Let’s transform money, starting today: By supporting Against Everyone with Conner Habib through patreon, you’re not paying me for my labor, you’re showing appreciation for what this show is and who I am in the world. It’s a way to give that isn’t about work or a fee.
SoIasklisteners, if they like the show,to giveaone–timeannualormonthlypledgetoPatreon.com/connerhabibtosupport this all.
Friends, In times of obvious schisms between human beings and their structures can stir up the opportunities that only frenetic and urgent intensity can reveal. In these times, we can see that there have always been many pathways available to us, that we were stuck, that we can be there for each other and dissolve obstruction.
One of our major obstructions: money. Especially since we say money drives so many conflict and power struggles. But is it money that is the problem? Or the economy? Or the form of economics we use? Isn’t it all just numbers moving from one place to another? Oh, and by the way, what are numbers?
These are just a few questions, radical and fundamental, that must be asked to confront the economic realm and one of its main attendants, money.
It is with this sense of investigation that I turn to the occult and esotericism for direction.
And, again, I turn to my favorite money-carer, PILAR LESKO. Pilar leads explorations into money last appeared on the show on AEWCH 210, talking about going beyond money magic to money medicine. We do more of that on this episode, but we also talk about the fixity of numbers, the spiritual reality of geometry, the power of shape (like, square, circle, star… shape!) in economics, and more. This is a deep and – as always with Pilar, hilarious – episode. I know you’ll love it as much as I did recoding it.
Thrive!
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MOREONPILARPilar’s hub is herwebsite. Sign up for her excellent (at times hilarious and strange) newsletter. And to truly level up your life, you can consider workingwithher. She’s incredible.
AGAINST EVERYONE WITH CONNER HABIB IS EXCLUSIVELY FUNDED BY LISTENERS. There is no other money coming into this podcast, since advertisementsfromsponsorsdon‘tfitwiththemissionofAEWCH.
Friends, In times of obvious schisms between human beings and their structures can stir up the opportunities that only frenetic and urgent intensity can reveal. In these times, we can see that there have always been many pathways available to us, that we were stuck, that we can be there for each other and dissolve obstruction. We can even redeem evil and turn it into the willing service of good.
It is with this sense of possibility that I turn to the occult and esotericism for direction.
The problem is, what areesoteric and occult development, anyway? Are they the same a self development, self help, abundance culture, using magick?
Or are spiritual development and self development quite different? And if so, are they therefore pointing us to two different worlds, two different sorts of being? And where do they touch?
Because spirituality is beyond desire, when we constrain it to desire – and that includes the spiritual paths that include the desire to get rid of desire – we limit the scope of spiritual landscape, the spiritual world, and spiritual truth. Which means we will develop differently.
To discuss this, I asked DUNCANBARFORDand ALANCHAPMANfor conversation and contemplation. Duncan and Alan are perhaps best known for the chronicle of their efforts to achieve enlightenment through magical traditions, TheBaptist‘sHeadCompendium:MagickasaPathtoEnlightenment.They now cohost the excellent podcast on magick and spirituality, WORPFM.AndDuncan appeared on AEWCH 219 to talk about the misuses of magick, which we touch on again in this episode.
I so enjoyed this clarifying, peace-filled conversation, and I hope you will too.
Duncan and I met in London at legendary occult bookstore Treadwells to have a conversation in front of an audience about my debut novel, Hawk Mountain. A transcript of that conversation will be available exclusively for patrons.
Friends, The time for radical conversations, new ideas, new directions, and pathways to a strange and better world is NOW. Against Everyone with Conner Habib has been offering all that for nearly seven years, and all 200+ episodes are free. Please do SUPPORT THE SHOW.
The only sponsors of this podcast are listeners. There are no advertisements, no support for products. It’s just you and and me and the guests, supporting each other in thinking, feeling, and talking.
You can support the show via a monthly or one-time annua pledge at Patreon.com/connerhabib.Whenyouusepatreon,you’re not only supporting me, but accessinganeconomicmodelthat isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showingcareandappreciationofwhotheyare.
You can also support my efforts by subscribing to the show, giving it a warm review and 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buying my novel Hawk Mountain. THANK YOU!
Friends, We are always in a time of chaos and violence. But when we notice it, when we see it, when it’s bubble over into ethnic cleansing or wars or murders; when it seems to us that our governments and institutions are only supporting the chaos and violence, our inner state can shift to the sense that we have no directive power.
