Ducking Realitea

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This episode is equal parts howl-laugh funny and gut-honest. Tara grew up on the move, addiction, violence, VA psych-ward parents, and a cross-country “escape” to North Dakota, then found stability with her grandmother and, eventually, herself. She talks teen pregnancy and an open adoption, choosing partners who felt “protective” until it slid into control, and the thief-in-the-night breakups that followed.

Through it all: art as medicine, code-switching as survival, and therapy as the slow, steady re-parenting she didn’t know she needed. Today, with grown kids, a good man, and a creative community, Tara’s practicing the soft skills, slowing down, self-talk that isn’t savage, and letting joy be ordinary. If you’ve ever restarted from scratch (or wanted to), this one will land.

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Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

Tracie Reams, Siobhan’s very first guest, returns to Ducking Realitea for a raw, heartfelt catch-up on life’s twists and turns. After leaving her role as Clinical Director due to surgeries and health setbacks, Tracie found herself unexpectedly terminated, just a week before a crucial doctor’s appointment. As her own healing journey unfolded, she also stepped into the role of caregiver for her father, who’s now battling dementia after a series of falls.

Between managing disability, navigating pain management, and recovering from a recent TIA, Tracie has leaned even deeper into her greatest medicine: music. She shares how songwriting became both therapy and creative fire, and how performing again helps her stay connected to joy, even through uncertainty.

Siobhan and Tracie dive into the messy middle of it all, health, finances, relationships, non-monogamy, bisexuality, and the power of radical honesty. Through it all, Tracie remains grounded in gratitude for her community, her creativity, and the stubborn spark that keeps her singing when life gets loud.

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

A brief update on what's happening in the Ducking world, and why there isn't an episode out this week along with an introduction to the Squirrel Gurls. 

Curious, quirky, and completely unfiltered podcast with host Siobhan and Ana. 

Two funny and inquisitive girls interview various guests in a stream-of-consciousness style. While they try to stay focused, they take the audience on a wild ride through their lively, playful, and spontaneous thoughts and deep-dive questions to explore a wide range of topics.
 

Tracy from Black Widow Botttles. 

Under the dappled shade of the trees, the Squirrel Gurls engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with the talented Tracy Cheri Jones. A passionate taxidermist, Tracy specializes in the mesmerizing art of wet specimens, transforming her unique vision into heartfelt creations. With meticulous care, she curates an array of delicate treasures, including piglet embryos, kittens, snakes, and other remarkable animals, each one ethically sourced and treated with the utmost reverence and honor.

Tracy’s craftsmanship is deeply rooted in love and a desire to educate others about the beauty of the natural world. Her dedication breathes life into her work, inviting observers to contemplate the mysteries of existence. How often does one get the chance to witness the intricate beauty of a piglet embryo? Tune in to this captivating interview and immerse yourself in the inspiration that flows from Tracy’s remarkable journey.
You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and your other favorite streaming services. Be sure to like and subscribe to our Facebook and Instagram pages! Thanks for climbing into the tree with us!

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

Former ICE agent Karen Beckels returns to Ducking Realitea for an unflinching conversation about power, conflict, and transformation. From her days on the inside facing moral dilemmas to watching today’s ICE controversies unfold, Karen shares what it feels like to carry those experiences and why she ultimately chose a new path. Honest, raw, and surprisingly hopeful, this episode shines a light on the human cost of enforcement work, and the resilience it takes to move beyond it.

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

This week on Ducking Realitea, we stitched together three mini-episodes with Gavin, founder of The Chaga Company and the Onesie King.

Gavin shares the vision behind opening what might be the first dedicated onesie store in the world at One Market Plaza (aka One Marketplace) in San Francisco, a hybrid retail + wellness space with classes (mushroom-dyeing, essential oils, stamp making), EMA body workouts, and community events including the Offical After party for Mushroom Days Masquerade Ball (Oct 2). Across the three chats, he also reveals brand-new products: Myco Salt (a Chaga/Reishi/Turkey Tail/Lion’s Mane infused truffle salt) and his “sexy” Chaga Chocolate (with a women’s blend featuring blue lotus), plus coming soon a Filipino Bao! 

It’s a candid, joyful catch-up about building something weird, welcoming, and wildly communal in downtown SF. If you missed his first appearance (Episode 27),  go listen and come back to this update on all thing Gavin! 

