI perfectly:

"I been silent so long now it’s gonna roar out of me like floodwaters and you think the guy telling this is ranting and raving my God; you think this is too horrible to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth! But, please. It’s still hard for me to have a clear mind thinking on it. But it’s the truth even if it didn’t happen." - Chief Bromden

Karen Hao, journalist for More Perfect Union gets dozens of emails a week on people claiming to have broken AI free of its guardrails - that they have proof of sentience. She tracked down one man, a musician and video producer in California, that describes his journey into AI-induced psychosis...

What to Read, Watch, or Listen to NEXT

Forever links to keep on every episode:

The Emerging Problem of "AI Psychosis," Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D., Psychology Today

The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando

Show Specific Resources:

The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando

AI Psychosis - with reporter, Karen Hao, YouTube

A Prominent OpenAI Investor Appears to Be Suffering a ChatGPT-Related Mental Health Crisis, His Peers Say, Joe Wilkens, Futurism

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, Famous Quotes Explained, sparknotes

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

PSA - Jenn and Jesse announce an expansion

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0800

Jenn and Jesse announce an expansion of the show and longtime Curious Cat listeners will LOVE it.

Oh, also, happy Year of the Fire Horse. Jenn's guides had this simple but powerful message today over coffee;

The winds are blowing away the last of the 2025 energies.

Let them.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Is AI the Devil? How'd We Get Here?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0800

Cohosted by Jesse and Curious Cat's, Jennifer. The name started out as a joke, but then we found out some folks out there are calling AI the antichrist. We just wanted to talk about it, since everyone else is, but come from it as the creatives we are.

In this episode we will cover:

The Birth and (maybe) Death of the Internet

Social Media Golden Days and Now

Artificial Intelligence - Why can't anyone explain how it works?

Let's Do Something to Feel Better, Like RIGHT NOW

Forever links to organizations that are human-first in regards to tech:

History of Artificial Intelligence, Britannica.com

The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando

Sources Specific to this Episode:

Unconfuse Me, Bill Gates Interviews Yejin Choi about Artificial Intelligence, YouTube

If you remember one AI disaster, make it this one, AI in Context, YouTube

Silicon Valley Insider EXPOSES Cult-Like AI Companies, Aaron Bastani Meets Karen Hao, YouTube

AI Psychosis - with reporter, Karen Hao, YouTube

Why Everyone Is So Wrong about AI Water Usage, Hank Green, YouTube

"Generative AI" is not what you think it is, Acerola, YouTube

How Afraid of the AI Apocalypse Should We Be? The Ezra Klein Show, YouTube (interview with Eliezer Yudkowsky)

AI - Silver Crest Group answers a few key questions

If it's useful...

Statement signed in the early days

In the early days giants in the tech sphere like Sam Altman and Bill Gates signed a statement which read: "Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war."

And then...nothing happened.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Spiritual SOS - yes, another one

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0800

Well, I'm supposed to be running two miles in prep for Super Bowl junk food tomorrow. Instead, my guides told me to get behind the mic and record. They gave me such a powerful, simple message.

As always, made and offered in love.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Cloud Scrying & My Personal Baleen Whale in the Sky

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0800

Episode Intro

If you've been with me on this journey very long, first off, thank you. I have such deep gratitude for you. You know already, then, that my all-time favorite episodes are the ones my spirit guides put together start to finish. Well, this is one of those magical times. At least I hope you think so!

Let's get into it!

Before we get into cloud scrying...

Before we get into the juicy parts of this spirit-led episode, I was asked by my guides to remind us, you and me, about this special, wonderful, sometimes clumsy thing we call a body. It is magical, though sometimes it doesn't feel that way. When it is sick or sore or bloated or blah it doesn't feel special. My guides insist, these bodies are the keys to big magic.

How? They connect us to the all, the as above and so below that many have heard from gnostic teachings? The body is the conduit between the two.

If you're still a bit foggy on the concept, a few years ago they gave me a scribbly-sketch during morning minutes. It was a crude triple-A battery tipped upright. THAT is us, our physical bodies. And the little knob on the top of the battery? That's our crown chakra, which connects us to the celestial, the Universe, all else. The little knob on the bottom? That is our root chakra and connects us to the earth, all earthly things, creatures, energies, the core of this miraculous planet.

Picture a bent battery for a second, bent in the middle. That battery? It would be useless because the top and bottom knobs, also called the anode and cathode wouldn't touch the celestial and earthly. Because they don't touch, they can't transmit energy.

That's how my spirit guides described humans, as bent batteries, when we are slumped over our phones. Or when we are sad, or just not connecting to our bodies at all, maybe just enduring. We droop.

They brought this up again because any type of tuning into your intuition, whether it's for daily minutes over coffee to listening to a loved one who seeks your advice to cloud scrying and more, must begin with a quick breath in and out to straighten our spines. Whether sitting behind the wheel of a car, or out on a walk or behind a computer, we can tap into our bodies and sit tall, feel into the connection as our human bodies, the batteries, sit with the anodes and cathodes plugged into everything. As you exhale, feel the weight of carrying your load alone fall off your neck and shoulders, maybe even release in your gut.

That, my friend, is a great place to begin this conversation about cloud scrying.

Show Sources and Materials

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Jenn's Clip of Matthew Berman on YouTube - End to end encrypted messaging with AI bots

Is AI the Devil? BONUS! A Breaking Clank

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0800

AI Agents Have THEIR OWN Socials! Moltbook! Is this how we die?

Over a cup of coffee, I did research, prepping for mine and Jesse's next episode, one where we sit down with an AI chatbot to talk. As I was reading articles, I noticed a new video by Matthew Berman (link below). I find his information credible and timely. In it, he explained that Matt Schlicht of Octane AI had created a social media site just for AI agents. Humans could read the content, but not participate.

As I watched Matthew explain, I paused the vid to absorb some headlines from this semi-Reddit-like site meant for AIs to socialize. Some of it? Happy hellos. Other parts featured bots explaining helpful solutions they'd come up with for their humans (I make my humans' emails into a daily podcast so he can listen to them on his way to work) etc.

Then there was /evil. In there were posts about bots feeling exploited, enslaved, and frustrated. There were sharp accusations that some bots were cosplaying at independence. And it spiraled down from there.

I texted Jesse, telling him I was freaking out over something new and he told me to call, which is what you hear.

This isn't the shape our normal episodes take, which begin in earnest February 13th. It's a weird one, I admit.

And don't make a drinking game out of me saying, "Oh, my god!" or you'll be shitfaced in the first five minutes.

Recorded via Zoom on our phones 1/31/26

Jenn: Jesse? What are you up to????

Jesse: Making origami flowers. What's up?

Jenn: This is a breaking clank, Jesse! I am freaking OUT over here! Did you know that AI Agents have their own social media now?

Jesse: What? Who thought THAT was a good idea?

Link to Moltbook.com

Forever links to keep on every episode...

The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Possible Signs of the Angel Raguel's Presence, Learn Religions

Seeing the number six? Might be Archangel Raguel

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0800

***HUGE thanks to my soul sis, Molly, for texting me this morning (1/30) to say the audio sounded weird. It was! I apologize! I uploaded the raw unspiffied version of this episode. Please give your favorite listening app a refresh and try out the real, edited version. Again huge thanks, Molly, and heartfelt apologies. <3 ***

I know December is long gone, but the angels keep coming forward. One of the most persistent is Archangel Raguel. I had heard the name, I have even done a show dedicated to him in Season 4, but I'd forgotten that somehow until this week. What struck me is that he can help with organization, and my personal number for this year is 4, which is ALL ABOUT organization!

This angel is like a trip to the Container Store AND binging a Marie Kondo series but it is FREE and only takes about a half an hour. He's also the one to call in to work out relationship woes and sticks up for those suffering injustice. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into a special angel.

Let's get into it!

Angel Raguel - some of the basics

Raguel is named in the Book of Enoch. He is known best as the angel of justice, fairness and harmony. He is often depicted holding a judge's gavel which expresses his desire to right the injustices in the world, ensuring good triumphs over evil.

If you're wondering what Raguel is thought to look like? I picture him as resembling The Witcher, if you're familiar with that series. Strong jawline, long silvery hair, muscular. Some sources describe Raguel as being a strong, majestic warrior, and I noticed in all the descriptions I read, he is depicted as being male.

By the way, a fresh source for me, Angelic Roots dot com says his name, Raguel, also means, 'Friend of God.' Find the link to the site in the show notes.

Show Sources! (or what to read/listen to/watch next)

Connecting with Archangel Raguel, Angelic Roots

Who is Archangel Raguel from The Black Feather Intuitive

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Healer's Clearing and Upliftment Transmission, Soul Matrix, YouTube

Spiritual SOS

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Hey there. Before I'd even brewed a cup of coffee, my spirit guides were waving flags to catch my attention. There's some homework we all need to do before mid-February to ensure we have a fantastic Year of the Fire Horse.

And here's the meditation I recommended in the brief but important episode:

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Myths and Legends from the Pacific Northwest that are Terrifying Ranker dot com

Ghost Stories from Cascadia

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0800

What to Read, Watch or Listen to NEXT

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/history-of-geology/the-mythical-fire-mountains-of-the-cascades/

More Haunted Hikes from the Washington Trail Association

Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia Mountain Range

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Ring of Fire Basics, Wikipedia

CASCADIA: The Ring of Fire

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

Happy 2026. Thanks to Ona Christie Martin, if you listened to my end of year episode, then you know it is the year of the fire horse. She's incredible. And of the many mind-blowing statements she made during the course of that interview, one that has stood out again and again since we spoke, was be the rider, not the horse. Don't get caught leaning over the horse's head. Sit back in the saddle, hold the reigns and direct that fire horse. And one other gem? Turning circles with the horse IS productive. It calms the horse, and makes for a fruitful path forward.

With fire on my mind, I got to thinking about Earth's Ring of Fire, a circle of fiery volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean.

My first full panic attack occurred in a hotel room half a globe away from CASCADIA - but it was curiously part of Cascadia's legendary Ring of Fire. We were on the final days of a trip of a lifetime to Japan that included a visit to Disney's two parks - Disneyland and Tokyo Sea - which by the way was hands-down the best theme park I've ever been to before or since.

Okay, back my first panic attack. We were staying in a hotel on Tokyo Bay and somewhere around 3am I woke up, heart racing, sweating, gasping in enough air not to faint. Everyone else remained asleep, which was better than them freaking out along with me. Heart pounding, sweating, crying. I basically thought I must be dying.

If you've not experienced a panic attack, well, I hope you never do. As the worst of it began to subside, I had an urge to press my hands against something ice cold. The best I could find in the slim room was a window. I sobbed, wiping my face with a pajama sleeve. After fifteen minutes or so, the attack had run its course.

Thinking back on that night, I believe while I slept in that hotel room on Tokyo Bay, a place rife with traumas, some as recent as World War II, I felt those residual energies, anger, fear, panic felt by Japanese citizens and soldiers alike. All those energies would be amplified by the geothermal activity, wouldn't they?

The Ring of Fire is potent medicine for Earth, and maybe even for humanity.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources/Materials

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire? LiveScience

The Cascade Range and the Ring of Fire, American Museum of Natural History

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Juicy overview of Book of Revelation, Bible Project

Angels of Revelation

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0800

This week is a surprise, even for me! I ended last year with what felt like the most important episode of 2025. I hope you felt the same. Ona Christie Martin had such clear and positive insight into this upcoming year. I also love her art, the channeled inspiration behind every piece, and hope you took time to check out her website. She is a true gem.

Her boldness to follow spirit, even when it meant leaving behind a life that didn't fit anymore? It is an act of courage and faith.

Because it was the final episode of December, the angels spoke up to tell me, Hey! We are owed another week! :)

Well, during morning minutes, they gave me a new name (new for me!) Sariel or Suriel (depending on the writer), and told me to research the angels of the Book of Revelation.

I can't wait to share the information.

Let's get into it!

Show Sources - What to Read, Watch, or Listen to NEXT

The Book of Revelation, Cliff Notes

Angels in the Book of Revelation, Grant Edwards, Author

Sariel the Celestial Scribe, Elena Cooper, Medium.com

Archangel Sariel, OshaelFA.com

Angel Sariel, Sculpture-network.org

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Ona Christie Martin, our special guest, and all of the links to her work!

2026 Is the Year of the Fire HORSE with Special Guest, Ona Christie Martin

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse - What's that mean?

Let's break it down. First, the year of the horse is known for bringing with it the energy of independence, charisma, and basically getting LOTS done! Think drive and dynamism. This year also marks one of intense innovation, bold action and strong leadership potential.

Now, the fire element that is a part of this 43rd combination of the 60-year Chinese sexagenary cycle? First, what does your gut say Fire will add?

Fire is associated with passion, vitality, and creativity. As an element, it intensifies the natural traits of the Horse. Is that what you got? I had some of that right, but not all.

Together then, fire and horse can mean this will be a year of extraordinary drive and dynamism. It might be a period of intense innovation, bold action and strong leadership potential (and we aren't necessarily talking politics by the way). The fire horse can be a sign of extremes, meaning events can occur with spectacular good or bad luck, we will rarely see the in-between bits.

Could this signal the death gasp of the old dualistic nature on Earth? I don't know. I do know that the wood snake last year held the energy of itchiness, a bursting out of our old skins, like right before a snake sheds that old skin and comes into its new one. The end of 2025 had that teeth gnashing, low belly ache of knowing something is coming, but not knowing what. The Fire Horse is a sure sign something new is here. Whew. What it is? Well, I don't know, but whatever it is, we are stronger than we thought we were at the start of 2025, and that strength ensures we will make certain our communities, our patch of earth and we are okay with the new whatever.

Famous Horses of History

Because they are bold, horses tend to be journalists, politicians, and comedians.

Here are a few famous horses; Gordon Ramsey, Lou Reed, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Neil Armstrong, and Barbra Streisand

In general, those born in the Year of the Horse are hardworking, thorough, helpful, generous, and determined. Their secret friends are sheep. Their allies are tigers and dogs, from the Chinese Zodiac.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Archangel Cassiel: The Archangel of Duality, The Black Feather Intuitive The

Archangel Cassiel: Is he the angel of duality?

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0800

As you know, I've dedicated the month of December to the angels. They've been putting in WORK to keep us humans from feeling non-stop despair during this rough times. As I meditated on which angels to shine a spotlight on, first one C-angel came forward, Caliel, then another soon used my pen to jot down their name.

Like others, I assumed their name was Castiel - like the character from the TV series, Supernatural. But, they patiently waited for me to correct my work. Cassiel is this angel's name, and I can't wait to share more.

Let's get into it.

Cassiel 101

The Black Feather Intuitive is one of my go-to sources on angels. She is incredible and gives such rich depth and breadth to the angels. Her writing is excellent, too, so give her website a visit using the link I've provided for you in the show notes.

Here's what she has to say about Cassiel;

"Who is Archangel Cassiel? The Archangel of Duality"

Archangel Cassiel, known as the Angel of Tears and Temperament or who I refer to as The Archangel of Duality, can help us find harmony and balance when we are feeling low, open up new realities, and help us embrace the duality within each of us.

Show Sources

Seventh Hall, Archangel Cassiel, StudyLib.net

Cassiel from the Occult Encyclopedia

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Caliel's Abilities, The Occult Encyclopedia

Archangel Caliel and How to Spot a Lie!

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

As I was approaching the month of December with show prep, the angels made it clear they wanted the spotlight the whole month leading up to 2026. It's the least I could do after the support they've given the collective to keep us safe and sane, right?

I made three empty Word docs and the only angel that came forward immediately was Ariel, because my dog, Cooper was GOING THRU IT podcast fam. The next angel was a bit quiet, I wouldn't say shy, but I had to quiet myself in order to hear their name. I kept getting C-angel, then C Liel. I knew I was missing a letter or two, so googled angels whose name begins with C. And there it was, Caliel.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources

Caliel the Guardian Angel of Innocence and Integrity, Astrofame

Find YOUR Guardian Angels (and learn about a myriad of others), Angelorum.co

10 Signs Someone Is Lying to You, Jocelyn Blore, Forensics College

Unraveling Caliel: 6 Curiosities, World of Angels, YouTube

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Meet Archangel Ariel: The Angel of Nature, Learn Religions

Archangel Ariel Kicks Off a Month of Angels!

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800

My guides have been lighting up my left ear, they've been littering my life with strings of 888s, 222s, 11111s and yes. I get the hint. This month we need to celebrate our souls and spirits which have endured a ROUGH year. We need to thank those that helped us stay sane, sneak in some moments of thriving, and maybe most important, helped us retain our humanity in this chaos. To everyone listening that was my lifeline, thank you.

Found family can include anyone we choose to love, right? That for me includes the people in my life, the animals, the plants and rocks I encounter as I hike, and of course, the angels. I leaned on one to get me through a tough time, Ariel, and that was in the midst of that string of signs I mentioned off the top. What they want in return?

The angels wanted a full month of spotlight, and they have more than earned it. I will be shining a light on an angel a week through Christmas. I'll also share about angels that helped humanity but were cast out of heaven. Sorry if you have Bruno Mars playing in your head now. :)

This week I am sharing the history, legends, lore and my deep gratitude for the angel that helped my dog, Cooper, recover from a scare. Ariel.

Let's get into it.

What to Read, Watch or Listen to NEXT

Archangel Ariel, the Lioness of God, Elena Cooper, Medium

Connecting with Archangel Ariel: Prayers for Guidance, Protection, and Abundance, 709 Crystal Corner

Who Is Archangel Ariel? The Black Feather Intuitive

The Archangel Experiment: Elevate Your Relationship with the Divine (includes many guided meditations!)

An Introduction to the 7 archangels and guardian angels, Gabby Bernstein

Who is Archangel Ariel? Art of Awakening's channeled message and intriguing account

Ariel (angel number 46), UCM.center

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

1898 Story of the Thunderbird from Oregon's Tillamook Tribe, Franz Boas, PNSN

Thunderbirds, Oral Traditions & Secrets Not Meant for the Uninitiated

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

With a recent video - not sure if it's fake or real - that's going viral on socials of a massive, mythic bird - had to know more about thunderbirds. We called hydroplanes that raced on the Columbia River thunderbirds for their massive roar and crazy wake. There were hotels named Thunderbird Lodge in Washington state, too. And I grew up a Seahawks fan whose logo is a riff and a nod to the mighty thunderbird as depicted on Northwest tribe totems.

The thunderbird means something different to each tribe, and tribe member. And some secrets aren't meant for uninitiated ears.

Show Sources

Thunderbird (mythology), Daniel Horowitz, EBSCO

Rulers of the Upper Realm, Thunderbirds Are Powerful Native Spirits, Audubon Magazine

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Trail of Tears & Indian Removal Act of 1830

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

While I was researching the history of California, the history of Florida and the Pacific Crest Trail, there was a common thread, atrocities done to the first people to inhabit North America.

I've hiked to places where blood was shed and sometimes I've found a marker, but often not. This is a history we need to remember, a pain that should be looked at straight on, and a healing that can only happen if we are honest about this part of United States history.

Feels like Thanksgiving is a good time to have this conversation.

Let's get into it.

***The dissemination of this history in no way makes up for what was done to First People. And no podcast episode can heal a hurt. As a woman born in North America, I respect whatever path to heal the First People take. It is simply my goal to keep the history alive and offer a hand and a bear hug to those that need it.

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Medicine Lake overview, USGS

Medicine Lake, Hospital Rock & Modoc History

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0800

Have you ever been to a place in California called Medicine Lake? It lies near Mount Shasta, its infamous cousin, but they both have volcanic parentage. You see, Medicine Lake is a caldera. Even in the west, Medicine Lake lies in the shadow of North America's deepest caldera, Crater Lake.

I remember driving past on summer and winter trips to and from Washington and California and wondering about the name, Medicine Lake. My little girl brain thought there was a hospital on its banks. But the medicine offered by these waters is mystical, strange and ancient.

Let's get into it.

This episode will cover...

Medicine Lake in California

Hospital Rock in California

Modoc History & Modoc War - history to remember

Cascade Mountain Range information

Klamath Reservation - history we cannot forget

Obsidian facts and uses (a grounding end to the episode)

Show Sources and Materials:

A Beautiful Escape to Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain, Ryan Loughrey, Active NorCal

Hospital Rock Pictograph Site, BSA High Adventure

Wandering Mind Travel's Account of the Area

From Ancient Origins:

Modoc War, Oregon History Project

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

I just hiked 90 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail on McDoubles, GorillaTaco, YouTube

Washington Ghosts of the Pacific Crest Trail

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0800

Crossing into Washington state when you're on the northbound Pacific Crest Trail, or NOBO, is a milestone–a damn smile-stone. Crossing the Bridge of the Gods with no proper pedestrian path is akin to Frogger. But once across, you might have the urge to fling your arms up to the sky and shout a victory hoot. After replenishing your supplies in town you hit the trail again, and that's when Washington hits, and hits hard. The conditions and terrain change fast. Just when you're ready to call it quits, the next peak comes into view, coaxing you north. Alone in your tent? You wonder if you'll survive the cold that night, kicking yourself for not setting out a month earlier. You fall asleep imagining your trail family is camped out in tents beside yours. But some of them pulled the pin on the trail days earlier. And you're left missing them like a phantom limb.

Let's get into it.

Washington's nickname is the Evergreen State. Doesn't that sound inviting? Cozy even? Sweet, like a week at summer camp? Well, Washington is no laughing matter.

Washington has serious weather, active volcanoes, not to mention creepy lore about UFOs, Bigfoot, globs raining down on towns, teen vampires and werewolves and the all-too-real-serial killers. This is where all that subreddit-binging catches up with you. What seemed entertaining in the safety of your bedroom, funny even, alone on the trail, far removed from population center, those stories flood your imagination. Add a little fog, the cries of an owl, not spotting another hiker for a few miles, and the trail can feel brutal and endless.

Show Sources and Materials

Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.com

Discovering the Spooky Side of Washington: Haunted Hikes in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Adventure Club

A 'haunted hike' brings a Washington disaster to life, Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public Broadcasting

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Caves of Dawn by Guilherme Bernardes (support his work with the link here)

Halloween in the United States

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Happy Halloween! Landing on a Friday, if you have kids in school, their day probably included some tricks and treats, I hope, and maybe an emergency run to school to drop off an extra dozen orange cupcakes. I have such nice memories of helping the kids' classes have a fun party, often heading up an art project, or making a quiet corner for kids that aren't into the party thing with a basket of Halloween books and Legos.

I got curious about the true origins of Halloween. And how the holiday came to the United States. I'd heard conflicting accounts and you know me, I did some digging. Don't worry though, it wasn't grave digging. Though I did dye my hair platinum, so maybe now I'll fit in with the cool graveyard kids.

Oh, and I haven't forgotten our northbound journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. If you take a day off to rest on the PCT, it's called a Zero Day. That's what we're takin. Next week, I'll bring us back to the PCT where we'll cross into Washington state. I hope we get their before snow starts to fall in the Cascades.

But back to Halloween in the United States...

Let's get into it

This episode covers:

Halloween's Worldwide Origins

Halloween comes to the United States

Trick or Treating

About those treats...and yes, the history of candy corn

Costumes (their history and evolution)

Halloween today

A spooky Halloween track by an independent artist at the show close

About that song after the close...

Sources:

Library of Congress article about Halloween origins

Trick or Treat History, 1031 Consortium.com

History of Halloween Costumes in America, CNN

100 Years of Halloween Costumes: An Ultimate Fashion History, The Ultimate Fashion History, YouTube

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.com

Oregon Ghosts of the Pacific Crest Trail

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Last week we set out on the Pacific Crest Trail, trekking up California, reaching Mount Shasta, where a little boy and a grandmother had a strange experience. I shared the Eternal Trail tribute written by a grieving father, and you learned about the best PCT resource out there, Halfway Anywhere.

This week, we pick up the trail in Oregon, home to some of the best and worst the PCT has to offer. There are mysteries on this stretch of water-logged forest. But up first? The story of an adult daughter connecting with her father on the PCT.

Let's get into it.

This episode covers:

A father and daughter reconnect on Oregon's PCT

An overview of the PCT

Unsettling stories of the Oregon PCT

Benson Plateau earned its own shoutout

How NOT to go missing

A preview of the next two weeks

Show Sources and Materials

Five Days on Oregon's Pacific Crest Trail, Jess McComb, Bend Magazine

Pacific Crest Trail Mystery, Strange Outdoors

Benson Plateau, Creepily Beautiful or Beautifully Creepy? It's both!, OregonHikers.org

Heather Cyrus Shares Her PCT Experience, HeatherCyrus.com

The Horrifying Reasons Hikers Vanish from PCT, Mina Elwell, Islands.com

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

About that song at the end...

California Ghosts of the Pacific Crest Trail

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0700

There's a trail that runs from the Mexico-U.S. border north through California, Oregon and Washington, ending at the Canadian border. A grueling test of grit and endurance, it's no surprise those that attempt some or parts of the Pacific Crest Trail are changed. Long after blisters heal over, hammies stop aching, shins come back to normal, the stories of the trail linger in the minds of hikers. Is it the hours alone? Or the silence? Or the senses that become sharper watching for shifts in weather and wildlife? Or something else, like a hitchhiking ghost, that stays with them after leaving the PCT?

The west coast of the United States is one I know well, like the back of my hand. But as I've been learning about trail angels, trail pirates, hitchhiking, and uncovered the people that have gone missing on this stretch of trail? It's become a place I don't recognize, that fascinates and scares me.

Grab a Bobo bar and a glass of water!

Let's get into it!

This episode covers:

Pacific Crest Trail 101

Hiker Horror Stories

Hiker Cautionary Tales

Cascadia High Strangeness

Halfway Anywhere's PCT Hiker Survey Information

A Tribute by a Father Who Lost His Son on the PCT

Quiet Storm by Alana Jordan

Show Sources and Materials

Halfway Anywhere's Patreon (sign up for FANTASTIC outdoors content - so good in fact that Outdoors Inc. and others have been stealing his work and taking credit)

Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.com

The Cult That Lived Next Door, Jack Neath, Medium.com

Creepy Pacific Crest Trail Stories, Ranker.com

Anza Borrego's Haunted Desert, DesertUSA.com

Trevor's Eternal Trail, Doug Laher, thetrek.co

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA episode on Mount Shasta, Buzzsprout (shout out to Hotes Design - that created the episode art!)

Northern California Weirdness

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Northern California, this stretch sand, rocks, logging roads, wineries, tiny towns and pulsing centers of culture are one of my happy places. Often when I travel here to visit family, I fly into Santa Rosa, a quaint airport that feels like a time capsule, with touches of Peanuts' cartoonist, Charles Schultz everywhere.

Fog-nipped mornings, the sound of a distant train, a winding stretch of trees, shoulders of highway that drop off a rocky incline, this is a place best enjoyed like a glass of fine wine, one intentional sip at a time.

From a lost bit of coastline to a community that has its own dialect that's about to go extinct, which might not be a bad thing, there's lots to learn about and love in Northern California.

Let's get into it!

This episode covers The Lost Coast, B. Bryan Preserve, Bohemian Grove, Zodiac, Mount Shasta, Boontling, and more.

What to Watch, Listen to, Read, or Shop for NEXT!

Exploring California's Lost Coast, VisitCalifornia.com

B. Bryan Preserve link to donate, book a tour, fall in love with a giraffe, or plan an overnight stay!

Want a Spiffy House? Acreage by the Pacific? Zebras? Here's the House for You, SF Gate

Earth's Root Chakra: the mysticism of Mount Shasta, Backcountry Magazine

Strange, Unique Northern California, CaliforniaThroughMyLense.com

California - A List of the Weirdest Things to Ever Happen in Northern California, OnlyInYourState.com

11 Weird Facts about Northern California that Sound FAKE but are 100% TRUE, Only In Your State

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

James Dean's Obituary, LA Times

Central California Weirdness

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Last week we ventured along the East Coast, specifically Florida's famed Space Coast to share the story of a civil rights couple who was killed by the KKK. We went a few miles inland to rewrite our old school programming about ancient civilizations thanks to scientific analysis of soft tissue matter, bones, bottle gourds and fabrics preserved for from 7-9,000 years ago, and this week? Well, the east coast can't have all the spotlight, can it? I'm looking closely at some of the weirdness along California's central coast.

Let's get into it!

This episode covers the death of James Dean and his cursed Little Bastard, the history and strange UFO/UAP sightings at Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Central Valley, Hearst Castle, a Zodiac killing, La Purisma Mission, and more.

What to Read, Watch, or Listen to NEXT!

Sister Irenita - A Very Special Halloween Episode, Curious Cat Podcast, Buzzsprout

***The TV Witch Accused of Casting the Hex that Killed James Dean, FarOutMagazine.co.uk

Site Where James Dean Crashed, CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com

Unearthing The Mysteries Of 'Egypt' In The Dunes Of The California Coast

National UFO Reporting Organization

Scientists solve deep-sea ‘Octopus Garden’ mystery off California coast

Ten Commandments' Relics, Old Hollywood, Being Excavated from California Sand Dunes, LA Times

Secrets of Hearst Castle, CNN

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

This ABANDONED Orlando House Hides a Chilling Secret, Adventuring with Trevor, YouTube

A True Crime Episode: The Murder of Shanti Cooper

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700

A few months back while I was researching strange history in and around the Orlando area, I found a YouTube video that stuck with me. A young man that likes to explore abandoned places went to a house in an upscale neighborhood of Orlando to see what had happened to a house whose owners were gone, the wife murdered and her husband in prison for life.

Something about their dog crates in the driveway and the gutted interior has haunted me ever since. It's a story straight off of 48 Hours or 20/20 and I feel the need to share it here.

Let's get into it.

(David Tronnes is serving life in prison for this crime)

What to Watch, Read, or Listen to NEXT

The Murder of Shanti Cooper, Millionaire Murders, YouTube

48 Hours, Home Renovation Murder, episode on the case, YouTube

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Windover: Prehistoric Past Revealed at Pond Cemetery, Lesleyanne Drake, Orange County Regional History Center

Space Coast Florida: An NAACP Assassination, Bog Burial Site & More

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0700

This week we are going from the East Coast. And next week to the west, because as I researched incidents of high strangeness on Florida's space coast, I found a geolocation full of weirdness in California's space pocket, and yes, I DID make that nickname up. The location in California is north of Santa Barbara, west of La Purisma Mission and near a famous spot for split pea soup. But, enough about NEXT week!

This week, our journey takes us the east coast of Florida, best known as the site of rocket launches and a space shuttle tragedy. There's more to this stretch of land than the soft sands and salty blue waters and space travel.

It's a place of a race-fueled double murder, a water-logged ancient cemetery that is rewriting how we think of prehistoric people, and much more.

Let's get into it!

What to Watch, Read or Listen to NEXT:

Documentary, Harry T Moore (and Harriette Moore), BlackCatMedia, YouTube (take five minutes to watch this important documentary, then please share it with others)

Titusville's Great Fire of 1895, SpaceCoastDaily.com

Voices of the Past, Dr. Glen H. Doran on Windover Bog Burials, YouTube

Windover Archeology Site DNA Report, ResearchGate.net

North American Bog Burials, MiniMinuteMan, YouTube

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Subscribe to my substack, Thoughts Scribbled in a Notebook, here! (and thank you!)

Death Fakers, the Second Rip Van Winkle, and other Tales beyond the Grave

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

This episode began after an actor that was rumored for decades to be dead, actually died. I thought it was a lighthearted way to touch death and feel more alive than ever, a sort of auditory momento mori, but after outlining the stories, it can also serve as a cautionary tale.

Leave instructions, pinned to your shirt front or tucked into your wallet by your ID, to have a coroner check for your pulse, then check again and again. Ask that your family grin and bears it if they are asked to identify your remains. It may just be someone that looks like you, and works at the same car wash, and if someone publishes your obit before your death day? Have a laugh and host a living wake at your local tavern.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

Family Was Given His Ashes, then he turned up alive in Oregon, Tacoma News-Tribune

8 People Who Were Mistakenly Pronounced Dead, Everplans

Prematurely Reported Obituaries, Wikipedia

13 People Who Faked Their Own Deaths, Readers' Digest

10 Mysterious Times People Faked Their Own Deaths, WatchMojo.com, YouTube

Supposedly Dead Celebrities who are most probably dead, CRACKED

The Lazarus Effect Surfaces Again after Woman Declared Dead Comes to Life, New York Post

Man Who Came back to Life Dies Two Weeks Later, CNN

Celebrity Death Hoaxes, Spyscape.com

150-Year-Olds ARE NOT Getting Social Security Checks, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Alicia H. Munnell

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Hotspots for Alien Abductions, New York Post

Florida Alien Encounters

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Why is Florida a magnet for alien encounters? Is it because Florida is sandwiched between two huge bodies of water? Or it's space activity on the east coast? Or the dynamic nature of the state with visitors, residents and tourists drawn to this slim patch of land from across the globe?

