The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist

Same Gods, Different Altars.
A conversation with Juju Bae

What if the sacred was never as far away from our ancestors as we were taught to believe?

In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with spiritual educator and storyteller Juju Bae to explore Black spiritual inheritance, ancestral reconnection, and the relationships between Christianity and Hoodoo.

Through the lens of this episode, we talk about the traditions our ancestors carried, the spiritual knowledge we inherited or were separated from, and what it means to find our way toward these practices with curiosity, discernment, and respect.

In an age when ancestral spirituality is increasingly discussed online, how do we distinguish meaningful learning from fleeting trends? How do we honor the communities and lineages that have preserved these traditions? And what might we discover when we approach our spiritual inheritance with humility rather than fear?

This conversation invites us to sit with the questions, challenge the assumptions, and remember that our relationship with the sacred is shaped by histories far older than the stories we were told.

Listen to The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist through Menärchē on Substack, and watch the conversation on YouTube.

Takeaways

• Emphasis on ancestral wisdom
• Importance of community connections Support women in film
• Authenticity in spiritual practices Cultural appropriation in hoodoo
• Ancestral connections and teachings

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Hoodoo and Spirituality
• 02:17 The Impact of A Little Juju Podcast
• 04:40 Exploring New Generations of Hoodoo
• 06:14 Storytelling as a Cultural Practice
• 07:22 The Nature of Controversy in Spiritual Practices
• 10:48 The Journey to Creating A Little Juju Podcast
• 17:46 Introducing Same Gods: A New Docuseries
• 25:06 Fundraising and Future Aspirations
• 28:22 Empowering Women in Film
• 29:14 The Role of Platforms in Representation
• 31:07 Exploring Black Spirituality
• 37:22 Navigating Cultural Appropriation
• 38:12 Teaching Hoodoo: Who is it For?
• 42:05 The Ethics of Spiritual Practices
• 51:00 Cultural Gatekeeping in Hoodoo
• 52:34 Ancestral Wisdom and Lineage
• 54:49 The Role of White Practitioners
• 58:29 The Importance of Intent in Practice
• 01:01:30 The Gift of Sight and Spiritual Inheritance

This conversation explores the intersection of spirituality, community, and personal identity through the lens of hoodoo practices and the experiences of Jade T. Perry and Chelsea VonChaz.

They discuss the importance of creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities and the significance of ancestral wisdom in shaping their identities as churchy mystics. They also conversation get into the deep-rooted connections between personal identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage, particularly within the African American community. Exploring the complexities of deconstructing religious beliefs while honoring ancestral traditions and the importance of curiosity in personal growth.

They also tap into the intersection of nonprofit work, spirituality, and community service, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals in these sectors, particularly regarding boundaries, compensation, and the importance of community support. Both speakers share personal experiences and insights on navigating their roles as activists and spiritual guides while maintaining their well-being. Hear more about the evolving landscape of Hoodoo spirituality, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities, particularly Black queer and disabled individuals. The ending highlights the potential for new Hoodoo societies and spiritual homes to emerge, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Takeaways

• Emphasis on community building
• Importance of ancestral wisdom Cultural heritage shapes identity
• Curiosity aids in spiritual exploration Navigating nonprofit complexities
• Importance of community support Hoodoo spirituality is evolving
• Inclusivity is vital for community

Chapters

• 00:00 Reconnecting with Ancestral Roots
• 05:30 The Birth of the Chicago Hoodoo Society
• 10:09 Community Engagement and Activities
• 16:10 Understanding Churchy Mysticism
• 24:18 Honoring Ancestral Legacies
• 27:31 Cultural Roots and Spiritual Heritage
• 30:11 Navigating Fear in Spiritual Exploration
• 33:21 The Journey of Deconstruction
• 37:13 Honoring Fear and Embracing Curiosity
• 39:01 Ancestral Connections and Genealogy
• 43:26 Community and Shared Experiences
• 46:53 Bravery in Spiritual Exploration
• 50:02 Navigating Nonprofit Complexities
• 54:01 The Importance of Community Support
• 01:00:06 Redefining Service and Boundaries
• 01:09:55 Spiritual Education and Accessibility
• 01:14:50 Exploring Spiritual Work and Community Engagement
• 01:17:18 The Future of Hoodoo Spaces
• 01:21:25 The Role of Black Women in Hoodoo
• 01:25:31 The Intersection of Disability and Spirituality
• 01:30:27 Optimism for Future Generations

