Ep. 27: Michelle Cassandra Johnson

I met Michelle Cassandra Johnson through her anti-racist work for yoga studios, and have had the privilege to work with her over the years as her work as evolved — including doing deep grief work, ancestral work, and watching as she has developed a deep spiritual relationship with her beehives.This conversation is gem, just like Michelle. We talk about the relationships built with our ancestors, and how important their protection and guidance is for both of us in this wild world. She shares about how she started working with the bees, and everything they teach us about community care and interconnectedness.What I can’t convey is the energy of sitting with Michelle. It comes through some in this recording, but if you can be with her in person — I highly recommend it. Her mixture of depth, groundedness, ethereal magic, and a spiritual lightheartedness is not to be missed.Chapters00:00 Welcome and setting the container04:50 Growing up in the Black Baptist church12:55 Devotion, questions, and spiritual lineage23:10 Yoga, order, and discernment in chaotic times41:20 Mary Magdalene, refuge, and non-ordinary reality47:30 Bees, collective care, and tending the hiveThanks for listening! Share this with your feed if you enjoy our conversation:Connect with Michelle:You can learn more about Michelle Cassandra Johnson and her work as a writer, teacher, and spiritual guide at michellecjohnson.com. Peep her calendar to see if she’ll be near you soon.More about Curious Hearts:I’m cooking up a community that fall be under the Curious Hearts umbrella, launching later this spring of 2026. If you want to hear more, just click here: https://mailchi.mp/veralester/curious-hearts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit veralester.substack.com/subscribe