Vault: He's Confused After Going On A Date With A Witch?!

Summary

The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: He's Confused After Going On A Date With A Witch?!

Date: March 31, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode of The Bert Show, the team dives into a unique listener dilemma: Ryan, a caller, is confused after learning that his recent date is a practicing witch. What begins as playful banter quickly turns into a thoughtful and educational conversation about Wicca, modern witchcraft, and religious disclosure in dating. With input from both the show's cast and practicing members of the Wiccan community, the episode busts myths, explores honest communication in relationships, and balances humor with bridge-building between different worldviews.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ryan’s Story: The Date Reveal

• Ryan recounts going on a great first date with a woman (a friend of a friend), ending in an enthusiastic make-out session. The following day, she emails him and discloses that she is a witch and practices casting spells, cleansing, and scrying (looking into a crystal ball) ([00:58]).
• Ryan is "freaking out" and seeking guidance, unsure if his reaction is justified or based on misconceptions ([01:51]):

  "I'm freaking out. I don't know. I haven't called her back since yet. I don't know whether this is crazy, whether I'm overreacting..." – Ryan ([01:51])

2. Breaking Down Stereotypes and Misconceptions

• The hosts and callers riff on the Hollywood image of witches and bring up questions about Wicca versus witchcraft, referencing pop culture and common misunderstandings ([02:12-03:34]).
• Jeff jokes:

  "Did you ask her if she's a good witch or the bad witch?" ([02:18])

3. Clarifying Witchcraft, Wicca, and Religion

• A Wiccan Priest calls in, explaining Wicca as a bona fide nature-based religion:

  "Wicca is definitely a religion." – Wiccan Priest ([04:31])

• Distinguishes Wicca from "evil" practices and clarifies that voodoo (and needle-in-doll magic) is a different religion entirely ([04:58-05:00]).
• Wiccans "celebrate the universe and nature," living each day as church, not just attending gatherings ([05:57]).

4. Life as a Wiccan and Compatibility in Dating

• The Wiccan Priest shares his journey from a Catholic background to Wicca due to unanswered questions in Christianity ([06:53-07:14]).
• On dating, he stresses Wiccans aren’t exclusionary, but it's common for any minority to dislike being judged or misunderstood ([07:23]).
• Wiccans favor honesty because of the misconceptions, so Ryan's date was up front after feeling a connection ([07:43]):

  “If she happens to like this guy, for him to find out later, it might freak him out. Like he is freaking out right now.” – Wiccan Priest ([07:43])

5. Religion and Relationship Timing

• Some hosts question if it was too early to disclose her Wiccan identity ([08:00-08:11]).
• The Wiccan Priest compares it to disclosing other important information up front for fairness, especially when it's core to one’s identity ([08:11]).
• Callers chime in that religious disclosure timing often matches the depth of one’s involvement.

6. Deeper Wiccan Practices: Rituals, Holidays, and Beliefs

• Shelley, another Wiccan, calls to clarify community practices:

  “Most Wiccans celebrate holidays which are called Sabbats, and they also celebrate these things called Esbats. ... There would be holidays she would be celebrating, and if they (Ryan and his date) were to get serious, he would see and get involved in these things.” ([09:04])

• Beltane (May 1) is given as an example—celebrating fertility and life ([09:45]).
• On faith compatibility, Shelley notes that core beliefs differ greatly between Christianity and Wicca, but openness is possible ([10:14]).

  “Most Wiccans worship a God and a goddess figure... sometimes that can drag down into more polytheistic beliefs...” – Shelley ([10:14-10:43])

7. Debunking Harm and Conversion Myths

• The Wiccan principle cited: “Harm none, do what you will.”

  “...she's not going to be sacrificing cats or anything like that.” – Shelley ([10:45])

• Shelley sees no reason Ryan would need to convert or fear harm:

  “She shouldn't harm you or do anything weird like that. Most Wiccans are pretty normal people, which is neat.” ([11:19])

8. Ryan’s Resolution

• Ryan feels reassured by the knowledge and stories from Wiccan callers ([11:49]):

  “You know, I think I’m actually kind of relieved by the last two folks who have called. So I think I will call her back and say, hey, let’s go on another date and see how it goes.” – Ryan ([11:49])

• The hosts and callers encourage him to pursue it with an open mind and curiosity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ryan's initial confusion:

  “I don't want to come home one day with my buddies or something, and she's in the living room casting spells. How do I explain that?” – Ryan ([03:45])