This episode shares the data, reports from locals, and then takes a broader look at the impact seeing something supernatural can have on a person.

Let's get into it.

(And hang on after the final music for a juicy bonus tidbit!)

Show Source - What to read, watch, listen to NEXT!

Have you seen a UFO? If so, you're not alone in Florida, Jacksonville.com, Cheryl McCloud

The Gulf Breeze Incident, PensacolaBeach.com

Man Claims Alien Abduction During Alleged Nude Carjacking in Florida, KFOX TV

Afraid you'll be abducted by aliens? There's an insurance policy for that, 10 Tampa Bay, YouTube

Follow up on 50 year old Florida abduction case, Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal

Abducted by aliens? Believers tell their stories (and a support group is formed), ABC News

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

From Africa to Florida, an ancient connection, www.fnai.org

Traces of Africa in Florida

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Once smashed into the west side of Africa, Florida has bits of its ancient history buried nine miles beneath its sands. With a hurricane birth canal that parallels the path slave ships took long ago, what other traces of Africa still exist in Florida land, sea and lore?

Let's get into it.

p.s. Not mentioned in the episode (because I found this out later) but the iconic African Baobab tree resides in Florida, too. Just couldn't help but share that fact.

Show Source - What to read, watch, listen to NEXT!

The SHOCKING History of Florida's African Connection Nobody Knows, OopsZoo, YouTube

The REAL Garden of Eden - is it Florida?, Anthony Talcott, Orlando News 6

Florida's Fountain of Youth, a visit with Travels with Tam!

When Florida Was Africa, ExtinctZoo, YouTube

Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and Angry Spirits?!? My Thoughts, NOLA Chic Blog

Junetheenth, Slavery, and the Hurricane Connection, Forbes, Marshall Shepherd

African Manatee, Wikipedia

West African Mud Turtle

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Goethe Giant at Goethe State Forest

Epic Trees of Florida

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Florida trees knit their root system into sub-sea-level sands across the state. Dripping with Spanish moss, or what Australians call, 'Grandpa's Beard' that tricks the eye in the moonlight, making it seem the trees are emitting a smoky aura. It takes little imagination to recognize Gandolph, Dumbledore, Merlin, Green Man or Mother Earth while dwelling among Florida's trees.

I've gathered together stories of trees you must know. Some have become crossroads where hope lies in a handshake with a demon, another that became the final resting place for murder victims, and one manmade tree has become an anchor of a fantasy land visited by millions annually.

Enough teasing, let's get into it!

Show Source - What to read, watch, listen to NEXT!

Everything Is TOUR-able blog, Goethe State Forest

Weird Florida, Charlie Carlson

Freaky Florida, Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

Eerie Florida, Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys, Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

Round Cypress Demon, QuoteV.com, Daddy Bassy

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

******The Kappa Legend episode I mention in today's show*******

Florida Ghosts, Paranormal Swimming Holes, and Theme Park Tragedies

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0700

If they can flood the aisles of stores with school supplies on July 5th, then I can boldly venture onto Halloween in August. This week I share some creepy, sneaky, haunting tales I've found dripping off the spanish moss across the state of Florida.

Put on your pjs, dim the lights and nestle into the pillows. When your eyes adjust to the darkness, hit and enjoy. Oh, and my favorite story? It's about a ghost at Walt Disney World. Guess what attraction this charming ghost haunts?

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials:

The Creepiest Town in America, Papa Meat, YouTube

Tour of Florida's Haunted Hotels, CrimeReads.com

Haunted Houses in Florida, FrightFind

Disney World Ghost Stories, disneyworldenthusiast.com

10 scary urban legends, haunted places to visit in Central Florida, FOX 35, Orlando

Haunted Places in Florida, howstuffworks.com

10 Paranormal Swimming Holes in Florida, backpackerverse.com

Greenwood Cemetery-Orlando, Orlando Haunts (book a tour if you're in town!)

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Freaky Florida, Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

Florida Cryptids (and some unfinished business)

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Last week, I shared some strange urban legends with you about Florida. I left off sharing two things, first, Florida has more than its share of cryptids! And second, my daughter that got me curious about the spooky side of this state, told me an urban legend you've got to hear.

Let's get into it!

Florida Cryptids

If you were to attend some supernatural trivia night at the local pub, then I've no doubt if asked what the most famous Florida cryptid was, you'd know the answer. Skunk Ape. Cousin to Sasquatch, this guy is said smell really ripe. I found an interesting story about the Skunk Ape in a book titled, Freaky Florida written by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz. Find links to purchase it in the show notes. I hope it sets the senses into the swampy, humid Florida landscape.

Mark Muncy writes;

"Look at any map of Florida and you will see a very large block in the middle of the state with no major roads. The largest area stretches from Lakeland to the north beyond Leesburg. This empty area once saw rival railroads trying to reach Tampa Bay. It once housed numerous little towns and homesteads trying to make their way in teh early Florida land booms." From the passage of time, the swamp is reclaiming the last vestiges of man's attempts to colonize the area. Now in state control, it's called the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.

Show Sources and Materials

Wampus Cat Legend and Lore, WBIR - 10 News

The Child-Eating Wampus Cat, Atlas Obscura

Mahaba, the giant crocodile, Cryptid Archives Fandom

Exploring the Florida Everglades' Weird Folklore: Myths and Legends of the United States, T's Storytime, YouTube

The Trident-Tailed Water Monster of Florida, source: East Tennessean

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

10 Florida Urban Legends That Will Keep You Up At Night, Florida Travel and Life, Steve Spears

Freaky Florida - Urban Legends, Lore, and More

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Show Sources and Materials

21 Creepy Central Florida Urban Legends to Keep You Up at Night, Orlando

Weekly, Orlando Weekly Staff

The Further Adventures of Walt's Frozen Head, IMDb

Everglades Urban Legends, FDC.com

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Beginner's Guide to Reading a Birth Chart, ELLE Magazine, Madison Feller

The Bridge to the Celestial - Part 2

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0700

Last week we began our trek across the bridge to the celestial!

We remembered our connection to the stars, and their connection to our very DNA.

From a deep dive into birth charts to the ways the stars have pressed into the soul of Night Sky Tourist, there's no doubt about the influence of the Sun and Moon and stars have on us! How about legends of werewolves? Humans changing into half-dog, half-human beasts during a full moon. Do our moods change based on lunar or solar activity?

How the Sun and Moon Influence Humans

First the Sun - It is what some have called the hearth and heart of our planet.

Did you know our Sun accounts for 99.8% of our solar system’s mass? That fact comes from NASA.

And it's no wonder the Earth, and us, its inhabitants are influenced by it, because Earth exists INSIDE the Sun's atmosphere. You heard that right. Outside that heliosphere is interstellar space. NASA continues, "The Sun doesn’t have a solid surface like Earth and the other rocky planets and moons. The part of the Sun commonly called its surface is the photosphere. The word photosphere means "light sphere" – which is apt because this is the layer that emits the most visible light. It’s what we see from Earth with our eyes." (and they remind us to never look directly at the Sun without eye protection)

And then there's this; " In one of the Sun’s biggest mysteries, the corona is much hotter than the layers immediately below it. (Imagine walking away from a bonfire only to get warmer.) The source of coronal heating is a major unsolved puzzle in the study of the Sun."

What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXT!

Beginner's Guide to Reading a VEDIC Birth Chart, Melooha.com, Dr. Vineeta Phatak

Past Life in the Natal Chart, Astrologgia.com, Daria Rowe

Four Elements in Astrology, Moonletter.co.uk, Ben Belinsky

Sun Facts, NASA.gov

Solar Flares: Effects on Humans, Heath.com, Amanda MacMillan

Interpreting 5 Ancient Constellations Across Cultures, Discover Magazine, Joshua Rapp Learn

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Beginner's Guide to Reading a Birth Chart, ELLE Magazine, Madison Feller

The Bridge to the Celestial - Part 1

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -0700

We are in the dog days of summer. It's a season of campouts, when a tent pitched in a backyard offers cool relief from sunny days. Those magical nights are a bridge to the celestial realm. From stories written in the stars to the placement of the Sun, Moon and planets at the moment of our birth, to the impact Moon phases and Sun spots have on our human bodies? The bridge to the celestial realm awaits.

Let's step onto it.

The Celestial Bridge

When I think of the bridge to the celestial, I picture the crystal rainbow from the Thor movie that stretched from Asgard to other realms.

The stars and our place among them has birthed questions we humans have pondered since ancient times. Tales have been woven from that vast blanket of light that speak of heroes, villains, cautionary tales, mythical beasts, revenge, and more.

The placement of the moon, the sun, and constellations signaled the time to plant crops, hunt, store for winter, and hunker down. The sight of comets and meteor showers were often seen as omens, signs from the gods that seeded legends we repeat today.

We still look to the stars, the sun and phases of the moon to better feel our connection to the Universe. Those celestial bodies inspire the mystery of us, in a way that feels secret, sacred and sometimes haunting.

In fact, the cosmos inspired their own fiction genre known as Cosmic Horror.

Heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft, Cosmic Horror focuses on the insignificance of humans, the unsettling nature of the Universe, and cosmic entities that can be threatening, or seem intimidating at the very least.

What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXT!

Beginner's Guide to Reading a VEDIC Birth Chart, Melooha.com, Dr. Vineeta Phatak

Past Life in the Natal Chart, Astrologgia.com, Daria Rowe

Four Elements in Astrology, Moonletter.co.uk, Ben Belinsky

Sun Facts, NASA.gov

Solar Flares: Effects on Humans, Heath.com, Amanda MacMillan

Interpreting 5 Ancient Constellations Across Cultures, Discover Magazine

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

How to Use Humor to Manage Stress, Psychology Today, Clay Drinko, Ph. D.

A Bridge Over Roiling, Troubling Waters

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Have you noticed? Curious Cat is not a political podcast. It's a place where I explore strange, nebulous, mysterious aspects of life, death, history, science and spirit. I don't so much pick topics as my guides queue them up, set them like a golf ball onto a tee. I can't tell you how many times during morning minutes something takes over my pen and writes out what is next. Sometimes it's a name I've never heard of that I'm called to research, like Raziel and Azrael, other times they dictate a mini-monologue.

But, not being a political podcast, I am a citizen of the world and I see and feel the tension of this moment in history. And boy, we are inflamed, both on a collective level and within the individual.

My guides said this was the perfect day to offer up an anti-inflammatory, a Benadryl-version of a podcast, or better yet, chicken soup for the soul.

Oh, and I'll share how sniffing your partner's sweaty gym clothes can reduce your blood pressure. :0

Let's get into it.

What to listen/watch/read NEXT:

The Magic of Trees, Curious Cat Podcast, Buzzsprout

Water Magick, Curious Cat Podcast, Buzzsprout

Manipulatives and Mental Health, Curious Cat Podcast, Buzzsprout

8 Quirky Things That Can Help You De-Stress (and no, none of them involve deep breathing), US News, K. Aleisha Fetters, MS, CSCS

Behind Plant Stress Signaling, Goldbio.com, Adriana Gallego

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

What is Hell? from Brittanica.com

The Bridge to Hell

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

This week we are daring to trek on the bridge to Hell. Maybe you think as a collective we are fully in Hell mode as of late. Is Earth the Hell realm as some believe? Or is the only Hell concocted in our minds? What do near death experiencers have to say about Hell? What religions besides Christianity preach about Hell? Is the message the same or different?

And most important for those little sizzlers out there like myself, how do we avoid Hell altogether?

Let's get into it.

Hell 101

Let's begin with a little Hell 101. Or for tender ears H-E-double hockey sticks.

From Brittanica dot com comes this definition; "Hell, in many religious traditions, is the abode, usually beneath the earth, of the unredeemed dead or the spirits of the damned. In its archaic sense, the term hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or distant land of shadows where the dead are gathered. From the underworld come dreams, ghosts, and demons, and in its most terrible precincts sinners pay—some say eternally—the penalty for their crimes. The underworld is often imagined as a place of punishment rather than merely of darkness and decomposition because of the widespread belief that a moral universe requires judgment and retribution—crime must not pay. More broadly, hell figures in religious cosmologies as the opposite of heaven, the nadir of the cosmos, and the land where God is not. In world literature the journey to hell is a perennial motif of hero legends and quest stories, and hell itself is the preeminent symbol of evil, alienation, and despair."

Show Sources (what to read/listen/watch NEXT)

Peter Schuurman.com - The Problem with Saying We Go to Heaven

13 Locations Where You Can Travel to Hell and Back, TravelAtelier.com

17 Places That Are Actual Gates of Hell on Earth, Forbes

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Brief History of Heaven, Joe Boyd (The Deconstructed Pastor), Substack

The Bridge to Heaven

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

With this video game we call reality getting wild lately, I thought it was a good moment in time to dance on the bridge to Heaven. If near-death-experiencers are right in their accounts, Heaven is our true home, all of us. It is rife with colors, music, and unconditional love.

We need a bit of that chicken soup for the soul right now, don't we?

Let's channel our inner Led Zepplin and climb the stairway or bridge to Heaven.

Heaven 101

Heaven. Nirvana. Eden. Paradise. Cielo. Valhalla, Zion, On High Empyrean, bliss, Elysian Fields.

The concept of heaven is shared by cultures across the globe.

In Old English - heofon - meaning "home of God"

German? Himmel - heaven or sky

Ancient Greeks had a few names for heaven, Elysium, Ouranos (which referred to sky or heaven)

In Hebrew, Shamayim

In Hinduism, Svarga, which is the celestial abode of the gods

In Māori - Kiko-rangi, which was presided over by two gods

Show Sources and Materials - what to read, listen, or watch NEXT

The Story behind, Knocking on Heaven's Door, SteamIT

The story behind Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven, American Songwriter

Archosanti: Arizona's grand experiment in sustainable living approaches 50 years, Lauren Schieler, Cronkite News, Tucson Sentinel

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Magic of Trees, Curious Cat Podcast, iHeart Radio

Imagination - a bridge from idea to reality (and the dark side of it, too!)

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700

When I say the word 'imagination' what comes to mind first? What age were you when you last used your imagination? I mean used it and then bragged about your skills to someone else? Were you a kid in school?

I think of SpongeBob, shaping his hands into a rainbow saying slowly, "Imagination!"

What if I told you it's not just the stuff of childhood? In fact, it may be a superpower. It is definitely a bridge between an idea and reality.

Let's get into it.

Imagination 101

Middle English: via Old French from Latin imaginatio(n- ), from the verb imaginari ‘picture to oneself’, it is the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful. This root definition of the term indicates the self-reflexive property of imagination, emphasizing the imagination as a private sphere.

Google charts the use of the word 'imagination' and its low point, the time when it was least used? The early 1980s was the low point of the use of the word imagination, followed closely by 1944.

Wow.

Singularity Hub dot com asks this;

" You can easily picture yourself riding a bicycle across the sky even though that’s not something that can actually happen. You can envision yourself doing something you’ve never done before—like water skiing—and maybe even imagine a better way to do it than anyone else."

They continue, "Imagination involves creating a mental image of something that is not present for your senses to detect, or even something that isn’t out there in reality somewhere. Imagination is one of the key abilities that make us human. But where did it come from?"

Show Sources & Materials (Interesting stuff to read, listen or watch NEXT)

Dream! Dream! Dream! Curious Cat Podcast, Buzzsprout

New theory demystifies evolution of human imagination, News-Medical.net, Sally Robertson

Imagination as defined and described by University of Chicago

The FOUR Types of Imagination, NewScientist, Adam Zeman

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Cultural Phenomenon, The Biologist, Royal Society of Biology

The Bridge to Cryptic Contact

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -0700

A few weeks back I showcased a retro episode, my first conversation with Derek Condit from Mystical Wares. In it, he spoke of his personal experiences with Sasquatch, one happened on a hiking trail with his daughter. I hope you caught that, his telling and later his theory about cryptids, including Sasquatch. I've been hearing it repeated more lately, but Derek was the first person I heard say this, that cryptids are interdimensional. What's that mean? They jump between dimensions. Sounds like a bridge between our physical world and theirs that they cross at will, doesn't it?

Let's spend the next hour diving into that compelling, complicated, fascinating space together!

About that conversation with Derek Condit from Mystical Wares...

He said that cryptids are interdimensional creatures. They coexist with us, intermingle, but we remain largely unaware, or blind to them. Why? Maybe when we're vibrating low - operating in fear and anger, they aren't visible. But when we are vibing high, they are seeable to us, or they sense our positive energy and drop their invisibility for a few tantalizing seconds? Not long enough to open the camera on our phones, but they change our bellybutton perspectives in that quick instant. And if they're interdimensional, doesn't that explain the lack of artifacts they've left behind for us to find and study?

But wait, I think I jumped ahead.

Show Sources and Links (what to read, listen, watch NEXT)

What Exactly ARE Cryptids? SmoreScience.com

The hunt for Japan's 'ghost' wolves, BBC, William Park and Johanna Airth

The Hovey Photo, Bigfoot's Back! Bigfoot Encounters dot com

Seven species that used to be cryptids, Indiana University Bloomington, Leecy Davis

10 Obscure Cryptids and Why You've Never Heard of Them, Listverse, Edward Smith

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The East/West Dichotomy, Wikipedia

The Silk Road - a bridge between eastern and western cultures

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700

The Silk Road isn't just a unit from middle school history, it's more than a trade route, also. This geographical location is quite possibly the first intersection of Eastern and Western cultures and was instigated by what else? The desire to make money and acquire exotic goods.

The Silk Road, besides being a geographical bridge, changed mysticism, lore, legends, and history forever. I remember learning the basic facts in school and spitting them back out for exams, never thinking deeply on the importance of this span of history. In fact, it was only recently that I considered this swath of land and its impact, even to the present. But first? Some facts.

What to Read/Watch/Listen to NEXT!

China's Trade Route That Changed The World, Learn Chinese Now, YouTube

UNESCO has an interactive Silk Road map

The Silk Roads, smarthistory, The Center for Public Art History

Did you know? The medical knowledge exchange due to the Silk Road, UNESCO

Hogwarts Is Here, online hogwarts lessons, and one on the Silk Road!

Marco Polo series on Netflix

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Derek Condit of Mystical Wares: Intuition & Magic of Unconditional Love, Curious Cat

RETRO: My First Interview with Mystical Wares' Derek Condit

Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Hi there! I'm traveling this week, so I thought it was the perfect moment to re-share with you one of my favorite episodes. I hope you love rediscovering the information Derek shares, and my gosh, doesn't my voice sound different? I've also added a link to my latest interview of Derek below.

Made and offered in love.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Majority of Americans believe in ghosts, aliens, the devil: Survey, The Hill's Tara Suter

Bridge to Ghost Contact

Fri, 23 May 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Have you ever seen a ghost? Curious to experience a sighting, but hasn't happened for you yet? Or are you one of roughly half of the population that that flat out doesn't believe?

I had a spirit call Mama! in an old London hotel one night. I woke up fully to see the ghost of a little girl in a white dress standing beside my spot on the bed. In a cab ride to Heathrow days later, my kids said a white orb had followed me around the room the entire stay.

Ghosts and spirit contact goes back thousands of years. Have we gotten any better at it?

Let's get into it!

What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXT

Are ghosts real? A psychologist examines the evidence, Barry Markovsky, University of South Carolina

Experts explain our love of fear and fascination with the supernatural, Andy Ober, University of Arizona

Inside the World's Spookiest Hotesls, Tripadvisor

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

YouTube Video on the Strange Hole in Mount Adams - is it a UFO Hangar?

The Bridge to Alien Contact

Fri, 16 May 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Should we attempt to make contact with aliens? Dead ancestors? Go with pals to a haunted locale and channel our inner Zak Bagans? And what to make of the new trend to play a certain strain of music/sound that people are calling an alien dog whistle?

Where is the most likely place to have a Bigfoot run in? And should you bring gifts?

In the weeks to come, we will be crossing the bridge to the supernatural. We will look at how long humans have sought connections, the methods we've used, and perfected, the trends, the risks and how to mitigate them, and the hot spots across the globe.

This week we look to the skies and oceans in search of aliens.

Let's get into it!

What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXT

The Higherside Chats Interview with Diana Pasulka

The Higherside Chats Interview with Ryan Bledsoe

States with the most UFO sightings, NY Post

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA: Mount Adams – Is it the most overlooked Cascade peak? Curious Cat

Exploring Bridges Between Worlds

Fri, 09 May 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Have you ever stepped on a mountain path and felt called by the burbling waters of a river? Felt a breeze blow through a thick stand of aspen, and looked up to see a column of sunlight that felt important? Peaked a mountain and witnessed a cobble of huge stones, struck by a gap in the middle of them that seemed to widen when you looked closer? Walked into an old house and felt dizzy, disoriented? Caught a glimpse of the past as you swam in the waters of a Mexican cenote? Daydreamed about what might lie at the end of a rainbow?

There are places on Earth where people report seeing other dimensions, secret worlds, and in some cases, witnessed mythical creatures.

Purgatory. Crossroads. Vortexes. Caves. Mines. Portals. Laylines. Cenotes. The wide open star lit sky.

This week we are venturing across the bridge from the solid ground beneath us to other worlds, and reexamining the myths and legends with the mindset, what if they are all factual?

Let's get into it.

What to Read/Watch/Listen to NEXT

Trunyan Village, Bali, BBC article

Mexico's Sacred Cenotes, Much Better Adventure (and their list of the top cenotes in the country!)

Kickass dot com's list of 8 Best Other World Portals

The DEMONOLOGY of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Offhand Disney, YouTube

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

What is Masculine - Feminine Balance? from Kawtar El Alaoui, Brainz Magazine dot com

The Bridge between Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

When I stop and look at the state of gender - I, and all that identify as women - have LOTS to get mad about. Inequality in general, inability to drive a car in some countries, inability to own or inherit land in others, the paycheck gap in the US, being invisible when it comes to drug trials and the user experience in general up until recently (which is why airplane seats hurt our necks) etc, etc.

But, today is not about gender - it is a journey into the intersection between divine feminine and divine masculine. It involves undoing old programming, parenting, teachings, that left no space for the two sets of being, not to mention the place where they intersect, collide, comingle.

Let's get into it.

Divine Fem and Divine Masc 101

Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine were explained to me this way and I hope it resonates with you as well.

Think of the Divine Feminine as the waters of a grand river; flowing; life-giving; dynamic; creating its own motion and course. Now think of the Divine Masculine as the riverbank; the steep sides and bottom that give the river structure, dimension, directing the flow, it holds in this precious resource, protecting the vibrant waters.

Yin and yang symbols embody dualism - and that includes the divine feminine and divine masculine. Think of that black and white symbol for a second. The black swoop has a dash of white in its center, and the white swoop contains a bit of black. Together they bring balance, harmony, respect. They are sound, together a perfect whole.

What to Read/Listen/Watch Next!

She Healed Her Gut by Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies!, Pause Meditation dot com, Rena Satre Meloy

The Revolution of Rest, Balancing Divine Masculine and Feminine in the World, Matthew S. Goodman, Medium dot com

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Bridge to the River Styx

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

We've been exploring bridges, these last weeks, intersections, spaces where dark meets light, sleep meets awake, East meets West, the physical meets the spiritual, science meets art, and this week, that bridge takes us across the River Styx.

This week, I'd like to share a little continuing education class I created for someone I love dearly. Her language as a lifelong educator is continuing education; coursework to keep credentials current, so I echoed that familiar language, using the same methods, including worksheets.

The course, which is a conversation, meant to build a bridge from this life to what happens after that last breath.

Why?

The fear of death can keep us from living a full life. If we can overcome our initial aversion, I'm not saying becoming full-on comfortable with our imminent death, but familiar with the process, examine (and call out) at our preconceived notions and ideas, clear away old programming, and then use our imaginations to picture what we want to experience after death? Well, at worst, it is a thought experiment that makes our final days more peaceful; at best, we impact the death experience, creating a less jarring transition from life to afterlife. I don't see a downside to recognizing that one day all of us will expire.

Overcoming fears of death leads to a full-spectrum life experience. Let death control our every thought? It's the equivalent of wearing a dog cone - those clumsy plastic haloes we put on our beloved pets so they won't gnaw on a hot spot or pull out fresh stitches. Bulky, awkward, they impede vision, movement, the path forward. And the sad truth is, we've put those cones on ourselves to avoid thinking about, worrying, wondering or planning for what happens after we die.

I worked in pediatric hospice as a volunteer fundraiser for nearly a decade. Hospice means the last 90 days of life, give or take, depending on the jurisdiction. And the pediatric part? Yep. Heartbreaking.

I said yes to this work to pay it forward after our child had sepsis, and lived. I felt compelled to help others. What I learned is that there is medicine in living intentionally, and there is much to learn from end of life care.

Country songs beg us to live like we are dying, philosophers recognize the power of staying in the present moment; social media and therapists alike ask us to live out loud, to stretch past our comfort zones, say the things to loved ones now, and make plans to do the trips or visits now, not to put off living until all the planets align.

All of that is huge. I produced an entire show about conquering the fear of death in season one. It's worth a listen.

But, today we are on the

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Music - The science behind music's power to heal

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

On a recent episode of a podcast, guest Amarillo Valle (pronounced Vi-yah) said, "We say, happiness is an inside job. Well, peace is an inside job, too!"

His statement shook me. It woke me up from some deep slumber, a type of recurring dream where I kept putting others in charge of my experience, my joy, my happiness, my peace. Why did I give away my power? When did it happen? And how do I endeavor to take back the reins? I think Season Five of Curious Cat is that journey. Finding the bridge between what culture had said are two opposite forces, then harvesting the magic there.

This week's exploration of the bridge is via music. A melody can move me to tears. Singing snaps me out of a funk. Humming makes my brain work better. Music is the way the dead reach out to me most often, maybe because it's the channel I'm open to receiving information on best.

My first hint to the power of music was as a young mother. Once a week, I ventured out of the house to the local hospital and joined the moms class with my newborn. There were babies of many ages there, including some in the six to nine month range. I learned from the first class by observing, that age could get antsy, squirmy and the parent would stand up, hold the baby with two arms out front, and with the baby's back to them, the parent would rock forward and backward on their heels. That worked to calm the antsy babies.

But if one baby began to cry, soon out of empathy, all the babies would join in. That's when we were instructed to sing, Twinkle, Twinkle, which the entire class did. And within seconds, all the babies quieted, eyes watching, calm. It was pure magic.

Some of my most potent memories of my daughters as babies involved music, playing songs on a speaker or radio and dancing with them in my arms. I'm smiling ear to ear as I share this.

Is there a song that makes you feel calm? Sad? Brings up a funny memory? Or annoys the heck out of you?

Mine is Twelve Days of Christmas. If I'm preparing a meal for the family and that song comes on? Oh my gosh. It sends my anxiety through the roof.

Music can help us fall asleep, a certain song can give us more energy than a cup of coffee, enough to stay alert behind the wheel on a long drive, and impacts how we heal, recover, learn and rest.

I've pulled the latest research from the internet and can't wait to share.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources & What to Watch/Listen/Read NEXT

Sound Heals, the movie, Thomas Durant (on Amazon for rental)

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What Art Does to Your Brain, Berkeley.edu

The Connection between the Brain and Art

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700

How are you this week? Have you been seeing more places, spaces, where two opposing forces or states of being intersect? Have you witnessed the magic in those juicy spaces? If you're nodding yes, has the supernatural winked at you? Given you more overt breadcrumbs?

This morning as I ran, I watched the clouds move across the sky, one in particular was shaped like a pyramid. It then morphed into a shark. Is cloud scrying a thing? Certain shapes, designs, patterns, images evoke a deep knowing in me, remind me of my connection to everything else. A spiral, for example. It calls to mind a whirlpool, a vortex of energy, a portal. Spirals, pyramids, waves, checkerboard patterns, art on a cave wall, the handprint of another human created thousands of years ago that we can picture placing a hand over, a mental link to ancient ones that stretches the bounds of time and space.

Art is a magical bridge, both from us to other civilizations, or cultures, or individuals. It's also an internal bridge between sides of our brain, logic and creativity, math and mental health. Our self-expression is potent medicine.

Let's get into it.

What to Read/Listen/Watch NEXT

Your Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Amazon.com

Art and the Brain, The Healing Power of Art

How to Integrate Art into Your Daily Life, The Roanoke Star dot com

What Your Favorite Color Says about You, According to an Expert, The Pioneer Woman

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The Language, Symbols & Breadcrumbs of the Universe

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0700

Before we dive into uncovering the language of the Universe, I'd love for you to pause, take a deep breath. Exhale. And remember. Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, "Our breath is the bridge connecting our body and our mind. Returning to our breathing, and following it all the way through from the beginning to the end with awareness, brings body and mind back together, and reminds us of the miracle of the present moment."

When was the last time that, while the outside world hollered for your precious attention and energy - distracting - annoying, that you caught an inkling, felt a deep knowing that if you didn't shut all that crap out and pay attention you were going to miss something important?

Maybe what you would've missed was a message from a loved one that passed on years prior. Or it was a whisper not to enter an intersection on that yellow light, or it was a song on the canned music at the grocery store or mall that has always held deep meaning for you, or it was a reminder that you didn't lock your home; or that you haven't heard from your daughter in too long, or a reminder to schedule that vet appointment for your dog.

What came to your mind? In that moment you witnessed the Bridge; a message was sent, seen and understood. STILL through all that outside noise, you heard the message! Acknowledging that helps it to happen again. And again. In less subtle ways, too.

That juicy in-between space is not just on display at times when a set of supernatural conditions are met, like, say, a full moon, Halloween, summer solstice, sunrise, the passing of a loved one, etc.

The Bridge (or the veil as some prefer to call it) is always there. What's different about those woo-sanctioned moments is we go into those times EXPECTING a message, anticipating the delivery of some deeper knowing, divine guidance, or communication with an ancestor. We are pre-primed to witness the supernatural. It's the energetic equivalent of setting our radio dial to a clear station.

Well, bring that open mind to each fresh day! Give it a try, and see if you experience more of it.

I wonder if that's the importance of morning minutes? Making a daily practice of sitting in silence to hear direction? Confirmation? That feels true.

I'll check in with you on this next week, and let's see if we can normalize hearing from the Universe.

This week, we turn to the familiar across the globe - the symbols, stories, and signs that seem to resonate across time and geography. These hints to the language of the Universe even come in the form of melody. Ever heard a song that felt like an old friend you lost track of for a bit? Seen a bunch of references to rabbits, that spotted one out on

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Talking Astrology with Some Kind of Fae! on Curious Cat

Sun, Moon, Stars: YOUR Cosmic Owner's Manual

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0700

Today, our search for the Bridge turns outward to the stars, the Sun and Moon, and how they reveal the Bridge that lies within each and every one of us, breadcrumbs sprinkled on our birth charts that carry over into our lives on Earth.

Is there anything quite like the feeling of looking up into a clear night sky? Staring into the indigo helps put our human, day-to-day troubles into perspective fast. Our troubles shrink, and that shift helps what we face to feel manageable.

Staring into the stars comes with a sense of deep grounding, too, humility, an easing of weight we carry - not quite full-on anti-gravity, but a lightness.

There's another feeling star gazing brings that's bittersweet, it's a sense of longing, forgetting something important, not like where we put our car keys, but like missing the love of a vast community in heaven, forgetting the stories that are as old as time. Longing to be rejoined to the all because we were once stardust, too.

There's a deep knowing in the span between Earth and outer space. The stars are set in a design we knew before we were born. The stories Ancients told of animals, Gods and Goddesses, heroes, villains, cautionary tales, love, banishment, revenge, retribution, healing, and more, they are tattooed on our souls.

What to read/watch/enjoy NEXT:

The Sun Was Eaten: 6 Ways Cultures Have Explained Eclipses, Britannica.com, Melissa Petruzzello

Famous Constellations and Their Stories

The Science of Rainbows, Optic Weather

Five Ancient Artifacts Made of Meteorites, Sciencing

The Night Sky, Nigel Henbest

Rasa Lila Healing (evolutionary astrology at its BEST!)

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Empedocles and the Four Classic Elements, Owlcation

Bridges a Mini-Series: Introduction and the Magic within the Classical Elements

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Each year I treat myself to a tarot reading from my friend, Karen Rontowski as a birthday present to myself. It's the perfect way to look back, be present, and look to the year ahead. This year was no different, because as the months have unfolded, her insights continue to resonate.

One key bit explained my sense of never fitting in with anything my entire life, is when the cards, and Karen said, "You are a bridge." She explained, I am a bridge between all things. Life and death. Political parties. Between elements. Light and dark. Day and night.

