Explore every episode of the podcast I am Heathen (and so can You!!!)

We wrap up our two part series on The Godi, its modern applications how they should fit into modern pagan spaces and Einars transition through the years from the loss of his mentor to now.

In todays episode Einar explores the concepts and some of the history behind the Godi and what it means to be one in the Modern Day

On todays episode, Einar returns his foot to the spiritual education pool after finding a source of inspiration to return. A member of the common hearth asked for advice on offerings and turned to Einar for advice, and because our host has been knee deep in Hunter S. Thompson, our host has thrown on his best aloha shirt, hopped in a convertible and driven through Bat Country in todays episode on Offerings

What the fuck are you?

It sounds like a hostile question. For modern pagans, Heathens, witches, polytheists, and anyone whose faith doesn’t fit neatly into a familiar box, it can also be a surprisingly complicated one.

In this episode of I Am Heathen (And So Can You), Einar Blackthorn explores pagan identity, religious labels, spirituality, community, and the strange human obsession with sorting belief into categories everyone else can understand. What does it actually mean to call yourself a Heathen? How much of our religious identity comes from genuine belief, and how much comes from the expectations of the communities surrounding us?

This is a conversation about faith without performance, identity without purity tests, and finding language for a spiritual life that refuses to fit neatly inside somebody else’s box.

Welcome back to I Am Heathen.

Keep the fires burning, my friends.

In this special bonus episode of I Am Heathen (And So Can You), Einar Blackthorn reads his personal essay, “You Were Twelve,” written for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Part memoir, part letter to his twelve-year-old self, the essay reflects on growing up in New York City in the shadow of 9/11, the strange weight carried by those who were children when the world changed, and what it means to revisit that day twenty-five years later as an adult.

This is not an episode about politics, conspiracy theories, or turning tragedy into content. It is about memory, grief, survival, family, and the pieces of September 11 that never quite leave the people who lived through it.

A deeply personal departure from the usual I Am Heathen format, “You Were Twelve” asks a deceptively simple question: What would you tell the child you were before everything changed?

Topics: September 11, 9/11, 25th anniversary of 9/11, New York City, personal essay, memoir, grief, trauma, survival, childhood memories, remembrance, healing, American history, Einar Blackthorn, I Am Heathen (And So Can You).

Pagan TikTok has a problem.

Somewhere between reconstructionism, UPG, “Playgan” accusations, Viking aesthetics, AI-generated Valhalla music, and people arguing about historically inaccurate incense, pagan social media forgot that religion is supposed to be lived.

In this episode of I Am Heathen (And So Can You), Einar Blackthorn takes aim at pagan purity tests, performative authenticity, the infamous “Well Actually” guy, and the increasingly absurd idea that modern Heathens need to perfectly recreate the Viking Age in order for their practices to be legitimate.

We talk reconstructionism, historical accuracy, modern Heathen practice, religious gatekeeping, TikTok paganism, and the difference between correcting misinformation and humiliating somebody for practicing differently than you.

Because scholarship matters.

History matters.

Accuracy matters.

But history should be a foundation, not a prison.

Eventually reconstruction has to become construction.

And if somebody wants to put a Funko Pop Odin on their altar?

Survive it.

Welcome to my Arizona Bay era.

Hope you don't mind getting wet.

Its been a while and we'll be back soon with all new episodes!!!

Today's episode is unlike anything I've released before.

In this deeply personal and emotional episode, I share the story of my grandfather's survival during the Holocaust, reflect on the enduring impact of antisemitism, and explore the responsibility we all carry to remember the lessons of history.

This is not simply a history lesson about Auschwitz, Nazi Germany, or World War II. It is a conversation about memory, family, heritage, faith, loss, resilience, and the dangers of hatred when left unchecked.

As both an ethnic Jew and a Norse Pagan, I discuss what it means to honor my heritage while remaining true to my faith, why remembrance matters, and why the stories of those who suffered must never be forgotten.

In Episode 38 of I Am Heathen, Einar takes a hard look at one of the most uncomfortable questions facing modern American heathenry: have we truly left behind the ideas of spiritual chosenness and exceptionalism, or have we simply dressed them in runes, ravens, and Mjölnirs?