A special guest returns! Kat Niambi aka The Hungry Medium returns to do a light catch up.

In this conversation Ms. Kat and I explore personal growth, the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of oral traditions in the context of family and spirituality. We also discuss the impact of astrology on our lives, the significance of human connection, and the need for grace in understanding the imperfections of elders.

Chapters

• 00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions
• 03:02 Reflections on Summer and Fall
• 06:05 Navigating Life's Ups and Downs
• 08:54 Caregiving and Family Dynamics
• 12:02 The Importance of Oral Traditions
• 14:59 Spirituality and Online Presence
• 18:07 The Dangers of Blanket Advice
• 20:59 Personal Guidance and Individual Paths
• 23:59 Connecting Through Pets and Personal Stories

We didn't get a chance to discuss our love for Erykah Badu's new album with The Alchemist, "Before the World Blows." This conversation is definitely aligned contextually with that album. I highly recommend listening to it after watching or listening to our conversation.

In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with Tatianna Tarot, diviner, intuitive tarot therapist, and Iyalorisa priestess, for a grounded and expansive conversation on what it really means to trust your intuition.

The conversation delves into ancestral wisdom, spiritual empowerment, and the significance of divination tools in reclaiming intuition. It also explores the impact of colonialism on spiritual disconnection and the importance of ancestral veneration and rites of passage.

Takeaways:

• Ancestral wisdom and spiritual empowerment
• Reclaiming intuition through divination tools
• The impact of colonialism on spiritual disconnection Discernment in spiritual education
• The power of abundance mindset and inner work
• The impact of Afrofuturism on personal and collective growth

Chapters:

• 00:00 Honoring Ancestral Wisdom and Spiritual Empowerment
• 11:04 The Impact of Colonialism on Spiritual Disconnection
• 46:22 The Transformational Power of Abundance Mindset and Inner Work
• 53:40 Reparations and Afrofuturism

This episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist is a grounding conversation about ethics, discernment, and the responsibility that comes with spiritual work. I’m joined by Brooke “Bee” Sanders, founder of Amethyst Corner, a spiritual community rooted in ancestral connection, real healing, and practical tools for those walking their path with intention.

The conversation delves into the importance of ancestral wisdom and ethical practice within the context of hoodoo and spiritual work. It explores the significance of honoring ancestral traditions and the need for ethical discernment in spiritual practices.

We also get into the importance of community and sisterhood in spiritual practices, emphasizing the role of support, accountability, and cultural awakening. Further exploring the significance of ancestral wisdom, the power of tradition, and the non-performative nature of spiritual practices. Additionally, this episode highlights the magic of sisterhood, the importance of nurturing Black maternal health, and the value of intentional rest and self-care.

Takeaways

• Importance of ancestral wisdom
• Ethical practice and discernment Community is key in spiritual practices
• Sisterhood and support are essential in the spiritual journey

Chapters

• 00:00 The Practice of Hoodoo and Ethical Discernment
• 51:31 Embracing Sisterhood and Womb Magic

This episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist is about that kind of remembering.

I’m joined by Charlotte Duerr James—educator, therapeutic coach, and initiated Medicine Woman—for a conversation that moves slowly, intentionally, and with reverence.

