You do your best in this life to try and figure out what you’re doing. You write everything down, you make a schedule, and you plan. And sometimes those plans work out and sometimes they don’t. That’s what this episode is about.
Sort of.
Kind of.
In a way.
I think.
Read Trae’s Books:
The Witch and the Rose
ISBN: 9798869132666
Available Via: Amazon / Kindle / ePub / Direct Order
Bloody Damn Rite
ISBN: 9798330220373
Available Via: Amazon / Kindle / ePub / Direct Order
Shadowcasting (Available 12/15/2024)
ISBN: 9781088207031
Available Via: Pre-Order on Kindle / Pre-Order Paperback
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joining our Discord or our forums!)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

This episode of BS-Free Witchcraft is actually a panel from CritWitchCon 2022 this last October. Spend an hour with Alex Wrekk, Bree NicGarran, Lozzie Stardust and myself as we talk about the history of modern witchcraft. Also you get to listen to me speed run like 130 years of history in under five minutes.
It’s a lot of fun, and I think you’ll like it.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joining our Discord!)
Music: “The Man With One Eye” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Consumerism has been a driving force in the witchcraft movement since the beginning, but in the age of social media it’s only gotten more visible. Is this a good thing? I mean… no. No it’s not. But we probably wouldn’t be talking about it if it was, would we. Also, it’s entirely possible that WitchTok hates poor people.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joining our Discord!)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Can you believe we made it this long without doing an episode answering a question this basic? I mean, yeah, sure, I cover it a little in episode one — but after running across something online, I realized I really wanted to do something more complete on the matter. So that’s the question we’re answering this month.
Mostly.
Sort of.
You’ll find out.
And remember, if you want to get questions in for this year’s Q&A/Feedback episode, send them in before July 15th here!
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joining our Discord!)
Links:

* Invoking Witchcraft Episode 1 February 2021


Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” “Red Velvet (Long),” “Buddy,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

On this month’s episode of BS-Free Witchcraft we’re talking about political witchcraft. Should your witchcraft be political? What’s the history of the modern witchcraft movement and political action? Should your political action end with your witchcraft?
For that last one… the answer is no. It’s a definite and clear no.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Links:

* Witches Gather to put Spell on Trump (NBC News)
* “Ground Zero Players” Witches Curse Trump (ABC 10 News)


Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

We’ve talked before about the white supremacy issues in the modern witchcraft, neopagan, and norse heathen communities, but today we’re dealing with something a little more insidious: the racism that might be coming from inside the house. Because what happens when someone who doesn’t think they’re racist does something racist is important, and there are lots of little things so many of us do in the modern witchcraft movement that, frankly, too many people let slide.
But, uh, I promise I’m at least a little funny in this one? Probably should have done a Beltane episode instead…
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Links:

* Nordic Mythology Podcast Ep 104
* That TikTok video of mine


Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Say So (Instrumental)” (Elliot Van Coup) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Burnout is something that every witch will likely experience in their lives, and it’s just something we sort of have to deal with. So, in this episode, that’s what we’re talking about. And it’s mostly because, uh, a certain someone is currently burned out beyond all belief.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

On this episode of BS-Free Witchcraft it’s finally come time for an episode on crystals. Yep, almost three and a half years into this witchcraft podcast, and we’re finally going to talk about the shiny rocks we all like to hoard. But here’s the thing — this might not be the episode you expect, because there’s a dark side to crystals. A dark side we all need to deal with and be aware of.
The entire second half of this episode is a content warning.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Links:

* Tom Brady Interview (WCVB)
* Dark crystals: the brutal reality behind a booming wellness craze (The Guardian)


Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

As long as I can remember, people have been debating whether or not it’s okay for non-Jewish witches to incorporate Lilith into their practices. Is Lilith closed? Is it cultural appropriation? There’s so much misinformation in new age and poorly written witchcraft books on Lilith, it’s hard for some witches to get a clear picture. Like I’ve run into folks on social media talking about Lilith as a “Goddess,” which she very much isn’t. Let’s dive into the origins of the folklore surrounding this figure, and I’ll let you decide whether or not it’s okay to work with Lilith.
But, uh, spoiler – I don’t think you should.
(Also at one point I misspeak and say 600CE instead of 600BCE, but you get what I’m saying.)
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

On this (very last minute) episode of the podcast, we’re looking at the myths surrounding paganism and Christmas… and how some of the claims that circulate this time of year don’t really have a lot of historical grounding. Or, in some cases, any at all.
Frankly I just needed to do something that isn’t depressing to talk about after last month.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Important Links:

* The Heathen Celebration of Yule (and was it stolen?) (Ocean Keltoi)


Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (Traditional/Stock Music) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Content Warning: This episode discusses trauma, abuse, child sexual abuse, and other topics related to those issues. Listener discretion is advised.
On this episode of BS-Free Witchcraft we’re talking about manipulators, predators, abusers, and cult-ish behavior in the modern witchcraft movement. From online spaces to real world ones, we need to know how to recognize and identify these behaviors. This episode focuses on trying to identify the issues to look out for, and Lee Bradford (creator of The Sweeney Tarot) appears to talk about their experience with a particular individual in real life as well.
It’s a darker episode, but a necessary one.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Well, we’ve reached that special time of year where it’s time to talk about ghost stories on the podcast! Sort of! This year, Trae is joined by Lee Bradford (creator of The Sweeney Tarot), who returns to the podcast after three years. We talk about ghosts, cryptids, and legends that don’t quite pan out. This year it’s a much more general episode with a lot more fun debunking of weird cryptids and legends, and less ghosts… but there are still ghosts?
There are still ghosts. I promise there are still ghosts.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

In the last few years there has been some minor push back against using the name “Mabon” for the Autumnal Equinox. In this episode we’re going to talk about how Mabon got its name, who came up with the name, and why exactly a small group of British Traditional Wiccans are so mad about it.
Spoiler: it’s because a bunch of Gardnerian Wiccans are mad at Aidan Kelly.
I know this episode is Wicca-focused, but I think it’s important information for most modern witches to know.
Important Links:

* Seeking Witchcraft “Why ‘Mabon’ is a Lie” (September 18, 2020)
* Aidan Kelly “About Naming Ostara, Litha, and Mabon” (May 2, 2017)
* Donald H. Frew “A. Kelly IS an oathbreaker” (December 9, 1995)


(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

This month we’re talking about how we, as a community, need to actually verify that something is real before we start sharing it. Time and time again, something gets passed back and forth within the witchcraft community before someone actually bothers to ask the question “is this something that’s really happening?”
Because sometimes it isn’t.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

It’s July, so that means it’s time for the annual BS-Free Witchcraft Q&A episode! Listeners like you sent in questions, and I’m going to do my best to answer them. Could it be a complete disaster? Maybe! Only one way to find out though.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

So a few weeks ago I made a joke post on my Tumblr where I said beginner witches should “Fight a God.” This led me through a series of events which made me want to discuss how we relate to gods in witchcraft, the difference between worship and belief, and frankly whether or not we should fight a god.
That, and, we’ve all agreed that Apollo has an OnlyFans.
And a reminder – it’s almost July, so it’s time for the annual Q&A/Feedback episode of the show. If you have questions, make sure you get them in to me at the contact form here by July 10th.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

In any movement or group there’s always a pull to do certain things to fit in. There’s an unspoken (or I guess sometimes spoken) peer pressure to do certain performative actions to conform. The modern witchcraft movement isn’t immune to this phenomenon either, and so that’s what we’re going to talk about this month.
But, like, in a fun way.
And a reminder – it’s almost July, so it’s time for the annual Q&A/Feedback episode of the show. If you have questions, make sure you get them in to me at the contact form here.
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

On this episode, I sit down with Hex Positive‘s Bree NicGarran to talk about openly being a Witch in the modern world. How accepted are witches really these days? What challenges do we face being open about our craft? What are the odds that an old lady with a murder-van is going to harass you in a gas station parking lot?
…they’re surprisingly good apparently.
Important Links:

* Doreen Valiente Interview
* Man Stalks Woman He Believes is a Witch
* Fired Pagan Woman Sues Panera


(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

After two fairly depressing episodes, it’s time to move on to something a little less bleak. This time around we’re talking about The Wheel of the Year! Well, at least the basic idea. Where did it come from, who slapped these eight holidays together, and are they really something every witch needs to give a crap about?
Minor spoiler, the answer to that last question is a firm “no.”
(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

A couple of years ago we did an episode on the history of the Satanic Panic of the latter half of the twentieth century, but recent events have led us to ask — could it be happening again? It’s very possible that we at the start of a new wave of satanic panic, and QAnon is just the latest symptom of a larger problem.
Important Links:

* Our Satanic Panic Episode
* NBC NY – Police Investigate Arson of Historic ‘Halloween House’


(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon.)
Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / “Jaracanda,” Random Loops (Apple Music Library)