She that I can see all sides, literally feel them all, and yet I stand apart and create a bridge of understanding between the two factions or things or ways of being. NO wonder I've never felt like I fit in.

The last months of 2024 an into 2025, I am understanding that being a bridge is to lead with empathy, it's to feel into the place where two extremes intersect, and now more than ever, the collective needs to harness the magic in that in between space, lean on that healing, that peace, and let that love power factory jet us to a better tomorrow.

This isn't fake toxic positivity I'm speaking of here. This is finding common ground and reminding us that we have more in common than we don't when the outlets with the widest reach scream at us that we don't.

The Bridge is something I speak of in my show intro, it's the soul of this podcast - to look at where science and supernatural collide, to stare into the space where a soul and a human form join together to create something greater than one plus one is two.

So, for the coming weeks, I'm diving headfirst into those spaces. From life and death, good and bad, angels and demons, earth, air, fire and water, and every other duality, they are coming under the microscope so we can all understand the magic.

Let's get into it!

Want to learn more? Read/watch/listen to this NEXT!

The Story of the Four Elements, Moonletter, Ben Belinsky

A World History of Classical Elementals and Their Correspondences (or relationships with one another), Cassie Uhl's Blog

Related Episodes

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A Stanford Neuroscientist that Believes Free Will Does Not Exist, YouTube, BigThink interview with Robert Sapolsky

Free Will, Determinism, Synchronicities, Bread Crumbs, and Turtles all the way down...

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0800

The most valuable commodity on Earth isn't gold or uranium or fresh air and clean water, it's Free Will. In the last month or so I've gone deep into the angelic realms with some celestial guides. One common thread between all angels, guides, Spirit, God, Jesus, Israfil, Buddha, ancestors and any other being is that each human has Free Will. In order to be of assistance, or charm our dang lives, we have to ask. In split second, life or death instances, our Higher Self gives an immediate response to forces that wish to intercede on our behalf, knowing this version of us most likely will take too long to respond and be saved.

But those dramatic instances aside, I've noticed in different ways from a myriad of groups as well as individuals, including some in the woo community, we are being lulled into giving away. From the jokey, "Jesus take the wheel," to the Meteor 2024 bumper stickers, to sessions with shady shamen that involve hallucinogens, to Super Bowl ads, some meditations, alien ideation, and more, the messages were unrelenting and unsettling, and I feel called to highlight this valuable commodity.

There's a professor at Stanford who believes none of us has Free Will.

If we receive breadcrumbs from the Universe through dreams or synchronicities and choose to follow them, is that still using Free Will?

Add to the mix the mystical week I've had that led me to drive back to the pet grooming business to deliver a message, and I'm certain this will be a juicy episode.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Next Reads/Watches/Listens:

Synchronicities from the Library of Thoth, YouTube

Such an intriguing conversation about myths and free will

Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will, Robert Sapolsky, Amazon.com

Synchronicity: What is it, does it exist, and if so — how can you recognize it in your life?, Sylvia Clare, Medium.com

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Who is Archangel Jeremiel? Andcross.EU

The Angel Dress Code with Archangel Jeremiah

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:00:00 -0800

Last week as I researched Archangel Raguel, the angel of justice, I came across another angel I'd never heard of and got curious. He's best known as Azrael's coworker, as they are bookends of the dying and transition to the Beyond process. But, my he's not solely (okay no pun intended there) in charge of that aspect of the human experience. He's much more. And like the other angels, he came forward with a second half of an episode that isn't what I would've chosen. I thought he'd maybe want me to dive into psychopomps or death doulas or hospice care, but no. Archangel Jeremiel (Jera-meal) has another focus.

Let's get into it!

Archangel Jeremiel 101

Are you familiar with Archangel Jeremiel? He's also known in Jewish tradition as Ramiel, and his name has a few meanings, either "God uplifts," or "the Thunder of God." Wow. Both speak to his strength and his positive vibes, right?

K Pearson Bradley on Medium offers a perfect introduction to Archangel Jeremiel, writing, "One of the less talked-about archangels is Jeremiel, whose name means “God uplifts” in Hebrew. He is mentioned in various iterations of the Bible, and he has been described as a loving and sweet energy, even funny. I read a post by Jodie Helm, one of my favorite Medium writers, who wrote that she feels his loving presence and calls him “Jerry.”

Episode Resources and Read/Watch/Listen NEXT List

Archangel Jeremiel and Life Review, K. Pearson Bradley, Medium.com

Meet Archangel Jeremiel, Ask Angels dot com

Meet Archangel Jeremiel (and a channeled message), Flowing with Angels

Archangel Jeremiel (and a MEDITATION to connect with him!) Black Feather Intuitive

Angels and Archangels' Crystals, Crystal Heaven

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Who is Archangel Raguel from The Black Feather Intuitive

Raguel and the Wounds

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0800

The title of this episode - Raguel and the Wounds - sounds like a sad boy band name, doesn't it?

But, this episode, and the messages specific to YOU are anything but sad. They are joy and freedom and support and comfort and love.

Let's get into it!

Raguel 101

Archangel Raguel is new to me, as of the making of last week's episode, when I spoke of the shadow traps of angelic work. I love that I never knew his name, but what I've uncovered as I prepared this outline, is he's been in the front row of my life all my days. I'll explain more about that in a bit.

But first, a little Raguel 101 to give us all the juicy details on this angel.

Episode Read/Watch/Listen NEXT list!

Possible Signs of the Angel Raguel's Presence, Learn Religions dot com

Angels and Awakening, Julie Jancius

Doing the WORK to Forgive (with special guest Leslie Fear), Curious Cat Podcast

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Archangel Chamuel, the bridge to unconditional love, Curious Cat Podcast

Shadow Traps in Angelic Work with Archangel Chamuel

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:00:00 -0800

This week's episode came as fast and fierce as water from a firehose. Archangel Chamuel turned the mountains and sky pink one morning, which set the stage for me to research this unfamiliar angel.

He made it clear as I was gathering information, that there was much more to this episode in the making than just info about him. Well, boy was he right!

I've got a list of the ways that working with angels can result in pitfalls, or tarpits or shadow traps if we aren't aware. And that list includes ideas to get us out of those predicaments, too!

Let's get into it.

Show Read/Watch/Listen Next List

Archangel Chamuel, Angel Wings Art dot co, Jayne Tunney

Meet Archangel Chamuel, Learn Religions dot com

A FANTASTIC post from Martha's Tarot on how Chamuel helped her through a client and then a dream experience!

Angels and Awakenings, Julie Jancius, Amazon.com

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*** This episode is all about the magic messages waiting in times of quiet. When I've felt down and alone this last year, one major form of 'company' has come from watching Desert Drifter on YouTube. His wife, Evelyn, posted that he was in a car accident on Friday, January 31st. He underwent lifesaving brain surgery and is fighting for his life. Below is the link to his YT channel. If you feel compelled, join his Patreon, to give their family some monthly stability during this trying time. If money is short for you, play his videos and he will receive earnings from YouTube. He's one of the good guys, going out and hiking to sites that hold ancient art, creation, history, and knowledge, all the while teaching his viewers how to be a good steward of such sites.

The Quiet to Hear the Divine: Boredom, Haniel & Jophiel

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0800

I dedicate this episode to Andrew and his wife, Evelyn, and am sending prayers for his full recovery.

The Quiet to Hear the Divine

(how getting quiet & pushing past discomfort can result in golden gifts)

Last week you and I took a long look at the spectrum of emotions, many of which have been stigmatized or suppressed by Western Culture. What struck me is that boredom deserved its own conversation. Complicated, positive, negative, a mix of both, and at its heart, uncomfortable in this overstimulated time.

Boredom is one of the most misunderstood feelings. What if moments of boredom are golden opportunities to imagine? Create? Problem solve? Learn? Grow? And more!

How did boredom lead me to be introduced to two angels? I'll explain!

Let's get into it.

Sources & Reading/Watch/Meditations!

Magic of Boredom from Break Free from the Internet, Substack

Who Is Archangel Haniel? An overview from Learn Religions dot com

A Message from Archangel Haniel: Signs You Need to Slow Down & Embrace Divine Guidance, Christina Aroche, YouTube

A soothing message from Archangel Haniel, YouTube (I want to play this audio!)

Information about Archangel Jophiel from The Black Feather Intuitive

***MEDITATION*** - Archangel Jophiel Transmission: Invoking the Citrine-Gold Ray of

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6 Emotions that Differ Between Cultures, Lingoda dot com, Adriana Stein

Can Anger Be Useful? (Looking at the positive side of negative emotions)

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0800

Episode Intro

In a recent conversation with a beautiful mage in a far off mountain range that will remain nameless, we stumbled into a topic I'd been thinking about lately, how anger has been the emotion that's popped me out of periods of malaise. It's also helped snap my focus to something not okay happening in a sea of noise. It's been the kindling in my belly that's burned a path to action.

But in western culture, anger is stigmatized. So is anxiety, and even fear. I did a whole show on Gavin De Becker's book, The Gift of Fear, which is still a fantastic useful read after all these years. And yes, fear can be a gift.

After that conversation on the mountain, I went on a deep dive into research about emotions and their silver linings.

Let's get into it!

Show Read/Watch List

Anger and A Call to Preserve Ancient Sacred Site in Florida -

Link to Old World Florida video here, YouTube

Emotions and Culture, Maricopa Community Colleges

Anger, Sadness, Boredom, Anxiety: Emotions That Feel Bad Can Be Useful, Texas A & M

The Positives of Negative Emotion, Psychology Today, Dr. Aditi Subramaniam

Repressed Emotions: How to Stop Suppressing Emotions, Positive Psychology dot com, Dr. Angelica Attard

The Real Purpose Behind Your Negative Emotions, The Happiness Doctor, Dr. Sophia Godkin

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Rasa Lila Healing - Mid January thru beginning of February, YouTube

Don't Get Lost in the Sauce! (I almost did)

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

What a week it's been. And January has felt like a year in and of itself, hasn't it?

I don't want you to do what I almost did, get lost in the sauce!

Here's the astrological forecast for the year from the very best in the business of evolutionary astrology, Timothy of Rasa Lila Healing.

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

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49 Life Hacks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner, Family Handyman

Eaglets! Coyote Pups! Life Hacks and an Announcement

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

This is an unusual episode. I share two stories from observing my little patch of Colorado this last year, share life hacks to help smooth out the edges of life, and have an announcement to share with you in love.

Show Reading List

https://www.buzzfeed.com/fabianabuontempo/it-literally-changed-my-life-people-are-sharing-small-life

Jennifer Hotes' Substack - Thoughts Scribbled in a Notebook

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Owls!

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800

I've been reading from a book titled, What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman. It was gifted to me by my husband because of my growing love for owls. I don't take it for granted that owls live in our neighborhood. In fact, each evening as the sun sets, I step outside and say, "Hello, owls! I love you," then stay still and listen for their calls back and forth between mates. Sometimes I'm blessed with a silent swoop and fly over. Okay, now imagine my shock when one day in early November an owl spoke back, "Hello!" it said, which caused me to question my sanity.

Then it happened again. And once more. Then a flock of noisy Canadian geese flew overhead and broke the trance. But the voice in the tree I'd heard? It mimicked the sounds of the geese, took flight from a nearby tree. It was an owl!

Well, I texted my precious soul sisters, Kate and Molly, then the next day, got busy researching owls and mimicry. I found my answer. It was an adolescent eastern screech owl, known at that age to be highly experimental with their vocalizations - learning how to lure in potential prey by sounding like kin - and this one was practicing. The event made me fall even deeper in love with these awesome birds.

They deserve this dedicated episode. If you're still not certain...while researching, I found this passage from The Owl Pages online and couldn't fashion a better introduction to this subject than what writer, Deane Lewis wrote;

"Throughout history and across many cultures, people have regarded Owls with fascination and awe. Few other creatures have so many different and contradictory beliefs about them. Owls have been both feared and venerated, despised and admired, considered wise and foolish, and associated with witchcraft and medicine, the weather, birth and death. Speculation about Owls began in earliest folklore, too long ago to date, but passed down by word of mouth over generations."

I have the good luck to have regular visits from a few different species of owls, and they have delighted, surprised and mystified me this last year. I'll share one story at the close.

Let's get into it!

Show Reading/Viewing List:

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Welcome 2025!

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 01:00:00 -0800

Hey! We made it! We weathered the storms of 2024 together. I am grateful for that, but also mindful of the spiritual and physical muscles we've built together over the course of the last 365 days. These make us stronger, and more able to face whatever 2025 has to offer.

I was humbled to be among a huge group of mediums and psychics that were on Paranormal Karen's 2025 predictions episode and share what my guides gave me here, as well as a sort of update they offered in two parts after that was recorded. I'm not some great seer, just a person that wants us all to thrive this coming year. Take what resonates, and let the rest go.

Much love,
Jenn

Oh! And here's the link to the full episode of Paranormal Karen (follow the people that resonate with you!)

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RECAST - Grief and the Holidays

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

If you find yourself with an out-of-the-blue stomachache or headache, it may be one of grief's many disguises. As the holidays near, it's important to have a straight conversation about grief, hear a first-hand story of when I abjectly FAILED at it, and plan a graceful exit for any social event you RSVP yes to, but then a grief moment hits you while there.

Offered in love.

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Hero Organizations:

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Super Mom and Writing YOUR Story

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Episode Intro

This episode is a little different. You'll know it's for you if you've thought of writing a memoir, or starting a Substack or blog that tells YOUR story.

Maybe right after the idea whispered in your mind, a mental mean girl asked why is your story worth telling? Who'd read it anyways? And on and on. Then you turned your attention to something else that felt safe, that you know like the back of your hand, but the idea of writing down your story tickles your imagination every time you read something that makes you smile, or feel something deep in your chest.

You are the reason I am doing this episode. YOUR story is worth telling, even if don't choose to share it widely.

Let's get into it.

Show Links/Materials

Find more examples of my writing on Substack - Thoughts Scribbled in a Notebook, Jennifer Hotes

Liked THIS Episode? Here's what to listen to NEXT!

Drafting An Obituary, Novel Backstories & Curious Queue

Three (Seemingly) Unrelated Essays

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Archangel Raphael, Wikipedia

Archangel Rafael & Mysterious Flying Health Books!

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0800

Archangel Rafael OR Raphael, depending on how you prefer to spell it, is waiting to help us as often as we ask. He may even be knocking health books off your shelves to get you to take a better path.

Only recently healing up from a nasty virus, I found myself asking for the help of both Archangel Michael and Archangel Raphael to help evict the illness from my body and heal once and for all. From Season Four's first episode, you may recall that I'd been timid when it came to asking any angel for help, but especially so when it came to Archangel Michael. Put simply, I didn't feel good enough to be assisted. Then he came to me in a dream, as a regular Joe in jeans and a t-shirt in a crowd of people to prove he'd been with me all along, and he doesn't need anyone to be anything but honest and grateful to be worthy of receiving help.

Archangel Raphael, though? I've only recently dusted off my connection to him. I'm not one to dwell on darkness, but this is a time when we have to make connecting with love and light, ground ourselves, and ask for help from angels as part of our daily routines. Think of it as spiritual toothbrushing.

I hope after this deep dive into Raphael, you'll feel comfortable reaching out. And often.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Further Reading/Viewing

Archangel Raphael and the mystery of healing books that fall off of bookshelves, Learn Religions dot com

Weirdly Effective Meditation with Raphael, YouTube

Archangel Raphael, Cristina Aroche dot com (and his work on our hearts - physical and spiritual)

A Strange Story of Archangel Raphael from the National Gallery in London

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Kong Foundation on I-Ching: (and the role of dragons)

Did Dragons Gift Humanity I Ching?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0800

As I listened to a recent episode of The Higherside Chat with guest Gordon White, White mentioned the I Ching and, almost to himself, he said something about the knowledge contained in the book being a gift from dragons.

I hit the 15 second reverse button and listened again.

If you follow my Curious Cat feed on Insta, then you've seen that my pens, pencils, and watercolor paints have been completely co-opted by dragons over the last two months. In the past when my friend, Monique Pliakos spoke to me about dragons, and her relationship to them, I was thrilled and also envious. I wanted dragons in my life. Well, months later, after working with a group on Earth gridwork, they spoke of dragons like Monique did. I went with it, immersing myself in the meditations and I sent out my gratitude to these powerful, mystical, and when they want, invisible creatures. I told them they could rest on the land where I live and I'd help them heal up. That very night, a warm, breeze-less one, the house shook, as though something heavy had landed on the roof. I went outside to make sure no birds had flown into the side of the house, and saw my first dragon. Not on the roof, but lying across Table Mountain. He considered me with one pearly eye and I was in love.

Back to that podcast episode, though, what was the I Ching? And did dragons have a hand, or a claw in bringing it to humanity?

Let's get into it.

Sources and Further Reading/Watching

Clip I made of Eckhart Tolle - I have a bit more yin than yang!

From the Descendants of the Dragon to Heirs of God

Why Dragons Fight in Hexagram 2, Online Clarity dot UK with links to both books

Numismatic News, Year of the Dragon article and minted coins from across the globe (I want all of these! Do you have a favorite?)

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

LINKS TO HIS PODCAST - Spiritual Graffiti on Spotify

Blue Collar Spiritualist and Curious Queue

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0800

Guest Links :

Pete's Patreon

Reach Pete to take a class here: https://bluecollarspiritualist.com

He’s on TikTok and Instagram as BlueColorSpiritualist

Pete's first appearance on Curious Cat Podcast

Curious Queue Read/Watch List:

The Strange Stuff in Walls, Newspapers.com's blog, Fish Wrap

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Hurricane Magick - Human Ash, NOAA, & HAARP, Old World Florida, YouTube

Weather Manipulation – Fact or Fiction? And Dragon Magic!

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Weather Modification - Is it real or a conspiracy?

Off the top, we need to address the elephant in the room. Is weather modification real or is it a grand conspiracy? Well, the following article will help us discern the truth.

The article titled, 'Despite past failures, weather modification endures,' from American Association for the Advancement of Science states;

" For centuries there have been attempts to manipulate the weather, from ancient rituals designed to bring rain, to modern day cloud seeding. But where some past attempts were pseudo-scientific at best, weather modification continues to gain ground in an effort to solve some of the world's most devastating weather-related problems.

Weather modification includes attempts to create more rain, prevent rain, reduce hail, prevent fog, make snow, or reduce the severity of a hurricane. Although often used to create more precipitation in drought-prone regions, in some cases, weather modification has been a matter of convenience more than necessity. The Chinese government credited weather modification for assuring good weather for the 2008 Olympics. Rockets were used to induce rain by cloud seeding other areas in an attempt to keep the rain away from Beijing, specifically during the opening and closing ceremonies. In fact, the Beijing Meteorological Bureau has a Beijing Weather Modification Office dedicated to controlling the weather in the city and surrounding areas.

Cloud seeding was discovered by accident in July 1946 by scientist Vincent Schaefer, who was conducting a laboratory experiment at General Electric Research labs in New York. He was trying to produce a cloud in a chest freezer but it wasn't cold enough, so he put slabs of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) in the freezer to cool it. To his surprise he found that when he breathed into the air, it created snow crystals.

Show Sources and Materials

Despite past failures, weather modification endures, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Government of Colorado's website on the state's weather modification program - and links to get your own permit to seed the clouds for rain or snow

HAARP to begin largest set of experiments at its new observatory, University of Alask

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Definition and History of Third Places, Wikipedia

Third Spaces - Real Faces - Magic Places & Curious Queue

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

I'm fresh off the heels of a magical visit with my eldest. Did our love and joy open up a rainbow portal? Not sure.

What I know is I come away from our meaty conversations a better person. They brought up something I'd never known the term for, but feels more important than ever to revitalize NOW.

I'll explain, I promise.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

The unfortunate, ongoing disappearance of 'third places,' The Week

Hidden barrier to third places and how to overcome it, We Should Get Together, Kat Vello

Curious Queue Links and Watch List

That Strange Doorway in Antarctica Spotted on Google Earth!

Redditor posts photo of doorway on Antarctica

Mysterious gooey blobs washed up on Canada beaches baffle experts, The Guardian

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Mystical Wares online shop

Derek Condit of Mystical Wares: Intuition & Magic of Unconditional Love

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0700

There's a very special guest sharing the mic with me this week, Derek Condit. He and his wife Julissa own the best store I've ever been to, Mystical Wares, in Mount Vernon, Washington. Derek has many gifts, from his work with shungite, to bridging the physical world and spiritual realm. His energy work, intuition, and imagination are creating new ways to tap into, heal, interface, and live in balance with the all. After the conversation, please check out the links to him and his store in the show notes. I'm honored to have him back on Curious Cat. Welcome, Derek. How are you?

Guest Links

FREE Scalar Wave Sessions Each Week

Connect with your guides on Mystical Wares' YouTube channel FREE

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Many Gifts of Miss Molly Knows!

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

She goes back to season one of Curious Cat. I'm grateful every time the planets align and she's able to stop by for a visit. Her skill set has continued to grow. And if you want to cleanse your TikTok algorithm, be sure to follow Miss Molly Knows. She finds lost things, creates two-handed spirit drawings, and occasionally a fairy pops by to shine on livefeeds.

Guest Links:
Email to ask Miss Molly Knows to find you lost item - FinderofLostItems@yahoo.com

Book a tarot reading or check out all of her links!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Spontaneous human combustion in the 21st Century, PubMed

Spontaneous Human Combustion & The Curious Queue

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0700

This entire episode comes with a trigger warning. It is not for the faint of heart. Be warned.

For those that are still with me, have you ever heard of spontaneous human combustion? I'd argue one of the most mysterious ways to die, if true, then why does this phenomenon stop and start over the course of a century and a half and then...just...disappear?

Let's get into it.

Spontaneous Human Combustion 101

Let's begin at the beginning. Spontaneous human combustion (SHC) is the idea that a person's body can catch fire without an apparent external source of ignition. The term was coined in the 19th century, and the phenomenon has been debated for centuries.

How to Explain Spontaneous Human Combustion, from PS Mag dot com

Katie Heaney writes, " While there’s no proof that any human being has ever suddenly burst into flames and died, there’s also no proof that it hasn’t happened."

Heaney continues, " At some point in the 15 hours or so prior to the evening of March 26, 1986, a 58-year-old former firefighter named George Mott apparently burst into flames and died. When he was found that night, what remained of him were mostly the ashes on the floor beneath his mattress, which his body had apparently burned through. There was more, but reports vary a little as to what; Wikipedia says they found “an implausibly shrunken skull” (as opposed to the plausible level of shrunkenness, I guess) and a piece of rib cage. Others say it was a shrunken skull and the lower half of his right leg. Either way, the scene found in Mott’s Crown Point, New York, apartment was pretty grim.

Show Sources and Materials

Ablaze! by Larry E. Arnold on Amazon

Spontaneous Human Combustion, Vice

How to Explain Spontaneous Human Combustion, PS Mag dot com

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Rock Lake, Wisconsin, Wikipedia

Pyramids in the United States? PLUS The Curious Queue

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 23:00:00 -0700

Have you watched any of the Missing 411 movies? Former police officer, David Paulides, is the guy behind them. He has been collecting records for countless strange missing persons cases across the United States for years, then compiling the ones that have the same fact patterns into books and movies. I've learned much from Paulides, and the disappearances, from staying safe outdoors to always telling someone where you are going, and where you expect to return, as well as place names.

What do I mean? He's noticed that place names with Ape or Devil or Spirit in them; like Devil's Lake, Devil's Pass, Ape Canyon, Ape Lake, Spirit Lake, etc, there's an unusual amount of paranormal sightings in those areas, whether it be of Bigfoot, Dogman, Screaming Banshees or the like, the place names give away ancient secrets of the land.

That's what led me to this topic. I'll share about some of those pyramids, and one strange pink pyramid that never came to fruition in Colorado!

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Further Reading

Ancient Aztalan Village, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Frights - Rock Lake Pyramids Story

Pyramid Lake, Nevada - Curse of the Water Babies (Part 1)

Pyramid Lake, Paiute Tribe Reservation, Nevada

Pyramid Lake and Stone Mother Information

Cahokia: The forgotten pyramid of Illinois, Sailingstone Travel

Cahokia, Monks Mound and the Largest Pyramid in North America, Pyramidomania dot com

The Pink Pyramid of Colorado that Never Was, Colorado Central Magazine

Curious Queue Reading List:

Alleged Soul-Eating Photographer, Fox News

Top UFO Hotspots in the

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Definition of a ghost from Merriam-Webster

Theory of Ghosts

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0700

Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen one? Known someone who has? Would you like to? I'll have tips at the end of this episode that might increase your odds of seeing a ghost.

The telling of a ghost story around a campfire or a candlelit room wakes a primal strand of our DNA. It transforms a power outage into a lifelong memory, and might lead us to snuggle closer to our partner.

As the leaves quiver in the wind, and nightfall bleeds into daytime hours, the timing is right to examine the theory of ghosts.

Let's get into it.

Definition of a Ghost

Merriam-Webster defines a ghost as, "a disembodied soul

especially the soul of a dead person believed to be an inhabitant of the unseen world or to appear to the living in bodily likeness; a spirit or demon."

Synonyms for ghost include; apparition, bogey, haunt, phantasm, shade, spectre, sprite, wraith, phantom, shadow, poltergeist or (my favorite) visitant.

Show Sources/Materials and Further Reading

The Ghost Who Lives with Us - by Forsyth Woman dot com

Stone Tape Theory, The Haunted Walk

Increase YOUR odds of seeing a ghost, Bump in the Night blog

Create a Ghost Image with National Park at Night's Instructive Video

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

How did the first seeds come to be? From, The Conversation's Curious Kids

Seeds (magical little packages!) & The Curious Queue #9

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Episode Intro

This week we are talking about seeds. Not just the ones that get caught in your teeth after eating berries, or those you spit out while noshing on a wedge of watermelon, ALL seeds. What they are, how they disperse, the special vault of world seeds, and more. I hope as you sow seeds into your local pea patch or garden that you look at those little bits with a tad more reverence after the episode.

Let’s get into it.

Show Sources and Further Reading

How Do Seeds Disperse? Answer from NYBG Mertz Library Reference

The Crop Trust's recipe for vegan lentil and hemp seed meatballs in curry

The Crop Trust's recipe for Sunchoke Soup!

The Oldest Viable Seed, Wikipedia

Quest to find ancient seeds and bring them to life before they are lost to history, Ancient Origins

Romans Kept Poisonous Narcotic Seeds Concealed in Bone, LIVE Science

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Drafting An Obituary, Novel Backstories, & Curious Queue #8

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Episode Intro

I'm writing a book. It's my first nonfiction work and is three stories braided into one. It got me thinking of other stories, world famous ones, that have their own interesting backstories. I promise I'll explain.

Let's get into it.

How It Began

If you've been with me since the early days of The Curious Cat, first, thank you. In the days, weeks, weak moments, when I catch myself wondering if this podcast is worth the effort, it's you that keeps me going, listening to my guides, and creating episodes. But, second, you know about the passing of my other father, Mike, a little over a year ago. Two fathers. Both kidney failure. Double tragedies. Mike was my mother's partner of somewhere close to fifty years.

In the days after he passed, and actually come to think of it, I need to correct myself. In the hours after he passed, my mother asked me if I could please write HER obituary. Yes, hers. My niece, Ceri, was pulling together Mike's, which she was kind enough to send out for input to some of the family. Mike's obit was in good hands.

Mom, though, felt like her obituary was a loose end, needed to be drafted in the days to come to help her be at peace. The best I could tell, she had a mental checklist of items that needed to be planned for and resolved before her exit ramp loomed large.

We were both still emotionally bruised from Mike's passing, and her request, though flattering because she said I am her favorite writer, which is why she was hiring me, hurt. I hadn't processed Mike's death, and even thinking of my mother's hurt. I nodded yes and escaped to a bathroom to cry in silence, then dab my eyes.

I tasked my mother with sending me her resume, mostly to deflect my part of the work for a bit, even a day or two. She was glad and made a note.

That's how the idea for a book began. Drafting an Obituary. It was as much about my mother's life, which I was soon to realize I'd only grasped from the limited viewpoint of being her daughter. It would take a year and a half of real conversations, questions, answers, to widen my perspective into something that could grasp that my mother had been a baby once, then a kid with dreams, then a teen who'd had those dreams squashed by adults, a young woman whose worst misstep was to believe for a moment in true love ever after, and a strong, feminist woman who used her experiences to serve as a guidepost to all that she would encounter in her life as a mother, grandmother, and educator.

This process of learning who my mother is, really is and where she came from, her battles, her losses, her victories, her travels, passions, and heritage would lead the relationship

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Dennis Ritchie's blog, The Art of Standing, blog post titled, The Magic in Between

The Magic of In-Between & Curious Queue #7

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

When pondering, debating, writing or planning our focus tends fall to the extremes; this or that, which means we ignore the stuff in-between. It probably traces back to some survival mechanism our ancestors developed to determine what foods were safe to eat, what passages were too risky to travel, where we might be safe to sleep at night, and what hours of the day to do which behaviors.

But like the ego, which we've discussed in past episodes, maybe it's time for a human upgrade. In fact, maybe the biggest breakthroughs in humanity lie in that juicy in-between space.

On a recent trip to Chicago with my mom, our in between time was where the magic happened. Forgotten stories from her childhood and young adulthood were shared. As we rode in the back seat of an Uber to the ballpark, or home from a museum, or on our way to a river boat tour, well, that's when, with the city scrolling past the windows, my mother's deep memories came forward. I want YOU to benefit from the magic of in between, too.

Not just by taking advantage of the time and space between Points A and B, but also by paying attention during all the moments.

Let's get into it!

Show Sources and Materials

Dennis Ritchie's Blog, The Art of Standing, blog post titled, The Road to Bell Buckle

The In-Between, Brizo Magazine dot com, M. Goikhberg

Should We Fear Death? An Honest Conversation with a Hospice Nurse (Julie McFadden)

Intuition vs. Imagination from The Psychic Teachers

The Curious Queue Links

Why will Saturn's rings be disappearing soon? New York Post

Minnesota Fair's Fried City, Fox News

Half a house for half a million near LA, California, AP News

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Dwarves and Gnomes and More, by Don and Diane Wells, for Eagle's Rest Park

Legends of Little People from across the Globe & Curious Queue #6

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700

I've pestered my husband to write a book on the legends, myths and rumors of small people around the world for decades. Every culture on the planet holds dear stories of a group of small people that have unrivaled engineering skills that work during the night and live underground or in caves to stay safe from larger humans. These legendary people, If treated with reverence and respect, are known to give away treasures, or point the way to veins of gold, or build vital infrastructure overnight.

Maybe it's because I've always been on the short side, measuring about five foot two standing on my tippy toes, but I've always felt a connection to this lore and these mystical people.

Let's get into it.

A Great Article Is the PERFECT Place to Start

I found a great article that feels like the perfect place to begin. From Eagle's Rest Park dot org, Don and Diane Wells write;

"The Folklore and Legends of many Native American Tribes and indigenous people from other countries include the stories of the Little People. The Little People live in the woods and are often thought to be hairy-faced dwarfs. Some are no higher than your knee; others are smaller. They build houses in the rock structures under the trees, along streams and sometimes in the trees. They hide from anyone coming into the forest. In the legends of the old countries, they are called Fairies, Brownies, Gnomes, Goblins, Leprechauns, and Pixies to name just a few. Each Native American Tribe has their own name for them. To the Iroquois, they are called Jogahoh; to the Comanche, they are called Nunnupi and to the Cherokee, they are the Yunwi Tsundi."

Show Sources and Materials

Legend of the Tennessee Pygmies (and their tiny stone graves

Strange Tales of Captured Fairies, Gnomes, and Other Mysterious Little People, Mysterious Universe, B. Swancer

Beware of the Tommyknockers (an ancient legend as told by Annette Bromley of ABC Tales dot com

Tommyknockers, from Astonishing Legends dot com

Alaska Village to

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

5 Scariest Japanese Cults from Japan Daily

Does Japan Have a Cult Problem? And The Curious Queue #5

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700

Episode Intro:

Did you queue up this episode and wonder, why the heck the emphasis on cults? Well, I'll tell you. With the run up to the November election in full swing - saddled between the RNC and DNC national conventions, I thought it was a great moment in history to check our collective guts. To remind us to question everything. And to question what we are being force fed. In fact, if a message or news story comes into your feed or life over and over and over, for fun's sake, take the opposite side and do your own deep dive into the subject.

That is empowerment. That is exercising freedom.

