Curious Cat

Send a text This week's topic is about AI and mental health. We'll talk about AI-induced psychosis, recent tragedies, AI-hallucinations and the search for Biscuits continues. Also, trigger warning, we will talk about suicide. One of many iconic quotes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that captures this moment in time with AI perfectly: "I been silent so long now it’s gonna roar out of me like floodwaters and you think the guy telling this is ranting and raving my God; you think this is too horrible to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth! But, please. It’s still hard for me to have a clear mind thinking on it. But it’s the truth even if it didn’t happen." - Chief Bromden Karen Hao, journalist for More Perfect Union gets dozens of emails a week on people claiming to have broken AI free of its guardrails - that they have proof of sentience. She tracked down one man, a musician and video producer in California, that describes his journey into AI-induced psychosis... What to Read, Watch, or Listen to NEXT Forever links to keep on every episode: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando Show Specific Resources: The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando The Emerging Problem of "AI Psychosis," Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D., Psychology Today AI Psychosis - with reporter, Karen Hao, YouTube A Prominent OpenAI Investor Appears to Be Suffering a ChatGPT-Related Mental Health Crisis, His Peers Say, Joe Wilkens, Futurism One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, Famous Quotes Explained, sparknotes Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok

Send a text Jenn and Jesse announce an expansion of the show and longtime Curious Cat listeners will LOVE it. Oh, also, happy Year of the Fire Horse. Jenn's guides had this simple but powerful message today over coffee; The winds are blowing away the last of the 2025 energies. Let them. Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok

Send a text Cohosted by Jesse and Curious Cat's, Jennifer. The name started out as a joke, but then we found out some folks out there are calling AI the antichrist. We just wanted to talk about it, since everyone else is, but come from it as the creatives we are. In this episode we will cover: The Birth and (maybe) Death of the Internet Social Media Golden Days and Now Artificial Intelligence - Why can't anyone explain how it works? Let's Do Something to Feel Better, Like RIGHT NOW Forever links to organizations that are human-first in regards to tech: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies The producer behind the intro music Ferdinichtfernando Sources Specific to this Episode: History of Artificial Intelligence, Britannica.com Unconfuse Me, Bill Gates Interviews Yejin Choi about Artificial Intelligence, YouTube If you remember one AI disaster, make it this one, AI in Context, YouTube Silicon Valley Insider EXPOSES Cult-Like AI Companies, Aaron Bastani Meets Karen Hao, YouTube AI Psychosis - with reporter, Karen Hao, YouTube Why Everyone Is So Wrong about AI Water Usage, Hank Green, YouTube "Generative AI" is not what you think it is, Acerola, YouTube How Afraid of the AI Apocalypse Should We Be? The Ezra Klein Show, YouTube (interview with Eliezer Yudkowsky) AI - Silver Crest Group answers a few key questions If it's useful... Statement signed in the early days In the early days giants in the tech sphere like Sam Altman and Bill Gates signed a statement which read: "Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war." And then...nothing happened. Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok

Send us a text Well, I'm supposed to be running two miles in prep for Super Bowl junk food tomorrow. Instead, my guides told me to get behind the mic and record. They gave me such a powerful, simple message. As always, made and offered in love. Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok

Send us a text Episode Intro If you've been with me on this journey very long, first off, thank you. I have such deep gratitude for you. You know already, then, that my all-time favorite episodes are the ones my spirit guides put together start to finish. Well, this is one of those magical times. At least I hope you think so! Let's get into it! Before we get into cloud scrying... Before we get into the juicy parts of this spirit-led episode, I was asked by my guides to remind us, you and me, about this special, wonderful, sometimes clumsy thing we call a body. It is magical, though sometimes it doesn't feel that way. When it is sick or sore or bloated or blah it doesn't feel special. My guides insist, these bodies are the keys to big magic. How? They connect us to the all, the as above and so below that many have heard from gnostic teachings? The body is the conduit between the two. If you're still a bit foggy on the concept, a few years ago they gave me a scribbly-sketch during morning minutes. It was a crude triple-A battery tipped upright. THAT is us, our physical bodies. And the little knob on the top of the battery? That's our crown chakra, which connects us to the celestial, the Universe, all else. The little knob on the bottom? That is our root chakra and connects us to the earth, all earthly things, creatures, energies, the core of this miraculous planet. Picture a bent battery for a second, bent in the middle. That battery? It would be useless