• On stereotypes:

  “It really all depends on how hot she is anyway, because she could tell you anything. And if she's hot enough, she's Alyssa Milano and she's saying she's a witch. You're like, no worries. Please get around that. Totally.” – Tyler Redick ([03:34])

• Explaining Wiccan daily practice:

  “Wiccans celebrate the universe and nature. So every day that we wake up, we are in our church.” – Wiccan Priest ([05:57])

• Wiccan ethics:

  “Their main law is in ye harm none. Do what you will.” – Shelley ([10:45])

• Relief and decision:

  “I think I will call her back and say, hey, let's go on another date and see how it goes.” – Ryan ([11:49])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ryan’s Story and Dilemma: [00:58 – 02:21]
• Exploring Witchcraft (Stereotypes vs. Reality): [02:21 – 03:45]
• Wiccan Priest on Beliefs and Religion: [04:16 – 07:14]
• Disclosure Timing & Relationship Advice: [08:00 – 08:50]
• Shelley Deepens the Wiccan Discussion: [08:56 – 11:19]
• Ryan’s Resolution & Show Wrap-Up: [11:34 – 12:09]

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Summary and Takeaways

This episode offers a humorous, non-judgmental, and informative look at what it means to date someone with non-traditional religious beliefs. The Bert Show fosters genuine curiosity, dispels fears and myths, and encourages listeners to keep an open mind. Ryan’s journey—from confusion to curiosity—mirrors that of many navigating modern dating with honesty and respect for diversity.

Listeners will come away with:

• Greater understanding of Wicca and modern witchcraft
• Reassurance that open communication is key in relationships
• A reminder that authenticity and acceptance enrich our connections

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Transcript

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[Tyler Redick]

Hey, Ryan.

[Ryan]

Hey, good morning, guys.

[Wiccan Priest]

How are you?

[Tyler Redick]

Good. How are you today?

[Ryan]

I'm doing okay.

[Tyler Redick]

Let's talk about this first date and the detail that you found out afterwards that makes you a little reluctant to call her back.

[Ryan]

I went out with a girl over the weekend that is a friend of a friend, and we had a great time. At the end of the night, we ended up making out, and I thought it was really good. And then the next day, I get an email from her. I'm not joking. She writes that she had a great time, too, but since we kissed, she thought she should be upfront and honest with me about who she actually was. And then she wrote, I'm not joking, that she's a witch. And she thought she had to tell me and get it off her chest because of. She would never hurt anybody. It's not like she's evil or anything like that, but she's a witch and she does the whole thing. She casts spells and cleansing and scrying, which I had no idea what that even was, and I had to look it up. And it's. It's when you look into a crystal ball or something, you know, crying is

[Tyler Redick]

the name of that.

[Ryan]

Scrying.

[Tyler Redick]

Okay.

[Shelley]

So she goes on and on and

[Ryan]

on about how she's a witch in this email, and she understands if I'm not interested in calling her back because of the misconceptions, but she wanted to let me know up front since we did make out and she thought she'd like to see me again. So I'm freaking out. I don't know. I haven't called her back since yet. I don't know whether this is crazy, whether I'm overreacting or. I don't know. Has anybody gotten. Did you ask a witch? I have no idea.

[Jeff]

Did you ask her if she's a good witch or the bad witch?

[Ryan]

She writes that she's a good witch in the. In the email, she writes that, you know, she was raised Christian, and even though the Bible says it's magic or witchcraft is evil, she's not. She would never hurt anybody or anything.

[Tyler Redick]

We need to hear from some witches,

[Caller 1]

some from the Wiccan community, because I have no idea.

[Tyler Redick]

They take this very, very seriously. And they're always eager to, like, put credibility on their whole. I don't even want to call it a lifestyle, but there is a big misconception of what, like witches and Wiccan and all that is. And they're always eager to set the record straight.

[Caller 2]

Is it considered a religion?

[Ryan]

I don't know. I don't know if it's a religion. I mean, she writes that she was raised Christian, and she still is Christian. So I don't know if witchcraft is necessarily a religion or not. I don't know.

[Caller 2]

What if she were a Scientologist? What would be weirder?

[Ryan]

The Scientologist might be a little strange,

[Tyler Redick]

which would scare you more, which would freak you out more. It's just such a world that most people stay away from because I think, you know, Hollywood has made witches. You got your black hat on, right?

[Caller 1]

Halloween. Ish.

[Caller 2]

And Alyssa Milano was a witch. And Charmed. Right?