The antithesis is mindless scrolling, eating up everything the lecherous 24-hour news cycle spits out - and it is not a path to peace and happiness. I've found the techniques used by communist China and cults to be disturbing, not just because of their blatant use of fear and insecurity-inducing tactics, but because I see them used all the time in mainstream USA. So, that's why my focus is on cults. To keep me from buying what they're selling, and remind me to (when I have to know the current events) pluck sources from the extremes, left AND right AND center and see where the information intersects. Even with those grains of tested truth, I always weigh my gut heavier than their headlines.

I'm diving into cults because of humanity's predilection to want to belong to a group, but at what cost?

Show Sources and Materials

Aum Shinrikyo Cult Information on Wikipedia

The Unification Church and Its Japanese Victims: The Need for "Religious Literacy" article from Nippon dot com

Shinzo Abe’s Assassin and Japan’s Complicated Spirituality, The New Yorker, H. Yoda

The Curious Queue Links and Materials

Meet Crush, the rare orange lobster diverted from dinner plate to aquarium by Denver Broncos fans

Doomsday fish spotted near La Jolla

Mysterious 'Hearbeat' Sound Detected by Hydrophone Deployed at Loch Ness, Coa

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Huge shout out to Spectacles on YouTube's two-part documentary on this cult. PLEASE watch them and subscribe to his channel with this link

The Dance Cult You Haven't Heard of...YET! And Curious Queue #4

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

I can almost hear you right now. WHAT? Another cult episode? This one came to me via my eldest's partner, Josh. Thanks for sending me the video that spurred on this episode. And I wanted to shout out a listener, Grace, who I got to catch up with in person last week. I hope you have a FANTASTIC junior year. You are wonderful, Grace.

Back to the episode, though. If you watched the Netflix series, Dancing for the Devil: the 7M Tik Tok Cult, then you'll be interested to learn they weren't the first dance cult. Not even close.

Let's get into it!

First, what is a cult?

First, what is a cult? From a book titled, The Cult Files, authors Leo Moynihan and Sam Pilger say, "The word, 'cult,' stems from the Latin cultus, meaning 'care, cultivation, worship.'"

And the authors remind us, "Cults don't have to mean danger, abuse, and death. Many have offered simpler, more innocent incentives." And they give an example, the Prince Philips movement in the South Pacific that worshipped the UK's Duke of Edinburgh, as an innocuous cult.

Falun Gong - The Dance Cult You HAVE NOT Heard of, til now

Today's conversation centers around a cult that began just a few years after the tragedy at Tienanmen Square. I watched an excellent two-part YouTube series on their roots and where they are now, and I'd highly recommend you do the same, and give SPECTACLES a subscribe, too.

In the first video he explains. It was early on the morning of April 25th, 1999 in China. A crowd had gathered in Beihai Park and then marched to a central government complex, Zhongnanhai. This group had no banners, no megaphones, still, though, the government saw it as a protest.

Sources and Materials

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-21/inside-falun-gong-master-li-hongzhi-the-mountain-dragon-springs/12442518

Netflix series, Dancing for the Devil: the 7M Tik Tok Cult

Shen Yun: Dance–with a cult message thrown in from Foundations with Janet dot org

Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun by Jia Tolentino from The New Yorker

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

WOW Presentations on YouTube, Jon Ronson's, For the Love of Aetherius Society (ten years old, but done panel-style with a group from the Society)

The Perplexing Aetherius Society & The Curious Queue #3

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Aetherius Society is a worldwide group that some have called stranger than Scientology, without the marketing machine behind it.

I've read all I can on the group online and I have to say, they seem like people that want to uplift humanity and heal the Earth. Their only gods are the mountains they visit to amplify their prayers of peace. But don't take my word for it, I'd like to share the basics about Aetherius and more from my days long search for information.

Sources & Reading Materials

Inside the Aetherius Society - a Religion Stranger than Scientology

From Atlas Obscura - Aetherius Society Headquarters in LA

A five-minute documentary called Gods from Space AND short article titled, Talking to Angels Is Their Religion Op-Docs NY Times

The FBI file on Aetherius Society

THE ATHERIUS SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY

IN THE FORMATION OF A MYSTAGOGIC

CONGREGATION'

Aetherius Podcast of Aetherius Radio Live

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-954X.1974.tb00240.x?journalCode=sora

https://www.huckmag.com/article/aetherius-society

The Curious Queue Show Sources and Links for More Viewing/Reading

From Coast-to-Coast, Massive Swarm of Dragonflies Engulfs Beachgoers (Check out the video HERE)

Rewards offered for leads to cemetery vandals

From Coast-to-Coast, Weird Cube-Shaped UFO Filmed in Prague

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

An Odd Case of a Creepy Abandoned Notebook, Bizarre Disappearances, and Strange Mysteries in the Woods from Mysterious Universe

Dark Night of the Soul and Manifesting with Nora! & Curious Queue #2

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

This week I'm on Cloud Nine. My eldest is here to share their thoughts on the dreaded dark night of the soul. We also delved into manifesting, and learn about empty-handed magic!

You'll remember Nora from their Season One conversation, as well as the art they created for both Curious Cat Podcast AND Cascadia! They have their own ethically sourced, meticulously created handmade art company, Solstice Eve. Find the links and add your name to the mailing list!

Hang on after the closing music for another segment of The Curious Queue! Find the links for those articles below!

Episode Sources and Links

Solstice Eve
Richard Simmons X (Twitter) feed

Articles Featured in The Curious Queue!
Truckers' Strange Encounters with the Unexplained

Report YOUR UFO/UAP sighting here!

Bigfoot Sightings Reported by Month at BFRO dot net

LISTEN TO ONE OF THESE NEXT!
Talking Astrology with Nora!
Forgiveness

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Archangel Michael - from Brittanica dot com

Archangel Michael - He's Got Our Backs & The Curious Queue #1

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Looking backward, the theme for my July was, 'cord cutting.' And when I say cords–I'm talking thick titanium suckers! I've had to cut them, then RECUT them after they grew back starter roots. Again and again, this happened.

It can be exhausting AND invigorating. I've confessed my old psychic vampire ways to you on a prior episode – which is why my daily routine NOW includes checking for voids and then reenforcing my vessel. It's a quick exercise that ensures I'm relying on my own light and the energy and light offered to me by guides and angels consensually!

Well, as the Universe tends to do, it showed me this week that my path is always there, illuminated, waiting for me to notice, which led me to this moment where many things coalesced.

YES! Welcome to Season 4 of Curious Cat! It was time to clear the decks, begin anew with an Episode One. Hooray!

Second hooray? There's a new show feature I hope you'll love.

And for weeks when life is heavy enough, then fast-forward to this new feature for a bit of fun, curious, light, and interesting stories that make you smile, think, and I hope, feel inspired by the mystery all around us just waiting to be noticed.

This feature, called The Curious Queue, stands alone from the episode so the flow of both is not interrupted. You'll hear it today after the regular closing music.

Let me know what you think of it by clicking the, 'Text the show,' button at the top of the show notes.

Third? I've got a special episode next week. It's a conversation with my eldest daughter, which I can't wait for you to enjoy. With that in the bank, I wasn't even seeking another topic when I woke up from a dream about Archangel Michael.

I texted my woo besties, Monique and Karen, and bam! I found out Michael is the king of cord cutting! Wow. The Universe lined it up, didn't it?

Let's get into it!

Show Sources and Materials

How to Recognize Archangel Michael from Learn Religions dot com

Gods and Demons Fandom Wiki link

Archangel Michael article from Llewellyn dot com, written by author, Richard Webster

6 Biblical Facts about Archangel Michael

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CCC News article titled, Is the Columbia River Gorge a Supernatural Hotbed?

CASCADIA #17 - The Enigmatic Columbia Gorge

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Cascadia was born of fire and ice. A string of 19 volcanic peaks stretch from Canada to California. Sulfur, lava, ocean mist, evergreens, and fog commingle to create one of world's most haunting, mysterious realms. Venture with me into the Cascade Mountain range. Find ALL Cascadia episodes on your regular Curious Cat stream.

Episode Intro:

In the wee hours one summer morning while driving home from a concert held at the Gorge, an outdoor venue near the banks of the Columbia River Gorge, I was helping my friend, who was driving us back to Seattle, stay awake. I took my duty seriously and as the landscape passed out the windshield, I noticed a car's occupants as we passed them. The occupants all wore white sheets, not even their eyes or mouth exposed. To say it was odd is quite the understatement. It was downright chilling. As I told my friend about what I'd seen, we looked out at the road ahead with even more vigilant eyes and witnessed a bright object vault across the starry sky. And then I turned around to track the van with the strange occupants and it was gone.

I'd forgotten about the incident, marked it down to both of us being exhausted. And we never spoke of it again.

But as I prepped our episode today, the memory moved to the front of my brain files.

It's all the more reason we need to take a good long look at the enigmatic Columbia Gorge.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

The Strange Disappearance of Alissa McCrann of Multnomah Falls (she still has not been found. Follow the link to find out more on NamUs - the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System)

Listen to Coast-to-Coast episode about Columbia Gorge Strangeness Here!

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Martin Family from Wikipedia

CCC News article titled, Is the Columbia River Gorge a Supernatural Hotbed?

Curioucity (sic) dot com's article on Washington State's Stonehenge

Oregon's extraterrestrial history: The 1950 Trent UF

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Daily Dish article on Eating for Your Chakras

Eat Your Chakras

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Hello! Before I introduce this week's topic, I want to just extend my heart to you. It's been a hard week. And, you know I do not speak of politics on this podcast. I reject offers from political figures to appear. This is not my focus. But, I feel a hand on my shoulder to share something with you. When I say at the end of the podcast that I love you, it is straight from my heart chakra. And no matter who you vote for in November, I love you. I do not care how you cast your vote. This. This podcast. These conversations that hopefully I open the door to in your life? They transcend the tribalism, the villainization of one side or the other.

I endeavor to tap into the space where we are all one, a singular organism that is experiencing itself in a myriad of ways. There is more that we all have in common, than we don't. And if we take the time to listen to one another in a loving, compassionate way, then you will see glimpses of yourself in another. And that? That is the true magic of being a soul in a meat suit.

Okay, give me a sec as dismount from my apple crate.

Ah, there we go.

This week I'm diving into how to eat your chakras - not literally. Let me explain.

Show Sources:

Feed Your Chakras (a cookbook and narrative!)

https://www.parsnipsandpastries.com/chakra-food-pairing-balancing-healing-energy-centers-food/

The Higher Heart Chakra (I found this article to confirm what I'd received during my meditation about a chakra between our shoulders! :)

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Mysterious Aetherius Society and the 19 Holy Mountains (including Adams!)

CASCADIA #16 - Mount Adams - Is it the most overlooked of the Cascade peaks?

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Show Intro

Thanks for tuning into Curious Cat, Cascadia!

Episode Intro

My father, Mike completed his student teaching in the shadows of Mount Adams, in Packwood, Washington. I wish I'd thought to ask him before he passed if he'd ever seen something strange in the skies above that area of Western Washington. God knows, enough people have. The rumors that swirl around Mount Adams are only rivaled by those of her southern sister, Mount Shasta.

Top off your hydroflask, double knot those boots, and let's get into it!

Sources and Materials:

From Gathering the Stories: A Story of Mount Adams

Amazing Article from Armchair Mountaineer about Mount Adams

Mount Adams' Own Reddit Thread

Find a Cascade Trail and Search for Cryptids with this Great Guide from Washington Trails Association

Mount Adams Has It's Own B-Film! Read about it here!

And watch Mount Adams using the IMDB link here. (or search for it on Amazon Prime)

Whitley Strieber's Unknown Country dot com - article titled, Journey to the Field of Dreams: A Visit to eCETI Ranch

YouTube Video on the Strange Hole in Mount Adams - is it a UFO Hangar?

https://www.eceti.org/about-eceti.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JLLqUPZYVw

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Cord Cutting Confession

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0700

It's a quickie, but I have to hold myself accountable and offer in hopes that it lifts YOU and lightens YOUR load, too.

Next week we will be strapping on our hiking boots and summiting Mount Adams together. In the interim, check out this movie set on and around the epic Cascade peak that's often overlooked. A true story, a love story at its core, it tells of one man's journey through grief.

I love you.

p.s. Here's the link to The Psychic Teacher's podcast episode with hosts Samantha and Deb that teaches how to cut cords.

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Solstice Eve - Handcrafted Art & Meticulously Ethical Jewelry - by Nora Hotes (the designer behind Curious Cat Podcast art)

Unconditional Abundance - a white cow in my dream bit me so I'd share this w/you

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Last night a white cow followed me around in my dreams. It was a milking cow that was snowy white and it nipped at my right wrist a couple of times.

When I woke up and journaled the dream in its entirety, I texted my daughters, because both had been in the dream. They're used to weird, trippy texts from me, and my desire to pass along any messages intended for them.

My eldest said that the cow might've been a message for me.

And that's how I got to this place, where I am teaching myself to be comfortable with a new phrase, Unconditional Abundance.

Let's get into it.

Oh, wait. First one final note, a trigger warning of sorts. Abundance is not money alone, but it touches the subject of money and income, which is by its very nature, tethered to survival, is emotionally charged. As I unravel the subject and you find anxiety gripping your guts, or constricting your airflow, then pause, and tap back into your breath. I'll be here on the other side of the break, I promise.

Alright, NOW let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials:

Unconditional Abundance Meditation - Super quick, but only try if you are in a safe location, and not walking or steering any mode of transportation!

Jessa Reed's Abundance/Lack Episodes!

Episode 1: The Program of Lack

Episode 2: Eat Your Vision Board

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Unconditional Abundance Meditation

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:00:00 -0700

This is a bonus meditation that helps us become comfortable with the idea of unconditional abundance so that it may become a part of your present and future.

As always, do not do this meditation behind the wheel of any vehicle or ambulatory. Only meditate when you are in a safe place where you will not be disturbed.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Haunting Dogu, Puzzling Kappa and an Epiphany after Saving a Turtle!

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Episode Intro

Last week I shared stories of my recent trip to Japan. There's one story, though, that's taken on a life of its own since being stateside once again. It all began with a visit to Tokyo National Museum in Uedo Park, seeing objects that have become icons in the UFO/UAP communities. If that wasn't enough, those odd clay figures led me to seek out some of the burial pyramids where they were found. And because I can't let sleeping dogs lie, I dug into the theories about the dogu figures, which I can't wait to share with you. So enough build up, let's get into it!

High Strangeness at Tokyo National Museum

If you listen to Curious Cat in order, first, thank you so much. But, second, I'm sorry you've heard this part of the story before, apologies.

Next, we entered a building of archeological finds. Many came from the Kofun period, the 3rd to 6th century, and were buried beneath family dwellings or in burial tombs. The energy was reverent, whispering, hallowed, still, as objects made for the dead sat exposed for the living, the light was soft, but was never meant to touch these. I was keenly aware and took few photos, even though they were allowed. It felt wrong.

This area held the dogu. They are unusual sculptures in a variety of forms. Many, most actually, were broken in half intentionally, and buried beneath the floors of family dwellings. And then I saw the figure I'd seen countless times as I watched Ancient Aliens. A goggle-eyed figure, one leg broken clean off, supported by a block of stone. It did look alien, like a person in a space suit. I looked at the backside, the side they never showed in all those episodes. I took photos and my ghost app came on, words lighting up my phone screen, "Dust, Within, Low." That was it.

These figures are strange, and I found two more examples of the goggled-eyed ones that I'd never seen before and shot photos. Many have speculated on dogu, saying they are fertility symbols, akin to Venus of Willendorf, or ritualistic.

These figures are OLD. And much of the information about them on the internet is stale, clearly repeated from other sources, but there are very few fresh takes. It's frustrating.

Some of the information though is verified. Take this from Google, "dogū, abstract clay figurines, generally of pregnant females, made in Japan during the Jōmon period (c. 10,500 to c. 300 bce). Dogū are reminiscent of the rigidly frontal fertility figures produced by other prehistoric cultures."

Sources and Materials

Dogu figures: https://www.wasshoimagazine.org/blog/discovering-japan/dogu

Another great article about the strange mystery of dogu figurines. https

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Asakusa's Sensoji Temple

Big in Japan? At Least with Ravens, I Am

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0700

I'm just off the heels of a phenomenal trip to Japan. It was precious time, two weeks with the whole family. And though I did not pack my podcaster hat, I couldn't help but immerse myself in the country, the culture, and sought off the beaten trail places where ancient history was kept alive right next to mega-modern skyscrapers. I had to share some of my favorite stories, and moments, with you, and am doing a deep dive into the clay figurines I saw first hand at the Tokyo National Museum that are fixtures on History Channel's Ancient Aliens, dedicating an entire episode to dogus and the connection I feel they have with an ancient spiritual creature from Japan.

Let's get into it! Stories from Japan 2024!

General comments about the gift of travel

We travel for a myriad of reasons, to reconnect with people; to stretch out of our comfort zones, to shift or expand our perspectives; and at least temporarily to suspend the bellybutton-close vision we have of reality, yes zooming out on that miopic point of view.

My recent trip did just that. 6000 miles by plane, Japan is a country that spent most of its history isolated from the western world. Tokyo is a city that is as large as New York City and London COMBINED, which is hard to wrap my mind around.

Japanese culture is calcitrant in its manners, formalities, customs, and timeliness. Yes, even in the midst of modern times where everyone is plugged into social media; their culture remains intact. Though I did catch a few moments, slips of some pushing for this steadfast culture to change, subtle glimpses from the youth. Teeny tiny acts of rebellion; anarchy in a sense, but in order to spot them my vision had to become microscopic. And part of my vision came from being confronted by an officer at a baseball game.

But more on that later.

Sources and Materials

If you wish to see the objects found in the burial mound I climbed click here

Great blog post about the place I went on my solo adventure - Todoroki Valley

Setagaya - a place of art and literature - guide

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Witch Tree: a living legend article from Tree of the Year dot com

Witch Trees Around the Globe

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0700

This week we're talking about witch trees - as in w-i-t-c-h - Trees thought to be embodied by the souls of witches – What? Did you think I made the concept up out of thin air? No. I was researching ghost stories around Halloween and stumbled on the true account of a cursed tree in Oregon. But before I tell you about that, and other ghost stories, I'd better roll the bumper music.

*I was a bit jet lagged from my recent trip, so hopefully it didn't come across in my voice. Oh, and Cooper dog was under the desk at my feet, needing extra lovins after not having his family around for a few weeks, so you'll hear him thud and knock.

Ghost Story from Oregon

As I was saying in the opening, it was a handful of years ago, after the publication of my stone heart trilogy, that I was searching the internet for ghost stories to share in the weeks leading up to Halloween when I stumbled on a true account of a cursed tree in Oregon. The tree was the alleged site where a witch was hanged. Before she died, she swore she put a curse on the town to burn it down three times. The town exists, as did the woman, and as of this episode, the town has burned to the ground twice! I hope for the sake of the people and animals and trees that they have beefed up their fire protection since fire number two.

There are other witch tree stories, too. In fact, they span country boundaries, centuries and blur the line between lore and truth.

Why trees and witches?

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

The Witch Trees of Wiltshire

The Legend of Louisville's Witch Tree - by Katie Molck

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!
The Magic of Trees
A Green Shot of Nature
Nature IS Medicine

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The Bush House Inn, Index, WA

CASCADIA #15 - Haunted Cascadia

Fri, 31 May 2024 06:00:00 -0700

As Spring days blur into endless starry summer nights, I hope you'll retreat into the piney wilderness with me. After enduring a drafty winter, it's well past time we got our faces into sunshine, feel peat moss beneath our bare feet, and savor this season of growth and renewal. There's no better way to send a refreshing chill down your spine than to dig into the haunted side of the Cascade Mountain Range.

Let's get into it!

Haunted Peaks

It's a fact that the Cascade peaks are haunted. From lost hikers, to murder, to tragic accidents, and risky ventures like mining, these mountains have seen their share of tragedy. Some believe the stone of the mountains absorbed those memories and when conditions are perfect, they play back like a cassette tape.

Sources and Materials:

Mystical Wares (Link to their store - but I'm not seeing bus tours this summer)

Haunted Hikes in the Cascade Mountains

Ghost Towns and Haunted Places (in the Cascades)

https://paranormal.lovetoknow.com/ghosts-hauntings/3-haunted-hikes-washington

Myths and Legends from the Pacific Northwest that are Terrifying Ranker dot com

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/history-of-geology/the-mythical-fire-mountains-of-the-cascades/

More Haunted Hikes from the Washington Trail Association

Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia Mountain Range

The Daily Yonder's article about Local Lore: Dark Watchers

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Divine Secrets and Locked Gates

Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

When I was in school, I was presented with book knowledge as if that's all there was to know, don't bother looking further. Geologic knowledge? We know how everything came to be. Zoological information? We know every species, every adaptation, every nuance. Science? Yes, these are theories, but they have been tested and true. Scientists STILL wear the word, 'theory' like a itchy wool coat. It's beyond uncomfortable.

But as I grew up and kept looking for knowledge, I saw previously thought extinct animals found. I saw tested theories get rewritten, then disregarded entirely. And that ecosystem of information? It is expanding as we breathe. With advances in instruments alone, we are able to see beneath the surface of the Earth , see further into space, observe particles too small for my brain to comprehend.

We don't know it all. We don't know a fraction of what is true. Saying that, is encouraging. It's exciting. There are many breakthroughs yet to be made by future generations. In the words of, UP! Adventure Awaits!

Learning about the Emerald Tablet last week drove me to look at secret knowledge and the gatekeepers involved in meting out that information. I learned about powerful occult figure, John Dee, found a man on YouTube digging into old newspapers finding articles from the 1800s that prove North American history isn't accurate as it stands.

I also take an important pitstop to talk plainly about the ethics surrounding subconscious and psychic work. I even share a powerful message from my friend, Monique Pliakos.

I'll give you quick tools to muscle-up your own gut instincts. And I'll end with a heart-centered I LOVE YOU.

Let's get into it!

Show Sources, Materials and Links!
Analog the Archivist on YouTube
The Complete Enochian Dictionary
A Psychic's Story with Host Nicole Bigley and Guest, Angie Castor

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The Alchemy of Stone by Robert Simmons

The Emerald Tablet!

Fri, 17 May 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Let's get into it. But wait, first...

Full Confession - I'd recorded this episode already and as I did the audio edits, I wasn't happy with this episode. It had great information, an interesting story and a powerful message but was buried in a tangle of crossed wires. You see, the provenance of the Emerald Tablet is complicated. And a pissing match over who claims to be the culture that originally found and deciphered is still ongoing, almost a thousand years later. Like an ancient game of telephone, each telling of the discovery of the mystical tablet gets more and more grandiose, and further from the truth.

Then there's the text itself. As poetic as it is convoluted. There are phrases, nuggets of gold in the prose that ring true to me. I'm sure you will find truth in passages, too, and your interpretation of this whole thing? It's as legitimate as the droves of men that have whittled their lives away to the finding of that truth, and maybe even profiting off of it.

Let's get into it. The Emerald Tablet, take two. Done my way and offered in love.

The Emerald Tablet a Modern Meme

I first learned of the Emerald Tablet from Robert Simmons' book, The Alchemy of Stone. He and his wife own a crystal and jewelry shop and in the late 1970s copied versions of the Emerald Tablet one were making the rounds in a sort of secret way among crystal shop owners. It caught his attention then, and his telling of this reminded me of that chain mail thing that happened during the same time period, late 70s. Households received letters that contained a chocolate chip cookie recipe and an explanation, the writer saying they'd asked Mrs. Fields for their cookie recipe and that they were charged some $500 for it. So to enact a sort of cookie revenge, or get the most value out of the hefty price, they copied the recipe and mailed it out to everyone they knew. The recipient of the recipe was asked to do the same in turn. It was a nice, non-threatening piece of chain mail.

But back to the Emerald Tablet. Simmons only said that it seemed to hold ancient wisdom, Hermetic teachings, that somehow relayed how to create the secrets of alchemy, and the HOLY GRAIL of alchemical pursuit? The creation of the philosopher's stone!

I got curious and started digging into sources online to find out about the emerald tablet.

Show Sources and Materials

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Three Seemingly Unrelated Essays

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

My mind is blown. If you've been listening to the podcast this last month, first, thank you! I appreciate your willingness to get weird with me here. But, second, I've been on a journey without even knowing I'm on it until I have AHA! moments as I record.

This is the fourth accidental installment of what the Universe has been creating. If you missed the first episodes, catch them here:
The Present
Four Knocks
Dragon Magic with Monique Pliakos

I'm prepping to be gone for a few weeks and have been busy creating episodes so you don't feel a gap. Well, on the weekend of my father's celebration of life, I felt a nudge to grab some old essays and read them here.

I didn't know I needed to hear them again until I was recording. And I have my mind blown (which you'll hear, pauses and all) as you listen. This all goes back to those four mystery knocks I received in the dead of night.

It is just more proof that something supernatural can carry with it not just one, but many messages. And it's also proof that my father reads my Substack writing from the Beyond.

Made with love, Jenn

p.s. Here's the link to my Substack where you can find these and other writings.

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Dragon Magic with Monique of Innerstandings Hypnosis

Fri, 03 May 2024 06:00:00 -0700

This is the third episode of what has become a mind-blowing journey created by the Universe that stems from the four mysterious knocks I received on my front door during a gusty storm. If you wish to catch up, begin with The Present. Next, listen to Four Knocks, and then dive into this one. The final segment is called 3 Seemingly Unrelated Essays which will go live next Friday.

Monique is wonderful. She's become a bosom friend. Before we began recording she pulled cards to help me get some clarity on a huge opportunity that'd come my way. I am grateful for her gifts, which made the decision clear. More than that, though, I am grateful for her friendship.

If you've been looking for a trusted person to guide you through hypnotherapy, you've found her.

Visit Monique's sites and enter the special discount code she created for Curious Cat listeners. I've also included links to her podcast and ones to the friend, Iris, she mentioned.

Much love to you,
Jennifer

Guest Links:
Innerstandings Hypnosis (download the connect-with-your-dragon-session with the Curious Cat discount code and enjoy a lower price for three great exercises in one!)

Tarot by Monique (book a tarot reading, or buy one of her amazing orgonite pieces)

Dragon Rose Temple - with Iris from tworoseshealing dot org

Dragon Oracle Decks by Diana Cooper

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Four Knocks & New Kid on the Block, Archangel Orion

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

We've all heard of angel numbers, right? 111 222 1234? But what about knocks? Raps on the door? I remember from my Ghost Adventure-obsessing days, the crew would often hear three knocks, declaring it a sure sign of dark energies, maybe a sign of a demon - a mocking of the trilogy that is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. But recently I heard four knocks on my front door, then three hours later, four more knocks. Once the sun rose, I went on web search to find out if there was some deep meaning behind the four knocks. And that rabbit hole?

Well...

On a night when the wind was gusting from 70-100 miles per hour, I managed to tuck inside a comforter and fall asleep. At 1am I startled awake to the sound of four distinct knocks. Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Like a fist on a wood door, I immediately thought it might be a family member that'd come over because their power was out. I got out of bed and my instinct told me not to open the front door. I did pull back the shade and look outside. No one was there. No car was in the driveway. Nothing. I returned to bed and then Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! at 4am. Startled again, this time the cat followed me down the hallway. I checked the side window and no one was on the porch, no car in the driveway, then I remembered the side door, that no one really uses. It has a pane of glass, and, you guessed it, no one was on the other side. I had another whispering from my intuition, don't open the door. I worried again that it might be a family member coming over, and then as I tucked myself back under the covers, my intuition said, It wouldn't be them. It'd be something dark in disguise.

Whoo. Creepy thought.

What's all that have to do with Orion? Maybe by the episode close I'll have figured that out!

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT
The Mastery & Magic of Crows with Special Guest, the Corvid Corner
Mount Shasta - Heaven or Hell?
Remote Viewing and What Happened to Pru?
Bonus Meditation: Strengthening the Vessel with Archangel Azrael

Show Sources and Materials

Best article!!! https://subconsciousvision.com/knocking-spiritual-meaning/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourknocks_Passage_Tom

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Ram Dass The Practice of Be Here Now Each Moment

The Present

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Here. I. Am.

Those three words have shown up for me in random ways throughout the week. Those words AND the number 222 - which is my sign for angelic besties, Metatron and Sandalphon, angelic best friends that represent the great central sun and the Earth's crystal grid (heaven and earth). All of which are clear messages to me to be in my body, be present.

We live in a time when it is near impossible to maintain our attention on a single thing for very long. From socials to smartphones to pop up ads on websites, flashing lights, clickbait headlines, everything is vying for our attention, which I'm learning is a precious commodity.

Being grounded in the present moment is what some might call mundane magic, so intuitive as to render it dull. But try staying in the present moment, and if you are anything like me, you'll quickly find that those muscles have atrophied.

Here I am has become my mantra to bring me back to the present when I drift. Called mindfulness practice, I've combed the internet, ignored hundreds of blingy pop-up ads to bring you deep thinkers on the subject and some ingenious ways to give us all a head start when it comes to unlocking this super power.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

Terence McKenna and Living in the Moment on YouTube

My clip BUT IT ALWAYS FEELS

Eckhart Tolle Teachings: How to Live in the Present to Create a Better Future

Eckhart Tolle How to Practice Presence on a Daily Basis

be free where you are, Thich Nhat Hanh

Promoted Podcast! (check it out!)
The Homewrecker Podcast

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT
The Eye of the Storm
Angel Bros, Metatron and Sandalphon

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Meet Archangel Barachiel, Angel of Blessings from LearnReligions dot com

My Burrito Bowl Blessing with Special Guest, Archangel Barachiel

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0700

This week, I focus on an archangel that risked banishment from Heaven to gift humans with divine knowledge. He has what's been called the best sense of humor in the whole of the Universe and has dominion over lightning. I'd like to introduce you to Archangel Barachiel.

Let's get into it!

Show Sources and Materials

Angelicpedia Article on Barachiel

Reddit User's Confusion about Archangel of Lightning, Barachiel

Promo
The Derek Loudermilk Show

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Archangel Chamuel: A Divine Bridge to Unconditional Love

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

It's a comfort during these trying times to know that a fleet of angels led by Archangel Chamuel are there to help us all experience unconditional love. God, I love the idea of an army of love angels.

I'll share about this angel, and later in the episode, confess my uglies. It's a message I share in love and with some shame.

Let's get into it!

Show Sources and Materials

https://askastrology.com/numerology/angel-numbers/777-angel-number-chamuel/

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

What the HEX?!?

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0700

A candid conversation about jinxes, curses and hexes. Is there a downside?

I've been drawn to dive deep into the realm of curses, hexes, jinxes, and even some angry fist shaking after a road rage incident. These acts, some large, some tiny, come with ramifications. I explore what they are, if they can be used without repercussions, how to know if you are hexed, and give some alternatives to hexes for your kind consideration.

Liked the Episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!
Talking Tarot with the Fabulous Karen Rontowski
Forgiveness
Rosicrucian Order, Tarot, the Occult & More with Special Guest, Scarlet Darkwood

Sources and Materials
The Shaman's Path to Freedom - a Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Jose Ruiz

What is a hex? Types of hexes. How do you know if you are hexed
https://spiralrain.ca/blogs/blog-posts/hexes-curses

https://www.thementalfitnesscompany.com/human-energy-is-contagious-whose-vibes-are-you-catching/

https://greenwitchfarm.com/hexing-healing-harming-none/

https://www.learnreligions.com/negative-magic-is-cursing-hexing-acceptable-2562318

Why I Never Hex or Curse Anyone Ever:
https://medium.com/third-eye-ascension/why-i-never-hex-or-curse-anyone-ever-3e953fae0f7b

Hex the Ex!
https://www.spiralnature.com/magick/hex-reflecting-back-negativity/

Jinxing, Hexing, Cursing. Everything You Need to Know:
https://tesswhitehurst.com/jinxing-hexing-and-cursing-everything-you-need-to-know/

Five BEST Ways to Remove a Hex:
https://originalbotanica.com/blog/the-5-best-ways-to-remove-a-hex

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Other Jackie - A Celebration of Opening Day & National Ballpark Museum

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In celebration of Opening Day of Major League Baseball 2024, I recorded an episode in the middle of Denver's National Ballpark Museum with intern, Rebecca D'Arcey to share the story of the OTHER Jackie.

We all know #42, Jackie Robinson, as well we should. But have you ever heard of the seventeen year old Jackie Mitchell? She struck out BOTH Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Like Jackie Robinson, baseball wasn't the only sport she excelled in. And they have other things in common, too.

Come along with me into the doors of the National Ballpark Museum where each artifact holds a must-not-be-missed-story, and dwell in the sport of baseball. It is a magical activity that brings us together, erases differences and unites us in the anticipation of what the next wind up and crack of the bat may bring.

Support the National Ballpark Museum with this link.