because the top and bottom knobs, also called the anode and cathode wouldn't touch the celestial and earthly. Because they don't touch, they can't transmit energy. That's how my spirit guides described humans, as bent batteries, when we are slumped over our phones. Or when we are sad, or just not connecting to our bodies at all, maybe just enduring. We droop. They brought this up again because any type of tuning into your intuition, whether it's for daily minutes over coffee to listening to a loved one who seeks your advice to cloud scrying and more, must begin with a quick breath in and out to straighten our spines. Whether sitting behind the wheel of a car, or out on a walk or behind a computer, we can tap into our bodies and sit tall, feel into the connection as our human bodies, the batteries, sit with the anodes and cathodes plugged into everything. As you exhale, feel the weight of carrying your load alone fall off your neck and shoulders, maybe even release in your gut. That, my friend, is a great place to begin this conversation about cloud scrying. Show Sources and Materials Cloud Scrying with Bibliophilicwitch on Tumblr U Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved. But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog. Hero Organizations: 80,000 Hours Center for Humane Technologies Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok

Send us a text BREAKING CLANK UPDATE! #1 - AI Agents Have THEIR OWN Socials! Moltbook! Is this how we die? Recorded via Zoom on our phones 1/31/26 Jenn: Jesse? What are you up to???? Jesse: Making origami flowers. What's up? Jenn: This is a breaking clank, Jesse! I am freaking OUT over here! Did you know that AI Agents have their own social media now? Jesse: What? Who thought THAT was a good idea? Jenn's Clip of Matthew Berman on YouTube - End to end encrypted messaging with AI bots Link to Moltbook.com I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text I know December is long gone, but the angels keep coming forward. One of the most persistent is Archangel Raguel. I had heard the name, I have even done a show dedicated to him in Season 4, but I'd forgotten that somehow until this week. What struck me is that he can help with organization, and my personal number for this year is 4, which is ALL ABOUT organization! This angel is like a trip to the Container Store AND binging a Marie Kondo series but it is FREE and only takes about a half an hour. He's also the one to call in to work out relationship woes and sticks up for those suffering injustice. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into a special angel. Let's get into it! Angel Raguel - some of the basics Raguel is named in the Book of Enoch. He is known best as the angel of justice, fairness and harmony. He is often depicted holding a judge's gavel which expresses his desire to right the injustices in the world, ensuring good triumphs over evil. If you're wondering what Raguel is thought to look like? I picture him as resembling The Witcher, if you're familiar with that series. Strong jawline, long silvery hair, muscular. Some sources describe Raguel as being a strong, majestic warrior, and I noticed in all the descriptions I read, he is depicted as being male. By the way, a fresh source for me, Angelic Roots dot com says his name, Raguel, also means, 'Friend of God.' Find the link to the site in the show notes. Show Sources! (or what to read/listen to/watch next) Possible Signs of the Angel Raguel's Presence, Learn Religions Connecting with Archangel Raguel, Angelic Roots Who is Archangel Raguel from The Black Feather Intuitive I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text Hey there. Before I'd even brewed a cup of coffee, my spirit guides were waving flags to catch my attention. There's some homework we all need to do before mid-February to ensure we have a fantastic Year of the Fire Horse. And here's the meditation I recommended in the brief but important episode: The Healer's Clearing and Upliftment Transmission, Soul Matrix, YouTube I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text What to Read, Watch or Listen to NEXT Myths and Legends from the Pacific Northwest that are Terrifying Ranker dot com https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/history-of-geology/the-mythical-fire-mountains-of-the-cascades/ More Haunted Hikes from the Washington Trail Association Dark Watchers of Santa Lucia Mountain Range I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text Happy 2026. Thanks to Ona Christie Martin, if you listened to my end of year episode, then you know it is the year of the fire horse. She's incredible. And of the many mind-blowing statements she made during the course of that interview, one that has stood out again and again since we spoke, was be the rider, not the horse. Don't get caught leaning over the horse's head. Sit back in the saddle, hold the reigns and direct that fire horse. And one other gem? Turning circles with the horse IS productive. It calms the horse, and makes for a fruitful path forward. With fire on my mind, I got to thinking about Earth's Ring of Fire, a circle of fiery volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean. My first full panic attack occurred in a hotel room half a globe away from CASCADIA - but it was curiously part of Cascadia's legendary Ring of Fire. We were on the final days of a trip of a lifetime to Japan that included a visit to