The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist

A special guest returns! Kat Niambi aka The Hungry Medium returns to do a light catch up.

In this conversation Ms. Kat and I explore personal growth, the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of oral traditions in the context of family and spirituality. We also discuss the impact of astrology on our lives, the significance of human connection, and the need for grace in understanding the imperfections of elders.

Chapters

• 00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions
• 03:02 Reflections on Summer and Fall
• 06:05 Navigating Life's Ups and Downs
• 08:54 Caregiving and Family Dynamics
• 12:02 The Importance of Oral Traditions
• 14:59 Spirituality and Online Presence
• 18:07 The Dangers of Blanket Advice
• 20:59 Personal Guidance and Individual Paths
• 23:59 Connecting Through Pets and Personal Stories

We didn't get a chance to discuss our love for Erykah Badu's new album with The Alchemist, "Before the World Blows." This conversation is definitely aligned contextually with that album. I highly recommend listening to it after watching or listening to our conversation.

In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with Tatianna Tarot, diviner, intuitive tarot therapist, and Iyalorisa priestess, for a grounded and expansive conversation on what it really means to trust your intuition.

The conversation delves into ancestral wisdom, spiritual empowerment, and the significance of divination tools in reclaiming intuition. It also explores the impact of colonialism on spiritual disconnection and the importance of ancestral veneration and rites of passage.

Takeaways:

• Ancestral wisdom and spiritual empowerment
• Reclaiming intuition through divination tools
• The impact of colonialism on spiritual disconnection Discernment in spiritual education
• The power of abundance mindset and inner work
• The impact of Afrofuturism on personal and collective growth

Chapters:

• 00:00 Honoring Ancestral Wisdom and Spiritual Empowerment
• 11:04 The Impact of Colonialism on Spiritual Disconnection
• 46:22 The Transformational Power of Abundance Mindset and Inner Work
• 53:40 Reparations and Afrofuturism

This episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist is a grounding conversation about ethics, discernment, and the responsibility that comes with spiritual work. I’m joined by Brooke “Bee” Sanders, founder of Amethyst Corner, a spiritual community rooted in ancestral connection, real healing, and practical tools for those walking their path with intention.

The conversation delves into the importance of ancestral wisdom and ethical practice within the context of hoodoo and spiritual work. It explores the significance of honoring ancestral traditions and the need for ethical discernment in spiritual practices.

We also get into the importance of community and sisterhood in spiritual practices, emphasizing the role of support, accountability, and cultural awakening. Further exploring the significance of ancestral wisdom, the power of tradition, and the non-performative nature of spiritual practices. Additionally, this episode highlights the magic of sisterhood, the importance of nurturing Black maternal health, and the value of intentional rest and self-care.

Takeaways

• Importance of ancestral wisdom
• Ethical practice and discernment Community is key in spiritual practices
• Sisterhood and support are essential in the spiritual journey

Chapters

• 00:00 The Practice of Hoodoo and Ethical Discernment
• 51:31 Embracing Sisterhood and Womb Magic

This episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist is about that kind of remembering.

I’m joined by Charlotte Duerr James—educator, therapeutic coach, and initiated Medicine Woman—for a conversation that moves slowly, intentionally, and with reverence. 

The conversation delves into the exploration of ancestral wisdom, the use of psychedelics and earth medicines, early psychedelic experiences, Charlotte's personal psychedelic journey, and the ceremonial use of plant medicine. We go into the intersection of ancestral wisdom, plant medicine, and collective healing, highlighting the impact of colonial influence, societal stigma, and the importance of internal work and intention. Charlotte also emphasizes the need for more trained facilitators in the field of decolonized healing practices.

