Shapeshifter

In this powerful episode of Shapeshifter, we dive deep into the heart of ancestral awakening — an urgent and beautiful journey from feeling spiritually adrift to reconnecting with the wisdom of our ancestors. If you’ve ever felt that ache of disconnection or the longing to return to something deeper, this episode is for you.

We explore the idea of spiritual orphanhood, a term that beautifully captures the sense of loss many feel when there’s no tangible connection to their ancestral roots. This conversation is an invitation to step away from external spiritual seeking and begin the work of remembering — remembering the land, the rituals, the songs, and the people who came before us.

Through personal storytelling, ancestral wisdom, and embodied practices, this episode speaks to anyone who’s ever wondered where they truly belong. If you’ve ever felt the pull to dive deeper into your lineage, uncover your roots, or find a sense of home in the invisible threads of your ancestry — this is your invitation to join the journey. 

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The powerful journey of moving from spiritual orphanhood to a deep sense of ancestral belonging
•  Why so many are drawn to external traditions (South East Asia, Africa, South America) and how that can sometimes distract from the rich wisdom in our own bloodlines
• The deep ache of not belonging and how that feeling of longing is actually a sign of remembering
• The wisdom of the land and how ancestral lines in the British Isles — and beyond — were violently severed and yet are waiting to be reawakened
• How we can start working with the body as a vessel of memory to build rituals and altars to reconnect with our ancestors
• Personal stories of how remembering our lineage can transform our relationship with the world around us
• How Ancestral Awakening is a living work of art, requiring communal engagement and reverence for the process, not perfection

Join the Ancestral Awakening journey:

If something in this conversation stirred something deep inside you, you might be ready to take the next step toward your own ancestral remembering. Ancestral Awakening begins in September is a space for spiritual orphans to come home — a sacred journey that goes beyond timelines and limits.

Join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Franca's work – A special thank you to Franca, whose clarity, insight and oracle magic sparked the term “spiritual orphanhood”. Check out her work here
• DREAMSCAPE aka the coolest cacao gathering ever – we’ll next commune with abuelita cacao during the summer solstice on the 21st June, book your spot here

 This episode is more than just words, this invitation is a LIVING WORK OF ART —to feel the pull, the ache, and the remembrance of your own roots. Your ancestors are waiting for you to remember them. And you already know the way back. 

Let’s walk this path of remembrance together.

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

What if healing wasn’t about the self, but about the whole? In this powerful conversation, I sit with Eda Zavala Lopez, an Amazonian medicine woman, ayahuasquera, and community elder, to explore the true meaning of reciprocity, ancestral wisdom, and the modern world's obsession with self-help. Following on from my last episode, this one is a moving call deep from the Amazonian jungle. 

Join us as we explore:

• Honoring Indigenous Knowledge: The importance of respecting and dignifying the wisdom of Indigenous elders rather than extracting from it.
• The Myth of Self-Help: Why Western spirituality focuses on the individual rather than community, and how we can shift toward collective healing.
• Sacred Reciprocity: How we can approach plant medicine, Indigenous traditions, and spiritual exploration with integrity and respect.
• Reclaiming Ancestral Roots: A call to remember the magic and wisdom already present in our own lands and lineages before seeking it elsewhere.
• The Journey of a Lifetime: Eda’s deeply personal story of visions, destiny, and how her spiritual path led her from the Amazon jungle to the UK.

This is a conversation that will challenge, inspire, and open your heart to a new way of seeing the world. If you've ever questioned how to engage with spirituality in a way that truly honors its origins, this episode is for you. You will stop fooling yourself after this, and will be able to know when something is ‘adoption’ and when it's out-right appropriation. 

Exciting news: Eda will be returning for an in-person gathering next year in 2026! Sign up to my mailing list here to hear all about it

Eda is a Wari-Ashaninka medicine woman, ayahuasquera, community elder and activist from Peru deeply committed to the Amazon Jungle and her people to protect sacred indigenous territories. You can read more about her and The Shawi Project here.

My meeting with Eda has profoundly shifted my work in a deeper direction, one that has been a long time coming but wasn’t quite ready to be shared. Until now. 

If you want to connect and start building a relationship with your ancestors in a way that feels playful, deep and healing that will totally transform the way you do life come and join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

What happens when the part of you that has been hidden for decades finally emerges? In this deeply personal episode of Shapeshifter, I share a transformative journey through psilocybin, ancestral wisdom, and the realization that shook me to my core. This is a story of identity, joy, grief, and the spirit animals that guide us all along.

Join me as we explore:

• The Power of Psychedelics: How a week-long mushroom retreat in Costa Rica opened a door to self-discovery I never expected.
• Hummingbird vs. Moth: The revelation that a lifelong connection to joy, color, and movement was also a way to protect myself from sadness and grief.
• Ancestral Guidance: How spirit animals, ceremony, and deep introspection can reveal long-buried wounds and new ways of understanding yourself.
• Embodying the Full Spectrum: Why joy and sorrow are not opposites but part of the same journey, and how allowing space for both has shifted everything.
• What Comes Next: How this experience is reshaping the way I move through the world, my work, and the way I show up for you in my community.

