Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp

Mary Jane Popp
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POPP TALK! A fast-paced Magazine-style Show dedicated to keeping you on the cutting edge of today's hot button issues. The show is high energy, upbeat and entertaining. It gives you the tools to feel better, reach for that brass ring, and live longer and happier. It's Fun! It's Fascinating! It has guests from politics to health, to the stars from La La Land. It's Radio with sizzle!

  1. 1d ago

    Popp Talk, August 15, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Astrology, Energy Healing, 5G Concerns, and Navigating a Changing World Mary Jane Popp welcomes astrologer Constance Stellas and energy healer Beth Bauer to Popp Talk for conversations about astrology, Pluto’s return, eclipses, political and global uncertainty, personal choice, self-care, energy fields, distance healing, EMF and 5G concerns, technology, artificial intelligence, and the search for practical ways to remain aligned during turbulent times. Guest Spotlight: Constance Stellas Constance Stellas is introduced as an astrologer and author with more than twenty years of experience. She explains astrology as an ancient system that developed through observation of stars, planets, seasons, navigation, and agriculture before evolving into the interpretation of personal birth charts. She says a full astrological chart draws upon a person’s birth date, year, location, and time. Astrology, History, and the United States Mary Jane asks whether a nation can have a birth chart, and Constance applies that idea to the United States. She discusses the country’s Pluto return, interpreting Pluto as connected with power, hidden corruption, transformation, and the exposure of social wounds. She describes the present period as difficult but potentially cleansing, with political, organizational, and cultural divisions being brought to the surface. These are Constance’s astrological interpretations rather than independently verified predictions. Eclipses, Conflict, and Avoiding Fear-Based Astrology The discussion turns to the 2017 and 2024 eclipses and the idea that their paths formed an X across the United States. Constance describes this as a potentially tense and energizing pattern, but cautions against treating astrology as a source of inevitable catastrophe. She also connects Pluto’s position with war and geopolitical tension involving Ukraine, Israel, Hamas, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. At the same time, she argues that astrology should help people understand possibilities and choices rather than frighten them into paralysis. Political Predictions, Choice, and Personal Responsibility Mary Jane asks about Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and the 2024 election. Constance says she had previously predicted that Trump would not win, though she does not claim to know how or why. The conversation also references Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s consultation with astrologer Joan Quigley. Constance emphasizes that astrology does not mean everything is fixed; people still have choices and can express the strengths or weaknesses associated with their astrological patterns. Self-Care, Creativity, and Astrology During Chaos Constance promotes her twelve-book Self-Care For... series, with one volume for each zodiac sign, and discusses using astrology to support physical, mental, spiritual, and recreational well-being. She also reflects on changes in society, artificial intelligence, produced creativity, and the loss of what older generations considered normal. She says astrology can connect people with myth, symbolism, personal challenges, and constructive ways to respond during periods of personal and global chaos. Guest Spotlight: Beth Bauer After a public-service announcement break, Mary Jane introduces Beth Bauer as an energy healer and author of Fields of Energy. Beth says she has been able to see and feel energy fields around people since she was four years old. In her description, areas of energetic congestion appear visually different, and she believes that correcting these patterns can support physical healing. These claims are presented as Beth’s personal experience and healing framework, not as established medical science. Distance Healing and Energetic Connection Beth says she does not need to be physically present with someone, have a photograph, or know the person’s location in order to perform what she calls distance healing. She describes identifying the intended person through the relationship of the person requesting help and recounts examples in which clients reported improvement. She also says her children share similar abilities, although she did not formally teach them. 5G, Wi-Fi, EMF, and Technology Concerns A large portion of Beth’s interview concerns her belief that 5G, Wi-Fi, cellular devices, routers, smart appliances, and electromagnetic fields can negatively affect health and the body’s energy field. She says she became severely sensitive to 5G and eventually moved to a more remote location. She recommends reducing Wi-Fi exposure, hardwiring internet connections, keeping devices away from the body, and using products she believes offer protection. These medical, technical, and product-effectiveness claims are speaker claims and should not be presented as verified scientific or medical conclusions without independent evidence. Healing Claims, Genetic Conditions, and Serious Illness Beth makes extensive claims about helping thousands of people, distance healing, cancer, traumatic injuries, genetic conditions, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and unborn children. She also says a woman wrote a book about recovering from cancer through Beth’s distance-healing work without chemotherapy or radiation. They should be clearly attributed to Beth and should not be used as medical advice or as a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Artificial Intelligence, Cell Phones, and Younger Generations Beth describes artificial intelligence as dangerous and says both she and her husband avoid using it. She also discusses cell-phone radiation, comparing different phones through what she says she can physically feel, and recommends researching radiation output before purchasing devices. The episode ends abruptly while she and Mary Jane are discussing children and younger generations who have grown up immersed in wireless technology and may never have experienced life without it.

