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Pull up a chair. We’re closing out the year by getting honest about how this show began, what we’ve learned, and why belonging often shows up in the smallest moments—a song in the kitchen, a plate of rice and beans, a hand that knows your name without words. After thanking the people who carried us—listeners, sponsors, friends, and the one who keeps the lights on behind the scenes—I share a vulnerable reading of Homecoming, my first published story about growing up Dominican in South Dakota and driving back to a town that felt both mine and not mine.

If you’ve ever lived between cultures, wrestled with identity, or loved someone across a language, you’ll hear yourself here. We talk heritage, immigration, chosen family, memory, and the work of making space for Many Voices at One Table. Come for the story, stay for the warmth, and leave with a renewed sense that you don’t have to choose a single place to belong. If this moved you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find a seat at the table.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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We explore two-spirit balance, the difference between soul and spirit, and a grounded understanding of divine counterparts over trend-driven “twin flames.” Music becomes medicine as OwlSnake builds and plays a frame drum, sharing tools, ceremony, and a call to remember who we are

• soul as lifetime vessel, spirit as enduring core
• divine counterpart as service and growth, not romance
• two-spirit roles as balance, responsibility, and community care
• moving beyond Western gender labels toward Indigenous teachings
• music and drum as journey tool and vibration for healing
• how drum circles guide students into presence and connection
• making a frame drum with intention, blessing, and natural materials
• ceremony tools including chant, peace pipe, feathers, and staff
• choosing love over fear to expand consciousness
• open invitation for questions without judgment

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Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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OwlSnake is a Two-Spirit medicine person, a hollow bone for Spirit, and a way-shower. She comes from a long line of healers and learned early on that she could receive messages from her ancestors and guide others toward deeper self-understanding. In this opening episode of Season 2, Ana welcomes OwlSnake into the Tradition Café for an intimate and grounding conversation about identity, ceremony, and the responsibilities that come with stepping into one’s gifts.

OwlSnake’s lineage weaves together Indigenous Nations of North America, the Caribbean, and West Africa—Muscogee, Choctaw, Cherokee, Taíno, and Benin—alongside her Scottish ancestry. She speaks about how these roots shape her medicine work and what it means to move through the world as someone who listens deeply, carries responsibility with humility, and helps others find their way home. The conversation acknowledges the long histories of trauma her ancestors endured, including the Trail of Tears and the Middle Passage, and how those experiences continue to inform resilience, healing, and cultural memory today.

Their discussion also unpacks how historical labels—such as the classification of Muscogee, Choctaw, and Cherokee peoples (along with the Seminole and Chickasaw) as the “Five Civilized Tribes”—flattened the depth, diversity, and sovereignty of these Nations. OwlSnake reflects on the teachings and resilience carried through her ancestors, and how each lineage informs the work she does today.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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Shadows of Samhain — The Story Behind Halloween

When the veil thins and the fires burn low, Tradition Café celebrates Halloween’s roots and stories — marking the turn of the season, not the end of the journey.

As Samhain marks the turning of the year — the closing of one season and the quiet beginning of another — Tradition Café pauses to close its own circle. In this episode, we explore the origins of Halloween: from ancient Celtic rites and medieval customs to the spirited traditions that still echo today. And as a special treat, we end with “The Tale of Nero,” an adapted Celtic folktale, read by Jordan Torrey.

From bonfires and costumes to the veil between worlds, discover how ancient beliefs shaped the playful and mysterious celebration we know now. Whether you’re lighting a candle, carving a pumpkin, or simply listening, join us as we honor endings, beginnings, and the stories that bind them together.

Thank you for joining us this season. We’ll be back with more episodes on heritage, culture, traditions, and community — but for now, may your Samhain be bright, your Halloween full of wonder, and your circle unbroken.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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Solitary, witty, and steeped in Celtic tradition — Cecilia keeps her magic private, her humor sharp, and her Scottish ancestors’ horse-thieving ways alive in story. She finally joins the podcast, and it’s unforgettable.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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This week on Tradition Cafe, we sit down with Carrie Madarang, a magnetic Filipina American whose heritage and personal journey have shaped a life full of joy, growth, and transformation.

Carrie shares how embracing her roots has opened up new perspectives and opportunities, and how earth-based traditions—from Celtic to Filipino—inform her life and work, including ceremonies like weddings and celebrations of life. We dive into big life changes, the pursuit of happiness, and the ways her cultural identity and spiritual practice inspire those around her.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, joy, or a fresh perspective on heritage, transformation, and ritual, this conversation will leave you uplifted, reflective, and ready to embrace your own roots.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The influence of Filipina American heritage on personal growth
• How embracing cultural and earth-based traditions can transform your worldview
• The power of happiness and joy as a daily practice
• How rituals and ceremonies deepen connection and meaning

Links & Resources:

• Follow Carrie Madarang on Facebook: Ceremonies by CM
• Contact Carrie: ceremoniesbycm@gmail.com
• Listen to more episodes of Tradition Cafe: www.traditioncafe.com
• Please Like, Follow, and Subscribe!
• THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT! Go ahead and leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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In this episode of Tradition Cafe, Ana sits down with Lillian Quinata to explore the rich history and culture of Guam. They discuss the lasting impact of generational trauma on the Chamorro people, the importance of preserving the Chamorro language, and the island’s deep respect for family traditions and elders.

Ana and Lillian also examine Guam’s complex history of colonization—from centuries under Spanish rule to Japanese occupation during World War II, including the suffering endured in concentration camps, and finally becoming a U.S. territory. They reflect on the significance of Liberation Day, Guam’s annual celebration of freedom and cultural pride.

Join them as they uncover personal stories, cultural traditions, and reflections on identity that highlight the enduring spirit of Guam and its people.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.

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In this episode of Tradition Café, Ana shares the mic with her amazing work bestie, Violeta del Carmen—the friend who can make you laugh with a single meme but also carries a deep love for her heritage.

Violeta opens up about her Mexican and Salvadoran roots, and the traditions that keep her grounded—like visiting cemeteries on Día de los Muertos to honor loved ones, showing respect for elders, filling gatherings with music, and cooking the foods that bring family together. She is a talented cook who keeps her culture alive in the kitchen, where every dish is a story.

Along the way, the conversation touches on the deeper meaning of Mexican traditions—how rituals like Día de los Muertos blend indigenous and Catholic beliefs, why music is a living symbol of identity, and how honoring elders preserves wisdom across generations.

It’s a lively mix of laughter, heritage, and reflection—a reminder that cultural roots are more than memory; they are living guides for how we celebrate, love, and live today.

So grab your cafecito, horchata, or maybe even a cocktail—and join us for a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thank you for listening to Tradition Cafe. Visit www.traditioncafe.com for blog posts, news, and links, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for videos and updates.