A Witch, A Mystic & A Feminist The Podcast

Marlena

Host

Marlena, like a number of people, began her spiritual awakening in 2020 and boy, did that throw her for a loop. She is a very analytical thinker and needs facts laid out in front of her. So, when she started questioning everything she had ever known, it was very difficult for her to wrap her head around. Once she came to grips with the uncertainty (as much as she could), she began experimenting with different spiritual tools, healing modalities and working with different mentors. She admits that this whole process has been extremely confusing for her analytical brain and though she has stumbled a time or two, she has learned and grown, which is something she will continue to do.

The driving force behind the podcast, Marlena really didn’t know what to expect when she had the idea for this creative venture. She really didn’t expect to be as vulnerable and honest as she has been, but that seems part of her journey as well.

Simply put, Marlena is still trying to figure it all out (as we all are). And though she feels that she has absolutely no clue who she is or what she is doing, her co-hosts see her for the formidable voice that she is and will continue to help her see that as well. In the meantime, she’s enjoying the ride on the Hot Mess Express.

Christy

Host

Still in the midst of deconstructing her faith and in the midst of embracing her queerness while in a heteronormative relationship with an incredibly supportive partner, Christy said ‘yes’ rather quickly to the idea of doing a podcast about spirituality and feminism. It was very unlike her to volunteer to air her true self out there for the world, but too many things aligned and simply could not be ignored. After all, vulnerability and authenticity often breed beautifully intimate conversations and her love of meaningful heart-to-hearts fuels so much of her creative energy.

Drawing upon her personal experience growing up within religion, Christy is navigating her own spirituality and what that means to her. An expert by no means, but now trying to be more open, she is willing to share her own experiences. Some of her deepest desires are to continue to step outside herself and open herself up to new beliefs, thoughts and experiences.

She is a writer, a singer and a lover of music that has haunting melodies or four-part harmonies. Someday soon, she may even learn to play an instrument (if she can just commit to it already). Sit her in front of a musical, a concert, a play or a ballet, and watch her face get stupidly happy and entranced in the art.

But, Christy is not just a creative. She also thrives in the black-and-white, checks-and-balances world of numbers and spreadsheets, and she probably would never completely give up her day job to focus just on her creative pursuits. She enjoys the challenges in both worlds and the balance that comes from using both sides of her brain.

Christy is also a mother to two wonderful humans; one old soul and one storyteller who belongs to the sea - both of whom think it’s pretty cool (at least for now) that she has a podcast.

Jamie

Host

One spring day in 1976, a family welcomed a new bundle of joy into the world. Jamie’s life was fairly normal with two working parents and an older brother who always watched over his little sister; latchkey kids in a nice home in an upcoming suburb of San Francisco. Eventually, though, her “normal” included a father struggling with addiction, divorced parents, and a strong desire to be fiercely independent. Her heart and soul longed to help and listen to others, to fight for what was right, but she was also looking for answers to some really big questions like “what exactly am I supposed to be doing with this life?!”, “what is my purpose?!” and, “are you there, God? It’s me, Jamie.”

As Jamie grew up, she became a responsible adult, got married, had some kids, added some fur babies to the family, established a career, and once again, had a normal life. But, those big questions kept haunting her, especially as loved ones around her started to die. Her new reality was “Life is too short, what are you waiting for?!” She didn’t need to change her normal life to find her purpose, or God. Instead, she discovered that she needs to open her soul and take a deep dive into the vast universe around her. To keep driving to find her soul’s purpose outside of being a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister or a friend.

So here she is, knee deep in the unknown of the universe, the Other Side, her emotions, unanswered life long questions and battles, trying to be as raw and open not only for herself, but for her community. Jamie continually stands before the world each day trying to be better, do better, and accept herself. And even though she feels she has a shit ton to learn (don’t we all), Jamie longs to learn and explore as she works on her spiritual journey. She may stumble a lot, but she NEVER stays down! To her, the journey can be beautifully trivial sometimes, but damn good with the effort! Enjoy the ride!