Ducking Realitea

Siobhan

Ducking Realitea Casual Conversations About Serious Sh*t.  Real Stories. Raw Moments. Big Joy.Hosted by Siobhan Welcome to Ducking Realitea, the podcast where we spill truth like tea and dive into the gritty, hilarious, and healing parts of being human. Hosted by Siobhan, this show is all about casual conversations with real people who’ve lived through some serious sh*t and came out the other side with stories worth sharing. From trauma to transformation, heartbreak to humor, we explore what it means to rebuild your life, trust your gut, and find joy even in the mess. These are the stories behind the strength, raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. If you're craving connection, curious about how others have healed, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, this pod’s for you. Grab your beverage of choice (or roll one up), and join us each week for soulful storytelling with a side of sass. Let’s rebel against the noise, talk about what actually matters, and maybe even laugh our way through the chaos. Because here at Ducking Realitea, we believe: Your story matters. Vulnerability is power. And joy is always worth chasing.

  1. How the Canvas Became My Church with JoAnne Yada

    May 27

    How the Canvas Became My Church with JoAnne Yada

    Send us Fan Mail How the Canvas Became My Church with Jo Anne Yada Jo Anne Yada joined me in the studio to talk about art, creativity, and teaching kids through music and self-expression. What I didn't expect was a conversation that would take us through growing up Mormon, leaving a high-demand religion, questioning long-held beliefs, and learning how to build a life that actually feels like your own. We talk about purity culture, family, faith, LGBTQ+ acceptance, church history, awkward first experiences with alcohol and coffee, and the freedom that comes from realizing you don't need someone else to tell you how to be a good person. Along the way, we dive into childhood nostalgia, Jem and the Holograms, David Bowie, Joan Jett, drag queens, art education, and the incredible community Jo Anne has built through murals, teaching, and creativity. At its heart, this episode is about finding your people, trusting yourself enough to ask hard questions, and discovering that sometimes what replaces the thing you leave behind becomes something even more meaningful. Funny, thoughtful, occasionally heartbreaking, and full of curiosity, this is exactly the kind of casual conversation about serious shit we love around here. In This Episode:  Growing up Mormon and leaving the church  Faith deconstruction and personal freedom  Family, acceptance, and choosing love  Purity culture and church control  Art as healing and community building  Teaching creativity through music and storytelling  Building a life outside of other people's expectations Resources & Mentions:  Rock the Blacktop — https://www.rocktheblacktop.com Alameda Gallery & Collective  Fireside Lounge  The BITE Model  Jem and the Holograms  David Bowie  Joan Jett  The Book of MormonSupport the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 45m
  2. Punk, Politics & Shady Landlords with Jason Buckley

    May 19

    Punk, Politics & Shady Landlords with Jason Buckley

    Send us Fan Mail Jason Buckley drops into the pond for a conversation about punk rock, rent control, women-led music festivals, labor activism, and the weird ways community forms when life gets hard. Siobhan first met Jason at the She Shreds Music Fest, where he was running stage sound while helping his band Star Strut pull off an ambitious women-in-music festival that almost unraveled from pure chaos and exhaustion… but somehow came together beautifully anyway. From there, the conversation bounces through Hudson Valley nostalgia, brutal East Coast winters, DC’s legendary punk scene, underground radio stations, and Jason’s early days working with the AFL-CIO during Union Summer. They dig into how music, politics, labor organizing, and community activism all overlap more than people realize. The episode eventually lands in Alameda, where skyrocketing rents and a nightmare landlord pushed Jason into the fight for tenant protections through the Alameda Renters Coalition. What started as personal frustration turned into years of grassroots organizing, political battles, and helping shape local rent control efforts. Along the way, Siobhan and Jason also talk punk culture, weird music rabbit holes, growing up musical, and why kids would probably enjoy music education a whole lot more if somebody handed them a Charlie Parker album instead of another boring recital piece. It’s funny, thoughtful, political, nostalgic, and very Ducking Realitea: casual conversations about serious sh*t. Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 25m
  3. Proof, Pairing & Pure Chaos with Chef Lamont and Todd