The conversation delves into the exploration of ancestral wisdom, the use of psychedelics and earth medicines, early psychedelic experiences, Charlotte's personal psychedelic journey, and the ceremonial use of plant medicine. We go into the intersection of ancestral wisdom, plant medicine, and collective healing, highlighting the impact of colonial influence, societal stigma, and the importance of internal work and intention. Charlotte also emphasizes the need for more trained facilitators in the field of decolonized healing practices.

Takeaways

• Ancestral wisdom and root work are central to the conversation
• Psychedelics and earth medicines play a significant role in personal and collective healing Ancestral wisdom and plant medicine offer a path to healing and ancestral reclamation.
• Colonial influence has led to societal stigma and misinformation about healing practices.
• Internal work and intention are key to the journey of healing and decolonization.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Ancestral Wisdom
• 10:07 Early Psychedelic Experiences
• 20:25 Charlotte's Psychedelic Journey
• 32:22 Ceremonial Use of Plant Medicine
• 38:54 Ancestral Wisdom and Plant Medicine
• 55:39 Colonial Influence and Healing
• 01:05:38 Internal Work and Intention
• 01:11:06 Closing Remarks

The conversation delves into the exploration of ancestral wisdom and spiritual practices, highlighting the integration of these elements into personal journeys. It also addresses the challenges of navigating spiritual communities and the process of healing, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and self-trust.

Aycee Brown is a psychic medium, astrologer, and spiritual guide known for telling folks what they need to hear — not just what they want to hear. With over 15 years of experience blending astrology, Human Design, mediumship, and trauma-informed healing, she helps people strip away conditioning, reclaim intuition, and live from deep self-trust instead of spiritual performance. She hosts the podcast Is My Aura On Straight? and is the author of the forthcoming Embody Your Magic (HarperOne, Feb 2026), a guide to embodying your power and truth.

We also get into the struggle of embracing independence and freedom, as well as the power of truth and healing. Lastly, our conversation explores the challenges faced in navigating personal freedom and the impact of emotional maturity on individual growth and healing.

Takeaways

• Ancestral Wisdom
• Integration of Spiritual Practices Embracing independence and freedom
• The power of truth and healing

Chapters

• 00:00 Ancestral Wisdom and Spiritual Journey
• 26:45 Navigating Spiritual Communities and Healing
• 37:23 The Struggle of Independence and Freedom

The conversation delves into ancestral wisdom, black feminism, and the intimate history of black feminism. It explores personal experiences, intellectual connections, and the impact of ancestral teachings on identity and community. The discussion also touches on the significance of grief and emotional/spiritual practices in the context of social movement work and abolitionism. The conversation delves into the spiritual and emotional connection to activism, emphasizing the role of spirituality and ancestral connection in the work. It also explores the influence of radical socialization and community roots on activism, highlighting the importance of community and genealogy in movement work. Additionally, it addresses the intersection of academia and activism, the importance of citational ethics, and the need for movement leadership to be rooted in the genealogy of Black Panther women. The conversation also discusses the problem of radical individualism and performative activism, emphasizing the need for community-based and strategic activism. The conversation delves into the legacy of the Black Panther Party, the evolution of movements, intersectionality, misinformation, the poverty cycle, teaching Black history, plagiarism, marginalization of Black women's voices, normalization of harm, telling the truth to ourselves, wisdom from Black women's histories, and upcoming books and projects.

Takeaways

• Ancestral wisdom and teachings
• Black feminism and political theory
• Intimate history of black feminism Spirituality and emotional connection to the work
• The importance of community and genealogy in movement work Intersectional activism
• Challenging social norms

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 06:21 Fluidity and Identity
• 11:27 Black Women as Teachers and Architects
• 17:34 Title of the Book and Intimate History
• 22:40 Grief and Emotional/Spiritual Practice
• 36:08 Academia and Activism
• 46:23 Citational Ethics and Movement Leadership
• 53:36 Radical Individualism and Performative Activism
• 58:37 Misinformation and Disinformation
• 01:05:23 Normalization of Harm
• 01:14:21 Wisdom from Black Women's Histories
• 01:20:01 Upcoming Books and Projects

The conversation delves into the intersection of religion, spirituality, and liberation, highlighting the impact of capitalism and supremacy on religious and spiritual practices.

