Best Basic Folk Podcasts (2026)

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Mary Chapin Carpenter is the Woman in the Truck, ep. 334 47:52

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13m ago47:52

47:52

Mary Chapin Carpenter's latest album, 'Personal History,' is as lush in production and color as the beautiful farmland she calls home in Virginia. Carpenter will often wake up early for sunrise walks with her dog, Angus, and one of several daily cups of coffee (of course) to start the day. In our Basic Folk conversation, she reflects on how living …

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Episode 23: Scottish Folk Magic 26:47

1d ago26:47

26:47

This episode, we dive into a bit of Scottish folk magic, touching on a number of places across the spectrum of what Scottish folk magic looks like. Some of these are recognizable as being similar to bits of practices that are around today. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.b…

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Episode 22: Yule 31:06

17d ago31:06

31:06

Explore a bit of Yule with me as we dive into how Yule is celebrated by Wiccans and many other Neo-Pagans. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagram: @a_witchful_journeyBy April Barone

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2025 Wrap-Up: Gals Chat, A Corn Cob, Alaska, and One Man, ep. 333 1:12:57

20d ago1:12:57

1:12:57

To send 2025 off into the great abyss, we have a sensational year-end Basic Folk roundtable featuring Lizzie's group chat: Kaïa Kater, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, and Isa Burke. It can feel so challenging to know which media you can trust and whose takes you can really take to the bank. There is no one we trust more to wrap-up this wild and wacky year than…

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Episode 21: The Father of Modern Witchcraft 34:03

1M ago34:03

34:03

Now that we've discussed some of the Wiccan festivals and have dug into some witchcraft, it's time to talk about one of the key men responsible for bringing us modern witchcraft. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagram: @a_wi…

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Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332 59:12

1M ago59:12

59:12

Our episode with Madison Cunningham was one of those all-time Basic Folk moments where a guest gets really deep really quickly. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to speak with this brilliant young torchbearer of the folk tradition to celebrate the release of her new album, 'Ace.' Cunningham grew up in the church, an environment which shaped he…

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Episode 20: Baba Yaga 37:38

2M ago37:38

37:38

In this episode, we're talking about some of the Baba Yaga Folklore, and I think you'll be surprised that she is more than just a simple boogeyman-type figure. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagram: @a_witchful_journey…

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Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331 51:19

2M ago51:19

51:19

Frazey Ford has always loved soul music. She fell in love with Otis Redding at age 11 and discovered people like Ann Peebles along the way, but it was Al Green that really knocked her out. She loved the layers, the expression, and especially his voice. She completely dove in and even started an Al Green cover band. Although she had been perfecting …

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Episode 19: Intro To Tarot 41:17

2M ago41:17

41:17

There's a lot involved when learning how to read Tarot cards. Some of it is intuitive (and some people are really good at that right off the bat), and some of it requires some learning. In this epsiode we begin our dive into Tarot and what the Minor Arcana cards are all about. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey P…

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The Barr Brothers Rally Around Mysticism, ep. 330 1:01:25

2M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In the eight years since The Barr Brothers last released an album, Andrew has been drumming with people like Feist, Mumford & Sons, and Broken Social Scene while Brad released a solo record and underwent incredible personal change. Brad made the huge decision to get sober, which he talks about candidly in our Basic Folk interview. Anything you read…

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Episode 18: Samhain Is My Favorite Time Of Year 33:26

2M ago33:26

33:26

We're in the time of the year when the veil becomes thin again, and all manner of spooky things are present. This is my favorite time of year for a number of reasons. In this episode, we're talking about some ways to celebrate, a little bit of history, and we're getting witchy with it. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful …

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David Wilcox Can Heal Your Heart in Two Minutes, ep. 329 1:11:03

3M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

Asheville-based songwriter David Wilcox has been through some s-h-i-t. A difficult childhood in Northeast Ohio sent him seeking answers – mostly on his bicycle – in an attempt to get away. He has spent his lifetime leaning into his problems and digging into their roots at the source: his own heart. He decided to see what lessons his heart had been …

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Episode 17: Astral Projection: The Basics 33:46

3M ago33:46

33:46

We've talked about sleep paralysis in the past and touched on using it as a launchpad for an astral projection or a lucid dream. Today, we're diving into the basics of astral projection and some methods on how to do it. This will be one of many episodes where we explore this topic, so throw yourself a life thread and make sure to follow the podcast…

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Kathleen Edwards: Making up for 30 Years of No Tears, ep. 328 1:07:00

