Shows
The Alchemist and the AcademicUpdate on recording schedule!Just a little update on where we are at with recording! We have experienced some paranormal activity while recording Kurt's mediumship reading, which has ultimately led to us having to re-record! We appreciate your patience and can't wait to drop part 2 of mediumship for you soon!
2025-04-0104 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 108: Mediumship (Part 1), The Medium and the InterferenceIn this episode, we welcome our first official guest -- medium Beth O'Brien! Here, Becca and I explore the gift of mediumship, how mediums come to understand their gifts, and what it means to them as they come to harness those gifts. We also talk to Beth about the practice of mediumship, what it feels like, and what spirits she has seen.Interestingly, this episode was meant to be released in a single file. Meeting Beth and Kurt's mediumship reading were to take place back-to-back. While editing, however, Kurt discovered that during the reading, the file was...
2025-03-2539 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicCoven Meeting 1: Questions from Listeners!In this, our first "coven meeting," our Alchemist and Academic take questions from listeners about the various topics they've covered so far in the first series. Becca explains why she uses such cozy ingredients in her simmer pots, why she blows cinnamon out her front door, how the moon charges water for rituals, and how psychological medication works in concert with her practice. Kurt mostly sits there and drinks red wine. It's a good time.Join us as we engage with our listeners in this first coven meeting of the Alchemist, the Academic, and the Listeners!
2025-03-0251 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 107: Acupuncture (Part 2), The ExperienceJoin us this week on the Alchemist and the Academic!On this episode, Kurt experiences acupuncture first-hand and reports on his experience. As the alchemist and acupuncturist, Becca interprets Kurt's experiences and explains why he had certain sensations, and how acupuncture could be made part of Kurt's regular healing experiences. Becca and Kurt also talk about combining Eastern and Western medicine traditions, how holistic approaches can be part and parcel of sound mental health, and the spirituality of the acupuncture practice.Kurt also introduces Becca to the Doozers on Fraggle Rock. Big revelations for us...
2025-02-091h 00
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 106: Gods, Goddesses, and DeitiesAs a witch, Becca calls on different deities for her needs. Protection, strength, abundance... Becca draws on the divine to help her with them all. On this episode of the Alchemist and the Academic, Becca tells Kurt all about the deities she invokes during her spellwork, as well as the different resources they provide her. One or more of Becca's familiar deities even showed up to say hello...Kurt gets excited because his minor degree in art history is finally paying off! He also discovers that there is some serious fan art dedicated to Bastet and Anubis.
2025-02-0253 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 105: Witchcraft (Part 2), The RitualOn this episode you get to hear the ritual that Becca and Kurt perform! Specifically, Becca shows Kurt how to build an altar with intention, and how all the different parts of the altar come together to build a cohesive thing of spiritual beauty.The altar that Becca and Kurt build in this episode will sit at the center of their recording space and hopefully bring good vibes to them, the podcast, and you lovely listeners.Check out a few pictures of Becca's purification of the water elements and the completed altar.
2025-01-2043 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 104: Witchcraft (Part 1), the WitchThis episode is all about witchcraft! Becca talks about how she became a witch, how she practices, and what it is like being a witch in today's climate. Kurt drops some knowledge of past wars and origins of religion. Due to the amazing banter and inquisitive minds of both hosts, this episode is split into two parts! Part 2 will be released next week, and will include the ritual that Becca does with Kurt. Links for Becca's favorite witchy shops that she gets her supplies from are listed below!Mystical Blossoms in Marlton, NJ...
2025-01-131h 20
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 103: Acupuncture (Part 1), The BackgroundOn this episode, Becca dives into her profession of acupuncture! An ancient form of healing that developed in East Asia, and has been viewed as a placebo effect by the Western medical community. This is only part 1 due to a lot of great questions from Kurt, and, let's be honest, Becca could talk about acupuncture for hours on end. Becca covers the credentials and licensing process of what it takes to become an acupuncturist, and discusses different lenses of diagnosis. Kurt talks about his experience with acupuncture, and will be receiving a treatment on part 2! So grab your drink...
2025-01-0557 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 102: TarotHave you ever wondered what tarot cards are? Or what a tarot reading consists of? Maybe you've thought tarot was dark magic or brought in negative spirits? Becca goes into the origins of tarot, misconceptions about the cards, and how she practices this form of divination! Kurt brings a lot of great questions, along with several different theories of social science. At the end of the episode, you will hear Becca give Kurt his first ever tarot reading in real time! We even have Brooke, Kurt's wife, on as a special guest to talk about her experiences of tarot...
2024-12-301h 25
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 101: YuleHave you ever thought about why we put gifts for loved ones under a pine tree? Have you ever thought about why we bring a pine tree into our houses? Have you ever thought about why a jolly, white-bearded man who lives in nature gives us those gifts? Our Academic has. And our Alchemist has answers.Join us as Becca explains how our Christmas traditions have emerged, and why they are more ingrained in us than we even know. On this episode, Becca teaches Kurt about the Pagan holiday of Yule, and how it relates...
2024-12-2142 min
The Alchemist and the AcademicEpisode 100: Meet Your Alchemist and AcademicThis episode is an introduction to your Alchemist, Rebecca Fanali, and your academic, Kurt Braddock. We don't start arguing quiiiiiiite yet, but that's coming soon. Here, just meet us as your trust co-hosts, and how we come to understand the things around us.Yes, we have drinks for the intro as well.
2024-12-1414 min