How To Be Magical

The Spiritual Art of Tea with Tea of Grandma Baby Apothecary

In this captivating episode of How to Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan sits down with Tea, the visionary behind Grandma Baby Apothecary and creator of the Black Gold Lenormand and 52 Blues Oracle decks. Tea shares her journey into Hoodoo, revealing how ancestral connections and spiritual reliance shape her creative work. The discussion delves into the heart of Hoodoo, dispelling misconceptions and emphasizing its role as a practice of listening, community, and spiritual rebirth. Tea reflects on the importance of family stories, archival research, and honoring the grandmothers who guide us. She also explores the inspiration behind her divination decks, highlighting their role as bridges to the past and tools for self-discovery. Listeners are treated to insights on decolonizing spirituality, the power of Black storytelling, and the profound impact of Tea’s art. Connect with Tea Tea’s Safe Relocation Gofundme [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-teas-safe-relocation-journey] 🚨 IG: grandmababyapothecary [http://instagram.com/grandmababyapothecary] Substack: grandmababyapothecary.substack.com [https://grandmababyapothecary.substack.com/] Grandma Baby Apothecary [https://open.substack.com/users/7605602-grandma-baby-apothecary?utm_source=mentions] grandmababyapothecary.com [http://grandmababyapothecary.com/]

Bad Dominicana Decoded: How Zahira Cabrera Rewrites the Rules

In this compelling episode of How to Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan welcomes Zahira Cabrera—activist, artist, and the voice behind Bad Dominicana—for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about survival, feminism, and reclaiming identity. Zahira shares her deeply personal journey, from enduring emotional abuse and racism in her marriage to becoming a global advocate for Black Latinx women. She recounts how her viral hashtag, #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou, shed light on the insidious nature of non-physical abuse, resonating with countless women and even leading to a TED Talk in Mexico. The episode delves into the flaws of mainstream feminism, critiquing its elitism, performative sex positivity, and failure to protect marginalized women, especially young girls facing coercion and exploitation. Zahira challenges respectability politics, emphasizing that anger is justified and necessary when fighting systemic oppression. She also reflects on the complexities of motherhood, describing how raising her autistic daughter deepened her activism and exposed the harsh realities Black mothers face, from societal disdain to institutional neglect. Art and cultural identity weave through the conversation as Zahira discusses her evocative watercolor paintings, which capture the essence of Caribbean life while honoring faceless, diasporic figures. She reveals how her creative roots trace back to her mother, a seamstress whose unrealized dreams in fashion mirror the erasure of Black and Latinx talent. The episode closes with Zahira’s vision for the future—her return to fashion and her unapologetic commitment to uplifting Black and Afro-Latina voices. Blending humor, vulnerability, and sharp critique, this episode is a rallying cry for self-liberation, artistic expression, and the transformative power of speaking one’s truth. Support Zahira’s Art & Activism Shop: shopzahirakelly.com [https://shopzahirakelly.com/] IG: @Bad_Dominicana2.0 [https://www.instagram.com/bad_dominicana2.0/] Twitter: @Bad Dominicana [https://x.com/bad_dominicana] Patreon: Bad_Dominicana [https://www.patreon.com/bad_dominicana] Download ‘The Alt Domi Mixtape’ [https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/06ae5193f5886e97/f2743af87ea92d8a] Soundcloud [https://soundcloud.com/bad_dominicana]

The Art of Remembering ft. Rish De Terra

In this profound episode of How to Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan sits down with Rish De Terra, a cultural memory keeper, curator of The Annual Hoodoo Conference, and creator of Nine Minds Radio. The conversation delves into the importance of reclaiming ancestral roots, the role of community in spiritual practice, and the power of remembering as an act of resistance. Rish shares her journey of spiritual awakening, from leaving the Nation of Islam to discovering Hoodoo and confronting cultural commodification by outsiders. She recounts pivotal moments, such as her transformative encounter with Mama Jean Taiwo and her viral Conjure Culture Demystified [https://youtu.be/peJklndSNkA?si=ABZ0-X6br5stNXqx] series, which sparked a movement to reclaim Hoodoo from exploitation. The discussion explores themes like: Cultural Memory Keeping: Honoring ancestors without the need for external validation. Community as Protection: The resurgence of communal living and mutual support in spiritual practice. Neurodivergence and Ancestral Gifts: Reframing "mental illness" as ancestral communication and the importance of grounding practices. The Hoodoo Renaissance: How digital spaces like The Witches Brew [https://www.facebook.com/groups/Blitches] fostered a decolonial resurgence in Black spirituality. Rish also teases her upcoming docuseries, Conjure, which will spotlight Hoodoo’s elemental roots (Earth, Fire, Air, Water) and feature elders’ wisdom. The episode closes with a playful word-association game and a call to support Rish’s work. A must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their connection to ancestral traditions and the magic of authenticity. Connect with Rish: IG @NineMindsRadio [https://www.instagram.com/the9mindsradioshow/?hl=en] IG @freestyle_since_1984 [https://www.instagram.com/freestyle_since_1984] LarishaStone@gmail.com

