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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 f**k 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.