  2. Aug 9

    Popp Talk, August 8, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp 9 Pillars of Resilience, Beads of Light, Change, Stress, Self-Discovery and Healing Mary Jane Popp explores personal well-being with Dr. Stephen Sideroff and Enrica Feruzzi, moving from chronic stress, resilience, aging, mindset, and the nine pillars of resilience to post-pandemic self-discovery, mindfulness, energy practices, dreamwork, healing, and the search for one’s authentic inner voice. Guest Spotlight: Dr. Stephen Sideroff and Enrica Feruzzi This episode of Popp Talk, broadcast on August 8, 2026, features host Mary Jane Popp in conversation with two guests: Dr. Stephen Sideroff and Enrica Feruzzi. Dr. Sideroff is the first guest in a segment on stress and resilience, and Enrica Feruzzi as the second guest in a segment on self-discovery, healing, and her book Beads of Light: Story of Alignment and Embracing Change in a Post-Pandemic World. Mary Jane Popp Opens With Stress, Change, and Possibility Mary Jane Popp opens the show by framing the hour around personal well-being, stress, and the willingness to embrace change. She asks listeners whether they are stressed out, whether they know what to do about it, and whether they are open to possibilities that could change their lives. The introduction sets up the episode as a practical and exploratory conversation about stress, health, resilience, self-discovery, and the tools people may use to move forward rather than remain stuck. Dr. Stephen Sideroff Defines Stress and Chronic Stress In the first segment, Dr. Stephen Sideroff defines stress as anything that causes people to make adjustments. He explains that stress activates the body to handle danger or threat, but the key is being able to turn off the stress response afterward so the body can recover. The problem, he says, is that modern life often presents one stressor after another, leaving people continually activated. That ongoing activation becomes chronic stress, which is where he says many physical and emotional problems begin. Interpretation, Childhood Lessons, and the Resilience Response Dr. Sideroff explains that stress is not simply caused by outside events, but by the way people interpret those events. He gives the example of someone passing by with a disgruntled expression: one person may assume the other person is angry with them and become stressed, while another may assume the person is having a bad day and move on. He also connects stress patterns to childhood, saying people who grew up with more danger may continue expecting danger as adults. Resilience, in his view, involves learning from the present rather than automatically reacting from old childhood lessons. The Nine Pillars of Resilience Mary Jane asks Dr. Sideroff to walk through his nine pillars of resilience. He names the relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with something greater, physical balance and mastery, mental balance and mastery, emotional balance and mastery, presence, flexibility, and power. He describes the first pillar, relationship with self, as especially important because many people are harsh, judgmental, or unforgiving toward themselves. He emphasizes self-talk, healthy relationships, boundaries, purpose, nervous-system balance, positive mindset, emotional processing, awareness, adaptability, courage, persistence, and goal-directed behavior as parts of resilience. Growth Mindset, Positive Perspective, and Slowing the Wear on the Body Dr. Sideroff also discusses the relationship between stress, aging, and the body. He says stress throws the nervous system out of balance and compares the body to a car that wears out faster when it is out of tune. He argues that nurture is especially important in how people handle stress, while also saying stress can influence how genetic predispositions are expressed. His practical emphasis is on a growth mindset: noticing patterns that do not serve you, holding the intention to change them, repeatedly redirecting old thinking, and building a more positive baseline without ignoring real problems. Enrica Feruzzi on Grief, Corporate Life, and the Search for Self The second segment introduces Enrica Feruzzi, whose story centers on self-discovery, healing, and alignment after years in the corporate hospitality world. She describes having outward success through career, title, salary, home, and stability, while inwardly feeling restless and disconnected from something deeper. The illness and death of her mother became a catalyst that pushed her to seek help for anxiety, stress, grief, and sleeplessness. Enrica says this search opened the doorway to mindfulness, energy medicine, spiritual practices, Qigong, Tai Chi, and other forms of energy cultivation that helped her reconnect with herself and her body. Mindfulness, Energy Practices, Dreamwork, and the Inner Voice Enrica explains Qigong and Tai Chi as East Asian movement-based practices, comparing them to yoga as dynamic meditations that use the body to help balance the mind and energy system. She describes a holistic view of mind, body, and spirit, saying symptoms are not isolated events but ripple effects of many connected factors. The conversation also turns to technology, news consumption, personal discernment, dreamwork, and the difficulty of calming the “monkey mind” before sleep. Enrica encourages writing down dreams, noticing symbols, practicing breath and visualization, and learning to recognize one’s own inner voice rather than living only from outside information, old stories, inherited fear, or constant mental chatter.

