This week, we fall headfirst into the UpsideDown—emotionally, not literally—as we unpack the ending of Stranger Thingsand the mark it’s left on our lives. From the characters who cracked us open tothe questions that still haunt us, this is our love letter to a show thatshaped an era.

We also talk about:

The themes that hit way too close to homeThe moments we’re still not overThe mysteries we’re convinced deserve answersAnd the tiny chaos gremlins in our brains that refuse to let this show goAt the end, we ask you to weigh in:
Should we dive deeper into the world behind the show?
Drop a comment, tap that like, or send us a message if you want more StrangerThings content in your feed.

This week, Sharon opens her chart for the first time. Most listeners know she is an Aquarius sun, but tune in for an intimate first look at the cosmic blueprint she was born under. From the fiery Leo Rising to the watery depths of a Sagittarius Moon, we trace the houses, placements, and wounds that echo across lifetimes.

Inside the episode:

- The Big Three and what they reveal about Sharon’s identity

- Lessons from Shanae’s workshop on rulers and goals

- Family, love, and achievement through the Moon, Venus, Sun, and Saturn

- Mystical Pisces in the 8th house and Cancer’s ancestral wisdom in the 12th

- Shadow work: exhausting, illuminating, and essential

- Chiron: the spiritual wound that can no longer be ignored.

Resources:
Coven Convo with Shanae: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xUs9npxO1qo5gRGAzWAC7?si=4Ae6Re1yTxGCKlWjpVhMAQ

Sign up for Shanae’s FREE workshop here: https://shanaelynne.wixsite.com/astrologer/free-course-for-aligned-goal-setting

Get your FREE birth chart here: Astro.com

In this episode, Heather takes us into the glittering, televised world of American televangelism — a world that rose from early religious broadcasts in the 1950s and exploded in the 1970s with the rise of cable television. We touch briefly on modern figures like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes, but today’s focus is on two of the most infamous scandals in televangelist history.

Part One: Jimmy SwaggartWe look at Jimmy Swaggart’s massive influence, the 1988 prostitution scandal that derailed his televised ministry, and the second scandal that followed in 1991. Sharon and Heather discuss how taboo attitudes around sexuality in Pentecostal culture may have fueled secrecy and infidelity, leading to Heather’s iconic reminder: “Let people be freaky.” The episode also touches briefly on the case for legalized sex work.

Part Two: Jim & Tammy Faye BakkerThen we explore Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, founders of the PTL Club. Their empire — including a Christian theme park — collapsed under sexual assault allegations, hush‑money attempts, and major financial fraud that sent Jim to prison. Tammy Faye, known for her compassion toward AIDS patients and the LGBTQ+ community, emerged as a surprisingly beloved figure, later winning hearts again on The Surreal Life.

⚠️ Content Warning

This episode contains discussion of unethical medical experiments, torture, and patient abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Buckle up, listeners. This episode runs longer than usual, but every minute is packed with revelations. We’re diving deep into the CIA’s mind control experiments, armed with receipts in the form of declassified documents. For the full experience, we recommend listening on YouTube or Patreon, where we’ve edited images of each document—complete with highlights—as we walk through the evidence.

🔎 Episode Highlights

• What sparked this deep dive:
  A new Charles Manson documentary suggesting MKULTRA connections to the case.

• Cold War backdrop:
  The Iron Curtain, U.S. paranoia, and the obsession with Russian power in the 1950s.

• Naming names:
  Private companies, universities, psychiatric hospitals, doctors, and scientists tied to CIA-funded research projects that violated public trust.

• Ethics in psychiatry:
  Then vs. now—how these abuses shaped the fragile trust between patient and doctor.

• Bluebird’s raunchy research questions:
  A shocking list of operative queries pulled straight from declassified files.

• Evolution of the projects:
  From Bluebird to Artichoke to MKULTRA, and the sprawling web of subprojects that followed.

• Mental health facilities in the 50s & 60s:
  A sobering look at how vulnerable patients were exploited and discarded.

• Chilling medical summaries:
  Real cases of unknowing patients subjected to experimental techniques. Discretion advised.

• Project Midnight Climax:
  The CIA’s bizarre brothel-based experiments.

• The mysterious death of Frank Olson:
  A CIA operative entangled in these projects whose story still raises questions.

