The Magical Salon

The Magical Salon
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

Amanda and James explore mystical ideas and big questions by diving into magic, religion, spirituality, and more. From books to pop culture, if it's a doorway to something deeper, we're probably into it. We're not experts, and maybe you aren't either. But hey, that's kind of the point, right? New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. Jun 10

    31. Are We Alone? The Cosmic Mystery

    In this episode of The Magical Salon, we explore the enduring question: are we alone in the universe? From ancient myths to modern scientific inquiry, we examine humanity’s fascination with extraterrestrial life. Does our search represent a deep human fear of being alone, or something else entirely? Follow the magic on Instagram  & TikTok.

    54 min

  2. May 20

    30. Transcending Human Limitation

    In this episode, we explore extreme sports as a modern form of transcendence—where athletes push beyond fear, pain, and survival instinct in search of something larger than themselves. From free solo climbing to ultrarunning and wingsuit flying, we explore the altered mental states behind extreme risk. Is it adrenaline addiction, a form of spiritual practice, or a deeper human urge to transcend limitation and touch something beyond ordinary experience? Join us as we dive into obsession, risk, and the pursuit of the impossible. Episode Easter Eggs: Dean Potter and the “The Dark Wizard” streaming on HBOAlex HonnoldThe history of MarathonsDavid GogginsUluruDelicate ArchRat Park lab experimentsClick the links above to explore the magic.  Follow the magic on Instagram  & TikTok.

    37 min

  3. May 13

    29. Meaning in the mundane

    In this episode, we explore the strange and slippery phenomenon of synchronicity — those uncanny moments when coincidence feels charged with meaning. Are synchronicities messages from the universe, evidence of hidden patterns in consciousness, psychological projection, or a form of modern magic hiding in plain sight? Episode Easter Eggs: Learn all about the famous Double Slit experimentWatch the movie Yes ManEerie instance of a book about a ship called the Titan sinking 14 years before the actual Titanic accidentRead all about Carl Jung the man who coined the phrase “synchronicity”Explore Jung’s posthumously published diary/memoir Liber NovusWant to try Jungian Therapy? Learn where you can get it at the Jungian InstituteAre you familiar with W.E.B. Du Bois’ idea of double consciousnessSigmund FreudLearn about how the cultural and linguistic circumstances you are born in shape your perceptionsDo you believe in fated lovers? Maybe you should read about the red string theoryEver sensed someone would call moments before they did?   Click the links above to explore the magic.  Follow the magic on Instagram  & TikTok.

    29 min

  4. Apr 22

    28. Talismans - Objects of Power

    In this episode, we unpack the strange and enduring human habit of giving power to objects as we explore talismans. From traditional talismans and protective charms to personal items meaningful to the wearer, we ask: what exactly are these objects doing—and what are we doing with them? Are talismans vessels of real power, mental placebos, or something in between? Along the way, we question the line between empowerment and dependence. At what point does a talisman stop being a tool and start becoming a crutch? And is belief itself the true source of its power? Episode Easter Eggs: Peter J Carroll – Liber Null and Psychonaut.Read all about talismans. Moldavite – Despite the name, it comes from outer space - not moldy food. Be on the lookout for the evil eye.Lucky rabbit foot for us, not so lucky for the rabbit.Could talismans and amulets just be magical placebos? Scott Cunningham warns not to get too dependent on talismans.Protect yourself from nightmares with dreamcatchers.Are you ready to “play like a champion today?”·You better BELIEVE that another season of Ted Lasso is coming.Have you kissed the Blarney Stone?Former Bears RB used to wear a shirt while playing to remind him of his dad.Remember when Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton wore vials of each other’s blood?Learn “How to Change your Mind” with Michael Pollan.  Click the links above to explore the magic.  Follow the magic on Instagram  & TikTok.

    34 min

  5. Apr 15

    27. Horsin' Around

    In this week’s episode, we set out to discuss animals but end up mostly going on a series of wild goose chases. From animals’ heightened senses to the insect worlds living beneath and all around us, tune in to hear a whole lot of horsing around and the occasional gem of wisdom.   Episode Easter Eggs Want to learn about how we try to copy nature? Biomimicry is for you!Ants are pretty cool. Watch them build a floating raft of… ants!Be wary of skin-walkers and changelings (+2 for your due diligence).Hear about the circle of life in a catchy song you may recognize from 90s Disney.A lame and forgotten superhero tries to reignite his career in Grant Morrison’s Animal Man.Who remembers Animorphs?David Foster Wallace asks you to “Consider the Lobster.”Did you know owls can see the ultraviolet spectrum?Listen to whales communicating and let us know how close we were to emulating their calls (+5).Octopi and Cephalopods oh my!Was anyone else afraid of sharks after watching Jaws?Click the links above to explore the magic.  Follow the magic on Instagram  & TikTok.