This episode is raw, vulnerable, and a true turning point. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been running from a part of yourself, I invite you to listen with an open heart.

Exciting news, the first DREAMSCAPE aka the coolest cacao gathering you’ve ever been too, with cacao made by yours truly is on February 22nd in North London. 

We’ve got a few spaces still left, don’t leave until the last minute ;)

BOOK HERE

There’s more. If you want to connect and start building a relationship with your
ancestors in a way that feels playful and will totally transform the way you do
life come and join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here 

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

What if the things we call distractions are actually invitations? In this episode of Shapeshifter, I dive into the age-old struggle of multi-passionate creatives: how do we know if we’re experiencing “shiny object syndrome” or if we’re being called toward a curiosity worth pursuing?

Join me as I explore:

• Reframing Shiny Object Syndrome: Why this term might be demeaning to your creative spirit and how to see it differently.
• Following Your Curiosity: How to tell when an idea is just a passing thought or
  something meant to be integrated into your world.
• The Power of Creative Satellites: Understanding how new passions can add depth and richness to your work rather than distract from it.
• Trusting Your Creative Evolution: Why it’s okay to change direction, step away, or explore multiple passions without feeling like you’re “quitting.”
• Building a Legacy on Your Terms: Honoring the many facets of who you are and allowing all of them to coexist in your creative journey.

Let go of the guilt and embrace the magic of your many passions. Tune in to Episode 15 of Shapeshifter and give yourself permission to create on your own terms.

Exciting news, the first DREAMSCAPE aka the coolest cacao gathering you’ve ever been too, with cacao made by yours truly is on February 22nd in North London. 

We’ve got a few spaces still left, don’t leave until the last minute ;)

BOOK HERE

There’s more. If you want to connect and start building a relationship with your
ancestors in a way that feels playful and will totally transform the way you do
life come and join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here 

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

What does it mean to approach business like an artist? In this episode of Shapeshifter, I explore how creativity, play, and authenticity shape the way we build, sustain, and evolve our businesses. It’s not about following conventional rules—it’s about making your own.

Join me as I dive into:

• Creating Your Own Path: How breaking away from traditional business practices can lead to joy, fulfillment, and success on your terms.
• The Art of Play: Why viewing your business as a creative playground allows for more freedom and innovation.
• Freedom of Time: The powerful motivator of designing a life that aligns with your values and priorities.
• The Magic of Trade: Reflecting on the joy of exchanging value and how it connects to our deepest sense of purpose.
• Counterculture as Integrity: How staying true to your authentic self often means challenging societal norms and carving your own unique path.
  
  

What would happen if you got really honest about the kind of business your
actually building? Tune in to Episode 14 of Shapeshifter and find out why you
cannot follow conventional wisdom when it comes to entrepreneurship.

Exciting news, the first DREAMSCAPE aka the coolest cacao gathering you’ve ever been too, with cacao made by yours truly is on February 22nd in North London.
We’ve got a few spaces still left, don’t leave until the last minute ;)

BOOK HERE

There’s more. If you want to connect and start building a relationship with your
ancestors in a way that feels playful and will totally transform the way you do
life come and join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

In this episode of Shapeshifter, I’m diving deep into a question that changed everything for me: What if I called you a thought leader? Together, we explore the resistance, the possibilities, and the power of owning our ideas as much as we own our artistry.

Join me as I explore:

• Embracing Thought Leadership: How stepping into the role of a thought leader expands your creative expression and connects us to our eagle energy.
• The Eagle and the Condor Prophecy: Discovering the balance between mind and spirit to birth a new consciousness.
• Ideas Worth Spreading: Overcoming the fear of sharing your thoughts and trusting that your words, like your art, can inspire change.
• The Season of the Eagle: Why it’s time to honor your mind and step onto the stage—whether it’s a panel, a TED Talk, or your own creative platform.

Are you ready to explore your eagle energy and start sharing your ideas with conviction? Tune in to Episode 13 of Shapeshifter and discover how your thoughts can become part of your creative legacy.

Plus, my most exciting invitation for you…especially if you want to connect and start building a relationship with your ancestors in a way that feels playful, deep and joyous:

Join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador  lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

Ever felt like taking time off just made things more complicated? In this episode of Shapeshifter, I’m sharing the raw, honest reflections from my recent sabbatical. From embracing the joy of slowing down aka “turtle energy” to learning the delicate balance between nourishing solitude and disruptive isolation, this episode explores the true impact of intentional breaks.

Join me as I explore:

• Sabbatical Insights: How time away can spark deep introspection but also disrupt our sense of flow—and when to know it’s time to dive back in.
• Navigating Hormonal Changes: My honest experiences with the "zone of chaos" during perimenopause and how embracing this stage can affect your creative process.
• Creative Renewal: Rediscovering your passion for shapeshifting as an artist and business owner and why I’m returning to work with renewed clarity and intention.
• Gathering & Community: Announcements on the upcoming 2025 gatherings, including a transformative journey to Guatemala, all with Abuelita Cacao at the heart.

Ready to find balance in rest and reconnect with your body of work? Tune in to Episode 12 of Shapeshifter for insights on creating, resting, and the beauty of beginning again.