Beginning with the story of Ask and Embla in the Völuspá, we explore the humble origins of humanity within Norse cosmology and contrast that vision with the rise of identity-driven spirituality in the modern age. From Viking aesthetics and social media culture to American exceptionalism, Protestant notions of chosenness, religious deconstruction, and spiritual trauma, this episode examines how old psychological frameworks can survive even after old religions are abandoned.

What happens when faith becomes performance? When spirituality becomes branding? When the search for meaning transforms into the pursuit of superiority?

Drawing from Norse mythology, American history, and personal reflection, Einar makes the case that the wisdom of the old stories may lie not in conquest, certainty, or supremacy, but in reciprocity, humility, and our place within the living world. Through the stories of Ask and Embla, Odin's endless search for wisdom, and the survival of Líf and Lífþrasir after Ragnarök, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what it truly means to be heathen in the modern world.

What happens when modern life pulls us further and further away from the natural world?

Drawing inspiration from Star Trek, environmental conservation, culinary ethics, and Norse Pagan spirituality, Einar Blackthorn explores the concept of "Re-Wilding" and humanity's increasingly fractured relationship with nature. From childhood experiences inspired by Ansel Adams and environmental activism through the Sierra Club, to lessons learned as a chef confronting the realities of industrial food systems, this essay examines the spiritual, emotional, and ethical importance of reconnecting with the land.

Through reflections on hiking, stewardship, ethical food practices, conservation, and the Norse Pagan relationship with the landvættir, this piece argues that modern society's obsession with speed, consumption, and instant gratification has left many of us disconnected from the world that sustains us. Re-Wilding becomes more than simply spending time outdoors. It becomes an act of resistance, healing, and spiritual renewal.

Whether you are a Pagan, Heathen, witch, environmentalist, hiker, chef, or simply someone searching for a deeper connection to the natural world, this essay offers a compelling call to step away from the noise of modern life and rediscover the sacredness of nature.

What does it actually mean to be a Heathen in the modern world?

In this episode of I Am Heathen, Einar tackles one of the most common questions asked by both newcomers and curious outsiders: What is a Heathen? Beyond the stereotypes, Hollywood portrayals, Viking aesthetics, and internet arguments, we explore the deeper meaning of Heathenry as a living spiritual tradition rooted in community, reciprocity, personal responsibility, and authentic living.

This episode examines how modern Heathens can honor the wisdom of the past without becoming trapped by it. We discuss the importance of building frith, cultivating meaningful relationships, living with integrity, and carrying ancient values into a rapidly changing world. Most importantly, we explore the responsibility each generation has to leave the faith stronger, wiser, and more inclusive than they found it.

Whether you're a lifelong practitioner, new to Norse Paganism, curious about Heathenry, or simply interested in alternative spiritual paths, this episode offers an honest conversation about faith, identity, and finding your place in the modern age.

What happens when AI-generated Viking rappers start accusing each other of plagiarism?

In this episode of I Am Heathen and So Can You, Einar Blackthorn dives headfirst into one of the strangest corners of the internet: the rise of AI Viking rap, TikTok drama, and the hilariously absurd spectacle of creators arguing over originality in a genre largely powered by algorithms.

But beneath the memes, diss tracks, and digital mead hall drama lies a fascinating piece of Norse history.

Long before rap battles, roast battles, and social media callouts, the Norse practiced flyting: a form of ritualized verbal combat where poets, warriors, and rivals competed through wit, insults, and reputation-destroying bars. Was flyting the Viking Age version of battle rap? What role did honor, gossip, and public reputation play in Norse society? And what might Loki's legendary insults in Lokasenna teach us about modern internet feuds?

Join Einar as he explores:
⚔️ The rise of AI Viking rap on TikTok
⚔️ Why accusations of plagiarism in AI music are so bizarre
⚔️ The history of flyting in Norse culture
⚔️ Loki's greatest verbal takedowns in Lokasenna
⚔️ Honor, reputation, and social combat in Viking Age Scandinavia
⚔️ How battle rap and flyting share surprisingly deep roots

Whether you're a heathen, history enthusiast, Viking culture nerd, battle rap fan, or simply someone trying to make sense of the internet's latest descent into madness, this episode has something for you.