At the same time, these schisms between human beings and their structures can stir up the opportunities that only near-schizoid agitation can reveal. We see that there have always been many pathways available to us, that we were stuck, that we can be there for each other and dissolve obstruction. We can even redeem evil and turn it into the willing service of good.
It is with this sense of possibility that I turn to the occult and esotericism for direction. It’s also why the occult so often finds its resurgence in these schism times. Not merely because people feel out of control or are trying to explain things, but because of the occult’s underlying principle that we have the ability to direct our futures. It isn’t just institutions in power that steer the course, but rather each of us and our connections to the spiritual landscape of our imaginations and the way engaging with our inner world gives us access to the entirety of of our world.
To cast a broad net and also to talk some of the particulars, I asked Mitch Horowitzback on the show. Mitch is a scholar, speaker, and the author of many books; but his most recent,Modern Occultism: History, Theory, and Practice, is the most important for the purposes of this episode. In it, Mitch presents a picture of rebels, thinkers, metaphysicians and phenomenologists who have influenced the world and who, taken together, illustrate a completely different direction in thinking, feeling, and action.
It is a direction that offers a radical alternative to the chaos we are in now.
Friends, The year – the unexpected and strange year! – is coming to a close.
And yet, there are still more surprises ahead.
How do you navigate these last three months of 2023 and stay in your integrity, aimed at your goals, and infused with a sense of direction? Join me for
YEAR’S END TAROT
Y.E.T. is a one-one-one tarot session for Q4. Each session will help you wrap your head around the closing of the year, what to clear out of your life as you enter 2024, what answers may be available to lingering questions and more.
Each 50-minute one-one-one session includes
A Q4 Governing Card, drawn for the entire quarter
A card for each month of the quarter – October, November, December
Time to discuss the reading overall, as well as any specifics
A special discussion around your goals for the quarter
A look ahead into the new year
This isn’t just a regular tarot reading – although you’ll get that too – it’s a meeting to help you make the most of the last three months of the year.
Bring a pen, paper, and set aside an hour of your time to meet with me and talk about what the tarot decides to show.
To sign up, go to the AEWCH storeby clicking here and select the offering. After you purchase the session, you will receive an email from me within 72 hours with scheduling options and information.
ACCESS IS LIMITED. Sign ups start now and go until OCTOBER 12 or until I’ve reached capacity. Please note, for the efficacy of the reading all meetings will take place before OCTOBER 16. The fee is $ 380.00
If you have any questions not answered here, please email againsteveryonewithconnerhabib at gmail
The only sponsors of this podcast are listeners. There are no advertisements, no support for products I don’t really care about. It’s just you and and me and the guests, hanging out, supporting each other in thinking, feeling, and talking.
PleasesupportthisshowwithanannualormonthlypledgeviaPatreon.com/connerhabib.Whenyouusepatreon,you’re not only supporting me, but accessinganeconomicmodelthat isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showingcareandappreciationofwhotheyare.
You can also support my efforts by subscribing to the show, giving it a warm review and 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buying my novel Hawk Mountain. THANK YOU!
Friends, Following my series of episodes on horror, now we turn to another form of art that plays on in our astral world, that world of emotions and the heart: MUSIC. For a few episodes, I’ll be talking about music with some of my favorite musicians. But these won’t be the standard chats about the latest album or touring; instead, we’ll talk about music itself and how it lives in the lives of these artists, my life, your lives, and life itself.
Each episode will also feature a spotify playlist here in the show notes, with some of my favorite songs by the featured artist. The first episode, AEWCH237, featured Will Oldham AKA Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and the second, AEWCH 238, Ian Lynch from the Irish trad-meets-drone-and-folk-horror band, Lankum.
This time, I turn to my favorite singer, NINA PERSSON, best known as the front person for the Swedish pop rock band, THE CARDIGANS. Nina is also involved in many other amazing projects, notably A CAMP (with her husband, Nathan Larson) and her recent collaboration with James Yorkston.