3M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Kathleen Edwards claims that she's now a pretty frequent crier after not crying for the first 30 years of her life. One reason for this change is the connectedness she has been feeling since leaving music and starting her coffee shop, Quitters. In our Basic Folk conversation, Edwards tears up talking about the cover of her new album 'Billionaire,' …

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Episode 16: Cinematic Takes: The Craft 32:53

3M ago32:53

32:53

We're taking a look at another cinematic take on witches and witchcraft, this time within The Craft (1996) and The Craft: Legacy (2020). You may want to break out your notebook for this one because we're going back to high school. Trigger warning: this episode contains topics such as sexual harassment and suicide. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast …

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Girl in a Tree – Bianca Thomas - @girlinatree – E41 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

Bianca Thomas is a climbing arborist whose sole purpose in life has become to learn and gather wisdom from trees, following an ayahuasca induced epiphany that she’s never looked back from. In this end of season special with a final twist, Bianca tells Tom why trees have become her most trusted of guides since leaving behind a career in molecular bi…

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Peter Rowan: The Bluegrass Buddha's Tex-Mex Roots, ep. 327 1:08:54

4M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Legendary Massachusetts-born, California-based musician Peter Rowan is best known for his bluegrass roots. A practicing Buddhist, he did time in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys as well as in the short-lived and epically important Old & In the Way with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. However, his latest album 'Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce' celeb…

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Episode 15: A Peek Into Celtic Paganism: The Ancients 29:27

4M ago29:27

29:27

This is our first real peek into Celtic Paganism. We've touched in the topic a couple of times at this point, of course, but to really understand Celtic Paganism, the practices and the beliefs, we need to get as close to the origins as we can. Even if we're not trying to practice exactly as it was done milennia ago, knowing the history of the Ancie…

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Natural Burial Site Owner - Simon Ferrar - E40 38:06

4M ago38:06

38:06

TEDx speaker, Simon Ferrar, is founder and creator of Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground, a multi award winning nature reserve where people are laid to rest sustainably, in harmony with natural processes. Tom gets Simon's thoughts on how trees are like silent watchers over our lives, learns about the ancient burial practices coming back to life at …

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Tree Hugging Lawyer - Sarah Dodd - E39 40:23

4M ago40:23

40:23

Sarah Dodd is CEO and founder of the UK’s first and only law firm specialising solely in tree-specific legal and protection issues. With the dust still settling after the Sycamore Gap trial, Tom gets Sarah’s expert opinion on exactly where this world famous case now leaves us, what might have motivated those who felled the iconic tree that night an…

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Rissi Palmer & Miko Marks: "Buckle Bunny," No Cringe, and My Black Country, ep. 326 1:07:02

4M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

This time on Basic Folk, we are checking in with country singer-songwriter and Color Me Country radio host Rissi Palmer and Americana country artist Miko Marks. The two close friends both came up as Black women in country music in the early part of the 21st century where they experienced gatekeepers and discrimination in the industry, but undeniabl…

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Episode 14: Scrying And Obsidian 36:13

4M ago36:13

36:13

Let's get comfortable and allow our minds to dive into scrying and the uses of a special volcanic glass called Obsidian. Don't forget to check out the socials for a little added goodie content! Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On I…

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Tree Bat Guru - Jim Mulholland - E38 50:49

4M ago50:49

50:49

Jim Mulholland is a bat and veteran tree specialist with a knack for leaving a big impression in the expert talks and training courses he delivers. In this wide-ranging interview, recorded at Savernake Forest, Tom and Jim cover everything from bat poo, bat discos and Batman to neurodiversity in the scientific communities Jim is a part of and why Di…

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Vibe Coaches: Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, & Shelby Means, ep. 325 1:12:09

4M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, and Shelby Means are on Basic Folk today talking about their new collaborations. Maya produced both Shelby and Joel's debut solo albums this year; Joel and Ethan play in Maya's band; and the two couples (Joel & Shelby are married and Ethan & Maya are partners) are all very close friends. They met in Na…

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Epping Forest Biodiversity Officer - Andy Froud - E37 29:57

5M ago29:57

29:57

Nobody knows Epping Forest quite like Andy Froud, a man who has spent the past quarter century looking after its 55,000 veteran trees and getting up close and personal with the super-rare wildlife that lives in and alongside them. Tom and Andy chat about his early years spent in West Ham Park, the challenges of managing a vast ancient forest just 1…

