When the Tongue is a Wand: The role of writing and prayer in survival

Growing up in the Yoruba tradition, Dr. Ayoka Wiles learned early that words are never just words—they’re power, protection, and prophecy.Dr. Ayoka Wiles is a scholar, spiritual practitioner, and author of I Hear Olofi’s Song: A Collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa—a heart-deep offering of ancestral prayers. With a PhD in Public Policy and two decades in nonprofit and arts leadership, she amplifies the voices of Black women through writing and prayer as survival and liberation tools.In this episode, she joins The Practice of a Hoodoo Baptist to share how writing and prayer became her tools for survival, her connection to spirit, and her act of resistance.Growing up in the Yoruba tradition, Dr. Wiles shares her story of how language, ritual, and ancestral connection shaped her journey through academia, activism, and spiritual life.We talk:— How prayer functions as spiritual technology— Writing as a ritual of protection and prophecy— The power of Black women’s tongues to shift reality— Why silence is sometimes a spell—and sometimes a woundIf you’ve ever used your voice to heal, this one’s for you.Be sure to check out Dr. Wiles’ book, I Hear Olofi’s Song: A collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa. Available to purchase here. 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