In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with the illustrious Miguel Conner: host of the *very* popular Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio AND Gen Wasteland podcasts. He is the author of many books, including Voices of Gnosticism, Stargazer, Heretic, and The Executioner’s Daughter. 

In this episode, Rachel and Miguel discuss his latest book, The Occult Elvis: The Mystical and Magical Life of the King-- the cover of which, as it turns out, Joe Rogan recently posted to his Instagram stories!

Turns out, Elvis was a straight up f*cking shaman, magi, and Woo Woo practitioner of the highest order! In this episode, Rachel and Miguel dig into the nitty gritty of the King's spiritual explorations and adventures-- including an obsession with observing childbirth and corpses in morgues, revealing a fascination with the liminality of birth and death that so engrosses the ancient occult world.

And, if you enjoy this episode, remember: Rachel has been a guest on BOTH of Miguel's podcasts, too-- check them out HERE and HERE for more of these two mixing it up on all things weird and Woo!

Please note: TOTEM is running a Review Raffle through 6/26/25, so if you feel compelled to review The Skeptical Shaman podcast, TOTEM Readings, TOTEM Flower Essences, or either of the TOTEM Decks (links below), email her a screenshot to enter to win one of three Grand Prizes: [email protected]. 

Rachel's LINKS:

• Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
• TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
• Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:

• The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
• The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
• The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
• TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
• TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Miguel's Links

• Website(s) Link: miguelconner.com
• Instagram Account: @aeonbyte
• X Profile (Twitter): @AeonByte
• YouTube Channel: Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with the incredible Vanessa Reiser: licensed clinical social worker, narcissistic abuse survivor and author of the incredible new book Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People.

Vanessa is the human embodiment of the phrase: "New levels, new devils", having been shot into the world of narcissistic abuse-- and helping others in healing from it-- after a terribly abusive romantic relationship with a...drumroll please...NARCISSIST!

Vanessa is the best-- and we were so pumped to close this season of The Skeptical Shaman podcast out on the same note we brought it in: identifying narcissistic abuse, freeing ourselves of it, and recovering and healing after the trauma. 

Rachel's LINKS:

• Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
• TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
• Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:

• The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
• The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
• The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
• TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
• TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Vanessa's LINKS:

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Vanessareiser
• Website: Tellatherapist.net
• Website: Tellatherapist.org
• Website: Tellalifecoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessareiserlcsw/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with the lovely Mark Phillips of The Mind's Aye: medium, psychic, and avid student of all things Woo! 

Not only does Mark have a beautiful Scottish brogue-- and the arcane abilities of mediumship and psychic communication-- but he has also been attending incredible classes and workshops at the real life Hogwort's: The Arthur Findlay College in Great Britain.

Mark shares his awesome journey to accepting his own psychic abilities, and how he gave (and continues to give) himself permission to pursue his Woo passions. Mark is a prime example of an otherwise "normal" person with a day job and a family that also wants to help clients connect to their dearly departed-- and to the other side!

Rachel's LINKS:

• Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
• TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
• Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:

• The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
• The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
• The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
• TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
• TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Mark's LINKS:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themindsaye/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with the incredible Cyndera Quackenbush of Story Through Stone Substack and the Archetypal Tarot podcast about the magic, wonder and spiritual power of stones.

Cyndera is also the creator of the Story Through Stone Reflection Cards-- a new, 54-card deck featuring photographs of rare, billion year-old stones sourced, polished and organized by Cyndera's family. Cyndera made the unusual (and awesome) decision to NOT include a guide book for this deck, asking that the reader take this as an opportunity to trust their own intuition-- and how the images in the deck stimulate it!

This episode is all about the magic of discovery, especially when that discovery is BEYOND ANCIENT-- and opens up a channel to the arcane wisdom buried beneath our feet!
​
Rachel's LINKS:

• Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
• TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
• Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:

• The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
• The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
• The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
• TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
• TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Cyndera's Links:

• Archetypal Stories (my Substack with the card reveals)
• Website: storythroughstone.org
• Instagram: @story.through.stone
• Cards can be purchased on my website or on Etsy          

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with Audrey Moore (of Audrey Ayurveda) all about how to leverage Ayurveda in this turbulent Wood Snake Year.

While Audrey's client-facing Ayurvedic practice is relatively new-- as is her auspiciously timed snake-themed branding-- her knowledge of all things herbal, nutritional, and natural is anything but. Audrey leverages her deep educational background in the history of pharmaceuticals, hedge witchery, and Indian herbalism to work 1:1 with clients all around the country (and the world) to achieve greater harmony and balance. 

Many practices like Ayurveda, European herbalism and even yoga are effectively us reaching back through time to access the wisdom that came before the peak modernity (and dis-ease) in which we currently live.

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Audrey's Links:
https://www.audreyayurveda.com
https://www.instagram.com/audreyayurveda
https://audreyayurveda.substack.com/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this week's episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) digs deep with The Skeptic Metaphysicians, exploring their shared love of all things Woo AND skeptical!

Like Scully and Mulder from the X-Files, The Skeptic Metaphysicians Will Rodriguez and Karen Endsley are caught between two worlds—the allure of life's mystical mysteries and the grounding force of scientific scrutiny. It's a quest to peel back the layers of the 'woo,' seeking to find what's real, what's illusion, and what lies in the realm of endless possibilities.