  3. Aug 2

    Popp Talk, August 1, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Sex Talk, Soul Purpose, and the Beliefs That Hold Us Back Mary Jane Popp speaks with Dr. Steven Furlich about how biological sex may influence communication across life stages, then welcomes Vincent Genna for a spiritual conversation about consciousness, the unconscious mind, inner-child beliefs, manifestation, and remembering who we really are. Guest Spotlight: Dr. Steven Furlich Dr. Steven Furlich, author of Sex Talk, joins Mary Jane Popp to discuss how he believes biological sex influences gender communication differences throughout life. Drawing from his research and book, he explains distinctions between biological sex and gender expression, then explores topics such as brain structure, hormones, nonverbal communication, spatial ability, relationship conflict, menopause, aging, and why understanding a partner’s perspective can help reduce frustration. Guest Spotlight: Vincent Genna Vincent Genna, described in the episode as a psychic therapist, spiritual teacher, medium, author, and host of The Genna Effect, joins the second half of the program to discuss his book The Secret That’s Holding You Back. His conversation focuses on consciousness, the subconscious and unconscious mind, spiritual origins, energy, inner-child beliefs, manifestation, self-worth, and the process of bringing hidden beliefs to the surface so they can be healed and changed. Biology, Gender Communication, and Relationship Differences Mary Jane begins the episode with Dr. Furlich and asks him to define gender communication and why men and women may communicate differently. Dr. Furlich distinguishes biological sex from gender, describing biological sex as connected to chromosomes, sex hormones, and brain structures, while gender is connected to expression, social behavior, dress, perception, and communication. He argues that biological sex strongly influences how people perceive, understand, and communicate, while also acknowledging that lifestyle, diet, exercise, and experiences can shift certain biological factors to some degree. Nonverbal Understanding, Spatial Ability, and the “Man Trance” Dr. Furlich explains that, in his view, females tend to be stronger at nonverbal understanding and reading emotional or social cues, while males tend to show strengths in spatial ability, direction, motion, object tracking, and hand-eye coordination. He also introduces what he calls the “man trance,” describing it as a male ability to shut off the rest of the world and rest more easily. Mary Jane connects this to long-standing relationship advice about not interrupting a man when he is mentally in his “cave,” while Dr. Furlich says partners need to understand how differently the same conversation may be processed. Listening, Problem-Solving, and Marriage Across Life Stages The conversation moves into relationship dynamics, including the common pattern of women wanting to talk through emotions while men may respond by trying to solve the problem. Dr. Furlich connects this to literal processing, emotional bonding, oxytocin, mirror neurons, and differences he says exist in brain connectivity. Mary Jane shares examples from her nearly 53-year marriage, explaining how she and her husband learned when she needed to vent and when he needed space. Together, they frame healthier relationships as a matter of empathy, timing, open communication, accommodation, and respecting each person’s individuality rather than expecting two people to “become one” in every way. Menopause, Aging, Hormones, and Changing Relationships Mary Jane and Dr. Furlich also discuss how relationships change across the life stages. Dr. Furlich says menopause, estrogen changes, cognitive shifts, mood changes, muscle loss, bone density, sexual issues, and changing energy can all influence a woman’s experience and therefore the relationship. He also discusses male aging, declining testosterone, and possible attempts to replace feelings of power, status, or vitality through things such as cars or other symbols. Mary Jane shares how she talked openly with her husband during menopause so he would understand that mood swings or emotional changes were not necessarily caused by him. Consciousness, Energy, and the Superconscious Search In the second half, Mary Jane welcomes Vincent Genna and asks him to explain consciousness, the conscious mind, subconscious mind, unconscious mind, and superconscious ideas. Vincent begins with Freud’s model, describing the conscious mind as awareness, the subconscious as automatic bodily and behavioral processes, and the unconscious as the place where memories, intuition, inner knowing, and deeper beliefs reside. The conversation quickly expands into spiritual territory, as Vincent says the mind can carry information from other lifetimes, that people came from a spiritual realm before the physical realm, and that humans are energy beings who take form. The Secret Belief Beneath Manifestation Vincent says the “secret” holding people back is that they do not truly believe what they think they believe. He argues that many people consciously affirm they are lovable, worthy, smart, and deserving, while unconsciously holding childhood beliefs of “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not lovable,” or “I’m not worthy.” He explains that children often blame themselves for painful circumstances, including divorce, abuse, or family conflict, and those beliefs can remain hidden into adulthood. In Vincent’s view, manifestation comes from the unconscious mind, so unhealed inner-child beliefs can block dreams even when the conscious mind is using affirmations or spiritual practices. Healing the Inner Child and Remembering Who We Are Vincent teaches that the path forward is to bring hidden beliefs to the surface, recognize the wounded inner child, and change the beliefs that were formed for survival. He says people are ultimately searching for who they really are, but repeated incarnation, pain, and unconscious self-limitation can cause people to forget their spiritual identity and act from wounded childlike patterns. He encourages listeners to attend to the child within rather than reject it, and points them to his book and website for more of his work. Mary Jane closes by thanking both guests, reminding listeners where to find Popp Talk, and ending with her weekly reflection: “Life is the first gift. Love is the second and understanding the third,” followed by “Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.”