It also explores the implications of AI and technology, the environmental impact of data storage, challenges in nonprofit funding, the role of churches in communities, and the impact of surveillance and technology on personal privacy and health. Plus it highlights the struggle for funding, the high cost of maintaining a church, and the need for communal investment in spiritual gatherings and events. The conversation delves into the intersection of spirituality and Blackness, highlighting the importance of community, identity, and personal growth. It also explores the impact and significance of writing, storytelling, and the power of words in shaping narratives and creating connections.

Takeaways

• Religion and spirituality as tools of liberation
• The impact of capitalism and supremacy on religious and spiritual practices Environmental racism
• Impact of data centers on communities Impact of capitalism on church funding
• Challenges of sustaining a church
• Community support and investment in spiritual spaces Spirituality and Blackness
• The Power of Writing

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest
• 08:45 The Black Church and Its State
• 19:11 Boycotts and Corporate Influence
• 28:35 Environmental Racism and Data Centers
• 36:40 Church and Community Impact
• 42:08 Surveillance and Technology
• 53:04 Impact of Capitalism on Church Funding
• 01:15:42 Spirituality and Blackness
• 01:35:15 The Power of Writing

The episode begins with an introduction to Season Two, followed by a dedication to the awakening of individuals. It then explores the embrace of ancestral traditions, the burden of being the first believer, the importance of embracing solitude and discernment, connecting with practitioners, navigating the journey of faith, planning for Season Two, and concludes with closing remarks and gratitude. The overarching theme revolves around embracing ancestral wisdom, navigating spiritual awakening, and finding community and support in the journey of faith.

Takeaways

• Season of awakening
• Community is everything

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Season Two
• 10:06 Embracing Ancestral Traditions
• 16:25 Embracing Solitude and Discernment
• 22:17 Navigating the Journey of Faith
• 28:02 Planning for Season Two
• 34:01 Closing and Gratitude

Forgiveness is sacred. But it’s not a shortcut. Not a performance. Not a requirement for healing. Some of us were taught to forgive too quickly — out of fear, out of guilt, out of the pressure to be “good.”

Especially as Black women.Especially in the church. Especially when we were never given space to grieve what was taken.

But here’s the truth: I didn’t forgive you for you. I did it for my spirit.

Forgiveness doesn’t always mean calling them back. It means cutting the cord. Releasing the weight. Clearing the attachment and boundaries. That’s spiritual work too. That’s a “no” prayed over. That’s protection spelled out in silence. That’s clarity with a backbone.

I’ve learned to stop equating maturity with suffering. I’ve learned that walking away is sometimes the holiest thing you can do. And I’ve learned that peace feels like stillness — not approval.

If you’re still holding on to something you know you need to release… If you’ve been taught that forgiveness means forgetting who hurt you…If you’re afraid that saying “no” will make you look bitter…

Take a breath. You’re not bitter….. You’re boundaried. You’re not broken….. You’re becoming.

Covered by spirit. Guided by blood.

🎙 Listen to this full reflection now on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

There are voices that don’t just speak — they shift the room.

This week on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with EbonyJanice, Hip Hop Womanist scholar and author of All the Black Girls Are Activists.

For those that may not know, EbonyJanice is a dynamic lecturer, transformational speaker, and Womanist scholar committed to decolonizing authority and centering Black women’s freedom dreams. Her latest book, All The Black Girls Are Activists, explores Black girlhood, ancestral reverence, and radical wholeness as pathways to liberation.

Our conversation is a love letter to the sacred, intellectual, and spiritual work that Black women carry — often unseen, often unpaid, yet always world-shaping.

Together, we talk about:

* How the spiritual labor of liberation shows up in our bodies, relationships, and creative work.

* Black girlhood as sacred text — joy, play, and memory as theology.

