Dreaming the Ancestors

Tara Brading

An intimate journey of remembering and reclaiming ancestral stories, feminine wisdom, and earth magic. Throughout the series, I talk with guests from Ireland & the British Isles about ancestral dreaming and remembering as a pathway back to reverent ways of living in the modern world. Through stories, teachings, and personal sharing we’ll discover the greater possibility of who we can be in this time of planetary change.

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20 episodes
Updated Dec 8, 2025
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Dec 8, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Keening, the Cailleach, and Harnessing the Medicine of Grief ~ Sionnáin (Michelle Shannon)
In this episode, Sionnáin shares wisdom about the Irish caoine (keen), which is an old grief ritual performed at funerals by rural Irish women called the Mná Chaointe. This tradition reminds us that grief is a sacred, somatic, and communal experience that belongs to everyone. Although the tradition has largely died out in Ireland, it’s being remembered and revived by women like Sionnáin to help us move through personal and collective grief, so we can harness the medicine of grief in these times. Sionnáin also shares wisdom about the Cailleach, who’s an ancient crone Goddess from Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The Cailleach holds the wisdom of both life and death, creation and destruction. She often initiates us through loss and grief—but when we’re brave enough to surrender into her embrace, she offers precious gifts and blessings. Although the Cailleach can be fierce, Sionnáin also talks about her softness, honoring her as the loving grandmother we all need. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Oct 7, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Reviving the Village, the Roundhouse, and the Ancestral Council ~ Veronica Stanwell
In this episode, Veronica Stanwell joins me to explore the importance of gathering in council and community to meet these increasingly chaotic times. Together, we dive into what it means to reconnect with the roundhouse—the circular dwelling of our British and Irish heritage—and the profound wisdom that emerges when we become receptive to the ancestors’ guidance. Veronica also talks about the ancestral immersions she hosts in the Welsh rainforest, where participants gather in a reconstructed roundhouse to experience ancestral village life. We explore what happens when we sit in council with both our human and non-human kin, as a way of remedying the isolation of modernity. Veronica offers grounded wisdom on creating meaningful community despite the demands of contemporary living, and we discuss the importance of right-relationship, reciprocity, and slowing down enough to truly listen. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jul 14, 2025 · 47 min
Healing Intergenerational Legacies of Female Deprivation ~ Michaela from Rooted Feminine Wellness
In this episode, Michaela from Rooted Feminine Wellness talks about women’s bodies, women’s health, and matriarchal healing. Together, we dive into some of the stories and beliefs that have been passed down through the lineage about our bodies, and explore what it means to break free from legacies of female deprivation. To live in a way that truly honors and nourishes our bodies is revolutionary, and heals generations of patriarchal oppression and colonial wounding. Michaela talks about this in an Irish context, and encourages women to re-write the story of starvation and unwellness, to one where we are deeply nourished, fed, and sustained. If you’ve been struggling with burnout, chronic illness, or general feelings of fatigue and unwellness, this episode is for you. May this conversation empower you to prioritize feminine wellness and come home to your body. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Apr 2, 2025 · 54 min
Welsh Spirituality and Cultural Appropriation ~ Gwilym Morus-Baird
In this episode, we dive into the topic of Welsh spirituality and cultural appropriation. For anyone interested in honoring their Welsh or English heritage in heartfelt and respectful ways, this episode is for you as we talk about the importance of distinguishing these two distinct cultures. There’s currently a lot of interest in the “Celtic” traditions, which often leads people to the Welsh traditions; a culture full of myth, tradition, and spiritual teachings that bring forth a meaningful sense of ancestral connection in the modern world. However, there’s often a lack of understanding about “Celtic” spirituality that leads to cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. Gwilym offers a grounded and meaningful explanation of these topics, while uplifting Welsh spirituality in a modern context. We also talk about history, language, myth, and the importance of transforming ourselves through the wisdom of these ancestral teachings. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Feb 21, 2025 · 50 min
Animism, Archeology, and The Ancient Pretani People of Britain ~ Sam MacLaren