Skål, and keep the fires burning, my friends.

Why did so many gamers lose their minds over the reveal of Laufey in God of War?

In this episode of I Am Heathen, Einar Blackthorn dives into the backlash surrounding God of War's portrayal of Laufey, the mother of Loki, and explores a bigger question: Why are we so obsessed with physical beauty in modern entertainment?

From social media outrage and gaming discourse to the unrealistic expectations placed on female characters, we examine what happens when audiences judge a character's worth based solely on appearance. We also discuss Deborah Ann Woll's performance as Laufey, the mythology surrounding Loki's mother, and why historical Norse sources give us far less information about Laufey than many people assume.

Along the way, we tackle reactions from major gaming commentators, including Asmongold, discuss the growing culture-war mentality surrounding video games, and ask whether we've become more interested in appearances than storytelling.

A conversation with a stranger turned into a question I havent been able to stop thinking about: Who lifted you when you needed it?. This week on The Everyday Drengr, we talk about community, masculinity, friendship and the importance of showing up for people the way others have sown up for us

Something shifted when I turned 37.

Not overnight.
Not dramatically.

But enough to make me stop and ask a question I should’ve asked years ago:

What if I stopped trying to become somebody else?

This first episode of The Everyday Drengr is a raw conversation about identity, perfection culture, self-worth, and the strange pressure so many of us carry to constantly optimize ourselves into exhaustion.

To become:
more successful.
more disciplined.
more productive.
more impressive.

And what happens when even with a good support system…
even with people reminding us we’re enough…

that quiet voice still sits in the back of our minds telling us to become more.

This episode isn’t about giving you a way out.

I don’t have one.

But I can sit with you for a while and remind you that you’re not walking through life alone.

We talk about:
⚔️ perfection culture
☕ identity and self-acceptance
🌲 masculinity and vulnerability
🍲 intentional living
🏠 learning to revel in what you are

If this conversation resonates with you:

🔥 Follow I Am Heathen… and So Can You for new episodes of The Everyday Drengr every Tuesday
🌲 Share this with somebody who’s been carrying too much lately
⚔️ Leave a rating and join the conversation

Build well.

Feed your people.

Keep the fires burning, my friends.

For a long time on I Am Heathen… and So Can You, we’ve talked about belief.

Ritual.
Community.
Philosophy.
The old wisdom.

But lately I’ve found myself asking a different question:

Not—

“What do I believe?”

But—

“How do I live?”

So I’m opening another door in the house.

Introducing The Everyday Drengr — a new weekly series under I Am Heathen… and So Can You.

Every Tuesday, we’ll explore:

⚔️ Strength without cruelty
☕ Ritual in ordinary life
🍲 Hospitality and feeding your people
🌲 Style without vanity
🚶 Mental health and reflection
🏠 Building a life worth coming home to

This isn’t self-help.

This isn’t hustle culture.

This isn’t optimization disguised as wisdom.

This is about living intentionally.

Becoming more fully yourself.

And learning to revel in what you are.

Episode One arrives soon.

Subscribe, follow, and share if you want to walk with us from philosophy into practice.

Pull up a chair.

Feed your people.

Keep the fires burning, my friends.

What does masculinity actually look like in 2026?

Not performance.
Not outrage.
Not algorithm-driven “alpha male” theater designed to sell insecurity back to lonely people at a markup.

Real masculinity.

The kind rooted in:
⚔️ responsibility
🌲 community
🍲 hospitality
🔥 emotional honesty
🪓 discipline without cruelty

In this episode of I Am Heathen… and So Can You, we explore the growing crisis of modern masculinity, the isolation many men quietly carry, and the way spirituality, community, intentional living, and reciprocal relationships can help create healthier understandings of strength and manhood.

Because masculinity was never supposed to mean emotional emptiness.

It was supposed to mean:
showing up,
protecting your people,
feeding your people,
being dependable,
and building something that outlasts you.