Takeaways

• Ancestral wisdom and root work are central to the conversation
• Psychedelics and earth medicines play a significant role in personal and collective healing Ancestral wisdom and plant medicine offer a path to healing and ancestral reclamation.
• Colonial influence has led to societal stigma and misinformation about healing practices.
• Internal work and intention are key to the journey of healing and decolonization.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Ancestral Wisdom
• 10:07 Early Psychedelic Experiences
• 20:25 Charlotte's Psychedelic Journey
• 32:22 Ceremonial Use of Plant Medicine
• 38:54 Ancestral Wisdom and Plant Medicine
• 55:39 Colonial Influence and Healing
• 01:05:38 Internal Work and Intention
• 01:11:06 Closing Remarks

The conversation delves into the exploration of ancestral wisdom and spiritual practices, highlighting the integration of these elements into personal journeys. It also addresses the challenges of navigating spiritual communities and the process of healing, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and self-trust.

Aycee Brown is a psychic medium, astrologer, and spiritual guide known for telling folks what they need to hear — not just what they want to hear. With over 15 years of experience blending astrology, Human Design, mediumship, and trauma-informed healing, she helps people strip away conditioning, reclaim intuition, and live from deep self-trust instead of spiritual performance. She hosts the podcast Is My Aura On Straight? and is the author of the forthcoming Embody Your Magic (HarperOne, Feb 2026), a guide to embodying your power and truth.

We also get into the struggle of embracing independence and freedom, as well as the power of truth and healing. Lastly, our conversation explores the challenges faced in navigating personal freedom and the impact of emotional maturity on individual growth and healing.

Takeaways

• Ancestral Wisdom
• Integration of Spiritual Practices Embracing independence and freedom
• The power of truth and healing

Chapters

• 00:00 Ancestral Wisdom and Spiritual Journey
• 26:45 Navigating Spiritual Communities and Healing
• 37:23 The Struggle of Independence and Freedom

The conversation delves into ancestral wisdom, black feminism, and the intimate history of black feminism. It explores personal experiences, intellectual connections, and the impact of ancestral teachings on identity and community. The discussion also touches on the significance of grief and emotional/spiritual practices in the context of social movement work and abolitionism. The conversation delves into the spiritual and emotional connection to activism, emphasizing the role of spirituality and ancestral connection in the work. It also explores the influence of radical socialization and community roots on activism, highlighting the importance of community and genealogy in movement work. Additionally, it addresses the intersection of academia and activism, the importance of citational ethics, and the need for movement leadership to be rooted in the genealogy of Black Panther women. The conversation also discusses the problem of radical individualism and performative activism, emphasizing the need for community-based and strategic activism. The conversation delves into the legacy of the Black Panther Party, the evolution of movements, intersectionality, misinformation, the poverty cycle, teaching Black history, plagiarism, marginalization of Black women's voices, normalization of harm, telling the truth to ourselves, wisdom from Black women's histories, and upcoming books and projects.

Takeaways

• Ancestral wisdom and teachings
• Black feminism and political theory
• Intimate history of black feminism Spirituality and emotional connection to the work
• The importance of community and genealogy in movement work Intersectional activism
• Challenging social norms

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 06:21 Fluidity and Identity
• 11:27 Black Women as Teachers and Architects
• 17:34 Title of the Book and Intimate History
• 22:40 Grief and Emotional/Spiritual Practice
• 36:08 Academia and Activism
• 46:23 Citational Ethics and Movement Leadership
• 53:36 Radical Individualism and Performative Activism
• 58:37 Misinformation and Disinformation
• 01:05:23 Normalization of Harm
• 01:14:21 Wisdom from Black Women's Histories
• 01:20:01 Upcoming Books and Projects

The conversation delves into the intersection of religion, spirituality, and liberation, highlighting the impact of capitalism and supremacy on religious and spiritual practices.

It also explores the implications of AI and technology, the environmental impact of data storage, challenges in nonprofit funding, the role of churches in communities, and the impact of surveillance and technology on personal privacy and health. Plus it highlights the struggle for funding, the high cost of maintaining a church, and the need for communal investment in spiritual gatherings and events. The conversation delves into the intersection of spirituality and Blackness, highlighting the importance of community, identity, and personal growth. It also explores the impact and significance of writing, storytelling, and the power of words in shaping narratives and creating connections.