  4. Jul 26

    Popp Talk, July 25, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp High Strangeness, Hidden Truths, and the Healing Power of Flaxseed Mary Jane Popp explores high strangeness, UFO secrecy, time travel, and paranormal possibility with Matt Vaughn, then turns to Dr. Susan Smith Jones for practical guidance on flaxseed, nutrition, and balanced living. Guest Spotlight: Matt Vaughn Matt Vaughn is the author of My Cosmic Trigger: High Strangeness, in Theory and Practice, a book exploring paranormal phenomena, cosmic mysteries, time travel, alien encounters, Bigfoot, and other unusual realities. In this conversation, he brings a researcher’s curiosity and a psychotherapist’s perspective to the question of why people resist strange possibilities, arguing that high strangeness often looks more like science fiction than conventional reality. Guest Spotlight: Dr. Susan Smith Jones Dr. Susan Smith Jones returns to Popp Talk to discuss flaxseed as a daily superfood for hormone balance, cardiovascular support, digestion, mental well-being, weight control, and overall health. Drawing from decades of teaching holistic health, anti-aging, nutrition, and balanced living, she explains why freshly ground flaxseed may be more beneficial than whole seeds or oil alone. A Variety Show of Strangeness, Health, and Hidden Possibilities In this episode of Popp Talk, host Mary Jane Popp opens with a preview of a wide-ranging program covering mind control, identity, faith healing, hidden truths, and healthy living. The first major segment features Matt Vaughn, whose work investigates what Mary Jane calls “high strangeness” across paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Matt explains that his interest began in childhood, when he became fascinated by strange subjects, mysteries, and fringe research, eventually leading him to write My Cosmic Trigger: High Strangeness, in Theory and Practice. Time Travel, Cosmic War, and Positive Timeline Magic Mary Jane and Matt discuss time travel, multiple dimensions, alien encounters, and the possibility that reality may be stranger than people are willing to admit. Matt introduces the idea of timeline magic, saying his research points toward a “war in heaven” involving ultra-terrestrial factions and a struggle over both earthly power spots and timelines. He emphasizes that, in his view, the future is not fixed, which is why he encourages people to embrace a positive timeline and focus on an optimal future. Energy Vortexes, Sacred Places, and the Resistance to Strange Truths The conversation moves into New Age energy vortexes and sacred spaces, including Sedona, Mount Shasta, Asheville, Stonehenge, the Bermuda Triangle, and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Matt compares the feeling of Hagia Sophia to standing near a waterfall, while Mary Jane reflects on how many people dismiss experiences they cannot see, touch, or explain. Matt connects that resistance to psychology, saying the human psyche often rejects truths that create stress, discomfort, or cognitive dissonance. He argues that accepting unusual realities may be necessary for genuine spiritual evolution. UFOs, Free Energy, and Occam’s Rabbit Hole Mary Jane and Matt then turn to UFOs, alien encounters, Roswell, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, reverse engineering, and claims about government secrecy. Matt references Dr. Steven Greer’s view that UFO secrecy may be connected to free energy and the disruption such technology could cause to the economy. He also introduces his phrase “Occam’s rabbit hole,” arguing that when countless witnesses, military stories, personal accounts, and alleged technology reports are considered together, the simplest explanation may not be denial, but the possibility that something extraordinary is real. Sponsor Message and Public Service Segment After Matt’s interview, the program includes a sponsor message for ACP Mechanical, with Mary Jane describing the company’s heating and cooling services and providing contact information. A public service announcement follows, honoring victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting through the One Pulse Foundation and encouraging allies of the LGBTQ community to speak out for acceptance. The PSA directs listeners to LoveHasNoLabels.com and frames the message around love, unity, and support. Flaxseed as a Daily Superfood The second major interview features Dr. Susan Smith Jones, who explains why she believes flaxseed deserves a regular place in the daily diet. She says flaxseed is not a new food, noting its ancient use, and then outlines benefits connected to lignans, hormone regulation, omega-3s, fiber, magnesium, thiamine, digestive health, blood pressure support, mood, fullness, weight control, and cancer-risk-related research. She repeatedly emphasizes that flaxseeds should be ground fresh or blended into smoothies because whole seeds may pass through the body undigested. Practical Nutrition, Recipes, and Healthy Living Resources Dr. Jones gives practical advice on buying raw flaxseed, grinding it in a dedicated grinder, refrigerating the fresh meal, using it in smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, salads, casseroles, beans, and even mixing it with water. She also discusses her website, blog, sweet potato and flaxseed smoothie recipe, newsletter, daily affirmations, and books including A Hug in a Mug and Uplifted. Mary Jane closes by thanking Dr. Jones for sharing health information and previews upcoming discussion topics, including mind control and what happens when someone discovers their whole life may have been built on a lie.

