Joseph Paul talks with Raven Sager, the Pittsburgh-area cauldron leader, entertainer, and teacher, about a life shaped by foster care, adoption, rebellion, prison, and spiritual searching. Raven shares how he moved from strict church upbringing to Satanism, then into broader occult study, Islam, and a more inclusive, open-ended practice centered on learning and community. We discuss how identity, anger, discipline, and curiosity shaped Raven’s path, and why he now focuses on uniting people rather than boxing them into labels. This conversation is part personal testimony, part spiritual reflection, and part reminder that growth often comes through hard consequences and constant self-examination.

00:00 - Introduction to Raven Sager, Pittsburgh cauldron master
01:08 - Growing up in Pennsylvania and moving to Pittsburgh
02:27 - Foster care, adoption, and a strict Christian home
04:09 - Christian school, rules, and childhood work expectations
06:23 - Choosing adoption and family conflict
09:19 - Music, creativity, and feeling pushed into the wrong path
11:45 - Living with his biological mother and early adult instability
14:13 - Questioning church authority and opening to the occult
15:04 - Discovering Satanism and embracing rebellion
17:12 - Satanic panic, harassment, and the cost of going all in
18:25 - Violence, prison, and forced self-reflection
20:31 - Why the Church of Satan left him unsupported
21:49 - Building the Steel City Satanic group
23:36 - Creating a more inclusive vision for Satanic Pittsburgh
24:38 - The dream that shifted his focus beyond Satanism
25:42 - Expanding into wider magical practice
26:05 - Mentors, community, and Sparkle Dragon in Beachview, PA
27:26 - The demon puppet, the unholy pope, and representing the craft
29:41 - Why he changed the group name to Pittsburgh Cauldron
32:15 - Why real-world gatherings are hard to sustain
34:47 - Sacrifice, passion, and not getting trapped in labels
36:33 - Why he rejects divisions around who can be a witch
39:40 - Keeping politics and religion bashing out of the group
40:30 - Magic, tradition, and creating your own practice
41:16 - Music returning through a more open mindset
42:07 - Raven’s view of Jesus and the corruption of teachings
42:55 - Learning Islam in prison and practicing it seriously
45:30 - Why he rejects stereotypes about Islam and Christianity
47:16 - Learning from Hinduism, Buddhism, and meditation
48:30 - Why learning never stops
49:14 - Hobbies, creativity, and building a fuller life
50:07 - How to reach Raven and join Pittsburgh Cauldron
52:26 - Reflections on awakening and growth
53:39 - Quick-fire thoughts on awakening, growth, truth, and reincarnation

Contact Raven:

Pittsburgh Cauldron

Raven on Facebook

Raven Sager spent years running from one extreme to the other - and the result is a raw, surprising conversation about religion, rebellion, identity, and what happens when you finally stop pretending. If you’ve ever questioned the box you were handed, this episode will hit hard. Joseph Paul sits down with Raven, a Pittsburgh-area entertainer, teacher, and organizer, for his first podcast interview ever. Raven opens up about growing up in foster care, being adopted into a strict Christian household, and how that upbringing eventually pushed him toward Satanism, prison time, and a long search for meaning that kept going far beyond the labels. You’ll discover:

• How Raven went from church kid to full-on Church of Satan member
• Why he believes taking beliefs too far can become a trap
• The story behind Pittsburgh Cauldron and why he created it to unite different paths under one community
• How a dream pushed him to explore herbal magic, crystal magic, and broader spiritual practice
• Why he rejects rigid gatekeeping around witchcraft, religion, and personal identity

Joseph and Raven also get into the tension between faith and freedom, the fallout of dogmatic communities, and the hard truth that awakening is often less about reading books and more about being forced to face yourself. Raven speaks candidly about Islam, Christianity, reincarnation, music, creativity, and the lesson he keeps returning to: there are many truths, but growth never stops. This is a deeply personal, no-filter conversation about what it means to survive your upbringing, challenge your programming, and build something more open for the people coming after you. Essential listening if you’re drawn to spiritual deconstruction, alternative beliefs, or stories of radical personal transformation.

