Mojos in Our Bag: Black Women’s Magic Across Generations

What’s in your mojo bag?! You know about mojo bags right?It’s not limited to just a gris gris bag or pouch made of flannel. Mojo bag represents the personal magic you have. The magic of Black women has been felt and reached globally for centuries.In this episode of The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist podcast, I chat with Dr. Lindsey Stewart to explore the rich tapestry of Black women's spirituality, focusing on the legacy of hoodoo, the significance of community, and the importance of honoring ancestral wisdom. Dr. Lindsey Stewart is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Memphis, where she weaves Black feminist philosophy, Southern identity, and spiritual traditions into her scholarship . She is the author of The Politics of Black Joy: Zora Neale Hurston and Neo‑Abolitionism (Northwestern University Press, 2021), which explores how joy served as both resistance and refusal in southern Black life . Her newest work, Conjuring of America, traces 400 years of Black women’s magic—from mojos to mermaids—as a transformative spiritual history rooted in survival and self‑definition. During our chat we discuss the role of granny midwives, the cultural significance of textiles, specifically quilts, and the complexities surrounding charging for spiritual services like readings. We also touch on modern expressions of spirituality, such as brunch culture and social media. Dr. Stewart even shares reflections on the transformative power of mermaids as symbols of rebellion and change. Please consider supporting Dr. Lindsey Stewart by purchasing her new book, Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic.The audiobook is also available on platforms like Audible and Spotify. I highly recommend listening to it! The dedicated chapters on The Candy Lady, Granny Midwives, and Caroline Dye are my favorites so far! Seriously, this book is a must have for all of the hoodoos and conjure women of today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.chelseavonchaz.com/subscribe