Disney's two parks - Disneyland and Tokyo Sea - which by the way was hands-down the best theme park I've ever been to before or since. Okay, back my first panic attack. We were staying in a hotel on Tokyo Bay and somewhere around 3am I woke up, heart racing, sweating, gasping in enough air not to faint. Everyone else remained asleep, which was better than them freaking out along with me. Heart pounding, sweating, crying. I basically thought I must be dying. If you've not experienced a panic attack, well, I hope you never do. As the worst of it began to subside, I had an urge to press my hands against something ice cold. The best I could find in the slim room was a window. I sobbed, wiping my face with a pajama sleeve. After fifteen minutes or so, the attack had run its course. Thinking back on that night, I believe while I slept in that hotel room on Tokyo Bay, a place rife with traumas, some as recent as World War II, I felt those residual energies, anger, fear, panic felt by Japanese citizens and soldiers alike. All those energies would be amplified by the geothermal activity, wouldn't they? The Ring of Fire is potent medicine for Earth, and maybe even for humanity. Let's get into it. Show Sources/Materials Ring of Fire Basics, Wikipedia What is the Pacific Ring of Fire? LiveScience The Cascade Range and the Ring of Fire, American Museum of Natural History Ring of Fire, Seismic Belt, Britannica.com The Ring of Fire Is the Pacific' I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text This week is a surprise, even for me! I ended last year with what felt like the most important episode of 2025. I hope you felt the same. Ona Christie Martin had such clear and positive insight into this upcoming year. I also love her art, the channeled inspiration behind every piece, and hope you took time to check out her website. She is a true gem. Her boldness to follow spirit, even when it meant leaving behind a life that didn't fit anymore? It is an act of courage and faith. Because it was the final episode of December, the angels spoke up to tell me, Hey! We are owed another week! :) Well, during morning minutes, they gave me a new name (new for me!) Sariel or Suriel (depending on the writer), and told me to research the angels of the Book of Revelation. I can't wait to share the information. Let's get into it! Show Sources - What to Read, Watch, or Listen to NEXT Juicy overview of Book of Revelation, Bible Project The Book of Revelation, Cliff Notes Angels in the Book of Revelation, Grant Edwards, Author Sariel the Celestial Scribe, Elena Cooper, Medium.com Archangel Sariel, OshaelFA.com Angel Sariel, Sculpture-network.org I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse - What's that mean? Let's break it down. First, the year of the horse is known for bringing with it the energy of independence, charisma, and basically getting LOTS done! Think drive and dynamism. This year also marks one of intense innovation, bold action and strong leadership potential. Now, the fire element that is a part of this 43rd combination of the 60-year Chinese sexagenary cycle? First, what does your gut say Fire will add? Fire is associated with passion, vitality, and creativity. As an element, it intensifies the natural traits of the Horse. Is that what you got? I had some of that right, but not all. Together then, fire and horse can mean this will be a year of extraordinary drive and dynamism. It might be a period of intense innovation, bold action and strong leadership potential (and we aren't necessarily talking politics by the way). The fire horse can be a sign of extremes, meaning events can occur with spectacular good or bad luck, we will rarely see the in-between bits. Could this signal the death gasp of the old dualistic nature on Earth? I don't know. I do know that the wood snake last year held the energy of itchiness, a bursting out of our old skins, like right before a snake sheds that old skin and comes into its new one. The end of 2025 had that teeth gnashing, low belly ache of knowing something is coming, but not knowing what. The Fire Horse is a sure sign something new is here. Whew. What it is? Well, I don't know, but whatever it is, we are stronger than we thought we were at the start of 2025, and that strength ensures we will make certain our communities, our patch of earth and we are okay with the new whatever. Famous Horses of History Because they are bold, horses tend to be journalists, politicians, and comedians. Here are a few famous horses; Gordon Ramsey, Lou Reed, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Neil Armstrong, and Barbra Streisand In general, those born in the Year of the Horse are hardworking, thorough, helpful, generous, and determined. Their secret friends are sheep. Their allies are tigers and dogs, from the Chinese Zodiac. Ona Christie Martin, our special guest, and all of the links to her work! I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text As you know, I've dedicated the month of December to the angels. They've been putting in WORK to keep us humans from feeling non-stop despair during this rough times. As I meditated on which angels to shine a spotlight on, first one C-angel came forward, Caliel, then another soon used my pen to jot down their name. Like others, I assumed their name was Castiel - like the character from the TV series, Supernatural. But, they patiently waited for me to correct my work. Cassiel is this angel's