Flightless Bird – "Nest Sessions: Genevieve Schatz on Being Clairvoyant"

Host: David Farrier
Guests: Genevieve Schatz, Rob
Air Date: April 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special "Nest Sessions" edition of Flightless Bird, journalist David Farrier sits down with singer-songwriter, poet, and clairvoyant Genevieve Schatz (former lead singer of Company of Thieves). The episode explores Genevieve’s multifaceted life—from her musical journey and motherhood to her work as a professional clairvoyant—while also delving into uniquely American snacks and the deep connections between intuition, personal growth, and creativity. With warmth and gentle humor, the conversation is both intimate and expansive, demystifying clairvoyance while reflecting on music, identity, and the search for belonging.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genevieve’s Many Hats

[00:26]

• Introduces herself as “a human woman, mother of two young children. Currently, the things that I'm doing include meditating, writing music, poetry, singing, giving clairvoyant readings as a psychic… studying child development... starring in a play written by my mom in Carpinteria as Cinderella.”
• Play described as a comedic, therapeutic take on fairy tales, with characters who’ve become self-aware through therapy.

2. Longstanding Friendship with Rob

[01:33]

• Genevieve and cohost Rob have known each other for about 20 years.
• She praises Rob’s evolving emotional availability and gift for making others feel safe and comfortable.
  • Quote: “Somehow you've become more available to more people… you allow other people to be very comfortable in their own skin.” (Genevieve, [03:01])

3. American Snack Segment: The Taste of Chicago

[05:02]

• Genevieve introduces David to Chicago’s iconic three-flavored popcorn tin: cheddar, caramel, and butter.
  • “People in Chicago will line up around the block.” (Genevieve, [05:38])
• Discussion expands to food as cultural identity: popcorn’s Native American roots, its use as decoration, its role as Illinois’ official state snack, and differences in popcorn’s popularity between the US and NZ.
• Gift of heart-shaped Lou Malnati's deep-dish pizza reflects Chicago’s food culture and Genevieve’s gratitude for the invitation.

4. Genevieve’s Musical Roots

[09:52]

• Early memories include listening to The Beatles, Beach Boys, jazz (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone) with her dad.
• Father’s influence: built a high school radio station, DJ’d at Q101 (“alternative rock station in Chicago”).
• “His love of music and specifically like bands… was my en route to his heart. It’s always been… a way to bond with him.” (Genevieve, [10:37])
• Discusses challenges and gender stereotypes faced in the music industry as a female vocalist.
  • “They would say, like, okay, everyone, here's your pass. As in, like, are you the merch girl? … I'm the lead singer. Thank you very much.” (Genevieve, [12:09])
• Her stage persona: Vulnerability vs. power—admitting that trying to “push through” barriers sometimes led to physical strain.
  • Rob: “Her on stage was so captivating… like, you would control the entire room when you were up there singing.” ([13:14])

5. Journey into Clairvoyance

[16:53]–[22:06]

• Early signs: As a child, could sense emotional truths behind her parents’ words during their divorce; only later realized not everyone navigates reality that way.
• Uses visions and dreams in songwriting, unaware it was “clairvoyance.”
• “Clairvoyance just means clear seeing… the part of you that can see vision, that has an inner vision.” ([19:34])
• Burnout on tour: her empathic abilities made her take on others’ pain, resulting in chronic sickness (bronchitis) until she learned to protect her energy.
• Pivotal moment: An out-of-body experience (possibly an “astral projection”) while witnessing a distraught puppy and its owner in a park, affirmed by a casual encounter with a psychic friend.
  • “I was literally like, should I get locked up? Like, something’s really wrong…” (Genevieve, [25:05])

6. Studying and Practicing Clairvoyance

[25:40]–[34:36]

• Attended Envision, a psychic school in Chicago—a “Hogwarts”-like experience teaching grounding, meditation, aura reading, chakra balancing, and energy protection.
• Describes various forms of psychic ability (e.g., clairsentience, clairaudience), explains aura reading, and the importance of neutrality and consent.
• Learning to separate her own emotions/thoughts from others’ energy, tuning chakras for balance and protection.
  • “I learned how to read Life Force Energy… what was my shit… and what was actually coming from this other being’s life and space.” (Genevieve, [29:59])

7. Integrating Clairvoyance & Music

[33:17]

• Clairvoyant training allows her to listen and write music more discerningly—sensing how different songs resonate with different chakras/energies.
• Lyrics have become more conversational and honest.
  • “I think I used to be really afraid to be seen in my lyrics. I was very excited to be heard in my singing, but now… I’m able to kind of like, come forward and be seen in my lyrics more.” (Genevieve, [34:33])

