When a mystical optimist and a self-proclaimed cynic start a podcast, sparks fly—and sometimes combust. In this lively, revealing conversation, Ojai-based artists Daren Thomas Magee (the Instagram juggernaut Real Fun, Wow) and musician Jaymee Carpenter (Love Is the Author) open up about the origin story of their podcast Mystical-Cynical, how each season seems to end in a breakup, and why they keep coming back for more.

We dive into the rhythm of creative collaboration, the friction and forgiveness that fuel their friendship, and how life in a small town like Ojai shapes their artistic lives and inner journeys. Along the way, we talk about purpose, pain, laughter, healing — and why Mystical-Cynical resonates so deeply with its devoted listeners.

Whether you’re a seeker, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is a real fun… wow.

Note: We did not talk about gout, dental procedures or Jeffrey Epstein.

Check out Daren's artistry and comic musings on Instagram @realfunwow and Jaymee's @loveistheauthor.