Creating art in my home studio can sometimes feel like a deeply personal and solitary journey, but today, I'm breaking those walls and inviting you to join me on this creative adventure. I've discovered a treasure trove of podcasts and playlists that have become my trusted companions that keep me feeling energized, inspired, and opening, elevating my artistry and inspiring me with every play. Below you’ll find a selection of witchy, metaphysical, spiritual, finance & tech related, educational, and specialty podcasts I listen to as well as playlists that get me energized and excited to work on art.
As an added bonus, I asked my dear friends and fellow artists on Instagram to share their most cherished podcasts, and their heartfelt recommendations have found their way into the "community nominated" section below.
So, as you explore the eclectic mix of podcasts and playlists I've curated, I encourage you to join the conversation! Share your favorite tunes and podcasts in the comments, and let's create a harmonious symphony of creativity together.
The incredible visual artist Erica Deeman (who also happens to be a UC Berkeley MFA Art Practice alumni) has started to curate the most eclectic, magical, soothing, and uplifting playlists under the name Adassa on Spotify. I’ve been connecting deeply with all of her playlists but highly recommend you check out her most recent ones “Other powers” and “the vagus nerve.” They’re the perfect playlist if you’re looking to channel, get into a flow-state, or into a transcendent state!
Thaddeus Pedisich is a multi-talented musician and artist (and my lovely partner of 11+ years) who creates monthly playlists that feature a dazzling array of new music from around the globe focusing primarily on egg punk, lo-fi, underground, garage rock, metal, d-beat, and avante garde genre-defying musical acts such as Prison Affair, Snõõper, Useless Eaters, sin bragas, Gee Tee, Ghoulies, Powerplant, Smirk, and many more. Check out his most recent July and June playlists to get energized and inspired.
Diana Negrin is a passionate geographer and curator with a profound focus on identity, space, and social movements in Latin America and the United States. Celebrating her recent birthday, Diana's playlist "Above The Clouds" takes us on a captivating musical journey through her 42 years of life, featuring an eclectic mix of rap, reggae, ranchers, and dance music. Additionally, her incredible playlists titled "Global Environmental Politics Playlist" and "Latinx Politics" reflect her scholarly engagement with human and cultural geography, critical race theory, cultural studies, political ecology, and urban studies, offering a glimpse into her profound exploration of the politics of solidarity within interracial and cross-geographic alliances centered around indigenous culture and territory.
I first discovered Ciguapa305 on TikTok and she has 3 huge playlists you can spend hours connecting with. My favorite, for sure, is ESPOOKYS!🦇 which is a super gothy mix of rock en español, industrial, new wave, no wave, ebm, and more and is complimented by her Body Electric⚡ playlist which is full of electro, techno, dance, and industrial in both English and Spanish. Her playlist Señora Hour🧹🍺 features music my mom used to listen to when I was a kid growing up in SoCal and is definitely the perfect music to put on if you’re wanting to kick back and drink a few cups of tea or tidy up around the house.
Missing Witches Podcast - A feminist, research-based occult storytelling project on a quest to find the witches we've overlooked.
How To Surve The End of The World - Autumn Brown and adrienne maree brown, two sisters with shared identities as writers, activists, facilitators, and inheritors of multiracial diasporic lineages, embark on a podcast exploring survival practices for our community to navigate endings and emerge whole on the other side, no matter what that entails.
The Witch Wave with Pam Grossman - weaves bewitching conversations on magic, creativity, and culture, featuring leading visionaries discussing art and craft.
The Think Piece Podcast - Sarah M. Chappell guides founders, creators, coaches, and curious minds in building the future of online business.
Party Crews: The Untold Story - In the vibrant Los Angeles party crew scene of the ‘00s, Latinx kids sought solace, self-expression, hard house, and a break from their troubles, but the safety was not guaranteed, as shootings and police raids clouded the space. In this gripping podcast, host Janice Llamoca takes a nostalgic Y2K-filled trip back to her own party crew days, reflecting on the significance of the scene for teens like Emmery Muñoz, whose unsolved murder still echoes to this day.
Rise Up Goodwitch - Formerly hosted by Corinna Rosella, the beloved podcast "Ru!gw" finds a new home with fellow good witch, herbalist, and comedian Tavi Elise for 2023 and beyond. Within a loving container, they weave together stories and shared experiences, infusing humor and skepticism to navigate our current hellscape, all while fostering a spirit of creativity to forge new worlds together.
Queer Conjure Podcast - Queering the path towards magical liberation this podcast helps you find inspiration in witnessing other trans and queer individuals fully embracing their Whole Witchy Selves, and diligently fostering care through magical practices and equitable principles.
Erika Taught Me - Erika Kullberg, a lawyer and money expert with over 20 million social media followers, hosts the Erika Taught Me podcast, where she interviews diverse guests each week to explore their paths to success, valuable lessons learned, and insights they can share, releasing a new episode every Tuesday.
