Hey friends, it's Anne.

On today's episode of to the best of our knowledge, we'll explore the ancient, obscure, occult art and science of alchemy.

And if that makes you think Harry Potter and wizards and tall pointy hats, prepare to be surprised.

Alchemy turns out to be a lot more relevant to our lives than you'd believe.

Or at least, that's what we'll try to convince you.

Next.

Wisconsin Public Radio

It's to the best of our knowledge.

I'm And Strange Champs.

Today, if you're looking for something more exciting to do than read the news, how about

trying your hand at alchemy? Turning base metal into gold, hunting the philosopher's stone,

brewing up the elixir of life. Once upon a time, science and magic were two sides of the same coin.

Today we learn science in school and save magic for children's books, but what if it were

different? What would it be like to see the world as an alchemist?

Alchemy itself has molded through different religions.

Here's Sarah Dern, who at 25 years old sees alchemy as a spiritual practice.

It was started in Alexandria in Egypt,

and there were Egyptian gods interwoven into alchemy,

and Greek gods interwoven into alchemy,

and then it sort of morphs in the Middle Ages

into a Christian religion, a lot of Christian iconography

goes into alchemy.

...