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Paul Brady on Tina Turner, Irish Music and Not Being Too Famous, ep. 324 54:33

5M ago54:33

54:33

Bob Dylan once called Paul Brady a "secret hero" and meant it as a compliment. The Irish songwriting legend has not been bothered by the fact that his profile has not risen as high as some of his peers. Starting off in the world of traditional Irish music, Brady spent time in the hugely influential Irish group Planxty until they disbanded in 1975. …

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Episode 13: The Expo and Cheese-Making Witches 27:37

5M ago27:37

27:37

Who doesn't like cheese? It's a magical feel-good food with a suuuuper long history! First though, I want to share a little bit about my first ever experience at a Psychic Expo. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagram: @a_wit…

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Everyone Has a Friend in Joe K. Walsh, ep. 323 49:59

5M ago49:59

49:59

Originally from northern Minnesota, Joe K. Walsh grew up in Duluth and became enthralled with the mandolin (his primary focus, currently) after hearing the first David Grisman Quintet record. His dad got the young Joe his own mando. He ended up getting very serious about the instrument and found himself studying at Berklee College of Music in Bosto…

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Fungal Ecologist - Professor Lynne Boddy - E36 44:48

5M ago44:48

44:48

Lynne Boddy is Professor of Mycology at Cardiff University and has been a true pioneer in progressing our knowledge of much maligned but essential tree and forest fungal communities for the past 50 years. Tom and Lynne discuss some of the strangest and rarest fungi hiding in our woods, why the Wood Wide Web concept definitely needs more work and di…

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Episode 12: Grounding Techniques & Tiger's Eye 31:46

5M ago31:46

31:46

Grounding is an incredibly important part of our lives, something the majority of us don't do enough of. Most of us probably don't even realize just how much of a difference it makes. In this episode, we talk about the types of grounding, techniques, and a crystal that is perfect for helping you along the way. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coff…

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Everyone Belongs at the Olive Klug show, ep. 322 52:36

5M ago52:36

52:36

Olive Klug and I (Cindy) recorded this interview in my closet while they were in Portland, Maine to play a show. They stayed along with their band Cori, Haley, and Payton and it was a real pleasure to be around them for a few days. You can tell that Olive is at their best around their band and it is a true collaboration on stage. Shoutout to the wh…

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Heritage Trees Specialist - Julian Hight - E35 49:07

5M ago49:07

49:07

Julian Hight is a heritage trees author and storyteller who has travelled the globe in search of nature’s oldest veterans and the timeless tales we attach to them. He chats with Tom about his many tree-inspired adventures, the rich historical and sacred significance of trees he’s encountered and why Windsor’s age-defying ancients continue to leave …

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Gina Chavez: From Choir Kid to Latin Grammy Nominee, ep. 321 1:05:37

5M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

New bestie Gina Chavez speaks about her journey in music, her deep love for connecting with people, and the influence of her mixed cultural background on Basic Folk. Her parents are of Mexican and Swiss-German descent. Her father, although second generation Mexican-American, was not raised with Spanish language or any Mexican culture. Gina discusse…

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Tree Architecturalist - Tom Joye - E34 56:27

6M ago56:27

56:27

Dubbed “the education of the eye” by its founders, Tree Architecture is an alternative way of seeing and interpreting trees and ex-forester, Tom Joye, has been leading sold out courses on the subject for some years now in the UK, creating a quiet revolution in how we think about and manage the trees we look after. Tom shares the core perspective-sh…

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Tony Kamel Believes in Life and You Should Too, ep. 320 41:34

6M ago41:34

41:34

You may recognize the voice, face, and vibe of wonderful human being Tony Kamel from his acclaimed bluegrass group, Wood & Wire. But Tony is on Basic Folk today to talk about his wonderful solo albums, including his latest, 'We're All Gonna Live.' The album, which just came out, is a realist-optimist's guide to navigating a complex and often heartb…

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Episode 11: Familiars and How to Find Them 30:52

6M ago30:52

30:52

A witch's familiar doesn't have to be an animal, it can also come to you in the form of a spirit. Familiars can also be called "magical companions", "teachers", or "messengers". Some use the term "spirit guide" to refer to a familiar that doesn't have an actual physical form. Regardless of what terms we use, they are all meant to be helpful on our …

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Kora Feder is the Future of Political Folk Songwriting, but also Has Too Many Craft Projects, ep. 319 41:53

