Christina and I discuss her mom’s journey with cancer and how Christina has navigated her death. We also discuss all the loss she has witnessed as a paramedic, my brother’s car accident and my own experience of loss, culty health beliefs (like Christina’s experience of Scientologists), the things people say during grief that are not helpful, feeling angry and “irrational” feelings after loss, the role of paramedics in choosing when someone dies, organ donation, and the spiritual aspects of loss and death. We also talk about not giving all your trust to doctors, how to help people cope with grief, & many more things!

Christina is a paramedic first responder, nurse, and new mother of an 8-month-old boy. She spent many years deeply immersed in all things yoga, meditation, and Eastern medicine. Having lived in four states across both coasts and the Midwest, she has gained insight from her experiences in both traditional healthcare and New Age practices.

Demetra's Substack

Demetra's email list

Watch this episode on YouTube here

Holly and I talk about growing up in South Dakota, her evangelical Christian upbringing, hell houses (like haunted houses for Christian children), and how she got kicked out of her Christian high school for asking questions. We discuss how aspects of her experiences were culty, her transition into a more New Age spirituality, and how we feel suspicious of people who claim to channel God. We discuss if the Bible can be trusted, why I am Christian and why Holly is not, the trend of New Age people turning Christian, and the impending return of traditional values in our society.

Holly Crawford is a writer, editor, and word witch who lives for a good story and a strong cup of coffee. She’s the lead editor at Reality Sandwich, where she curates content on psychedelics, consciousness, and counterculture. With deep roots in the cannabis world and a soft spot for all things mystical, she brings heart, humor, and a little chaos magic to everything she touches. Holly lives in Seattle with her husband, stepdaughter, two opinionated cats, and a smooshie-faced dog named Oliver. You can find her on Instagram @m_sungreen, on Substack, or somewhere between the veil, the algorithm, and the orcas of Puget Sound.

Demetra's writing

Demetra's email list

Raphaëlle wasn’t planning on homeschooling her kids, but when she discovered what her son was learning in public school she decided to explore other options. We discuss why so many people are pulled to homeschooling nowadays, the history of education in North America and how it is set up to produce obedient workers rather than creative thinkers, and what other opportunities are possible. We also talk about our own experiences in public schools, the importance of community in raising children, food budgeting and planning, and the judgements that people have around homeschooling.

Raphaëlle is a homeschooling, married mama of two who was completely immersed in her work as a real estate agent before having children. Then she flipped her world upside down as she started on her healing journey. Her old life slowly came apart and things unfolded beautifully. These days, she is interested in conscious parenting, child development, relationships, yoga and spirituality, psychology and personal growth. She enjoys deep conversations, reading and writing, nature, and learning. She is putting more energy into creating a business in which she can serve others and help them create a life that is in alignment with their deepest values. It’s what she is in service to preserving in her children and what she can help you find if you have lost it.

Raff's website, Instagram, Facebook

Demetra's writing

Demetra's email list

Watch this episode on YouTube here

Danielle grew up in a Duggar-family-style Christian cult. Leading a very sheltered childhood, she left to find her own independence as a teenager and ended up getting groomed into another “Christian” cult, by a narcissistic couple who sexually abused and financially exploited her. Danielle has a lot of self-awareness about exactly how this happened and also tells the story of her escape. She was later able to testify against her abuser in court and contributed to him going to prison. She is now happily engaged to a wonderful man and has truly moved on from her past experiences.

Danielle is a lifelong entrepreneur who loves spending time with her life partner, her coaching clients, real estate business and more! She has overcome much, including extreme religious cults and wishes you to know that your past does not have to define your future.

Demetra's writing

Demetra's email list

Watch this episode on YouTube here

My husband Jordan and I explore the complexities of men's relationships with sexual variety, happiness, and emotional fulfillment. Jordan talks about his past involvement with pickup artist culture and having sex with hundreds of women, sex addiction and BDSM, and sex work — and the pain that resulted from engaging with sex in this way. We also discuss outsourcing intimacy to pornography and why love is the most important thing in life.

Jordan's email list

Jordan's website

Demetra's writing

Demetra's email list

In this episode, Lisa and I discuss our journeys from New Age to Christianity. Lisa tells the story of her mental breakdown and how it led her to Christ, including her deliverance and spiritual warfare. We talk about evil, the role of humans in stewarding nature, and what it looks like to surrender to God. We also discuss “coming out as Christian” and how our followers responded, artificial intelligence and if it’s compatible with Christianity, current politics, the overlap between New Age and Christian teachings, and sexuality.

Lisa Hillyer has walked an inspiring path of transformation. Once a successful interior designer, Lisa battled with a drinking problem that led her to reevaluate her life. After choosing sobriety, she began a journey of deep self-healing and spiritual awakening. Transitioning into a life coach and yoga teacher, Lisa used her gifts to guide others in their healing processes. Her journey continued as she embraced the role of a priestess, leading sacred circles and retreats, empowering women to reclaim their divine feminine power. During her midlife crisis, Lisa experienced a tumultuous downfall that returned her to Christ with renewed purpose. Now, she serves as a beacon of wisdom, guiding others to heal, reconnect and live with radiant authenticity. She lives on the Sunshine Coast on five acres holding retreats & making tallow skincare products with her 2 rescue dogs, 5 ducks & thousands of bees.

Lisa's retreats

Lisa's podcast

Lisa's podcast episode with Demetra

Demetra's Substack piece on Jesus (part 1)

Demetra's writing

Demetra's email list

Watch this episode on YouTube here

In this episode, Christina and I discuss the weird, funny, and sometimes healing world of yoga culture. We talk about her experience with Baptiste yoga teacher training, the aspects of that training that were very culty, and how emotional manipulation can show up in spiritual spaces. We also get into the ethics of coaching, question whether energy work is real, and talk about the power of belief in healing. I talk about my experience owning a yoga studio when I was younger, and how I used to identify as a witch, and we discuss returning to Christianity. This conversation went so many places — other topics include libertarianism, politics, veganism, the Amish, Mark Rippetoe and strength training, and Christina’s experience working as a first responder. There is a lot of laughter in this episode!

Christina is a paramedic first responder, nurse, and new mother of a 7-month-old boy. She spent many years deeply immersed in all things yoga, meditation, and Eastern medicine. Having lived in four states across both coasts and the Midwest, she has gained insight from her experiences in both traditional healthcare and New Age practices.

Demetra's Substack

Demetra's email list

Watch this episode on YouTube here

My husband Jordan & I discuss midgets, suicide, Hitler, farts, and other things — like how humor helps us heal and the importance of being able to laugh about every topic.

Comedians we mention: Phil Hanley (Demetra’s favorite), Tom Segura, Andrew Shulz, John Mulaney, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle

Jordan's email list

Demetra's writing

Demetra's website

Watch this episode on YouTube here