Takeaways

• Religion and spirituality as tools of liberation
• The impact of capitalism and supremacy on religious and spiritual practices Environmental racism
• Impact of data centers on communities Impact of capitalism on church funding
• Challenges of sustaining a church
• Community support and investment in spiritual spaces Spirituality and Blackness
• The Power of Writing

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest
• 08:45 The Black Church and Its State
• 19:11 Boycotts and Corporate Influence
• 28:35 Environmental Racism and Data Centers
• 36:40 Church and Community Impact
• 42:08 Surveillance and Technology
• 53:04 Impact of Capitalism on Church Funding
• 01:15:42 Spirituality and Blackness
• 01:35:15 The Power of Writing

The episode begins with an introduction to Season Two, followed by a dedication to the awakening of individuals. It then explores the embrace of ancestral traditions, the burden of being the first believer, the importance of embracing solitude and discernment, connecting with practitioners, navigating the journey of faith, planning for Season Two, and concludes with closing remarks and gratitude. The overarching theme revolves around embracing ancestral wisdom, navigating spiritual awakening, and finding community and support in the journey of faith.

Takeaways

• Season of awakening
• Community is everything

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Season Two
• 10:06 Embracing Ancestral Traditions
• 16:25 Embracing Solitude and Discernment
• 22:17 Navigating the Journey of Faith
• 28:02 Planning for Season Two
• 34:01 Closing and Gratitude

Forgiveness is sacred. But it’s not a shortcut. Not a performance. Not a requirement for healing. Some of us were taught to forgive too quickly — out of fear, out of guilt, out of the pressure to be “good.”

Especially as Black women.Especially in the church. Especially when we were never given space to grieve what was taken.

But here’s the truth: I didn’t forgive you for you. I did it for my spirit.

Forgiveness doesn’t always mean calling them back. It means cutting the cord. Releasing the weight. Clearing the attachment and boundaries. That’s spiritual work too. That’s a “no” prayed over. That’s protection spelled out in silence. That’s clarity with a backbone.

I’ve learned to stop equating maturity with suffering. I’ve learned that walking away is sometimes the holiest thing you can do. And I’ve learned that peace feels like stillness — not approval.

If you’re still holding on to something you know you need to release… If you’ve been taught that forgiveness means forgetting who hurt you…If you’re afraid that saying “no” will make you look bitter…

Take a breath. You’re not bitter….. You’re boundaried. You’re not broken….. You’re becoming.

Covered by spirit. Guided by blood.

🎙 Listen to this full reflection now on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist.

There are voices that don’t just speak — they shift the room.

This week on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with EbonyJanice, Hip Hop Womanist scholar and author of All the Black Girls Are Activists.

For those that may not know, EbonyJanice is a dynamic lecturer, transformational speaker, and Womanist scholar committed to decolonizing authority and centering Black women’s freedom dreams. Her latest book, All The Black Girls Are Activists, explores Black girlhood, ancestral reverence, and radical wholeness as pathways to liberation.

Our conversation is a love letter to the sacred, intellectual, and spiritual work that Black women carry — often unseen, often unpaid, yet always world-shaping.

Together, we talk about:

* How the spiritual labor of liberation shows up in our bodies, relationships, and creative work.

* Black girlhood as sacred text — joy, play, and memory as theology.

* What ancestral reverence looks like as a living, breathing theology.

* Why softness, pleasure, and wholeness are revolutionary acts.

EbonyJanice reminds us that the revolution isn’t just in the streets — it’s in our healing, our art, our prayers, and our rest. Her voice carries the rhythm of revival, the fire of truth, and the joy of remembrance.

Grab her book All the Black Girls Are Activists wherever books are sold and check out more of her work on her website.