Nina is my very favorite live singer, so I am so, so excited to share this episode with you.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR THIS EPISODE HERE In the Round • Love Has Left the Room • Choke • Godspell • Junk of the Hearts • Gordon’s Gardenparty • The Crowning • The Bluest Eyes in Texas • A Good Horse • Mary • Song for the Leftovers • Sometimes • Never Recover • This Is Heavy Metal • Live and Learn • Please Sister • Hey! Get out of My Way • After All… • Carnival • Sam and Jeanie McGreagor • Good Morning Joan • I Can Buy You • I Need Some Fine Wine and You Need To Be Nicer • Dreaming of Houses • And Then You Kissed Me • And Then You Kissed Me II
MORE ON NINA Nina’s latest project as of this episode is her collaboration with Scottish folk musician, James Yorkston, you can find tour dates and more here. Here’s Nina performing at the Gothenburg Concert Hall with a full orchestra. Here’s an absolutely incredible performance by Nina Here’s a long documentary on The Cardigans – I’m not sure how official it is, but it collages many clips and performances across the careers of everyone in the band. And of course, who could forget The Cardigans on Beverly Hills 90210?
The only sponsors of this podcast are listeners. There are no advertisements, no support for products I don’t really care about. It’s just you and and me and the guests, hanging out, supporting each other in thinking, feeling, and talking.
PleasesupportthisshowwithanannualormonthlypledgeviaPatreon.com/connerhabib.Whenyouusepatreon,you’re not only supporting me, but accessinganeconomicmodelthat isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showingcareandappreciationofwhotheyare.
You can also support my efforts by subscribing to the show, giving it a warm review and 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buying my novel Hawk Mountain. THANK YOU!
Friends, Following my series of episodes on horror, now we turn to another form of art that plays on in our astral world, that world of emotions and the heart: MUSIC. For a few episodes, I’ll be talking about music with some of my favorite musicians. But these won’t be the standard chats about the latest album or touring; instead, we’ll talk about music itself and how it lives in the lives of these artists, my life, your lives, and life itself.
Each episode will also feature a spotify playlist here in the show notes, with some of my favorite songs by the featured artist. The first episode, AEWCH 237, featured Will Oldham AKA Bonnie “Prince” Billy.
This time around, it’s IAN LYNCH, founder of traditional weird folk horror band LANKUM and host of the FIRE DRAW NEAR podcast, on which he plays and talks about traditional (mostly Irish) music.
Ian and I talk about how music draws influence from differing experiences of time, from history, from horror and murder, and from resistance, among many, many other things. I loved walking through this landscape with Ian, and there’s so much here for you — passages and tunnels and caves — to explore as a listener, too.
As a little bonus, at the end of the episode I’ve included a version of the traditional song, False Lankum, about a strange murderous creature, the Lankum (also known as Lankin and Lankim), for which Ian’s band is named. It’s a chilling song – in this instance performed by John Reilly Jr.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR THIS EPISODE HERE The Old Man from over the Sea • The New York Trader • The Young People • Go Dig My Grave • The Sea Captain • The Granite Gaze • The Pride of Patravore • On a Monday Morning • What Will We Do When We Have No Money? • The Townie Polka • Nette Perseus • Drinking Song from the Tomb • The Turkish Reveille • Lord Abore and Mary Flynn
The only sponsors of this podcast are listeners. There are no advertisements, no support for products I don’t really care about. It’s just you and and me and the guests, hanging out, supporting each other in thinking, feeling, and talking.
Please support this show with an annual or monthly pledge via Patreon.com/connerhabib.Whenyouusepatreon,you’re not only supporting me, but accessinganeconomicmodelthat isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showingcareandappreciationofwhotheyare.
You can also support my efforts by subscribing to the show, giving it a warm review and 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buying my novel Hawk Mountain. THANK YOU!
Friends, Leaving the series of episodes on horror, now we’ll turn to another form of art that plays on in our astral world, that world of emotions and the heart: MUSIC. For a few episodes, I’ll be talking about music with some of my favorite musicians. But these won’t be the standard chats about the latest album or touring; instead, we’ll talk about music itself and how it lives in the lives of these artists, my life, your lives, and life itself.
Each episode will also feature a spotify playlist here in the show notes, with some of my favorite songs by the featured artist.
To kick it off, I talk with someone who has played so many kinds of music and created so many different sorts of songs. WILL OLDHAM, also known as BONNIE “PRINCE” BILLY, is one of the most thoughtful and prolific musical artists of our time.