8. Coming Out as Clairvoyant

[35:00]–[36:12]

• Few in her life know about her psychic work; she’s cautious to share unless she senses receptivity.
• Gives readings in-person, over the phone, via text, and through the Sanctuary app (described as “Uber for psychics”).
  • “Since November of 2020, I've given, like, over 5,000 readings… from people all over the world… it’s so unifying.” (Genevieve, [36:46])

9. Demystifying Psychic Practice

[41:35]–[45:31]

• Explains structure of an in-person aura reading—grounding, chakras, energetic boundaries, consent.
• Seven layers of the aura are described, each linked to a major chakra and aspect of personal experience.
• Discusses aura photography: acknowledges scientific ambiguity but values the symbolic, unifying power of the imagery.
  • “Is it real? Why not?... It’s a cool fucking photo.” (Genevieve, [45:26])

10. Music and Transformation

[47:47]–[49:16]

• Genevieve introduces three unreleased songs: "Butterfly" (about inner transformation), "Super Ultraviolet Love" (about connecting with one’s eternal essence), and "Shine Bright, Be a Light to the World" (about being the light in dark spaces).
  • “Butterfly… is about getting in touch with the part of us that feels like a young, innocent inner child that is maybe afraid to fully let go, to become more than what you could even imagine you could be.” (Genevieve, [47:52])
  • “Super Ultraviolet Love… about connecting with your eternal essence and remembering… what you’re made of.”
  • “Shine Bright… inspired by a Krishnamurti quote… get in touch with yourself so you can bring that inner light out.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Rob’s Character:
  • “You allow other people to be very comfortable in their own skin.” (Genevieve, [03:01])
• On American Snacks:
  • “In the US, [popcorn] is the number one most popular snack. In Illinois, it is the official snack.” (Genevieve, [07:06])
• On Gender Barriers in Music:
  • “Are you the merch girl? … I'm the lead singer. Thank you very much.” (Genevieve, [12:09])
• On Spiritual Experience:
  • “I was literally like, should I get locked up? Like, something’s really wrong…” (Genevieve, [25:05])
• On Clairvoyance:
  • “Clairvoyance just means clear seeing.” (Genevieve, [19:34])
  • “Aura reading… the first layer of your aura… deals with your safety, security and survival space.” (Genevieve, [40:15])
• On Music after Psychic Training:
  • “It allows me to listen in a much more discerning way because I can understand now why something might appeal to me based on where it lights me up in my energy system.” (Genevieve, [33:17])
• On Unifying Human Themes:
  • “It has been so clarif of the kinds of themes that we explore as humans, as people. It's so incredibly unifying, actually.” (Genevieve, [36:56])
• On Aura Photography:
  • “Is it real? Why not?… It’s a cool fucking photo.” (Genevieve, [45:26])
• On “Butterfly” Song:
  • “It's about getting in touch with the part of us that feels like a young, innocent inner child that is maybe afraid to fully let go, to become more than what you could even imagine you could be.” (Genevieve, [47:52])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Genevieve’s Introduction, Talents, and Play: [00:26]–[01:17]
• Genevieve & Rob’s Longstanding Friendship: [01:33]–[03:46]
• Chicago Popcorn & Deep Dish Pizza Discussion: [04:44]–[09:37]
• Genevieve’s Musical Background: [09:52]–[13:33]
• Female Vocalists & Industry Barriers: [11:30]–[12:51]
• First Signs of Clairvoyance: [16:53]–[18:02]
• Defining Clairvoyance & Types of Intuition: [19:34]–[20:24]
• Astral Projection & Psychic School: [22:05]–[29:13]
• Music, Clairvoyance, and Lyrical Honesty: [33:17]–[34:36]
• Coming Out as a Clairvoyant: [35:00]–[36:12]
• Global Clientele (“Uber for Psychics”): [36:03]–[36:56]
• Aura Reading & Spiritual Practice: [40:15]–[41:35]
• Aura Photography & Shared Language: [43:47]–[45:31]
• Introduction to Unreleased Songs: [47:47]–[49:16]

Tone and Style

The episode is open-hearted, curious, and gently humorous. David’s skeptical but non-judgmental Kiwi sensibility balances Genevieve’s soulful, earnest take on music and the intuitive arts. Rob, as both an old friend and American cohost, brings warmth and authentic connection.

Conclusion

Genevieve Schatz's interview provides a fascinating window into the intersection of creativity, intuition, and the pursuit of authenticity. Whether discussing Chicago food, rock venues, or psychic boundaries, the episode consistently circles back to themes of empathy, presence, and transformation—made all the more vivid through Genevieve’s unreleased music and candid storytelling.