The Mind of Sai Marie

6:11

The Red Witch of La Ligua: La Quintrala and the Dark...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/09/06

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of Mind of Sai Marie, we explore Catalina de los Ríos y Lísperguer (La Quintrala), the Chilean aristocrat whose wealth shielded her from forty murder charges. This is episode 3, continuing the Gothy History, Poisons and Literature series. Get full access to Sai’s Newsletter at saimarie.substack.com/subscribe

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15:48

Beyond the Verdict: The Double standard in the...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/09/05

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.When a mother experiences an acute medical and mental health crisis, online spaces quickly turn hostile. An analysis of the Lindsay Clancy mistrial, the physical evidence of trauma, and why discussing maternal healthcare routinely invites public vitriol. Get full access to Sai’s Newsletter at saimarie.substack.com/subscribe

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5:30

Beyond the Standard: Body Politics, Cultural History,...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/09/04

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode, Sai unpacks the political, historical, and cultural undercurrents driving the sudden comeback of the ultra-thin, “heroin chic” aesthetic in the era of Ozempic. From tracing how extreme physical restriction and the fetishization of prepubescent smallness function as tools of control, to examining how rigid beauty standards align with authoritarian

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16:36

Laura Vosika on Time Travel, Historical Depth, and...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/09/02

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai sits down with prolific author and podcast host Laura Vosika. Laura takes us behind the scenes of her sweeping five-book epic, the Blue Bells Chronicles, which blends 14th-century Scottish history with modern time travel, high-stakes romance, and hard-earned spiritual redemption.We explore how her background as a musician shapes the rhythm of her storytelling, the psychological impact of identity displacement across centuries, and why showing that no

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3:16

Beyond the Ballot: Conscientious Voting, Egalitarian...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/09/01

Thanks for reading Sai’s Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we examine the crucial difference between stripping voting rights and demanding conscientious participation. We break down how red-pill propaganda and patriarchal conditioning detach men from emotional connection, reframing true matriarchal models—like Themiscyra—as egalitarian frameworks that liberate everyone. From curating safe spaces to preventing the real-world tragedies

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4:46

The Vanity Bottle on the Nightstand: Giulia Tofana...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/29

In this companion piece to our Mind of Sai Marie dive into historical shadows, we explore Giulia Tofana, the architect of Aqua Tofana. Discover the masterclass in quiet subversion that freed 17th-century women from abusive bonds.Welcome back to the dark side of history. Get full access to Sai’s Newsletter at saimarie.substack.com/subscribe

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5:14

Unchecked Power, Misogynoir, and the Price of Impunity

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/29

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we examine how power, control, and institutional cruelty intersect across our current socio-political landscape. Starting with the foundational dynamics of misogynoir—the specific, intersectional anti-Black misogyny conceptualized by scholar Moya Bailey—we trace how systemic violence against Black women acts as a baseline

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12:33

Beyond the Attic: The Dark Truth of Jane Eyre & Wide...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/22

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode, we dismantle the myth of Jane Eyre as a cozy Victorian love story. We dive into the Gothic horror lurking at Thornfield Hall, examine Rochester’s gaslighting, and explore how Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea restored humanity to Antoinette Cosway. Plus, we look at the powerful cinematic legacy of Karina Lombard—from playing the hidden West Indian

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12:06

The Black Velvet Chapel: Poison, Power, and Surrender

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/21

Thanks for reading Sai’s Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.In this episode of Mind of Sai Marie, we step into the shadow underbelly of Sun King-era France to uncover Catherine Monvoisin (La Voisin) and the Affair of the Poisons. Plus, an intimate reflection on power dynamics in dark fiction and a live chapter reading from my latest release.Experience the Darkness on the PageIf the tension of hidden desires, control, and irreversible choices calls to you:* 📖 Pickup Of Masters

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8:35

Annette Griffin on Finding God in the Stories of...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/20

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.On August 20, 2026, the Mind of Sai Marie Podcast welcomed acclaimed author Annette Griffin. In this insightful episode, Annette discusses her journey, her writing process, and the inspiration behind the Finding God Series. We explore the powerful message of her featured book, The God Hunter—co-authored with Franella Smith—which follows a young boy’s pursuit of