Pivot - Tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway team up to deliver sharp, unfiltered insights into the tech, business, and political landscape, making bold predictions, picking winners and losers, and engaging in unique bickering and banter that comes with great scrutiny.
La Valentina Podcast - is a podcast about queer friendship that celebrates Latinx artists and our accomplices with hosts Hoesy Corona and Stephanie Mercedes.
Ghost Of A Podcast - Hosted by Jessica Lanyadoo, this astrology and advice podcast is as informative as it is highly entertaining!
Cosmic Cousins - This podcast is released every new & full moon and is hosted by astrologer Jeff Hinshaw and is dedicated to honoring the interconnectedness of our universal family through embodied health, self-discovery, and deeper learning.
Why Not Both? - An exploration of how our multiple passions shape our identity and is hosted by Pam Shaffer, who is a musician, and therapist in Los Angeles.
World Of Rex - Hosted by actor, spiritual coach + guerrilla ontologist Marval A Rex. Featuring occult downloads, psychological inquiries, cultural banter, tantalising guest interviews, and grounded spiritual insights.
Indigenous Action Podcast - Established on August 25th, 2001, the podcast aims to offer strategic communications and direct action support for the defense of Indigenous sacred lands.
Poor Magazine/ Prensa Pobre - Poor people–led/indigenous people–led broadcast media deconstructing the lies told about poor folks By Any Means Necessary!
On Being with Krista Tippett - Peabody award-winning conversations to live with. Wisdom to replenish and orient in this wild ride of a time to be alive.
Maintenance Phase - is a podcast dedicated to debunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams, and nonsensical nutrition advice.
Third Eye Drops - Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the mysteries and majesty of the multiverse alongside Michael Phillip and his extraordinary multidisciplinary guests, including scientists, artists, comedians, entrepreneurs, authors, shamans, monks, psychonauts, and the occasional android sidekicks.
Magick & Alchemy Podcast - Step into the enchanting world of modern-day witches and earth-spirited souls with hosts Kristin Lisenby and Kate Belew, as they enthrall listeners each week with discussions on witchcraft, divination, mythology, and all things magick and alchemy.
Between The Worlds - Join host Amanda Yates Garcia and a series of special guests as they engage in captivating conversations spanning tarot, psychology, mythology, pop culture, witchcraft, magic, art, and history, accompanied by enchanting music and production by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs.
Anything For Selena - Maria García combines rigorous reporting with impassioned storytelling to honor Selena's legacy. She also explores the indelible mark she left on Latino identity and belonging, whether it’s fatherhood, big-butt politics, and the fraught relationship with whiteness and language.
You Must Remember This - Hosted by Karina Longworth, a former film critic for LA Weekly, delves into the scandalous and forgotten history of Old Hollywood, offering extensively researched and captivating insights into the off-screen drama.
Glitch Bottle - A Western magic and grimoire-focused show that uncorks the uncommon with magic, mysticism, and the generally misunderstood.
Spirit World Center - Laova and Eric offer practical advice and techniques for seekers of all levels, guiding them to unlock their psychic abilities, perform trance journeys, study spiritual ecosystems, channel guides, and enhance their intuition while fostering a positive relationship with their higher selves, spirits, and the Spirit World.
Congratulations Pine Tree - The Bay Area’s number ONE arts and culture podcast hosted by Kate Rhoades and Maysoun Wazwaz.
Saturn Vox - Hosted by McCalla Ann, a theurgist and kabbalistic scholar, this podcast offers bi-weekly interviews exploring Occult education with a focus on philosophy, psychology, theology, and critical thinking, engaging in enlightening discussions with fellow practitioners that celebrate the harmonious and liminal space between theory and praxis.
What Magic Is This? - Topic-based podcast delving into the realms of Magic, the Occult, the Esoteric, the Paranormal, the Supernatural, and the Weird, where each episode revolves around a single subject, aiming to explore and uncover the essential aspects.
CARLA Podcast - Presented by Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles (CARLA), a quarterly print magazine and online journal fostering critical dialogue within the contemporary art community of Los Angeles, our monthly podcast features captivating conversations with artists, curators, and creatives living and working in the city, complementing the essays, reviews, and interviews published in the magazine and online.
Vibe Check - Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford make sense of what’s going on in news and culture – and how it all feels. Vibe Check is your favorite group chat, come to life.
Normal Gossip - juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet.
This Is Actually Happening - Experience riveting, life-changing tales firsthand as individuals recount extraordinary events, from waking up in a morgue to surviving a harrowing ordeal in the Mexican desert, leaving you on the edge of your seat, eager to hear what unfolds next.
Navigating Narcissism - Embark on a transformative journey of healing from narcissistic encounters with clinical psychologist and foremost narcissism expert, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, as she engages in powerful conversations with survivors and experts in the groundbreaking series.