Will Rodriguez and Karen Endsley are the real-life husband and wife duo behind 'The Skeptic Metaphysicians' podcast. From unraveling metaphysical enigmas, past life regression and life after death experiences to exploring spiritual awakenings, they dive deep without making it cringy. Their contrasting views—one is a true pragmatist, and the other a wonder-filled explorer—make them the perfect guides for today's journey into the great unknown.

And wait-- it gets better! The Skeptic Metaphysicians and The Skeptical Shaman herself have a special offer to WIN a gift of TOTEM products worth $300-- just for following The Skeptic Metaphysicians' podcast! check out the details here: https://station.page/skepticmetaphysician?g=RY6O3vRKJrAFPhBKTRzA

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

The Skeptic Metaphysicians Links:
https://www.skepticmetaphysician.com/
https://newrealitytv.com/tv-show/skeptic-metaphysicians/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with a mysterious, underground figure whose nom de guerre shall henceforth be "Sam the Sky Guy." Why all of this cloak and dagger around a simple podcast guest's identity? Well, simply put, Sam has a real deal "big boy job" that would NOT appreciate his wading into the Woo in the bright sunlight of The Skeptical Shaman podcast. 

(I mean, we're not the Joe Rogan Experience in terms of numbers, but we're not doing bad, either!)

What are Rachel and Sam talking about, you might be wondering? 

Well, Sam is a deep geek EXPERT on all things astrology, and Rachel became utterly intrigued with Sam's perspective in an unrelated discussion. This interaction was so inspiring, so memorable, and so game-changing that she (somewhat impulsively) demanded he share his unique insights on the podcast. 

So, to make it all make sense, Sam literally "reads Rachel's chart" live and direct in this episode, revealing just how powerful astrology can be-- with the right astrologer! 

It's the good, the bad and the ugly, but at the very least this human-scaled dig into Rachel's birth chart reveals the complex energies and attributes we're all harnessing-- or fighting to contain! 

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Sam's Links:
Email: [email protected]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with Nicholas Pearson, crystal and plant medicine expert and author of Crystals for Psychic Self-Defense: 145 Gemstones for Banishing, Binding, and Magickal Protection; Crystal Basics Pocket Encyclopedia: The Energetic, Healing, and Spiritual Power of 450 Gemstones; Flower Essences from the Witch's Garden: Plant Spirits in Magickal Herbalism. 

Nicholas is a veritable walking encyclopedia of all things Woo and wonderful, and in this episode he dives into practical, human-scaled tips and tricks to work with our plant and crystal allies in this Wood Snake Year!

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Nicholas' Links:
https://theluminouspearl.com/
https://www.innertraditions.com/author/nicholas-pearson

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with previous guest and friend of the show, Natalie Fehlner of Sidhe AND the *new* podcast: Tales from the Truth Seekers.

In this episode, Natalie shares her journey from spiritual awakening (see previous episode for more details on her awesome experience) to spiritual confusion to disillusionment to her recent six month journey in the TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching Program-- and the new businesses, products and podcast that came out of it!

Natalie creates one-of-a-kind, custom pieces of art for sale on Etsy, offers channeled messages and incredible astrology readings, and works to bring her curiosity for all things Woo to life in episodes of Tales from the Truth Seekers. 

The upshot? You can just DO STUFF. You don't need to ask permission or get approval or encouragement from anybody to pursue your dreams, make your art, or start a new thing that no one has ever thought of before. And, the only way to find out if it's going to work is if you actually do it!

The world needs your special slice of Woo, guys-- so listen to Natalie's success story and allow yourself to dream the impossible dream. Oh, and then go DO STUFF!

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

Natalie's Links:
All links: https://linktr.ee/nataliefehlner
Website: https://www.sidheart.com
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/nataliesidhe

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) chats with the *very* handsome and dynamic host of the Lit Up Lightworker podcast, George Lizos all about the world of Greek Mysticism-- and the Greek Gods, their myths, and their alignment with astrology, ritual magic, and much, much more!

George is the author of the new book Secrets of Greek Mysticism: A Modern Guide to Daily Practice with the Greek Gods and Goddesses-- and, in this episode of the pod, George shares some key insights with Rachel and her listeners-- all with a focus on these primordial powers and their potential positive impacts on our lives!

The coming Year of the Wood Snake is going to be a great time to resurrect the ancient wisdom of previous civilizations-- and a great time to revivify this incredible polytheistic pantheon in our modern lives!

Rachel's LINKS:
Rachel's Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach

Our Sponsors' LINKS:
The TOTEM Flower Essence Deck: https://a.co/d/gw16LsG
The TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/TOTEM-Tarot-Deck-Rachel-White/dp/0578980126
The TOTEM Flower Essences: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX
TOTEM Spiritual Transformation Coaching: https://www.totemreadings.com/coaching
TOTEM Business of Woo Mentoring: https://www.totemreadings.com/business-of-woo

George's Links:
George Lizos Website: https://georgelizos.com/
George Lizos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgelizos/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.