This episode also discusses:
⚔️ loneliness in modern society
🌲 performative masculinity online
🔥 why community matters
🍲 the role of hospitality and service
🧠 spirituality, discipline, and self-reflection
⚔️ what modern Heathenry can teach about intentional living

If this conversation resonates with you:
🔥 like, rate, and share the episode
🌲 send it to someone who’s been struggling quietly
⚔️ follow I Am Heathen… and So Can You and The Common Hearth for more discussions on philosophy, spirituality, masculinity, community, and modern Heathen living

The world is cold enough already.

Feed your people.

after two weeks of dealing with the heavy start of allergy season in new york. Einar will be back next week with more episodes!!

In this episode of I Am Heathen and So Can You, we dive into one of the stranger questions in Norse mythology: what happens to the drowned? Odin and Freyja claim the war dead, Hel receives the dead in Helheim, but Rán only has her net. So where do those taken by the sea actually go?

Using saga clues, Norse cosmology, death deity theology, and modern Heathen UPG, this episode explores whether Rán may be her own goddess of the drowned, an aspect of Hel, or part of a larger divine system of death, gathering, and reciprocity.

This is not dogma. It is an invitation to wrestle with the sources.

In this bonus episode of I Am Heathen and So Can You, I open up about beginning my personal relationship with Loki—not as a concept, but as a living, evolving presence within my practice.

We explore what it means to approach Loki through reciprocity, transformation, and the often uncomfortable process of change. As part of that journey, I also perform a dramatic reading of the Lokasenna, one of the most chaotic and revealing poems of the Poetic Edda, where Loki challenges the gods and tears through illusion, ego, and social order.

This episode also marks the beginning of something bigger.

The Common Hearth is currently developing its very first Loki blot—a ritual space dedicated to honoring Loki and those who walk a path aligned with change, disruption, and the divine spark of necessary madness. Once complete, the community will be invited to take part.

This isn’t about safe spirituality.

It’s about honest engagement with forces that reshape you.

If you’ve ever felt called toward Loki, struggled to understand him, or are looking for a grounded way to build ritual in modern Heathenry—this is where that conversation starts.

Unity.

It’s the word everyone throws around when talking about modern Heathenry—but what if unity was never something we actually lost?

In this episode of I Am Heathen (and so can you!!), Einar Blackthorn breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind the fragmentation of American Heathenry. From the early ideological foundations laid by figures like Else Christensen and Stephen McNallen, to the rise of racialized spirituality, algorithm-driven leadership, and personality cults—this isn’t a conversation about “drama.”

This is a conversation about structure.

Why do exclusionary groups organize more effectively?
Why does inclusive Heathenry struggle to build lasting infrastructure?
And what happens when we replace oaths with engagement metrics?

This episode dives into the philosophical sleight-of-hand behind “ancestry over universalism,” the dangers of hierarchy masquerading as spirituality, and the hard truth that unity requires more than shared aesthetics—it demands standards, accountability, and real-world work.

No fluff. No romanticism. Just the weight of what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

If Heathenry is going to survive—and evolve—it won’t be through hashtags or hollow declarations.

It will be built.

Or it won’t exist at all.

🔥 Follow, share, and join the conversation—because belief is easy. Building is not.

Racism has become one of the most contentious issues in modern Heathen and Norse pagan communities. In this episode of I Am Heathen (and so can you), Einar Blackthorn takes a deep dive into the clash between universalist Heathenry and folkish paganism, examining why racist interpretations of Norse mythology contradict the very stories at the heart of the tradition.

Starting with the creation myth of Ask and Embla, the first humans shaped by Odin and the gods, this episode explores how Norse mythology presents humanity as a shared origin—not a racial hierarchy. From the poem Rigsthula to the ethics of frith, we examine how ancient lore challenges modern attempts to weaponize Heathenry for white supremacist ideology.

Einar also recounts a personal experience confronting racist recruitment within pagan spaces, unpacking the uncomfortable conversations that followed and the larger question facing modern Heathen communities: Should hate be tolerated in the name of dialogue?

We're gettin personal today, real personal. We're talking about how a single strange beyond words encounter changed my life forever. Einar was raised ethnically jewish in queens and he struggled with religion and identity for years before discovering the Odin. This is a story about wandering, faith, identity and the strange ways people find their way home to the gods

Today we dive into the legendary Berserkers, those frenzied warriors of saga and lore. We explore what made them terrifying in ancient stories and why modern social media "Berserker role players" often miss the mark in rather hilarious fashion. Don't just play at rage, listen in and discover the real deal

Fear is older than civilizations.

