This is the first episode of my new series, BIG MAMA HEX PODCAST - SPIRITED, chats on religion and spirituality, I sit down (virtually) with friend, Ethan Rode. Ethan is a practicing jew with a very wonderful story of connection to his beliefs through his familial history. He is also a recent graduate of Queen’s University in Canada where he studied linguistics and politics, with specific interests in language revitalization and Spanish literature. Originally from Mohnton, PA, he grew up immersed in PA Dutch culture and language with his grandparents on his dad’s side of the family and ultimately learned to speak the language starting at around age 11. He currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and works freelance in proofreading, transcribing and teaching Detisch (remotely) at Berks History Center. https://www.berkshistory.org/pa-dutch-classes/

In episode 33 I am chatting with friend, fellow Deitscher and artist, Ben Rader! We talk about art, culture and music. It was a blast catching up with Ben and learning more about his childhood and life before we knew him. Check out his links below!Learn more:https://www.benjaminrader.com/https://www.instagram.com/benjaminraderart/https://www.facebook.com/benjaminraderartMountain Mary Exhibit at PAGCHC:https://www.pagerman.org/heritage-center.../mountain-mary/

In episode 32 I am chatting with Robert Joseph Jones, new friend and owner of the amazing shop, Ysbrydoliaeth - Curiosity Shop / Magasin de curiosités. We discussed our shared backgrounds of Welsh and Deitsch along with Welsh identity, Robert's background in languages as well as teaching and writing poetry.Robert Jones, comes originally from Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania born of a Pennsylvania-German and Welsh family. He spent much of his formative years with his maiden aunts who were among the last of the Victorians and practiced Braucherei, Pennsylvania-German folk magic. He spent many years teaching French, German, Spanish, linguistics and literature at a small community college in Central New York before relocating to Lunenburg in the Northeast Kingdom with his spouse and three Cardigan Welsh Corgis (Marigold, Hibiscus and Wisteria).During his previous career, he spent a great deal of time traveling, especially to Wales, and New Orleans where he went to collaborate with harpist, journalist and renowned inn-keeper Barbara Lefèvre Martin on matters of Welsh independence. It was there that he became acquainted with Kutani pottery while wandering through the French Quarter after getting buzzed on chicory coffee at the old Café de Paris next to the Cabildo on Jackson Square. Barbara and he had many adventures in and around New Orleans that included Voodoo practitioners, visiting haunted houses, journalism, plotting and tracking down the ever elusive Bedwyr ap Dafydd, a self-exiled Welsh immigré and descendant of one of the great bardic families of Wales, the last known location of whom was a bar in the Lower 9th Ward before Hurricane Katrina. On his trips to Wales he became friends with Mary Jones (no relation) and her sister Olwen Thomas of Tai’n Lôn, a remote farming village in the foothills of the Snowdonia Mountains where English was rarely spoken. He made the region his base to travel elsewhere in Europe including Brittany, England, Catalonia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, and Spain.Even his connection to Argentina comes through Wales. In the Chubut Province of Patagonia is Gwladfa, a Welsh colony from whence hails the former editor of the Welsh North-American newspaper Ninnau for which Robert wrote off-and-on for many years beginning in the 1980’s.Learn more:https://curiosityshop.us/speakwelsh.orghttps://www.madog.org/https://www.facebook.com/ysbrydoliaethhttps://www.instagram.com/ysbrydoliaeth71/The documentary that I was speaking about: The Story of Wales by BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mlrq9The Welsh poet that I quoted: Gwyneth Lewishttp://www.gwynethlewis.com/index.shtmlGraphic Designer for Ysbrydoliaeth:https://flekvt.com/

In this episode I sit down with Rachael and Gene Kehler. I met Rachael years ago at her old fashioned candy shop in Boyertown, The Peppermint Stick. She is a wonderful person and we got along instantly! I never forgot her great energy and spirit. So when I found out she had become the president of The Boyertown Historical Society, I reached out to her to interview her about her work with them and about her candy shop. Little did I know that her husband Gene and she owned a farm, One Foot Farm! Gene is also on the board at The Boyertown Historical Society and together they're brought new life into the well respected non-profit. Gene also owns Pennsylvania Craftsmen Construction Company, where he blends 18th century craftsmanship with 21st century techniques.A wonderful couple, full of energy and an incredible work ethic! So excited to share this episode and introduce you all to these two and their amazing work.http://Www.peppermintstickcandystore.com/https://www.facebook.com/PeppermintStickCandyStorehttp://www.boyertownhistory.org/https://www.facebook.com/BoyertownAreaHistoricalSocietyhttp://pacraftsmen.com/https://www.facebook.com/Pennsylvania-Craftsmen-Construction-Company-939857876177517

https://www.facebook.com/47arthttps://www.instagram.com/acheybelly/Donate: https://www.sophiaphila.org/

In episode 27, I sat down with Jack Montgomery! Jack is an author, American Shamans, speaker and singer/songwriter. We talk about his initial interests in community healers while doing fieldwork in regional folk religions for a course in Religion and Anthropology that evolved into a life-long pursuit. He also shares stories of his time with Lee Gandee during his field work. Also, Jack talks about the time he spent with Patrick Donmoyer visiting the Oley Valley.You can purchase his book directly through Jack via his Facebook page or on Amazon: American Shamans: Journeys with Traditional Healershttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B003Y74RUA/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_86XBE0F98A50AWY82GY7Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=41116310

In episode 26 I sit down with Kathleen Walck, friend, art educator, craftswoman, shop owner, and we talk about her new adventure, and shop, Local Folk Creative Studio. Also her amazing embroidery work under Walnut and Laurel. It's so fun to catch up with this creative sister and do check out her amazing new shop and classes in Kutztown with the links below.https://www.local-folk.com/www.walnutandlaurel.com