# Exploring Spiritualism and Cultural Journeys with Rev. Todd J. Leonard

> A deep dive into spiritualism, cultural exchange, and personal stories.

In this issue, we explore the fascinating journey of Rev. Todd J. Leonard, a historian and educator who has spent over 38 years in Japan. His experiences reflect not just a life dedicated to academia but also a deep connection to spiritualism and cultural exchange.

## The Journey Begins

Rev. Todd's journey began in Shelbyville, Indiana, where he grew up in a small family. His curiosity about foreign cultures sparked an interest in studying abroad. Initially hoping to go to Spain, Todd found his path leading him to Japan through a high school exchange program. This decision changed the course of his life, igniting a passion for cross-cultural understanding.

> "I was always very interested in foreign cultures... I wanted to live abroad when I was in high school."

— Rev. Todd J. Leonard

## Life in Japan

Todd arrived in Japan as a high school exchange student in the late 70s and returned in 1989 as a full-time educator. He describes the subtropical climate of Fukuoka, where he currently resides, as sweltering hot during summer but beautiful during autumn.

> "It's home for me now, that's for sure."

— Rev. Todd J. Leonard

His career flourished in Japan, where he taught cross-cultural studies, authored textbooks, and contributed significantly to academia. His life’s work has been about bridging cultures and understanding different perspectives.

## Spiritual Awakening

Rev. Todd's spiritual journey began within his family’s Protestant tradition, later leading him to Catholicism during college. A chance encounter with a psychic in his hometown introduced him to the world of spiritualism.

> "I was just very taken by her ability... she actually became my mentor and teacher."

— Rev. Todd J. Leonard

This pivotal moment led to his ordination and his role as a historian at Camp Chesterfield, a spiritualist community in Indiana. Todd has worked tirelessly to preserve its history and promote its significance.

## Camp Chesterfield: A Historical Perspective

Founded in the 1880s, Camp Chesterfield emerged from a group of Hoosiers seeking a spiritual home away from the mainstream. Todd recounts how they established the camp, noting its beautiful, wooded properties that attract many for spiritual gatherings.

> "The early spiritualists really did have an eye for good real estate."

— Rev. Todd J. Leonard

Through the Friends of Camp Chesterfield Foundation, Todd has helped digitize archives, making them accessible for researchers worldwide, ensuring the camp's legacy endures.

## Reflection

Rev. Todd J. Leonard's life is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the importance of preserving history. His journey reminds us of the connections we can forge across cultures and the impact of spiritual exploration.

For a deeper dive into his story and insights, listen to the full episode of the Wakened Earth Podcast.

Contact Rev Todd:

[email protected]

In this episode, Rev. Todd J. Leonard shares his fascinating journey from Indiana to Japan, his deep involvement in spiritualism, and insights into the history and practices of Camp Chesterfield. Discover how spiritual communication and mediumship develop and why they matter today.

Joseph Paul sits down with Reverend Dick Halloran, a former county city circuit judge, spiritualist minister, and longtime seeker whose path moved from devout Catholic upbringing to mediumship and metaphysical spirituality. The conversation traces how personal experiences, not theory, shaped his awakening, and why he believes responsibility, intuition, and direct spiritual experience matter more than inherited programming. We discuss how Dick’s early Catholic formation, legal career, and encounters with psychics, ghosts, and spirit guidance all became turning points. The episode also explores the idea that people create their own reality, and why Dick says the most important takeaway is to find the spirit within yourself.