There’s a lot of interest at the moment in connecting with our ancient past, and reviving the “Old Ways” of our earth-honoring ancestors. And while there’s so much we can learn from the past, it can be all too easy to romanticize or misinterpret our ancestral history. In this episode Sam weaves together archeology, animism and academia to demystify Britain’s ancient peoples, offering grounded insights into our native spirituality free from romantic projections. She shares beautiful wisdom about the nine elements that were honored in different Indo-European cultures, likely including the Pretanī people of ancient Britain. She also gives clear examples of how our ancestors honored these nine elements, and offers an overview of the Pretanī people as a whole; more commonly, and incorrectly, known as the “Celts”. If you’re someone who enjoys learning about archaeology and history from an academic perspective, along with a good dash of spirituality and mysticism, this episode is for you. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Dec 11, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Sacred Kingship, Initiation, and Healing the Division between Men & Women ~ Niall Graham
In this episode, Niall is deeply vulnerable in sharing about his own mental health journey and his discovery of what it means to be a man. He discusses the significance of the Mother Wound for men, and men’s deep longing to be initiated by the feminine. He also expresses the need for strong men who are committed to their inner healing, and becoming the men that the world needs. Niall recognizes the disconnection between men and “feminine” principles, such as compassion and emotion. This is something that’s been programmed and bullied into men, locking down decades of fear, pain, and hurt. Many men don’t know where or how to begin healing these wounds; wounds that have a profound ripple effect into their relationship with women. We have a really potent conversion about healing the divide between men and women, looking at heterosexual relationships in particular. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Nov 13, 2024 · 42 min
Alchemy, Folk Medicine, and Tending the Sacred Waters ~ Charlotte Pulver
In this episode, Charlotte weaves together the story of alchemy and her journey to revive the folk medicine of her lineage. Her ancestors were apothecarists for many generations before being persecuted for their knowledge; a tradition that Charlotte has lovingly reclaimed. Although her lifelong interest in making medicines brought her to many different cultures around the world, it was in returning to the British Isles and rooting into her own heritage that she found her deepest calling. She passionately describes connecting to the consciousness of plants as a gateway to the ancestors, and how making medicines is an ancient alchemical process with a long history in the lands we now call England, and especially in Glastonbury. She also discusses how she came to tend wells and waterways in the city of London, and reminds us that everyone can work with the sacred waters, even in urban environments. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Sep 28, 2024 · 49 min
Rewilding, Ancestral Lifeways, and Ecological Repair ~ Lucy Ní hAodhagáin
In this episode, Lucy Ní hAodhagáin (they/she) shares how living in conscious relationship with the land has the power to revive our innate wildness, our sense of belonging, and the wisdom of the ancestors. In Lucy’s early life in Belfast, they would journey into the wild to feel a sense of safety and connection. Over time, their passion for the natural world and ancestral ways of life awakened them to the sacredness of the plants, animals, and even their own body. In recognizing that we are inseparable from nature, Lucy teaches that decolonization and ecological repair are possible. This conversation with Lucy will inspire you to create your own relationship with the land, our more than human kin, and the foods that nourish us. Through this deep ancestral remembering we can heal our Grandmother Earth, and by returning to the earth-honoring ways of our ancestors, we can also return to ourselves. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
May 17, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Harnessing imbas forosnai (divine inspiration) for sacred activism ~ Laura Murphy
In this episode, Laura Murphy shares wisdom about her sacred activism journey and the ways in which she harnesses the ancient Irish practice of imbas forosnai (divine inspiration) in her work to create social change. The Irish spirit is a revolutionary one, and Laura speaks about the intersection of spirituality and activism in Irish history, highlighting the lives of key figures from the Celtic Revival at the end of the 1800s and early 1900s. Laura’s writing and poetry is at the forefront of her work, and she has become a powerful voice for Ireland’s Mother and Baby Home and Magdalene Laundry survivors after writing a letter to the Taoiseach (Ireland’s head of Parliament) which received national and international attention. She’s also a strong advocate for Palestine, and we speak about the importance of speaking up in these times. This episode is both highly informative and deeply personal as Laura shares her initiatory experience of leaving the corporate world during a health crisis. This dark night of the soul changed her life in profound ways, setting her firmly on the path of imbas forosnai, sacred activism, and destiny. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Mar 28, 2024 · 56 min