Spirit Work Beyond The Binary ft. Gerard Miller of Altared Roots

In this deeply enriching episode of How to Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan sits down with Gerard Miller—hoodoo practitioner, herbalist, doula, and textile artist—for a conversation that bridges ancestral wisdom, plant medicine, and the liberatory power of queer spirituality. Gerard, a Baltimore-born, Seattle-based rootworker, shares their journey of returning to Chesapeake Bay conjure traditions after exploring Vodou, Ifá, and other diasporic paths. "We got spirits at home," their ancestors told them—a reminder that healing lies in the land, plants, and practices of their own lineage. From foraging Pacific Northwest herbs like devil’s club and salmonberry to adapting Igbo and Yoruba cosmologies, Gerard reveals how Black Southern hoodoo thrives through reinvention. The discussion unfolds like a communal kitchen table chat, blending practical magic with profound insights: Herbalism as Survival: Tips on garlic’s medicinal power (let it sit 10 minutes after chopping!), okra water for childbirth, and why white sage isn’t universal. Queer Ancestral Liberation: Stories of gender-fluid orishas like Logunedé and Igbo traditions of "female husbands," challenging colonial binaries. Craft as Resistance: The resurgence of Black quilting, broom-making, and basket-weaving as spiritual acts. Nature as Nervous System Care: Why forest bathing isn’t a trend—it’s how humans are meant to live. Gerard also critiques the hypocrisy of "conservative" values in spiritual spaces ("Why take morality lessons from a system that enslaved us?") and offers resources like Working the Roots by Michele E. Lee for those reclaiming herbalism. This episode is a call to remember: Spirit work has always existed beyond binaries, and liberation grows where we tend it—whether in the soil, the stitches of a quilt, or the stories we refuse to let die. To support the podcast, consider subscribing to The Boneyard on Substack for as little as $8 a month! For in-depth articles and commentary on afro-disasporic traditions, additional resources, and show notes: soulthings.substack.com [http://soulthings.substack.com] --- Follow Gerard Miller & Altared Roots www.altaredroots.com [http://www.altaredroots.com/] Altared Roots Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/shop/altaredroots] IG: @altared.roots [https://www.instagram.com/altared.roots/] FB: Altared Roots [https://www.facebook.com/altared.roots/]

From Taft to the Astral Plane: Gio's Unconventional Wisdom

In this captivating episode of How to Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan sits down with her lifelong friend and unconventional thinker, Giovanni Luna, for a deep dive into spirituality, dreams, and the unseen connections that shape our lives. Titled "From Taft to The Astral Plane: Gio's Unconventional Wisdom," the conversation explores Gio's unique journey—from his formative years training at Harlem’s legendary Karate Institute under Dr. Hyman to his profound experiences with lucid dreaming, ancestral visits, and the spiritual energy of New York City’s parks. Gio shares personal stories of out-of-body experiences, synchronicities with loved ones across dreams and reality, and the importance of honoring family traditions and intuition. The two also reflect on how their shared roots in Caribbean culture influence their spiritual practices, the significance of dreams as messages, and the power of creative expression as a form of liberation. With laughter, nostalgia, and raw honesty, Nikki and Gio remind us that magic is everywhere—whether in the streets of East Harlem, the mangroves of Puerto Rico, or the depths of our subconscious. Tune in for a conversation that blurs the lines between the physical and the mystical, and discover how to embrace your own "unconventional wisdom." "Dream, On!" dream journals are available for purchase at soulthingsbotanica.com