  5. Jul 19

    Popp Talk, July 18, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Biotech Breakthroughs, Hidden Pain, and the Truth We Struggle to Tell Guests, Tim Harris and Michelle May A Potpourri of Health, Science, and Self-Understanding In this episode of Popp Talk, host Mary Jane Popp introduces a wide-ranging “potpourri” show covering biotechnology, health, therapy, and the hidden struggles people sometimes carry beneath the surface. She begins by setting up an interview with Tim Harris, author of In Pursuit of Unicorns: A Journey Through 50 Years of Biotechnology, and later introduces Michelle May, psychotherapist and author of What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist. The episode moves from the evolution of biotech and medical innovation to emotional repression, chronic pain, social media misinformation, and the importance of personal responsibility. Tim Harris on Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Unicorns Mary Jane’s first guest, Tim Harris, defines biotechnology as the combination of biology and technology, beginning with recombinant DNA and monoclonal antibodies. He explains that his book title uses the word “unicorns” because biotech companies can become billion-dollar enterprises, though some valuations may prove more mythical than real. Harris presents biotechnology not only as a scientific field but also as a business story shaped by companies, capital, invention, risk, and the long effort to turn scientific tools into useful products. Recombinant DNA, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Gene Editing Harris walks listeners through the development of recombinant DNA, explaining how scientists learned to combine pieces of DNA and use bacteria such as E. coli to produce important proteins like insulin and growth hormone. He also explains monoclonal antibodies as single antibodies made by cloned cells, first useful for diagnostics and later for therapies. The conversation then turns to gene editing, including CRISPR-Cas9 and its use in sickle cell disease, which Harris describes as life-changing for patients whose lives revolve around managing pain and disease. Cancer, mRNA Vaccines, AI, and the Risks of Innovation Mary Jane and Harris discuss why cancer remains difficult to treat, with Harris explaining CAR T-cell therapy, its success in certain leukemias and lymphomas, and the continuing challenge of solid tumors such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer. He also connects nanotechnology to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, describing lipid nanoparticles as the delivery system for messenger RNA. The conversation expands into new COVID strains, vaccine updates, artificial intelligence, risk assessment, and the limits of prediction in biology. Harris emphasizes that while AI can help analyze data and predict viral changes, drug discovery and development remain experimental sciences. Michelle May’s Story of Chronic Pain and Repressed Emotion The second major interview features Michelle May, who shares that she woke up in 2007 with a headache that lasted six years. Doctors eventually found a Chiari malformation, and after two brain surgeries, her head pain improved dramatically. Still, some headaches remained, and May says she later learned through intensive dynamic therapy that repressed emotions also contributed to her pain. She explains that anger, grief, guilt, and love can be pushed out of awareness when people grow up in environments where certain feelings do not feel safe, but those emotions may still remain in the body. What People Cannot Tell Their Therapist May explains that the title What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist has two meanings: the painful family stories she feared would feel like betrayal, and the truths she had not yet admitted to herself. She describes how patients may minimize or filter their experiences, especially when they love the people who hurt them. Mary Jane presses her on how therapy helps uncover those hidden barriers, and May explains that she watches for avoidance patterns, such as looking away, intellectualizing, minimizing pain, or struggling to stay connected while discussing intimacy and emotion. Pain, Anxiety, Opioids, Social Media, and Responsibility The interview broadens into the overlap between physical pain and emotional pain, with May stressing that medical causes should always be ruled out first before exploring emotional processes. She distinguishes between feelings and actions, explaining that anger is a bodily experience while harmful behavior is a choice. The conversation also covers chronic pain, opioid dependence, the mind-body connection, social media misinformation, fact-checking, political and cultural falsehoods, and the difficulty people have admitting they were wrong. The episode closes with May encouraging people to find a therapist they trust, while Mary Jane emphasizes comfort, accountability, and the need to stop blaming others when personal responsibility is required.

