The Purple Pawedcast

Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D.
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Purple Pawedcast, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind). Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this pod is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.

  1. MAY 1

    A New Political Playbook for Indiana - with Lilliana Kendra Young

    Today we hear Lilliana Kendra Young's pursuit of justice for all in Indiana State government.  Lilliana is a candidate for District 61 of the Indiana State House of Representatives and Founder of The Sisterhood, a support organization in Bloomington, Indiana.  She and I peruse topics as off the beaten track as: ☑️How some politicians are clearly slacking off☑️Why money makes most politicians unaware of the real problems our country faces☑️Whether transgender women are contractually obligated to play Magic: The Gathering REFERENCES:Lilliana Young’s Website: https://youngfor61.com/ Follow Lilliana on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lillianayoung.bsky.social Follow Lilliana on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LillianaKendraYoung Follow Lilliana on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Lilliana-Young-for-IN-61/61582462953972/ Follow Lilliana on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lillianakendra (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:31) - Introducing Lilliana Kendra Young (02:49) - Realizing her Queer identity (08:35) - Finding the activist within (12:37) - Committing to how government should be run (19:16) - The anger effective government needs (25:15) - An oligarchy by any other name (32:46) - The story of Lilliana's name (36:24) - The story of Lilliana's logo (39:55) - What makes being awake worthwhile (43:38) - Becoming an artist who feels (48:28) - Develop your skills and forget about talent! (53:12) - How to find Lilliana Kendra Young on the internet (54:46) - Show closing (57:37) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    58 min

  2. APR 24

    Undoing a Lifetime of Programming - with Terraine LeBeau

    In this episode, Terraine LeBeau breaks down how trauma begins, how it manifests, and how it can end.  Terraine is a Certified Relationship Mentor, mental health advocate, and host of the “Behind the Shades” podcast.  We talk about topics as diverse as dreams we never carried, learning to live for your mental health, and how Julie Brown predicted 1980s trauma accurately. REFERENCES:Terraine LeBeau’s Website: https://www.behindtheshades.ca/ Follow Terraine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindtheshadesfb Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terraine-lebeau/ (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:31) - Introducing Terraine LeBeau (02:38) - Giving voice to trauma (06:15) - ACEs, PACEs, and perception (11:58) - Perception of the traumatic experience (19:32) - It's right until it feels wrong (25:56) - The dream was never yours (38:13) - Seeing through the eyes of your tramua (43:49) - Helping means not judging the person (50:01) - Spot the signs of change (56:12) - Set both positive and negative goals (01:02:55) - Toxic productivity (01:10:16) - Finding the value inside (01:15:19) - How to find Terraine LeBeau on the internet (01:16:44) - Show closing (01:18:34) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    1h 19m

  3. APR 3

    Falling in Love with Life Again - with Serena Saint Sinclair

    Today's episode features Serena Saint Sinclair's story of deconstructing religion to build a new magical practice.  Serena is a Chaos witch, Persephone devotee, and hostess of "The Pomegranate Path" project.  Serena and I mull over topics as fascinating as the Problem of Evil, Western health care, and why every kid deserves to have pomegranates peeled for them. REFERENCES:Serena Saint-Sinclair’s Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/serenasaintsinclair Follow Serena on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/cw/serenasaintsinclair Follow Serena on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/serenasaintsinclair Follow Serena on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@SerenaSaintSinclair (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:27) - Introducing Serena Saint Sinclair (03:04) - Finding intrinsic meaning in life (05:48) - Evil in God's Image (10:32) - Finding Chaos Magic and Persephone (20:40) - Holding multiple truths at once (24:47) - Co-creating with the Universe (30:51) - Hating on the US health care system (38:58) - Life force and balance (45:38) - Duality, pomegranates, and Persephone (52:07) - How to find Serena Saint Sinclair on the internet (55:41) - Show closing (58:27) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    59 min

  4. FEB 20

    Know That You Deserve Better - with Gloria Battini

    This week, we hear Gloria Battini's story of overcoming real life to reclaim her spiritual gifts.  Gloria is a transformational guide, spiritual teacher, and empathic visionary whose work empowers humanity to reach its highest potential.  Gloria and I discuss fascinating topics, such as how social healing really happens, listening to your soul's messages, and Ami's stunning ability to recognize Greek letters. REFERENCES:Gloria Battini’s Website:  https://www.gloriabattini.com/ Follow Gloria on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@gloriabattini (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:27) - Introducing Gloria Battini (02:20) - From paralyzing OCD to seeing clearly (08:33) - Matching outside to inside (15:03) - Beating OCD with a great life (16:36) - Not really able to read Greek (18:23) - Healing from the bottom up (21:54) - The layers of conditioning (27:32) - Build a stronger foundation (32:43) - Healing yourself is enough (36:16) - Follow what makes you curious (39:52) - See your child for who they are (41:45) - The soul is chatty! (45:26) - The beginning of a new cycle (52:10) - How to find Gloria Battini on the internet (55:15) - Show closing (56:54) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    57 min

