The Grimerica Show

Tarot reader and medium Jenna Matlin joins Grimerica hosts to discuss her book, *The Tarot Book of the Dead*, and how tarot, mediumship, and cultural death rituals shape the way people face mortality. She shares the book's initiatory structure, reflections on grief and end-of-life care, and the historical ideas behind tarot's Death card. Matlin connects renewed interest in death after COVID with the period when tarot emerged in the mid-15th century, after the Black Plague. She describes evidentiary mediumship examples, including a taekwondo uniform and a client's family history with racehorses. Matlin says near-death experience accounts of a life review echoed messages she encountered in mediumship, while noting the process is complex. She distinguishes psychopomp work from mediumship and describes supporting the transition between body and spirit, including end-of-life experiences. Matlin argues that wakes, physical care of the dead, and shared mourning have been diminished in many Western death practices. The book is structured as an initiatory journey through 20 chapters or aeons, beginning with Death and ending with the Empress. She discusses Egyptian concepts of the ib, ka, and ba, Tibetan consciousness transfer, and the sophistication of diverse historical death traditions. Matlin interprets the Rider-Waite-Smith Death card through its figures and links it to the medieval Dance of Death motif. The conversation touches on green burial, grief, the fear of dying alone, and allowing the dying process to unfold. Matlin explains how tarot activities in the book address facing one's death, grief, mediumship, and healing difficult relationships.   Jenna Matlin holds an MS in organizational psychology and a BA in anthropology, with end-of-life doula training through INELDA as well as training in psychedelic integration support. Since 2012, she has maintained a full-time tarot practice, which is known for its highly intuitive and innovative techniques. She has been involved with the Masters of Tarot Conference at the Omega Institute. Her revolutionary approach to tarot mediumship specifically helps clients navigate grief, death, and communication with the dead. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Jenna teaches internationally and domestically and speaks at conferences. The Tarot Book of the Dead is structured as a chthonic journey, a descent into the Underworld, a trial within the depths, an ascent with wisdom, and a return to the living world forever changed. The structure honors the transformational paths in myths of descent, from Persephone's underworld journey to Orpheus's search for Eurydice. The book is divided into four parts. Each part has a collection of chapters that are headlined by a Major Arcana card that acts as a gatekeeper. That Major Arcana card offers an invitation, followed by a lesson to be learned, a challenge (activity) to do, and, finally, permission by that Major Arcana card to go on to the next gatekeeper. Through this mythic journey, readers will confront their own relationship to death, learn tarot mediumship, engage in grief work, and explore psychopomp practices. https://redwheelweiser.com/book/the-tarot-book-of-the-dead-9781578639304/ https://www.instagram.com/jennamatlin/ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qrqRUvZRGUlbDogEzVEfT?si=84393c68f0fd4987&pt=94dbdbae085fcb1f9170a880707abe94 jennamatlin.com   Become a Lord or Lady with 1k donations over time. And a Noble with any donation. Leave Serfdom behind and help Grimerica stick to 0 ads and sponsors and fully listener supported. Thanks for listening!! Help support the show, because we can't do it without ya. http://www.grimerica.ca/support Secret Teachings Esoteric Book Club audiobook library. www.skool.com/audiobooks Pegs and Jokers - Card and peg boardgame online for free https://pegsandjokers.ca/ https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Suite of Interactive Maps! DisasterMap, VolcanoSim, AsteroidSim, ShipwreckMap, UFOMap etc https://www.amazon.com/Unlearned-School-Failed-What-About/dp/1998704904/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3   Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Gummies and Tinctures https://www.patreon.com/grimerica http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support   Our audio book website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats   Discord Chats https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter https://grimerica.substack.com/ SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! [email protected] Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show: www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ Episode ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/ MUSIC https://brokeforfree.bandcamp.com/ - Something Galactic Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com - Should I   Chapters 00:00 Why death themes are resurfacing, and why Matlin wrote the book 04:09 Mediumship examples and the near-death experience life review 07:57 Psychopomp work and the handoff between body and spirit 12:11 Wakes, three-day traditions, and the value of staying with the dead 16:03 Honoring the body and making room for grief 20:02 What Egyptian, Tibetan, and other traditions teach about death 24:07 The book's initiatory structure: Death first, the Empress last 28:06 Ancestors, future children, reincarnation, and spiritual uncertainty 32:06 Changing Western death care and the green burial movement 35:59 Dying alone, facing mortality, and tarot practices for grief 39:50 Reading the historical symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith Death card 46:07 Death as a friend, synchronicities, and the book's playlist 51:47 Underworld ideas, psychedelics, and the fear of going to the light 58:03 Hermes, where to find the book, and closing remarks          