  6. Jul 12

    Popp Talk, July 11, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Hidden Symbols, Global Risks, and the Search for Truth Guests, Julia Bramer and Jon Mills Mysticism Behind Sylvia Plath’s Work Mary Jane Popp opens the program by introducing a wide-ranging episode focused on tarot, mysticism, and the future of civilization. Her first guest, Julia Bramer, discusses years of archival research into Sylvia Plath’s writings and personal materials, arguing that Plath’s poetry contains substantial evidence of occult and mystical influences. Bramer says Plath explored practices such as tarot, astrology, automatic writing, crystal gazing, bibliomancy, and the Ouija board. A Poet Beyond the Familiar Tragedy Bramer challenges the public tendency to define Sylvia Plath primarily through The Bell Jar, mental illness, and her death. She describes Plath as a complex poet shaped by family interests in mythology, alchemy, Freemasonry, and mysticism, with Ted Hughes later expanding those influences. Bramer also discusses Plath’s emotional fragility, previous suicide attempts, troubled marriage, and alleged ritualistic efforts to retaliate against Hughes, while presenting these interpretations as conclusions drawn from archival research and literary analysis. How Tarot Becomes a Language of Symbols The conversation turns to tarot history and practice. Bramer explains that the earliest surviving decks date to medieval Europe and describes the traditional belief that symbolic knowledge from Kabbalah, astrology, alchemy, and numerology was concealed within cards. She says tarot readings depend on the placement, orientation, and interaction of 78 cards, and compares the process to dream interpretation because the reader offers symbols while the client connects them to personal circumstances. Transformation Rather Than Prediction Bramer emphasizes that tarot should provide guidance rather than fixed predictions. She explains that the frequently feared death card usually represents transformation, including marriage, graduation, childbirth, or another event that permanently changes a person’s life. A reversed death card may instead suggest feeling stuck or unable to complete a desired transition. She also discusses her books Tarot Life Lessons and The Occult Sylvia Plath, which combine real client stories, personal reflections, and literary research. Civilization at a Dangerous Crossroads In the second major interview, psychoanalyst and philosopher Jon Mills discusses his book The End of the World: Civilization and Its Fate. Mills says he is concerned about the combined effects of climate disruption, warfare, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, social inequality, and political instability. He clarifies that he is not predicting the planet’s immediate destruction, but warns that continued denial and inaction could contribute to severe social collapse. Aggression, Division, and the Need for Enemies Mills argues that human beings possess both aggressive and cooperative tendencies. He describes the search for enemies and scapegoats as part of human psychology and defines evil, for the discussion, as the deliberate infliction of pain and suffering. Popp and Mills examine political polarization, social-media disinformation, tribal thinking, and the inability to hold civil conversations with people who have different values or identities. Conversation as the First Step Forward The episode closes with Mills urging people to become more self-aware, confront uncomfortable realities, listen to opposing perspectives, and resist denial or defensiveness. He says open dialogue is essential for building a wider ecological and social consciousness. Popp summarizes the message as a call to keep working toward positive change rather than surrendering to hopelessness, fear, or division.