    May 12

    Proof, Pairing & Pure Chaos with Chef Lamont and Todd

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a chef and a mixologist start finishing each other’s…flavors? Proof & Pairing happens, cocktail-first creations, wild creativity, and the most joyful culinary chaos you’ve ever heard. In this episode of Ducking Realitea, I sit down with Todd and Chef Lamont of Proof & Pairing, a Bay Area-based cocktail-first food pairing experience that flips traditional food and drink pairings on their head. Instead of pairing cocktails with food, they build food around the drink, creating bold, creative flavor combinations rooted in mixology, culinary technique, and pure experimentation. We get into their origin story in the Oakland hospitality scene, their work across private events, catering, and craft cocktails, and how their collaboration grew from industry connections into a full experience brand. From virtual cooking and cocktail classes during quarantine to high-end yacht parties and interactive tasting events, they’ve built something that blends fine dining, bartender culture, and experiential hospitality. We also talk mixology vs. bartending, cocktail pairing vs. wine pairing, the rise of mocktails and non-alcoholic (NA) spirits, and how to create elevated drink experiences without losing that neighborhood bar energy. If you’re into craft cocktails, food pairing, culinary creativity, hospitality industry insights, or unique event experiences, this episode is packed with ideas, stories, and inspiration. This one is hilarious, and insightful, a deep dive into cocktail culture, chef-driven food, and the creative process behind building unforgettable experiences. Follow & connect with Proof & Pairing: Proof & Pairing (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/proofandpairing/ Montperi Catering (Lamont Perriman): https://www.instagram.com/montpericatering/ New Alchemy Distilling: https://www.newalchemysf.com/ Subscribe, share, and leave a review, it helps more people find Ducking Realitea. More content, events, and chaos coming soon 👀 Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 20m
  4. Sauna, Nudity & Finding Yourself with Chris C.

    Apr 28

    Sauna, Nudity & Finding Yourself with Chris C.

    Send us Fan Mail The tea has been spiltz… and in this case, it’s hot. Like sauna hot. This week I’m sitting down with my friend Chris—one of my favorite humans from Archimedes Banya—and we get into how a shy college kid going to nude beaches in Humboldt somehow turned into a 40+ year love affair with naturism, sauna culture, and one very specific kind of community you don’t really find anywhere else. We start with nudity (obviously), but this isn’t really about being naked. It’s about being comfortable. It’s about walking into a room—whether it’s a sauna, a steam room, or just life—and not feeling like you have to perform. Chris tells the story of meeting Misha Brodsky before the banya even existed—like, just some guy in a sauna saying “yeah I’m gonna build one in San Francisco.” And then… he actually did. Which is wild. And now here we are, with Archimedes Banya being one of the most unique wellness spaces in the U.S., built around Russian banya culture, heat, cold plunge, and community. We also get into European sauna culture—because the U.S. is still a little weird about all of this. Think full-on textile-free saunas in Germany, massive spa complexes, quiet bathhouses in Barcelona… and yeah, you’re naked. Everyone’s naked. And somehow it’s the least interesting part of the experience. Somewhere in the middle of all this, we talk about why the banya actually matters. For me, it’s where I go when my body is wrecked, when my brain won’t shut up, when I need to reset. Sauna, cold plunge, repeat. It’s simple, it’s grounding, and it works. And then, because we can’t help ourselves, we start dreaming—about expanding sauna culture, building retreat spaces, bringing this kind of connection and healing to more people. It’s real, it’s a little unhinged in the best way, and it’s one of those conversations that reminds you how good it feels to just… be a human. Come hang out in The Pond 🐥 Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    58 min
  5. Live, Loud & Slightly Unhinged Episode 7