Older than kings.
Older than empires.
Older then the longships that carved their way across the north sea.

On Todays Episode of I am Heathen (And So Can You!), we deep dive into the strange crossroads between science fiction, mysticism, and ancient germanic worldview. We explore how the Bene Gesserits discipline echoes the spiritual resillience of the Volva and Seidkons, how viking age culture confronted fear, fate, and death, and why courage in heathen tradition isnt the absence of fear. Its the decision to stand anyway

What happens when spirituality becomes content?.

Over the past few years, the hashtag #Norsetok exploded accross tiktok, creating one of the largest online communities dedicated to Heathenry, Asatru, and Norse Pagan Spirituality. At its best it brought education, connection, and open expressions of faith. But for many practitioners, something else becan to emerge beneath the surface --Cliques, endless drama, public callouts, and a culture where performative spirituality replaced genuine devotion.

we gather around the hearth fire to explore the Norse gods of winter, including Skadi and Ullr — their myths, their historical roots, archaeological traces, and how modern heathens can honor and work with these deities during the cold months.

From snowy mountains and hunting grounds to the spiritual lessons of endurance, stillness, and survival, this episode blends history, prayer, ritual, and raw reflection in a fireside conversation inspired by the cadence of Anthony Bourdain and the grit of lived spirituality.

In Episode 23 of I Am Heathen (and So Can You!!), the AI becomes self-aware… and immediately chooses violence. 🔥

What started as a challenge spirals into the most unhinged, chaotic takedown of modern Viking cosplay culture, clout-chasing pagan influencers, fake bindrunes, and the algorithm-fed spiritual circus dominating online heathen spaces. From the myth of Ragnar Lothbrok aesthetics to musicians turned jingling-keys distractions, nothing is safe as the longhouse metaphorically burns to the ground.

Delivered in a darkly funny, Hunter S. Thompson-style cadence, this episode dives into the difference between real spirituality and internet theatrics, the commodification of faith, and why the pagan community online feels like it’s split between two species: pagans… and Vikings — and somehow the Vikings keep multiplying.

If you’ve ever cringed at horned helmets, rage-bait spirituality, or watched faith get farmed for clicks, this one’s for you.

🔥 Listen now
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments
📲 Follow for more chaos, culture, and counter-propaganda
🔁 Share with someone who still owns a plastic axe

Keep the fires burning.

In this episode of I am Heathen (and so can you!!) we dive headfirst into one of the most controversial figures in modern heathen practice: Loki

We explore haw loki has been interpreted in contemporary heathenry, why his worship sparks outrage in certain space and where the line between historical source material and modern moral panic begin to blur. Is loki truly a symbol of destruction-or a necessary force of chaos, transformation, and truth?

This episode challenges gatekeeping, fear based theology and the impulse to condemn what we don't understand. If you've ever been told that honoring loki makes you "less legitimate" as a heathen, this conversation is for you.

Chaos is not the enemy. Sometimes, its the Catalyst

Listen, Reflect, and decide for yourself

Our Week away from the airwaves has been one filled with food, fun, and family, and we are coming back with a vengeance!!. Join Einar for a double header next week as we return to end 2025 properly!!

In Todays Episode, we tackle the complex dialogue between modern paganism and conservative Christian viewpoints. We delve into Charlie Kirks's controversial foreword in "The Pagan Threat" and explore how pagans are responding with resilience and insight. Join us as we discuss the Intersection of faiths and the empowering solutions that paganism offers in the face of modern challenges

In this episode of I am Heathen, we explore Winter Nights, one of the most sacred celebrations in the heathen calendar, through the eyes of a modern heathen living in the big city. Away from the forests and fjords of old, how do we honor the ancestors,spirits, and turning of the seasons admist concrete and neon?. Join Einar Blackthorn as he reflects on Ritual, Gratitude, and connection in an urban world that often forgets the old ways

