GRACEPILLED with Hanna Williams

In this episode, David Yoss and I attempt the impossible task of explaining classical Tantra in a single conversation. Along the way, we explore its history, philosophy, ritual practices, and common misconceptions, while highlighting just how vast, nuanced, and often misunderstood the Tantric traditions really are.

In this solo episode of Gracepilled, Hanna shares the story of how Human Design entered her life during a period of burnout, confusion, and spiritual crisis, eventually becoming a framework that radically changed the way she understands herself, relationships, work, and authenticity. She explores why the system resonated so deeply with her tantric background, how it helped her accept her own nature instead of resisting it, and why learning to honor human difference may be one of the most compassionate spiritual practices available to us.

In this episode of Gracepilled, I sat down with writer and animist Sophie Strand for a conversation about mysticism, chronic illness, beauty, ecology, paradox, and the spiritual process of surrendering to a reality that cannot always be explained or controlled. Together we explore animism, Joan of Arc, climate anxiety, mystical experience, riddles and parables, and why some of the deepest spiritual truths only reveal themselves through uncertainty, suffering, and direct lived experience.

In this episode, Monica Alanna and I explore how digital platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube act almost like characters in our lives—shaping culture, attention, and even identity. Through humor, critique, and personal stories, we unpack how social media can be both a tool and a trap, and what it takes to use it with awareness and boundaries.

Rev. Cindy Pincus shares the winding journey that led her from culturally Jewish roots to Christian ministry, Indigenous ceremony, and psychic training—all while working closely with death as a chaplain and hospice worker. We talk about spiritual conviction, empire, grief, and the mysterious grace that sometimes shows up right when everything falls apart.

In this episode, I talk with astrologer and writer Diana Rose about how astrology can be a compassionate tool for self-understanding, healing, and deconditioning from cultural “shoulds.” We explore the power of relational healing, village life, mystical childhoods, and how Diana’s devotionally-oriented animism shapes the way she practices and lives astrology.

In this episode, Yumi Sakugawa shares the winding path of their spiritual life—from depression and disconnection to ancestral reclamation, intuitive art-making, and profound healing after a traumatic psychedelic experience. We talk about Okinawa, creative discipline as ritual, soul fragmentation, and what it means to draw the invisible.

Aidan Wachter is a self-described “mongrel animist” and magical practitioner whose path has been shaped less by systems and more by direct experience, dirt, string, and a willingness to listen deeply to the spirits that walk with him. In this conversation, Aidan shares how punk rock led him to magic, how a major breakdown clarified his role as a teacher and healer (even if those titles make him cringe), and why the tools we already have might be more than enough. We talk about animism, autonomy, spiritual hoarding, ancestor complications, embodied spirit work, and the dangers of trying to fix spiritual problems with material logic. If you’ve ever felt allergic to orthodoxy but deeply drawn to the unseen, you’re going to love this one.

Today, I’m joined by Bob Peck—author, award-winning filmmaker, mystic, and, dare I say, spiritual comedian. Fascinated by spirituality and philosophy from a young age, Bob has approached the spiritual path like a true connoisseur of the vast wisdom smorgasbord that is world religion. His deep knowledge of many traditions makes him a grounded and insightful guide, as he has demonstrated in his book Original Sin Is a Lie. With a warm heart, Bob invites us to explore the territory beyond dogma and uncover our true selves. Let’s get into it.

Today, I’m joined by Nataraj Chaitanya—a seasoned yogi, philosopher, and teacher with over two decades of experience in classical Tantra, Mantra, Bhakti, and Yoga philosophy. Beginning his meditation and yoga practice at the age of 13, Nataraj has dedicated his life to sharing his embodiment of the transformative teachings of tantra, leading retreats, workshops, and teacher training programs worldwide. Now, as you’ll hear, Nataraj is my spiritual brother. We share a lineage — both of our gurus were disciples of Swami Muktananda, so we both have been influenced quite strongly by the flavor of his unique transmission. In future episodes, we want to speak more about the guru disciple relationship and how interesting and transformative it can be to hold a teacher in both their holiness and their humanity. But for now, we can all be blessed by the nectar of Nataraj’s presence. Sometimes when I speak with him my mind goes completely blank — but in a blissful way. I only ever have this experience with my own guru. So, that’s just to say that the Grace he radiates is not only palpable, but poppin. Enjoy!