✨ Want to share your own stories around takings breaks, resting, and releasing? Connect with me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch, and let’s continue the conversation there. Or send me an email [email protected] – I read and respond to all your messages.

Plus, my most exciting invitation for you…especially if you want to connect and start building a relationship with your ancestors in a way that feels playful, deep and joyous:

Join the waitlist for Ancestral Awakening here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador  lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

Fresh off the heels of having this gorgeous conversation with my dear friend and mentor Africa Brooke, I invite you to join me at the table to explore the "myth of purity"—not in terms of sexuality, but in terms of cultural identity, ancestry, and the permission we give ourselves to step into spaces that don’t feel 100% “ours.”

Join me as we dive into:

• Cultural Identity & Ancestry: How you can embrace all your lineages (because let’s face it, we all have a bit of everything), release the shame (even if, you have white ancestry) through the power of storytelling. I share my own journey of welcoming my Spanish ancestry alongside my Indigenous Mayan heritage to overcome feelings of inadequacy and shame.
• Breaking the Myth of Purity: Why the idea that we must be "pure" or 100% from a certain culture to honour its practices holds us back from transformation and growth.
• Healing Through Ancestral Wisdom: My relationship with my great-grandfather, a Spanish priest, and how re-examining family history has shifted my perspective from shame to empowerment. Guess what? You get to do this too.
• Re-Indigenising vs. Decolonising: A reframe on embracing all parts of ourselves, including the colonizer's blood, and what it means to honour our full, complex identities.
• A Call to Shapeshifters: How we, as artists, healers, and facilitators of transformation, are meant to bridge different worlds and create new consciousness.

Let’s unravel the idea of purity and embrace the beauty of your mixed, multifaceted identity together. Enjoy, some gentle rattling as we open space for this honest (and if I’m honest) emotional conversation. Tune in to Episode 11 of Shapeshifter for a vulnerable, reflective, and transformative exploration.

Plus, my most exciting invitation for you…especially if you want to connect and start building a relationship with your ancestors in a way that feels playful, deep and joyous:

Join the waitlist for Dine with your Ancestors here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when the Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador  lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

In this milestone episode of Shapeshifter, we're celebrating the power of gathering and the deep connections we build when we come together with purpose and intention. After hosting a series of gatherings, including my 40th birthday party, I reflect on the magic of shared spaces, the joy of dancing, and how community brings us closer to ourselves and each other.

Join us as we explore:

• The Essence of Gathering: Why gathering is fundamental to human connection and how it satisfies a deep desire for community and shared experiences.
• Creating Meaningful Spaces: Lessons from hosting intimate and eclectic gatherings like cacao ceremonies, dance parties, and shamanic drumming events.
• The Power of Intention: How setting clear intentions elevates any gathering, making it a unique experience for everyone involved.
• Reciprocity in Community: The importance of giving back, both to your guests and to the spaces that support you, and how this act of generosity deepens connections.

Ready to embrace the joy of coming together? Tune in to Episode 10 of Shapeshifter and discover how gathering with purpose can uplift your spirit and bring your community closer than ever before.

Plus, I share with you my latest offerings:

Join the waitlist for Dine with your Ancestors here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador  lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.

In this fun and nostalgic episode of Shapeshifter, we dive into the energy of our teenage years and explore how those formative experiences continue to shape us as adults. Sparked by a lively conversation in a WhatsApp group and a treasure trove of 90s photos, we reflect on memories that have left a lasting impact on our sense of self.

Join me as I explore:

• Teenage Memories and Their Power: How rediscovered photos from the 90s sparked laughter and deep reflections on personal growth, and how these memories can influence our present-day selves.
• Inner Teen Spirit: While we often hear about inner child work, what about the inner teen? Discover how reconnecting with the rebellious, creative, and exploratory aspects of our teenage years can bring joy, insight, and personal empowerment.
• The Power of Asking for Support: A heartwarming story of how collaboration and friendship during a high school performance led to personal triumphs, and though the details will be different – the lessons are for us all.
• The Evolution of Self-Expression: From teenage fashion statements to designing clothes as an adult, I share my journey of using clothes as a means of self-expression and how my teenage style continues to inspire me today. Here’s your invitation to connect with yours.
• Reconnecting to Teenage Dreams: I reflect on the dreams I had as a teen and how they’ve evolved into my current creative work, inviting you to explore the threads that connect your past and present selves.

Let’s embrace the rebellious spirit of our inner teenager and see what treasures we can unearth to enrich our lives today. Tune in to Episode 9 of Shapeshifter to relive the magic of teenage years with new wisdom and understanding.

Plus, I share with you my latest offerings:

Join the waitlist for Dine with your Ancestors here

Get your Mayan horoscope sign here

Be the first to know when Joy Witch's Cacao from El Salvador  lands!

✨ Want more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram @carogomez_joywitch for deeper conversations on unconventional thinking, creativity, and spirituality!

Spread the joy! Did this episode leave you feeling empowered or inspired? Help others find the same magic by leaving a rating and review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback is like fuel for the show, and it helps others discover the power within themselves.