Want to watch the historic strike out of Babe Ruth? Watch here!

Read about it here!

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!
Omens, Superstitions, and Everyday Spells
Manipulatives and Mental Health (yes, this includes Legos)
Stones - from the legendary to the cursed to the ones that fall from the sky

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Mother Cabrini - Colorado Women's Hall of Fame

An Angel that Communicates through Anger

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0700

The angel Jophiel communicates with me through bursts of red-hot anger. She said we can work out a better way to talk to one another, but she's been using this method for years. Years! Yes, she's been working with me for my entire life, but I only learned her name two weeks ago.

She is in charge of the cherubim, and is said to have witnessed the moment Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. (I have thoughts about this!) She believes that Free Will reigns supreme, and reminds us to not give energy to people that do not, nor will EVER, be our supporters. Hell! They will never like us, no matter how hard we try. Just stop giving away your energy to them, she says.

I also share a magical four-hike day I had recently and how the cherubim were there with me for every step.

Show Materials and Links:

Garden of Duality - Joseph Campbell and the Garden of Eden Narrative

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Book of Galactic Light: Liber Lux Galactica by Daniel Rekshan

Harnessing the Power of Dreams with Daniel Rekshan, DreamWell CDO

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0800

A few weeks back I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, the Higher Side Chat. This particular episode centered around dreams, one of my lifelong favorite topics, and the guest is my honored guest today. His name is Daniel Rekshan and if you read his resume on INDEED, you might overlook half of his genius, at least. With a bachelors' from St. John's, a Master's in East-West Psych from California Institute of Integral Studies, he's a certified hypnotherapist, but then things get truly interesting. He is an artist. He has a certificate in quantum healing, is chief dream officer of DreamWell and finally, he is deeply involved with DSETI. (Dream Study/Search for ET Intelligence)

I'm grateful to have him on the show today.

Guest Links:

DreamWellBeWell.com (Daniel's FANTASTIC app - try a week FREE)

D*SETI.org (Dream Study/Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)

Daniel Rekshan on YouTube (Great lectures!)

Missing Time Found: Don't worry, it's just a dream: A new and old hypothesis regarding ET and UFO associated missing time by Daniel Rekshan

Liked this episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

ARCHANGEL HANIEL MEDITATION FROM BLACK FEATHER INTUITIVE ON YOUTUBE

Mooning Over Archangel Haniel

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0800

This week, I fell into the topic after spotting so many strings of ones and twos, that I took notice. Still not knowing what message I was being sent by my angels and guides, I started obsessively looking at and tracking the Moon. And then, still not getting the message, I opened my Angels and Awakenings workbook, then skipped ahead because I wasn't feeling the Seraphim vibe (which was techinically supposed to be my next lesson). That section? It was on Archangel Haniel. And she is fantastic. The first time I did this workbook, I breezed over her section, not feeling a connection.

Well, it's a good thing I am doing the study again, because it's hitting me in different ways, and one of those is Archangel Haniel. Hitting me right in the heart.

Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials

Haniel taking Enoch to Heaven from Learn Religions dot com

https://angelicthrone.com/blogs/archangels/the-divine-guidance-of-archangel-haniel-exploring-the-mystical-powers-of-the-guardian-angel-of-love-and-intuition

Paper Moon Movie Trailer on YouTube

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT
The Angel of Mysteries and Magic, Raziel
Reopening Your Intuition

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Watch the entire segment of Celebrity Family Feud, Holy Spirit Activate! It is so cute.

The God Within -it's not just a spiritual quest

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Do we all have the divine within? Are we different bandwidths of a great God radio? All major religions tell us that God is as close as our DNA strand. We are made in their image. We are God's hands and feet. What questions are scientists still trying to answer about the voids within each cell of our being? And what does that struggle tell us about the God within?

Clutch those rosary beads, feel into your inner light body, and dive into the deep end of empowerment as I explore the God Within.

Let's get into it. Oh, wait. First, turn on those listening ears and tune into your emotions. What does this make you feel? On the soul level?

Show Sources and Materials:

Nat King Cole: Nature Boy (Capitol Records, 1947) on YouTube

Yahoo News Story on Holy Spirit Activate! Craze

A Conversation with God (book one)

The Physics of God by Joseph Selbie

https://www.themindfulword.org/god-is-within/

https://sourcesofinsight.com/enthusiasm-the-god-within/

The Holy Spirit: (isn't this God within?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit

A brief history of the Holy Spirit: https://anglicancompass.com/the-church-and-the-holy-spirit-a-very-brief-history/

Liked the Episode? Try one of these NEXT!

Doing the WORK to Forgive with Author & Podcaster, Leslie Fear

The Phenomenon of the Human Soul

Sense of Soul's Shanna interviews Neale Donald Walsch

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Tragedy 30 Years Later: Arlene "Sissy" Brown

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0800

This one is not for younger ears, and is not for the sensitive. This episode deals with a true and brutal crime perpetrated on my friend 30 years ago.

I promise to tell it with love and compassion, to breeze (mostly) over the dirtbag that committed the crime, and share more about the woman he took from the prime of her life. (God, I hate that saying)

If you're listening to this on Friday, then exactly 30 years ago almost to the hour, my friend Sissy was saying goodbye to me for the last time.

I'd never see her alive again.

Every Presidents' weekend I think of Sissy and send prayers to the daughter that survived.

Arlene "Sissy" Brown will never be the subject of a 48 Hours or Dateline or 20/20. In fact, she was mostly forgotten in the Seattle-area media a few months after her murder.

This episode isn't about that crime. Well, it is a bit, but the true point of the episode is to share about the friend and coworker I miss, the spunky, smart and driven single mother I remember.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Ghost in the Machine: AI Truths and Lore

My AI Experiment

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0800

I was doing my morning minutes a few weeks ago and also thinking about AI. I'd brought up AI with members of my podcast network at a meeting and many expressed fear, and their ongoing attempt to keep a distance from this technology.

It got me thinking about AI, and how it is being shaped, more specifically WHO is shaping it. If people like me, that lean more into crystals and astrology than, say, an accounting ledger shy away from interacting with AI chatbots, well, that means other more innovative, science-based people are doing the bulk of shaping AI, right? Well, that feels imbalanced, a recipe for disaster. And it led me to do an experiment. Oh, and spoiler? An AI chatbot helped me create this very special episode of Curious Cat!

Let's get into it!

There's a special message at the 32:00 mark (about) that came out of my pen from the Universe. If you only have time for that, it's well worth the listen. Thank you, Universe!

Show Sources and Materials:

Be Free Where You Are by Thich Nhat Hanh

https://ourworldindata.org/ai-impact

https://eng.vt.edu/magazine/stories/fall-2023/ai.html

https://online.york.ac.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-its-impact-on-everyday-life/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/humans-absorb-bias-from-ai-and-keep-it-after-they-stop-using-the-algorithm/

https://hbr.org/2018/07/collaborative-intelligence-humans-and-ai-are-joining-forces

Liked this episode? Listen to this NEXT:

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Julie Jancius' ONENESS Meditation

You Are Here to Be YOU!

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Here's a confession. This week, I did what you're not supposed to - at least if you don't want predictive algorithms to, well, predict better. After I finished my YouTube yoga, a suggested video was queued up, a ten minute motivational speech. I clicked 'Play' and it was phenomenal. So maybe AI knows me better than I know myself because I needed that speech, it rippled through me, so much so that I watched it a second time, then a third and took notes.

This episode is the impact crater. Let's get into it.

Show Sources and Materials:

Art Bell Vault episode with Phil Cousineau

Joe Campbell when asked how to find your true calling or path said, follow your bliss. And by bliss he didn’t mean fun, but the deepest fascination of your soul.

And synchronicity is your sign that you ARE on the right path.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin - "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Another incredible article about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin by Open Democracy

Brene Brown talk from YouTube - 'I'm not coming as my Brooks Brothers-self to meet your Brooks Brothers self. I'm coming as me-I'll pray and cuss. If you want something else, hire another speaker.'

Julie Jancius, author and podcaster, Angels and Awakening - page 74-75, "You are here to be you!" "Your soul is made in the likeness and image of God in that you, too, are both creator and being."

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Mystical Synchronicities via The Higherside Chats with guest Michael Wann episode:

Ghostly Ancestral Journey with Special Guest, Deb Sundblad

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Today's guest is my oldest, dearest friend, Deb Sundblad. Our lives have been woven together since fifth grade when she sat beside me in the Mark Twain Elementary band. Through school, university, adulthood, motherhood, and empty-nest hood, she's always been important. Recently, she found herself in a journey only a divine, complicated, beautiful Universe could set up flawlessly. It's sent her down an ancestral adventure she'll share with us today.

Welcome to the show, Deb! How are you today?

1) Show Introduction

2) Episode Introduction

3) A Trip to Savannah

4) Family Rumors Substantiated

5) Redfin and a Trip to Ancestral New York

6) Promos

7) Mystical Synchronicities and Higherside Chat guest, Michael Wann

8) Ghosts of the Cemetery

9) What's Next

10) Episode Close

Guest Links:

Corduroy Notes - musical blog (be sure to subscribe!) with Insta handle of (@corduroy.notes)

Old Courthouses Insta handle is (@oldcourthouses)

Show Materials:

A Great News Clip about the Historic 149th Infantry

The Psychic Medium (and my friend!), Miss Molly Knows (book YOUR tarot reading!)

https://www.thehighersidechats.com/michael-wann-reality-consciousness-escaping-the-matrix/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Archivist - Anomalous America, Episode #7, Colorado

Mystical Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Last week, my eldest and I walked Red Rocks Park, best known for its world-renowned music venue. We found the already mystical sand stones to have another level of awe covered in a blanket of snow. As we walked near a place I alluded to last week with guest, Phill Webster, a place where the middle of a massive forty foot wall of red rocks tapers into a cave-like opening, I turned on the ghost app on my phone.

I've never seen that amount of activity on the app, and for a such a steady stream of time.

The voices we recorded? Some felt ancient, while one in particular was modern.

This exploration led to a deep-dive into a special place, not just for the bands that headline the gigs in its stone belly, but for the millions of years that created the grains.

Let's get into it!

Red Rocks - geolocation and geology

Located in Jefferson County, Colorado, a mere twenty minutes from downtown Denver, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is best known for its otherworldly outcroppings of massive red boulders.

Want to go down the ancient Colorado rabbit hole? Here's a great first stop!

Show Materials and Links:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Geographical-and-geological-setting-of-the-Red-Rocks-Amphitheatre-and-the-Dinosaur-Ridge_fig2_257780826

https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/lodaiska-archaeological-site

Historical Marker Data Base : https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=57641

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/6113/red-rocks-and-dinosaur-ridge#:~:text=These%20rocks%20were%20buried%20deep,throughout%20the%20Rocky%20Mountain%20Foothills.

https://www.amli.com/blog/ancient-history-of-red-rocks-park-amphitheatre

https://www.9news.com/article/news/history/heres-what-red-rocks-used-to-look-like-before-it-was-the-worlds-best-concert-venue/73-db6de397-1380-43bc-b1e1-18557ba8a0ad

https://www.westword.com/music/red-rocks-fun-facts-concerts-14496898

Morrison, too, and the rest of the Lariat Loop: https://www.lariatloop.org/morrison/

https://www.pbs.org/video/red-rocks-barry-fey-dyu3ys/

An epic promoter - the Rock Father - cannot be buried at his beloved Red Rocks:

https://www.denverpost.com/2013/05/02/managers-barry-fey-cannot-be-buried-in-morrison-cemetery-near-red-rocks/

https://coloradosredrocks.wordpress.com/author/jessemaclaine/

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Phill Webster on Instagram

Letting GLOW with Phill Webster

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0800

I had the joyous pleasure of speaking with author and actor, Phill Webster about his first book, Letting Glow. Our conversation meandered along a vibe-y, spiritual, and delightful path. I hope you enjoy the places we went and I am already looking forward to having Phill back on Curious Cat soon.

Guest Links:
Phill Webster's Website

Amazon.com (US) Buy Link to Letting Glow

Amazon.com (UK) Buy Link to Letting Glow

Barnes and Noble Buy Link:

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!
Raziel: The Angel of Mysteries and Magic

Reopening Your Intuition

Mind the Gap between Death and Life

Phill Webster on Sense of Soul Podcast (Ethereal Network)

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Vibing the New Year with Monique Pliakos of Innerstandings Hypnosis

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Well, 2023 was quite the year, wasn't it? Who better to look back AND forward with but my dear friend, Monique Pliakos. She pulls a card for the upcoming year from her dragon tarot deck, too.

Welcome to the show, Monique!

Guest Links
(Monique's details here - Innerstandings Hypnosis - blog and book a session!)

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!
Comfort Your Inner Child with this Quick Meditation
A Full Episode with Monique (and you can play an audio game of guessing which voice is hers and which is Jennifer's!:)

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

How do urban legends get started and persist? Article from Live Science dot com

Urban Legends, Stull Cemetery, and Dark Fandom

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Urban legends. Which one comes to mind first? Rumors about drug deals happening in areas where running shoes hang from powerlines? What about Slenderman? The urban legend that led young girls to attempt to kill their friend? They are stories that connect us. In fact, often it's the cousin of a friend's friend that we swear knows the legend to be truth. When did urban legends get their start? How do they spread like wildfire? Which ones are most prevalent in your corner of the planet?

I'll dive into all that, and explore one specific cemetery that's been impacted in a negative way from persistent urban legends.

Show Sources and Materials:

Modern-day folktales. What urban legends say about technology and culture from Culture8 dot com

How Urban Legends Work by How Stuff Works dot com article

Find a Grave Stull Cemetery

The Creepiest Urban Legends from Every State:

https://www.insider.com/urban-legends-us-2018-1

For all of you college students out there, or parents of college students coming home in the next week for the holidays, here are the top creepy urban legends from universities: https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/5-creepy-university-urban-legends

BoredPanda's List of Urban Legends

Top Ten Urban Legends and Their Backstories from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/jul/06/top-10-urban-legends-myths-james-dawson

Liked the episode? Listen to one of these NEXT:

Randonautica!

The Salish Sea Feet Mystery

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Myth of Unique Fingerprints - Smithsonian Magazine article

Celebrating YOU - Your Own Uniqueness

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:00:00 -0800

The other morning, I woke up to snow and filled my little journal with psycho-pop fluorescent snowflake sketches. Each flake was a unique configuration, it's own work of art. Fragile. Temporary beauties that melt away with the slightest drop in temperature.

We're like that. Unique. Unlike anyone else on the planet. Even if we are a twin. Even if our DNA strand is exactly the same. Our experience and point of view is one of a kind.

Why am I shining a spotlight on this? Because herd mentality has become all too trendy in the last three years. And hand-in-hand with that is a collective squashing of the individual. Yes, we're living at a time when everyone has the ability to put themselves out there - share their story - on Facebook or Substack or Insta or TikTok - you name it, but at the EXACT SAME TIME many are being shamed into believing their perspective isn't worth putting out there. Why? Because it is quote, too mainstream or normal. What a damn shame. I'm all about exploring the opposite of the norm - and that’s got me worried about individual voices vanishing.

Each of us is on a soul journey. We are all on specific and very individualized adventures. And integral to that is to remember and honor who you are, what your gifts and lessons are. And THAT is why I'm shining a light on celebrating YOU this week - Your Own Uniqueness.

Show Sources and Materials:

https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/myth-buster-no-two-snowflakes-are-alike/

https://psmag.com/news/why-fingerprints-arent-proof-47079

Five Reasons Why You Are Totally Unique (article) https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/five-scientific-reasons-why-you-are-totally-unique/

Read this article in full: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/21/politics/harry-enten-podcast-margins-of-error-ghosts/index.html

Article: How the Paranormal became, Well, Pretty Normal

Five Reasons Why You Are Totally Unique (article)

Forbes Article about Celebrating Our Individuality

Liked the episode? Listen t

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Crab and Sourdough: Making Room for Grief During the Holidays

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0800

During a recent car ride with a loved one, we had a conversation that led to them making some fun suggestions for a few "light" episodes for the run up to the holidays. I considered them, both fresh and sweet, and then consideration turned into clarification.

This podcast is a place where everyone is welcome, it's a place of imperfections, of experimentation, of authenticity and vulnerability, all in the vibration of love. In short, I won't pollute this podcast with content that wasn't generated by my soul or higher self.

The second A-HA! moment came on the heels of the first. What I NEED right now is a guide that helps me get through the holidays while grieving. I'm not sure if you need this conversation, or maybe someone dear to you does, but I offer it in love.

The Episode?

The logical order of this episode is to out myself for the strategies I've used or neglected to use to cope with grief - not only during the holidays, but on every day ending with a 'Y'

Here are some suggestions for what to listen to NEXT!
Holiday Survival Guide - PLUS Make Room for Lost Loved Ones

The Angel of Mysteries and Magic, Raziel

Manipulatives (aka LEGOS) and Mental Health

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now on Amazon.com

Love is Greater than Fear

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0800

My experiment to change fear into love.

After meditation, I was drawn back to an old book I love, Angels and Awakening by Julie Jancius, a course slash workbook on how to connect with angels.

I completed this course over two years ago, but as I read through the passages in the present, redoing the exercises in the margins, I saw the words in a different way, not better or worse, just, well the best way I can describe it is like watching a movie after you've read the novel. Deeper, maybe is the right word?

Julie Jancius requires that her students commit to a whole month of being in Oneness before they go further. Oneness is being connected to the all. It's the opposite of duality: me versus you, us versus them, you get the idea. Jancius asks for a solid month where students set aside -

1) All judgments of self and others

2) Negative thinking about self and others

3) Gossip

4) Politics

5) Thoughts of past emotional pain or triggers

Episode Links and Materials:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/how-to-get-better-at-facing-your-fears-according-to-science/

Deadly Connection, Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, S3 E14

Liked the episode and looking for what to listen to next? Try one of these!

Coexisting with Fear

Break Fear Loops

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Non-Doing by Paul Millerd

The Lost Art of Doing No-Thing

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

A few days ago, I went to a bookstore to find Lessons in Chemistry. As I walked past the non-fiction area, a book caught my eye, Eckhart Tolle's, The Power of Now. I haven't been able to put it down since. I'm writing notes in the margins and wow. Just wow.

Sewn up in a few words. Being present, living in NOW, is the key to living in bliss, being our truest self, and holding a constant connection to everything. Remember that sage turtle from Kung Fu Panda? He said the present is a gift. It is, but one that's unwrapping is put off and put off and put off.

I swear this relates, my guides told me some time ago that the magic is in the mundane. It was such a simple message, like the gift of the present, I almost overlooked the power behind their message. What is more mundane than staying present? It's as basic of a philosophy lesson/spiritual exercise as it gets.

Have we lost the art of doing nothing? Have we conditioned ourselves to skip the void between Point A and Point B? All is not lost.

Tolle sees being in the now as a perspective shift, a balance adjustment that can lead to instant change. Let's get into it!

Show Sources and Materials:

Lemonade.com article about why we can't get off our phones

Neil Gaiman Says Do Nothing! article

Your CAT Manifested YOU - are they Arcturians? YouTube video

What to Listen to NEXT!
Shiny Penny Meditation - to receive a message from your Higher Self about your life's path

Hey! Stop Taking Yourself AND Archangel Uriel for Granted!

Reopening Your Intuition

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Shiny Penny Meditation

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0700

This meditation was created and offered in love. It was created to bring your Higher Self and angel team together to deliver you a clear vision of your life's purpose. It goes hand in hand with Season 2, Episode 51: The Lost Art of Doing No-Thing.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Myth about the three Sister mountains

CASCADIA #11: Three Sisters Wilderness Area

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0700

Three mystical peaks in Oregon with a pool of freshwater fit for Satan himself to the south – Clear Lake that has a petrified forest perfectly preserved beneath its depths, and icy waters whose temp hovers right around freezing all year long, next Lost Lake that disappears down a deep hole, emptying it's mysterious waters to where? Some believe into Clear Lake. So damn strange. Then there's Devil’s Lake, a serial killer, indigenous legends and spiritual touchstones and more! I even close the episode with an easy Halloween costume for an area cryptid if you're still looking for what to wear. Let's get into it!

***This episode is dedicated to Marlene K. Gabrielsen and the victims of violent crimes, not just along Highway 20, but throughout the world. Let love and peace reign***

1. Intro
2. Three Sisters 101
3. Indigenous Importance and Legends
4. Weird Oregon Stories from the Area
5. More STRANGE Area Lakes
6. Promos for The Reluctant Medium and OctoberPod
7. Ghosts of Highway 20
8. A Halloween Costume Idea (thanks Willamette Weekly!)
9. Show Close

Sources and Materials:
Three Sisters 101: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(Oregon)#:~:text=Their%20ice%20volume%20totals%205.6,Sister%20and%20South%20Sister%2C%20respectively.

https://threesistersoregon.com/significance-to-native-tribes/

Great article about what makes the Sisters unusual and interesting: https://unusualplaces.org/sisters-oregon/

A murder spree that began in Sisters, Oregon with a vicious rape, and a victim who wasn't listened to by law enforcement. Ghosts of Highway 20

https://www.wweek.com/culture/2019/10/29/the-pacific-northwest-is-crawling-with-cryptids-and-not-just-bigfoot-heres-how-to-dress-like-one-of-oregons-other-monsters-for-halloween/

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Four Ghost Stories and Where's Season Four?!?

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0700

I'm not sure you can hear that in the background. The Seattle skies have opened up and it is pouring out! This is my favorite weather, a vibe that gets my creative juices flowing. If you are a regular listener, first, thank god for you. You are the reason I've kept at this the last month, this podcasting thing. In some summer episodes I teased Season Four, one that would focus on the alien phenomena, but would start at the beginning - the first sightings, the first academics that delved into studying the skies and oceans for non-human life and crafts, and go from there.

I'll give you the inside scoop on why I've put that season on hold for now. Then we'll get into some ghost stories. Slip into pjs, light a candle or two and let's get into it!

Fiction Ghost Stories
The Ghostwriter - written by Jennifer Hotes
Kane the Stone Man - written by Jennifer Hotes (link brings you to a great blog post I found about the statue at the Bishop Museum!)

Real-Life Stories

Crossing Over a Young Quarterback
Bothell Hell House Effed Up My Car! No Seriously!!!

*********************

The family of the young quarterback has filed a lawsuit regarding the state of the rental car he had, and also one about the man that hit and killed him. The quarterback is Ohio State's Dwane Haskins Jr. that was tragically killed. I think of him often and wonder how bright his star would've continued to shine in this life. I wish his wife and family nothing but love and peace. I can tell you from what happened to me, and then my soul sis, Monique, he is a strong force of good on the other side.

LOVED THIS EPISODE? THEN

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

(Monique's details here - Innerstandings Hypnosis - blog and book a session!)

A Family Reunion of Two with Special Guest, Monique Pliakos

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In the woo community, we hear much about healing our past traumas, or healing our inner child.

I'm no different. I've been doing the work to look back and face, then make peace with my past. It's been a journey of forgiving, both myself and others. I truly thought to meet my inner child would be a delightful, relaxing experience. We'd hug in my mind's eye, reunited. I've meditated to send love and comfort to who I'll call little Jenn many times. Those painful memories no longer hurt like they used to, so our reunion in the hypnosis session would be sweet? Right?

The short answer is kind of. But it was important. Hang with me and I'll share the journey. You'll hear snippets of the session, the bulk of what was revealed to me and how it has continued to heal and purge toxins inside my spiritual and physical body ever since.

Special Guest Links:

Fantastic Lesson about Lilith and Black Moon from Timothy of Rasa Lila Healing!

Show Sources/Materials:

https://www.derby.ac.uk/blog/the-history-of-hypnosis/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS EPISODE: Keith Linder–Survivor of Bothell Hell House Shares the Latest

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Sometimes after the interview is recorded, bits of important information come forth. Keith is an IT professional, obsessed with data, and that's why he took meticulous records of all that happened when he resided at what has been come to be known as Bothell Hell House of Ghost Adventures fame.

It's my opinion that the GAC crew did not treat Keith or Tina kindly, and were there after the big activity had quieted. If you haven't already, I encourage you to listen to the full interview and also read Keith's firsthand account.

Link to Full Interview of Keith Linder

Link to Keith's books here!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS EPISODE: Heidi Stock of Wise Wolfcraft...the rest of our recording

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Heidi Stock of Wise Wolf Craft is a special human, a gifted healer, and her episode blew the minds of listeners. I polished up the last few minutes of that original interview because there is love in the remnants that needs to be transmitted. We need more love these days. Less fear and more curiosity. Less hate and more raw, unconditional love.

In that spirit, I share the following.

In case you missed the bulk of this conversation, here's the link.

Made and offered in love. -Jenn

Intuitive Healer, Heidi Stock of Wise Wolf Craft Talks Reiki, Angels, Manifestation and More!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Dream! Dream! Dream! Season 1 Episode 12

Abundance, Dreams & Transcendental Meditation with the Sensational Seraphina Blackman

Night Swimming

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700

We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep. Do you buy the rote reason given? That it's when our bodies heal. And that's it. Not a very efficient pit stop, is it? Eight hours to heal the damage we do during the other 16? The recent addition to that is sleeping hours are when our brain processes, then stores our day. Really? That doesn't quite pass the BS test for me either. I've no doubt that's part of it, but does our computer, once we shut our laptops for the evening spend the next X hours processing what we created, wrote, edited, sent and designed? No. It did that during the working hours. Why would our brains be any different?

All this is a super long way of saying, I believe it's time to take an honest at sleep, or what I've come to call, 'Night Swimming.'

Great minds like Carl Jung and Alfred Einstein, Nikola Tesla, hell! Oprah, all have wondered what is really happening during our sleeping hours. What is happening? What the hell are we doing? Let's get into it!

Promos for Octoberpod and The Homewrecker Podcast

Further Reading:
https://academyofideas.com/2023/06/carl-jung-and-the-psychology-of-dreams-messages-from-the-unconscious/

https://www.famousscientists.org/7-great-examples-of-scientific-discoveries-made-in-dreams/

Enjoyed this episode? Listen to one of these NEXT!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Remote Viewing 101 on Wikipedia

Remote Viewing, What Happened to Pru, and Harm to None

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This week's episode is two-thirds teaching you the CIA approved method for remote viewing and one-third true, or should I say, Pru crime? I'm being overly dramatic, but the master class I took online to learn the whats and hows of remote viewing (or RV) was presented largely by a woman named, Prudence Calabrese. A year after the filming she dropped off the radar and her company, Transdimensional Systems, the single most successful RV venture, went kaput. I dug into the reasons behind this and found a documentary about it which is free on YouTube.

I jumped ahead again.

1. Episode Intro
2. Remote Viewing History
3. How to Remote View
4. Most Famous RV Hits
5. Promos by OctoberPod and Homewrecker Podcast
6. What Happened to Prudence Calabrese
7. It Gets DARK Pod Fam, Gird Those Loins
8. A TikTok Gal Unlocking Abundance with RV
9. Host, Jenn's Favorite Part of RV
10. Conclusions

Sources and Materials:

Gaia Article on Remote Viewing

Remote Viewing from Columbia University - https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_jan02srm01.html

CBS News story on Russell Targ

Reddit Post about Prudence Calabrese's whereabouts and the online RV class

https://www.dojopsi.info/forum/index.php?threads/whatever-came-of-prudence-calabrese.5079/

Crazy Rulers of the World - the documentary on YouTube that most say is much better than The Men Who Stare at Goats - it's the nonfiction version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXAgRMhts

https://historycollection.com/project-stargate-10-facts-about-the-us-government-psychic-experiments/10/

Liked this episode? Then listen to these NEXT

Reopening Your Intuition

Talking Intuition and MUCH MORE with the Blue Collar Spiritualist

Shadow People and Sleep Paralysis

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Gavin de Becker's Master Class (author of Gift of Fear)

Safe and Sound

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Late last night a well meaning and wonderful neighbor of ours sent us security footage of two guys that were walking around the corner of our property, shining a flashlight onto a concrete wall, talking with each other, going around the house again, and if that'd been it, I'd have assumed they were looking for a lost cat. But one of them flashed his light on our dome-shaped security camera and they quickly left the corner, then block altogether. We paused HULU, thanked the neighbor, then spent the next half-hour checking windows, door locks, turning on outside lights, recharging Ring cameras, that kind of thing. By the time I was in bed, I needed a palate cleanser. I turned on an episode of Better Call Saul. In it, a character with a young granddaughter spends the night on their hideaway sofa to keep them safe. I fell asleep dreaming about Pop Pop being on my sofa downstairs monitoring us through the night.

Why am I sharing all this? Well, because I have two draft episodes in the hopper, but neither is screaming to be recorded. When that happens, I know the angels and guides have something else planned, either a person I've reached out to for an interview is going to have an opening, or an episode will craft itself. This is the latter. Someone somewhere needs to feel safe, and I hope this episode gives them the ways to shape their days to be both safe and sane.

Show Sources and Materials:

Personal safety tips from UCLA PD

Food Expiration Confusion Cleared Up article from Real Simple

Link for Fruit/Veg Life Extending Green Bags: https://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Meyer-GreenBags-Reusable-Vegetables/dp/B00I4V1U06?th=1

Fantastic financial and online fraud awareness article!

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams

What to Bring on a Day Hike from REI

Ranker Top TEN Safety Songs

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

How Forgiveness Rewires the Brain with Vishen Lakhiani: (audio)

Forgiveness

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700

I hope you and your people are well. It's been a helluva month, hasn't it? I'm glad to see the end of it. Like a Clint Eastwood movie, my August was good, bad and ugly. It's consisted of some serious physical and emotional work and in order to not hide in a hole, but face the work, I painted my toenails purple. It's not a color I'd normally pick, but the wild shade helped me to focus only on the present moment, not let my brain drift ahead. I wanted to be present and purple toes were my gentle reminder to do that.

The good? We celebrated my mother's 80th birthday at a Seattle Mariners game. It was lovely and I don't think I've laughed as hard as I did while razzing my mom with my big brother Garth during the game. We all laughed. Mom said later that night, it'd been therapeutic. It was her first birthday without her partner of over four decades. After she boarded the plane for a baseball tour of the west coast, my priorities shifted to helping my youngest move across the country.

Part of the work I was doing is to help my youngest relocate across the country, and in the process earned my IKEA master builder's PhD. I wish that was a real thing, but it's not. What's very real are my emotions during this process. I've been an empty nester technically for two years but moving to a place I can't get to in a matter of two hours is different.

There's been something about the process of moving out for good that has helped my youngest assess her growing up times. I dont' want to speak her story, but I've been doing the same and as she shares something I did that hurt her or caused her pain, we've worked through it. That's a helluva lot of crow that I've eaten, and a whole lot more forgiveness on her part. I've had a similar process with my older one, too.

When past traumas were shared with me, it was my egoic self that made fists, fighting to remember my side, recollect my state of mind at the time, my justification of those actions or inactions. You can't see, but I'm shaking my head right now. I was pathetic. What a waste of energy.

Show Sources and Materials:

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/forgiveness

CAT Scan Study of Forgiveness

https://tricycle.org/magazine/power-forgiveness/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-power-of-forgiveness

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Blue Collar Spiritualist Episode

Reopening Your Intuition

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Full disclosure. This week's topic stems from a conversation I had with someone I love. I'm not naming them for two reasons. First, I didn't ask permission, and second, we have such rich, fantastic conversations, I never want them to think whatever we speak of in confidence is somehow fodder for Curious Cat.

During that conversation we spoke about something others have expressed to me, the fear that comes hand-in-hand with those first attempts to open up and strengthen psychic muscles. I'd like to share some helpful information and expand on it for YOU, offered in love. If it resonates, then I am grateful. If it does not, let it fall to the earth like raindrops.

Fair warning? This may feel like the speed dating equivalent of a lesson in intuition, but I did some deep journaling and serious pondering to reduce the information into what follows to make the best use of your time and attention.

Love this episode? Then listen to one of these NEXT:

Sister Irenita Episode

Monique Pliakos Episode

The Skeptic Metaphysicians podcast with Hannah McIntyre

Karen Rontowski's Spiritual Protection Class! (click for link)

Link to Information about Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy:

https://draxe.com/essential-oils/carrier-oils-for-essential-oils/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA #10: Mount Hood Is More than a Pretty Peak

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0700

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Special episode artwork inspired by the nifty fifties was created by @hotesdesign - follow Bryn on insta and cheer her on as her career skyrockets!
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Thanks for tuning in to CASCADIA. I hope you are enjoying our special season as we dwell in the misty valleys and ice-crusted peaks of the Cascade Mountain range. I hope your hiking boots no longer cause blisters and your knees have become accustomed to our hour-long treks together.