• In this episode, Dick shares how he grew up in Kenmore, New York as a deeply devout Catholic, serving as an altar boy and originally wanting to become a priest.
• He explains how Catholic teaching gave him structure, but also fear, especially around sin, punishment, and the idea that normal teenage behavior meant damnation.
• Dick describes college at Canisius, where reading the New Testament for himself shifted his understanding from a punitive God to a loving, communal one.
• He talks about forming and participating in Catholic house-church communities like the Living Worship Community and Our Lady Queen of Hope, and how parish closure by the Archdiocese pushed him away from top-down religion.
• He recounts his first major opening to the paranormal through a man whose house was haunted, which made him realize that ghostly experiences could be real without needing immediate explanation.
• Dick shares the moment a Department of Agriculture employee demonstrated intuitive awareness of plants, animals, and sometimes humans, which further expanded his view of what was possible.
• He tells the story of a psychic reading from Joy Tally in Virginia Beach, including striking details about his marriage, work, and past lives, and how the reading later matched events his wife independently experienced at home.
• The conversation follows his intuition-led career change from federal legal work to a failed run for judge, then to sales and marketing, then to magistrate, district judge, and later circuit court judge in Detroit.
• Dick reflects on how losing and regaining jobs, and his rise through the courts, confirmed for him that spirit was guiding his life, even when the path looked random or frustrating.
• He explains how books like Conversations with God, men’s spiritual groups, metaphysical church work, Camp Chesterfield, and the International Association of Spiritualists all widened his understanding of mediumship and spiritual service.
• Joseph and Dick discuss awakening as a process of taking responsibility, breaking free from programming, and recognizing that people are not merely victims of circumstance.
• The episode ends with Dick’s core message: find the spirit within yourself, because awakening is about remembering what you already are.

Contact Reverend Dick Halloran

[email protected]

# Creating Your Own Human Experience with Rev. Dick Holleran

> Explore spiritual growth and self-creation in this enlightening conversation.

In this episode of the Wake and Earth Podcast, Joseph Paul engages in a profound conversation with Rev. Dick Holleran, a spiritualist minister and former County City Circuit Judge. Their discussion revolves around the idea of personal responsibility in shaping one's own life journey.

## The Journey Begins

Rev. Holleran shares his unique background, starting from his upbringing in a devout Catholic household in Buffalo, New York. He affectionately describes himself as a "recovering Catholic" and reflects on the teachings that shaped his early beliefs about God and spirituality.

> "Any day above ground is a good day."

This belief underscores his approach to life, emphasizing the importance of creating a fulfilling human experience.

## Awakening to Responsibility

A key theme in their dialogue is the realization that many individuals live as victims of circumstance, unaware of their power to shape their lives. Rev. Holleran asserts that once people awaken to their agency, they can begin to create their own experiences. This shift in perspective is crucial for personal growth and spiritual development.

## Spiritual Exploration

Holleran’s path led him to explore various spiritual practices beyond traditional Catholicism. He recounts how his studies in religion and philosophy opened his eyes to different beliefs and practices, including Hinduism and Buddhism. This exploration culminated in encounters with spiritual phenomena that challenged his previous understanding of faith.

> "This is not the God I learned in grammar school, who punishes you. This is a God that loves you."

This quote captures the essence of his transformed view on spirituality.

## Community and Connection

The conversation also highlights the significance of community in spiritual practice. Rev. Holleran discusses his participation in the Living Worship Community, where families gathered to create their own religious experiences. This grassroots approach to spirituality resonated deeply with him, contrasting sharply with the hierarchical structure of traditional churches.

## Embracing Intuition

As Rev. Holleran’s journey unfolded, he began to trust his intuition and embrace the unknown. He shares a pivotal experience with a psychic who helped him recognize the importance of trusting his inner voice. This moment of clarity not only shifted his personal life but also impacted his role as a spiritual leader.

## Final Reflections

Rev. Holleran's story is a testament to the power of personal agency and spiritual exploration. His journey encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can create their unique paths.

As you ponder these insights, consider how you might embrace your own journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

For more enlightening discussions, tune into the full episode of the Wake and Earth Podcast.

# Creating Your Own Human Experience with Rev. Dick Holleran

Explore spiritual growth and self-creation in this enlightening conversation.