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[Caller 2]

She was a hot witch.

[Caller 1]

But, I mean, it's like you say. I mean, Christianity's made it like this evil thing, but is it really evil?

[Tyler Redick]

It really all depends on how hot she is anyway, because she could tell you anything. And if she's hot enough, she's Alyssa Milano and she's saying she's a witch. You're like, no worries. Please get around that. Totally.

[Jeff]

Good morning.

[Ryan]

I don't want to come home one day with my buddies or something, and she's in the living room casting spells. How do I explain that? Like what? I have no idea.

[Caller 1]

She's just hanging out with her coven. Don't worry about it.

[Jeff]

I'd like to have a friend who could cast spells. I think that would be convenient on your behalf.

[Tyler Redick]

Hey, Debbie. Good morning. You're part of the Birch Show.

[Shelley]

Hey, I feel really bad for the guy, especially if you like her, but, you know, that's a good line to use if you want to get rid of somebody. I may start.

[Tyler Redick]

It might not be true at all. Good morning. Q100. Hi.

[Wiccan Priest]

Hi.

[Tyler Redick]

Ryan here is A little freaked out because he made out with a witch and he's not real sure that's safe territory.

[Wiccan Priest]

It's absolutely safe. Like you said, you know, it depends on, I guess, how hot she is anyway.

[Tyler Redick]

And you know that it's safe because.

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, I am a wiccan priest and to answer your earlier question, Wicca is definitely a religion. What are his concern?

[Tyler Redick]

She's a witch, man.

[Caller 1]

Well, I mean, I think the reputation of being a witch is somebody who you know is either evil or cast spells or you don't know what to expect. And so, I mean, what clear some of these rumors.

[Tyler Redick]

I think my first concern would be if things go wrong, can she put like a needle into a rag doll and have his eye fall out?

[Shelley]

That's voodoo.

[Tyler Redick]

That's voodoo.

[Wiccan Priest]

It's completely different religion altogether.

[Caller 2]

Duh.

[Wiccan Priest]

I think mainly the misconception with witchcraft is that witchcraft is evil as far as Atlanta is concerned. The witches in Atlanta really don't believe in doing evil and casting spells on someone else.

[Tyler Redick]

Could you though, if you wanted to, like if you had one bad witch apple in the Atlanta community?

[Wiccan Priest]

I really don't think so. I mean, magic really doesn't work that way.

[Jeff]

If he was dating a witch, what would be different in that relationship than if he was just like you said, dating a. Just a Christian girl or something like that?

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, that's a good question, Jeff. You get the good question now?

[Tyler Redick]

You won the good question from the wiccan priest.

[Jeff]

Okay. I would like as my prize the ability to levitate.

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, you'll have to talk to David Blaine for that, I believe.

[Shelley]

Well, what do witches do on a day to day basis?

[Tyler Redick]

Yeah. Do you guys go to church? I mean, who do you pray to? Do you pray to anybody?

[Ryan]

Like you fly?

[Wiccan Priest]

That's another misconception is that I think most Christians go to church on Sunday and. Or on Wednesday, but wiccans pretty much live their life on a daily basis in church because wiccans celebrate the universe and nature. So every day that we wake up, we are in our church.

[Caller 1]

So it's more a nature based religion?

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, it is absolutely a nature based religion. We follow the cycles of nature and it really helps us balance out our lives and live our lives on a daily basis.

[Caller 2]

Is wiccan blended with astrology at any point?

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, we do read and use astrology to help us, but I wouldn't say that it's blended with. It's just another observance, that thing that we pay attention to. Sure.

[Tyler Redick]

Were you at one point like Christian and then decided to go the Wiccan route?

[Wiccan Priest]

Sure. I was born and raised Catholic. Reading the Bible and different things, it just didn't make a lot of sense to me. And a lot of unanswered questions and things like that. So I'm not trying to put Christianity down here, but just not your thing.

[Caller 2]

Just a different personal choice for you.

[Wiccan Priest]

Sure, sure.

[Tyler Redick]

Does the Wiccan community, like, if he dates a witch or someone in the Wiccan community, do they look down upon non Wiccans?

[Wiccan Priest]

They shouldn't much like any minority or anything like that. I mean, you don't really like to be judged or looked down upon.

[Jeff]

Is it safe to assume that because she admitted this to him that she's a witch, that she somehow, like, she looked into the future and saw them having a future together, so that's why she confessed it?

