Listen " Exploring Halloween Traditions and Tarot Insights"
Episode Synopsis
In this Halloween week episode, Alyssa and Nadia explore themes of control, guidance, and finding meaning in uncertain times — with a little help from tarot cards.Nadia opens up about getting her tarot cards read by a friend and pulling three cards representing her past, present, and future: Judgment (awakening and rebirth), Knight of Wands reversed (restlessness, impatience, burnout), and King of Cups (emotional maturity and compassion). What starts as a playful conversation about divination turns into something deeper as Nadia admits she was seeking guidance from the universe — not advice from advisors or family, but confirmation that she's doing things for the right reasons.They discuss why tarot cards resonate: not because they predict the future, but because they offer a mirror to reflect what's already inside us. Nadia shares how she's been feeling stuck, burnt out, and craving control over her life — themes that showed up perfectly in her cards. Alyssa shares a memorable story about Nadia's dad getting his tarot read at a wedding, pulling cards that eerily captured his question about how to maintain a relationship with his daughter as she grew up.The conversation expands into broader reflections on spirituality, organized religion, and why people seek connection with something bigger than themselves. Nadia reveals she's struggling with wanting control but recognizing she can't have it — and how that tension shows up everywhere from her busy schedule to her career uncertainties. They touch on Halloween plans, costume culture, and the fantasy of having superpowers (spoiler: they'd both freeze time).At its heart, this is an episode about what we turn to when life feels overwhelming — whether it's tarot cards, faith, or simply the hope that we're on the right path.TakeawaysTarot cards aren't about predicting the future — they're about reflecting what's already inside youSometimes we seek guidance from "the universe" when we need permission to trust ourselvesFeeling burnt out and restless is a sign you're craving control over an uncertain futureYou can't control everything, and trying to will only lead to more frustrationThe power of tarot (and spirituality in general) lies in giving structure and meaning to our experiencesWhat we wish for reveals what we're struggling with: wanting to freeze time = feeling overwhelmed by paceAuthenticity and emotional honesty are lifelong practices, not destinationsEven organized religion and spiritual practices tap into the same human need for connection with something greaterIt's okay to seek comfort and reassurance wherever you can find it — tarot, faith, or conversationChapters0:11–1:10 – Halloween Week & Missing Each Other1:11–2:43 – Bar Crawls, Costumes & Female Halloween Culture2:44–4:39 – The Comfort of Wearing a Costume (Plus: Flash Mobs!)4:40–6:25 – Halloween Plans: New York, Parties & Marathon Weekend6:26–9:47 – Nadia's Tarot Card Reading: Past, Present, Future9:48–13:05 – Why the Cards Resonated: Burnout, Restlessness & Hope13:06–16:39 – How Tarot Works: Taking What Resonates, Leaving the Rest16:40–19:49 – Alyssa's Story: Eric's Tarot Reading About Parenting Nadia19:50–20:50 – Tarot, Church & Understanding Spirituality Differently20:51–23:22 – "I Wish I Was a Witch": The Fantasy of Control23:23–26:39 – Superpowers & What They Reveal: Freezing Time vs. Reading Minds26:40–28:10 – Connecting the Cards to Life: Past Judgment, Present Burnout, Future Compassion
More episodes of the podcast Papaya Talk
From Gymnastics to Marathons: A Journey
11/11/2025
From Co-op Challenges to Career Aspirations
28/10/2025
Navigating the Path to Becoming a Doctor
21/10/2025
Impact of AI on Education
14/10/2025
Navigating Noise and Mental Health
07/10/2025
Exploring Fitness and Pilates Philosophy
30/09/2025
The IUD Experience
23/09/2025
Senior Year of College
16/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.