Written by Fin
When I started the Tarot Interviews podcast in January 2025, it wasn’t just about dabbling in a new project. It was about survival.
In 2021, I faced a life-threatening battle with Covid and Sepsis, an experience that left lasting effects on my health and perspective. The resulting Long Covid has taken a lot from me. My energy, my ability to do simple tasks without gasping for breath, my sense of normalcy. I made a New Year’s resolution to focus on my health, but I needed something that felt meaningful. That’s how Tarot Interviews came to be.
I have read tarot cards since I was a teenager, always drawn to the rich symbolism and extensive connections the cards have to modern popular culture. So, I started recording conversations with my closest friends, using tarot cards as a way to guide our discussions. Over time, I invited others to join in. I never expected that these recordings would help me as much as they have.
The Hanged Man (pictured) from the popular Smith-Rider-Waite deck. The figure is pausing to see the world from a new angle, pay respect to sacrifices made and to trust the unknown.
Tracking Pain and Noticing Change
For the last three years, I tracked my pain levels daily, rating them from one to ten. I averaged between six and seven — pain intense enough to dominate my senses and interfere with social relationships. It made everything feel harder, even simple conversations with my kids. Since I started working on the podcast, something changed. My pain has remained at a steady four. It’s still there, but it no longer dictates my day.
I don’t know exactly why the podcast has helped, but I have some ideas.
The Healing Power of Listening Back
At first, I thought the biggest benefit of the podcast would be having fascinating conversations with strangers. As I started editing the episodes, I realized something unexpected — it was also helping me breathe.
Long Covid left me struggling to speak for long stretches without feeling winded. But listening back to my interviews gave me a chance to hear where I lost my breath, where I rushed through words and when I needed to slow down. Editing became an unintentional breathing exercise. I started using those moments to pause, inhale deeply, and regain some control. Over time, it became part of my healing process.
The Role of Movement
Making a podcast has changed the way I work. Editing and recording require me to move between different tasks, and I’ve started using a standing desk more often. Being on my feet to work isn’t exactly comfortable — it puts strain on my legs and back — but it has encouraged me to focus on my breath throughout the day. Instead of collapsing into a chair and letting my body tense up, I find myself centering, breathing deeply, and grounding myself. That shift has contributed to feeling better, in a way I never would have expected.
The Challenges of Blending Tarot and Interviewing
Bringing tarot into conversations hasn’t always been easy. Some guests embrace it instantly, finding comfort in the symbolism. Others hesitate, unsure of what to make of it. I’ve had to learn how to present it not as fortune-telling but as a tool for self-reflection.
Another challenge is time. A single tarot card can lead to hours of discussion, and I often have to find ways to keep the conversation focused while still allowing space for depth. It’s a balancing act, one I’m still figuring out.
Lessons I’ve Learned
Through this process, I’ve discovered a few things that have helped me keep going:
Preparation Helps: I research my guests ahead of time, so I can connect the tarot themes to their personal experiences in a meaningful way.
Flexibility is Key: Not everyone relates to tarot in the same way. Sometimes, the conversation shifts in unexpected directions, and I’ve learned to follow where it leads.
Editing is More Than Just Technical Work: It’s become part of my recovery, a practice in patience, presence, and breath control.
Movement Matters: Standing while working isn’t always comfortable, but it has helped me breathe better and feel more in control of my body.
What This Podcast Means to Me Now
What started as a way to recover has evolved into something I never expected. These interviews have given me connection, perspective, and, in many ways, a new way to heal. When I listen to my own voice now, I hear someone who is slowly but surely finding their voice.
I don’t know where this journey will take me, but for now, I’ll keep drawing cards, asking questions, and enjoy getting stronger — one conversation at a time.