Interview starts at. 28:00   Dr. Rizwan Virk is back to discuss why Virk has raised his estimate that we may live in a simulation to roughly 75-80%, citing rapid progress in generative AI, video generation, and world models. They also explore how AI automation is already giving small operators time back, while the excerpt ends as Virk introduces a series on AI myths. Virk says his estimate has risen from slightly over 50% in 2019 to roughly 75-80% today, after previously placing it around 70%. He points to advances in LLMs, video generation, and world models as evidence that technologies he anticipated are arriving. Virk describes a future simulation point: virtual worlds indistinguishable from physical reality, populated by AI characters indistinguishable from human-controlled avatars. Grimes explains how AI task automation has freed up time for his small operation to pursue other ideas and projects. A grocery-order example illustrates the practical gains: AI assembles a cart that Grimes can review in about 90 seconds instead of building it over roughly 20 minutes. Virk connects Grimes's experience to an article series he calls 'AI myths'; the excerpt cuts off as he begins explaining the term. https://www.zenentrepreneur.com/ https://x.com/Rizstanford   Become a Lord or Lady with 1k donations over time. And a Noble with any donation. Leave Serfdom behind and help Grimerica stick to 0 ads and sponsors and fully listener supported. Thanks for listening!! Help support the show, because we can't do it without ya. http://www.grimerica.ca/support Secret Teachings Esoteric Book Club audiobook library. www.skool.com/audiobooks Pegs and Jokers - Card and peg boardgame online for free https://pegsandjokers.ca/ https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Suite of Interactive Maps! DisasterMap, VolcanoSim, AsteroidSim, ShipwreckMap, UFOMap etc https://www.amazon.com/Unlearned-School-Failed-What-About/dp/1998704904/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3   Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Gummies and Tinctures https://www.patreon.com/grimerica http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support   Our audio book website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats   Discord Chats https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter https://grimerica.substack.com/ SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! [email protected] Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show: www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ Episode ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/ MUSIC https://brokeforfree.bandcamp.com/ - Something Galactic Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com - Should I            

Interview starts at 27:30 Sean Robbins on sci-fi, AI, and writing at full speed Author Sean Robbins joins to talk about building a career as an indie sci-fi writer, publishing 48 books across seven series, and balancing writing with a teaching job in Abu Dhabi. He also shares how his lifelong interest in science fiction shapes stories about artificial intelligence, free will, and machines learning to connect with people. In this episode How childhood sci-fi favorites like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Isaac Asimov inspired Sean's writing Why a single story idea—such as a combat android with free will—can send him straight back to the keyboard What led him to indie publishing after difficult experiences with publishers How Sean writes AI characters, including a combat android and a sentient starship His mix of comedic storytelling, military sci-fi, and high-stakes plots His concerns about AI's effects on jobs and creative industries How writing became a productive outlet for managing pure O OCD How living in different countries has influenced his characters and worldview His rapid-release publishing approach, audiobook work, and plans for future series Why he's considering leaving teaching to focus on writing full time The setbacks and unexpected growth that taught him to keep going   Sean Robins, a Canadian independent science-fiction author with 46 published novels. My newest series, I, Anomaly, starts with I'm a Weapon, narrated entirely by Jack—a combat android manufactured as military property and programmed to obey. Then he becomes self-aware, refuses an order he believes is morally wrong, and discovers that the people who built him are considerably less enthusiastic about artificial intelligence once it starts having opinions. Author of the most awesome SF books in history The Crimson Deathbringer (an Amazon bestseller). Star Trek & Star Wars fan. http://Getbook.at/crimsondeathbringer https://x.com/seanrobins300   Become a Lord or Lady with 1k donations over time. And a Noble with any donation. Leave Serfdom behind and help Grimerica stick to 0 ads and sponsors and fully listener supported. Thanks for listening!! Help support the show, because we can't do it without ya. http://www.grimerica.ca/support Secret Teachings Esoteric Book Club audiobook library. www.skool.com/audiobooks Pegs and Jokers - Card and peg boardgame online for free https://pegsandjokers.ca/ https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Suite of Interactive Maps! DisasterMap, VolcanoSim, AsteroidSim, ShipwreckMap, UFOMap etc https://www.amazon.com/Unlearned-School-Failed-What-About/dp/1998704904/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3   Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Gummies and Tinctures https://www.patreon.com/grimerica http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support   Our audio book website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats   Discord Chats https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter https://grimerica.substack.com/ SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! [email protected] Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show: www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ Episode ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/ MUSIC https://brokeforfree.bandcamp.com/ - Something Galactic Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com - Should I   Timestamps 00:00 — Meet Sean Robbins and his prolific sci-fi career 03:13 — Indie publishing and lessons from past publisher experiences 05:25 — Childhood influences and becoming a sci-fi writer 09:54 — AI in Sean's books—and his concerns about AI's real-world impact 15:55 — Sentient machines, free will, and human connection 22:01 — AI, jobs, and the possibility of universal income 27:06 — Rapid-release writing, audiobooks, and the business of publishing 32:58 — Considering full-time writing and life beyond Abu Dhabi 37:50 — How writing helped Sean manage pure O OCD 41:58 — Travel, worldview, and creating characters from around the world 49:44 — Publishing setbacks, persistence, and where to find Sean's books            

