The OptiMYSTIC Podcast

Isabel Mareş

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Spirituality
Updated Monthly

Exploring mysticism through the lives of everyday change-makers. From artists to atheists, minsters to ex-monks, poets to future-punks, The OptiMYSTIC Podcast is rooted in a belief that the "modern mystic" comes in many forms, and they are here to transform themselves, us, and the world.

Apr 7

Pleasure Portals: On Intimacy, Worth, and Mid-life Desire w/ Angie Enger

In this spring episode, Angie Enger and I sit down for a deeply human conversation on midlife desire, bodily autonomy, and the courage to want what you want. Together, we explore how desire evolves through life’s transitions – motherhood, partnership, identity shifts – and why midlife can act as a portal. Angie shares her lineage as a triplet, midwesterner, sex educator and community counselor, taking us through her shame-free approach to pleasure. She offers practical tools, catered to women and femmes, helping us reconnect with our bodies in ways that both awaken the individual and empower the collective. This episode is an invitation to soften any inherited shame, deepen self-intimacy, and remember that desire is a form of wisdom worth listening to! Follow Angie’s journey at angieenger.com, angieenger.substack.com and @angieengercoach Conversations with visionaries are released on new and full moons. Released April 7, 2026. Original music by Isabel Mares.

53 min
Mar 20

The Wisdom of Birth: Between Translation and Belonging w/ Zivar Amrami

In celebration of the Vernal Equinox, we sit down with Zivar Amrami, artist, writer, creative guide, and student of many lineages. She reflects on living between worlds, as a woman of Iranian and Norwegian descent, weaving from Kabbalistic wisdoms, the emergent esoteric, and myth. As we discuss her newest work, The Wisdom of Birth Tarot Deck (aka “the pocket doula”) and this shared season of mystic motherhood, we untangle some knots in the false binary of birth and death. We travel from her Chabad childhood, consequent spiritual journeys, and healing in mothering–re-storying ourselves, allowing for new translations to emerge. Join us. Follow Zivar’s journey at zivaramrami.substack.com and @zivaramrami Conversations with visionaries are released on new and full moons. Released March 20, 2026. Original music by Isabel Mares.

56 min
10/31/2025

AI, Art, and the Oracular w/ Isabelle Rizo

On this Samhain/Halloween special, we sit down with Isabelle Rizo–Romanian Chicago-based artist, licensed art psychotherapist, hypnotist, researcher, and tarot teacher whose work bridges mythos, mysticism, multicultural healing. A former political refugee, Isabelle weaves lived experience with clinical insight and spiritual artistry to guide emotional transformation, ancestral reconnection, and radical self-trust. Rooted in Eastern European folklore, mysticism, and matriarchal traditions, her liberation-centered approach reclaims healing as both a personal and political act. We talk about Transylvanian folklore (yes, Dracula), AI mindfulness, and how creativity and ritual transforms our world(view) for the better. Follow Isabelle’s journey at IsabelleRizo.com and @isabellerizobvp Conversations with visionaries are released on full moons. Released October 31, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

56 min
06/13/2025

Becoming Afia: On Divine Detours & Diasporic Destinies w/ Toni Afia Reynolds

Toni ‘Afia’ Reynolds–emergent Okomfo priestess in the Ghanaian spiritual tradition of Akom–shares her profound journey from Christian 'army brat' to interfaith theologian, cultural memory worker, and healing justice practitioner. This episode explores the moments that feel like rejection but are, in truth, sacred interventions. Afia traces how ancestors and intuition conspire to reroute us toward liberation, dignity, and deeper purpose. Neither does she shy away from the traumatic histories we emerge from. Grounded in African diasporic spirituality and cross-cultural storytelling, the conversation invites listeners into a world where divine detours are part of a much older, interconnected map. Follow Toni’s journey @becomingafia and @changingfrequencies https://changingfrequencies.com/ https://kolibrifdn.org/ Conversations with visionaries are released on full moons. Released June 13, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

1 hr
05/12/2025

More Curious Than Certain: Children, Change, and Collective Care w/ Kathy Pomer

Master educator, advocate, mentor, and leader in the early childhood movement Kathy Pomer, reminds us that children have a lot to teach us. In fact, they can—and should—be mystic guides towards beloved community. Together we reckon with history, ranging from racialized early childhood care in the U.S., revolutionary practices born out of WWII, to learnings during the COVID-19 pandemic and modern Jewish lenses for building inclusive communities. We reflect on motherhood as an invitation to be both teachers and students, to both guide and wonder. This intergenerational friendship reflects back the beauty of breaking down binaries, choosing and shaping our faith as we age, and accepting the responsibility of applying personal growth to the communities we serve. Follow Kathy’s journey @gatherroundconsulting and gatherroundconsulting.com Conversations with visionaries are released on full moons. Released May 12, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

1 hr
04/11/2025

Make Me Your Instrument: Stories & Saints that Still Sing w/ Brother Zachary Stephens-Walter

Franciscan Friar and Afrofuturist musician, Brother Zachary Stevens Walter, reminds us that history is dynamic…and deliberate. From recalling the Black history of the banjo and the African identity of Saint Augustine to wrestling with the memory of Saint Patrick as a wound of colonization, we discuss collective healing through hidden histories. Brother Z inspires contemporary uses of ancient cultural technologies, and venerates the role of historian as activist. Join two friends as they uncover the hidden holy and truths buried by revisionist history—because we can only write the future by reckoning with the past. Follow Brother Z’s journey @brotherzachary and @communitychurchny Conversations with visionaries are released on full moons. Released April 11, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

58 min
03/14/2025

How We Feed the Soul: On Queer Jew-ish Becoming w/ Stephen Silva

Intergenerational educator and curator of multifaith ritual and community, Stephen Silva shares insights from his queer Jewish conversion journey – illuminating the ways in which we can live with presence and purpose. After receiving a spiritual foundation in Catholic service, Stephen details the detours and divine breadcrumbs that led him to Judaism. We laugh about the holy surprises of parenthood and hold the complexities of finding god in our grief. We chat about the importance of food and everyday rituals that keep us curious and connected. Enjoy this heartfelt hour between two old friends made new…and Jew-ish. Follow Stephen’s journey @thesilvabullet and find him making magic @labshul and @thedeepdinner Conversations with visionaries are released on full moons. Released March 14, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

1h 5m
02/12/2025

The Holiness of Choice: On Consent & Justice for All Bodies with Rev. Kaeley McEvoy

Reverend Kaeley McEvoy preaches the inherent goodness of all bodies. Her ministry roots in interfaith dialogue, protecting reproductive rights, and eco-feminism. Honoring the soils we come from, lineages of elders and mystics, and the call to community in tumultuous times, Kaeley reminds us that we are holy…and never alone. She inspires us to find church and sanctuary at the tables of neighbors, in the streets, and arm-in-arm with our fellow humans. Follow Kaeley’s work via revkaeleymcevoy.com and @kaeleymcevoy Conversations with visionaries are released on new and full moons. Released February 12, 2025. Original music by Isabel Mares.

54 min

Exploring mysticism through the lives of everyday change-makers. From artists to atheists, minsters to ex-monks, poets to future-punks, The OptiMYSTIC Podcast is rooted in a belief that the "modern mystic" comes in many forms, and they are here to transform themselves, us, and the world.

Creator

Isabel Mareş
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

15
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Isabel Mareş
Show Website

The OptiMYSTIC Podcast