Reviving the Proto-Celtic Language & the Ancient Ways of Woman ~ Carolyn Hillyer
In this episode, Carolyn Hillyer shares wisdom about living on the wild lands of Dartmoor and her process of reviving and reimagining the Proto-Celtic language; a language spoken by ancient ancestors across various parts of Europe, including the British Isles. Carolyn’s work has awakened in me, and many others, a sense of what our Indigenous tongue might have been before the Anglo-Saxons came. There is a bone-deep ancestral remembering that happens in the presence of the Proto-Celtic language—in the speaking, singing and listening of it—that is difficult to put into words. During the episode Carolyn shares a song she has written in Proto-Celtic, an ancestral prayer, and ancient rememberings she’s received from the ancestors. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jul 3, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Welsh Witchcraft & Women of Welsh Mythology ~ Mhara Starling
Wales is a country full of legends and myths about the spiritual world; stories of sacred lakes, healing herbs, women of magic, and the mighty red dragon. The Land remembers these stories and the ancient ways of mystery and magic; traditions that have their roots in old Brythonic Britain. There are some fierce and magical women in Wales’s ancient mythology who embody the archetype of the Witch in a variety of ways. In this episode, Mhara shares deep wisdom about some of these mythic women (such as Cerridwen, Rhiannon, and Arianrhod) and the Welsh magical traditions at large. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Apr 26, 2023 · 57 min
Irish Tree Wisdom, Plant Magic & Land Tending ~ Aoife Ní hEochaidh Réamainn
In the midst of rapid technological advancements, there is an ancient whisper that calls to many of us...a calling to return to the wisdom of the earth and the sacred technology of nature. A calling to reconnect with the land in the heartfelt ways of our ancestors. A calling to remember the medicine of the plants and trees, and how to heal ourselves as we heal the earth. In this episode, Aoife Ní hEochaidh Réamainn talks about working with trees and plants in sacred ways, her experiences of tending the land, and how being in intimate relationship with nature can support our return to wholeness. She also shares her reflections on the Irish people as "people of the trees" and healing Ireland's colonial past through the wisdom of the earth. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Nov 24, 2022 · 50 min
Pathways of Belonging & Courting the Sacred ~ Isla Macleod
In this time of displacement, disconnection and overwhelm, so many people are longing for meaningful ways to belong. The questions that we hold close to our hearts are things like: What does it mean to belong to this earth? What does it mean to have roots? What does it mean to belong to my lineage, my ancestors, my cultural heritage? For those of you who feel this longing to belong, you know how deep it goes. In this podcast episode with Isla Macleod, we explore some of the pathways to courageously heal our sense of un-belonging. We talk about remembering our heritage and courting the sacred through earth reverence, altar spaces, ritual, and more. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jun 30, 2022 · 49 min
Modern-Day Druidry and Rites of Passage ~ Eimear Burke
In this podcast episode I speak with Eimear Burke, a Druid and Seanchaí (storyteller) as well as the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD). We talk about the importance of Rites of Passage and how Druidry can help to inspire and inform rituals to mark moments of significance in our lives. In the Western world we sometimes lose track of the most important moments in our lives—transitional and transformational moments such as giving birth, menopause, divorce or breakups, marriage or commitment, death of a loved one, an important achievement, getting sober, menses, and so many other moments. We often don’t give these Rites of Passage the true presence and meaning that they deserve, and in this episode we discuss how the earth-honoring pathway of Druidry can help us to uplift these moments as modern women. We also discuss what it means to walk the Druidic path in the modern world and how to create more meaning in our everyday lives through ritual and ceremony. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
May 4, 2022 · 56 min
Midwifery, Motherhood & Scottish Folk Medicine ~ Nicola Goodall
In this conversation, I talk with Nicola Goodall about the importance of midwives in the birthing process for mothers, and the ways that Scottish folk medicine weaves into the ancient tradition of midwifery. Nicola shares her wealth of wisdom about the sacredness of birthing, and ways to support this important rite of passage for mothers. She also shares wisdom about the persecution of midwives during the Witch Hunts and the ways that these atrocities have impacted women’s medicine. Last but not least, we have a discussion about the importance of mothers being nourished and supported, especially in these times of overwhelm and isolation. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jan 22, 2022 · 56 min
Reclaiming the Mythos of our Feminine Bodies ~ Jen Murphy