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

 Honest, unfiltered, and just the right touch of Tism. 

 The trio is back! Siobhan, Holly, and Danielle sit down for another unapologetic round of Touch of the Tism. From barroom creeps to disability struggles, from friendships gone sour to the art of matching creep energy with chaos — nothing is off-limits. Expect sharp honesty, wild stories (yes, pelicans, porn sites, and fart defense strategies make an appearance), and a reminder that community, accountability, and laughter matter most. Pour a drink, lean in, and prepare for some serious ducking real talk. 

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

Siobhan and Kirkland sit down for their first real catch-up since December 2022, trading updates on life, loss, and the strange ways the world has shifted. Kirkland shares how catching COVID pushed him to finally quit drinking, the financial reality of walking away from the bar life, and the highlights of his 11-year trivia-hosting streak—complete with surprise winners, candy slogans, and a generous benefactor who changed the game.

The conversation goes deep on chronic pain—his sickle cell and hip surgeries, Siobhan’s endometriosis—and the ways it shapes travel, relationships, and everyday choices. They wander through stories of grief that shows up out of nowhere, travel magnets that hold whole memories, and what it means to quit the things that drain you while holding onto what brings joy.

It’s a mix of laughter, truth bombs, and hard-earned wisdom—served with the same unfiltered honesty you’ve come to expect from Ducking Realitea.

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

Siobhan catches up with her longtime friend Trey, one of the very first guests of Ducking Realitea. They dive into Trey’s journey through vet tech school—surgical rotations, field trips to horse farms, and the emotional realities of working with animals. Trey also shares why he almost retired from drag, how he found new community through the Alameda Contra Costa County Ducal Court, and why he’s running for Prince this year.

The conversation weaves through big life changes, chosen family, dating in the digital age, and what it really means to grow into yourself. Siobhan also shares stories from her recent travels across Europe and Saudi Arabia, and opens up about stepping into her next chapter—with Burning Man on the horizon and a lot on her mind.

It’s real talk about identity, healing, and learning to let yourself shine.

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

In this raw and deeply moving episode, Siobhan sits down with Patrick—a salty, soulful, and beautifully honest storyteller—to explore a life marked by trauma, survival, and healing. Patrick opens up about growing up in an abusive home, enduring sexual assault as a child, and carrying the weight of unspoken pain through a long military career.

Through the lens of therapy, writing, and self-reflection, Patrick shares how he’s finally confronting the darkness, reconnecting with his inner child, and learning—at 73 years old—that he is worthy of love, peace, and joy.

We talk about the power of inner child work, the ripple effects of PTSD, breaking generational cycles, and what it means to finally feel safe in your own skin. With the support of his fiercely loving wife, Christine, and a renewed connection to spirit, Patrick is rewriting his narrative—not just for himself, but for anyone still carrying old wounds.

This is more than a conversation—this is proof that it’s never too late to heal.

📚 Patrick’s debut memoir is in the works and already changing lives.
 🎧 Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of abuse, PTSD, and suicide.

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

Send us Fan Mail

He’s back in the pond! My dear friend Gavin—founder of The Chaga Company and self-proclaimed Onesie King—is kicking off a new chapter, and we’re bringing you along for the ride. After nearly a decade of slinging adaptogenic mushroom magic across the Bay, Gavin is opening the first-ever onesie store in San Francisco. Yep, you read that right.

This isn’t just a store—it’s a whole experience. Mushroom-dyed onesies, locally made art, Chaga-infused chocolates, breathwork, booty yoga, and yes… Filipino food. It’s fashion meets wellness meets community, with Gavin’s signature sparkle and sass.

In this episode, we catch up on his journey, the creative chaos of launching a brick-and-mortar, and what it means to build something joyful in the heart of downtown SF. Spoiler alert: there’s a onesie for every mood.

This is the first in a mini-series where we follow Gavin’s leap into retail in real time. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something bold, weird, or wildly you—this one’s for you.

Come for the mushrooms, stay for the magic.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your pods
🛍️ Follow the journey @onesieking.sf and @thechagaco

Support the show

Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤

Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it.

If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push.

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/

And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic.

Stay curious, stay joyful…
you’re deeply loved, my ducks.