In today’s episode, I am joined by Carmen Spagnola - a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef turned trauma recovery practitioner, clinical hypnotherapist, and kitchen witch. She first appeared on the Belonging podcast two years ago for the release of her first book. Now, she’s back to celebrate her second book coming out: ‘Spells for the Apocalypse: Practical Magic for Turbulent Times’, which offers practical tools for navigating turbulent times and emphasizes the importance of community and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges. As a chef, author, and facilitator, Carmen holds space for renewal amidst turmoil. Her work is an invitation to re-enchantment, soul nourishment, and a deeper and more animistic relationship to the natural world.

In our conversation, we reflect on the significant life changes we both have experienced in this past two years. We re-explore the concept of collapse and its emotional and psychological impacts on individuals and communities. We discuss the importance of surrendering to change, cultivating satisfaction in the present and the art of navigating grief and beauty in life’s challenges.

Tune in to hear more from us on:

• How dealing with collapse and trauma recovery is both an individual and a communal journey
• Practical tools for navigating collapse, change and crises
• The challenges of communal living and regenerative farming
• How poignance blends pain and beauty together, and enriches our lives
• Dystopian narratives and media and what they can teach us about our current societal structures
• Reimagining our relationship with plastics and sustainability
• Gardening as a reflection of empire and reciprocity
• Viewing aging as a beautiful process instead of a loss

Resources + Links

• Carmen Spagnola’s new book ‘ Spells for the Apocalypse: Practical Magic for Turbulent Times’
• Episode #107 of the Belonging podcast with Carmen, ‘Feeding & Healing Ourselves Amidst Collapse’
• Carmen’s first book ‘The Spirited Kitchen: Recipes & Rituals for the Wheel of the Year’
• Carmen’s podcast The Numinous Podcast, and her platform The Numinous Network
• My book, Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the Self
• Connect with me on Instagram @beccapiastrelli

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction: Life Changes and New Beginnings 
[20:29] Understanding Collapse and Its Impacts 
[24:36] Navigating the Apocalypse: Tools and Practices 
[37:48] Surrendering to Change: Cultivating Resilience
[40:25] Acknowledging Poignance: Between Pain and Beauty 
[42:44] Dystopian Narratives: Reflections on Society and Collapse 
[48:22] Reimagining the Future: Plastics and Sustainability 
[50:06] Regenerative Farming in the Eye of Collapse and Gardening as a Reflection of Empire