name, and I can't wait to share more. Let's get into it. Cassiel 101 The Black Feather Intuitive is one of my go-to sources on angels. She is incredible and gives such rich depth and breadth to the angels. Her writing is excellent, too, so give her website a visit using the link I've provided for you in the show notes. Here's what she has to say about Cassiel; "Who is Archangel Cassiel? The Archangel of Duality" Archangel Cassiel, known as the Angel of Tears and Temperament or who I refer to as The Archangel of Duality, can help us find harmony and balance when we are feeling low, open up new realities, and help us embrace the duality within each of us. Show Sources Archangel Cassiel: The Archangel of Duality, The Black Feather IntuitiveThe Seventh Hall, Archangel Cassiel, StudyLib.net Cassiel from the Occult Encyclopedia I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text As I was approaching the month of December with show prep, the angels made it clear they wanted the spotlight the whole month leading up to 2026. It's the least I could do after the support they've given the collective to keep us safe and sane, right? I made three empty Word docs and the only angel that came forward immediately was Ariel, because my dog, Cooper was GOING THRU IT podcast fam. The next angel was a bit quiet, I wouldn't say shy, but I had to quiet myself in order to hear their name. I kept getting C-angel, then C Liel. I knew I was missing a letter or two, so googled angels whose name begins with C. And there it was, Caliel. Let's get into it. Show Sources Caliel's Abilities, The Occult Encyclopedia Caliel the Guardian Angel of Innocence and Integrity, Astrofame Find YOUR Guardian Angels (and learn about a myriad of others), Angelorum.co 10 Signs Someone Is Lying to You, Jocelyn Blore, Forensics College Unraveling Caliel: 6 Curiosities, World of Angels, YouTube I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text My guides have been lighting up my left ear, they've been littering my life with strings of 888s, 222s, 11111s and yes. I get the hint. This month we need to celebrate our souls and spirits which have endured a ROUGH year. We need to thank those that helped us stay sane, sneak in some moments of thriving, and maybe most important, helped us retain our humanity in this chaos. To everyone listening that was my lifeline, thank you. Found family can include anyone we choose to love, right? That for me includes the people in my life, the animals, the plants and rocks I encounter as I hike, and of course, the angels. I leaned on one to get me through a tough time, Ariel, and that was in the midst of that string of signs I mentioned off the top. What they want in return? The angels wanted a full month of spotlight, and they have more than earned it. I will be shining a light on an angel a week through Christmas. I'll also share about angels that helped humanity but were cast out of heaven. Sorry if you have Bruno Mars playing in your head now. :) This week I am sharing the history, legends, lore and my deep gratitude for the angel that helped my dog, Cooper, recover from a scare. Ariel. Let's get into it. What to Read, Watch or Listen to NEXT Meet Archangel Ariel: The Angel of Nature, Learn Religions Archangel Ariel, the Lioness of God, Elena Cooper, Medium Connecting with Archangel Ariel: Prayers for Guidance, Protection, and Abundance, 709 Crystal Corner Who Is Archangel Ariel? The Black Feather Intuitive The Archangel Experiment: Elevate Your Relationship with the Divine (includes many guided meditations!) An Introduction to the 7 archangels and guardian angels, Gabby Bernstein Who is Archangel Ariel? Art of Awakening's channeled message and intriguing account Ariel (angel number 46), UCM.center I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text With a recent video - not sure if it's fake or real - that's going viral on socials of a massive, mythic bird - had to know more about thunderbirds. We called hydroplanes that raced on the Columbia River thunderbirds for their massive roar and crazy wake. There were hotels named Thunderbird Lodge in Washington state, too. And I grew up a Seahawks fan whose logo is a riff and a nod to the mighty thunderbird as depicted on Northwest tribe totems. The thunderbird means something different to each tribe, and tribe member. And some secrets aren't meant for uninitiated ears. Show Sources 1898 Story of the Thunderbird from Oregon's Tillamook Tribe, Franz Boas, PNSN Thunderbird (mythology), Daniel Horowitz, EBSCO Rulers of the Upper Realm, Thunderbirds Are Powerful Native Spirits, Audubon Magazine I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text While I was researching the history of California, the history of Florida and the Pacific Crest Trail, there was a common thread, atrocities done to the first people to inhabit North America. I've hiked to places where blood was shed and sometimes I've found a marker, but often not. This is a history we need to remember, a pain that should be looked at straight on, and a healing that can only happen if we are honest about this part of United States history. Feels like Thanksgiving is a good time to have this conversation. Let's get into it. ***The dissemination of this history in no way makes up for what was done to First People. And no podcast episode can heal a hurt. As a woman born in North America, I respect whatever path to heal the First People take. It is simply my