🎧 Why You Should Listen
This isn’t just history—it’s a cautionary tale about power, secrecy, and the fragile ethics of science. By the end, you’ll understand why these projects still haunt America’s collective memory.

This week, we’re taking a break from our regular programming to bring you something a little different. We’ve dug into the archives to share some behind-the-scenes moments, bloopers, and bonus clips from past guest interviews. It’s a lighthearted look at the laughter, surprises, and off-script moments that usually stay on the cutting room floor.

Whether you’re traveling, cooking, or just taking it easy, we hope this episode brings a smile to your face.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Hex Haven.

In this episode, Heather dives deep into the mysterious and often misunderstood history of the Ouija board—from its spiritualist roots to its pop culture reign and scientific scrutiny.

We begin in the mid-1800s with the rise of the Spiritualist movement, a time when grief and curiosity collided in the wake of the Civil War. We explore practices like table-turning (No DJs involved apparently) and alphabet boards, precursors to the talking boards we know today.

We spotlight Margaret and Kate Fox, whose “spirit rapping” (knock once for yes, twice for no) helped launch the movement. Their claimed mediumship sparked a wave of interest in communicating with the dead. We also break down the difference between a psychic and a medium.

From 1850 to 1870, Spiritualism had its own newspapers and a growing public presence. We discuss Mary Todd Lincoln’s séances in the White House following the tragic death of her son Willie in 1862, and touch on the broader cultural backdrop of grief, tuberculosis, and the infamous Typhoid Mary.

The first reports of a talking board emerged in 1886, used in Ohio spiritualist camps. In 1890, Elijah Bond patented the board, and Charles Kennard helped commercialize it. We explore the legends behind the name “Ouija”.

We trace the board’s evolution through the Parker Brothers and Hasbro eras, with William Fuld often credited for popularizing it in the early 20th century. By the 1960s, it was a household staple, outselling Monopoly at one point.

Heather and Sharon muse about the original instructions—did they include a way to “close” the session? Turns out, modern Ouija boards do include closing guidance.

Finally, we unpack the ideomotor effect—the unconscious muscle movements that could explain how the planchette seems to move “on its own,” driven by our expectations and subconscious cues.

Whether seen as a game, a gateway, or a psychological mirror, the Ouija board remains a cultural icon—one that continues to fascinate, frighten, and fuel conversation.

#Ouija #Hasboro

From the Samhain Special vault, a little extra magic for your Halloween week.

In this bonus segment, Sharon and Heather share the curious joy of adding potatoes to the trick-or-treat bowl—yes, really—and why kids can’t get enough of them. shout-out to friend of the pod Chelsea for the idea years ago!

We also reflect on the younger generation—kids and grandkids—who are showing interest in the spiritual path, asking questions, and joining the journey. Then we take a brief detour into the Morris Pratt Institute, a historic hub for spiritual studies, and tease the idea of having Chelsea join us for a future episode to talk about our trip to Whitewater.

It’s playful, personal, and full of the kind of warmth that lingers long after the last candle burns out.

🕯️ Episode Summary: In this Halloween Samhain special, Sharon and Heather conjure up a cauldron of myth, magick, and ancestral wisdom. From debunking witchy misconceptions to pulling cards from the veil, this episode is a ritual in itself.

What’s Inside:

• Witchcraft & Magick Misconceptions: We kick things off by clearing the cobwebs around common myths—no broomstick required.

• Halloween’s Haunted History: Discover how ancient Samhain evolved into the pumpkin-spiced holiday we know today.

• The Tale of Stingy Jack: Meet the trickster who inspired the jack-o'-lantern legend.

• Samhain & the Thinning Veil: What it means when the spirit world draws near—and how to honor it.

• Ancestral Echoes:

  • Dos and Don’ts of spiritual communication

  • Herbs and crystals for protection and connection

  • Emotional impact of successful contact

• Hex Haven 3-Card Tarot Spread:

1. The Descent – What we must face now as a collective

2. The Gifts from the Old Ones – Advice from the veil

3. The Emergence – A shared vision for the future

Sharon and Heather pull live on air
Listeners are invited to pull their own and share their readings

• A Samhain Blessing: We close with a heartfelt incantation to guide you through the season.