* What ancestral reverence looks like as a living, breathing theology.

* Why softness, pleasure, and wholeness are revolutionary acts.

EbonyJanice reminds us that the revolution isn’t just in the streets — it’s in our healing, our art, our prayers, and our rest. Her voice carries the rhythm of revival, the fire of truth, and the joy of remembrance.

Grab her book All the Black Girls Are Activists wherever books are sold and check out more of her work on her website.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

There are certain conversations that feel like ceremony—where words, laughter, and memory become offerings. This one with Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani is exactly that.

A New Orleans native, award-winning playwright, priestess of OYA, and 8th-generation witch, Mawiyah carries both fire and tenderness in her voice. She joins me on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist to talk about what it means to live as OYA’s child—standing at the crossroads, creating art from the storm, and conjuring liberation through story.

In this episode, we explore:

* The sacred chaos of OYA and the spiritual lessons in change.

* How Hoodoo and writing act as portals for ancestral wisdom.

* Her books Conjuring the Calabash and the upcoming Hoodoo Saints and Root Warriors, and the power of magick made for women’s freedom.

* What it means to carry an 8-generation legacy of witches, healers, and storytellers.

* The purpose behind her podcast FishHeads in Red Gravy and her mission to center marginalized voices in the esoteric world.

Mawiyah reminds us that the work of spirit is not always soft—it’s movement, transformation, and truth-telling. Her words are both a spell and a sermon for anyone learning to live inside their own storm.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

Before I had language for “rootwork,” I had land. I had fresh mint by my great-grandmother’s steps. I had mason jars filled with leaves I wasn’t supposed to touch. I had herbs steeped into tea that tasted like prayer. I wasn’t taught by books. I was taught by the Earth. And the Earth never needed to explain herself.

In Hoodoo, plants are not props. They’re not ingredients. They’re not trendy.

They’re elders. They’re teachers. They’re spiritual collaborators.

When I work with basil, I’m calling in peace. When I steep hyssop, I’m clearing something heavy. When I keep red clover near, I’m remembering my bloodline.

And before I ask anything from these plants, I speak to them. I give thanks. I listen.

You don’t need a yard. You don’t need the perfect setup. You just need to remember that you’re not separate from nature — you are nature. And nature recognizes her own.

Start with what’s near. Start with what feels right. Let the land teach you what Google can’t. You don’t have to know every ritual — just move with respect.

Covered by spirit. Guided by blood.

🎙 Listen to this full reflection now on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist on YouTube, Spotify, and of course Substack.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

Happy Hoodoo Heritage Month! It’s also my birthday month! Shout out to all of my Libras and Scorpios. In celebration of my favorite time of the year, I’m dedicating these last few episodes of this season of the podcast to the tradition.

What happens when you study Hoodoo not as superstition, but as sacred practice — a living, breathing tradition of survival, healing, and power?

This week on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I’m joined by Dr. Yvonne P. Chireau, historian, author of Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition, and one of the first scholars to put Black folk healing and conjure at the center of American religious studies.

Together, we talk about:

* How enslaved and free Black communities used conjure as medicine, protection, and resistance.

* The importance of oral tradition, memory, and everyday practice in keeping these traditions alive.

* What therapeutic pluralism teaches us about the blending of Hoodoo, Christianity, and other healing systems.

* The impact of her mentor Albert Raboteau, and what it means to build on that legacy.

* Her own reflections on identity, faith, and how scholarship and spirit meet in her life.

Dr. Chireau reminds us that Hoodoo is not just history on a page — it’s a sacred technology of resilience, rooted in the lives of Black people who refused to be erased.

Listen now right here on Substack or consider following the podcast on Youtube! Follow Dr. Chireau’s work on her website, http://academichoodoo.com.

Paid subscribers get access to extended notes from this conversation, plus reflections on how Dr. Chireau’s scholarship shaped my own practice and work.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

What happens when faith refuses to stay in the narrow pews it was handed, and instead begins to stretch, breathe, and move in the rhythm of liberation?