    42 min

  6. Mar 25

    26. Into the Void

    In this episode, we’re falling into the void, a concept ripe for exploration by scientists, artists, and spiritual seekers. But what is the void, exactly? The source of everything, or the nothingness that came before it? We discuss a variety of interpretations of the void, from its role in a few major religions to the overwhelming terror it seems to invoke in most of us. But what if the void isn’t something to be frightened of at all? What if it’s just something we don’t understand yet? Episode Resources & Easter Eggs: Science Sinkholes: Alive or dead? Schrödinger’s cat is both.You know the highest point of a rollercoaster? That’s potential energy.Glimpse Earth from space in this famous photo: the pale blue dot.Spiritual Snacks: Wuji: a formless nothingness in Taoism.Ashes to ashes, dust to dust on Ash Wednesday.Ever felt god-like? Welcome to theosis.Draw parallels between the Buddhist idea of Nirvana and the void. Mind Benders: L’appel du vide (French for the call of the void).Learn about Nietzsche.Check out the big three: existentialism, fatalism and nihilism (warning: existential malaise may ensue).Books and Media: Ever thought it would be cool to live mostly virtually? Ready Player 1 says it might not be so fun, after all. Confuse your brain with this documentary by trying to comprehend infinity (+infinity if you manage it).Draw a creature from one of Lovecraft’s stories. (Don’t forget the unspeakable horrors +5.)Click the links above to explore the magic. Follow the magic on Instagram & TikTok

    34 min

  7. Mar 11

    25. LISTEN TO THIS.

    In this episode, we probe into mind control and unearth the hidden mechanics of influence behind why we do what we do. From religion to governments to magic, everyone’s interested in controlling the minds of others. Is it even possible to have an original thought anymore? Covering everything from hypnosis to truth serums, we debate whether we’re preventing or already living in the worlds of 1984 and Brave New World. Episode Resources & Easter Eggs: Episode Bookshelf: Have you read George Orwell’s 1984 or Animal Farm? (Hi, Big Brother :).)Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: this guy definitely did drugs.Hear Amanda’s longer take on The Trial by Kafka.Learn how to win friends and influence people.Initiate yourself into Hermetics with Franz Bardon.Propaganda: Jacque Ellul.Hear from another Amanda in Montell’s The Age of Magical Overthinking.Movies and Media: The Men Who Stare at Goats – Not our favorite movie, but an interesting concept.Love medical dramas? Try some of our recent favs: ThePitt and The Resident.Hypnosis? Take the Mayo Clinic’s word for it.You might be feeling sleepy. Before you drift off, don’t forget to like and rate us 5 stars.Adbusters: Remember this ad? Warning: Completely unforgettable, and not in a good way.Make the Marines proud by watching this ad. Can you beat James in the corporate logo quiz? He got 31/32 before calling it quits!Click the links above to explore the magic. Follow the magic on Instagram & TikTok

    49 min

  8. Mar 4

    24. Cut, Copy, Paste - Collage!

    In this episode, we explore the art, and magic, of collage. From musical sampling and physical collage to literature, visual art, and montage, collage touches every part of creativity. What happens when we place different materials in conversation with each other? How can we create (or see) something new? And what if this approach to art making could carry over into life? Does our perspective shift if anything we encounter can become part of something larger — something more creative? Episode Resources & Easter Eggs: A Sample of Sampling A sample definition.Coldplay meets Frank Ocean in Strawberry Swing.Collage can be a Gangsta’s Paradise or, maybe you just want to Sing for the Moment. Into the Stacks Check out a definitive argument for collage in Reality Hunger.Read The Brothers Karamazov, a giant Russian novel.Compare narrative notes with Bolano’s 2666.Impact meets inventive form in Long Soldier’s Whereas.Match the references and allusions in The Wasteland to their original source material (+4).Memoir meets criticism in Nelson’s The Argonauts.A fragmentary Greek poem gets a new life in Carson’s Autobiography of Red.Whitehead explores New York through collage (+10 to collage a city of your own).Read Cortazar’s Hopscotch while playing the famed game (+2).Metacommentary and footnotes abound in House of Leaves (but you got this, don’t worry).Read Naked Lunch…while naked having lunch? (don’t send pics. Some things should be kept to yourself.)Laugh your way to buy Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest.Collage rebranded as a literary puzzle in Diaz’s Trust.The internet is rewiring our brains. Find out more in Carr’s The Shallows.General Collage Knowledge Fridge magnet poems = the cut up method, rebranded.Is hypertext the future? A Mini Art Rabbit Hole When a child’s first words are not Ma Ma but Dada.Comic books winning Pulitzers? That’s Pop Art energy.Ever looked at a urinal and thought: art? Marcel Duchamp did.Click the links above to explore the magic. Follow the magic on Instagram & TikTok

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Amanda and James explore mystical ideas and big questions by diving into magic, religion, spirituality, and more. From books to pop culture, if it's a doorway to something deeper, we're probably into it. We're not experts, and maybe you aren't either. But hey, that's kind of the point, right? New episodes every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The Magical Salon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Magical Salon
  • Show Website
    The Magical Salon