[Wiccan Priest]

That's something that she would have to ask. I think she probably confessed it because there is such a misconception. And if she happens to like this guy, for him to find out later, it might freak him out. Like he is freaking out right now.

[Tyler Redick]

So rather find out initially.

[Caller 2]

I still think it's a little early on the first date or right after the first date to send that to him.

[Tyler Redick]

Sounds pretty major, though.

[Caller 2]

It seems like two or three dates go by, then maybe you break the ice with that and say, whatever.

[Wiccan Priest]

Well, I've heard y' all talk about telling people that you have children and. Or whatever the case may be, you know, full disclosure. I think it's only fair to say something right away. I mean, I don't know that if I was Christian, I would tell someone on the first date, hey, I'm Christian.

[Caller 1]

You know, be careful depending on how involved you are in your religion, because in every religion, there's people that are really involved and some that just dabble. And so obviously to her, she is very into her religion, and so she'd do that because I've known people who. They're very extreme into Christianity and don't drink or don't want to have sex or, you know, that they would say that to somebody that they started dating?

[Tyler Redick]

High Priest Shelly here is part of the Wiccan community also, and she thinks you're misrepresenting the community.

[Caller 1]

Uh.

[Tyler Redick]

Oh, Shelley, good Morning. You're on Q100.

[Shelley]

Hey, Bert Show. How are you?

[Tyler Redick]

Good, how are you? You have a problem with what's being said about the Wiccan community?

[Shelley]

A lot of times when people talk about Wicca, the first thing that's out of Their mouth is that it's a nature based religion. There's a very, very active Wiccan community in Atlanta with three or four covens that work in the community and things like that. Most Wiccans celebrate holidays which are called Sabbath, and they also celebrate these things called sbats. They do live it every day, but they do have holidays and things like that that they celebrate. So depending on how active she is in the Wiccan community, there would be holidays and things like that that she would be celebrating, you know, and if they were to get serious, there would be things that he would see and get involved with because she would be involved with. Does that make sense?

[Tyler Redick]

Like what?

[Shelley]

We have a Sabbath coming up close to May 1, called Beltane. Beltane generally celebrates fertility and life and the coming back of the sun. And these sabbats, which are what the holidays are called, are based around the seasons and the types of things that would happen in nature, but not necessarily the worship of nature. Does that make sense?

[Tyler Redick]

Not really, but that's okay. Shelley, if he isn't into the whole Wiccan community, will she continue to date him or do you have to be part of that community?

[Shelley]

It's difficult, you know, dating somebody if you don't have any of the same religious beliefs. Most Wiccans worship a God and a goddess figure, and sometimes that can drag down into more polytheistic beliefs where they'll worship multiple goddesses and multiple gods. So if he's Christian or comes from a Christian background, I imagine it would be very different than what it is that he's used to.

[Tyler Redick]

So there's no harm in him test driving this for a little while?

[Shelley]

No, definitely not. And the most important thing to remember about people that really do believe in Wicca and actively practice Wicca is that their main law is in ye harm. None. Do what you will. So if she is a Wiccan, that she's not going to be sacrificing cats and stuff like that.

[Tyler Redick]

There you go, Ryan. So, I mean, it's not like what we were.

[Caller 1]

It's Hollywood, right?

[Tyler Redick]

It's not Hollywood stuff.

[Shelley]

Okay.

[Ryan]

So there's no chance that I'm going to get hurt in any way. And you don't think that I would need to convert or something like that if I date the girl, right?

[Shelley]

No, definitely not. And she should. You should be able to ask any of these questions that you have with her and she should be able to answer them. She shouldn't harm you or do anything weird like that. Most Wiccans are pretty normal people, which is neat.

[Caller 2]

It might be kind of fascinating conversation for the second and third date.

[Tyler Redick]

You meet so many of the same people that all seem to have the same story, it'd be cool to sit down with a Wiccan and go ahead, you talk.

[Caller 1]

Yeah, well, the thing is you obviously are interested enough in her that you're concerned about it, so I would say keep dating her.

[Ryan]

You know, I think I'm actually kind of relieved by the last two folks have called. So I think I will call her back and say, hey, let's go on another date and see how it goes. And if it goes crazy, I'll give you guys a call and let you know what happens.

[Wiccan Priest]

Do it man.

[Tyler Redick]

Go get yourself some wicking boots Day. All right, Ryan, thanks for calling.

[Ryan]

Thank you guys.

[Tyler Redick]

Bye bye.

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