This week on The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with Kristian A. Smith — pastor, public theologian, and the voice behind Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality. Kristian is a thought leader who challenges us to rethink the boundaries of belief, asking how faith can serve as a tool for healing, justice, and radical imagination. He’s also the founder of The Faith Community, an intersectional inclusive space, rooted in the Greatest Commandment.

Together, we talk about:

* Breaking up with fear-based theology and moving into a spirituality rooted in freedom.

* How cigars, conversation, and community can become a liturgy of their own.

* The role of storytelling in reshaping our understanding of God, church, and ourselves.

* What it means to build faith practices that honor both tradition and personal truth.

I truly enjoyed talking to my homie. We even talked about capitalism, and how too many Black christians view poverty as a virtue. Lawd knows I don’t condone slavery. Neither does pastor Smith. So we gotta get paid. Okay!

Kristian reminds us that faith isn’t about blind allegiance — it’s about crafting practices that serve our wholeness and liberation. His voice is one that many of us have been waiting to hear: equal parts pastoral, prophetic, and practical.ads

Check out the full episode here or on Youtube and all other podcast platforms. Also please connect with Pastor Smith and tap into The Faith Community here.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

Someone incredibly special to me recently passed away tragically. It’s still shocking. I’m taking my time to mourn and process. Grief has a way of reshaping us. It takes us apart, piece by piece, until all that’s left is what’s most true. In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist, I sit down with my partner, comedian and creative spirit Nore Davis to talk about grief, ancestors, and the ways our rituals can hold us when the world does not.

This conversation is about more than mourning — it’s about remembering. We talk about how practices of ancestor veneration can soften grief, create space for laughter alongside tears, and remind us that our people have never left us.

From altars to prayer, to calling names out loud, to the simple act of living in their joy — we break down what it means to build a daily practice that keeps the dead present in our lives. Nore shares how comedy, storytelling, and memory work are his forms of spiritual care. Together, we explore how grief can become not just a wound, but a doorway.

In this episode, we explore:

* What ancestor veneration looks like in everyday life

* How grief can connect us deeper to spirit and lineage

* The role of ritual, prayer, and creativity in healing

* Why comedy and joy are sacred practices in times of mourning

* How to live with grief in a way that honors both the pain and the beauty

This one is tender. It’s a reminder that grief is not something to “get over” — it’s something we learn to walk with, guided by those who came before us.

Grief is not the absence of our ancestors. It is the proof of their presence. Each tear is an offering. Each memory, a prayer.

Let me know if you appreciate anything from this episode.

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Say it with me: Menstruation. Periods!

They taught us to hide it. To be ashamed of it. To treat it like something dirty, something to pray away. We don’t talk about this enough. About how spiritual menstruation really is.

How the body sheds what’s no longer needed—and how that’s likely a holy act.

How the womb speaks in cramps and cravings, in silence and blood.

But the truth is — blood is sacred. Menstruation is a monthly initiation. A reminder that your body is a temple, and your cycle is a ceremony.

This episode is a love letter to the flow.

A reclamation of power that’s been hidden, hushed, and misunderstood for too long.

🎧 In this episode:

* I reflect on the spiritual significance of menstruation

* What church never taught us about the sacredness of the womb

* How I use rootwork and ritual to support my cycle

* And why our blood holds memory, medicine, and mojo

💭 Reflection Prompt:

How do you tend to your body during your cycle?

What would it feel like to treat your period like a spiritual practice?

🙌🏾 Join

The Anointed Few

As a paid subscriber, you’ll get access to exclusive altar notes, bonus episodes, and spiritual tools to help you stay in alignment with your body, your blood, and your purpose.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

Have you had the “M” talk? You know, that talk. About menopause!

In this conversation with Omisade Burney-Scott, I have the opportunity to explore the intersections of ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and the experiences of Black women, Black bodies navigating menopause. Omisade shares her ancestral led journey into advocacy for reproductive justice and the importance of community support in understanding and normalizing menopause.

