Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter cover art

Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter

Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter

Written by: Lex&T
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Lex and T both have a deep fascination and respect for worlds of fantasy, different mythologies, and different practices of faith. They're also librarians and have the skills and willingness to do ALL of the research! While this may not be a "Charmed" re-watch podcast; and, while their comments will include plenty of opinion, they’ll also be sharing researched facts, background, and support as they explore the different facets of the show. Buckle in and join them as they explore the world of the Charmed Ones!Lex&T Art
Episodes
  • Who Let the Banshee Out? Grief, Demons, and the Brain

    Who Let the Banshee Out? Grief, Demons, and the Brain
    Jun 4 2026
    In this episode, we dive into the Charmed season 3 episode “Look Who’s Barking” and use its banshee big bad as a portal into real‑world folklore and grief science. Drawing on Irish legends of the banshee as a messenger of death, we compare the show’s demonized version to the older stories that inspired it, then turn to psychology and neuroscience research to explore what actually happens in your brain and body when you’re grieving. Along the way, we talk about how popular culture reshapes myth, why the “inner cry” of pain resonates so strongly, and what current research suggests about living with loss.TRIGGER WARNING: Themes of death, grief, and loss, including real-world experiences of bereavement.Learn More: American Brain Foundation. (n.d.). How tragedy affects the brain. American Brain Foundation. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/ American Heart Association News. (2021, March 9). How grief rewires the brain and can affect health—and what to do about it. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/10/how-grief-rewires-the-brain-and-can-affect-health-and-what-to-do-about-it American Psychological Association. (2022, March 29). How grieving changes the brain, with Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD [Audio podcast episode]. In Speaking of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/grieving-changes-brain Atsma, A. (n.d.). Keres. Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Keres.htmlA-Z Animals. (n.d.). These animals are used to represent death. A-Z Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/slideshows/these-animals-are-used-to-represent-death/ Bird History. (2023, October 15). When birds mean death. Bird History. https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/when-birds-mean-death Chatterjee, R. (2021, December 20). How grief and loss affect the brain, and how we can heal. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/20/1056741090/grief-loss-holiday-brain-healing Discover Magazine. (n.d.). Why do these 6 animals represent death in cultures around the world? Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-these-6-animals-represent-death-in-cultures-around-the-world-45511 Discover Wildlife. (n.d.). Animals associated with death. Discover Wildlife. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/animals-associated-with-deathGeggel, L. (2023, October 31). Creatures associated with death from around the world. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/animals/creatures-associated-with-death Greek Gods and Goddesses. (n.d.). Keres. Greek Gods and Goddesses. https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/keres/ Lewis, T. (2023, July 6). How the brain copes with grief. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-copes-with-grief/ Mindful Synergi. (n.d.). The biochemistry of grief: How loss changes the body. Mindful Synergi. https://www.mindfulsynergi.com/the-biochemistry-of-grief-how-loss-changes-the-body/ Olympioi. (n.d.). Keres: Goddess of violent death. Olympioi. https://olympioi.com/demigods/keres Rolfes, S. J. (2024). Beware the banshees cry: The folklore and history of the messengers of death. Llewellyn.The Times of India. (2024, March 1). 7 birds that are considered bad omens in different cultures [Photo story]. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/7-birds-that-are-considered-bad-omens-in-different-cultures/photostory/120649246.cms Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Keres. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keres YouTube. (n.d.). [Video on Keres] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH7Q3p3quM
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Gone With the Sin, Baby!

    Gone With the Sin, Baby!
    May 21 2026

    In Charmed, Season 3, Episode 18, “Sin Francisco”, the Halliwell sisters are up against a series of attacks tied to the seven deadly sins—but the twist? Even they aren’t immune. Sloth, gluttony, lust, and pride creep into their own lives, amplified in ways that are equal parts dangerous and revealing. Today, Lex and T will dive into the fascinating history of these sins and explore how they’ve been reinvented in modern pop culture. We’ll also touch on the flip side: the Seven Virtues, the moral counterpoints that offer courage, wisdom, and hope.

    TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of violence, murder, and graphic or disturbing content, including depictions of death, self-destruction, and a brief reference to suicide. It also explores heavy themes such as sin, moral corruption, and psychological distress that may be sensitive for some listeners.

    Learn More:

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Avarice. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Avarice

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Envy. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Envy

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Gluttony. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Gluttony

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Lust. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Lust

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Pride. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Pride

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Sloth. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Sloth

    • Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Wrath (Character). Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath_(Character)

    • DC Extended Universe Wiki. (n.d.). Seven deadly sins. Fandom. https://dcextendeduniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins

    • Siddiqui, M. (2019, March 27). The factory of seven sweet sins. Medium. https://medium.com/@madinasid/seven-sweet-sins-61599c13c95e

    • ThoughtTheory. (2023, December 30). The 7 deadly sins; A modern perspective. Medium. https://medium.com/@ThoughtTheory_/the-7-deadly-sins-a-modern-perspective-3c5d9fffc735

    • UOSenki. (2025). Se7en: The series killer didn’t complete the 7 deadly sins. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/1gn02vr/se7en_the_series_killer_didnt_complete_the_7/

    • University of St. Thomas. (2026). The seven virtues. https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/minneapolis/frescoes/the-seven-virtues/

    • Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). The Seven Deadly Sins (manga). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Deadly_Sins_(manga)

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • “Do you guys ever think about dying?”: We’ve Got You Barbie!

    “Do you guys ever think about dying?”: We’ve Got You Barbie!
    May 1 2026

    In this episode of Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter, Lex & T unpack Season 3, Episode 16 “Death Takes a Halliwell,” where Prue comes face-to-face with the Angel of Death while deadly seekers hunt Cole. As chaos unfolds, the real focus turns inward - exploring grief, control, and what it means to accept the inevitable. From the Grim Reaper to La Catrina and shinigami, we dive into how cultures across the world personify death, not as a villain, but as a guide and balance-keeper. Drawing on mythology, religion, and Tarot, we explore death as transformation rather than an end.


    TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of death, dying, grief, violence, and brief references to suicide, as well as religious and cultural perspectives on the afterlife. We also explore existential themes and symbolic imagery (including disease, decay, and mortality) that may be sensitive for some listeners.


    Learn More:

    • Cereal Ventures. (n.d.). Day of the Dead: Who is La Catrina? Day of the Dead. https://dayofthedead.holiday/traditions/who-is-la-catrina/

    • Dhwty. (Ancient Origins. (2019, March 14). Shinigami: The grim reaper and god of death in Japanese folklore. Ancient Origins. https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/shinigami-grim-reaper-japanese-folklore-006072

    • Sandoval, M. (2023, October 29). How “La Catrina” became the iconic symbol for the Day of the Dead. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-la-catrina-became-the-iconic-symbol-for-the-day-of-the-dead

    • Wikipedia contributors. (2026, April 22). La Calavera Catrina. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=La_Calavera_Catrina&oldid=1350524215

    • Wikipedia contributors. (2026, April 17). Shinigami. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinigami&oldid=1349425426

    • Yokai.com. (2026). Shinigami. https://yokai.com/shinigami/

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    59 mins
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