In this episode of Roots and Realms, we explore the witchy media that shaped our paths, sparked by the return of American Horror Story: Coven. From The Craft to Practical Magic, we reflect on what felt authentic, what didn’t, and why representation in the Craft matters. The conversation moves through influential books and shows, blending nostalgia with critique and lived experience. We also imagine what a truly grounded, diverse, and practice-centered witchy series could look like beyond Hollywood aesthetics. To close, we introduce a new Roots and Realms project amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color within Western occult traditions.

In this episode of Roots and Realms, we explore performative paganism and the difference between authentic spiritual practice and spirituality shaped for an audience. The conversation dives into cultural appropriation, emphasizing intention, respect, and accountability when engaging with traditions outside one’s own. We also examine the complexities of moral consumption through a debate on the Harry Potter franchise, questioning whether boycotts are meaningful activism or inconsistent performance. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about spirituality, social media, and what it truly means to walk a genuine path.

In this episode of Roots & Realms, KC, Zaren and Angel discuss what it means to build authentic community in modern occult spaces, particularly for queer and BIPOC practitioners. The conversation explores how imposter syndrome can arise for people of color in predominantly Eurocentric traditions and offers practical ways to overcome it, including cognitive restructuring, success journaling, and ancestor connection. The hosts also highlight common red flags in online occult groups, such as controlling moderators, lack of diversity, and spaces that discourage honest dialogue, while emphasizing the importance of creating brave, supportive communities where practitioners can show up fully as themselves and grow together. ✨

Angel talks about the Magick and Power in Names

In this episode of Roots and Realms, K.C. Freeman, Angel, and Zaren Allen welcome their first-ever guest, Mawiyah Kai El-Jamah Bomani, author of Hoodoo Saints & Root Warriors and Conjuring the Calabash. Together they explore hoodoo as liberation work—rooted in community healing, spiritual agency, and resistance. Mawiyah shares practical ways to canonize and connect with ancestors, set healthy spiritual boundaries with complicated relatives, and invites allies to move from performative support to true accomplice-ship. A warm, powerful conversation on devotion, justice, and why magic has always been for liberation.

Season two begins by grounding the craft in work, not aesthetics. The hosts challenge performative witch culture and reclaim magic as practice, devotion, and responsibility. From ancestral survival and foraging to activism and collective spellwork, this episode explores how intention becomes action and how community power becomes resistance. Magic is not for likes. It is for liberation.

A brief moment of reflection on year 2025 from Angel.

In this powerful Year in Review episode, the Roots & Realms collective reflects on the spiritual growth, challenges, and breakthroughs that shaped the past year. From deepening daily practices to navigating social justice work through a magical lens, this conversation explores how our lived experiences, identities, and intentions continue to evolve. We also share our guiding words for 2026 and unveil the bold and necessary direction the podcast will take in the coming season, including expanded topics, diverse guest voices, and a renewed commitment to uplifting same-gender-loving BIPOC practitioners. Step into the circle and journey forward with us.