In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of my stepmother’s final days and my father’s difficult choice to ease her pain with medical marijuana — a decision that went against everything he believed in.

We explore the tension between love and law, judgment and compassion, and how dogma can strip us of our humanity.

⚠️ Note: You may hear some background noise from my air conditioner during part of this episode — and yes, I was a bit fired up while recording. This conversation touched a deep nerve.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations

On my birthday — and the first day of eclipse season — I reflect on six months of podcasting, over 30 episodes, and what this journey has taught me about voice, truth, and imperfection.

Eclipse season is a time of obscured clarity, and like the shifting shadows in the sky, this podcast has been a space for me to navigate my own growth in real time. I share why I refuse to edit out my flaws, my evolving views on AI and authenticity, and my hopes for deeper dialogue in the year ahead.

This is an unfiltered glimpse into where I’ve been, where I’m going, and why our real, human voices matter more than ever.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations

In this first drop of HighLyts, we explore the raw truth of living out of sync with yourself—the discomfort, fear, and self-betrayal that pile up when you keep saying “no” to who you really are. From the breaking point of misalignment to the liberating pull of walking your own path, this episode traces the painful but necessary shift from old programming to authentic destiny. A reminder that the pain of change is real—but the pain of staying stuck is worse.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations

Ever had a stranger tell you to smile? — It’s a subtle form of control. In this episode, I unpack what’s really happening when people police emotional expression, and how it shapes women (and men) in ways we rarely notice.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations

Ever been dragged into someone else’s judgment drama before you’ve even taken off your shoes? This episode explores the folly of pulling others into our guilt and the hidden contracts created by careless words.

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In this episode, I explore the uneasy line between whistleblowing and snitching — one celebrated as courageous, the other condemned as betrayal. From mafia codes to gulags, from my own upbringing in a high-control religion, I trace how systems use informants to fracture loyalty, erode intimacy, and keep people afraid. What happens to relationships when trust no longer exists? And why do some who speak up lose everything, while others become heroes?

This is a raw, wandering conversation — part history, part personal story, part reflection — on what trust, loyalty, and intimacy really mean in a world that profits from our division.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations

In the debut of my short sub-series “WTF,” I call out bizarre behavior that alienates more than it connects. Episode one: a man, a white Escalade, an ice cream cone, and a very loud prayer. Spoiler: even Jesus wasn’t into this.

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In this episode, Charis Alura dives into the uncomfortable yet essential conversation about pronouns, boundaries, and the evolving language around gender. With her signature blend of irreverence and insight, Charis explores the push-pull between respecting personal identity and honoring the limits of language that we've been conditioned to use for decades. It’s a candid look at the clash between societal pressure and personal comfort—because, sometimes, respecting someone doesn’t mean we have to abandon our own boundaries. Tune in for a conversation about evolving with respect, without losing yourself in the process.

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In this episode, I explore the long-standing divide between women, shaped by competition, scarcity, and patriarchal systems. From societal pressures to religious and historical forces, I break down how women have been conditioned to see each other as rivals rather than allies. The racial element plays a key role, as the divide between Black and white women has been reinforced by historical exclusions and the prioritization of white women’s struggles over those of Black women. I dive into how these divisions have kept us from fully recognizing the power of sisterhood and solidarity, and how we can begin to heal the rift caused by racial and gendered oppression.

Through personal stories and historical insights, this episode calls women to reflect on their shared struggles and the importance of coming together across racial lines to dismantle oppressive systems. It’s a powerful reminder that when we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down, we create a collective force capable of breaking through the barriers that have kept us small. It’s time to reclaim our power, rediscover our worth, and unite in the fight for liberation—together.

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On the hottest day of the year—sweaty, sleep-deprived, and overstimulated—I take to the mic with a raw, caffeinated stream of insight. What starts as a reflection on aging, Buddhist teachings, and the body's resistance to poison becomes a searing exploration of social contracts: the invisible rules we follow, the identities we build around them, and the cost of maintaining them.

Blending personal anecdotes, a pandemic-era memory, and the occasional movie detour (Joaquin Phoenix fans, take note), this episode is both an invitation and a dare—to stop seeking safety in approval, obedience, or performance, and to finally, fully, choose yourself.

Because the people who only liked you for the role you played? They'll leave. And in the silence that follows, you'll hear something extraordinary: your own voice.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/charis-alura/donations