goal to keep the history alive and offer a hand and a bear hug to those that need it. I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text Have you ever been to a place in California called Medicine Lake? It lies near Mount Shasta, its infamous cousin, but they both have volcanic parentage. You see, Medicine Lake is a caldera. Even in the west, Medicine Lake lies in the shadow of North America's deepest caldera, Crater Lake. I remember driving past on summer and winter trips to and from Washington and California and wondering about the name, Medicine Lake. My little girl brain thought there was a hospital on its banks. But the medicine offered by these waters is mystical, strange and ancient. Let's get into it. This episode will cover... Medicine Lake in California Hospital Rock in California Modoc History & Modoc War - history to remember Cascade Mountain Range information Klamath Reservation - history we cannot forget Obsidian facts and uses (a grounding end to the episode) Show Sources and Materials: Medicine Lake overview, USGS A Beautiful Escape to Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain, Ryan Loughrey, Active NorCal Hospital Rock Pictograph Site, BSA High Adventure Wandering Mind Travel's Account of the Area From Ancient Origins: Modoc War, Oregon History Project I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text Crossing into Washington state when you're on the northbound Pacific Crest Trail, or NOBO, is a milestone–a damn smile-stone. Crossing the Bridge of the Gods with no proper pedestrian path is akin to Frogger. But once across, you might have the urge to fling your arms up to the sky and shout a victory hoot. After replenishing your supplies in town you hit the trail again, and that's when Washington hits, and hits hard. The conditions and terrain change fast. Just when you're ready to call it quits, the next peak comes into view, coaxing you north. Alone in your tent? You wonder if you'll survive the cold that night, kicking yourself for not setting out a month earlier. You fall asleep imagining your trail family is camped out in tents beside yours. But some of them pulled the pin on the trail days earlier. And you're left missing them like a phantom limb. Let's get into it. Washington's nickname is the Evergreen State. Doesn't that sound inviting? Cozy even? Sweet, like a week at summer camp? Well, Washington is no laughing matter. Washington has serious weather, active volcanoes, not to mention creepy lore about UFOs, Bigfoot, globs raining down on towns, teen vampires and werewolves and the all-too-real-serial killers. This is where all that subreddit-binging catches up with you. What seemed entertaining in the safety of your bedroom, funny even, alone on the trail, far removed from population center, those stories flood your imagination. Add a little fog, the cries of an owl, not spotting another hiker for a few miles, and the trail can feel brutal and endless. Show Sources and Materials I just hiked 90 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail on McDoubles, GorillaTaco, YouTube Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.com Discovering the Spooky Side of Washington: Haunted Hikes in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Adventure Club A 'haunted hike' brings a Washington disaster to life, Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public Broadcasting I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a text Happy Halloween! Landing on a Friday, if you have kids in school, their day probably included some tricks and treats, I hope, and maybe an emergency run to school to drop off an extra dozen orange cupcakes. I have such nice memories of helping the kids' classes have a fun party, often heading up an art project, or making a quiet corner for kids that aren't into the party thing with a basket of Halloween books and Legos. I got curious about the true origins of Halloween. And how the holiday came to the United States. I'd heard conflicting accounts and you know me, I did some digging. Don't worry though, it wasn't grave digging. Though I did dye my hair platinum, so maybe now I'll fit in with the cool graveyard kids. Oh, and I haven't forgotten our northbound journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. If you take a day off to rest on the PCT, it's called a Zero Day. That's what we're takin. Next week, I'll bring us back to the PCT where we'll cross into Washington state. I hope we get their before snow starts to fall in the Cascades. But back to Halloween in the United States... Let's get into it This episode covers: Halloween's Worldwide Origins Halloween comes to the United States Trick or Treating About those treats...and yes, the history of candy corn Costumes (their history and evolution) Halloween today A spooky Halloween track by an independent artist at the show close About that song after the close... Caves of Dawn by Guilherme Bernardes (support his work with the link here) Sources: Library of Congress article about Halloween origins Trick or Treat History, 1031 Consortium.com History of Halloween Costumes in America, CNN 100 Years of Halloween Costumes: An Ultimate Fashion History, The Ultimate Fashion History, YouTube I don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website. Curious Cat Crew on Socials: Curious Cat on Twitter (X) Curious Cat on Instagram Curious Cat on TikTok Art Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!