Just in case you don’t know, Omisade Burney-Scott (she/her) is a seventh-generation Black Southern feminist, storyteller, and reproductive justice advocate. She is also the Founder and Chief Menopause Steward of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause (BGG2SM), a multidisciplinary narrative and culture shift project focused on normalizing menopause by centering the stories of Black women, transgender, gender-expansive people, and other marginalized groups of the Global Majority.

Established in 2019, BGG2SM's core program offerings include a podcast, curated intergenerational storytelling gatherings, and a digital zine titled "Messages from the Menopausal Multiverse." She has been featured in multiple prominent media outlets, such as Oprah Daily, Forbes, VOGUE, WebMD, NPR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. I stress to listeners during the interview that Omisade has BEEN doing this work! Long before it was trendy! Long before my favorite actress, Halle Berry was hollering MENOPAUSE on Capitol Hill.

I’m so grateful for this intimate conversation. We discuss the impact of loss, the significance of rites of passage, and the role of ancestors in shaping contemporary practices. We both emphasize the need for inclusivity in reproductive health discussions and the growing movement around menopause awareness, as we’ve both have contributed more than a decade to the menstrual equity and reproductive justice space.

This Queen takes me and listeners on a ride through the complexities of navigating life transitions, particularly menopause, through the lens of community, storytelling, and cultural identity. We also tap in on the importance of witnessing, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and the power of shared experiences in fostering resilience and understanding. Emphasizing the need for inclusivity in reproductive health discussions and the growing movement around menopause awareness, as we’ve both have contributed more than a decade to reproductive justice. In sharing the journey of her initiation to the Ifá religion, Omisade highlights the significance of ancestral memory, diasporic connections, and the need for inclusive gatherings that honor diverse narratives and experiences.

Omisade and her team are preparing to offer the first intergenerational menopause conference for the Global Majority, Queer community and formerly incarcerated people called Iranti Eje: Remembering Blood, this October 9th-12th in Durham, NC. Do yourself a solid and check out the beautiful website for more details on this community offering.

I will also be present at the gathering, offering my doula services at the Red Tent on the grounds. The Red Tent will serve as a restorative space inspired by ancient traditions where people who bleed can gather to rest and reconnect.

You can register for everything here. It’s going to be so beautiful. See you there!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe

What’s in your mojo bag?! You know about mojo bags right?

It’s not limited to just a gris gris bag or pouch made of flannel. Mojo bag represents the personal magic you have. The magic of Black women has been felt and reached globally for centuries.

In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist podcast, I chat with Dr. Lindsey Stewart to explore the rich tapestry of Black women's spirituality, focusing on the legacy of hoodoo, the significance of community, and the importance of honoring ancestral wisdom.

Dr. Lindsey Stewart is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Memphis, where she weaves Black feminist philosophy, Southern identity, and spiritual traditions into her scholarship . She is the author of The Politics of Black Joy: Zora Neale Hurston and Neo‑Abolitionism (Northwestern University Press, 2021), which explores how joy served as both resistance and refusal in southern Black life . Her newest work, Conjuring of America, traces 400 years of Black women’s magic—from mojos to mermaids—as a transformative spiritual history rooted in survival and self‑definition.

During our chat we discuss the role of granny midwives, the cultural significance of textiles, specifically quilts, and the complexities surrounding charging for spiritual services like readings. We also touch on modern expressions of spirituality, such as brunch culture and social media. Dr. Stewart even shares reflections on the transformative power of mermaids as symbols of rebellion and change.

Please consider supporting Dr. Lindsey Stewart by purchasing her new book, Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic.

The audiobook is also available on platforms like Audible and Spotify. I highly recommend listening to it! The dedicated chapters on The Candy Lady, Granny Midwives, and Caroline Dye are my favorites so far! Seriously, this book is a must have for all of the hoodoos and conjure women of today.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe