In this episode of the Goddess of Technology podcast’s Halloween series, we’re unraveling the complex and often feared topic of black magic.

We're diving deep into its historical origins, exploring its roots in ancient societies and how the term evolved into the sinister concept we know today.

Furthermore, you’re discoveingr 10 action items helping you protect yourself from negative influences – both spiritual and practical.

Moreover, we’re discussing the psychological and cultural underpinnings of why people believe in and practice black magic, and how this understanding can empower you to create a more positive and secure environment for yourself.

We're also addressing some of the common misconceptions and criticisms, offering a balanced and honest perspective.

My goal is to demystify black magic and reveal how understanding its principles can be a powerful framework for business, psychology, and personal growth.

Goddess, I’m excited for you to join me on this journey and feel eager to hear your thoughts.

If you have any mysterious personal experience with black magic, I’m inviting you to share your story with the communit and I through the contact form linked in the general podcast description. Your insights are what make our community so vibrant and supportive.

REFERENCES

• Davies, O. (2009) Grimoires: A History of Magic Books. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Kramer, H. (1486) Malleus Maleficarum. Speyer: Peter Drach.
• Levack, B.P. (2015) The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe. 4th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
• Lewis, I.M. (1989) Ecstatic Religion: A Study of Shamanism and Spirit Possession. 2nd edn. London: Routledge.
• Macfarlane, A. (1970) Witchcraft in Tudor and Stuart England: A Regional and Comparative Study. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)
• Sprenger, J. (1486) Malleus Maleficarum. Speyer: Peter Drach.
• Thorndike, L. (1923) A History of Magic and Experimental Science. New York: Macmillan.
• Tylor, E.B. (1871) Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Language, Art, and Custom. London: John Murray.

In this special Halloween series episode of the Goddess of Technology podcast, we’re delving into the intriguing and often misunderstood topic of spirit possession.

We’re exploring the fascinating intersection of spirituality and psychology by trying to understand the age-old question of whether spirit possessions are genuine spiritual phenomena or if they are rooted in mental health conditions.

We’re starting by defining what spirit possession is, its historical and cultural origins, and the compelling events that led to it becoming a topic of serious academic and medical inquiry.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this complex topic, and you’ll be able to consider it from both a spiritual and a scientific perspective.

Goddess, do you believe in spiritual posessions, or have you even experienced any? If so, I would be thrilled to hear about your personal experience through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

Your insights are invaluable. You help me better understand the diverse experiences of our beautiful community.

REFERENCES

• Bhatia, M.S. & Dube, S., 2014. The Role of Culture in Demonic Possession. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(4), pp. 327–328.
• Krippner, S., 2014. Spirit Possession and Mental Health. Psychology Today.
• Lange, R., 2023. A Differential Diagnosis of Demonic Possession. Psychology Today.
• Lange, R. & Lange, F., 2016. Possession Experiences and Their Relationship to Mental Illness. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(4), pp. 293–298.
• Lee, K.M., 2022. Demonic Possession, Dissociation, and Culture. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(6), pp. 4930–4948.
• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

As part of our special Halloween series on the Goddess of Technology podcast, this episode dives into the eerie mystery of one of history’s most infamous and feared objects: the Ouija Board.

This isn't just a spooky tale for a dark night. We're exploring its surprising origins, the psychological principles that explain its power and the compelling reasons it continues to fascinate and – for some – terrify us.

We're going to define what the Ouija board really is, trace its fascinating history from its beginnings in the 19th century as a talking board and explore the key events and people who shaped its legacy.

Furthermore, we're diving into the science behind the movements of the planchette, looking at the phenomenon known as the ideomotor effect, and discussing how you can leverage this knowledge to better understand your own subconscious mind and achieve your goals.

Moreover, we're addressing the common criticisms of the Ouija board and offering a new perspective on this controversial tool.

Goddess, if you’ve ever used a Ouija board or have a story to share about this episode's topic, please let me know. I’m inviting you to share your opinion and about your personal experiences with me through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

REFEFENCES

• Carroll, Robert T. ‘The Skeptic's Dictionary.’ Skeptic's Dictionary. (2013).
• Murch, Robert. ‘The History of the Ouija Board.’ Talking Board Historical Society. (2020).
• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)
• Nickell, Joe. ‘The Ouija Board: Demystifying the `Planchette'.’ Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 35, no. 5, (September/October 2011).
• Sagan, Carl. The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Ballantine Books, (1996).
• Spiegel, Alix. ‘The Strange and Spooky History of the Ouija Board.’ NPR. (2013).
• Zusne, Leonard, and Warren H. Jones. Anomalistic Psychology: A Study of Extraordinary Phenomena of Behavior and Experience. Psychology Press, (1989).

What if your favorite food delivery app gave someone access to your number… and they decided to use it?

What if a simple craving for comfort turned into a creepy WhatsApp message that left you feeling exposed in your own home?

In this intimate and educational episode, I share what happened when I was harassed by someone with access to my personal data — after I placed a food order. But this isn’t just my story. It’s a story about tech boundaries, platform responsibility and the emotional cost of being femme living in the gig economy.

You’ll hear:

• The full story
• How data privacy laws like GDPR are being quietly violated by everyday apps
• Why feminist tech design is a necessity, not a luxury
• How to recognize, respond to, and report boundary violations through delivery and gig apps
• What we can all do to demand safer, softer, and more ethical technology

This episode is a love letter to every Goddess who’s ever second-guessed her gut.

It’s also a wake-up call to the platforms that profit from our convenience — but ignore our safety.

⚠️ Trigger warning: harassment, digital boundary violation

💌 If you’ve ever experienced something similar, I’d love to hold space for your story. You can share it with me anonymously or personally through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

Together, we create sacred tech — rooted in care, rage, softness, and truth.

REFERENCE

Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

In this podcast episode, we're learning about the psychology behind Recession Pop, exploring how upbeat, optimistic music becomes a cultural mainstay during times of economic hardship. 

We're analyzing the historical origins of the genre, identifying the socio-economic catalysts that gave birth to Recession Pop, and examining how these songs serve as emotional support, distraction, and even protest. 

We're delving into the psychological theories that explain why cheerful music thrives when finances fall and how pop music offers individual and collective healing. 

The agenda includes defining Recession Pop, tracing its history through specific decades and crises, showcasing artists and cultural moments, providing practical strategies for using music to navigate personal and professional challenges, and addressing common criticisms.

I'm inviting you, beautiful, to share your opinion or personal experience on Recession Pop through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

REFERENCES

• Barclay, M. (2020). The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip. ECW Press. DeNora, T. (2000). Music in Everyday Life. Cambridge University Press. Frith, S. (1996). Performing Rites: On the Value of Popular Music. Harvard University Press. Hesmondhalgh, D. (2013). Why Music Matters.

• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

• Wiley-Blackwell. Levitin, D. J. (2006). This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. Dutton. McRobbie, A. (1994). Postmodernism and Popular Culture. Routledge. Rojek, C. (2011). Pop Music, Pop Culture. Polity. Street, J. (2012). Music and Politics. Polity Press. Taylor, T. D. (2016). Music and Capitalism: A History of the Present. University of Chicago Press. Zollo, P. (2003). Songwriters on Songwriting. Da Capo Press.

In this podcast episode, we’re getting real, raw, and radiant, love. We’re diving deep into the wild world of the fetishization of queer women—what it means, where it came from, and why it still shows up in our lives like that one toxic ex who just can’t take a hint. Through the glittery kaleidoscope of psychology, pop culture, and lived experience (yes, including mine as your pansexual podcast host), we’re untangling how desire becomes distortion.

We’re also breaking it down for you—what pansexuality really is (hint: it’s not confusion, it’s clarity), why pan folks are often misunderstood, and what it means to live loud, proud, and protected in a world that often wants to turn us into clickbait.

This one’s for every goddess who’s been seen as a fantasy before being seen as a human being. For everyone who’s ever been told ‘that’s hot’ instead of ‘that’s valid’. We’re naming the problem, flipping the script, and reclaiming the narrative—one strategy, one truth, and one moment of real talk at a time.

If this episode lights something up inside you, beautiful, I wanna hear about it. Share your experience or thoughts using the contact form linked in the general podcast description. Let’s build this brave space together.

REFERENCES

• Barker, M., & Scheele, J. (2016). Queer: A Graphic History. Icon Books.

• Diamond, L. M. (2008). Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. Harvard University Press.

• Fahs, B. (2011). Performing Sex: The Making and Unmaking of Women's Erotic Lives. SUNY Press.

• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

• Rubin, G. (1984). Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality. In C. Vance (Ed.), Pleasure and Danger: Exploring Female Sexuality (pp. 267–319). Routledge & Kegan Paul.

• Sullivan, N. (2003). A Critical Introduction to Queer Theory. NYU Press.

In this episode of the Goddess of Technology podcast, we're unpacking the concept of internalized racism in the workplace—especially in the technology industry. 

We're learning about what internalized racism is, where it comes from, and how it shapes the thoughts, behaviors and career outcomes of racialized employees in tech. 

I'm walking you through the origin of the term, the psychological mechanisms behind it, and the subtle ways it manifests through self-doubt, perfectionism, silence, assimilation and shame.

Furthermore, you're getting 10 evidence-based, motivational strategies to recognize and release internalized racism—especially if you’re navigating a predominantly western business culture. 

We’re also diving into three common criticisms of this concept and how to address them.

This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever felt like you had to overperform, shrink, code-switch or reject parts of your identity just to succeed at work. 

Beautiful, you're not alone—and this episode is here to support you with the language, clarity and community you deserve.

I'd love to hear your opinion and, if you feel safe, your personal story. You can share your reflections through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

REFERENCES

• Fanon, F. (1952). Black Skin, White Masks. Paris: Éditions du Seuil.

• Fields, B. J. (1982). ‘Ideology and Race in American History’. New Left Review, 181, pp. 95–118.

• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

• Oluo, I. (2018). So You Want to Talk About Race. New York: Seal Press.

• Tatum, B. D. (1997). Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?. New York: Basic Books.

• Wing Sue, D. (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Happy 150th podcast episode, goddess!

In this episode of the Goddess of Technology podcast, I’m sharing healthy coping strategies with workplace‑ and childhood‑related trauma which help us remain resilient and ultimately succeed in our professional development and workplace relationships.

I’m guiding you through the origins and history of trauma including the coining of relevant terms and key milestones.

Afterwards I’m walking you through 10 healthy coping strategies to help you boost your professional growth and foster supportive workplace connections. 

Furthermore I’m addressing three common areas of criticism on trauma recovery and offering practical solutions and workarounds to ensure these practices are realistic and empowering. 

By the end, you’ll have tools to navigate professional development and workplace relationships with resilience, hope and compassion—without allowing past trauma to define your self-worth worth as well as your present and your future.

If you’re inspired by what you hear, I’m inviting you, beautiful Goddess, to share your opinion or personal experience on this topic through the contact form linked in the general podcast description. Let’s build our community together—your voice matters.

REFERENCES

• Brown, B. (2012). Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Gotham Books.

• Collins, S. (2013). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

• Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books.

• Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.

• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership (4th ed.). Jossey‑Bass.

• Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

• Smith, K. K., & Berg, D. N. (1987). “Paradox in Group Decision Making: The Case of the Abilene Paradox,” Administrative Science Quarterly, 30(1), 44–60.

• Music: 'Bummin on Tremelo' by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

In this podcast episode, we’re learning about the psychological reasons why people purchase collectibles—especially popular characters like Labubu, Smiskis, Disney Princesses, Disney Villains, Hello Kitty, Kuromi and iconic anime and manga figures from series such as ‘Case Closed’, ‘Demon Slayer’ and ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’.

We’re exploring how these characters don’t just serve as fandom memorabilia—but act as emotional coping tools, memory triggers, and symbols of identity, safety and healing.

Furthermore, we’re defining what collectibles are and examining how they reflect hidden psychological needs—from emotional regulation to trauma response.

We’re tracing the historical and cultural origins of collecting, including how it intersects with nostalgia, consumer psychology and emotional marketing.

Moreover, we’re diving deep into the meaning-making process that turns ‘just stuff’ into symbols of care, imagination, and survival—especially in queer, neurodivergent, and highly sensitive communities.

Most importantly, we’re learning 10 smart, soul-aligned strategies to collect with purpose, heal your inner child, and use objects as intentional emotional anchors. 

We’re also hearing the 3 most common criticisms against collecting—like financial waste or emotional avoidance—and compassionate workarounds to protect your peace and joy.

What do you collect, and what emotional meaning do these pieces hold for you, goddess?

I’d love to hear from you. Share your experience through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

REFERENCES

• Belk, R. W. (1995). Collecting in a Consumer Society. London: Routledge.

• Hood, B. (2019). Possessed: Why We Want More Than We Need. Penguin Books.

• Muensterberger, W. (1994). Collecting: An Unruly Passion. Princeton University Press.

• Pearce, S. (1998). Collecting in Contemporary Practice. London: Sage Publications.

• Winnicott, D. W. (1951). Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 34: 89–97.

• Music: ‘Bummin on Tremelo’ by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)

In this episode of the Goddess of Technology podcast, we're exploring the rise of deepfake dating and romance scams, diving into the psychological and technological dimensions of these evolving threats.

I'm defining the terms, showing you three common scenarios, tracing the origins and key historical milestones, and introducing 10 strategies you can apply to protect yourself and turn understanding of this topic into personal or professional growth.

Furthermore, we're addressing three common areas of criticism—including privacy limitations, tech regulation gaps and emotional victim-blaming—with constructive and human-centered insights.

If this episode speaks to you, Goddess, I'd love to hear your thoughts—or your personal story—through the contact form linked in the general podcast description.

REFERENCES

Fletcher, E. (2019). Romance scams cost consumers millions: FTC alert. Federal Trade Commission.

Harwell, D. (2021). ‘A man created a fake AI girlfriend—and fooled thousands.’ The Washington Post.

Johnson, K. (2022). Deepfake Love: AI, Ethics, and Intimacy. MIT Press.

Levy, S. (2020). Facebook: The Inside Story. Penguin Press.

Smith, M. (2021). ‘Catfish, deepfakes, and the new era of online romance.’ The Atlantic, March 2021.

Tufekci, Z. (2018). Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. Yale University Press.

Music: ‘Bummin on Tremelo’ by Kevin MacLeod – CC BY 3.0 (incompetech.com)