If you’re unfamiliar with Will’s output, it comes in many assemblages and sounds and songs across nearly three decades. In his primary body of work as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, but also in dozens of directly collaborative works with other artists like Bill Callahan, Tortoise, Matt Sweeney, Dawn McCarthy, and more. He’s also made multiple albums under the band names Palace, Palace Music, Place Brothers, and more. Additionally, Will has been in movies, TV, music videos, and has written and been featured in several books, including the book of (most of) Will’s lyrics – at turns beautiful, sorrowful, absurd, hilarious – Songs of Love and Horror: Collected Lyrics of Will Oldham.
There is so much in the episode, friends. I am so happy to share it with you, and to start this series.
One with the Birds • Behold! Be Held! • Work Hard/Play Hard • OD’d in Denver • Love Comes To Me • Willow, Pine and Oak • West Palm Beach • Devoted to You • Life in Muscle • Love is the first law • There are worms in your circle • We Won’t Go Quietly • Unlearning Chant • Kidnapped by Neptune • All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands • Rubin and Cherise • Kentucky is Water •
Advertisements from sponsors don’t fit with the mission of this podcast. So I ask listeners if they’d like to support the show by sharing what they can via patreon. The best way to support this show, my writing, my events & courses, is to give an annual or monthly pledge to Patreon.com/connerhabib. You can also subscribe to the show and give it a 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buy my novel Hawk Mountain.
When you use patreon, you’re not only supporting me, but accessing an economic model that isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showing care and appreciation of who they are.
Friends, Celebrating the release of my novel Hawk Mountain in paperback, I’ve been talking with creators of my favorite genre, HORROR. Now to conclude the series, I’ve reposted my episode from October of 2022 on the spiritual life of horror. It’s a fitting conclusion to the series, summarizing my contemplation on the genre and what it offers from my spiritual perspective. And it has lots of recommendations for books and films you might not know.
Previous episodes in the series were: AEWCH 235 with C.J. Leede and Paul Tremblay, AEWCH 234 with John Langan and Sophie White, AEWCH 233 featured writers Nathan Ballingrud and Sara Gran, and the first was AEWCH 232, with cosmic horror writer and scholar Matt Cardin.
This series of episodes was such an enriching journey through horror and its offerings, thank you for joining me on it.
Advertisementsfromsponsorsdon‘tfitwiththemissionofthispodcast.SoIasklistenersifthey‘dliketosupporttheshowbysharingwhattheycanviapatreon.Thebestwaytosupportthisshow,my writing, my events & courses, is to give an annual or monthly pledge to Patreon.com/connerhabib.You can also subscribe to the show and give it a 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buymynovelHawkMountain.
When you use patreon, you’re not only supporting me, but accessing an economic model that isn’t about paying people for their labor, and instead showing care and appreciation of who they are.
Friends, Celebrating the release of my novel Hawk Mountain in paperback, I’ll be talking with creators of my favorite genre, HORROR. There are few genres that have inspired such a furor of regulation, stigma, and anger. Horror is regulated by governments, has been the topic of countless moralistic exams rations and moral panics, has been blamed for disintegrating societies, and more. Horror itself horrifies. And when horror does become accepted, at best it is said by critics to “transcend the genre.” Which means it’s really just transcending the stigma the critics have by re-asserting it. But who am I to talk about beleaguered horror? The fact is, it is also wildly popular. Even a terrible horror movie can be quite popular, and the most consistently bestselling author of all time is a horror writer. What does that mean? Across these episodes, I’ll be talking about horror in its many forms: cosmic horror, body horror, suburban horror, monster horror, possession horror, and more.
Previous episodes in the series were AEWCH 234 with John Langan and Sophie White, AEWCH233 featured writers Nathan Ballingrud and Sara Gran, and the first was AEWCH232, with cosmic horror writer and scholar Matt Cardin.
Writing horror brings in all the elements that we might not want to deal with in everyday life – particularly evil and violence. And it also brings in that aspect of life we have an uneasy alliance and longing for: sex. It’s a lot of un-illuminated corridors to walk down, much less lead others down. As horror writers, we feel our ways through. It can bring nightmares, fear for your own stability, a sense of deep responsibility, and more.
So… of course I wanted to talk about it. That led to my great conversation with a seasoned master of horror and a new and powerful voice: PAUL TREMBLAY and CJLEEDE!