  7. Jul 5

    Popp Talk, July 4, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Kindness is the way to Happiness and Life in Performance and Reinvention Guests, Jordan Birnbaum and Victoria Summer from Disney's "Saving Mr. Banks" Kindness, Creativity, and the Courage to Keep Creating Searching for Truth, Joy, and Human Connection In this episode of Popp Talk, host Mary Jane Popp welcomes two guests: Jordan Birnbaum, a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Jordan Birnbaum Consulting, and Victoria Summer, an actress, singer, and performer known for roles including Julie Andrews in Saving Mr. Banks. Mary Jane opens by framing the program around truth, positivity, joy, and the importance of finding out what people are really about. The first half centers on kindness, happiness, social science, and human connection, while the second half shifts into Victoria Summer’s creative life, music, acting, marriage, charity work, and ongoing artistic goals. Jordan Birnbaum on Social Science and Motivation Jordan Birnbaum explains social science as the study of forces people experience every day, often intuitively, that shape mood, decisions, stress, behavior, and motivation. He says learning the names of these forces allows people to use them intentionally. His main example is loss aversion, the idea that people are often more motivated to avoid losses than to secure gains. Mary Jane challenges and expands that idea by asking whether loss can become a learning process, and Jordan agrees that failure, when understood correctly, can provide new information rather than define a person’s worth. Kindness as the Fastest Route to Happiness The discussion then turns to kindness, which Jordan defines as an intention and action meant to positively affect someone else. Mary Jane shares a personal story about giving cookies to a young neighbor who had to work on his birthday, explaining that his smile lifted her as much as it lifted him. Jordan says this is exactly how kindness works: helping someone else makes it almost impossible to remain in a bad mood. They also discuss smiling at strangers, making people feel seen, including lonely people during holidays, and being attentive to those who may be grieving, isolated, or disconnected. Technology, AI, and the Need for Real People Mary Jane and Jordan then discuss technology, phones, face-to-face communication, and artificial intelligence. Mary Jane worries that young people are losing the ability to connect directly because so much communication happens through screens. Jordan agrees that technology creates new challenges and says people now need to be more intentional about real-life connection. Their AI discussion explores job loss, creativity, sentience, ChatGPT, human mistakes, and the danger of allowing AI to replace human imagination. Jordan says generative AI can help people get past the blank page, but Mary Jane emphasizes that she still wants the human voice, human mistakes, and human judgment to remain central. Victoria Summer’s Life in Performance In the second interview, Mary Jane introduces Victoria Summer as an actress and singer whose career began early with ballet, music, pantomime, church choir, and local theater. Victoria recalls waking up as a child to play Tchaikovsky and dance before breakfast, showing how deeply classical music shaped her. She discusses Vindication Swim, the upcoming Brooklyn All-American, big-band performances, and her love of singing with an orchestra. She also explains her musical influences, especially Michael Jackson and Elton John, and why her version of “Stranger in Moscow” connects emotionally with Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road era. Role Models, Rescue Animals, Love, and Family Victoria describes her philosophy as using art to elevate people and make them happy, whether through voiceover, audiobooks, stage performance, film, or music. She also discusses her project Next Generation Role Model, created during COVID to spotlight young people doing good in the world. Mary Jane and Victoria talk about hope, dreams, writing goals down, and continuing to move toward an ideal life. Victoria also shares her love of animals, her rescued pets Bentley, Tiger, and Storm, and the story of meeting her husband, Fabrizio, in England before lockdown led them into a whirlwind relationship and eventual marriage. New Music, Charity Work, and Reinvention The conversation closes with Victoria reflecting on her career ambitions, including a desire for a musical path similar to Michael Bublé, future theater work, new music, and a developing one-woman show. She discusses playing Julie Andrews in Saving Mr. Banks, her respect for Celine Dion’s comeback, and her admiration for Tom Cruise’s passion and refusal to slow down creatively. Victoria also shares her work as a global ambassador for Teen Cancer America, including afternoon tea fundraisers. Mary Jane closes by affirming that age should never stop people from creating, reinventing themselves, or pursuing new work with imagination and joy.