In this episode with Jen Murphy, we dive into the connection between mythology and the feminine body, with a special focus on the myths of ancient Ireland. As women, we are indoctrinated into so many false narratives about our bodies from a very young age...stories that can take us away from the true essence of who we are and our embodied wisdom. We are living in powerful times where we can re-write these stories and reclaim the power of living embodiment. Tales of the mythic feminine and her archetypal energies can help guide us back to buried and forgotten aspects of self...breathing life into a felt-sense of sacredness & sovereignty that sings in our blood and bones. In this conversation we talk about ancient mythology, ancestral embodiment, the power of the mythic feminine, reclaiming the wisdom of our bodies, and re-wilding ourselves as women. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Sep 22, 2021 · 59 min
The Wisdom of Women & Water ~ Dr. Karen Ward
In this episode with Dr. Karen Ward, founder of Moon Mná, we talk about the sacred connection between women and water in the ancient Irish tradition. There's a vital connection between women, water and flow which is encoded into our bodies. We flow with the menstrual cycle, connecting us to the cycles of Grandmother Moon who holds sway over the tides. We flow with the rhythms of our sexual fluids. We carry sacred womb waters that hold our beloved babies in utero. These living connections are reflected back to us in nature. Lakes and wells are womblike in nature, representing the sacred waters of Great Mother, Mother Earth. The rivers are a flowing symbol of Life, just as the fluids flow from our sacred womb space. Within the Irish landscape, there are many bodies of water that carry the names of ancient goddesses and stories of the mythic feminine. In this podcast episode, Karen and I dive into some of the sacred myths and traditions of Ireland that have connected women and water since time immemorial...a conversation that will awaken you to your own connection with the sacred waters. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Sep 1, 2021 · 50 min
Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Goddess ~ Kathy Jones
In this episode with Kathy Jones, founder of the Glastonbury Goddess Temple, we speak about reclaiming the wisdom of the Goddess. For too long the Goddess has been forgotten, degraded and denigrated as patriarchal thinking has dominated our world culture. This has occurred in parallel with the oppression of women through the control of women’s bodies and physical expression, and the repression of women’s spiritual, emotional and creative energies. In these transformational times of change the sacred feminine is rising. The Goddess is calling us to step into our power as an act of love and devotion; to ourselves, our communities, and the planet. As part of this conversation we’ll also talk about the sacred lands of Avalon and some of the history, myth and tradition of Goddess reverence in Glastonbury. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jul 21, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Ireland's Ancient Astronomers ~ Anthony Murphy
Imagine living in a time when there was no artificial light. When there was true darkness in the sky, when there were no high rise buildings blocking your view of the celestial realms. A time when you knew exactly where the sun would rise at different times of the year. When you could recognize the planets and the constellations, and you would sit outside during the night and watch their movements across the skies. In the modern world, so many of us have become disconnected with the skies. We’ve lost our bearings, so to speak. But Anthony is someone who has really reconnected to this wisdom in such a beautiful and meaningful way. In this episode, we'll dive into the topic of Ireland's ancient astronomers, and the archeological and literary evidence they left behind. P.S. Anthony talks quite a bit about the sacred site of Newgrange - if you're not familiar with this ancient monument, you can take a look and learn more about it here. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.
Jul 14, 2021 · 1 hr 14 min
Sacred Song Traditions of Ireland ~ Mary McLaughlin
In this episode with Mary McLaughlin we discuss Ireland's incredibly rich culture and heritage when it comes to traditional music and sacred song traditions. Sacred songs have been important to our ancestors throughout history from all around the world. They hold an important piece of culture and tradition as they are passed down through the generations. They have the ability to bring people together in community and connect with a shared sense of identity and belonging. They open our hearts to the stories of old and sacred currents of living wisdom. Mary is an Irish Singer, Songwriter, and Teacher with an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise, specializing in Ulster sean-nós singing. She carries the sacred song traditions of Ireland with so much beauty and grace, which you will experience for yourself in this episode. If you enjoy this podcast episode, please consider rating or reviewing Dreaming the Ancestors, so other like-minded souls can find these conversations. To learn more about Tara's work, visit www.tara-wild.com. For the offerings mentioned at the end of the episode, visit www.tara-wild.com/getstarted.