Today, I’m joined by Jory Pryor—inter-spiritual scholar-practitioner rooted in Advaita Vedanta and shakta tantra, with a background in the Christian tradition and a deep appreciation for global expressions of non-duality. As the host of the Methods of Contemplation podcast, Jory engages in thoughtful dialogues exploring diverse spiritual paths and contemplative practices. He’s also the author of Becoming All Light: The Non-Dual Heart of Christianity, inviting readers to awaken to their true, luminous nature. I’ve often sent my own students to Jory whenever they’ve expressed an interest in returning to Christianity after exploring tantra with me. I can think of no better guide! This conversation was especially fun for me because it’s not often I get to talk with someone who has experienced the guru / disciple relationship in a similar way to me! So, let’s get right into it.

Hey guys… we’ve got something a little bit different today. This is a yapcast episode. These yapcasts will be peppered into this first season to just uh…. break up the rhythm a bit? Here’s what to expect: casual conversation between me and my best friend Monica about like… whatever we want to talk about. Today, we’re talking about the idea of the inner child for like… almost two hours LOL. so get ready for that… but first, I think you need to know a bit more about her. How can I explain monica? she’s like if an artist, poet, and visionary thinker had the integrity of a saint. she’s funny, witty, and deeply deeply curious and compassionate. in fact, she’s like, ten times more curious and compassionate than me. another thing to know about monica is that she and i are basically the same person. we’re both splenic projectors with the channel of struggle and wide, gaping open solar plexuses. we’ve both got a lot of openness in our charts, but monica even more — i’ve got the defined head center and ajna in addition to the root and spleen. so when we’re together — the mental energy pops off in the best ways… she inspires me, i ground her thinking. i’m annoyingly individual circuitry, she’s got the tribal circuitry… so together we’re able to look with openness at the vastness of the human experience, covering all of the bases so we can stay grounded and connected with not only reality, but the needs of people around us. so, to say the least… it’s a blessing to be her friend because i don’t have to explain myself at all to her because we are SO similar. infact, we tend to go through similar things at the same time… our birthdays are less than a month apart. so, you’ll be hearing more from both of us over the course of not only this podcast, but also this year because she and i are teaching a 4 week course about interpersonal conflict in June! so, monica and i are the same person. and yet… i don’t want to minimize her by talking about our similarities. she in her own individual being… she’s a multi media artist, a writer, a grief and conflict mentor, and a somatic teacher. she helps people make sense of life’s messiest moments. she roots everything she does in her peace education, her emphasis on transformative conflict, and restorative justice. she brings emotional depth and practicality into her world, helping people to communicate better, mend what’s been broken, and move through change with intention. she’s a coach and founder of Rooted Relating and also the voice behind Salt & Quill, where she explores the alchemy of healing, storytelling, and self expression. She is quite literally known as a sense maker, a poet in motion, and the one who will gently — but firmly — encourage you to run straight towards the hard shit. So of course, we are in GOOD company. Now, here’s some context for this conversation. We recorded this late 2024 just weeks before Monica broke her LEG. she slipped and fell and BROKE HER LEG last year which has been wildly painful AND transformative. that channel of struggle simply won’t let up. so, our NEXT yapcast is actually going to be about her broken leg. so it’s interesting to hear her speaking on the cusp of this major life shift.

Today, we’re in for a real treat. We’re joined by Rami Abu-Sitta—a coach, healer, and teacher of ancestral energy medicine. Spurred or… dare I say, forced onto the spiritual path at a young age by chronic pain, Rami has spent years deepening his practice and transmuting his own struggles into wisdom. Now, he empowers others to capture their dreams, turn fear into gold, and shape their deepest callings into reality. There’s truly no substitute for a guide who’s been dragged through the fire and come out the other side stronger, wiser—and funnier. We laughed our asses off in this conversation. So buckle up—let’s get into it.