The Skeptical Shaman

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings), chats with the totally awesome Kaity Craven of the Moonflower Moments YouTube Channel. 

Kaity is the rare practitioner that actually makes quality tarot deck, oracle deck, and "how to" divinatory content on YouTube-- without making it all about herself, brand deals, or the overdone same old, same old permeating an already overly saturated social media landscape littered with useless noise.

Rachel and Kaity discuss life as professional card readers and psychics, as well as their respective gardening and herbalism work in the strangely magical American South (Rachel lives in Texas, Kaity in Louisiana). To this end, Kaity shares a very cool and super easy to execute herbal "spell jar" recipe that we can all use in this Summer Season!

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

Kaity's Links: 

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@moonflowermoments?si=X6F1BydhdqlpyLaS
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoonflowermoments

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 Lisa Amato, energy healer, reiki practitioner, and wounded healer of the highest order. 

Why the wounded healer part? Well, Rachel and Lisa both have a history of early childhood trauma, and this episode they dig into the hairy details-- but also focus on the redemptive power of transmuting said wound into its corresponding "medicine", both for the self and for others.

Lisa is a hilarious, no nonsense ball-buster of a reiki practitioner, bringing the grounded presence so often lacking in the "airy fairy", "love and light", "crystal hippy lady" set. Said another way? She can actually hold the requisite space required to undertake the real deal energy healing work for those that have suffered trauma in their lives. 

Not all wounds can be seen. Many of them lie in our energy bodies. And, for those of us lucky enough to have found our own healers and teachers that enabled us to step into this work for others, Lisa's story will resonate like hell.

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

Lisa's Links: 

• Lisa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calm_ya_mind_and_soul/
• Lisa's Calendly (for booking): https://calendly.com/calmyamind

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 beautiful* and *very soulful* Andrew Madsen: a 40-year old creative intuitive defiantly and intentionally embracing the slower paced liminal space "between opportunities". 

How is he doing this, you might be wondering? Well, he's making friends with nocturnal animals in New York City's Central Park at night-- and producing stunning photos and videos of his nighttime adventures along the way! Chief among these animals are Andrew's merry band of rascally raccoons, including standouts like the larger than life "Deborah". 

Rachel and Andrew discuss the intensity of being in the "in between" against all odds-- and in the face of a modern world that wants to squeeze us to death with the increasing pressures of money, time, productivity and constant digital accessibility-- and the negative nervous system stimulation that results. But, as scary as it is to not have a plan or be pushing and grinding 24/7, all of the REAL magic happens precisely in these sacred gaps.

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

Andrew's Links:

• Personal Instagram: @mercibeaudrew 
• Animal Sanctuary Instagram: @sowagoatsanctuary 

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 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.