6M ago41:53

41:53

On this episode of Basic Folk, Kora Feder talks about her new album, 'Some Kind of Truth,' as well as reflecting on the incredible changes and growth she's experienced since we last spoke in February 2020. One of the impacts of the pandemic on her music career was the necessity of exploring other artistic ventures like crafting hats and lino-cuttin…

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Rainforest Communicator - Alejandra Hart - E33 47:27

6M ago47:27

47:27

Alejandra Hart is a writer and Woodland Trust Communications Officer whose heartfelt stories inspire people to care more deeply about temperate rainforest restoration in the UK. Tom and co-host, Arifah Sheikh, learn about the unique meeting of minds that Alejandra took part in at Buckland Wood on Dartmoor, discuss why pausing to listen is so essent…

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Tami Neilson: On Taking Wynonna's Call, Her Scary Near-Death Experience, and Willie Nelson, ep. 318 1:13:32

6M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

In recent years, Tami Neilson has been learning to carry both great joy and great sorrow simultaneously. The New Zealand-based, Canada-born powerhouse's new album, 'Neon Cowgirl,' is named after the towering electric figure on a sign that's overlooked Broadway in Nashville, watching over Tami's career since she was 16 years old. The songs were born…

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Episode 10: SP Demons vs Adventures 30:05

6M ago30:05

30:05

Sleep paralysis can be a really scary experience if you've never heard of it or experienced it before. A lot of things can go thorugh your mind. We'll talk about what it is from a scientific standpoint, some of the different cultural explainations, a couple of my experiences, and what the possible options are for turning it into an adventure. Ko-Fi…

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Indigo Girls: Activism Through Fashion and Community Through Food (REISSUE), ep. 317 57:13

6M ago57:13

57:13

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This is our last Reissue for now, so please enjoy! This episode featuring separate interviews with The Indi…

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Worm Guy - Kevin Chase - E32 46:26

6M ago46:26

46:26

Forest Entomologist, Kevin Chase Ph.D, is a Researcher with Bartlett Tree Experts who grew up in the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania, USA. Tom and Kevin talk about their special collaboration around worms, unearth what makes these humble ecosystem engineers so vital to trees and then burrow deep into the fascinating 'Allee Effect' philosophy.…

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Joy Oladokun Writes Worship Music for Youth Group Rejects (REISSUE), ep. 316 51:18

6M ago51:18

51:18

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Joy Oladokun, was originally posted on February 24, 20…

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Watchhouse in Conversation with Jacob Sharp (Mipso) (Bonus) 45:55

7M ago45:55

45:55

(Editor's Note: Oh, WOW! A bonus, surprise episode with Watchhouse? Yes! And it is a treat. We are pleased to have Jacob Sharp of Mipso as our guest host in conversation with his friends Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz of Watchhouse, talking about their new studio album, 'Rituals.' The record was co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues. T…

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Episode 9: Litha Bonfires Burn 34:19

7M ago34:19

34:19

Happy Summer Solstice and Blessed Litha! In this episode, I talk about Litha, as part of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year and ways that you can celebrate. Ko-Fi: Donate or Buy Me A Podcast Coffee On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagram: @a_witchful_journey…

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Chris Thile: Calvin and Hobbes, Classical Music, and Curiosity (REISSUE), ep. 315 1:21:20

7M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing Chris Thile was originally posted on September 9, 2021 aft…

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Dar Williams: Music was Decided for Me (REISSUE), ep. 314 1:03:07

7M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Dar Williams originally posted on October 14, 2021. Enjoy!) Dar Williams…

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Bonsai Collector - Amelia Williams - E31 53:19

7M ago53:19

53:19

Bonsai connoisseur, Amelia Williams, has been studying and working with trees of all sizes for more than 20 years, most recently as Director of UK tree consultancy firm - the Arb Company. Tom and Amelia zoom in on the miniature world of tiny tree craft and discuss what bonsai can teach us about better looking after bigger trees, as well as ourselve…

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Episode 8: Witches on Brooms Sound Fun AF 26:01

7M ago26:01

26:01

Yeah, you read that right. We're talking about witches flying on brooms, and honestly, it kinda sounds fun! But there's a lot to unpack in a short amount of time. You'll probably never look at brooms the same way again, though! On Facebook: Witchful Journey Podcast On BlueSky: @awitchfuljourney.bsky.social On Youtube: A Witchful Journey On Instagra…

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John Hiatt is Actually Not Scared to Talk about His Feelings (REISSUE), ep. 313 51:06

7M ago51:06

51:06

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing John Hiatt originally posted on August 5, 2021. In 2021, …