    Apr 24

    Live, Loud & Slightly Unhinged Episode 7

    Send us Fan Mail This live episode of Ducking Realitea presents: Touch of the Tism drops you right into Fireside in Alameda, where Siobhan, Holly, and Danielle bring their studio to the stage for Episode 7. What starts as a nerves-and-negronis kind of night quickly turns into a hilarious, heartfelt group therapy session with a bar full of friends, listeners, and a few unsuspecting new fans. The trio share how the pod was born out of late‑night charcuterie boards, unhinged conversations, and the “I think I’ve got a touch of the tism” line that bonded them for life. They dig into their shared values—kindness, honesty, being weird, and absolutely not taking anyone’s shit—at work, in relationships, and in community. Danielle unpacks her “Prince Charming” short‑king disaster (plus the girlfriend he forgot to mention), and the crew uses it to talk intuition, boundaries, and choosing joy when people show their whole ass. Between tequila trauma, Yeager war stories, sports‑owner ethics rants, and planning the next Guerneville escape, the women keep circling back to what matters: friendship, mutual protection, giving back (proceeds go to Meals on Wheels), and building a space where folks can laugh, be messy, and still feel held. It’s loud, loving, a little tipsy, and very real—exactly what Ducking Realitea promises. Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 35m
  6. Goats, Scarification & Sacred Rebellion with Gage.

    Apr 14

    Goats, Scarification & Sacred Rebellion with Gage.

    Send us Fan Mail A culty childhood. A goat ranch. Face scars. Suspension hooks. And somehow… one of the most grounded people you’ll ever meet. In this episode of Ducking Realitea, Siobhan sits down with Gage for a conversation that starts with first impressions, and quickly turns into something much deeper. Gage shares what it was like growing up in a strict religious environment, navigating family instability, and eventually breaking away to build a life on his own terms. What looks like rebellion on the surface—tattoos, scarification, suspension—reveals itself to be something far more intentional: identity, control, healing, and self-expression. They get into: the reality behind body modification (and why it’s often misunderstood)suspension culture, safety, and the engineering behind itgrowing up questioning belief systemssurviving environments that don’t fit—and finding your own way outwhy judging people by appearance will almost always lead you in the wrong directionThis one is raw, a little chaotic, and unexpectedly thoughtful. Also… yes, there’s a story about tattooing his throat at 16. Come hang out in The Pond 🦆 Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 46m
  7. From Soviet Scientist to Banya Builder: Inside Misha’s Steamy Life

    Apr 7

    From Soviet Scientist to Banya Builder: Inside Misha’s Steamy Life

    Send us Fan Mail This one goes everywhere, in the best way. Siobhan sits down with Dr. Misha Brodsky: Soviet-born mathematician, UC Berkeley researcher, university administrator… and the man behind one of the most iconic banyas in the U.S. From growing up in the Soviet Union—where travel was restricted and careers were essentially pre-determined—to being told “you can go, but you go forever,” Misha shares what it actually means to leave your country, lose your identity, and rebuild a life from scratch. But this isn’t just a story about survival—it’s about what comes after. We get into the American education system (and why it might be breaking), the science behind heat and cold exposure, and how something as simple as sitting in a hot room with strangers can completely shift your mental state. Misha breaks down what makes a real Russian banya (hint: most saunas are doing it wrong), why ventilation matters more than temperature, and how he’s spent decades building a space centered around something we’re all craving right now: real human connection. It’s part political history, part science lesson, and part love letter to steam, cold plunges, and the kind of community that makes you feel like yourself again. Come hang out in The Pond 🦆 Support the show Thanks for hanging in the pond, my ducks 🐤 Where we keep it honest, casual conversations about serious sh*t, and somehow still find a way to laugh through it. If you felt something, send it to someone you love… or someone who might need a little push. Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/duckingrealitea/ And go out there and find your joy, even if it’s a little chaotic. Stay curious, stay joyful… you’re deeply loved, my ducks.

    1h 32m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Ducking Realitea Casual Conversations About Serious Sh*t.  Real Stories. Raw Moments. Big Joy.Hosted by Siobhan Welcome to Ducking Realitea, the podcast where we spill truth like tea and dive into the gritty, hilarious, and healing parts of being human. Hosted by Siobhan, this show is all about casual conversations with real people who’ve lived through some serious sh*t and came out the other side with stories worth sharing. From trauma to transformation, heartbreak to humor, we explore what it means to rebuild your life, trust your gut, and find joy even in the mess. These are the stories behind the strength, raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. If you're craving connection, curious about how others have healed, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, this pod’s for you. Grab your beverage of choice (or roll one up), and join us each week for soulful storytelling with a side of sass. Let’s rebel against the noise, talk about what actually matters, and maybe even laugh our way through the chaos. Because here at Ducking Realitea, we believe: Your story matters. Vulnerability is power. And joy is always worth chasing.

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