In our first episode of 2026, I am joined by Jimmy Maldonado who is a an Indigenous ceremonial piercer at Wolf and Goat Piercing in Denver, CO. He is also the sole survivor of a mass shooting. We get into a lot of topics during our hour chat, but ultimately, this episode is a testament to how art, ancestry, community, culture, movement, grief, and using our gifts/medicine can help us through the most unimaginable circumstances. It was really fun, and also a deep honor to connect with such a force in this world, and I can’t wait for you to imbibe every bit of wisdom that he shared with me during our time together. 

You can learn more and connect with Jimmy and his work here: 

https://www.instagram.com/corazon_de_tecpatl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.instagram.com/tecpatl23?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

In memory of Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado and Alicia Cardenas 🕯️

I had the pleasure of sitting with Emmi a few weeks ago after being connected through Instagram for several years. There is so much I enjoyed about our conversation, but what I loved the most is how genuine and raw Emmi is.

She is a British writer who, unsurprisingly, happens to also be a deep thinker and feeler. She is authentically verbose, cheeky, and careful. She cares…a lot. She is my friend from “across the pond” and I am excited for you all to know her. 

Connect to Emmi Banks here: 

https://www.instagram.com/e.e.banks?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Connect to The Death Alchemist here: 

https://www.instagram.com/thedeathalchemist?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

A quick confessional. Observations. Feelings. What sprouted up after an impromptu deep dive into my archival series called “Death’s Diary” 

A few examples:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOQFQMxjoVL/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHw6OfNRdOM/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGt51zFyekn/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_6Ig_z3od/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Our inaugural guest episode! I truly loved every minute of this vulnerable, sweet, and funny conversation with The Waning Moon Witch, Diana Steele (future author, psychic medium, horror film lover, and more) Some of the topics and stories we discuss touch upon: 

Grief

Literature 

Reincarnation

Self-acceptance

Spirit visitations

Trusting your intuition

Dreams with the dead

Connect to The Waning Moon Witch here:

https://www.instagram.com/thewaningmoonwitch?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Connect to The Death Alchemist here: 

https://www.instagram.com/thedeathalchemist?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

“Because you can jail a revolutionary, but you can’t jail the revolution. You can run a freedom fighter around the country but you can’t run freedom fighting around the country. You can murder a liberator, but you can’t murder liberation.”

— Fred Hampton

The date is January 12, 2026. I decided to re-listen to the first episode of my radio show (August 15, 2025) and fuck if it doesn’t speak to what a lot of us have on our minds right now: legacy as a mirror, community, colonial thinking, and the spirit of our leaders.

This episode is dedicated to every single revolutionary, alive and dead, and to all who are inspired by them. May their memory and way of being continue to light the way for us all.

In this first solo episode, I get into the many iterations and emotions behind our understanding of inheritance, legacy, and what we leave behind while still alive. 

I also answer a listener’s questions and share a bit of my own personal lore.

All of our relationships, romantic or otherwise, hold meaning. This does not vanish when someone leaves our lives. So, where does the love go? What do we do with these ambiguous endings?

"The fear of death is also the fear of life." This week, we're journeying through the 'primordial soup' with Adriana Michelle, The Death Alchemist.

Adriana's compassionate storytelling and unique perspective offers us a chance to explore death and grief through the lens of cultural heritage and ancestral connection. With her mission to create a space where these difficult conversations can happen with care, Adriana brings both her personal and professional experiences to the table, guiding us through the importance of honoring our ancestors and finding tools to navigate life’s transitions.

Dreams and Spirit Visitation

There are several instances throughout this conversation that required clarification and deeper understanding. We (Claudia and I) discussed this post-production and we decided to keep in these moments throughout this episode that we didn't necessarily feel great about BECAUSE it is real. 

Happy Full Moon in Virgo! Join us (Claudia & Adriana) as we discuss the films - Amelie, Bennie & Joon, and Poor Things -  and explore the magical, raw, liberating emotions that come through with following your true path.

A passionate, late night episode on the parallels (ahem heavily inspired!) between Saltburn and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

A look at unconventional love stories in film.

In this deep episode, we explore Adriana's memories of Mexicali, the enduring wisdom of her abuelita Fernanda, and the solace she finds in film. We unpack the role of death as a character in our lives, how movies like "My Girl" "Ghost" and "Sixth Sense" shape our understanding of grief. We also discuss the healing power of ancestral foods and traditions and the importance of reconnecting with our roots to heal our lineage.

What happens when two death doulas get chatting? Pure magic! Adriana Michelle, a.k.a The Death Alchemist, is a death doula, Transition & Rebirth Doula, and Storyteller.  Elena and Adriana discuss how to create Power Places to move through grief. Adriana was born in San Diego, raised in Mexico, and is currently living in New Orleans where she offers grief walking, transition readings, and monthly online grief meetings.