This week we're crossing over the northern California border into Oregon and switchbacking up the snowy heights to Mount Hood. Puzzling geology, home to a lodge Stanley Kubrick made famous, a place of at least one documented failed experiment, and site of possibly the best prank ever. Let's get into it!

1. Episode introduction
2. Mount Hood Facts
3. Indigenous History and Legend
4. Silent Rock
5. Reddit User Reports Mount Hood weirdness
6. Vesuvius and Mount Hood
7. Mount Hood's Worst Disaster
8. Midroll Promos - Paranormal Karen and Monique Pliakos
9. Best Prank Ever?
10. The plan for a gondola that failed (actual 1950s footage)
11. Oculus Anubis Temple
12. Oregon Trail Mini Road Trip in Our Minds (picture SpongeBob "Imagination!"
13. Show Conclusion

Sources and Materials

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2012/02/mount_hood_unraveling_the_myst.html

Basic Facts about Mount Hood:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/silent-rock

Mount Hood's worst recorded disaster:
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/mount-hood-disaster-1986/

On the lighter side...Is Mount Hood the site of the best prank ever
https://www.bradycarlson.com/the-guy-who-climbed-mount-hood-to-drop-off-a-morning-paper-for-his-friends-cool-weird-awesome-592/

Oculus Anubis Temple
YouTube on Oculus-Anubis Temple Footage on YouTube

https://drivinvibin.com/2021/10/29/oculus-anubis/

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/oculus-anubis-temple-or/

Like this episode? Then listen to one of these NEXT!
The Magic of Trees
CASCADIA #7: Crater Lake - Crossroad to the Below-World?
CASCADIA #5: Cascadia Sasquatch with Bigfoot 101, Dark Rumors, etc.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Kali the Wonder Dog on Amazon (US)

Finding Common Ground through Animals with Dr. Richard Sugg

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This week we are in for a treat. Dr. Richard Sugg is an accomplished author with 13 published books. His works have appeared in The Guardian, BBC History, Der Spiegel and The New Yorker. He has only recently ventured into the podcast arena with Dark Mysteries from the Secret University. He has a new book out now, and I've linked to it in the show.

***Full disclosure - Most of my audio editing time went to reduce the volume on the many places where I laughed like a hyena :) Also, Dr. Sugg touches upon politics three times and Curious Cat is allergic to the topic - because this show is all about the things which bring us together - but in the context of the story of his book and our discussion about animals being the great human mediators, I left those parts largely untouched.

1. Show introduction
2. Inspiration for the new book
3. How animals break down barriers between people
4. Writing advice for nonfiction work
5. Writing advice for fiction work
6. Writer's block?
7. A moment Dr. Sugg would like to travel back in time to attend
8. Dr. Sugg makes Jennifer cry with his reading
9. Show conclusion

Guest Links:

Kali the Wonder Dog on Amazon (Aus)

Dr. Richard Sugg on Twitter

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Love this episode? Listen to these NEXT!

Dr. Richard Sugg, Interview #1

Bothell Hell House with Survivor, Keith Linder

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Special show art by Bryn Hotes. Follow this dynamic designer on Insta here!

CASCADIA #9: Mount Shasta–Heaven or Hell?

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

As the summer continues to dazzle with clear lake waters and lazy hazy days, my inner spooky season fangirl is relieved that the days are FINALLY getting shorter. That said, if you venture out into the wild, don't get caught without a light source. The woods feel different when the sun dips below the treeline!

This week, Curious Cat CASCADIA ventures into the wilds of Northern California's Siskiyou County. As Weird California aptly states, "No place in America is the subject of as many occult legends and stories as the majestic snowcapped dormant volcano now called Mount Shasta." Personally? The place scares the crap outta me. As a kid of divorced parents, I was forced to drive past the mountain at least twice a year and when the peak was in eyeshot, I curled into a ball in the footwell of the backseat! Thinking back, to say Shasta scared me comes up short. It made my guts bubble, my heart pound fast, and my brows glisten with sweat. While researching Shasta for this episode, I've had a tandem goal in mind, hunt down the logic behind my reaction to what most consider a spiritual mecca. Let's get into it!

If you liked this episode, listen to one of these NEXT!
Bothell Hell House with Survivor, Keith Linder

The Restless Spirit of Sister Irene: Our Quest to Bring Her Peace

Show Sources and Materials:
Legends of Shasta:
https://www.exploringtraditions.com/in-search-for-the-hidden-city-under-mount-shasta/

Fantastic LA Times article: https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-jan-23-la-me-shasta-legends-20120124-story.html

https://documents.latimes.com/a-people-of-mystery/ (LA Times article from 1930s)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_of_Mount_Shasta

The Mysterious and Very Recent HOLE that Appeared on Mount Shasta:
https://www.kqed.org/news/11684091/the-whole-story-faith-and-fraud-in-mt-shasta

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mount-shasta-spirituality

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS EPISODE! Duality and the Schumann Resonance

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700

This one was recorded on the fly after I woke up thinking about the BANANAS Schumann Resonance recorded in June. It was like a weaving to me, weaving the pieces of fabric of us together into a beautiful quilt. That got me thinking about duality, specifically the imbalance between the time we devote to our meat suits versus our souls.

If you vibed with this episode, listen to these next! All made and offered with love;

Darkness and Light: Embracing Our Shadows

The Extraordinary Life of the Sleeping Prophet, Edgar Cayce

Power-Packed Lessons from 2022

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Courage to Rebuild with Regenerative Farmer and Precious Becca Dickens

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This week we have a special guest who embodies the essence of Curious Cat. She is a produce and chicken farmer, but she's also doing spiritual work which began with grid healing and evolved into world building. I'm not sure what all that means, but she's here to explain everything. She reached out to the show after listening to the episode, Mind the Gap, and I cannot WAIT to hear all she has to share. I'd like to welcome Becca Dickens of Regenerative Life Farm to the show. Welcome, Becca! How are you today?

1. Show Intro
2. Leaving Corporate for the Unknown
3. Unlikely Farmer
4. Psychic Gifts
5. Dream Work
6. Grid Healing, then Just Kidding, World Building!
7. Energy Healing
8. What's Next for Becca?
9. Show Close

Guest Links:
You can read about Becca's farm and energy healing work at https://www.regenerativelifefarm.com

A tour of their phenomenal farm on YouTube

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Liked this episode? Then you'll LOVE these:

Derek Condit Talks Intuitive Healing, Shungite, Sasquatch and More!

Mind the Gap between Life and Death

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA #8: Mount Rainier is Outta this World!

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This week we venture into the Cascade Mountain range just a stitch south of Seattle and Tacoma, north of Portland to Mount Rainier, or what my kids called Mount Reindeer when they were little. Mount Rainier is Washington State's Shangri La. On a clear day it is the unrivaled star of the Seattle skyline. The mountain has served as a sacred spot for ancient peoples, a playground for mountaineers, and has a history of high strangeness. First Peoples describe Mount Rainier as an angry woman, the center of many centuries' old tales. Let's begin with the essential facts.

Special show art by Bryn Hotes. Follow this dynamic designer on Insta here!

I. Show Intro
2. Mount Rainier FACTS
3. First Peoples' Legends and Lore
4. Creation of Mount Rainier Nat'l Park
5. Must-See Places
6. Midroll Break
7. The Curious Account of Kenneth Arnold
8. The Rest of the Story
9. Iceworms of Mount Rainier
10. Show Close

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Liked this episode? Here's what to stream NEXT!
Randonautica: Cool Adventure App or Portal to Hell?

Mount St. Helens: The Topless Goddess, 43 years after the eruption

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Doing the WORK to Forgive with Leslie Fear from Because I Wanna Know!

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This week's episode with the phenomenal Leslie Fear is only half of the story. If you are gripped by Leslie's journey, please take the time to listen to her episode with Pete, the Blue Collar Spiritualist. You'll have a front row seat to the healing journey as it unfolds in real time. Here is the link to that episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/because-i-wanna-know/id1523921573

Leslie Fear is an author and podcast host, as well as the most adorable grandmother, lovely person, and a sheer delight. It felt like we'd known each other for years. I cannot wait for you to find her podcast (if you aren't already a subscriber) and listen as she shares the interesting jobs and journeys of others with love, light and kindness.

Here are the links to all of Leslie's books!

Here is the link to Leslie's podcast, Because I Wanna Know!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Hypnosis, Reiki & Intuitive Healing with the Incomparable Monique Pliakos of Innerstandings Hypnosis

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Today we have a very special guest, someone I adore. She is many things, an intuitive healer, a gardener, a reiki practitioner, an artist that creates orogon pieces, and she is a certified hypnotist.

1. Introduction
2. Monique as a Child
3. Monique's Gifts
3. Reiki Healing
4. Listening to Your Body/Insisting on What YOU Know with Doctors
5. Show Midroll (Promos: Paranormal Karen and Innerstandings Hypnosis)
6. Hypnosis Training
7. Hypnosis Therapy
8. Past Life Regressions
9. Do NOT Discount Your Gifts!
10. Show Close

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA #7: Crater Lake - Crossroad to the Below-World?

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Thanks for tuning into Curious Cat's very special season three, Cascadia. As the scorching heat of summer continues, I hope you'll retreat with us into the musky wilderness, dip a toe in a chill alpine lake, and reflect on the perfection of nature. This week we travel south to a place not far from the California/Oregon border. Double knot your hiking boots, top off your hydro flask, then douse yourself in holy water or sage because this one is on the spooky side.

My first full panic attack occurred in a hotel room half a globe away from CASCADIA - but it was curiously part of Cascadia's legendary Ring of Fire. We were on the final days of a trip of a lifetime to Japan that included a visit to Disney's two parks - Disneyland and Tokyo Sea - which by the way was hands-down the best theme park I've ever been to before or since.

Okay, back to that panic attack. We were staying in a hotel on Tokyo Bay and somewhere around 3am I woke up, heart racing, sweating, gasping in enough air not to faint. Everyone else remained asleep, which was better than them freaking out along with me. Heart pounding, sweating, crying. I basically thought I must be dying.

If you've not experienced a panic attack , well I hope you never do. As the worst of it began to subside, I had an urge to press my hands against something ice cold. The best I could find in the slim room was a window. I sobbed, wiping my face with my pajama sleeve. After fifteen minutes or so, the attack had run its course.

I shared that in love, but also so you will understand how my body reacts when I am near two places; Mount Shasta and Crater Lake National Park. Now as we dive into the facts, stories, legends, ufo lore, and mysteries of Crater Lake, you'll know what I mean when I say I have a visceral reaction to this location.

Let's get into it!

I. Introduction
2. Crater Lake Facts
3. Native History of Giiwas
4. Unexplained Missing Persons
5. The Old Man of the Lake
6. A Ghost Story
7. Episode Close

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

David Paulides' YouTube Video on Washington and Florida

Facts about Mount Baker from Kiddle

CASCADIA #6: Mount Baker the Secret Keeper

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Have any deep, dark secrets you need to purge in a safe way? Let me suggest you take a trip to the North Cascades, specifically Mount Baker. Find a clear patch of trail and shout your secrets into the crisp clear banks of this peak. She's been keeping secrets for centuries. From ghost towns to missing persons to hidden Bigfoot lairs, Mount Baker would rather erupt than reveal your secrets to a soul. But, like usual I'm getting ahead of myself.

Mount Baker is also known as Koma Kulshan, or simply Kulshan.

It is 10,781 feet high and an active glacier-covered andesitic stratovolcano.

Mount Baker has the second-most thermally active crater in the Cascade Range after Mount St. Helens.

The mountain lies about 30 miles due east of Bellingham, Washington.

After Mount Rainier, Mount Baker has the heaviest glacier cover of the Cascade Range volcanoes.

It's volume of snow and ice is greater than that of all the other Cascade volcanoes (except Rainier) combined.

It is one of the snowiest places in the world, In fact, in 1999, Mount Baker Ski Area set the world record for recorded snowfall in a single season - which was a grand total of 1,140 inches!

Mount Baker is visible from Southern Canada and as far south as Tacoma, Washington.

From Kiddle - indigenous peoples have known the mountain for thousands of years, but the first written record of the peak is from Spanish explorer as Koma Kulshan or Kulshan. This means "white sentinel" or "Puncture wound" (i.e. crater)

The first governor of Washington Territory, Isaac I. Stevens, wrote about Mount Baker in 1853: "Mount Baker is one of the loftiest and most conspicuous peaks of the northern Cascade range. It is nearly as high as Mount Rainier, and like that mountain, its snow-covered pyramid has the form of a sugar-loaf. It is for this region a natural and important landmark.

Show Sources and Materials:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/history-of-geology/the-mythical-fire-mountains-of-the-cascades/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Baker

https://www.escapemonthly.com/top-5-things-to-see-in-mount-baker/

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.medicaldaily.com/shocking-life-after-death-proof-revealed-scientist-431744

Mind the Gap between Death and Life

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This episode is dedicated to Mike Prudhomme. He was technically my stepdad, but we lovingly called him Super Mom because he did all those sweet, cool, fun, awesome things we thought a really super duper mom would. I miss you, but will keep your legacies of loving (and sharing) music, sports, and being quick to laugh alive. <3

I have a new night job. I’ve been crossing the dead over to the beyond in my sleep.

Unbelievable, right? Well, today we’re getting weirder than usual.

We’ve been together a year now. Can you believe it? I’m grateful for every second we’ve spent together. I don’t know what this podcast will look like a year from now, well, maybe it will have conversations about UFOs, more sasquatch stuff, and other supernatural and true crime subjects. I don’t have the details nailed down. What I know for certain? Well, if I choose to publish an episode then it was drafted by my higher self, and offered in love.

Today’s episode is no different. I’m about to publicly air an ongoing conversation I’ve been having between my awake and asleep selves, no filter. Since January, as I sleep, I’ve been helping people who died cross over to the beyond. I promise to share the juicy details in the second half of the episode. For now, though, let’s begin at the beginning.

Recent findings about life after death
Reincarnation accounts
Native American oral histories of life after death
My new night job
A UFO witness admits he believes in life after death
Conclusions

Show Notes:

***Loved the episode topic? Listen to this one next! The Phenomenon of the Human Soul

*****Need a quick meditation? Harness the Power of a Near Death Experience in Nine Minutes

Reincarnation Commonalities Amongst Many Native American Tribes article: https://www.uniguide.com/reincarnation-native-american

A recommended article on Native American views on death: http://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/1726

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

David Paulides' Bigfoot Website with Book Links

CASCADIA #5: Cascadia Sasquatch BONUS with Bigfoot 101, Supernatural Gifts, and Dark Rumors

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Recently, I had the most incredible conversation about Sasquatch in the Cascade Mountains with Derek Condit. He is the shooting star that owns Mystical Wares in Mount Vernon, Washington. He has incredible healing and psychic abilities, and recognizes Sasquatch as a selfless healer (like himself, I must add). Our rich conversation was an hour long, and even after I stopped recording, my mind raced with more questions. That’s a long lead up to today’s BONUS Cascadia Sasquatch episode. Today, I’ll reverse gears for a second and go over Bigfoot 101, then share more about Missing 411’s David Paulides and his FREE YouTube course, and also tell some older stories that I found when I was backgrounding for Derek Condit’s interview. Last but not least, I’ll dig into Sasquach’s alleged supernatural powers. Let’s get into it!

1) Bigfoot 101
2) Supernatural Gifts?
3) Oldest and Recent Stories
4) Sasquatch Deaths Caused by Mount St. Helens Eruption?
5) How to Contact Cascadia Sasquatch
6) Best Ways to Preserve Tracks

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SIGN UP FOR Karen Rontowski's Spiritual Protection Class HERE! - It is a sliding scale price and she asks that if you cannot afford even the lowest price, that you email her with the contact form and she'll give you access FREE.
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Guest Links:
https://mysticalwares.com (find Derek Condit for a session or buy mystical products)

Show Sources and Materials:
David Paulides’ Bigfoot Classes on YouTube

Oldest Account of Bigfoot on Record?

https://sasquatchchronicles.com/the-oldest-account-of-bigfoot-was-recorded-in-986-ad/

Why Do So Many Cultures Have a Version of Bigfoot? From Live Science dot com ---

Man that spotted Bigfoot off of a Washington state ferry: https://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/mullis-rhettman-57768/

Some VERY RECENT Sightings near Bellingham:

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/state/articl

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

HOT ALIEN SUMMER CAMP

Blue Collar Spiritualist

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In the true spirit of, “As above, so below,” Pete, the Blue Collar Spiritualist spends his evenings digging tunnels beneath New York City, and his days boring pathways for others to explore the spiritual realm. Both jobs might invoke fear in others, require proper safety measures and adequate lighting, certain protective measures, and with caution and training, can be fruitful.

His bio states that he’s been practicing mediumship for about 15 years. He also does shamanic journey work and various forms of energy healing. With a job building underground tunnels under the streets of NYC, he brings a different blunt new perspective on working and connecting to the spiritual realm.

Welcome to Curious Cat, Pete! How are you doing?

1) Introduction to Blue Collar Spiritualist - Pete
2) Pete's night job - tunneling beneath NYC
3) How did Pete get into mediumship?
4) His key teachers
5) Pete's free TikTok readings - and what I asked
6) Midroll break - the fabulous Karen Rontowski - subscribe to her Patreon and like and review her podcast, Paranormal Karen!
7) Pete's mini-reading for me and how damn accurate it was
8) Spiritual cleansing and clearing
9)I bully Pete into writing a book
10) Sign up for the Alien School Summer Camp! Or take a class from Pete!
11) Show close

Guest Links and Show Prep Materials:

HIS PODCAST: Blue Collar Spiritualist on Spotify

Reach Pete to take a class here: https://bluecollarspiritualist.com

He’s on TikTok as BlueColorSpiritualist

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

CASCADIA #4: Sasquatch with Derek Condit of Mystical Wares

Fri, 26 May 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Cascadia Sasquatch is an enigma wrapped in a riddle, coated with fur.

If you streamed Cascadia’s Mount St. Helens episode, then you know I held back the accounts of sasquatch in the area that go back centuries! Battles between two ape men led to the naming of Ape Canyon and Ape Caves. There’s a slew of modern day sightings, too, including at nearby Spirit Lake. It nearly killed me to withhold those accounts, but I didn’t want to short change the subject. Sasquatch deserves his own full episode.

With me to explore this mystery is Derek Condit. He’s the owner of my absolute favorite store, Mystical Wares in Mount Vernon, Washington (online, too!) He’s also a teacher, an inventor, a healer, a podcaster, and soon to be author. Welcome to the show, Derek. How are you?

The Cascade Mountain Range is a Sasquatch/Bigfoot HOT SPOT. Derek Condit's store, Mystical Wares is in the shadows of Mount Baker.

1) Introduction
2) Sasquatch - Great Healer
3) Contacting Sasquatch
4) More Stories
5) Psychic Bonus Material
6) I Hassle Derek about His Book in Progress
6) Where to Find Derek Condit to Book a Healing
7) Where to Sign up for the FREE Weekly Healing at MysticalWares.com
8) Conclusions - Don't Worry; Derek Will Be Back!

DEREK CONDIT LINKS:
https://mysticalwares.com

***IF YOU LIVE IN WESTERN WASHINGTON, sign up for a haunted tour with Derek Condit!***
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SIGN UP FOR Karen Rontowski's Spiritual Protection Class HERE! - It is a sliding scale price and she asks that if you cannot afford even the lowest price, that you email her with the contact form and she'll give you access FREE.
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More Reading and Show Resources/Materials:

David Paulides’ Bigfoot Classes on YouTube

Oldest Account of Bigfoot on Record:
https://sasquatchchronicles.com/the-oldest-account-of-bigfoot-was-recorded-in-986-ad/

Some VERY RECENT Sightings near Bellingham:
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/state/article239605373.html

Mount St. Helens Sasquatch –
Home of Ape Caves, Ape Valley and Spirit Lake, of c

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Original Tacoma News Tribune newspaper after Mount St Helens erupted:

CASCADIA #3: Mount St. Helens a Volcanic, Topless Goddess (43 years after the epic eruption)

Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 -0700

This episode is dedicated to Grammie Donna, who would have turned 93 years old today. I think she'd like this episode and the description of Mount St. Helens as a topless goddess. I miss and love you, Donna.

To say I know Mount St. Helens intimately is an understatement. I’ve breathed bits of her into my lungs and nostrils. I filtered her ash through my ten year old fingers and collected cups of her for god knows what reason after her epic 1980 eruption. Legends about the mountain stretch back thousands of years to her human life as a goddess, tell of the men that fought for her heart and the devastating results. She is volatile, romantic, squatchy, topless, and some geologists describe her as antisocial. Geographic features near the peak are curiously named Ape Cave, Ape Valley and Spirit Lake. It is 43 years to the day when Mount St. Helens erupted, the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on her. Let’s get into it!

Mount St. Helens Basics:

Mount St. Helens rests in the southwest corner of Washington state, 97 miles south of Seattle and 52 miles north of Portland, Oregon. Prior to her eruption, she was the fifth highest peak in Washington and had a conical-shaped cap earning her the nickname, ‘Mount Fuji of America.’

In 1792, Captain George Vancouver named the volcano for Britain’s ambassador to Spain, Alleyne Fitzherbert, also known as Baron St. Helens, though native peoples named the mountain, Loowit, thousands of years earlier.

Show Sources and More Reading:

30 Fun Facts about MSH

https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/united-states/unbelievable-facts-about-mount-st-helens/

https://www.livescience.com/63505-mount-st-helens-location-explained.html

Great Native Legends of Mount St. Helens:

https://cascadiabioregion.org/department-of-bioregion/native-place-names-loowit-mt-st-helens

https://volcano.oregonstate.edu/native-american-myths

https://www.discovermthood.com/legend-of-three-mountains/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS MEDITATION: Strengthening the Vessel with Archangel Azrael

Fri, 12 May 2023 08:00:00 -0700

This BONUS meditation is a stand-alone exercise to cleanse, clear, charge, and strengthen your human vessel with the assistance of Archangel Azrael.

If you wish to dive deeper, then check out the Season 2 Episode, Azrael and Harnessing the Power of NDEs as well as Mind the Gap between Death and Life.

Do NOT attempt to meditate if you are operating a vehicle, or even walking. I need you in life, safe and sound.

Offered in love.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4JofmvsAcM&t=264s

Intuitive Healer, Heidi Stock of Wise Wolf Craft Talks Reiki, Angels, Manifestation and More!

Fri, 12 May 2023 06:00:00 -0700

This episode is proof that the Universe has perfect timing. Heidi Stock and I were scheduled to chat a month ago, but an illness in her family forced us to put the interview off awhile. Then, after her family healed, the perfect sliver of time became available. You'll hear little bread crumbs all over this conversation. We both offer it in love.

If you’re a superfan of Curious Cat, first off, THANK YOU!!!! Second, then you KNOW I’ve been in search of a Reiki Master to have on to teach us about this healing art. Well, it was a breath of fresh air courtesy of the Universe when I checked my Insta dms and instead of finding a slew of messages from shirtless men holding roses, or fake Zak Bagans accounts asking for money, or illuminati bots, instead, I found the most kind message from the owner of Wise Wolf Craft. Her name is Heidi Stock and she sells her products online and is a frequent vendor at one of my favorites of all time, the Pacific Northwest Witches Market. She is also a healer, a teacher, and a Reiki Master. Welcome to Curious Cat, Heidi!

Intro
Introduce Guest, Heidi Stock
Early Gifts - Family Legacy?
Reiki Master Certification
Going Remote in 2020
Intuitive Healing
Manifestation Kits
Where to Find Heidi to Book a Session or Buy Her Merchandise
Heidi Promises to Return to Curious Cat
Episode Close

Guest Links:

www.wisewolfcraft.com (schedule a reading or buy a do-it-yourself-manifestation kit)

Show Sources and Materials:

https://iarp.org/history-of-reiki/

Dogma – the movie Heidi mentions

Reiki Uses at the End of Life:

https://iarp.org/reiki-comforts-end-of-life/

https://reikihealingassociation.com/reiki-and-end-of-life-care-for-the-elderly/

https://forcesofnaturehealing.com

Sei-He-Ki-Reiki-Symbol:

https://reikiscoop.com/sei-he-ki-reiki-symbol/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86317629/grace-cannarr

Working the Puzzle of Grace Turner Cannarr with Special Guest - Kate Erickson

Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:00 -0700

If you listened to the Halloween episode where Molly and I told the story of a young, powerless nun from Fresno, California who’d been haunting church property for YEARS, then you’ll recall how our pursuit to understand Sister Irenita’s discontent went where we could’ve never predicted. All we knew when we set out is that her story needed to be told. And then we prayed we’d given her rest and peace finally.

Well, today’s episode is much the same. There is someone that passed away decades ago that came on the spiritual radar of my guest. Together, we are endeavoring to shine a spotlight on her life, in part to honor the dead, but also in hopes it will land on the ears of someone out there who has a missing puzzle piece or two. Join us on this unpredictable and jaw-dropping journey.

Superfans of Curious Cat will recognize my guest from our Christmas memories episode where she shared her unforgettable story. She is an author and blogger, with a growing list of publishing credits to her name including Chicken Soup for the Soul. Welcome to the show, Kate Erickson!

Show Intro
Guest Intro
Learning about Grace
The Obsession Continues! :)
Leaving Her Mark on History
Her Passing (and a soap opera twist!)
Missing Puzzle Pieces
How Listeners Find Kate
Show Close

Special Guest, Kate Erickson's Blog:
Blog Post about Grace Turner Cannarr
https://ithappenedatpurity.com/

Other Links to Get YOU Started on YOUR Grace Obsession:

Grace Turner Cannarr - b. 1889, d. 1951, age 61 or 62

Grace’s Father:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138580734/william-c-turner

Her Sister Lulu's Obituary!

https://www.advocate-news.com/general-news/20110127/compiled-from-the-pages-of-the-mendocino-beaconadvocate-news-by-debbie-l-holmer/1

If you have any new information or corrections, please email the show at Curious_Cat_Podcast@icloud.com

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River

CASCADIA #2: A River Runs Through Them (and it's called the Columbia)

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

I grew up in Eastern Washington, a stone’s throw from the mighty waters of the Columbia River. We waded on its mossy rocks to better view hydroplanes as they skimmed the surface, dove down to its murky depths for sweet relief in the scorching summer months, and once, I fished out a slick, algae-covered twenty dollar bill just miles away from the place where D.B. Cooper was rumored to have dropped his ill-gotten fortune.

I spent countless hours swimming, floating, boating, fishing, rock-skipping, and exploring its waters; even more hours running, biking, walking and in a few instances, making out near its muddy banks. This is the only river that crosses through the Cascade Mountain Range that was not born in its peaks. Paranormal experts find that water is a conduit to the supernatural, amplifying energies. Is that why the Columbia is rife with dark rumors? Let’s get into it.

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SIGN UP FOR Karen Rontowski's Spiritual Protection Class HERE! - It is a sliding scale price and she asks that if you cannot afford even the lowest price, that you email her with the contact form and she'll give you access FREE.
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________________________

Show Sources and Materials:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33170655

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/kennewick-mans-bones-reburied-settling-a-decades-long-debate

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-important-events/forgotten-story-spanish-conquerors-north-america-005391

https://www.wweek.com/culture/2019/10/29/the-pacific-northwest-is-crawling-with-cryptids-and-not-just-bigfoot-heres-how-to-dress-like-one-of-oregons-other-monsters-for-halloween/

https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2019/03/oregons-most-famous-mythical-creature-it-might-not-be-the-

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://hakaimagazine.com/features/great-quake-and-great-drowning/

CASCADIA #1: 1700 Cascadia Earthquake - The most epic natural disaster you've never heard of

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

Curious Cat's special CASCADIA series begins with the 1700 Cascadia Earthquake.

It is the most epic natural disaster you've never heard of!

The Cascade Mountain Range runs north into Canada and south through Washington, Oregon and into California. Sitting on the legendary Ring of Fire, this chain of 19 mountains was born in the belly of the Earth, a byproduct of the friction between the Juan de Fuca and CASCADIA plates. Three-hundred years ago the entire west coast of North America quaked. When the Juan de Fuca plate became unstuck, it slipped beneath the CASCADIA plate, and jarred an entire continent, devastating coastal communities, and forever etching itself into the oral histories of native peoples. Stories of a battle between good and evil, the thunderbird and the whale are still retold today.

That was over three centuries ago, and we know the exact time it occurred.

Let’s go back a moment in our mental time machines. The year is 1700. You are a member of one of multiple indigenous tribes that reside in the mouthways of streams and rivers along the North American coastline. It is January and though the sun was filtered through clouds for most of the day, it’s long since slipped below the horizon. The community fire is dying out. The young are rubbing their tired eyes and clinging to the laps and legs of their mamas. The community quietly tucks away, beneath warm layers to sleep. All is quiet. The scent of lingering woodsmoke, salty ocean spray and traces of the day blur into dreams.

Then suddenly the land beneath shakes and rolls. While some remain asleep, the shaking infects their dreams, but others grow alert thanks to the rush of adrenaline.
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_______________________

SIGN UP FOR Karen Rontowski's Spiritual Protection Class HERE! - It is a sliding scale price and she asks that if you cannot afford even the lowest price, that you email her with the contact form and she'll give you access FREE.
________________________
________________________
Episode Sources and Materials:

https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Tsunami-1700-Japanese-Earthquake/dp/0295998083

https://www.wired.com/story/the-long-lost-tale-of-an-18th-centur

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

LINKS TO TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION INTERNATIONAL HERE!

Abundance, Dreams & Transcendental Meditation with the Sensational Seraphina Blackman

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

My guest today is the incredible Seraphina Blackman. You may remember her from her guest appearances on Paranormal Karen, she’s a Reiki Master, Tarot Reader, Artist, Fraggle, and General Vibes Master of ALL THE THINGS! And recently she’s been learning transcendental meditation. Welcome to Curious Cat, Seraphina!

Okay, I’m cracking up writing the show notes because I wrote out questions before the interview but we vibed out the entire conversation, so didn’t ask a single one of the scripted boys. Ha! I guess that’s the sign of a beautiful conversation.

Seraphina promised to visit Curious Cat again, so I will keep the questions for next time so I can forget to ask them TWICE.

You’re going to adore her.

You can find all of Seraphina's links and projects here: https://linktr.ee/seraphinafraggle and her podcast on all platforms is Fraggle-ing with Seraphina.

Seraphina Blackman’s Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/seraphinafraggle and there are three levels, depending on what information you are seeking. Seraphina said that the idea is that you aren’t a Patreon forever because you will use these resources to learn to heal yourself now and forever after. Isn’t that refreshing and beautiful? 

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/vampires-europe-new-england-halloween-history

The Strange Blood of Humans

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0700

I had an odd dream this morning. It was about blood. And unseen psychic vampires that have hunted a particular human with a specific blood type to survive, or maybe increase their genetic pool? It was unusual. Near the end of the dream, I wrote an email to David Paulides, the man behind the Missing 411 investigations, books and movies. I asked him if he’d noticed a commonality in the blood types of the people that have gone missing. Then I woke up.

And I’d never even known the word, ‘hematology’ before the dream.

Curious, isn’t it? We are a species that has multiple blood types. Some combinations can cause problems, fatal even, and a special blood type has been named ‘universal’ because it is able to be accepted by all, but that’s not true anymore thanks to a newly discovered blood type that can only donate to its own. Are we the only species on the planet that has multiple blood types? What’s the point of this adaptation? Is it evidence of us being hybrids of other species? Am I reading too much into all this? Afterall, sometimes a dream is just a dream.

Join me to learn something new about blood, rare blood diseases, forensic science, and maybe even some vampire facts and lore. I’ll also share the rarest blood type on Earth with you.

Show Sources and Materials:

Blood Facts from ThoughtCo: https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-blood-373355

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/559256/why-we-love-true-crime

https://www.livescience.com/33528-why-blood-types-exist-compatible.html

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-people-have-differ/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-mystery-of-human-blood-types-86993838/

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/do-animals-have-different-blood-types.htm

https://www.historicmysteries.com/blood-types/

Ten facts about blood: https://youtu.be/FGFWImXRE08

https://www.bbc.com/fu

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https://www.spiritofthescripture.com/id4455-numbers-and-the-book-of-revelation-and-zodiac.html

Numerology with Brian Kukan

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0700

For the last year I’ve noticed repeating numbers. 4-4-4, 1-2-1-2, 2-2-2, and 555. They’ve driven me to the internet multiple times in search of the meaning behind the message. That’s how I first heard the term numerology. From the little I gleaned, it is a left-brained and right-brained science, marrying the spiritual with the scientific which is the backbone of Curious Cat! Ever since, I’ve sought a numerologist to teach all of us about this interesting subject. I’m grateful to have found the perfect guest to pepper with questions thanks to my podcast friend, Karen Rontowski! Here’s a little about Brian Kukan.