  5. FEB 6

    Anchor Your Gender in Joy - with DR Z PHD

    This week's episode was a tremendous treat for me - I got to talk to Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva, or DR Z PHD!  Natalia is a clinical psychologist specializing in gender identity and author of the book “On Your Terms: Gender Transition Redefined for Adults.”  Natalia and I discussed topics as widely diverse as the origin of gender identity, the only person able to define your identity, and why we should all learn not to give a shit. REFERENCES:Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva’s website:  https://drzphd.com/ Follow Dr. Z on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DRZPHD Follow Dr. Z on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzphd/ Follow Dr. Z on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DRZPHDpractice/ Follow Dr. Z on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drz.phd/ Follow Dr. Z on Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/thedrzphd/ (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:26) - Introducing Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva (03:27) - Doing what comes naturally (08:47) - Why is gender only important now? (14:42) - The underlying cause of gender dysphoria (20:50) - Failure to sit in the unknown (26:38) - Nature vs Nurture (32:37) - Let gender evolve (37:42) - Anchor yourself in what feels like you (41:15) - How biology relates to gender (43:56) - Health insurance is for healing pain (50:59) - How to find Dr. Z on the internet (55:04) - Show closing (55:32) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    56 min

  6. JAN 23

    Reality Seen Through the Eyes of Love - with Gregory James Thelian

    This week, we hear about identity made manifest through boudoir photography with Gregory James Thelian.  Gregory is an award-winning photographer and speaker on self-perception whose work focuses on helping clients see themselves as the rest of the world does.  Gregory and I muse through topics as diverse as seeing yourself through self-worth, how Photoshop isn't evil in the right hands, and why Kim Kardashian should be BFFs with Gregory and Ami. REFERENCES:Gregory James Thelian’s Website:  https://www.gregoryjamesphotography.com/ Gregory's "Reframing the Top 12 Self-limiting Beliefs" Guide:  https://gjp.myflodesk.com/reframing-self-limiting-beliefsFollow Gregory on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/gregoryjames.photo/ Follow Gregory on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/gregory.james.photography.nyc Follow Gregory on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@gregoryjames.photo Follow Gregory on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@gregoryjamesphotography (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:29) - Introducing Gregory James Thelian (03:10) - Discarding outside perceptions (09:45) - Finding the soul in photography (15:30) - How the people who love you see you (22:16) - Photoshop is not necessarily evil (27:27) - Connecting the dots of who you are (35:22) - Feeling heard and being seen (40:58) - Life changes when you are worthy (48:13) - Other people's small thinking inhibits your full thinking (53:35) - How to find Gregory James Thelian on the internet (54:54) - Show closing (59:23) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    1 hr

  7. JAN 9

    Re-Enchanted by the Unknown - with Dr. Richard Kaczynski

    This week's episode is a story of science, politics, and ignorance with Dr. Richard Kaczynski.  Richard is a psychologist, Thelemite, and author of the book "Mind Over Magick."  Richard and I muse over topics as far afield as the human penchant to fill in where there are no blanks, why humans choose ignorance over science, and what "Ghostbusters" can teach about statistics. REFERENCES:Richard Kaczynski’s Website:  https://richard-kaczynski.com/ Follow Richard on Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/richardkaczynski.bsky.social Learn more about Richard’s book “Mind Over Magick”:  https://www.innertraditions.com/mind-over-magick (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:28) - Introducing Richard Kaczynski (02:42) - Just a typical magical childhood (08:44) - Awkward pop culture references (10:26) - Filling in where there are no blanks (15:41) - Open or closed to magick, it still happens (22:41) - We have no idea (27:17) - Throwing out what we don't understand (31:01) - Why do we choose ignorance? (36:19) - Lost confidence from b******t answers (41:58) - Challenging what we already know (47:19) - The disenchantment of the world (52:58) - Applying science to magick (57:12) - How to find Richard Kaczynski on the internet (59:06) - Show closing (01:01:21) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    1h 2m

  8. JAN 2

    Enhancing What Humans Do Better than Technology - with Derek Crager

    Today's episode features a raw discussion with Derek Crager about the value of AI in human society.  Derek Crager is a tech founder, an AI thought leader, and author of the upcoming book "Human First AI."  Derek and I consider what AI excels at doing for humans, how humans can co-create with AI effectively, and why a printer telling you about its broken parts would be creepy. REFERENCES:Derek Crager’s Website:  https://www.practicalai.app Follow Derek on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazonleadership/ Learn about Derek’s book:  https://www.humanfirstai.net/ (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:28) - Introducing Derek Crager (02:22) - How to create the Universe (05:40) - How humans can use AI best (08:54) - AI is great at answering questions it already knows (12:37) - But AI struggles to understand context (16:03) - Mentorship, not copying and pasting (22:02) - Conversing with yourself on any topic you choose (28:37) - Co-creation or co-opting? (37:41) - Specialized training just for you! (44:25) - AI could actually prevent failure (47:42) - Trust the human (51:11) - Replacing humans while avoiding catastrophe (55:25) - How to find Derek Crager on the internet (56:38) - Show closing (57:07) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

    57 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Purple Pawedcast, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind). Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this pod is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.

Information

  • Creator
    Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Purplepaw Clan, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Purple Pawedcast