  8. Jun 28

    Popp Talk, June 27, 2026

    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp Films That Matter, Families That Endure, and the Stories That Still Bring Us Home Guests, Carrie Richey, and Judy Norton from the classic "Walton's" TV Show Searching for Truth Through Film, Family, and Feeling In this episode of Popp Talk, host Mary Jane Popp welcomes two guests from the worlds of film, television, writing, and cultural memory: Carrie Rickey and Judy Norton. The episode opens with Mary Jane reflecting on how technology, movies, television, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way people receive information and decide what feels real. From there, the hour moves into two connected conversations about meaningful storytelling: first through the life and work of filmmaker Agnès Varda, and then through the enduring emotional legacy of The Waltons. Carrie Rickey on Agnès Varda’s Complicated Passion Mary Jane’s first guest, Carrie Rickey, discusses her book A Complicated Passion: The Life and Work of Agnès Varda. Carrie describes Varda as a Belgian-born, French-raised photographer, filmmaker, and artist whose career lasted 65 years, making her one of the longest-working women in cinema history. Varda worked nearly until her death in 2019, overcame major obstacles as a woman director, and became known for empathy, humor, curiosity, independence, and an unwillingness to accept “no” as the final answer. Carrie explains that while film lovers know Varda well, she wanted American readers to better understand the scope of Varda’s influence. A Filmmaker Ahead of Her Time Carrie explains that Varda addressed subjects such as sexism, abortion, labor exploitation, immigrant rights, race relations, and food insecurity long before many filmmakers were willing to do so. She also notes Varda’s connections to major cultural figures, including Susan Sontag, Simone de Beauvoir, Huey Newton, Harrison Ford, and Gérard Depardieu. The conversation expands into the erased history of early women directors, including Alice Guy-Blaché and Lois Weber, and how the rise of the studio system helped push many independent women filmmakers out of the official record. For Carrie, Varda’s life offers a model of creative persistence, independence, and storytelling rooted in real life rather than spectacle. Real Stories Versus Artificial Answers Mary Jane and Carrie then discuss the state of modern movies, streaming, and artificial intelligence. Mary Jane says she misses films that leave audiences emotionally changed or remembering something meaningful, while Carrie contrasts formula-driven entertainment with films about real people, real communities, and lived experience. Their conversation turns to AI, which Carrie says cannot replace human thought, emotion, or the work of forming one’s own ideas. She shares frustrations with AI-generated student work and a chatbot customer-service exchange, reinforcing the episode’s broader concern that technology should not replace authentic human feeling, memory, and creativity. Judy Norton and the Family That Never Really Left In the second half, Mary Jane welcomes Judy Norton, best known as Mary Ellen Walton from The Waltons. Judy reflects on her long creative life as an actor, singer, director, writer, and performer, saying she enjoys all of these outlets because each offers a different kind of creative energy. She explains that what matters most to her is having goals that inspire her and work that can touch people, whether by offering hope, entertainment, laughter, or a moment of relief from life’s difficulties. She also shares that the Waltons cast remains genuinely close and still feels like family, both personally and to generations of viewers discovering the series for the first time. Behind the Scenes of The Waltons and the Stories That Still Matter Judy talks about her YouTube channel, where she revisits The Waltons, shares behind-the-scenes memories, and answers questions from fans. She says the channel began during the pandemic and became a meaningful community for viewers who found comfort in the series. She discusses favorite episodes, including “The Easter Story,” centered on Olivia’s polio recovery, and “The Firestorm,” which deals with book burning, fear, and prejudice through a powerful moment involving a German Bible. Judy notes that even though The Waltons premiered in 1972, its themes remain relevant because they deal with family, fear, courage, decency, and the human spirit. Hope, Creativity, and Choosing the Good Mary Jane and Judy close by discussing music, travel, family, horses, British mystery shows, L. Ron Hubbard’s fiction, Earl Hamner’s storytelling, and Judy’s continuing desire to choose projects that truly speak to her. Judy says her philosophy of life is rooted in optimism and hope: life can improve, people are mostly good, and giving up is never the answer. She shares a small story about someone who went out of her way to correct a refunded CD payment, using it as an example of everyday character and kindness. Mary Jane ends the episode with her familiar encouragement to live simply, laugh often, love deeply, and dare to dream.

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About

POPP TALK! A fast-paced Magazine-style Show dedicated to keeping you on the cutting edge of today's hot button issues. The show is high energy, upbeat and entertaining. It gives you the tools to feel better, reach for that brass ring, and live longer and happier. It's Fun! It's Fascinating! It has guests from politics to health, to the stars from La La Land. It's Radio with sizzle!

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Jane Popp
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Mary Jane Popp
  • Show Website
    Popp Talk with Mary Jane Popp