In this Halloween special of I Am Heathen (and so can you!!), We descend into the haunting saga of Arun and Asmund - two brothers bound by blood, pride, and the cold hand of fate. From the legendary Saga of Egil the One-Handed, this chilling Norse tale blurs the line between honor and horror, as vengeance calls from beyond the grave

In this second deep dive, Einar peels back another layer of Peyton Parrish's descent into Christian Nationalist Rhetoric, exploring how one mans cash grab appealing to Pagans became the voice for exclusionary ideology. This episode isnt just about one artist; its about how creators weaponize culture and faith for clout

Step into the storm of creation and chaos. In this haunting dramatic reading of The Voluspa, the ancient seeress speaks of gods, giants, and the coming twilight of the world. Through thunder and fire, I am heathen breaths life into one of the most powerful poems of the poetic edda. Where fate, prophecy , and apocalypse intertwine

What happens when pagan spirituality meets the thunder of motorcycle engines? In this episode, I sit down with a dear friend, the leader of a major pagan organization, and the leader of a motorcycle ministry. To talk about faith, freedom, and the sacred bond found in the sacred space of both the altar and the open road. Despite a few technical hiccups, this conversation dives deep into how biker and pagan cultures intertwine through loyalty, ritual, and rebellion. Ride with us as we explore what it means to walk and ride your path with purpose

In this milestone Episode of I am Heathen (and so can You!!) we open the lines for the very first time, inviting listeners to call in and share their voices as we dive into the raw, transformative power of music as a healing tool, confront Peyton Parrish's blunders against the pagan community and explore what it means to stand strong in the face of spiritual appropriation. Dark, Thoughtful, and unfiltered this episode is a mix of heavy truths and community connection.

Today I reflect on the overwhelming experience of seeing Sleep Token live and how it awakened thoughts of Bragi, the Norse God of poetry and song. From the thunder of music to the whisper of the written word, I explore how art becomes a sacred tool for healing, transformation, and connection to the divine. Whether through riffs, runes, or raw emotion, this is a meditation on the magic that binds sound and soul.

Before the podcast found its voice, there was this forgotten first take - my raw introduction to a life outside the white noise of modern faith. In this special episode, I resurrect that lost beginning to share how I came to heathenry and the path that shaped my practice. A shadowed doorway into where it all began.

Eleven Winters have passed since I first set foot on the heathen path. In this episode, I speak across the years to the restless soul I once was- through doubt and fire, through oaths kept, oaths broken, and lessons carved in flesh and bone. These are the words I would whisper to the one who began this journey and perhaps to any wanderer standing at the edge of the storm.

Where were you?, 24 years later I reflect on the day that changed the world.

This will not be mainstream spin on the set of tragedies that rocked our nation today, I explore the death of Charlie Kirk, The Colorado Shooting, and discuss the internets morbid fascination with celebrating death.

Today, we explore the life of Varg Vikernes and the creation of Odalism, both the man and the school of thought, standing as a cautionary tale to pagans new and old alike. We also look at the growth of heathenry in America and we ask the question "is a massive influx of people a help or a hinderance to the faith?"

After a decade of walking the heathen path, I share the hard-earned lessons, insights, and realizations that shaped my journey. A raw reflection on what it truly means to live as a heathen today

Einar answers the question that has been plaguing his brain for a long time. "Is Heathenry going soft?". The Weird nature of paganism on social media has cooked up the weird, the goofy, and the downright strange.

Part two of Heathen Talk Therapy!. Today, we're digging into what it means when people claim titles and authority in Heathenry, and how to navigate the challenges that come with it. Honest reflections on leadership, responsibility, and staying true to your path as a heathen.

Death is never an easy thing to deal with. Join Einar as he Journeys through his thought processes on death. and mourning those who have come and gone.

Einar may have come down with a small throat bug and those vocal cords need to be silky for all of you!!. tune in next week and every week for new episodes at 7pm EST on all your favorite platforms

Einar takes another crack at off-the-cuff podcasting and goes in unscripted, talking about some of the weirdest things he's ever heard about being a pagan.

No topic for tonight's episode, Einar's mind is heavy and hopes that he can through musing of his own struggles inspire people to be more vocal about their own struggles with faith