The Purple Pawedcast

Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D.
  • 4.7 (6)
  • 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. Aug 28

    Taking Time to Listen to Who You Are - with Spencer West

    Today's episode features Spencer West's journey through disability to self-discovery.  Spencer is a content creator, motivational speaker, advocate, and author.  His newest book Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself teaches how to listen to your inner voice and stop accepting other people's expectations.  Spencer and I muse over topics as far afield as personal agency, interdependence, and marveling at method actors. REFERENCES:Spencer West’s Website: https://www.spencer2thewest.com/ Follow Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest/?hl=en Follow Spencer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/Spencer2thewest Follow Spencer on Facebook: http://facebook.com/Spencer2thewest Follow Spencer on TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@spencer2thewest (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:32) - Introducing Spencer West (02:22) - Unbecoming what doesn't belong to us (08:04) - Becoming who you are requires knowledge to choose (12:50) - Finding his joy led to other people's empowerment (19:22) - Noticing comfort and discomfort (26:25) - You already know what you want (31:05) - Take the parts that work; leave the parts that don't fit (35:07) - Putting purpose to your passion (40:07) - Sometimes it has to get worse (45:24) - Boundaries as staying true to our purpose (49:56) - You are allowed to say NO (58:34) - How to find Spencer West on the internet (59:16) - Show closing (01:00:36) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

  2. Aug 7

    Representing the Future of Humanity - with Kobey Layne

    Today's episode features the indefatigable Kobey Layne hearing the call and becoming what she must.  Kobey is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Governor of Minnesota.  She and I muse over topics as wide as owning our past, youth in American politics, and why you should vote for someone who cares about you.  REFERENCES:Kobey Layne’s Website: https://www.kobey4governor.com/ Follow Kobey on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kobey4governor.bsky.social Follow Kobey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobey4governor Follow Kobey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1194661289324772 Follow Kobey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kobey4Governor Follow Kobey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kobey4governor (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:28) - Introducing Kobey Layne (02:32) - Connecting life with policy (08:38) - Reclaiming our shame as lessons learned (19:21) - Who is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party? (22:18) - Does being young disqualify a candidate? (29:49) - The DFL State Convention (35:12) - Does being young make you a better candidate? (43:37) - Holding politicians accountable (48:44) - Holding business accountable (53:42) - Representation requires someone who cares (58:35) - How to find Kobey on the internet (01:02:32) - Show closing (01:03:05) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

  3. Jul 24

    A Broken Heart Lets More Love Flow - with Shannon Donohoe-Simpson

    In this episode, we hear Shannon Donohoe-Simpson's story of healing and renewal.  Shannon is a Joybringer, Spaceholder, speaker, and storyteller who survived breast cancer and turned her journey into a TEDx Talk.  We talk about radical ownership, the magical connections we make with others, and making sure not to deprive the world of the opportunity to support you. REFERENCES:Shannon Donohoe-Simpson’s Website: https://shannondonohoesimpson.com/ Shannon’s story on The Collective Magazines: https://thecollectivemags.ca/healing-through-art/ Follow Shannon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.donohoesimpson Follow Shannon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-donohoe-simpson/ Follow Shannon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shannondonohoesimpson/videos Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannondonohoesimpson/ (00:00) - Opening credits (00:37) - Show opening (01:29) - Introducing Shannon Donohoe-Simpson (02:39) - Keeping something that wasn't hers to hold (08:43) - Giving emotions the opportunity to move (11:52) - Breaking the cycle by finding the mirror (18:46) - Only you can do the work to move past trauma (24:36) - Finding tools to manage the hard times (31:35) - Move through the discomfort (36:00) - What if we could slow down and be? (38:39) - What if we could be brave enough to be vulnerable? (47:29) - Don't take away an opportunity to connect (52:11) - The magic of allowing connection (55:49) - How to find Shannon Donohoe-Simpson on the internet (58:42) - Show closing (01:00:05) - Closing credits ★ Support this podcast ★

  4. 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 ★

  5. 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 ★

  6. 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 ★

  7. 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 ★

  8. 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 ★

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4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

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
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Purplepaw Clan, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Purple Pawedcast