Paul was last on the show on AEWCH 158 when we did a deep dive into his work. This was, of course, before his excellent horror novel The Cabin at the End of the Worldwas adapted into the film A Knock at the Cabindirected by M. Night Shyamalan. His latest book is a collection of formally experimental, wild, and frighteningly heartbreaking stories, The Beast You Are. CJ is a newly published horror author, whose novel of compulsion and sadismMaeve Fly has been an instant hit, with its shocking blend of Los Angeles pacific vibes, brutal murder, the happiest theme park on Earth, and American psychosis.
This is such a lively and deep conversation, I’m so excited to share it with you.
SHOW NOTES
WHAT OTHER EPISODE SHOULD YOU LISTEN TO? While it may not seem germane to the topic, AEWCH 130 with Oein DeBhairduin ties into this episode in a crucial way: we talk about the livingness of stories. How do they speak to us? How do they want us to announce them? I think about that in terms of stories of the horrific – what might it mean if horror has its own life?
MORE ON CJ and PAUL For more on Paul, go to his website. Here’s a good interview with Paul at Gridmark Magazine, and another one in legendary horror magazine Cemetery Dance. And my very favorite novel of Paul’s (one of my favorite horror novels!) is the sinister and tragic Disappearance at Devil’s Rock. CJ is starting a new series of book reviews on her instagram account and on an account with her partner Kyle Kouri. And here’s CJ’s website.
Advertisements from sponsors don’t fit with the mission of this podcast. So I ask listeners if they’d like to support the show by sharing what they can via patreon. The best way to support this show, my writing, my events & courses, is to give an annual or monthly pledge to Patreon.com/connerhabib. You can also subscribe to the show and give it a 5-Star writing on Apple Podcasts, as well as buy my novel Hawk Mountain.
Friends, Celebrating the release of my novel Hawk Mountain in paperback, I’ll be talking with creators of my favorite genre, HORROR. There are few genres that have inspired such a furor of regulation, stigma, and anger. Horror is regulated by governments, has been the topic of countless moralistic exams rations and moral panics, has been blamed for disintegrating societies, and more. Horror itself horrifies. And when horror does become accepted, at best it is said by critics to “transcend the genre.” Which means it’s really just transcending the stigma the critics have by re-asserting it. But who am I to talk about beleaguered horror? The fact is, it is also wildly popular. Even a terrible horror movie can be quite popular, and the most consistently bestselling author of all time is a horror writer. What does that mean? Across these episodes, I’ll be talking about horror in its many forms: cosmic horror, body horror, suburban horror, monster horror, possession horror, and more.
The previous episode in the series was AEWCH 233 featuring writers Nathan Ballingrud and Sara Gran. The first was AEWCH232, with cosmic horror writer and scholar Matt Cardin.
Youdon‘thavetoknowmuchhorrororevenlikehorrortofollowalongwiththeseepisodes; because horror locates itself in our lives in many ways – and that’s what I talk about at length in this episode. It locates itself in our lives in histories of violence, and of the supernatural. In our bodies, which in some ways are a site of daily horror. And in our loved ones – in their presence, absence, and our fear of both.
To discuss these sites of horror, I asked two prolific and award-winning writers on the show, JOHNLANGANandSOPHIEWHITE.
John is perhaps best known for his Bram Stoker-winning novel, The Fisherman, composed of horror stories within horror stories as different characters deal with loss and a grotesque and supernatural presence in nearby waters. He’s also the author of numerous (excellent!) short story collections, the most recent of which is Corpsemouth and Other Autobiographies.
WHAT OTHER EPISODE SHOULD YOU LISTEN TO? Speaking of fairies and witches, here’s my discussion with Irish witchcraft scholar, Andrew Sneddon, on AEWCH 186. On the episode, we discuss why what looks like fairies in Ireland might be witchcraft somewhere else and vice versa.
WHAT BOOK SHOULD YOU READ? To get an idea of how monsters, tradition, and horror can inhere and explode in a place, read The Burning of Bridget Cleary: A True Story by Angela Bourke – about a woman who was killed by her husband after he suspected her of being a a fairy.
MORE ON JOHN AND SOPHIE John’s website is here, where, among other things, he reviews other horror writers’ works. Along with the books mentioned above, he’s the author of many others. One of my favorites is The Wide Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies which features a great story about a space vampire.
Conner Habib 