In the second episode of "Actual People," I dive into how fear and darkness are useful tools for conjuring the spirits of hope and creativity and how despair is the real monster under the bed.

I touch upon the occult, post industrial Manchester, true crime, my 80s Miami childhood (again) and how the artist Jelly Roll, who just gave a rousing speech to Congress, might just might be the the most relevant messenger for our time.
Warning: Midway through the episode, I address some heavy stuff about drug addiction that may not be appropriate for all listeners.
Here are links to references and statistics from the episode.

• #witchtok hashtag
• witchcraft industry size
• Lois Duncan, YA author
• The Vengeance trilogy
• Jelly Roll speech to Congress
• Jelly Roll on Spotify
• FEND Off Fentanyl Act
• What are we so afraid of?, NYT and Chapman Survey of American Fears

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.
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Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com