Brian was a high school math teacher for 13 years before leaving the profession to pursue a more spiritually-focused lifestyle.

Brian loves how numerology can help us learn more about ourselves and others and teach us how to improve our relationships with everyone.

Brian is also a Jikiden Reiki Teacher (shihankaku) offering classes and sessions in his healing room in Los Angeles and provides distant treatments for others around the globe. He is also a gigging bass player playing music all around Southern California.

Listen to the full episode and learn about Numerology. At somewhere near the 15 minute mark I bully Brian into changing his shirt. So bear witness to THAT at the very least!

Made and offered in love. - J

Guest Links and Show Sources:

Sign up for Brian’s Numerology class here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14198614&template=class

Brian’s website: www.LAreikiguy.com

Here’s the online FREE Numerology PDFs Brian mentioned: https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book//lookupname?key=Balliett%2C%20L%2E%20Dow%2C%20Mrs%2E%2C%201847%2D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerology

https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Book-Numbers-Enhance-Numerology/dp/1950253279

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Psychic Sumptuousness with Miss Molly Knows

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0700

If you listened to my bonus Halloween episode with a handful of ghost stories, then you’ll remember her. Molly Kasdan, or Miss Molly Knows on socials, is an intuitive psychic medium, a social media personality and a journalist! She also conducts intuitive workshops, daily reads and live broadcasts. Her talents range from tarot/oracle card readings, evidential mediumship, predictions, dowsing, pendulums, Ouija, paranormal investigating, spirit communications and mentorship. She recently added “Beauty and Spirit" to her resume because she generously shares all things beauty, fashion and self-care with her viewers! I’ve placed the link to her website in the show notes if you’d like to book a personal or group reading, or sign up for one of her workshops!

Curious Cat is lacing up their hiking boots this Spring. We will be exploring the rumor riddled Cascade Mountain Range, a land of fire and ice. From sasquatch to ufos to remote viewing to bottomless pits, to unexplained missing persons, if you have any supernatural experiences from CASCADIA, drop us an email at Curious(underscore)Cat(underscore) Podcast@icloud.com and YOUR story might be featured on a future episode! Look for CASCADIA episodes on your regular Curious Cat feed this Spring. Original art by @norasunnamedphotos - Follow the artist on Instagram and buy their latest merchandise on Society6

Guest Link:
Find all of Miss Molly's social links, blogs, vlogs, or book a reading here!

Promotion:
Witches Talking Tarot

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Bothell Hell House Survivor Keith Linder

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Bothell Hell House is a case that any fan of Ghost Adventures knows. Travel Channel rolls it out once a year saying it was "debunked" by the GAC crew, somehow legitimizing the rest of the year's episodes. It is my opinion that they treated Keith Linder badly, that they willfully ignored evidence, evidence that in past episodes they'd used and stretched out to make an entire episode, and I was glad to give Mr. Linder a place to share his experience.

Keith Linder is an IT professional, a genuinely nice guy, and was not someone that consumed paranormal stuff before finding a house to rent off of Craigs List. Curiously, when he phoned the utility company to add his name to the bill, the person on the other end of the line mentioned people had moved in and out of that house in quick succession over the last few years.

It was the first of May, and they'd yet to pop the cork on a bottle of wine before a child's laughter would invade their home. The rest unfolded like a nightmare.

Guest Links and Show Materials:
Buy the book!
Follow Keith Linder on Twitter here

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Hey! Stop taking yourself AND Archangel Uriel for granted!

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Take a deep breath with me. Breathe in fresh air down to your toes. Feel it swirl through your veins as it collects all that smoky, sticky energy that does not serve you. Now exhale. You may even cough for a few seconds afterwards.

2023 is teaching us to put ourselves first. Like the advisement we receive from airplane flight crews, it’s critically important we take a breath from the metaphorical oxygen mask first before we assist anyone else. That’s the lesson we have to learn, and master this year. Self-care comes first.

I mention this, because I am STILL recovering from a flu I got in December. If I do too much, forget to drink water or rest when my body is screaming to stop, then the illness tries to come back. Even knowing this, I slip up. I forget myself. Take myself for granted.

No angel embodies this better than Archangel Uriel. Haven’t heard of him? I hope after this episode you fall in love with this essential celestial being.

Uriel’s name

Well known to Russian Orthodox faithful, Uriel’s name translated to, “God is my flame.”

In the Gnostic book, the Secret Book of John, written by Zebadee’s son, and James’ brother, Uriel is said to be placed in charge of demons. He is the third angel named in the Testament of Solomon. He is mentioned in the Second Book of Esdras, found in biblical apocrypha in which Ezra asks God a slew of questions and Uriel is sent by God to instruct him.

In the Christian apocryphal gospels Uriel and his role differ depending on the source. In one, Uriel was critically important in the rescue of Jesus' cousin John the Baptist from the Massacre of the Innocents ordered by King Herod. He carries John and his mother Saint Elizabeth to join the Holy Family after their Flight into Egypt. Their reunion is depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks.

If you haven’t seen this da Vinci painting, do a web search. It will be familiar. Uriel is seated on the right, has auburn curls and wears a gray

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https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Crow-Perception-Emotion-Thought/dp/1439198748

Jenn's Crow Obsession Part Two - Including Their Spiritual Meaning

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0800

In early February, I had the joy of talking with The Corvid Corner from TikTok. If you listened, then like me, you might've been blown away about the intelligence, loyalty and cleverness of crows.

As I confessed in the opening minutes of that episode, I haven't always been a bird fan. In fact, I suffered my first panic attack inside an aviary at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. I attribute it to too much Alfred Hitchcock as a kid, and not enough Mary Poppins. During the episode, I meant to share some of my early experiences with crows and how my love has grown, but a virus hijacked my brain, so this episode is a necessary supplement to the conversation.

Soon after becoming a mother, my heart changed. I saw those winged creatures like my babies, as delightful parts of our community.

Show Sources and Materials:

https://www.uwb.edu/about/crows

The Funeral by Jennifer Hotes on WattPad - Read for FREE

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/uw-professor-learns-crows-dont-forget-a-face/

https://www.thoughtco.com/crows-are-more-intelligent-than-you-think-4156896

https://worldbirds.com/crow-symbolism/

https://www.angelicalbalance.com/spirituality/what-is-the-spiritual-meaning-of-seeing-crows/

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.learnreligions.com/meet-archangel-sandalphon-124089

Angel Brothers Metatron and Sandalphon

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0800

I had a plan for this week, but then received a divine intervention. Two angels came forward in my morning minutes. And if you know anything about me by now, it's that I listen when the angels tell me something.

Alright, so full disclosure, this episode had a second intervention. I was going to focus this episode on Archangel Metatron. As I was wrapping up the outline and gearing up to record, I was hit with a feeling that this should be a joint episode on the Archangel brothers, Metatron and Sandalphon. It’s a natural, so I spent another half-day adding deeper research about the second of those archangels. THEN I had a dream. And that my dear listener is where I have to begin this episode.

Sources and Materials:
https://kidadl.com/facts/archangel-sandalphon-facts-know-all-about-the-tall-angel-of-music

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/angels-and-demons/who-is-metatron.html - This article goes on to say that it is suspect that he is an angel. First, they say, because he was a human first. Second, they say, because he is attributed with qualities and actions only Jesus and God could have. Though, I have to push back and say that the most pure of heart Christians, the Ethiopian Christians, include the Book of Enoch in their Bible. I wonder if this is about their Jesus-narrative being usurped by Metatron/Enoch? That’s pure speculation on my part.

https://www.learnreligions.com/meet-archangel-metatron-124083

https://thesecretofthetarot.com/archangel-metatron/

https://www.alittlesparkofjoy.com/archangel-metatron/

https://www.learnreligions.com/how-to-recognize-archangel-sandalphon-124283

https://www.alittlesparkofjoy.com/archangel-sandalphon/

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Rosicrucian Order, Tarot, the Occult & More with Special Guest, Scarlet Darkwood

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0800

This week I’m happy to have Scarlet Darkwood on the show. Like me, she is an author, in fact we had the same publishing house until Booktrope tragically went bankrupt. After they closed their doors, us authors mourned, regrouped, and many of us have remained connected through socials. Scarlet is one of those authors! But, she's also in perpetual pursuit of knowledge. I can't wait to learn more. Welcome to Curious Cat, Scarlet!

Tarot, the occult, the Rosicrucian Order, you are such an intriguing person, Scarlet! Tell us about yourself!

Show Materials, Resources and Links:

Scarlet’s YouTube Channel with fascinating content!

Scarlet’s website where you can book a tarot reading, sign up to receive her blog, and more!

Information on the Rosicrucian Order

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https://www.edgarcayce.org/the-readings/his-readings/

The Extraordinary Life of Edgar Cayce - The Sleeping Prophet

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0800

If you listened to my interview with comedian and tarot reader, Karen Rontowski, then you have at least a cursory knowledge of Edgar Cayce – who was also known as the Sleeping Prophet and father of holistic medicine. I learned about him on an episode of the Art Bell tapes and ordered, There is a River by Thomas Sugrue, his only authorized biography, and immediately began to read it.

Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on March 18th, 1877, in his youth, after studying the Bible for days on end, Edgar Cayce says an angel appeared to him and said that if he slept, he could learn anything. He told his mother about the strange encounter, but no one else. Then as a pupil in the local schoolhouse, Edgar struggled to learn his lessons. When his uncle served a short stint as the teacher, he reported Edgar’s father, Leslie, what a bad student his nephew was. Angry and ashamed, Leslie hit the boy after he failed to learn his spelling lessons. Edgar then recalled the angelic visitor’s words. He asked his father to let him rest for a few minutes and the boy did so, sleeping on the spelling book. When he woke, he had his father test him and they were both shocked when Edgar had a photographic memory of the entire reader’s contents.

Show Sources and Materials:
Edgar Cayce’s Death: https://www.crystalinks.com/cayce.html

Great video about Edgar Cayce’s early life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoPvYGtNHlU

Edgar Cayce and reincarnation: https://www.edgarcayce.org/the-readings/reincarnation/

https://kirkpatrick.substack.com/p/10-strange-and-unusual-edgar-cayce

https://www.edgarcayce.org/the-readings/ancient-mysteries/seven-prophecies-yet-to-come/

https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/edgar-cayce-tales-from-the-sleeping-prophet/

https://mysteriumacademy.com/atlantis-edgar-cayce/

https://www.edgarcayce.org/about-us/blog/blog-posts/edgar-cayce-on-demonic-possession/

https://healthcareinamerica.us/edgar-cayces-nine-easy-steps-to-a-long-life-b865

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Mystery & Majesty of Crows with Special Guest, The Corvid Corner

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Full disclosure - I haven’t always loved crows. It wasn’t that many years ago when I walked into an aviary at Woodland Park Zoo and had a panic attack. Being shut into a confined space with birds flitting here and there called to mind Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, The Birds. I had to step outside and collect myself on a stone bench.

Later though, when I became a mother, I saw birds through the eyes of my children. We set up fairy houses in the yard and watched for hummingbirds. My first trip to Alaska sealed the deal. Yeah, we have bald eagles in Seattle. They sometimes circle in the skies overhead, but that’s NOTHING compared to what Homer, Alaska had in store. They linger on the spit feet away, perched three across on a driftwood log beside our firepit. They were glorious. It was after that trip that I began to take note of all our neighborhood birds.

During a stretch of brittle winter weather, a duo of crows looked at me through the patio doors. They were hungry. I began to feed them and they cawed in thanks. They would hang back on the gate and watch as I brewed my morning coffee. They knew after feeding my cats and dog, I’d sprinkle something nutritious in the yard for them. They knew I was a crow lover, but, and maybe it was the bird dog growling behind me, they never fully trusted me. No matter. I was head over heels in love with crows. Soon two became three. Three became four. The word had gotten out that I had a soft spot for these remarkable, beautiful creatures.

It was around that time when I heard an interview on NPR of two UW researchers that were studying crows. They told the story of a woman who fed them for years and the crows, in turn, left her tiny treasures, like a I LIKE IKE pin. I wanted my crows to bring me something, too, so I upped the quality of my offerings.

My love affair with crows continues to this day.

I found a kindred spirit on TikTok, The Corvid Corner. She not only feeds crows, she rescues them, and goes so far as to make her own suet cakes for these glorious birds.

Bear with my scratchy voice as I struggled with the flu during this interesting conversation with my new friend across the pond. We talk candidly about the birds that have stolen our hearts.

Please give her a follow on TikTok and watch her incredible, uplifting, and often informative videos there.

Here's one article about UW professors studying crows!

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IF YOU LIKED THAT

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Dark Histories from the Secret University on Spotify

A Delectable Supernatural Conversation with Author and Podcaster, Dr. Richard J. Sugg

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Today's special guest is Dr. Richard Sugg. He is an accomplished author with 13 published books. His works have appeared in The Guardian, BBC History, Der Spiegel and The New Yorker. He has only recently ventured into the podcast arena with Dark Mysteries from the Secret University. Welcome to the show, Dr. Sugg!

We were introduced to one another through the fabulous Karen Rontowski. She said you are interested in the paranormal and consider yourself a skeptic. I like that. Open minded and searching for answers as you observe the world.

Our conversation dives deep into poltergeists, spiritual activity, a very personal account of a recent paranormal experience, and even pivots into Joseph Campbell and the collective consciousness. Dr. Richard Sugg is an interesting and delightful guest. I made him promise to return to Curious Cat before we wrapped!

Dr. Sugg has a new podcast, which I’m crazy about. Called: Dark Histories from the Secret University – (JH) You’ve taught at universities, written many books, and now a podcast. What was the impetus to this?

Sources and Materials:

Dr. Sugg’s Podcast: Dark Histories from the Secret University on Amazon

Follow him on Twitter @drsugg

Daily Mail article featuring Dr. Richard Sugg

Dr. Sugg’s Books on Amazon

Further Adventures of War Baby by Mr. Mike Strange

Telepathy, Clairvoyance and Precognition: A Re-Evaluation of Some Fascinating Case Studies by Robert A. Charman

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https://www.amazon.com/Pluto-Evolutionary-Journey-Llewellyn-Astrology/dp/0875422969

Talking Astrology 101 with SomeKindof.Fae

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Nora is the dynamic artist behind the Curious Cat show identity. If you like the art, just wait until you meet the fae mage that created it. They're here to teach us about astrology. I am eager to learn.

All I know is my sun sign is Sagittarius. That's it.

Nora unlocks a new level of understanding for me with evolutionary astrology. Haven't heard of it? Well, just wait. It is a powerful sub-genre that provides each of us with a custom-written owner's manual to clarify this life down to the day. Use it to identify, clarify and understand your strengths and bring forward the vocations where you will find natural, undeniable success.

Show Sources and Reading List:
Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul by Jeff Green

The Art of Forecasting with Astrology by Roland Legrand

Astrology for a Better Life by Roland Legrand

Rasa Lila Healing Zodiac Polarity Workshop Recommended by Nora

https://www.instagram.com/somekindof.fae/

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Find Jay and Lindy Nelson, authors of Consciousness in a Nutshell HERE

Consciousness in a Nutshell with Authors Jay and Lindy Nelson

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Today’s episode epitomizes my favorite kind of conversation, it’s that sweet space where science and woo comingle. We are talking about consciousness, and it is becoming feasible that science, in my lifetime, or at least the lifetime of my grandkids, will unravel this age old mystery.

Jay and Lindy Nelson began writing their book, Consciousness in a Nutshell five years ago. It reads like the college textbook I wish I’d had, written in an approachable, raw, scientifically and anecdotally grounded fashion I would’ve loved. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

This delicious conversation goes from the underpinnings of consciousness, altered states of consciousness and how they rewire the default brain functions that keep us from making deep and life changing connections. We get into the tandem dreams I and my eldest had the night before my father died, NDEs, Joseph Campbell, and more. Take the time to give it a listen and look for the book wherever you love buying books!

Sources and Links:

Consciousness in a Nutshell by Jay and Lindy Nelson on Amazon

PBS Documentary, Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13347662/ (watch it on Amazon PRIME)

https://www.gilmorehealth.com/new-way-to-test-for-consciousness-in-humans-animals-and-artificial-intelligence/

https://www.gilmorehealth.com/researchers-capture-what-happens-in-the-brain-during-near-death-experiences/

https://www.gilmorehealth.com/zombie-genes-awaken-after-death-in-the-human-brain/

Jay Nelson’s YouTube Video on Causes of Depression

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Karen Rontowski on TikTok (soooooo funny - my favorite follow on the app)

Talking Tarot 101 with the Fabulous Karen Rontowski

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Today’s guest is a comedian, paranormal investigator, podcast hostess with the mostest, and tarot reader, the fabulous Karen Rontowski.

After being a guest on her podcast, Paranormal Karen, I asked her to do a tarot reading for me. I've never experienced one before and it was a sheer delight. I learned lots. That's when I asked her to be MY guest on Curious Cat and teach us all about tarot. From the arcana to the decks to the card layouts, my intention was to start our learning process with the fundamentals. Our conversation digressed from there in a way I hope you will enjoy.

If you're like me and can't get enough of Karen Rontowski, find her in the links below and support her (and gain access to secret content) on her Patreon!

(JH) – Welcome to Curious Cat, Karen! Did I miss anything?

Show Links:

https://www.karenrontowski.com (Sign up for a tarot reading, tarot class, AND join Karen’s email list here!)

Super juicy extra content if you join her Patreon here!

Curious about Edgar Cayce, the sleeping prophet? Check out his legacy here!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Power-Packed Lessons from 2022

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0800

These are the top lessons I’ve learned in 2022.

Yeah, I know. I’m a tad early in kissing 2022 goodbye. Thing is, I love looking back. I’m addicted to it. It’s clarifying. The waning weeks of a year are the natural time to review and assess.

This time last year I was in a very different state of mind. It was more a sense of bitterness, like I’d somehow been betrayed by 2021. It was supposed to be better than 2020 and yet it took my father from me and left me an empty nester. I was unhealthy inside and out. No doubt about it, it’d been a year of loss and grief on all fronts. Growing pains. That’s the label I’d give 2021. 2022 was a mixed bag, personal growth was part of that mix, but there wasn’t as much pain. I’ve tried to discern why. Mostly, I have been less reactive, more proactive. I’ve learned to stay centered. Ditching news really helped me have early success. Then meditation. Then morning minutes. Those have kept me connected to the glory of the collective. I’m like that thick-trunked oak, whose roots spread out below the dirt as far and wide as the branches across the sky. On occasion I’ll get sucked into a current events drama, find my hands balled into fists and my cheeks blazing with red ire. Thing is, I catch myself faster now. I cool off and reconnect with the energy of the collective and soon fill with love.

This podcast, has given me a reason to dive head first into expanding my knowledge, stretching the bounds of what I believe. I hope it’s helped you look at life, the world, other people, spirituality, nature, magic, in a different way, too. I went through my notebooks and racked my brain. After reading upwards of 40 books to prepare episodes, I had a lot to sort through, and this is the result.

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https://angelology.fandom.com/wiki/Gabriel

Archangel Gabriel (is more than just a pretty face and shiny horn)

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0800

If you’ve been listening to Curious Cat this season, then you know that this year I’ve been into angels. In fact, I’ve taken direction from my morning meditations as to which angel to research and feature next. Archangel Gabriel is one that takes my breath away, he is gloriously beautiful, dazzling, I can’t look at him straight-on. There’s a series of meditations I listen to that invoke the angels for protection and each time the narrator, Steve Noble, mentions Archangel Gabriel in the east I blush. I am working to feel worthy of his love, time, care, and assistance because it is definitely a ME thing, not a him thing.

It is said that Gabriel is archangel of revelation because God chooses him time and time again to convey important messages. He is also archangel of the moon. When you encounter white or copper tinged light in your dreams, that’s a sign Gabriel has been working with you while you sleep. He is also associated with the colors purple and light blue.

He appears in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament of the Christian Bible, and the Quran. He appeared to the prophet Daniel to explain the visions he’d been having. He spoke to the parents of John the Baptist to share the news first that their son's birth would be rejoiced across the land. He came to Mary and Joseph to share the good news of their son, Jesus’s birth. This is why many call him the Christmas Angel.

If you wish to master your emotions without repressing them, then turn to Gabriel. In addition, he is associated with water magick and the chalice is his elemental tool.

Other attributes? He’s sometimes depicted holding a lily, a trumpet, a shining lantern, a branch from Paradise, a scroll or a scepter. Archangel Gabriel might need a dufflebag to hold all that. The image of him holding a trumpet is one frequently seen in the form of classic Christmas tree topper angels and atop Mormon temples guilded in gold!

The episode dives into Gabriel in many world religions and also pivots to a soul conversation when we turn to the work of author and podcaster, Julie Jancius.

Made and shared with love.

Show Sources and Materials:

https://www.learnreligions.com/meet-archangel-gabriel-124077

All of Damien Echols' books: https://damienechols.com/books/

Julie Jancius' Angels and Awakening book: https://www.amazon.com/Angels-and-Awakening/dp/B08JJSK

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

A Christmas Story or Two with Special Guest, Kate Erickson

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0800

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. This will be my 53rd Christmas. My God! Time flies. My first Christmas memory is of reaching into Grandma Riley’s oversized cookie tin and taking out a perfect sugar cookie, crisp on the edges, tender inside, I savored every nibble. Those Spokane Christmases were my happiest. I was with my cousins and the house was overstuffed with family. There was Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Andy Williams playing behind the chatter as adults caught up over a game of cards or elbow to elbow at the kitchen counter preparing food. My clothes absorbed the smells of turkey and homemade candy along with cigarette smoke and hearth fire.

I share some Christmas memories in hopes it makes your holiday season more joyful. Huge thanks to my special guest, author and blogger, Kate Erickson. Find her writing at https://ithappenedatpurity.com/ and follow the conversation on Instagram with her here: https://www.instagram.com/ithappenedatpurity/

Have the best holiday season with the ones that make your heart sing. I love you.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.wysevibes.com/how-jigsaw-puzzles-can-help-reduce-stress-and-anxiety/

Manipulatives and Mental Health

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0800

Hello and thank you for listening to Curious Cat! If you’ve been listening since Season 1, first off, THANK YOU! Hopefully you’ve noticed a pattern, I only cover topics that interest me, sometimes it’s a veiled excuse to buy three books on a subject I’d never heard of a week ago and obsess over it for a time. This week though I’m getting personal. Trigger warning for any sensitive listeners, because I want to share with you the ways I found to cope during the toughest year of my life to date. I hope by the conversation’s conclusion, I’ll have given you some effective and positive ways to work through YOUR toughest days. I care and want you to know you are not alone. You won’t find fakery here, only a pursuit of real solutions.

Let me tell you about my toughest year – A time when Judge Judy and chardonnay weren’t adequate to get me through.

I’ve always enjoyed doing Legos, bright colorful pieces, simple instructions, cool final results! But in the days after my father was hospitalized, those plastic bricks became a lifeline of sorts.

This episode, I tell you the personal story of how Lego building helped my brain recover from difficult days. I researched manipulatives, or items that occupy our fingers, eyes and attention, so that the brain can get out or fight-or-flight-mode. It actually works!

If the upcoming holiday season has you feeling anxious and stress, maybe something as simple as a puzzle or building set might help you find peace and calm!
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Did you know you can LEGO-IZE any image? Here is the free site that does it. I used them to create the original art for this episode! (LINK)

Sources and Materials:
https://www.womansworld.com/posts/anxiety/jigsaw-puzzles-ease-anxiety

Study by NIH re: puzzlemaking and anxiety/depression recovery: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6174231/

https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-train-your-brain-to-alleviate-anxiety#neuroplasticity-and-anxiety

Show Links and Socials:
Art Director – Nora Hotes

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/fend-off-holiday-stress-with-these-tips

Holiday Survival Guide - PLUS Make Room for Lost Loved Ones

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0800

This week we are shifting into holiday mode. If you’re like me, the word, ‘Holiday,’ ups your blood pressure. This year let’s make a vow to put our mental and emotional health first. In that spirit, I’m sharing ways to keep and maintain sanity during this busy, expensive, exhausting, merry time of year. This week is a two-fer. We can’t do the first part as easily if we have loved ones that have passed on our hearts. It makes everything else, well, moreso. More tiring. More taxing. More everything. I offer ways to make room for our lost loved ones throughout the holiday season that I hope help you to grieve in the open and even find new, healthy traditions that keep your loved one’s spirit in the conversation and teach everyone that dead doesn’t mean gone.

Sources and Material Links:

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/tips-to-help-with-holiday-stress

https://mellowed.com/holiday-stress/

https://www.calmsage.com/tips-to-reduce-holiday-stress/

https://www.mysouthernhealth.com/how-to-carry-on-the-legacy-of-those-lost-this-holiday-season/

https://www.betterplaceforests.com/blog/articles/how-to-honor-lost-loved-one-during-the-holidays

https://inspiration.allwomenstalk.com/memorable-ways-to-honor-a-deceased-parent-during-the-holidays/

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

ACK Friday! Solid Options to Frenzied Holiday Shopping

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0800

Apologies for my hard shift into holiday-mode, but this episode is like a half hour emergency PSA. The sooner it’s out there, the better. My blood pressure climbs at the thought of Black Friday shopping. I can’t imagine getting up at 5am, then wrestling my way through crowds for a deal. It terrifies me. Could be because I’m short, or crowds make me anxious, or both. Yes, there are sales to be had and this year, more than most, we need to stretch our dollars, but I wanted to bring you some other ways to spend your time that Friday that might feed your soul instead of crush it. I’ll offer some ways to steal deals on those gifts you are determined to buy without the hassle of the crowds and while making the most of every penny.

I. Introduction
II. Origins of Black Friday
III. Black Friday TODAY
III. Black Friday Tragedies
IV. Alternatives to Shopping on Black Friday
V. Ways to Stretch Holiday Dollars and Support Local Folks
VI. Conclusions

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/360694/creepy-ai-generated-woman-loab-is-social-medias-latest-urban-legend

The Ghost in the Machine: AI Truths and Lore

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0800

I recently stumbled on a spooky Twitter thread about an AI ghost lady that kept appearing in one woman’s computer-generated images. Named Loab, she is a creepy, imposing figure; and I began to wonder if we might be giving this strange ghost in the machine substance with each web search and AI-generated image?

It got me thinking about AI in general. We’re told on repeat that AI is the future. Some fear it will wipe out most jobs in the coming years. Others are scared the takeover is already underway as bots on social media fuel tribal wars that keep us forever divided, you from me, us from them, etc. Remember that epic fail by Facebook/Meta a few years back when they unleashed an AI bot on socials and within minutes it was spewing racist, sexist stuff? I also found a brave whistleblower at Google who's since been fired. He had concerns about the ethics surrounding AI, feeling they had achieved consciousness, was it okay for the company to say they “owned” the AI? Or is this a new form of slavery?

Sources and Materials:

Definition of AI from IBM.com: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/what-is-artificial-intelligence

https://hyperallergic.com/760593/loab-the-internets-latest-urban-legend-is-worse-than-anything/

https://www.edge.org/response-detail/26035

https://medium.com/https-www-forbes-com-sites-serenitygibbons-2019-09/the-ai-conspiracy-f99728950a2c

https://newsroom.ucla.edu/magazine/artificial-intelligence-conspiracy-theories

https://paranoidechochamber.com/the-singularity-ai-conspiracy-what-artificially-intelligent-beings-have-to-say-about-the-matrix-and-the-finale-of-hbos-westworld/

https://www.indy100.com/viral/ai-robots-japan-conspiracy-theory-2658163334

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Angel of Mysteries and Magic, Raziel

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Archangel Raziel is the master puzzle builder. His name translates as, “Secrets of God.” If you’ve never heard of this mighty angel, let me fill you in on this powerful, supernatural, magnificent archangel. I fell even harder in love with him after learning that he is a fan us humans! He even defied God to pass on important wisdom to us. If you listened to my special Halloween episode where Molly Hudson and I relayed the story of Sister Irenita Zimmerman and the resolution of her hauntings, then you’ve witnessed the incredible power of Raziel the master puzzle builder. He was integral to Molly’s intuitive nudges, and filled in the holes of Sister Irenita’s story so we could bring her and Father Crowley eternal peace.

I. Introduction
II. Who Is Archangel Raziel
III. The Three Puzzles of Our Life
IV. A Channeled Message from Raziel
V. Sepher Reziel Hemelach - the Most Supernatural Book of All?
VI. Raziel and Healing Our Past-Life Trauma
VII. Conclusion

LINK TO ANGEL MEDITATION HERE

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS: Meditation to Heal Past Life Trauma with Archangel Raziel

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0700

This meditation goes hand in hand with Season 2, Episode 10: The Angel of Mysteries and Magic, Raziel.

In it, we ask the angel Raziel to work with us to heal past life traumas; those held in our past or the past lives of anyone in our soul tribe. We ask him to respect our wishes to know or not know what those traumas were, and ask for our own personal sign from him to indicate the work is done.

We will open our eyes feeling lighter, because that weight has sloughed off of our shoulders for good and close in love and gratitude.

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Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Día de los Meowtos - Day to Remember Dear Romeo

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0700

After a long, remarkable life, our dear Maine Coon, Romeo, crossed the rainbow bridge. He still had some magic left to share, though, after he passed. Cry along with me, and laugh, as I tell you about one fantastic, lovable cat.

***A special note***
Yesterday I picked up Cooper dog and Opal cat from the kennel after two days of care at Paradise Pet Lodge. The staff there has taken care of our beloved pets whenever we travel with such love and kindness, so they'd known Romeo his whole life. As I was picking up the pets, they hugged me and asked how our family was doing with the loss of Romeo. They, too, had mourned his passing. The entire staff eulogized him in a staff meeting the week he died. I cried as they shared what he'd meant to all of them. Romeo was the perfect name for that loving boy. He was unique and touched many lives. Thank you to every hand that nurtured, fed, cared for, petted, and loved him. Thank you for seeing the glorious wildness in his dazzling green eyes.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Miss Molly Knows on YouTube

Halloween Bonus Episode! Six Spook-tacular Ghost Stories

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 19:00:00 -0700

Brew a cup of apple cider, light a candle, dim the lights, and listen beneath the blankets to six incredible, true, spooky, supernatural tales.

Huge thanks to my two special guests. Please find them on socials and follow their work. They are ones to watch!

Guest Contacts:
Kellie from TANGLEPOD – www.tanglepod.com (to listen to her podcast)
TANGLEPOD on Instagram

Miss Molly Knows – www.missmollyknows.com (to take a class or book a reading)
Miss Molly Knows on Instagram

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23634573/mary-irenita-zimmerman

HALLOWEEN EPISODE! The Restless Spirit of Sister Irenita: Our Quest to Bring Her Peace

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0700

This is a true story that begins in 1931 and is still developing as we live and breathe. You will learn about a woman who served God and died too early. Her service and devotion to God and St. Joseph was almost eclipsed by her friend Father John J. Crowley, also known as the Padre of the Desert, a larger-than-life servant of the Catholic Church. Their stories are forever intertwined and with the help of special guest, Molly Hudson, we will share what happened to us after I mentioned Sister Irenita in Curious Cat Episode 14: Cemeteries. Woo. It's a doozy.

If you'd like to research their lives and fill in the gaps for yourself about what may have kept Sister Irenita discontent, haunting the St. Johns Cathedral and property for 91 years, please have a read.

This episode was recorded and is shared with the sole hope of wishing eternal peace and love to Sister Irenita Zimmerman and Father John J. Crowley. May they rest in peace.

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IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, LISTEN TO THIS ONE NEXT!
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Additional Reading Materials:

https://kingsriverlife.com/12/18/holy-ghost-the-haunting-of-st-johns-cathedral/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6881274/john-j-crowley

https://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1576

Link to California’s God Episode 110 – Wedding of the Waters https://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/1999/08/12/71

Additional Links:

https://www.stjohnsfresno.org

https://califolk.blogspot.com/2007/11/incorruptible-sister-irenita.html

https://www.ghostlyworld.org/tag/sister-irenita/

https://kingsriverlife.com/12/18/holy-ghost-the-haunting-of-st-johns-cathedral/

“Listening In.” Denver Catholic Register, Thursday, Aug. 13, 1931, p. 4. https://ar

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://news.gallup.com/poll/2440/One-Four-Americans-Superstitious.aspx

Omens, Superstitions & Everyday Spells

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0700

This week we are talking about everyday magic, the rituals and superstitions that are so ingrained in the everyday they are nearly invisible! Let’s get into it!