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17:45

Staring at the Stars: Finding Story, Hope, and Voice...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/19

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we sit down with Northern Ontario author Emily Andrews to discuss what it truly means to build a creative life outside the world’s literary capitals. Connected to the show through fellow author Jessie Hartnet, Emily shares her journey as an independent writer crafting stories rooted in grit, landscape, and

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11:02

Reclaim Your Attention: Big Tech Secrets, Digital...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/18

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we sit down with former Big Tech insider, university recruiter, and author Heather Henderson to unpack how digital platforms shape human behavior from the inside out. Drawing from over a decade inside tech giants like Google and Uber, Heather shares why high achievers experience digital overwhelm—and why we were never the problem to begin with.We explore her landmark book, Reclaim: How to Stop Scrolling Through Your Life and Start Living It, diving into her

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5:57

The Empress, The Fedora, and The Corporate Purgatory

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/18

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We’ve all met the resident Ice Queen—the person who uses micro-invalidations and cold dismissals to maintain an artificial social hierarchy. For decades, women are conditioned to smooth over the awkwardness, offer appeasing smiles, and absorb passive-aggressive energy just to keep the peace.In this episode, we break down what happens when you simply opt out of the

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7:53

Bridging Two Worlds: Maria Gallucci on CODA Identity,...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/14

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Mind of Sai Marie podcast is honored to welcome back author and advocate Maria Gallucci for a deeper dive into her extraordinary debut book, Raised in Silence: Lessons on Listening, Love, and Loud Family Dinners From a Child of Deaf Adults.Returning as a proud CODA who learned ASL before spoken English, Maria joins us to unpack the complex dynamics, early

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8:13

The Unvarnished Mirror

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/13

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Dive into the psychological playbooks we ignore—from narcissistic discards to emotional manipulation. The Unvarnished Mirror cuts through the noise and charm to bring you clear-eyed analysis, real-talk boundary strategies, and the uncomfortable truths about why we stay attached to people who drain us. Get full access to Sai’s Newsletter at

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10:15

The Art of the Safe Space: Doug Lawrence on Grief,...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/12

In a world that often demands we carry our burdens in isolation, where do we go when the weight becomes too heavy?In this powerful episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I am honored to welcome back international best-selling author and mentoring pioneer, Doug Lawrence. Doug recently made history as the only mentor in the world to be awarded the prestigious Fellow – Certificate of Practice: Journey Mentor by the International Mentoring Community.Together, we unpack the raw, quiet reality of grief,

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11:31

The Architecture of Advocacy

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/11

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Behind every breakout book, every bestseller list, and every author who breaks through the noise, there is often a dedicated advocate fighting for their story.In today’s episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai is joined by Mickey Mikkelson, the visionary founder of Creative Edge Publicity.Mickey began his journey in the book industry in 2006, managing special events

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15:15

The Family Vault:

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/10

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.When an elder passes, they leave behind memories—and sometimes, a wall of generational secrets. In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai digs deep into what happens when family members burn the paper trails, rewrite biological lineages, and rely on made-up double-speak like “blood by marriage” to avoid facing hard facts.From mid-century

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6:29

Show, Don’t Tell: Saturn Retrograde, Fake Support,...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/05

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.When crisis hits and boundaries are set, performative allies and fake friends reveal their true depth by running away. In this episode, we break down how the block, delete, and flee response mirrors defensive culture, like not all men, the double burden of healing in silence, and why actions will always speak louder than empty words of support. Get full access to

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14:00

Main Character Syndrome, Complicit Friends, and the...

The Mind of Sai Marie ·

2026/08/03

Thanks for reading Sai’s Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.Hosted by Sai Marie Johnson, this Substack digs into the stuff people are too polite or too cowardly to say out loud. From unpacking the red flags of toxic men and main character syndrome to calling out passive enablers and systemic injustice, we clear out the noise and hold the line. No fluff, no excuses, and zero tolerance for disrespect. Get full access to Sai’s Newsletter at saimarie.substack.com/subscribe

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