In this episode of the Wake and Earth Podcast, Joseph Paul engages in a profound conversation with Rev. Dick Holleran, a spiritualist minister and former County City Circuit Judge. Their discussion revolves around the idea of personal responsibility in shaping one's own life journey.

## The Journey Begins

Rev. Holleran shares his unique background, starting from his upbringing in a devout Catholic household in Buffalo, New York. He affectionately describes himself as a "recovering Catholic" and reflects on the teachings that shaped his early beliefs about God and spirituality.

> "Any day above ground is a good day."

This belief underscores his approach to life, emphasizing the importance of creating a fulfilling human experience.

## Awakening to Responsibility

A key theme in their dialogue is the realization that many individuals live as victims of circumstance, unaware of their power to shape their lives. Rev. Holleran asserts that once people awaken to their agency, they can begin to create their own experiences. This shift in perspective is crucial for personal growth and spiritual development.

## Spiritual Exploration

Holleran’s path led him to explore various spiritual practices beyond traditional Catholicism. He recounts how his studies in religion and philosophy opened his eyes to different beliefs and practices, including Hinduism and Buddhism. This exploration culminated in encounters with spiritual phenomena that challenged his previous understanding of faith.

> "This is not the God I learned in grammar school, who punishes you. This is a God that loves you."

This quote captures the essence of his transformed view on spirituality.

## Community and Connection

The conversation also highlights the significance of community in spiritual practice. Rev. Holleran discusses his participation in the Living Worship Community, where families gathered to create their own religious experiences. This grassroots approach to spirituality resonated deeply with him, contrasting sharply with the hierarchical structure of traditional churches.

## Embracing Intuition

As Rev. Holleran’s journey unfolded, he began to trust his intuition and embrace the unknown. He shares a pivotal experience with a psychic who helped him recognize the importance of trusting his inner voice. This moment of clarity not only shifted his personal life but also impacted his role as a spiritual leader.

## Final Reflections

Rev. Holleran's story is a testament to the power of personal agency and spiritual exploration. His journey encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can create their unique paths.

As you ponder these insights, consider how you might embrace your own journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

For more enlightening discussions, tune into the full episode of the Wake and Earth Podcast.

Joseph Paul talks with Sophia Rasmussen, resident medium at Camp Chesterfield and founder of Wild Birds Wisdom, about a lifetime of spiritual contact, the near death experiences that shaped her path, and how she uses runes, numerology, and trance work in readings. Sophia also shares how nature, prayer, and self discipline helped her build a practice rooted in service rather than performance. In this episode: Sophia traces her early sensitivity back to childhood, explains how spirit protection showed up during traumatic moments, and describes the moment her mediumship shifted from private experience to public work. Joseph and Sophia also discuss the role of free will, healing, and why joy has to be chosen even after severe loss and hardship.

• Sophia Rasmussen is introduced as a resident medium at Camp Chesterfield and the force behind Wild Birds Wisdom, stepping into a role once held by Reverend Terry Ryan.
• She says her strongest spiritual connection has always come through nature, especially the woods, trees, walking, gardening, and meditation.
• Sophia describes being raised Lutheran but never feeling fully connected to that path, even as a child.
• She shares that she gave her first message to her father at age 3, including details about his first wife and a sister he had not yet learned about.
• She talks about growing up in the 1980s, leaving home at 13, and learning to keep her abilities private after other people became uncomfortable with them.
• Sophia recounts multiple near death experiences, including a childhood electrocution in a tree that she says led to a spiritual download.
• She also describes a suicide attempt in her teens and says she was interrupted by a spirit presence that told her to get up.
• Another survival story involves a Jeep incident where she says the vehicle rolled, then suddenly she was back on the road with no crash in the final outcome.
• Joseph and Sophia discuss runes as a tool for guidance, self development, and energy work, not just prediction.
• Sophia explains how she combines prayer, numerology, a pendulum, clairvoyance, and whatever tool is most useful for a reading.
• She reads Joseph with the rune Mannaz, interpreting it as a sign of humanity, tribe, and community, and says his path carries grace and ease.
• The episode closes with Sophia emphasizing that awakening is not expensive, growth does not have to be dramatic, and the practical goal is to stay happy, ethical, and grateful

Contact Sophia

www.campchesterfield.com

# Connecting with Spirit: Sophia Rasmussen's Journey

> Explore Sophia's spiritual awakening and connection with nature.