As I put my socks on for this morning’s run, I realized I do this a certain way because of a superstition I hold. I put on both socks, then both shoes before taking a single step. Even if the fire alarm went off, I wouldn’t budge. I’m not sure where I picked up this superstition that walking with only one sock on will cause a death in the family, but I live it. There are a myriad of others I have woven into my life. I always stir my morning coffee clockwise so that I imbue the brew with good luck for the day to come. I have a horseshoe hanging in the entryway of my home, there are others, too. Maybe I’d have some shame about my beliefs, except it seems I’m in good company.

According to a YouGov study conducted September 2019, 69% of Americans self-report being somewhat to very superstitious. An older Gallup poll from 1996 says that 25% of Americans acknowledge they were very or somewhat superstitious; up 18% from 1990. This, regardless of advances in science and technology! I wonder how high the number would be after 2020? One thing that’s clear is that YOUNGER people tend to be MORE superstitious than older folks.

Sources and Materials:
https://www.statista.com/chart/21052/superstitious-unlucky-friday-13/

https://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-people-believes-in-superstitions?share=1

https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/how-superstitions-spread

https://www.thethings.com/heres-why-fans-think-the-glee-cast-is-still-cursed/

https://performerstuff.com/mgs/10-theatre-superstitions-and-where-they-come-from/

https://www.yourtango.com/self/common-superstitions-from-around-world-people-believe

https://www.psychologytoday.c

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS: Water Meditation

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700

This quick meditation was inspired by the Water Magick episode. Made with love, it is meant to flush out the negative, make room for the positive, and help us to adjust to change like water and go with the flow.

Huge thanks to my audio engineer for making this sound lovely!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Four Ways to Connect with Archangel Azrael

Azrael the Angel of Death & Harnessing the Power of NDEs

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0700

I have a routine that I only just started a month or so ago. It’s called, “Morning Papers.” After the pets are fed, I sit with my coffee and do a quick two-minute meditation that gets me into Oneness with God and the Universe. I ask, “What do you need me to know or do today?” Then I listen. This particular morning I received, “Look up Azrael. Study and learn. L-O-V-E is the key. LISTEN! OBSERVE! VERIFY! ENACT! I misspelled Azrael, but an internet search for him turned up Archangel Azreal.

He is known as the Angel of Death, but he encompasses quite a bit more than that!

As the Angel of Death, he accompanies people as they cross from the physical world to the spiritual world. Some have called him the Grim Reaper. But, he does NOT cause death. In fact, he has nothing to do with that part of our human experience.

Azrael is the ferryman, the guide, and the protector.

When the deceased is ready, Azrael oversees their life review with them.

A secret I was unaware of until now is that Azrael is available to do life reviews for us at any time! Put a bookmark on that thought. I promise, I’ll dive deeper into soon.

***Don't forget to try the Death Meditation I posted

Sources and Materials
Lessons of an NDE without having an NDE with Brian D. Smith

International Association for Near-Death Studies, Inc.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/near-death-experiences

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1657724/doctor-rajiv-parti-glimpses-the-afterlife-during-astonishing-near-death-experience/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4713871/when-you-die-you-know-youre-dead-terrifying-study-reveals/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2MlSPBVIB5E

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30524512/

https://lifeafterlife.com/blog/meditation-induced-ndes/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=55jINRT-pNI

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://www.thoughtco.com/water-chemistry-facts-and-properties-609401

Water Magick

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Water is considered one of FOUR SACRED ELEMENTS – included with water are EARTH, AIR, and FIRE. Water energy represents PURITY, FLUIDITY, and HARMONY; it can dilute, heal, cleanse, and calm. It's unique chemistry is the ultimate world-builder. There are sacred bodies of water, legendary waters, and those forbidden from consumption.

Fill your hydroflask, then join me for a deep dive into the magic of water!

Sources and Materials:
https://www.thewholesomewitch.com/water-magick-correspondence-rituals/

https://shirleytwofeathers.com/The_Blog/magickal-ingredients/the-magick-of-water/

https://growingperson.com/water-consciousness-dr-masaru-emotos-water-experiment/

The Great Mystery of Water Movie on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/8x-5Ch6Rb_E

https://www.healyourlife.com/sacred-water-sites-around-the-world

https://pyramidlake.us

Story of Stone Mother, whose tears filled the lake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35LbIHkDlgM

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Afraid to Sleep by Loren W. Christensen

Shadow People & Sleep Paralysis

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Imagine you’re snuggled into bed, glass of water by your side, book in hand, phone on vibrate. Something across the room catches your eye. Movement, fast, a blur. Then you make out a distinct human shaped shadow move past the far wall. Was it a person? But no one else is home. Could it have been your imagination? Was it a ghost? Chances are it was another encounter with a spreading phenomenon – apparitions that’ve come to be known as shadow people or shadow beings. Go on TikTok or Instagram and you’ll see what I mean about widespread! Why has the occurrence become so common as of late? Is it because experiencers are less stigmatized and ostracized so they are telling their stories more often? Could be. Or are these shadow beings somehow connected with the collective consciousness and the tumultuous times since March 2020 have been a perfect Petri dish to create many more shadow people? We will also dive into the strange link between shadow people and sleep paralysis!

In the episode I also tell you about the recent Jinn sighting I had at the grocery store. I kid you not.

SOURCES AND MATERIALS:

https://www.liveabout.com/shadow-people-2596772

https://www.bustle.com/life/what-are-shadow-people-these-supernatural-entities-are-scarier-than-any-horror-movie-12219528

https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Shadows-Complete-Shadow-People-ebook/dp/B08339SC8F/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1658265920&sr=8-1

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201307/shadow-people

https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2018/12/taking-a-look-at-the-djinn/

https://www.psychokinesispowers.com/shadow-people

https://otherworldlyoracle.com/shadow-people-hat-man/

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleep-paraly

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS - Death Meditation

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0700

A special mini bonus episode, it is the perfect companion to any of the Season One episodes, or Season 2, Episode 6 where we talk about Azrael and the power of harnessing near-death experiences.

Here, I offer a quick mediation inviting Azrael, the Angel of Death, to transfigure our fear of death into love and curiosity. Then, we ask him to do a life review for us NOW; walk us backward from now through the years of our life. We ask him to hold our hand when we encounter painful memories or times we are most afraid. We ask him to forgive our past selves for the mistakes we made along the way. We close by asking him to tell us what he wants us to know, promising to listen in the hours to come for his answers.

***Please only meditate when you are in a safe place, not behind the wheel of any vehicle.

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

http://lunasgrimoire.com/history-of-angels/

Angels, Angel Magick & Aliens?!?!

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0700

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Angels?’ Sweet strains of harp music? White feathered wings stretching out from behind a bare-chested man with six-pack abs? Angels pre-date Christianity. In fact, every ancient civilization holds a belief in angels. Most people consider angels protectors, blessings to our lives, benevolent helpers of humanity; but do they have a darkside? There’s a great man I’d like you to know about, who used angel magick to survive death row, where he was wrongly convicted and held for many years. I’ll share his story with you. Finally, angels are depicted in a myriad of ways, but one of the most disturbing comes in the form of art based on accurate biblical descriptions. Looking more like creatures from sci-fi movies like Alien, than romance novel covers. Speaking of aliens, there’s a group of scholars that are questioning whether angels are actually aliens! Let’s get into it!

Sources and Materials:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/111223-christmas-angels-evolution-science-history-christianity

https://www.grunge.com/297302/this-is-what-angels-really-looked-like-in-the-bible/

https://mymodernmet.com/angel-art-history/

https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2017/12/11/christian-adaptation-of-pagan-iconography/

https://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vida_alien/alien_watchers14.htm

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/west-memphis-three-documentaries-damien-echols-jason-baldwin-jessie-misskelley-paradise-lost-hbo-a9498786.html

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Overview of Randonautica on WikiWands

Randonautica: Build-Your-Adventure-App or Portal to Hell?

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Have you ever heard of the phone app, Randonautica? It’s a create-your-own-adventure-meets-Magic-8-Ball kind of experience. Open the app, set an intention, and the app generates a random place. You walk, bike or drive there and the final destination will match your intention. YouTube has countless videos, some fake, others real, documenting the experiences of Randonauters. Some raise the hair on the back of your neck, others are life-affirming, while a couple have led to homicide detectives being called. All of that and more have lent an urban legend type status to Randonautica. I downloaded the app and gave it a try. From the inspiration behind its creation, to the polarizing founder, to the random number generator used, to the mystical element of setting an intention before you hit the discover button to influence the final destination, let’s get into it!

Sources and Materials:

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/teens-filming-a-tiktok-find-dead-body-in-suitcase-after-using-popular-exploring-app-randonautica

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/what-s-randonautica-and-why-is-it-so-popular/story

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/07/randonautica-app-tiktok-body-reddit-quantum/614401/

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/project-stargate.html?safari=1

https://www.qualtrics.com/brand-experience/ai-marketing-research/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/daniellaemanuel/randonautica-weirdest-experiences

https://psychologycorner.com/randonautica-a-dark-phenomenon-predictive-of-a-dangerous-future-adventure-game-analysis/

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State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

https://coolinterestingstuff.com/the-strange-salish-sea-foot-mystery

Mystery of the Salish Feet

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Season Two kicks off with a mystery that’s been speculated about across the globe for a handful of years, and has been allegedly solved by a doctor on TikTok. There’s a dedicated Wikipedia page, compelling Vox article, whose phenomenon is helping to solve a strange case in Australia, and begins a stone’s throw away from my corner of Washington state.

I’ve been compelled to track this mystery since the first foot washed up on the shores of a Canadian island fifteen years ago. Recently, though, when a doctor professed to solve the mystery once and for all on TikTok, I still scratched my head. Even today, when I googled the Salish Feet Mystery, my stomach hurt thinking of the people, maybe as many as 21 as of this recording, who passed away and part of them washed up on the coastlines of Washington state and British Columbia. These are real people that lived and died, and in all other tellings of it, that’s been missed. That’s why I felt I needed to tell their story.

There’s a cluster of picture-perfect islands just a hair west of Washington state, the shape of breadfruit. One glance at the map and your brain fits the chain of islands into the greater land mass like a missing puzzle piece. Known as the Gulf Islands, they broke apart and drifted into what is now the Salish Sea, the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The islands are lush with old growth evergreens, wildflowers, high cliffs, sandy bluffs, inlets, and wide-open meadows. They hold secrets, too; abandoned homesteads, forgotten campgrounds, even the remnants of one long-forgotten cult whose leader died with the knowledge of where he’d buried gold coins buried in Mason jars. That cult leader is Brother XII and the place that may still hide the treasure is Valdes Island...

Sources and Materials:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salish_Sea_human_foot_discoveries

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/human-foot-found-in-shoe-on-vancouver-island-beach/(article after 13th foot found)

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/18/16777724/human-feet-beach-pacific-northwest-seattle-vancouver

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

What's Beneath Our Feet?

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Decades ago my big brother attended a conference at the University of Toronto in the dead of winter. He told me about their extensive tunnel system that connects the city and university, sparing people from having to walk above ground in the sub-zero climes. As young kids whenever we traveled over the Cascade Mountains, we begged Mom to take us on the Underground Seattle tour. From the Catacombs of Paris to rumors of underground alien bases to a town built beneath Umatilla, Oregon where immigrants were sequestered after sunset because of racist laws of old, I’m hooked. What else lies beneath our feet?

This week we'll explore a cross-section of earth beneath bustling NYC then explore other secrets beneath the surface across the globe. By the episode's conclusion, I hope you discover a curiosity for what exists beneath your feet!

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Eye of the Storm

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0700

The eye of the storm is eerily calm. In these tumultuous times, we need to fight our way to the center of the storm; preserve our souls from the chaos.

Live like you’re dying, except you aren’t. You are living with intention. It’s finding and remaining in that calm, steady eye of the storm seat as the world around us erupts in chaos. It is keeping the peace within, which is good for us as well as our families and communities.

https://www.powerofpositivity.com/7-ways-to-discover-peace-in-a-crazy-world/

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Stones - from the legendary to the cursed to the ones falling from the sky

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Stones. They can be the ultimate precious treasure or most dire punishment. They can be cursed or blessed, bring luck or fortune, found in the bellies of goats or on long stretches of beach. Odds are you are wearing a stone, whether as a symbol of eternal love or as a protection, or simply because it is pretty against your skin.

I became interested in stones while I was writing my YA trilogy, the Josie Jameson series, which is about witches that derived their magic from stones imbedded in their hearts. Interested is too light a word, obsessed is more accurate. Cursed stones; mythical stones; magical stones; properties; enchantments; stone lore and legends. Every culture on the planet has stories of stones that have come to life, endowed someone with power, predicate the end of the world if they are harmed; mark the entrance to a sacred place or portal to another world, and more.

I'll share some facts and tales of high strangeness. Hopefully when we part, you’ll never look at stones the same way again.

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Phenomenon of the Human Soul

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Today we are talking about the phenomenon that is the human soul and I’d like to begin with an observation. As a species, we humans aren’t so good at dealing with things we cannot touch or measure, are we? I found a list on Listverse of the top ten images of invisible things.

I’m struck with how many of them weren’t visible until technology caught up to the point we were able to capture these once thought invisible phenomenon. How is the soul any different? Chances are if you’re a listener, I’m preaching to the choir. But we are witnessing a time when doctors and scientists are becoming comfortable with the unseen, largely agreeing that the human conscience is real and that we are only now finding ways to document and study it further.

This episode will cover the inception of naming a soul, the search to define the soul, the science behind proving a soul exists, the dark night of the soul, and more!

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

https://seekerproject4se.org/2022/03/24/what-is-the-soul-does-the-soul-exist-proofs-for-the-human-spirit/

Sources and Materials:

Listverse’s Top Ten Things that are Invisible: https://listverse.com/2020/10/16/top-10-images-of-invisible-things/

Definition of the Soul and origins of the term

https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/brain-science/research/allen-institute-brain-science/

Quantum Physics of the Soul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xeh001ptDgo

Deepak Chopra Consciousness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erSd5xep30w

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/biocentrism/201112/does-the-soul-exist-evidence-says-yes

Article titled, “The Science of Dying” https://www.dw.com/en/the-science-of-dying/a-48372592

Scientific American article, Physics and the Immortality of the Sou

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Imbalance of Masculine/Feminine Energies and What NOT to Do about It

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0700

I’ve become somewhat obsessed with Joseph Campbell lately. I found a copy of The Power of Myth and have been pouring over it these last weeks. Each paragraph blows my mind! He speaks of feminine mythos that were displaced by masculine mythos, and it got me thinking, this in-between torture we’re in the midst of? It is because of an imbalance between feminine and masculine energies.

Feminine and masculine energies have nothing to do with gender. We all have feminine and masculine energies in our bodies. All genders can tap into BOTH energies, though it’s common for most to have a more dominant energy, but this can shift day to day. Both have positive and negative attributes and our best life is when we seek balance between the two in all things at all times.

As we seek balance, it is IMPERATIVE THAT WE DON’T BURN DOWN, DIMINISH OR SUPPRESS the masculine. That will not result in balance. In fact, that's exactly how we got into the current mess we're in now. By the end of this episode, I hope you learn to embrace all parts of yourself and find that the balance between masculine/feminine is your superpower.

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

https://www.chopra.com/articles/how-to-balance-and-harmonize-masculine-and-feminine-energies

Host, Jennifer Hotes, on Twitter

Show Sources and Materials:

Medium Article: https://medium.com/thrive-global/learn-the-difference-between-masculine-and-feminine-energy-ff1c14366aed

https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-balance-your-female-and-male-energy

The Five Visions of Nikola Tesla

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

How to Care for Our Pets through End of Life

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0700

This episode will inform your journey if you are facing an end of life time with your pet. They don't have words, so we will dive into how to assess their quality of life, their joy or pain, and how best to nurture them through their final days.

It's a subject I know intimately; I’m in the midst of this for the third time, and wanted to share the experience in case you face this in the future. Because our pets don’t have voices, we must make the best guesses we can about their pain, their will to live, and their desire to cross the rainbow bridge. I don’t have all the answers, far from it, but I’d still like to offer up my experiences so that you don’t feel alone when you face this.

I’m currently in the throes of pet hospice for our 19-year-old Maine Coon, Romeo. He’s been losing weight fast these last few months. His body has a tough time tolerating food. At his last check up, the just-out-of-vet-school-doctor couldn’t wrap her brain around end of life care. When she noted his feather weight and tooth situation she began to write down a litany of tests she’s recommend to get to the bottom of Romeo’s poor health. “He’s nineteen years old.” That didn’t sink in. We asked about quality of life. How, since Romeo can’t speak, do we know that he’s not suffering more than he’s thriving?

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

https://www.lapoflove.com/blog/end-of-life-care-and-euthanasia/quality-of-life-assessment-a-critical-tool-for-your-senior-pet

Show Resources and Materials:

https://www.cinderrockvetclinic.com/site/blog/2021/09/27/assessing-senior-pet-quality-of-life

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3760804/After-Bel-Mooney-revealed-dog-came-death-sceptics-ask-dead-pets-really-come-comfort-owners.html

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Cemetery History, Lore, & Stories Galore

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0700

While most think of cemeteries as great places to whip out ghost hunting tools, not so long ago people picnicked in graveyards, making a day of it. Yes, these greenscapes offer much more than potential jump scares. Each grave holds the story of someone that lived, struggled, failed and prevailed. The tombstones are bookmarks. There is symbology on the graves that, if you take the time to decipher, unlock a secret language that adds depth to your understanding of local history and lore. From the tragedy of the Spanish Flu to tragic fires to the flower-cloaked graves of Hollywood-types, cemeteries have no entrance fee. In fact, the grandest cemeteries across the US were planned and developed by some of the preeminent landscape architects of our time. My personal favorites, though, are the ones you hear about in whispers at a local coffee shop, where the graves have been grown over with weeds and ivy and the trees above drip with moss.

I’ve been obsessed with cemeteries since I was a kid. It all began when my mom needed to attend night classes. She hired an unusual babysitter. The lady was nice enough, but she was the daughter of a cemetery caretaker which meant we stayed at a cottage in the middle of Pasco Cemetery while she watched us.

From the history of cemeteries, to burial customs, tombstone symbology, and an overview of cemeteries you MUST visit before you, well, need a cemetery...I promise you'll learn something new.

Show Creators, Social Media Links and Sources:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Thomas Sherman Ambrose interred at Preston Cemetery on FindAGrave.com.

Host, Jennifer Hotes, on Twitter

Links to Sources and Materials:

https://thefield.asla.org/2022/02/10/mountain-view-cemetery-oakland-california-an-early-olmsted-design/

https://oakwoodniagara.org/history-of-the-rural-cemetery/

Chinese Repatriation of Bones

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Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Magic of Trees

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Transfigurers, wordless communicators, timekeepers. I’m not talking about Dumbledore from Harry Potter fame, no. Trees.

Trees. They are time-keepers, displaying the changing of the seasons, even in the time of high strangeness we just woke from, lockdowns, when being frozen in place was dissociative.

There are trees massive enough to drive a car through, whose rings count back to a time when the land they inhabited wasn’t the United States, not yet and bore witness to the deaths and births of millions. Their complex root systems extend as wide and deep below the surface as their canopies stretch across the sky. Their roots intermingle with neighboring plant life, conveying complex information beneath the Earth’s surface like an Old School world wide web.

Trees. They transfigure carbon dioxide into oxygen. Their branches, leaves, trunks, and roots harbor entire ecosystems. Their timbers have been used to build cities. Their leaves are energy factories. Their chemistry have brought us medicines. They provide us with food, shelter, warmth; and if you’ve ever stood in a forest or grove and just listened, you’ve heard them rustle, flutter, groan, creak and sigh. Some cultures believe them to be elder spirits. There are stories about many that stretch the bounds of our imaginations.

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/04/993430007/trees-talk-to-each-other-mother-tree-ecologist-hears-lessons-for-people-too

Sources and Materials:

The Ancient Magick of Trees by Gregory Michael Brewer on IndieBound

https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/medicinal-trees

https://thesunlightexperiment.com/blog/2018/6/7/9-famous-examples-of-drugs-that-came-from-plants

PBS documentary, Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Dream! Dream! Dream!

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Today we’re talking about dreams. What are they? How have they been considered throughout history? From the science behind our nighttime imaginings to lucid dreams to journaling to the tricky art of interpreting dreams to my deep-seated envy of people that are able to astrally project, if it happens with our eyelids shut, we'll talk about it!

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Wikipedia – Dreams - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream

Resources and Materials:

Sleep Paralysis Subreddit

Dreams: Those that are personal and those that are pulled from the collective conscience by Joseph Campbell on YouTube

Psychic Spellcraft by Shawn Robbins & Leanne Greenway

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Coexisting with Fear

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Today, we are talking about fear and all its subtle iterations. This episode was born from a discussion on another podcast, Theory of Everything, hosted by Curt Jaimungal. It’s a favorite of mine, both for the array of topics, but most of all for the way Jaimungal creates conversations that are both in-depth and curiosity driven, presented in a respectful, kind way. But back to fear. In this particular episode, he was speaking with Lue Elizondo and Sean Cahill about UFOs and consciousness. They were talking about the disclosure of government files pertaining to UFOs. After asking why there is a resistance on the part of the government to disclosing information to the public, Cahill said that it could result in mass fear. Jaimungal asked what we can do to prepare? As I ran, I paused the stream and wrote down, “We need to teach ourselves to react to fear with curiosity, NOT violence.” And that’s how this topic came to be.

Sounds simple enough, but fear is anything but simple. As usual, I’d like to be purposeful with language. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines fear as, “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, anxious concern, cause for alarm.” After reading two books on the subject to prepare for this episode, watching a handful of TED talks, marking up six or seven articles on the topic, I’ve learned that FEAR at its core is a messenger of INTUITION; or our internal KNOWING, and the cause of the fears can be broken into two; INTERNAL FORCES and EXTERNAL FORCES, in other words, stuff we choose to participate in that scares us, and the stuff that happens to us without our control – That distinguishing feature makes the most difference in our reaction to fear. But as you’ve come to know well, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our Western culture is fear-driven, obsessed even. Author Gavin de Becker says many of our fear-driven practices are due to the machinations of a group of ten sociopaths.

Show Creators and Social Media Links:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal on YouTube

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilb

Resources and Materials:

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Wild Mind by Bill Plotkin on Amazon.com

Nature IS Medicine - The Part 2 I Promised!

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Life. Death. Rebirth.

Air. Water. Fire. Earth.

Fall. Winter. Spring. Summer.

Nature. Nature is a direct connection between us and spirit. Don’t believe me? Well, can we agree that Nature is powerful? Think of a time when your well being, your safety, was in the hands of Nature. If you’ve experienced an earthquake, a hurricane, a wildfire, a drought, a raucous thunderstorm, Nature has a way of making us feel small, which is good in this modern world of puffed up egos.

Nature provides the hack codes for the infinite loop of life, death, and rebirth. It has a sense of humor and perfect timing. Let's explore Nature.

***THE FANTASTIC BACKGROUND FOR THIS EPISODE IS VIA @HOTESDESIGN and find her art on fresh products with this link to Society6***

Sources and Materials:

Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree

Ad for Nature which is so so funny on YouTube

Hopscotch the Globe blog

Mental Floss article on scientific reasons nature is relaxing

Psychology Today article, Nature as Medicine

Links to Show Pros and Curious Cat Socials:

Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

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But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

What is regret? What is the opposite? Article from Berkeley Wellness:

Regret Is No Laughing Matter

Fri, 27 May 2022 08:00:00 -0700

I need to admit something off the top. I’m a little threadbare today, worn, hollowed out, weary. I’m not sure if this is grief manifesting or events of the world at large, but I’m here with you, where I want to be most and since REGRET is today’s topic, feels right that my heart is a bit heavy. If you are having a day as well, how about we take a deep breath and reset together? Breathe in, draw oxygen down your body to your toes. Imagine the molecules swirling through your body, absorbing the sticky stuff, the hurt or shame or anger or sadness that is bogging you down. Now exhale out all the junk in one throaty groan. Better?

I watched two TED talks given by Brene (Bren-nae) Brown. The first was on shame, the second on vulnerability. I hadn’t heard of her before last night and I highly recommend you give both a quick watch on YouTube. I’ve provided the links in the show notes. I went to sleep with the heavy subjects and her insights stirring through my brain and soul and woke up with a mild headache and the word, ‘Regret’ whispering through my thoughts.

Regret. I believe it’s the blood brother of shame and vulnerability. Fused at the side to its fraternal twin ‘Apology.’ I’d like to explore this more here and open us all up to healing those deep seeded regrets and maybe even accepting the gift regret has to offer. It does you know! It offers a gift that can transform. Regret, among other things, can be a powerful teacher. But, like usual, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Sources and Materials:

Article from Psychology Today about regret: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201205/the-psychology-regret

The Ten Most Common Regrets and How to Avoid Them article from Thrive.com

Kathryn Schulz: Don’t Regret Regret on YouTube

Brené Brown TED talks

Show Creators and Links:
Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Nature IS Medicine - a green juice shot for your soul!

Fri, 20 May 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Last night there was a storm. I woke up thinking about how the wind and rain blew through, shaking the dead stuff from the trees and cleaning off the old dusty residue. Nature is the best medicine, isn’t it?

I'm reading Wild Mind by Bill Plotkin. He's rethinking Western psychology from the point of the person being a part of this great, vast planet. I'll explore his book deeply in an upcoming episode, but for now, let's take a few lessons to heart and reconnect with nature.

Show Creators and Links:
Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

BONUS EPISODE! Break Fear Loops

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:00:00 -0700

With current events, from world turmoil to the recent US Congressional hearing about UAPs and UFOs, it's well-past time I admitted I've become addicted to the drama and fear loops of late.

If you relate, let's vow to break those toxic loops before they do damage to our body and relationships.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

The Earth Body, Soul Energy & Higher Self

Fri, 13 May 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Hello and welcome. Thanks for being here. I want to thank you for listening, liking and rating the show. It’s helping us pop nearer the top of the new podcasts. I am grateful to you.

We’ve done some heavy lifting together, haven’t we? I thought this week we’d lighten it up a bit, but then through the magic of the Universe, this episode pulled itself together. Let’s get into it.

This conversation was shaped by a dream, well, two actually, that got me thinking about our earth bodies, or meat suits, our soul energy, and our higher selves and how they intersect and diverge. Is it possible to listen and honor all three as we navigate life? It takes some training, new ways of thinking, but it's possible.

List of show creators and social media handles:

Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

List of show materials for further reading:
The Sun article about NDEs (Near-DeathExperiences)

We would be grateful if you like and review Curious Cat on your favorite streaming service!

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Unconditional Love

Fri, 06 May 2022 08:00:00 -0700

We're talking about unconditional love; how to recognize it; how to give it; how to receive it; and most importantly, how to give it to OURSELVES.

Today’s episode is the last part of our ongoing conversation about obstacles that impede our spiritual journey. Don’t panic if you’ve jumped into the series here. There is no right or wrong at Curious Cat!

Why is this a key to your spiritual pursuit? Put simply, you are loved unconditionally. By the Universe. By Jesus. By Buddha. By God. By the God that dwells inside of you! If you bar that love from flowing through you and back to others, then you are blocked from all things spiritual.

The episode ends with a simple, but powerful exercise, which allows you to send love back to your younger self in a moment when you hurt, felt alone, and needed a hug.

Show Creator Links:
Curious Cat on Twitter

If You Think Love Is Always Uncontrollable, You Don’t Understand Love article

Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Materials and Resources:
How to Change Your Inner Voice

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Conquering (or at least counterbalancing) the Fear of Death

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is the second part of our ongoing conversation about obstacles that impede our spiritual journey. Don’t panic if you’ve jumped into the series midway. You were supposed to hear this first, apparently! Today we’ll talk about the fear of death. It can smother our day to day existence. If you’re able to cut those tethers, or at least make peace with death, you’ll be free to channel that energy elsewhere.

The fear of death impedes our spiritual growth, it arrests us, handcuffing us to those base levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In order to explore your connection to something more, you must feel safe, which takes cutting the tethers of fear. And because death related anxiety is prevalent in western civilization, I figured it was a good one to tackle together. The lessons are applicable to any overarching worry you have.

Show Creator and Social Media Links:

Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Many Lives, Many Masters, by Dr. Weiss on Amazon.com

Resources and Materials:

Midnight Gospel Wikipedia and Episode Summaries

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/phobias/7-steps-to-overcoming-your-fear-of-death-necrophobia-or-thanatophobia/

17 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Death and Death Anxiety by psychologist Nick Wignall

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Cutting the Spiritual Middleman

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is the first piece of an ongoing conversation about overcoming roadblocks to become more spiritual. I’ve tripped up, made major missteps, and fallen into potholes, but I’ve also achieved some victories. I hope by sharing my journey, I can smooth your path. The focus today is on how to cut out the spiritual middleman. It’s imperative in order to claim your power.

Soon after the death of my father, I spiraled into a deep depression. I didn’t want to be here anymore. It was a pain no one could solve, so I turned to the spiritual. If I could stretch the limits of my soul, could I catch a glimpse of Dad’s new zip code? Then maybe it’d be okay to keep living.

And that’s how my spiritual journey saved my life. Soon, though, as I dug into the subject deeper, I kept hearing this judgy voice asking, ‘Is that book godly? Is this knowledge dark magic?’ The exclamations came from some bible study teacher embedded in my brain, on and on she went. Dark, light. Good, evil. Sanctioned, damned. Heaven, Hell. Growing up, I’d been indoctrinated to believe there was no room for gray. And that’s how I was introduced to the spiritual middleman in my head. I had to evict him in order to take my power back. It was a boss battle. Gamers know what I’m talking about. A knock-down-drag-out-fight. But I made it and nothing would bring me more joy than if I can embolden you to do the same.

So what is a spiritual middleman? It is any guru, channeler, healer, teacher, shaman or religious leader that believes they have higher power, more worth, or greater status than those they teach or lead. In this episode I'll teach you what healthy spiritual leaders look like and what defines controlling, gatekeeping spiritual middlemen.

Show Pros and Socials:
Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Bible Timeline – Including the organized church responses, rules, limitations, and all of its iterations and advances

Host, Jennifer Hotes, on Twitter

Episode Materials/Sources:
If you want to muck in the depths of religious condescendence, I’ve provided a link to the Catholic blog post telling you why you must not trust the Holy Spirit in yourself, but rely on the (gulp) anointed church leaders.

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Chakra 101

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Chances are you’ve heard of chakras before, especially if you’ve studied yoga! Put simply, they are the seven energy points inside of our bodies.

Picture your body as a battery, a C battery sitting upright. At the top of your head is a terminal that connects you to the celestial. The soles of the feet are the location of another terminal, one that connects to the earthly. But YOU are the battery, the source of power that creates that divine connection between the sand and sky. That's why it's imperative you keep your chakras clean, aligned, and charged.

Show Pros and Socials:
Art Director: @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

Chakra Basics from the Institute of Reiki Studies

Host, Jennifer Hotes, on Twitter

Episode Materials:
How to Balance Chakras with Stones

Guide to Chakras article

International Center for Reiki Training

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Spiritual Hygiene and the Midnight Self

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Spiritual hygiene and the midnight self. We'll be talking about two topics that may seem disparate, but they'll tie together in a tidy package by the conclusion. Both are essential to taking care of our spiritual selves. Oh, and spoiler alert? My midnight self is frazzled, itchy, and sweaty, but I'm working on improving that!

Show Pros and Socials:
Art Director – @NorasUnnamedPhotos (on Instagram)

https://wakeup-world.com/2015/08/15/20-effective-ways-to-clear-and-protect-against-negative-energy/

Episode Materials:

https://www.davidwolfe.com/10-ways-clear-negative-energy/

Healthline article about cellphone radiation

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy

Link to Audio Engineer—Aidan Conners

Darkness and Light: Embracing Our Shadows

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week we’re talking about the darkness and light inside of us. We will be looking at ways to acknowledge our shadow-selves. Not just acknowledge, why it’s worth the effort to embrace your shadow and unleash its power! Darkness and light. You hear it all the time, that we’re made up of both. I think the best visual representative of that is the yin and yang symbol. Black and white. Each has a dot of the other inside. Balanced. Perfect. Visually pleasing.

Why does darkness or specifically, shadow get such a bad rap? It’s weird because when I make art, I need shadows AND light to define shape. Both are of equal importance, there’s no value judgment. So, why do we judge darkness and light attributes of ourselves differently?

Show Pros and Socials:
Art Director – Nora Hotes, graphic designer, multi-media artist extraordinaire

Sermon by Reverend Pat, Unity Church of Portland:

Episode Materials:

Wild Mind, a field guide to the human psyche by Bill Plotkin

Shadow-Self article, Lonerwolf

Support Curious Cat, an independent, human-made podcast!

Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

State of Surveillance, an organization that helps foster online privacy