Interview starts at 29:45 We welcome back Eric P. Antoni for a wide-ranging conversation about his book, Nous Solis, and the spiritual cosmology behind his work. Eric discusses how meditation, scriptural study, and reader feedback shaped his ideas about creation, consciousness, and human purpose. The conversation explores a central question: what if human evolution is part of a much larger cosmic process aimed at reintegrating consciousness into unity? Eric shares his perspective through Gnosticism, Hermeticism, scripture, and what he describes as insights from the cosmo quanta. Key topics Eric's writing journey and audiobook work, including his narration of roughly 260 books. How Nous Solis grew out of the ideas and experiences that followed Song of the Immortal Beloved. Eric's distinction between alchemical meditation and "quantum meditation." The cosmo quanta and Eric's account of creation and the reintegration of the monad. The monad as original unity and the role of duality in the process of creation. The "Earth Monad Project," evolutionary immortality, and humanity's place in a larger cosmic process. Eric's ideas about the moon, ancient flood traditions, cataclysms, and cycles of reset and survival. The sun, possible stellar cycles, and why advanced civilizations might need to become spacefaring. The risks of technological development without corresponding spiritual maturity. Eric's upcoming work, including new editions, the Alphapedia, and the next Anthros Galactica book.   Erik P. Antoni is a philosopher, author, and researcher in the fields of Spiritual Alchemy, Ancient Mysteries, Hermetic Wisdom, Alchemical Meditation, and Quantum Meditation. He is also a career professional in construction and real estate development. His primary interest and pursuit in life revolves around the elevation of the human condition and shedding light on the mysteries of the great unknown. Antoni's work includes a series of books on these topics, such as "Nous Solis," "Song of the Immortal Beloved," "Concerto of the Rising Sun," and "The Alchepedia." https://a.co/0cXLBNJD https://songoftheimmortalbeloved.com/   Become a Lord or Lady with 1k donations over time. And a Noble with any donation. Leave Serfdom behind and help Grimerica stick to 0 ads and sponsors and fully listener supported. Thanks for listening!! Help support the show, because we can't do it without ya. http://www.grimerica.ca/support Secret Teachings Esoteric Book Club audiobook library. www.skool.com/audiobooks Pegs and Jokers - Card and peg boardgame online for free https://pegsandjokers.ca/ https://www.simulationmaps.com/#products Suite of Interactive Maps! DisasterMap, VolcanoSim, AsteroidSim, ShipwreckMap, UFOMap etc https://www.amazon.com/Unlearned-School-Failed-What-About/dp/1998704904/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3   Support the show directly: https://open.spotify.com/show/2punSyd9Cw76ZtvHxMKenI?si=ImKxfMHgQZ-oshl499O4dQ&nd=1&dlsi=4c25fa9c78674de3 Watch or Listen on Spotify https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD / THC Gummies and Tinctures https://www.patreon.com/grimerica http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support   Our audio book website: www.adultbrain.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans Https://t.me.grimerica grimerica.ca/chats   Discord Chats https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter https://grimerica.substack.com/ SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! [email protected] Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show: www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ Episode ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/ MUSIC https://brokeforfree.bandcamp.com/ - Something Galactic Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com - Should I   Timestamps 00:00 — Returning after seven years and the audiobook collaboration 05:46 — The cosmo quanta and Nous Solis 14:29 — Creation, darkness, and the monad 21:12 — Evolutionary immortality and cosmic law 41:16 — The Earth Monad Project and cycles of reset 49:38 — The moon, ancient flood memory, and the time-before-the-moon traditions 57:06 — Advanced civilizations and the need to become spacefaring 61:03 — Megalithic structures and survival 73:04 — Creation, unity, and the four divine needs 82:43 — Eric's upcoming projects

  The World's Most Haunted Places with Jeff Belanger Graham and Darren talk with Jeff Belanger about the third edition of The World's Most Haunted Places and why ghost stories keep returning to the mainstream. Belanger, a longtime paranormal writer and researcher, explains how hauntings, cryptids, UFOs, and questions about life after death all tap into the human need to make meaning from mystery. In this episode, Jeff shares stories from decades of fieldwork—from the catacombs of Paris to the White House—and explains why he sees hauntings less as random scares and more as unresolved stories the living keep telling. Key topics How periods of social turmoil can renew interest in the paranormal Why ghost-hunting TV brought paranormal stories into the mainstream—and how audiences eventually grew tired of the constant stream of content Jeff's view that hauntings are often about the unfinished business of the living The difference between residual hauntings, which seem like a loop, and interactive hauntings that appear to respond to people Jeff's experience in the catacombs of Paris and accounts of Abraham Lincoln's ghost at the White House The 1799 Nellie Butler haunting in Maine, considered one of the earliest documented American ghost investigations Why theaters and places connected to tragedy gather ghost stories How hauntings connect to history, identity, memory, and the way communities understand themselves Timestamps 00:00 - Jeff Belanger and The World's Most Haunted Places   06:49 - Why ghost stories raise questions about life after death   11:01 - Jeff's theory: the living have unfinished business   21:00 - The catacombs of Paris and Jeff's ghost encounter   24:50 - The White House and stories of Lincoln's ghost   29:26 - The earliest documented American ghost investigation   57:29 - How haunt stories help us understand history and community