In this episode of the Waken to Earth Podcast, Joseph Paul sits down with Sophia Rasmussen, a resident medium at Camp Chesterfield, to discuss her unique spiritual journey and the profound experiences that have shaped her life.

## A Journey of Spiritual Discovery

Sophia shares her early life growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and her initial experiences with spirituality. Raised in a Lutheran environment that never quite resonated with her, she found solace and connection in nature. "I always felt like there was something missing," she reflects, emphasizing that church wasn’t just a building for her. "You don't need a building for church."

At just three years old, Sophia delivered a message to her father about a family member he had lost, showcasing her intuitive gifts early on. "I don't know who's a bigger fan of who, if I was dad's biggest fan or if he was mine," she says, highlighting the supportive environment that allowed her gifts to flourish.

## Embracing the Mysterious

As she navigated her formative years, Sophia faced challenges, including a tumultuous family life. Despite this, she retained a deep connection to spirit, often feeling guided and protected. "When there was toxicity, I would be removed by spirit," she explains, attributing her survival to a higher power that kept her out of harm's way.

Sophia’s pivotal awakening came in 1988 through a near-death experience after an accident involving a live electric wire. "I was dangling in the top of this tree twenty-two feet in the air upside down," she recounts, sharing the humbling aftermath and the physical challenges she faced. This experience not only marked a turning point in her life but also deepened her connection to the spiritual realm.

## The Power of Nature and Connection

Throughout the conversation, Sophia emphasizes the importance of nature in her spiritual practice. "Singing, drumming, walking, gardening — these are all forms of meditation for me," she shares, illustrating how she finds peace and grounding in the natural world. Her journey is a testament to the idea that spiritual connection can manifest in various forms, often away from conventional structures.

As we reflect on Sophia’s experiences, it becomes clear that her path is one of resilience, exploration, and deep connection with the spirit world.

To hear more about Sophia’s fascinating journey and insights into spiritual awakening, listen to the full episode.

Joseph Paul sits down with his friend Trey Warner to talk about Trey’s path from a Pentecostal upbringing to astrology, mediumship, and sound healing. Trey shares how a childhood shaped by religion, loss, and intuition led him to a more expansive spiritual practice centered on healing, self-knowledge, and service. In this episode, Trey explains how COVID pushed him to reevaluate his life and deepen his study of astrology, vibration, and water as an intelligent force. The conversation also gets into Pluto, collective awakening, and why he believes this moment calls for more love, inclusion, and inner work.

• Trey’s upbringing in Jacksonville, Florida with a Pentecostal mother and agnostic father, and how that shaped his worldview
• The tension between religion and identity, including realizing early that he did not fit the strict Pentecostal framework
• How the death of Trey’s father became a turning point in his spiritual path
• A formative reading with Reverend Bonnie that validated Trey’s intuition and sparked a lasting interest in spiritual messaging
• Trey’s work as a hairdresser for 30 years and how that prepared him for deeper healing work with people
• The COVID shutdown as a major reset that led Trey into mediumship mentorship, sound healing, and astrology
• Astrology as a tool for self-knowledge, relationships, and understanding generational cycles
• How Trey reads Pluto in Aquarius as a sign of collective power, social change, and the rise of feminine energy
• His current focus on water, sacred geometry, and how vibration and language may affect living systems
• Why Trey believes awakening should be inclusive, grounded, and rooted in love rather than ego

Trey's Contacts:

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/treywarnerhealerastrologer

https://www.facebook.com/thenextlevelhealing